Chapter 38 – Jinchuriki Clash: Perfect Control vs Rampaging Beast
While the civilians trembled at the thought of the Nine-Tails, the jonin were far more interested.
Kakashi had let slip (in his usual vague way) that both Naruto and Sasuke were monsters now.
The other jonin instructors naturally wanted to see for themselves.
The moment the fight started, everyone got their answer.
Facing a fellow jinchuriki, Naruto didn't go all-out immediately.
He vanished in a Body Flicker and charged straight in.
"Sorry, Lee. Borrowing this one!"
"Leaf Hurricane!"
A chakra-charged roundhouse kick exploded forward with magnificent force.
Classic Leaf Hurricane motion, mixed with Tsunade's Strange Strength explosive release, and backed by Naruto's absurd "chakra tonnage."
The entire stadium went silent for half a second; then erupted.
"What insane taijutsu!" Might Guy's eyes practically shot sparks.
Every jonin instructor turned to stare.
That single kick already rivaled upper-jonin power.
What kind of monstrous talent was this?!
But the two people most shocked were on the VIP platform.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and "Kazekage" Orochimaru both jolted.
"That footwork… Tsunade's Strange Strength?!"
The explosive chakra release instantly reminded them of a certain slug princess.
Hiruzen especially had war flashbacks:
Tsunade + Jiraiya + gambling debt rage = half the village rebuilt on the Senju clan's dime.
He had finally enjoyed a few peaceful years after she left.
And now here comes an even crazier version.
"Please don't let Naruto turn out like Tsunade…" Hiruzen sighed and took a long drag on his pipe.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, licked his lips and stared hungrily.
"Nine-Tails chakra, Uzumaki sealing arts, and now Senju-style taijutsu…"
"Just how many surprises are you hiding, Naruto-kun?"
His hand unconsciously brushed his abdomen; the wound those two brats had given him in the Forest of Death still ached.
Back in the arena.
Gaara felt death coming in that kick.
Instinct took over.
Monstrous chakra erupted from his body.
His face twisted in agony.
"ARRRGHHH!"
A bestial roar tore from his throat.
Violent chakra flooded the field.
Sand poured from his gourd like a tsunami, swirling around him in every direction.
Absolute Defense: 360-degree sand sphere!
Naruto's kick arrived at the exact same moment.
BOOM!!!
Dust and debris exploded across the stage.
The spear versus shield showdown had the entire crowd on the edge of their seats.
"Gaara!"
Temari gripped the railing so hard it creaked.
Kankuro beside her looked just as worried.
"Naruto's gotten this strong…?"
Among the rookie twelve, Shikamaru's face was grim.
They'd graduated together, yet the gap was already this huge?
Under Shino's sunglasses, his pupils kept shrinking.
"If Hothead knew Naruto held back last time, he'd throw the tantrum of the century."
Naruto was no longer on the same planet as the rest of the class.
When the dust finally settled:
Gaara's "Absolute Defense" was shattered into fragments.
Gaara himself had been blasted several meters back.
He wasn't heavily injured; the sand absorbed most of the force.
But it still hurt like hell.
And inside him, Shukaku was thrashing.
"Why…!"
"Why now of all times?!"
Gaara clutched his head, screaming in pain on his knees.
A few meters away, Naruto watched calmly.
"About to lose it, huh."
That raging chakra felt exactly like the memories he'd received years ago, memories of himself when he lost control.
Thankfully, a certain transaction a few years back had fixed that problem permanently.
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