Chapter 182: Chapter 182

“Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Naruto formed hand signs and shouted.

In a flash, thirty Shadow Clones appeared around him.

“Your Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu is no longer any use against me.”

Sasuke shook his head as he watched Naruto and his Shadow Clones charge at him.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!

He stood his ground, formed hand signs, and Chakra spewed from his mouth.

With rolling heatwaves, a giant fireball appeared out of thin air.

The surrounding Shadow Clones immediately broke out in a sweat and dodged to either side of the fireball.

Sasuke glanced left and right, calmly throwing three kunai to each side.

The kunai tore through the air at an extremely fast speed, accurately hitting the hearts of six Shadow Clones.

Bang, bang, bang!

Amidst the smoke, six Shadow Clones disappeared.

Sasuke waved his hands as if playing a piano.

Under his control, six kunai formed a net of blades in mid-air.

The Shadow Clones caught within it immediately sustained various injuries.

“Leaf Whirlwind!”

Naruto seized the opening, his chakra erupting in his feet, and quickly appeared before Sasuke.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he retreated, dodging the attack.

Naruto’s kick missed, causing him to stumble forward onto one knee.

Genjutsu: Shiranui!

Sasuke had been staring at Naruto since he first entered the arena.

If nothing unexpected happened, he was the original.

Sasuke used Genjutsu without hesitation.

He wanted to defeat Naruto as quickly as possible.

The huge flame had just risen when it was extinguished by a massive tail.

When Naruto recovered, he found three Sasukes in front of him.

He suddenly realized that this was a reenactment of the previous practical test.

As expected, he couldn’t win in close combat.

Thinking this, Naruto quickly retreated.

“…?”

Sasuke couldn’t help but be stunned.

What’s going on?

According to Naruto’s personality, he should have continued to attack at this point.

Why did he retreat?

In that moment of delay, Naruto’s other Shadow Clones surged forward.

Sasuke lost the opportunity to use Genjutsu again.

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!

Sasuke reacted quickly, and he and his two Shadow Clones used Fire Release.

They cleared the area in an instant, eliminating all of Naruto’s remaining Shadow Clones.

“Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Naruto once again created a large number of Shadow Clones.

“I almost lost to your Genjutsu again!”

Naruto patted his chest and said, with a hint of luck.

“You can escape for a while, but not forever.”

Sasuke said calmly.

Although Naruto’s retreat just now was strange, he didn’t take it to heart.

Just then, he suddenly paused slightly.

The thirty Shadow Clones, originally gathered together, separated in an orderly fashion, forming three teams spaced two or three meters apart.

“An encirclement?”

Sasuke said coldly, “It’s useless.”

“Not an encirclement.”

Naruto paused, then said excitedly, “It’s Ninja Tools!”

The sound of wind breaking echoed.

Thirty Shadow Clones simultaneously pulled out two kunai each.

The first team of Shadow Clones threw first.

Twenty kunai flew densely towards the three Sasukes.

“What?”

Sasuke’s pupils constricted.

He’s actually using kunai instead of Taijutsu?

The three Sasukes quickly dodged outwards.

But just then, the remaining two teams threw their kunai together.

Adding the first team, sixty kunai formed three giant nets, enveloping the three Sasukes.

“Damn it!”

The kunai were too dense, and Sasuke temporarily had no good way to counterattack, so he could only flee again.

For a time, he and his two Shadow Clones appeared quite disheveled.

The sudden change in the situation caused the onlookers to show surprise.

“How could this happen?”

Fugaku couldn’t help but frown.

He hadn’t expected the tide of this battle to turn so sharply.

Sasuke had clearly held a great advantage at the beginning.

“He is Minato’s son after all.”

Mikoto was also a Jonin and naturally understood that Naruto had adopted the most correct fighting style.

“Fortunately, it’s just kunai.”

Itachi analyzed, “Naruto’s kunai throwing technique is a bit lacking, and Sasuke has the Sharingan, so he’ll be able to counterattack soon.”

The greatest function of the One-Tomoe Sharingan was insight.

Although the kunai came in waves, Sasuke could see through their trajectories and dodge them.

“Not bad.”

Fugaku’s attitude softened, and he said, “As an Uchiha, it’s impossible to be defeated by kunai.”

Not far away.

“Naruto actually changed his fighting style?”

Hiruzen looked surprised.

“Hokage-sama.”

Shikaku asked in confusion, “Isn’t Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu combined with kunai throwing quite normal?”

“You don’t understand Naruto’s psyche.”

Hiruzen shook his head and said, “His previous fighting style was extremely singular, nothing but Taijutsu.”

Shikaku paused slightly, carefully recalling Naruto’s battle with Lee, and indeed, it was true.

And with his intelligence, he could naturally discern Naruto’s personality: brash and very reckless.

This sudden change in fighting style indeed didn’t seem like his character.

“It’s Kitazawa.”

Tsunade said casually.

She had fought Kitazawa and watched several of his battles.

Because Kitazawa learned a variety of things, his fighting style was somewhat similar to Hiruzen’s, preferring to alternate between various Ninjutsu.

Furthermore, the only one who could make Naruto change his fighting style, besides Hiruzen, was Kitazawa.

“Kitazawa taught him well. For now this is the optimal fighting style for Naruto.”

Hiruzen paused, then said with great relief.

He had previously been worried that Naruto’s fighting style was too reliant on brute force and lacked adaptability.

Now it seems he isn’t incapable of adapting; as long as he’s willing to learn, he can change, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

“But this small change won’t threaten Sasuke.”

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and said.

“Indeed.”

Hiruzen’s gaze fell on Sasuke.

After adapting to the rhythm of the kunai throws, he finally seized an opportunity.

The three Sasukes flickered simultaneously.

They appeared before the three teams of Naruto and his Shadow Clones at an extremely fast speed.

The three Sasukes each simultaneously threw six kunai each.

Bang, bang, bang!

Naruto’s Shadow Clones disappeared one after another.

“Sasuke, you’re really amazing! You truly are my lifelong rival!”

Naruto said excitedly as he watched Sasuke use the same fighting style as Kitazawa.

“Your kunai throwing technique is very poor.”

Sasuke suppressed the fatigue surging within him and said with a normal expression.

He was far inferior to Naruto in terms of physical stamina and chakra.

Since the start of the battle, he had been rapidly dodging, using Fire Release, shadow clones, body flickers, and genjutsu without any chance to catch his breath.

His body was naturally very strained now.

But with so many spectators, especially Fugaku and Itachi also present, for the sake of the Uchiha, he had to maintain his composure.

Moreover, he wasn’t wrong; if Naruto’s kunai-throwing had been skilled enough, he might have already lost.

“This battle should end, Naruto.”

Sasuke declared, “You will fail once again!”

“Sasuke!”

Naruto said with a flash of his teeth, “Soon you’ll see the surprise I’ve prepared for you!”

Sasuke’s breathing hitched at his words.

Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu plus kunai throwing isn’t your surprise?

What exactly do you mean by ’surprise’?

But Sasuke didn’t have time to think much, because Naruto charged forward again.

“Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Naruto formed hand signs while running.

Amidst the smoke, another thirty Shadow Clones appeared.

As soon as the Shadow Clones appeared, they blocked Naruto’s path, then swarmed forward.

“I’ve already said it’s useless.”

Sasuke snorted coldly and immediately formed hand signs.

Although he didn’t understand why Naruto adopted his initial strategy again, it was undoubtedly a good thing for him.

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!

Sasuke tilted his head back and spewed out a series of small fireballs.

The other two Sasukes, meanwhile, manipulated shuriken with ninja wire.

Under the triple assault, Naruto’s Shadow Clones quickly dissipated, leaving only three.

The three Narutos stood in a triangle formation, with two in front and one behind.

Sasuke flickered forward without hesitation.

As the air whistled, his two Shadow Clones threw four kunai, hitting the two Narutos in front before he did.

Two bangs sounded.

The two Narutos instantly vanished.

Sasuke, who was about to cast a Genjutsu, suddenly trembled.

He saw a blue Chakra ball gather in Naruto’s right hand.

The air let out a tearing shriek.

The spinning Chakra, after being highly compressed, revealed its most terrifying aspect.

“Rasengan!”

Naruto, without hesitation, slammed it towards Sasuke.

Sasuke had to face him directly to cast a Genjutsu.

And he used this point, using two Shadow Clones as a cover, to use the Rasengan.

As for whether the Rasengan would injure Sasuke, he wasn’t worried.

Because Kitazawa-sensei had told him before the match, “Just use it without worry, because I will intervene.”

Sasuke felt an unprecedented crisis.

It was too late for him to dodge.

But just then, Kitazawa appeared and pulled him, allowing him to narrowly avoid the Rasengan.

BANG!!!

The Rasengan missed its target and slammed into the ground.

In an instant, the ground cracked, debris flew, and an enormous deep pit appeared.

Sasuke subconsciously retreated, slumping to the ground, staring blankly at everything, as if in a dream.

Was this the surprise Naruto spoke of?

“Winner, Naruto Uzumaki.”

Kitazawa glanced at Sasuke and announced.

“I—I lost?”

Sasuke snapped back to reality at the sound, asking subconsciously.

“According to the rules, I intervened to help you, so the battle is over.” Kitazawa explained.

Sasuke opened his mouth but didn’t know how to retort.

He had indeed lost; without Kitazawa’s help, he would have taken the Rasengan head-on.

Judging by the deep pit in the ground, if he had taken it head-on, he would most likely have died.

In other words, Naruto already possessed the ability to kill him.

How was this possible?

Sasuke stood rooted to the spot, his face filled with disbelief.

The victor should have been him!

Just then, exclamations erupted from the audience, louder than any time before.

“Is that the Rasengan?!”

Shikaku suddenly stood up, exclaiming in surprise.

Many others reacted similarly, some even feeling tears welling up.

Because this was the Ninjutsu created by the perfect shinobi, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze!

Many of them had even fought alongside him.

A small number of people even knew that Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s son.

In this way, Naruto’s use of the Rasengan took on a special significance.

“Naruto actually learned the Rasengan?!”

Although Tsunade was a little calmer than Shikaku, she still felt shocked.

“How about it?”

Hiruzen asked with a smile.

“His future won’t be any worse than Minato’s.”

Tsunade paused for two seconds before speaking.

“I think so too.”

Hiruzen said reassuringly, “Konoha’s future is in capable hands.”

Tsunade silently fixed her gaze on Kitazawa.

Undoubtedly, Naruto’s Rasengan was taught by him.

Although Hiruzen also knew it, as Hokage, he didn’t have that much time.

Kitazawa was originally a Ninja Academy teacher, so it was most suitable for him to teach it.

It was just that Tsunade couldn’t imagine a seven-year-old Naruto learning the Rasengan.

This was a miracle, and she wondered how Kitazawa had taught him.

“The Rasengan, huh?”

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then said, “Sasuke’s loss is not unjust.”

He didn’t blame Sasuke.

Because even if it were him at the same age, he probably wouldn’t be able to defeat Naruto.

After all, that was the Rasengan, known as the ultimate in Chakra shape transformation, an A-ranked Ninjutsu.

It shouldn’t have appeared in the hands of a seven-year-old student.

“This… this really is—”

Mikoto didn’t know how to comment.

A first-year student using an A-ranked Rasengan—was that reasonable?

Itachi hesitated to speak.

He also didn’t know what to say.

It was no exaggeration to say that Sasuke had done very well; at his age, he was practically perfect.

Such strength and talent would definitely be the strongest in the Ninja Academy.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to maintain first place until graduation.

But unfortunately, an accident occurred.

There was also a Naruto who was even more abnormal than Sasuke’s abnormality.

Not only did he possess enormous Chakra, but he had also learned the Rasengan.

“How could it be the Rasengan?!”

Kakashi subconsciously stood up.

He was too familiar with the Rasengan.

“Kitazawa taught him.”

Kurenai’s lips curved into a smile, and she spoke with a hint of pride.

Kakashi fell silent.

Before, he still thought he could teach better than Kitazawa.

But when Naruto used the Rasengan, he became uncertain.

In terms of teaching, he probably couldn’t compare to Kitazawa.

Aside from the audience, the participating students were also dumbfounded.

Although they didn’t know the Rasengan, the large pit in the ground told them how terrifying this Ninjutsu truly was.

“Rasengan?”

Kiba felt his vision go black.

He had originally thought he could fight Naruto for a few rounds with his Hellhound, but the appearance of the Rasengan shattered his dream.

Although the Hellhound was tough and thick-skinned, it wasn’t as sturdy as the ground.

If the ground had a large pit, he would be no exception.

“Could it be that this Ninjutsu was also created by Kitazawa-sensei?”

Kiba thought of his Hellhound and couldn’t help but ask.

“No.”

Shikamaru explained, “This is the Rasengan, created by Fourth Hokage-sama.”

“Kitazawa-sensei actually taught it to Naruto?!”

Kiba said enviously, “Damn it, I want to learn it too!”

“How could it be that easy to learn?”

Shikamaru shook his head and said, “This is an A-ranked ninjutsu.”

He also had something else he hadn’t said.

Because he remembered his father saying that Minato Namikaze also had blond hair.

Thinking further, Shikamaru believed things would become very troublesome, so he gave up thinking.

Besides, blond hair wasn’t particularly rare; Tsunade and Ino both had blond hair.

“So, Naruto learned an A-ranked ninjutsu?”

Ino asked in disbelief.

“As expected of Naruto!”

Lee said with high spirits, “I feel my youth burning! After the exam, I’ll go run fifty more laps!”

Neji subconsciously clenched his fists.

The power of the Rasengan was too great; he absolutely couldn’t take it head-on.

The only way was to seal Naruto’s chakra points before he used the Rasengan.

However, his many Shadow Clones were also a problem.

It was truly tricky.

Neji sighed in his heart.

Before, he always thought he was a genius among his peers, undefeated in the Ninja Academy.

But now, the appearance of First Year Class A brought him back to reality.

“Sasuke-kun must be feeling terrible.”

Sakura’s face showed worry.

“That’s how real combat is; there are wins and losses.”

Ino patted her shoulder, comforting her.

Various voices mixed together, reaching the arena, making it impossible to hear the specific content clearly.

But Sasuke seemed to hear their praise for Naruto and their mockery of him.

The more arrogant he had been during the previous battle, the more pathetic he was now.

Especially since he had said so many confident threats to Naruto.

These words might have already been heard by Fugaku and Itachi.

The thought of facing them as a loser filled Sasuke with mixed emotions.

Fugaku would definitely be very disappointed, saying that he was unworthy of being an Uchiha.

Shame, indignation, humiliation, and unwillingness surged into Sasuke’s heart.

The Chakra within him quietly boiled, and the One-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes trembled violently.

When it reached its limit, the One-Tomoe split into a Two-Tomoe.

“Sasuke, your eyes—?”

Naruto noticed Sasuke’s change.

“It’s the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.”

Kitazawa said with a slight smile.

“Two-Tomoe?”

Sasuke couldn’t help but be stunned.

He came back to his senses, finally realizing the power surging within him.

“Hahaha!”

Sasuke instinctively burst into maniacal laughter.

In less than a minute, his strength had surged, and he couldn’t contain the joy in his heart.

This was like climbing from hell to heaven.

——————

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