The first match concluded with thunderous applause. The masterful swordsmanship and dazzling techniques displayed by Sakumo Hatake and Seieki had thoroughly captivated the audience. Common civilians had rarely witnessed such an electrifying display of life-and-death combat, where steel clashed with lightning. They responded with enthusiastic applause, their anticipation building for the upcoming matches.
Jinghang offered a brief tactical analysis while Hiruzen Sarutobi and A gradually settled into their roles as commentators.
"In my assessment," Hiruzen remarked diplomatically, "these two shinobi are remarkably well-matched. Their prowess in both swordsmanship and ninjutsu is exceptional. In actual combat, the outcome would be far from certain."
"With all due respect," the Third Raikage A responded frankly, "I must disagree. Victory is absolute—in real combat, even half a move's difference determines life or death. Lord Hokage, there's no need for modesty. Your subordinate clearly demonstrated superior experience."
A appeared unconcerned about Seieki's defeat, which was understandable. Being seven or eight years younger than the legendary White Fang of the Leaf, even such a narrow loss suggested Seieki's immense potential.
Noting the intermission's end, Jinghang leaned toward the microphone. "Now for our second match—Kōichi Tsukigami of Kumogakure versus Shōchō Aburame of Konohagakure! Contestants, enter the arena!"
As the fighters appeared, Jinghang's eyes widened in recognition.
Damn! This Kōichi is the future Fourth Raikage!
He matched his manga appearance perfectly—golden hair, built like a young bull. At barely twenty, he lacked his future beard and stress lines, but his mere presence exuded natural authority. Every casual stance proclaimed his status as Kumogakure's crown prince.
In contrast, Shōchō Aburame cut a less impressive figure. Like all Aburame clan members, he wore their signature long white hooded jacket and dark sunglasses, his posture slightly hunched. Yet beneath that unremarkable exterior lurked one of the ninja world's most formidable weapons—swarms of chakra-feeding insects. The Aburame clan had perfected their insect-based techniques to handle any battlefield situation. As the saying went: "Throughout Naruto, Shino never tasted defeat!"
"Begin!" Jinghang activated the signal.
What happened next left the arena stunned.
Almost simultaneously with the starting signal, Kōichi activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and materialized before Shōchō.
"Lightning Plough Hot Sword!"
His arm, thick as a pillar, struck Shōchō's neck with devastating precision. The Aburame shinobi flew several meters before crumpling motionless.
Shōchō didn't even have time to struggle before losing consciousness.
"Is... is it over already?" Jinghang could barely believe his eyes.
"Heh, my son didn't violate any rules, did he?" The Third Raikage A asked with barely concealed pride.
"I suppose... he didn't," Jinghang admitted after consideration.
The safety officer, the Fourth Tsuchikage, checked Shōchō's pulse and announced to the judges' platform: "No life-threatening injuries! Carotid artery strike induced shock!"
Two medical-nin immediately entered to carry Shōchō away on a stretcher.
Jinghang finally snapped from his daze and signaled the match's end.
The entire bout had lasted less than a second.
The audience seemed bewildered, some having missed it in a single blink.
"HAHAHA!" The Third Raikage's laughter boomed across the arena. "Before absolute speed and power, all fancy techniques are meaningless!"
The audience finally processed what they'd witnessed. Though lacking the spectacular display of the previous match, Kōichi's overwhelming strength earned their enthusiastic approval.
"This guy's insane—took down a Leaf jonin with one move!"
"Such raw power—he could handle any mission!"
"Too fast—I just took a sip of water and missed it!"
"Never knew ninja fights could end so quickly—eye-opening!"
Jinghang knew that Shōchō Aburame wasn't truly so weak—Kōichi's lightning victory had been strategically brilliant. As the ancient saying went, "Of all martial arts, speed reigns supreme." This principle held especially true in the ninja world. Why allow an Aburame to deploy their insects and enter a prolonged battle of attrition? Jinghang would likely have chosen the same approach.
After his victory, Kōichi didn't immediately leave the arena, instead acknowledging his applauding audience with theatrical waves.
Suddenly, he faced the judges' platform and boldly pointed his index finger at Jinghang, his expression unmistakably challenging.
You won the match, fine, but why point at me? What's your problem? Haven't had enough? Want to fight me?
Jinghang was completely puzzled.
The Third Raikage spoke up. "Heh, Lord Kazekage, please excuse my son's impudence. You've long been his aspiration to surpass."
Then he grabbed the microphone and began berating his son:
"You impudent brat! What are you showing off for?! The match is over—why are you still loitering?! Get off the arena NOW!"
Kōichi, fearless of everything except his father, hurriedly scurried away, causing the audience to burst into laughter.
Jinghang thought to himself, What aspiration? I don't even know him!
Yet the Third Raikage spoke truth—Jinghang had indeed become Kōichi's primary rival.
Unknown to Jinghang, his remarkable achievements since debut had captured widespread attention throughout the ninja world, especially after becoming Kazekage. Defeating the White Fang at Lishi Fortress, outmaneuvering Danzō in a thousand-mile pursuit, securing consecutive victories over Ōnoki and two generations of Tsuchikage in the Rock-Sand War—such accomplishments marked him as an exceptional talent by any standard.
Among the elite fighters of Jinghang's generation, only Kōichi approached his level. However, Kōichi had been disadvantaged by his father keeping him training in the mountains, only emerging during the later stages of the Earth-Lightning War. Though his combat record impressed many, it couldn't match Jinghang's achievements.
The character for "Jing" in Jinghang's name contained "sun," while Kōichi's name contained "moon." Some dubbed them the "Sun and Moon Heroes" of the new generation.
This irked Kōichi—why should he be the moon to Jinghang's sun, merely because the other debuted earlier? Dissatisfied, he trained with even greater intensity, always hoping to challenge Jinghang. The Third Raikage, far from discouraging this rivalry, actively supported it, sending cartloads of premium provisions to his son's training cave.
After all, young people need worthy goals to drive their self-improvement—otherwise, how could they be called young?
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