As Uchiha Sasuke stepped into the field, the surrounding crowd erupted in commotion.
"It's Uchiha Sasuke again! Wasn't he just beaten by a Grass shinobi the other day?"
"Hey, this is gonna be good!"
"I wonder if we'll get to see the Mangekyo Sharingan's dojutsu this time!"
Despite Sasuke's recent losses to Hidden Cloud's Darui and Hidden Grass's Shoji Kozu, his reputation as a Mangekyo Uchiha carried weight. His presence alone drew every eye in the crowd.
Even prodigies like Gaara, Kurotsuchi, and Ringo Ameyuri couldn't help but focus on him.
Kurotsuchi turned to the Hidden Sand group beside her. "Who do you think will win?"
Temari replied, "Probably Uchiha Sasuke, right? He's a Mangekyo Uchiha—there's no way he'd lose to some random Grass shinobi."
Kankuro nodded. "Yeah, I'd bet on Sasuke too. What about you, Gaara?"
"Don't know."
Gaara shook his head.
Most of the onlookers also favored Sasuke. Many Hidden Leaf villagers had witnessed Karin's hundred-meter-tall complete Susanoo, so when choosing between an unknown Grass shinobi and Sasuke with his Mangekyo Sharingan, they naturally leaned toward Sasuke.
Kakashi, having heard the news, arrived at the hospital and landed on the rooftop.
After a quick bow to Tsunade nearby, he looked at the field. Seeing Sasuke step up again, his expression darkened.
With his Mangekyo Sharingan's dojutsu depleted, his Cursed Seal sealed, and injuries still lingering, Sasuke was in no condition to take on a challenge.
Sasuke, already in the field, had activated his Sharingan early.
After losing to Shoji Kozu, he no longer dared underestimate any Grass shinobi—especially after watching Chino defeat Kiba, Shino, and the others. He knew her strength was formidable.
Standing firm, Sasuke said coldly, "I didn't expect Hidden Grass to have so many skilled shinobi. But to dare block us here and challenge us? That's too bold!"
Chino took half a step back.
Staring at Sasuke's crimson Sharingan, she felt a flicker of nervousness.
She knew her Leader also possessed the Sharingan and was likely an Uchiha. To her, the Uchiha name was synonymous with strength!
Likewise, hearing the crowd favoring Sasuke, Ryuzetsu clenched her fists nervously, thinking, He's a Mangekyo Uchiha. I just hope Chino doesn't lose too badly!
With that, Ryuzetsu shouted to the field, "Chino, be careful!"
Chino nodded earnestly at Ryuzetsu, then mustered her courage to meet Sasuke's Sharingan. "Please, let's begin!"
Sasuke prepared himself. "Start!"
He has the same eyes as the Leader. My movements can't possibly escape him. If I don't use my absolute speed, he'll predict my attacks and trap me. I have no chance of winning unless I try my hardest!
In that moment, Chino held nothing back.
She unleashed the full power she'd use against the Leader, pushing the Twelve Palaces to their limit while activating her Ketsuryugan's dojutsu. This accelerated her blood flow, boosting oxygen intake and circulation, further enhancing her physical prowess.
Sasuke reached into his ninja tool pouch, planning to restrict Chino's movements with tools before finishing her with ninjutsu.
Boom.
In an instant, Chino moved.
With a light stomp, she shattered a large patch of tiles, causing a small tremor. Propelled by the recoil, she shot forward like a cannonball, her speed unimaginable, accompanied by a piercing whistle as she tore through the air toward Sasuke!
"What?!"
Sasuke froze, his hands slowing.
Her sudden speed and momentum were far beyond his expectations.
Boom.
Another muffled sound rang out!
This time, it wasn't the tiles breaking but Sasuke, struck in an instant.
That brief moment of hesitation cost Sasuke any chance to dodge or block. As expected, Chino's fist connected, sending him flying.
If Choji hadn't been right behind him, catching him with quick reflexes, Sasuke might've been sent crashing back into the hospital.
Even with Choji cushioning the blow, both were hurled back over ten meters, slamming into a pillar at the hospital entrance before stopping.
The scene fell silent.
The onlookers gaped, dumbfounded.
Whether they'd bet on Sasuke or Chino, everyone had expected a closely fought battle.
No one imagined that Sasuke, the famed Mangekyo Uchiha, would fail to block even a single move, getting instantly knocked out. Though Chino's strike was undeniably powerful, the outcome left everyone stunned!
Even Chino herself was dazed, murmuring, "What just happened?!"
Against the Leader, she felt she'd have no chance unless Ryuzetsu flanked with her, creating a slim opening—and even then, it might be a trap the Leader deliberately left. She never expected Sasuke, another Mangekyo Uchiha, to be hit so directly. Her first reaction wasn't joy but deep confusion.
Clearly, Chino had misunderstood Sasuke.
Sasuke did possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, but with his dojutsu depleted, its vision was severely impaired. His dynamic tracking wasn't much better than a regular Sharingan, far inferior to Shinji's ultimate Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Coupled with his injuries, it wasn't surprising that Chino's all-out strike took him down instantly.
Whoosh.
Kakashi dropped from the rooftop to Sasuke's side. "You okay?"
"I'm fi—cough."
Before he could finish, Sasuke spat out a mouthful of blood.
Kakashi quickly said, "You're badly hurt. Don't talk!"
Sasuke's face flushed, his eyes filled with confusion. Even now, he didn't fully grasp what had happened.
Kakashi signaled Sasuke to stay calm, then glanced back at Chino in the field. "She's strong!"
Moments later, the crowd snapped out of their shock.
"Uchiha Sasuke lost just like that?"
"Hahaha, this is Hidden Leaf's so-called Mangekyo Uchiha?"
"I'm curious—has Uchiha Sasuke ever beaten anyone?"
"With all that hype, he's this weak? I should've challenged him myself!"
The crowd buzzed with gasps and mockery.