Naruto launched forward with a burst of speed. One second he was several meters away from Kiba, and the next he was already inside his guard; his right fist cut through the air toward the Inuzuka user's stomach.
"Shit!" Kiba barely had time to cross his arms in front of his torso before the impact reached him.
The blow echoed through the arena. Kiba felt all the air leave his lungs at once as his body was sent sliding backward. He stopped after nearly three meters, coughing and wheezing as he tried to catch his breath.
"What the hell?" he managed to gasp, looking at Naruto with wide eyes. "Since when are you this fast?"
Naruto didn't answer immediately. He simply adopted a new combat stance.
"I've been training, Kiba," he finally said with a smile. "Did you think I was just going to sit around watching everyone else get stronger?"
Akamaru barked from his position next to Kiba, his small fangs exposed in an aggressive snarl. The white pup moved to flank Naruto from the left side, while Kiba regained his composure and prepared to attack from the front.
"Fine! Then let's see how well you've trained!" Kiba shouted, forming hand signs with impressive speed. "Akamaru! Jūjin Bunshin!"
A cloud of smoke erupted around Akamaru. When it dissipated, in place of the small white puppy, there was a perfect copy of Kiba, complete with red facial markings and a fierce expression. The two Kibas separated, beginning to circle Naruto from opposite directions. In the stands, Rock Lee clenched his fists over his knees, leaning forward.
"Two against one. Kiba-kun knows he can't win in pure speed, so he's forcing Naruto to divide his attention."
The two Kibas launched their attack simultaneously, their fists cutting through the air toward Naruto's flanks. The blonde spun his body. His left arm shot upward, blocking the fist of the Kiba coming from that side. At the same time, his right leg rose in a circular sweep that caught the other Kiba right under the ribs, sending him flying.
The blocked Kiba spun around to throw a follow-up kick, but Naruto had already moved. He slid his foot back, creating distance, while his free hand shot forward in a palm strike that impacted directly on his opponent's chest. The sound of the impact echoed throughout the arena. Kiba felt his body lift off the ground before slamming into the earth several meters away.
But Kiba wasn't stupid. While rolling across the ground, his hand dipped into his vest pouch and threw three smoke bombs that exploded in unison. A dense grey curtain covered half the arena in less than a second.
"Ha!" Kiba's voice came from somewhere inside the smoke. "Now we're in my territory, Naruto! Let's see if you're still so fast when you can't see a thing!"
Naruto stepped back, raising his guard. Inside the smoke, he could hear movement from multiple directions. The Inuzuka hunted by scent; the smoke didn't affect them at all. A strike emerged from his left. Naruto blocked it, but the impact was a distraction. Claws tore through his right sleeve from behind, leaving three red lines on his forearm. Naruto grunted and turned to counterattack, but Kiba had already vanished back into the mist.
"How about that?" Kiba mocked from an invisible point. "You're not so invincible after all!"
Another blow from the right. Naruto dodged it, but a low kick from the front caught him in the shin and made him stumble. Akamaru took the opportunity to lunge at his back, and this time his fangs connected with Naruto's shoulder before the blonde could throw him off with an elbow. In the stands, Sakura-chan had stood up with her hands pressed against her chest.
"Naruto, look out!"
Kiba was fighting well. Inside the smoke, where his senses gave him a total advantage, he had found a way to level the speed difference: hit and run. He never stayed still long enough for Naruto to respond. The Uzumaki took another hit to the ribs; Kiba was stronger than people realized.
"Is that all you've got?" Naruto said, wiping blood from a cut on his cheek. "Because I'm just getting warmed up!"
"Keep talking, idiot!" Kiba yelled. "Gatsuuga!"
The sound of twin tornadoes tearing through the air filled the arena. Naruto felt them coming before he saw them: two rotating columns of destruction converging on him from different angles. The blonde jumped straight up, as high as he could. The two Gatsuuga passed beneath him, colliding with each other and kicking up a cloud of dust that finally dissipated the smoke.
And there was Kiba's mistake. Without the smoke, Naruto could see everything. Kiba and Akamaru were coming out of their rotations, disoriented by the mutual impact and still staggering from the dizziness of the technique. Naruto dove down. His foot hit the ground right next to Akamaru, and the shockwave sent the transformed pup rolling across the floor. Before Kiba could react, Naruto was already in front of him. A direct punch to the solar plexus doubled him over, followed by an upward knee that lifted him off the ground.
Kiba tried to counter even as he fell, throwing a desperate claw swipe at Naruto's face. His nails managed to graze the blonde's cheek, leaving another mark, but it wasn't enough. Naruto leaned back to dodge the worst of the blow and responded with a side kick to the flank that sent Kiba crashing into the ground. Akamaru, recovered, charged from behind with a furious bark. Naruto spun on his heels and deflected him with a kick that changed the pup's trajectory without seriously hurting him.
In the observation box, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had leaned forward in their seats.
"He is too fast," Homura murmured, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "And his taijutsu technique is notably more advanced than his Academy records suggest."
"Too advanced for someone who only graduated a few months ago," Koharu added thoughtfully. "It seems Danzō was right about the anomalies in his growth."
But before they could move closer to the railing for a better view, a massive presence stepped between them. Tsunade Senju had approached without them noticing and now stood before the two advisors, crossing her arms over her chest. Her imposing presence completely blocked their view of the arena.
"Tsunade-hime," Homura began in a neutral tone, "could you move? You are blocking our view of the match."
"How convenient," Tsunade replied with disdain. "Because I have some questions that need answers before you continue watching."
Koharu frowned, adjusting her posture.
"I don't understand what you mean. We are here as members of the Council to observe the Chūnin Exams, an event of international importance that..."
"Save the political speech," Tsunade interrupted in a sharp voice. "You both know perfectly well that the Chūnin Exams have been happening for decades without your personal presence. So, why exactly did you decide to honor us with your attention just now?"
Shizune, who had followed Tsunade, positioned herself slightly behind her master with a worried expression. She knew that look on the Sannin's face; it was the same one that preceded tables being smashed and walls left with holes. A few meters away, Hiruzen watched the situation. The Third Hokage had his pipe in hand, but he hadn't lit it. His eyes held a spark of curiosity as he watched his former student confront his old comrades.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a quick glance. It was Homura who finally responded, maintaining a diplomatic firmness.
"Our presence here is entirely appropriate, Tsunade. As advisors of Konoha, we have a duty to..."
"To spy on Naruto on Danzō's orders?" Tsunade interrupted again, and this time her voice dropped to a dangerously soft tone.
The effect on Homura and Koharu was immediate. Both tensed visibly.
"What are you talking about?" Koharu asked, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed that she knew perfectly well.
"I'm talking," Tsunade said, taking a step toward them, "about the Root agents I located acting illegally in the Forest of Death during the second phase."
It was a direct challenge to anyone cooperating with Danzō.
"That is..." Homura started, but she didn't let him finish.
"A direct violation of the Hokage's orders?" Tsunade offered bitingly. "Because that's exactly what it was. Root shouldn't exist. And yet, Danzō continues to operate his secret organization, sending operatives to interfere with official exams, and even..." she paused, narrowing her eyes, "attempting to kidnap genin under my protection."
That captured the elders' full attention.
"Kidnapping?" Koharu repeated with alarm. "Tsunade, that is an extremely serious accusation."
"And I have evidence to back it up," she replied coldly. "A Root agent tried to extract Sakura-chan Haruno from the hospital while she was caring for the Uchiha brat. I personally intervened and neutralized the threat."
Shizune nodded in confirmation.
"I was present. I can corroborate everything Tsunade-sama is saying."
Homura took off his glasses and cleaned them with a cloth; a nervous gesture.
"If what you say is true," he began carefully, "then Danzō has gravely exceeded the limits of..."
"The limits?" Tsunade let out a sarcastic laugh. "Are those the limits you two have allowed him to exceed for years while ignoring his illegal activities?"
Koharu drew herself up with indignation, clutching her staff.
"Watch your tongue, Tsunade. We are members of the Konoha Council and..."
"And I am one of the Legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and security supervisor for these exams," Tsunade interrupted. "Which means that when it comes to the safety of these genin, my word carries more weight than both of yours combined."
She took another step forward, forcing them to tilt their heads back to maintain eye contact.
"Danzō is manipulating you," she said in a low voice. "He uses you as a political shield for his own goals. And you allow it because you share his paranoia about threats that probably don't even exist."
"The threats to Konoha are very real," Homura countered.
"Of course they are," Tsunade agreed. "But the greatest current threat isn't coming from outside. It's coming from within. From men like Danzō who believe the end justifies any means, no matter how despicable."
In the arena, Kiba stood up once more. He was panting, with one eye swollen shut and blood in his mouth. Akamaru limped slightly beside him but kept growling.
"I'm... I'm not done yet," Kiba spat.
Naruto wasn't unscathed either. He had scratches, marks on his cheek, and a bruise on his ribs. But his breathing was steady.
"Kiba," Naruto said. "You fought well. Those smoke bombs almost ruined me."
"Almost doesn't count," the Inuzuka grunted. "Akamaru, one more time!"
The pup barked and launched into the attack. Kiba put everything he had left into one last charge. As he threw his punch, Naruto ducked, spun to let Akamaru pass, and exploded upward with an uppercut that caught Kiba under the chin.
The impact was definitive. Kiba rose off the ground, his eyes rolling back. He landed heavily, completely motionless. Akamaru immediately untransformed and ran toward him, barking with concern. Hayate Gekkō approached and, after checking the boy's condition, raised his hand.
"Kiba Inuzuka is unable to continue! The winner is Naruto Uzumaki!"
Homura and Koharu tensed, but Tsunade remained like a wall in front of them.
"Move, Tsunade," Koharu said with restrained frustration. "We need to observe..."
"Observe what exactly?" Tsunade asked in a sweet tone. "Naruto, so you can report his capabilities to Danzō? Look for evidence of those 'anomalies' they sold you as threats?"
The precision of the statement left them frozen.
"Pathetic," she murmured. "Danzō tells you to jump and you ask how high. He tells you to investigate the Jinchūriki and you come running with your notebooks."
"Our concerns are legitimate," Homura defended. "If there is external influence or unknown powers..."
"Then what?" Tsunade interrupted. "Are you going to recommend they lock him up? That you treat him like a threat instead of the child he is?" She looked Homura in the eye. "That boy is the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. He is the legacy of two of the best ninja Konoha has ever produced. And you want to treat him like a threat because Danzō planted seeds of doubt in your minds."
Hiruzen finally spoke, intervening in the conversation.
"Tsunade is right."
All eyes turned to the Third Hokage, who was walking slowly toward them.
"Homura, Koharu," he said in a tired voice, "I know you came with legitimate concerns. But you must understand that those concerns are being manipulated." He stopped beside Tsunade. "Danzō sees threats everywhere because that is his nature. And while I appreciate your dedication, I cannot allow it to turn into paranoia that harms our own citizens."
"Hiruzen..." Koharu began in a pleading tone.
"I know," the Hokage nodded. "But verification must be done through the proper channels and without interference from organizations that technically shouldn't exist. Root was disbanded. If Danzō continues to operate it, it is a direct betrayal of my orders. And if you help him, consciously or unconsciously, you become accomplices."
The weight of those words fell upon the advisors, who for the first time looked uncertain. Meanwhile, in the stands, Sakura was clapping loudly.
"Naruto! You did it!"
Near her, Ino watched with a strange mixture of feelings. Naruto had won, and she was happy.
Since when do I feel so happy about these things? she murmured to herself.
In the infirmary, Hinata smiled with her hands against her chest, letting out a sigh of relief. Temari, leaning against the door, didn't take her eyes off the blonde.
"If I ever have to fight him," she finally said, "I can't let him get close. Not even once."
Tenten looked at her sideways.
"Are you worried?"
"I'm being realistic," Temari corrected. "That kid just tore apart someone who had the terrain advantage and numerical superiority using pure taijutsu. If he's got anything else tucked away, he's going to be a serious problem."
At the box, Tsunade finally stepped aside. The match was over and Naruto was already being led out of the arena by a medic. Homura sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly.
"I suppose that answers whether we should stay," he murmured with resignation.
"We will stay for the final match," Koharu declared. "It would be a waste not to see the end of the preliminaries."
Shizune approached Tsunade with a worried expression.
"Tsunade-sama, was it wise to confront the advisors so directly? They have considerable political influence in..."
"In nothing I care about," Tsunade interrupted. "If they can't handle someone telling them the truth directly to their faces, then they shouldn't be in positions of power."
She looked toward the arena where the medical team was helping Kiba up. The Inuzuka user still looked dazed but was conscious, which was a good sign. Akamaru was licking his owner's face insistently.
"Besides," Tsunade continued in a softer voice, "I'm not going to let anyone use Naruto as a chess piece in their political games. He's had enough of that in his life."
In the arena, Naruto was being congratulated by several of his classmates who had come down from the stands. Sakura was the first to reach him, practically jumping toward him with a bright smile.
******
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