Naruto's Tears! The Explosion of Years of Repression! Please Vote!!!

Naruto let out a roar. After countless battles in his dreams, his body now reacted almost instinctively.

The moment he entered battle, his fighting spirit soared, his blood boiling with excitement!

"Take this!"

Sasuke stared intently, determined to watch every detail of Naruto's fight, afraid he might miss even the slightest thing.

Sakura was just as engrossed. After hearing Iruka-sensei's words, she wanted to change her opinion of Naruto, even if she couldn't do it in an instant.

But she was also curious to see just how capable Naruto was, given how highly Sasuke-kun thought of him.

Besides that, she wanted to see Hinata's strength and understand what kind of relationship she had with Naruto.

Ino was even busier. She watched the match while keeping an eye on both Sasuke and Sakura.

As expected, Naruto showed no mercy from the very start.

Two shuriken shot through the air!

Although Hinata was fighting the boy she liked and felt terribly conflicted, she was no longer the shy, introverted girl she used to be.

Just as she'd said, if she wanted to stand by Naruto-kun's side, she had to make herself stronger!

She didn't just say it. She did it, too.

Hinata's training had been just as grueling, almost cruel.

Now, she put everything she'd gained from her training on display.

She twisted her body and turned her head, easily dodging Naruto's attack.

When it came to perception, the Byakugan was in no way inferior to the Sharingan. It might even surpass it!

Naruto's move had only been a test. In an instant, he pressed forward and launched into Taijutsu that had improved by leaps and bounds after so many days of intensive training.

Thud—

Thud, thud, thud!

One punch and three kicks exploded almost simultaneously!

Hinata activated her Byakugan, keeping Naruto's every move in sight. She took a deep breath and performed the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palms, passed down through the Main House.

"Hah!"

Hinata gave a sharp cry and raised her hands into position. With the power of her Byakugan, she met Naruto's attack and redirected it, first neutralizing his terrifying strength, then seizing the opening to sweep and strike, deflecting him off to the side.

"Huh?!"

Naruto was taken aback. Hinata had easily neutralized his powerful Taijutsu!

"Heh, that's my Hinata! Again!"

In that one exchange alone, everyone—from Iruka-sensei to the rest of the class—was already stunned.

"N-Naruto's Taijutsu... when did he get this strong?!"

"His moves, strength, speed, even his technique... they're practically flawless!"

"I-it's almost... on par with Sasuke!"

Sasuke furrowed his brow and clenched both fists tightly.

"Naruto..."

Sakura and Ino both cried out in shock.

"That explosive power..."

"I-is that really Naruto?!"

Choji stopped pretending and stuffed snacks into his mouth, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

"Munch, munch... Shikamaru, Naruto's practically a different person!"

Shikamaru was a little shocked, too.

"Y-yeah... you're right..."

Nearby, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame were both dumbstruck.

"H-how did that dead-last kid suddenly get so strong?!"

Shino shook his head. "It wasn't sudden."

"If you're asking why..."

"Everyone's seen how hard Naruto's been pushing himself these past few days."

Kiba jumped. "Shino?!"

"When did you get next to me?"

"..."

By now, Naruto had also realized that Hinata was far more than the shy girl she appeared to be.

That only excited him even more.

He powered up again and launched into Taijutsu that was faster and more ferocious!

His attacks poured down like a raging storm!

Fists and feet flew at incredible speed, with unparalleled explosive force!

Soon, not only the students and teachers in their class but the entire Ninja Academy had gathered to watch.

Rock Lee, Tenten, and the other students from the grade above came over, curious to see what was going on.

And among them was the person Rock Lee most wanted to defeat, a fellow ninja hailed as a genius...

Neji Hyuga!

"Hm?"

"That dead-last Naruto Uzumaki, and..."

"Hinata Hyuga?"

Neji Hyuga gave a cold snort and clenched his fists, but watched the match more intently than anyone.

Rock Lee glanced at him.

"Even Neji's been drawn over?"

"Naruto, you really are something..."

"I can't believe your Taijutsu got this strong so quickly!"

Tenten frowned. "So that's the dead-last Naruto Uzumaki?"

"He doesn't look like one at all!"

"If he's the dead last, then what does that make everyone else?!"

Now, facing Naruto's storm of punches and kicks, Hinata relied on her Byakugan and Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palms to focus on defense. She could barely find an opening to attack.

Neji gritted his teeth, his expression growing more and more twisted.

But Naruto was just as surprised. He'd thought that aside from Sasuke, no one else in his class was still a match for him.

He hadn't expected Hinata to be this strong, too.

So...

He smiled confidently. "Hinata, let's settle this with one move!"

As everyone stared in utter shock...

Naruto suddenly unleashed his strongest attack!

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Chapter 44: Naruto's Tears! The Explosion of Years of Repression! Please Vote!!!

As everyone looked on, dumbstruck,

Naruto unleashed his final and strongest attack!

It was called...

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Rock Lee's eyes shone with excitement. He clenched both fists and cheered Naruto on.

"Whoa! That's the move!"

"Go, Naruto!"

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Th-that's..."

"That bastard Naruto has gotten so much stronger since I last saw him—both in strength and technique?!"

At least those two knew what was coming.

Everyone else was seeing Naruto perform such terrifying Taijutsu for the first time.

The crowd erupted in a chorus of startled cries!

Ino's face turned pale. "Th-that move is dangerous..."

"Hinata! Watch out!"

The potato chips in Choji's hand stopped halfway to his mouth for the first time. He trembled slightly, tense with worry.

Shikamaru seemed to have lost all his sleepiness, too.

"Is that really Naruto?!"

Sakura gaped, unable to believe her eyes.

Iruka-sensei, however, was both shocked and delighted.

He'd followed Naruto around like a stalker and witnessed his hard work. Now, at last, Naruto was shining with a light of his own!

"Go, Naruto..."

"Make a name for yourself!"

The entire Ninja Academy watched, captivated.

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was watching the scene through the Telescope Technique, his brow furrowed.

"Naruto..."

Naruto was already fully immersed in the fight, focused on nothing but his opponent and victory.

The crowd's shock and admiration meant nothing to him.

The Leaf Whirlwind burst forth in an instant. With his legs whipping through the air, Naruto sent a fierce kick crashing toward Hinata!

Hinata had tracked Naruto's movements with her Byakugan.

And she had chosen the best possible defense.

She crossed her arms and used the refined techniques of the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palms to counter him.

However...

Naruto was too strong. Hinata managed to block the attack, but the force still sent her flying backward. She landed outside the ring, staggering and struggling to stay upright.

Ino hurried over and caught Hinata.

"Hinata, a-are you all right?"

"That bastard Naruto really went all out..."

But then she saw that, despite her pale face, Hinata was actually smiling.

"Y-you can still smile?"