July 5th, Year 60 of Konoha — Night.
The Konoha casino had stopped taking bets about an hour ago. Akio was doing one final check of the accounts.
The moment he opened the ledger, he froze.
"Total: 1.93 billion?! Weren't we under 1.5 billion just yesterday? Even with a last-day surge, this is way too much!"
The casino manager stood respectfully to the side, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Lord Jiraiya showed up today and placed nearly 220 million on his own… that's why the total spiked."
Akio blinked, then nodded in realization.
"That guy really is loaded."
Jiraiya's current role in Konoha was essentially an intelligence operative, constantly traveling, gathering information, and sending reports back for payment. On top of that, he was also a bestselling author.
Akio had heard he was working on a sequel, something like Icha Icha Violence. Apparently inspired by a rather… eventful experience in the Land of Rain a few years back.
"…Ahem." Akio coughed, pulling his thoughts back on track.
"I knew he had money, but not that much. Dropping 200 million like it's nothing? He's got to be worth at least 500 million."
After a moment's thought, Akio smirked.
Then again… that probably wouldn't even last Tsunade half a year at the tables.
"So, where did he place his bets?"
"Half on Naruto winning the whole thing. The rest is spread across several long-shot candidates for the Top Eight."
Akio let out a breath of relief. That meant things were still under control. Naruto's summoning training had gone well lately; he could now reliably call Gamabunta. Jiraiya probably thought that sealed the deal.
Still too naïve.
If Naruto just kept summoning toads like they were pets, Gamabunta wouldn't be enough to carry him. It's not like he could suddenly call in the entire toad clan.
"Perfect… this is going to be a clean win," Akio muttered, then glanced at the manager.
"Relax. When I feast, you'll at least get the leftovers… maybe even a bowl of soup."
The next morning.
Akio arrived at the Konoha stadium with Kimimaro, Karin, and Haku, accompanying Kushina's family.
The massive arena was already half full, with both civilians and shinobi still pouring in. According to Obito, the original 2,000 tickets had sold out instantly, so he doubled it to 4,000. The result was a slightly cramped venue.
Not that Akio had to worry. The stadium had 32 rows, and both the front and back rows had been reserved for special guests like him.
"Kushina, front row or back row?" Akio called out over the noise.
Kushina hesitated slightly, but Naruto one of the competitors jumped in immediately:
"Front row!"
He wasn't nervous at all. If anything, he wanted them as close as possible to watch him shine.
Since Naruto insisted, they made their way forward and took seats in the very first row, chatting as they waited for the matches to begin.
Akio pulled little Tsukika onto his lap and pinched her cheeks.
"So, Tsukika how's training with your dad going?"
"Grandpa, stop squishing my face!" she protested, wriggling. "I'm a genius! Dad says I'll catch up to big brother soon!"
Akio laughed and let go only for Karin and Haku to immediately step in and pinch her cheeks from both sides.
The soft, chubby feel was just too addictive.
Tsukika fumed, rummaging in her clothes and pulling out a pair of gloves. She put them on with a huff.
"Do it again and I'll punch you!"
Akio felt like rolling his eyes… if his eyes had fully recovered.
Just then, something caught his attention. He turned and saw Obito, Hiruzen, and three Konoha elders (Sakumo, Nawaki, and Hiashi) escorting the "Fourth Kazekage" into the stadium, taking seats in the back row.
"Orochimaru actually showed up… gutsy move," Akio muttered. "With that lineup around him, they could crush him in seconds."
As he spoke, his hand unconsciously drifted back to Tsukika's cheeks, kneading them again.
She sighed and leaned into him, completely resigned.
Time passed. The stadium filled to capacity, and the noise gradually died down.
On the massive screen ahead, the countdown had reached two minutes. Once it hit zero, the first match would be randomly selected.
"Grandpa, doesn't something feel missing?" Kushina suddenly asked.
Akio hadn't realized it yet, but Minato shook his head.
"A barrier. There probably isn't one. The arena's too large, it'd be difficult to set up. Obito's likely relying on manpower instead. Look Kakashi and the other jonin are seated along the west side, Itachi and Yun Chu on the east, and we're covering this section."
Akio glanced around. It checked out.
"That kid's gotten crafty…" He grinned. "Minato, I'll leave it to you."
"Grandpa, you're so lazy," Tsukika muttered.
Akio pinched her cheeks again.
"You'll understand when you're older. Adults have their off days too."
Kushina: "…"
As they chatted, the stadium suddenly fell silent.
The screen began spinning and when it stopped, the crowd exploded with noise.
Akio smiled.
"Tsukika , can you read what it says?"
"Tenten vs. Temari! Right, Grandpa?" she said, turning back proudly.
"Very smart." He patted her head earning a thoroughly unimpressed look.
No introductions, no delay.
As Tenten and Temari took their positions in the arena, and Genma raised and dropped his arm
the first match of the Chūnin Exams Finals began.
Tenten didn't bring her oversized cat this time. Instead, she leaned fully into her "rich kid advantage," unleashing a barrage of weapons like she had an endless supply.
Facing someone Akio had pegged as a potential champion, Temari stayed cautious testing, defending, and countering with gusts from her fan. But Tenten dodged every attack with agility.
Still, none of Tenten's weapons could land cleanly. The fight stalled.
From behind, Akio could hear frustrated sighs from bettors who had backed her and intrigued murmurs from others eyeing her arsenal.
"…That cat's idea, wasn't it?" Akio muttered, rubbing his forehead. "Using the tournament as free advertising for their weapon business. Unreal."
After showcasing nearly every tool she had, Tenten still couldn't break through. She hesitated then suddenly, her face flushed red.
She bent slightly, hands forming claw-like shapes in front of her chest.
Akio chuckled.
"It's over."
Temari tensed instantly but before she could react, Tenten vanished.
In the next instant, Temari felt her shoulders sink under sudden weight.
Tenten had somehow appeared behind her mounted on her shoulders, legs locked tight across her chest. Something sharp pressed against her throat fingernails.
Her body froze.
"So… fast…!"
The stadium fell silent for a split second then erupted. Even some jonin admitted they hadn't seen the movement at all.
Akio turned to Minato and gave a small nod.
Minato smiled back, bright as ever.
Kushina looked stunned.
"That girl… she has space-time talent?"
"Match one winner: Tenten!"
Genma's voice rang across the stadium.
And just like that, the final stage of the Chūnin Exams opened with a flawless start.
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