Eight Inner Gates VS Konoha White Fang

Two weeks remained until the final exam of the Chunin Selection.

The candidates were each making their own preparations for the test.

Take Uchiha Shuri, for example.

To eliminate the "flickering" instability of her Sharingan, which had only recently awakened, she trained day and night under the watchful eye of Kagami.

Then there was Ina, the second daughter of the main Yamanaka Clan family.

She felt the expectations placed upon her as a member of the main family, and to live up to them, she trained diligently alongside her father and sister.

However, while there were expectations of her as a main family member, they were not nearly as heavy as the burden borne by Shuri, who hailed from a clan renowned for the Sharingan; most of it amounted to little more than cheers of "Do your best!" from her aunts and uncles.

"I'm so bored."

"That can't be helped. Everyone is busy preparing for the exam."

On the other hand, the Senju Clan, one of the two great noble houses of Konohagakure alongside the Uchiha, faced a different situation.

Their heir, Diejian, had been sent back to the hospital room he had occupied once before.

This was due to the survival battle in the second exam.

Diejian's body had been pushed to the brink of collapse by overexertion during the fight, and it was determined that he required hospitalization.

It was said he would recover before the final exam, but recalling the events of that day, Diejian let out a melancholy sigh.

Carried into the hospital by Ina and Shuri, Diejian was met with a stern reprimand from Tobirama and Mito, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"...The Eight Inner Gates Formation. That should have been classified as a forbidden technique. Where did you learn of it?"

Seeing the familiar nature of Diejian's injuries, Tobirama questioned him immediately.

One could sense the concern of a master in his tone, and Diejian honestly recounted the sequence of events.

"You say you opened the Scroll of Sealing? Diejian, why must you always stir up such trouble..."

Given Diejian's insatiable curiosity, it was not impossible that he would seek out books containing forbidden techniques once he knew they existed.

Thinking of this, Tobirama felt a headache coming on from his own oversight.

The Eight Inner Gates—a technique that forcibly opens the eight chakra gates, or limiters, within the body to draw out physical capabilities far beyond the user's limits—is one of the ultimate arts of Konoha Style Taijutsu.

The gates, starting from the head down, are the Gate of Opening in the right brain, the Gate of Healing in the left brain, followed by the Gate of Life, the Gate of Pain, the Gate of Limit, the Gate of View, the Gate of Wonder in the torso, and finally, the Gate of Death at the heart.

Its effects are immense; it is said that one who opens all eight—the Gate of Death—attains the "Eight Inner Gates Formation," gaining power that surpasses the Five Kage, but at the cost of certain death shortly thereafter.

Moreover, even opening only up to the seventh, the Gate of Wonder, places a tremendous burden on the user by forcibly drawing out power that exceeds their limits.

"It is good that you wish to master taijutsu; that aligns with my guidance, but the Eight Inner Gates..."

"Although it was my first time using it in actual combat, it was truly incredible. In every sense of the word."

"That goes without saying! Listen, Diejian, you do not yet have the aptitude to master the Eight Inner Gates. I absolutely forbid you from using it again. And you are not to leak it to outsiders."

Even with a bit of talent, there are likely many who can open the first gate.

Diejian was one of them.

However, being able to open a gate and being able to skillfully utilize it are two different things.

A fragile body unsuited for the Eight Inner Gates would collapse under the strain of even the first, the Gate of Opening.

Even without reaching the Gate of Death, one is constantly accompanied by the danger of losing their life.

The only requirement for the Eight Inner Gates is a body tough enough to withstand the opening of the gates.

Those with talent usually avoid it due to its inherent danger.

Generally, it is more efficient to hone ninjutsu or genjutsu.

The Eight Inner Gates is the crystallization of effort and perseverance, reached by those who cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu and who dedicate their lives as ninja to taijutsu.

It is the pinnacle of taijutsu, permitted only to those who can persist in training that defies common sense—that is, only to the "geniuses of hard work" who possess a tough and unyielding spirit.

"Do you understand, Diejian? You must listen to me on this."

Diejian nodded.

In his heart, however, he mused that he had already leaked it to an outsider, and that he even had a friend with whom he could spar and improve.

"...The Eight Inner Gates, you say? Indeed, rather than using a technique that walks hand-in-hand with death—for instance, if it were me, I would use Lightning Release to stimulate the body."

"Recently, I have vaguely understood one thing. I am certain that I must become stronger."

"Is that so...?"

While playing shogi on the bed, Sakumo shared his thoughts.

In reality, the Eight Inner Gates unleashes its ultimate power only at the stage of the "Gate of Death," where life is the price.

Even without using the Eight Inner Gates and its proximity to death, it is possible to achieve similar results by using other techniques once one reaches the realm of the seventh, the Gate of Wonder.

"Hey, Sakumo."

"What is it?"

"I am glad you came to visit, but shouldn't you be preparing as well? Although the contents of the final round are classified, it should be an individual battle this time, right? In that case, you will likely be a seeded player."

"Perhaps... but there is nothing left for me to do."

"What do you mean?"

Over the past two weeks, Sakumo had practiced new techniques, short-blade usage, and reviewed the basics, shifting his training toward maintaining his current "peak condition."

Because pushing himself too hard would be detrimental, he was keeping his body limber to prepare for the potentially brutal final round.

Diejian laughed and called him a guy who always did things his own way, and Sakumo gently poked Diejian's shoulder, saying, "Get well soon."

Poked right on his injury, Diejian groaned in pain.

"Ouch... hey, Sakumo."

"Hm?"

"...I want to face you in battle."

"Ah—a good opportunity. It's about time we settled the rivalry that's been going on since we were kids."

The two bumped their fists together lightly and laughed at the same time.

★

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!!"

"Uchiha Shuri! Are you trying to have the fire dragon swallow the ball and carry it into the goal!!"

"Use Water Release!! Someone use Water Release to stop that guy's fire dragon!!"

"Wait! That guy's Fire Release can't be blocked by ordinary Water Release! Build a wall of Earth Release!!"

"I won't let you get away with it!"

"It's Hatake Sakumo!! He's about to unleash Lightning Release!!"

"Leave it to me!! Ninja Art: Mind Disturbance Dance Technique!!"

"It's Ina, damn it!"

"The ball, where did the ball go!?"

"It's that guy! It's over on the Senju side!!"

"...How did it end up like this?"

As he kicked the ball that had rolled to his feet and sprinted, Diejian clutched his head in frustration at the current situation.

The time goes back to a little earlier, at the opening ceremony of the final exam—

Having finished his three-week hospital stay and undergone a final week of intense sprint training, Diejian welcomed the day of the final exam in perfect condition.

He had sharpened his senses with the vow of a decisive battle made to Sakumo, and his heart raced at the prospect of testing his strength against Shuri, who had awakened his Sharingan.

The match against Ina would surely be a pleasant affair where their spirits would clash.

Filled with anticipation, Diejian walked through the gates of the exam venue alone.

A large stadium covered in grass.

The surrounding seats were countless, and they appeared to be completely filled with spectators.

Just like the previous exams, showing off techniques too openly was likely not the best strategy.

The examinees who had passed the second round stood in a line in the center of the field, looking up at the Daimyo, the Kage, and other dignitaries.

The Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, and the Second Kazekage, Shamon, had remained in their villages and did not attend, but they had sent representatives, which was already a significant concession indicating their willingness to participate in the exam.

"But this is really spacious..."

"Yeah. If we can make full use of this wide field to fight, we can turn a blind eye to it serving as a bit of a gimmick to attract the audience. This is also a good opportunity to show off the power of the Uchiha."

Even though he felt that everyone already knew the power of the Uchiha without needing to show it off—was it a bit tactless to say that?

Then again, since they were ninjas, they should probably "endure" a little.

"Big brother! Good luck!!"

"Lord Diejian!"

Spotting Tsunade and Jiraiya waving their hands energetically, Diejian waved back.

Being cheered on by his cute younger sister and his beloved junior, Diejian had no choice but to take this challenge seriously.

"The First Konohagakure-sponsored Joint Chunin Selection Final Exam! I now declare the Super Dimensional Ninja Kemari Soccer Tournament open!!"

""""""Huh!????""""""

—Because of this, the Genin wore expressions of dull shock at the sheer impact of the announcement.

Some even thought they had been caught in a genjutsu and tried to dispel it, or stabbed their own palms with a kunai, but before anyone could go berserk, the answer was revealed.

"It's real."

Listening to the host explain the rules in a flat tone, the Genin realized this was no dream.

After the written exam and the practical exam, it was actually Kemari soccer; no one had anticipated this.

It was neither a one-on-one elimination tournament nor a team battle organized by village, but rather a game of kemari...

"As long as you don't touch the ball with your hands or launch direct attacks, anything goes."

Under these rules, this insane final exam kicked off with a surprisingly enthusiastic display of Fire Release from Uchiha Shuri, setting off a wave of chaos.

★

"I was only aiming for the ball."

In a kemari match devoid of honor, where almost any action is permitted as long as you can offer that excuse, the act of chasing the ball itself is fraught with danger.

While sustaining injuries in combat is acceptable, in a "game" like this—with the Chunin promotion within reach after surviving the grueling second exam—many Genin hesitated to put their bodies at risk.

This was indeed a valid point, and precisely because of that, "this kind of game" had been chosen as the final exam.

Those chasing the ball required the mobility to dodge attacks and the reliance on their teammates' perception.

The others needed the strength to protect comrades exposed to enemy fire.

Those acting as adversaries needed the tactical eye to dismantle these efforts.

The requirements were clear and distinct, making it easy for the observers to evaluate—indeed, it was perhaps a fitting content for a final exam.

A ninja's true calling is self-sacrifice.

Whoever said that, Diejian believed it was a good thing for him to step forward first and inspire the shrinking Genin.

If he was going to do it, he would give it his all; that was how Diejian approached the exam.

"Yo."

He dodged a Genin who had slid toward him, ostensibly to steal the ball but actually intending to shatter Diejian's ankle.

He quietly sidestepped a Kunai flying toward his feet, which was supposedly aimed at the ball.

There was no room for carelessness or openings.

At this rate, because counterattacks were allowed, he felt the second exam had actually been better.

"Senju! Over here, pass the ball!!"

"No, forget it. You're the enemy right now, Shuri."

"Don't you trust me!! Comrades don't betray each other!!!"

"We aren't comrades right now."

"Ugh! Didn't we say we were friends!"

"That's a different matter."

"Hmph, what a petty guy. Take this—!!"

Rolling the ball to Diejian, Shuri waved her hand triumphantly; she was a member of the opposing team.

Shortly after they had reaffirmed their friendship, Shuri's attitude toward Diejian had softened slightly.

But conversely, the frequency of her making strange remarks and actions at odd times had increased.

She was an Uchiha ninja, after all.

As a ninja whose dynamic vision and predictive techniques were second to none, the command of the opposing team seemed to have fallen to Shuri.

And Sakumo, who moved about like an extension of Shuri's own limbs, was even more formidable; at this rate, Diejian and his team were going to lose.

"Ah, Shuri! We're friends, right? Don't let Sakumo come over here."

"That's a different matter."

"Uchiha Shuri—!"

"Senju Diejian—!"

Running side by side, Diejian and Shuri sprinted across the field while spitting insults at each other.

"I didn't expect us to be enemies in this way, but please, just give up."

Caught up by Sakumo, Diejian had both his arms pinned.

Since it had come to this, he had no choice but to go all out; Diejian kicked the ball flying in a completely wrong direction.

"What!"

Sakumo was startled.

Sakumo used the Body Flicker Technique to chase the flying ball, but that was Diejian's feint.

"It's an illusion."

The ball Sakumo was chasing vanished as if it had dissolved into the air, while the real ball remained rolling at Diejian's feet.

Diejian grinned, while Sakumo wore a look of astonishment.

Because it should have been impossible for Diejian to use an illusion capable of deceiving both Sakumo and Shuri.

Diejian, who had previously struggled with his chakra flow, had overcome that hurdle during the second exam.

It was an accidental byproduct of the Eight Inner Gates.

The torrent of overwhelming, chaotic chakra within Diejian's body, triggered by the Gate of Opening, forcibly surged through his stagnant acupoints, allowing his meridian system to finally flow.

If it had only been open for a fleeting moment, this likely would not have been possible.

However, having opened the Gate of Opening midway through his battle with Dodai, Diejian had maintained that state continuously until Tobirama arrived at the hospital.

While part of the reason was that he simply did not know how to close it, it was precisely for this reason that Tobirama had sternly forbidden him from using it.

This was Diejian's greatest weakness regarding the Eight Inner Gates.

Once opened, he could not close the gate unless someone proficient in medical ninjutsu or specialized ninjutsu intervened from the outside to stop it.

"Sorry, I'll be taking this point—"

"—Don't underestimate the Uchiha, Senju."

Juri, having seen through Diejian's genjutsu, held back at the very moment she was about to rush out and remained in place.

However, despite the fact that she had only awakened her eyes recently, Juri could not hide her astonishment that he could use a genjutsu with such precision that it could even deceive the Sharingan, if only for an instant.

But she could not afford to remain astonished forever.

Juri caught up to Diejian's back and began to mimic his movements exactly.

"Is this... the Shadow Dance?"

It was a Konoha Style Taijutsu technique originally intended to maneuver behind an enemy and launch an attack from their blind spot.

Though he thought it pointless for a game of kemari, Diejian suddenly stopped in his tracks with a "snap" and crouched down rapidly.

Juri, pressed tightly against his back, could not stop suddenly.

Diejian violently swept his leg toward Juri's feet as she tried to stomp on the ground to halt her momentum.

"Ahhhhhhh—"

Unable to fully negate the force, Juri was launched into the air.

Juri's gaze, looking down at the ground, met Diejian's gaze as he looked up at the sky.

Diejian pulled one leg back significantly, assuming a "charging" stance to kick the ball, and grinned at Juri.

"Hiyah!!"

"Sen, Senju Diejian—!!"

Diejian kicked the ball toward Juri as she floated in the air, and Juri was sent flying along with the violently impacting ball.

"Don't underestimate the Sharingan—!!"

Skillfully rotating her body, Juri caught the ball between her thighs, which were exposed to the air.

It was as if one could almost feel the supple, bouncy texture of her skin.

"Oh, oh, oh—" Sarutobi Hiruzen widened his eyes and leaned forward from the spectator seats.

Perhaps unable to bear the icy gaze cast by Tobirama, he gave a deliberate, affected "ahem" cough and sat back down properly.

Assembling her staff in mid-air, Juri released the ball from her thighs and swung the weapon.

"The goal is the target! Witness the secret technique of the Uchiha Style Staff Technique!!"

Juri caught the ball with the center of her staff and swung with all her might.

The ball whistled through the air as Juri descended to the ground.

Even if someone complained that this wasn't the right event, the referee ruled it valid since she hadn't touched it directly with her hands.

"Ah."

Juri couldn't help but let out a sound.

Because she saw that the ball, which should have been flying straight toward the goal with astonishing acceleration, had deviated from her expectations and was being sucked directly toward Diejian's face.

"Ina!!"

"Leave it to me!"

Realizing his fate, Diejian shouted "I'll leave the rest to you" to Ina before being struck in the face by the ball and blown away.

Glancing out of the corner of her eye at the groaning Diejian as he flew off, Ina aimed the circle she had made with her hands at the fallen Juri.

"Ninja Art: Mind Body Switch Technique!"

This was a secret ninjutsu of the Yamanaka Clan that allowed the user to attach their spirit to another person's body and seize control of it.

Ina's body collapsed onto the field, and Juri's body twitched with a "snap."

"Ugh... Yamanaka Ina, is it? Get out of my body!"

"Sorry, I can't do that~ Diejian would scold me."

Within the mental world, the two engaged in a conversation.

The intense nausea of having another personality exist within her own body caused Juri to knit her brows.

Whether it was Ina's slightly apologetic tone that annoyed her, Juri's chakra visibly began to take on an aggressive atmosphere.

Facing the now-wary Ina, Juri declared:

"Hmph, so that's that guy's strategy? You woman who only knows how to listen to men, how dare you..."

Ina's well-defined eyebrows twitched with a sharp "snap."

She wore a dangerous smile, as if to say, "If you want to fight, I'm game."

"Oh my, isn't supporting a capable man a woman's duty?"

"Nonsense. An outsider from another squad like you has no right to speak of him. If he didn't have me, he wouldn't be able to do anything."

"Huh? Don't make me laugh. Diejian would be perfectly fine even without you."

"Hehehe! You don't know anything. Right now, he must be feeling heartbroken that he has to stand against me."

"How annoying, a woman with such intense delusions. Diejian just said earlier how happy he was to be on a team with me. Though, he didn't particularly mention you~ what a pity."

Watching Juri stand motionless, Kagami tilted his head in the spectator stands, filled with worry.

Unaware of Kagami's concern, a war between women was unfolding deep within Juri's heart.

"You wild boar with a flat chest!"

"You're one to talk. With those cliffs you call a chest, why not hire someone to carve the Hokage Rock onto them?"

"They're bigger than yours! You lewd woman who leaves both her back and chest exposed!!"

"I don't want to hear that from you!!"

Juri, trembling with indignation, was actually in no position to criticize Ina's attire.

She wore a sleeveless jacket over a sleeveless top, leaving her slender shoulders completely bare.

She wore floral-patterned arm guards, but they only covered her forearms, leaving her upper arms exposed; this imbalance only served to highlight her fair skin.

The absolute territory between her thigh-high socks and her slit skirt was, however, well protected.

Reflecting on her own outfit, Juri thought that she indeed had no right to judge others, but she wasn't the type of woman to let it go at that.

"Occupying another person's spirit—it seems you used that technique to occupy his mind. What a lewd woman!"

This remark, intended to change the subject, struck a chord deep within Ina.

For better or for worse.

It was true that this was the technique that had once brought warmth to the suffering Diejian, but it was also a complex jutsu that carried the guilt of peering into another's soul.

"You dare say that! Thinking you can use the Sharingan's genjutsu to bewitch Diejian? Not a chance!!"

Ina's retort, delivered on impulse, also struck a chord within Juri.

Likewise, for better or for worse.

"You, how dare you insult the Uchiha!! Fine, a technique like that is child's play to break with my Sharingan!!! Ugh—it won't break..."

"Too bad~ This is my original creation—the Mind Sealing Body Technique—built upon the existing Mind Transfer Jutsu, with the addition of Uzumaki-style sealing arts taught to me by Lady Mito. It's a new technique that binds the target's spirit to the deepest level and seals it within a phantasm. Unlike genjutsu, this uses sealing arts to bind the spirit directly; it's not so easily broken. I'll undo the curse when the match is over, so sleep until then!"

"Yamanaka Ina—!!"

Completely oblivious to this conversation, Diejian pressed his aching face and stood up.

He praised Ina for sealing the "control tower," then turned his gaze toward the other threat—Sakumo.

As long as he could suppress Hatake Sakumo, the battle would be a stalemate.

Diejian charged toward Sakumo, transforming into a gust of wind.

"No choice... I have to use that!"

Once Sakumo was locked into a defensive stance, even he wasn't easy to break through.

Seeing Sakumo draw his short blade with a look of resolve, Diejian thought he was going to strike!?

—He braced himself, but then dismissed the thought as impossible.

The next instant—Diejian's vision was obscured by a white light.

"So fast!"

The moment Diejian's vision was covered by the white flash, Sakumo had already shifted his position.

Though his eyes could track the movement, Diejian's body couldn't keep up.

The silver short blade in Sakumo's hand was infused with Lightning Release chakra, wrapped in a brilliant white glow that illuminated him.

That speed sublimated the silver radiance into a flash of light, and the figure of Sakumo as he darted past was simply like—

"Simply like, a white, fang..."

"White Fang...? A Genin from Konoha?"

"Oh, it's the White Fang."

"I see, the White Fang."

"Konoha's, White Fang..."

"That is the White Fang."

The spectator stands suddenly erupted in commotion, the people calling out Sakumo's name in unison.

Sakumo, displaying agility unlike that of a Genin, had leapt into the spotlight.

"Ho..."

The ninjas who understood the speed he displayed let out sounds of admiration.

That movement, in terms of pure speed alone, was enough to rival Kagami Uchiha, the jonin in charge of Diejian and his team.

"Is that the Lightning Release body activation technique he mentioned at the hospital?"

By channeling chakra through his Chakra Blade, Sakumo had increased the conductivity of his lightning-attribute chakra, instantly boosting his physical capabilities.

The only thing of concern was the ball balanced atop Sakumo's fluffy silver hair.

"Is that... allowed...?"

Diejian glanced at the referee, who signaled that it was safe, indicating that since he wasn't touching the ball directly with his hands, it was permitted.

"Waaaah--!!"

As Sakumo approached the goal, the noise from the spectator stands grew louder and louder.

With his breathing ragged, Diejian wiped the sweat streaming down his face with his arm, quietly closed his eyes, and took deep, repeated breaths.

He had been told not to use it, but if things continued like this, he would lose.

It doesn't matter if I lose. But, I don't want to regret not using it when I had the chance--!!

"Diejian--!! My friend!! Go for it--!!!"

The cheers from his friend in the green spandex, echoing from the stands, made Diejian's heart boil.

"Eight Inner Gates, Gate of Opening, open! Gate of Healing, open!!"

Diejian's hair stood on end, and his veins began to bulge.

A turbulent surge of rising chakra raced across the field.

"Snap"—the sound of something breaking echoed against his eardrums, and Diejian broke into a cold sweat from the intense side effects.

"That brat, he ignored my advice again..."

"Now, now, it's fine. If there's any danger, I will intervene. Come, look at the expression on that child's face."

—He looked so happy.

Tobirama, having realized what Diejian was about to do, was just about to stand up to stop him, but was held back by Mito.

"It's just like seeing that person when he was young," Mito said with a smile that was tinged with a hint of loneliness, yet happy for her grandson's growth.

Tobirama sighed, shook his head, and sat back down with a disgruntled look on his face.

Mito smiled and whispered, "Sorry about that," as she gently stroked the fluffy fur collar around Tobirama's neck.

The gesture was identical to the one Hashirama used to soothe Tobirama whenever he was sulking after being scolded by his older brother.

This couple...

Tobirama sighed in his heart.

Diejian, wreathed in pale blue chakra, ran neck-and-neck with Sakumo, who was enveloped in a white radiance.

Sakumo kicked the ball into the air, and under the guise of competing for it, he faced Diejian head-on.

"Here I come."

It was unclear who said it, but it became the signal for battle.

Engaging in offense and defense at a speed that made it hard to believe they were in mid-air, Sakumo and Diejian collided with their full strength.

Sakumo used the lightning-attribute chakra released from his body to dissipate the countless balls Diejian had created using the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.

Diejian narrowed his eyes for a split second.

Sakumo feigned a kick at the ball while aiming for Diejian's head, but Diejian was one step faster, finishing the hand seals for a Fire Release jutsu.

Sakumo was engulfed by the fireball spat out by Diejian; while it shouldn't be fatal, he would likely be hospitalized for a while.

Just as he thought that—

"A Shadow Clone!?"

With a "poof" of light smoke, Sakumo's figure vanished.

Immediately following, the ball floating in the air burst along with the smoke, and Sakumo appeared.

In the split second that Diejian's vision was stolen by Sakumo's lightning, Sakumo had clamped his feet around the ball in mid-air and used the Transformation Technique to turn himself—"along with the ball"—into the ball itself.

Sakumo spun nimbly in the air, scooped up the ball with his feet, adhered it to his soles with chakra, and kicked it straight through Diejian's head.

Compared to Diejian, who had wanted to use a fire-based punishment without a second thought, Sakumo's consideration for the ball as a cushion and for his comrade was worlds apart.

"Ah, sorry."

His vision flickering, Diejian was sent spinning away from the kick.

The power had been a bit too much.

Because Sakumo had assumed the ball would act as a cushion and be fine, he had kicked with his full strength.

Sakumo apologized for miscalculating the power of his strike and landed on the ground.

Diejian tumbled to the ground, watching Sakumo as he sprinted forward.

If he let the opponent score just like that, they would lose.

It was extremely difficult to break through an opposing team that had shifted into a defensive formation.

The goalkeeper for Diejian's team, Suikazan Fuguki, countered with the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

But Sakumo dodged it with ease.

He then used Water Formation Wall to block Sakumo's path, but that would likely only buy a little time.

Diejian's vision was swaying; he seemed to have suffered a mild concussion from that earlier blow.

Or perhaps that strike had been intended to cause a concussion all along.

Furthermore, his body, which was not suited for the Eight Inner Gates, was wailing from the side effects.

He could not stand up.

He could hear the cheers of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Dai.

Giving up was impossible.

And besides--.

"I said it didn't matter if we lost... sorry, that was a lie."

Facing Sakumo and Juri as enemies, with Ina as his teammate, how could he show such a pathetic side of himself?

Besides, Diejian was a boy after all; he was unwilling to lose to his friends.

He lay there, reaching his hand forward.

It didn't matter if his brain was reeling.

The hand seals for a technique already etched into his body could never be performed incorrectly.

--Here I come, Sakumo.

"Wood Release: Grass Knot Technique!!"

The lawn beneath the sprinting Sakumo grew rapidly, entangling his feet.

Sakumo never expected an attack from below; he tipped forward and slammed his face hard into the ground.

A fearless smile appeared on the face of Diejian as he slowly stood up.

"You aren't the only one with new moves, Sakumo."

The ball rolled off in the wrong direction.

Just as Diejian was about to rally his team with a "Alright, let's go!", --a "Beep!" sounded.

The referee's whistle blew.

"Direct attack, disqualification."

Ah, someone let out a sound.

Like a suspect being hauled away by the Uchiha Police Force, Diejian was lifted by his arms by the staff and left the venue, shoulders slumped.

"Big brother, how lame..."

Tsunade whispered, while Jiraiya's face twitched as he smiled and nodded silently.

Dai wailed loudly, shouting, "I will fight in place of the taken Diejian!" as he tried to rush in, only to be restrained by a nearby Jonin.

In the end, the team that lost Diejian did not immediately collapse--

Because Sakumo, who had been knocked unconscious by the facial impact, was forced to retire by the doctor, and Juri had her spirit sealed by Ina and could not return.

Since Ina appeared to have done nothing from the outside, she received no penalty, and the match continued; having tasted success, Ina proceeded to seal her opponents one after another.

In terms of results alone, Diejian's team won, and the opposing team was wiped out.

It is said that after Diejian and Sakumo retired, the main event became exceptionally dull.

Incidentally, in the noisy venue made awkward by the lackluster performance, only the Second Hokage praised Ina's tactics, later commending her to the head of the Yamanaka Clan as an excellent ninja.