Training Ground Number 1 had turned silent.
The atmosphere inside was now heavy—
so heavy it felt like gravity had doubled.
Gaara, the undisputed strongest among all candidates…
the host of a Tailed Beast…
the son of the Fourth Kazekage…
…had been defeated.
And not by Akira.
But by Akira's summon.
In under three minutes.
Everyone felt the pressure crush their chest.
Some swallowed nervously.
Some clenched their fists.
Some wondered if they should simply surrender.
Because if Gaara barely lasted three minutes…
what chance did they have?
---
Outside the Training Grounds
The atmosphere outside was the complete opposite.
Konoha's ninjas were ecstatic.
Shouts of joy echoed through the viewing plaza.
The son of the Fourth Kazekage—
a monster among children—
had lost to the Uchiha's rising star.
"Akira is unbelievable!"
"That was Gaara! GAARA!"
"And Akira's summon defeated him without Akira even lifting a finger!"
Pride filled their voices.
For them, this was a celebration—like watching their own hero rise.
But among ninjas from other villages…
Silence.
A solemn, suffocating silence.
They realized something terrifying:
Gaara was supposed to be the strongest kid in this entire Exam. He had completed numerous B-ranks and one A-rank mission as a genin alone.
He was feared.
Respected.
A guaranteed finalist, maybe even the winner.
Yet Akira's summoning beast overwhelmed him.
Then a chilling thought spread among the foreign jōnin:
"If the summon is that strong…
how strong is the summoner?"
Their faces paled.
Could an eleven-year-old really possess Elite Jōnin strength?
Or worse—
Kage level?
It sounded absurd.
Unbelievable.
But…
He was an Uchiha.
And they had heard rumors…
Rumors that the boy had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan—
the same eyes that Madara Uchiha once wielded.
Maybe he wasn't Madara.
But a Kage-level 11-year-old?
That suddenly didn't feel impossible.
It felt terrifyingly real.
---
Back Inside
One by one, other participants began stepping forward to fight their chosen summon beasts.
Some won.
Some lost.
Some had to be carried away.
But the test had begun in earnest.
And everyone fought with Gaara and Akira's battle burned into their minds.
---
Finally, Sasuke Uchiha moved.
His aura was sharper than usual.
Some said he was annoyed.
Others said he was determined to prove himself.
He pointed toward a summon—
A massive Ninja Bear.
Its strength: Special Jōnin.
A murmur spread.
"Another Uchiha is fighting!"
"Let's see how he compares."
Even Gaara silently watched.
The battle ignited immediately.
Sasuke's speed was ferocious.
Fireballs burst like landmines.
His Sharingan tracked every movement.
But the Ninja Bear was strong—
endurance like a tank, claws like shuriken, muscles like steel cables.
Five minutes passed.
Sweat trickled down Sasuke's jaw.
The bear roared and charged.
And then—
Chidori.
Lightning screamed.
Sasuke dashed forward, piercing through the beast's guard and slamming his palm into its chest.
A shockwave spread.
The bear staggered… then fell.
The referee raised his hand:
"Sasuke Uchiha wins.
Summon Beast: Special Jōnin Rank.
Time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds."
Sasuke didn't celebrate.
He simply walked away, stoic, proud, pretending Naruto didn't exist.
---
Naruto grinned widely.
"Alright! My turn!"
He chose a gigantic Ninja Elephant, also of Special Jōnin strength.
The beast trumpeted loudly, making several participants flinch.
Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of Narutos swarmed the elephant.
The elephant smashed, stomped, and crushed clone after clone.
Naruto jumped above its trunk—
"Rasengan!"
The swirling sphere slammed into the elephant's forehead.
BOOM!
The beast fell.
The referee called out:
"Naruto Uzumaki wins.
Summon Beast: Special Jōnin Rank.
Time: 4 minutes, 30 seconds."
Naruto flashed a victory grin toward Sasuke.
Sasuke: completely ignoring him.
But Naruto still felt victorious.
---
Finally, Ino stepped forward, her eyes scanning the arena with calm focus.
Her chosen opponent: an eagle, strength rated at Chunin level.
The jōnin teacher overseeing the match signaled:
"Begin!"
In an instant, Ino activated her clan's signature technique.
Her hands traced precise seals, and her mind extended into the summon's consciousness.
Mind Body Switch Technique
The eagle's body suddenly got controlled by Ino, soaring high above the training ground.
Then, with a sharp command from Ino, the bird plummeted toward the earth like a living meteor.
But just as the eagle neared the ground, Ino briefly lost focus leaving the control of eagle and her consciousness returned to her body.
The eagle smashed into the ground with incredible force… and immediately collapsed, unconscious.
The jōnin referee stepped forward, clearly impressed:
"Yamanaka Ino wins!
Summon Beast Strength: Chunin
Time: 26 seconds."
A commotion erupted across the training ground.
All eyes turned to Ino, whispering, pointing, and exclaiming at the fastest defeat of any summon beast so far.
Ino gave a small, confident smile and stepped backward, leaving the battlefield gracefully.
---
Next, Yugito approached.
She chose a massive elephant, also Jōnin level.
The referee arranged the match quickly, and Yugito calmly assessed her opponent.
With barely a flicker of hesitation, she partially transformed into her Two-Tails Jinchūriki form, the chakra of Matatabi coursing visibly through her body.
Great Cat Claw Attack
In her partial Tailed Beast Mode, she delivered a massive blow with her right paw.
The elephant was obliterated instantly.
The jōnin teacher barely managed to call out:
"Yugito nii wins!
Time: 7 seconds
Strength: Jōnin."
The arena erupted into chaos.
Whistles, gasps, and cheers echoed simultaneously.
Everyone understood at once—Yugito's power was beyond normal standards.
Even Gaara's eyes narrowed.
He knew the truth: Yugito was three years older, and combined with her tailed beast chakra, she could overwhelm even someone of his own level.
Anger and envy simmered in Gaara's chest.
Shukaku's training had made him strong, but seeing Yugito's effortless display ignited something inside him—a burning determination to surpass what even his own tailed beast could offer.
---
The entire day—morning and afternoon—had passed in a flurry of battles.
Hundreds of participants had tested their skills, wits, and summon beasts, and the training ground buzzed with tension, excitement, and occasional shock at unexpected victories.
Finally, as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Akira returned to the training ground after a brief rest and lunch.
He walked calmly to the center, a small smile on his face, and the gathered participants and spectators immediately quieted.
"Well," Akira began, his voice clear and steady, "everyone has truly given their best today.
This round has been entertaining—not only for the participants but for everyone watching as well.
The strategies, the power displays, and the surprises made this a round to remember."
He paused, letting the weight of the day settle.
"Now, for the results:
260 participants have qualified for the next round."
A ripple of murmurs ran through the crowd as participants silently calculated who might advance and who had fallen behind.
"And as for the standout of this round," Akira continued, "Yugito Nii, a Jinchūriki of extraordinary skill, defeated a Jōnin-level summoning beast in just 7 seconds and takes the top spot for Round 2."
The crowd erupted, some in awe, some in disbelief.
Even the strongest participants had to acknowledge her unmatched display of speed, strength, and control.
Akira's voice rang out clearly, steady, and commanding:
"As for those who have successfully passed Round 2 and are eligible for Round 3, a full list will be presented here in the training ground in half an hour. Everyone present will be able to see it."
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. The participants' chatter softened; anticipation and curiosity flickered across their faces.
"The third round will take place in seven days," Akira continued. "This gives everyone time to recover, train, and sharpen their skills. If you were injured during today's battles, now is the time to heal and practice. Make use of these seven days wisely."
He glanced at the gathered participants, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Remember, every round of this exam will test more than just strength. Strategy, timing, adaptability—these will matter even more in the upcoming rounds."
A few nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the audience. Even the strongest seemed to respect the weight of his words.
"Finally," Akira concluded, a faint smile crossing his face, "thank you all for participating in this round. I look forward to seeing your growth in the next one. As for the location of Round 3, you will be notified one day prior. Prepare yourselves."
With that, Akira gave a small bow to the participants and began walking away, Yatagarasu gliding silently at his side.
The atmosphere, once tense and explosive, slowly shifted—replaced by a quiet hum of excitement, speculation, and anticipation for what the next round might bring.
Half an hour later, the list of those who had advanced would appear, but for now… the remaining participants left the ground, minds buzzing, bodies aching, and determination burning brighter than ever.
---