42The winner is Naruto Uzumaki!AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 42: The Winner—Uzumaki Naruto!
"Let's get this straight."
"That was just that kid's one-sided statement just now; I never agreed to it."
Looking at Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba stepping onto the stage, Kakashi Hatake still wanted to make a final struggle.
In that bet just now, if they won, Kurenai would have to work like a horse for Naruto, and he wouldn't get any benefit from it.
But if they lost, he would be dragged into wearing the same Green jumpsuit as Guy.
Is this reasonable? Is this right?
Instead of making him wear those clothes, it would be better to just kill him.
More importantly—
Is it even possible to win?
One second?
Winning the battle?
Even if the opponent were a student currently in the Ninja Academy, it couldn't possibly be that fast, right?
Isn't this just a pure giveaway?
"Oh? Do you want to go back on your word?"
Kurenai Yuhi's cold voice rang out, and KakashiHatake couldn't help but shudder.
Even Shino Aburame and Hyuga Hinata, who were nearby, couldn't help but feel a bit creeped out.
"Kakashi Hatake, I admit, in terms of strength, I'm no match for you."
"But to say your student can insta-kill my student, heh, well, I'll wait and see."
Kakashi Hatake's mouth twitched.
Just why on earth did it turn into this situation?!!
On the field.
"Cough, cough... cough..."
Gekkō Hayate cleared his throat.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba, get ready."
Inuzuka Kiba had already assumed a combat stance, Chakra surging through his body.
Akamaru was also ready to transform.
"For Kurenai-sensei, for the dignity of Team 8, even if I die, I won't back down half a step."
"Besides, there's no way I can lose!"
Looking at the other's motivated appearance, Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
Ignorance is bliss, how nice... "Ready, be—"
"Wait a moment."
Before the word "begin" could leave Gekkō Hayate's mouth, he was interrupted by Naruto.
"What's wrong? Dead Last, are you scared?"
Inuzuka Kiba roared, thinking Naruto was going to back out.
"Let's shake hands first."
"Shake hands?"
"We're all Konoha ninjas; we might have to go on missions together in the future. Let's not ruin our relationship over a match."
Hearing Naruto's righteous-sounding words, Inuzuka Kiba was stunned for a moment.
"You... what kind of trick are you trying to pull now?"
"You're overthinking it," Naruto shrugged helplessly, "it's just pre-match etiquette. Are you scared?"
"Who's scared!" Inuzuka Kiba was provoked and immediately reached out his hand, firmly grasping Naruto's.
"Let's get this straight, don't think I'll go easy on you later just because of this!"
Naruto nodded.
Flying Thunder God, ready.
On the spectator stands, Kakashi Hatake's Sharingan was already active, ready to bolt at any moment.
Kurenai also silently formed hand seals.
If anything went wrong, she would not hesitate to activate a Genjutsu to secretly lend Inuzuka Kiba a hand.
Shino Aburame and Hyuga Hinata both held their breath.
"The match—"
"Begin!"
The moment Gekkō Hayate's voice fell, Naruto's figure, like a Yellow Flash, disappeared from the spot.
The next instant, he appeared in front of Inuzuka Kiba.
Without any fancy Moves, just a single kick sent Inuzuka Kiba flying.
"It's over."
Amidst the dumbfounded expressions of the entire audience.
Thud—!!
A loud bang followed.
Inuzuka Kiba's body slammed heavily into the wall below the spectator stands, instantly leaving a deep indentation.
Gekkō Hayate stood frozen in place.
After a long while, he finally came to his senses and rushed to Inuzuka Kiba's side to check his condition.
At this moment, Naruto suddenly bent down and picked up Akamaru from the ground.
Inuzuka Kiba had flown back too fast just now, and Akamaru, who was on his head, had dropped straight to the ground due to gravity.
"This Guy... should be considered a Ninja Tool, right?"
"Woof woof woof!"
Gekkō Hayate took a deep breath, suppressed the shock in his heart, and nodded.
"...Since contestant Inuzuka Kiba has lost consciousness, the winner is—Uzumaki Naruto!"
There was no cheering, no applause.
The entire venue was dead silent; everyone was stunned.
Kakashi Hatake's face was ashen.
Just now, even his Sharingan hadn't captured how Naruto moved.
This Guy... could he be Orochimaru in disguise?
If he really were Orochimaru, that kind of speed... wasn't he just joking when he said he could trade one-for-one with him?
As for Kurenai Yuhi.
She was completely broken.
"Did... did my eyes just play tricks on me?"
Kankuro rubbed his eyes. "What a fast Body Flicker Technique. Gaara, did you see clearly?"
Gaara didn't answer.
A drop of cold sweat couldn't help but drip from his forehead.
And upon hearing the words "Body Flicker Technique," Temari completely froze.
"C-c-c-c-c-c-c... could it be?!"
"No way?!"
A terrifying thought rose in her mind.
Just then.
A "bang" broke the freezing atmosphere of the exam hall.
The door was pushed open, and Hyuga Neji, wrapped in bandages, slowly walked in.
Feeling everyone's gaze on him, Neji was slightly surprised.
"...What's the situation? Is everyone waiting for me?"
And on the large screen, the opponents for the next round were announced right on time.
Hyuga Neji VS Hyuga Hinata
Ignoring the Medical Unit's discouragement, he had just returned to the exam hall and happened to catch his own match.
Neji couldn't help but give a cold snort.
"Talk about good luck..."
On the spectator stands.
Seeing her own name and Neji's name.
Hinata's body shook involuntarily.
Naruto walked over.
"Are you afraid?"
Hinata shook her head.
"When I was little... I often practiced with Brother Neji, and I was never his match. After all these years, I finally have a chance to fight him again..."
Naruto smiled. "Even now, you're still no match for him, but he's also quite injured. It's hard to say. Just give it a try; if you can't win, just forfeit."
"Forfeit..."
Hinata murmured, suddenly looking up.
"If I do that, wouldn't it be just like before? Nothing would have changed, and I don't want that."
"In that case, do as you wish. Good luck."
Naruto patted her head.
Hinata took a deep breath, her eyes clear and determined. "Mhm!"
...On the field.
The Medical Unit Ninjas carried a stretcher and carefully removed Inuzuka Kiba, who was embedded in the wall.
Neji had just reached the edge of the field when he saw Inuzuka Kiba being carried away.
The distorted posture and the bandages all over his body caused a flash of surprise in his eyes.
How did he get so badly injured?
Who did it?
Then, he glanced at Gaara, who was carrying a gourd, exuding heavy Killing Intent, and looking serious.
Was it him?
At this moment, Gekkō Hayate coughed lightly and announced, "Contestant Hyuga Neji, contestant Hyuga Hinata, please take your places in the center."
Hinata slowly stepped forward; although her posture was a bit stiff, her gaze was exceptionally determined.
Neji walked to the opposite side of her, arms crossed.
"I didn't expect to meet you here, Lady Hinata."
"I think being a Genin is enough for you. You're not suited for combat. Forfeit quickly."
Hinata shook her head.
She looked at Naruto on the spectator stands and then assumed a Gentle Fist stance.
"Come."
Neji also followed her gaze and noticed that Blond-haired Youth.
That bastard again... Actually, Neji really wanted to tell his sister: wake up, do you know what kind of person that bastard is?
Do you know what he did to Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka in the Medical Unit while they were powerless to resist?!
He had heard it all crystal clear from outside.
But the words reached his lips and were swallowed back down.
Forget it... let go of the complex to help others and respect the fate of others.
Back then, when his own father became a scapegoat for the Family, who had stepped forward to say a single word for him?
"Humph, Hinata..."
"It seems you've received some unrealistic encouragement."
"In that case, I don't care what state you end up in later."