As the preliminary round continued, Sakura and Ino exited the examination room after their own intense battle.
"Uh, what is happening here?" Ino blinked, surveying the bizarre scene before them.
"Why does everyone look like they're dying?" Sakura added, equally puzzled.
The two, fortunate enough to have missed the chaos caused by Satoru's "ramen incident," exchanged confused glances. They had no idea what had transpired while they were inside.
Once things settled, the exam resumed. Satoru and Sasuke found a good vantage point to watch Naruto's match against Kiba Inuzuka.
In the examination room, Naruto and Kiba faced off fiercely. Naruto was quickly knocked down, much to the amusement of Kiba, who glanced at the examiner, Gekko Hayate, with a smug grin.
"I don't think he's getting up anytime soon, Mr. Examiner," Kiba said, his confidence evident.
The candidates watching murmured among themselves.
"Well, that's predictable," Shikamaru commented with a resigned shake of his head.
"Naruto doesn't stand a chance," Ino declared firmly.
"So this guy is really that weak," Kankuro snickered, joining the chorus of doubt.
However, Satoru, leaning against a railing with his chin in his hand, smiled faintly. "Not necessarily," he said.
"Naruto's strength isn't just about skill or power. I bet he'll win this fight."
His confident tone drew skeptical looks.
"You're kidding, right? There's no way he can win," Ino argued, shaking her head. "I know Kiba's strength. The gap between them is too big."
Even Shikamaru, known for his level-headed reasoning, nodded. "Naruto has spirit, sure, but determination alone won't close such a huge gap in skill."
Everyone else seemed to agree, dismissing Satoru's prediction as overly optimistic.
But Satoru, undeterred, grinned mischievously. "How about a bet, then?"
The group turned toward him, intrigued.
"Let's bet on the winner. If you lose, you have to agree to one condition from the winner. Deal?"
Shikamaru frowned, his usual caution kicking in. "I'm not getting dragged into something troublesome."
But Satoru wasn't done. "Don't you want to avenge the ramen you ate earlier?" he added slyly.
The effect was instantaneous. The mention of that ramen sparked collective outrage among the candidates.
"You were the one responsible for that monstrosity?!" Ino hissed.
Eyes blazing, they all eagerly accepted the bet, even Shikamaru, who momentarily forgot his usual wariness.
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged knowing glances, grateful they weren't caught up in Satoru's schemes this time. This won't end well for anyone but him, they thought.
The focus returned to the arena as Naruto slowly got back on his feet.
"Don't underestimate me!" he shouted, determination blazing in his eyes.
"You're bleeding all over. What's the point?" Kiba asked, looking both annoyed and amused.
"I let you hit me to test your strength," Naruto replied smugly. "Bring your best. And send in your dog, too!"
Kiba, momentarily taken aback by the challenge, smirked. "Fine. Don't regret it. Let's go, Akamaru!"
The fight resumed with renewed intensity. Kiba's chakra-enhanced attacks were swift and relentless, culminating in his Fang Over Fang technique. Naruto was knocked down again, seemingly defeated.
The spectators sighed collectively, their emotions a mix of relief and pity.
"That's the difference in strength," Kiba declared, confident in his victory.
However, Satoru remained unfazed, his pale blue eyes calm and steady beneath his bandages. Naruto isn't done yet, he thought. Not with the potential he's been showing lately.
As Kiba gloated, Naruto, bloodied but resolute, muttered under his breath, "I'm going to be Hokage. I can't fall here."
Hearing this, Kiba scoffed. "You? Hokage? Don't make me laugh."
But Naruto, undeterred, stood once more. "If you're trying to take the Hokage name from me, you'll end up a stray dog!" he shouted.
The crowd groaned. "Can someone please finish this already?" one candidate muttered.
Naruto's answer came loud and clear. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he yelled.
In an instant, dozens of clones materialized, swarming Kiba and overwhelming him. Despite his best efforts, Kiba was knocked to the ground, defeated.
"Inuzuka has lost!" Ino gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The underdog had turned the tide, pulling off an incredible victory.
"How did Satoru know?" Shikamaru wondered aloud.
And then they remembered the bet.
Satoru, meanwhile, leaned back with a contented grin. "A good bet is one you know you'll win," he murmured. After all, the protagonist always finds a way.