The next day, the sun rose as usual. The scorching summer made the air feel especially restless, yet the stands around the arena were still packed with a sea of spectators.
The heat could not dampen their enthusiasm. It only made them more frenzied.
Eight o'clock, nine o'clock...
Hayate had yet to appear and announce the day's match arrangements.
At last, after a gust of wind swept through, Hayate appeared at the center of the stage.
At that moment, whether they were ordinary civilians, merchants, nobles, or even daimyo, all of them instinctively held their breath.
How exactly would today's matches be arranged? The restless hot blood in their veins left them unconcerned with anything else.
Right now, they only wanted to place a huge bet!
Those who had won before wanted to win even more! Those who had lost wanted to turn things around in one stroke.
No one knew whether they would fall into the abyss or walk into the halls of glory.
As Hayate appeared, the contestants participating in today's matches emerged one after another from both sides of the entrance tunnel.
"Today is the final day of the competition!"
"Allow me to once again introduce these six outstanding individuals who rose above thousands of ninja."
"They are Naruto Uzumaki, ranked first in unpredictability!"
"The genius ninja of the Uchiha clan, Second Pillar!"
"The wielder of Samehada—Kisame Hoshigaki!"
"The eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hinata!"
"And the mysterious Uchiha ninja—Uchiha Hikari!"
The stands immediately erupted with thunderous, unending applause and cheers.
"The young lady has arrived, make way! Young Lady Hinata will win!!!" Hanarin Hyuga, one of Hinata's usual attendants, raised a banner high and shouted in unison with the clan members behind her.
"Gaara, you carry the name of Hidden Sand on your back—you