Sasuke's expression remained calm and emotionless.
But his hands moved at astonishing speed, forming seals in rapid succession.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A blazing inferno burst from his mouth, instantly condensing into a massive rolling fireball. The flames roared violently as they surged toward Temari.
Fire Release countered Wind Release.
Instead of dispersing the flames, Temari's wind technique fed them. Her swirling wind net amplified Sasuke's fire, strengthening and expanding it.
For a moment, fire and storm intertwined in the sky.
The arena was engulfed in flames.
Temari was completely surrounded.
"Damn it… He's too skilled with Fire Release. This is troublesome…"
Even she had to admit it.
Sasuke, however, looked as if everything was unfolding exactly as he expected.
And he wasn't finished.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
The flames surged higher, twisting and condensing into a massive dragon of fire. It roared as it lunged toward Temari.
In the stands, Baki frowned.
"She's being completely suppressed."
"Wind specialists struggle against high-level Fire Release users," someone muttered.
But Kankuro shook his head.
"No. Temari won't lose that easily."
Just as everyone believed she would surrender—
She acted.
"Summoning Technique: Kamatari!"
Smoke exploded outward.
A massive weasel wielding an enormous scythe appeared.
With a single swing—
Slash!
A violent, continuous barrage of cutting wind tore forward, carving through everything in its path. The sheer destructive force was enough to level a forest.
More terrifying—
The technique created a vacuum zone, extinguishing fire, dispersing sound-based attacks, and neutralizing explosive techniques.
It was Temari's ultimate trump card.
Though it consumed enormous chakra, once unleashed, it could instantly reverse a losing situation.
And it did.
Sasuke's Fire Release was obliterated in an instant.
Then the scythe winds descended upon him.
Naruto shouted instinctively:
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke raised a kunai in defense—
But it was useless.
The next second, his body was shredded.
However—
The torn body transformed into a wooden stake and split apart.
"Substitution Technique?!" someone gasped.
Temari's eyes widened.
She instantly remembered how Sasuke had defeated Shino.
She turned—
Too late.
Sasuke stood behind her.
His Sharingan spun, glowing crimson.
Lightning gathered in his palm.
"Chidori!!!"
The piercing cry of a thousand birds shrieked through the arena.
The lightning spear shot forward—
Then stopped.
Right in front of Temari's throat.
Silence fell.
Sasuke withdrew his hand.
"You lost."
He turned and walked away, hands casually in his pockets.
Temari stood frozen.
She had no strength left to resist.
"The winner—Uchiha Sasuke!"
The arena erupted.
Naruto rushed forward and lightly punched Sasuke's shoulder.
"Well done!"
Sasuke snorted.
"It's your turn."
"I'll be waiting in the final."
"Don't let that monster overwhelm you."
Naruto clenched his fist, grinning confidently.
"Don't worry. I'll defeat Gaara first."
"And then I'll beat you too."
"I'm going to be the champion of these Chunin Exams!"
At that moment—
Shiranui Genma announced the final match.
"Uzumaki Naruto vs. Gaara!"
The stadium exploded with excitement.
This was practically the championship battle.
Konoha's strongest rookie—
Against Sunagakure's most terrifying weapon.
All eyes locked onto the arena.
Naruto vs. Gaara – The Peak Clash
A sudden autumn wind swept across the battlefield.
Gaara stood with arms crossed.
The dark circles beneath his eyes framed a cold, merciless gaze. He looked less like a human and more like something carved from malice itself.
Across from him—
Naruto stood with equal confidence.
Arms crossed.
Bright smile.
Eyes shining like sunlight.
Gaara clenched his fists.
He hated Naruto.
Hated that brightness.
Hated that warmth.
Hated that someone like Naruto could exist.
It was as if Naruto's presence proved that Gaara's loneliness had been unnecessary.
Or perhaps—
It was jealousy.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara said coldly, "you are strong. That is precisely why you deserve to die by my hands."
"I will kill you to prove my existence has meaning."
Naruto frowned.
"This is just the Chunin Exam, you idiot. Why are you obsessed with killing?"
"Is that the only thing you know how to do?"
"Don't you have any friends in Sunagakure?!"
The words struck like a blade.
Gaara's expression twisted.
"You bastard…"
"I'll crush you!"
Even before the fight officially began—
The killing intent radiating from Gaara flooded the arena.
It was suffocating.
Spectators felt as if invisible hands were gripping their throats.
Baki muttered grimly:
"Damn it… Gaara's losing control faster than expected."
"If this continues, he'll spiral out of control before the plan even begins."
Temari and Kankuro exchanged worried glances.
"What do we do?"
"Gaara is essential to the operation," Baki replied. "If necessary, we adjust the timing. Even if we must initiate the plan early."
In the arena, Genma swallowed but raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Normally, Gaara would remain still, allowing his absolute defense to analyze his opponent.
But not today.
He attacked first.
"Sand Shuriken!"
Countless grains of sand hardened into razor-sharp projectiles and shot toward Naruto.
Naruto grinned.
"Impatient, huh?"
He moved swiftly, weaving left and right, dodging effortlessly.
Then he countered—
A barrage of shuriken flew toward Gaara.
Gaara didn't move.
His automatic sand defense intercepted everything.
Naruto nodded.
As expected.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Seven clones appeared beside him.
Not dozens.
Naruto had matured.
Gaara possessed massive chakra reserves and wide-range attacks. Spamming clones would only waste energy.
This Naruto was far more tactical than before.
"Wind Release: Storm Palm!"
Naruto and several clones clapped their hands together.
Boom!
A violent gust erupted.
The remaining clones launched countless shuriken into the storm.
The wind amplified them.
Speed.
Power.
Penetration.
A tornado of steel roared toward Gaara.
Even seasoned Chunin would struggle to defend against this.
Gaara's expression shifted slightly.
His sand surged upward, forming a protective wall.
Most of the shuriken were blocked—
But not all.
A few slipped through the gaps.
Gaara narrowed his eyes.
The sand immediately shifted to intercept the remaining projectiles.
Naruto's real body suddenly burst through the smoke.
He had used the attack as cover.
His fist shot forward—
Enhanced by Wind Release.
Gaara's sand barely intercepted in time.
The impact created a shockwave.
Naruto flipped backward gracefully.
"So your sand reacts automatically…"
Gaara's eyes darkened.
The sand beneath Naruto's feet suddenly softened.
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
The ground liquefied, surging upward to entrap him.
But Naruto leapt away instantly.
A clone was caught instead—
Crushed into smoke.
Naruto landed at a distance.
Both boys stared at each other.
The air between them trembled with pressure.
This was no longer a simple exam.
This was a clash between two monsters.
One radiating light.
The other drowning in darkness.
And neither intended to back down.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)