Kiba cracked his knuckles, a confident smirk plastered across his face as he stood across from Naruto. "This is gonna be over quick," he said, rolling his shoulders. Akamaru barked in agreement, his small frame vibrating with excitement. "I'll make sure you don't embarrass yourself too badly, Naruto."
Naruto stretched his arms above his head, letting out a lazy yawn. "Yeah, yeah, you talk a big game. But let's see if you can back it up." His grin widened. "Because I've been waiting for this."
Up in the stands, Sakura sighed, arms crossed. "Naruto's way too confident. Kiba's faster, stronger, and actually trained with his clan. This is gonna be painful."
Ino scoffed. "You never know. Idiots like Naruto tend to surprise people."
Raven chuckled. "Oh, he'll surprise alright."
Hayate raised his hand, coughing lightly before signaling. "Begin."
Kiba and Akamaru moved instantly. One moment they were standing still, the next they were gone, streaking across the battlefield like twin blurs. Before Naruto could react, Kiba was already at his side, a brutal kick slamming into his ribs and sending him skidding across the floor.
Sakura flinched. "Told you."
Naruto groaned, coughing as he pushed himself up. Kiba stood with his arms crossed, unimpressed. "You're too slow, Naruto. I don't even need Akamaru for this."
Naruto wiped his mouth. "Huh. Guess I'll have to stop holding back."
Kiba scoffed. "Right. Because that's a thing you do."
Naruto grinned, forming a single seal. "Ramen Clone Jutsu!"
Instantly, the battlefield filled with Naruto clones, all standing with identical smirks. Kiba's confident expression faltered for just a second before he regained his composure. "Hah! Doesn't matter how many of you there are! Akamaru, let's go!"
Akamaru barked, leaping onto Kiba's back as he activated Beast Mimicry Jutsu. With a puff of smoke, the two became identical, moving as a single blur as they tore through Naruto's clones. One by one, they popped out of existence, Kiba and Akamaru weaving through them with effortless precision.
But Naruto wasn't standing still. He was watching. Calculating.
Sakura frowned, watching his expression closely. "Since when does Naruto… plan ahead?"
Kiba spun, knocking out another clone before freezing. He landed on all fours, sniffing the air. His confident smirk dropped. "Wait…"
The battlefield had changed.
Naruto wasn't just making clones randomly—he was positioning them.
Every attack, every dodge, every movement had subtly pushed Kiba into a corner.
Naruto grinned. "Gotcha."
Before Kiba could react, four clones tackled him from different directions, pinning him in place. His eyes widened. "What—?!"
The real Naruto launched into the air, spinning rapidly as chakra surged around him.
"Ramen Barrage!"
The attack hit like a meteor, slamming Kiba into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave across the arena, dust exploding into the air. When it settled, Kiba lay flat on his back, groaning.
Akamaru whimpered, nudging him weakly.
Hayate stepped forward, eyes scanning the battlefield before nodding. "Winner: Naruto Uzumaki."
Silence.
Then—cheering erupted from the stands.
Naruto grinned, standing tall, hands on his hips. "Hell yeah!"
Up in the stands, Sakura stared, something unfamiliar twisting in her chest.
She had expected Naruto to lose. She had expected him to fight recklessly and get lucky, but this was different.
This time, Naruto had planned. He had strategized.
She found herself watching him in a way she never had before.
The light hit his face at just the right angle, highlighting his determined smirk, the way his muscles tensed from the fight, the way his confidence wasn't just bluster—but real.
She swallowed hard. Since when… was Naruto kind of handsome?
She shook her head quickly, trying to push the thought away. This was just surprise, that's all.
Naruto turned toward the stands, giving a thumbs-up. His bright blue eyes locked onto Sakura's, his grin widening.
She quickly looked away.
Up next on the screen, the names flickered.
Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga.
The air changed instantly.
Neji smirked, stepping forward. "Finally. Let's see if you've actually improved, Hinata."
Hinata took a breath, stepping into the ring, her lavender eyes cold as ice.
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