A New School Year: Kiba and Shino's New Partners

Bang--

Shikamaru's figure was sent flying backwards.

"Oh no!"

Choji gritted his teeth and blocked Sasuke's attack, his eyes involuntarily turning towards Shikamaru's direction.

Naruto broke free from Shikamaru's control thanks to Hinata's attack.

He turned to look at Sasuke, and in the instant their eyes met, they reached a tacit understanding.

Sasuke continued to intensify his offensive, suppressing Choji.

Naruto instantly appeared behind Choji, and the two decided to take down Choji, the strongest member of Shikamaru's team, first.

"Choji, watch out!"

Ino had just emerged from the dust when she saw this scene and immediately tried to rush over.

Hinata, through her Byakugan, instantly understood Naruto and Sasuke's intentions upon seeing their target.

He then rushed directly in front of Ino and used Gentle Fist.

"I won't let you interfere with Naruto-kun!"

Having received the hint, Choji gritted his Choji and used the secret technique again.

"Partial Expansion Jutsu - Two Hands!"

In an instant, both arms grew to enormous size, reaching out to grab in front and behind.

"Yang Release Armament! Ordinary Punch!"

Naruto raised his fist, which was covered in Yang Release Armament, and slammed it directly at Choji.

Sasuke took a step back, activated the second stage of the Activated Mark, dodged Choji's giant hand, and instantly appeared in front of him.

The Scarlet Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, Choji was already a step too late to close his eyes.

Puff--

As Choji was controlled by the Genjutsu, his Gluttony Form was immediately dispelled.

Shikamaru, who arrived late, was panting heavily. Seeing this scene, he gave a helpless smile.

"Ha... ha... this is so... troublesome...!"

"One mistake, and you seized the opportunity. The three of you worked together even better than I expected."

We surrender!

Hearing Shikamaru's words, Ino stopped, looking annoyed.

"Hinata, you're really not cute at all!"

Who would have thought that Hinata, who is usually shy, would arrive so quickly to provide support during the battle?

"Phew... that was close!"

Hinata breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and patted her chest, saying, "Ino, you're amazing too."

Hearing this, Ino angrily rubbed Hinata's head.

Upon hearing Shikamaru concede defeat, Sasuke immediately dispelled Choji's Genjutsu, standing there coolly with a slight smile playing on his lips.

"If it weren't for Naruto's recklessness, we could have finished you off much faster."

Naruto shouted in annoyance, "You arrogant Sasuke! It was clearly your carelessness that was the problem!"

Shikamaru waved lazily, "Ah, you guys continue, but I remember we haven't gotten the flag yet."

Upon hearing this, Naruto and Sasuke, who were still bickering, were stunned for a moment, then turned around and ran towards the training ground.

As Naruto passed by, he grabbed Hinata and helped her escape Ino's clutches.

"Shikamaru, I tried my best... Sasuke's Sharingan is truly impossible to defend against."

Choji woke up, touched his stomach, and said dejectedly.

"It's alright, we didn't lose that badly this time anyway."

Shikamaru sat down next to Choji and comforted him.

"You guys actually coordinated quite well, both in terms of setting traps before the battle and cooperating during the battle."

"The only reason they lost was because Naruto had unexpectedly good teamwork and a bit of luck."

"Win it back next time."

Hagoromo Body Flicker Technique beside Shikamaru and the others, took out a few Military Rations Pill and handed them to Choji, saying as he did so.

"Thank you, teacher!" Choji took the Military Rations Pill; he was indeed very hungry.

"Teacher! Look!"

Naruto returned with Sasuke and Hinata, waving his flag and shouting loudly.

"Very good. Not only were their individual performances stable, but their teamwork was also excellent."

"Naruto, next time you need to pay attention to your teammates' actions. Don't go in alone to get surrounded."

Hagoromo patted Naruto's head and said with a smile.

"Yes, teacher!" Naruto replied, clearly pleased with the instruction.

--

With the start of the new semester, Naruto is now a second-year student.

Hagoromo Yi gave all her disciples a break before the start of the semester so they could get some rest.

First day of school.

Naruto and Hinata arrived at the new classroom, where only Shikamaru and a few others had arrived early.

He's currently leaning out the window, looking down.

Naruto walked over curiously and asked, "Shikamaru, what are you guys doing?"

"They're watching the new students enroll. We were standing right there last year," Ino said, pointing to the crowd on the playground.

"Huh? Isn't Hagoromo- sensei over there too?" Naruto seemed to remember something.

"Yes, the teacher is now the vice principal. I heard that the Lord Hokage didn't come today, so it's Teacher Hagoromo who's in charge of the new student enrollment."

Shikamaru replied lazily.

"Hey! I didn't expect you guys to get here first! I thought I'd be the first one here."

A voice came from the doorway, surprisingly smug.

Naruto turned his head and asked, somewhat surprised.

"Tooth, what's that tuft on your head?"

As he spoke, Naruto moved a little closer to get a better look.

"This is my future partner! His name is Akamaru!"

Kiba Inuzuka pointed smugly at the little white ball on his head and said...

"Akamaru?"

Naruto squinted, observing with curiosity.

"But it's clearly white!"

Perhaps it was Naruto and Kiba Inuzuka's voices that disturbed Akamaru, for his small body twisted and turned.

He accidentally fell down.

Kiba Inuzuka quickly caught it, patting his chest with lingering fear, and said, "Thank goodness."

"Hey! It's a puppy!"

Naruto then realized that the little white ball on Kiba's body was actually a puppy.

Upon hearing this, Ino and Hinata quickly came over, both looking at her with curiosity.

"Hehe, he's only a few days old, but I need to build a relationship with him, so I'll have to bring him to school."

Kiba Inuzuka smugly touched his nose and said...

"Actually, I have a partner now."

A voice suddenly came from behind Kiba Inuzuka.

Naruto and Kiba were startled by the sudden sound, and the two of them jumped around in a flurry, instantly making the whole classroom lively.

After a while, Naruto Shino had already sat down, with considerable dissatisfaction:

"Shino, please don't scare people like that next time!"

"I was already behind you, you just didn't notice."

Shino adjusted his sunglasses and said calmly.

Naruto didn't dwell on it too much. He leaned on the table and asked curiously, "By the way, Shino, what are you talking about as 'partners'? I can't see them."

Nearby, Shikamaru, who knew the situation, twitched his lips and subtly walked a little further away.

Shino raised her fingers, hidden by her sleeve.

A dozen or so Kikaichū slowly crawled out, and Naruto, who had been looking on with curiosity, instantly turned purple.

He just saw one or two of them emerge from the flesh on the back of Shino's hand!

"Isn't that a bug?!"

"Naruto, the Aburame Clan's fighting style is based on insects."

Although Ino's expression was equally unpleasant, she still explained to Naruto.