Uchiha vs. Sunagakure Jinchuriki!

"Have you heard? It's Uchiha versus the Sunagakure Jinchuriki!"

"That red-haired kid? He looks pretty terrifying..."

"Sasuke Uchiha is the clan head's son, a genius!"

"What are the odds? I want to place a bet..."

Qingyu's mouth twitched. Good grief, they've even started a betting pool?

The entertainment life of the Konoha populace is certainly quite rich.

The ramen was served, and he buried his head in his bowl, eating intently.

Just as he was halfway through, two people sat down at the table next to him.

"Yo, Angelo, out of the hospital?" A familiar voice.

Qingyu looked up.

He saw Nara Shikamaru and Choji Akimichi sitting at the adjacent table. Shikamaru still had his usual half-asleep look, while Choji was clutching a large bag of potato chips, crunching away.

"Shikamaru, Choji." Qingyu greeted them, "Are you here to watch the matches too?"

"What a drag..." Shikamaru scratched his head, "But my old man insisted I come to study the 'duel of geniuses,' and Choji is just here for the spectacle."

Choji nodded and held out his chips: "Want some? It's barbecue flavor."

Qingyu took a chip and asked casually: "Where's Ino?"

"She's sitting in the front row with the other girls." Shikamaru gave him a deadpan look, "Something about wanting to cheer for Sasuke up close... Women are such a drag."

Qingyu chuckled.

Just wait until you get grilled by Temari later, then you'll learn your lesson!

Still, Ino is as boy-crazy as ever; that much hasn't changed.

"Right," Shikamaru suddenly looked at him, "Your next opponent is confirmed. Kankuro beat Kiba Inuzuka, and Temari beat that ninja from Amegakure, so you'll be fighting Kankuro."

Qingyu's heart tightened.

So it really is Kankuro...

"A puppeteer, huh..." Shikamaru stroked his chin, "A pretty troublesome opponent, but judging by your match against Neji, you should be able to handle him."

"I'll take your word for it." Qingyu gave a wry smile.

After finishing their noodles, the three of them walked toward the arena together.

On the way, Shikamaru briefly explained the situation of yesterday's two matches.

Kankuro had used his puppet's poison needles and mechanisms to defeat Kiba, while Temari had simply crushed her opponent with Wind Style.

"Was Kiba Inuzuka hurt badly?" Qingyu asked.

"Minor injuries, but he was poisoned." Choji said, "He's still in the hospital getting the antidote; the poison from Kankuro's puppet is quite tricky."

Qingyu silently took note.

Poison... I need to watch out for that.

When they arrived at the arena, the spectator stands were already packed with people.

By virtue of being a contestant, Qingyu secured a front-row seat, right next to the Uchiha family section.

As soon as he sat down, he felt several gazes shoot toward him.

He turned his head and saw a group of people from the Uchiha clan sitting not far away.

Clan Head Fugaku was in the front row, his expression stern.

Beside him were several elders, and also... Itachi and Shisui?

Shisui noticed his gaze and waved with a smile.

Itachi merely gave a slight nod.

Qingyu hurriedly returned the gesture, though he was complaining internally: This spectator lineup is way too luxurious! Did the entire Uchiha upper echelon show up?

"It's not just the Uchiha." Tobirama said in his mind, "Look across the way, the Hyuga clan is here too, and..."

"At the very top of the stands, those ones wearing masks."

Qingyu followed the hint and looked over, indeed spotting several Anbu members in the shadows.

Among them, there was one... whose figure looked a bit familiar?

Kakashi?

Even though he was wearing a mask, that silver hair and deadpan temperament were far too recognizable.

Good heavens, this is practically me!

"Every faction is paying attention to this match." Tobirama analyzed.

"The genius of the Uchiha, the Jinchuriki of Sunagakure... the outcome of this duel might influence the judgment of many."

Qingyu's heart sank.

Indeed, this match was not as simple as a duel between two genin.

Just as his thoughts were wandering, the broadcast echoed throughout the arena:

"The final round of the Chunin Exams, fourth match, is about to begin!"

"Will both contestants please enter the arena!"

The entire stadium fell silent in an instant.

Every gaze turned toward the entrance tunnels.

From the left, Sasuke Uchiha walked out.

He wore a dark blue high-collared combat suit, with the Uchiha fan crest emblazoned on his back.

His expression was cold and stern, his gaze sharp, and every step he took was steady and powerful.

In the stands, a suppressed cheer erupted from the Uchiha section.

Clan Head Fugaku nodded slightly; Itachi's expression remained calm, though something seemed to flicker deep within his eyes.

From the right, Gaara walked out.

With his short red hair and dark circles under his eyes, the gourd on his back exuded a faint, lingering killing intent.

He walked slowly, each step measuring the distance to death. Temari and Kankuro followed behind him, their expressions tense.

The Sunagakure viewing area was on the opposite side; though their numbers were few, their presence was formidable.

The two stood firm in the center of the arena, thirty meters apart.

The proctor stood on a high platform and took a deep breath:

"Match rules: No restrictions! Use of any ninjutsu, taijutsu, or ninja tools is permitted! A contestant is defeated if they concede, remain down for ten seconds, or lose consciousness!"

"Contestants, prepare!"

Sasuke formed hand seals, and a red light ignited in his eyes!

Sharingan, activate!

Two tomoe slowly rotated within his scarlet pupils.

The stands erupted in an uproar!

"Two tomoe! A two-tomoe Sharingan at such a young age!"

"The Uchiha genius lives up to his reputation..."

Qingyu's eyes widened as well.

Wait, so you can actually awaken your eyes without your whole family dying?

Then the one-tomoe Itachi gave you by wiping out the clan was a complete waste!

Even seeing the Sharingan with his own eyes, Qingyu still thought... it was so cool!

Is it normal not to have awakened the Byakugan by eighteen?

Are they handing out Sharingans on the highway? I should go get one!

Gaara remained expressionless, though sand began to pour from the mouth of his gourd, flowing around his body as if it had a life of its own.

"Begin!"

The moment the word fell!

Both of them moved simultaneously!

No, Sasuke moved first! His speed exploded under the enhancement of the Sharingan.

He transformed into a blue afterimage, charging straight at Gaara!

Shuriken were flung out like a rainstorm, each one aimed at a vital point!

Gaara stood motionless where he was.

The sand automatically formed a shield, blocking every single shuriken.

The clanging sounds rang out in a continuous stream.

Are they blacksmithing here or what!

Sasuke rushed to close the distance, his fists and kicks moving like the wind!

But every attack was blocked by the sand.

Gaara didn't even lift a hand, merely watching Sasuke with those emotionless eyes.

"It's useless," Gaara said softly, "my sand protects me automatically."

Sasuke retreated and quickly formed hand seals:

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball surged forth!

Gaara finally moved.

He raised his hand, and sand surged like a tidal wave, transforming into a thick wall of sand.

BOOM!

The fireball slammed into the sand wall; flames splattered everywhere, but the wall remained completely unmoved.

"What a powerful defense..." someone in the stands exclaimed.

Qingyu also frowned.

Gaara's sand defense was practically cheating! It blocked automatically and was this sturdy—how was anyone supposed to fight that?

Mother's love had arrived.

"Sand fears water," Tobirama said in his mind, "but Sasuke does not know Water Style."

"Lightning Style is also effective," Izuna added, "Lightning can disrupt the structure of the sand, but Sasuke's current Lightning Style..."

On the field, Sasuke clearly realized the problem as well.

He ceased his attacks and stared intently at Gaara, his Sharingan spinning frantically as if he were analyzing something.