"Will the students who drew number two please enter the arena."
After Kitazawa finished scoring Hinata and Shino , he called out.
"Don't lose, Ino," Sakura Haruno said with a smile. "If you lose too badly, I'll be too embarrassed to let you buy me that dress tomorrow."
"I won't lose!"
Ino's fighting spirit lit up. "And tomorrow you're the one paying!"
"That's impossible."
Sakura put her hands on her hips confidently. "The final first place will obviously go to me or Sasuke!"
"Sigh…"
Shikamaru slouched. "Losing is bad, winning is also troublesome."
"You two, good luck!"
Choji said, staying neutral.
Hinata wasn't paying attention at all.
Ever since she defeated Shino, she had been glowing with happiness. If not for the strict Hyuga upbringing, she would've been smiling ear to ear.
It wasn't just that her month of training paid off, more than anything, she hadn't disappointed Kitazawa.
Her heart was full of confidence now.
Even thinking of sparring with Neji Hyuga next term didn't scare her; she felt she might even win.
And this summer she still had special training with Kitazawa. Hinata wished she could run home immediately to tell Hiashi and Hanabi the good news.
Sasuke Uchiha also ignored the chatter. His match with Naruto was next. He had already run through countless scenarios in his mind.
Ino and Shikamaru walked to center stage. The difference in their expressions couldn't be clearer.
One full of energy, the other completely done.
"Shikamaru."
Ino stared at him. "You've improved a lot, but with that lazy attitude, you won't beat me!"
"Sorry, Ino."
Shikamaru took a deep breath. "I have to win."
"You're not the only one who's improved!"
Ino huffed.
Mind Transfer Technique?
Shikamaru was already analyzing.
Compared to his Shadow Imitation, Mind Transfer had more weaknesses: If the target is injured, the damage reflects back on the user.
While active, the user's real body can't move at all. If it fails, the user's spirit can't return for a few seconds.
"Take this!"
The match started with Ino rushing in. Aside from Mind Transfer, she only knew Leaf-Style Taijutsu, so close combat was her only choice.
Shikamaru was similar.
Both engaged in taijutsu.
But Shikamaru had Kitazawa's combat training, and superior strength. He quickly took the advantage.
Shu-shu-shu!
Ino immediately changed plans, retreating and throwing kunai.
Shikamaru anticipated it and chased while dodging.
Ino suddenly stopped and kicked at his forming hand signs.
Shikamaru was mid-run; he couldn't dodge. He abandoned the jutsu and blocked with his arms.
Thud!
Her kick shook him off balance.
Now!
Ino spun and punched his shoulder, sending him stumbling back.
Mind Transfer Technique!
She formed the seal quickly.
Her consciousness shot toward him but then Shikamaru suddenly leapt aside. He dodged her spiritual strike, darted forward, and placed a kunai to her neck.
"You lose, Ino," he said calmly.
A few seconds later her consciousness returned.
Realizing she fell for Shikamaru's trap, her face slumped. He had pretended to show an opening just to bait her Mind Transfer's weakness.
"I'll treat you to barbecue later," Shikamaru said, putting the kunai away.
"That's more like it," Ino laughed as she left the field.
She didn't really mind losing, Shikamaru clearly had the edge.
"I feel like I'm the one losing the most… work hard, pay money…" Shikamaru sighed.
But in any case, his exam was finally over. He had worked seriously, for the sake of securing his summer break.
"Please no more combat special training next term…" he muttered, eyeing Kitazawa nervously.
"Winner: Shikamaru Nara," Kitazawa announced.
"Next, the students who drew number three."
It was time.
The real highlight:
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Sasuke Uchiha.
Kitazawa's mission outcome hinged on this battle.
"I wonder who'll win?"
"I think Sasuke. Learning so many Fire Style jutsu at age six? Totally unfair!"
"Not sure, Naruto's taijutsu is stronger, and don't forget his Shadow Clones!"
The entire class buzzed with excitement.
"Ino, who do you think wins?" Sakura asked.
"No idea," Shikamaru replied instead. "Both trained under Kitazawa. No one knows their current limits."
"True," Ino nodded. "Like how no one expected you to suddenly awaken like that."
"My little burst is nothing," Shikamaru said, glancing at Hinata. "Hinata changed the most."
"I-I…" Hinata stammered, face red as Shikamaru praised her.
"You were gonna say it's all thanks to Kitazawa, right?" Ino teased.
Hinata turned even redder.
"Kitazawa-sensei is incredible though," Sakura sighed. "Why isn't Medical Ninjutsu part of the exam?"
"Too much!" Ino complained. "We're only first-years!"
Shino pushed up his glasses. "I feel like you all—"
"Sasuke!!"
Naruto beamed. "I can't wait anymore! Let's go!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Naruto's grin and felt a moment of déjà vu.
He looked so much like Minato, especially that bold confidence.
Minato's was calm, Naruto's was pure joy for the fight.
"If Minato and Kushina could see this, they'd be so happy," Hiruzen thought.
Sasuke was an acknowledged prodigy.
Naruto wasn't far behind, just weak in academics.
Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
Sasuke didn't waste a second, hand signs blurred, a massive fireball roared out.
But his eyes narrowed.
Naruto had already moved the moment Sasuke began forming signs, almost as if he predicted the jutsu.
He circled around the fireball and charged in.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Naruto shouted with excitement.
Why did he seem clairvoyant?
Simple: Kitazawa.
Their special training always involved Fireball, Phoenix Flower, and Dragon Flame. After being hit so many times, Naruto could recognize the hand signs instantly.
Sasuke dodged the kick with a quick side step. He was familiar with the Leaf Hurricane series too, thanks to Might Guy's training.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Naruto launched a second kick, lightning fast.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Sasuke met him head-on.
Thud!
Their legs clashed and both staggered.
"Sasuke, since when did you learn Leaf Whirlwind?"
Naruto asked, surprised.
"Such simple taijutsu, I just had to watch it a few times," Sasuke replied, though he was forced back two steps.
Naruto was physically stronger.
"As expected of my eternal rival!"
Naruto beamed. "Let's unleash our youth!"
"I'm not an idiot."
Sasuke widened the distance instantly and formed signs.
Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!
The air heated as a volley of tiny fireballs shot at Naruto.
"Whoa whoa whoa!"
Naruto dodged, but two hit his back. He quickly shed his jacket.
"Burst, Leaf Adamantine Hurricane!"
Naruto spun, blue chakra coating his legs as he shredded the incoming fireballs.
Sasuke didn't notice the heavy thud when Naruto's jacket hit the ground.
"Feels like Sasuke has the advantage…" Choji muttered.
"Of course he does," Sakura said. "How can pure taijutsu beat ninjutsu?"
"Not Naruto's speed," Ino answered, shaking her head.
"It's not Naruto's speed," Shino corrected. "Sasuke's jutsu just covers a wide area."
"No need to worry," Shikamaru said slowly. "The real fight starts now."
They looked back to the field.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Naruto made two clones.
Finally.
Sasuke wasn't surprised. Naruto had used it before, so the threat wasn't as high.
Especially since Sasuke still had Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu, though he only had enough chakra for one use.
"Leaf Double Hurricane!"
The two clones rushed in.
Sasuke frowned, why only two?
He expected Naruto to send all three.
He flung two shuriken, his aim the best in their class.
The clones had to dodge, stopping the combo.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
The third Naruto appeared at Sasuke's side, kicking.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Sasuke blocked, retreating two steps.
"Leaf Double Hurricane!"
The two clones returned.
Now!
Sasuke formed signs rapidly.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!!
Three massive flame-dragons roared out. Two clones were incinerated instantly.
Sasuke smirked, victory was close. But, the last Naruto suddenly blurred. Not vanished, just too fast to follow.
What!?
Sasuke panicked.
"Dynamic Entry!"
Naruto leapt high and swung a powerful flying kick.
Sasuke blocked instinctively but was blown away violently.
He crashed onto the ground, dizzy.
Why…?
He looked at Naruto and saw it.
Naruto had removed not just his jacket, But also his leg weights.
And both were obviously weighted gear.
"You were wearing weights this whole time!?"
Sasuke shouted.
"Guy-sensei made me," Naruto scratched his head.
"Then why didn't I get any!?"
"Because, Sasuke… you can't even keep up with normal training. If you added weights, you'd just fall behind more."
In truth, even Lee didn't have weights yet. Naruto's body was simply too durable, so Might Guy gave him early weighted training.
"Damn it!!"
Sasuke punched the ground, furious.
"Sasuke, are you okay!?"
Naruto ran over anxiously.