The ground split open where Sakura Haruno's fist struck, the cracks spreading toward Temari as she retreated in search of firm footing.
"Huh?"
Her foot slipped, and she suddenly found nothing beneath it.
"Hmph!"
Sakura Haruno seized the opening, raised a fist, and hammered it down!
"The match is decided! Both fighters, stand down!"
The judge leaped forward to announce the result, and the arena fell silent.
The spectators seemed unable to process it. Hadn't the two been evenly matched just a moment ago? How had the fight suddenly ended?
After a brief silence, cheers erupted throughout the arena!
"Monster Strength! I never expected to see Monster Strength!"
"Is she Lady Tsunade's apprentice?"
The Monster Strength Sakura displayed, along with the collapsing ground, left everyone stunned.
After every match, Earth Release ninja helped repair the ground, but now the arena floor had cracked and collapsed outward from the center.
"Is this young lady an apprentice of Tsunade, Hashirama Senju's granddaughter?"
The Daimyo's interest was piqued by that destructive power. To possess such strength at her age, she was certainly a promising talent.
He had been caught up in listening to the inspirational story earlier, but hearing this now stirred his excitement.
"That's right. After Tsunade returned, she took Sakura Haruno as her apprentice and has devoted considerable attention to her."
Seeing the Daimyo's interest, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and began to explain.
"Just a few days ago, I saw her racking her brains over her apprentice's training plan. She must consider the girl a promising talent and intend to teach her everything she knows. After all, she may not be able to take action so freely in the future."
His phrasing was artful. He highlighted Tsunade's dedication and Sakura Haruno's potential, then hinted that Tsunade might not be able to act