After Minato Namikaze arrived at the main arena, he naturally noticed Uya, who had arrived before him.
Slightly surprised, Minato Namikaze nevertheless nodded.
If it was Uya, it made sense for him to finish a step ahead.
After all, Uya had defeated Uchiha Izumiya.
Just as he was wondering whether to greet Uya, the third and fourth winners entered together.
Meanwhile, some interested Chunin and Jonin, along with students who had given up early, also arrived at the arena, took their seats, and watched the field with keen interest.
The battles here would be the most exciting. The fights in the other arenas were nothing but children playing house!
The crowd soon began to grow.
Finally, all the winners from the four preliminary arenas had arrived.
Only those who had won four consecutive matches counted as winners.
If they lost even once, they did not qualify, even if they won all their other matches.
As such, only ten people had made it here.
Of those ten, only a few looked as though they had endured hard battles. Most were like Uya and Minato Namikaze, relaxed and completely unscathed.
"Everyone is here, I take it?"
Looking down at the ten outstanding youngsters below, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly.
These children were all future pillars of Konoha!
"Reporting to Lord Hokage, everyone is here."
A ninja approached Hiruzen Sarutobi and gave his report.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and was about to have them begin.
At that moment, however, something unexpected happened!
A small commotion arose in the arena.
A figure had appeared at the entrance.
Leaning on a cane, he walked steadily toward Hiruzen Sarutobi at the highest point of the stands.
Someone also brought over a chair for him.
He was the Hokage's assistant, Danzo!
"Oh, I didn't expect you to find the time to come." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze flickered slightly.
"This concerns Konoha's future. As the Hokage's assistant, of course I must take an interest."
Danzo sat beside Hiruzen Sarutobi and spoke in an even tone.
Old fox!
Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted inwardly, immediately guessing why Danzo had come.
Without a doubt, he wanted to select talented children worth nurturing and take them into Root.
Still, as long as things did not get out of hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi generally did not interfere much in Danzo's affairs, turning a blind eye to him.
Danzo casually glanced over the ten below, then picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
"They're all far too green. They'll need considerable training before they can be of much use."
"Even the youngest eaglet will one day spread its wings and soar."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly and replied in an equally even tone before giving instructions to the ninja beside him.
Upon receiving his instructions, the head examiner immediately nodded, then dropped down into the arena.
"Making it this far proves that you are the finest children to have distinguished yourselves."
"Lord Hokage is right up there, watching you in person."
"Show Lord Hokage your very best!"
The head examiner presiding over the main arena was no longer a Chunin teacher from the Ninja Academy, but a Special Jōnin.
With that, the main arena's practical ranking assessment officially began!
The list of names, including Minato Namikaze and Uya, was shuffled at random, and the pairings were drawn by lot.
"First match, Uya versus Setsuna Hyuga!"
Looking at the arranged match list in his hand, the head examiner raised his hand and announced it.
The very first match drew the attention of every Jonin present.
Even Danzo glanced over.
"Uya... is that the child who dared to challenge Han, a Chunin of the Uchiha Clan, to a duel to the death?"
"Interesting. I wonder just how capable he is, to have that much nerve."
Some of the spectating Jonin began commenting with interest, their gazes turning appraising as they looked at Uya.
In truth, these Jonin had come to watch so they could choose students they liked ahead of time.
The winners who had made it here were almost certain not to be assigned to the same class. All ten would probably be separated when they graduated, to maintain balance.
"He's up first? Let's see what he can do. He'd better at least qualify to fight Minato."
Up in the stands, Jiraiya snorted and leaped straight onto the railing, showing none of the bearing of an Elite Jonin.
At the sight, the corner of Tsunade's mouth twitched. Utterly embarrassed, she dearly wanted to kick Jiraiya straight off.
But kicking him down would probably be even more embarrassing, so Tsunade had no choice but to ignore him.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, had been leaning calmly against the wall the entire time, his hands behind his head, watching the arena with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
In the arena.
Uya and Setsuna Hyuga stepped onto the platform.
Minato Namikaze and the others all left the field to watch from the sidelines.
Setsuna Hyuga looked at Uya with a somewhat peculiar gaze.
Naturally, he had heard about Uya, and as a child of a major clan, he was far more sensitive to such matters.
Finally, he gave a pitying sigh and said, "It's a shame you weren't born into our Hyuga Clan... arrogant as the Uchiha Clan is, they wouldn't dare mess with us."
"Are you showing off your major clan's superiority?"
Uya looked calmly at Setsuna Hyuga.
Setsuna Hyuga shook his head slightly. "No. I just think making it this far is quite impressive. Unfortunately, I have to win this match. Otherwise, I really would like to let you enjoy yourself a little before you die."
Fuck!
Those words nearly made Uya swing a fist at him on the spot.
Let me enjoy myself before I die? What kind of talk is that!
Fortunately, Uya was composed enough not to lose his temper with a child under ten, but the corner of his mouth still twitched as he asked a question.
"You think you're guaranteed to win?"
"You only know Taijutsu, and in Taijutsu... no one can beat the Hyuga Clan."
Setsuna Hyuga spoke as though it were only natural.
With their Byakugan and their unique Gentle Fist, the Hyuga Clan were indeed extremely proud of their Taijutsu, to the point that they did not even think much of the Uchiha Clan.
"First match, begin!"
Seeing that both were ready, the head examiner decisively announced the start.
Setsuna Hyuga immediately assumed the opening stance of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, then looked at Uya with an impassive expression.
"That's the renowned Hyuga Clan's special Taijutsu, Gentle Fist."
"Trying to contend with a renowned clan like the Hyuga Clan in Taijutsu is probably a little too difficult."
Watching the arena, the spectators could not help discussing it.
The Jonin in particular knew that Gentle Fist could seal chakra points and even strike the internal organs directly. Once its user got close, things would become very troublesome.
Everyone was wondering how Uya would choose to fight against the Hyuga Clan and their formidable Taijutsu.
Yet to everyone's surprise, Uya's way of fighting was simplicity itself.
There were no unnecessary moves, nor any elaborate process.
He simply stepped forward and threw a punch!
Renowned Hyuga Clan? Gentle Fist Taijutsu? All I need is one punch to smash it all!