Preliminaries Begin

Hayate Gekko slowly announced, "The next preliminary round is a one-on-one individual match. Excluding Yakushi Kabuto, who forfeited, there are exactly 20 people. We'll have 10 matches. A match ends when one side surrenders or dies, eliminating 10 people."

As Hayate Gekko's words fell, the electronic screen suddenly flickered, and then the names of the first match's opponents appeared clearly before everyone's eyes.

Uchiha Sasuke vs. Akado Yoroi.

A confident and cold smile curled at the corner of Sasuke's mouth, a smile that held a thirst for battle and anticipation for the challenge. He walked forward with a leisurely pace, each step unhurried and composed. He had long since stopped seeing these peers as worthy opponents.

During this time, spurred on constantly by Naruto, Sasuke had pushed himself to the point of forgetting food and sleep, all to display his full strength in this moment. Right now, he radiated confidence from every pore.

At the same time, Akado Yoroi stepped forward with a steady gait, his gaze firm and sharp, as if he were fully prepared to give it his all.

The two stood almost simultaneously at the center of the arena, the distance between them neither too close nor too far, perfectly creating a tense yet subtle atmosphere.

The other participants and spectators moved to the viewing area above the square, holding their breath in anticipation of the fierce battle to come.

With Hayate Gekko's crisp "Begin!" the entire arena seemed activated by an invisible force, and the tense atmosphere instantly reached its peak.

The moment the command was given, Sasuke shot forward like a leopard, the Sharingan in his eyes spinning rapidly, locking onto every subtle movement of Akado Yoroi.

Without a word, Sasuke launched an attack—a Taijutsu strike infused with Chakra aimed directly at Akado Yoroi. His movements were lightning-fast, his power astonishing.

Seeing this, Akado Yoroi showed no weakness. He quickly mobilized his Chakra, intending to use his signature technique to absorb Sasuke's Chakra.

But Sasuke's Taijutsu, combined with the precise prediction of the Sharingan, brought this strike to an unprecedented level of speed and power. Akado Yoroi had no chance to release his jutsu.

After the first strike, Sasuke's form flickered, appearing at Akado Yoroi's flank, and unleashed a heavy punch carrying a surge of Chakra.

Though Akado Yoroi struggled to defend, he ultimately couldn't withstand the force of the blow. He was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, knocked unconscious.

"Uchiha Sasuke wins." Hayate Gekko's voice rang out again, announcing the end of the first match.

The spectators in the stands wore grave expressions, shocked by Sasuke's strength. Gaara, in particular, began to tremble slightly—a burning desire for battle igniting within him.

Kakashi sat in a corner of the stands, holding a copy of Make-Out Paradise, watching Sasuke below.

"I didn't expect Sasuke to grow so fast," Kakashi thought to himself, his fingers unconsciously tightening on the book. "It hasn't been long since the Land of Waves, and he's improved this much. His leap in strength is like he's a different person."

"It seems Naruto has become the driving force behind his growth." Kakashi realized, glancing at Naruto with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

Naruto felt a deep satisfaction seeing Sasuke's victory. In the Forest of Death, Naruto hadn't just let Sakura and Sasuke face enemies alone—he'd also guided them on how to use Chakra, and it seemed to have paid off.

Now, Naruto waved at Sasuke in the arena and shouted, "Hey, nice work!"

Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke's mouth twitched upward slightly, but he quickly reverted to his usual cold expression, snorted, and turned his head away.

Second match: Zaku vs. Shino Aburame.

Shino Aburame wins.

Third match: Kankuro vs. Kibaki.

Kankuro wins.

Fourth match: Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka.

With Naruto's guidance in the Forest of Death, Sakura secured an easy victory. Notably, after this fight, Sakura and Ino restored their friendship to its former state.

Fifth match: Tenten vs. Temari.

Temari wins.

Sixth match: Shikamaru Nara vs. Gekko.

Unsurprisingly, Shikamaru—the future greatest brain of the Leaf—won.

Seventh match: Naruto vs. Kiba Inuzuka.

Naruto was deep in meditation, drawing on the Nine-Tails' power, when he suddenly came to. He stretched lazily, yawned, and said casually, "Is it my turn now?"

At that moment, the gazes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, Gai, Anko Mitarai, Sakura, Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, and over a dozen others instantly focused on Naruto.

Even Orochimaru, disguised as a Leaf Ninja and lurking in the shadows, couldn't help but lick his lips. He said excitedly, "Naruto-kun, you fascinate me so much."