When Shinji announced the selection principle, everyone was not surprised because there was only one 'Chakra Fruit'. No matter how one thought about it, the strongest companion should be the one to consume it.
However, people like Yakumo, Ryūzetsu, and Chino still felt a bit disappointed.
Compared to other companions who had already reached the 'Six Paths Level', they had absolutely no chance of winning in this selection.
Of course, they didn't blame Shinji.
A leader like Shinji, who brought out a divine item like the 'Chakra Fruit' without hiding it and openly let everyone compete for it, couldn't be found in the Shinobi World even with a lantern.
So after adjusting her mindset, Yakumo raised her hand: "Leader, I give up this competition!"
Ryūzetsu and Chino chimed in: "Us too!"
Haku said calmly: "And me!"
Compared to the unwillingness of Yakumo, Ryūzetsu, and Chino, Haku was much more indifferent. Firstly, he was content and his desire for power wasn't that strong. Secondly, he didn't want to engage in such intense competition with his companions.
"En!"
Shinji nodded slightly.
He was not surprised by the withdrawal of Yakumo and the others.
From the beginning of this selection, he hadn't considered Yakumo and the others. This wasn't favoritism, but simply being realistic. Therefore, he felt no guilt and gathered everyone directly to make the ownership of this 'Chakra Fruit' crystal clear!
With Yakumo and the other three gone, only seven people remained: Karin, Hikari, Neji, Kimimaro, Sasuke, Naruto, and Toneri Otsutsuki.
Shinji pointed to the seven people: "Since the others have withdrawn, let's choose one from the seven of you!"
Sasuke frowned slightly: "Seven people, how do we choose?"
Toneri thought for a moment, then said: "Leader, I'll give up too!"
He felt that he hadn't been in the Akatsuki organization for long and hadn't made any significant contributions in several major battles. Plus, with an odd number of people, it was hard to assign opponents, so he voluntarily withdrew from the competition.
Shinji didn't force him and said to the remaining six: "Then the six of you draw lots!"
The six naturally had no objections and stepped forward one by one to draw lots from the box Shinji casually created.
The results of the draw came out quickly: Karin vs. Naruto, Hikari vs. Neji, Sasuke vs. Kimimaro.
Shinji instructed: "Choose your own venues. You can start anytime!"
"Naruto, let's go over there!"
Karin dropped a sentence, then her figure flashed, turning into a rainbow light flying into the distance.
Naruto wasted no words and immediately chased after her.
Hikari and Neji looked at each other and went in another direction together. Finally, only Sasuke and Kimimaro remained in place.
Looking at Kimimaro, Sasuke rubbed his wrist: "Kimimaro, I've wanted to settle the score from the Ninja Academy with you for a long time. Now, taking this opportunity, we can settle it all at once!"
Kimimaro said indifferently: "Okay!"
The two were rivals during their Ninja Academy days, but Kimimaro's strength far exceeded Sasuke's back then, causing Sasuke to suffer quite a bit. Later, Sasuke's strength grew, but there were more and more opponents, making it impossible for them to find a suitable opportunity for a good contest.
Now, this opportunity finally came. Although their strengths were not completely equal, it was enough for an all-out fight!
After stretching his muscles, Sasuke said: "Let's begin. Let me witness the effect of 'Karma' and see how strong the power of a true Otsutsuki clan member is!"
Kimimaro activated 'Karma' directly, and instantly, a massive amount of chakra gushed out from his body!
On the sidelines.
"So strong!"
Feeling the skyrocketing chakra on Kimimaro after activating 'Karma', Yakumo and the others all changed their expressions.
They had long heard that Kimimaro and Neji were possessed by Otsutsuki and obtained true Otsutsuki power, but seeing it with their own eyes was a first.
Boom...
Just as everyone was marveling, another surge of turbulent chakra skyrocketed in the distance.
Everyone hurriedly looked over and found that Neji, facing Hikari Uchiha, also activated 'Karma'.
Yakumo was instantly conflicted: "There's no need to compete at the same time! I don't even know which side to watch!"
Ryūzetsu and Chino nodded in unison.
Fighting in three places simultaneously left them with too much to watch.
Shinji smiled; he didn't mind healthy competition among his subordinates.
On the other side.
After activating 'Karma', Momoshiki Otsutsuki's consciousness gradually awakened in Neji's inner world.
"Competing for a 'Chakra Fruit'!?"
Understanding the purpose of this battle, Momoshiki Otsutsuki had mixed feelings for a moment.
It should be known that even for an Otsutsuki noble like him, obtaining a 'Chakra Fruit' was extremely difficult. Now, a mere group of natives could compete for a 'Chakra Fruit' just by sparring. This was undoubtedly the greatest irony to their Otsutsuki clan.
Thinking of this, Momoshiki couldn't help saying to Neji: "Kid, don't miss such an opportunity, otherwise, you will regret it for life!"
Neji wasn't unfamiliar with the suddenly appearing Momoshiki. He had dealt with Momoshiki when practicing releasing 'Karma' before.
Hearing Momoshiki's words, Neji said: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I am not the most suitable candidate to consume the 'Chakra Fruit'. The reason I chose to accept Leader's selection is just to verify the success of my cultivation during this period!"
Momoshiki cursed loudly: "Idiot, do you think 'Chakra Fruits' are wild fruits by the roadside? You might only have this one chance in your life. If you miss this opportunity, you won't possibly possess another 'Chakra Fruit' until you die!"
Neji slowly shook his head: "You wouldn't understand!"
Momoshiki said helplessly: "Bastard, don't lose!"
On Karin and Naruto's side.
Karin said: "Naruto, you'd better go all out. I won't go easy on you this time!"
"En!"
Naruto nodded heavily.
He knew that when Karin acted as Akatsuki's 'B', she had helped him a lot explicitly and implicitly, and even saved his life.
He didn't understand before, but now he finally knew that the person behind 'B's fox mask was his Ninja Academy peer Karin, and he also knew that Shinji was the person truly manipulating everything behind the scenes.
He had no complaints about this because he knew the Shinobi World was facing a crisis more urgent than any previous one, and Shinji was the core figure to solve this crisis. So he naturally integrated into the group of the Akatsuki organization because he also wanted to contribute to saving the Shinobi World!
Soon, the three pairs—Karin and Naruto, Hikari and Neji, Sasuke and Kimimaro—began their contests. The fierce battle of six 'Six Paths Level' combat powers can be imagined. For a time, the wind and clouds changed color in the entire alternate dimension, and the sky and earth lost their light.
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