The moment Neji and Karui stepped onto the stage, everyone in the arena instinctively held their breath.
Some were nervous, while others were expectant.
And some were concerned with who would win this match.
For the first match, quite a few people had placed bets one way or another. After all, one of the contestants was a member of Konoha's prestigious Hyuga clan.
"Brother, did you place a bet?"
"I put a hundred thousand ryo on Neji Hyuga. I believe in the strength of our Konoha Hyuga clan!"
"Hmph, what's so great about Konoha's prestigious clans? Karui is one of our village's genius ninja of this generation."
"Tch, who isn't a genius? Neji Hyuga graduated top of the Ninja Academy two years ago. I can't be bothered arguing with you."
Near the front rows of the stands, a wealthy Konoha merchant and a Land of Lightning noble beside him were trading barbs and arguing nonstop.
In the arena, Gekko Hayate stood between the two. He looked at Neji and Karui before announcing the rules.
"If either party falls out of the ring, loses the ability to fight, falls unconscious, or voluntarily surrenders, they will be deemed defeated."
"At the same time, if I subjectively determine that either party is in mortal danger and intervene to save them, they will also be deemed defeated."
"Prepare for battle. Form the Seal of Confrontation. The match officially begins when the gunshot sounds!"
Hayate immediately retreated beyond the enormous circular arena.
Neji and Karui looked at one another and raised their hands to form seals.
"Konoha ninja—Neji Hyuga. Please advise me."
"Hidden Cloud ninja—Karui. Please advise me."
Seeing that the two had completed their seals, Hayate raised the signal pistol in his hand and pulled the trigger toward the sky.
Bang!
The loud report