Another Forfeit? Sarutobi Hiruzen's Darkened Face

"You made a wise decision!"

Darui watched Omoi stroll over leisurely and spoke with a smile.

In fact,

he had expected this outcome, but he had not expected Omoi to be so decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"Darui, you have to vouch for me. It's not that I forfeited without fighting—I really can't beat him!" Omoi said with a bitter smile. Besides, his teacher had once said that fighting to the death when you knew you could not win was a stupidity called hot-bloodedness. He did not want to be that kind of fool.

Besides, others might not know the truth, but Darui and the others did.

"Don't worry. I'd do the same when the time comes!" Darui nodded, then stopped talking and turned his attention to the other arenas.

Omoi had nothing to do now, so he sat nearby to watch the matches. The others did the same, wanting to observe their potential opponents.

Over on Gaara's side.

"I didn't expect someone from the Land of Lightning to forfeit right away. I could tell Omoi was very strong," Temari said in surprise. She had only just finished speaking with Gaara when, the moment the two stepped onto the arena, Omoi had immediately conceded?

She had even thought Omoi would be her next opponent.

"It's not surprising. He knew he wasn't Xuanyu's match," Gaara said calmly.

"He knew he wasn't Xuanyu's match? Wasn't it because Xuanyu bribed the Land of Lightning's ninja?" Temari asked in surprise, her eyes still full of curiosity as she looked at Gaara.

She had not expected Gaara to still have so much confidence in Xuanyu even now!

"Heh. You're thinking too simply!" Gaara said directly. "If you face Xuanyu in the next round, forfeit immediately too!"

"I should forfeit too?" Temari pointed at her own