A Match of Grudges

"Got it!" Naruto crossed his arms, fighting spirit blazing.

"Who cares?" Gaara said coldly. "More importantly, hurry up and tell us what this life-or-death exam is about!"

To Gaara, the Third Hokage's long-winded speech was no different from bullshit.

He had only understood one thing: killing was welcome, reasonable, and legal.

And that was exactly what he liked most.

"Then, I, Hayate Gekko, will serve as referee and explain the details."

A sickly-looking ninja instantly appeared in the center of the arena and respectfully bowed to the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage nodded in return.

After straightening up, Hayate Gekko faced the crowd and said gravely:

"Before the third exam officially begins, there is one more thing you must complete."

"Because there are still too many people left, we will first hold preliminary matches before the third exam begins. Only those who advance will be allowed to continue."

The moment he finished speaking, the crowd erupted into chatter again.

"What? This is such a pain," Shikamaru Nara complained.

"I'm so hungry," Choji Akimichi said.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Sasuke wore an unsurprised expression.

Just as Jiraiya Sensei had said, there would be another round of fighting.

It seemed he had made the right choice by resting seriously and recovering his strength.

"I don't understand. We've already passed the Forest of Death, so why can't we all advance together?" Sakura asked, raising her hand.

"Just as the Hokage said earlier, many distinguished guests will be coming to watch the third exam. Matches involving more than twenty people would be far too slow and drawn out.

"You must understand that our guests' time is extremely precious. Only the most elite ninja can display their abilities on the grandest stage!"

"All right, anyone currently feeling unwell should speak up now. The preliminaries are about to begin!"

They were starting right away?

Didn't that mean those who had just finished the second exam would not even have time to rest?

The crowd stirred once more, while Kiba Inuzuka and the others who had passed early looked pleased.

"Oh, right. From here on, all matches will be individual battles. You no longer need to worry about your teammates, so you may decide for yourselves whether to continue participating," Hayate Gekko explained.

Anko Mitarashi kept her eyes fixed on Sasuke's expression.

Though she had learned that Kakashi had helped him complete the Evil Sealing Method, no one knew better than she did the extreme state a person's body and mind would be in after receiving a Cursed Seal.

Even with the Evil Sealing Method suppressing it, the recipient would remain weak for a long time.

"I withdraw!"

Following the voice, everyone saw a bespectacled ninja raise his right hand amid the crowd.

"Konoha, Yakushi Kabuto." Hayate Gekko flipped through the files, then nodded. "You may withdraw."

Under the various gazes of the crowd, Yakushi Kabuto lowered his head and walked out of the hall.

A miniature war, a stage for display?

Kabuto recalled the Third Hokage's words and found them laughable.

The shadow of true war had probably already fallen. Once the time was right, it would swiftly engulf this seemingly eternal peace.

Farewell. I'll save this amusement for the end.

Light glinted off Kabuto's glasses as he left this confined space.

"The preliminaries will use a one-on-one format. There are no rules. The match ends only when one side dies, falls, or surrenders. If you don't want to be killed, surrender quickly.

"The ten winners will advance directly to the third exam."

"Next, the ones who will decide your fate are..."

At his command, a hidden compartment in the hall wall slowly opened, revealing a black electronic display board.

"Before each battle, the board will randomly display two names. Those selected will be the two participants in the match."

"Now, let us reveal the contestants for the first battle!" Hayate Gekko suddenly raised his voice.

At the same time, the names of every contestant began flashing rapidly on both sides of the electronic screen. Everyone held their breath. Then the display froze, revealing two names:

Naruto

VS

Kankuro

"Tch, just what I wanted!" Naruto clenched his fists tightly upon seeing the result.

"How boring. I got picked against someone this weak," Kankuro said disdainfully.

The two entered the arena and faced each other from opposite sides.

"It's a real shame I didn't get to beat you up properly last time!" Kankuro said.

"Cut the crap! I should be saying that to you!" Naruto snapped.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, everyone in the stands could not help wondering whether these two had fought in the Forest of Death.

Sakura, however, knew exactly why. Watching the confrontation below, she could not help recalling what had happened half a month ago.

At the time, Team 7 had only recently returned from the Land of Waves, and every day they were stuck doing routine missions like walking dogs and pulling weeds.

Yet clumsy Naruto always managed to make a complete mess of things.

He even kept provoking Sasuke-kun when Sasuke had kindly helped him, saying stupid things like, "It's all because you always steal the spotlight."

"If you hate owing me favors that much, then just become stronger than me." Sasuke spoke coldly and turned to leave.

"Sasuke-kun, don't lower yourself to his level! How about the two of us go work on our teamwork together next?" Sakura said sweetly to Sasuke.

"You and Naruto are the same."

"Instead of wasting time bothering me, go practice another jutsu. Honestly, you're even weaker than Naruto."

Sasuke said coldly.

At the time, Sasuke had been single-mindedly focused on becoming stronger. Yet all his time was being wasted on meaningless things, leaving him just as frustrated and anxious.

Those words had crushed Sakura like two giant rocks.

Thinking back on it now, Sakura suddenly realized that Sasuke seemed to have become much gentler since returning from the Forest of Death.

Whether when she visited him in the hospital or during their conversation just now, Sasuke had been more willing to respond to Naruto's and her goodwill, rather than seeming as though he always wanted to push them away.

Could it be that, after going through that life-or-death ordeal with Orochimaru, he had finally understood the bonds of love and friendship within Team 7?

Sakura gazed in Sasuke's direction, her face full of affection.

"Hey! Are you two going to fight or not?"

Kiba Inuzuka impatiently shouted. Though the two in the center of the arena had talked tough, neither of them made the first move.

You're worried about what happened back then too, aren't you, Naruto?

Sakura thought.

Remembering that day, after being scolded by Sasuke, Sakura had wandered the streets in a daze when she heard a commotion up ahead.

Looking up, she saw Naruto and the three brats with Konohamaru, talking about some kind of ninja game.

Feeling utterly dejected, Sakura stared at Naruto and thought, Am I really worse than this childish idiot?

"Boss, who's this big sister?"

Konohamaru asked.

What a rude kid.

Meanwhile, Naruto looked embarrassed.

What the hell are you embarrassed about?!