"You've already done very well. It's okay if you can't win." Ino patted Tayuya's shoulder and said.
"Just fight however you want. Anyway, none of us can beat him, so don't feel any pressure." Sakura said nonchalantly.
"Making it to the third round already proves yourself." Tenten clenched her small fist and said.
"Naruto will definitely go easy on you." Choji chuckled foolishly and said.
Tayuya often ate snacks with them, so their relationship was quite good.
"..." Tayuya twitched her lips. She didn't feel comforted at all!
Although she knew she couldn't beat Naruto, the drastic difference between before and after made her, with her high aspirations, naturally feel depressed.
Tayuya took a deep breath and stepped onto the field. She looked at Naruto, dressed in a green jumpsuit, opposite her, and without hesitation bit her thumb and pressed it to the ground.
Summoning Technique! Three giant Doki appeared before her.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto formed hand seals, and as the smoke dispersed, hundreds of Shadow Clones stood side by side with him.
Tayuya subconsciously gripped her bamboo flute. When she was a spectator, so many Shadow Clones felt shocking, but as his opponent, the shock turned into oppressive pressure.
Demonic Flute: Illusionary Warriors Manipulating Melody! Tayuya blew her bamboo flute.
The three Doki moved simultaneously, charging out at top speed. The hundreds of Shadow Clones, seeing this, also met them head-on.
With a bang! The Doki on the left, wielding a large wooden club, smashed it down.
Bang, bang, bang! Six or seven Shadow Clones were defeated at once.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
"Dynamic Entry!"
"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"
The nearby Shadow Clones, fearless of death, rushed in front of this Doki and attacked its legs. With so many attacks hitting its legs, its massive size became a disadvantage.
The Doki, holding the wooden club, originally intended to repeat its tactic, but before it could raise the club, its entire body stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Samehada!" Naruto shouted.
The Samehada leaped up and smashed onto the head of the fallen Doki.
The Doki was instantly dazed. The Samehada opened its mouth and bit down.
At the same time, the other two Doki encountered the same situation.
They were knocked to the ground by the Shadow Clones' leg-sweeping tactics, and the remaining Shadow Clones began punching and kicking them.
Tayuya watched, dumbfounded. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation.
Other people fighting her three Doki either dodged or used Ninjutsu.
Shino demonstrated a third method, which was to have large summoning beasts. And Naruto used a fourth method.
"That's... brutal." Kiba felt that every time he saw Naruto's Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he discovered something new.
"This is probably the strength in numbers," Shino said.
"It's more appropriate to describe it as a one-man army." Shikamaru said with an envious expression, "Having a lot of Chakra means you can do whatever you want."
Sasuke's mouth twitched. Actually, the Uchiha Clan's Chakra was quite abundant, among the top Ninja.
After all, each time the Sharingan awakened, it was an all-around improvement. But compared to Naruto, it was still not enough.
"It's over. These three Doki are about to give out, and then Tayuya will surrender." Tenten said, watching the battle on the field.
Summoning beasts all possess a certain level of intelligence. They often don't fight to the death; if they suffer serious injuries, they will voluntarily release the Summoning Technique and flee.
After all, a summoning contract is a partnership contract, not a slave contract.
This was most evident with the snakes of Ryuchi Cave. Of course, if a Ninja were inhumane, they could also trick summoning beasts.
For example, Sasuke once used Manda to block Deidara's self-detonation, leading to Manda's death.
Bang, bang, bang! Three sounds.
All three Doki disappeared from their original spots. Naruto and his Shadow Clones subconsciously looked at Tayuya.
"I... I surrender!" Tayuya was startled and quickly shouted.
She was afraid that if she was a second too slow, she would be beaten by a group of green jumpsuit-clad monsters.
"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto." Kitazawa nodded and announced the result.
At this point, his two system missions were considered complete; he just had to wait for the practical exam to end to collect his rewards.
"The third match of the third round, Tenten vs. Hyuga Neji." Kitazawa waited for Tayuya and Naruto to leave the field, then continued to call out.
"Huh? Why is it Neji?" Tenten said, looking very troubled upon hearing this.
"It's just a spar," Neji said with a calm expression.
"That's true." Tenten's attitude changed, and she walked calmly to the center of the arena.
Although she couldn't beat Hyuga Neji, she didn't want to surrender immediately.
Shadow Clone Technique!
Tenten thought for a moment and formed hand seals. From within the smoke, two other Tenten appeared.
The Byakugan couldn't distinguish who was the original and who was the Shadow Clone.
Because Shadow Clones are physical entities and possess independent Chakra systems, they appear the same to the Byakugan.
Tenten's approach was undoubtedly very clever.
It was a pity that she hadn't learned the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique yet; otherwise, she might have been able to win.
Weapon Barrage! The Tenten on the left opened a summoning scroll and continuously threw out various weapons.
Neji activated his Byakugan. He dodged very nimbly in the arena and rushed towards Tenten at an extremely fast speed.
Manipulated Tool: Binding Meteor!
The Tenten on the right pressed her palm onto a summoning scroll. The next second, an iron chain flew out, attempting to entangle Neji.
Neji's response was simple. He swatted the iron chain with a palm, knocking it off course.
Neji took a quick step and arrived in front of Tenten on the left.
Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms! When Neji delivered the eighth palm, Tenten turned into smoke and disappeared.
A whooshing sound rang out.
Manipulated Tool: Heavenly Chain Disaster!
The last Tenten finally completed her Summoning Technique. A giant scroll unfurled, and a large number of Ninja tools poured down like a torrential rain.
Neji suddenly turned his head and continued his Gentle Fist: Eighty Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. The Ninja tools were all batted away by him. When a gap appeared, he looked at Tenten.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!
Neji thrust out his palm, and an invisible air shockwave immediately struck. That Tenten subconsciously used the large scroll to shield herself, but she was still sent flying.
"It's the original." After confirming, Neji quickly pursued.
He arrived in front of Tenten and delivered several continuous palm strikes. The other Tenten wanted to help, but it was already too late.
"I surrender," Tenten said.
Upon hearing this, Neji helped her unlock her Chakra points and pulled her up.
"Thank you," Tenten said with a smile.
She dispelled her other Shadow Clone and walked off the field with Neji.
The third round of sparring continued. Actually, the number of matches in the third round was similar to the second round because only two people were missing.
Eighteen students entered the second round, and sixteen students entered the third round. Overall, it was still a battle among the same group of students, just with a changed order in the third round.
Time slowly passed. Soon, it was the eighth match, which was also the last one. There was no suspense in this match; Kurama Yakumo easily defeated Inuzuka Hana.
"The third round ends here."
Seeing this, Kitazawa announced, "Everyone, take a ten-minute break. When the time is up, the rankings and groupings for this practical exam will be announced."
This Monthly Exam was not over yet, as there was still a mission-doing segment. In other words, the final ranking would be a comprehensive score of the theoretical exam, practical exam, and mission results.
This change was due to the addition of Kimimaro and the others. The next Monthly Exam would not be so troublesome.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Sasuke stood up and said directly, "I want to challenge Naruto."
"Sasuke, I accept!" Naruto said excitedly upon hearing this, "Finally, we can have another youth showdown!"
"This time it won't be like last time; victory will ultimately belong to me." Sasuke glanced at him and said with great confidence.
Because he had easily defeated Kimimaro with Chidori Senbon and Chidori Current, he was now very confident.
At least in both long-range and close-range combat, he had the means to counter Naruto.
"Alright then." Kitazawa nodded and said, "You all move to the side of the field to make room for them."
"I wonder who will win this time." Ino mused, "They both have improved, so it's hard to say."
"Sasuke-kun will definitely win!" Sakura said without hesitation.
She had worried about jinxing Sasuke before, but after he defeated Kimimaro, she cast that worry aside.
"I support Naruto!" Kiba immediately said, "Naruto has too much Chakra. Given enough time, he's sure to win!"
"I think so too." Tayuya joined the discussion.
Her recent battle with Naruto had left a significant psychological scar. In comparison, Sasuke didn't exert as much pressure.
"Judging by their past battles, Naruto has the advantage." Shino analyzed.
"But without a fight, it's just speculation." Tenten shook her head and said, "Let's just watch."
"Sasuke really has that Uchiha personality." Hiruzen watched Sasuke and Naruto enter the arena and couldn't help but chuckle.
Kakashi, meanwhile, thought of his deceased teammate, Uchiha Obito. He and Sasuke were somewhat alike, fighting repeatedly and never easily admitting defeat.
"In the Genius Class, only Sasuke has a chance to defeat Naruto." Kosuke commented, "This is actually a blessing for them, to have such a formidable opponent."
"This is what bonds are all about." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with great satisfaction.
Naruto was the nine-tailed jinchuriki. When he was Hokage, he worried about his integration. But with Kitazawa and the Genius Class, that problem was easily resolved.
"Naruto, skip the unnecessary probing and go all out immediately." Sasuke gripped the Sword of the Thunder God and said calmly.
"As expected of my lifelong rival!" Naruto immediately shouted excitedly, "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
After hundreds of Shadow Clones appeared, they immediately split into two rows.
Just then, Sasuke made his move. Body Flicker Technique!
Chakra burst from his feet, and he charged into Naruto's Shadow Clones at top speed.
He manipulated a large amount of Lightning Release Chakra into the Sword of the Thunder God. The blade trembled, and lightning was unleashed, spreading in all directions.
The nearby Shadow Clones were immediately covered by the lightning, their bodies numbed by the electricity.
Bang, bang, bang!
Some of the unbearable Shadow Clones screamed and turned into smoke.
The Shadow Clones who had intended to use Wind Release: Gale Palm and Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken suddenly stumbled, their formation disrupted by the lightning.
Naruto's pupils constricted slightly. He unhesitatingly picked up the Samehada and leaped forward, smashing it down.
Sasuke retreated.
With a crash, Samehada struck the ground, instantly cracking it and sending rocks flying.
Konoha Style: Willow!
Sasuke twisted his wrist and thrust towards Naruto. A binding genjutsu arrived first.
Naruto was only stunned for a moment before Kurama dispelled the genjutsu with a tail swipe.
But that instant was enough. Sasuke's Sword of the Thunder God emerged from Naruto's blind spot, striking him with lightning speed.
In the nick of time, Samehada opened its mouth and bit towards Sasuke's arm. If he didn't pull back, he would be bitten.
---
Sasuke didn't want to trade blows, and he also knew that the Samehada would absorb his Chakra. Even trading blows would be a huge loss for him.
But Sasuke didn't withdraw his hand either. He instantly changed his attack direction, avoiding the Samehada while thrusting his sword at Naruto's thigh.
"Violent: Leaf Adamantine Strength Whirlwind!"
Naruto instinctively kicked towards the Sword of the Thunder God. Blue Chakra adhered to his leg, making his strength greater and his speed faster.
Sasuke immediately felt the Sword of the Thunder God in his hand sink. Under this attack, he completely lost his opportunity.
He retreated without hesitation. At the same time, he flicked his left hand, and three kunai flew out.
Naruto, who was about to pursue, could only grab the Samehada and swat away the kunai.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
The Naruto Shadow Clones, affected by the lightning from the Sword of the Thunder God, finally returned to normal. They gathered together again.
A strong wind appeared out of nowhere, gathering together to form a wind wave that surged towards Sasuke.
Seeing this, Naruto immediately stopped. After all, the Ninjutsu used by the Shadow Clone could not be ignored by the main body.
Chidori Senbon!
A large amount of lightning appeared in Sasuke's left hand. He flung it forcefully, and senbon immediately filled the air. The senbon fell like arrows, killing half of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Seeing this, Naruto created fifty more Shadow Clones.
"Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken!" As soon as the fifty Shadow Clones appeared, they all threw shuriken.
Sasuke's expression changed, and he immediately used the Body Flicker Technique. But the Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken were too fast and too numerous for him to dodge all of them.
Fortunately, his Two-Tomoe Sharingan came into play at this moment.
Konoha Style Swordsmanship! Sasuke, holding the Sword of the Thunder God, deflected all the shuriken that attacked him.
"Rasengan!"
Just then, Naruto suddenly appeared behind him. His body was covered in flowing wind. This was the result of accelerating with Wind Release: Gale Palm.
Sasuke reacted quickly. He turned around and blocked the Rasengan with the Sword of the Thunder God.
But the rotational force made him unable to hold the Sword of the Thunder God. Sasuke directly let go of the Sword of the Thunder God and dodged to the left.
After Naruto lost his stalemate, his body instinctively leaned forward, and the Rasengan slammed into the ground.
A piercing bird cry sounded.
Sasuke immediately used Chidori. He lunged forward, thrusting his arm, and pierced Naruto's waist.
Bang! Naruto turned into smoke and disappeared.
Sasuke thought, As expected. If this Naruto had been the main body, Kitazawa would have stopped him when he used Chidori.
The wind howled.
Sasuke turned around and saw two rows of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Wind Release: Gale Palm was followed by Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken. Sasuke experienced the same attack that Kimimaro had encountered earlier.
Chidori Senbon! Sasuke didn't hesitate, turning the lightning into a sky full of senbon.
He then immediately burst out at full speed, grabbed the Sword of the Thunder God, and charged into the storm.
Screams rang out. Naruto's Shadow Clones were standing too close together, and with the incredible speed of Chidori Senbon, many of them were instantly taken out. The storm immediately weakened.
Sasuke blocked most of the Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken with the Sword of the Thunder God and then plunged into Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Lightning Release Chakra was injected into the Sword of the Thunder God, and in an instant, lightning spread. Most of the Shadow Clones were engulfed by the lightning, unable to move.
"Violent: Leaf Adamantine Strength Whirlwind!" Naruto seized the opportunity and kicked out.
Sasuke was about to dodge, but he realized his target was the Sword of the Thunder God. A huge force was transmitted.
Sasuke's arm went numb, and the Sword of the Thunder God was kicked away.
But Naruto, due to inertia, couldn't help but run forward.
Opportunity! Sasuke immediately used Chidori.
The cries of a thousand birds echoed through the air. He closed in, thrust out his arm, and hit his target.
But what he hit was not Naruto, but the Samehada.
Sasuke's expression changed slightly.
"Rasengan!" Naruto turned around, a spinning Chakra ball in his hand.
But this Rasengan was a bit smaller than usual. Because after their last clash, Kitazawa had reminded him that the Rasengan was more powerful than Chidori.
"Not so easy!" Sasuke raised his left hand, lightning spread, and it was another Chidori.
"What?" Naruto hadn't expected him to be able to use Chidori with both hands simultaneously.
The Rasengan and Chidori collided. Sasuke grunted. He felt his left hand being twisted like a pretzel, burning with pain.
But it wasn't over yet.
His right hand's Chidori suddenly trembled, and the lightning spread in all directions, directly transforming into Chidori Current.
Naruto had not anticipated such a change and was immediately enveloped by the lightning.
But just then, the Samehada opened its mouth and bit Sasuke.
Naruto was sent flying. However, his constitution was strong, and he quickly recovered.
But Sasuke had most of his Chakra absorbed by the Samehada, and he fell to the ground, unable to move.