She threw her arms around Uya.
Only after doing so did Kushina realize what she had done. Even with her carefree nature, she could not help blushing a little.
This was right in front of everyone!
Noticing all the strange looks behind her, Kushina first felt shy, then became embarrassed and angry. She clenched her fist and huffed, "Keep staring and I'll gouge your eyes out!!"
"..."
Everyone was speechless. Most of them were still quite afraid of Kushina, and hurriedly turned away, looking as though they had seen nothing.
In the distance, up at the very top, the corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth and those of the others twitched as well.
Very, very few people knew that Kushina was the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Even Jiraiya and the others did not know.
As one of the figures behind the scenes, Danzo naturally knew.
At the sight, he immediately frowned and could not help saying, "Isn't that Uya getting too close to Kushina?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Don't interfere so much in children's affairs."
"But..."
"Enough! As long as they're in Konoha, how much trouble could they possibly cause?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone brooked no argument.
"Hmph, then decide for yourself." Danzo snorted and said nothing more, but his expression grew increasingly dark and unreadable.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi looked composed, he felt somewhat differently inside.
He was thinking that if Uya was this outstanding, it would be quite good for him to become a ninja dedicated to protecting Kushina, the Jinchūriki, in the future.
Uya was a child from another village, but he had grown up in Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi had also looked into that village carefully: it had already been completely destroyed, wiped out by Sunagakure.
There was no real issue with his background.
What Hiruzen Sarutobi was considering now was the duel to the death between Uya and Uchiha Kan.
It was a little difficult for him to handle.
According to the rules, even as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not interfere in a duel to the death that both sides had agreed to.
But often, rules were nothing more than a scrap of paper.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi forcibly pressured the Uchiha Clan, he could put a stop to it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered inwardly, while continuing to watch below without showing anything on his face.
After another drawing of lots, Minato Namikaze received a bye.
This time, Uya was matched against Shibi Aburame.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, after Shibi Aburame stepped onto the stage, he chose to concede before the start was even announced!
This immediately left countless people puzzled and astonished.
Uya was a little surprised as well. Surely he had not reached the point where even Shibi Aburame, who had already made the top three, would concede outright.
"Your Power of Tremors does a lot of damage to my insects. My insects told me that your power is very dangerous..."
Wearing sunglasses, Shibi Aburame looked calmly at Uya and explained, "Besides, I've worked it out. No matter what method I use, it would be very difficult to beat you. Your power counters mine too well."
"If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to imbue both your fists and your legs with that trembling power. That means my insects have no way of getting close to you."
Shibi Aburame's calm explanation brought understanding to everyone.
Most of the students understood and looked at Uya in shock. They had never imagined that Uya was this strong, enough to make even Shibi Aburame, who had reached the top three, concede outright.
The Jonin watching, however, gave Shibi Aburame somewhat approving looks.
"An exceptional mind. He'd already assessed the entire battle situation before the fight began."
"Indeed. That boy Uya's Kekkei Genkai strongly counters insects and techniques like Taijutsu that require getting close to exert their power."
"If Shibi Aburame had faced Minato Namikaze, we might have seen an exciting fight."
The Jonin each offered their comments.
Of course, some liked Shibi Aburame's practical judgment, while others felt he lacked drive.
Even if he knew he would lose, he should still have fought an all-out battle.
In short, opinions were mixed.
At this point, only Uya and Minato Namikaze remained in the arena.
First and second place would be decided between the two.
Kushina had not expected Uya to make it this far either. Originally, she had only hoped he would reach the top three, but she had never imagined he would now have a chance to contend for first place.
She could not help calling out encouragement to Uya as well.
Although she felt it would be very difficult for Uya to beat Minato Namikaze, she still hoped he could take first place, make his name known throughout Konoha, and earn the title of genius.
"Since the last match ended without a fight, there's no need for a rest. Let's start the next match right away."
Watching the arena, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his teacup and took a sip of water, a trace of anticipation appearing in his eyes.
He hoped to see an outstanding battle, and also wanted to see Minato Namikaze's true strength.
It could be said that although Minato Namikaze had shown a fair amount of his strength in his previous fights, not a single hair on his head had been harmed.
From beginning to end, Minato Namikaze had handled every match with incredible ease!
"Haha, it's finally time for the last match! Minato is definitely taking first place."
Once again, Jiraiya jumped onto the railing without a shred of dignity, waving his arms and legs about as though Minato Namikaze were already his student.
"That's not necessarily true. Also..." Tsunade leaned against the railing and began rather elegantly, but the rest of her words immediately carried an overbearing note that brooked no argument. "Jiraiya, get the hell down here right now."
Crouching on the railing in front of so many students and Jonin might not have embarrassed Jiraiya, but Tsunade found it rather humiliating.
Seeing Tsunade get angry, Jiraiya immediately jumped off the railing with a sheepish smile, but still huffed, "Anyway, no matter how strong that brat's Kekkei Genkai is, Minato can handle it easily."
Tsunade gave an irritated snort. "Is that so?"
"Of course. All that brat can do is swing his fists..." Jiraiya said with a huff.
But the next instant, a chill suddenly spread, making the hair on Jiraiya's body stand on end.
Tsunade was smiling at him, her fair hand raised in the air. She casually flexed it a few times, producing a terrifying series of cracks.
"Yes, all he can do is swing his fists. So, Jiraiya, would you like a taste of just how powerful a fist can be?"
"..."
Cold sweat instantly appeared on Jiraiya's forehead.
He could not help smiling sheepishly. "Ahem, let's talk this out calmly. Anyway, you're backing Uya, and I'm backing Minato Namikaze. We can just wait for them to settle the match."
"Hmph!"
Tsunade huffed and lowered her fist, no longer bothering with Jiraiya.
"A battle between geniuses will have its outcome. Let's just wait and see." Orochimaru chuckled, a trace of keen interest appearing in his eyes as well.
On one side was Minato Namikaze, whose talent seemed sufficient to surpass his own, and on the other was Uya, who had awakened a special Kekkei Genkai.
Orochimaru was deeply interested in both.