Naruto Enters the Arena

Zhou Cheng saw the look of confusion on Iruka's face and smiled faintly.

No one could resist the temptation of a bowl of braised beef noodles.

If one bowl wouldn't do, then two would.

"Whether what I said is true or false, you'll know naturally once you go back and cook the noodles!"

Many people under the arena began to gloat.

A Blue Blind Box opened to reveal a bowl of noodles?

How rotten must his luck be!

Where can't you get noodles to eat?

He had wasted a perfectly good opportunity for nothing.

Zhou Cheng beckoned to Iruka, signaling him to launch his second attack.

Iruka put away the braised beef noodles, lowered his head to think for a moment, and then began to weave hand signs.

He was skilled in sealing techniques and prepared to bring out his signature move.

Several talismans appeared in his hands, each inscribed with intricate patterns.

He then flicked his arm repeatedly, throwing the talismans to four different positions around Zhou Cheng.

"Ninja Art: Sealing Talisman Formation!"

The four talismans instantly glowed with white light, and black sealing runes spread out from them, converging toward Zhou Cheng.

They then gathered around Zhou Cheng to form a Sealing Talisman Formation.

"Seal!"

Iruka formed a seal with his fingers and shouted, his chakra pouring continuously into the Sealing Talisman Formation.

The Sealing Talisman Formation began to close in on Zhou Cheng, shrinking in size.

On the surface, Zhou Cheng still wore a faint smile, but deep down, he wasn't feeling very confident.

I wonder if the system can recognize sealing techniques! I've already established my image as an expert; I'd better not capsize in the gutter.

Zhou Cheng watched helplessly as the lines of the Sealing Talisman Formation crawled onto his body, but he could do nothing but watch quietly.

After waiting for a while, nothing happened.

Zhou Cheng looked at his own hands, and the last of his worries vanished; if the Sealing Talisman Formation had been effective, he should have been unable to move by now.

System, you're awesome!

"Are you done playing?"

Zhou Cheng smiled faintly, his eyes full of mockery.

Iruka saw the look in Zhou Cheng's eyes and was struck with alarm.

"It's impossible for it to have no effect; the sealing formation hasn't disappeared!"

"Do you really think such a low-level sealing technique could work on me?"

"Are you overestimating yourself, or underestimating me?"

Iruka slumped and released his hand signs. Deprived of chakra, the sealing formation slowly faded until it disappeared completely.

[Sealing power detected, converted into shield damage]

A set of numbers floated above Zhou Cheng's head: -2674.

[Damage dealt: 2674 points]

[Remaining shield HP: 9,999,999,918,831]

[Damage Rank: Blue]

[Reward obtained: Blue Blind Box]

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow. Whether it was ninjutsu or a sealing technique, the power ultimately depended on the strength of the practitioner.

Iruka was merely a Chunin; how strong could his sealing techniques really be?

Below the arena, there was silence.

This time, everyone was completely dumbfounded.

That was a sealing technique; even a low-level one should have been able to affect a Jonin.

Yet, the sealing technique was as good as nothing to Zhou Cheng.

The sealing runes had crawled all over him, but they had no effect whatsoever.

Naruto's eyes revealed deep shock.

I never expected Iruka-sensei to be this strong!

I always thought he was just an ordinary teacher!

A Chunin, huh?

I must successfully graduate!

Turning his head, he recalled the Three Body Technique required for the graduation exam, and his head began to ache.

He couldn't learn a single one!

Was there a shortcut for the Three Body Technique inside a blind box?

A Blue Blind Box appeared in Zhou Cheng's hand.

"Take it, your reward!"

The blind box traced a graceful arc through the air and landed in Iruka's hands.

Iruka swallowed hard, let out a deep breath, and then carefully opened the blind box.

Inside the box sat a bright red fruit.

[Mini Chakra Fruit x1]
[A fruit containing pure chakra. Consuming it will increase one's chakra by a certain amount.]
[Host received a critical hit bonus, obtained Giant Chakra Fruit x1]

The corners of Zhou Cheng's mouth curled up. With a Giant Chakra Fruit, today was truly a bountiful harvest!

"Congratulations!"

Zhou Cheng offered his sincere congratulations to Iruka.

At Iruka's age, the time and energy required to become stronger were immense.

Furthermore, the results were rarely ever that impressive.

With excitement in his eyes, Iruka popped the Chakra Fruit into his mouth.

Everyone watched him with envy.

Too many people had already confirmed that the Chakra Fruit could indeed increase one's chakra reserves.

Everyone wanted to obtain a Chakra Fruit from the blind boxes.

Before long, the chakra in Iruka's body began to change, growing rapidly, though it was only a small portion.

"It's real!"

Iruka's eyes lit up, and the way he looked at Zhou Cheng had quietly changed.

Who exactly was he, and what was his strength? Where did he get so many treasures?

Could it be that, just as the rumors suggested, he was some ancient monster who had lived for who knows how many years?

But how could that be possible!

According to records, even someone as powerful as the Sage of Six Paths had a day when his lifespan ran out!

Was Zhou Cheng even stronger than the Sage of Six Paths? Pfft, how could that be!

"If there's nothing else, please step off the arena. There are many more people waiting!"

Iruka snapped out of his daze, smiled sheepishly, and stepped off the arena.

Immediately, someone else couldn't wait to climb onto the arena.

Sasuke looked at his teacher and curled his lip in disdain.

A weakling—to think he was this weak!

Were all the teachers at the Ninja Academy this pathetic?

If so, why even go to school? If I come here for a few more days, I refuse to believe I won't become a powerhouse like my brother.

Naruto looked at Iruka, his eyes filled with intense envy.

A Chakra Fruit! I must get one!

Iruka pushed through the crowd, looking back every few steps as he left.

He still had to hurry back to the Ninja Academy.

The blind box opening continued on the arena.

A flash of golden yellow caught Zhou Cheng's eyes.

He focused his gaze, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto!

But then he grew worried, because at this point in time, Naruto's strength didn't even reach the level of a Genin if he didn't use the power of the Nine-Tails.

"Hey, is any kind of attack allowed?"

At this moment, Naruto was purely a naive child, asking such a childish question the moment he stepped up.

"You've been watching from below for so long, can't you tell for yourself?"

Naruto scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

He planned his attack in his mind.

Ninjutsu? He didn't know any!

He couldn't even master the E-rank Three Body Technique.

That left him with only a kunai attack!

He pulled out a kunai, gripped it in his hand, and charged straight at Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng gave a faint, bitter smile. "For an attack like this, at most a White Blind Box. Be careful not to tear the webbing between your thumb and index finger!"

Naruto did not aim his strike at any of Zhou Cheng's vital points.

After all, he was just a child; he had no intent to kill!

-234.

The attack, delivered with all of Naruto's strength, dealt only this much damage.

A look of deep disdain appeared on Sasuke's face.

"Pathetic!"

"A dead-last who can't even perform the Three Body Technique!"

Jeers and laughter erupted one after another from the crowd.

"He looks the same age as Sasuke, but their strength is worlds apart!"

"This is the gap in talent!"

"One is a genius, the other is a dead-last!"

Listening to these scornful words, Naruto's expression grew increasingly ugly!

His fists were clenched tight, his teeth gritted!