Chapter Twenty-Four: Victory and a Month's Leave

Chapter 24: Victory and a Month’s Rest

“What’s this?” Naruto and his clones grew alert.

“Yah—!” x2. Two Kibas lunged toward Naruto, rushing at him and his clones with lightning speed.

“Waaah—!” “Bang, bang—” The clones, being a little weaker than the original, hesitated for just a moment and four were instantly destroyed.

“Heh—underestimating me comes with a price!” Naruto’s lips curled slightly as the two Kibas, claws flashing, charged up to the cross-signing Naruto.

“Clap, clap—” “What?!” Kiba looked around in shock, finding clones had suddenly appeared beside him and restrained all four of his limbs, each held by three pairs of hands. Akamaru, transformed into another Kiba, was caught in the same predicament.

“Heh, looks like Kiba’s in trouble. Naruto’s Clone Technique is really something.” Schuster commented idly from above.

“Hehe—underestimating me comes with a price.” Naruto, still maintaining his hand sign, replied.

“Yaaaah—” Four Narutos rushed forward. Among the remaining clones, two leapt onto each Kiba’s back, pinning them in midair. Four more clones stood before and behind the two Kibas.

“Damn it—” Kiba and Akamaru twisted with frustration at the circle of clones, but could one person outmatch the strength of twelve?

“Hyaa—!” First, the pairs of clones in front and behind each Kiba kicked simultaneously. The moment their blows landed, the restraining clones released their grip—“Bang—!” x2—and both Kibas were sent flying upward. The clones on their backs pushed off, hanging from the ceiling to build momentum, then exploded forward, aiming for Kiba. Below, two groups of clones leapt up to kick Kiba in the stomach. Momentarily stunned by the impact, Kiba barely opened his eyes to see two Narutos kicking toward him and instinctively threw up his arms to block—“Bang—!” “Waaah—” Before the assault from below could reach him, the attack from above struck first. Both Kiba and Akamaru took a sharp elbow strike, the force from the clones’ spring off the ceiling and gravity combining to send them crashing down onto Shami’s four legs…

“Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—” Kiba and Akamaru were struck by two legs apiece. The four clones dispersed the instant their attacks landed.

“Plop—” x2. “Pfft—” x2. “Bang—” The transformation on Akamaru was broken.

“Da…mn… it…” Kiba struggled to stand.

“Don’t push yourself, Kiba. I know you’ve got stronger moves left, but a ninja doesn’t wait for his opponent to use all his techniques. Naruto already held back just now—his next move would’ve been a shuriken thrown your way.” Schuster used Body Flicker to appear beside Kiba, giving a nod to Hayate Gekkou as well.

“Damn it—plop.” Kiba, hearing Schuster’s words, fell unconscious in frustration.

“And so, the winner is Naruto Uzumaki!” announced Hayate Gekkou.

“We did it!” Sakura shouted.

“Heh, this kid’s gotten really good with clones,” Sasuke smiled, proud of his teammate’s progress.

“Ah, you’ve taught him well, Schuster,” Kakashi remarked to Schuster, who was also smiling at Naruto’s victory.

“Heh, he’s the one who worked so hard. Otherwise, I couldn’t have taught him much,” Schuster replied, his own mood brightened by Naruto’s success.

“Monster!”—this was the heartfelt thought of every Jonin present. A seventeen-year-old elite Jonin, but actually Kage-level: a master of taijutsu, ninjutsu, a genius with Lightning Release, chakra reserves nearly limitless, sword skills worthy of a grandmaster. A true prodigy!

The next three matches:

Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga

Both from the Hyuga clan, renowned for their close-combat prowess, using the Byakugan to see chakra pathways and seal opponents’ chakra flow. Before the fight, Schuster warned Neji: “Settle this quickly. Bullying isn’t a clan tradition.” In the end, Neji won. Having been warned by a Jonin like Schuster, Neji kept his cool and didn’t go too far against Hinata. Neji was from the branch family, Hinata from the main family, and Neji held a grudge—if you want more details, look it up yourself.

Gaara vs. Rock Lee

Gaara, the ace of the Sand, is a Jinchuriki of the One-Tail, with an automatic Sand Shield and sand armor. His weakness: Water Release. Rock Lee, a taijutsu specialist, cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu, but is a genius in taijutsu. His finishing move: Hidden Lotus; his ultimate: Eight Gates, Reverse Lotus. In the original story, even after opening the Eight Gates, Lee was defeated by Gaara and nearly had his arm and leg crushed by sand. Thanks to Schuster, Lee was rescued and survived. Gaara won this fight. Lee had to drink a potion to recover.

Tos vs. Choji Akimichi

This was the simplest match—Choji was instantly defeated. Tos attacks with sound waves; catching Choji stuck in the wall after using his expansion jutsu, Tos struck the finishing blow.

Thus ended the preliminaries.

The winners: Sasuke Uchiha, Shino Aburame, Kankuro, Temari, Shikamaru Nara, Naruto Uzumaki, Neji Hyuga, Gaara, and Choji Akimichi.

The Hokage then announced that the finals would be held in one month, and everyone dispersed.

“Hey, Sasuke, here’s the sword—my spoils of war.” Outside the gate, Schuster handed the Kusanagi Sword to Sasuke.

“Oh? Then, Kakashi-sensei, teach me swordsmanship starting tomorrow,” Sasuke replied, accepting the sword.

“No problem. I’ll also teach you some powerful ninjutsu. How about it?” Schuster smiled radiantly.

“Mm!” Sasuke nodded, then vanished with Body Flicker.

“Clap, clap—” Schuster brushed his hands together.

“Senior Raiden!” An ANBU appeared before him.

“Tenzou, relax. Assign a few people to protect Sasuke—he’s in danger now. These are my clones; take them with you,” Schuster said, splitting off five clones.

“No problem!” Tenzou replied, leading the clones away.

“Ah, Schuster, you’re really going to teach him swordsmanship?” Kakashi walked up to the ever-smiling Schuster.

“Of course. The Kusanagi Sword suits Sasuke perfectly!” Schuster replied, still smiling—face frozen.

“As for Naruto, I expect someone else will teach him. I’m going to check on Sakura. Well, see you!” Schuster waved and disappeared.

“Sigh, what a headache.” Kakashi, realizing he had nothing to do, pulled out “Make-Out Paradise” with a sigh.

“Swish—Kakashi, the Third Hokage calls for you!” An ANBU appeared before Kakashi.

“Oh, let’s go!” Kakashi put away his novel with a sigh and cast a resentful glance at the ANBU.

Feeling that look, the ANBU shivered, wondering if Kakashi had BL tendencies—maybe, given his brother complex!

“Knock, knock—come in!” “Creak—Lord Third, you called for me?” Kakashi entered.

“Hmm, this is our plan with the Sand. Take a look—afterward, you’ll be in charge of this operation,” the Third said, taking a drag on his pipe.

“…This is—! An operation to encircle Orochimaru, masquerading as the Fourth Kazekage?! Lord Third, isn’t this mission a bit out of my league?” Kakashi exclaimed after reading.

“I was going to give this to your brother, but he’s too young. We have no choice but to rely on you! Kakashi, this is an S-rank mission—you must succeed!” the Third replied gravely.

“But… I understand!” Kakashi started to protest, but the Third’s doleful gaze stopped him—a look that seemed to say, “Look how old I am; do you really want me, an old man, to fight a battle of this caliber?” Defeated by that look, Kakashi gave in.