Chapter 47: Kiba vs. Maito Gai
Watermelon head, thick eyebrows, green tights... it's really Gai! At first glance, he looks a bit like Lee! No, it should be said that Lee resembles him.
Kiba walked into the arena, securing Hirohiko's ninja bag on the back of his waist, feeling a rush of emotions—the real sense of being in the Naruto world.
On the opposite side, Maito Gai was muttering something under his breath: "If you fail the Chunin exam, just run a thousand laps around the playground and do a thousand push-ups..." The list went on, but Kiba couldn't catch it all.
Nine-year-old Gai... he shouldn't know the Eight Gates yet, right? Dai should still be alive, right?
Kiba glanced at the second floor but didn't see anyone in green tights.
Not here?
Kiba thought, looking at Maito Gai in front of him. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to leave the weighted items on.
For now, it should be fine without removing the weighted items.
"Competition, start!"
The Chunin test proctor announced the start of the match.
"Whoa! Konoha Whirlwind!" Gai launched an upper kick with the momentum of a whirlwind, aiming directly at Kiba's side.
Kiba's pupils shrank slightly, surprise evident on his face.
When? When did he rush here?
Surprised, Kiba barely had time to block the kick.
"Boom!" A muffled sound echoed.
Good weight!
The strength of this kick!
Kiba gritted his teeth, feeling a tingling sensation in his arm.
Gai's Konoha Whirlwind is so powerful, it's completely different from mine, much stronger!
Kiba made a mental comparison.
At the same time, Maito Gai, seeing his kick blocked, was surprised: He's two years younger than me and can block my Konoha Whirlwind! This is a technique developed to defeat Kakashi! Maybe he really is stronger than me in taijutsu.
I can't afford to lose! I must pass the Chunin exam!
Gai was mid-air, his momentum halted, and the wind from his kick blew Kiba's hair. As the wind subsided, Gai's other foot came up from bottom to top, aiming for Kiba's chin.
Kiba frowned and pressed down with his other hand.
"Smack!"
Hands and feet collided, making a crisp sound.
Gai twisted mid-air, using his hands for support, and his feet for another swift kick, aiming straight for Kiba's chin.
I underestimated him too much!
Regret filled Kiba's heart as Gai's foot broke through his guard. He flew back, dodging the turning kick, and retreated several steps. Gai did a few backflips, creating distance.
After opening the distance, Kiba moved his hand to the weighted props.
I must take off the weights, or I'll lose!
After this initial confrontation, Kiba realized he had miscalculated. Even without knowing the Eight Gates, Gai's physical strength was formidable. He was already an excellent ninja, specializing in taijutsu.
However, just as Kiba reached for the weights, Gai's offensive struck again.
"Oh da!"
With a flying kick, Gai rushed forward with the sound of the wind.
Too late!
Kiba quickly judged, turning the movement of removing the weights into a cross-armed block.
"Boom!"
A solid kick hit Kiba's arms, another burst of numbness. At the same time, Gai turned mid-air, delivering a powerful backspin kick.
"Smack!"
Kiba moved his hands lightly to block the swift backspin kick.
This strength!
Kiba was astonished again, his arms numb and sore. This kick was powerful enough to send him flying. Kiba crashed into a sculpture, slowly sliding down.
"What strong taijutsu!" Uzumaki Kushina exclaimed in amazement. Maito Gai was beyond her expectations. Kiba was good at taijutsu, and she had heard of Maito Gai—ninjutsu and genjutsu were not his forte, but he excelled in taijutsu.
She was very surprised. After all, ninjas skilled only in taijutsu were rare, as rare as some bloodline limits. Minato had mentioned Gai, saying he was powerful and even Kakashi's rival.
However, she didn't think Gai could pose a threat to Kiba. But after some attacks, Kiba couldn't even fight back.
This was truly beyond her expectation.
Minato Namikaze looked at Gai, who landed lightly, and thought: Well, if Gai can win, Kiba won't have to face Hyuga Yutaka... Although I feel sorry for Kushina, I hope Gai wins.
"This Taki Kiba... seems ordinary. Did he really defeat Kakashi?" Tsunade observed, finding Kiba's actions underwhelming. His reactions were timely, and his blocks were good, but his speed and strength were lacking, making him passive. In terms of strength, he was far inferior to Maito Gai.
Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade but said nothing.
Alas, I can't figure it out either. Kiba seems mediocre compared to the other two geniuses, except for... eating. That's definitely at a genius level.
Orochimaru frowned slightly, thinking: This Taki Kiba... his movements seem uncoordinated, a bit disharmonious. His reactions are better than his actions. After reacting, his actions can't keep up... Is it an illusion?
On the other side of the second floor.
"Kiba..." Yukina watched with rare worry.
They were clearly concerned about this match.
"Don't worry, Kiba hasn't used his full strength yet. No, not even 50% of his strength! The Eight Gates mode isn't activated." Hirohiko's Sharingan appeared, patting Yukina's shoulder.
After Kiba's battle with Kakashi, he confided in Hirohiko about his abilities, making it a secret among the three of them. This bond brought them closer.
That's right, the Eight Gates mode isn't activated! Kiba hasn't used his full strength yet!
The worry on Yukina's face dissipated.
Kiba, you won't lose easily!
No!
Kiba, it's impossible for you to lose!
Yukina's eyes became firm, watching Kiba slowly stand up in the arena.
Kiba... You still have your weights...
Hirohiko quietly touched his forehead.
This guy must have grown up.