Chapter 285 of “The Muscle God of the Uchiha Clan”: The Birth of the Final Four
Hidan’s victory was baffling.
Despite Takemura launching a Vacuum Bullets attack that riddled Hidan with holes, it was Takemura who collapsed on the arena. The wounds on Takemura’s body, characteristic of being pierced by Vacuum Bullets, added to the mystery.
What was going on?
The ten-thousand-seat stadium fell silent, the audience stunned.
Konoha’s second seed, Takemura, had lost, missing out on the semifinals.
“This is the power of Jashin! Praise Jashin-sama, who blesses me with invincibility!”
Hidan raised his bloody triple-bladed scythe, his excited shout echoing through the stadium.
In the front row of the stands.
“Did you figure out Hidan’s ability?” Itachi had appeared quietly, asking Sasuke and Marisa.
“Uh…” Marisa scratched her head, clearly puzzled.
Sasuke, with his Sharingan activated, had watched the entire fight closely, capturing details others missed. After pondering, he concluded:
“The key to Hidan’s victory was Takemura’s blood. After collecting and licking Takemura’s blood with his scythe, Hidan drew a strange symbol on the ground, using it to reflect Takemura’s Vacuum Bullets back at him. This reflection isn’t straightforward but transfers the damage Hidan takes back to his opponent, making it an unavoidable attack.”
Itachi nodded in agreement, adding:
“Takemura lost, but he exposed Hidan’s ability. Marisa, in your semifinal match against Hidan tomorrow, be cautious. Don’t let his scythe cut you and take your blood.”
“Got it, cousin,” Marisa nodded seriously, remembering Itachi’s advice.
With Itachi and Sasuke guiding her, she felt confident.
Meanwhile, on the arena, Hidan performed another shocking act. He retrieved a black spear and, before the ten-thousand-strong audience, stabbed himself with it. Then he lay on the symbol he had drawn, beginning a ritual.
What was this, some form of performance art?
The referee, frowning, approached Hidan:
“Hidan, you’ve won. Leave the stage for the next match.”
Hidan shook his head, replying seriously:
“No, I’m performing a necessary ritual for Jashin-sama. If I stop midway, it’s disrespectful.”
The referee, exasperated, asked:
“How long will this take?”
“About thirty minutes,” Hidan replied, which was unacceptable.
“Take him away!” the referee ordered.
Several Konoha shinobi carried Hidan off the stage, despite his protests.
Finally, the last match began.
The contenders were the top seed from Sunagakure and an unknown genin from Takigakure—Ro.
Before the match, everyone expected Sunagakure to win.
But the unexpected happened.
Minutes later.
Bang.
The top seed from Sunagakure lay on the ground, defeated by his opponent’s sand.
Opposite him, the expressionless Ro from Takigakure controlled the sand back into the yellow gourd on his back. Before the referee could announce the result, Ro silently left the arena.
The referee, awkwardly, declared:
“Winner, Ro from Takigakure!”
A surprising dark horse indeed.
“So that guy is my semifinal opponent. Interesting,” Deidara said, intrigued by Ro.
He had been about to return to the hotel to sleep but was dragged back by Kurotsuchi to watch the remaining matches.
“Deidara, don’t underestimate him. If you lose, you’ll be back in Iwagakure’s prison,” Kurotsuchi warned sternly.
“Don’t worry. If I face him, I’ll go all out,” Deidara replied seriously. His instincts told him Ro was dangerous and hadn’t shown his full strength yet.
Someone else was also interested in Ro.
“Kankuro, doesn’t that Ro from Takigakure seem familiar?” Temari asked her brother.
“You noticed too, Temari,” Kankuro said, eyes narrowing. “His sand jutsu is similar to the Magnet Release used by past Kazekage. Plus, his name is Ro, and he has red hair. Could it be…”
Gaara!
The name flashed in their minds.
Their long-lost brother, the One-Tail Jinchuriki from Sunagakure—Gaara.
Could it be him?
Why was he with Takigakure?
Full of questions, they headed backstage but found no answers.
Ro had returned to his hotel, and Takigakure’s leader refused to provide any information.
Frustrated, Temari and Kankuro decided to wait for the finals to identify if Ro was their brother.
Back in the stadium.
The fierce competition had produced the final four.
They were Konoha’s Marisa, Iwagakure’s Deidara, Kumogakure’s Hidan, and Takigakure’s dark horse, Ro.
The excited audience left, eagerly discussing the upcoming finals and their favorite contenders.
Many chose to bet real money on their chosen champions.
“Marisa, please win the championship. I’ve bet everything on you,” one gambler prayed nervously.
His neighbor shook his head, scoffing:
“You’re brave. Marisa’s just eight. She’s had weak opponents so far. If she faces any of the other three, she might lose.”
The gambler retorted:
“You don’t understand. Do you know who Marisa’s father is? Our great Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan! He won’t let his daughter lose.”
Many shared this belief.
They trusted Marisa not because of her strength but because of their blind faith in the Sixth Hokage.
The odds reflected this belief.
Despite being eight, Marisa was the favorite, with the lowest odds. Deidara followed, then Hidan and Ro.
Over the years, Konoha, as a neutral village, had developed its gambling industry, promising fairness and safety.
All Konoha casinos were officially operated, bringing immense wealth to the village.
For the first time, Konoha had moved gambling online, allowing global participation.
The stakes reached billions.
If Kakuzu, who worshipped money, were alive, he might have switched careers to be a Konoha casino accountant, just to count the money daily.
No matter who won, Konoha, as the house, would profit massively.
Perhaps this was Konoha’s true motive behind hyping the Chunin Exam—to make money under the guise of showcasing national strength.
Night fell, the moon shining brightly.
At the Uchiha compound, the Nakano Shrine, surrounded by forest, lay under the serene moonlight.
In a few days, the shrine, damaged by the Second Hokage, had been meticulously restored with the Uchiha’s resources.
Now, guards patrolled the area.
Yet tonight, a mysterious figure slipped past the guards and entered the shrine’s underground chamber.
It was Madara Uchiha.
Under soft light, he stood before the stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths, frowning as he read the inscription.
“Muscle God… Hmph, what nonsense, daring to alter the Sage’s Moon’s Eye Plan.”
He sneered disdainfully.
The Moon’s Eye Plan was Madara’s ultimate goal, his means to world peace.
Seeing it altered enraged him.
The culprit was undoubtedly the legendary Sixth Hokage—
Uchiha Dan.
“Madara-sama,” Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, warning, “You shouldn’t stay here too long. Uchiha Dan might detect you.”
“I’ve noticed, it’s the rain,” Madara said. “He uses his Rinnegan’s power to monitor Konoha through the rain, but it doesn’t work on someone with the same eyes.”
Black Zetsu realized and agreed:
“The rain has stopped, so Uchiha Dan has lowered his guard. What’s your plan, Madara-sama?”
“Tomorrow is the Chunin Exam finals, broadcasted live to the world.”
Madara’s eyes gleamed with a wicked smile.
Black Zetsu grinned, too:
“Madara-sama’s grand entrance will shock the world.”
“Wait and see,” Madara said.
…
At the Uchiha compound, the Sixth Hokage’s family enjoyed a feast.
Marisa’s godmother, Tsunade, joined them, having watched the quarterfinals. She reminded Marisa to defeat all opponents.
“Godmother, I won’t let you down!” Marisa promised energetically.
Dan, however, teased Tsunade:
“Why are you so concerned? Did you bet on Marisa to win?”
Tsunade’s eyes widened, snapping:
“Nonsense! I quit gambling. Don’t accuse me wrongly.”
Her guilty look betrayed her.
“So you did bet,” Dan laughed, turning to Marisa. “Your godmother was known as the legendary ‘Big Loser’.”
“‘Big Loser’?”
Marisa, confused, brightened up:
“Because she’s so strong, like a sheep?”
Dan sighed, exasperated. This child…
Samui chuckled, explaining:
“Tsunade loses all her bets, so people call her ‘Big Loser’.”
“If she bet on you, you’re doomed,” Dan added, patting Marisa’s head.
Marisa panicked, asking Tsunade:
“Is it true, godmother?”
“Sigh,” Tsunade admitted reluctantly, “Don’t worry. I bet on Deidara to win.”
(End of Chapter)
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