Finals Begin; The New Generation Shows Its Skills

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

At the center of Konoha Arena, a circular stage a hundred meters in diameter stood quietly in the morning light.

Unlike traditional elimination matches, today's finals used a Jonin scoring system.

All sixty-four contestants would take the stage at once and engage in a free-for-all within a limited time.

Anyone knocked out of the arena or defeated would no longer be allowed to fight.

Nearly forty experienced Jonin would observe from around the stage and give comprehensive scores based on each contestant's performance.

Each person would record the match data and scores of ten contestants.

The scoring criteria included combat intelligence and tactical choices, Chakra Control and ninjutsu application, battlefield judgment, willpower, and more.

The final rankings would be determined by total score.

"This format better reflects actual combat ability."

In the VIP seats, Shikaku Nara explained to Chiyo.

"Keeping calm amid chaos, judging the situation, and choosing the best course of action—that is what truly defines a ninja."

Chiyo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the preparation area below.

The children had already changed into matching dark-blue training uniforms.

Minato Namikaze's voice rang throughout the arena.

"The final round of the finals, the individual scoring match, begins now! All contestants, take the stage!"

Sixty-four figures leaped onto the arena from various entrances.

The bell signaling the start of the match rang, and the entire arena fell silent for three seconds.

Not a single person moved first.

Sixty-four pairs of eyes scanned one another, and invisible pressure filled the air.

"Heh... everyone's being this cautious?"

Sasuke Uchiha snorted coldly as his Three Tomoe Sharingan quietly activated.

He swept his gaze across the field, his mind analyzing at high speed.

"Naruto is in the northwest corner, Hinata is directly east, Kimimaro and Haku