Chapter 80: The Top Eight are Born
"Alright, sit down and watch the match," Kyosuke said, patting Nagisa's head and then gesturing toward the arena.
The participants for the next match were already in position, and the duel was about to begin.
"Okay," Nagisa replied obediently, then returned to her seat.
But after only a moment of silence, the little girl couldn't help but ask again in a low voice, "Kyosuke, who do you think will win this one?"
"Kisame Hoshigaki," Kyosuke answered without hesitation.
"Huh? You have that much confidence in him?" Nagisa looked Kisame up and down, then asked with a puzzled expression.
Of course, Kyosuke couldn't say that he knew what level this person would reach in the future. So, he could only use their previous encounter to placate the little girl.
As the two of them were whispering, the battle on the field had already begun.
However, the entertainment value of this match was much lower than Darui's instant kill in the second round.
At least Darui had shown off his unique Storm Release. Although the process was brief, it had satisfied some of the audience's desire for a spectacle.
But this match was a different story. Kisame had charged forward right from the start and, with a single slash of his blade, had completely absorbed the chakra of the Waterfall ninja opposite him.
Then, the Waterfall ninja had decisively surrendered.
Actually, this Waterfall ninja couldn't be blamed for being timid. After all, two people had already died in the first three matches. Anyone in his position would have to think twice.
The fourth match ended. Kisame Hoshigaki had easily defeated the Waterfall ninja.
Perhaps because this match had gone without any extra twists, the fifth match began soon after.
In the eyes of some who were in the know, this match was also a foregone conclusion.
Cloud Village, Yugito Nī vs. Sand Village, Maki.
Poor Sand Village. After being tormented by Kyosuke, they had run into another formidable opponent.
Now, the expressions of both the Land of Wind's Daimyō and the Sand's team leader, Rasa, were as black as the bottom of a pot.
However, although there was no suspense in this battle, it was not that boring.
Maki had even, at the beginning of the match, used his skilled Wind Release to suppress Yugito for a time.
Unfortunately, the attack power of his Wind Release was not enough to completely defeat a jinchuriki.
So, the moment his offensive slowed, he was taken out by the long-suppressed Yugito in a single combo.
At this point, besides Sasori, the other two members of the Sand team had suffered one death and one defeat.
If Sasori were to lose in the next match, they would probably have to crawl back to the Sand Village in shame.
For this, the Land of Wind's Daimyō had once again summoned Rasa and given him another lecture.
After a brief tidying of the field, the sixth match was announced.
This time, it was the last member of the Konoha squad, Torune Aburame's turn.
And his opponent was the blonde girl from the Cloud Village, Samui.
This match was another rather dull one.
Although Samui's appearance was quite popular with some of the audience, her combat power was...
It was unclear if it was because girls are afraid of bugs, but Samui's otherwise decent swordsmanship was almost completely useless in this battle.
As for her still-unmastered Lightning Release, it was also quite powerless against Torune Aburame's insects.
So, after a few minutes of a boring chase, the battle was over.
Torune Aburame won, Samui lost.
The seventh match: Mist's Mei Terumī vs. Grass's Mui.
Since Kyosuke's match, this one had been a relatively high-quality battle.
Mei Terumī, needless to say, with her two Kekkei Genkai and various strange and powerful ninjutsu, was a feast for the eyes.
And Mui had also held his own against her with his rather special Fire Release.
Although he was ultimately defeated, he had still earned the unanimous approval of the crowd.
The next, eighth match was between the Stone's only remaining contestant, Akatsuchi, and a ninja from a small village who had luckily advanced.
The result was no surprise. Akatsuchi had directly KO'd his opponent with just his clay giant.
And with that, the round of 16 was over, and the top eight had been decided.
From Konoha, the qualifiers were Uchiha Kyosuke and Torune Aburame.
From the Mist Village, the contestants were Mei Terumī and Kisame Hoshigaki.
From the Sand Village, Sasori of the Red Sand.
From the Stone Village, Akatsuchi.
From the Cloud Village, Darui and Yugito Nī.
"The young people these days are really something else," Jiraiya, who had returned from the front lines, couldn't help but sigh with emotion as he watched the contestants' performance.
"Heh heh, are you afraid of being surpassed by them, Jiraiya?" a hoarse voice sounded from behind him.
"Haha, it'll be another hundred years before these young people can surpass me. Right, Orochimaru?" Jiraiya said with a loud laugh to the person behind him.
The newcomer was one of the Sannin, Orochimaru.
The two of them had been ordered to secretly escort the Daimyō of the various countries, which was why they were here now.
Just then, Kyosuke and Minato, who had noticed their arrival, also walked over.
"Kyosuke-kun, your strength has improved very quickly," Orochimaru said, first praising Kyosuke as he slowly walked up to him. He then asked with a hint of curiosity, "That powerful Body Flicker Technique, did you create it yourself?"
"That's right," Kyosuke said without batting an eye.
"Not bad," Orochimaru said coolly. At the same time, his gaze swept over the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi at Kyosuke's waist.
Kyosuke keenly sensed his gaze and proactively drew the sword and handed it to him.
Orochimaru took it and examined it carefully. "A very good replica. It could almost pass for the real thing."
Kyosuke knew that Orochimaru's assessment was very accurate. From the original story, he probably had at least two real Kusanagi swords in his possession.
As for whether Orochimaru had obtained them yet, Kyosuke had no way of knowing.
After handing the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi back to Kyosuke, Orochimaru turned to look at the competition venue and asked without turning his head, "So, are you confident in the upcoming battles?"
"About seventy percent," Kyosuke said honestly.
"Mm, that's understandable. After all, the Cloud has sent a jinchuriki this time. It won't be easy to win. And..." As Orochimaru spoke, his gaze shifted to the Mist's seats.
At the same time, a glint flashed in his eyes.
Kyosuke, who knew Orochimaru well, knew that he was interested in Mei Terumī.
To be precise, he was interested in her two Kekkei Genkai.
However, no matter how interested he was now, he probably wouldn't dare to make a move.
At least, before defecting, Orochimaru would not dare to do anything untoward to the young genius of the Mist.
One wrong move, and it would be a major diplomatic incident.
For Orochimaru, who was currently competing for the position of Hokage, it was not worth the risk.
(End of Chapter)
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