As Expected of You, Naruto!

Uchiha Ruri had not expected that during the sparring session, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno would actually stage a classic "talk-no-jutsu" confrontation in the middle of a real fight.

Although it wasn't a squabble over Sasuke's looks, it was still remarkably eye-catching in front of a group of students.

"Next up is Hinata Hyuga versus Kiba Inuzuka." Uchiha Ruri's voice echoed over the training ground, shattering the original tranquil atmosphere.

(Neji and Hinata are not in the same class, the content has been adjusted; at the same time, both siblings graduate in the same year, as officially set in the Fourth Databook.)

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, spilling onto the pair and draping them in a golden radiance.

Hinata Hyuga stood on one side of the arena, dressed in her light green ninja uniform with her hair neatly tied back, looking fresh and lovely.

Her eyes were bright and resolute, as if flickering with an unyielding light. She took a deep breath, clenched her hands, and felt the chakra flowing within her, readying herself for the battle.

Kiba Inuzuka stood on the other side of the arena, wearing a dark blue ninja uniform, his short hair giving him a spirited look.

His gaze was sharp.

He patted his ninja hound, Akamaru, who immediately let out a low growl, seemingly preparing for the impending fight as well.

"Pay attention, everyone is a classmate, so don't go too hard." Uchiha Ruri's voice rang out again. As the referee, she kept a close watch on the situation to ensure the match proceeded safely.

"With a teacher here, everyone can rest easy," Uchiha Ruri added. Her words were filled with warmth and care, causing the atmosphere on the field to soften slightly.

"Ninja battle! Begin!"

Hinata Hyuga and Kiba Inuzuka both nodded to show they understood. They knew this match was not only a test of strength but also a tempering of their resolve.

At Uchiha Ruri's command, the match officially began.

Hinata took a deep breath and activated her Byakugan, clearly seeing every subtle movement of Kiba Inuzuka's body. She clenched her hands, bracing for the coming fight.

"Kiba, I'm starting now!" Hinata said softly. Though her voice was gentle, it revealed a determination that could not be underestimated.

Kiba Inuzuka smiled slightly, revealing a confident grin. He patted Akamaru, who immediately let out a low growl, showing his hunger for battle.

"Come on, Hinata! Let me see your strength!" Kiba Inuzuka shouted, his voice full of fighting spirit.

The battle was on the verge of breaking out. Hinata rushed toward Kiba Inuzuka, her movements agile and swift. Seeing this, Kiba immediately summoned several ninja hounds to launch an attack on Hinata.

"Hinata, watch out!" Kiba Inuzuka warned.

Hinata responded calmly. Using her Byakugan to perceive the attack trajectories of the hounds, she utilized the techniques of the Gentle Fist to beat them back one by one. Though the hounds were brave, they had no choice but to retreat to Kiba's side under Hinata's precise strikes.

"Not bad, Hinata!" Kiba Inuzuka nodded in appreciation. "Next, I'm going to get serious!"

After speaking, he summoned an even more powerful ninja hound—Akamaru. Akamaru was massive and fierce; it roared as it charged toward Hinata, as if it intended to swallow her in one bite.

Facing Akamaru's fierce attack, Hinata did not show a hint of fear. She took a deep breath and focused her mind to cope with it.

She used her Byakugan to perceive Akamaru's attack trajectory while employing Gentle Fist techniques to engage in an intense battle with the hound.

"Akamaru, use your strongest attack!" Kiba Inuzuka commanded loudly.

Akamaru obeyed, opening its maw to launch a violent bite at Hinata. Seeing this, Hinata quickly dodged and countered.

She tapped her palm gently against Akamaru's body, and a soft force sent the hound reeling back.

What an impressive Gentle Fist! Kiba Inuzuka marveled. He widened his eyes, watching Hinata Hyuga's agile and precise moves, and a sense of admiration couldn't help but well up in his heart.

"I really didn't expect your Gentle Fist to have reached this level," Kiba Inuzuka praised, his words filled with recognition of Hinata's strength.

Hinata smiled slightly without responding. She knew the battle had only just begun, and she could not afford any slack.

She took a deep breath, adjusted her state, and prepared to meet Kiba Inuzuka's next attack.

Seeing Hinata didn't respond, Kiba Inuzuka didn't mind. He knew Hinata's personality was just like that—calm and introverted.

He stopped wasting words and immediately summoned his ninja hound, Akamaru, preparing to launch an attack.

Akamaru was robust and agile; it charged toward Hinata, opening its mouth to reveal sharp fangs.

Seeing this, Hinata immediately activated her Byakugan, clearly seeing the trajectory of Akamaru's attack. She flashed to the side, easily dodging the hound's strike.

Kiba Inuzuka frowned. He hadn't expected Hinata's reaction speed to be so fast that she could easily evade Akamaru's attack.

He quickly adjusted his tactics, directing Akamaru to attack from multiple directions in an attempt to catch Hinata off guard.

However, Hinata seemed to see through Kiba's tactics. She used her Byakugan to observe every movement of Akamaru while flexibly dodging the attacks.

Her figure flickered across the training ground, dazzling to behold.

Kiba Inuzuka grew more anxious as the fight went on; he felt his attacks were being completely neutralized by Hinata. He felt a bit panicked, but he knew he couldn't give up now.

He took a deep breath and decided to step in personally to engage in an even more intense contest with Hinata.

Kiba Inuzuka moved, rushing toward Hinata. His speed was extreme, sweeping past like a gust of wind.

He swung his fists, launching a fierce attack at Hinata.

Seeing this, Hinata immediately used her Byakugan to perceive the trajectory of Kiba's attack. She flashed aside, dodging his strike.

At the same time, she extended her hands, using Gentle Fist techniques to launch a counterattack.

The two figures intertwined on the training ground, their movements growing faster and faster until they seemed to blur into afterimages.

Their battle drew gasps and cheers from the surrounding classmates.

"Hinata, your Gentle Fist is truly amazing!" one classmate couldn't help but exclaim.

"Indeed, her Byakugan is truly miraculous; it can perceive everything," another student chimed in.

These exclamations only hardened Kiba Inuzuka's resolve to defeat Hinata.

He knew that if he lost, all the effort he had invested would vanish into thin air. He could not let his hard work go to waste; he had to give it his all.

However, Hinata seemed not to hear the surrounding praise. She was fully focused on countering Kiba Inuzuka's attacks while searching for an opening to strike back.

Her Byakugan shimmered with light, as if it could see through everything.

Suddenly, Hinata found her chance. Using her Byakugan to spot a flaw in Kiba Inuzuka's defense, she seized the moment and landed a precise, heavy blow to his abdomen.

Kiba Inuzuka let out a muffled groan, his body swaying as he nearly collapsed to the ground. He clutched his aching stomach, a look of agony crossing his face.

He had not expected Hinata to be able to catch his weakness and inflict such significant damage.

"Kiba, are you alright?" a student asked with concern.

"I'm fine," Kiba Inuzuka gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure the pain. He did not want his classmates to see him looking weak.

Watching Kiba Inuzuka's pained expression, Hinata couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She knew this battle was not easy for him. She walked over to his side and reached out to help him up.

"Kiba, you actually did very well," Hinata said softly. "Your ninja hound Akamaru is very impressive, and your speed is excellent. It's just that in battle, you need to pay closer attention to your opponent's movements and weaknesses."

Hearing this, a warm current surged through Kiba Inuzuka's heart. He hadn't expected Hinata to comfort him and offer combat advice at a time like this.

He looked at Hinata with gratitude, nodded, and said, "Thank you, Hinata. I will remember your words."

The dialogue between the two drew rounds of applause and cheers from the surrounding students.

They knew that this duel was not just a test of strength, but a deepening of their friendship.

"Why is it always the stomach? I told you to go easy on him," Liuli remarked, her brows furrowed as she watched Kiba Inuzuka on the field, her tone carrying a mix of helplessness and concern.

Having just become a ninja teacher at Konoha, seeing two students injured in her class left Liuli feeling a bit ashamed.

She understood the cruelty of real combat, but seeing her students get hurt during practice always made her heart ache.

Kiba Inuzuka lay on the ground, clutching his stomach, his expression pained. He looked up at Liuli, a flash of stubbornness and unwillingness in his eyes: "Teacher, I'm fine. This is real combat; an opponent won't hold back."

Liuli shook her head gently, stepped forward, and crouched down to check Kiba Inuzuka's injuries.

She said softly, "I know this is real combat, but you must also learn to protect yourself. The abdomen is a vulnerable part of the human body; if struck, the consequences could be unimaginable."

Hinata stood to the side, watching Liuli examine Kiba Inuzuka's injuries, a flicker of worry in her eyes. She stepped forward and asked quietly, "Kiba, are you okay?"

Kiba Inuzuka managed a strained smile and shook his head: "I'm fine, Hinata. This little injury is nothing to me."

Liuli looked up at Hinata and Kiba Inuzuka, a look of resolve in her eyes, though her tone remained deeply helpless.

She stood up and addressed them both: "Listen well, real combat is not just about comparing strength and technique; it is more importantly about comparing mindset and wisdom. In battle, you must learn to observe your opponent's movements and demeanor to judge their intentions and weaknesses. At the same time, you must learn to protect yourself to avoid unnecessary harm."

Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata both nodded earnestly, signaling that they understood Liuli's words.

Liuli watched them nod and said nothing more.

According to the current plot, the Konoha Twelve are all striving to grow, and they are only six or seven years old.

"Alright, get up," Liuli reached out to help Kiba Inuzuka up, patting his shoulder gently. "Let's go back and rest; class will be over soon."

Kiba Inuzuka nodded and slowly stood up. He clenched his fists, feeling the waves of pain from his abdomen, and gritted his teeth, trying his best not to let his expression reveal too much suffering.

He knew that as a ninja, one must not easily show weakness when facing injury and hardship.

Liuli looked at Kiba Inuzuka's determined gaze, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She patted his shoulder again, comforting him: "Don't push yourself too hard; go rest over there for a moment."

Kiba Inuzuka nodded and followed Liuli to where Naruto was.

Young Naruto was currently lying on a tree branch, the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves and falling upon him, making him look exceptionally comfortable.

Seeing Kiba Inuzuka and Liuli approach, he immediately sat up, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Kiba, are you okay? It looked pretty serious," Naruto asked with concern.

Kiba Inuzuka smiled and waved a hand: "It's nothing major, just got hit in the stomach. I'll be fine after a rest."

"Oh, I see," Naruto nodded, still seeming a bit uneasy. "You should be careful, don't let yourself get hurt."

Liuli watched the interaction between the two, feeling a sense of relief. Although these children often bickered, the care and friendship between them were genuine.

She walked over to Naruto, crouched down, and looked at him earnestly: "Naruto, you look energetic; how is your recovery going?"

Naruto blinked, rubbed his nose, and laughed triumphantly: "Don't worry, Teacher Liuli. I've fully recovered and am ready to jump back into training at any time!"

Liuli nodded with a smile; she knew that young Naruto's constitution and recovery ability were exceptional.

As the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, he possessed the Uzumaki clan's chakra, which gave him a recovery rate far beyond that of an ordinary person.

Therefore, Liuli was naturally not worried about Naruto's physical condition.

She stood up, walked over to the two, and gently patted their heads. Kiba Inuzuka and Naruto both lowered their heads obediently, enjoying this care from their teacher.

"Alright, you two little ones, get some good rest," Liuli said gently. "Class will be over soon, so be prepared to head back and get some proper rest to recharge your energy."

Kiba Inuzuka and Naruto nodded in agreement; they knew Teacher Liuli's words were important and would listen obediently.

Liuli gave a few more instructions before turning to leave. Watching these two children, her heart was filled with comfort.

She knew that although they were still young, they both possessed extraordinary potential and talent.

As long as they work hard at their training, they will surely become outstanding ninjas in the future.

Watching Liuli's retreating figure, Kiba Inuzuka and Naruto exchanged a smile. They both felt that having Teacher Liuli by their side was truly a wonderful blessing.

"Kiba, what do you think of Teacher Liuli?" Naruto suddenly asked.

Kiba Inuzuka thought for a moment and replied, "Even though it's only been the first day, I think Teacher Liuli is very gentle and also incredibly strong. Not only did she teach us many ninjutsu and combat techniques, but she is always concerned about our physical well-being and our moods."

Naruto nodded in agreement, "That's right, I think so too. Teacher Liuli is truly a wonderful teacher, and I am very grateful to her."

To Naruto, the impression of Liuli was like a brilliant star, forever shining in the night sky of his heart.

Aside from Iruka, Liuli was the only other person who deeply believed in his dream. She gave Naruto more than just care and encouragement; she gave him that sincere expectation—the expectation that he could become Naruto and realize his great dream.

Whenever Naruto recalled the time spent in class with Liuli, a warm current would always surge through his heart.

Those heartwarming scenes were like gems meticulously carved by time, inlaid deep within his memories, glowing with brilliance.

Under the warm sunlight, young Naruto quietly watched Liuli's back, his heart swelling with gratitude. After all, he was always treated by the villagers as...

Just at this moment filled with warmth and anticipation, Kiba Inuzuka's voice suddenly cut in, shattering the tranquility.

"Naruto, have you ever felt that every time Teacher Liuli pats your head, it's as if some kind of magical power surges into your body?"

Kiba Inuzuka's words carried a hint of mystery and curiosity. He leaned in toward Naruto, a secretive expression on his face.

Naruto was intrigued by Kiba Inuzuka's words. He turned his head to look at Kiba Inuzuka, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

He had indeed experienced that feeling before. Every time Teacher Liuli gently stroked the top of his head, he would feel a warm current wash over his entire body, as if all his fatigue and troubles vanished without a trace in that instant.

"I've had that feeling too," Naruto answered honestly, his voice revealing a faint sense of nostalgia and gratitude. "Teacher Liuli's hands seem to have a special power that makes me feel at peace and warm."

Hearing Naruto's words, a glimmer of recognition flashed in Kiba Inuzuka's eyes.

As expected of Naruto! He understood what I meant right away! Kiba's eyes sparkled with a bright light, as if he had captured the mystery and curiosity within his own heart.

Kiba Inuzuka nodded, an expression of sudden realization on his face, and continued, "Yeah, I've discovered this secret too. Every time I get a head pat from Teacher Liuli, I feel filled with strength, as if I can overcome any difficulty."