[Preliminary Results — Finalized]
Shikako Nara forced a Kusa-nin to forfeit via Shadow Possession.Nejire Hyūga defeated Hinata Hyūga — composed, precise, restrained.Shino Aburame defeated Choji Akimichi — patient chakra drain via kikaichū.Sai defeated Kiba Inuzuka — tactical ink clone victory.Kankurō defeated Kusa-nin — puppetry-based trap.
Naruto Uzumaki defeated Temari — through swordsmanship and raw chakra wave.Gaara defeated Rock Lee — iconic brutal victory.Sasuke Uchiha defeated Yoroi of Kusa— used cursed seal (unstable control).
[Bracket Announcement]
The arena had long since emptied of combatants. The blood and chakra residue of the preliminary rounds still clung faintly to the cracked stone floor. Above the arena, the Third Hokage, flanked by several proctors and council members, stood quietly as the final bracket was reviewed.
Genma Shiranui tapped the end of his senbon against the board lightly, murmuring to the Hokage:
"All matches finalized, Lord Hokage. Shall I post them?"
The aged Sandaime nodded. His gaze drifted over the battered group of remaining genin gathering below.
"Do it."
A wide roll of parchment was hoisted into place at the head of the arena. The large kanji for Final Tournament Bracket was written boldly across the top.
As the cloth unfurled, the names beneath each match became visible.
The murmur of the crowd rose immediately.
The remaining genin — standing in small knots — looked upward with sharp eyes. Even the most stoic among them leaned forward slightly.
Naruto Uzumaki stood alone toward the left edge of the floor, cloak still hanging loose over his shoulders. He gazed upward without moving.
Naruto Uzumaki vs Nejire Hyūga.
His brow furrowed faintly — not in fear, but in calculation.
A Hyūga... and not one who holds back. I can't let her control the pace — her eyes will read everything. I'll need more than raw strength this time.
Across the floor, Nejire Hyūga folded her arms calmly, eyes narrowing slightly at her own matchup.
Uzumaki Naruto... not reckless anymore. I watched him during the last match. He fights with intent now. Not like the boy who once trailed behind others.
Her breathing slowed — steady as ever. This will be a true test. Good.
Near the center, Sasuke Uchiha glanced up at the next line:
Sasuke Uchiha vs Gaara.
A faint pulse of dark heat stirred beneath his collar — the cursed seal still unstable.
His jaw tightened. Gaara... that pressure he gives off... even now, I can feel it. No choice but to face him head-on. And if the cursed power helps me survive — then so be it.
Far across the room, Gaara stood alone, unreadable. His pale eyes flicked toward the board once — then down toward Sasuke with a faint, hungry gleam.
I will test you, Uchiha.
Shikako Nara smirked faintly at her own matchup:
Shikako Nara vs Shino Aburame.
Tch. A slow grinder of a fight if I let it be. I'll need to control the battlefield early — or drown in his patience.
Her mind was already spinning options.
Sai simply tilted his head at his pairing:
Sai vs Kankurō.
Emotionless as ever. Puppets or insects — both are controlled by strings. My ink will cut them.
Genma stepped forward again, voice rising clearly:
"Attention! The official tournament will take place in one month's time. Train well — you will be fighting before the Lord Daimyō and the nobility. This is not merely a test of skill — it is your introduction to the world as future chūnin."
He flicked his senbon lazily but his gaze sharpened.
"Do not waste this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward next, voice layered with age and wisdom.
"The matches are final. You are dismissed to your training. Remember — a true shinobi adapts, prepares, and survives."
His gaze swept over the room — lingering, again, on Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Two storm clouds gathering.
As the crowd began to shift and murmur, preparing to depart, a faint voice whispered within the shadows of the arena — unheard by any save one.
Orochimaru, still cloaked beneath his disguise, smiled thinly.
"One month... and my little snake will bloom."
His golden eyes gleamed faintly as they settled on Sasuke's retreating form.
Meanwhile, Naruto turned without hesitation — already knowing where he would go next.
Hayate-sensei... it's time. I need more than brute force now.
A shadow of determination burned in his eyes as he vanished into the corridors.