The rules for the finals were simple. The sixteen winners from the four sub venues would decide their opponents by drawing lots, proceeding through a single elimination tournament until the final champion was determined.
Soon after, the draw began.
The first opponent Sora drew was Raidō Namiashi.
'Raidō Namiashi...' Sora looked at the cool faced black haired boy not far away.
He had some impression of this guy. In the original story, he later became one of the Fourth Hokage's bodyguards, skilled in using a black blade and also knowing the Flying Thunder God Formation technique, making him a fairly strong Jonin.
He just didn't know how strong this seven year old Raidō Namiashi was now.
'It should mainly be taijutsu and kenjutsu. At this age, he definitely hasn't started learning those advanced ninjutsu yet.' Sora quickly analyzed in his mind. 'To be safe, just finish it quickly with taijutsu.'
Just as the match was about to begin, a slight commotion came from the entrance of the main viewing stand.
A figure slowly walked in, radiating a cold, oppressive aura. Wherever he passed, the surrounding atmosphere seemed to freeze slightly.
It was the Hokage's advisor, Shimura Danzo.
However, the current Danzo was not yet like in the Naruto era, leaning on a cane, one eyed, with bandages wrapped around his arm. He just appeared somewhat cold.
But his arrival instantly made the originally relaxed atmosphere of the main viewing stand turn somewhat delicate.
Danzo walked straight to the empty seat next to Sarutobi Hiruzen and sat down, speaking in a low voice, "Hiruzen, I heard this year has produced a few promising sprouts?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression unchanged, and said calmly, "Yes, the children are all working hard. The future of Konoha is always full of hope."
Facing Danzo's arrival, Sarutobi Hiruzen inwardly scoffed, immediately guessing Danzo's purpose.
Without a doubt, it was to select some talented children worth cultivating and take them to the Root.
However, as long as things weren't serious, Sarutobi Hiruzen generally wouldn't interfere too much with Danzo's affairs, often turning a blind eye to him.
Danzo's gaze swept over the competitors below, pausing particularly on Sora, then said with meaning, "Hope? Hope also needs correct guidance and tempering to become the cornerstone protecting Konoha."
His gaze turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"I heard there's an orphan named Sora, with poor chakra talent, yet reached the finals relying on taijutsu, and even... can use an extremely powerful Great Fireball technique?"
"Such an anomaly necessitates an in depth evaluation by the Root to ensure his absolute loyalty to the village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand holding the pipe paused slightly, his eyes deepening. He naturally heard Danzo's subtext, he wanted to bring Sora into the Root.
"Danzo, evaluation is the responsibility of the ANBU," Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was steady but carried undeniable authority.
"That child Sora is a survivor of the Uzumaki clan, with physical abilities different from ordinary people. He is somewhat special. As for that fire release, he learned it from the Uchiha clan. There's no need to make a fuss."
Speaking to this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then continued in a deep voice.
"Moreover, he is currently a student of the Ninja Academy, a future Konoha ninja. Whether he turns out good or bad depends on the path he chooses himself. Guidance from the academy and his peers is important, but the final choice lies with him."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words were impartial. He neither denied Sora's uniqueness, nor directly obstructed Danzo, simply placing the judgment criteria on Sora's own performance.
He needed to see if this child could truly align with Konoha's path before deciding whether to intervene.
In the end, at this time, Danzo was someone Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted considerably.
But as Hokage, he couldn't allow Danzo's influence to expand unchecked.
Furthermore, although Sora was currently a genius, Konoha at this time was not lacking in geniuses or powerful combat strength.
The White Fang, the Sannin, the growing Nine Tails Jinchuriki, plus Sarutobi Hiruzen himself being at the peak Kage level strength, all gave him ample confidence. Therefore, he did not show any particular favor towards Sora.
And this was precisely why Sora decided not to hold back most of his strength and was determined to take first place in this assessment.
A barely noticeable sinister gleam flashed in Danzo's eyes. He knew Hiruzen was observing and waiting. He slightly nodded, no longer dwelling on this topic, but his tone remained icy.
"I hope your judgment is correct, Hiruzen. But for the absolute safety of the village, necessary surveillance is indispensable. If any unstable factors are discovered, the Root will take... necessary measures."
After saying this, he fell silent, just coldly watching the arena below, especially in Sora's direction, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey.
Sarutobi Hiruzen silently smoked his pipe, his brow imperceptibly furrowing slightly.
He understood Danzo's stubbornness and dark side all too well. Being targeted by him, Sora's future path would likely not be peaceful.
But as Hokage, he had to maintain a balance.
Below the stage, although Sora couldn't hear the specific conversation on the viewing stand clearly, Danzo's undisguised, cold, scrutinizing gaze made him feel as if needles were on his back. A bead of cold sweat even seeped out on his back.
'That old fox Danzo really came. And he's clearly targeting me.'
'Today, I must get first place, show enough value to attract Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention, giving him a reason to protect me.'
Just then, the referee's voice sounded. "First match, Sora versus Raidō Namiashi. Both contestants, enter the arena."
Sora gathered his thoughts, temporarily putting aside the pressure from the viewing stand, and walked into the center of the arena with a sharp gaze.
"Match begin." The teacher referee loudly announced.
Before his voice faded, Raidō Namiashi's eyes turned sharp. Without the slightest hesitation, his right hand quickly reached behind his waist.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Instantly, he threw three shuriken in a triangular formation, aiming at Sora's upper, middle, and lower body.
'An opening probe?' Sora's mind raced. His body swayed slightly like a reflex, easily dodging the shuriken with minimal movement.
His dynamic vision and physical reaction speed far exceeded those of his peers. Attacks of this level posed no threat to him.
However, the moment Sora dodged the shuriken, Raidō Namiashi moved. Unlike the other children Sora had encountered who charged directly, he quickly formed hand seals with both hands.
"Ninjutsu. Smoke Screen Technique."
Poof.
A small cloud of gray white smoke suddenly erupted in front of Sora. Although the range wasn't large, it was enough to briefly block vision.
'A smoke bomb? No, it's a simple Smoke Screen Technique.' Sora's mind shifted, immediately realizing his opponent's tactic.
Raidō Namiashi clearly understood the strength of Sora's taijutsu, so he had no intention of a direct clash. Instead, he used ninjutsu to create an opportunity.
Almost at the same time the smoke rose, Sora heard faint sounds of something cutting through the air from the side. Without thinking, he immediately leaped backward.
Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.
Several senbon needles grazed past the spot where he had just been standing, sticking into the ground.
'As expected. Use the smoke as cover while attacking from the side.' Sora landed, his expression turning serious.
He had indeed underestimated these future Jonin. Even now as seven or eight year old children, their combat thinking was already taking shape. They were definitely not brutes who only knew how to fight recklessly.
As the smoke gradually dispersed, Raidō Namiashi's figure appeared not far away. He was now holding an unsharpened short sword in his hand, his gaze sharp as he stared at Sora, assuming the opening stance of his family's sword technique.