At dawn on March 3rd, the three-hundred-meter body of the Heavenly Colossus cast its shadow across the entire arena.
The golden-painted crown reflected the morning light, making it difficult to open one's eyes.
On the viewing platform, the Land of Fire Daimyo caressed the gilded railing, overlooking the ninjas like ants below.
A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes gleamed with calculation.
A moment later, his voice echoed through the valley via a loudspeaker. "Welcome, everyone, to the Strongest Ninja Tournament. Today, the title of the strongest in the Ninja World will be born here. Let the games begin."
A deafening cheer erupted from the audience.
The previous matches were like child's play. The battles of Genin and Chunin were mere appetizers in the Daimyo's eyes.
He leaned lazily back in his seat until a crimson figure leaped into the arena.
"Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi requests to challenge Third Arena Master Hiruzen!"
Lava exploded beneath Roshi's feet, forming spiderweb cracks. He ripped off his upper garment, revealing a chest covered in Fuinjutsu patterns. Even more shockingly, he spat at Hiruzen.
Roshi's voice was full of provocation. "I heard that when you were Third Hokage, you embezzled a lot of Konoha's money? Today, I will seek justice for Konoha's villagers."
Upon hearing this, the Konoha ninjas in the audience looked at Hiruzen, and a flicker of anger crossed their eyes.
Hiruzen slowly stood up, removing his hat and coat, revealing the Sengoku era armor underneath. Every scratch on that armor spoke of countless life-and-death struggles.
Hiruzen's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone. "Young man, what do you know? Let's fight."
Knowing his opponent was strong, he quickly formed hand signs and slammed his hands on the ground.
Summoning Jutsu!
Amidst the white smoke, the figure of Enma gradually became clear.
"Enma, transform into the Adamantine Staff!"
Upon hearing this, Enma immediately transformed into a black staff and quickly flew into Hiruzen's hand.
Roshi laughed wildly, his skin began to bubble, and an orange-red Tailed Beast Chakra cloak surged like lava.
Tailed Beast Transformation: First Stage!
Amidst the audience's gasps, the Adamantine Staff, transformed from Enma, collided with the lava giant's fist.
A pungent odor permeated the air, and Hiruzen's iconic beard curled from the heatwave.
He quickly retreated, forming hand signs.
Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!
Three fire dragons lunged at Roshi from different angles, but they were swatted away by four suddenly extended lava tails.
Roshi's body continuously swelled. When fully Tailed Beast transformed, the sixty-meter-tall body of the Four-Tails ripped a hole in the Colossus's shadow.
Adamantine Prison Wall!
Hiruzen summoned four Adamantine barriers, attempting to trap the Four-Tails. However, the lava breath instantly burned the Adamantine Staff red hot, causing it to collapse into a puff of smoke and disappear.
The Four-Tails' tail swept across the stands, and the bulletproof glass in front of the Daimyo instantly developed spiderweb cracks.
The guards nervously surrounded him, but the Daimyo waved them off.
The Daimyo suddenly stood up and applauded. "Excellent! Simply excellent! Roshi, congratulations on being promoted to Sixth Arena Master. And please, for my sake, let's cease hostilities. As for the Third Hokage, he retains his original ranking."
Seeing Enma injured, a flicker of anger crossed Hiruzen's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
When Ōnoki floated into the arena, the Iwagakure ninjas in the audience collectively shouted the name "Ōnoki."
Although this Third Tsuchikage was small in stature, the oppressive aura he exuded silenced the entire arena.
To everyone's surprise, he flew directly to the Fourth Arena.
"Chiriku, the head monk of the Fire Temple, do you dare to accept my challenge?"
Chiriku's Zen staff gently tapped the ground, and he leaped onto the arena, the nine rings clashing to produce a clear Buddhist chant.
This kind-faced old monk smiled and looked up. "Your Excellency Third Tsuchikage, you are of noble status."
Seeing Ōnoki challenge Chiriku as soon as he appeared, the Land of Fire Daimyo's expression turned somewhat grim.
Ōnoki's strength was astonishing, and Chiriku was his man. If Chiriku were injured or killed, it would be a great loss.
So the Daimyo could only interject suddenly, "Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki is exempt from battle. Automatically promoted to Seventh Arena Master."
Ōnoki's Dust Release flickered in his palm. That translucent cube contained the power to disintegrate all things.
He coldly scanned the Daimyo, finally snorting, and floated to the Seventh Arena.
A leaped from the shoulder of the three-hundred-meter-tall Colossus, his Lightning Release Chakra burning his descent into a blue-white streak of light.
Boom...
The landing shockwave overturned the front-row seats, and Fugaku's black robe flapped wildly.
A loudly proclaimed, "Fourth Hokage Uchiha Fugaku! Let me see your true strength!"
Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan instantly activated, three tomoe rapidly rotating to form a complex pattern.
He used the Body Flicker Technique to appear on the arena, narrowly tilting his head to dodge the Fourth Raikage's punch. The heavy blow grazed his ear, shattering the stone pillar behind him.
Lightning Release: Lariat!
The Fourth Raikage transformed into a lightning tornado, and the entire arena was enveloped in blue-white electrical light.
Fugaku continuously leaped backward, forming hand signs rapidly.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A giant fireball, over ten meters in diameter, roared forth. However, the Fourth Raikage, with his Lightning Release Chakra Armor, charged directly into the fireball.
Lightning and flames intertwined, emitting a deafening roar.
"Hokage-sama!"
Konoha ninjas collectively stood up, their hands already on their ninja tool pouches.
Fugaku's Mangekyo spun madly.
Susanoo: First Stage!
A green skeletal frame appeared out of thin air. Although it was only a half-body form, it successfully blocked the Raikage's fatal blow. A's heavy punch collided with Susanoo, but only produced a few cracks on the green skeletal frame.
Liger Bomb!
Lightning Release: Lariat!
The Fourth Raikage's continuous attacks were like a torrential storm, each blow powerful enough to shatter mountains.
Although Fugaku's Susanoo was not broken, his ocular power was rapidly depleting, and fine beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. At the critical moment, blood suddenly flowed from Fugaku's left eye.
The right arm of the green Susanoo suddenly materialized, punching the Fourth Raikage out of the arena.
A twisted his body in mid-air, his Lightning Release Chakra exploding a cushioning wave at his feet, finally kneeling on one knee at the boundary line.
He looked up at Fugaku, his eyes filled with both shock and admiration.
The Daimyo clapped his hands repeatedly, a unnatural flush on his face.
"Excellent! Simply excellent! This battle is a draw! Congratulations to the Fourth Raikage on being promoted to Eighth Arena Master!"
Fugaku retracted his Susanoo, secretly wiped away the bloodstain from the corner of his eye, and returned to the First Arena.