The giant screen began scrolling again. Zeyu's name stopped near the top, selecting the second ninja.
Zeyu looked at the few who hadn't fought yet and couldn't help feeling a little worried.
He folded his arms and thought,
Orochimaru isn't here, so I don't have to hold back as much. But if I run into Gaara, Neji, or Rock Lee, I'll be in trouble.
By then, Kakashi had carried Naruto back and set him down behind him. Kakashi watched Zeyu with interest.
Well, you can't dodge this one. Let's see what you can really do, Kakashi thought, tapping his left temple with a finger.
The Third puffed on his pipe and watched Zeyu with a faint smile.
The other contestants who hadn't fought yet stared intently at the giant screen. The atmosphere was tense.
[Hiru Zeyu VS. Inuzuka Kiba]
"What!?" Kiba clutched his head with both hands, his face full of shock.
Akamaru, perched on his head, looked a little dejected and let out a soft whimper.
"Good luck," Shino murmured, lowering his head as he adjusted his glasses.
Megumi stepped forward, patted Kiba on the shoulder, and chuckled behind her hand.
"Well, you still have a chance. Good luck! I'm rooting for you."
"Heh, thanks," Kiba replied, the corner of his mouth twitching.
As he looked at Zeyu in the arena, he couldn't help grumbling to himself.
That guy's way too lucky. He's drawn weak opponents twice—twice!
Hinata, standing nearby, looked a little awkward too.
"Well, Zeyu-kun definitely won't go too hard on you, so don't worry, Kiba. Good luck," Hinata said with a smile.
Kurenai patted Kiba on the back and encouraged him.
"Anyway, go out there and show everyone what all your training has accomplished!"
At that, Kiba looked down at Zeyu, swallowed, then jumped into the arena and faced him.
Zeyu glanced at the Third in the distance and thought,
The Third set this up on purpose because he wants to see what I can do, right? Well, Orochimaru isn't here, so there's no harm in showing him.
Watching the two in the arena, the Third thought with some anticipation,
A child from the Inuzuka Clan, huh? That'll do. Let's see just how strong Zeyu is.
Anko, standing beside him, noticed how intently he was watching the match. Curious, she looked at the two contestants.
Kiba took Akamaru off his head and set him on the ground.
Akamaru's tail drooped between his legs. He crouched with his legs bent, looking a little timid.
Seeing this, Kiba could only sigh helplessly and stroke Akamaru's back to reassure him.
"Don't be scared. He won't hurt us."
"Yeah, we're friends. Let's just make it look convincing. I won't go all out," Zeyu said to the boy and the dog.
Akamaru seemed much better after the reassurance 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 this everything I've got!"
"No problem! Bring it on!" Zeyu straightened up, curled four fingers toward himself, and put his other hand behind his back, looking confident.
Kiba closed his eyes and took a deep breath, summoning his courage.
He suddenly opened his eyes and shouted,
"Let's go, Akamaru!"
"Woof!"
"Begin!" Hayate called loudly once the two were ready.
But Kiba didn't charge at Zeyu. Instead, he immediately pulled a Military Ration Pill from his pouch and tossed it to Akamaru.
After Akamaru swallowed it, his body suddenly turned red. White steam rose around him as he bared his teeth.
The spectators in the stands looked surprised.
Looks like Kiba's planning to use that move right away, Kurenai thought with a smile.
Going all out from the start? Interesting, Kakashi thought.
"Don't blame me, Zeyu. I want to prove myself too!" Kiba said, then crouched down on all fours.
Akamaru jumped onto Kiba's back and glared at Zeyu.
"Beast Mimicry: Beast Human Clone!"
Kiba formed a Hand Seal, and Akamaru on his back transformed into a copy of him.
"Go, Akamaru!" Kiba shouted.
Akamaru charged straight at Zeyu, with Kiba following close behind.
Halfway there, Kiba pulled out several smoke bombs and threw them at Zeyu's feet.
In an instant, the arena was shrouded in smoke.
"Gatsuga!"
Kiba and Akamaru began spinning at high speed, turning into two drills as they plunged into the spreading smoke and attacked Zeyu at its center.
"Zeyu-kun!" Hinata cried softly, her eyes filled with worry.
"He'll be fine. That guy's really strong, and he's a sensor ninja. Smoke won't affect him," Megumi said, patting Hinata's shoulder reassuringly.
"Really? But..." Hinata looked relieved, though she was still a little worried.
She immediately activated her Byakugan and peered into the smoke.
Uh... that's convenient, Megumi thought as she watched Hinata, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Neji, standing nearby, activated his Byakugan too. He watched the arena with interest and murmured,
"So, what are you going to do, Zeyu?"
Kakashi also lifted his Forehead Protector, revealing the Sharingan in his left eye as he looked down at the arena.
Inside the smoke,
Using his sensory abilities, Zeyu easily dodged the combined attack Kiba and Akamaru launched as they first charged in.
Unwilling to give up, Kiba separated from Akamaru and attacked Zeyu from every direction, but Zeyu dodged every strike.
Well, I could just keep dodging until Kiba runs out of chakra, but then there'd be no point in fighting another round. Let me think of a ninjutsu I can use.
Zeyu pondered as he dodged Kiba's attacks.
He opened his eyes just as Kiba spun past him with a whoosh.
Suddenly, inspiration struck. He smiled faintly and thought,
The Third wants to see what I can do, right? Then I'll show him something impressive.
Zeyu raised one hand and half-opened it. A ball of chakra slowly took shape in his palm. The surrounding air currents were affected and began gathering toward his hand.
The chakra ball in his hand spun faster and faster. The smoke around it was affected too, slowly shifting until it formed a sphere.
Kiba was stunned by the sight and didn't dare move closer. He and Akamaru quickly retreated from the smoke and stood side by side, staring at it.
"What... is that?" Kiba asked, sweat trickling down his face.
"What's going on in there, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked, puzzled, looking at Kakashi.
"How can this be...? It's impossible!" Kakashi stared into the smoke with the Sharingan, his face filled with disbelief.
The smoke was now spinning continuously. Suddenly, it split open, revealing the scene within.
Zeyu stood with a chakra ball in his right hand. Currents of air stirred by the ball continuously dispersed the smoke around him.
"What's wrong, Kiba? Come on, attack me again," Zeyu said with a smile, looking at Kiba.
Everyone around them stared in shock now that they could see clearly.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that? I've never seen anything like it," Sakura asked.
"That's such a beautiful jutsu! Zeyu-kun is amazing," Hinata said.
"That's... the Rasengan!" Kakashi said.
Everyone present turned toward Kakashi, looking confused.
Kakashi then explained,
"The Rasengan is an A-rank ninjutsu developed by the Fourth Hokage over the course of four years. It has immense power and is extremely difficult to master. In theory, hardly anyone can use it, and yet Zeyu..."
Everyone looked back toward the arena, filled with admiration.
Kiba stared at the Rasengan in Zeyu's hand, feeling a little intimidated. He hesitated to approach and desperately tried to think of a countermeasure.
Well, don't be scared, Kiba. I've already lowered its power a lot, Zeyu thought.
Watching Zeyu from afar, the Third smiled with satisfaction and thought,
Well, there's no need to continue the match. Using that move already proves everything.
The Third was already thinking of stopping the match. Taking a Rasengan head-on was no joke.
"Let's go, Akamaru!"
Kiba suddenly shouted and charged toward Zeyu on all fours, with Akamaru doing the same.
As they ran, they kept changing positions, switching between the left and right sides.
Finally, here he comes. I'd hate to have used this move for nothing, Zeyu thought.
"Gatsuga!"
Kiba shouted and spun at high speed with Akamaru, turning into two drills that charged toward Zeyu.
At the same time, the two drills twisted around each other.
Zeyu immediately thrust the Rasengan in his hand forward.
Just before they collided,
Kiba and Akamaru swept past on either side of the Rasengan without hitting it directly.
Zeyu frowned, puzzled.
"Heh, I'm not that stupid. Anyone can tell that thing's dangerous," Kiba said smugly.
After dodging the Rasengan, Kiba and Akamaru crossed paths some distance behind Zeyu, curved around, and continued their attack from both sides.
"Zeyu! Take this!"
"Ultimate Fang Over Fang!"
Hmph. You've only got one of those things. Akamaru and I will attack from both sides. Let's see what you do, Kiba thought, already smiling triumphantly.
"Well, well. Didn't see that coming," Zeyu said, lowering his head with a smile.
As he spoke, Zeyu slowly raised both hands. The Rasengan in his right hand faced Kiba on the right, while his left hand was empty.
"Don't! Zeyu-kun's going to get hurt!" Hinata cried anxiously, holding her hands to her chest and clenching her fists.
"It looks like I'll have to stop the match. Someone's going to get hurt if this continues," the Third said, growing worried as he watched. It was only an extra match, and there was no point in getting hurt just to win.
Kiba felt certain victory was within his grasp. Zeyu might have to face his Rasengan, but Akamaru could easily take the other side. He immediately pushed harder and charged forward.
"Akamaru! Go!"
"Woof!"
Just as they were about to make contact, a powerful vortex suddenly burst from Zeyu's left hand. A chakra ball appeared in his palm and rapidly expanded.
The next moment, Kiba and Akamaru collided with the two attacks on either side.
Gatsuga and the Rasengan collided with a tremendous boom. Sparks burst forth, scattering in every direction along with the rushing air.
Kiba saw what was happening to Akamaru on the other side and was instantly horrified.
"How can this be! Zeyu, you..."
"Who told you I could only use one hand?" Zeyu said, lifting his head to look at Kiba on the right.
It was too late for Kiba to back out. He could only grit his teeth and keep pushing forward.
"Kiba, it's over!" Zeyu shouted.
As he spoke, he twisted both hands. The two Rasengan rapidly contracted, forcibly slowing Kiba and Akamaru down.
Kiba stared in terror at the Rasengan right in front of him, unable to say a word.
Then came a loud crash. Both Rasengan exploded at once, sending Kiba and Akamaru flying. They spun through the air and hurtled a long way.
Kiba slammed into the wall, spat out a mouthful of saliva, then collapsed and lost consciousness.
Akamaru was quite a distance from the wall, but he slid along the ground before transforming back with a "poof." He landed on his back, all four legs in the air, foam at his mouth, and lost consciousness.
Zeyu slowly straightened up, looked to either side, and shook his head.
Sorry, Kiba. This is the weakest I can make it, Zeyu thought.
Well, Gatsuga is pretty powerful too, Zeyu thought, putting both hands behind his head. Then he looked toward Hayate, who was some distance away.
Hayate looked at Kiba and Akamaru, sweat trickling down his forehead, and immediately declared Zeyu the winner.
The Third could no longer hide his delight and burst into loud laughter.
"Good! Good! Good! Zeyu, that was a great match!" the Third called to him from the arena.
"Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage," Zeyu replied politely, bowing.
Meanwhile, in a monitoring room filled with screens,
A young ninja wearing glasses was sprawled over the equipment, fast asleep, bubbles puffing from his nose. Beside the table behind him, an older ninja was also asleep, leaning back in his chair.
A snake about as thick as a forearm flicked its tongue and kept its eyes fixed on the young ninja's back.
"Oh my, this Zeyu is quite good."
Orochimaru propped his head up with one hand in front of the equipment and watched the screens on the wall.
"That hair color... could he really be from the Uzumaki Clan?" Orochimaru said, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms.
"I'll find a chance to test him later. Before Sasuke, he'll make a nice little appetizer too." Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue, narrowed his eyes, and watched Zeyu on the screen with interest before breaking into a smile.