"Ah!!"
Sasuke's scream rang out across the arena.
He lay sprawled miserably on the sand-covered ground like a bird with broken wings. His face was deathly pale, his forehead drenched in sweat, and his expression twisted in pain.
"Sasuke!!"
On the spectator platform, Naruto and Sakura both shot to their feet, their eyes wide with alarm!
If Shikamaru had not stopped him, Naruto would likely have already leaped into the arena.
"Looks like it's over..."
In the distance, Kurotsuchi glanced at the situation in the arena and murmured softly.
Yet when she looked at Gaara, her eyes were filled with deep wariness.
Temari and Kankuro, standing nearby, both darkened slightly as they thought to themselves.
What a fool who doesn't know his place...
In the arena, Sasuke looked utterly frail. He stared in disbelief at his arm as the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
Did I lose...
I... I can't defeat this guy at all...
If it were that man...
At that thought, Sasuke slowly turned his head and buried his face in the sand. His other, uninjured hand clenched into a fist, only to loosen again in helplessness.
Outside the arena, the referee responsible for maintaining order immediately announced.
"The match is over. Gaara is the victor!"
As he spoke, he gestured for Gaara to release Sasuke at once.
However, Gaara seemed not to have heard the referee at all. A cold glint flashed through his eyes as he fixed Sasuke with an icy stare!
With his movement, the sand on the ground began to slowly crawl toward Sasuke's body once more!
The spectators outside the arena all changed expression in shock at Gaara's actions!
This guy... could he be trying to...!!
Naruto's pupils contracted at the sight. Gritting his teeth, he snarled.
"You bastard!!!"
Seeing what Gaara