Hiruzen went on to say, "Before we commence the third challenge, there's something else I need to tell you. This is not just an assessment, but a battle where your dreams and the honor of your nation are at stake."
Shikamaru yawned, indicating that he found Hiruzen's statement to be quite predictable. "I couldn't care less what this is about, just get on with it and explain what this dangerous battle involves," Gaara remarked bluntly.
"Yes, I was about to discuss the details of the third challenge, but..." Suddenly, a ninja interrupted him with a cough and knelt down. "I beg your pardon, Lord Hokage... From here onwards, as the referee, may I, Gekkou Hayate, take over?"
Hiruzen turned his eyes towards him and nodded in agreement, "Certainly."
Hayate rose to his feet and addressed the genins, "Hello all, I'm Hayate. Before we proceed to the third challenge, there's something I need to explain."
"What is it?" The genins stared at him in bewilderment.
"It's a pre-requisite for the third challenge to determine who will be allowed to participate in the main event."
Sakura, still puzzled, asked, "Sensei... I don't quite understand this pre-requisite. Why can't everyone here participate in the next challenge?"
"Well... since the first and second challenges might have been too easy this year... we have too many contenders left... As per the rules of the chunin exam, we need to conduct a pre-requisite and reduce the number of participants for the third challenge."
"No way... As the Hokage mentioned earlier, the third challenge will host several guests... Since the battle could be long, we are constrained by time. So, those of you who wish to withdraw after hearing this, please step forward now as we will be beginning the pre-requisite shortly."
Kabuto stepped forward smiling, "Well... I think I'll pass."
The others were taken aback by his surrender. "You're Yakushi Kabuto from the leaf village, correct? You may exit now." Kabuto nodded in response and made his way out.
"I've seen him before, didn't he withdraw during the final challenge last year? What's going through his mind? Kabuto Yakushi's records show he's failed six consecutive times," Anko remarked.
Hiruzen, glancing at Anko, asked, "What kind of records are those?"
"He was an average student during his academy days, neither excelling nor failing. He managed to graduate after his third attempt. He has completed two C-rank and fourteen D-rank missions. There's no noteworthy battle history..."
"But?"
"It's about his time before he joined the academy. Remember? He was the young boy who was rescued from the bell-flower pass battle."
Hiruzen nodded in agreement, "Yes, I recall. A jounin from the medical team brought back a child who survived the battle against the enemy. So, he is that child..."
Hayate continued, "Now that we have twenty participants, we will hold ten matches, and the victors will proceed to the third challenge. There are essentially no rules. The battle continues until one of you is either killed, knocked out, or admits defeat. If you don't want to die, admit defeat swiftly. However, when I deem a clear victor, I'll intervene and stop the fight to avoid unnecessary deaths."
"The name of the contestants will be shown in display & only 2 of the contestants will stand in the middle and everyone will stand at the floor above, the rules are explained so now we will proceed with our first fight."
[First Duel, Uchiha Sasuke versus Akado Yoroi]
"Could the two of you please step into the arena, while the rest of you proceed to the stage? Begin!"
The moment the duel was announced to start, Akado Yoroi reached for a kunai, ready to launch his attack on Sasuke.
However, Sasuke swiftly employed the 'Body Flicker' technique to appear next to Yoroi. He then unleashed a surge of electricity from his arms, declaring, "Lightning Style: Electric Current."
Caught off guard, Yoroi felt the jolt of electricity course through his body, causing him to yell in agony. As he attempted to resist, Sasuke simply ramped up the voltage. After struggling for a moment, Yoroi collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Hayate, who had been observing the duel, expressed his surprise before coughing and announcing, "The victor of the first duel is Uchiha Sasuke."
Up on the second floor, Naruto chuckled, "Well, that was a walk in the park." Naruto said looking at Sakura and Kakashi.
Kakashi was surprised too but than remembered that how strong his team has become , he looked at Naruto than Sasuke and last Sakura and let out a proud smile.
Sasuke as announced the winner came walking stairs to his Team. "Congratulations, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said .
Sasuke only nodded with a smile & returned his gaze towards Naruto "Now your turn , Don't Disappoint !!!" Sasuke said with a smirk.
"Who do you think you're talking to, Sasuke?" Naruto retorted, an amused grin tugging at his lips. "I am the one and only Naruto Uzumaki. Disappointment is not in my dictionary. Watch and learn!" an air of confident nonchalance swirling around him.
[2nd dual Zaku Abumi Versus Aburame Shino]
...
"The victor of the 2nd dual is Aburame Shino."
...
[Third Dual, Tsurugi Misumi versus Kankuro]
...
"The Victor of 3rd dual , Kankuro!"
[Fourth Dual, Yamanaka Ino Versus Haruno Sakura.]
...
"Proceeding with the fourth challenge. Haruno Sakura versus Yamanaka Ino"
As they descended the steps.
Ino grinned and taunted "Prepared for defeat? Sakura?"
Sakura squared her shoulders, her green eyes flashing with determination as she retorted, "I wouldn't be so sure, Ino. It's not over until it's over."
Ino, visibly irritated, turned away, "Hmp! Don't get too cocky! Cry-baby, Sakura!"
Naruto, observing, smirked, "Sakura's not the same anymore, you know...
Sakura and Ino adjusted their forehead protectors in unison. The reason behind this, known only to them.
Hayate watched them intently and announced, "Third Dual, Begin!"
Sakura hurled a kunai from her position.
Ino snorted as she evaded, "I could dodge that in my sleep."
Sakura responded with a smile and a word, "explode."
"Ahhhhh!" The blast sent Ino flying.
Employing the [Body Flicker], Sakura appeared behind Ino and delivered a kick to her back.
"Ghh..." Ino groaned, feeling the impact in the middle of her back.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Ino, having been kicked, rolled across the ground.
Sakura, looking serious, declared, "Surrender, Ino. You're no match for me now. If I've learned anything from Naruto, it's to always have the upper hand in a fight and use every weapon at your disposal, regardless of how it might look."
Naruto cheered, "Iyo! That's my pupil!"
Asuma, overhearing, asked Kakashi, "What's that kid going on about? Isn't Sakura your pupil?"
Kakashi, observing the fight, replied, "With Naruto on my team, it feels like having two jounins. Sasuke is my disciple, while Sakura is Naruto's."
"What? I recall you saying he'd beat you handily if you two fought, but I didn't expect him to be such a prodigy." Asuma remarked, looking at Naruto.
"Tsk! Enough with Naruto! But how did you learn to use [Body Flicker] like that?"
Sakura explained with a smile, "While [Body Flicker] is a D-rank jutsu, using it in complex maneuvers is challenging. However, for instant movements from one place to another, it's straightforward. It all comes down to application and strategy." She added mockingly, "I learned it from Naruto." Saukura added the last bit just to mock Ino as she knew the crush Ino has for Naruto.
"Tsk!" Ino, irritated, formed a unique hand seal and pointed at Sakura.
Sakura scoffed and tossed another kunai with an explosive tag at Ino. "Do you think I'll let you use a jutsu I don't know?"
This time, Ino was more alert and dodged to the left. She looked behind, expecting Sakura to do the same, but she was mistaken. All she saw was a kunai on the ground.
Suddenly, she heard a voice, "explode!"
Bam! The kunai detonated, yet Ino was ready. Although she couldn't evade, she deflected the impact with her hands. But then...
A kunai was poised at her throat from behind. "And that's the end of the game," Sakura announced, holding the kunai to Ino's neck.
Ino looked stunned. 'When did Sakura become so strong?'
"Admit defeat, Ino."
Ino sighed and lifted her arms in surrender. "I admit defeat."
Hayate, surprised at Sakura's prowess, declared, "Victor of the fourth dual: Haruno Sakura!"
As Sakura and Ino climbed the staircase, Ino remarked with a smile, "Seems like my best friend has grown stronger."
Sakura responded with a smile and a nod.
"Sakura's fighting style, did you teach her that?" Sasuke inquired of Naruto, puzzled. "You don't even fight in such a manner."
Naruto laughed. "That's because everyone I've fought is either too feeble or at my level. That's why I don't fight in that way. Let me pose a question to you, would you confront stronger foes in the same straightforward manner we do?"
After pondering Naruto's words, Sasuke nodded. "You're correct, my apologies."
Naruto nodded in acknowledgment.
Once their discussion ended, Sakura approached them. Naruto greeted her with a broad smile and raised arms. "Hooray!"
Sakura also raised her arms and smiled. "Hooray!"
Clap!
They turned to Sasuke.
With a strained smile, Sasuke raised his arms to join in the celebration. "H-hooray..."
Naruto struggled to suppress his laughter, looking down at the ground. Sakura followed suit.
Flushing, Sasuke turned away. "I'm not doing that again."
Naruto burst into laughter. "Hahahah!"
Amidst their laughter, Hayate announced, "Temari and Tenten, please step forward."
Victor for the 5th Dual: Temari!
[The sixth dual Nara Shikamaru versus Kin Tsuchi.]
Victor: Nara Shikamaru!
[The Seventh Dual Uzumaki Naruto Versus Inuzuka Kiba]
"It's your turn , again saying don't disappoint the team." Sasuke said.
"Yeah, Naruto let's make it 3 out of 3 for the team." Sakura added.
Naruto only smiled at both at them.
Naruto walked towards the stairs as he heard a whispering sound "Naruto-kun.... "
Naruto looked at the direction the sound came from , it was Hinata , Naruto smiled a little at her and she smiled back "Best of luck.... " Hinata said.
"Thanks , Hinata." Naruto said & walked down the stairs where his opponent Kiba was already standing.
"Sorry in advance, Kiba . I've to defeat you." Naruto said with a small smile.
Kiba smirked confidently and replied, "Don't underestimate me, Naruto. I won't go down without a fight!"
Naruto nodded "We'll see..... "
Hayate looked at both the boys talking "Seventh Dual... Begin."
As the match commenced, Kiba immediately agitated Akamaru, his loyal canine companion, to initiate their attack. The Fang over Fang technique was their weapon of choice, transforming themselves into a gigantic, double-headed wolf.
However, Naruto, with an almost bored expression, easily evaded the attack with minimal effort.
"Come on, Kiba. Is that the best you can do?" Naruto taunted, a playful smirk lighting up his face.
Kiba snarled back, "You haven't seen anything yet, Naruto!" Kiba and Akamaru then attempted their Dynamic Marking technique, aiming to impede Naruto's movements.
Yet, Naruto dodged the yellow substance with an almost lazy grace, moving so swiftly it was as if he was in multiple places at once. The observing Genin were left wide-eyed, the sheer speed of the movement leaving them astounded.
"Bite your tongue, Naruto," Kiba gritted out, frustration seeping into his voice. He launched himself into another Fang over Fang attack, this time putting his all in the offensive move.
Nevertheless, Naruto, with a nonchalant air, raised a hand and dispelled the attack. This effortless display of power left the Genin spectators staring, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.
Gai who was watching the fight "He's 12 years old and a genin.... Isn't he ?"
"Yep.... He's." Kakashi replied with a known smile.
"Kiba," Naruto began, his tone surprisingly gentle, "this isn't going anywhere."
Defiant, Kiba growled, "I'm not done!" He activated his Beast Human Clone jutsu, morphing into a two-headed wolf to increase his offensive strength.
Naruto, however, remained unperturbed. With a swift motion, he sidestepped and lightly pushed Kiba off balance, leaving the canine ninja sprawling on the ground.
"That's Naruto for you." Sakura said with excitement.
Sasuke only smiled "That's my rival." He thought.
The Genin spectators were left gaping at Naruto's power, the atmosphere filled with stunned silence.
"Rasengan" Naruto said with calmness as his hand formed blue energy spinning in his palm .....
"Here's a taste of what I can really do, Kiba," he said, his voice soft but carrying a hint of finality.
With a swift, controlled movement, he lightly tapped the swirling sphere against Kiba, sending him flying backwards without causing much harm.
"That's the Rasengan... The Jutsu of lord fourth." Asuma thought, surprised at his age he did that A-rank Jutsu like it was nothing.
Everyone was stunned by the scene unfold in front of their eyes, Naruto didn't even needed to drop a sweat to beat Kiba, who was now lying at the floor.
The Genin watchers were left dumbstruck as Naruto effortlessly won the duel, toying with Kiba throughout the match and finishing him off with a display of his esteemed technique, the Rasengan.
Hayate looked at Kiba at the floor and came forward "Victor for the seventh dual is Uzumaki Naruto." As he announced the winner Everyone started clapping.
Naruto walked over to Kiba , "Hey , Are you okay. I got a little carried away."
"I'm okay, but next time I'll beat you , but congrats for winning." Kiba said as the medics came to check him .
Naruto stood up & walked to the stairs, as he reached the 2nd floor Hinata came to him "Naruto-kun, Congratulations for the win." Hinata said.
Naruto looked at Hinata, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Hinata. But I wouldn't have made it without everyone's support," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude and pride.
Hinata blushed slightly, looking down at her feet. "You were amazing, Naruto-kun. I... I knew you could do it." She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto, noticing her blush, gave her a reassuring smile. "I couldn't have done it without your encouragement, Hinata. You were there for me, cheering me on. That meant a lot to me."
Hinata looked up at Naruto, her lavender eyes filled with admiration. "Naruto-kun, I... I will always support you. No matter what."
Naruto nodded, his smile growing wider. "I know, Hinata. And I want you to know that I'll support you too. We're a team, after all."
And their conversation continued like this until the next match was announced
[The Eighth Dual , Hyuga Hinata Versus Hyuga Neji ]
"Both Participants come to the stage."
"Hey , Hinata Congratulations... We can do it ..." Naruto said as Hinata smiled at him "thanks Naruto-kun"
[Cough..... Drop Power stone if you're liking the story ... Thanks.]