...At the Hokage's viewing platform.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the duel between Neji and Naruto below, his gaze focused.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.
A message flashed through his mind—"Lord Third! Urgent intel!" Inoichi Yamanaka's voice was frantic. "The 'Fourth Kazekage' in the guest box has been confirmed as Orochimaru in disguise! Repeat—the Kazekage is an Orochimaru fake! Source—Tejima Shinichi, verified! Stand by for combat!"
Hiruzen's breath froze for an instant.
He kept watching the match, eyes still on the arena, yet the news stabbed like an icicle into his mind.
'Orochimaru… the Kazekage beside him was actually Orochimaru?!'
'The pupil he had valued most—yet who pained him most—had slipped in disguised as the Kazekage. Was he here to strike at his own teacher?!'
The thought clenched his heart; his once-steady breathing skipped and quickened.
The subtle change did not escape the one beside him.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, tilted his head slightly, the hat's shadow hiding his expression:
"Third Hokage, your breathing… seems unsteady. Has something in the match reminded you of unpleasant memories?"
"Heh heh heh…"
A low chuckle rumbled in Hiruzen's throat.
"It's nothing."
"Watching these youngsters fight simply brings back… things from long ago."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's voice, muffled by the cloth, carried playful curiosity. "Memories that can move the Third Hokage must be fascinating."
Their words stayed hidden between their teeth as a boom and shouts erupted below.
Down in the arena—
Boom!
Naruto's uppercut rocketed from below, slamming into Hyuga Neji's chin—Neji, drained after the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven and never expecting an attack from underground!
"Ugh!"
Neji's eyes bulged; the force snapped his head back, lifting him off his feet. He flew, crashed, and thudded onto the hard ground.
He struggled, but pain and shock pinned him down.
The arena fell dead silent.
Gekkō Hayate flashed to Neji's side, checked him, then raised an arm high:
"Winner—Uzumaki Naruto!"
Thunderous cheers and gasps rolled through the stands.
In the VIP box Hiruzen gazed at the wobbling blond kid still standing, emotions swirling in his old eyes.
"Interesting brat."
Orochimaru watched medics carry Neji off and Naruto limp away.
"Next comes your pupil, I believe. His opponent is that boy who can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu—just taijutsu?"
Hiruzen looked toward the contestant tunnel. "Lee is a hardworking child."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's tone curved upward. "Then, Third Hokage, how long do you think your student will need? Or… against such a 'hardworking' opponent, will he hold back to make the show more entertaining?"
"Watch. The boy Shinichi… will give his own answer."
Hiruzen's eyes glinted as he added:
"And that answer will leave you 'impressed'!"
With that, Hayate's voice rang across the stadium, cutting the lingering noise:
"Second match, prepare! Competitors, enter the field—"
"Rock Lee versus—"
He stretched the name; every spectator's focus snapped forward.
"—Tejima Shinichi!"
The roar surged even louder, a wave of excitement and awe.
Every eye locked onto the mouth of the tunnel.
Recently, the name "Tejima Shinichi" had spread through the Land of Fire and beyond, tagged with "Wood Release," "Tailed Beast," "Third Hokage's disciple," and other wild rumors.
For many nobles and travelers, witnessing this rumored "monster" was the highlight of the trip.
Two figures stepped out of the tunnel.
First came Rock Lee.
In his trademark green spandex, forehead protector gleaming, he strode to the center, waving energetically with a sparkling grin.
Behind him walked Tejima Shinichi.
Black short hair, plain dark combat fatigues; he stopped opposite Lee.
The stands exploded.
"There he is!"
"So young? Looks like any other Genin…"
"Hmph, never judge by looks! You heard what happened in the Forest of Death!"
"I want to see the First Hokage's Wood Release—hope he shows it!"
In the common seats, Tejima Kazuto pressed close to Mori Chie.
"Shinichi… do your best!"
Nearby in the contestants' rest area, Kobayashi Takeshi stood with Satō Yū.
Kobayashi clenched a fist and swung it. "Show them, Shinichi!"
Satō Yū said nothing, only stared at the field, her lips a tight line.
On another stand, Ino bounced up, cupping her hands to shout, "Shinichi-kun, go! You're the best!"
Beside her, Sakura, stunned by the deafening noise, blinked.
She gaped at the calm black-haired boy below, then at the frenzied crowd, tugging Ino's sleeve.
"Ino… what's going on? Why is everyone… I mean, I know he's strong, but this is…"
Ino turned, beaming with pride:
"Of course, Sakura! Shinichi-kun is not only Lord Third's disciple—he's awakened the First Hokage's Wood Release! The whole Land of Fire knows his name now!"
She spun back, waving. "Shinichi-kun! Show them the true power of Konoha!"
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