Hearing Yamaguchi I announce the result, Hinata relaxed completely. She deactivated her Byakugan, and the strands of hair floating around her settled back down.
She turned toward the raised platform behind her, her face lighting up with the joy of victory.
Kaguya responded with a slight nod, acknowledging Hinata's achievement.
Just then, a figure rushed into the arena. After checking that Sasuke was not seriously hurt, he picked him up and carried him away.
It was Uchiha Itachi.
And so Sasuke was eliminated in the third round of the Inner Disciples assessment.
After several rounds of elimination, twenty contestants ultimately advanced to the fourth round.
Making it through the first three rounds showed that these twenty had both considerable strength and good luck.
Four members of the Konoha 12 had been eliminated, while the remaining eight, led by Hinata, advanced to the fourth round. The other twelve were youths from other villages.
"The fourth round will take place in ten days. Nobles and heads of major clans from various nations will be coming to watch. Whoever claims first place will receive the title of Ninja Youth King, and the Divine Lord will personally reward them."
With Yamaguchi I's announcement, the third round officially ended, but the arena erupted with excitement.
The title of Ninja Youth King was a symbol of distinction. At their age, they were all fiercely competitive. Who wouldn't want to fight for it?
On top of that, there was a reward from the Divine Lord. That alone was enough to get everyone's blood pumping.
The twenty who had reached the fourth round had now become the envy of all the Inner Disciples.
Everyone speculated about who would ultimately become the strongest and claim the title of Ninja Youth King.
Kakuzu even opened a betting pool, hoping to