The Importance of Intelligence

In the first match, Sasuke faced Yoroi Akado. Sasuke had not been implanted with the Curse Mark this time, and after resting for several days, his stamina was at its peak. He easily defeated his opponent and returned to the spectator stands.

As he passed Naruto, Sasuke said quietly, "Dead last, don't lose here."

"Hmph, how could I possibly lose here?" Naruto raised his chin slightly. Just like in Awen's memories, the second match was Zaku versus Shino Aburame, and Shino emerged victorious.

The third match was Misumi Tsurugi versus Kankuro, with Kankuro winning!

The fourth match was Sakura Haruno versus Ino Yamanaka. These two former best friends and close sisters had become opponents because of Sasuke.

Watching this, Naruto suddenly understood something a character in one of the shows from Awen's memories had said: "I love watching women fight!"

Sadly, there was no tearing at clothes or pulling hair. Otherwise, it would have been even more exciting.

In the end, Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka both fell unconscious, taking each other down and ending in a draw. They were eliminated together.

The fifth match was Tenten versus Temari, another battle between women. This one was far more exciting than the previous two.

Before it even started, Naruto shouted, "Tenten, go! That iron-fan woman specializes in Wind Release and mid- to long-range attacks. Get in close, keep her tied up, and don't give her a chance to use Wind Release!"

Hearing Naruto spill all the information about her abilities in one breath, Temari's face turned livid. She felt utterly awful. "That bastard!"

Tenten froze, seemingly not expecting it. She looked at Naruto, smiled, and waved to show that she understood.

"Thanks, Naruto. Come buy something from my ninja tool shop later, and I'll give you fifty percent off!" Tenten pulled out a scroll and summoned large weapons—iron hammers, massive cleavers, chain blades, and more.

Temari's expression changed as well. She removed the Three-Star Fan from her back. The moment the referee called the start, she would immediately swing it at Tenten.

"Begin!" Gekko Hayate said.

Temari seized the initiative. With a one-handed sweep of the Three-Star Fan, a violent gale rushed toward Tenten.

Tenten had long been prepared. She dodged Temari's Wind Release to the side, then lunged in and took advantage of Temari's opening to close the distance. The two massive cleavers in her hands spun like tops as they slashed at Temari.

Clang! Clang! Clang...

Metallic impacts rang out. Tenten was incredibly fast and nearly had Temari pinned down. In the stands, Naruto, Rock Lee, and Might Guy all shouted loudly to cheer Tenten on.

With the intelligence Naruto had given her, Tenten had gained the early advantage. Unfortunately, Temari's taijutsu was no weak point either. She had virtually no glaring shortcomings, and her overall raw strength far surpassed Tenten's. After weathering Tenten's fierce barrage, Temari sent her flying and then defeated her with a violent burst of Wind Release.

However, Temari had expended quite a bit of strength as well. Though she had won, she now glared at Naruto in the stands through gritted teeth. That guy was too damn awful. If not for him, how could she have wasted so much energy?

"She still lost. What a pity," Naruto said with a sigh. But there was nothing to be done. Tenten was far weaker than Temari. Intelligence alone could not make up such a huge gap.

The fifth match ended with Temari's victory. After returning to the stands, Temari continued glaring at Naruto furiously. A look that wanted to kill someone could not be hidden, and it made Naruto's scalp tingle.

The sixth match was Shikamaru Nara versus Kin Tsuchi. There was little suspense, and it ended with Shikamaru Nara's victory.

The seventh match was Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka!

The moment Kiba Inuzuka saw his assigned opponent, he was overjoyed.

"Hahaha... Our luck is incredible, Akamaru. We've got this! We've definitely got this! It's Naruto, the dead last..." Kiba Inuzuka excitedly entered the arena with Akamaru.

"What? Dead last???" Temari looked utterly incredulous.

Kankuro and Gaara also looked unconvinced. Clearly, Naruto's performance so far had nothing to do with being called dead last.

Naruto entered the arena looking lazy. He glanced at the display screen and said, "So it really is like this?"

Kakashi said, "It's finally his turn. There's really no suspense here. I just hope Naruto doesn't pull any weird stunt again."

Sakura nodded in agreement, silently thinking, That's right. Like that Light Flying Thunder God that instantly stripped off clothes!

The corner of Sasuke's mouth lifted slightly. Kiba Inuzuka was doomed to lose. Sasuke had seen just how strong Naruto was now.

Hearing Kakashi's words, Kurenai Yuhi raised her chin slightly and said, "Naruto? Sorry, Kakashi, but he can't beat Kiba."

Hinata Hyuga nervously poked her fingers together, watching the arena with worry written all over her face. She desperately wanted to cheer Naruto on, but Kiba Inuzuka was her teammate too. It did not seem right to shout for Naruto alone!

"Naruto, Kiba, good luck!" Hinata's voice was so shy and tiny that it was like a mosquito's buzz. Other than Kurenai Yuhi, the mature Jonin beside her, and Shino Aburame, her other teammate with practically no presence, no one else heard her.

In the arena, Kiba Inuzuka threw down the gauntlet at Naruto. "Naruto, out of pity for the weak, I'll defeat you cleanly and swiftly!"

"Ha..." Naruto tilted his head slightly, then chuckled. "Kiba, I was planning to hide my strength, but since you put it that way, I'll return those words to you. I'll give you a very dignified exit."

Gekko Hayate still looked as lazy as ever. "All right, begin!"

Beast Human Technique, Four Legs Technique!

Kiba Inuzuka crouched on all fours like a ferocious beast.

Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Naruto formed a hand seal, and hundreds of Narutos appeared in a dense mass. Kiba Inuzuka, who had been about to charge forward, instantly turned green in the face. Akamaru also trembled as he curled up in Kiba Inuzuka's arms.

"He made so many Shadow Clones!"

Everyone in the arena stared at Naruto in shock. Even Gaara's expression changed slightly. Naruto's performance stunned the entire audience.

"When did Naruto, that dead last, become this strong?!" Ino shouted in disbelief.

Amazing, Naruto! Hinata felt a little secretly delighted, while also silently mourning for Kiba Inuzuka.

Naruto smiled at Kiba Inuzuka and said, "Kiba, do you want a group fight or a one-on-one?"

Kiba Inuzuka froze, then hurriedly asked, "A one-on-one! Naruto, let's fight one-on-one. You don't use Shadow Clones, and I won't use Akamaru."

Naruto burst out laughing. "A one-on-one means the two of you fight our whole group. A group fight means we all gang up on the two of you!"

"What's the difference?!" Kiba Inuzuka roared.

Narutos rushed in from all directions, swarming toward Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru in a dark tide. The sight was simply too brutal.

Naruto was the victor. Kiba Inuzuka had only suffered superficial injuries. The two had been good friends back at the Ninja Academy, so Naruto naturally would not strike to kill. Hinata even handed Kiba Inuzuka medicinal ointment for external injuries from her clan.

The eighth match was Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga!

The moment Naruto saw the matchup for the next match, the smile on his face instantly froze.