"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Sizzle!"
The two jutsu collided, their chakra energies canceling each other out, creating a vast cloud of steam in the center of the arena that blocked the spectators' view. From within the white mist came only the rapid "ping-ping-pang" sounds of clashing blades.
"Wow, these 2000 ryo were well spent! This is exciting!"
"Indeed! With water and fire, it's so thrilling!"
"Hey, why can't we see anything now?"
...
After a while, as the white mist dispersed, the two were still "crossing blades" in the arena.
"Sakumo Hatake's swordplay is tricky and fierce, while Niyaku's style is bold and sweeping. Each has their strengths, truly well-matched! Look! Niyaku's double-sword throat lock - excellent! But Sakumo Hatake dodged it with an iron bridge move! Such impressive body control! Sakumo counter-attacks with a spinning slash - oh! Niyaku blocked it with his sword handle! The sword handle! How clever..."
Jinghang commentated with rapid-fire enthusiasm. Under such down-to-earth commentary, the audience could better understand the battle situation, becoming more engaged and responding more passionately.
Meanwhile, Third Hokage Hiruzen and Third Raikage Ai looked at Jinghang as if he were an idiot.
You're a ninja who's fought in battles for years, why get so excited? Haven't you seen this before? Haven't you fought before? And what kind of amateur commentary is this?
As the battle reached a stalemate, Hiruzen pushed his cup towards Jinghang.
"Kazekage, have some water, don't get too excited."
Jinghang turned off the microphone, said thanks, and drained the cup in one go.
"Come on, you two elders, don't just sit there! Don't let me do all the talking, it lacks excitement!"
"What!"
Both leaders exclaimed in surprise.
Jinghang understood immediately and lowered his voice.
"Elders, every spectator here paid 2000 ryo for their ticket. If they're not satisfied with the show, it will seriously affect your share of the profits."
"There are profits?"
Hiruzen asked in surprise.
"Of course! For such a competitive event, wouldn't it be a waste not to make some money? Since your ninja villages are participating, naturally you get a share."
Jinghang explained.
"Hmph, how much could it be? Kazekage, don't get so caught up in money matters. You're a village leader!"
Third Raikage Ai said disdainfully.
"Well, we're not as wealthy as Kumogakure. Sunagakure is poor. Look, for a match like this, 50,000 people, 2000 ryo each, that's 100 million ryo."
"How much!?"
"100 million, per match!"
Jinghang held up one finger.
Third Raikage calculated rapidly in his mind. 100 million per match, twenty-four matches total, that's 2.4 billion! Damn, how many S-rank missions would it take to earn that much? Think about it, how many war-torn villages could be rebuilt with such money? How many war orphans could be supported? How many...
"So how much can we get...?"
Third Hokage Hiruzen asked. Third Raikage also looked on expectantly.
"Well, since Sunagakure is hosting this tournament, providing the venue and services, we naturally take the larger share. Sunagakure gets 60%, the remaining 40% is split among your four villages, 10% each."
"Ten percent!"
Third Raikage seemed to think it was too little.
"Ten percent is quite good! You're just providing a few people, with no real losses. The event organization and venue construction were all handled by Sunagakure alone."
The two "leaders" thought about it and figured he had a point. 240 million was 240 million - it was practically free money.
"Besides, this First Ninja Way Tournament isn't just a one-time event. Future tournaments could be held in other ninja villages."
Jinghang casually dropped the "bait."
"Hmm, good idea. I think the next tournament should be held in Konohagakure."
Hiruzen stroked his beard.
"Get lost, you old monkey! The next tournament should be in Kumogakure!"
...
While the two leaders argued loudly on the platform, the battle situation had changed again.
Sakumo Hatake suddenly created distance between himself and Niyaku, sheathing his sword in a flash and rapidly forming hand signs.
"Lightning Release: Hellhound Technique!"
A dog made of lightning appeared in Sakumo's hands, charging diagonally at Niyaku with both canine howls and electric crackles.
Niyaku showed no fear, neither dodging nor retreating, calmly forming hand signs.
"Lightning Release: Righteous Thunder Wrath Lightning Axe!"
Blue light flashed from Niyaku's right leg, filled with powerful lightning chakra. He raised it high over his head, like a battle axe held aloft.
"Break!"
The "axe" crashed down, splitting the lightning hound in two! The remaining lightning chakra, like a thrown whip, continued towards Sakumo!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Sakumo slammed his palms to the ground, instantly raising a thick earthen wall with three dog heads. Niyaku's lightning struck the wall with an explosive boom.
"BOOM!"
Dust and earth flew everywhere.
Niyaku didn't hesitate, charging into the dust cloud with both swords.
The spectators had never seen such a spectacular scene, all standing up to cheer and shout.
"This is bad!"
Jinghang reacted immediately, quickly pressing the red light button.
By now, the two had been fighting for quite some time, neither giving an inch, constantly attacking, with tremendous consumption of both stamina and chakra. This dust cloud was the perfect opportunity for Niyaku to attack, but for Sakumo it was also an excellent chance to counter. Both were at their limits, likely to use their most lethal techniques.
The two leaders in the corner moved even faster, disappearing from view in an instant.
A sharp metallic clash rang out from within the dust, then all fell silent.
"What happened?"
"What happened?"
All spectators craned their necks, eagerly awaiting the final outcome.
As the dust settled, four figures were revealed in a strange tableau.
Sakumo's short sword was at Niyaku's throat, half an inch from his bobbing Adam's apple, the tip firmly blocked by Kushimaru's Nuibari.
Half a body length from Sakumo, Niyaku's two hook swords had cut into Sakumo's thigh, blood already seeping out. The blades appeared to have penetrated at least an inch, and his hands were firmly restrained by Fourth Tsuchikage Tsuchi.
If the two leaders hadn't intervened, one would likely have been decapitated and the other cut in half at the waist.
"Damn it, Niyaku, when will you break that nasty habit of attacking below the belt?"
Third Raikage cursed.
Hiruzen pulled Homura Mitokado aside to arrange medical treatment for Sakumo.
"Who the hell won?"
"Who won?"
The confused audience members whispered among themselves.
Jinghang cleared his throat.
"Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, wins by half a move!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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