Chapter 441 - 441: Kazekage Under Watch

"Toneri versus Hinata? …Hahaha"

Akio's face went completely dark as he shot an annoyed glance at Kushina and Karin, who were laughing way too hard beside him.

"Karin, Mom what's so funny?" Tsukika asked, confused.

"HAHAHAHA—"

"…Great-Grandpa?"

Akio pressed his lips together. "Karin, I get why Kushina's laughing, but you too? Don't you realize you and Toneri are kind of in the same boat?"

Karin froze.

…Okay, yeah. That hit a little too close to home.

In the arena, Toneri Otsutsuki and Hinata Hyuga faced each other.

Hinata blushed faintly and gave a deep, polite bow.

"Please take care of me, Toneri."

"Ah right!" Toneri quickly returned the bow, scratching his head awkwardly. Of all the opponents he could've drawn… it had to be Hinata. The poor kid had no idea how to fight her.

Clearly, he needed some coaching.

Akio's voice echoed quietly in his ear:

"Hold back if you want but don't lose. Hinata might seem soft, but she's got real backbone. If you throw the match, it'll only backfire."

Toneri paused, then nodded, half-understanding.

Up in the stands, Akio let out a small sigh of relief.

Good thing the kid's easy to guide… otherwise this would get messy.

So far, two of Akio's predicted Top Eight, Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee were already out. Even though the final match hadn't happened yet, Lee going up against Gaara didn't look promising.

If Toneri somehow lost too… Akio might as well pack up and head back home early.

"Toneri getting matched with Hinata? Someone's definitely trying to sabotage me," Akio muttered, glancing back.

Obito Uchiha looked perfectly normal, casually chatting with the "Fourth Kazekage." The others…

"…Hmm?" Akio narrowed his eyes. Sakumo Hatake was staring at the Kazekage in a way that didn't feel right.

You can see through a disguise even a Mangekyō can't crack? That instinct of yours is something else…

Akio smirked. Looks like Orochimaru might be in trouble.

"You're smiling like an idiot, Great-Grandpa."

Akio said nothing, just grabbed Tsukika's cheeks and gave them a few playful squeezes.

Down below, the match began…

…and immediately turned into a slow, technical grind.

Both Toneri and Hinata used Gentle Fist subtle, precise, and deadly beneath the surface. But to the average spectator, it just looked like soft taps and light pushes.

Before long, the crowd started grumbling again.

No one was more frustrated than one very loud spectator in the west stands

"Hinata! You got this! Didn't you say you were gonna beat the crap out of that Toneri guy?!"

Toneri froze mid-movement, nearly taking a hit. Hinata quickly stepped back, flustered.

"I...I never said that!"

"I know," Toneri nodded seriously. "That idiot just made it up. I hope I get to fight him next."

Hinata blinked.

"…Toneri, I'm going all out now. Byakugan!"

Up in the stands, Akio facepalmed.

Saying you want to fight Naruto next… right in front of your current opponent?

This kid's emotional intelligence is nonexistent. Definitely didn't inherit that from me.

No wonder he's been chasing Hinata for six years and getting nowhere. Give him another six, same result.

Time dragged on.

The fight steadily drained the crowd's enthusiasm and eventually, Hinata's stamina too.

After nearly half an hour, many spectators gave up and left for lunch. The stadium grew noticeably emptier.

Meanwhile, Akio's group casually started a picnic right in the front row. Tsukika somehow managed to get food all over him.

This little gremlin is definitely getting revenge…

With no need for another draw, the final match kicked off.

Rock Lee leapt dramatically into the arena, landing with a spinning flourish before flashing a thumbs-up.

"YOUTH!!"

…And another wave of spectators immediately left.

Ironically, the most intense and explosive fight of the day now had fewer than a thousand people watching.

Opening the Fifth Gate, Lee became practically unstoppable at his level far beyond Naruto, Sasuke, or Toneri.

But he had the worst possible matchup.

Gaara.

Lee's speed outpaced Gaara's automatic sand defense. Even the so-called "absolute defense" cracked under his relentless blows.

But Lee's body couldn't keep up.

After just a couple of strikes, his muscles began tearing apart. His final kick lost form and with it, his chance to win.

He collapsed.

Akio turned back, noticing Obito, Hiruzen, and the others escorting the "Kazekage" out.

"No opening? Or did he chicken out?" Akio frowned.

"…Or is he waiting for my signal?"

"Hey, that guy with the crazy eyebrows doesn't look so good," Karin said quietly.

Akio nodded. "Every bone in his body's shattered. He might never fight again."

Then he smiled.

"But that's fine. We've got you, right? Go give him a bite."

"NO WAY!!!"

"…Cold," Akio sighed.

"Karin's just letting him die…" Tsukika added innocently.

Kushina scooped her up.

"Grandpa, you should go. I really don't want to watch Guy break down crying…"

Akio blinked then chuckled.

Ah. That kind of "can't watch."

"Say no more! The Uzumaki miracle healer is on the job!"

With his advanced medical skills, Akio quickly stabilized Lee's injuries, fast enough to rival Karin's healing bite.

Nearby, Might Guy was already tearing up uncontrollably. Thankfully, Lee had passed out from exhaustion, otherwise it would've turned into a full-blown emotional reunion.

"Hey! Great-Grandpa! I won pretty clean, right?" Naruto Uzumaki said, clearly fishing for praise.

Akio raised a brow.

"After watching that last match… don't you feel any pressure?"

"…Okay, Thick Brows was strong. And Gaara too. But I'm still the strongest!"

Akio smirked.

"Calling him 'Thick Brows'? Sounds like you're just jealous."

Naruto's face instantly fell. His eyes drifted toward Haku.

His own eyebrows had only just started growing in… and they were still pretty faint.

The first day of matches came to an end.

But beneath the surface, Konoha was anything but calm.

A letter arrived in Akio's hands:

"The Fourth Kazekage seems suspicious. Please keep an eye on him tomorrow."

Akio chuckled.

"So Sakumo really did figure out it was Orochimaru. Wonder how many people got this same message."

At the very least, Minato had.

And with just him and Kushina alone… that was already more than enough to give Orochimaru a very bad day.

Akio smiled faintly.

"You came to Konoha on your own, Orochimaru. No one forced you… so good luck."

"You're going to need it."

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