Chapter 79 - 9

Chapter 9: Many Wives, Much Happiness! The Winner is Decided!That five-year-old little squirt actually ran out of the ruins alone, holding a water canteen, seemingly heading to the river to fetch water."Target spotted," Samui whispered through the communication talisman. "Naruto has left the ruins alone and is heading toward the river. Repeat, Naruto is moving alone."Deep in the forest, Mabui received the message and quickly considered her options."It's too obvious... but perhaps that's exactly what he's counting on. Samui, do not act, continue to observe. Kurotsuchi, Sakura, if Naruto really reaches the river, capture him! But be careful of traps.""Understood!" Kurotsuchi said excitedly.By the river, Naruto hummed a tuneless song and crouched down to fill his canteen. His back looked completely unguarded.In the bushes fifty meters away, Kurotsuchi and Sakura held their breath."Wait until he fills it up and turns around..." Kurotsuchi whispered.Sakura nodded, her palms sweating.Naruto filled the water, stood up, and turned around."Now! Lava Style: Quicklime Binding Jutsu!"Kurotsuchi rushed out from behind a tree, spitting out a stream of quicklime. This was a Ninjutsu of her own creation; the quicklime would solidify rapidly upon contact with water, trapping the target.Sakura followed close behind.The quicklime hit Naruto accurately. His body was quickly encased in the white substance."Success!" Kurotsuchi cheered.But the next second, the encased "Naruto" went poof and turned into a log. Body Replacement Technique!"What?!" Kurotsuchi was shocked.The real Naruto popped his head out from under the river surface, soaked but grinning brightly: "Big Sister Kurotsuchi, Sakura, you've fallen for it!"As soon as he finished speaking, several web-like traps burst from the ground, entangling Kurotsuchi's ankles. At the same time, Izumi dropped from the treetops: "Genjutsu: Mirage Servant Technique!"Sakura's vision blurred, and she saw three Izumis attacking at once, causing her to stumble backward in a panic."Kurotsuchi, Sakura, you are out," Kushina's voice came from the observation tower.In just ten seconds, Team B had lost two members."Well done!" In the ruins, Temari saw this scene through binoculars and punched the air in excitement.But there was no smile on Naruto's face."Something's wrong..." he whispered, "It was too smooth."Izumi released the Genjutsu: "What is it?""Big Sister Mabui wouldn't just send Kurotsuchiand Sakura to capture me. Where is Big Sister Samui? Where are Saya's puppets?" Naruto looked around, "Unless..."He suddenly thought of something, and his expression changed."Unless their target wasn't to capture me at all! Hinata! Quickly, use your Byakugan to look at our flag!"On the second floor, at this moment, Hinata was already being held up by Samui.The third floor of the ruins was also very lively; Mabui and Temari had been in a standoff for a while now.Izumi hurriedly jumped onto the treetops to look at the third floor."The, the flag is still there... but... wait! There's something under the flagpole! Is, is that an Explosive Tag?!"There was also a puppet doll under the flagpole...No sooner had she said that, Boom!An explosion came from the third floor.Although it was only a training smoke bomb, according to the rules, the flag being destroyed was equivalent to it being captured.The observation tower fell silent for a few seconds.Then, Kushina's voice came through: "Team A's flag is completely destroyed and cannot be repaired. Team B wins."In the ruins, all members of Team A stood stunned on the spot.In the forest, Saya sat down on the ground, exhausted, but with a smile on her lips."We won..."Post-match debriefing.The two teams sat facing each other in the center of the training ground. Although everyone was injured and bruised, their eyes were bright.Kushina stood at the front: "First of all, everyone performed beyond expectations. The tactical planning, luring the enemy, and adaptability were all good."Kurenai Yuhi nodded: "This is a very important lesson. In actual combat, the enemy will exploit all of your actions, including what you consider to be the 'correct response'.""And teamwork." Kushina looked at Team B, "Mabui, Samui, as the older ones, you were too isolated in the early stages. If you hadn't truly treated Kurotsuchi, Sakura, and Saya as teammates later on, you wouldn't have won this match."Mabui adjusted her glasses: "Yes, we understand.""Kurotsuchi," Kushina turned to the little princess of Iwagakure, "Impulsiveness is a double-edged sword. But the sense of responsibility you showed when protecting Sakura is worthy of praise."Kurotsuchi blushed and puffed out her chest: "Th-that goes without saying!""Sakura," Kushina said gently, "You are too hard on yourself. Medical Ninjutsu is not your only value. You did very well with your Taijutsu and tactical coordination today."Sakura's eyes turned red: "Th-thank you, Teacher...""Saya, you used your puppets well. However, remember that a puppeteer must also have the ability to protect themselves."Saya nodded vigorously."Hinata," Kushina walked up to the shy girl, "You were very brave to actively engage Samui today. Your use of the Byakugan was good, but you need more self-confidence."Hinata whispered: "Yes...""Temari, your long-range support was spot on. Being able to tangle with Mabui for so long is truly impressive."Temari smiled: "Thank you, Teacher.""Izumi, your use of the Sharingan was appropriate, and being able to awaken the Sharingan at 9 years old is already very impressive."Izumi blushed: "Mm-hmm, I will work even harder in the future.""Hebiichigo, your trap coordination was excellent, and your Ninjutsu is remarkable."Hebiichigo chuckled: "Thank you, Teacher."Finally, Kushina looked at everyone: "Today's match let me see the future of the ivy project. You are not merely the protected, nor are you merely the protectors. You are a team, each other's sword and shield, and the hope of the future."She paused, her voice softening: "Remember the feeling of today. Remember the feeling of working together for victory. Remember the feeling of protecting your companions and being protected by them. When real crises come, these memories will be more powerful than any Ninjutsu."Naruto looked at his companions beside him, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart.Still, Samui and the others were truly formidable; it seemed they had anticipated everything early on. They let Kurotsuchi and Sakura intentionally fall into the trap to paralyze the opponent, then decisively abandoned their own flag and went all-out to strike at the heart of the enemy!Right now, these people were all just a group of little children, the youngest five or six, the oldest only twelve or thirteen. It was hard to imagine just how strong they would be when they grew up.As the sun set, on the training ground, nine girls and one boy stood together. Although they were of different ages and came from different Villages, at this moment, they all had the same light in their eyes.Protecting... and being protected?Mom, this is what you wanted, isn't it? To let me no longer be alone, to let me have companions to whom I can entrust my back.Naruto reached out his hand, palm up, as if expressing something.Izumi was the first to place her hand on top, followed by Temari, Hinata, Hebiichigo...Sakura hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand on top as well.Kurotsuchi snorted, but still placed hers.Mabui and Samui exchanged a glance and reached out simultaneously.Saya carefully placed her little hand on the very top.Ten children's hands were stacked together.Finally, Naruto placed his other hand on top, revealing a bright smile: "Then, please treat me well in the future! Although I lost today, I will definitely win it back next time!"Temari raised an eyebrow: "Because your command was poor; next time, let me lead, and we'll definitely win."Kurotsuchi shouted: "This young lady won't be caught so easily next time!"Sakura whispered: "I, I will work hard not to hold everyone back..."Mabui adjusted her glasses: "The data needs to be updated. Naruto's tactical rating needs to be adjusted upward."Samui: "Agreed."Saya: "I, I will do my best too..."Izumi smiled gently: "Alright, alright, let's go to the infirmary to treat your wounds first. Everyone is bruised and battered, yet you're still talking tough."Hinata blushed: "Naruto-kun's hand is bleeding..."Only then did Naruto notice that his palm had been cut at some point."Huh? When did that happen..."