Kage Viewing Platform
Ōnoki spoke first.
"I remember that girl from Sunagakure… she's part of the International Exchange Class, isn't she?"
Back when he was pursuing Deidara, he had seen all the members of that class.
"That's right."
Rasa nodded. Even he hadn't expected Ameno to become this strong. However, since she now belonged to the International Exchange Class, it wasn't appropriate for him to interfere too much.
Minato Namikaze also nodded as he watched Ameno's performance.
He hadn't expected the International Exchange Class to improve students' strength so effectively. Perhaps he should open more of these classes in the future… especially for the day when the shinobi world might be unified.
Group C
Shizuka's first opponent was Kiba Inuzuka.
However, before Shizuka even made a move, Kiba and Akamaru began arguing and fighting each other due to a disagreement.
Unable to watch any longer, Shizuka used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind them and knocked both the boy and the dog unconscious.
Her second opponent was Shino Aburame.
Incidentally, Shino's previous opponent had been Suzumebachi Kamizuru.
Suzumebachi's bee-based techniques were indeed powerful.
Unfortunately for her, her opponent was Shino—the ultimate insect exterminator.
In full view of her stunned expression, Shino pulled out tools like insecticide, bug nets, and even carnivorous plants, methodically wiping out every single one of her bees.
The poor girl had clearly never seen anything like this before.
Seeing her carefully raised bees completely annihilated, her eyes immediately reddened. She glanced at Shino tearfully before quietly admitting defeat.
Shizuka's third opponent was Ajisai.
Ajisai had just taken out her paper tags, but Shizuka instantly appeared in front of her.
Under Shizuka's rapid assault, Ajisai didn't even have time to perform her Summoning Technique, and she was defeated in frustration.
Shizuka vs. Shino
The match began.
Shizuka immediately attacked using Fūma-Style Taijutsu.
Thanks to years of dealing with insects, Shino possessed extremely sharp reflexes and agility. He managed to exchange several blows with Shizuka.
Then—
Due to a brief moment of carelessness, he was blown away by a Wind Release attack.
Meanwhile
Chōji Akimichi defeated Karui in the first round.
Karui would certainly remember that loss.
In the second round, Chōji used the Expansion Jutsu to knock Sai off his flying ink eagle, securing another victory.
Then came the third round—
His opponent was Gaara.
Although Chōji's taijutsu was extremely powerful, Gaara had previously fought Shira, so he understood the weaknesses of taijutsu specialists.
Thus, he deliberately kept his distance.
Whenever Chōji tried to attack, Gaara used sand to bind the force points of his movements, preventing him from exerting strength.
Left with no choice, Chōji activated the Human Bullet Tank's advanced form—Full Expansion Jutsu to break free.
But Gaara remained completely calm.
Having learned from his previous experiences, he immediately activated Tailed Beast Chakra Mode — Version 2.
A dark red tailed beast cloak enveloped Gaara's body.
The immense power combined with massive waves of sand quickly forced Chōji onto the defensive.
In the end—
Gaara won the match.
Group C QualifiersShizuka (Fūma Clan)
Gaara
Group D
Satsuki's first opponent was Yome.
Although Yome possessed exceptional eyesight, she was ultimately only a support-type ninja.
Under Satsuki's overwhelming pressure, she quickly surrendered.
Her second opponent was Ringo Ameyuri.
Incidentally, Ringo's first opponent had been her longtime rival Omoi.
Since she had suffered setbacks in the Forest of Death, she deliberately teased Omoi by repeatedly attacking him with Lightning Release techniques.
Omoi eventually seized an opportunity and struck her—
Only to discover he had hit a Shadow Clone.
Ringo suddenly appeared behind him, grinning.
"Hahaha! Kid, I learned that trick from you!"
She then gave Omoi a full course of "electric therapy", leaving him completely paralyzed.
Satsuki vs. Ringo Ameyuri
The match began.
Ringo Ameyuri smirked.
"I hope you can give me at least a little entertainment."
Satsuki ignored her completely.
Ringo clicked her tongue.
"Tch. What a boring little girl. Let me teach you a lesson."
She stabbed her Lightning Swords: Kiba into the ground.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Gate!"
Using the swords as conductors, lightning was drawn down from the sky, creating a massive area-of-effect lightning strike.
Facing the descending lightning, Satsuki remained completely calm.
With a casual wave of her hand, she dispersed the incoming bolts.
"The lightning… was dispersed?!"
Ringo frowned and immediately switched to close combat.
Wielding the Kiba blades and amplifying her speed with Lightning Release, she rushed toward Satsuki.
But Satsuki simply turned slightly and avoided the strike.
Ringo swung both blades repeatedly.
Satsuki blocked several exchanges with a kunai, then delivered a powerful kick that sent Ringo flying.
Ringo slammed into the arena wall at high speed but quickly regained her footing.
"Pfft—!"
The impact forced her to spit out blood.
She wiped the corner of her mouth and said solemnly,
"What incredible strength and speed…"
Then she raised the Lightning Swords: Kiba, channeling a massive amount of lightning-nature chakra into the sky.
"Lightning Sword Technique: Falling Thunder!"
Terrifying lightning clouds gathered overhead.
Spectators widened their eyes and broke into cold sweat.
Even the shinobi from Kumogakure began questioning their lives.
Looking at the terrifying thunderstorm in the sky, even elite jōnin felt immense pressure.
"That's some incredible Lightning Release…"
"Will Satsuki be alright?"
"No idea…"
Members of the Uchiha Clan began to worry.
Mikoto and Kushina clenched their fists nervously, afraid something might happen to Satsuki.
Satsuki looked up at the lightning in the sky and gave a faint cold laugh.
She raised her right hand.
A mass of purple-black lightning slowly gathered in her palm.
At that moment, Ringo's falling thunder struck down—
But when the lightning hit the purple-black lightning in Satsuki's palm, it created no disturbance at all.
Instead, the falling thunder was gradually absorbed and erased.
The surrounding audience froze in shock.
Even Ringo Ameyuri stood there in disbelief.
Satsuki sneered.
"You're playing with Lightning Release in front of me? That's amusing."
The taunt instantly ignited Ringo's anger.
"Don't look down on me, you brat!"
"Lightning Release: Exploding Thunder!"
Another bolt of lightning crashed toward Satsuki.
Satsuki waved her right hand.
"Chidori Sharp Spear."
The purple-black lightning condensed into a lightning spear that shot forward at extreme speed.
The spear pierced straight through the incoming lightning.
Ringo Ameyuri had no time to dodge.
The Chidori Sharp Spear struck her directly, and the powerful electric current instantly knocked her unconscious.
Raido Namiashi stepped forward, checked her condition, and raised the flag.
"The winner—Satsuki Uchiha."
"WOOOAH—!"
"Awesome!"
"Amazing fight!"
The audience had been dazzled by the Lightning Release clash, and their excitement exploded.
Meanwhile, the shinobi from Kumogakure were completely questioning reality.
Why was their Lightning Release weaker than that girl's?
On the other side, Mei Terumi sighed again.
All of Kirigakure's participants had been eliminated.
The Fourth Raikage turned to Fugaku and praised him.
"As expected of Fugaku's daughter. Her Lightning Release is exceptional. Even in Kumogakure, very few shinobi have reached that level."
Fugaku replied modestly,
"You flatter her. In my opinion, my daughter still has many shortcomings."
Though his slightly raised smile betrayed his true feelings.
Still, he was puzzled.
When exactly had Satsuki's Lightning Release become this powerful?
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