The moment those words were spoken, Uchiha Shingen had yet to react when the stands erupted.
"That guy's too shameless!"
"One thing to gang up on him, but he's even being so arrogant about it. I really want to stomp that face flat!"
"Is this how Kumogakure does things now?!"
"Though it is rather shameless, their opponent is that Uchiha. Using underhanded methods isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"After all, a ninja's highest principle is completing the mission. Any means are acceptable."
"But this is a duel, not a mission!"
Amid the crowd's clamor,
there were also those who remained unmoved, quietly watching the arena below.
Yugito's eyes held a little more interest.
The dozen or so genin in Tong's hands might count as a decent fighting force.
But against Uchiha Shingen, whose guaranteed minimum combat strength was jonin-level, they were still far from enough.
What truly interested Yugito—and everyone currently watching the arena—was what method Uchiha Shingen would use to respond.
Their answer came only in the hum of Kotetsu leaving its sheath!
Clang—!
A crisp, chilling blade cry suddenly rang out.
For a moment, it even drowned out the racket from the surrounding stands.
Uchiha Shingen still had his eyelids drooping, his posture relaxed and casual, but a peculiar malicious amusement surfaced in his eyes.
Yagura, familiar with his personality, immediately understood. This brat was about to pull something.
At that moment, Minato, who had been standing at the edge of the arena, lowered his head to check the time. "The first preliminary match—begin!"
Without another word, Tong and the fierce-looking genin behind him drew their weapons and charged at Uchiha Shingen!
A ninja's physical abilities were naturally far beyond those of ordinary people.
Though there were only a dozen of them, the momentum they created in