Naruto's roar reverberated through the Ninja Academy's training ground, a force born of countless battles and dreams of becoming Hokage. His instincts, honed through endless training and experience, kicked in automatically. The moment he stepped into the arena, his fighting spirit surged, a fire that could not be quenched."Take this!" he shouted.Sasuke's gaze sharpened. Every movement of Naruto's was scrutinized, analyzed with an intensity reserved only for the most formidable opponents. He didn't want to miss a single detail.Sakura's attention was equally fixed, though her emotions were a tangled web. She had heard Iruka-sensei's words and, while she wanted to reassess Naruto, her feelings of disbelief made it difficult to act immediately. And yet, she couldn't suppress the curiosity gnawing at her—how strong had Naruto, the boy Sasuke prized, truly become?In the crowd, Ino was a whirlwind of observation. Her eyes flitted between Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, analyzing every movement, every subtle shift of expression.From the very start, Naruto showed no mercy. Two shuriken flew from his hands with blinding speed.Hinata, facing the one she cherished, felt a mixture of determination and inner conflict. No longer the timid girl she had once been, she reminded herself: standing beside Naruto-kun meant she had to be strong. Her rigorous, sometimes harsh training had prepared her for this moment. She twisted her body gracefully and avoided Naruto's shuriken with fluid precision.Her Byakugan, a gift and a burden, provided her with unrivaled perception. In that instant, it became clear: in terms of awareness, the Byakugan was at least equal to the Sharingan, perhaps even superior.Naruto had intended his initial attack as a simple test. He surged forward, unleashing a flurry of strikes—punches and kicks blending into a near-continuous assault, a testament to his newly honed Taijutsu.Bang! Bang! Bang!One punch, three kicks, almost simultaneous, carved through the air.Hinata's Byakugan expanded fully. She observed every trajectory, every muscle contraction. With a calm inhale, she unleashed her Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm. The technique, inherited from her family's main branch, was flawless in execution."Hmph!" she exhaled, her hands meeting Naruto's assault. She skillfully absorbed his power, redirecting it with precision. Naruto's strikes, formidable though they were, dissipated under her control. In an instant, she guided him off balance, countering with a deft sweep."Huh?!" Naruto's eyes widened.The power he had poured into his Taijutsu, the countless hours of training and refinement, had been neutralized almost effortlessly.Sasuke's lips curled in a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. "As expected of Hinata," he muttered, admiration and surprise mingling in his voice.The arena fell into stunned silence. Even Iruka-sensei's usually calm eyes widened in shock."Na… Naruto's Taijutsu… when did it become this strong?!" Choji exclaimed, dropping his snacks mid-bite."Power, speed, technique… all flawless!" Shikamaru muttered, eyebrows furrowed, his mind racing to process the new reality.Sakura gasped, her disbelief palpable. "Is that… really Naruto?!"Ino's face drained of color. "Th-that move… it's terrifying…" she whispered.Even Kiba and Shino, students known for their analytical minds, were dumbfounded."That… Diao Che Wei… how did he suddenly become this strong?" Kiba stammered.Shino shook his head, correcting him. "Not suddenly. Everyone has seen the effort he's put in these past few days."Meanwhile, Naruto himself began to recognize Hinata's power. The shy girl he had once overlooked was anything but defenseless. Her strength, skill, and composure made him smile, a thrill coursing through his veins.Fueled by excitement, he increased the intensity of his attack. Punches and kicks flew faster, harder, a tempest of Taijutsu unlike anything the academy had ever seen.The entire school turned its gaze toward the arena. Upperclassmen, including Rock Lee, Tenten, and others, crowded near the edge of the training field, their curiosity piqued.Even Neji Hyuga, the prodigious genius of the Hyuga clan, couldn't help but observe. His normally cold expression darkened with interest and perhaps a hint of unease."Even Neji's paying attention?" Rock Lee whispered to himself, excitement shining in his eyes. "Naruto… amazing…"Tenten's brows knitted together. "Is that really… Naruto?" she murmured. "He doesn't look the same at all!"Inside the arena, Hinata struggled to maintain her defense. Naruto's storm of attacks left her no opportunity to counter effectively. Every strike he made tested the limits of her endurance.Neji's face, usually calm and composed, became increasingly serious. He clenched his fists tightly, aware that Hinata faced an opponent she could not easily match.Naruto's mind raced with realization. He had thought only Sasuke could challenge him at this level. Hinata's resilience, however, proved him wrong. Her Byakugan, combined with the Gentle Fist, created a defensive wall stronger than he had anticipated.A broad grin spread across Naruto's face. "Hinata," he called, determination blazing in his eyes, "let's settle this once and for all!"The entire academy seemed to hold its breath. Naruto had been building up to this moment, and now he unleashed his ultimate technique."Leaf Whirlwind!" he shouted, spinning rapidly, legs a blur of motion as he struck with unmatched ferocity.Gasps and exclamations erupted from the crowd.Rock Lee's fists clenched with excitement. "That move! Go, Naruto!" he shouted, unable to contain his enthusiasm.Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise and awe. "Th-that… Naruto… his strength has increased so much…"For many students, this was the first time witnessing such a breathtaking display of Taijutsu. The air seemed to vibrate with the sheer force of Naruto's technique.Ino's face paled. "Hinata, watch out!"Choji's potato chips hovered mid-air, frozen in shock.Even Shikamaru seemed alert, his usual lethargy replaced by attentive focus.Iruka-sensei's expression was a mixture of pride and amazement. He had followed Naruto's journey closely, aware of his struggles and efforts. Now, at last, Naruto's dedication shone for all to see."Go, Naruto… show them your strength…" Iruka whispered, almost to himself.Above the academy, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi peered through his telescope. His eyebrows knitted tightly as he observed the spectacle unfolding below."Naruto…" he murmured, a combination of concern and admiration in his voice.Back in the arena, Naruto focused entirely on Hinata. The uproar of the crowd, the exclamations, and astonished gasps all faded from his mind. There was only the battle, only the challenge, and only victory.The Leaf Whirlwind was unleashed with terrifying force. Naruto's legs spun like a cyclone, each strike aimed with pinpoint accuracy and devastating power.Hinata, maintaining her composure, met his attack with the precise movements of the Eight Trigrams Palm. She absorbed, redirected, and countered, but the sheer magnitude of Naruto's power pushed her back.Violently propelled out of the arena circle, Hinata stumbled, struggling to regain her footing.Ino rushed forward. "Hinata! Are you okay?"Hinata's lips curved into a faint smile, even as she struggled to remain upright. "I… I can still smile," she whispered, determination shining through her eyes.Naruto's grin widened, sensing the thrill of a true challenge. His journey to becoming Hokage was far from over, but this moment—this display of strength, skill, and resolve—marked a turning point.The entire Ninja Academy erupted in a mixture of awe, admiration, and astonishment. Naruto had not only proven his power but also inspired everyone around him to push harder, reach further, and strive to surpass their own limits.For Naruto, the battle was more than a contest—it was a statement, a testament to his unyielding spirit and the hard-earned strength that now defined him.As the dust settled and Hinata regained her stance, a silent promise passed between the two. This fight, this clash of wills, was far from over. And with a determined glint in his eyes, Naruto readied himself for the next move, the next storm, and the next step toward the dreams that had always driven him.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)