I'm in Konoha, and I have ten skill slots.

Then he turned his head and looked in the direction of Gaara.

"Is that guy my opponent?"

Although Choji didn't show any signs of worry, he was actually quite nervous inside.

Gaara doesn't look like someone to be trifled with.

Why did I have to run into such an opponent? I'm so unlucky!

Shikamaru patted Choji on the shoulder. "If it's not working, just admit defeat!"

"What do you mean by giving up when you can't do it? Shikamaru, you underestimate me!" With that, Choji jumped directly to the center of the field.

Meanwhile, Gaara's gaze remained fixed on Shigure in the stands.

'Too bad! My opponent isn't you!'

'But it doesn't matter, we'll definitely meet in the finals!'

Ice! And sand!

Two extreme weather conditions: one of ice and snow, the other of yellow sandstorms.

Gaara is also looking forward to his battle with Shigure, anticipating the clash between these two abilities.

However, the immediate priority is to deal with this fat guy from Konoha.

Arriving at the center of the arena, Gaara stood expressionless, arms crossed, calmly looking at Choji Akimichi.

Gaara's appearance alone created a sense of oppression for everyone; he wasn't exactly terrifyingly strong.

What surprised even Jonin was the terrifying killing intent emanating from Gaara during this period.

This kid is so young, yet he possesses such a strong killing intent.

Asuma couldn't help but worry for Choji. "Choji, this opponent is no pushover. Be careful! If things get too tough, just give up!"

Upon hearing this, Choji became even more frustrated. Why did everyone think he was no good? Did he really look that weak?

"Game start!"

As Hayate announced the start of the two-person game.

Without uttering a word, Gaara unleashed sand from his gourd, which rapidly swept towards Choji.

And at that moment, Shigure was sitting in the stands.

'Great Sage, analyze Gaara's ninjutsu.'

[The Great Sage: Analytical Calculation Begins]

[2%]

[5%]

[9%]

[14%]

Fortunately, the speed of the analytical calculation is not too slow.

Shigure's technique, Ice Release: Ice World, was developed based on Gaara's Sand Release.

Now, Shigure wants to see if there are any differences between the technique he developed and Gaara's.

Choji's strength is not bad, so there's no need to worry about him being defeated immediately.

With the Multiply Technique activated, Choji's enormous fist directly shattered the sand that Gaara was throwing at him.

But it's just a matter of breaking it down.

To effectively counter Gaara, simply relying on this approach won't suffice.

Compared to Lee's fight against Gaara in the original work, Choji couldn't even get close to him.

"Meatball Tank!"

Boom boom boom! ! !

Choji, now transformed into a giant ball of flesh, was rapidly spinning and hurtling towards him.

Gaara scoffed, "Laughable ninjutsu!"

Suddenly, he waved his hand and grabbed at Choji from a distance, and then countless grains of sand gathered towards Choji from all directions.

In the blink of an eye, Choji, spinning at high speed, was engulfed by sand.

A fierce killing intent surged in Gaara's eyes.

"Sand-bound coffin!"

not good!

Asuma sensed Gaara's killing intent. Although he didn't know what Gaara intended to do to Choji, Gaara's killing intent indicated that he was prepared to kill.

shuh~

In an instant, Asuma activated his Body Flicker Technique and rushed into the arena, trying to save Choji.

"Stop it!"

Asuma swung his chakra blade and slashed fiercely at the sand, but was deflected.

At that moment, Gaara smiled and said, "Someone's coming to save you? Then die!"

Click~~

Suddenly, a chill swept through.

The sand that enveloped Choji was instantly frozen in mid-air.

Thick ice crystals directly encased the sand sphere formed by the sand-bound coffin.

Gaara was slightly stunned.

She suddenly turned around and looked at Shi Yu in the stands.

'This distance... he actually...'

Shiyu leaned against the wall, making a hand seal with one hand, her fingertips still radiating cold air...

Ice Release: Frozen Time!

Freezing objects remotely, or even instantly, is no problem at all, especially since the distance is only thirty or forty meters.

Crack!

The ice ball falling from the sky crashes to the ground, and the ice shatters instantly.

But sand also spilled out.

Choji, lying on the ground in the middle, was trembling. His body was covered in bruises, clearly caused by the terrifying force that had squeezed him.

Asuma picked up Choji, who was lying on the ground, and looked up at where Shigure and Kakashi were.

He nodded slightly.

Kakashi responded as well.

Turning to Gaara, he said, "This kid from Sunagakure is really bloodthirsty, always trying to kill you at the drop of a hat!"

"Freezing from a distance, that's an incredible ninjutsu!"

Kakashi was focused on Gaara, but everyone else was focused on Shigure.

To freeze someone instantly from such a great distance—this ninjutsu is truly terrifying.

What Asuma couldn't accomplish in time, Shigure, a mere genin, did with ease.

Although it relies on the power of bloodline limit, it is still quite amazing that one can develop one's bloodline limit to this extent.

Kurenai's gaze fell on Shigure once again.

To the untrained eye, it might seem cool, but as a Jonin, she knew very well the price that would have to be paid to achieve that effect.

First, the amount of chakra, the most basic and also the most frustrating point, is that it is impossible to do without a chakra amount far exceeding that of an ordinary ninja.

Secondly, regarding chakra control and the nature transformation of bloodline limits, if one does not reach a certain level, even if the amount of chakra is sufficient, it will be of no use.

It seems that Shigure wasn't serious when he fought Rock Lee before.

If this ninjutsu were used right from the start to instantly freeze Rock Lee, he probably wouldn't have any chance to fight back!

Kai could also see that Shigure had already shown leniency towards his disciple earlier.

Otherwise, Li's battle would have ended in an instant defeat!

Swish! ! !

Suddenly, Gaara, stepping on sand, floated up from the center of the field.

He glared at Shigure.

The sand behind us surged wildly!

Sasuke and Naruto both frowned and moved closer to Shigure's side.