End of the First Half
Upon hearing Nakamura's words, Shirō and the others turned to look at him but did not interrupt.
Nakamura continued, "He's Chiyo's grandson!"
"Wait… so that means… poison?"
---
As the match began, Koshikawa Yoshiyuki charged straight at Sasori, determined to prevent him from creating distance. Sasori's reputation as a genius puppeteer was well known—even among other villages.
However, any puppeteer caught in close combat loses their advantage, no matter how talented they are.
Seeing Sasori remain still, Koshikawa smirked. "Hmph, just a brat after all. I win—"
His words were cut short as his body suddenly went limp and collapsed to the ground.
Sasori's famed title as a genius puppeteer had overshadowed an even more lethal skill—his poison. Even in Sunagakure, few realized just how fast-acting and deadly it was.
After all, with Chiyo as his grandmother, how could Sasori not be a master of poisons?
---
Nakamura's reminder made Shirō realize something important: in the original timeline, Sasori's poison was so potent that even Chiyo herself couldn't fully cure it. During the Kazekage Rescue Mission years later, it took Sakura—armed with Chiyo's guidance—to develop an antidote strong enough to counter it.
Without that antidote, there would have been no Kankurō fighting in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Still, Shirō couldn't be blamed for not recalling the details immediately—he'd been in this world for years, and memories faded. Only the most striking moments, like Sasori's Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets, stayed vivid in his mind.
Thankfully, knowing now wasn't too late. There was still time to prepare.
"Winner—Sunagakure, Sasori."
"Wait, we have an objection."
Shirō and the others turned toward the voice. It was Kitsuchi from Iwagakure—not protesting the loss, but seeking to confirm the method of Sasori's poisoning in hopes of countering it.
Opportunities to gather such intel within the tournament rules were rare, and if Kitsuchi hadn't spoken, Shirō might have.
Sasori's expression didn't change. "The poison activates after contact. It's a small Sunagakure trick. Do you need me to demonstrate?"
"I understand," Kitsuchi replied flatly. "No need."
The referee glanced at Kitsuchi, then gestured for Sasori to leave the arena.
"Due to the Hidden Hot Water Village's Akishuu forfeiting, Iwagakure's Kitsuchi advances. Next match—Konohagakure's Shinji versus Iwagakure's Watanabe Akira. Prepare yourselves."
"Shinji, do your best," Minato encouraged.
Shinji nodded and left the stands.
Shirō wasn't optimistic. While Watanabe Akira wasn't a kekkei genkai user, he was captain of another Iwagakure team and nearly on par with Kitsuchi in strength. Shinji was talented but a commoner—strong in Taijutsu, but lacking in advanced Ninjutsu.
After the Seal of Confrontation, the two clashed in fierce close combat. Most shinobi relied primarily on Taijutsu, using Ninjutsu sparingly to conserve chakra for decisive strikes. This kind of match—fast, physical, and strategic—quickly drew cheers from the crowd, rivaling the excitement after Shirō's own fight.
Shinji and Akira were evenly matched in strength and speed, but Akira was unwilling to prolong the bout. Using a Body Replacement Technique to evade, he suddenly struck.
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"
The ground split, pulling Shinji under. Akira followed with a kunai aimed at his shoulder—
"Bang!" The weapon struck wood. A log rolled aside.
A cold voice spoke behind Akira. "I won." Shinji pressed a kunai to the back of his head.
"No—I won." Akira's voice came from behind Shinji.
"What?! An Earth Clone!"
The "Akira" in front of him crumbled into soil, revealing that the real Akira had been concealed all along.
"Haha, impressive. I lost," Shinji admitted, extending a hand.
"You fought well," Akira replied, forming the Seal of Reconciliation.
"Winner—Iwagakure, Watanabe Akira."
---
"Next match—Konohagakure's Uchiha Taiyi versus Takigakure's Yoshida. Enter the arena."
"It's your turn, Taiyi," Shirō teased. "Lose to a minor character and you'll be disgraced."
"Hmph. Someone like that isn't worth my Sharingan."
"Haha, just making sure I'm not overestimating you."
"Tch."
Taiyi strode to the arena without further words. No one wished him luck—it would be shameful for a Sharingan user to struggle here.
While Taiyi prepared, Shirō mentally reviewed the combat data he'd gathered from earlier fights—especially Akira's. His Projection ability stored battle experience, but details faded over time, and he sometimes had the system purge techniques he didn't plan to use.
Still, victory for Konoha seemed certain—especially with Minato's Flying Thunder God in reserve.
The match began.
"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique."
Taiyi's Sharingan flared, paralyzing Yoshida instantly. Without hesitation, Taiyi walked forward, kunai in hand, and stopped at his opponent's neck.
"I win."
"Winner—Konohagakure, Uchiha Taiyi."
After forming the Seal of Reconciliation, Taiyi left the arena.
The morning matches concluded. Shirō and his group left for lunch, ready to organize the intel they'd gathered—and more importantly, find a way to counter Sasori's poison.
This task, however, largely fell to Nakamura and the older, more experienced jōnin. Shirō's Projections only provided combat skills, not deep medical knowledge, so in this area, he couldn't compare to someone like Minato.