"They're in! They're in!"
"The final course—Star Gazing Platform! And currently, still in the lead, far ahead of every other competitor since the very beginning, is the Moon Goddess car!"
"The Toad Sage and Byakugō car are doing their best to catch up…"
"But let's be honest—the outcome has already been decided. No matter how hard they push, it's all a waste of effort at this point."
At that moment, Tobi had yet to realize how many people he'd already pissed off with his commentary. Several shinobi had made up their minds: once this race was over, they were going to thoroughly investigate this loudmouth host identity…
…and then give him a proper beating to let out their rage.
After all, this guy had been stirring up trouble since the very start!
Of course, even if Tobi knew, he wouldn't be worried. Sunagakure had countless White Zetsu clones from the White Zetsu Gang backing him up. Catching him wouldn't be so easy.
If there was even the slightest commotion, his brothers would come running.
"Star Gazing Platform was built after the Third Great Ninja War, by the Fourth Kazekage and his wife Karura. During a stroll through the desert one night, they saw a mysterious Star God in the sky, which inspired the construction of the site."
He hadn't forgotten his side task of promoting Sunagakure's tourism highlights.
"Legend has it, anyone who sees the Star God from Star Gazing Platform at night will be granted lifelong happiness. Countless couples who've witnessed it have confirmed the legend in some form. For instance, the Fourth Kazekage and Lady Karura got married the very next day, and soon had their first child—Lady Temari. Now they've got three kids and a happy family. Lord Momu also saw the Star God and soon found true love, had a genius child—Daimaru—and even got promoted! He's now the Director of the Rain Country Office. And there's also—XXX… Countless stories prove it: if you witness the Star God, you just might find your own happiness."
For once, Tobi didn't mess around. He calmly read the official script that had been prepared in advance, and then turned his attention back to the racers below.
By now—
The outcome was clear.
Eight-Tails car, after turning on its own team, had been gang-beaten into oblivion.
As for the remaining competitors—after seeing how far ahead the Konoha team had gotten, they knew they couldn't catch up.
Losing the race is one thing, but letting Konoha win? Never!
That motto… had just proven false.
So, in a mix of frustration and bitterness, the remaining shinobi—led by the Cloud nin—let out battle cries as they charged forward and began to take out their anger physically, terrifying Killer Bee to the point where he didn't even know how to freestyle anymore.
All his inspiration—
Gone.
Of course, he understood why the Cloud-nin were doing this. Even now, that fleeting flash of white—er, no, the determination of Uchiha Shisui and his Future car—still stirred something inside him. He'd decided: once the race was over, he'd sit down with Shisui for a heart-to-heart about that fleeting glimpse of white—uh, no, about ninja loyalty and righteousness.
Killer Bee felt he was a man of true loyalty. He could rap, sing, and dance, but at the end of the day, he was faithful to his village, to his big bro, and to the Eight-Tails.
Like right now—
This beatdown?
He'd accept it.
He looked at his poor Eight-Tails, getting stomped into the ground. Bee muttered an apology in his heart to the tailed beast.
He'd borrowed its chakra, and still hadn't managed to win. He felt a little guilty. But once the Eight-Tails—just as honest and down-to-earth as Bee himself—forgave him, he finally let out a breath of relief.
No wonder they got along so well.
Both were good, honest folk.
Bee glanced ahead. From this position, he couldn't even see the other end of the course anymore. Nor could he spot that distant figure.
He sighed with regret.
Then, suddenly—inspiration hit him again! He wanted to freestyle right there on the spot.
"Oh yeah~ Bee—"
But before he could start—
"Tie him up. Stuff something in his mouth, too."
Just as he relaxed and was about to start his rap, several Cloud-nin sprang forward with ropes, bound him tightly, and shoved a rag into his mouth.
The Cloud-nin gave sheepish grins to the other shinobi watching.
"Apologies, apologies. Our Hidden Cloud will definitely give a proper explanation for this later!"
Seriously, what was Lord Bee thinking? Trying to rap and taunt the other villages now?
He was basically asking for a beating!
As for the "punishment" thing? Just for show.
Lord Raikage probably wouldn't do anything to Bee.
Quickly, the Cloud-nin secured the squirming Killer Bee, all while nervously watching the other hostile shinobi. Carefully, they crouched down and picked up the nearly totaled Eight-Tails car.
Seeing that the others didn't react, they let out a silent sigh of relief, then promptly carried Killer Bee off the field.
"Once the race is over, we'll formally apologize to everyone!"
And with that—
The Cloud team officially withdrew.
The other shinobi from the allied villages…
Looked at the track under the moonlight, then at the audience's attention completely fixated on the leaders.
They looked up at the sky and sighed bitterly.
"We… lost."
Then, quietly, they picked up their own 4WDs and walked off the field.
There was no need to keep going.
They were shinobi. Wasting time wasn't their way.
By this point—
The final showdown was between Sunagakure and Konoha.
Tsunade kept her eyes locked on Kaguya, who was still just ahead.
She had to admit—even though she herself was a beauty with a great figure, good temper, and strong personality—this mysterious woman had an elegance she didn't.
"When did the shinobi world get a stunner like that?"
Still, Tsunade only let the thought linger briefly before shrugging it off. She glanced at Jiraiya, who'd had a serious look ever since they entered Star Gazing Platform—frequently looking up at the sky.
Irritated, she asked:
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all, hahaha~" Jiraiya laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "I was just checking the night sky. It feels a bit cooler now… Maybe it'll rain tonight?"
"Rain, my ass! This is the Land of Wind! If rain were that easy to come by, this place wouldn't be a desert!" Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Oh, oh… Yeah, right, totally forgot about that—haha~"
"…"
Did he fry his brain using Sage Mode too much?
Tsunade shook her head, exasperated. She ignored Jiraiya and looked straight ahead.
There it was—the finish line.
It was time to unleash her trump card.
...
Meanwhile, Kaguya was still running peacefully. Her face expressionless, pace steady. She'd joined the race out of curiosity, but now…
She was bored.
Winning or not didn't matter to her anymore.
She just ran.
At that moment—
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. Seeing no movement from Kaguy, her heart settled.
Her lips curled upward slightly.
She knew her chance had come.
That woman probably thought she had it in the bag… Got cocky.
Tsunade closed the gap a little more.
Still, the woman showed no reaction. No burst of speed. No response at all.
The finish line was just ahead.
Now!
Tsunade lowered her head, looked at her 4WD—Byakugō car, and muttered:
"Byakugō no—"
But before she could shout her technique—
"Star God! The Star God! Tsunade, look up! There's actually a Star God up there!"
Jiraiya suddenly slapped her shoulder, shouting in excitement.
"This is incredible!"
And then—
"BEEP—!"
"And the winner of this year's race is…"
"Lady Kaguya!"
"Truly well-deserved!"
Tobi's voice echoed.
The race was over.