Preliminaries Begin

Gekko Hayate slowly announced, "The upcoming preliminaries will consist of one-on-one individual matches. Excluding Yakushi Kabuto, who forfeited, there are exactly twenty people, so there will be ten matches. Anyone who surrenders or dies will be eliminated, leaving ten eliminated."

As Gekko Hayate's words fell, the electronic screen suddenly flickered. Immediately afterward, the names of the two participants in the first match appeared clearly before everyone's eyes.

Uchiha Sasuke VS Akado Yoroi.

The corners of Sasuke's mouth curled into a confident yet cold smile. It held both his yearning for battle and anticipation of the challenge. He advanced at an unhurried pace, every step composed and steady. He had long since stopped taking these peers seriously.

During this period, under Naruto's constant provocation, Sasuke had nearly reached the point of forgetting to eat and sleep, all so he could display his full strength at this moment. Now, confidence radiated from every inch of him.

At the same time, Akado Yoroi also strode forward with steady steps. His gaze was firm and sharp, as if he had already prepared himself to give it everything.

The two stood in the center of the arena almost simultaneously. The distance between them was neither near nor far, just right for creating a tense and subtle atmosphere.

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

As Gekko Hayate crisply called, "Begin!" the entire arena seemed to be activated by an invisible force, and the tense atmosphere instantly reached its peak.

The instant the command was issued, Sasuke shot forward like a leopard. The Sharingan in his eyes spun rapidly, locking onto every minute movement Akado Yoroi made.

Without any unnecessary words, Sasuke launched his attack, striking Akado Yoroi with a Taijutsu blow infused with Chakra. His movements were as fast as lightning, and his strength was astonishing.

Seeing this, Akado Yoroi refused to back down. He rapidly circulated the Chakra within his body, intending to use his specialty ninjutsu to absorb Sasuke's Chakra.

But Sasuke's Taijutsu, combined with the Sharingan's precise prediction, brought the strike's power and speed to unprecedented heights. Akado Yoroi did not even have the chance to release his ninjutsu.

After one strike, Sasuke's figure flashed, and he appeared at Akado Yoroi's flank. A heavy punch carrying tremendous Chakra thundered out.

Although Akado Yoroi fought desperately to block it, he ultimately could not withstand its force. His entire body was blasted away and slammed heavily into the ground, where he passed out.

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

The people in the stands wore solemn expressions, shocked by Sasuke's strength. Gaara in particular had begun to tremble slightly. It was the burning desire for battle.

Kakashi held a copy of The Paradise of Clear Heat. Sitting in a corner of the stands, he looked at Sasuke below.

"I didn't expect Sasuke to grow so quickly." Kakashi marveled inwardly. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the book. "It hasn't been long since the Land of Waves, yet he's actually improved this much. That leap in strength is practically like he's become a different person."

"Looks like Naruto has instead become the motivation driving his growth." Kakashi seemed to realize something. He looked toward Naruto beside him, a trace of tenderness showing in his eyes.

Seeing Sasuke's victory, Naruto felt extremely gratified. In the Forest of Death, Naruto had not merely left Sakura Haruno and Sasuke to face the enemy alone. He had also guided the two of them in using Chakra from the sidelines. It seemed to have worked quite well.

At that moment, Naruto waved at Sasuke below the arena and shouted, "Yo, nice work!"

After hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke's lips curved slightly upward. But he quickly returned to his usual cold expression, snorted, and turned his head away.

The second match: Zaku VS Shino Aburame.

Shino Aburame won.

The third match: Kankuro VS Kibaki.

Kankuro won.

The fourth match: Sakura Haruno VS Ino Yamanaka.

With Naruto's guidance in the Forest of Death, Sakura won without any suspense. Notably, after this battle, Sakura and Ino's relationship returned to that of close friends.

The fifth match: Tenten VS Temari.

Temari won.

The sixth match: Shikamaru Nara VS Gekko.

Without a doubt, Shikamaru, the future strongest brain of Konoha, won.

The seventh match: Naruto VS Kiba Inuzuka.

Naruto had been immersed in meditation, drawing upon the Nine-Tails' power, when he suddenly came back to his senses. He lazily stretched, yawned repeatedly, and said nonchalantly, "Is it my turn to fight?"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, Guy, Mitaraishi Anko, Sakura, Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, and more than a dozen others instantly focused their gazes on Naruto.

Even Orochimaru, disguised as a Leaf Ninja and hiding in the shadows, could not help licking his lips. Excitedly, he said, "Naruto-kun, you truly fascinate me beyond measure."