From the Kage booth, the three village leaders had a perfect view of the arena below as the first match of the finals prepared to commence. The tension in the air was palpable, yet controlled—exactly what one would expect from a showcase of up-and-coming shinobi talent.

  "Your students certainly don't waste time," Mei observed with an appreciative smile as both teams immediately reached for their weapons pouches the instant Genma's hand dropped.

  A flurry of kunai crossed paths in mid-air, the metallic clang of colliding blades adding to the sudden roar from the crowd. Sarutobi's keen eyes caught what the average spectator might miss—the small additions attached to each team's weapons.

  "Flash-bang seals," the Hokage noted, watching Team 8's kunai land and activate in brilliant bursts of light. "And is that..."

  "Citrus powder," the Kazekage finished, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Clever countermeasure against enhanced senses."

  The arena briefly lit up as Team 8's flash-bangs detonated, while clouds of yellow-orange powder billowed from Team 7's kunai. Most of the civilian audience gasped and applauded at what they perceived as merely a spectacular opening volley, missing the tactical significance.

  "They've studied each other well," Sarutobi commented. "The Uchiha's visual prowess and the Haruno girl's enhanced hearing versus the Inuzuka's and Aburame's olfactory advantages. Each targeting the other's perceptual strengths."

  Mei nodded. "And yet neither seems particularly affected. They anticipated these tactics."

  Indeed, all four genin had shielded themselves appropriately—Sasuke and Sakura turning away from the flash-bangs while Kiba and Shino had covered their lower faces against the citrus powder.

  "Preparedness is a fundamental quality in a chūnin," the Kazekage remarked. "Though I'm curious to see how they adapt now that their initial gambits have proven ineffective."

  They didn't have to wait long. Sakura quickly bit her thumb, drawing blood and running it down her summoning tattoo—the elaborate design that covered her arm flaring with chakra as she slammed her palm to the ground.

  "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

  A cloud of smoke erupted, clearing to reveal Mochi and four other battle rabbits, each roughly the size of a horse. The summons were armed with an impressive array of weapons—Mochi himself wielding what appeared to be a war hammer nearly as large as he was.

  Mei leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the rabbit summons as they executed a series of coordinated maneuvers that spoke of extensive training.

  "Those rabbits seem to be putting their new home to good use," she remarked with an appreciative smile. "During our... encounter in Wave, they were formidable but somewhat disorganized. Now their movements show military precision."

  "The migration has benefited them greatly," Sarutobi agreed. "Queen Joousa reports they've established an impressive training program in their new warren. The natural energy concentration there allows for accelerated growth and development."

  From the stadium below, Kiba's voice carried up to them: "Oh come on! Not the damn rabbits again!"

  The Kazekage leaned forward slightly. "The Inuzuka boy seems familiar with them."

  "Training partners," Sarutobi explained. "Though I suspect this is the first time he's faced this many at once in actual combat."

  Below, Kiba had abandoned caution and charged directly at Sakura, clearly hoping to disrupt her control over the summons. Sasuke intercepted him smoothly, the two engaging in a rapid exchange of taijutsu.

  "The Uchiha's movement is excellent," the Kazekage commented, his eyes tracking Sasuke's fluid form. "Better than I expected for a genin his age."

  Sarutobi nodded. "He's trained extensively with Kakashi."

  The Kazekage's eyes never left Sasuke as the boy executed a perfect combination of strikes that sent Kiba tumbling backward. "It shows."

  Mei's attention, meanwhile, had shifted to the other side of the arena. "The Aburame has been quietly building his strategy."

  Indeed, Shino had used the distraction of the initial clash to release his kikaichu into the grass, the insects spreading in an expanding circle around the battleground. A subtle tactic that might go unnoticed by casual observers, but not by the experienced shinobi watching from the Kage booth.

  "A wise use of the terrain," Sarutobi agreed. "Though the Haruno girl will likely detect the buzzing if he gathers too many in one location."

  Back at the center of the arena, Sasuke had disengaged from Kiba, looking momentarily annoyed as he glanced down at his sandal. Akamaru had apparently marked him during the exchange—a crude but effective tactic that would allow Kiba to track him by scent regardless of visual obstacles.

  The Kazekage made a sound that might have been amusement. "Traditional Inuzuka tactics. Effective, if somewhat... inelegant."

  "Sometimes the old ways are best," Mei replied with a slight smile. "Though I doubt the Uchiha appreciates it."

  With a signal from Sakura, her rabbit summons charged forward, each selecting a target. Mochi headed directly for Kiba, war hammer raised, while two others peeled off toward Shino. The remaining two positioned themselves to intercept Akamaru.

  "The girl's tactical command is impressive," the Kazekage noted. "She's using her summons to control the battlefield rather than simply overwhelming her opponents with numbers."

  Sarutobi nodded. "Sakura has always had an excellent mind for strategy. What she lacks in raw chakra capacity, she makes up for in efficiency and planning."

  Shino, seeing the approaching threat, formed several bug clones that emerged from the ground around him. The insect constructs were nearly identical to the original, making it difficult to determine which was the real Aburame.

  "An effective defensive measure," Mei observed. "Though against enhanced senses, it may not prove as useful as intended."

  Indeed, the rabbit summons hesitated only briefly before the one with a naginata targeted the real Shino with uncanny accuracy. The Aburame was forced to dodge, giving up his position.

  Meanwhile, Kiba and Akamaru had completed their Beast Human Clone technique, both now appearing as feral versions of Kiba himself. They immediately transitioned into the Four Legs Technique, dropping to all fours as their chakra visibly changed around them.

  "Now things get interesting," the Kazekage murmured. "The Inuzuka clan's techniques are quite formidable when properly executed."

  The transformed Kiba and Akamaru launched themselves at Sasuke and Sakura, moving with impressive speed. Sasuke's sharingan activated, allowing him to track and counter Kiba's movements, while Sakura relied on her enhanced hearing and Mochi's assistance to fend off Akamaru.

  "They're still holding back," Sarutobi observed after a particularly vicious exchange that ended with both teams disengaging to reassess. "All four of them."

  "Conservation of chakra," the Kazekage suggested. "A wise choice given the tournament format."

  Mei nodded in agreement. "Team Eight is at a disadvantage, though. They'll need to escalate soon if they hope to regain momentum."

  The Hokage watched as Kiba and Shino exchanged a quick look, clearly communicating some prearranged strategy. "And it seems they've reached the same conclusion."

  In the arena, Kiba and Akamaru had repositioned themselves, creating distance between them and their opponents. Shino's bugs had formed a noticeable cloud now, no longer attempting to remain hidden.

  "They're preparing something more substantial," Mei observed. "This next exchange should be telling."

  The crowd seemed to sense the shift as well, a hush falling over the arena as spectators leaned forward in anticipation.

  Several rows below the Kage booth, various jōnin senseis watched their students with professional interest. Kakashi appeared relaxed, his visible eye lazily tracking the movements below, while Kurenai sat forward, her red eyes intent on her team's performance. The tension in her posture revealed her awareness that her students needed to act decisively.

  "Kakashi's team is quite cohesive," Mei commented to Sarutobi. "The Uchiha and the Haruno girl move as though they've trained together for years."

  "They have," Sarutobi replied. "Though teammate compatibility isn't always enough against a well-executed strategy."

  The Kazekage's eyes narrowed slightly as Shino began forming hand signs. "It seems we're about to witness that strategy now."

  Back in the arena, Sakura had apparently detected something concerning. She called her rabbits back into a defensive formation around herself and Sasuke, clearly sensing the impending attack.

  "The girl's instincts are good," the Kazekage noted. "Though I wonder if it will be enough."

  Kiba had begun spinning, along with Akamaru, both forming the familiar Inuzuka technique—the Fang Over Fang. Simultaneously, Shino's insects had formed into a dense cloud, clearly primed to support the attack.

  "A coordinated assault," Sarutobi observed. "Impressive synchronization for genin."

  The twin cyclones of Kiba and Akamaru's technique launched toward Team 7, with Shino's insects flowing alongside like a living shadow. Sakura's rabbits braced themselves, weapons at the ready, while Sasuke's hands flashed through a series of signs.

  "Fire Style," the Kazekage murmured, recognizing the sequence.

  A ball of flame erupted from Sasuke's mouth, precisely aimed at the space between the approaching cyclones. The heat caused the insects to scatter, disrupting part of the attack pattern. Simultaneously, Sakura and three of her rabbits leapt aside, deliberately splitting their formation to force Kiba and Akamaru to choose targets.

  "Excellent countermove," Mei said appreciatively. "Using the Uchiha's fire to disrupt the insects while creating multiple targets for the Inuzuka technique."

  The crowd roared as the battlefield erupted into chaos—spinning cyclones carving trenches in the ground as they pursued their targets, flames illuminating the arena, and insects swirling in complex patterns as they regrouped.

  Mochi, who had remained behind with Sasuke, swung his massive hammer in a wide arc that forced Kiba to alter his trajectory, narrowly missing his target and disrupting his rotation. The boy tumbled to a halt, momentarily disoriented, while Akamaru continued pursuing Sakura.

  "Team Eight is gaining momentum, but they've separated their forces," the Kazekage observed. "A risky move."

  Sarutobi nodded. "The question is whether it was by design or necessity."

  The answer came quickly as Shino's insects suddenly descended in a thick cloud around Sasuke, who had focused his attention on the recovering Kiba. The bugs began draining the Uchiha's chakra, causing him to grimace and leap backward, attempting to escape the swarm.

  "The Aburame boy planned this well," Mei commented. "Using his teammate's attack as a distraction for his own technique."

  Meanwhile, Sakura found herself cornered between Akamaru's continued Fang Over Fang and a second swarm of insects that had emerged from the ground. She whistled sharply, and two of her rabbit summons immediately converged on her position.

  "Her control over the summons is quite refined," the Kazekage noted. "Most genin struggle to effectively direct even a single battle summon."

  Sarutobi nodded, a hint of pride in his expression. "The Rabbit Clan has trained her well in return for her assistance."

  In the arena, Sasuke had engaged Kiba directly, keeping the Inuzuka occupied while attempting to maneuver away from Shino's insects. His sharingan tracked every movement, allowing him to predict and counter Kiba's wild, feral attacks despite the chakra drain he was experiencing.

  Sakura, meanwhile, had mounted one of her larger rabbit summons and was now circling the periphery of the arena at impressive speed, outpacing Akamaru's pursuit while her other summons engaged Shino directly.

  "They've adapted quickly," Mei observed. "Splitting the battlefield to isolate their opponents' strengths and weaknesses."

  "Indeed," the Kazekage agreed. "Though Team Eight seems to have successfully forced them into a reactive stance rather than a proactive one. The momentum has shifted."

  Sarutobi's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Sakura's movement pattern. "I'm not certain the shift is as complete as it appears."

  As if confirming his assessment, Sakura suddenly changed direction, drawing Akamaru directly toward where Sasuke and Kiba were engaged in close combat. The timing was precise—she arrived just as Sasuke ducked under one of Kiba's wild swings, creating a moment of confusion as Akamaru nearly collided with his partner.

  "Ah," the Kazekage said, "using their opponents' coordination against them. Clever."

  The momentary disruption gave Sasuke the opening he needed. His hands flashed through signs, and he expelled a smaller, more controlled burst of flame that forced both Kiba and Akamaru to retreat. Simultaneously, Mochi slammed his hammer into the ground with tremendous force, creating a shockwave that disrupted the formation of Shino's insects.

  "Team Seven has regained the initiative," Mei noted, "but the chakra expenditure is significant. The Uchiha's fire techniques and the girl's summons both require substantial energy."

  "As does the Inuzuka's transformation and the Aburame's insect control," the Kazekage countered. "This match may well come down to endurance rather than technique."

  Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. "Both teams understand this. Notice how they're creating breathing space now, reassessing before the next exchange."

  Indeed, the four genin had briefly disengaged, each catching their breath while maintaining defensive positions. Kiba and Akamaru stood side by side, still in their transformed state but clearly conserving energy for their next move. Shino had recalled most of his insects into a protective cloud around himself, while leaving some attached to Sasuke, continuing to drain his chakra gradually.

  Sasuke and Sakura had regrouped as well, standing back-to-back with Mochi and one other rabbit summon flanking them. The other three rabbits had disappeared—either dismissed or defeated during the exchange.

  "Team Eight is definitely on the backfoot," Mei observed, "but they've managed to establish some advantages. The chakra drain on the Uchiha is significant, and they've reduced the girl's summoned force."

  "They'll need to capitalize quickly," the Kazekage replied, "before Team Seven can consolidate their position."

  Sarutobi's experienced eyes traced the subtle hand signals Shino was making to Kiba—barely perceptible movements that would go unnoticed by most observers. "It seems they're preparing to do exactly that."

  In the arena, Kiba nodded almost imperceptibly, shifting his stance as Akamaru mirrored the movement. Shino's insects began to spread wider, forming a loose circle around the battlefield.

  "An encirclement strategy," the Kazekage noted. "Limiting their opponents' mobility while setting up for a decisive strike."

  Mei leaned forward slightly. "The question is whether Team Seven will recognize it before it's fully established."

  Sakura's ears twitched noticeably as she scanned the arena, clearly detecting something concerning in the subtle buzz of Shino's expanding insect formation. She whispered something to Sasuke, who nodded grimly.

  "They've noticed," Sarutobi confirmed. "Now we'll see how they respond."

  The crowd grew restless as the momentary lull extended, sensing the tactical considerations at play beneath the surface of the apparent standoff. Among the spectators, the more experienced shinobi explained the nuances to their civilian companions or younger ninja, pointing out the subtle positioning and counter-positioning taking place.

  "Both teams have shown good judgment so far," the Hokage remarked. "Conserving resources while seeking tactical advantages, understanding the tournament context rather than exhausting themselves in a single match."

  "A crucial quality for chūnin," Mei agreed. "Though eventually, they must commit to decisive action."

  The Kazekage's attention remained fixed on Sasuke. "The Uchiha seems to be weighing his options carefully. His chakra reserves aren't as deep as some, and the drain from the insects is taking its toll."

  "His teammate understands this as well," Sarutobi noted, watching as Sakura whispered something else to Sasuke, who replied with a slight shake of his head.

  Below, Team Eight had almost completed their encirclement. Shino's insects had formed a near-complete perimeter, while Kiba and Akamaru had positioned themselves for another Fang Over Fang attack, this time from opposite directions to limit escape options.

  "Team Seven must act now," Mei observed, "or they risk losing freedom of movement entirely."

  As if hearing her assessment, Sasuke and Sakura suddenly made their move. Sasuke performed a series of hand signs before slamming his palm to the ground.

  "Earth Style: Mud Wall!"

  A semicircular barrier erupted from the ground, creating a defensive position at their backs. Simultaneously, Sakura and Mochi charged directly toward Shino, clearly identifying him as the primary threat due to his ongoing chakra drain technique.

  "Breaking the encirclement by targeting its architect," the Kazekage noted with approval. "While creating a defensive position against the Inuzuka's attack."

  Kiba and Akamaru immediately launched their dual Fang Over Fang, aiming to intercept Sakura before she could reach Shino. However, the remaining rabbit summon positioned itself in their path, sacrificing itself as the cyclones tore through it, dispelling it in a cloud of smoke.

  "Their commitment to protecting each other is admirable," Mei commented. "The rabbit clearly understood its role was to buy time rather than survive."

  The delay proved sufficient. Sakura reached Shino just as the bug-user was preparing a defensive swarm. Mochi's hammer came down with devastating force, not directly at Shino but at the ground beside him, creating a shockwave that disrupted his stance and scattered his insects.

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  In that moment of vulnerability, Sakura struck with a chakra-enhanced punch that connected solidly with Shino's chest, sending him flying backward several meters until he crashed into the arena wall.

  "Impressive power," the Kazekage remarked. "The girl's chakra control must be exceptional to concentrate force so effectively."

  Sarutobi nodded. "One of her natural talents, enhanced by her training with the Rabbit Clan."

  Behind them, Sasuke had used his mud wall to redirect Kiba and Akamaru's attack path, causing them to crash into each other as they attempted to navigate around the obstacle. The momentary confusion gave Sasuke the opening he needed to perform another fire technique, this one creating a ring of flame that separated the Inuzuka pair from their teammate.

  "Team Eight is definitely on the defensive now," Mei observed. "The coordination between them has been disrupted, and they're fighting individually rather than as a unit."

  The Kazekage nodded slowly. "A critical weakness in what was previously their greatest strength. Unless they can reestablish communication quickly, this match may be decided shortly."

  Shino had recovered from Sakura's attack but was clearly dazed, his insects moving more erratically as his concentration faltered. Kiba and Akamaru were attempting to regroup, but Sasuke's strategic positioning kept them occupied, unable to assist their teammate.

  "Team Eight will need to escalate significantly to regain momentum," Sarutobi concluded. "Though doing so may cost them more chakra than would be prudent given the tournament context."

  Below them, Kiba seemed to have reached the same conclusion. His expression showed clear frustration as he assessed the situation, torn between going all-out to win this match and conserving strength for potential future rounds.

  Sarutobi watched with approval. This was exactly the kind of decision-making that the chūnin exams were designed to test—not just combat skills, but strategic thinking and resource management under pressure.

  The first match of the finals was proving to be an excellent demonstration of why these particular genin had advanced this far, regardless of who ultimately emerged victorious.

  Kiba cursed under his breath as he watched Sakura's fist connect with Shino's chest again. His teammate's bugs were scattered, his glasses askew, and his normally impeccable posture compromised. The Aburame was holding his own, but just barely—and Kiba didn't need his enhanced senses to know Shino wouldn't last much longer in close combat.

  Sweat trickled down Kiba's face as he dodged another fireball from Sasuke. The arena floor had become a patchwork of scorched earth, mud walls, and scattered kunai—evidence of the tactical battlefield that had developed over the past ten minutes.

  "Akamaru, left!" Kiba barked, and his ninken partner immediately shifted direction, narrowly avoiding a rabbit summon's hammer strike.

  The plan had been solid at first—use Shino's insects to drain Sasuke's chakra while he and Akamaru kept Sakura occupied. But the rabbit summons had thrown their strategy into disarray, and now Team Seven had successfully split them up in the opposite intended direction.

  Through the smoke of Sasuke's last fire jutsu, Kiba caught glimpses of Shino attempting to collect his kikaichu. The insects were responding sluggishly—not a good sign. Sakura wasn't giving him a moment to regroup, pressing her advantage with relentless taijutsu combinations.

  "Damn it," Kiba growled, deflecting a kunai with his own. "This isn't working."

  Akamaru yipped in agreement, his fur standing on end.

  Their current approach was failing. If they continued like this, both he and Shino would be eliminated without having shown their true capabilities. What was the point of conserving strength for later rounds if they didn't make it past the first match?

  In the stands, he heard his mother's distinctive voice cutting through the crowd noise.

  "Don't hold back, pup! Show them what the Inuzuka can do!"

  Tsume's words crystallized his decision. His sister Hana was probably rolling her eyes at their mother's volume, but Kiba found himself grinning despite the dire situation. This would probably cost him in the next match as he wanted to save it for a trump card but no use in having an ace in the hole if you lost in the first round.

  He locked eyes with Akamaru. "Time to stop messing around, boy. Come on Akamaru, let's do this."

  Akamaru barked his agreement, bounding to Kiba's side. The pair leaped away from Sasuke, creating distance to perform their technique.

  Kiba's hands flashed through seals. "Inuzuka Style: Man Beast Transformation Combo: Two-Headed Wolf!"

  Chakra surged through them both as smoke enveloped their forms. When it cleared, a massive two-headed wolf stood where Kiba and Akamaru had been, its fur bristling with power, claws digging into the arena floor.

  Sasuke and Mochi were clearly surprised, and the roar of the crowd reached new heights. He could hear the cheers of his mother and sister... Karin too! The red-haired Uzumaki's voice was unmistakable among the cacophony, and Kiba felt a surge of pride knowing she was watching.

  Beneath his transformed state, Kiba grinned savagely. "Time to end this."

  The two-headed wolf crouched low, gathering chakra. "Super Fang Wolf Fang!"

  They became a living drill, spinning with such velocity that the air around them howled. With Sasuke marked by Akamaru earlier in the match, tracking him was easy though the Uchiha was slippery, already flipping through hand signs.

  Kiba could smell the distress pheromones from the Kikaichū, that meant Shino was down. He heard the proctor declare Shino eliminated, but Kiba had no time to worry about that now.

  He adjusted their trajectory, aiming directly for Sasuke. The Uchiha's Sharingan was active, tracking their movement, but even with those eyes, the sheer speed of their attack was difficult to counter completely.

  Sasuke tried to leap away, but the massive drill caught him with a glancing blow. Not a direct hit, but enough to send him smashing into the arena wall with a satisfying crash.

  "Got him!" Kiba thought triumphantly.

  The transformed wolf skidded to a halt, turning to face where Sasuke had impacted. Through the dust, Kiba could see the Uchiha slowly picking himself up, his shirt torn and dirt smudging his face. The perfect Uchiha wasn't looking so perfect anymore.

  Before he could press his advantage, Sakura launched more kunai at him with pouches attached. Normally, this wouldn't worry him—most projectiles couldn't penetrate their spinning defense. But those pouches were concerning.

  "Spin again, Akamaru," Kiba communicated to his partner through their merged consciousness.

  With Akamaru's marking, he could track Sasuke even through other strong smells if they tried the citrus tactic again. The two-headed wolf began to rotate again, deflecting the incoming kunai. The pouches burst upon impact, but instead of the expected citrus powder, something else scattered around them.

  Vision disrupted by the spin, Kiba's enhanced nose picked up Sasuke's scent going up the wall to their right. Perfect. His attack would pin the Uchiha against the wall. There would be nowhere to escape.

  The wolf charged, launching into another devastating Super Fang Over Fang. They spiraled toward where Sasuke's scent was strongest, striking with all their might.

  The impact shook the arena, concrete crumbling beneath their attack. But as the dust settled, Kiba realized something was wrong. They hit the target... but IT WAS JUST THE NINJA SANDAL! Sasuke had used it as a distraction, leaving behind one of his sandals with his scent on it.

  The two-headed wolf transformation staggered, disoriented from the impact with the wall. They landed and shook their head to clear it from where they had crashed.

  Odd... there was no citrus smell with the more recent kunai Sakura had thrown. Instead, bits of confetti and a slight scent of sakura petals were around him. The realization hit Kiba too late.

  Looking up, he saw Sakura standing across the arena, hands forming the final seal of a technique he didn't recognize. She smirked at him, confidence radiating from her stance.

  "Sakura Fubuki no Jutsu!" she called out.

  The confetti and petals around him suddenly glowed with chakra. Kiba's eyes widened as he realized what they were—hundreds of mini explosive tags disguised as harmless paper.

  The explosion rocked the arena. The two-headed wolf transformation dissipated in a cloud of smoke, revealing Kiba and Akamaru, both singed and disoriented from the blast.

  Kiba tried to stand, his vision swimming. "Dammit," he muttered, legs trembling. "They set us up..."

  He stumbled forward, determination refusing to let him quit. But his body had other ideas. The cumulative damage from the fight and the explosive trap was too much.

  Kiba collapsed face-first onto the arena floor, consciousness fading as he heard the proctor's voice announce Sasuke and Sakura as the winners.

  From the Kage's viewing box, Sarutobi nodded appreciatively at the conclusion of the match.

  "An excellent demonstration of tactical thinking," he commented. "Team Seven identified their opponents' strengths and found creative ways to counter them."

  Mei agreed, her eyes lingering on Sakura. "The girl's explosive technique was quite impressive. Not just the execution, but the misdirection beforehand. First citrus to overwhelm the Inuzuka's sense of smell, then sakura petals as a subtle signature of her trap."

  "The Uchiha boy complemented her well," the Kazekage noted, his golden eyes fixed intently on Sasuke. "He drew the Inuzuka's attention, allowing her to set up the final attack."

  Below, medical-nin had entered the arena to attend to the fallen competitors. Shino was already being helped to his feet, while Kiba and Akamaru were carefully placed on stretchers.

  "Both teams showed admirable skill," Sarutobi said. "Team Eight's coordination was excellent until they were forced to separate. The Inuzuka's transformation technique would have been devastating had it connected properly."

  "A shame he had to reveal such a technique so early," Mei remarked. "Though I suspect he has other abilities we didn't see today."

  The Kazekage's expression remained neutral. "What are your thoughts on the victors?

  "An interesting dilemma," Sarutobi said, watching the medics tend to the injured competitors. "As this was a team match, we must decide which of our victors advances to the next round."

  Mei leaned forward, her auburn hair cascading over one shoulder. "I believe the girl should continue. She effectively neutralized both opponents. The Aburame fell to her taijutsu, and that explosive trap was brilliantly executed against the Inuzuka."

  "Perhaps," the Kazekage replied, folding his hands before him. "But the Uchiha expended significantly less chakra during the encounter. Strategy is knowing when to strike and when to conserve your strength." His golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Additionally, despite taking a glancing blow from that transformation technique, his injuries appear minimal. He'll be in better condition for the next match."

  Sarutobi puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. "Both arguments have merit. The purpose of these exams is to evaluate potential chunin candidates, and both have demonstrated admirable qualities."

  He turned to the third figure in their box. "Mui-san, perhaps you could provide an unbiased perspective? As neither competitor is from your village, would you care to break our tie?"

  The warden of Hōzuki Castle studied the arena floor where Sasuke and Sakura stood, waiting for the decision. His stern features remained impassive as he considered.

  "The girl shows remarkable tactical thinking and execution," Mui finally said. "Her trap was perfectly laid and timed. However..." He paused, eyes narrowing. "The Uchiha demonstrated superior battlefield awareness and chakra management. In a tournament setting, these qualities give him the edge."

  He nodded decisively. "I would advance the Uchiha, though I consider the girl an exemplary candidate for chunin promotion regardless of this outcome."

  Sarutobi nodded. "A fair assessment." He stood and approached the railing of the Kage box.

  "The winners of the first match are Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura of Konoha," he announced, his voice carrying across the arena. "As only one competitor may advance from this team match, Uchiha Sasuke will continue to the next round."

  Below, Sakura cheered, smiling and squeezing Sasuke's hand in congratulations, though Sasuke looked slightly annoyed.

  In the competitors' waiting area, Naruto was practically bouncing with excitement.

  "That was awesome!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. "Sakura-chan's explosion technique was so cool! When did she learn that?"

  Nearby, Gaara stood silently, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he watched the medics clear the field. Only the slight narrowing of his eyes betrayed any reaction to the match.

  Temari leaned against the wall, fan resting at her side. "The Uchiha is good, but that was more about teamwork than individual skill. Our matches won't have that advantage."

  "Speaking of which," Shikamaru sighed, "looks like we're up next."

  The proctor had announced a brief intermission to repair the arena floor, which had suffered considerable damage from Kiba's attacks and Sakura's explosions.

  "Don't embarrass us, crybaby," Temari smirked at Shikamaru.

  "Troublesome woman," he muttered, but his eyes were already calculating, analyzing what he'd seen of her fighting style during the preliminaries.

  Dosu remained apart from the others, bandages concealing any expression he might have had. Occasionally, his single visible eye would dart toward the Kage viewing box, then back to the arena floor.

  In the medical area beneath the stadium, Kiba groaned as consciousness returned. The ceiling spun above him, and the antiseptic smell of the medical bay assaulted his sensitive nose.

  "Easy there," a medical-nin cautioned as he tried to sit up. "You took quite a beating."

  "Akamaru?" Kiba immediately asked, voice hoarse.

  "Your ninken is fine," the medic assured him, gesturing to a nearby table where Akamaru was being treated by a veterinary specialist. "Some minor burns and exhaustion, but nothing serious."

  Kiba relaxed slightly, then winced as pain shot through his ribs. "And Shino?"

  "Already left. A bit low on chakra, but he suffered no major physical injuries."

  Collapsing back onto the examination table, Kiba stared at the ceiling. They had lost. Despite using his trump card, they had been outmaneuvered by Team Seven. The knowledge stung worse than his physical injuries.

  "Kiba-kun!"

  He turned his head to see Karin rushing into the medical bay, concern evident on her face. Behind her, Chouji followed at a more sedate pace, munching nervously on a bag of chips.

  "You were amazing out there," Karin said, adjusting her glasses. "That transformation technique was incredible!"

  Despite his disappointment, Kiba found himself grinning. "You really thought so?"

  "Of course! The whole stadium was stunned!" She hesitated, then added, "It was bad luck that you fell for their trap at the end."

  "Yeah," Kiba admitted, wincing as he shifted. "Didn't expect Sakura to have explosives hidden in those flower petals. Pretty sneaky."

  Chouji offered him some chips, which Kiba gratefully accepted. "You made it to the finals anyway," the Akimichi said. "That's better than me."

  Kiba nodded, but the loss still grated. He had wanted to progress further, to show everyone—especially his clan—what he was capable of. And maybe impress Karin a little more in the process.

  As if reading his thoughts, Karin suddenly took his hand. "Want me to help you recover faster? My healing ability could have you back on your feet in no time."

  The medical-nin nearby frowned. "I'm not sure that's—"

  "It's fine," Kiba interrupted, squeezing Karin's hand with a grin. "She's got a special technique."

  Maybe losing this match wasn't the end of the world after all.

  Back in the arena, Sasuke and Sakura were making their way to the competitors' area, acknowledging the cheers of the crowd with restrained nods.

  "That went well," Sakura said quietly, adjusting her gloves.

  Sasuke grunted in agreement. "Your timing was perfect with that explosion technique."

  "I wasn't sure if the petals would be enough to mask the explosive tags from Kiba's nose," she admitted. "The citrus pouches earlier were meant to desensitize him a bit."

  "It worked," Sasuke confirmed. "Though that transformation of his was stronger than I expected. If he had connected directly..." He unconsciously touched his side where Kiba's attack had grazed him.

  Sakura's long ears twitched as they picked up the announcement for the next match. "Looks like we've got some time before the winner of the next match faces us. Should we watch from the stands or the competitors' area?"

  Sasuke considered for a moment. "Competitors' area. I want to observe Gaara's match up close."

  "Worried about Naruto?" Sakura asked, her voice lower.

  "Hn," was Sasuke's non-committal response, but his slight frown was answer enough.

  As they reached the stairs leading up to the competitors' viewing area, Sasuke paused. "Your summoning technique is improving," he noted. "The coordination with Mochi was much better than during our practice sessions."

  Coming from Sasuke, this was high praise, and Sakura beamed. "Thanks! Though I probably should have summoned more rabbits. A few more would have made things easier."

  "We managed," Sasuke said simply, continuing up the stairs.

  Sakura smiled to herself as she followed. Yes, they had managed quite well indeed.