On the high platform, Jiraiya's gaze was fixed tightly on the blond boy in the center of the arena Minato Namikaze.
"The Child of Prophecy…" The ethereal words of the Toad Sage's prediction seemed to echo in his mind once again. His eyes clouded with a distant, contemplative look. "The winds of change will bring either dawn or destruction to the ninja world… and it seems the meaning is truly reflected in that boy's eyes."
He stroked his chin, murmuring to himself, "His character is indeed excellent, but I am still uncertain about his true strength." A small smile of anticipation curved his lips. "If his skills are sufficient, I'd really like to take him as my disciple."
Nearby, the Third Hokage glanced at Jiraiya with mild surprise. This usually carefree, jovial wanderer now appeared unusually serious. His words here were so unlike his usual self.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's serpentine eyes swept across the battlefield with a sly smile. "Heh, Jiraiya, your instincts are strangely consistent with your usual failures. I have more confidence in Shigure and his team… just look at their positions."
In reality, the situation on the field was clear; the teams' strengths were obvious.
The three members from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans occupied one corner, their presence overwhelming. Shigure, Julian White, and Might Duy occupied another corner. Minato Namikaze and the remaining six, under the pressure of the two dominant teams, seemed a little cramped in their third corner. Though their energy was slightly weaker, it still formed a tripod-like balance across the arena.
"If they had no chance of winning, Shigure's team would have huddled together with the others. The fact that they are daringly isolated in a corner shows they definitely have a backup plan," Orochimaru said, his tone teasing, as if appreciating a carefully orchestrated experiment.
Just as Uchiha Kaifu was about to speak arrogantly again, Julian White broke the tense atmosphere with a casual tone. "Hey, hey, hey! You guys, keep some manners when talking to each other. Didn't you notice we're still here? Want to fight? Then fight! Stop with all the nonsense!"
He nudged Shigure with his elbow. "Say something, Shigure! You can handle them on your own. Don't even bother with these clowns!"
Shigure ignored his teammate's taunt, putting on a serious expression. His eyes swept over the Hyuga and Uchiha trio across from him, then flicked to the seemingly weaker six-person team. A forced, almost comical smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Do you really think defeating them with just our strength is something to be proud of?"
"No, no, no, I didn't mean that," Julian White replied, feigning ignorance.
The three strongest opponents were almost immediately provoked.
Before they could respond, the referee on the platform shouted, "Begin the match!"
"Water Release: Rampaging Water Wave!" Shigure formed his seals and launched the attack. Unexpectedly, the surging water did not strike the strongest Uchiha-Hyuga trio. Instead, it swept like a massive serpent toward the six-person team where Minato Namikaze stood.
From the stands, Shikaku Nara squinted, instantly realizing, "Oh no! He intends to "
Shikaku reacted immediately, trying to warn them to scatter, but it was too late.
It was puzzling; rather than forming a coalition against the three strongest opponents, Shigure had targeted the internal competition first.
Yet, these six were not helpless. Each displayed their skills some leaping into the air, some dodging to escape the water release's path.
After all, nobody could know whether one of the three might unleash lightning.
The water formed a slippery expanse on the ground. At the same time, a green figure shot forward like a cannonball Might Duy!
"Eight Gates: Fifth Gate, Gate of Closing, Open!"
A deafening roar shook the arena. The sheer flow of chakra made the stands tremble. Might Duy's speed was almost imperceptible. With several thunderous impacts, two opponents collapsed to the ground. Choji Akimichi roared and activated partial Expansion Jutsu, attempting to shield his teammates, but was blown back by a single punch from Might Duy, cracking the ground beneath him.
Even with the Eight Gates activated, he had withstood Might Duy's punch with raw force.
Failing to hit his initial target, Might Duy didn't pursue. He charged toward Minato Namikaze instead.
At that moment, the others realized the green-clad man possessed power far beyond ordinary humans.
They rushed to support Minato.
"Eight Trigrams Rotation!" Hyuga Yo shone first, using the so-called "Absolute Defense" rotation technique to block an attack on Minato.
Hyuga Hizashi's Eight Trigrams Palm simultaneously sealed Might Duy's retreat. Minato, like a golden flash, appeared behind him, sending a kunai straight toward his back!
Faced with this deadly situation, Might Duy neither dodged nor flinched. His eyes blazed with fury, chakra erupting like a volcano. "Sixth Gate: Gate of Seeing, Open!"
Boom! A stronger shockwave hurled Minato Namikaze backward.
Uchiha Kaifu appeared behind him, chest puffed and cheeks inflating, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The Uchiha clan's basic release technique displayed astonishing power in his hands; the fireball rose as high as seven men.
The massive fireball instantly engulfed Might Duy.
Yet, in the next moment, Might Duy dissipated the fireball with the sheer air pressure of a single punch.
At this point, his combat ability had surpassed everyone else present. His figure blurred as he moved, wind raging in every direction. Within ten seconds, all standing opponents had fallen to the ground.
When the dust settled, the entire arena fell silent. Only Shigure and Julian White remained standing, as if the world-shattering attack had nothing to do with them they were mere spectators.
"Is it over?" someone whispered in disbelief from the stands.
It was like fishing with dynamite.
The blue steam around Might Duy slowly dissipated. The overwhelming power retreated like a tide, and the previously unnoticed strain and fatigue in his muscles surged like waves.
He dropped to one knee, joints creaking under the pressure, blood seeping from his pores.
Julian White rushed forward, hands glowing with soft green light. He pressed them gently against Might Duy's neck, twisting slightly.
"Please, don't die!" he whispered. A prism of multicolored butterfly lights flashed, and Might Duy's expression of pain vanished. His heavy breathing gradually steadied.
Once again, Julian displayed his miraculous medical technique, capable of almost "bringing the dead back to life."
On the high platform, Jiraiya instinctively clenched his fists. His gaze burned onto the blond youth Minato Namikaze. Though knocked down, he struggled to maintain his balance until the last moment.
His ability to think quickly under pressure and his relentless determination to never give up made the light in Jiraiya's eyes grow brighter.
"He very well might be the Child of Prophecy," he murmured, voice trembling subtly.
Even on the stands, some spectators' reactions were more extreme than Jiraiya's, though not because of Minato alone.