The Final Battle – Part 1
Shirō had originally expected a grueling battle—one that would force both sides to reveal more than they intended—but it ended far quicker than he imagined.
The moment Kitsuchi stepped forward, he chained Earth Release: Hardening Technique with Earth Release: Weighted Boulder Technique, smashing Mibu Sukezane's puppet to pieces in one crushing blow.
Before Sukezane could even retrieve another puppet from his scrolls, Kitsuchi was already on him, closing the gap with overwhelming speed.
It was over in less than thirty seconds.
Shirō and his team exchanged tense glances as they watched Kitsuchi walk calmly toward the exit. At their current peak performance, they could barely hold their own against a jōnin for a short time—yet Kitsuchi had already reached that level.
In truth, the only one among them with the sheer ability to defeat him was Minato.
Of course, that didn't mean Shirō couldn't kill him in a real battle. He had Noble Phantasms—instant-death trump cards—that could end a fight in one move. But this was a formal competition. He couldn't unleash those without blowing his cover.
Defeating Kitsuchi under the rules would be… difficult.
"What a troublesome guy," Shirō muttered.
"Yeah," Nakamura agreed. "He's not even at Chūnin level anymore, is he?"
"Alright, alright," Shikamaru cut in, waving them off. "You guys can stress over the monsters. I'll just go out there, last as long as I can, and call it a day."
Shirō and the others could only sigh. After Shikamaru's match against Kusunoki Sumire, his tactics and strengths were no secret. Opponents would never allow him the time to set up his traps again.
But that was the nature of the Nara clan. They were strategists, not brawlers—masters of using the battlefield to their advantage. In complex terrain, they could outmaneuver almost anyone. Shikamaru's battle with Hidan was the textbook example.
Unfortunately, an arena offered no such advantage. The fact Shikamaru had made it this far was already remarkable.
---
"Begin!" the referee announced.
Shikamaru instantly retreated, launching shuriken and kunai to slow his opponent, Watanabe Akira.
Within seconds, the arena filled with choking dust, concealing the fighters from view. The muffled booms of exploding tags echoed, and jagged stone pillars erupted here and there—proof of a fierce exchange.
From the stands, Shirō's team tried to follow the battle. Only Tai Yi could barely make out the shapes in the haze; Shirō's Clairvoyance was still too weak for precise vision.
But even without seeing clearly, they could tell Shikamaru was in trouble. His supply of ninja tools was almost gone, and his chakra reserves were running low. Continuing was pointless.
Breathing hard, Shikamaru pressed himself against a stone pillar, then called out, "I surrender!"
The dust began to settle as Suna's Anbu appeared in the arena to ensure order. Shikamaru had no fear of Watanabe killing him—they had no personal grudge—but as any shinobi knew, never drop your guard. He had a Body Replacement prepared just in case.
Fortunately, Watanabe was rational enough not to press the attack. However, he didn't offer the seal of reconciliation, making it clear he had no interest in even a superficial truce.
Shikamaru shrugged at the referee, as if to say not my fault, then made his way back to the stands.
---
"Sorry," he said quietly. "Didn't get much intel this time. But he's a sensor—he found me every time I tried to hide."
"It's fine," Nakamura replied. "You came back safe. That's what matters."
The arena was cleared for the last match of the day—Tai Yi's turn.
From their gathered intel, Yanagihara Masamune specialized in Wind Release, which was bad news for Tai Yi; Lightning Release techniques would be at a disadvantage. While Tai Yi also knew Fire Release, his Lightning was far stronger thanks to recent training.
Fortunately, Tai Yi's primary specialty was genjutsu, so the elemental disadvantage wasn't as severe. He still had a solid chance.
---
"Begin!"
The instant the match started, Tai Yi lunged in, closing the distance. But something was wrong—Yanagihara's eyes were closed.
He was relying solely on sensing ninjutsu.
That alone cut off one of Tai Yi's best options; genjutsu cast through eye contact was useless. Tai Yi could only keep pressing close, relying on the Sharingan's dynamic vision to track his opponent and deny him space for Wind Release techniques.
But no fighter is perfect forever. After a prolonged exchange, Tai Yi's stance slipped for just a fraction of a second.
"Wind Release: Beast Wave Palm!"
Yanagihara struck, sending a slicing blast of wind directly at Tai Yi. The Sharingan saw it—but his body couldn't fully dodge in time. He shifted just enough to avoid a fatal hit, but the blow still caught him hard, launching him backward.
"Tai Yi!" Shikamaru shouted. "Why isn't he using genjutsu?!"
"Calm down," Shirō replied. "He can't. The guy's been fighting with his eyes closed the whole time."
Nakamura nodded. "Exactly. Trust him. The Sharingan isn't that simple."
Rolling as he hit the ground, Tai Yi narrowly avoided a follow-up technique. His left arm trembled as he steadied it with his right—using ninjutsu was becoming impossible.
All he could do now was dodge.
"What's wrong? Is that all the Sharingan can do?" Yanagihara taunted. "Useless without genjutsu!"
Tai Yi clicked his tongue. "Heh… if you think that's all I've got—"
Bang!