Konoha: Starting with a sign-in for Hashirama cells

The Third Generation asked, "What does this mean?"

"Who knows? They have their own ideas. I won't interfere too much," Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, said softly.

auditorium.

"Weren't those three supposed to be very strong? How come they're like this?" Ino wondered.

"I don't know, but if that happens, Naruto will be facing Sasuke in the next round," Sakura said.

"Speaking of Sasuke, have you been feeling any better lately? If you're thinking of asking Sasuke out, I can help you."

"Well, it's not completely healed yet, let's wait a little longer." Ino's face froze, and she forced a dry laugh.

“How long will we have to wait? This can’t go on like this,” Sakura said.

"Perhaps the fright you suffered from Naruto is something you need to comfort from Sasuke to feel better."

"Or perhaps, you don't like Sasuke anymore?"

“Uh…” Ino thought for a moment and hesitated, “Then, after you confess your feelings to Naruto, help me ask Sasuke out.”

If Sakura can get together with Naruto, she can completely give up those feelings.

If Sakura fails, she won't need to hide it anymore; she can show her feelings and try to pursue him.

Everything depends on the outcome of Sakura's confession.

Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke were already standing in the arena.

"Do you know how to use the one from the Forest of Death?" Sasuke asked.

"No." Naruto shook his head.

Using the Nine-Tails' chakra to train his shadow clones is the most cost-effective way to use it, and he tries not to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Then there's still a fighting chance, Sasuke felt relieved.

"The battle begins," Genma Shiranui announced.

Sasuke charged toward Naruto like lightning.

Naruto retreated with lightning speed, simultaneously forming hand seals. Two seconds later, he abruptly stopped and charged forward to clash head-on with Sasuke.

In the exchange of blows, one must counter each move.

Sasuke blinked his Sharingan, clearly predicting Naruto's every move, and chuckled inwardly.

In terms of ninjutsu, he's no match for that beast Naruto.

If he were to use the crimson chakra cloak from the Forest of Death to engage in a taijutsu contest, he wouldn't be able to defeat Naruto.

Right now, in close-quarters taijutsu combat, with his Sharingan and mastery of the Lightning Release chakra-stimulating cell-accelerating technique, wouldn't he be able to crush Naruto?

"Naruto, you don't know what the Uchiha clan means, and you don't know just how powerful the Sharingan is," Sasuke thought to himself.

"I have seen through your crude and straightforward attack. I will be the victor."

For some reason, Sasuke has a strong competitive spirit when facing Naruto; he doesn't want to lose to Naruto, no matter who he loses to.

Unfortunately, from the time they met until now, he has never won a single battle.

Now that there is hope of victory, how could he not be excited?

As long as Naruto doesn't use the state he had in the Forest of Death, he's confident he can win.

You have to understand that in close combat, there's no chance to form hand seals, so Naruto's exaggerated ninjutsu can't be used.

Shadow clone, ha, even if I interrupt your seal, you can still create a clone.

A minute passed, and Sasuke was full of confidence.

Two minutes later, Sasuke began to question his existence.

Three minutes passed, and Sasuke was still at a loss.

As mentioned earlier, the technique of using Lightning Release chakra to stimulate cells has significant side effects.

paralysis.

The correct way to use it is to have a brief burst of energy, stop immediately, take a break, and then have another burst of energy.

Quick fight.

This technique cannot be delayed; if it is, problems will arise.

"You flatter me," Naruto said.

"..." Sasuke.

Thinking that he was just a little bit away from defeating Naruto and achieving victory, he unleashed a continuous burst of energy without holding back.

Who knows what happened, but they didn't manage to touch Naruto even once.

As a result, he himself collapsed to the ground due to the paralyzing side effects of the Lightning Release chakra, as if he had been given anesthesia.

"I have one more move I haven't used yet," Sasuke said with difficulty, enduring the discomfort caused by the paralysis.

"Kakashi warned me that it's a technique that can't be used on your comrades. Don't worry, I'll control the angle so as not to harm you."

"If you feel you are no match for them, you can admit defeat, and I will stop the game immediately."

"..." Naruto.

Well, if your passive instinct is triggered and your speed isn't significantly faster than his, you have no chance of hitting him.

Even if you hit him, it's very difficult to hurt him.

Because passive instinct allows one to mobilize all the abilities they know and possess for defense, including the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Be wary of Naruto's every move. Once the numbness subsided, Sasuke quickly retreated, creating some distance to allow for a final dash.

His hands, still trembling slightly, steadily formed the hand seals.

Squeak!

The piercing screech echoed throughout the stadium.

"Chidori!"

His left hand was filled with a large amount of lightning chakra, and small arcs of electricity spread out, easily carving cracks in the ground.

Sasuke stared at Naruto.

Refusing to admit defeat?

Or should we use the state from the Death Forest?

Sprint!

Amidst flashes of lightning and thunder, Sasuke, trailing the lightning, raced toward Naruto.

Naruto remained motionless, his body reacting on its own. He first tried to retreat, but found it was useless.

Sasuke possesses the Sharingan's powerful dynamic vision, which helps him correct his trajectory—a move that is difficult for most people to avoid.

So how does passive instinct work?

Earth Release chakra is being countered by Lightning Release chakra. Does this mean we have to use Nine-Tails chakra?

Just as Naruto was thinking this, his body moved.

He stretched out his right hand, grabbed Sasuke's left wrist, and shifted it to the right, forcibly changing Sasuke's attack trajectory.

All of this happened in an instant, extremely briefly.

"No way! Such a powerful and fast technique, and it was cracked so easily?" Ino covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes sparkling with amazement.

So handsome!

Damn, does he have to be so handsome!

"Incredible!" Sakura was also shocked.

How did Naruto see it clearly? And how did he react?

"This reaction speed and agility remind me of the late Fourth Hokage; they're very similar," Orochimaru said.

"Is that so? Indeed, the younger generation always surpasses their predecessors." The third generation laughed.

"..." Sasuke.

"Shall we continue?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke stared blankly for a moment, then shook his head.

"The winner is Naruto Uzumaki," Genma Shiranui announced.

Chapter 74 The Beginning of Konoha's Collapse

After Naruto and Sasuke, they will face Shikamaru and Shino.

I won't go into the specific details, I'll just say the result.

Shikamaru is the winner.

When the difference in strength is not significant, the effect of intelligence is very obvious.

This is not to say that Shino is not intelligent, but rather that Shikamaru is too intelligent.

In the subsequent finals, Shikamaru, with his chakra nearly depleted, was too lazy to waste any more energy on futile efforts and voluntarily forfeited.

Thus, Naruto won the championship and became the first place.

"What went wrong? Why isn't it moving?"

Naruto secretly observed the high platform, the audience seats, and even the three siblings from Sunagakure not far away.

He only saved Sasuke and prevented Orochimaru from successfully planting the Curse of Heaven. Did that change Orochimaru's entire plan?

After leaving the waiting area, Naruto stood next to Genma Shiranui, under the gaze of all the spectators, but nothing happened for a long time, leaving Naruto puzzled.

Suddenly, a member of the secret service jumped down from the high platform.

Suspecting it was Kabuto Yakushi, Naruto secretly became more vigilant.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage requests your presence," the Anbu announced.