Back in Konoha, the competition had finally reached the "Individual Match" stage.
In this stage, two opposing teams would send their participants to compete in one-on-one matches until one side could defeat all the participants from the other team.
Of course, since this competition was made public, Tobirama tweaked a few rules a bit to give every student a chance to shine before the crowd, merchants, and Fire Country officials.
According to the rule, each participant could engage in a maximum of three one-on-one matches unless they were the only remaining participant from their teams.
Tobirama was fully aware of the combat prowess of top-tier talents like Hyuga Itsuki, Uchiha Reina, and his son, Senju Seimei.
If he didn't enact this rule, these three would likely eliminate all the participants from the opposing teams on their own during the individual matches.
In such a situation, how could the other participants from their teams shine and showcase their talents to the crowd?
How could Tobirama showcase the power and the potential of each single prodigy participating in this tournament, flaunt the power of their next generation Shinobi, and attract generous funds and missions from the wealthy merchants and Fire Country officials?
Unacceptable.
So, Tobirama added this extra rule to ensure every participant could get a chance to shine and make the competition even more exciting.
After all, an intense clash between opponents of equal strength was far more exciting than witnessing a one-sided beating by an overpowered Shinobi.
Haaah! The things he had to do for the future of Konoha.
Who could understand that?
His elder brother?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
That idiot of a first Hokage is busy goofing around and visiting gambling dens all over Konoha.
Fortunately, He, Senju Tobirama, was here.
Otherwise, Konoha's future would have truly been bleak!
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The individual matches were about to begin, and the first one would be held between the members of Team 1-S and Team 4-S.
Nara Shikamo looked at the scrolls scattered on the table before turning his head toward Seimei.
"If my deductions are correct, the captain of Team 4-S, Kamishiro Renji, will prefer to conserve his chakra and stamina to deal with our top fighters in the end."
"Naturally, with his cautious personality, he will send his other teammates first, and join the fray only if none of his teammates are left standing."
"Seimei, you have huge chakra reserves."
"None of us can match your vitality and chakra capacity except Reina."
"So, I will choose you as the first participant to go up for this round."
"If possible, defeat three members from Team 4-S."
"Leave the other two, including Kamishiro Renji, to us."
Seimei nodded and gave a thumbs-up, "No problem. I will deal with them."
"If not for the strange rule, I would have liked to wipe out all five participants from Team 4-S all by myself."
Uchiha Touma interjected, "Yeah, that rule is strange."
Nara Shikamo shook his head and replied, "The higher-ups probably introduced this rule to ensure all of us could showcase our combat prowess."
"As for why…I could make a few guesses. But let's not dwell on it."
Uzumaki Keiko responded, "As expected of a Nara. You deduced this much in such a short time."
"Seimei was right. When you're in trouble, just grabbing a few Nara is the way to go."
"Cough," hearing Uzumaki Keiko's statement, Shikamo coughed uncomfortably.
As a result, Keiko turned her head toward Shikamo with an innocent expression, as if she meant no harm.
Keiko: 🤗🤗
Shikamo: 🤨🤨
Keiko: (≧∇≦)ﾉ
Shikamo: (っ °Д °;)っ
Everyone else in the room: ( ͡°( ͡° ͜ʖ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ʖ ͡°) ͡°)
Seimei, who suggested grabbing a Nara to solve every problem: (～￣▽￣)～
Seimei chimed in to dispel the awkward atmosphere, "Anyway, don't worry, Shikamo."
"I will go, beat them black and blue, and get us three guaranteed victories."
Sarutobi Yuto spoke, "Well, maybe just hold back a little."
"They are ninja from our own village, after all."
Others also nodded their heads in agreement.
Seimei sighed and said, "Fine."
At that moment, Seimei and others saw the referee calling out the first participant from Team 4-S.
Then, they saw a black-haired, dark-eyed, 10-year-old kid walking into the battle arena amidst the cheers from the crowd.
The referee called out from the middle of the stadium once again, "And now, Team 1-S, please send your first participant to the arena within a minute."
Shikamo told Seimei, "That's your cue."
"I'm sure you have already read his information."
"He is Shimura Hoka. A competent Shinobi with incredible skills in Kenjutsu, Wind Release, and Earth Release."
Seimei heard the explanation, nodded slightly, and then murmured, "Maybe I should just scorch him black."
"That should be quick and efficient, right?"
With that, Seimei walked toward the arena to face his first opponent.
Meanwhile, Shikamo, who heard what Seimei said, felt sweat drops covering his forehead.
Now, he could only pray for Shimura Hoka, the poor soul, who was about to face Seimei's terrifying Ninjutsu.
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In the battle arena, Seimei and Shimura Hoka were standing in front of each other, waiting for the referee to signal the start of the match.
Seimei had nothing to say. He just wanted to finish his three matches quickly and chill in the resting area.
However, his opponent had other plans.
Shimura Hoka sized Seimei up, puffed his chest, and looked at him arrogantly. All these signs told Seimei that his Shimura guy didn't even bother researching the opponents he was about to face.
Otherwise, if he read the intel on Seimei's strength, he wouldn't dare to look down on him so condescendingly.
Instead, he would be scrambling to look for ways to end the fight while taking the least amount of damage.
From the resting place, Uchiha Reina observed everything going on at the stage with her crimson, two-tomoe Sharingan.
This guy really has a death wish, huh?
Meanwhile, on the stage, Shimura Hoka finally began trash-talking.
"So, you are from the Senju clan?"
"You don't look like much."
"Did they send you to test the waters?"
So, this guy also inherited the unique trait of the Shimura clan: Trash-talking?
Interesting.
His face and eyes already look so sinister.
I wonder what he will look like once I roast him black with a couple of Fire Release Ninjutsu.
As these thoughts flashed in Seimei's mind, he couldn't help but ask, "Weren't you the one who was defeated and eliminated first during the Group stages?"
Hearing this, Shimura Hoka's face flushed with embarrassment and rage.
He retorted, "This is all because of that damn Uchiha girl."
"I was just careless for a second and accidentally fell for her Genjutsu."
"Next time, I will surely defeat her."
"I won't give her a chance to pull the same underhanded tactics."
Wow! Ignorance is bliss, indeed.
I don't even dare to spout such nonsense in front of her.
You're really brave, brother!
Does that mean being stupid makes you inherently brave?
I will surely bestow a banquet of flowers on your grave and engrave these words on your tombstone: The Shimura, the Uchiha's Witch, and the Audacity of this Bitch!
Seimei was truly speechless this time.
He couldn't help but give this guy a thumbs-up in his mind while simultaneously praying for his safety.
Suddenly, Seimei heard the referee speak, which pulled him out of his inner monologue.
"The first match of the individual stage: Shimura Hoka Vs. Senju Seimei…"
"Begins!"
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