"Then the pre-selection will begin now."
Gekko Hayate's voice echoed across the hall, calm but sharp.
"This round will be a one-on-one individual battle — a real fight. There are exactly 22 participants, so you'll be divided into 11 pairs. The winners will advance to the third exam.
There are no restrictions. You fight until one side either admits defeat, collapses, or… dies.
However, if I determine that the outcome is already clear, I'll intervene to prevent unnecessary deaths."
As soon as Hayate finished speaking, Menma raised a hand. "Teacher, if you can't step in fast enough, can someone else stop the match?"
Gekko Hayate blinked. "..."
Before he could answer, Tsunade spoke from the sidelines.
"Yes, but whoever interferes can't attack the opponent. Also, once they intervene, the fighter they saved will automatically be declared the loser."
Menma nodded. "That's fair."
He wasn't about to let any of his comrades die here. The butterfly effect of his presence had already changed so much — Naruto's childhood, the Uchiha clan's fate, Tsunade and Jiraiya's early return — the world was already on a new path. He didn't need more chaos.
Still, he couldn't resist adding, "Sorry, teacher, I didn't mean to question you. It's just… you look a little—"
"Enough!" Gekko Hayate snapped. "I can intervene just fine."
His face darkened. Why does everyone always think I can't keep up?
Menma gave him an innocent smile. "Of course, teacher. I believe you."
(Narrator: He did not, in fact, believe him.)
Moments later, a large digital screen flickered to life above the arena. The names of the first two opponents appeared in bright letters.
Akasaka vs. Uchiha Sasuke
Sasuke smirked and turned to Naruto. "I'll go first. Don't be jealous when I win."
Naruto: (╬) "Why does the 'pillar' always go first!?"
"Tsk, don't lose too quickly, 'Zhuzi,'" Naruto teased.
"As if I would." Sasuke cracked his neck and jumped into the arena.
Three moves later, his opponent was face-down on the floor.
Sasuke glanced back up at Naruto, smirking smugly.
Naruto: (╬) "That smile—!"
Sasuke's smirk only widened.
Sakura: (╬) "Naruto!"
Ino: (╬) "Naruto!"
Menma just sighed. They never change.
The next match appeared on the screen:
Aburame Shino vs. Yin Yin
Within minutes, Shino had effortlessly claimed victory.
Even Neji, using his Byakugan, looked unsettled. "He lets the insects live inside his body…"
Rock Lee's face twitched. "That's… dedication."
Menma explained from nearby, "That's the Aburame clan's secret technique. They form a symbiotic bond with their insects — housing them in their own bodies in exchange for chakra."
Neji, Lee, and TenTen all turned to look at Menma.
Beside them, Guy flashed a thumbs-up. "Menma is right! A splendid observation!"
Menma: "..." Please don't look at me like that.
When Shino returned from the arena, Menma nodded approvingly. "Good job, Shino. After this, I'll treat you to barbecue."
"Thank you, big brother," Shino said.
"Brother! Can I come too!?" Naruto immediately piped up.
"Of course. Bring everyone," Menma said.
Within seconds, Naruto sprinted around the room announcing the good news.
"Did someone say barbecue?" Choji suddenly had the motivation of a man possessed.
Shikamaru sighed. "Not your turn yet, idiot."
The third match began: Kankuro vs. Misumi Tsurugi.
Kankuro's victory was swift — his puppet crushed the enemy before most people blinked.
Next up: Haruno Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino.
Naruto leaned toward Sasuke, whispering, "Sasuke, your main wife vs. your side wife — who you betting on?"
Sasuke didn't answer. He just kicked Naruto.
Naruto dodged, stuck out his tongue, and ran off. Sasuke gave chase, and the two sprinted around the hall like hyperactive children.
Shikamaru sighed. "Unbelievable. Can we not do this before the Hokage?"
In the arena, Sakura and Ino faced each other seriously.
"Ino, don't hold back — or I won't forgive you," Sakura declared.
Ino froze for a second, then smiled faintly. "Got it."
The fight was intense but short. Ino's chakra control and timing outmatched Sakura's determination. She won cleanly.
Afterward, Ino helped Sakura up. "You okay?"
"Yeah… thanks." Sakura smiled faintly.
"You're welcome — just don't chase Sasuke anymore," Ino teased.
"Not happening," Sakura said instantly.
Ino rolled her eyes and stormed off, muttering under her breath.
Sakura sighed. She could've at least helped me walk…
The next fight: Temari vs. TenTen.
"Go, TenTen!" Lee shouted at the top of his lungs.
TenTen: (ーー;) "Could you not announce it to the world?"
Temari smirked, raised her fan, and within seconds, the match was over. TenTen's weapons scattered across the floor.
Temari walked away unscathed, clearly superior in power and strategy.
TenTen returned to her team, frustrated. "Guess I'm the first from our group out."
"Don't worry," Lee said with a bright grin, patting her shoulder. "I'll win for all of us!"
Neji nodded in silent agreement.
Then came the sixth match — one that drew everyone's attention:
Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji.
"Come on, Hinata!" Naruto yelled from the stands.
Hinata's cheeks flushed pink.
Across the arena, Sasuke smirked. "Go, Neji."
Neji turned his head slightly, expression unreadable. "..."
Naruto frowned. "Hey! You're supposed to cheer for Hinata!"
Sasuke shrugged. "No promises."
Naruto: (╬) "Traitor!"
The tension between the Hyuga cousins thickened as the crowd fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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