"Let's wait and see."
Sasuke snorted coldly.
[The words had barely left his mouth.]
[Within Gaara's body.]
[Shukaku's displeased voice rang out.]
["Why are you wasting your breath talking to a mere Uchiha?"]
"When it's your turn, just crush him."
"That face of theirs just makes me uncomfortable!"
Gaara naturally ignored Shukaku.
[The sound of Hiruzen Sarutobi could be heard continuously from outside.]
However, it wasn't as long and drawn-out as everyone had imagined.
[Very brief.]
Many people have now realized what this means.
[This old man knows perfectly well what's going on, doesn't he?]
[It's always done on purpose.]
It's absolutely disgusting.
[soon. ]
[Genma Shiranui announced the participants for the first match.]
"Hinata, do your best!"
[I cheer Hinata on every day.]
Hinata's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Naruto chuckled and said, "Let's go."
"Just do it like you would during a regular practice session."
"The first match."
[Naruto Uzumaki vs. Hinata Hyuga!]
[boom--]
[As soon as Genma Shiranui finished speaking.]
The inner gate of the arena opened.
[Naruto and Hinata enter together.]
[at this time. ]
[In the spectator stands.]
Sakura and Ino saw the two of them come out.
[Instantly transform into a cheerleader.]
They had just finished shouting.
Suddenly.
Looking down.
A cute little girl had appeared at my feet without me even noticing.
The little girl even blinked her big eyes.
[So cute.]
Ino's eyes lit up, and she scooped the little girl up in her arms.
"Hanabi, what brings you here?"
"Alone?"
Sakura looked at Hanabi with a completely surprised expression.
["No."]
"I came with my father and Neji."
[The words had barely left his mouth.]
A gentle voice sounded beside the three.
"Sorry, Ino-chan, Sakura-chan."
"Miss Hanabi, you're being naughty~"
[It was Natsumi's turn that day.]
"Naruto Uzumaki...it was him, he's the one who stole my sister, wasn't he?"
[Little Firework's big eyes darted around.]
[Upon hearing this,]
As expected, even Hyuga Natsumi's attention was drawn to it.
And at this moment.
Neji Hyuga and Hiashi Hyuga were sitting not far away.
[The little firework's sound wasn't quiet.]
The two of them naturally heard it too.
Neji's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Hiashi Hyuga's expression remained unchanged.
But...the hand resting on her lap unconsciously clenched tighter.
[And then, with that shout from Xiaohuahuo.]
The initially resentful spectators fell silent for a moment.
Some of the spectators came specifically to watch the game.
[It's all for the sake of those three words, "Uchiha."]
[This situation would have been even more frequent while the Uchiha clan was still around.]
Even though the Uchiha clan is gone, many people still pay attention to the only remaining Uchiha.
Looking at it this way...
The Uchiha clan's reputation in the ninja world is definitely not bad.
However, the Uchiha clan's reputation in Konoha was like that of a sewer.
[at the same time. ]
[Above the spectator stands.]
[This is blatant discrimination.]
[They're practically categorizing people into different classes.]
[The daimyo and ninja leaders from various countries took their seats.]
They only need to look down.
[This allows you to clearly see what's happening in the spectator stands and the arena.]
Opposite them, there was another high vantage point.
[At this moment.]
Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in a brand-new Hokage robe, sat regally upon it.
Beside it sat a man, similarly dressed in a divine robe.
However, the man's face was covered.
Furthermore, the color of the imperial robe is not fiery red.
It's blue, not blue.
The character written on the straw hat wasn't "fire," but "wind."
This person's identity is self-evident.
[The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.]
The Fourth Kazekage glanced at the packed stands, then his gaze fell upon the assembled daimyo and ninja leaders from various countries opposite him.
A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
[Behind the mask, Orochimaru let out a cold laugh.]
Just as he expected.
The Konoha Crush Plan is imperative!
We'll consider other things later.
Otherwise, Sunagakure will repeat the same mistakes due to resource shortages.
[A new ninja world war has begun.]
["Lord Kazekage."]
Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a kind smile on his old face.
Orochimaru sneered inwardly.
However, he showed no sign of anything amiss on his face, and nodded slightly, "Hokage-sama."
[The moment his gaze fell upon Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face.]
Orochimaru was momentarily dazed.
It hasn't been long since we last met.
Why...sensei Sarutobi looks so haggard and tired?
Suddenly, Orochimaru realized something.
[He chuckled inwardly. It seemed the news of his appearance had kept Sarutobi-sensei quite restless.]
"Hokage-sama, it's time to get some rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, startled.
[I didn't expect the Kazekage to suddenly say something like that.]
He waved his hand and said, "I'm getting old."
"Whether you rest or not... it's pretty much the same."
"However, I still have enough energy to handle village affairs."
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily.
Orochimaru smiled as well.
Suddenly, he changed the subject.
"Hokage-sama, I see that Konoha is full of talented people."
"You're getting older; you should really take care of yourself and get some rest."
"Long hours of high-intensity work, coupled with advanced age and insufficient rest... can easily lead to sudden death."
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze.
Are you getting old?
[impossible! ]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi says he's old, but he doesn't really believe it.]
But sitting beside him was the Kazekage, also a Kage, and, on the surface, an ally.
Besides, they are guests.
So Hiruzen Sarutobi held back.
Even the Wind Shadow's words were a blatant expression of the underlying meaning.
It also decided to endure it.
A barely perceptible hint of mockery flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
As expected of Ren Xiong.
[Hahaha~]
"Lord Fengying is joking."
"Young people these days are a bit impetuous; they need more training and experience."
"This old man can still live for a few more years."
"To lay a solid foundation for future generations."
"Isn't that right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips curled slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Although I endured it.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi still managed a small counter-attack against the Kazekage.
Orochimaru smiled.
[He was attacking the Kazekage, what does that have to do with Orochimaru?]
["So."]
"The first match begins."
[Genma Shiranui, toothpick dangling from his mouth, glanced at Naruto and Hinata, who were already in position.]
One hand in pocket, the other raised.
"Are you ready?"
Naruto and Hinata nodded.
Genma Shiranui's hand immediately fell.
"Alright—let's begin!"