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The stadium had grown restless. Whispers turned into impatient shouts.
"Where is he? The last Uchiha hasn't even appeared yet!"
"Did he forfeit?!"
The match was supposed to begin, but the audience's anticipation only grew with each passing second. Eyes scanned the gates, searching for Sasuke Uchiha, the final competitor whose presence everyone had been waiting for.
Naruto stood near the edge of the battlefield, fists clenched and eyes fixed on the empty gate. "Where is he? I want to see him fight!"
Time ticked agonizingly slowly. Then, at the very last second, a blur of motion appeared on the horizon. Sasuke stepped onto the field, his Sharingan eyes sharp, followed closely by Kakashi, moving with calculated speed. The stadium erupted into cheers.
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A Word Before Battle
Naruto ran up to Sasuke, panting but determined. "Hey, Sasuke!" he called out, voice loud over the roar of the crowd. "Don't lose! I want to be the one to defeat you!"
Sasuke's gaze flickered toward him, unreadable yet slightly acknowledging. "Don't get in my way," he replied quietly. But his eyes betrayed the spark of determination Naruto knew so well.
The stage was set. The last match of the third round: Sasuke Uchiha versus Gaara of the Sand.
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Sasuke Fights Like Lee
Sasuke moved first, quickly assessing Gaara's sand defense. He danced and leaped with precise, flowing movements, eerily reminiscent of Rock Lee's style, a perfect imitation he had copied with his Sharingan. Spins, flips, and rapid strikes—each executed flawlessly.
Gaara's crimson eyes glowed as sand twisted violently around him. "You are reckless," Gaara said coldly, his sand forming an impenetrable dome around his body.
Sasuke's movements didn't falter. Using his copied speed and agility, he closed in, evading attacks that would have crushed most opponents. He analyzed Gaara's sand patterns, timing each strike with precision.
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Chidori Pierces the Sand Dome
Finally, Sasuke charged. Lightning crackled around his hand, forming the deadly Chidori. The crowd gasped as the glowing blade streaked forward, aiming directly for the core of Gaara's defense.
With a loud crack, the Chidori pierced Gaara's sand dome, piercing through the swirling shield and striking the exposed Jinchūriki. Gaara staggered, blood trickling from his mouth, his sand faltering.
The audience was frozen in shock. The power and precision of the Uchiha's attack was undeniable.
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Gaara Loses Control
Pain and rage flashed across Gaara's face as his blood mixed with chakra, the Shukaku inside him beginning to stir violently. His sand spun uncontrollably, lashing out at everything in range.
Sasuke didn't hesitate, moving carefully to dodge and counter as the crowd watched, awed by the clash of raw destructive power against precise, lightning-fast technique.
Naruto, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists. I've got to surpass him… I'll be the one to defeat Sasuke someday!
Kirito, hidden in the shadows, analyzed the battle with cold calculation. Every movement, every overextension, every flaw and opening was cataloged. The Uchiha is strong… but predictably aggressive when he pushes his power. That's something to remember.
The battle raged on, faithful to the canon, as Sasuke and Gaara pushed each other to their limits, the stadium echoing with the chaos of their clash.
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