Ranmaru stood somewhat silently behind Karin and Kurotsuchi, his red pupils lowered, seemingly unused to being watched by so many people.
Karin noticed his discomfort, stepped half a step sideways to shield him, and put her hands on her hips. "Hey hey, don't stare at Ranmaru like that, you'll make him shy."
Her protective demeanor was quite befitting the princess of the Uzumaki Clan.
Chino folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "The Akaigan, huh... I've heard it was once considered a Dojutsu comparable to the Uchiha's Sharingan."
Her tone carried a hint of comparison.
After all, the Ketsuryugan of the Chinoike Clan had also once been ranked alongside the Sharingan.
The atmosphere became momentarily subtle.
Just then, Hazuki spoke up at the right moment. "Alright, alright, the match is about to start. Shunji, are you ready?"
Shunji took a deep breath, settled the Twin Swords Hiramekarei on his back, and stood up.
His expression became serious, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"I've been ready for a long time."
At that moment, the announcer's voice came over the PA, notifying the competitors to proceed to the preparation area.
Everyone in the locker room exchanged glances, then headed out the door together.
In the corridor, the group split into several clusters.
The Jonin walked ahead, talking in low voices, while the Genin followed behind.
They soon arrived at the designated seating area in the spectator stands.
The location was excellent, directly facing the competition ground, offering a full view of the entire arena.
By the time they arrived, the match was about to begin.
The stands were packed, and cheers surged like waves.
In the center of the arena, a youth wearing a deep blue Uchiha Clan's outfit was already standing there.
Uchiha Taichi, seventeen, with short-medium black hair, arms crossed over his chest.
What stood out the most were his Three-Tomoe Sharingan eyes.
"Three tomoes—" Temari murmured. "It's said that any Uchiha who awakens the Three-Tomoe is without exception an Elite Jonin... and there's a saying that you should never face an Uchiha one-on-one."
Kankuro swallowed nervously. "Can Morishita-senpai win?"
Just then, Shunji emerged from the opposite passageway.
With the Twin Swords Hiramekarei on his back, he walked steadily toward the center of the arena.
The crowd erupted in even louder cheers, many shouting his name.
The two stood twenty meters apart in the arena.
The referee reaffirmed the rules, then brought his arm down. "Begin!"
Taichi moved first.
His hand seals were lightning fast, almost completing them the moment the referee's words fell: "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Though called the Fire Dragon Technique, the flame shot out in a straight line, like a spear aimed at Shunji. Its speed drew a collective gasp from the audience.
But Shunji did not retreat... he advanced.
He gripped the hilts of his twin swords and charged straight into the fire dragon.
A flash of his blades, and the fire dragon was split in two, the flames scattering to both sides.
Taichi seemed to have anticipated this.
The moment Shunji broke through the fire dragon, he had already drawn the Ninja Sword at his waist.
It was an exquisite Chakra Blade, the sword body shimmering with a faint blue light. He had specially commissioned the Ninneko Clan to craft it for this tournament.
Clang!
The twin swords clashed with the single blade, sparks flying.
The ensuing battle made the audience hold their breath.
Taichi displayed exquisite swordsmanship, each strike precise, efficient, with no wasted movement.
The Uchiha style swordsmanship flowed effortlessly in his hands, forming a stark contrast to Shunji's broad, powerful techniques.
"S-so amazing—" Kankuro murmured. "Morishita-senpai is being completely suppressed."
Gaara watched the arena intently.
In his observation, the situation was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
"It's not suppression," He said calmly. "It's tactics."
Temari, Karin, and the others turned to look at him.
Gaara continued his analysis: "Morishita-senpai chose to seek a quick resolution. Look at his attack rhythm. Although he appears passive, he counterattacks immediately after every block, trying to break Uchiha Taichi's rhythm."
He pointed to the arena. "The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan Genjutsu is unavoidable if you're not careful. At the start, Morishita-senpai could still be cautious, avoiding looking into his opponent's eyes. But as the battle continues, physical and mental fatigue accumulate, creating openings. And in a fight against the Sharingan, such an opening is fatal."
This analysis not only enlightened the young Genin but also drew the attention of the Jonin in the back rows.
Neji turned to look at Kimimaro, the veins around his Byakugan faintly visible. "His analysis is very accurate. The outstanding graduates of the Ninja School are indeed impressive."
Kimimaro nodded.
Through the Byakugan's 'vision', he could see the vast, ocean-like Chakra Reserves within Gaara.
A spark of anticipation for battle flickered in his eyes. "After all, he's the Jinchuriki that Shura-sama brought back personally. I'd really like to have a good fight with him."
Haku smiled gently from the side. "That will have to wait a few years, he's only just graduated."
Chino put her hands behind her head, leaning back. "Back when Kanon-san asked who was willing to take on newcomers, Kimimaro, you refused with such disgust. If you had taken this kid as your student, you could 'train' him every day."
Hearing this, Kimimaro glanced at her but didn't respond.
Meanwhile, Chino noticed that Ai's gaze kept drifting to one side.
She followed her line of sight and saw Hazuki, her face filled with worry, her hands clasped tightly in front of her chest, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Shunji in the arena, her lips slightly pursed.
Chino narrowed her eyes, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.
She quietly tugged at Ai's and Yukimi's sleeves, and the three Kunoichis huddled together.
"See that?" Chino lowered her voice, gesturing with her eyes toward Hazuki. "How worried Hazuki-nee looks—"
Ai blushed slightly. "Chino, don't talk nonsense."
Yukimi grinned like a cat that got the cream. "I knew it. The Medical Department is so busy, yet Hazuki specially took time off today to watch the match. So it's to cheer for a certain someone~"
"What are you talking about?" Sato heard the commotion and turned his head curiously.
"Girls talk! No eavesdropping, boys!" Chino shoved him away.
On the field, the battle entered its most intense phase.
Taichi's Sharingan spun rapidly, predicting Shunji's every move.
His swordsmanship grew faster and faster, gradually leaving several wounds on Shunji's body.
But Shunji's eyes remained determined.
He suddenly changed tactics, abandoning finesse with his twin swords in favor of overwhelming force. Each swing carried the power to split mountains and crack stones, forcing Taichi to retreat and block.
"He's about to counterattack," Gaara suddenly said.
No sooner had he spoken than Shunji crossed his twin swords, the blades erupting in a dazzling blue light.
The accumulated Chakra was fully released at this moment!
"Hiramekarei: Release!"
A blue Chakra Sphere condensed on the blades, then, with a slap of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei, it blasted toward Taichi.
Taichi's pupils contracted.
In the nick of time, his form flickered.
[Body Flicker Technique!]
Taichi reappeared on the other side of the arena, but the sleeve of his left arm was torn by the Chakra Sphere's residual energy, leaving an abrasion on his arm.
Gasps erupted from the audience.
Shunji did not pause.
He knew this was a golden opportunity. The opponent had just used the Body Flicker Technique and hadn't yet stabilized his footing… he couldn't allow him time to steady himself!
He stepped forward and charged, raising his twin swords again.
But just then, Taichi raised his head.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan locked onto Shunji.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Time seemed to stand still.
Shunji's movements froze.
His gaze went vacant, his raised swords stopping mid-swing.
"Genjutsu!" Temari exclaimed.
"Oh no—" Kankuro clenched his fists.
Taichi slowly walked toward his frozen opponent, raising his Ninja Sword, its tip pointed at Shunji's throat.
Victory seemed certain.
But just as Taichi's blade was about to touch Shunji, something unexpected happened.
The blade of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei suddenly exploded… not a large explosion, but enough to instantly restore clarity to Shunji's vacant eyes.
A grin spread across his face as he swung his twin swords upward in an impossible reverse grip!
Caught off guard by the sudden explosion, Taichi hastily retreated, but was a moment too slow.
The blade cut across his chest, blood seeping through.
"How is this possible?!" Taichi was shocked. "You were clearly caught in my Genjutsu—"
Shunji shook his head, his eyes sharp. "I was. But did you think I would face the Sharingan's Genjutsu completely unprepared?"
He held the Twin Swords Hiramekarei upright before his chest. "Hiramekarei can absorb Chakra, but it can also release it. I can't nullify Genjutsu, but I can keep a small Chakra Sphere constantly formed within Hiramekarei. If I fall under Genjutsu and my connection to Hiramekarei is interrupted, that Chakra Sphere will destabilize and explode… enough to wake me up. Even one second is sufficient!"
Taichi was stunned, then smiled wryly. "I see... you've developed Hiramekarei to this extent?"
Though Shunji made it sound simple, Taichi understood how terrifyingly precise his Chakra Control must be.
Moreover, with his Sharingan's ability to see Chakra Flow, Taichi knew that Shunji had precisely controlled that Chakra Sphere, hiding it beneath Hiramekarei's Chakra Coat, fooling even his Sharingan. That was even more remarkable.
"After all, Hiramekarei is now part of my strength too." Shunji's voice was firm. "Do you want to continue?"
Taichi looked down at the wound on his chest, then at his still-bleeding left arm.
After a moment's silence, he sheathed his sword. The Uchiha pride would not stoop to a dragged-out, desperate fight.
"I give up."
The referee immediately announced: "Winner: Morishita Shunji! Successfully defending his title!"
Cheers swept through the venue like a tsunami.
x Shunji sheathed the Twin Swords Hiramekarei, walked over to Taichi, and extended his hand.
"Good fight," He said earnestly. "Your swordsmanship put a lot of pressure on me too. I couldn't afford to prolong the fight with you... my mind was on edge every second."
Taichi shook his head. "A loss is a loss. But I'll challenge you again."
"I'll be waiting."
They shook hands and left the arena together.
Though the match lacked any earth-shattering clashes, the tactical battle was equally brilliant.
The audience began to file out, excited chatter rising and falling.
Gaara and the others prepared to leave as well.
"So?" Yukimi walked over, lazily stretching, looking at her three students. "Was today's observation worthwhile?"
Temari nodded. "Very much so. Especially the tactical level of the contest… textbook quality."
Kankuro was still excited. "Morishita-senpai was amazing! Turning it around like that!"
Gaara was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "He won because he was better prepared. The precautions against Uchiha's Genjutsu, the control of the battle's rhythm, and the decisive moment… these are the results of years of accumulation."
Yukimi's eyes showed a hint of approval. "Well said. True strength depends not only on talent and power, but also on this—"
She tapped her own head.
As the group left the stands, they encountered Shunji in the passageway, having his wounds bandaged by a medical team.
Hazuki stood beside him, carefully examining the injuries.
"I'm fine, Hazuki, just scratches." Shunji grinned, but seeing Hazuki's serious expression, he obediently shut his mouth.
Chino sidled over, winking exaggeratedly. "Yo~ Shunji, nice performance today. Someone was really worried, you know…"
Hazuki blushed and glared at her. "Chino!"
Everyone laughed.
The atmosphere was light and pleasant.