Chapter 158
"The match…"
"Sakura Haruno!"
Naruto confidently walked into the arena. Facing Sakura Haruno, who was also walking towards him, a sense of daze suddenly arose in his heart… Once upon a time, he was so infatuated with the girl opposite him… But now, she felt somewhat unfamiliar… "Sakura-chan, I didn't expect my opponent to be you…"
Sakura Haruno said, "I didn't expect it either, but, Naruto, I won't hold back."
"Oh! I know, you've also become much stronger training with Kurenai Yuhi-sensei, haven't you?"
"But I will definitely not lose either!"
The two of them now felt like the most familiar strangers.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the battle began with a command.
Sakura Haruno immediately activated her most proficient genjutsu.
"Demonic Illusion! Cherry Blossom Viewing!"
In an instant… cherry blossoms bloomed one after another, falling from the sky, swirling and appearing before Naruto… However.
Naruto was already prepared. He immediately showed the results of his training with Kakashi-sensei and the Pervy Sage, a confident smile on his lips.
"This level of genjutsu can't do anything to me…"
"Sakura-chan!"
"Genjutsu…"
"Release!!!"
Immediately… *buzz*—
The illusion before him instantly vanished, the sky full of cherry blossoms disappeared, and Naruto's vision returned to complete clarity!
Sakura Haruno was greatly shocked: "What?!"
Kakashi smiled slightly: "Naruto, that guy, has indeed improved a lot training with Jiraiya-sama…"
Hinata nodded: "Go, Naruto-kun…"
Sasuke merely snorted.
In her panic, Sakura Haruno quickly cast her newly learned genjutsu again.
"Genjutsu! Three Cherry Blossoms!"
She suddenly crouched down, as if to pick up cherry petals, and immediately, cherry blossoms appeared before Naruto again, petals falling and scattered all over the ground… But in reality, at this moment, Sakura Haruno had already launched a surprise attack forward!
The crouching motion and the sky full of falling petals were all illusions!
However… *bang*!
Sakura Haruno's fierce punch landed squarely on Naruto, but it was completely caught by Naruto's palm!
"H-how can this be?!"
Naruto smiled slightly: "Sakura-chan, your genjutsu has indeed improved a lot…"
"But I have too!"
Around his body, a faint aura of Chakra permeated, forming an invisible spherical barrier.
Kakashi looked with his Sharingan and couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
"T-that, could that be…"
Kurenai Yuhi also frowned: "Kakashi, how did Naruto see through Sakura's genjutsu attack?"
Asuma Sarutobi and Might Guy were equally curious.
Kakashi said: "I know Naruto trained with Jiraiya-sama, but I didn't expect him to have even learned that move…"
"Barrier! Heavenly Cover Formation!"
Immediately, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy were all startled!
"What?!"
Hinata quickly said: "Kakashi-sensei, what is that move? Is it very powerful?"
"Of course it's powerful. That's Jiraiya-sama's unique secret technique…"
"Once the barrier is opened, any invisible attack, or genjutsu primarily based on sight, becomes meaningless, because within the barrier's range, one's own Chakra perception is primary, and no enemy can deceive or influence oneself!"
"However, this is within the realm of sealing barrier techniques, profound and unfathomable, incredibly complex. Without talent, even spending many years, it would be impossible to learn…"
"Naruto, that guy, actually mastered such a difficult barrier technique in just one month. It's simply unbelievable…"
Asuma Sarutobi also sighed: "However, it's not entirely incomprehensible. After all, the blood of the Uzumaki Clan flows in Naruto's body…"
The image of his sensei's wife appeared before Kakashi's eyes, and his heart ached as he gently nodded.
Not to mention these Jonin being shocked, ordinary Chunin and Genin didn't even understand what had happened.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also greatly surprised.
"Naruto, that guy, actually learned it?!"
"That move is Jiraiya's Heavenly Cover Formation?!"
Beside him, "Kazekage Rasa" also widened his eyes, his breathing becoming heavier.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
"As expected of someone who made me temporarily change my mind and list him as prey…"
"Such talent is truly enviable…"
He instinctively wanted to lick his tongue, but found that as Kazekage Rasa, he could only temporarily give up.
But the fanaticism and desire in his eyes became even more intense… Sasuke also clenched his fists: "Damn it, has that guy become even stronger?!"
Hinata, however, was overjoyed.
"Naruto-kun, so, so amazing…"
…Naruto directly immunized himself to Sakura Haruno's genjutsu, then broke her attack in one fell swoop.
Thus, the outcome was completely without suspense.
Naruto gently raised the Kunai in his hand and pressed it against Sakura Haruno's throat.
"You lose, Sakura-chan."
Sakura Haruno's face was pale, but she had no choice.
"Indeed, is my effort still not enough?"
Naruto quickly said: "No, it's not. I can resist genjutsu because I specifically trained with Kakashi-sensei and the Pervy Sage. Most Ninja are still helpless against genjutsu…"
"Sakura-chan, you're already very strong!"
Sakura Haruno smiled sweetly at Naruto for the first time.
"Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto was momentarily dazed again, as if the current Sakura Haruno overlapped with the figure deep in his memories, however, it was only for an instant… "Hahaha, it's nothing, just telling the truth!"
Shiranui Genma immediately said: "The winner is Uzumaki Naruto!"
Immediately, there was a burst of cheers. Narutoput away his Kunai and couldn't help but run around the entire arena again, responding to everyone's applause.
Kakashi rubbed his forehead: "That guy is really full of energy…"
Sasuke snorted: "Big idiot!"
…At this point, the first round of the Chunin Examsfinals was complete.
Aside from Rock Lee and Hyuga Neji both being severely injured and unable to continue the fight, the four contestants who advanced to the second round were… Uzumaki Naruto!
Uchiha Sasuke!
Gaara!
And Temari, who won due to Shikamaru's forfeiture!
Since it was already stated that it would be continuous combat, there was nothing more to say, and the second round of matches began immediately.
Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, looked at the drawing results.
"The first match of the second round, the opposing sides are…"
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Temari!"
Sasuke frowned: "Hmph, it's neither Naruto nor Gaara?"
Apparently, he had no interest in Temari.
Naruto chuckled: "Sasuke, if you can win, then in the finals, you'll at least face either me or Gaara, right?"
"Unless you lose to that Temari…"
Sasuke snorted: "Impossible!"
He walked towards the arena, then suddenly paused, and said to Naruto without looking back.
"See you in the finals."
Naruto was startled, then also clenched his fists with excitement.
"Oh!"
"See you in the finals!"
As Sasuke and Temari both arrived at the center of the arena.
Shiranui Genma gave the command, and the match officially began.
Temari was actually not in top form at this moment.
In her previous battle with Shikamaru, Shikamarulost with honor, but Temari felt she had won somewhat by luck.
This was difficult for her, with her strong self-esteem, to bear.
Facing Sasuke, Temari said coldly: "I'll use you to prove my true strength!"
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
Sasuke didn't care, and instantly, a flurry of Shuriken shot out!
Still incredibly precise, they surrounded Temarifrom all directions.
But Temari snorted coldly, and fiercely pulled out her Three-Star Fan, her Chakra bursting forth!
"Wind Release! Net!"
Immediately, a violent gale swept over, covering the sky and earth, forming a net-like barrier that directly blew away all the Shuriken!
To be able to reach this round, even with an element of luck, Temari's strength was naturally still not to be underestimated!