The next second, a name appeared on the slip of paper-
"Temari."
Uzumaki Hayashi looked at the name in his hand and couldn't help smiling.
The slip of paper was thin.
But the name carried quite a bit of weight.
Well, well. Wasn't this Sunagakure's princess? When he first met Shikamaru, he seemed to recall mentioning her name in his thoughts.
He hadn't expected to actually draw her today.
Hayashi showed the slip to Gekko Hayate, then turned and winked at Shikamaru.
It was as though he was deliberately teasing him.
Shikamaru looked utterly baffled. Still, seeing Hayashi interacting with him, he couldn't help pressing a hand to his forehead, looking thoroughly put out.
Hayashi had long since grown used to that look.
On the other side, however, things were completely different.
Over in Sunagakure's corner, an unparalleled silence awaited them.
It stood in stark contrast to the lively atmosphere on Konoha's side.
It was so quiet that even their breathing grew softer.
Temari saw the red-haired ninja who had drawn her name.
Her memories came flooding back.
His purple killing intent swirled through her mind.
Whether it was the overwhelming presence that had crushed Gaara's on Konoha's streets, or the White Whale looming above them in the Forest of Death-
Both were things she would never forget for the rest of her life.
None of those things seemed remotely like something a human ninja could contend with.
Just remembering them left her fingertips cold.
I'm just an ordinary Wind Release ninja...
Kankuro, standing beside her, was also somewhat startled to see Temari's name drawn.
He first glanced at Uzumaki Hayashi, then leaned close to Temari and said slowly,
"You'll be all right, won't you, Temari? If you really can't do it, just go up there and forfeit..."
He kept