The selection for the Broken Sword, Great Sword, Long Sword, Thunder Sword, Blunt Sword, and Twin Swords was complete. Only the Exploding Blade remained.
And the two facing off this time were old acquaintances.
Obito Uchiha and Asuka Hyuga.
"Give up, Obito. You're no match for me." Asuka told Obito to surrender the moment he stepped onto the field.
He was proud and didn't consider Obito an opponent.
He believed Kakashi was his greatest rival now. As for Kazan, he was the ultimate challenge awaiting him after he defeated Kakashi.
But Obito pointed a thumb at himself and laughed. "When a man faces a challenge, backing down isn't an option!"
Kakashi, who had already left the field, rolled his eyes to himself.
Wasn't that Kazan's line?
"It's the Hyuga against the Uchiha!"
"Who'll win?"
"Asuka Hyuga, obviously. He's one of the finest young geniuses of this generation in Konoha, second only to Kakashi."
"What about Lord Kazan?"
"Lord Kazan? How can you compare them to him? Lord Kazan is destined to surpass even the First!"
"True. Comparing them to Lord Kazan wouldn't be fair."
"Speaking of which, my kid says that Uchiha boy, Obito, was the Dead Last at the Ninja Academy."
"Really? So there's no suspense in this match?"
"None whatsoever!"
"..."
The villagers chatted away, still unaware of just how demanding this selection was.
The fact that Obito had made it this far already proved he was no longer the Dead Last he had once been.
"Then come at me, Obito. The Exploding Blade Shibuki will be mine!"
"We'll see after we fight!"
Obito charged first. Reckless as ever, he went straight into a hand-to-hand fight with a member of the Hyuga Clan.
"Idiot." Asuka took up the opening stance of the Gentle Fist and met him head-on.