Kurenai approached Anko and Kakashi.
"Hey, Kurenai sensei," Sakura greeted
"Hey Sakura, great job during your last fight," complimented Kurenai
"Thank you." Sakura beamed
Anko smiled, "I'm assuming you didn't come over just to say hi."
"You're right; you both know about Gaara's reputation. Kiba was dismissive of my worries, but if he's in danger, I have to ask if you two can help me keep him alive."
"You didn't even have to ask," replied Kakashi
"I'll help, too!" exclaimed Naruto
"You can't, Naruto; you'll be disqualified if you interfere." Explained Anko
"But I don't even fight this round."
"Doesn't matter, don't risk it."
Kurenai interrupted the argument. "Thanks again, you two; I'd better get back to Kiba."
Several minutes later, Kiba and Gaara were announced to the arena, but only Kiba showed up; the crowd began to murmur in confusion. In the skybox, the Raikage confronted Rasa.
"Do you have any idea where your son is? I would expect a child of a Kage to be more punctual."
Rasa scoffed. "That boy's mind is an enigma to me, but if you're worried if he will show up, then do not fret. Fighting is the boy's only interest. I just hope he wasn't engaging in any extracurricular activities."
Hiruzen's eyes darted; "The rumors about Suna's mad Jinchuriki child had been coming out of Suna for years. Are you telling me you let him wander around with no supervision?"
"I am his supervisor; the boy wouldn't dare do anything with me around; he fears me too much."
"If that's the case, why are there rumors that he terrorizes his village?" A accused
Rasa gritted his teeth. "I recommend you not speak on matters that you do not know of. In a few minutes, you will see the boy's brutality on full display."
The crowd's murmurs turned to jeers as the time limit approached. Kiba stood alone in the arena, Akumaru growling low at his side.
"Where the hell is he?" Kiba muttered. In truth, he wasn't all that excited to fight this guy after all the warnings he'd gotten, but winning by disqualification would feel hollow.
After four and a half minutes, a shadow lurched from the tunnel. Gaara emerged, his steps sluggish, his eyes darker than usual.
Kurenai held ready as she locked eyes with Anko and Kakashi, who were both prepared to act.
The proctor addressed Gaara.
"Are you ready?"
Gaara didn't answer; his gaze locked onto Kiba, but Naruto noticed there wasn't hunger in them earlier; it was just a hollow stare.
The proctor, tired of hearing the upset crowd, started the match
"Begin"
"Okay, Akumaru, let's go all out."
He and Akumaru spun like twin hurricanes, a blur of fangs and claws twirled in the air toward Gaara. As they closed in, they both hit a barrier of sand that stopped their advance and began grinding against it. Akumaru, still recovering from his injuries, couldn't handle the friction and fell out of the technique, whining in pain. Kiba continued yelling as his technique began to spin faster. He slowly began to dig his way closer and closer to Gaara.
Gaara then looked up and put out a hand as the sand engulfed Kiba; everyone immediately went into action; before Gaara could harm him,
But in the seconds this took place, Gaara waited. For the snarl of "Crush him" from mother, for the itch in his palms begging him to squeeze. But Mother was silent. No command came.
As many as Anko, Kakashi, Kurenai, and a few Proctors were a few feet away from him. As the sand loosened and Kiba dropped like a stone, Akuamru ran to his partner, licking his face.
The crowd was silent until someone yelled
"That's it!" someone shouted
Gaara didn't react as he turned away from KIba, who was coughing up bits of sand.
The proctor called the match.
"Winner Gaara."
In the skybox, Rasa was dumbfounded. Did the boy show mercy? It was impossible; he wasn't even human.
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and spoke.
"That was some brutality; looks like you don't know your son like you thought you did."
Rasa exhaled sharply. "It's no matter; he still totally outclassed his opponent."
Kurenai crouched over to Kiba.
"Are you okay?"
Kiba spat out some more sand.
"Dammit, there was nothing I could do."
"At least you're alive, I told you, you stupid boy."
"Now go see your mother and sister,"
"Genma jumped down and addressed the three teachers. Rubbing the back of his hand awkwardly, "Hey guys, I know this was a special case, but if you guys interfere with a match again, we'll have to do something next time; I know it's stressful to watch your students come to harm, but were proctors for a reason, if things get out of hand we'll stop it next time."
"Got it won't happen again," Anko said with a mock salute.
As the fallout from the last match subsided, the next one was announced.
"Now for our next match, Karui vs. Nej.i"
The two entered the arena and faced each other before their fight.
"You should know that I'm not my cousin, and considering you narrowly beat her, I'll say that you have no chance to defeat me."
"We'll see about that, Hyuga."
"Begin "
Karui exploded forward, uncontrolled lightning chakra coursing through her blade as it carved a jagged path through the air. Neji sidestepped, but the lightning jumped, licking at his sleeve.
Annoying, he thought, but he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he pivoted into the eight trigram rotation, deflecting her next slash.
Karui grinned; she had watched his match with Temari, knowing that his technique could be countered. She just needed to figure out how. She stabbed her sword into the ground; as lightning surged, a crack struck Neji's rotation. Little by little, the perfect sphere of chakra began to falter as the Lightning disrupted it; it was Neji's last straw, and a small spark hit his knee. Clicking his tongue, he dodged backward.
The crowd roared.
Karui, giving him no time, pressured him, and her sword was a blur. Neji weaved through her strikes, his palms lashing out, but she was fast; ducking under a strike, she sank her teeth into his wrist.
Neji's eyes widened.
"RRGH!" he wrenched free, his wrist now bloody. Before Karui could spit in triumph, his fingers struck like vipers, and two went to her dominant arm, two quick jabs to her jaw.
Karui's mouth went slack as her sword clattered to the ground.
Karui spat or tried to, but her lips wouldn't obey. Instead, she headbutted him square in the nose.
Crack
Neji staggered, blood dripping down his chin, "Unbelievable."
Neji looked at her, enraged, "You fight like a rabid dog."
Karui couldn't speak, but she picked up her sword in her one good arm and began to channel Lightning through it.
Neji charged, and they clashed again. Neji deflected her sword with his gentle fist, which sent shocks up his arms, but he gritted his teeth as he had an opening and began counting the strikes.
2…
8…
16…
32…
Karui's legs gave out first, her muscles locking as Neji's final strike sealed the last of her chakra. She collapsed, twitching as her sword fell away from her.
"Winner, Neji!"
The crowd erupted, satisfied with the brutality of the fight. Neji turned to leave, but as he did, he fell to one knee, catching himself before he fell. He had no side comments or words for anyone as he walked past the medical ninjas, asking if he needed to be examined; as he made his own way to the medical bay, how did he struggle with an opponent that his cousin had on the ropes, as he continued, Hinata passed him coming back from the medical bay herself, seemingly in high spirits,
"Oh, cousin Neji, how did you fare in your fight?"
If it were possible, Neji would have rolled his eyes; he hated that, her endless kindness; he had shown her nothing but scorn and vitriol for years, but yet every time she spoke to him as she did when they were children. He wanted to do the usual, just give a sharp glare and walk past her, but he couldn't; he needed to know.
He stopped and looked directly into her eyes. "How did you fight her without sustaining any injury? I just defeated her, but her brutish fighting style made me look like a fool." Hinata, slightly surprised at her cousin's question, quickly answered to the best of her ability.
"Well, I studied her before my fight since I knew she was going to be my opponent. I asked some of the genin who faced her in the second exam, and they told me that she fought in an unpredictable manner, so I made an effort to keep my distance and struck at her when she was off guard, getting into a close range battle with an unpredictable opponent is a key weakness of our fighting style."
"Then tell me why you didn't strike her down. I saw everything. You had enough time to disable her before she used her technique to defeat you.
Hinata looked down. "I was afraid I might make a mistake and stop her heart; despite her being my opponent, I did not want to take the chance of ending her life."
Neji scoffed. "And there it is; I admit I was slightly impressed by the way you explained your tactical reasoning, but that weakness of heart that you have is why you'll always be a failure of a Hyuga."
Neji walked past her, continuing on his path. As he bent the corner of the tunnel, Hinata yelled after him.
"It was nice talking with you, cousin Neji."
Neji's hands turned into fists at his sides
"Damn that girl."
The announcer announced the next match.
"Now, for this next one, would Kurotsuchi and Sasuke come down into the arena?"
"You've got this, Sasuke."
"Yeah, don't be the only one of us to lose your first match."
"Trust me, I don't intend to."
Sasuke said as his eyes locked onto Kurotsuchi, who was staring dead at him on her way down.
The two met in the arena, "So we finally face off, Uchiha," she peered down at his scabbard, "Nice blade, to think that you took your declaration of defeating me with kenjutsu seriously…
Sasuke interrupted, "Are you here to fight or talk my ears off?"
Kurotsuhic furrowed her brow and huffed. "Excuse me for trying to be polite before embarrassing you," she waved a hand dismissively. "Proctor, begin the match."
The proctor rolled his eyes.
"Begin"
Kurotsuchi dashed forward, her blade already halfway drawn; as she slashed, a flash of steel was aimed for Sasuke's throat.
Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life, its crimson swirl tracking her movement, a hair too slow.
Their swords clashed, and a shower of sparks erupted between them. Each strike forced Sasuke back little by little; her rhythm was relentless, with her footwork cutting off angles for him to counter.
She was far and away the fastest opponent Sasuke had fought.
He planted his heel, redirecting her momentum with a block, then pivoted into a wide-sweeping strike. She deflected it effortlessly and aimed a slash for his ribs.
Sasuke tossed his sword into the air, ducking underneath the blade. His free hand snatched the hilt mid-fall, and he carved upward in a single motion.
Kurotsuchi twisted back, but not fast enough. A thin red line blooms across her cheek. She took her gloved finger and ran a hand across her wound. "Cute trick, Uchiha."
Before Sasuke could reset, her blade slid back into its scabbard. Sasuke's Sharingan barely picked up the movement, but he couldn't stop it as she unsheathed her blade and struck upward, slicing a shallow line across Sasuke's shoulder. The crowd roared in appreciation of the impressive display.
Kurotsuchi flicked the blood off her blade. "Looks like we're even now."
Sasuke raced through the seals.
Fire Release: Twin Fire Dragon Jutsu
Sasuke spat out a torrent of flames from his lips, which split apart into two large serpentine dragons. The dragons coiled around each other as they converged on Kurotsuchi from both sides. Even as they closed in, Sasuke charged at her blade, which was at the ready.
Kruotsuchi didn't flinch. Her hand blurred in response.
Earth Release: Earth Dragon
A dragon made of earth formed in front of her and charged at Sasuke; she then sped through more hand signs,
Earth Release: Dome
A dome of earth surrounded her as the dragons crashed into it and exploded into flames on contact.
Sasuke channeled lightning chakra into his blade as he split the earth dragon into two, and it crumbled back into dirt and stone.
Kurotsuchi dome submerged back into the earth, as she was already preparing for another jutsu,
Earth Release: Bedrock Coffin
The ground beneath Sasuke lowered rapidly as walls of stone began to surge inward to crush him.
Lightning Release: Depth charge
Sasuke channeled Lightning chakra throughout his body, forcing the earth to rip apart as he climbed out of the pit. As soon as he landed back on solid ground,
Kurotsuchi used another jutsu
Earth Release: Stalagmite Barrage
The arena floor erupted in jagged spikes, each one narrowly missing Sasuke as he twisted through the onslaught. The moment he got out of the jutsu range, he retaliated.
Fire Release: Great Fireball
Sasuke spat out a large ball of flame that roared toward Kurotsuchi.
She countered by placing her palms on the ground
Earth Release: Earth Wall
A wall of earth rose in front of her, and the flames splashed harmlessly against the barrier. Sasuke, however, immediately began channeling another jutsu,
Lightning Release: Great, Powerful breath
A lance of lightning shot through the wall of the earth; Kurotsuchi barely dodged as the Lightning grazed her shoulder, searing her sleeve.
Kurotsuchi grinned, "Let me show you something you can't copy."
Lava Release: Quicklime congealing
Kurostuich spat out multiple fast-moving blasts of quick lime at Sasuke's feet. Sasuke managed to dodge, but some got on his left foot.
Kurotsuchi wasted no time
Water Style: Gunshot
She aimed the torrent of water at the quicklime. Sauke dodged, but the residual water was enough to activate the effects of the Jutsu as the substance began to harden into a cement-like material, trapping his foot and weighing it down. He began channeling Lightning chakra to his foot to break his foot free.
Kurotsuchi charged forward as she began to coat her fist in the earth; slowly, the earth began to heat up, as it began to molten,
Lava Release: Molten Fist
Sasuke wrenched himself free as she lunged, but he wasn't fast enough; her fist grazed across his forearms; the pain was instant; his skin began to burn, and his clothing singed, his muscle locked against the agony, but his training overrode instinct as he kicked off the crumbling quicklime to put distance between them.
Kurotsuchi shook the remaining slag from her first, "Running already, Uchiha?"
"Hey, she's trying to kill him!" yelled Naruto
Sasuke took off the now-melted-through forearm guards.
She dug her fingers into the earth. Lava Release: Eruption Bullets.
She punched the ground, launching three superheated globs of lava. Sasuke weaved through the first two, but the last one grazed his thigh. He hissed; he needed to ignore the pain.
The proctors were in a panic, debating whether to interfere and stop the match.
Kurotsuchi didn't relent as she slammed both her palms on the ground; the arena floor rippled as the rock heated up, and a wave of molten stone rushed toward Sasuke. Sasuke leaped upward, but Kurotsuchi was prepared.
Earth Release: Stalagmite Prison
Spikes erupted beneath him, herding him into the lava's path. His Sharingan spun faster than it had ever before; he analyzed the techniques and devised a strategy. He backflipped off a stalagmite as he weaved signs midair, performing two techniques simultaneously.
Fire Release: Great Fireball and then Wind Release: Gale Palm
The superheated fireball vaporized the lava wave into brittle rock, creating a thick smoke screen.
They stood across from each other, both breathing heavily, "You did well not to die, Uchiha, but your luck is about to run out."
Kurotsuchi activated a seal on the hilt of her sword
Earth Release: Obsidian blade
Volcanic glass coated her blade., and the blade began to heat up, turning a deep red.
Sasuke unsheathed his blade. "Hopefully, Kakashi sensei won't mind me using this now, " he said as he began channeling a jutsu through his sword.
The two ran at each other.
Obsidian Fang
Chidori Blade
Red met blue in a shockwave of sparks and steam. The arena trembled as their locked blades screamed against each other, molten slag dripping onto Sasuke's sleeves, lightning scorching Kurotsuchi's grip. Then…
Ching
A blade spun skyward, glinting in the sun before plunging into the dirt.
Silence.
Kurotsuchi stared at the broken shard in her hand, then at Sasuke's sword resting at her throat.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kurotsuchi fell to her knees, shell-shocked.
"I…. lost"
In the skybox, a loud crash was heard as Onoki crushed his glass in his hand, and his hand began to bloody. Without a word, he left the room.
A snickered. "The great and proud Iwa, huh?"
Kurotsuchi hadn't moved from her spot, still staring forward. A medical ninja was talking to her, but she didn't make out any of her words. Her ears were ringing; she looked up at the med and asked, " Did I lose?"
"Yes, you did, sweetie. Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?"
"I lost, I lost, I lost, I lost…" She kept on repeating the phrase to herself as the medical ninja called another one over as they lifted Kurotsuchi off her feet and escorted her out of the arena in her shocked state.
Sasuke had a satisfied smile as he got back to the competitor's area.
Anko chuckled. "I think you broke her."
Both Sakura and Naruto swarmed Sasuke.
"That was so awesome, the thing you did with the sword,
Sakura crossed her arms.
"I still think you should have punched her after you broke her sword; she needed a kick in the ass."
"Yeah, she did. Now I just have to cross the next one off my list." Sasuke was satisfied with his victory but still itched for his next fight with Neji.
The next match was announced.
"Would Sakura and Samui come down into the arena?"
"Looks like I'm up; wish me luck," Sakura said as she took a deep breath and leaped down.
In the skybox, A began laughing.
"Hahaha, finally,"
"What's got you so excited?"
Mabui answered Hiruzen as she pushed up her glasses
"Samui is one of our most accomplished genin ever; she's proficient in every ninja school and has created multiple original techniques."
"Impressive for a child of her age," commented Hiruzen
Samui walked casually down to face Sakura, her face a mask, concealing any emotion. She stared impassively past Sakura as she waited before the match began.
Samui dashed forward, her body crackling softly with Lightning. Suddenly, she closed the distance in a blink, and as she swung, Sakura swung out with a kunai, which cut through nothing but a Lightning afterimage of Samui. The real Samui slashed out behind her; Sakura barely managed to pivot, weaving a slight genjutsu to disrupt Samui's sight as the blade went slightly off target and grazed her arm, leaving a slight gash.
Not giving her a chance to breathe, Samui activated a jutsu
Storm Mirage Dance,
Samui began to move rapidly as she split into three afterimages that surrounded Sakura in a whirling assault. Each feint was perfectly timed as Sakura took another cut across her shoulder before she could disengage.
Sakura then used the Hiding-like mole technique to slip into the earth. Samui extended her sense, scanning the terrain. She felt the ground rumble behind her as Sakura burst forth, But Samui's reflexes were inhuman as she jumped twisted air, blocking Sakura's punch with a kunai before countering with a lightning-charged kick that sent Sakura skidding across the ground.
Samui charged again after images formed around her. Sakura quickly strategized how to counter the afterimages; how was she moving so fast that there were three of her unless
Genjutsu
Sakura pulsed her chakra network as the three Samui turned back into one. Though still moving at a great speed, Sakura quickly placed her hands on the ground and slightly lowered the earth on Samui's approach. Samui, losing balance, fell forward slightly as Sakura drove a fist into her gut. Sakura threw another punch, but Samui recovered and blocked it. Then, her vision began to blur. Samui quickly flushed her chakra network, but when her vision cleared, a darkened fist came toward her face.
Earth Flow Spear
Sakura coated her fist in earth chakra, making it hard as steel. As she landed a vicious hook on Samui, the power of the hit lifted her off her feet and sent her sliding back. Samui managed to roll back onto her feet, holding her now heavily bruised cheek.
Samui's face remained impassive as she sped through hand signs, Lightning release: Thunderclap flash. The light from the technique forced everyone to cover their eyes as Sakura barely deflected Samui's tanto before it pierced her torso. Samui's kenjutsu assault continued, with Sakura barely holding on as Samui blitzed her, forming cuts all across her arms and body.
Desperate, Sakura dropped channel chakra through her foot and stomped, sending a spear of earth erupting from the ground. Samui sidestepped, but the attack grazed her thigh, drawing blood. She then retaliated with a Lightning-infused palm strike straight into Sakrua's chest, sending her flying.
Sakura hit the ground hard, coughing. She forced herself up just in time to see Samui gathering chakra. She had sheathed her tanto, and her entire body was glowing with blue energy.
Oh no
Lightning Release: Flow Sprint
Samui vanished
Sakura barely had any time to react, hardening her midsection with Earth Flow Spear before a brutal kick sent her crashing into the arena wall. Dust and debris exploded around her as she slumped forward; her vision was swimming; if she hadn't hardened her skin, she most likely wouldn't have a ribcage anymore.
Samui didn't let up. As she used her technique again, this time either sheer luck or a mistake by Samui, Sakura barely rolled aside, but the shockwave from her sprint sent her tumbling,
Samui breathed heavily. Despite all of her training, she could only use her technique once more. She got back into stance once more and prepared to land the finishing blow.
Sakura breathed heavily. She didn't have enough energy to dodge again; she needed to stop her head-on. Sakura held out her left hand as she began to channel chakra into it. If she could disrupt Samui's technique, she might slow down enough for a solid hit. She channeled earth chakra into her right hand using the Earth Flow spear, prepared to deal the final blow.
Sakura's left hand shot up, fingers splayed as pale green chakra spiraled around her palm like a vortex prepared to force her chakra into the pathways of Samui's technique.
The Flow Sprint wasn't just speed, it was lightning compressed into kinetic force, a shell of crackling blue energy around Samui's body. As Sakura's fingers grazed the glow, her chakra needled into the seams of the jutsu, disrupting the precise balance of Samui's system.
For an instant, the technique stuttered. The blue aura flickered like a dying bulb, and Samui's momentum jerked as if she'd tripped on air.
A moment of weakness.
With a roar, Sakura drove her steel fist into Samui's ribs. A sickening crack echoed as Samui was launched backward, coughing blood. She tried to rise, but her arms gave out as the effects of chakra exhaustion set in.
The crowd roared as Sakura stood victorious, her chest heaving from exertion. Across the arena, medics rushed to Samui's side, the typically composed Kumo kunoichi now limp in their arms. Sakura watched as they carried her away, her arms stinging from the countless cuts Samui had inflicted..
She glanced up at the competitors' balcony, where Naruto was pumping his fist in celebration while Sasuke gave her a curt nod of approval, with Anko and Kakashi giving beaming looks of pride, or from what she could tell from behind Kakashi's mask.
She was escorted to tend to her injuries before her next match, and the next round was announced.
"The final match of the second round, would Shino and Rock Lee come down?"
Both competitors entered the arena.
Lee's steps were uneven, his breathing labored, still dealing with the effects of Kankuro's poison.
"You're still in no shape to fight after your body is still recovering from the poison. This may sound biased since I'm currently your opponent, but I would recommend you forfeit to avoid any further injury," advised Shino
Lee smiled weakly and gave a shaky thumbs up. "I appreciate your concern for me as a fellow leaf shinobi Shino, but don't be so convinced I'm out of the fight yet; if there's one thing I've learned from Gai sensei's teachings, it is that if you give up every time things were stacked against you, then you'll never achieve your goals."
Lee exploded forward, but his tiredness dulled his speed, and his movements were slightly sluggish. Shino managed to dodge the initial flurry of punches.
Lee went for a roundhouse kick as black specks began pouring from Shino's sleeves.
Kikaichu Swarm Binding Formation
The beetles swarmed Lee's limbs; they became tiny weights, dragging at his movement and restricting him. Lee gasped as his punches felt even more sluggish.
Gritting his teeth, Lee stomped the ground, dislodging some of the beetles, and launched into a spinning kick.
Shino crossed his arms, his coat rippling as a defensive wall of beetles absorbed the impact. The beetles scattered but quickly reformed.
Suddenly, Lee felt a sharp pain in his shoulder; a group of beetles had latched on and were continuing to drain his chakra as Lee's movements grew heavier.
Lee dropped to one knee, sweat dripping onto the arena floor. His vision swam, exhaustion and chakra drain conspiring against him. But then Gai-sensei's voice echoed in his mind: "The strongest flames are forged in the hottest fires, Lee!"
Lee's trembling fingers dug into the dirt. His leg braces creaked as he forced himself up.
"I… refuse… to fall here!"
Shino adjusted his glasses, frowning. "Your determination is irrational. You cannot win."
Lee's grin returned, blood trickling from his lip. "We'll see!"
With a roar, Lee slammed his fist into his chest
"GATE OF OPENING RELEASE!"
A shockwave of green energy erupted, blasting the beetles off his body. The crowd gasped as Lee vanished, reappearing behind Shino in a blur.
CRACK!
A spinning kick sent Shino flying. But before he could crash, Lee was already above him, driving an elbow downward. The arena floor shattered on impact. Shino barely rolled away, his coat torn, beetles scrambling to reform.
Lee landed, panting. The Gate's energy flickered
Shino rose slowly. "Impressive. But my insects adapted." He raised a hand
Lee's eyes widened. "They're… absorbing the Gate's chakra?!"
Shino nodded. "
Lee's muscles locked up. The Gates' backlash, combined with the loss of chakra, sent him to his knees once again.
Shino approached, beetles swirling around him. "Yield. You've proven your strength."
Lee's fist clenched.
"Never."
With a final burst, he lunged not at Shino but at the ground! His fist slammed into the earth, creating a dust cloud.
Shino's beetles scattered, momentarily disoriented. Lee's foot connected with Shino's chest, sending him skidding backward. But as Lee landed, his legs gave out.
Silence.
Both fighters lay sprawled. The crowd held its breath.
Then, Shino stood first, his beetles reforming.
Lee's hand twitched, but his body refused to move.
The proctor's voice rang out.
"Winner Shino Aburame!"
Gai jumped down into the area and approached his student
Gai's usual exuberance was absent as he lifted Lee onto his back. "You fought magnificently, my student. Rest now."
Lee's eyelids fluttered. "But… I didn't… win…"
Gai's voice cracked. "True victory isn't in the result—it's in the spirit!"
Lee gave weak thumbs, "You're right, sensei."
The announcer's voice boomed, 'What a tournament! What a day! But before we conclude, three matches remain!'"
Naruto vs. Gaara
Sasuke vs. Neji
Sakura vs. Shino
"Now, let the finals begin!"