"What?"
Itachi Uchiha said something that made Temari unable to believe it. She couldn't believe that this was really what a referee should say.
Even though he was from Konoha, was he really not afraid of the consequences if the news of his blatant bias in the match got out? After all, there were quite a few ninjas from other countries in the arena.
"Hey! Who do you think you are to warn me? This is a fight to the death. Casualties are inevitable. Aren't you afraid that I'll expose your blatant favoritism towards Konoha ninjas?"
"Go ahead. You're free to tell anyone you want. But as long as I'm the examiner, it's also my freedom to make the judgments I see fit! I'll say it again. If anyone is unhappy with my decision, feel free to step forward and challenge me!"
Itachi Uchiha smiled faintly and scanned the area around him.
"If you can beat me, I guarantee that you'll be promoted directly to Jonin in your country, skipping the Chunin stage. But of course, that's if you can actually defeat me!"
All the candidates, their teachers, and everyone from Konoha present couldn't help but gasp in shock.
The Hokage, who was standing on the stage, was sweating profusely.
Itachi Uchiha, please, stop behaving like this, okay? If you keep talking like this, Konoha's reputation will be completely ruined.
Temari was so angry that she gritted her teeth and slammed her tessen down on the ground.
"So, you wanna challenge me?"
Itachi Uchiha's sharp eyes locked onto the provocative Temari. In that moment when their eyes met, Temari instinctively felt a chill of fear.
"N... No."
Her response was completely inconsistent with the bold attitude she had shown earlier.
Are you kidding? She's no match for Itachi Uchiha at this moment.
.................
"Rock Lee, how's Tenten?"
"The Medical Ninja said that luckily they managed to save her in time. Her injuries aren't too serious. She'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Sakura let out a sigh of relief. Her eyes drifted towards Gaara and his group in the distance. After considering Naruto Uzumaki's recent analysis, now she thought there might be some truth to it.
Just as she was deep in thought, the names on the big screen started to roll again for a new round.
...............
"Naruto Uzumaki vs Kiba"
"Finally, after waiting for so long, it's my turn! As long as my opponent isn't that guy with the gourd on his back!"
Kiba still vividly remembered how Gaara and his group had dealt with other teams' ninjas in the Forest of Death. The cruel methods they used were deeply etched in his memory.
The disgusting smell of sand mixed with blood was sickening. They had hidden in the bushes nearby, not daring to make a sound, and could only silently pray in their hearts that they wouldn't be discovered by the enemy.
Thank goodness his opponent wasn't Gaara. If it were, he might as well just give up the match right away.
Kiba squinted his eyes and looked at the excited Naruto Uzumaki on the other end of the arena.
Naruto Uzumaki, huh? This guy was also notoriously tough to deal with. But still, he was definitely a better opponent than Gaara.
"Hey~ Kiba, have you cleaned your neck?"
"Naruto, stop bragging. It's still up in the air who'll win this match!"
Even though Kiba recognized Naruto's strength, for some unknown reason, every time he heard Naruto say he wanted to become the Hokage, he'd get inexplicably angry.
"The match begins now!"
When Itachi announced the start of the match, Akamaru beside Kiba jumped out and snarled ferociously at Naruto.
"Hold on, hold on. Aniki Itachi, isn't this against the rules? Who brings a dog to a match?"
?_?
"Naruto, are you kidding me? Our Inuzuka clan always fight in a man - dog unity style!"
"Really?"
Itachi rubbed his temples in frustration. He had no idea what Naruto usually did, not even knowing such basic rules.
"Ninja Hounds are regarded as a type of weapon, so they can fight alongside their masters."
"How could this be? Then he'll have a big advantage!"
"If you have something similar to a Ninja Hound, you can bring it too."
"I... I don't have one..."
Kiba was too lazy to waste more words on Naruto. He wanted to end this match quickly.
"Akamaru!"
"Woof!"
"Beast Human Clone"
After a puff of white smoke, Akamaru turned into Kiba's appearance, and the two overlapped. Naruto sneered.
"What? Making such a big fuss just to create one clone. I won't lose when it comes to clones! Shadow Clone Jutsu"
Six Narutos were up against two Kibas. It seemed Naruto had the upper hand. But Kiba and Akamaru weren't the least bit flustered. Instead, they curled their lips and smiled smugly.
"Naruto, let you experience my skills!"
"Passing Fang"
Kiba and Akamaru's bodies spun forward at high speed, leaving deep indentations on the ground they passed by. They were incredibly fast. In just one encounter, most of Naruto's clones were wiped out.
"You never used this move at the Ninja Academy before!"
"You idiot, you're not the only one making progress. I've also been working hard on cultivation and learning new Ninjutsu every day!"
Seeing Naruto in a difficult situation, Kiba felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Who asked him to always so recklessly declare his dreams.
"Passing Fang"
Kiba's attacks came one after another. Naruto made hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Wind Turbulence"
He attempted to counter Kiba's Ninjutsu with Wind Release. But compared to the straight - forward Ninjutsu, Kiba's move was more flexible. He didn't choose to confront Naruto head - on. Instead, he skillfully evaded the attack and struck Naruto from the side.
"Ah!"
Naruto was knocked far away. He propped himself up on the ground and barely stood up, coughing up a mouthful of blood. This Ninjutsu was simple yet extremely powerful and fast.
If it weren't for his toughness, anyone else would have been defeated just now. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. There was not the slightest sign of retreat in his eyes. Instead, it was like a raging fire burning.
His fighting spirit soared even higher, even though there were many powerful guys among their newbies.
The moves newly developed by Sakura, the aloof and cold Sasuke, the mysterious Shino, Shikamaru who always complains about trouble but is actually extremely intelligent, and Kiba.
Well, I'm really looking forward to having a fight with them.
"Hey, Naruto, just give up already!"
Kiba looked at Naruto with excitement in his eyes. This guy was really a tough nut to crack.
"Of course I won't give up. The match has just begun, and the outcome is still uncertain!"
"Tsk!"
.................
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