"The third match."
Uchiha You looked at the two contestants in the arena.
"Sasuke Uchiha of Konoha."
"Versus Chojuro of Kirigakure."
As his words fell, the atmosphere in the stands heated up again.
Sasuke slowly walked into the arena.
His Two-Tomoe Sharingan was already active, black tomoe slowly rotating within his scarlet eyes.
Chojuro, opposite him, looked somewhat nervous.
He gripped Hiramekarei behind his back with both hands, leaning slightly forward.
One of the Seven Ninja Blades of the Mist, it was several times larger than an ordinary ninja blade. Its blade was divided into upper and lower sections, with chakra light faintly flickering inside its two round holes.
Chojuro's gaze settled on Sasuke.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"I watched your fight with Suigetsu."
"Your Fire Release is strong, and your Sharingan is impressive too."
Sasuke remained calm.
"If you watched it, you should know you have no chance of winning."
Chojuro froze for a moment.
Then he tightened his grip on Hiramekarei.
"The fight hasn't been decided yet."
"I won't surrender just because you're an Uchiha."
Sasuke said nothing more.
He could sense that Chojuro's chakra was far from weak.
Although his opponent looked shy, his gaze was steady, and his grip on his sword showed considerable experience.
This boy from the Hidden Mist was no ordinary genin.
In the spectator stands.
Mei Terumi watched Chojuro, her expression more serious than before.
Chojuro was not particularly assertive. In fact, he was somewhat timid.
But he possessed an exceptional talent for combat.
His affinity with Hiramekarei, in particular, far surpassed that of other ninja his age.
Elsewhere.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, also kept his eyes firmly fixed on Sasuke.
The Sharingan.
Fire Release.
And that young, powerful body.
With every bit of talent Sasuke displayed, the greed in Orochimaru's eyes deepened.