Inside the arena, Kiba saw the Rasengan appear and flashed a feral grin. "So, you were finally forced to use that trick!"
"Woof! Woof woof!" Akamaru barked twice, a clear warning that Kiba could understand perfectly. That jutsu is extrely dangerous. Kiba knew it, of course, but the stubborn pride in his heart would not allow him to admit defeat to Naruto.
"Don't worry, Akamaru," he said, his voice full of confidence. "I've got a plan for this!"
"Smoke bomb!"
Kiba pulled two spherical pellets from his waist pouch and slamd them onto the ground. A thick, gray smoke instantly filled the area.
"A cheap trick? Don't underestimate , Kiba! I'm not the dead-last from the academy anymore!" Naruto shouted, charging headfirst into the smoke with his clones, the Rasengan held high.
"I see you, Kiba!"
"Take this!"
Naruto lunged forward, thrusting the Rasengan into the figure's abdon without a mont's hesitation.
"Aaargh!"
The Kiba he struck scread in pain, then suddenly looked up, a cruel sneer on his face. "You idiot! This is my clone!"
Naruto's eyes widened. He spun around, just in ti to see the real Kiba and Akamaru, their claws bared, lunging for his face.
"You lose, Naruto!"
Kiba and Akamaru swung their claws, certain of their victory. But to their astonishnt, the Naruto before them also dissolved into a puff of white smoke.
"Oh… oh no!"
Kiba was shocked. He never expected Naruto to have a backup plan of his own. A chilling sense of danger ca from behind him. He knew the real Naruto was there, and no matter how fast he was, there was no escaping now.
"Am I… am I really going to lose to Naruto?" Unwillingness warred with resignation in Kiba's heart, but there was nothing he could do. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the final, devastating blow.
Five seconds passed.
Kiba opened his eyes, dazed. He still hadn't felt the impact of Naruto's attack. "What's going on?"
"Woof! Woof!"
Hearing Akamaru's bark, Kiba slowly turned around. He found Kakashi, Might Guy, and his own sensei, Kurenai Yuhi, holding Naruto back, the Rasengan in his hand having dissipated into nothing.
Gekko Hayate breathed a sigh of relief. After a mont's pause, he announced, "The winner of this match is Naruto Uzumaki!"
In the stands, many of the Konoha Genin were stunned. How had Naruto, the boy who was always at the bottom of the class, beco so strong? The Shadow Clone Jutsu, and now the Rasengan… It just went to show, having a strong and capable father really made all the difference, even if his reputation was now in shambles.
"Then… let us begin the next match imdiately."
"Hyuga Neji versus Hyuga Hinata."
"Will the competitors please co to the stage."
Another highly anticipated battle. The Hyuga clan was, after all, one of the most powerful clans in Konoha Village. Like the Uchiha, they possessed an innate advantage in their dojutsu, the Byakugan.
Hyuga Neji and Hyuga Hinata stood on opposite sides of the arena. Neji's eyes were cold and filled with a quiet disdain, while Hinata looked visibly nervous.
"Lady Hinata," Neji said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "You should just forfeit. You cannot defeat ."
Hinata clenched her fists, her own voice small but firm. "I… I want to prove myself."
Gekko Hayate stood at the side and coughed. "The ninth match, Hyuga Neji versus Hyuga Hinata, begin!"
Neji attacked first. He closed the distance in an instant, striking Hinata's chest with a single, precise palm strike. Hinata was sent stumbling backward, but she quickly righted herself, a new glint of determination in her eyes. "Neji… I will not surrender."
Neji sneered. "Then let see this resolve of yours."
He attacked again, his palm strikes fierce and relentless, each blow aid with unerring accuracy at Hinata's tenketsu. Hinata did her best to dodge, but Neji was simply too fast for her to avoid completely.
THWACK!
Hinata was sent flying again, blood now trickling from the corner of her mouth. But still, she did not fall. An unyielding light burned in her pale eyes, a fire that refused to be extinguished.
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