Chapter 41 Naruto VS Kiba
Hinata and Ino trained lightly, while Ren's clones focused on the cursed seal in the safe house. Ren himself focused on helping Sakura with medical ninjutsu and her chakra control. Team 7 had completed their exam on the sixth day.
Sakura had used her medical knowledge to help Naruto recover faster, and together they collected both scrolls and dragged Sasuke back. Sasuke was taken by Kakashi immediately after, while Sakura hesitantly asked Ren for help. Ren agreed, though he only helped her with medical skills and chakra control.
He didn't give her any seals, as many ninjas were watching, and Sakura wasn't his student. She had only asked for help, and Ren was simply providing that. He kept things limited and careful.
Three weeks after the exam had started, Ren walked over and noticed Hinata, Ino, and the others waiting excitedly. "Yo, ready for the finals?"
"Of course we are," Ino said, raising her nose high with pride. Hinata smiled brightly. "Best of luck, Ren." He nodded. "You two as well."
"Troublesome… why can't we just sleep at home?" Shikamaru muttered. Choji was busy eating, while Naruto bounced around Sakura. "I will become a chunin, believe it!"
Sakura punched him on the head. "Stop shouting, I'm listening." Naruto yelped, clutching his head, while others either sighed or ignored him.
Just then, the Third Hokage arrived and gave a long speech Ren didn't care about. Soon, he announced the start of the semi-finals.
Genma walked into the arena as the screen began flashing names rapidly. It finally stopped on Kiba vs Naruto, drawing cheers and reactions from the audience.
"Woooh! I'm first! Kiba, I'm gonna beat your dog ass!" Naruto laughed confidently. Kiba snorted as Akamaru barked angrily. "Say that after you defeat me."
Ren watched with curiosity. In the original, Naruto had won by sheer dumb luck. Would it be the same this time? Would Kiba still lose to that ridiculous fart?
Both fighters stepped into the arena and formed the seal of confrontation. "Start," Genma declared before disappearing from the arena.
Kiba dropped into a canine-like stance. "Four Legs Technique!" he shouted as he dashed forward, his speed, agility, and reflexes increasing sharply.
Naruto formed a hand sign. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Dozens of clones appeared and rushed toward Kiba, surrounding him from all sides.
Kiba grinned as he fought on all fours, tearing through Naruto's clones with ease. Akamaru jumped out of his jacket and bit Naruto's backside. "Owww!"
Naruto was caught off guard. Ino's mouth twitched. "Is he an idiot? Why isn't he paying attention to Akamaru?" she complained, clearly annoyed.
Ren chuckled. "Oh, you'll know soon." Just then, Naruto pointed at Kiba and shouted at Genma, "He brought Akamaru! That's cheating!"
Everyone stared at him like he was an idiot. Hinata and Sakura slapped their foreheads in embarrassment, while Ino burst out laughing. "Of course, he didn't read the rules."
Ren shook his head. Genma coughed. "The Inuzuka clan specializes in fighting with their ninken. Akamaru is allowed to fight alongside Kiba. No rules were broken."
Naruto looked shocked. "What? That's so unfair!" Kiba, already annoyed, didn't wait. "Man-Beast Transformation!"
Akamaru transformed into a perfect copy of Kiba. Both of them rushed Naruto simultaneously. "Oi!" Naruto dodged clumsily and quickly formed a sign. "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
The attack pushed Kiba and Akamaru back slightly. "Fang Over Fang!" both of them spun at high speed, turning into drill-like attacks and charging at Naruto from multiple directions.
After several exchanges, all three were panting heavily. "Tsk, fine… let's do it, Akamaru!" Kiba shouted as Akamaru opened his mouth, and Kiba fed him a pill.
Akamaru's body began to expand, his fur turning red. Soon, he stood at the size of a full-grown ninken, his presence far more intimidating than before.
Naruto pointed again, complaining loudly, "Hey! He fed Akamaru a pill! That has to be against the rules!" His voice echoed across the arena.
Ino laughed again. "He really didn't read a single rule, did he?" Shikamaru sighed. "Naruto will always be Naruto."
Hinata giggled softly, covering her mouth. Just then, her eyes caught Ren peeking at her. 'Hmm… is he?' A playful smile formed on her lips. 'Ara… now this is going to be fun.'