"Why isn't my poison working on him?"
Kankuro was in disbelief after being defeated by Shino. As a puppeteer, his most crucial attack ability was the poison coated on his puppets.
The fact that his most potent poison was ineffective against Shino was a severe blow to Kankuro as a puppeteer.
Shino glanced at Kankuro and carefully took out a healing insect from his body, placing it in a personal box.
This was a healing insect given to him by his cousin Shishou. Its healing and detoxifying properties were on a different level compared to the Aburame clan's usual insects, and Shino was very fond of it.
Of course, Shino cherished everything his cousin gave him.
After Shino's victory, the large screen started displaying new matchups.
Seeing the names on the screen, Hayate Gekko squinted and announced, "Next match, Gaara from the Sand Village versus Naruto Uzumaki from the Leaf Village!"
Seeing that the duel was between Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki, Shishou became interested.
Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki's information was almost identical.
Both were sons of their respective village's Fourth Kage, and their experiences were very similar.
Both were jinchuriki—one with the One-Tailed Shukaku sealed inside, and the other with the Nine-Tailed Kurama.
Additionally, one had red hair, while the other's mother had red hair, and both had immense chakra reserves. The battle was sure to be exciting.
Upon seeing his name, Gaara made a single hand sign. Countless sands surrounded him, and as the sand dispersed, he appeared in the arena on the first floor.
Seeing Gaara's showy entrance, Naruto put a foot on the railing and shouted, "Don't think you're the only one who can do that!"
Naruto made a single hand sign and used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing as a flash of light opposite Gaara.
After extensive training, Naruto's chakra control had improved significantly, and the Body Flicker Technique was no longer a challenge for him.
Seeing Naruto use the Body Flicker Technique, Kakashi, Might Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma were all stunned. Naruto's performance reminded them of the Yellow Flash that shone in the ninja world years ago.
Shishou was also surprised to see Naruto mastering the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique.
Even though he and Kushina were close, Kushina knew his true identity, unlike Mikoto, and never discussed Naruto with him. If there was something important, she would go to Tsunade instead.
As soon as Naruto arrived in the arena, the Nine-Tails in his subconscious opened its eyes and spoke directly, "Hey, kid, there's something with just one tail inside that guy. Beat him up!"
"I'll lend you some of my power."
Because of Kushina, the Nine-Tails had a good relationship with Naruto.
Most importantly, Kushina protected the Nine-Tails from that bastard's hand, preventing it from being humiliated and turned into a female nine-tailed fox.
"I got it," Naruto replied in his mind.
On the other side, Shukaku inside Gaara also spoke up, "Eyebrow-less brat, that blond kid over there has an aura I despise. Beat him up for me."
"Go all out. If you can't handle it, I'll lend you chakra."
Shukaku had sensed the Nine-Tails' presence in Naruto. Remembering how Kurama mocked it for having only one tail, Shukaku decided to have Gaara beat up Naruto.
"I got it, Shukaku," Gaara replied in his mind.
"Don't call me Shukaku!!"
"Alright, Little Shukaku."
"You can call me Shukaku..."
Seeing both participants in the arena, Hayate Gekko raised his right hand and swung it down forcefully.
"The match begins!"
As soon as Hayate's words fell, Naruto shouted loudly, "Eyebrow-less! Watch me beat you up!"
In the stands, Temari sneered, "Hmph, Gaara won't lose to a blond brat like you."
"I'm going to beat him up right in front of you!" Naruto glared at Temari, crossing his fingers to form the Shadow Clone sign.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Boom!!"
With the completion of the hand sign, dozens of Naruto's shadow clones appeared around him.
Seeing Naruto create dozens of shadow clones at once, all the examinees were stunned.
The Uzumaki clan's physique was truly remarkable.
As for Kakashi, Kurenai, and those who knew Naruto's identity, they sighed in relief.
The fact that Naruto could create so many shadow clones at once indicated that his chakra reserves already surpassed those of the Jonin present.
Seeing this, Gaara made a single hand sign, and several sand clones appeared around him.
"Go!"
Naruto's clones shouted, charging at Gaara with kunai in hand.
Surrounded by his sand clones, Gaara manipulated sand to attack the approaching Naruto clones.
Seeing that dozens of clones weren't enough to reach Gaara, Naruto formed another hand sign and created dozens more shadow clones.
If a dozen weren't enough, then he'd use dozens more!
"This..."
Seeing Naruto create another wave of shadow clones, Sakura, Temari, and the other examinees were all shocked.
Even Kakashi and Kurenai were surprised at Naruto's display.
The dozen clones were surprising enough, but Naruto quickly created dozens more...
However, knowing he was an Uzumaki, Kakashi and the others were relieved.
With the Uzumaki clan's physique, Naruto's performance was expected.
Watching everyone's reactions, Shishou smiled.
With his Senju physique, Naruto's chakra reserves were immense. With Kurama's power added, creating hundreds of shadow clones wouldn't be an issue.
"Shadow Clone Shuriken Jutsu!"
Naruto shouted as his clones threw shuriken from all directions towards Gaara.
"Alright, even if you're using shadow clones for shuriken."
Tenten, who had mastered the Shadow Clone Shuriken Jutsu, muttered as she watched.
With an equally large chakra reserve, Gaara saw Naruto's clones throwing shuriken and made a single hand sign.
Sand Shield!
Sand harder than steel formed a dome around Gaara, blocking Naruto's shuriken.
Then Gaara made another hand sign.
Sand shaped like Gatling gun barrels appeared around his sand shield, aiming at Naruto's clones.
"Sand Bullet Rain!"
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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