Chapter 178: Kiba Inuzuka vs. The Next Generation Yellow Flash, Naruto Uzumaki!
The atmosphere in the Chunin Exams preliminary arena was subtle, shifted by the battles that had just taken place. The bizarre ninja tools displayed by the Hidden Sound ninja and Shikamaru Nara's unexpectedly swift forfeiture left the spectators with mixed feelings. Shino Aburame's crushing defeat, in particular, was a wake-up call for the young Genin of Konoha.
On the giant electronic screen, names scrolled once more. Finally, two names locked in place.
Hayate Gekko cleared his throat, his voice still carrying a sickly rasp, but it echoed clearly throughout the hall.
"Preliminary Match, next round—"
"Naruto Uzumaki… cough… vs. Kiba Inuzuka!"
As his voice fell, a brief silence filled the arena before murmurs erupted.
"Naruto? The Hokage's son?"
"Is that really the 'dead-last'?"
"How could the Hokage's son be the dead-last? There must be something going on."
"Since the Fourth is back, Naruto must be tough. This should be interesting."
Kiba Inuzuka hugged his ninja dog, Akamaru, a wild grin spreading across his face. He pointed a finger dramatically at the blonde boy opposite him.
"Hey, Naruto!"
"Your luck runs out here! I'm gonna take the title of Hokage for myself!"
Akamaru barked twice in agreement, looking fierce.
Naruto Uzumaki put his hands on his hips, looking disgruntled at being underestimated. He grinned wide, showing his white teeth.
"Shut it! Kiba, you're the one who's gonna be unlucky!"
"Being Hokage is my dream, believe it! I'm not gonna lose to a guy who just barks all day!"
"What did you say?! You dead-last!"
"Alright then—" Seeing the tension, Hayate quickly announced, "Match… begin!"
"Let's go, Akamaru!"
Kiba roared and attacked first! Man and beast, moving in perfect sync, flanked Naruto from left and right, pouncing with ferocious speed! Sharp claws glinted coldly, aiming for Naruto's vital points! The assault was wild and lightning-fast!
Just as Kiba's claws were about to tear Naruto's clothes—POOF!
Naruto's figure vanished into a puff of smoke!
It was a Shadow Clone!
"What?!" Kiba's pupils shrank, alarm bells ringing in his head. Where is the real Naruto?
He skidded to a halt, standing back-to-back with Akamaru, scanning the surroundings vigilantly. "Dammit! Where is he?"
"Behind you, Kiba!" Akamaru barked urgently, picking up the scent.
Kiba's heart jumped, and he spun around!
A cold sensation was already pressed against his neck—the edge of a kunai, reflecting a chilling light under the arena lamps. Naruto had appeared behind him at some point, the kunai in his hand pressed precisely against Kiba's throat.
The whole process happened in the blink of an eye, almost too fast to register!
Dead silence fell over the entire arena. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone's jaw was on the floor at this sudden turn of events.
"Wh-what was that just now?"
"Naruto… when did he get behind Kiba?"
"So fast! I didn't even blink, ya know!"
The Genin in the spectator stands wore expressions of utter disbelief. Even the Jonin instructors reacted. Asuma Sarutobi almost dropped his cigarette. Kurenai Yuhi's beautiful eyes widened.
Watching from afar, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had a gleam in his old eyes. "That jutsu…"
Minato Namikaze stood nearby, a smile on his face. Flying Raijin. He really learned it.
Kiba's body went rigid, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. He could clearly feel the icy killing intent from the kunai at his throat and hear Naruto's slightly heavy breathing. If his opponent pushed forward even an inch…
Lost? Did I… lose to this former dead-last in an instant? Impossible!
"Dammit! That—that doesn't count!"
Kiba's face flushed red, veins bulging on his neck. He couldn't accept this absurd defeat and roared unwillingly.
"I—I was careless! Naruto, you bastard, fight me fair and square again if you have the guts!" He was convinced he had only been caught because he underestimated his opponent.
Naruto paused at Kiba's shout. Then, he grinned, a dazzling smile spreading across his face. He slowly withdrew the kunai, looking slightly smug and fired up.
"Fine! I'm not scared of you!"
"Let's go again! But I won't go easy on you this time!"
He actually agreed without hesitation!
"This guy… fine!" Kiba was stunned for a moment, then his eyes burned with even fiercer rage and fighting spirit. "This time I'll beat you until you're looking for your teeth on the floor!"
The ninja in the stands erupted into noise again.
"Naruto actually agreed?"
"What was that move just now? It was way too fast!"
"Good thing he agreed, I didn't want it to end without seeing anything."
"Tch, waste of time."
"Looks like Naruto really is different from before! Was he hiding his strength all along?"
Everyone's gaze was now locked onto the blonde boy, full of anticipation.
The battle began anew!
"Akamaru! Let's show him what we've got!" Kiba roared. This time, he held nothing back!
Akamaru swallowed a food pill. With a low growl, his small body expanded rapidly, his fur turning a frightening blood red!
Beast Human Clone!
Kiba let out a wild roar, dropping to all fours, entering his Four Legs Technique state. His aura became violent and dangerous, filled with primal savagery!
"Fang Over Fang!"
Akamaru transformed into a rapid red tornado, joining with the spinning, fanged Kiba. Together, they became a twin drill of destruction, tearing through the air with a piercing shriek as they charged madly at Naruto! The Inuzuka clan's secret technique!
Facing this near-insane assault, Naruto's figure suddenly became elusive. He no longer relied solely on the Flying Raijin to teleport. He displayed astonishing taijutsu skills and reaction speed. Every strike of the Fang Over Fang was dodged by a hair's breadth. His footwork was light, his movements swift, as if he could predict Kiba's every move.
Occasionally, he would use the Flying Raijin for extremely short-range shifts, controlling the distance between him and Kiba, creating openings for attacks, making Kiba's fierce assaults miss repeatedly while unable to shake him off.
Kiba grew more alarmed the longer he fought. The Naruto in front of him completely overturned the stereotype he had formed over the past decade.
No… impossible!
Since when is this guy a dead-last?!