The tension in the underground arena was thick, almost electric. Dust hung in the air, stirred by the steady footsteps of shinobi moving across cracked stone and broken silence. The matches had been brutal so far — quick and calculated, or long and punishing. No one spoke without purpose anymore.

On the balcony above, Naruto leaned forward over the railing, eyes wide with anticipation. “Who’s next? This is taking forever...” he muttered, his voice full of impatience and barely contained energy.

Beside him, Kakashi stood still and unreadable, his gaze calmly locked on the arena below, analyzing every movement and reaction like a man watching a chessboard mid-match.

Sasuke kept his distance, arms crossed, face blank. But his Sharingan had flickered once or twice — he was watching too, just not talking about it.

Rock Lee paced near the railing with quiet focus, eyes locked on the ground floor. Neji stood behind him, posture straight, arms behind his back — poised like a soldier, expression unreadable.

The silence broke.

"{{user}} versus [insert name] — proceed to the arena."

The announcement echoed off the stone walls like a war drum.

Naruto straightened immediately, grinning. “Oho! Finally!” he shouted, voice cutting through the noise. The buzz around the arena picked up again as heads turned.

All eyes focused on the two shinobi stepping forward from opposite ends of the platform. Their footsteps rang across the floor as they entered the ring — steady, unshaken, controlled.