Evil Uchiha brat, I'll marry you myself.

???

"What do you mean by giving up?"

"They've definitely given up."

"That makes sense, after all, we're facing that ninja monster."

As Uchiha Shizumi listened to the surrounding comments about Koki, she couldn't help but look up at the arena, somewhat anticipating the outcome of the upcoming battle.

There was nothing she could do; the sword in Gu Mu's hand was her personal weapon.

She still hoped that Gu Mu could win. However, judging from the opinions around her, his chances seemed slim.

"Interesting, second brother, your son is quite something."

Hashirama watched the ancient tree on the platform react with a slight smile on his face.

"This, this is something I really don't understand."

Even Tobirama's expression was somewhat stiff; for the first time, he couldn't quite understand his son.

Both of them had already noticed that the ancient tree on the platform seemed to have its eyes closed, as if it had given up.

In fact, his gradually crouching body made him seem even more dangerous.

It can be described as a combination of offense and defense.

"Is he giving up one of his five senses in order to enhance the other four? This kind of courage is really not like that of a young man."

Hashirama nodded: "It seems that the Sarutobi kid you've got your eye on might not necessarily be able to defeat you."

“Brother, don’t say that. Hiruzen isn’t limited to that.” Tobirama pouted and glanced at the somewhat pretentious Kouki: “Besides, that brat probably doesn’t have much practical combat experience.”

"Ha ha!"

Hashirama laughed loudly, not exposing his arrogant younger brother; the guy just couldn't bring himself to do it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have such a bad relationship with his son.

......

"you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat at a loss when he saw that Koki not only didn't attack, but instead closed his eyes.

He's not capable of launching a sneak attack.

Turning his head to meet Tobirama's cold gaze from below the stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that now was not the time to hesitate.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!!"

After quickly forming hand seals, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to intensify his attack, using high-difficulty ninjutsu.

"boom!!"

A massive burst of flame, like a fire dragon, roared through the air and, under the watchful eyes of those around, hurtled towards the ancient tree.

The intense heat even distorted space itself; some ninjas, even those offstage, still felt a wave of heat wash over them.

Facing the roar of the fire dragon, Gu Mu, with his eyes closed, exhaled a deep breath, as if to expel the obstructions and impurities from his body.

He focused all his energy on that one powerful strike.

A white aura, like swirling smoke, began to spread around the corners of the ancient tree's mouth.

To everyone's naked eye, Gu Mu's robes were moving without wind, as if something terrifying was about to awaken.

"Crack!"

The sound of the long sword being drawn was not loud, but it resonated in everyone's hearts.

"Shhh!!"

Immediately afterwards, the fire dragon that was close to the ancient tree seemed to be struck by an invisible blade and vanished instantly.

!!!

The moment he saw his fire dragon annihilate, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately dodged in all directions.

He saw that where he had originally seen the sword, there was now a sword mark, as if he had been killed by a wind-style attack.

"This... could this be a combination of Wind Release and swordsmanship?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had a bead of cold sweat on his forehead.

If it weren't for his extensive combat experience, that attack would probably have instantly defeated him.

Amidst the flames, a young man wielding a sword swiftly attacked. Koki knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi's greatest skill was ninjutsu.

He certainly wouldn't give Hiruzen Sarutobi the chance to form hand seals.

Unfortunately, the most important and powerful move in sword-drawing technique is the first strike.

If the first strike fails to kill the enemy, subsequent attacks will be very ineffective.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have noticed this as well, and deliberately let Koki knock him into the air.

"Shadow Clone Technique!!"

In just a brief moment in the air, Hiruzen Sarutobi successfully completed the hand seals.

"Earth Release·Earth Flow Wall!!"

"Lightning Release: Earth Walk!!"

"what?"

Danzo, watching from below the stage, saw that the clone summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi actually had its own consciousness and was forming hand seals. He knew then that this was not a simple clone technique.

It is the Shadow Clone Technique developed by the Second Hokage.

He understood that this despicable Hiruzen must have received special training from the Second Hokage.

Earth Release: Earth Wall blocks the retreat route, Lightning Release spreads across the ground. Once the ancient tree is bound by Lightning Release, it will be subjected to a combined attack of Hiruzen Sarutobi's ninjutsu and his clones.

The ending seems to have been predetermined.

"Sigh, it seems it's over. In any case, that kid is qualified to enter the Ninja Academy."

"Second brother, don't cause trouble later, I'll protect that person."

"Okay, okay, big brother, you're right."

Tobirama looked helpless. Well, so be it. He really hadn't properly disciplined this brat.

I thought Gu Mu had been slacking off all these years, but I never expected him to pull off something big.

Even Hashirama thought the battle was over, and Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally felt the same way, preparing to unleash a fire-earth combination ninjutsu in coordination with his clones.

"Sorry, that's all!"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, a massive fire dragon erupted from his mouth.

"Shhh!!"

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could react, he suddenly felt his connection with his clone vanish instantly.

"Flying Thunder God Slash!!"

Along with Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow clones, they were attracted by the kunai thrown by Koki.

Just as he thought he had dodged the kunai attack, the ancient tree vanished and swiftly struck Hiruzen Sarutobi's clone.

"boom!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow clone, fatally wounded, turned into smoke and disappeared.

Not only did Koki avoid a sure defeat, he also successfully counterattacked and killed Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow clone.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared to still be standing on the stage, he had already lost. If Koki's Flying Thunder God Slash had been aimed at his physical body, he would either be dead or severely injured.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to understand this as well, and his expression was somewhat dejected: "I...I lost."

.....

"What happened? That ninja freak actually lost?"

"Wait a minute, what just happened? How did the battle end in the blink of an eye??"

"I misjudged it. This ancient tree is even more monstrous than Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Fine, fine, they're all such perverts, shall I leave?"

Danzo listened to the comments around him, and his expression turned rather unpleasant.

Damn it, this means he'll have one more competitor now.

"They actually... won?"

Uchiha Shizusui blinked, not expecting the outcome to be so surprising.

On the other side of the arena, Hashirama watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's defeat with some surprise.

This kid actually knows S-rank space-time ninjutsu.

Thinking of this, Hashirama turned his head to look at Tobirama beside him, and a maternal smile appeared on his face.

I thought he and Gu Mu didn't get along, but it seems I was wrong. This second brother has clearly passed on all his most treasured secrets.

"Ahem, big brother..."