“Yakumo—go!”

Karin activated a barrier beneath her feet without hesitation.

A circular sealing array flared to life on the ground.

The rain of shuriken in the sky stalled for a heartbeat—only a heartbeat—before surging forward again.

“Karin!”

Yakumo’s heart lurched.

She was forced to retreat.

Karin was swallowed by the storm of blades—but Kakashi intervened at the critical moment, pulling her to safety.

But Yakumo had overlooked someone.

Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!

Neji seized the opening and struck.

Distracted by concern for Karin, Yakumo took the blow head-on and was sent flying.

Body Flicker!

Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams—Sixty-Four Palms!

Neji flashed forward, both palms striking in a relentless barrage.

Horror Illusion!

Yakumo clenched her teeth, enduring several hits before finally trapping Neji in a genjutsu.

She gasped, a heavy stagnation clogging her chakra pathways.

Then—

The sound of cutting wind.

Yakumo looked up instinctively.

Ninja tools filled the sky.

She snapped open a scroll.

An earth wall rose, blocking part of the barrage.

The rest scattered around her.

Just as she tried to stand, several shuriken snapped upward and bound her limbs.

Yakumo’s expression changed—but it was already too late.

Ninja Tool: Binding Meteor!

Chains dropped from above, locking her in place once more.

“Yakumo—you lose!”

Tenten’s voice rang out from behind her.

Yakumo parted her lips, but no words came.

If Tenten attacked again now, she had no way to evade.

Defeat was absolute.

Yakumo closed her eyes briefly.

This team battle had gone far beyond her expectations.

She had believed herself nearly invincible—Mangekyō-level genjutsu should have dominated the Genius Class.

Yet she had lost.

And it wasn’t unjust.

From the very start, her team had been trapped within Neji’s tactical net.

Looking back, there were four critical miscalculations.

First: Neji letting Tenten wield the Yin Bow.

They had assumed Neji himself had been firing the arrows all along.

Second: Neji disguising himself as Tayuya.

Ino, failing to notice in time, had walked straight into his reach.

Third: Tayuya’s role as a decoy while Tenten unleashed her full arsenal—especially the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, which completely caught them off guard.

And finally—

Neji’s perfectly timed sneak attack, which robbed Yakumo of the initiative.

In the end, Tenten’s ninja tools sealed her defeat.

Yakumo had never even glimpsed her opponent face-to-face.

—

Above, on the Wood Dragon’s viewing platform—

“That outcome was completely unexpected,” Kurenai aid, stunned.

She knew Yakumo’s strength well. In her eyes, aside from Naruto, no one in the Genius Class should have been able to defeat her.

“I didn’t expect it either,” Kitazawa admitted.

He wasn’t lying.

Before today, he had believed the three most likely teams to take first place were Sasuke’s, Naruto’s, and Yakumo’s.

Yet Yakumo’s team had fallen in the very first round.

“Neji’s team coordination was flawless,” Chen praised.

“They won because every member contributed.”

Unlike Sasuke’s earlier victory, which had hinged almost entirely on overwhelming individual strength.

“It seems the old man hasn’t lost his edge,” Tsunade chuckled.

Neji’s instructor was Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Such layered tactics were far beyond what ten-year-olds usually devised on their own.

“Yakumo’s responses were already excellent,” Kosuke added thoughtfully.

“They just fell short—slightly.”

“Kitazawa,” Kurenai said with a smile, “Will your tactics hold up? Naruto’s team is about to face Hinata’s team, and they’re no weaker than Neji’s.”

Hinata’s squad could easily replicate Neji’s strategy.

After all, they also had a Byakugan user—and a bow.

“Words are cheap,” Kitazawa replied calmly. “Watch and see.”

He vanished—and reappeared before the Genius Class.

Iruka was still recounting the final exchange between Neji’s team and Yakumo’s.

Kitazawa waited without interrupting.

“—and in the end, Yakumo was bound by Tenten and forced to concede,” Iruka concluded.

The class erupted.

Yakumo’s prior dominance had convinced everyone she would win.

The result hit like a shockwave.

“Yakumo… lost?”

Sasuke frowned instinctively.

He had expected the third round to include his team, Yakumo’s, and Naruto’s.

Now he understood—

Team battles were unpredictable.

He himself had nearly fallen.

Yakumo had crashed outright.

Sasuke’s gaze sharpened.

‘Can Naruto’s team really make it through?’

“Our team can use Neji’s tactics too.” Shikamaru’s eyes lit up with interest.

“We definitely can.”

Hinata nodded calmly.

“Then… doesn’t that mean Naruto’s in trouble?”

Kiba’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Naruto is Naruto, and Yakumo is Yakumo,” Shino adjusted his glasses.

“Besides, Naruto already knows this tactic. He’ll be on guard.”

“Which is why we can’t copy it wholesale.” Shikamaru chuckled softly.

“Sounds like you’ve already got a new plan,” Chōji said, catching the glint in his friend’s eyes.

“And we’ve still got Kitazawa-sensei’s tactics!” Naruto flashed a thumbs-up.

“The youth of Team Youth won’t lose!”

Hinata felt a quiet twinge of envy.

Their instructor, Master Chen, was also excellent—but in her heart, no one compared to Kitazawa.

In a way, this team battle had turned her into Kitazawa’s opponent.

“That’s the whole point of team battles.” Iruka glanced at Kitazawa.

“To make you understand teamwork. Individual strength has limits.”

The statement wasn’t wrong.

And yet… every so often, the Ninja World produced monsters—shinobi whose strength rendered numbers meaningless.

“Next match: Naruto’s team versus Hinata’s team.”

Kitazawa cleared his throat.

“Both teams, enter the Forest of Death and prepare. The match begins in fifteen minutes.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!”

Naruto answered and immediately charged into the forest with Rock Lee and Jūgo.

By contrast, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Haku moved at an unhurried pace.

Watching Hinata’s back, Kitazawa sighed inwardly.

Because of the system mission, he had no choice but to defeat her team.

If there hadn’t been a mission tied to this final, he would have gladly taken Hinata’s squad under his wing.

With fifteen minutes to spare, he didn’t rush after Naruto’s team.

Instead, he found Neji, Yakumo, and the others.

Several teams hadn’t suffered serious injuries.

Kitazawa stopped by Ino and helped reopen the Tenketsu Neji had sealed.

“Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Ino grabbed his hand as she stood.

“I thought you’d be more depressed,” Kitazawa said with a smile.

“It’s normal to lose to Neji.”

Ino shook her head.

“The only regret is that Yakumo didn’t win.”

She’d engaged Neji head-on—it would’ve been strange if she hadn’t lost.

Yakumo’s defeat, though, was unexpected.

But that was the nature of team battles.

They were nothing like one-on-one fights.

Anything could happen.

“All right, head out.”

Kitazawa patted her head.

After checking on Yakumo, Neji, and the others one last time, he went to find Naruto’s team.

They’d already discussed tactics.

And per the rules, instructors weren’t allowed to give guidance mid-battle.

This was a test of adaptability.

Kitazawa faded into the shadows, waiting for the match to begin.

Forest of Death—Left Sector

“Let’s set up here.”

Shikamaru surveyed the area.

“The trees are thick. Perfect for concealment.”

“So what’s the plan?” Haku asked curiously.

“Are we copying Neji’s strategy?”

“We’ll use only the first half.” Shikamaru smiled.

“Hinata suppresses them from long range. We wait.”

“…Wait?” Haku blinked.

“Lee and Jūgo have no answer to Hinata’s bow techniques,” Shikamaru explained.

“Naruto’s Wind Release can counter them—but with his personality? He won’t stay put.”

“I get it.”

Haku nodded in realization.

Neji’s team had been forced to close in because Yakumo’s team could afford to stall.

Naruto’s team couldn’t.

Naruto and Lee were both reckless by nature.

“To make sure Naruto doesn’t suddenly grow patient,” Shikamaru added, “Hinata should focus her fire on Lee and Jūgo.”

“Understood.”

Hinata answered without hesitation.

“While we have time, let’s set traps.”

Shikamaru clapped his hands.

“Who knows? Maybe we’ll pull off an upset like Neji’s team did.”

Time ticked by.

Fifteen minutes later, Kitazawa’s voice echoed through the forest.

The team battle had officially begun.

Hinata activated her Byakugan at once.

She drew her bow—

Then paused.

“Jūgo used Transformation Jutsu and blended in with Naruto’s Shadow Clones.”

As she spoke, she released the string.

A Yin Release Arrow streaked forward.

“So they thought of a counter too…”

Shikamaru rubbed his temples.

“Focus on Lee.”

“Charge!”

Naruto roared, thrusting his arm forward.

Hundreds of Shadow Clones surged ahead in a tidal wave.

A Yin Release arrow split midair into six, striking six clones.

They vanished in smoke—but the rest kept charging without hesitation.

Explosive Arrow!

Hinata adjusted instantly.

The arrow detonated above the clones.

An invisible spiritual shockwave swept through them.

Shadow Clones staggered, dizzy and disoriented.

Only the real Naruto stood firm.

The Explosive Arrow functioned much like genjutsu—pure Yin Release.

The Nine-Tails stirred, snapping Naruto back to clarity.

Jūgo and Lee weren’t so lucky.

Hinata didn’t hesitate.

She drew again—this time aiming at Lee.

Spiral Arrow!

The arrow spun as it screamed forward.

“Wind Release: Gale Palm!”

Naruto reacted instantly.

A blast of wind slowed the arrow.

A nearby Shadow Clone slapped Lee, flooding him with chakra and breaking the lingering effects.

Boom!

The Spiral Arrow missed.

Explosive Arrow!

Multiple Arrows!

Hinata followed Neji’s example, firing in rapid succession.

The Explosive Arrow detonated first.

Then the Multiple Arrows split into six—

All aimed straight at Lee.

At the critical moment, Jūgo activated Cursed Seal of Earth: Stage Two without hesitation.

Explosive Strike!

The skin of his arms turned a dull gray-yellow as monstrous strength surged through him.

Planting himself in front of Lee, Jūgo raised both arms and slammed them downward.

Every Yin Release Arrow was smashed aside.

The sheer force of the impact sent both him and Lee skidding backward several steps.

“Naruto, don’t worry about us!” Jūgo roared, veins bulging.

“Use this chance—find their position!”

“You—twenty of you, stay here!”

Naruto jabbed a finger at a random cluster of Shadow Clones.

“The rest, with me!”

“They’ve split up,” Hinata reported instantly.

“Jūgo and Lee stayed behind. Naruto and his clones are still advancing.”

“What’s he planning?” Haku asked, unease creeping into his voice.

“…Something’s off.”

Shikamaru frowned.

“Hinata—stop Naruto.”

Multiple Arrows!

Hinata released the bowstring.

Thudding impacts echoed through the forest as Yin Release Arrows rained down, erasing Shadow Clones one after another.

Above, on the Wood Dragon

“What kind of tactic is this?” Kurenai asked, baffled.

“It looks like Naruto’s trying to force his way into close combat,” Kosuke mused.

“With traps already laid and his teammates split off?” Kurenai shook her head.

“That makes no sense.”

“Unless…”

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.

“He plans to do what Sasuke did—take them all on himself.”

“With Naruto’s strength, it’s possible,” Kakashi added.

Tsunade crossed her arms, thoughtful.

“Knowing Kitazawa, it won’t be that simple.”

“Wait—Naruto stopped!”

Kosuke suddenly pointed.

Everyone’s gaze snapped toward the battlefield.

“Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Naruto poured out chakra without restraint.

Three hundred Shadow Clones burst into existence at once.

“Wind Release: Gale Palm!”

Every clone clapped their hands simultaneously.

A violent storm erupted—visible even to the naked eye.

The wind howled forward like a living beast.

Trees were ripped from the earth.

The forest screamed.

“What—what is this?!”

Shikamaru felt the ground quake beneath his feet.

“Run!”

Hinata shouted, alarm flashing across her face.

An instant later, countless converging winds tore through the area, dragging dirt, branches, flowers, and debris skyward.

It swept forward like a plague.

Every trap Hinata’s team had set detonated prematurely.

The dense forest was stripped bare.

“This is just bullying with chakra,” Kakashi muttered, his mouth twitching.

“What kind of hooligan strategy is this?”

Kurenai pressed a hand to her forehead, laughing and crying at once.

Tsunade was speechless.

She had tried to imagine Kitazawa’s tactics—She just hadn’t expected them to be this violent.

“In the face of overwhelming chakra,” Hiruzen laughed softly, “terrain becomes meaningless.”

The entire Genius Class witnessed the spectacle.

The disturbance was impossible to miss.

“What just happened?”

Ino blurted out.

“…That has to be Naruto,” Sasuke said slowly. “No one else could pull this off.”

“This is cheating!” Kiba complained.

“You still need the strength to cheat like that,” Tenten replied flatly.

“I thought his limit was a hundred clones…” Tayuya looked devastated. “This isn’t human.”

Neji and Kimimaro remained silent.

Especially Neji.

He had believed his bow and teamwork gave him a real shot at first place.

Naruto’s brute-force tactic shattered that confidence.

When the storm finally faded, a massive clearing had been carved into the Forest of Death.

Hinata, Haku, and Shikamaru barely held on behind an ice wall.

But they all knew the truth.

Without terrain, they couldn’t win a frontal clash.

“They’re coming,” Shikamaru sighed, watching the sea of Shadow Clones surge forward.

“…Let’s just do our best.”

Explosive Arrow!

Hinata fired.

The arrow detonated, disorienting nearby clones.

“Konoha Dragon God!”

Lee roared, spinning violently.

A massive green dragon surged forward.

Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome!

Haku formed seals—

The ice shattered instantly.

Chen intervened just in time, pulling Haku clear.

Watching Lee’s technique, he nodded approvingly.

“Me too! Youth must not fall behind!”

Naruto shouted.

“Konoha Dragon God!”

A second green dragon erupted.

“…?”

Shikamaru stared, completely lost.

Both Naruto and Lee were spinning at terrifying speed—their shadows impossible to catch.

Hinata fell silent.

Konoha Dragon God wasn’t pure taijutsu.

Wind Release blades coated its surface.

Close combat meant being shredded alive.

Spiral Arrow!

Hinata drew and fired at Lee.

The arrow spun forward—

Clang!

It struck the dragon and stopped cold.

Wind blades screeched as they deflected it completely.

“…We should surrender,” Shikamaru said quietly.

Hinata hesitated.

Then, after a few long seconds, she lowered the moon-chasing bow.

——————

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