The four rounds of matches ended almost instantly, each a swift knockout.
In less than ten minutes, the preliminary exams reached the fifth round.
This round, however, dragged on—so long that many spectators couldn't help but yawn.
The matchup was none other than… Ino Yamanaka versus Sakura Haruno.
Like Naruto Uzumaki mastering Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, Sakura had made strides compared to her original self, but that was the extent of it.
She'd learned a single genjutsu from Kakashi Hatake, the D-rank Hell Viewing Technique, which conjured visions of an opponent's deepest fears.
During their survival training, Kakashi had used this very technique to overwhelm Sakura in an instant.
If her opponent had been Minako, Sakura might have stood a chance.
Unfortunately, she faced Ino Yamanaka, a master of Yin Release secret techniques.
The Hell Viewing Technique was effortlessly dispelled by Ino.
Likewise, though Ino, as the heir of a secret technique clan, had mastered the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, it lacked offensive power.
While she successfully caught Sakura off guard, seizing control of her body with the Mind Body Switch, Sakura's secondary personality expelled her.
One's genjutsu was countered; the other's clan technique was neutralized.
These former best friends, like fated rivals, were left to settle the score with the basics taught at the Ninja Academy.
Transformation Technique, shuriken throwing, kunai sparring, taijutsu clashes—their fundamentals were impeccable, true honors students.
But in the eyes of Jonin, it was like watching children play ninja—utterly dull.
Even Izayoi and others found the two lacking.
Only Minako felt a spark of connection, realizing these top students were like her in some ways.
In the end, just like in the original story, both girls collapsed from exhaustion, fainting together and missing their chance at the finals.
By the time they woke, the matches had reached the ninth round.
The sixth round pitted Tenten against Temari.
It was a one-sided slaughter. Tenten, whose abilities were countered by Temari's Wind Release, stood no chance against the onslaught of her fan.
The seventh round was Shikamaru Nara versus Genichi Sawano.
The latter, one of Kiba Inuzuka's teammates, came from a ninja family like Sakura. His father was an ordinary Chunin, and he bore a surname.
Genichi's skills were respectable, having mastered a C-rank Water Release: Wild Water Wave.
Though a basic Water Release technique, it was versatile. With ample chakra, its effect rivaled the B-rank Water Release: Water Wall.
But his combat experience was lacking, and his intellect paled compared to Shikamaru's.
The moment Genichi unleashed his Water Release, sending a torrent that obscured Shikamaru from view, the outcome was sealed.
Shikamaru slipped a kunai between his teeth, then cast Shadow Imitation Technique, locking Genichi in place. Removing the kunai, he prompted Genichi to surrender on the spot.
No sooner had Genichi fallen than the eighth round began: Minako versus Neji Hyuga.
Facing the scion of Konoha's most prestigious clan and the top student of the previous year, Minako didn't even bother stepping into the arena. She raised her hand and conceded immediately.
The ninth round brought… Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka!
"Awesome! It's that idiot Kiba—I've got this in the bag!"
Seeing his opponent's name, Naruto leapt onto the railing, shouting with uncontained excitement.
Kiba, equally smug, bristled at Naruto's words, his forehead creasing with irritation. "Moron Naruto, that's my line!"
In the arena, Kiba smirked at Naruto with brazen confidence. "Dead-last, say something nice to your pal Kiba, and I'll let you lose with a shred of dignity. Or better yet, just give up!"
To Kiba, Naruto hadn't changed a bit from a few months ago.
Against him and Akamaru, Naruto was doomed to lose.
But Naruto flashed an equally cocky grin. "Watch me take you down in one move!"
"Hahaha… one move? Dead-last, you still dreaming or what?" Kiba doubled over with laughter, then turned to Akamaru. "Akamaru, let's teach this loser a lesson."
"Woof!" Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Ninth round, begin!"
As Hayate Gekkō's voice echoed, Naruto swiftly formed the Tiger seal, shouting, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
Days had passed since the Five Elements Seal disrupted Naruto's chakra. While still not fully stable, it was no longer chaotic.
He couldn't summon hundreds of clones instantly, but a dozen or two? Child's play.
Bang, bang, bang…
Crisp pops rang out as clouds of white smoke materialized.
When the haze cleared, over twenty Narutos had surrounded Kiba and Akamaru.
"That's… Shadow Clone Technique? So many?!" Kiba's jaw dropped.
The Genin and even Jonin in the second-floor stands shared his shock.
The seasoned Jonin recognized it instantly—not just Shadow Clone Technique, but the forbidden Multi-Shadow Clone Technique!
"Wind Release…"
Before Kiba could recover, Naruto and his clones began forming hand signs.
The Jonin's expressions shifted, already envisioning what came next.
By the time Kiba snapped to, Naruto and his clones bellowed, "Great Breakthrough!"
Whoosh…
A howling gale roared to life, a tangible current like an invisible hand, snatching Kiba and Akamaru into the air.
Fists appeared from nowhere, tossing the pair back and forth midair, as if caught in a tornado.
Even the spectators in the stands felt the impact. Genin clung to railings or hugged posts, unable to open their eyes. Some Jonin shielded their faces.
Seeing Kiba and Akamaru spinning wildly, about to slam into a wall, Team Six's Jonin instructor flickered to their side, catching them and ending the match.
"Ninth round, winner: Naruto Uzumaki."
Hayate Gekkō, feet rooted to the ground and hands shielding his eyes, announced the result.
"Hahaha… idiot Kiba, now you see how awesome I am!" Naruto planted his hands on his hips, laughing triumphantly.
One-shotting a rival who'd once crushed him filled Naruto with exhilaration.
His ego swelling, he began fantasizing about pummeling Izayoi, kicking Sasuke Uchiha, and forcing bushy-brows to kneel in defeat.
His laughing face twisted into a goofy grin, a trickle of drool escaping his lips.
It wasn't until Hayate's prompt that he snapped back, swaggering to the stands with a strut that owned the room.
The screen flickered with new names.
When it settled, the crowd perked up.
There, on display, was—Izayoi versus Rock Lee.
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