Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
Kitazawa once again stood before the lottery box. He reached in and drew out two small slips of paper.
"The first match of the second round is Yakumo Squad versus Hinata Squad." Kitazawa glanced at the slips and announced calmly.
"Sasuke, see you in the second match!" Naruto grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
Since only four squads remained, announcing the first match naturally revealed the second.
"The one who loses will definitely be you," Sasuke replied expressionlessly.
Naruto would be subjected to two restrictions under the Team Battle rules. Without a doubt, this was Sasuke's best chance to defeat him.
The thought of being beaten again and again during their usual training sessions ignited an intense fighting spirit in Sasuke's heart.
He absolutely had to defeat Naruto today to wash away the resentment burning inside him.
"Sasuke-kun is right!" Sakura immediately chimed in. "Naruto, just wait to be defeated by us!"
Sasuke subconsciously glanced at her. Sakura froze for a moment, then hurriedly covered her mouth.
Sasuke hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
Five minutes later, the Yakumo Squad and the Hinata Squad reported their chosen three restrictions.
Hinata's two restricted conditions had changed. The ban on Explosive Arrow was replaced with a ban on Spiral Arrow.
Explosive Arrow was essentially a Yin Release Secret Technique. For Yakumo, Explosive Arrow wasn't much of a threat.
On the contrary, the far more powerful Spiral Arrow posed a much greater danger.
The ban on Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was replaced with a ban on Phantom Arc Arrow.
Although Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was extremely powerful, it was still a close-combat Taijutsu.
The three members of Yakumo Squad all excelled at long-range Ninjutsu, making it difficult for opponents to approach them anyway.
Phantom Arc Arrow, however, was an ultra-long-range Ninjutsu, and banning it benefited them far more.
Yakumo's two restricted conditions remained unchanged: Terrifying Illusion and Genjutsu: Five Senses.
There was simply no alternative—these two Bloodline Limit Genjutsu were the most terrifying of all.
Left side of the Forest of Death.
"Shikamaru, what strategy do you think we should adopt?" Hinata looked at Nara Shikamaru and asked.
"Yakumo Squad has a very fatal flaw," Shikamaru replied with a faint smile. "They lack any real means of sensing."
"Do you mean to use long-range attacks to wear them down?" Hinata paused before continuing. "I've lost Spiral Arrow and Phantom Arc Arrow, so it's difficult to deal effective damage to them."
Yakumo possessed Genjutsu: Creation, allowing her to prepare scrolls in advance and unleash Ninjutsu instantly.
The only saving grace was that Genjutsu: Creation still had a limited range—it couldn't compare to the reach of Hinata's Moon-Chasing Bow.
"They have two choices," Shikamaru said unhurriedly. "One is to counterattack where they stand and deal with your arrows."
"The second is to find a way to close the distance with us and launch an assault."
"But since they lack sensing abilities, approaching us is impossible," Hinata said thoughtfully.
"So that means they can only counterattack where they stand?" Hotaru asked subconsciously.
"No." Shikamaru shook his head. "Without Spiral Arrow and Phantom Arc Arrow, Hinata's threat to them isn't that great."
"Moreover, if both sides remain deadlocked, the winner will eventually be decided by overall performance once time runs out."
"Mhm." Hinata nodded. "Their squad definitely won't sit still and wait for defeat."
"In that case, our strategy is very simple," Shikamaru said with a smile. "Since they don't have sensing abilities, we'll lure them into searching for us—and set traps along the way."
Hearing this, both Hinata and Hotaru nodded in agreement, feeling there were no flaws in the plan.
The three of them immediately began planning their route and arranging their traps.
Fifteen minutes later, the battle officially began.
Hinata continuously activated her Byakugan, launching Explosive Arrow and Multiple Arrows to harass the Yakumo Squad from afar.
Yakumo Squad managed to block her attacks one after another.
They had expected the Hinata Squad to advance toward them, just like Neji's Squad before, but that never happened.
Left with no choice, they endured Hinata's long-range assaults and attempted to locate her position instead.
Shikamaru deliberately left behind subtle clues, guiding them straight into a carefully prepared trap.
Although Yakumo's Genjutsu: Creation minimized the damage they suffered, they were still led by the nose the entire way.
Meanwhile, the Hinata Squad repeatedly used the Byakugan to widen the distance again and again.
Two hours later, the chase finally came to an end.
"Who do you think performed better?" Kitazawa looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others and asked.
"Hinata Squad." Sarutobi Hiruzen answered without hesitation.
"I agree." Kurenai and the others nodded in unison.
Although no one had been forced to withdraw, the Hinata Squad clearly held the upper hand in overall performance.
From start to finish, Yakumo Squad had been completely within their calculations.
"The winner is the Hinata Squad," Kitazawa announced the result.
"Shikamaru is truly smart." Tenten couldn't help but exclaim.
"After all, he's from the Nara Clan," Choji said while chewing on his chips. He, Tenten, and Naruto were on the same team.
"Shikamaru's method could work against us, too," Sakura said seriously.
She, Sasuke, and Chino were on the same team.
Sasuke frowned upon hearing this. His squad was similar to Yakumo's—they also lacked strong sensing abilities.
Although his Sharingan granted him sharp vision, it still couldn't compare to Hinata's Byakugan.
However, he had one clear advantage: speed.
If he were fast enough, even the Byakugan wouldn't be able to keep its distance forever. After all, setting traps required time.
But Yakumo Squad's overall speed had only been average.
"Let's focus on defeating Naruto and the others first." Sasuke shook his head and said.
"True." Sakura looked toward Naruto, Akimichi Choji, and Tenten.
If they couldn't overcome them, they would never get the chance to face the Hinata Squad in the third round.
"The second match of the second round is Sasuke Squad versus Naruto Squad." Kitazawa paused before continuing. "You have five minutes to choose your restrictions."
"There's nothing else to discuss," Sasuke said without hesitation. "Two restrictions for Naruto, one for Tenten."
"Naruto's bans are Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Tailed Beast Chakra," Sakura added. "Tenten's ban is Summon: Shiromari."
Chino didn't speak, only nodded in agreement.
A stat monster like Naruto had to be restrained. Yet even with Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Tailed Beast Chakra sealed, he would still be difficult to fight.
After all, he still possessed powerful techniques like Konoha Dragon God and Yang Release: Rasengan.
Moreover, banning Tailed Beast Chakra didn't mean Kurama couldn't help him dispel Genjutsu. In other words, Naruto was still not afraid of Genjutsu.
And even without tapping into the Tailed Beast chakra, his own Chakra reserves were still the highest among all participants.
"I still feel like two restrictions aren't enough for Naruto," Sakura complained. "He really feels like some kind of alien."
The concept of aliens did exist in the Ninja World. In the original curriculum, the Ninja Academy even taught astronomy and geography, discussing the universe and distant worlds.
"Time's up." Kitazawa reminded them calmly.
"Ban Sasuke's Hatake Swordsmanship and Sharingan Genjutsu, and ban Sakura's Water Release: Heavenly Weeping."
Naruto announced the result of the discussion with his teammates.
Hatake Swordsmanship went without saying—it was fast, precise, and posed a tremendous threat to them.
Although Naruto himself wasn't afraid of Sharingan Genjutsu, Akimichi Choji and Tenten were.
If Sasuke managed to control them, they could end up turning their blades on their own teammates.
It was worth noting that while Sharingan Genjutsu was forbidden, the Sharingan itself and ordinary Genjutsu were not.
However, Sasuke hadn't learned much ordinary Genjutsu. The techniques he had mastered could only be performed through the Sharingan.
Even so, this restriction wasn't too harsh for him—he rarely relied on Genjutsu anyway, as long as the Sharingan itself wasn't banned.
As for Sakura and Chino, there wasn't much else worth restricting. In the end, the Naruto Squad chose the most insidious option—Water Release: Heavenly Weeping.
This Water Release Ninjutsu required no hand seals, consumed little Chakra, and was extremely covert, making it easy for opponents to fall into its trap.
"Both sides enter the arena. The battle begins in fifteen minutes." Kitazawa nodded as he spoke.
Naruto, Sasuke, and the others headed into the Forest of Death.
Left side of the Forest of Death.
"Sasuke-kun." Sakura asked impatiently, "Do we have a plan?"
"Wait," Sasuke replied curtly.
"Wait?" Sakura was stunned for a moment. "Are we not going to take the initiative?"
"Tenten specializes in ninja tools," Sasuke said calmly. "If we charge in first, we'll just be turning ourselves into moving targets."
"With Naruto's personality, he won't wait for us—he'll definitely come looking for us."
"I see!" Sakura immediately praised him. "As expected of Sasuke-kun!"
"Hurry up and set up the field," Sasuke said casually. "At least it'll help defend against Tenten's ninja tools."
"Okay!" Sakura moved at once.
Right side of the Forest of Death.
"What are your thoughts?" Naruto stopped and asked.
"I'll summon Gekkou first." Tenten bit her thumb and performed the Summoning Technique.
A puff of smoke rose, and a ninken appeared.
"It can lead us to Sasuke and the others," Tenten said with a smile as she stroked Gekkou.
"That's great!" Naruto was stunned for a second, then shouted excitedly. "Let's go straight to them!"
"Won't we run into traps if we go straight there?" Choji asked after thinking for a moment.
"My ninja tools can destroy all the traps!" Tenten said proudly.
"Tenten, you're amazing!" Naruto gave a thumbs up. "Next time for my youth team, I'll still pick you!"
"For the next Team Battle, I want to join Neji's squad!" Tenten immediately refused.
"Is that so?" Naruto scratched his head and said nothing more.
"Begin the battle!" Fifteen minutes later, Kitazawa's voice echoed across the arena.
"Gekkou." Tenten took out a kunai and placed it before the dog's nose.
"Whose kunai is this?" Choji asked curiously.
"Sasuke's," Tenten replied. "I picked it up before."
"Did you pick up kunai from a lot of people?" Choji's interest was piqued, and he asked again.
"I picked up some." Tenten blinked. "That's called being prepared."
"You really have Shikamaru's style." Choji gave a thumbs up, imitating Naruto.
"Gekkou, take us to find the owner of this kunai." Tenten stood up and commanded.
"Woof, woof!" Gekkou barked twice and dashed off.
Naruto and the others followed closely behind. Soon, they arrived near a mountain.
"They're on the mountain." Tenten narrowed her eyes.
"I think I see them." Naruto stood on his tiptoes and squinted toward the mountainside, vaguely spotting three heads.
Sasuke and his teammates were hiding behind a massive rock.
"I'll test for traps nearby first." Tenten canceled the Summoning Technique and took out a scroll with both hands.
She opened it. Kunai flew out one after another, extending from their position all the way to the foot of the mountain.
Boom! Near the base of the mountain, the kunai triggered an explosive tag trap.
"It seems our traps will be completely ineffective." Sakura rubbed her brow, feeling a twinge of regret.
"It doesn't matter," Sasuke said indifferently. "Prepare to fight. When they attack, we'll have the advantage of higher ground."
"Be careful of Tenten's Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique." Sakura suddenly remembered and warned.
"Given her Chakra, she can probably only use it once." Sasuke nodded. "As long as we stay alert, it won't be a big problem."
The sound of explosions faded. All the traps along the path to the mountainside had been triggered and destroyed by Tenten's kunai.
"Nice job!" Naruto shouted excitedly.
"It's nothing." Tenten chuckled softly. "The real tough fight starts now—we'll have to rely on you."
"Leave it to me!" Naruto flashed a grin. "In the name of youth, we'll definitely defeat them!"
"I'll smash that big rock first," Tenten observed from afar.
"Leave that to me," Choji said after a moment of thought. "This mountain was temporarily piled up by Kitazawa-sensei—it's not very sturdy."
"You mean you can knock down this mountain?" Tenten was stunned.
"Knocking it down is difficult, but I can move that big rock," Choji replied.
"Very good!" Tenten said. "I'll cover you with ninja tools!"
Multi-Size Jutsu! Choji formed hand seals, and his body rapidly expanded.
"What is he doing?" Sakura asked subconsciously.
"He's going to push the mountain." Sasuke saw through his intention at once.
He immediately activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Human Bullet Tank! Choji drew in his limbs and transformed into a giant ball, charging forward.
Boom!
The entire mountain trembled. The massive rock blocking their path shook violently.
Manipulating Shuriken Technique! Sasuke instantly threw out six kunai.
Tenten had been watching him closely. The moment he moved, she opened a scroll.
A storm of kunai and shuriken burst forth, blocking Sasuke's six kunai and continuing toward him and his teammates.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall! Sakura reacted instantly, forming hand seals.
A wall of water rose before them. Ninja tools struck. The massive rock shattered, and the water wall swayed dangerously.
Sasuke drew the Sword of the Thunder God, leaped up, and swung it. Lightning erupted, engulfing every remaining ninja tool.
Sakura and Chino seized the chance and immediately retreated to the sides.
"I'll deal with Naruto," Sasuke said in a low voice. "Sakura, you handle Choji. Chino, you take Tenten."
Sakura and Chino nodded solemnly.
"Be careful, all of you!" Sasuke accelerated, charging straight toward Naruto.
As he ran, he formed hand seals. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A scorching aura filled the air. Flames gathered into a massive fireball.
Wind Release: Gale Palm! Naruto clapped his hands together.
A fierce gale roared out, blowing the fireball straight back toward Sasuke.
The corner of Sasuke's mouth twitched. Naruto still had far too much Chakra—he could afford to waste it freely.
Sasuke flickered aside, dodging his own fireball.
Konoha Style: Willow!
The instant Sasuke and Naruto's eyes met, the Sword of the Thunder God became a blur.
Naruto was dazed for a split second before Kurama dispelled the Genjutsu. But by then, Sasuke's Sword of the Thunder God was already upon him.
With a clang! Samehada blocked the Sword of the Thunder God.
Naruto gripped the hilt and exerted force.
Sasuke's expression shifted slightly. The overwhelming power made him feel as though he were wrestling a raging bull.
But in the next instant, he infused Lightning Release Chakra into the Sword of the Thunder God.
Lightning raced along the blade, surging straight toward Samehada.
Violent: Leaf Adamantine Strength Whirlwind!
Naruto immediately released Samehada. He raised his right leg, coated in blue Chakra, swinging it down like a heavy club toward Sasuke.
Violent: Leaf Adamantine Strength Whirlwind!
Sasuke instantly used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to copy the move.
With a bang! Their right legs collided.
But Naruto's strength still held the advantage. Sasuke staggered back two steps and then swung the Sword of the Thunder God with all his might.
Lightning burst forth like a crescent moon. At the critical moment, Samehada leapt up and blocked the arc of lightning.
Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken! Naruto immediately hurled two shuriken.
Sasuke threw two shuriken in return, but his were easily shattered by the Wind Release–enhanced blades.
Still, blocking them for even a moment was enough.
Sasuke twisted his wrist, and the Sword of the Thunder God knocked the two shuriken away.
"Konoha Style Swordsmanship!" Naruto grabbed Samehada and smashed it downward.
Sasuke retreated at once.
Samehada slammed into the ground, blasting out a massive crater.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Sasuke seized the opening while Naruto's body was still affected by inertia, instantly spewing out a huge fireball.
Sweat beaded on Naruto's forehead. At the last second, he scooped up Samehada and hurled it forward.
Samehada collided with the fireball, and in an instant, flames scattered in every direction.
"Konoha Gale!"
Naruto twisted his body and kicked fiercely in mid-air. He burst through the flames, then delivered a second and third kick in rapid succession.
Rasengan! Sasuke extended his hand the moment he saw the first kick coming.
At that instant, Naruto seemed to be charging straight toward the Rasengan in Sasuke's palm.
A dangerous aura descended. If he struck the Rasengan, his foot would be badly damaged.
Realizing this, Naruto forcefully lifted his leg, narrowly avoiding the Rasengan.
Seeing the opening, Sasuke stepped forward, raised his hand, and slammed the Rasengan toward Naruto's waist.
"Konoha Dragon God!" In a desperate moment, Naruto unleashed all his Chakra, his body beginning to spin violently.
"What?!" Sasuke, who had been certain of victory, felt his pupils contract.
He never imagined Naruto could use the Konoha Dragon God under these conditions.
Yet this was also the advantage of Taijutsu. It generally required no hand seals—so long as the body could endure it, the technique could be unleashed at once.
The Rasengan struck the half-formed green giant dragon.
Sasuke and Naruto both trembled at the same time. The Wind Release Chakra coating the dragon's surface lashed out like countless blades.
Body Flicker Technique! Sasuke barely avoided the attack of the Konoha Dragon God.
He caught a faint scent of blood in the air. Sasuke's spirits lifted—his Rasengan had injured Naruto.
How serious the wound was, however, remained uncertain. Sasuke had no time to dwell on it and immediately dashed away.
Because the green giant dragon was already charging straight at him.
Chidori Current! Sasuke formed hand seals as he ran.
With him as the center, dazzling lightning spread in all directions. Upon colliding with the green giant dragon, a violent clash erupted.
The dragon's momentum faltered.
Sasuke glanced around, then stepped onto the nearest tree and shot upward into the air.
The weakness of Konoha Dragon God lay at its core—the eye of the storm.
Yin Release: Rasengan! Sasuke extended his hand mid-air.
Then he descended from above, diving straight toward the eye of the storm.
But at that moment, Naruto decisively dispelled the Konoha Dragon God.
"Yang Release: Rasengan!" Naruto raised his hand.
Two Rasengan of different colors crashed together.
Sasuke leapt backward at once, avoiding the violent Chakra turbulence. When he landed, he spotted a shallow tear on Naruto's abdomen.
That was the wound caused by his earlier Rasengan—yet to Sasuke's shock, it had already healed completely.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Naruto formed hand seals, creating two Shadow Clones.
Though he couldn't use Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could still use the basic Shadow Clone Technique.
Sasuke's expression changed slightly. Without another word, he also formed hand seals and created two Shadow Clones.
The six fighters immediately plunged into a chaotic melee.
Naruto possessed tremendous strength and massive Chakra, while Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan granted him superior dynamic vision.
For a time, the battle reached a stalemate.
Meanwhile, the clash between Choji, Tenten, Sakura, and Chino raged just as fiercely.
Sakura's opponent was Choji.
Choji's massive frame forced him into a defensive position, but his tough hide ensured he wouldn't fall to Sakura's Water Release anytime soon.
On the other side, Chino was locked in combat with Tenten.
Chino possessed the Blood Dragon Eye (Ketsuryugan), which carried hypnotic powers.
Tenten knew this well and dared not approach, relying instead on ninja tools to keep up long-range suppression.
Though Chino also wielded Water Release, its range couldn't match that of ninja tools.
The two fell into a tense cat-and-mouse struggle—Chino trying to close the distance, Tenten determined to keep it.
"Rasengan!"
Naruto dodged Sasuke's Sword of the Thunder God.
Seizing the opening, he formed a Rasengan and slammed it against Sasuke's waist from the side.
Rasengan! Sasuke countered with his backhand.
With a boom! The two Rasengan detonated.
Sasuke felt a burning pain surge through his right hand. Naruto felt the same—but neither of them paid it any mind.
Konoha Style: Willow! The Sword of the Thunder God in Sasuke's hand flashed with terrifying speed.
Samehada rose to block in front of Naruto.
Naruto flung it aside and roared, "Konoha Dragon God!"
His two Shadow Clones echoed in unison, "Konoha Dragon God!"
In an instant, three green giant dragons took shape.
Sasuke's breath hitched. What a monster!
They had been fighting for so long, yet Naruto and his Shadow Clones still had enough Chakra to unleash the Konoha Dragon God again?
Sasuke felt the situation grow dangerous.
He and his two Shadow Clones dodged at once, searching for a chance to take to the air.
Grinding his teeth, Sasuke chose one green giant dragon at random and leaped straight into its center.
Chidori Senbon!
In mid-air, he flicked his wrist. The lightning in his hand split into countless senbon, raining down over Naruto.
With a bang! Naruto vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Sasuke frowned. In the next instant, memories flooded back into his mind.
His two Shadow Clones had already been defeated.
Sasuke landed heavily, only to find himself attacked by a green giant dragon from both left and right.
Double Chidori!
Sasuke's face darkened—it was too late to retreat into the air.
The green giant dragon was terrifyingly fast, and its spiraling force threatened to drag everything nearby into the vortex.
With no other choice, Sasuke made one final gamble.
Beyond the critical danger, there was another reason.
His Chakra was nearly exhausted. Locking onto the seemingly larger dragon, he charged forward.
A piercing cry of lightning rang out.
Sasuke maintained a Chidori in each hand. The twin Chidori tore through the green giant dragon one after the other.
Violent: Leaf Adamantine Strength Whirlwind! Naruto kicked upward.
Both of them were forced back at the same time.
But in the next instant, another green giant dragon was already upon him. Sasuke barely had time to steady himself before being swept toward it.
At the critical moment, Kitazawa appeared and pulled him to safety.
With Sasuke defeated, his other two teammates, Sakura and Chino, soon followed.
After all, Naruto had already joined their fight.
"Winner, Naruto's Squad," Kitazawa announced.
Sasuke clenched his fists unconsciously. He was still too weak.
Even with Naruto restricted from using Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Tailed Beast Chakra.
In his intense frustration, Sasuke's three-tomoe eyes trembled, showing faint signs of merging.
But in the end, they calmed once more—still only the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.