Pressure

Temari had been able to beat Shikamaru even in the original story. Now that Temari's strength had been nerfed, it was naturally even easier.

She did not even need to show off her high IQ.

Temari felt indignant. If I still had my Three-Star Fan, what would a mere Nara Shikamaru amount to?

Outside the arena, Kakashi watched Orochimaru leave with vigilance.

Sasuke noticed the cold sweat covering Kakashi's head and could not help curling his lip. His assessment was—Naruto Uzumaki was better!

Only after Orochimaru's figure had completely vanished did Kakashi finally let out a breath. Turning to Sasuke, he said, "Don't listen to Orochimaru's temptations. If you want to gain strength—you can gain it by staying in the village as well."

"Let's go. Time to watch the matches."

Sasuke neither agreed nor disagreed, turning and leaving.

Kakashi felt a headache coming on. He could tell that Sasuke was somewhat tempted—otherwise, he would not have avoided the subject.

"First Naruto Uzumaki, and now Sasuke—"

Sakura, when are you leaving? Could you give the teacher a heads-up first?

The fifth match.

Uzumaki Karin vs. Tenten, a battle between two girls.

"The Uzumaki Clan? You're actually from another village. Why didn't you come to Konoha—"

The Konoha ninjas turned their gazes toward Karin, their eyes filled with strange looks.

The First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito; the Fourth Hokage's wife, Kushina Uzumaki; the current Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto—

The Uzumaki Clan had ties to Konoha that ran too deep. Coupled with the blood alliance forged back then—it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Uzumaki were part of Konoha.

Looking at the two girls facing each other, Gekko Hayate said, "Begin!"

The moment his words fell, countless kunai, shuriken, chain clubs, and other unidentified ninja tools were hurled into the