Defeating Ino-Shika-Cho

Ishida Yu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

His first reaction was that Natsuki was being far too arrogant.

The Ino-Shika-Cho combination was known throughout the Ninja World.

Very few Ninja would choose to face the three of them alone.

But Natsuki's status as Orochimaru's student made Ishida Yu hesitate. In the end, he handed the choice over to Ikeuchi.

"Do you agree?"

Ikeuchi thought for a moment, then simply asked Nara Shikaku and the other two for their opinions.

Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi looked toward Nara Shikaku.

The three Ino-Shika-Cho clans had always been led by the Nara Clan, since the Nara Clan was famous for its high intelligence.

The head of their clan had always served as the Hokage's adviser, offering counsel and strategies.

"We agree."

After pondering for a moment, Nara Shikaku nodded.

First, Natsuki had issued the challenge publicly, which was in accordance with the rules. Besides, it was one against three; refusing would only make them seem cowardly.

Second, they might not necessarily lose. If they defeated Orochimaru's student, it would also greatly boost the reputation of their three clans.

As soon as he agreed, the students from both classes erupted into excitement.

This was the first time in their school lives that they had seen a one-against-three battle.

"As expected of Natsuki. He's really confident!"

"Confidence is built on strength. He may be strong, but he's facing Ino-Shika-Cho. It's hard to say who'll win."

"Hmph, he loves showing off so much. Let's see how he cleans up this mess after he loses."

The last remark came from Onodera.

He was already upset about losing to Yamanaka Inoichi. Now that Natsuki was acting so arrogantly, he felt even more jealous and furious, wishing he could take his place.

"Natsuki won't lose!"

Uzumaki Kushina clenched her fists and declared fiercely.

"Quiet."

Ishida Yu spoke up at once. "Don't disturb their sparring match."

The students of both classes stopped talking and turned all their attention to Natsuki and the others.

Namikaze Minato sat upright, his expression grave.

Ever since Natsuki had defeated him, he had regarded him as a lifelong rival, a target he absolutely had to surpass.

Now that Natsuki was facing three opponents alone, he would surely go all out. For Minato, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

Ninja battles were intelligence battles.

The more he learned about Natsuki, the more certain he would be of defeating him.

It was now June, and this semester's Final Exam would be held in July.

By then, he would face Natsuki.

"The battle begins!"

Ishida Yu announced loudly.

After saying that, he retreated to Ikeuchi's side.

Both of them stared intently at Natsuki and the others.

They both wanted to know who would win.

If Natsuki won, his name as a genius would spread completely through the Ninja Academy and even throughout Konoha.

Natsuki drew a Wooden Ninja Sword.

Taijutsu alone definitely would not be enough against Ino-Shika-Cho.

Even if they were the younger versions of Ino-Shika-Cho.

Judging from their previous battles, Akimichi Choza and the others had each only mastered one Ninja Clan Secret Technique.

That was normal. Though they were geniuses, they were only eight years old. Learning even one secret technique was already impressive.

Natsuki looked at Nara Shikaku.

The Nara Clan's Shadow Secret Technique was undoubtedly the greatest threat.

Combined with their high intelligence, they could often catch their targets off guard and control them, securing victory.

While he was considering this, Nara Shikaku and the other two moved first.

After spreading out, they immediately threw a large number of Kunai and Shuriken.

Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction!

Natsuki's body suddenly felt lighter, and he charged at Nara Shikaku with his Ninja Sword in hand.

As soon as the Kunai and Shuriken came close, he knocked them away.

Nara Shikaku's expression changed slightly as he realized Natsuki's intention.

He hurriedly looked at Akimichi Choza.

Akimichi Choza immediately pulled out a wooden staff and swung it at Natsuki.

Yamanaka Inoichi raised both hands toward Natsuki.

As long as Natsuki stopped, he would unleash Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu and take over his body.

One Sword Style: Horse Demon!

Natsuki slashed at Akimichi Choza's wooden staff.

Before everyone's astonished eyes, the staff was instantly split in two.

Fortunately, that brief delay gave Nara Shikaku enough time to retreat to a safe distance.

Akimichi Choza roared, and his arms suddenly expanded as he grabbed for Natsuki.

Golden Right Leg!

Natsuki kicked out.

Akimichi Choza took the kick head-on without retreating a single step.

Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu!

Seeing this, Yamanaka Inoichi immediately unleashed a mental shockwave from his hands.

The mental shockwave was as fast as lightning. At such a short distance, it arrived almost instantly.

Just as Yamanaka Inoichi and the others thought Natsuki would be struck, his body blurred and suddenly accelerated.

It was Reinforcement Magic.

Natsuki used Reinforcement Magic to strengthen his legs. Combined with Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction, his speed reached its peak.

Namikaze Minato could not help letting out a cry.

Natsuki was now moving so fast that Minato could not even react.

If even he could not react, there was no need to mention Nara Shikaku and the others.

And when Yamanaka Inoichi's Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu failed, his body immediately stiffened.

That was the weakness of Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu.

If the mental shockwave missed, he could not return to his own body for a short time, nor could he move.

Natsuki knew that too, so he ignored Yamanaka Inoichi.

One Sword Style: Iai: Lion Song!

His speed rose again, and he vanished from the spot.

Almost at the same moment, Nara Shikaku cried out in pain.

The Wooden Sword struck his body like a long whip.

His entire body was sent flying backward.

Natsuki reappeared.

Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi both shuddered. Looking at him, they felt a chill spread through their entire bodies.

Three against one, and one of them had already been taken out. How were they supposed to play this?

But this really was not their fault.

"It seems the outcome has been decided," Namikaze Minato muttered.

With Nara Shikaku, the tactical core, eliminated first, it would be even harder for Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi to win.

Natsuki did not waste any time.

His Chakra could not sustain a prolonged battle.

Fortunately, Orochimaru had also noticed this weakness. Over this period, he had given Natsuki targeted training, increasing his Chakra considerably.

Chef's Flying Kick!

Natsuki turned and launched a flying kick, sending Yamanaka Inoichi flying.

He was so fast that Akimichi Choza had no time to rescue him at all.

Gritting his teeth, he used the Partial Multi-Size Technique again, his enormous palm slamming toward Natsuki.

But the current Natsuki was completely different from before.

Of all martial arts under heaven, only speed was unbeatable.

That still held some truth in the Ninja World.

Natsuki sidestepped his palm, then raised his Wooden Sword and launched a rapid series of slashes.

One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon!

The sword wave struck Akimichi Choza like a cannonball and immediately sent him flying.

At that point, all three members of Ino-Shika-Cho had fallen to the ground.

"That was so cool!"

"Natsuki!"

Third Grade Class A immediately erupted in wave after wave of cheers.

Uzumaki Kushina even jumped up in excitement.

Namikaze Minato, however, had complicated feelings.

On one hand, he was happy that Natsuki had defeated Ino-Shika-Cho. On the other, Natsuki's terrifying strength gave him a headache.

Second Grade Class A, meanwhile, had fallen completely silent.

The three strongest students in their class together had failed to defeat Natsuki. What else was there to say?

"We didn't lose unfairly."

Nara Shikaku sat up, sighed, and spoke.

"After all, he is Orochimaru's student."

Yamanaka Inoichi shook his head.

Akimichi Choza said nothing, but he was convinced as well.

Because Natsuki had used a Wooden Sword, none of them had been injured. Still, it felt as though they had been hit by Three Strikes Per Second, and their entire bodies ached.