A Little Hardship Isn't So Bad...

"Ahhh! Suzuran, I've seen through your moves! Let me show you my iron fist, heavier and harder than stone!"

Two clones lunged out from the side, using Kunai to block the spear. Naruto seized the opportunity to take a step forward and lunge forward, swinging his right elbow back in a punch that was clearly delivered with all his might.

"Wow! Isn't that just a regular straight punch?"

"What an idiot... He's not really going to hit her, is he? Against a girl?"

"Damn Naruto, damn Naruto! If he dares to hurt a single hair on Suzuran-chan, I'll beat him to a pulp!" Ino's fists clenched so tightly they cracked. Shikamaru instinctively took two steps back; he didn't want to get involved in a woman's strange emotions.

When did ninjas start distinguishing between men and women in battle? As long as it's an enemy, regardless of gender or age, they'll fight if necessary!

Women are such troublesome creatures!

Shikamaru's thoughts began to wander aimlessly.

On the field, Naruto's fist was about to touch Suzuran's cheek.

"Is this kind of attack... underestimating me?"

This was the first time Suzuran had spoken such a long sentence since the start of the battle. At the same time, she suddenly released her grip on the paper spear and her slender, snake-like arms wrapped tightly around Naruto's arm. With highly skilled techniques, she attempted to dislocate Naruto's right arm.

"Bang!"

The entangled Naruto turned into white smoke and disappeared.

Suzuran frowned.

"Another clone? Naruto, are you even a man? Why don't you face Suzuran-chan head-on? You coward! Cockroach! Microbe! You're less courageous than an insect!"

Ino stood on the sidelines, jumping up and down and cursing.

Shikamaru took two steps back again, covering his face in embarrassment.

That's completely unreasonable. That's how Shadow Clone works, okay? And head-on collisions? They're ninjas, not those outdated samurai. As long as they can win, using poison is allowed. Of course, a test like this wouldn't go to such extremes.

However, only Konoha wouldn't do that; the other ninja villages use far more cruel and ruthless methods.

"Hey, everyone outside the arena, don't make any noise. If you keep shouting, I'll declare your team the loser!"

Shuyuan began to fulfill her role as referee, her meaningful gaze sweeping over Ino and Shikamaru.

Perhaps the threat of a direct defeat worked; Ino, though still looking indignant, shut her mouth, though her pouting lips could probably hold an oil bottle.

"Haha, that was just bait, now it's the real deal!"

Chakra smoke dissipated, Naruto's well-defined fist pierced through the smoke, and his straight arm thrust out like a spear. Naruto's face was filled with fighting spirit, and his azure eyes seemed to burn with intense flames.

Suzuran remained calm as she listened to Naruto's voice.

"Shuashuashua!!!"

The next moment.

The white paper fluttered and shook violently, producing a continuous, dense vibration, like white butterflies dancing in mid-air, instantly engulfing the figure of the Suzuran of the valley.

His fist missed its mark completely, slicing five or six flimsy sheets of white paper apart. The feeling of loss disrupted his balance; his body went awry, his steps faltering, and he wobbled like a roly-poly toy, desperately trying to regain his center of gravity, but it was too late...

"Bang!"

The white stick appeared amidst the white paper dancing like a blizzard, striking Naruto precisely in the back.

White smoke mingled with the fluttering white paper, and amidst the swirling sheets of paper, Suzuran's calm face could be faintly seen before being instantly obscured by the wildly dancing paper.

"Ugh... I feel like this will never end!"

Ino rubbed her head, extremely annoyed.

The other students watching were already starting to get tired, even though only six minutes had passed.

But Naruto's sheer number of faces can easily cause visual fatigue! One identical face after another flashing before your eyes makes your vision blurry.

"That's a classic tactic! Naruto's got it even harder to deal with than before. I really don't understand this hot-blooded idiot. Has he put all his intelligence into fighting?"

Shikamaru sighed.

The Shadow Clone Technique, developed by the Second Hokage, is an extremely practical Ninjutsu. Over the decades, through the research of several generations, various tactical applications have been developed. Depending on the user and the enemy, there are different ways to use it.

Naruto's current fighting style is a classic among classics: using the undetectable nature of Shadow Clone to hide his true body, and then using the clones to constantly delay the enemy, depleting their stamina and Chakra, thus wearing them down.

Although it is a classic, it does not mean that it is an easy technique to master. To be precise, it is an extremely difficult technique that requires both natural talent and innate ability, as well as an extraordinary amount of Chakra, sufficient Ninjutsu talent, and sufficient training.

"A classic delaying tactic? Naruto and the Shadow Clone Technique are indeed highly compatible! They haven't wasted the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline!"

Gazing at the intertwined figures within the crystal ball, Katsuki chuckled, stroking her chin.

"What a pity! If Naruto had been a little more patient, he could have won... What a pity!"

"Huh? Isn't Suzuran the one who's going to lose? Her Chakra is almost exhausted. Using the Dance of the Paper Spirits so many times is already the limit for this child..." Konan said, looking at Katsuki with confusion.

"So, didn't I tell you? If only Naruto had a little more patience. It's a pity that after so many trials, this idiot still gets impulsive when he gets hot-blooded..."

He had given Naruto guidance on training on several occasions, but it was clear that Naruto was more suited to memorizing through his body than through his brain.

"Well! It's not so bad to suffer a little..."

Inside the crystal ball, the images continued to change.

The white paper danced like snowflakes in a gale, its sharp edges slicing and destroying Naruto's charging clones.

However, in return, Suzuran's Chakra was drained away like a flood, and her pretty face lost its rosy color, turning as white as a piece of white paper fluttering around her. Chakra is a creation of the combination of physical and mental energy, and excessive consumption of Chakra will bring a heavy burden to the body.

Her breathing became heavy, but it was masked by the sound of the white paper fluttering, so no one noticed.

"Roar!!"

With a thunderous roar, the ground beneath Suzuran's feet suddenly shattered, and a blood-soaked fist smashed through the rocks, soaring into the air and grazing Suzuran's chin.

In the end, he chose to hold back. After all, it was just a competition between classmates, not a life-or-death battle. As long as the attack could determine the winner, it would be over.

"Splash!"

To Naruto's astonishment, Suzuran's body transformed into a large number of white papers that fluttered and scattered.

"Got you?"

A cold voice came from behind, and a piece of white paper spun rapidly around Naruto's neck.

"The winner is Suzuran." (To be continued)