After the matter concerning the Eight-Tails jinchūriki and the Uchiha clan was temporarily settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Danzō and Orochimaru to leave.
Only Kizaru remained in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen had not kept him behind because he wanted to continue discussing the Uchiha. There was another matter, one that could not be treated lightly.
In a few days, the third round of the Chūnin Exams would begin.
In order to display the strength of the village's younger generation, the final round would be open to the public. Konoha had also invited nobles, wealthy merchants, and well-known figures from various nations to attend as spectators.
Because of that, the Hokage and Konoha's senior officials had made thorough preparations. If an accident occurred during the matches and important guests were injured, it would not end as a simple embarrassment.
Among all the precautions they had arranged, there was one matter that Hiruzen considered especially important.
And that matter fell under Kizaru's responsibility.
The second match of the finals.
Kumogakure's Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Blue B, versus Kizaru's disciple, Might Duy.
Hiruzen did not know much about Blue B. According to the information Konoha had gathered, he had only recently become the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, and his condition was considered stable.
If Blue B's opponent had been an ordinary genin, Hiruzen would not have been overly concerned.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Might Duy, the disciple Kizaru had only recently accepted.
A man who trained in the Eight Gates.
After Kizaru took Duy in as his student, Hiruzen had secretly observed their sparring sessions. Because of that, he knew very well just how extraordinary Might Duy's strength had become.
According to Hiruzen's judgment, once Duy opened the Sixth Gate and combined it with the taijutsu techniques Kizaru had taught him, he possessed strength comparable to an elite jōnin.
If someone with that level of power fought a Kumogakure genius who had only recently become the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, the match could easily become heated enough to trigger the beast's chakra.
The thought of a jinchūriki losing control in the middle of the finals, with important figures from multiple nations present, made even Hiruzen feel a headache coming on.
That was why he had specifically kept Kizaru behind.
He needed to remind him again to stay alert.
"Kizaru," Hiruzen said in a solemn voice, "during the match between Blue B and Might Duy, keep your attention on the Eight-Tails jinchūriki. If anything happens, suppress it immediately."
Kizaru stood with both hands in his pockets, his posture as lazy as ever.
"I understand, Sarutobi-sensei."
His tone was casual, as though Hiruzen had only asked him to take a walk around the village.
Hiruzen looked at him seriously.
"I'm counting on you, Kizaru."
Kizaru nodded, turned around, and waved a hand as he walked out of the Hokage's office.
With the Uchiha matter spoken for, Kizaru had nothing urgent to worry about for the time being.
Nara Shikaku was assisting with the planning of the Ninja Academy's reforms, while the actual execution had been handed to the strict and reliable Hyūga Hiashi.
With those two helping him, along with the Academy's own administration, Kizaru had little reason to concern himself with every small detail.
All he needed to do was prepare for the reforms and wait for the current term to end and the new one to begin.
Time passed quickly.
While Kizaru spent his days leisurely, the candidates who had advanced to the final round trained with all their strength.
Soon, the day of the main tournament arrived.
The venue was a massive arena within Konoha.
Since the event was open to the public, the stands were packed not only with invited guests from various nations, but also Konoha villagers and citizens from the Land of Fire who had bought tickets to watch.
At nine in the morning, every seat was filled.
The candidates had also gathered at the arena.
When Kizaru walked into the field as the proctor, the crowd erupted into cheers.
The first match was about to begin.
Rasa versus A.
The disciple of the Third Kazekage against the son of the Third Raikage.
Just the names alone were enough to draw everyone's attention.
"Begin."
After giving the signal, Kizaru slowly stepped back to the edge of the field.
A, who had recovered from his injuries after receiving treatment at Konoha Hospital, activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode the moment the match began.
Across from him, Rasa knew how dangerous his opponent was. Without hesitation, he summoned a large amount of Gold Dust.
Rasa's control over Magnet Release was already highly refined.
The Gold Dust moved according to his will, shifting between offense and defense with impressive speed. Among his peers, his strength was undoubtedly outstanding.
Unfortunately, his opponent was A, who was three years older than him.
Under the Third Raikage's harsh training, A had already mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. On top of that, his body had been forged through relentless physical conditioning.
With terrifying explosive power, he suppressed Rasa from the very beginning.
Relying on his sturdy physique and the protection of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, A chose an aggressive fighting style. He ignored minor injuries and forced his way through Rasa's attacks, turning the match into a brutal exchange.
Rasa had not yet mastered flight, and his speed and close-combat ability were only average.
Once A endured the Gold Dust's attacks and rushed in front of him, Rasa had very few ways to defend himself.
After struggling through more than ten exchanges, Rasa was finally defeated.
He fell to the ground, unwillingness clear in his eyes.
This lunatic!
Rasa forced himself to sit up. Looking at A, whose body was covered in wounds and bloodstains, he cursed inwardly.
Even after winning, A did not look unharmed.
But he was still standing.
After Kizaru announced A's victory, the medical-nin team prepared by Konoha immediately entered the field and carried both of them away.
On the viewing platform, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, sat beside the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Watching A leave the arena, he spoke with genuine emotion.
"Third Raikage, you have a fine successor."
The Third Raikage laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! That boy still has a long way to go."
Although he said that, anyone could hear the pride in his voice.
Ōnoki sighed softly.
"How enviable."
The Third Raikage glanced at him, then said, "Kitsuchi is also strong. I heard he fought my son during the second round and both of them were injured."
Since Kumogakure intended to build a closer relationship with Iwagakure, the Third Raikage did not mind giving Ōnoki's son some praise.
Then his gaze shifted toward Ebizō, who sat on the other side of Hiruzen.
The Third Raikage added calmly, "If not for that sneak attack, Kitsuchi would have been standing in the arena today as well."
Ebizō maintained a calm smile on the surface.
Inside, however, he felt deeply uncomfortable.
To think that Sunagakure would one day be reduced to such a position.
The world truly changed without warning.
Hiruzen sat between them with a calm smile, taking in the reactions of the three men without saying anything at first.
When it came to successors, Hiruzen had never lacked confidence.
First came the Sannin.
Then came Shimura Kizaru, whose name shone like golden light across the shinobi world.
If one spoke of disciples, Hiruzen Sarutobi could hold his head high before any Kage.
"The Raikage-dono and Tsuchikage-dono both have promising sons," Hiruzen said with a mild smile. "Unlike my own children. They are still far from reassuring."
He paused briefly, then continued in a tone that sounded almost humble.
"In the end, I could only take in a few more disciples and pass down what I learned throughout my life. Sigh. Compared to the two of you, I still have much to envy."
The Third Raikage's laughter stopped.
Ōnoki also fell silent.
The meaning behind Hiruzen's words was far too obvious.
Your sons are outstanding?
Very good.
My disciples are the Sannin and Kizaru.
The atmosphere on the viewing platform became strangely quiet.
Neither the Tsuchikage nor the Raikage had any further interest in praising each other.
They simply turned their attention back to the arena.
At that moment, the second match had already begun.
Kumogakure's Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Blue B.
Against Kizaru's disciple, Might Duy.
The Third Raikage's gaze sharpened slightly as he watched the fight.
Blue B and Might Duy were already exchanging blows at high speed.
That man in green…
Wasn't he the genin Kizaru had bet on?
How long had it been?
His strength had risen this much already?
Remembering the five-year agreement he had made with Kizaru, the Third Raikage began to seriously consider something for the first time.
Could he actually lose that bet?
"You're strong!"
In the arena, Might Duy kicked away the ninja sword Blue B swung at him and landed smoothly on the ground. Blood ran down his face, but his spirit only burned brighter.
"But my youth will not lose!"
Blue B held a sword in each hand. After clashing with Duy for so long, he had already acknowledged the man's strength.
"For Kumogakure, I won't lose either."
Lightning chakra began to wrap around Blue B's blades.
"I'm going all out, Konoha shinobi."
He gave the warning openly.
Hearing that, Duy laughed with excitement, his teeth flashing white.
"I have a reason to win too!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Duy clenched both fists.
The Eight Gates opened.
For the sake of the matches that would follow, Duy did not immediately open the Sixth Gate.
He stopped at the Fifth Gate.
The Gate of Limit.
Chakra erupted from his body.
Blue B's eyes widened.
In the next instant, Duy used Soru and vanished from where he stood.
He appeared in front of Blue B almost instantly.
Raising his right hand, Duy extended his index finger.
Shigan.
With the speed of Soru added to the piercing force of Shigan, his finger struck Blue B directly in the chest.
"Guh!"
Blue B groaned.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Duy did not stop.
After severely injuring Blue B with Shigan, he twisted his body, gathered his strength, and followed up with another attack.
Leaf Whirlwind.
Using force in midair, he swung his right leg out with everything he had.
Blue B was kicked away and crashed heavily into the ground.
A wave of shocked cries swept through the stands.
Dust rose from the arena floor.
Within the dust, Blue B slowly pushed himself up.
Even after receiving heavy blows one after another, his eyes remained firm.
"I won't lose."
As soon as he spoke, the Eight-Tails' chakra surged out from within his body.
The violent chakra wrapped around him while his injuries began to recover.
A tailed beast cloak.
How troublesome.
Standing at the edge of the arena, Kizaru looked at Blue B, his lazy expression fading slightly.
On the viewing platform, Hiruzen also sensed the tailed beast's chakra. His eyes sharpened at once.
"Third Raikage. Your village's jinchūriki…"
"Blue B can already control a portion of the Eight-Tails' chakra," the Third Raikage said. "As long as he does not go beyond two tails, he will not lose control."
Hiruzen was silent for a moment.
Then he released a quiet breath.
"Is that so?"
A roar echoed through the arena.
Wrapped in a tailed beast cloak with one tail formed behind him, Blue B charged toward Might Duy.
Duy had already received Kizaru's advice beforehand. He knew his opponent was the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, so he did not dare to underestimate him.
The Sixth Gate opened in an instant.
Just as Blue B was about to reach him, Duy used Geppo and stepped into the air.
"I will win!"
Blue B shouted toward Duy above him.
In the next instant, a second tail formed behind him.
He kicked off the ground and rushed into the sky.
Holding a ninja sword in his right hand, Blue B swung it down toward Might Duy.
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