"If you ask me why…"
Naruto clenched his fists, his voice ringing with stubborn determination.
"I don't want to be ignored by everyone anymore!"
As he spoke, he slapped Sasuke hard on the shoulder, nearly knocking him forward.
"Sasuke! Let's go! Team 7 is unbeatable!"
Sasuke shot him an annoyed glance. "Did you really need to say that out loud?"
From the side, Hinata lowered her head slightly and whispered with quiet encouragement, "Sasuke… you can do it."
"…Mm."
Shiranui Genma stepped back to the edge of the arena. The remaining participants exited one after another, leaving only two figures standing on the wide central platform.
"To begin!"
Genma gave the command.
Uchiha Sasuke and Shino Aburame advanced toward one another, stopping several meters apart.
Silence fell.
The noisy arena abruptly quieted, as if someone had pressed a switch.
All eyes were fixed on the two young ninjas.
Shino Aburame spoke first, his voice low and steady. "Uchiha Sasuke. I know you are a true genius, and that you carry the honor of the Uchiha Clan."
After a brief pause, he continued, "But I will not be defeated by you."
Sasuke's expression remained indifferent. "Then let's see."
In the next instant, both of them released their chakra.
The invisible pressure rippled outward.
Outside the arena, Naruto and Hinata hurried over to Kakashi Hatake.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said anxiously, "is Sasuke… really okay?"
He couldn't help worrying. His system mission depended on it—every member of Team 7 needed to be promoted to Chunin.
Kakashi smiled faintly. "He'll manage."
"That doesn't sound reassuring at all!" Naruto protested. "When you say it like that, it makes me even more nervous!"
Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Well, I can't guarantee he'll win. Shino Aburame is very strong too."
Kurenai Yuhi, standing nearby, smiled gently. "You have good judgment, Kakashi. Shino may be humble, but his strength is unquestionable."
"That's true," Kakashi replied. "But Sasuke shouldn't lose either."
Naruto swallowed nervously.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The battle had already erupted.
---
Sasuke moved first.
With a sharp flick of his wrist, a rain of shuriken shot forward.
His technique was flawless.
The shuriken curved, split, and intersected, attacking from left and right, above and below, sealing off every possible escape route.
The audience gasped in awe.
Shino frowned slightly. "Impressive."
He raised both arms.
In an instant, countless black Kikaichū poured out, spreading like thick smoke.
"Hidden Art: Insect Wall!"
The insects spun rapidly, forming a dense, living shield that blocked every incoming shuriken.
But Sasuke was already closing the distance.
Shino extended his right hand. The Kikaichū shifted, surging forward like a black tide toward Sasuke.
Sasuke's hands blurred.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared forth, scorching the arena.
The insects scattered in panic. Those that failed to escape were instantly reduced to ash.
Shino's expression changed as he watched his Kikaichū burn.
He immediately recalled the remaining insects, dispersing them in all directions while dodging the flames. Moments later, they regrouped around Sasuke.
"Hidden Art: Insect Sphere!"
A deadly technique.
By completely enveloping the enemy, the Kikaichū would drain their chakra and immobilize them.
As the insects closed in—
Bang!
Sasuke's body suddenly transformed into a wooden stake.
"A substitution?!"
Shino recoiled in alarm, hastily pulling his insects back into a defensive formation.
Too late.
Sasuke appeared behind him.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Shino barely managed to dodge aside, using his insects to shield himself. Though he escaped serious injury, many more Kikaichū were incinerated.
From the very first exchange, the battle grew fierce.
Ninjutsu.
Taijutsu.
Shuriken techniques.
Hidden Arts.
One after another, dazzling techniques were unleashed, leaving the audience breathless.
Cheers and shouts echoed through the stands.
Shino looked at Sasuke, his breathing slightly unsteady.
"As expected of a genius," he said calmly. "Your mastery of techniques and adaptability are outstanding."
"But—"
"My Kikaichū will not die in vain."
He pointed forward. "Go."
In an instant, countless insects surged forward like a raging storm.
No matter where Sasuke moved, they pursued him relentlessly, like guided missiles.
"Damn it…"
"How annoying!"
Sasuke suddenly stopped.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique!"
Streams of flame burst forth like falling blossoms, scattering the insect swarm and preventing them from regrouping.
Yet moments later, the insects reassembled and resumed their pursuit.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "It's useless. Insects do not fear death. Even if some burn, the rest will continue."
"And once you are marked…"
"They will never stop chasing you."
"Oh?" Sasuke replied coolly.
Suddenly, he charged straight toward Shino.
Shino frowned. "What is he planning?"
"Does he think drawing closer will lead the insects back to me?"
"That's impossible. Every Kikaichū is under my control."
"And close combat? My entire body is covered in insects. Approaching me is the same as stepping into a trap."
As Sasuke closed in, even more insects poured out, wrapping around him from every direction.
It seemed inevitable.
Inuzuka Kiba shouted excitedly, "That's Shino for you! He's won!"
Sakura's face went pale. "Sasuke-kun… how can this be?"
Naruto clenched his fists. "Damn it, Sasuke! Aren't you supposed to be stronger than this?!"
Kurenai smiled. "Looks like you're about to lose, Kakashi."
"The outcome isn't decided yet," Kakashi replied calmly.
At that moment—
The insects closed in completely.
Everyone believed Sasuke was finished.
Then—
A victorious smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Boom!
Sasuke vanished in a cloud of white smoke.
Naruto's eyes widened. "That—that's my—!"
"Shadow Clone Technique?!"
"When did he learn that?!"
Kakashi chuckled. "He's not you, Naruto. His chakra reserves are limited. At most, one or two clones."
"But that's enough."
Shino's eyes widened. "A Shadow Clone?!"
In the next instant, Sasuke appeared behind him, a kunai pressed firmly against his neck.
"You lost."
Cold sweat trickled down Shino's face.
"Why…?"
"You prepared a clone in advance?"
Sasuke nodded. "I understood your tactics immediately and adapted."
"Your real goal was never the encirclement. It was placing a Kikaichū on me."
"Once I realized that—"
"The outcome was decided."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)