Chapter 136: Don't Think I'm a Nice Guy!
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Chakra is a strange thing.
Some people are simply born with more of it than most shinobi ever possess.
The Uzumaki Clan was one such case.
With no interference from the Nine-Tails, having received elite training from Uchiha Kagami and Minato Namikaze, and growing up well-nourished, Naruto had inherited Kushina's fiery temper.
For a six-year-old Naruto to defeat a small village's leader with a Rasengan—
Was perfectly reasonable.
The Takigakure leader took the full force of the Rasengan to the face, his brain rattling in his skull, sending him into a dizzy stupor.
Swish!
Adamantine Sealing Chains wrapped around him like a cocoon, restraining him at the perfect moment.
With their leader defeated, the remaining Takigakure ninja quickly collapsed under pressure.
A few minutes later—
The entire group was neatly tied up in a row.
The most injured among them was Suien, a shinobi who, in another timeline, would have betrayed Takigakure.
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"Okay, now we can talk."
Karin clapped the dust off her hands, looking at the Takigakure shinobi with confusion.
"I mean, why are you guys even here?"
"You're all so weak, and even we wouldn't have dared enter this competition without a few tricks up our sleeves."
The Takigakure leader looked like he was about to cry.
"I didn't want to be here either…"
"We tried pulling every string we had, bribing multiple people, and eventually managed to speak to a Konoha gate guard."
"But the moment we explained why we came, that guy just ignored us and walked off—and kept our gifts too!"
He then recounted Takigakure's tragic fate.
They had been living peacefully behind their waterfall, when suddenly, a group of Uchiha shinobi stormed in and kidnapped their Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fu.
And to make matters worse—
She had been added as one of the tournament's final prizes.
After witnessing the monsters from other villages, they had no desire to participate.
They had only come to negotiate with Kagami, offering Takigakure's Hero Water in exchange for Fu's safe return.
But Kagami—
Rushed because he wanted to clock out on time—
Simply shoved them into the tournament as the final registered team.
And after that…
They had no choice but to comply.
At least following the rules gave them a small chance of survival.
If they refused, the Uchiha patrol shinobi outside were already holding their swords to their throats.
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"…So you guys came here for a friend?"
Naruto scratched his chin, looking a little troubled.
If they had come for selfish reasons—for fame or rewards—he would've had no hesitation.
But now…
He was struggling to make the call.
Swish.
Sasuke drew his short sword.
"No matter the reason, once you've entered this competition, you should already accept the risk of death."
His voice was cold and merciless.
"If you're hesitating, Naruto, I'll handle it."
Sasuke was already annoyed.
These pathetic fools kept badmouthing the Uchiha, and it was pissing him off.
Everyone knew the tailed beasts belonged to the Uchiha.
Otherwise, why else would the strongest among them, the Nine-Tails, be so easily controlled by the Sharingan?
The Uchiha were simply reclaiming what was rightfully theirs.
And yet, in these people's eyes, it was "theft."
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Neji remained silent, but he agreed with Sasuke.
His thoughts ran deeper, and he could vaguely guess Kagami's reasoning.
This tournament was a test for Shisui, but also a trial for them.
If they didn't grow from this, Kagami would be disappointed.
His father's teachings had always emphasized one thing—
No matter what happens, do not disappoint Kagami-dono.
This wasn't just his personal duty.
It was the duty of the entire Hyuga Clan.
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"Wait!"
Naruto raised his hand to stop Sasuke.
"Wait for what?"
"Are you really going to let them take up a survival slot?"
Sasuke's cold eyes locked onto the trembling Takigakure ninja.
"If I do it, they won't feel much pain."
Naruto hurriedly grabbed Sasuke's arm.
"Wait! Let's loot them first!"
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Sasuke turned to stare at Naruto, his eyes narrowed.
He could accept Naruto stopping him from killing.
That was just how he was sometimes.
But searching their bodies for valuables first?
Naruto… are you actually an Uchiha?
The other kids also looked at Naruto strangely, and he quickly realized how weird his words sounded.
Scratching his head, he explained:
"I mean, I have a way to get rid of them without killing them!"
"So they won't take up survival slots. And besides, they mentioned something about that Hero Water, right? It sounds useful, so why not take some?"
Sasuke frowned.
"But how? Leaving the barrier isn't possible. Even Flying Thunder God doesn't work inside."
Naruto grinned and pulled out a thick stack of special talismans, each one labeled "Ninja Love Sword".
"Dad told me that sensei left a backdoor open."
"With these, all you have to do is stick one on yourself and channel some chakra—"
"—and you'll teleport outside the barrier."
"This thing is called… uh… 'Ninja Love Something Something Flying Thunder God,' but the name's too long to remember."
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"Minato gave you that?"
Hayashi yawned, then reached into his fat folds, pulling out a small metal sphere.
"Actually, Kagami-sama also prepared an emergency measure for you guys."
"I was hoping to scare you a little, so I didn't plan on mentioning it this early."
The Takigakure ninja were shocked.
Their only thought—
Some people are just born different.
These kids were absurdly privileged.
Wait…
"Wait a minute—"
One of the Takigakure ninja suddenly gasped.
"Are you the legendary Orange Flash of Cat's Paw Village?!"
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Standing on his hind legs, Hayashi placed his paws on his hips.
"Heh, damn right, that's me!"
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Hayashi lowered his front paws, glaring like a tiger.
"…Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Hand over your Hero Water and get lost."
"If it were up to me, I'd have killed you all already."
"Don't think that just because I'm big and round, that I'm a nice guy."
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