NOVEL WEB Chapter 48: Chapter 48
"Kurama, stop."
Naruto sensed something was wrong and instantly entered his spiritual space. He halted the Nine-Tails' rising power, channeling his chakra just in time to shield Ino's consciousness from the onslaught.
Ino had never felt such fear.
The oppressive aura, the deafening roar, the crushing waves of killing intent—her soul trembled, and cold sweat poured down her face. The monstrous red eyes that stared at her were nothing short of a nightmare.
The Nine-Tailed Fox stared at her with disdain, then yawned lazily and lay back down inside his cage, as if nothing had happened.
Ino, barely holding it together, clung to the edge of Naruto's sleeve, her voice trembling."N-Naruto… what was that?"
Naruto remained calm."Why did you use your Mind Transfer Jutsu on me?"
"I… I just wanted to help you with the written exam," she stammered, eyes misty with fear. "I thought you weren't answering anything, and I got worried..."
Seeing her in such a state, Naruto sighed and gave her a light flick on the forehead."Don't use your jutsu recklessly, especially not on me. You could seriously hurt yourself. Go back."
Before she could ask more, her spirit was pulled out of his mental space and back into her body.
Looking up at Naruto's back from her desk, her thoughts swirled.
Is this the monster people whispered about when we were kids?The so-called demon fox sealed in a boy's body?
No… that couldn't be right.
She remembered the rumors. The hushed tones of adults warning their children to stay away from "that boy." She had never taken it seriously—until now. But looking at Naruto's calm expression, she couldn't bring herself to believe he was something dangerous.
There must be more to this story…
Determined to find out, Ino made up her mind: she would go home and ask her father. As head of the Yamanaka Clan and a veteran of the previous Ino-Shika-Cho trio, he had to know something.
Just then, the silence was broken—Mitarashi Anko, the proctor for the second exam, smashed through the window dramatically, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.
Naruto turned slightly and met Ino's gaze. Their eyes locked, and Ino felt a strange flutter in her chest.
There's no way Naruto is a monster.
Anko announced that the second stage of the exam would begin tomorrow, and the remaining candidates began filing out. Ino was the first to bolt, practically sprinting out of the room.
A few moments later, Hinata mustered her courage and walked up to Naruto, her fingers nervously fidgeting.
"N-Naruto-kun… see you tomorrow."
Naruto smiled warmly."Bye, Hinata! By the way, your outfit today looks really good on you."
Hinata's pale eyes widened, then immediately looked away as her face turned pink.
He noticed…
She had changed her outfit just for him. After Naruto once casually mentioned she'd look nice in something lighter, she swapped her usual bulky jacket for a short-sleeved blue cheongsam and light pants.
Just hearing his compliment made it all worth it.
But the moment didn't last.
"Hey, Naruto! Why are you bullying Hinata again?" Inuzuka Kiba, as loud and confrontational as ever, suddenly appeared.
Naruto shot him a look."Are you blind? When did I bully Hinata? If you're not going to use your eyes, donate them to someone else."
Hinata quickly shook her head."N-No, Naruto-kun didn't bully me…"
Kiba didn't seem to get it.
"Whatever! I'm here to fight you, Naruto! I've been training non-stop with my clan's secret techniques just for this. This time, I won't lose—not to you or Uchiha Sasuke!"
So that's what this is about, Naruto thought. He's not standing up for Hinata—he's just trying to pick a fight.
Too bad. Kiba was still so weak he didn't even trigger a choice option.
Before Naruto could reply, a figure stepped between them.
"I challenged Uzumaki Naruto first," declared Rock Lee, standing tall. "He should fight me before anyone else!"
From across the room, Tenten and Neji sighed.
"Lee, not again…" Tenten muttered.
"We really need to go," she added.
"You two go ahead," Lee replied, his eyes blazing. "I must do this—for the sake of Miss Sakura! Fight me, Uzumaki Naruto!"
"You again, watermelon-head," came Sasuke's voice as he stepped forward. "Didn't I make myself clear earlier? Naruto's first real opponent is me."
Lee faltered for a second… but then remembered what Tenten had said about him being harmless. He straightened up and declared, "Then I'll fight both of you. I want to see how strong the so-called tainted Uchiha genius really is!"
"…Tainted?" Sasuke blinked.
What kind of insult is that? His eye twitched.
"Are you looking to die?" he said, his voice turning cold.
"That depends on how strong you are," Lee answered without hesitation.
Kiba clenched his fists, fuming.
"HEY! Stop ignoring me! You think I'm not worth your attention?"
...They did. No one even looked at him.
But before the verbal brawl could escalate further, the temperature in the room dropped.
A heavy, menacing aura flooded the classroom.
"Uzumaki Naruto… come fight me."
Everyone turned. Standing behind Naruto, a twisted grin on his face, was Gaara of the Sand.
The killing intent he radiated was suffocating.
Sakura froze—she remembered this boy. He was the one who had almost killed Naruto just days ago. Instinctively, her hand slipped into her kunai pouch.
Hinata stepped closer to Naruto, her heart pounding. She wasn't strong, but she wanted to help however she could.
Temari, standing behind Gaara, gulped. Sweat beaded on her forehead. With Kankuro still hospitalized after fighting Naruto, she had no desire to confront him again. But Gaara was uncontrollable.
When Naruto's eyes flicked toward her, she flinched.
Don't look at me, she prayed. Thankfully, he turned his gaze elsewhere.
Gaara. Sasuke. Rock Lee.
Are they all lining up to fight me now?
Oh wait… there's also Kiba.
Suddenly, a familiar screen appeared in Naruto's mind:
[ACTIVE CHOICE TRIGGERED!]
Situation: Multiple challengers surround you, buzzing like annoying mosquitoes. You're annoyed and must choose a response.
Option 1 – Friendly Resolution:Apologize to all challengers and explain that you don't want to fight.Reward: Talent: [Shy]
Cowardice: The less you resist, the more people will bully you. Enemies become bolder.
Option 2 – Shock and Awe:Kill one of them instantly to make an example.Reward: 3 Random Wind Release Jutsu
Option 3 – Confident Declaration:Declare that you'll face them all—tomorrow—in the Forest of Death.Reward: 10 Random Fire Release Jutsu
Option 4 – Ruthless Domination:Wipe out all examinees during the second exam.Reward: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken
Naruto smirked."You guys are really enthusiastic, huh?"
He looked around and raised his voice.
"But fighting you one by one is just too much of a hassle. Let's do it all at once—tomorrow."
The air in the room froze.
Tension spiked. It was as if gravity had suddenly doubled. No one said a word, but the rage and pressure bubbling from Naruto's challengers became palpable.
Whatever they had expected, it wasn't that.
But Naruto didn't flinch. He smiled.
He had just declared war on all of them.
From a quiet corner of the room, a strange figure in a straw hat licked his lips."Hehehe… so that's the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," said Orochimaru's agent, his long tongue flicking out. "Interesting…"