Chapter 310. Is This Advertisement Worth it?
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Even Hashirama and the others had noticed it.
Although they still didn't know what that running iron box was exactly, judging from the looks in others' eyes, they could already guess… just how dangerous that guy's action was.
"So this is the Ninja Grand Prix?" Hashirama muttered. "Even I can feel the strength of that guy's conviction!"
"You idiot, big brother!" Tobirama twitched an eyelid and slapped the back of Hashirama's head. "That guy's not from Konoha!"
Why are you getting emotional over this?
"As long as they're a ninja with strong conviction, they are worthy of respect," Hashirama replied cheerfully, without a care. "Tobirama, we're already dead! Let's just enjoy the race! Why care so much? Honestly, it looks pretty fun! I'd love to race against Madara!"
"…"
Tobirama glanced at him and clearly understood what his brother meant~
He shook his head helplessly and glanced at the little monkey laughing awkwardly nearby. In the end, he sighed. "I heard from the Fourth Hokage… Konoha's doing alright now. The Uchiha…"
"Ahem!"
"You all figure it out yourselves! And as for that Mitokado Homura… such a smart kid back then, but now… forget it." Tobirama shook his head. "He's been punished anyway."
To think he even dared to engage in bribery and corruption.
For a moment—
Seeing his former student turn out like that, Tobirama's heart ached a little.
But after speaking, he turned to watch the race instead.
As for the commotion nearby from the Second Mizukage—like how the Three-Tails from his own village turned into Konoha—everyone just ignored it.
Meanwhile, the Third Raikage—
He was already on a peak, cheering alongside the Fourth Raikage, completely fired up by the race.
However—
That car belching smoke clearly had no chance of winning. Not only was the car at its limit, but even the fading chakra light showed… he was running out of chakra!
And yet—
The surrounding crowd continued to cheer non-stop. "Come on!"
Even little Sasuke and little Naruto—whom Minato had asked him to look after temporarily—were caught up in the moment, waving their tiny fists and shouting, "Come on!"
Yuto shook his head helplessly and watched the smoke-belching car charge through the rugged mountain roads and forest, while thinking about Orochimaru…
Had that guy received his message yet?
At that moment—
The crowd that had been wildly cheering suddenly erupted in joy. Even Naruto and Sasuke jumped up in excitement.
Yuto looked up and froze slightly—
Unexpectedly—
That car overtook them!
It took a shortcut and pulled ahead?!
However—
The smoke was even thicker now, and faint sparks could be seen flying from the car.
Is it on fire?
…
Almost there!
Kakashi stared at the finish line, just within reach.
From here, he could already see the cheering crowd and the red ribbon that marked the finish.
The race—
It was finally coming to an end!
However—
Right now—
He and Killer Bee from Kumogakure were locked in a neck-and-neck battle, neither giving an inch. Even massive beast-like chakra projections loomed over their cars.
They were going all out!
Their speed was insane!
They had long since broken the speed record set on Hokage Rock that day!
This was the limit!
Even Killer Bee's rapping had gotten faster. Clearly, the guy who was excited earlier was now dead serious.
Neither would give way!
One moment one was ahead, the next the other surged past.
Their cars raced madly.
The engines roared furiously.
Then—
As the two kept trying to force each other off course—
Suddenly—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed from the sky!
Both of them instinctively looked up.
And saw—
A car!
A smoke-covered car!
Falling from the sky!
Bang!
It crashed right in front of them, forcing both drivers to react and swerve to avoid it. Was this guy insane?! To dare something so reckless?!
But then—
Kakashi and Killer Bee realized… they weren't first anymore.
"Yo yo~ outta nowhere, it drops from the air…"
Even Killer Bee broke into an impromptu rap.
However—
As they pushed their speeds again, the car in front had already shot ahead.
The finish line was drawing closer!
100 meters!
90 meters!
50 meters!
…
30 meters!
20 meters!
10 meters!
The cars behind were hot on its tail!
Biwa Juzo laughed madly.
He was going to win!
Roshi!
Watch me take this trophy and win that ten-million prize!
The crowd roared on, cheering for the car that was about to create a miracle!
Suddenly—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Flames!
It was fire!
The front of the car burst into flames!
Juzo's expression changed. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, muttering nonstop, "Go! Go! It's almost there! Come on, dammit!"
Go for me to the finish line!
But—
To his despair…
The flames grew fiercer.
The Four-Tails' chakra dimmed.
The car slowed down…
Ten meters.
Five meters.
…
Three meters.
The last three meters—the car came to a halt.
The finish line was just within reach… yet it could no longer be reached.
The spectator stands fell into silence. Old Jinchuriki Roshi, who had been passionately waving his fists just moments ago, stumbled back into his seat, eyes locked on the car engulfed in flames, stuck just short of the finish.
After a few moments of silence—
He let out a sigh and muttered to himself, "Enough! Get out of the car! Don't get blown up! Then I'll have to pay your medical bills! I already booked the banquet! Even if we lost—we're still celebrating!"
Just… get out of the car!
But—
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The flames grew stronger.
Unexpectedly… he didn't get out.
At this moment—
Even the Kumo ninjas glanced at each other, unsure whether they should go and help.
Because—
Victory was already in sight!
Damn it!
Everyone remained silent.
And in the blink of an eye—
The car behind caught up again!
It was already—
Lost!
At that moment—
Biwa Juzo also fell silent as he stared at the increasingly intense fire, a ridiculous look on his face. Yet he didn't step out of the car. He muttered to himself, "I really am a loser."
He could already see it.
Even if he got out of the car, that bastard Roshi would probably throw his arm around him and drag him to the celebration like it was nothing.
But it was such a shame.
So much money, so much time, so much sweat, so many hopes… and in the end, he just stopped like this.
He felt like he didn't even have the face to get out.
The air around him seemed to grow hotter and hotter. Looking at the quiet Four-Tails plush sitting behind the car, he said with a hint of frustration, "Damn it! If I knew it'd be like this, I wouldn't have come out that time. I should've just stayed inside!"
However—
At that moment—
Suddenly—
Just as everyone quietly watched the race car that would not create a miracle—
The cars behind came closer and closer!
But unexpectedly—
That silver car and the massive, ox-head-like car didn't avoid the car ahead—instead… they rammed straight into it!
"Oh yeah! Damn you! Falling-from-the-sky car! What a spectacular race! YEAH! Ride those flames—go meet the cheers!"
With a furious roar—
The red-blue car, with that violent impact, blasted across the finish line.
Instantly—
The once-quiet audience erupted again in cheers!
"That was amazing! The car on fire!"
Even the Third and Fourth Raikage stood atop the peak, roaring continuously. "Amazing! The champion is… the racer from the Four-Tails Company, Biwa Juzo!"
"Cheer for him!"
…
Afterwards.
Very soon—
Biwa Juzo stepped out of the car, which had been reduced to a scorched shell due to delayed fire suppression. Only the frame was intact, pitch black—but fortunately, it hadn't exploded.
He declined Kumogakure's offer to repair the car for free, insisting on taking the scorched wreck back with him.
Amid the cheers, he walked up to the podium.
"That was one wonderful race!" The Fourth Raikage punched him in the chest with a grin. "Champion Biwa Juzo!"
Then he pushed the trophy in front of him.
"Thanks!" Biwa Juzo also grinned as he accepted the trophy. Then, looking up at the audience stand, he lifted it high, took a deep breath, and roared, "Did you see that, Roshi?! I said I'd win—and I did! Let's go, Four-Tails Company!"
That advertisement—
It's totally worth it!
As his shout rang out—
The entire crowd cheered once again.
"Four-Tails! Four-Tails! Four-Tails!"
They kept chanting for the Four-Tails!
Even the four resurrected Kage couldn't help but smile faintly.
"That really was one spectacular race!"
As Senju Hashirama finished speaking, the others all nodded in agreement with a smile.
To return and witness this scene—
That alone was satisfying!
"I actually want to try racing too!" Hashirama chuckled as he scratched his head. "If only Madara were here." Then he turned to the thoughtful-looking Tobirama. "Forget it, let's go."
Just as Tobirama was about to nod—
Suddenly—
"First Hokage-sama! First Hokage-sama! Please wait! Don't go yet!"
A hurried shout came from behind. Everyone turned in confusion to see a young man with a full beard despite his age. Before they could ask what was going on—
He pulled out a sketchpad, then a pen, and cheerfully held them up.
"First Hokage-sama! I'm the Third Hokage's son! Ever since I was little, I've admired both the First Hokage-sama and Second Hokage-sama so much! So…"
With sparkling eyes, he looked up at them, full of hope. "I heard the First Hokage-sama is really good at painting landscapes! Can you leave me a sketch? So I can study it day and night and remember you forever!"
Really—
He, Sarutobi Asuma, just idolized him!
Nothing more!
As soon as he finished—
"???"
Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged glances, then looked back at him, completely baffled.
[Since when was I (Big Brother) good at painting landscapes?!]
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