"Cloud Flow: Instant Flash!"
Samui swung her short blade, unleashing swift, fluid slashes. The water blade in the Takigakure genin's hand snapped at the impact, and a spray of blood blossomed across his chest before he collapsed, unable to rise.
"Third match, Samui wins! Final result: Land of Lightning Team One is victorious!"
As Dodai announced the result, the blonde girl, who had likewise defeated three opponents single-handedly, raised her head toward the second floor.
Her icy blue eyes met a pair of distinctly black-and-white eyes filled with approval.
A faint blush quietly spread to the tips of her ears.
The team battles proceeded quickly. Aside from Mist Village and Iwagakure, who put on an exceptionally thrilling match, most of the other rounds had been overwhelmingly one-sided.
The teams designated as seeds all displayed crushing strength. After Ringo Ameyuri and Samui each achieved a one-versus-three victory, the other female shinobi seemed to have had their competitive spirits stirred as well.
Konan from Amegakure and Maki from Sunagakure also stepped up and replicated that feat. For a time, one took the stage after another, and this examination seemed to have become an arena for outstanding female shinobi to compete against one another.
Judging by this match alone, one might even have gotten the illusion that the Shinobi World had entered an era ruled by women.
At the very least, Mei Terumi, who had remained by Araki's side all this time, felt a powerful sense of crisis.
"Damn it, I should've gone up myself in that last match..."
The brown-haired girl muttered quietly, rather annoyed.
Hearing that, Araki patted her shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry. You'll have plenty of chances to show what you can do in the finals."
In the blink of an eye, more than half a day passed.
After