Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Inside the Kazekage Building at the center of Sunagakure, the six strongest Kage in the Shinobi World sat around an ordinary round table. Each of them stared at the crystal ball before them in silence, making the atmosphere feel somewhat stifling.
Since the Telescope Technique could only lock onto one person, everyone could only observe from their own team's perspective. At the beginning of the competition, aside from Kumogakure, every team had chosen to scout and probe first rather than adopt an aggressive approach.
The reason was simple. At their level, the ripples of battle could be sensed by experts of the same caliber from hundreds of miles away. Once two teams clashed, the others would immediately rush over upon hearing of it, likely reaping the benefits while they fought. No one wanted to be the clam in that situation.
But that made the battle rather dull to watch. Hashirama propped up his chin in boredom, glanced around, then quietly shifted closer to Madara and turned his gaze toward the crystal ball in front of him.
Madara naturally noticed Hashirama's little movement, but he did not stop him, allowing him to "spy" on their side's situation.
"Oh? Madara, you've already run into another team!"
Hashirama's excited voice immediately drew everyone else's attention. First Raikage A raised his head at once, surprise flashing through his eyes. His team had not encountered anyone from the Flame Hidden Village, and judging by Hashirama's reaction, it was not Konoha either. Then which village was it?
"Oho, they've met. Enkō looks quite confident. I really want to hear what they're saying."
Hashirama was still chatting with great interest, while Reto, seated on the other side, wore a bitter expression. "Damn it, why did they have to run into them?"
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