In Gaara's eyes, the fates of Kankuro and Temari—whether they won or lost, lived or died—were utterly irrelevant to him. Despite sharing blood ties as siblings, he felt no familial connection to either of them.
Gaara had grown up devoid of meaningful relationships. His father, the Fourth Kazekage, had attempted to assassinate him multiple times throughout his childhood. His mother had perished during childbirth. To the people of Sunagakure, he represented nothing but an ill omen—a weapon rather than a child.
His name itself was a cruel irony: "Gaara" meaning "self-loving demon." And indeed, in a world that had shown him nothing but fear and hatred, Gaara had learned to love only himself.
The preliminary matches continued, each revealing more about the competitors who had survived the Forest of Death.
Eighth Match: Temari vs. Tenten
Temari, master of her enormous iron war fan, specialized in devastating wind-release techniques. Facing her was Tenten, whose expertise lay in weaponry—specifically, the ability to summon and wield a vast arsenal of ninja tools from specially designed scrolls.
As their battle progressed, the arena filled with the metallic clatter of falling weapons. "Clink! Clink! Clink!" The sound echoed throughout the chamber as Tenten's precisely aimed projectiles were repeatedly deflected by Temari's wind techniques.
Despite an impressive display of skill and determination, Tenten ultimately found her final, most powerful assault neutralized by Temari's wind release. The Sand kunoichi claimed victory with an almost casual dismissal of her opponent's efforts.
Ninth Match: Hyuga Neji vs. Aburame Shino
The tactician of insects against the prodigy of the Byakugan—this match featured two of Konoha's most distinctive clan techniques.
Shino's strategy centered around his kikaichu—microscopic chakra-devouring insects that could be deployed in swarms to gradually drain an opponent's energy. Under normal circumstances, these nearly invisible attackers would provide a substantial advantage.
Against Neji's all-seeing Byakugan, however, even the smallest insect could not escape detection. The Hyuga prodigy systematically neutralized each of Shino's tactics, eventually securing victory through his superior perception and precise chakra control.
Tenth Match: Rock Lee vs. Kagami Yuto
Lee's opponent, a fifteen-year-old Konoha genin named Yuto, opened the match by creating distance and launching a barrage of shuriken.
"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee responded, spinning into a whirlwind of motion that deflected the projectiles while simultaneously closing the gap to his opponent.
What distinguished Lee's approach was its singular focus on taijutsu—pure physical combat without ninjutsu or genjutsu. His movements generated such force that they created visible disturbances in the air, like miniature cyclones following his limbs.
The raw speed and power of Lee's assault overwhelmed his opponent's defenses. Within minutes, a decisive kick to Yuto's chest rendered the older genin unconscious, securing Lee's advancement to the finals.
On the observation platform, several jōnin instructors exchanged knowing glances before turning toward Might Guy. Lee's fighting style was unmistakably influenced by the eccentric jōnin—the same decisive movements, the same reliance on overwhelming physical prowess rather than chakra techniques.
Eleventh Match: Shin vs. Sai
The arena fell momentarily silent as two remarkably similar-looking boys took their positions. Their initial exchange of friendly smiles quickly transformed into expressions of intense focus as Hayate signaled the start of their match.
Both immediately reached for scrolls, brushes moving with practiced precision across paper. Their techniques, nearly identical in execution, represented a rare sight within the shinobi world.
"Super Beast Scroll: Lion!"
"Super Beast Scroll: Dragon!"
From their respective scrolls emerged living ink constructs—Sai's pack of lions and Shin's serpentine dragon, each animated by their creator's chakra and will.
"This kind of confrontation is truly unusual," Asuma Sarutobi remarked, cigarette dangling from his lips. The Super Beast Scroll technique was primarily an ANBU specialty, typically employed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering rather than direct combat. To witness two practitioners facing one another was an exceptional rarity.
As the ink beasts clashed in mid-air, Sai's lions surrounding and attacking Shin's dragon, the difference in their mastery became apparent. Though the basic principles of their techniques were identical, Shin's greater experience and deeper chakra reserves gradually tilted the battle in his favor.
Recognizing his disadvantage in ninjutsu, Sai abruptly changed tactics. Drawing a kunai, he charged directly toward Shin, attempting to defeat the caster rather than the constructs.
Shin responded in kind, unsheathing his tantō. Their blades met in a series of precise exchanges that demonstrated both had received extensive training in close combat. Yet here too, Shin's longer experience under Danzō's tutelage provided a decisive edge.
As the last of Sai's ink lions dissolved under the dragon's assault, Shin simultaneously disarmed his younger counterpart with a precisely executed maneuver.
"Senior, I concede," Sai acknowledged with a genuine smile, showing no sign of disappointment in his defeat. He had given his best effort, which was all he could ask of himself.
"You fought exceptionally well," Shin responded warmly. Given Sai's relatively shorter training period, his performance had been remarkable—a testament to his natural talent and dedication.
After Hayate officially declared Shin the victor, both boys returned to the observation platform together, their camaraderie unaffected by the outcome of their match.
"That was amazing! Both of you were incredible!" Naruto exclaimed enthusiastically, offering a thumbs-up to both contestants.
"Impressive fight," Sasuke added with a subtle nod—a rare compliment from the typically reticent Uchiha.
The Final Preliminary Match
"Only one match remains," Hayate observed, drawing everyone's attention to the two candidates who had yet to compete: Choji Akimichi and Hinata Hyuga.
"For the final preliminary bout—" he began, only to be interrupted.
"Proctor, I withdraw," Choji announced clearly from the platform.
A ripple of surprise passed through the observers. Shikamaru turned to his teammate with a questioning look, while on the jōnin platform, Asuma Sarutobi's expression registered clear dismay.
"Choji, with Ino already eliminated, if you forfeit, I'll be our team's only finalist," Shikamaru pointed out, frowning at his friend's unexpected decision.
"I don't want to fight against Hinata," Choji replied, between mouthfuls of potato chips. He glanced toward the jōnin platform before adding in a lower voice, "I'm Asuma-sensei's student, and Hinata is Kurenai-sensei's student. Regardless of who wins, it would create an awkward situation between our teachers, don't you think?"
"Hmm," Shikamaru considered this reasoning. "But this is the Chunin Exam. Your father might be disappointed if you withdraw without even trying."
"It'll be fine," Choji reassured him with surprising confidence. "I overheard my dad mentioning that he once withdrew from a match against your father during their Chunin Exam."
"Well, whatever you decide," Shikamaru shrugged, "dealing with the fallout would be too troublesome anyway."
From the arena floor, Hayate confirmed Choji's intention. "Akimichi Choji, you understand that by withdrawing, you forfeit your opportunity to participate in the final phase of the Chunin Examination?"
"Yes, I withdraw," Choji affirmed, his tone resolute despite his relaxed demeanor.
"Very well," Hayate acknowledged. "The winner by default: Hyuga Hinata!"
On the platform, Hinata herself appeared startled by this unexpected outcome, her pale eyes wide with surprise.
Final Arrangements
Shortly after the conclusion of the preliminary matches, the eleven victorious candidates assembled before Hayate in the arena. The proctor's brow furrowed slightly as he contemplated the unusual situation created by having an odd number of finalists.
"Report this situation to Hokage-sama immediately," he instructed a nearby chunin, who promptly departed.
When the messenger returned several minutes later, he whispered something in Hayate's ear that caused the proctor to nod in understanding.
"Akimichi Choji," Hayate called out, "you have also qualified for advancement. Please join us to draw lots for the final tournament."
As these words reached the jōnin platform, Asuma's expression brightened considerably.
Choji descended to the arena floor with his characteristic unhurried pace, joining the other qualifiers with a satisfied smile.
From the defeated contestants' section, a disgruntled Sand ninja called down, "How is this fair? Why does the fat kid get to advance without fighting? I demand a spot in the finals too!"
The insult reached Choji's ears, causing his expression to darken instantly. "I'm not fat!" he retorted, glaring up at the heckler. "I'm just a little chubby!"
"Chubby? What kind of excuse is that, fatso?" the Sand ninja continued, deliberately provoking him. "What's with that look? Got a problem with me saying it?"
Having lost in the fourth preliminary match, the Sand genin clearly harbored resentment about his elimination.
Recognizing the escalating tension, Hayate intervened with unexpected diplomacy. "If you're so convinced of your superiority," he suggested in his raspy voice, "perhaps you'd like to demonstrate it? Come down and face Choji in combat. If you win, you may take his place in the finals."
His gaze swept across the defeated candidates. "This offer extends to anyone else who questions the current arrangement."
This unexpected proposal—apparently authorized by Minato himself—immediately sparked interest among several eliminated competitors. However, witnessing Choji's growing anger, most hesitated, content to let the provocative Sand ninja test the waters first.
"Gladly!" the Sand genin exclaimed, leaping down to the arena floor with evident enthusiasm. He landed opposite Choji, whose typically good-natured expression had transformed into one of indignation.
"Everyone else, please clear the area," Hayate instructed the qualified finalists.
The twelve successful candidates moved to the observation platform, leaving the arena to the two combatants.
"That guy just mentioned Choji's taboo word twice in a row," Shikamaru muttered. "He's doomed."
The Sand ninja was not entirely reckless in his approach. He immediately created distance between himself and Choji, hands already forming seals for a ninjutsu attack.
Before he could complete his technique, however, Choji made his move.
"Human Boulder!"
The Akimichi's body expanded dramatically before curling into a spherical shape. He began rotating at tremendous speed, transforming into what resembled a massive, chakra-enhanced wrecking ball hurtling toward his opponent.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" the Sand ninja countered, completing his hand seals and exhaling a powerful gust of wind toward the approaching human boulder.
A smirk crossed his face as he released the technique, certain it would halt Choji's advance. To his surprise, however, Choji abruptly changed trajectory, rolling along the arena wall and completely avoiding the wind blast.
The Sand ninja attempted to adjust his technique, expanding its area of effect, but Choji's speed and maneuverability proved superior. The Akimichi continued circumnavigating the arena, conserving his momentum while his opponent wasted chakra on increasingly desperate attempts to connect with his wind technique.
Recognizing the futility of his approach, the Sand ninja finally ceased his ninjutsu. In that momentary lapse, Choji altered course once more, barreling directly through the dissipating wind currents toward his now-vulnerable target.
The Sand ninja reached for a kunai, but it was already too late. Just before impact, Choji suddenly halted his rotation and extended his right arm.
"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
His arm swelled to several times its normal size, growing to nearly three meters in length. With this enormously expanded limb, Choji delivered a devastating open-palm strike to his opponent.
"BOOM!"
The impact resonated throughout the arena, the floor beneath them cracking from the force. When the dust settled, the Sand ninja lay unconscious in a small crater, embedded several inches into the stone floor.
"Remove him for medical treatment," Hayate instructed, completely unfazed by the demonstration of raw power.
As medical ninja rushed to extract the fallen shinobi, Hayate addressed the remaining observers. "Does anyone else wish to challenge the current arrangement?"
The previously eager contestants exchanged nervous glances before collectively deciding that discretion was the better part of valor. None stepped forward to test Choji's wrath.
With the matter settled, Hayate recalled the twelve finalists to the arena floor.
"Now we will conduct the drawing for the final tournament matchups," he announced, presenting a box similar to the one used earlier. "This time, you will draw numbers in pairs—one and two represent the first match, three and four the second, and so on."
One by one, the genin drew their assignments.
"Brother, I drew number nine. What about you?" Chiharu asked, approaching Naruto with her numbered slip.
"I got number two," he replied, studying the paper in his hand.
Before he could say more, Gaara deliberately turned his own slip toward Naruto, revealing the number "1" written upon it.
"This guy is my opponent?" Naruto's expression darkened as he realized the implications.
Meanwhile, other interesting pairings were emerging from the random draw.
Lee and Neji stared at each other, holding papers marked "3" and "4" respectively.
"Neji, it seems our final confrontation will come sooner than expected," Neji observed, his typically stoic expression betraying a hint of anticipation.
Lee's eyes blazed with unprecedented intensity. "I have waited for this moment for so long," he declared. "Finally, I can prove myself against you in honorable combat!"
Nearby, Sasuke glanced at Shin, noting that their numbers—"5" and "6"—placed them in direct opposition as well.
After confirming all the matchups, Hayate sketched a tournament bracket on a scroll, displaying the official pairings:
First Match: Namikaze Naruto vs. Gaara
Second Match: Rock Lee vs. Hyuga Neji
Third Match: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Shin
Fourth Match: Nara Shikamaru vs. Temari
Fifth Match: Namikaze Chiharu vs. Akimichi Choji
Sixth Match: Hyuga Hinata vs. Fukuyama Kuroji
In the final pairing, Hinata would face Kuroji—the sole representative from an older Konoha team to advance. Having observed the preliminary matches, he recognized that most of his potential opponents would present significant challenges. Upon discovering that his actual opponent would be the seemingly timid Hinata, he couldn't suppress a sigh of relief.
Nevertheless, he remained cautious. Anyone who had survived both the Forest of Death and the preliminary rounds clearly possessed abilities that might not be immediately apparent.
"The final tournament will commence in exactly one month," Hayate announced. "It will be conducted under the observation of the Hokage, the Kazekage, and various dignitaries from both nations."
As the competitors absorbed this information, Gaara's arms remained crossed over his chest, his pale green eyes locked on Naruto. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his otherwise expressionless face, accompanied by an undercurrent of something darker—a predatory anticipation that sent an involuntary chill through those who noticed it.
Namikaze Naruto, he thought, I will crush you completely in front of your father, the Fourth Hokage.
The message in his gaze required no words. The opening match of the finals would be more than a contest between genin—it would be Gaara's declaration of war against everything Naruto represented.