Naruto's brief escape from Sasuke's genjutsu surprised quite a few people, but it did not change the course of the battle. In the end, Sasuke was declared the winner.
On the temporary stands.
Fugaku said, "It seems the Fifth Hokage miscalculated!"
Itachi hurriedly said, "Father, Lord Hokage would never be wrong. This... must have been within Lord Hokage's expectations too. Yes, that has to be it!"
Mikoto looked at her husband, then at her son, and smiled as she shook her head.
No matter what, Mikoto was satisfied with this outcome. It would naturally have been best if Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but in her eyes, being able to set aside his arrogance and think and analyze like a true ninja was also tremendous growth, no less significant than awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
On the main platform.
Hyuga Kagami expressionlessly waved a hand, signaling the Ninja Academy instructors to tidy up the field and prepare for the next match.
Though he was somewhat disappointed that Naruto had not defeated Sasuke, his thoughts were no longer on that. The Nine-Tails' actions just now had shown Hyuga Kagami a possibility: the possibility of having the Nine-Tails truly open its heart to Naruto, allowing Naruto to become a perfect Jinchuriki ahead of time!
As long as Naruto achieved that, Sasuke would remain suppressed by Naruto until he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. At that point, finding an opportunity to provoke Sasuke would be easy.
Once the Ninja Academy instructors had finished clearing the field, Hyuga Kagami immediately announced the second match.
The contest between Yakumo and Tenten, two female ninjas, also drew a great deal of attention. Although there were many female ninjas in the shinobi world, men still dominated among the strong.
For Yakumo and Tenten, as female ninjas, to defeat