Chapter 181: Chapter 181

Byakugan!

Neji looked at the Hellhound in front of him, frowning slightly.

The Hellhound was not human, and its body structure was completely different.

The prerequisite for Gentle Fist’s point striking was knowing the target’s Chakra points.

But he knew nothing about the Hellhound’s Chakra point locations; even with the Byakugan, it was tricky.

However, it wasn’t impossible.

He could use his Byakugan to observe the flow of Chakra within the Hellhound’s body and thus locate the Chakra points.

If it were a human, it wouldn’t be so troublesome.

After all, Ninja of the Hyuga Clan could recite the 361 Chakra points on a human body by heart.

“Watch out, Neji!”

Kiba warned, and his enormous body moved.

The two-meter distance was instantly closed, and the Hellhound raised its giant paw and swatted down.

Because of its immense size, every movement carried a strong sense of pressure.

A fierce wind blew at his face.

Neji retreated two steps, leaped up, and clapped his palms onto the Hellhound’s back.

Chakra permeated through the Hellhound’s thick fur.

But the Hellhound reacted immediately and flung him away.

Neji didn’t linger and quickly widened the distance.

“Haha, again!”

Seeing this, Kiba was overjoyed.

In the past, he couldn’t last more than two rounds against Neji, but now he was actually gaining a slight advantage.

The Hellhound stepped forward, catching up to Neji.

It spread its claws, like ten sharp blades, and slashed down.

Neji dared not meet it head-on, but he also didn’t retreat; instead, before the claws fell, he lunged forward.

Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

Neji struck with both palms on the Hellhound’s chest.

But after two strikes, Kiba launched a counterattack.

The Hellhound leaped directly from its spot, soaring over Neji, and instantly appeared behind him.

Neji calmly turned around and looked at the Hellhound.

Although the two previous strikes hadn’t worked, he had already identified one of the Hellhound’s Chakra points.

The rest would be simple.

He needed to find more Chakra point locations to end the match.

“Kiba is actually going back and forth with Neji?”

Tenten was startled, her face filled with disbelief.

“The dog Kiba transformed into is really powerful!”

Naruto exclaimed, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

He hadn’t fought a two-headed dog yet.

“Kitazawa-sensei is truly versatile.” Ino’s eyes sparkled.

She was now eagerly anticipating the new Ninjutsu Kitazawa had promised her.

Hinata subconsciously nodded.

Before meeting Kitazawa, she had always believed Neji was unbeatable.

Now, not only had she defeated Neji, but even Kiba had undergone a complete transformation, which was truly unimaginable.

Hinata subconsciously clenched her hands.

Her face showed aspiration; she also wanted to become an excellent ninja like Kitazawa in the future.

“No wonder Kiba was so confident before.”

Shikamaru said with a sudden realization, “He indeed has reason to be confident.”

“Kiba will lose soon.”

Sasuke said abruptly.

“What?”

The others instinctively looked at him.

Unbeknownst to them, Sasuke had already activated his Sharingan.

The next second, the situation on the field changed.

Neji, who had been dodging, directly charged forward.

Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

He continuously struck with both palms, delivering five strikes in one breath.

“What you’re doing is useless—no, what’s going on?”

Kiba’s tone changed dramatically.

He felt the chakra in his body completely stop.

bang!

He and his Shadow Clone were forced to separate, ending the combined form.

Kiba fell directly to the ground, unable to move.

“It’s struck your chakra points.”

Neji stood with his palms retracted, saying calmly.

He had struck five of Kiba’s Chakra points in an instant, thereby cutting off his Chakra.

“Sasuke-kun, how did you know?”

Sakura quickly asked.

“I saw it.”

Sasuke said confidently, “Before the Sharingan, nothing can hide.”

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

He felt that Sasuke was now incredibly arrogant.

“As expected of Sasuke-kun!”

Sakura immediately praised him.

“But Kiba’s progress is indeed significant.”

Ino sighed, “I’m pretty sure I can’t beat him anymore.”

Her secret Jutsu, used alone, had too many limitations.

The Hellhound that Kiba transformed into was too fast; she had no chance to hit it.

Ino placed her last hope on Kitazawa.

“Winner, Neji Hyuga.”

Kitazawa announced promptly.

First row of the audience seats

“Neji’s performance is no worse than Sasuke’s.”

Hiruzen commented, “He was calm from beginning to end.”

“This isn’t a secret Jutsu already possessed by the Inuzuka Clan.”

Tsunade was more interested in the Hellhound Kiba used.

“It certainly isn’t.”

Hiruzen said with a chuckle, “This is a new secret Jutsu created by your student, Kitazawa, called Hellhound.”

“Kitazawa isn’t my student yet.”

Tsunade pouted and said.

“He can create a secret Jutsu for the Inuzuka Clan, which indicates he has a good level in Yang Release Chakra nature transformation.”

Hiruzen continued.

His meaning was simple. Kitazawa’s ability to master Yang Release was Tsunade’s credit.

Tsunade was silent for two seconds, then said, “It’s his good talent.”

Shikaku, who was beside them, felt a bead of sweat.

In Konoha, when it came to the ranking of the major Ninja clans’ power, after the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan, it should be their Ino-Shika-Cho.

The Inuzuka Clan was quite inferior to them, but Kiba’s performance put pressure on him.

After all, the audience present were all Konoha Jonin and the heads of various ninja clans, especially with Hiruzen also present.

If the Inuzuka Clan stole the show, Ino–Shika–Chō would lose face.

But Shikaku couldn’t change anything; he could only place his hopes on Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.

Time slowly passed.

The subsequent matches were not as exciting.

After all, many students participated in the elite competition.

“The first round ends here. After a fifteen-minute break, the second round will begin.”

Kitazawa said loudly.

Compared to the first round, the number of students entering the second round was more than halved.

In this situation, the probability of Sasuke and the others encountering each other would be much higher.

“The first match of the second round: Shikamaru versus Tenten!”

The break time ended, and Kitazawa walked to the lottery box again, taking out two small slips of paper.

“It’s my turn!”

Tenten immediately slung her summoning scroll onto her back.

It was filled with her ninja tools.

“Youth fears no strong enemy!”

Lee said, his teeth sparkling, “Defeat him, Tenten!”

“Be careful of his shadow.”

Neji reminded her.

“Mm.”

Tenten nodded and walked into the arena.

“What a drag.”

Shikamaru sighed when he heard his opponent was Tenten.

Tenten’s method of throwing ninja tools without restraint was quite tricky for them at this stage.

“Your dad is watching, don’t lose too badly.”

Ino said with a smile.

“Not losing miserably is a victory.”

Shikamaru ignored Ino’s provocation and lazily walked onto the field.

“Can’t this kid be a little more serious?”

Shikaku felt a bit awkward seeing this.

After all, Hiruzen was right beside him.

If the Hokage saw him in such a listless state, would he have any face left in the future?

“Match start!”

Kitazawa stood at the side of the field and shouted.

Shuriken Barrage!

Tenten immediately opened her summoning scroll.

A sky full of ninja tools, like a goddess scattering flowers, flew out in a fan shape.

Shikamaru had already anticipated this.

As she opened the summoning scroll, he started running.

He took an arc-shaped run from the left, avoiding her ninja tool attack.

A large number of ninja tools missed, sticking into the ground.

Shikamaru glanced at the sun, then at the ninja tools, while rapidly approaching Tenten.

“Not so easy!”

Tenten remembered Neji’s reminder: Shikamaru approaching her would definitely be to connect their shadows and control her.

Tenten suddenly flung the summoning scroll in her hand into the sky.

The summoning scroll automatically opened, and a large number of ninja tools shot out.

Shikamaru had no choice but to dodge.

But he was dodging around Tenten.

In a blink of an eye, Tenten’s surroundings were covered with Ninja tools, densely packed like bamboo shoots.

“Don’t run!”

Tenten took the summoning scroll and threw a chain from it.

Shikamaru’s eyes instantly narrowed.

He sidestepped, dodging the chain, and simultaneously formed hand signs.

Shadow sewing!

Seeing that the chain missed, Tenten immediately swung it.

The chain spun around and wrapped itself around Shikamaru’s waist.

Shikamaru seemed not to react in time and was immediately bound at the waist by the chain.

“It worked!”

Tenten smiled at the sight.

But she immediately noticed a problem: Shikamaru’s shadow moved, quickly extending along the chain towards her.

Tenten’s heart jumped, and she quickly let go, retreating two steps.

Just as she was about to move further back, her body suddenly stiffened.

She looked down and saw that, at some point, her shadow had been caught by Shikamaru.

Tenten was instantly bewildered.

When did that happen?

“Brilliant!”

Shikaku’s eyes lit up, and he said happily.

“Two Shadow Tendrils; the visible one attacked via the chain, while the hidden one used the ninja tools on the ground to capture Tenten.”

Hiruzen praised, “Shikaku, your son is as clever as you are.”

The visible Shadow Tendril was the simplest.

But the ninja tools on the ground were tricky.

Because the shadows of the Ninja tools had to be connected for Shikamaru to use them.

In other words, Shikamaru’s previous evasions weren’t random; they were deliberate.

By calculating the angle of the sunlight, he connected the shadows of the Ninja tools, ultimately capturing Tenten’s shadow.

“Hokage-sama, you flatter me.”

Shikaku said modestly.

“I don’t like opponents like that.”

Tsunade shook her head and said.

An opponent being too clever can also be a terrifying thing.

This is one of the reasons why Ino–Shika–Chō became a classic combination.

“Winner, Shikamaru.”

Kitazawa announced.

Most ninja lose their ability to resist once they are restrained.

Aside from her numerous ninja tools, Tenten didn’t possess the raw power of Sasuke and Naruto.

After being caught by Shikamaru’s shadow, she was manipulated into holding a kunai to her neck.

Seeing this, Tenten could only concede defeat.

“Round two, fourth match: Hinata Hyuga versus Ino Yamanaka!”

Kitazawa glanced at the small piece of paper, raised an eyebrow, and said.

“Ino, don’t lose too badly, okay?”

Shikamaru smiled, returning Ino’s earlier words to her.

“Even if my opponent is Hinata, I won’t lose that easily!”

Ino snorted lightly and said.

“Don’t lose so quickly.”

Sakura, as the frenemy, offered her ’blessings’.

“Definitely not as fast as you!”

Ino rolled her eyes at her and said.

“I’m a Medical Ninja!”

Sakura immediately retorted.

Something about Medical Ninja not being good at combat, or that a Medical Ninja’s loss wasn’t a real loss.

For a moment, the atmosphere was quite lively.

“Ino, let’s have a good match.”

Hinata walked into the arena and assumed the starting stance for Gentle Fist.

Ino sighed inwardly.

She used the Mind Body Switch Technique right at the start.

Because she was worried that if she waited, she might not get another chance to use it.

But even using it early didn’t have any effect.

Body Flicker

Hinata instantly appeared in front of Ino, joining two fingers and striking the Chakra point on her wrist.

Ino only felt the Chakra in her hand stagnate.

Mind Body Switch was forcibly canceled.

Hinata didn’t pause, immediately striking with both palms.

Her hands were placed on Ino’s chest, but she didn’t use Chakra.

“As expected, I can’t beat you.”

Ino knew she had been spared and readily conceded defeat.

“Winner, Hinata Hyuga.”

Kitazawa announced, seeing the situation.

“Big sister is amazing!”

Hyuga Hanabi said in a childish voice.

She was now two and a half years old, and with the Ninja World’s early maturity, she could understand half of it.

“Hanabi, you must learn from your sister in the future.”

Hiashi patted her head and said with a faint smile.

“Mhm.”

Hanabi replied seriously.

“Round two, ninth match: Naruto Uzumaki versus Sasuke Uchiha!”

After Kitazawa’s announcement, the audience showed expressions of interest.

The Student Council selection’s practical combat had reached this point, and they had basically understood the strength of the participating students.

Without a doubt, Sasuke and Naruto were among the strongest students.

Only a few others could compare to them, such as Yakumo, Neji, Hinata, and Shino.

“Sasuke!”

Naruto said enthusiastically, “I didn’t think we’d meet again! Let’s have another youthful showdown!”

“No matter how many times we face each other, there’s only one outcome.”

Sasuke glanced at him and said.

“That’s not necessarily true!”

Naruto gave a thumbs-up and said, “I’ve prepared a special surprise for you!”

“A futile effort.”

Sasuke said indifferently.

In his opinion, Naruto’s most troublesome Ninjutsu was only Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

“Come on! Sasuke!”

Naruto said as he walked, “Youth is waiting for us!”

Sasuke twitched his lips.

Later, I’ll definitely beat you so badly you can’t say the word ’youth’ anymore.

“I hope Naruto wins more.”

Kiba scratched his head and said, “Sasuke, that guy is so arrogant!”

“How could Sasuke-kun possibly lose?”

Sakura glared at him and asked.

“Naruto has been training with Kitazawa-sensei, you know.”

Ino said, hands on her hips, “If Kiba can get stronger, Naruto definitely can too.”

“What do you mean, ’even I can get stronger’?”

Kiba asked somewhat frantically, “Isn’t it normal for me to get stronger?”

“You guys are too noisy.”

Shikamaru yawned and said.

“If it were the Sasuke from the last match, his chances wouldn’t be small.”

Shino thought for a moment and said.

“Indeed.”

Neji rarely agreed.

Karin didn’t speak; she only felt envious.

She wondered when she would be able to get along with her classmates.

“Tsunade, who do you favor more?”

Hiruzen asked with a smile.

“Naruto.”

Tsunade said casually, “His abundant Chakra should give him an advantage.”

“You don’t know everything.”

Hiruzen said unhurriedly, “In last week’s practical combat test, Naruto lost to Sasuke.”

“How did he lose?”

Tsunade’s face showed surprise at the news.

“It was like this.”

Hiruzen recounted the story.

He hadn’t witnessed it personally, but the daily intelligence reports submitted by the Anbu regarding Naruto clearly detailed it.

Besides, as the professor, even a few lines of text were enough for him to reconstruct the combat situation at that time.

“I see.”

Tsunade said with some surprise, “I didn’t expect Sasuke to have such combat talent.”

After she finished speaking, her thoughts moved again.

“You don’t seem worried at all.”

Tsunade continued.

“You really understand me.”

Hiruzen laughed at her words and said, “You’ll know soon enough.”

He was referring to Rasengan.

“…”

Tsunade suppressed the urge to bang on the table.

Her gaze fell on Naruto in the arena, and she wanted to see what exactly made Hiruzen so confident.

Not far away.

“This is probably the best arrangement for fate.”

Mikoto said with emotion, “I didn’t think they could become good friends.”

“What a pity for Minato.”

Fugaku looked at Naruto and said slowly.

If Minato were still alive, the Uchiha Clan’s situation wouldn’t be as bad as it is now.

Fortunately, Tsunade’s return to the village eased the pressure.

Otherwise, the Uchiha Clan would have long embarked on the path of rebellion.

“I wonder who will win.”

Fugaku had seen Sasuke’s past report cards.

Over two semesters, when he faced Naruto, he lost more often than he won.

“He will win.”

Itachi recalled last week’s practical combat test.

“Oh?”

Fugaku was somewhat surprised.

Had his second son actually become so clever?

Not only did he think of using shuriken creatively against Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, but his combat strategy was also very clear and logical.

“Sasuke has really grown a lot.”

Mikoto said with pleasant surprise.

“Match start!”

Kitazawa said after they finished forming the Seal of Confrontation.

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