“Finally, a decent match.”
Hyuga Hiashi’s Byakugan pulsed with visible veins.
“A Bloodline Limit of Scorch Release against the Uchiha Clan’s Sharingan…”
“…The odds are already 1:1.8.”
Nara Shikaku flipped through a betting booklet. “It seems the bookmakers favor Pakura, who possesses Scorch Release.”
Akimichi Choza shoved a handful of potato chips into his mouth.
“That Pakura’s Scorch Release is a terrifying Ninjutsu that can instantly dehydrate a person.”
“As a close-combat Ninja, Uchiha Yakoto might find it difficult to engage her up close.”
“Let’s see if Uchiha’s Genjutsu can be effective.”
Inoichi Yamanaka hadn't finished speaking when he was interrupted by a chilling voice.
Orochimaru, who had appeared at some unknown point, licked his lips and smiled sinisterly.
“Close-combat Ninja… Uchiha Yakoto…”
…The Kumogakure Jonin leading the team narrowed his eyes: “No matter who wins, it will deplete one elite Genin from Konoha or Sunagakure.”
“Scorch Release versus Sharingan…” An Iwagakure demolition squad member stroked his chin. “It would be best if both sides were severely injured.”
Among Konoha’s Advanced leaders.
Utatane Koharu’s expression was grim: “This match might cause diplomatic issues.”
“Sunagakure can’t afford to lose anymore.”
Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses.
“Since the last great war, they desperately need a victory to boost morale.”
The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a smoke ring: “Let the children compete fairly.” His gaze swept over the Sunagakure stands.
“However… notify Anbu to heighten security.”
…“Yakoto.”
Just before Uchiha Yakoto entered the arena, Fugaku uncharacteristically spoke up on his own.
“Pakura’s Scorch Release can attack from a distance; don’t give her a chance to form hand signs.”
Yakoto slowly opened his eyes.
“I understand.”
Fugaku nodded slightly: “Go, let them witness the power of the Uchiha.”
The proctor’s voice rang out at the opportune moment:
“Round of 64 elimination match, Uchiha Yakoto versus Sunagakure’s Pakura—contestants, please enter the arena!”
The entire venue instantly fell silent.
Under countless gazes, some expectant, some malicious, Uchiha Yakoto slowly walked towards the ring.
Across from him, Pakura also rose simultaneously, her orange hair moving without wind, the surrounding air slightly distorted by the high temperature.
As the two stood facing each other in the center of the ring, their Auras had already begun to clash.
“Match—start!”
No sooner had the referee’s voice faded than neither of the two on the field made an immediate move.
Pakura’s hands hung naturally, her fingertips glowing faintly red.
Yakoto maintained the starting stance of the Uchiha-style sword art, his long sword still sheathed, but a faint light already seemed to shimmer on the scabbard.
“Not attacking first, Uchiha?”
Pakura narrowed her eyes slightly, and the surrounding air began to distort unnaturally.
“Or… are you afraid of my Scorch Release?”
Yakoto looked calmly at Pakura not far away.
“I’m waiting for you to throw the explosive tags hidden in your sleeves.”
Pakura’s pupils constricted slightly, then she sneered.
“As expected of the Sharingan.” She suddenly flicked her hand, and three explosive tags shot out like arrows!
Yakoto’s figure flickered, easily avoiding the explosion’s range.
But the moment the smoke rose, Pakura had already completed her hand signs: “Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!”
Three scorching white fireballs flew in a triangular formation, instantly cracking the ground in their path.
Uchiha Yakoto quickly formed hand signs and slammed his hand on the ground.
“Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!”
The rising earth wall was instantly scorched red and shattered upon contact with the fireballs, but it managed to block them for a moment.
“That was close…” Uzumaki Kushina, in the spectator stands, gripped the railing tightly. “That Sunagakure Ninja’s attack power is so strong.”
Minato Namikaze’s gaze was solemn: “Yakoto is probing the opponent’s attack intensity and Chakra consumption.”
“Pakura’s Scorch Release requires precise control over Chakra shape transformation; in a prolonged battle, she might not be able to defeat Uchiha Yakoto.”
“So close combat is her true advantage!” Kushina suddenly realized.
“Yakoto’s Chakra reserves are the truly decisive advantage!”
On the field, both sides were still probing; Uchiha Yakoto was merely using a few simple Ninjutsu to block Pakura’s attacks.
He had no intention of launching an active offense.
Pakura, considering Uchiha Yakoto’s previous close-combat image, suspected he was luring her into close combat, so she also did not advance to attack, choosing instead to consume her opponent with long-range hand signs.
Thus, both sides engaged in a prolonged tug-of-war.
Until.
‘No, how does this kid have so much Chakra?’
Pakura’s Chakra consumption was already making her feel a slight pressure.
In contrast, Uchiha Yakoto still seemed to be in very good condition.
‘I need to put some pressure on this kid and see what he’s really capable of…’ In the spectator stands, Minato Namikaze suddenly frowned.
“The situation seems a bit bad; Pakura’s movements are too regular.”
Kushina nervously grabbed his arm: “What do you mean?”
“She’s setting a trap.” Minato pointed at the ground.
“The arena is already filled with those inconspicuous Chakra threads…”
Indeed, as Yakoto once again moved around the arena, Pakura suddenly smiled.
“Scorch Release: Blazing Prison Array!”
In an instant, countless lines of fire lit up across the entire ring floor, forming a giant burning cage.
In the flames, Yakoto’s figure seemed to be swallowed. The Sunagakure stands erupted in cheers, but the next second.
Amidst that sea of fire, a black shadow emerged.
Immediately after, the entire ring floor churned with dense Iron Sand, which quickly suppressed the flames to a certain extent.
Amidst the shocked gasps from the audience.
The Third Kazekage and Pakura in the stands simultaneously shouted.
“Magnet Release!”
…“Uchiha, how do you possess the Bloodline Limit of the Third Kazekage?”
Pakura’s face turned somewhat grim; her previous attacks had consumed too much of her Chakra.
In contrast, Uchiha Yakoto was now effortlessly manipulating a massive amount of Iron Sand.
The scales of victory had already tipped towards Uchiha Yakoto.
‘I should still be able to launch one large-scale attack,’ Pakura assessed her remaining Chakra.
Due to the prolonged battle between the two, the temperature in the entire arena had also risen considerably.
Pakura’s consumption when using Scorch Release was now also significantly less than at the beginning.
“Scorch Release: Scorching Sun Bird”
A giant bird made of flames roared forth, pushing the temperature of the entire venue even higher.
The scorching heat made Uchiha Yakoto feel the pressure as well.
Under Uchiha Yakoto’s control, the Iron Sand in the arena gradually condensed into a pair of giant hands, moving towards Pakura.