On the massive screen above the arena, the conversation between Naruto and Sasuke played out, followed by the moment they launched forward—one glowing gold, the other crackling with blue lightning. Their sheer speed and power sent waves of excitement through the audience.
"Those two are incredible!"
"They're from Konoha, right? That village really does produce monsters!"
Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, the expressions of the four Kage were far from pleased.
Even the Raikage, known for his raw speed, narrowed his eyes.
"They're fast," someone muttered.
"Too fast," another replied.
The realization settled over them—these two had reached a level where only a handful in the world could keep up.
The massive 360-degree screen above the battlefield split into four sections, allowing the audience to follow multiple key moments in the competition. The system prioritized the most exciting footage, ensuring no highlight was missed.
And then—one of the screens caught everyone's attention.
In a shadowed corner of the battlefield, deep within the forest, a group of rogue ninjas was gathering.
At the center of it stood a young man with a ninja sword slung across his back. His name: Shinoda Juran.
A well-known rogue ninja, Shinoda wasn't just any wanderer—he had a reputation. And right now, he was using it to rally the outcasts.
"For too long, we've been dismissed as weak!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the trees. "But together, we are stronger than any of them!"
The crowd before him—rogue ninjas and warriors from smaller villages—listened intently.
"We don't need to fear the major villages!" he continued. "If we stand united, we can take them down!"
A murmur spread through the gathered fighters. Then, slowly, it turned into a chant.
"United! United!"
The forest echoed with their battle cry.
Few ninjas dared to approach the massive group—there were simply too many of them. Engaging meant almost certain defeat.
Shinoda Juran took full advantage of this, gathering more rogue ninjas as he moved across the battlefield. His growing force bulldozed through anyone in their path, sweeping up stragglers and outcasts like a tidal wave.
While this rogue faction grew in strength, other competitors fought their own battles across the field.
Chojuro, wielding his massive blade, cut down a five-man team with ease.
Kankuro's puppetry proved nearly unstoppable, each attack precise and relentless.
Kurotsuchi used her expert earth-style techniques alongside her formidable close-combat skills, making her a force to be reckoned with.
The warriors from the Cloud Village struck with their signature lightning-fast speed and thunder-based attacks.
Sakuragi's deadly wire techniques sliced through opponents with terrifying efficiency.
Tsuchiya's explosive fireballs detonated with immense power, overwhelming enemies in bursts of flame.
Every skilled ninja had their moment on the massive screen, each showcasing their unique strengths. No two battles were alike—every encounter was unpredictable, every victory uncertain.
And yet, no matter how intense the competition, one truth became painfully clear: this game was ruthless.
It was brutal.
It was spectacular.
And the audience? They couldn't get enough.
"This is insane!" someone shouted.
"Worth every single coin!" another cheered.
But while most competitors played cautiously, avoiding unnecessary risks, two figures had no such hesitation.
They didn't just fight—they dominated.
Naruto and Sasuke.
One blazing gold, the other crackling with blue lightning, the two tore through the battlefield like unstoppable forces of nature.
For most opponents, there was no time to react. A flash of gold, a streak of blue—before they even realized what had happened, their badge's light flickered and went dark.
An alert sounded in their minds.
"Eliminated! You have been eliminated!"
Many barely understood what had happened before they were forced out of the game.
Meanwhile, on the massive leaderboard, the rankings shifted constantly.
Sasuke held the top spot with 112 eliminations.
Naruto was close behind.
Then, in an instant, the rankings flipped.
Naruto took the lead with 121 eliminations.
The two remained locked in a relentless battle for first place, trading the top spot back and forth.
No one else even came close.
The audience didn't need names on the leaderboard to know who they were watching.
The golden and blue streaks flashing across the battlefield said it all.
They were untouchable.
--
The game continued.
Sakiya hovered at the center of the arena, watching the intense one-on-one battles unfold below. A spark of excitement flickered in her eyes.
"I really want to jump in and fight..." she muttered to herself.
Just then, a voice rang in her ear—Yamanaka Kaiichi relaying a message from Shikaku.
"Sakiya! The first shrinking phase is beginning!"
Her energy surged at the announcement, and a playful smirk appeared on her face.
"Hah! A battle of survival! A barrier that drains vitality!"
With a swift motion, she waved her hand.
"The absorption barrier is active!"
In an instant, a towering, transparent barrier appeared at the edge of the battlefield. It stretched endlessly into the sky, disappearing from sight.
Gasps filled the arena as spectators and competitors alike took notice of the shifting battlefield.
Konoha's broadcast system echoed through the competition zone:
"The first elimination barrier is closing in!"
"The first elimination barrier is closing in!"
The competitors quickly recalled the rules.
"Already? They're shrinking the battlefield this fast?"
Shikamaru squinted at the shimmering wall in the sky.
"Tch... what a pain."
The barrier's movement wasn't overwhelmingly fast, but it advanced steadily—matching the speed of a skilled runner.
Those near the edge quickly realized the danger.
"Move! We have to get inside!"
But the closing barrier wasn't the only hazard.
Sakiya glanced down at the battlefield, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Hmm~ where should we drop the big one?"
Moments later, Shikaku's next order came through.
"Sakiya, the randomized selection has chosen the 2-3k zone for bombardment."
Her smile widened.
"Got it!"
Without hesitation, she activated the next phase.
A massive glowing sigil formed in the sky, covering an enormous three-kilometer-wide section of the battlefield.
Konoha's loudspeakers blared:
"Incoming bombardment!"
"Incoming bombardment!"
"Seek cover immediately!"
Competitors across the field froze.
"Wait… bombardment? What does that mean?"
Those inside the targeted area quickly figured it out.
A sharp-eyed Iwa ninja glanced up—and his face went pale.
"Whoa… that's actually kind of beautif—OH CRAP!"
Fiery streaks rained from the sky like a meteor storm.
Panic erupted.
"Earth Style! Moving Earth Core!" the Iwa ninja shouted, his hands forming seals at lightning speed.
The ground beneath him shifted, forming makeshift trenches and barriers—an impromptu air raid shelter.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The firestorm hit. The ground trembled under the impact as waves of explosions rippled across the battlefield.
Some areas were struck with terrifying intensity, leaving behind scorched craters. Other sections had just enough gaps in the bombardment for skilled fighters to slip through.
Many competitors, caught off guard, were instantly eliminated.
For some, the barrage exceeded their defensive limits. But the competition's safety measures activated—ensuring no one was seriously harmed.
And in the middle of it all…
Naruto and Sasuke.
Both were right in the danger zone.
Their reactions, however, were completely different.
Naruto braced himself and unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra arms, shielding his body against the inferno.
Sasuke countered with Lightning Style, dispersing the flames before they could even reach him.
The audience was captivated.
"They have completely different styles."
"But both of them are monsters in their own right."
"They're cutting through everyone like nothing!"
"I just want to see what happens when they run into that massive rogue ninja army. Over a hundred fighters versus these two—who do you think wins?"