Chapter 113: Chapter 113

“The students with Number Two, step into the arena!”

Kitazawa’s voice rang out, following his evaluation of Hinata and Shino’s match.

“Don’t lose, Ino,” Sakura teased with a sly smile. “If you embarrass yourself, I won’t even let you pay for my new skirt tomorrow.”

“I won’t lose!” Ino shot back, fire in her eyes. “And you’re paying tomorrow!”

“As if.” Sakura planted her hands on her hips. “First place belongs to me and Sasuke-kun, obviously.”

Shikamaru heaved a dramatic sigh. “Troublesome… if I win, it’s a pain. If I lose, it’s still a pain.”

“Good luck, you two,” Choji said amiably, refusing to pick a side.

On the sidelines, Hinata wasn’t watching them at all. Her mind was still glowing from victory. For the first time, she believed in her own strength. Not only had her month of special training paid off, but she hadn’t let Kitazawa-sensei down.

’Maybe… maybe even Neji-nii-san won’t be impossible to beat next semester.’

The thought made her cheeks warm. If not for her strict upbringing, she might have been bouncing with joy. She couldn’t wait to tell Father and Hanabi about her win.

Sasuke, meanwhile, didn’t spare the match a glance. His focus was already on his looming clash with Naruto, replaying strategies in his head.

Ino and Shikamaru stepped onto the arena floor. Their faces couldn’t have been more different—hers burning with determination, his flat with boredom.

“Shikamaru,” Ino called across the arena, “you’ve improved a lot. But if you keep moping like that, you’ll never beat me!”

“Sorry, Ino,” Shikamaru said, straightening his back with a rare flicker of seriousness. “I need this win.”

“You’re not the only one who’s gotten stronger!” she huffed, readying herself.

The match began.

Ino charged first, fist cocked. Aside from the Mind Body Switch Technique, her only fighting style was Konoha-ryū taijutsu—so close combat was her only option.

Shikamaru met her head-on. Months of Kitazawa’s grueling sparring had sharpened his reflexes, and his natural strength gave him the edge in their brief exchange.

Swish, swish, swish!

Ino broke away and leapt back, twin kunai flashing in her hands. She hurled them as she retreated, forcing him to give chase.

Shikamaru smirked inwardly. He could read her like a book.

She saw his hands forming seals and pounced.

“No way you’re finishing that!” Ino snapped, swinging a kick at his arms.

He was mid-stride; dodging was impossible. Shikamaru abandoned the hand seals and braced, catching the kick on his forearms.

Bang!

The impact rattled him, his body rocking with the force.

Perfect opening!

Ino spun, driving a punch into his shoulder. He staggered back and fell.

“Mind Body Switch Technique!”

Her hands blurred through familiar seals. Her consciousness shot forward like an arrow, diving toward his prone body.

And then—

Shikamaru sprang to his feet in a sudden burst of motion, sidestepping her mental strike. In a flash, he was at her side, kunai cold against her neck.

“You lose, Ino,” he said quietly.

A heartbeat later, her spirit snapped back to her own body. Realization dawned on her face—she’d been tricked.

Shikamaru had feigned weakness, baited her into using her jutsu, and exploited its fatal flaw: once fired, the Mind Body Switch left her wide open.

He slid the kunai away with a lazy sigh. “I’ll treat you to barbecue next time.”

“That’s more like it.” Ino crossed her arms but couldn’t hide a small smile as she left the arena. Losing to Shikamaru wasn’t so bad; he really had gotten stronger.

Shikamaru scratched his head. “Why does it always feel like I’m the one who pays… in effort and in ryo?”

Still, he couldn’t hide his relief. He’d passed the finals and salvaged his summer vacation.

’Please let there be no “special combat training” next semester,’ he thought grimly, eyeing Kitazawa.

“Winner, Nara Shikamaru!” Kitazawa declared.

“Next match—students with Number Three, step into the arena!”

Here it was.

The real main event.

Uzumaki Naruto versus Uchiha Sasuke.

Whether Kitazawa’s secret “mission” would succeed hinged on this clash.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Sasuke, obviously. He’s six and already firing off half the Fire Release scroll—totally unfair!”

“Don’t count Naruto out. His taijutsu’s insane, and have you forgotten about that Shadow Clone Technique?”

The entire class buzzed with excitement, voices overlapping. Discussions about who was stronger had always been the lifeblood of every ninja academy, no matter the era. In Kitazawa’s previous life, arguments like this would have fueled internet forums for days.

“Ino, who’re you betting on?”

“Hmm… Shikamaru?” she prompted, curious.

He shrugged. “No idea. They’ve both been under Kitazawa-sensei. Nobody knows their real limits anymore.”

“Fair. Nobody thought you’d suddenly start pulling hero moves either,” Ino teased.

Shikamaru yawned. “Compared to me, Hinata’s the one who changed the most.”

“M-Me?” Hinata squeaked, flushing.

Ino grinned. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s all thanks to Kitazawa-sensei, right?”

Hinata’s face turned scarlet, giving herself away instantly.

Sakura leaned in, pouting. “Speaking of that, why isn’t medical ninjutsu part of the practical exam? That’s so unfair!”

Ino shot her a look. “Sakura, it’s the first year. Nobody’s gonna have us stitching up patients yet!”

Shino quietly adjusted his sunglasses, preparing to comment—but his words died in his throat.

“Sasuke!”

Naruto’s grin shone like the sun. “I can’t wait! Let’s go!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s hand paused on his beard. For a heartbeat, he felt a pang of nostalgia.

So similar…

That boundless confidence—it was a mirror of Minato Namikaze. Yet where Minato’s composure had been serene, Naruto radiated pure, untamed joy.

’If Minato and Kushina could see this… they’d be so proud.’

Sasuke said nothing. He simply formed hand seals in a blur.

“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”

A blazing sphere roared toward Naruto.

But Sasuke’s pupils narrowed.

Naruto was already moving—like he’d expected this. He weaved around the fireball, feet pounding the arena floor.

“Leaf Whirlwind!“

Of course he’d predicted it. Kitazawa’s training had burned Sasuke’s three favorite Fire Releases into Naruto’s muscle memory. After eating enough fireballs to last a lifetime, he could spot the hand seals a mile away.

Sasuke spun away, dodging the whirlwind kick. He’d sparred against Gai-style taijutsu enough to know the patterns.

“Leaf Great Whirlwind!“

Naruto’s follow-up kick sliced through the air.

Bang!

Their legs collided, vibrating with impact. Both boys skidded back.

Sasuke’s brow furrowed. Naruto’s raw strength outclassed his.

“Such simple taijutsu—I can learn it after watching a few times,” Sasuke said flatly, stepping back.

Naruto’s grin widened. “As expected of my lifelong rival! Let’s burn with youth in taijutsu!”

“…I’m not an idiot,” Sasuke muttered, already retreating to range.

“Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!”

Balls of Fire scattered like a deadly blossom.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Naruto danced through the inferno, but a pair of fireballs still scorched his back. He tore off his jacket mid-roll, smoke trailing behind him.

“Dynamic Entry—Leaf Strong Whirlwind!“

Blue chakra flared around his leg as he spun, kicking apart the lingering flames.

Sasuke’s eyes flicked to the discarded jacket. For some reason, it landed with a heavy thud.

“Why do I feel like Sasuke’s got the edge?” Choji muttered nervously.

“Of course he does!” Sakura huffed. “Ninjutsu beats taijutsu every time!”

“Not necessarily.” Shino adjusted his glasses. “Sasuke’s area-of-effect gives that impression… but taijutsu doesn’t rely on spectacle.”

Shikamaru’s voice cut through the chatter. “Relax. The real fight hasn’t started yet.”

Right on cue, Naruto clasped his hands.

“Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Two Narutos split off and lunged from left and right.

Sasuke’s lips twitched. He’d been expecting this. Shadow Clones weren’t a surprise anymore—he’d already planned his counter.

Shuriken sang through the air. His aim was lethal, forcing the clones to break formation.

Then—

“Leaf Great Whirlwind!”

The real Naruto appeared at Sasuke’s flank like a blur, leg swinging.

Bang! Their kicks collided again, forcing Sasuke back.

The clones regrouped immediately. “Leaf Double Whirlwind!”

Sasuke’s eyes gleamed. Got you.

He spat fire with a roar.

“Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!”

Three dragon-shaped flames roared down the lane, devouring the two clones instantly.

Victory was in his grasp—

Until the third Naruto vanished.

Not poofed—vanished with speed so sharp it left an afterimage.

What—?

“Dynamic Entry!”

Naruto came down like a meteor, foot first.

Sasuke barely got his arms up before the impact hurled him across the arena. He hit the ground hard, stars bursting behind his eyes.

Gasping, he lifted his head—and saw it.

The jacket and the leg warmers lying on the ground… heavier than they had any right to be.

“You… you’ve been wearing weights this whole time?”

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. “Yeah! Guy-sensei told me to.”

“…Then why don’t I have any?” Sasuke snapped.

Naruto grinned innocently. “’Cause you can’t even finish the normal training yet. Weights would just slow you down!”

“D…damn it!” Sasuke slammed his palm into the dirt, half humiliated, half furious.

Then Naruto jogged over, all bright-eyed worry. “Sasuke! You okay?”

——————

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