Kido Emerge in Force, Rikujokoro

Three days later.

The Forest of Death examination concluded, with only seven squads passing.

Four squads from Konoha, two from Sunagakure, and one from Kumogakure.

The other squads were either eliminated, withdrew due to severe injuries, or in some cases, vanished entirely within the forest.

In a joint examination that "permits a certain degree of casualties," this was not uncommon.

The squads that passed were gathered in the martial arts arena inside the high tower.

The massive circular arena was surrounded by tiered spectator stands.

It was already packed with ninjas from various nations, the Konoha leadership, and Jonin qualified to observe the matches.

Akimichi Choza stood in the center of the arena, a look of excitement on his face.

As a Special Jonin of the Akimichi clan of Konoha, he was the referee for this final stage of the exam.

He was also the father of Choji Akimichi, one of the future "Konoha 11."

"Congratulations to everyone for passing the second exam! Next is the third stage preliminary round!

The rules are simple—one-on-one elimination! Opponents will be decided by drawing lots; the winner advances to the main tournament, and the loser is eliminated immediately!"

He pointed to a massive lottery box nearby: "Now, will each squad send a representative up to draw!"

The squads sent their representatives one after another.

Uchiha Ryūha, acting as the representative for Team Seven, walked forward and pulled a numbered ball from the box.

[Number 7]

His opponent was [Number 8].

He looked up toward the opposite side, where a Sunagakure ninja was staring at the number 8 ball in his hand, his expression grim.

He was a puppeteer wearing a sand-proof mask with a massive scroll strapped to his back.

Judging by his attire, he was an elite from Sunagakure who had performed impressively during the second exam.

He had controlled three puppets simultaneously to defeat two Konoha squads.

The puppeteer saw the number 7 ball in Uchiha Ryūha's hand, froze for a moment, and then a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Uchiha Ryūha..." he muttered to himself, his mouth curling into a grin, "Perfect. Let me see just how much weight this so-called 'Seal-less Genius' actually carries."

Kato Yo from his own village had praised this guy to the heavens ever since they came out.

In his eyes, that was nothing more than the wailing of the incompetent.

They praised their opponents just to cover up their own inadequacy.

The drawing concluded, and the match bracket was announced.

First match: Konoha-Obito vs Sunagakure-Yashamaru

Second match: Konoha-Kakashi Hatake vs Kumogakure-Shimoka

Third match: Konoha-Might Guy vs Sunagakure-Chihiro Ichi

Seventh match: Konoha-Uchiha Ryūha vs Sunagakure-Bao

Upon seeing the bracket, a wave of whispers rippled through the stands.

"Uchiha Ryūha against the Sunagakure puppeteer? Interesting."

"I heard that puppeteer used poison to wipe out an entire squad in the Forest of Death. He's ruthless."

"Ryūha-kun is a genius favored by the Hokage; the puppeteer is likely in for a rough time."

"Not necessarily. Puppet techniques are strange and unpredictable, and he specializes in poison. Ryūha-kun is a close-combat type ninja, so he might be countered."

Amidst the discussion, the first few matches began one after another.

Obito narrowly defeated Yashamaru, Kakashi Hatake easily dispatched Shimoka, and Might Guy and Chihiro Ichi fought to a standstill, ultimately ending in a draw...

Finally, the seventh match.

"Seventh match, Konoha-Uchiha Ryūha, versus Sunagakure-Bao! Will both contestants enter the arena!"

Uchiha Ryūha adjusted his glasses and walked slowly into the arena.

Opposite him, the Sunagakure puppeteer Bao was already standing there, and from the massive scroll unfurled behind him, three menacing puppets slowly rose.

One held twin blades, with poison-tipped blades springing from its joints.

One had its abdomen opened, revealing dense rows of poison needle launchers.

The last one was the largest, standing on all fours with a hunched back like a giant leopard, its tail glowing with a deep blue light.

In the stands, the Sunagakure team leader Baki frowned slightly and whispered to his companion: "Bao is too impatient.

That Uchiha Ryūha is no simple opponent; he should have used the puppets to test him first instead of going all out right from the start."

His companion gave a bitter smile: "You know Bao's personality; he's incredibly arrogant."

After the small squad in the Forest of Death returned, they spoke of Uchiha Ryūha as if he were a god; Bao, hearing this, was unconvinced and had long wanted to teach him a lesson.

In the arena, Bao looked at Uchiha Ryūha, his voice coming through his mask with a hoarse, metallic rasp:

"Kid from the Uchiha, I hear you're quite something?"

"Seal-less sealing jutsu? Heh... in the face of Sunagakure's puppet arts, all of that is vanity."

He shook his hands, and Chakra threads shot from his ten fingers, connecting to three puppets.

"Let me show you what true art of slaughter is!"

The three puppets activated simultaneously!

The blade puppet slashed with crossed swords, the poison needle puppet opened the holes in its abdomen, and a sky full of poison needles poured down like a rainstorm!

The Bao puppet flanked from the side, its sharp claws aiming straight for Uchiha Ryūha's heart!

Their coordination was flawless, sealing off all room for evasion!

Gasps erupted from the stands.

"A killing blow right from the start!"

"The range of those poison needles is too wide; there's no way to dodge!"

However, Uchiha Ryūha stood where he was, not even drawing his blade.

He didn't even look at the three puppets.

He simply raised his right hand, splayed his five fingers toward the incoming needles, and said nonchalantly:

"Bakudo #61—"

"Rikujokoro."

Hum—!

Six massive golden beams of light appeared out of thin air, instantly closing in to pin the Bao puppet firmly in place!

Almost simultaneously, Uchiha Ryūha flicked his left hand to the side:

"Bakudo #37—"

"Tsuriboshi."

A massive shield of Reiatsu unfolded before him; all the poison needles struck the shield, emitting a dense "clinking" sound before falling powerlessly to the ground.

As for the blade puppet charging from the front, Uchiha Ryūha merely tilted his body slightly, pressed his right index and middle fingers together, and a point of crimson light condensed at his fingertips—

"Hado #33—"

"Sokatsui."

BOOM!!!

A scorching pillar of pale blue fire erupted from his fingertips, instantly engulfing the blade puppet!

As the flames dissipated, the blade puppet had been reduced to charred fragments, its Chakra threads burned away, hanging limply.

The entire process took less than three seconds.

Three puppets: one pinned, one blocked, and one obliterated.

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Bao stood frozen in place, his ten fingers still held in the posture of controlling puppets, but the Chakra threads had already snapped.

Through his mask, he stared fixedly at Uchiha Ryūha, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Seal-less... three jutsus... all seal-less..."

In the stands, Baki stood up abruptly, his expression changing drastically.

Yotsuki Hayato's pupils contracted.

The pipe in the hand of the Third Hokage paused slightly.

Uchiha Fugaku's Sharingan quietly activated.

As for Uchiha Ryūha, he simply adjusted his glasses calmly and looked at the referee:

"Can you announce the result now?"

The referee snapped back to reality and hurriedly raised his hand:

"Winner—Konoha, Uchiha Ryūha!"

The applause and cheers stalled for a moment before erupting like thunder.

Uchiha Ryūha had already turned and was walking toward the contestant tunnel.