At the center of Konoha stood a circular arena.
The enormous ring of spectator stands was already packed, with people crowding even the aisles.
Nobles and feudal lords from various countries, along with commoners joining in the excitement, had turned the place into a giant pressure cooker. The din nearly blew the roof off.
In the elevated guests of honor section, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi took a smiling puff on his pipe.
"Lord Kazekage, it seems everyone is looking forward to this match."
The "Fourth Kazekage" sitting beside him was wrapped in a thick veil, leaving only a pair of cold, sinister eyes exposed.
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it too."
Orochimaru lowered his voice, his gaze sweeping across the field below as his tongue licked his lips beneath his mask.
He was searching for the prey that had caught his interest.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the field's entrance.
"Aaah! I'm going to be late!"
An orange figure shot out like a cannonball, then slipped, curled into a ball, and rolled all the way to the center of the field before ending up sprawled on the ground in an extremely undignified pose, his backside sticking up.
The entire audience froze for half a second, then erupted in laughter.
"Which village is this ninja from? Is he here to perform acrobatics?"
"Go home and drink your milk, kid!"
Naruto Uzumaki scrambled up, his face bright red, brushed the dirt off himself, and pointed at the stands as he shouted.
"What are you laughing at?! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to become Hokage!"
Shikamaru stood nearby, looking utterly done with life.
"Hey, Naruto, can't you quiet down? What a drag."
Naruto was about to argue when he noticed that the surroundings had suddenly grown much quieter. Then screams