Hinata's comeback was like a shot of adrenaline, barely injecting a sliver of vitality into the dispirited Leaf Village stands.
But that pitiful spark was quickly doused by the cruel reality that followed.
The preliminaries were drawing to a close.
"Ding—"
The enormous electronic screen on the wall began scrolling once more.
At last, it slowly stopped on two names that drew one final burst of cheers from the Leaf Village spectators.
[Rock Lee (Leaf Village) VS Deidara (Stone Village)]
"Ooh! It's Lee!"
"Go, bushy-brows! Send that arrogant blond flying!"
"Show those Stone Village bumpkins the soul of Leaf Village taijutsu!"
The Leaf Village ninja in the stands seemed to have grasped their final lifeline.
They placed all their hopes on that youth in a green jumpsuit with a bowl cut.
Rock Lee.
A hardworking genius who knew neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu, yet had trained taijutsu to its absolute peak!
"Guy-sensei! It's my turn!"
Lee's face flushed red with excitement as he gave Might Guy beside him a shining thumbs-up.
"To defend the youth of the Leaf Village, I'll definitely give it everything I have!"
"Go, Lee!"
Might Guy's eyes brimmed with emotional tears as he struck an even flashier pose.
"Let the fiery blood of our youth burn freely across this arena!"
"Yes!"
Lee leaped into the air, landing steadily in the center of the arena like a bolt of green lightning.
Fierce fighting spirit blazed in his bright black eyes.
And his opponent—
Deidara yawned as he slowly sauntered up from the other side.
His recently cut short hair was a messy tangle. He looked half-asleep, and even his forehead protector was crooked.
"Hey, can we hurry this up?"
Deidara picked at his ear, his face full of impatience.
"I need to get back for lunch after this,