Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

Chapter 149: NZNT: Chapter 149

Naruto and Sasuke were longtime rivals, frequently sparring privately. Usually, Sasuke, the more technically skilled ninja, won. However, in

Naruto and Sasuke were longtime rivals, frequently sparring privately. Usually, Sasuke, the more technically skilled ninja, won. However, in a true fight, Naruto, with his Uzumaki physique and Nine-Tailed Fox chakra, was stronger.

The battle began with Sasuke attacking; they exchanged taijutsu. Sasuke’s agility and skill gave him the initial advantage.

However, as time went on, Sasuke couldn’t defeat Naruto, and the tide turned in Naruto’s favor. Both had been trained by Itachi and Minato, giving them superior taijutsu to average ninjas.

Sasuke and Itachi’s diverse jutsu and Naruto’s incredible durability shocked the audience. The crowd cheered wildly, and other villages’ ninjas marveled at Konoha’s genin strength.

Seeing Sasuke’s ragged breathing, Naruto laughed, ”Sasuke, are you done? I haven’t even started! You can’t beat me in stamina!”

Sasuke pondered how to win.

”This guy is so durable. I’ll try genjutsu,”

Sasuke decided to use genjutsu against the battered but still energetic Naruto.

He had activated his Sharingan, but he wasn’t a genjutsu specialist. He assumed the simple-minded Naruto wouldn’t know how to defend against even basic genjutsu.

Sasuke activated a sleep-inducing genjutsu. As expected, Naruto fell unconscious.

This surprised Sasuke and the audience. No one expected the energetic blonde to fall so easily.

Sasuke prepared to throw Naruto out of the arena, but suddenly, a powerful red chakra surged from Naruto, and he opened his eyes.

Sasuke was carrying Naruto to throw him out. They stared at each other, and Sasuke threw Naruto forcefully.

Naruto quickly grabbed Sasuke’s collar, flipped, and used Sasuke’s momentum to throw him out of the arena.

”The victor is Naruto Uzumaki!”

Izumi declared Naruto the winner as Sasuke landed outside the arena.

Yusuke watched; Sasuke performed well, showing skill and targeting Naruto’s weaknesses. But compared to Naruto, with his power-ups, he lacked the raw strength.

After Naruto and Sasuke’s battle, the next matches were Gaara vs. Neji, Yakumo Kurama vs. Kurotsuchi, and Fu vs. Ōmoï.

The remaining contestants were elite genin; average jōnin wouldn’t stand a chance. Each match was exciting.

In the second match, Neji used Rotation to fight Gaara, but couldn’t break through his absolute defense and lost.

In the third match, Kurotsuchi, knowing she couldn’t beat Yakumo Kurama, still fought, demonstrating a ninja’s perseverance.

To give her new friend some face, Yakumo Kurama didn’t use genjutsu directly but tested her ability to materialize genjutsu, creating a real-world illusion to fight Kurotsuchi, who used Lava Release.

With materialized genjutsu, Yakumo could create scenarios and summon creatures. These illusions weren’t invincible; their strength depended on her spiritual power.

Yakumo ultimately won with her versatile illusions. This ability to materialize genjutsu was unprecedented.

Unnoticed, a bodyguard behind the Kazekage licked his lips, his gaze fixated on Yakumo Kurama with fervent intensity.

In the final quarter-final match, Fu didn’t fight seriously, not using the Seven-Tails’ power, choosing to play with Ōmoï. Ōmoï, determined to win, defeated her, and Fu made a new friend. (Fu’s personality is to want to make friends with everyone.)

The top four were Naruto, Gaara, Yakumo Kurama, and Ōmoï. They would fight until a champion was determined.

Ōmoï was the most nervous; winning his next match would put him in the top three, allowing him to redeem Killer B and Yugito.

Looking at the others, Ōmoï was serious. He had almost no chance against Yakumo Kurama, little chance against Gaara, but Naruto, strong overall but lacking unique abilities, gave him hope.

”I hope my next opponent is Naruto Uzumaki!”

Ōmoï prayed silently. The screen showed the next match.

”Next match: Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha versus Gaara of Sunagakure!”

Ōmoï’s heart sank as Naruto and Gaara entered the arena.

As Naruto and Gaara fought, Akatsuki and Sunagakure ninjas infiltrated Konoha. Yusuke, suspecting Sunagakure’s intentions, had instructed Itachi and Kakashi to increase surveillance.

When Akatsuki and Sunagakure ninjas began their attack, Konoha’s sentinels detected them. The Military Police and Anbu began capturing them. They quickly informed Yusuke, Minato, Itachi, and Kakashi.

Many experienced ninjas and perceptive spectators noticed the Military Police and Anbu’s movements and the tense atmosphere.

”Advisor Minister, what’s happening?”

The Land of Fire Daimyō asked Yusuke.

Yusuke smiled, ”Some troublemakers. Daimyō, rest assured; Konoha’s defenses can handle them.”

The Daimyō nodded. Even if something happened, the strongest ninja was beside him, and he was well-protected.

Yusuke subtly signaled Minato, who ordered the Military Police and Anbu to evacuate the audience to prevent casualties.

”Kankurō, come with me,”

Temari whispered, and they left their seats.

”What’s wrong? Gaara’s match is crucial,”

Temari gave Kankurō a scroll and a letter; he read the mission. His face changed; he hadn’t expected the Kazekage to attack Konoha, and that he and Temari should rob the Research Institute.

”But the Institute is heavily guarded! How do we infiltrate it?” Kankurō asked.

”The Kazekage’s intel says a powerful organization will attack Konoha, causing chaos. We’ll infiltrate then,” Temari explained. ”This scroll contains Sasori’s last puppet, on loan from the Kazekage.”

As they planned, they saw Kusagakure ninjas heading towards the Research Institute. They decided to follow them.

”Kazekage, some of your ninjas in Konoha are acting unruly,”

Minato said gravely to Rasa, their eyes filled with killing intent.

Then, Gaara, fighting Naruto, went berserk, transforming into Shukaku, a huge tanuki. However, Shukaku was smaller than usual because only half of his Yang Release chakra was in Gaara.

Simultaneously, Rasa attacked Minato, and his bodyguards’ skin melted, revealing their true identities: Orochimaru, Kisame, Yūra, Kakuzu, and Sasori.

They had used Nagato’s Human Reincarnation Technique. Normal transformation jutsu wouldn’t have fooled Yusuke.

The Human Reincarnation Technique usually involves sacrificing a person to possess their body. The body retains about 70% of the ninja’s strength, inheriting their appearance, kekkei genkai, and chakra. Death doesn’t affect the original.

Akatsuki used the reverse—copying the sacrificed person’s appearance. Until dispelled, they were indistinguishable.

Rasa was surprised to see Sasori and Yūra; Pain hadn’t mentioned them. But the attack had begun, and Rasa aimed to destroy Konoha.

Konoha’s recent growth had pressured Sunagakure, their ally. Allies need equal strength; Konoha’s dominance made Sunagakure feel like a vassal, which Rasa couldn’t tolerate.

When he was at a loss, Pain approached, with Orochimaru, Kakuzu, the Fourth Mizukage, and Kisame. Seeing Akatsuki’s power and determination, Rasa decided to join them. It was partly his decision, partly coercion; if he refused, Akatsuki would likely target Sunagakure first.

”Fourth Kazekage, what does this mean? You must explain your village’s actions!”

The Land of Wind Daimyō stood up, furious. He came to enjoy the Chunin Exams, not to find out about Rasa’s attack.

____________________

40$ Expert Reader - All Advance Chapter

Update: ”Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day”

”Saturday and Sunday - Off”