Chiba, Go!

In front of the cabin, in the clearing.

"Whew—"

Chiba took a deep breath and slowly let it out. One hand gradually reached into the Ninja Tool Pouch behind him, fingers already curled around a Kunai. At the same time, his eyes shifted slightly toward his left, his expression growing colder as beads of sweat slowly trickled down from his temple.

An air of tension gradually spread from his body.

Not far in front of him, Kakashi also rested a hand behind his waist, slowly reaching into his Ninja Tool Pouch. His eyes flicked slightly to the left, a faint bead of sweat appearing at his temple as an alert yet indescribable aura slowly spread from him.

"Whew—"

Kakashi slowly exhaled.

"Have they started yet?!"

At that moment, a vigorous shout rang out from the clearing beside the woods.

"You came at just the right time. They were just about to start!"

A voice answered, sounding rather excited.

"Stop making noise! Don't ruin the atmosphere!"

"Yeah! They're about to begin. Aren't you distracting them from concentrating?"

"Exactly! This is such a rare match!"

"Yeah, it's a battle between two super geniuses! Can you keep it down? They were just about to make a move, and your shouting ruined it!"

As the first voice rang out and was answered, a string of complaints followed.

Why were there so many people?! At that moment, Chiba and Kakashi both loosened the hands they had reached behind their backs. Their shoulders drooped, and they closed their eyes and turned their heads, their mouths twitching as the tense atmosphere instantly turned into helplessness.

At that moment, the edge of the forest was already packed with Konoha ninja on leave. They crowded together, encircling the space from the cabin's front door to the woods so densely