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Chapter 23 - Preliminary Matches part 1

Because these battles weren't worthy enough, I'll only use it's highlights

Zaku Abumi vs Shino Aburame

Zaku starts aggressively, using his Decibel Air Cutter Jutsu (using sound blasts from air tubes in his arms).

Shino, ever calm and collected, lets Zaku waste energy.

Zaku tries a double-armed blast—Shino reveals he blocked the nozzles with bugs earlier.

The pressure backfires: Zaku's arms are damaged internally, rendering him unable to fight.

Winner: Shino Aburame

---

The next one was ino vs kin tsuchi, but as kin was killed by 'someone' ino automatically won

"Due to one participant being confirmed dead during the Forest of Death, this match is considered a forfeit, the victory goes to ino"

---

Next Match:

Temari vs Tenten

Tenten begins with a flurry of weapon-based attacks, throwing countless projectiles using scrolls.

Temari easily deflects them with her giant fan, using Wind Release: Kamaitachi no Jutsu.

Temari's strategy is to wait and counter, and she completely nullifies Tenten's fighting style.

The final blow is Temari slamming Tenten into the wall with a powerful gust of wind.

Winner: Temari

(Okay so in the original it was ino Vs sakura but in this timeline sakura couldn't pass the forest of death exam so ino automatically won)

(But in the original shikamaru was meant to fight kin tsuchi...so a filler it is)

Here are some highlights for a custom match:

Shikamaru Nara vs. Reizo Yakumo

(A filler genin from the Hidden Rain with mist-based jutsu.)

Shikamaru Vs Reizo

Reizo steps in with a confident smirk, summoning a light mist in the arena.

"In the mist… you're blind. I win."

Shikamaru sighs. "Ugh… too much effort."

He pretends to give up early on, drawing Reizo in closer.

Reizo fires mist needles (tiny water projectiles) at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru narrowly dodges and hides behind a rock pillar.

The mist starts to clear a little—enough for Reizo to see Shikamaru standing still.

Reizo charges. "You're wide open!"

Just before contact, Shikamaru smirks.

"You were in my shadow range ten seconds ago."

His shadow threads had been creeping along the mist's edge.

Reizo freezes mid-charge, caught in Shadow Possession.

"What the—how?!"

Shikamaru walks up and says, "Let's take a nap."

Reizo mimics his movement and taps out unwillingly.

Winner: Shikamaru Nara

...

The next match continues

Naruto Uzumaki Vs Kiba Inzuka!

"This match will decide who will become the hokage!" Kiba spoke as Naruto laughed"sure man, sure"

Kiba grins cockily. "This'll be over in five seconds!"

Akamaru growls at Naruto.

The crowd murmurs—everyone thinks Kiba will win easily.

"He's the dead-last," someone whispers.

Naruto grits his teeth but smirks. "Let's see if the underdog can bite back."

Kiba uses Four Legs Technique and becomes wild-fast.

He slams Naruto into a wall.

"Told ya—easy win."

Kiba feeds Akamaru a food pill.

Akamaru turns red and transforms into a Kiba clone using Beast Human Clone.

They both spin wildly toward Naruto with Fang Over Fang (Gatsūga).

Naruto is sent crashing—but stands up, bruised, grinning.

"Still standing."

Naruto makes a dozen shadow clones, confusing Kiba.

One of the clones farts in Kiba's face during an attack.

Kiba recoils. "What the hell?!"

Naruto lands a solid punch to Kiba's jaw, launching him backward.

Kiba tries another Gatsūga, but Naruto tricks him with clones and lands an uppercut.

Kiba can't stand.

Hayate: "Winner—Naruto Uzumaki!"

"Let's go!" Naruto yelled with his fist raised high

"He...did he fart on Kiba?"

"I heard...he has strong...like really strong nose" a guy said pointing at his nose

"Poor boy" kurenai looking at the boy said

Next Match: Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga

The room went quiet as the next names flickered across the screen:

[Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga]

The tension was immediate. Eyes turned to the quiet Hyuga girl, whose fingers trembled slightly as she walked forward. Neji, calm and confident, descended to the arena like a man already certain of victory.

Haruto leaned forward, arms crossed. Naruto clenched his fists, remembering Neji's earlier words about destiny and weakness.

"You got this, Hinata!" Naruto shouted from the upper stands.

Haruto added with a smile, "Show him the fire in your heart, Hinata. You've come far."

Hinata blinked, surprised. She turned, cheeks faintly red, and bowed slightly.

"Thank you… Haruto-kun. And Naruto-san."

Naruto blinked. "Wait… why am I getting the 'san'?"

Shikamaru snorted. "I think your brother's cooking again."

'wha did I du' haruto thought as he glanced at hinata

Instantly many huge lore opened up in his mind as a trail of blood leaked from his nose as he quickly wiped it

The match begun

Neji began with verbal attacks, trying to shatter her confidence.

"You are fated to lose. You've always been weak. Even your father—"

"I… I know I've been weak," Hinata replied, eyes narrowed. "But… I'm trying to change."

Haruto's words echoed in her mind. Her stance tightened. For the first time, her Byakugan looked sharp, focused. She blocked Neji's strikes with more poise than anyone expected.

Despite her growth, Neji's skill in Gentle Fist was too advanced. He struck pressure points, closed her chakra flow.

Bloodied and wheezing, Hinata pushed herself back to her feet.

"I… won't give up… not yet…"

Even the proctors were ready to intervene, but her voice made them pause.

Neji delivered the final blow—but Hinata remained conscious long enough to lock eyes with him.

"I pity you, Neji. You're trapped by your own destiny… but I'm not."

Then she collapsed.

Medical-nin rushed to her side. Naruto was about to leap from the railing, but Haruto held his arm.

"She fought like a true Hyūga," Haruto said softly. "Let her rest with dignity."

Neji turned to walk away, but not before sparing a glance at Haruto—who gave him a cold stare, eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint.

"You'll be next," Naruto muttered. "Dattebayo!" Naruto muttered thinking that neji was looking at him

"Uhh... who's gonna tell him?" Shikamaru whispered

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