Pain surged through Neji's body, but even that was nothing compared to the confusion and crushing sense of defeat in his heart.
Although this battle differed from his original fight against Naruto, Neji had entered the stage fully confident—100% certain—that he would win. Even if Sasuke was strong, Neji believed the victory would at least come after a long, intense duel. But what happened?
From the very start, he had been overwhelmed.
This duel was completely one-sided.
Especially that final Lightning Release technique…
If Sasuke hadn't held back, Neji would have died instantly.
The difference in their strength was enormous—painfully so.
Neji struggled to accept this reality.
Sasuke cast a cold glance at Neji's defeated body before turning away. He had assumed Neji might pose a threat… but this was all.
My real opponent is Menma.
Walking back toward the fighter's rest area, Sasuke lifted his eyes toward Menma on the platform. His Sharingan had faded back to black, yet his gaze burned with intense fighting spirit.
Hyūga Neji—a supposed genius of the Hyūga clan…
But before the Uchiha, the so-called noble Hyūga were insignificant.
The pride of the Uchiha clan was boundless.
Sasuke was no exception.
Menma felt Sasuke's fierce gaze, but he was long accustomed to it.
A moment later, Menma's attention shifted toward Neji, now being carried away on a stretcher by the medical team.
Used properly… he could become a valuable piece in the future.
Menma's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
But the Caged Bird Seal was indeed a troublesome hindrance.
Unless he found a way to remove or neutralize it, even if Neji sided with him wholeheartedly, he would remain limited.
"Whoa—Sasuke already won? What was that jutsu? It was so bright and loud! He looked awesome!"
Naruto was still stunned by Sasuke's performance.
Sakura, beside him, had admiration shining in her eyes.
This was the Sasuke-kun she idolized.
Neji…
As Neji's teammates, Lee and Tenten had completely opposite reactions. Lee, especially, felt complicated emotions. Neji was the rival he aspired to defeat someday… yet Sasuke had surpassed him so easily.
It wasn't an instant kill, but the difference between them was overwhelming.
That feeling twisted inside Lee for only a second before transforming into blazing determination.
This is youth! I understand now, Guy-sensei! I'll train even harder!
On the highest platform, Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, held himself back from licking his lips in excitement.
That's right, Sasuke-kun. Grow, grow even more. Your value increases with every moment.
The match had been short but thrilling. When the battle between Neji and Sasuke concluded, the audience was clearly left wanting more.
The stadium buzzed with rising excitement.
"Second match: Namikaze Naruto versus Gaara—enter the arena!"
With Neji carried out, Shiranui Genma shifted his gaze toward the competitors' area and announced the next match.
"Hehe—it's finally my turn!"
Naruto's eyes lit up, fists clenching in anticipation.
"Do your best, Naruto!" Sakura said, pumping her fist encouragingly.
"Haha! Watch me! I'm not gonna fall behind Sasuke!"
Naruto laughed and leapt from the stands as cheers erupted around him.
At the opposite end—
"Gaara…"
Kankurō opened his mouth to speak, but the moment Gaara's cold, emotionless eyes met his, the words died in his throat.
Gaara said nothing.
He simply placed his hand on the railing and vaulted down into the arena.
"Oh? Naruto's up next!"
"His opponent's that Sand ninja kid… he looks dangerous."
"Relax! Naruto will win!"
"Of course—he's the Fourth Hokage's son!"
"Go Naruto!"
Unlike the previous match—which was pure spectacle between two prodigious clans—this battle had the full emotional support of the Konoha crowd. Naruto Namikaze, son of the Fourth Hokage, stepping into battle against a foreign ninja—tens of thousands cheered for him without hesitation.
The overwhelming support heightened Naruto's excitement as he reached the battlefield.
Almost every eye was on him.
But some watched Gaara instead—Maki, the Sand and Sound shinobi, Kabuto, Kankurō, Temari, and Menma.
Gaara stepping into the arena…
signaled that the operation was entering its critical stage.
Shukaku's full transformation was the keystone of the Konoha Crush Plan.
Now we wait for the right moment. Please, Gaara… don't lose control. Stick to the plan.
Behind Maki's calm expression, tension coiled tightly in his chest.
Attacking the most powerful village in the shinobi world…
with barely a thousand shinobi…
Even he understood how dangerous this mission was.
Their true chance of victory rested entirely on their Kazekage and on Gaara.
"The second match… begin!"
Naruto and Gaara faced one another—a fated confrontation.
As soon as Genma's voice echoed—
BOOM!
Naruto burst forward, chakra exploding beneath his feet.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
His hands flashed into seals, gathering chakra as wind pressure roared to life.
A strong gust surged through the arena—
THOOM!
—and blasted toward Gaara with tremendous force.