After a full day of fierce battles, sixteen shinobi successfully advanced to the next round.
Having reached this point, their names were already renowned across the Ninja World.
The successful competitors included Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Baki, Samui, and Kitsuchi—all from the five major nations.
Yet Sora still wasn't fully satisfied, knowing the results weren't a true representation of ninja strength. Leaving aside the rest, rogue shinobi from the Akatsuki were already stronger than most participants—not to mention monsters like Nagato or Konan with her six hundred billion explosive tags.
Nevertheless, as this was merely the First Ninja Way Conference, it had already achieved significant recognition. With representatives from all five major villages participating, it was off to a promising start.
In three years, when the next tournament was held, it would surely attract even more powerful competitors. Thus, Sora was patient, calmly returning to his quarters.
As night fell, the delegations from various villages began discussing strategies once again.
"Baki, are you confident you can make it into the top twenty? If you can demonstrate great strength, many clients will approach our village!"
"Don't worry, Lord Kazekage. I'm confident I can defeat them. Even beating that so-called 'Konoha Prodigy' Sora isn't impossible!" Ambition flashed clearly in Baki's eyes as he secretly targeted Sora.
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei and Ao were having a similar conversation.
"Ao, did you manage to observe that boy, Sora, today? Are you sure you can defeat him?"
"Lady Mizukage, I didn't get a chance to see him fight, but I'm confident. How strong could a child less than ten years old possibly be? Konoha probably just exaggerated his strength!"
Ao was utterly dismissive of Sora's reputation, believing him to be nothing more than Konoha's overhyped prodigy. To Ao, ninjas like Kakashi posed a far greater threat. Sora? Hardly worth mentioning!
Besides Kakashi and Guy, other participants—whether because of Sora's young age or due to hidden motives—also saw him as easy prey. Until they personally witnessed his power, none of them would truly believe a child could achieve such strength.
It was similar to how, in his past life, even Sora wouldn't have believed an eight-year-old child could become the wealthiest person through their own effort.
In just a single night, the news about the Ninja Way Conference spread far and wide, becoming increasingly sensational and eventually reaching every corner of the ninja world.
But that was for the future. For now, after a night's rest, Sora and the others woke to a new morning.
Since ninjas valued efficiency, the draw quickly commenced for the next round.
"First match: Hatake Kakashi vs. Senju Tsunade!"
"Second match: Baki vs. Killer Bee!"
"Third match: Might Guy vs. Kazekage Rasa!"
"Fourth match: Ao vs. Sora!"
A total of sixteen matches were announced, each pairing the Jonin who qualified yesterday against Kage-level shinobi. This format prevented premature clashes among the strongest participants.
Upon hearing the matchups, reactions varied from anxiety to anticipation. Only Ao was thrilled—he had unexpectedly drawn Sora as his opponent, making it seemingly easy to advance into the final sixteen!
Regardless of future outcomes, as a Jonin defeating a Kage-level opponent, Ao was sure his reputation would skyrocket!
Baki and the others glanced enviously at Ao, wishing they could swap opponents. Observing their reactions, Kakashi suppressed his laughter, maintaining his usual aloof demeanor.
"What a bunch of idiots. Fighting Sora is worse than challenging the Raikage—you'll all regret it soon," Kakashi inwardly mocked, eyes gleaming with anticipation for drama.
He shuddered slightly, recalling his past spar with Sora. That infamous Konoha Taijutsu Secret Technique—Thousand Years of Death—was something he absolutely never wanted to experience again.
After the announcements concluded, the matches officially began, starting with Kakashi versus Tsunade.
"Kakashi, how would you prefer to lose?" Perhaps due to Sora's influence, Tsunade's teasing tone made Kakashi break into a cold sweat.
Instantly, Kakashi raised his hand and shouted, "Referee, I surrender!"
"Tch, how boring!" Disappointed, Tsunade stepped down from the arena.
"I survived…" Kakashi relaxed visibly and quickly left as well.
The psychological trauma Tsunade inflicted on him was even worse than Sora's. Tsunade was someone who would cripple you, heal you, and then cripple you again—a true devil!
Although spectators were unhappy with this anticlimactic outcome, no one dared complain, shifting their expectations toward the next match.
"Second match: Baki versus Killer Bee!"
Without delay, the announcer quickly summoned the next participants.
"You should just surrender, yo. I'm the Killer Bee from Cloud!" Bee rapped confidently.
Baki, however, refused to surrender, attempting a sneak attack mid-sentence. Yet, Bee was undeniably Kage-level, and a jinchuriki at that. Baki inevitably lost.
The third match was one Sora eagerly awaited: Might Guy, who could open six of the Eight Gates, versus the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa. How would this match end?
As Sora expected, it was incredibly fierce. Guy's Six Gates overwhelmed Rasa at several points, inflicting severe injuries. However, at the decisive moment, Guy's body reached its limit first, allowing Rasa to claim victory narrowly.
Even then, Rasa emerged badly injured, requiring Tsunade's personal intervention to fully recover.
"Damn, that guy in the green jumpsuit is crazy strong! He almost defeated the Kazekage!"
"Yeah, he dresses like a weirdo, but his power is terrifying!"
"Too bad. If that weird guy faced Sora, maybe he could've won!"
Spectators nodded in agreement, finding logic in these words.
Just then, the referee's voice rang out again: "Fourth match: Ao vs. Sora! Begin!"
"Sora, Konoha has exaggerated your strength long enough! Today, I'll expose you!" Ao stood there confidently, spouting his childish speech instead of taking action.
???
Three large question marks seemed to float above Sora's head. Was this guy actually an idiot? He couldn't even understand what Ao was babbling about.
"Well, if you're not going to attack, let me send you off quickly!" Dispelling all idle thoughts, Sora had no interest in playing games with Ao.
Instantly performing a Body Flicker Technique, Sora appeared directly in front of Ao. Without anyone noticing when, a Rasengan formed in his right palm.
Ao reacted swiftly, immediately activating his Byakugan. Yet, the moment his vision opened, he was blinded by an intense, dazzling purple chakra emanating from Sora, causing his eyes to tear up, leaving him completely disoriented.
In the next instant, the Rasengan slammed mercilessly into Ao's chest, sending him spiraling through the air and violently out of the arena.
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