"Alright, you few advance directly. Follow me."
Wen Lan rested one hand on his sword and turned to leave.
The group exchanged glances, then quickly followed. Temari and Kankurō looked at each other briefly before Kankurō hoisted the unconscious Gaara onto his back and hurried after them.
The journey was uneventful.
They soon arrived at the central tower's main hall.
"Rest here. I'll head back first."
Wen Lan stepped away and returned to the monitoring room.
Inside, the screens flickered continuously, displaying the movements of each team.
None of the Kage spoke. Their eyes remained fixed on the screens.
Time passed.
Soon, at exactly 6 PM, the bell signaling the end of the second stage rang.
The remaining qualified participants began arriving at the central tower one after another.
Konoha:
Team 1, Team 3, Team 7, Team 8, Team 10, Haku's team, plus three additional teams.
Kumogakure: 7 teams advanced.
Sunagakure: 5 teams advanced.
Kirigakure: 5 teams advanced.
Iwagakure: 8 teams advanced.
Other villages combined: 12 teams advanced.
"That's too many people advancing," A said, arms crossed as he looked at the screen.
He turned to the others.
"The third stage is one-on-one combat. With this many participants, it'll take at least a week.
Why not add an elimination round now and filter out those truly qualified?"
Ōnoki nodded.
"I agree."
Rasa swept his gaze across the room.
"To ensure the quality of the finals, I also support this."
"Konoha agrees," Minato said calmly.
Mei Terumi nodded as well.
"Then let's go inform them," Rasa said, standing up.
"Wait."
Wen Lan spoke.
All eyes turned toward him.
"We agree to an additional round," he said lightly.
"But I'd like to clarify—will this be a life-and-death match, or just sparring?"
Rasa's gaze sharpened like a blade.
"If it is life and death, Sunagakure has no objections.
But if it's merely a restrained exchange, then there's no need to add it at all."
He paused, then said coldly:
"If we are to select true elites, then let them fight with their lives on the line.
The weak die. The strong live.
That is the fate of a shinobi."
Ōnoki and A frowned at first—
but quickly understood.
Their villages had secretly sent many genin who were actually chūnin-level fighters.
This was a way to weaken Konoha's standing.
Both of them agreed.
Wen Lan smiled faintly, a cold glint in his eyes.
"Since everyone agrees…
let's proceed."
When they exited, the genin who had been sitting in groups chatting immediately stood up.
Several jōnin instructors were still adjusting their students' equipment or giving final advice.
Kakashi, Kurenai, and Orochimaru were among them.
The hall was spacious.
Spectator seats lined the second floor.
At the front stood a large electronic screen, beneath which was a stone seal formation.
Minato stepped forward and addressed the gathered genin:
"Those who stand here have already proven their strength.
However, to select those truly qualified to become chūnin, the Five Kage have decided to add a life-or-death elimination round.
Only those who survive will enter the third stage.
You are not just fighting for yourselves— but for the honor of your villages.
There will be no holding back.
Only survival.
Victory is determined by surrender, death, or loss of consciousness.
If anyone continues attacking after their opponent surrenders, it will be treated as a serious violation—and they will bear the consequences.
Participants will be randomly matched and fight immediately.
Only twenty will remain.
If anyone wishes to withdraw, raise your hand now."
Not a single hand went up.
As Minato had said—this was not just personal.
It was for their village's honor.
Minato nodded slowly.
Wen Lan stepped forward.
"I will serve as referee.
Now, we begin the draw."
The screen lit up.
Names rapidly shuffled—then stopped.
First Match:
Konoha — Uchiha Sasuke
vs
Kumogakure — Atsui
A blond-haired boy stepped out from the Cloud Village side.
He wore a flak jacket, sharp eyes gleaming.
On his left shoulder was a red tattoo: "Heat."
A short blade rested across his back.
He looked about twelve years old.
Sasuke walked forward with his hands in his pockets, expression full of disdain.
The others moved up to the second floor to watch.
Naruto pumped his fist.
"Sasuke! Crush him! Show Konoha's strength!"
"Tch." Sasuke scoffed.
"Like I need you to tell me."
Sakura shouted excitedly:
"Sasuke, go!"
Shikamaru glanced once, then sat down lazily.
"Troublesome. What's there to watch? Sasuke's definitely winning—he was top of the class."
"Crush me? I'll show you the power of Kumogakure!"
Atsui snorted.
His hands flashed through seals at high speed—comparable to a chūnin.
"Fire Release — Great Flame Blossoms!"
A fireball surged forward toward Sasuke.
"You dare use fire against an Uchiha?!"
Sasuke instantly felt insulted.
Rage flared.
His hands moved just as quickly.
"Fire Release — Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Two massive flames collided.
Heatwaves exploded outward, cracking the ground beneath them.
Atsui smirked.
His body flickered forward.
His short blade flashed out, leaving afterimages as it slashed toward Sasuke's throat.
Sasuke's eyes sharpened.
The Sharingan activated—
three tomoe spinning.
Every movement was captured.
"Not bad speed…
but—"
He sidestepped the blade and instantly appeared behind Atsui.
"You're no match for the Uchiha."
Before his words even finished—
lightning exploded from his hand.
"Chidori!"
The piercing sound shrieked as he thrust toward Atsui's back.
Atsui reacted instantly.
He ducked and rolled forward.
Chidori grazed past him.
Flames ignited along his blade.
"Cloud Style: Flame Slash!"
The fiery blade swept backward.
The scorching heat forced Sasuke to leap away.
The moment Sasuke landed—his foot slammed into the ground.
He shot forward at an angle, dodging the flames.
Three kunai flew from his hand in a triangular formation—aimed at Atsui's face, throat, and heart.
Forcing him to defend.
—------------------------------
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