Chapter 75: The Final Matches
Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
"The preliminary test for the finals has been completed!" Hayate announced.
"To everyone who has won their matches… congratulations!..." He looked around.
"Right… cough… there are two missing though..."
The Hokage stepped forward.
"It will be fine."
He moved his eyes around the remaining genin. For a moment, he stopped at Naruto.
"It is time to explain the next and final test. Like the preliminary one, the main event will also be a tournament, but this one will take place in a stadium, and important guests from the surrounding nations will be present to witness your performance… which is why it will take place a month from now."
"Wait, we don’t have to fight right now?" Kiba felt a bit relieved if he was honest.
And he wasn’t the only one. Most of the genin here were already injured and tired… they could really use a month to prepare.
'A month?… that may be enough time for me…' Naruto considered it.
In a month, he could finally complete the Body Forging Stage and properly step into the path of a cultivator. That would make a big difference in his fighting capabilities.
"Don’t waste this time!" The Hokage said with a serious expression. "This is not only to make our own preparations but is also important for you all. You can use this period to recover and train, but you can also try to gather information on your next opponents. It is up to you how well you use it."
"But we don’t know who we are going to fight, though," Kiba pointed out.
"I was getting to that…" The Hokage pointed to Anko, who had been waiting behind him, and she brought a box with her.
"There are pieces of paper inside that box. Each one of you will take one piece," he instructed.
"Come on, get in line," Anko told them.
"Lord Hokage…" Asuma Sarutobi approached him. "My student, Ino… she’s still unconscious. If it’s okay, I will draw for her."
The Hokage nodded.
"I have no issue with that, and for the other missing one… we can just leave him for last." He looked at the other two members of the Sand team.
"I will entrust you two to inform him afterward."
Kankuro and Temari bowed politely. They had to at least show some respect to the village leader.
"We will, Lord Hokage."
One by one, they began to pick pieces of paper.
Naruto looked at the one in his hand. It was the number eight.
The instructor from the first exam began to take note of each of their numbers. These would determine who they would be fighting next.
"I got number one…" said Sasuke.
"Number nine here," Asuma informed Ibiki of the number he got for his student.
"Five…" Shikamaru sighed in relief. "At least I don't have to fight Ino."
"I'm number two!" Kiba announced with pride, not realizing what that meant.
"Does everyone have one?..." The Hokage waited for confirmation.
"Good, then we can reveal the final tournament! Ibiki… show them the arrangement."
"Wait… that’s what the numbers were for?" Kiba asked.
"What else could it be for?…" Shikamaru stared at Kiba in disbelief.
"But...this means...." Kiba began to realize.
Ibiki turned the piece of paper and showed it to them. The tournament matches were now in full display.
First Match - Sasuke vs. Kiba
Second Match - Kankuro vs. Shino
Third Match - Shikamaru vs. Temari
Fourth Match - Neji vs. Naruto
Fifth Match - Gaara vs. Ino
"No…" Asuma's face went pale when he saw it. Ino had gotten the worst possible matchup.
"Sorry… make sure to advise her well," the Hokage glanced at his son with pity. He knew he was in a difficult position.
‘Mmm… so I have to fight Hinata’s cousin…’ Naruto didn’t think much about this. Other than being very brutal with his cousin, Neji did not leave much of an impression on him.
The most interesting part was that after beating Neji, he would have to fight Gaara.
‘Now… that one is going to be good.’ There was something strange about that sand boy, and Naruto would make sure to find out what it was during their match.
"Oh…" Kiba’s enthusiasm had died out quite a bit after finding out he would be facing Sasuke.
"Well… with this, you are free to begin your strategy as you like. Are there any final questions?" The Hokage asked.
"Since this tournament will only have one winner… does that mean that only one person will become a Chunin?" Shikamaru asked.
"Not at all. The results of this tournament will influence our decision on who succeeds in the exam, but we will also take into account the other two exams you have already performed. This means that you don’t need to win the tournament to become a Chunin, but depending on the circumstances… there is a possibility that no one will pass."
"Is that clear?" He waited for Shikamaru to nod.
"Excellent. Then if there is nothing else… you are dismissed until a month from now."
The group of people started to disperse.
Naruto saw Sasuke walking towards him and decided to say something.
"So, you’re fighting the dog boy? I don’t think he will be much of a match."
"From now on… and until this tournament is over, we are rivals," Sasuke told him with a cold expression.
"And I will not lose against you! No matter what powers you have…" His eyes moved down for a moment.
Naruto hadn’t forgotten what Kakashi told him. Sasuke knew about the Kyubi now.
"Hmph… sure, I welcome a good fight any time… and since we are on opposite sides of the bracket, we may meet each other in the finals… who knows."
Sasuke gave him one last look and left without saying anything else. He didn't seem to be in a cheerful mood.
Naruto watched him as he left. He knew what Sasuke was thinking… he had met many of his type. The competitive ones who see everyone as their stepping stones.
It wasn’t much different from how he once was.
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