The flames died down a little, and the lightning net spread.
Shinna keenly sensed the Lightning Release on the ground and immediately ended her jutsu, running backward.
The Spider Web's lack of speed was certainly a weakness, but Shinmoku was fast. Even running normally, he moved with the speed of the Body Flicker Technique.
Stepping on the arcs of electricity, Shinmoku rushed behind Shinna and used Leaf Whirlwind.
It was basically a sweep kick. Shinna had been watching Shinmoku's movements the whole time and jumped just before he struck.
But she could see that the lightning net had already reached her feet. She would step right onto it when she landed.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
At this critical moment, Shinna formed hand seals, and a Water Formation Wall surged up from the ground. She stood atop it, forming a board beneath her feet, as if she were surfing.
Binding her own feet, huh?
Shinmoku leaped five meters backward.
Lightning Release: Four Pillar Bind!
Witness what a control-type ninja can do!
Four stone pillars burst from the ground around Shinna, rising even higher than the first tier of the stands.
Terrifying energy coalesced between the pillars. The next moment, dazzling lightning shot out from all four, binding Shinna firmly in midair.
Lightning Release: Lightning Strike.
Lightning Release: Cat Rush.
Lightning Strike gradually took shape overhead. Below, the spiderweb spread, and dozens of lightning cats gathered beneath Shinna's feet.
"Boom—"
The lightning struck, channeling into the cat-shaped bolts. Shinna was pierced by lightning from head to toe.
"Ah—"
Burning and searing pain tore through her, and Shinna let out a scream.
"Hey... aren't they from the same family?"
In the stands, Sakura clutched the hem of her clothes, anxiously watching the brightest part of the lightning pillars.
"Who knows?" Ino said, still shaken. "At least my opponent was you."
The technique lasted about ten seconds.
"Thud!"
When the seals ended, Shinna fell heavily to the ground.
"..." Genma Shiranui glanced at Shinmoku, then at Shinna lying on the ground, and raised his hand. "The winner—Uchiha Shinmoku!"
At that, Shinmoku walked over to Shinna and crouched beside her.
"Are you satisfied?"
Shinna weakly opened her eyes and gazed at the sky. "I hate you."
"I understand."
When he learned that she had never received any affection from her father and had watched all the love meant for her pour into him instead, Shinmoku had more or less understood how she felt.
"But you're all I have."
"Mm..."
That was something he truly hadn't considered.
That explained why she had been so hot and cold with him.
What should he do? If he didn't handle this properly, she might become another candidate for a major villain.
After thinking for a moment, he held out his hand.
"I'm sorry I took the love that belonged to you. I'll give it back."
"How?"
Shinna looked at Shinmoku, her eyes clouded with confusion.
"I'll give it back myself!"
Shinmoku promised earnestly. Shinna nodded firmly, tears spilling from her eyes.
"Okay."
Shinmoku placed her arms over his shoulders, carried her on his back, and headed for the steps to the waiting area.
"How touching," Orochimaru said to the Third Hokage. "There's still one more match, isn't there? Should we have them go on first?"
"No need. They're here."
The moment he finished speaking, two figures appeared in the middle of the arena: Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Sorry, something held us up," Kakashi said to Genma Shiranui. "Can we still compete?"
"Ha!" Genma bit down on the Senbon in his mouth. "Just in time. Shinmoku and Shinna covered for you."
"They've already finished?" Sasuke asked. "Who won?"
"Shinmoku. It was a great fight."
"Is that so?" Sasuke said with a smile. "I won't be any worse than them."
"I'll be watching."
Then Genma raised his hand. "The next match: Uchiha Sasuke of Konoha versus Gaara of Sunagakure!"
In the hallway, Shinmoku came across an interesting scene.
A few noblemen's thugs had threatened Gaara, trying to make him throw the match, but Gaara had squeezed them into a heap of pulp.
As Shinmoku passed, Gaara glanced at him and Shinna on his back, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.
What was the point of feelings and bonds? Wasn't it enough to love yourself? If you hated someone, why not just kill them?
He'd already taken things that far. He could have killed that girl with a single swing of his blade. Why hadn't he? Didn't he need to prove his own existence?
"...Your opponent is waiting for you. Are you sure you want to fight me here?"
Gaara looked at him indifferently and said nothing, walking straight toward the exit.
He'd just tasted some foul blood, and Uchiha Sasuke was a feast he'd had his eye on for a long time. As for these two, he'd have his chance later.
"What's with him?" Shinna asked curiously from Shinmoku's back.
"Just a problem child... Aren't you one too?"
"..."
"Hey!" As he passed Temari, his eyes crinkled with amusement. "That guy from your village is about to lose control~"
"Tch!" Temari snorted.
Of course she could tell. She and Kankuro had spent the most time with Gaara, after all.
But what was with this Uchiha Shinmoku? Why did he act as if he had everything under control? Why did their plan seem so strange at every turn?
Ignoring her, Shinmoku walked over to the Konoha group, set Shinna down, and sat cross-legged himself, watching the match while recovering.
The battle grew intense right from the start.
With Kakashi's help, Sasuke had learned a method similar to Lightning Release Chakra Mode, using Lightning Release to stimulate his cells. His speed and strength had increased dramatically.
After several rounds of taijutsu, Gaara retreated inside his shell.
Sasuke focused chakra beneath his feet and crouched on the wall, then began forming hand seals.
"Chidori!"
Lightning Release chakra gathered in Sasuke's palm, forming a high-voltage current that rang out like a thousand birds chirping.
"So that's how it works."
With his Sharingan active, Shinmoku successfully copied the technique and used it.
"Hey..."
Kakashi gave him a helpless look. Shinmoku was a true Sharingan wielder and a Lightning Release expert, so this was only natural. He just hadn't expected to see someone copy one of his own techniques.
On the field, Sasuke started running. In an instant, his hand, like a blade, pierced Gaara's sand shell.
He's losing control.
The Third Hokage had sensed the chakra that had leaked out in that instant.
A Tailed Beast?
A shower of glowing feathers drifted down from the sky, and the villagers and Genin watching the match fell asleep one after another.
"Psssh—"
Smoke filled the Hokage's viewing box. Someone had thrown a poisonous smoke bomb.
The guards behind Orochimaru had already been replaced by his own men, who now dropped their disguises.
At the same time, two Anbu squads leaped into the room beneath the Third Hokage's feet.
The battle was about to begin.