Of course, these cheers were mostly from the civilians and lower-ranked ninja. Stationed around the stadium, Baki, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kabuto (hiding in the shadows) were all tense.
Especially Baki. His eyes were glued to Gaara. As the initiator of the "Konoha Crush" and the Sand Village's most critical weapon, Gaara could not afford to make any mistakes.
'You must stick to the plan, Gaara,' Baki chanted internally.
Subconsciously, he looked toward the area outside Konoha, where the Sand's elite forces were gathered. They were waiting for the signal to launch the fiercest attack on the village's weak side.
Konoha's Jonin had also received various orders before entering the stadium. Even though Konoha still didn't know the exact details of the Sand and Sound's plot, the accumulation of clues was enough for Hiruzen to order a full alert.
However, unless absolutely necessary, Hiruzen didn't want to see the worst-case scenario unfold.
This was Konoha, after all. Any battle here meant that losses would be magnified. As the Hokage, Hiruzen naturally hoped for a peaceful resolution.
But today's outcome was destined to leave Hiruzen unsatisfied. In fact, a "big surprise" was waiting for him.
The curtain was slowly rising.
Down in the arena.
"Alright. Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyūga, stay here for the first match. Everyone else, head up to the spectator gallery," Genma Shiranui said calmly, turning to address Menma, Gaara, and the other finalists.
As his words fell...
The two remaining combatants locked eyes.
Sparks seemed to fly between them.
Just as Sasuke was satisfied with his first opponent, Neji was equally pleased to face Sasuke in the opening round.
Even though the Uchiha clan had been nearly wiped out, their name still carried immense weight in the ninja world. Defeating such an opponent made Neji's blood boil.
As the other eight participants turned to leave...
"Do your best, Sasuke! You gotta beat that guy!"
"Good luck, Sasuke-kun."
Naruto and Sakura cheered for their teammate.
Menma, on the other hand, gave Sasuke and Neji a peculiar look. If he had to pick who among the Konoha 12 in the original story was most likely to become his ally, it would be these two.
The former had already proven it in the original timeline.
As for the latter... well, he had the motive and the foundation. Whether it could actually happen remained to be seen. Neji was from the Branch House, and the "Caged Bird" seal was an unavoidable obstacle.
'But that's a problem for later. Today, we need to make sure this big show plays out perfectly first.'
Before stepping into the stairwell, Menma glanced one last time at Hiruzen on the high platform. He was starting to look forward to what was about to unfold.
Two fighters stood apart in the arena.
Eight others walked up the stairs.
"First match: Sasuke Uchiha vs. Neji Hyūga. Begin!"
After glancing at the high platform and receiving the signal, Genma slashed his right hand down and shouted.
At the signal...
Boom!
On one side...
Sasuke immediately activated his Sharingan. Crimson light flashed in his eyes as his chakra exploded outward.
On the other side...
Neji gave a cold laugh.
"Byakugan!"
Veins bulged around his temples as his white eyes activated simultaneously.
An aura far surpassing that of an ordinary genin rippled out from both of them.
"Oh! Oh! The Sharingan!"
"Is that the legendary Sharingan of the Uchiha clan?"
"It's been years since I've seen those eyes."
"Tsk, tsk. Byakugan vs. Sharingan. The first match is already this intense?"
"Let's see which is stronger: the Byakugan or the Sharingan!"
Seeing the two distinct dōjutsu activate, the spectators in the stands widened their eyes in excitement.
Cheers and screams rose and fell, adding to the heat of the duel.
"Haha! Kakashi! The first match is between our two teams! This is truly the springtime of youth!" Might Guy, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Kakashi, gave a thumbs-up and laughed loudly.
"Mhm."
Kakashi gave a lazy, perfunctory response. His exposed eye, however, casually drifted toward Baki in the distance, a glint of seriousness hidden deep within his pupil.
The duel began.
There was no need, nor any possibility, for words.
Boom!
Down in the arena, Sasuke launched himself at Neji the moment the Hyūga took his stance, seizing the initiative with blinding speed.
A flash of movement.
When he appeared in front of Neji...
The Hyūga genius's pupils constricted sharply.
The speed was clearly beyond his expectations.
"Eight Trigrams!"
Neji could only immediately assume his strongest defensive stance.
The two collided violently.
Rumble...
A cloud of dust kicked up from the ground as they clashed.
"Whoa? So fast! Since when did Sasuke get that fast?"
Up in the stands, the spectating genin's expressions shifted. Rock Lee, in particular, turned very serious.
Naruto started shouting in surprise.
'Lightning Release chakra activation? It's practically a cheat code,' Menma thought, being the only one not surprised.
In the original story, Sasuke had learned this technique—along with Kakashi's signature Chidori—in just one month.
It allowed the Uchiha heir to undergo a leap in growth. Unfortunately, in the original timeline, he was up against Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchuriki. While Chidori could pierce Gaara's sand defense and even wound him, once Gaara started using Shukaku's power later on, Sasuke was no match.
But now, facing Neji Hyūga...
Sasuke clearly held the upper hand.
Bang!
Utilizing his newly awakened Sharingan, the taijutsu copied from Lee (via Kakashi's training), and his speed pushed to the limit...
Neji was completely on the back foot.
He was forced entirely into passive defense against Sasuke's onslaught.
It was difficult for him to even mount a counterattack. He could barely maintain his Eight Trigrams stance.
Realizing he couldn't keep this up, Neji gritted his teeth and traded a hard blow with Sasuke, using the force to create some distance.
He tried to regroup.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
But Sasuke saw right through it.
His hands flew through seals in a blur.
A massive ball of fire erupted.
"Whoa!?"
"Wow!!"
Amidst the exclamations of the ordinary spectators, the fierce fireball roared towards Neji.