Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
Naruto looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke curled his lips and snorted.
"I originally wanted to spar with you, but if it weren't for the Empire, I wouldn't have let you off so easily!"
Sasuke couldn't help but launch into a tirade against Naruto.
"This time, I definitely won't lose to you!"
Naruto scratched his head. Facing the sulking Sasuke, all he could do was offer some comfort.
"Okay... okay... I know..."
"I announce that the final match, the ultimate match of the Chunin Exams... begins!"
As Jiraiya's voice fell, thunderous cheers and cries erupted from the stands.
"Go, Naruto!"
"Sasuke must win!"
"Show them the spirit of our Konoha Village!"
All kinds of shouts rang throughout the arena, as if they were about to lift the roof off.
The people excitedly waved flags bearing the Hidden Leaf symbol, cheering on the contestants they supported.
Some impatient spectators even stood up, wishing they could charge into the arena and fight alongside their favorite contestant.
Amid this uproarious atmosphere, Naruto and Sasuke stood facing each other.
"Sasuke, today, let's make our names resound throughout the entire Shinobi World!"
Naruto spoke with an excited expression.
Sasuke's eyes lit up when he heard this.
"Okay!"
"What's going on?"
"Fight already!"
"Why aren't they moving?"
Seeing that the two still showed no signs of moving, the people in the stands began discussing it among themselves.
The Mizukage and Tsuchikage both looked terrible.
"Has Konoha run out of ways to keep up the act?"
Mei Terumi said in a low voice.
Only she, the Tsuchikage, and the Kazekage could hear her voice.
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth twitched, but he said nothing.
These guys...
They aren't even opponents for me...
"No... It looks like they have something to say!"
Ōnoki watched as