Shh!
When the audience outside the venue heard Genma Shiranui's announcement, they booed loudly.
But some expected it. After all, it wasn't just the ninjas who had witnessed Kaito's displays over the years, but also ordinary civilians of Konoha.
The loudest boos came from those who had traveled far just to watch an exciting ninja competition, especially Kaito, the top student of the ninja academy.
Yet, as soon as he stepped up, he surrendered immediately. How could they accept this? They were furious.
Shiranui Genma glanced at Kaito's reaction, noticing Ino planting a kiss on Kaito's cheek and nestling in his arms.
Kaito, however, paid no attention to the shouting outside.
[Why am I even looking at this?] Genma muttered bitterly.
His face darkened as he shouted, "The second match starts now!"
The screen flickered, and two names appeared.
Hinata Hyuga VS Shikamaru Nara!
Kaito frowned slightly. It seemed that with him and Ino joining, the battle order had been disrupted.
"Oh, I see now. I'm going to be tangled up with you three for the rest of my life!" Shikamaru sighed, covering his forehead.
"Well, don't say that! Hinata will show mercy," Kaito said with a smile, patting Shikamaru on the shoulder.
On the field:
"Participants, please stay on the field. Everyone else, return to the lounge or watch from a distance."
"No need! Referee, I surrender this round!" Shikamaru lazily extended his hand.
He often hung out with Kaito and Ino and knew Hinata's strength well.
Her physical skill, extraordinary strength, medical ninjutsu, and family secrets — Hinata had mastered them all. It was no exaggeration to say she was at least a Jonin level.
Yet Hinata complained she couldn't defeat Ino.
Ino's power must be that of a Jonin or elite Jonin.
Despite his high intelligence, Shikamaru knew there was no way to outsmart absolute strength.
You're a Genin trying to trick a Jonin? Impossible.
Besides, he had no interest in winning. That would be too troublesome.
Better to just surrender. And since Kaito did the same, no one would criticize him.
Off the field, the crowd outside erupted.
What was Konoha trying to pull? One surrender was tolerable, but two?
They came to watch battles, not forfeits.
Was this some money-grabbing stunt?
Most attendees were civilians or fans admiring the ninjas, and paying just to see surrenders angered them deeply.
Genma Shiranui looked troubled, wondering how Iruka managed to graduate this group.
[In the second match, Nara Shikamaru surrenders, so Hyuga Hinata wins!]
Without waiting for reactions, he continued.
[The third match begins now!]
The screen flashed again, displaying two names.
Uzumaki Naruto VS Temari!
[This time, no surrender!]
Genma sighed in relief.
"Combatants, please remain on the field; everyone else, leave."
With others gone, Naruto and Temari faced off.
"Really? A woman?" Naruto narrowed his eyes, displeased.
"Kid, don't look down on me," Temari growled.
The fight began intensely.
Kaito, Hinata, and others watched from the lounge.
The outcome was clear from the start.
Naruto, the chosen one, would win.
Temari's wind jutsu was impressive but no match for Naruto's cheating techniques.
Soon Temari's chakra ran out and she lost.
Things then returned to the original story.
Fourth match: Uchiha Sasuke VS Gaara!
The name Uchiha alone raised anticipation.
Unfortunately, Sasuke was late, just as in the original story.
When Genma declared Gaara the winner by default, the Third Hokage and Kazekage discussed postponing the Sasuke-Gaara match, explaining it to the distant audience.
Fifth match: Kankuro VS Aburame Shino!
To protect the plan, Kankuro surrendered.
With the top five matches done, the crowd was not happy.
They paid good money for tickets, but only one match actually happened, one was postponed, and three were forfeited.
Frustration was loud.
Hiruzen, the head official, stood and spoke.
[This situation surprises me as well. The Sasuke-Gaara match will wait until Sasuke arrives. Half of your ticket price will be refunded.]
Hiruzen's prestige quieted the crowd immediately.
An hour passed, then two, and just as fatigue set in, a gust of wind and falling leaves announced the arrival of Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake.
Gaara controlled his sand and approached eagerly.
[Final match: Uchiha Sasuke VS Gaara of the Sand. Begin!]
If Sasuke's ninjutsu was like a deadly assassin, Gaara was an armored tank.
Wherever attacked, Gaara's sand blocked and countered powerfully.
The fight quickly reached its climax.
Gaara curled into a sand ball, watching Sasuke with his sand eye.
Sasuke stood on the arena wall, Chidori in hand, rushing at Gaara.
Phew!
Sasuke's Chidori pierced Gaara's sand ball effortlessly, but his palm got stuck.
Gaara roared ferociously from inside the sand ball.
Temari, Kankuro, and others exchanged glances and quietly formed hand seals.
Large feathers began falling over the audience.
[Konoha's collapse plan officially begins!]
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More stones = Bonus Chapters.