Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo? Chapter 275: The Power of Public Relations

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"Alright~" Gojo Kaigetsu knelt down, ruffling Temari's hair. "Next up is your match against Izumi. Do your best~"

The semi-finals and finals had lost much of their intrigue.

All four remaining contestants hailed from Konoha University.

Compared to the seemingly internal, yet intensely bloody, clash between Temari and Tōgo, the matches between Temari vs. Izumi Uchiha, and Kidōmaru vs. Itachi Uchiha, were displays of—mutual understanding.

Though appearing to give their all, they held back, stopping just short of serious injury.

Temari and Izumi Uchiha faced off, a friendly bout ending with Izumi conceding defeat.

Kidōmaru stared wide-eyed into Itachi Uchiha's two-tomoe Sharingan, succumbing readily to genjutsu and collapsing.

Ultimately, they were sisters, classmates. They saw each other every day. It didn't matter who won.

Even Kidōmaru, originally from Otogakure, understood gratitude.

Basking in the light of the Will of Fire, how could he possibly turn against its source?

Finally, the final match pitted Temari against Itachi Uchiha. Itachi, gazing at Temari's determined face, and catching Izumi's subtle signal from the stands, reluctantly sheathed his kunai and raised his hand.

"Referee, I'm out of chakra. I forfeit."

Even the referee, a Chunin from Konoha, one of their own, aware that Temari was practically half-Konoha herself, simply nodded, launched a Great Fireball into the air, and announced loudly:

"The match is decided!"

"The gold dalist of the first Fire Gas is—Temari of Sunagakure, currently studying at Konoha University!"

"Let us all cheer for Sunagakure!"

"WAAAAAH!!!"

The revelry of the gamblers and ordinary Shinobi had just ended, but the secret war between the five great nations—was just beginning.

——

First, Sunagakure—

Temari, a Suna native, winning the gold dal should have been a cause for celebration throughout the Land of Wind—And indeed, it was. The boasts of Wind Country citizens filled the taverns of Otogakure.

The people of the Land of Sound were also pleased, as Konoha University was located within their territory.

And the people of the Land of Fire were ecstatic. Temari studied at their university. The top four contestants were all from Konoha University. Konoha was the true victor of the Fire Gas!

A win-win-win situation!

But where there were winners, there were losers.

The performance of the Land of Earth's Genin had disappointed Ōnoki greatly.

Their performance had been abysmal—and their best perforr, Deidara, was only four years old. And he'd kneeled before a Konoha kunoichi! In front of the entire Shinobi World! Such a loss of face shook even Ōnoki's Stone Will.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Ōnoki, his face grim, requested leave from the Land of Earth's daimyo. He didn't even attend the closing ceremony, departing with his Genin from this—heartbreaking Fire Gas.

Kirigakure and Kumogakure faced similar situations. However, unlike Ōnoki, they lacked the clout to simply leave. Despite their frustration, they had to endure the final ceremony alongside their daimyo.

Shinobi battled in the arena; daimyo sched in the stands. Even the hot-tempered Fourth Raikage, A, had to respectfully raise his cup and toast.

——

Aside from the three great nations, the one most displeased was—Baki.

Rasa's daughter had stolen the spotlight. How could he, the Fifth Kazekage, maintain his authority?

Within Sunagakure, those loyal to the Fourth Kazekage, already critical of him, would surely use this as ammunition?

And Temari herself—displaying such remarkable talent at such a young age—in ten years—wouldn't she "graduate" from Konoha University, return to Sunagakure backed by Konoha's power, overturn his rule, and purge him, a remnant of the old regi?

The more brilliantly Temari perford, the lighter his Kazekage robes felt...

"I cannot allow Temari's reputation to grow unchecked."

Returning to his residence, Baki summoned his most trusted subordinate. "You, find the most eloquent writer in Sunagakure. Have them write an article questioning the legitimacy of Temari's victory!"

"After the article is written, release it imdiately in Otogakure, and disseminate it back in the Village!"

Say what you will, Baki was certainly—adaptable.

Having seen the effectiveness of the Konoha-Suna Sumr Camp Comparison article in Forest Reader, he'd learned to apply the sa tactics to solidify his own position.

Soon, under Baki's direction, a truly—audacious hit piece was crafted: