Zeyu vs. Kiba

The large screen began to scroll again, Zeyu's name stopping at the front as only the second ninja was selected.

Zeyu looked at the few people who had yet to compete and could not help but feel a bit worried.

He crossed his arms and thought, Orochimaru isn't here, so I'm not as restricted, but it would be troublesome if I ran into Gaara, Neji, or Lee.

At this moment, Naruto had already been carried back by Kakashi and placed behind him. Kakashi watched Zeyu with great interest.

Well, you can't dodge this one, can you? Let me see your true strength, Kakashi thought, tapping his left temple with his finger.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe and smiled slightly, also watching Zeyu.

The others who had not yet competed stared intently at the large screen, the atmosphere thick with tension.

[Hiru Zeyu vs. Inuzuka Kiba]

"What!?" Kiba clutched his head with both hands, his face full of shock.

Akamaru, sitting on his head, looked somewhat dejected and let out a soft whimper.

"Good luck," Shino said, adjusting his glasses and bowing his head slightly.

Megumi stepped forward, patted Kiba on the shoulder, and covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Well, there's still a chance, right? Good luck, I'm rooting for you."

"Heh, thanks a lot," Kiba's mouth twitched.

Looking at Zeyu in the arena, he couldn't help but complain inwardly, This guy's luck is too good! Twice he's been matched against weak opponents—twice!

Hinata, standing to the side, felt a bit awkward for a moment. "Well, Zeyu-kun definitely won't go too hard on you, Kiba. Don't worry, good luck," she said with a smile.

Kurenai patted Kiba on the back to comfort him. "Just go up there and show everyone the results of your training!"

At this, Kiba looked down at Zeyu, swallowed hard, and finally jumped down into the arena to stand opposite him.

Zeyu glanced at the Third Hokage in the distance and thought, The Third Hokage is doing this on purpose because he wants to see my strength, right? Well, Orochimaru isn't here anyway, so it doesn't matter if I show him.

The Third Hokage watched the arena with anticipation. The Inuzuka boy, eh? That works too. Let me see just how strong Zeyu really is.

Anko, standing beside the Third Hokage, noticed him staring intently at the arena and couldn't help but feel curious, turning her gaze toward the two in the ring.

Kiba took Akamaru off his head and placed him on the ground.

Akamaru's tail was tucked between his legs, his knees bent, looking rather timid.

Seeing this, Kiba sighed helplessly and stroked Akamaru's back to comfort him. "Don't be afraid, he won't hurt us."

"That's right, we're all friends. We'll just go through the motions; I won't use lethal force," Zeyu said to the boy and his dog.

Comforted by this, Akamaru felt much better and stood up straight.

Kiba looked at Zeyu and said, "Zeyu, I know you're strong, but I'm no pushover either. I'm going to give it my all against you!"

"No problem! Bring it on!" Zeyu stood straight, beckoning with four fingers while keeping his other hand behind his back, looking confident.

Kiba closed his eyes and took a deep breath, gathering his courage.

He snapped his eyes open and shouted, "Here we go! Akamaru!"

"Woof!"

"Begin!" Hayate shouted loudly once he saw they were ready.

However, Kiba did not rush at Zeyu; instead, he immediately pulled a Military Ration Pill from his pouch and tossed it to Akamaru.

After consuming it, Akamaru's body suddenly turned red, and accompanied by white steam, he began to bare his fangs and growl.

The spectators in the stands were somewhat surprised.

It seems Kiba wants to use that move right away, Kurenai thought, the corners of her mouth lifting.

Going all out from the start? Interesting, Kakashi thought.

"Don't blame me, Zeyu. I want to prove myself too!" Kiba said, then bent down and got on all fours.

Akamaru jumped directly onto Kiba's back, glaring at Zeyu.

"Beast Mimicry: Beast Human Clone!"

As Kiba formed the hand signs, the Akamaru on his back transformed into his own likeness.

"Go, Akamaru!" Kiba shouted.

Akamaru, perched on his back, lunged straight toward Zeyu, with Kiba following closely behind.

Halfway through the charge, Kiba pulled out several smoke bombs and threw them directly at Zeyu's feet.

In an instant, the arena was shrouded in smoke.

"Gatsuga!"

Kiba and Akamaru's bodies began to spin at high speed, transforming into two drills as they dove into the spreading smoke, attacking Zeyu at the center.

"Zeyu!" Hinata whispered, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's fine. That guy is incredibly strong, and he's a sensory ninja, so the smoke won't work on him," Megumi said, patting Hinata on the shoulder to comfort her.

"Eh? Is that so? But..." Hinata felt a bit surprised, yet remained anxious.

She immediately activated her Byakugan to peer into the smoke.

Ugh... that's so convenient, Megumi thought as she watched Hinata, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Nearby, Neji also activated his Byakugan, watching the arena with curiosity as he whispered, "So, what will you do, Zeyu?"

Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing the Sharingan in his left eye as he watched from above.

Inside the smoke, Zeyu used his sensory abilities to easily dodge the joint attack Kiba and Akamaru had launched upon entering.

Unwilling to give up, Kiba separated from Akamaru and launched a series of attacks on Zeyu from every direction, yet Zeyu dodged them all one by one.

Well, I could just keep dodging until Kiba runs out of chakra, but that would make this match pointless. Let me think about what ninjutsu I can use.

Zeyu pondered while weaving through Kiba's attacks.

He opened his eyes just as Kiba came spinning and whistling past his face.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck, and he smiled slightly. Third Hokage, you want to see my strength? Fine, I'll show you something impressive.

Zeyu raised his hand, palm half-open. A sphere of chakra slowly manifested in his palm, affecting the surrounding airflow as it converged toward his hand.

The chakra sphere in his hand spun at high speed, causing the lingering smoke to shift and swirl, gradually forming a spherical void.

Seeing this, Kiba was shocked. He didn't dare advance further, quickly retreating from the smoke with Akamaru to stand side-by-side, both staring into the haze.

"What... is that?" Kiba asked, cold sweat dripping down his face.

"What's happening in there, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked, looking toward Kakashi.

"How is this possible... it can't be!" Kakashi's face was full of disbelief, his Sharingan locked onto the scene within the smoke.

The smoke continued to swirl until it was suddenly torn apart, revealing the situation to everyone.

Zeyu stood there, holding a chakra sphere in his right hand, the currents of air generated by the technique causing the surrounding smoke to dissipate.

"What's wrong, Kiba? Keep attacking," Zeyu said with a smile.

The onlookers were all stunned.

"What kind of ninjutsu is that? I've never seen it before," Sakura asked.

"Such a beautiful technique. Zeyu is amazing," Hinata said.

"That is... the Rasengan!" Kakashi said.

Everyone present turned to look at Kakashi, their faces full of confusion.

Kakashi then explained, "The Rasengan is an A-rank ninjutsu developed by the Fourth Hokage over four years. It has immense power and is extremely difficult to master. Theoretically, very few people can use it, yet Zeyu..."

The crowd looked back down at the arena, filled with admiration.

Kiba looked at the Rasengan in Zeyu's hand, feeling a bit intimidated. He hesitated to advance, desperately trying to think of a countermeasure.

Well, don't be afraid, Kiba. I was considerate enough to lower the power, Zeyu thought.

In the distance, the Third Hokage watched Zeyu with a satisfied smile, thinking, Well, there's no need to continue. Using this move already says everything.

With that thought, the Third Hokage considered calling off the match; after all, taking a direct hit from a Rasengan was no laughing matter.

"Let's go, Akamaru!"

Kiba let out a loud cry, dropped to all fours with Akamaru, and charged toward Zeyu.

As they moved, they constantly shifted positions, swapping left and right.

Is it finally time? I didn't want to use this move for nothing, Zeyu thought.

"Gatsuga!"

Kiba shouted, and together with Akamaru, their bodies spun at high speed, turning into two drills as they attacked Zeyu.

They intertwined with one another.

Zeyu immediately launched the Rasengan in his hand.

Just as they were about to collide, Kiba and Akamaru suddenly swept past both sides of the Rasengan, avoiding a direct impact.

Zeyu felt a flicker of confusion and furrowed his brows.

"Heh, I'm not that stupid. That thing looks dangerous just by looking at it," Kiba said smugly.

After dodging the Rasengan, Kiba and Akamaru crossed paths a short distance behind Zeyu, then curved around to attack him from both the left and right.

"Zeyu! Take this!"

"Ultimate Fang Over Fang!"

Hmph, you only have one of those things. With Akamaru and me attacking from both sides, let's see what you do now, Kiba thought, a victorious smile already spreading across his face.

"Yare yare, I really didn't expect this," Zeyu said, head bowed, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

As he spoke, Zeyu slowly raised both hands. The Rasengan in his right hand was aimed at Kiba on the right, while his left hand was completely empty.

"No! Zeyu-kun is going to get hurt!" Hinata said anxiously, her hands pressed against her chest, fists clenched tightly.

"It seems I'll have to call a stop to the match. If this continues, someone will get hurt," the Third Hokage said, beginning to worry. After all, this was just an extra match; it wasn't worth sustaining an injury just to win.

At this moment, Kiba felt victory was within his grasp. Although he had to face Zeyu's Rasengan on his side, Akamaru would be able to land a clean hit. He pushed himself harder, charging forward.

"Akamaru! Go!"

"Woof!"

Just as they were about to make contact, a violent vortex of air suddenly erupted from Zeyu's left hand, and a sphere of chakra appeared in his palm, rapidly expanding.

The next second, Kiba and Akamaru collided with both sides.

The Fang Over Fang and the Rasengan clashed, emitting a thunderous roar as intense sparks and shockwaves scattered in all directions.

At that moment, Kiba saw the situation on Akamaru's side and was struck with horror.

"How is this possible! Zeyu, you..."

"Who told you I could only use one hand?" Zeyu looked up at Kiba on his right and said.

It was too late for Kiba to regret his actions; he could only grit his teeth and continue to push forward.

"Kiba, it's over!" Zeyu said sharply.

As he spoke, he twisted both hands, and the Rasengan on both sides tightened rapidly, forcibly slowing down the momentum of Kiba and Akamaru.

Kiba stared in terror at the Rasengan inches from his face, unable to even get a word out.

With a deafening boom, both Rasengans exploded simultaneously. Kiba and Akamaru were sent flying, spinning through the air for a long distance.

Kiba slammed directly into the wall, coughed up a mouthful of saliva, and collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.

Akamaru landed quite a distance from the wall, sliding along the ground for a bit before reverting to his original form with a "poof," lying on his back with his paws in the air, foaming at the mouth, and unconscious.

Zeyu slowly stood straight, looked at both of them, and shook his head.

Sorry, Kiba, that was the lowest power I could manage, Zeyu thought.

Well, Fang Over Fang is pretty strong, after all, he thought again, hands behind his head, before looking toward Hayate not far away.

Hayate looked at Kiba and Akamaru, cold sweat dripping down his forehead, and immediately declared Zeyu the winner.

The Third Hokage could no longer hide his amusement and burst into loud laughter.

"Good! Good! Good! Zeyu, that was a beautiful fight!" the Third Hokage said to Zeyu on the field.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty," Zeyu bowed politely.

Meanwhile, in a surveillance room filled with monitors.

A young ninja wearing glasses was fast asleep on the equipment, bubbles forming on his nose. Beside the table behind him, an older ninja was also asleep, leaning back in his chair.

A snake as thick as a forearm flicked its tongue, staring intently at the young ninja from atop his back.

"Ara, this Zeyu is actually quite impressive."

Orochimaru rested his chin on his hand in front of the equipment, watching the monitors on the wall.

"This hair color... could he really be from the Uzumaki Clan?" Orochimaru said, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.

"I'll have to find an opportunity to test him later. Before Sasuke, he'll make a fine appetizer," Orochimaru flicked his long tongue out, squinting his eyes as he watched Zeyu on the screen with great interest, and began to laugh.