Naruto: Konoha's Kanpu

"Is that guy really that strong?" Under the main stand, Naruto checked the battle situation in the ice mirror through the gaps between the ice mirrors, and his expression was somewhat constipated.

After all, Haku was the second person after Sakura to make his heart flutter, though it was a bit embarrassing to admit since Haku was a boy.

Naruto's face contorted in confusion.

Not far away, Kankuro was watching with a similarly dark expression, feeling just as conflicted as Naruto.

Beside him, Sasuke observed the scene with a serious expression. At this time, he has already activated his Sharingan, but even so, he couldn't find any flaws in the ice mirrors!

'If I was inside…' Sasuke narrowed his eyes, 'Maybe I could use Chidori to break through the ice mirrors, but I would still be hit by senbon shooting from other directions.'

'And once I got hit and my movements were affected… I will lose!'

'How is it possible?!'

Sasuke was not feeling good.

'Would I really lose?'

'And to someone who looks so... feminine?'

Sasuke couldn't accept it. His fists clenched tightly, with veins bulging.

Suigetsu noticed the changes in the expressions of these guys nearby, and happily said: "Haku is really something, after all. No wonder he's considered on par with me, he didn't bring shame to me."

Everyone's eyes shifted to Suigetsu, and they started scrutinizing him.

Seeing this, Suigetsu puffed out his chest proudly.

At the same time.

Neji, who couldn't find a solution after thinking for a while, finally used Revolving Heaven once again under the relentless barrage of senbon.

In other words, the situation within the ice mirrors was completely under Haku's control!

On the railing of the stands.

The four Jonin Instructors of Konoha Twelve gathered together and whispered among themselves.

"Guy, Neji is about to lose." Asuma said with a sigh.

"I know." Guy nodded, showing no sign of distress.

As a Shinobi, accepting failure and setbacks is part of the journey. It's not a big deal!

"Does Ice Release really counter Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and Gentle Fist so effectively?"

Tenzo asked in doubts, "Why haven't I heard of this before?"

"It's not that Ice Release counters the Byakugan, it's just that this guy's use of Ice Release is so peculiar that it just happens to counter Neji's Byakugan and Gentle Fist." Asuma explained.

"Asuma, according to what you said, if every Ice Release user developed their techniques like this guy, wouldn't the Hyūga Clan be done for?" Kurenai asked a critical question.

Asuma smiled and shook his head, "How can there be unchanging battles?"

While they were talking, Neji, who had been using Revolving Heaven, finally collapsed from exhaustion.

"That's enough!"

Genma flickered into the field, "He already lost."

Haku stopped in time, and then walked out of the ice mirror calmly, bowed slightly to Genma, then walked back to the main stand.

"Awesome!!!"

"Yuki Clan actually defeated Hyuga Clan!"

"The Byakugan doesn't seem that impressive."

"Ice Release is really strong!"

"The key is, that person is so beautiful and gentle!"

Countless male spectators in the stands applauded for Haku, the clapping resounding through the venue.

After the battle between Neji and Haku ended, the subsequent matches fell into a lull again. The spectators in the stands took this opportunity to visit the restroom or grab a meal, and twenty minutes later, there are only eight contestants remained under the main stand!

They are Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Lee, Suigetsu, Kankuro, Karin and Hinata.

The two beautiful girls talked and laughed easily, hand in hand. They're not worried about encountering strong opponents at all. After all, they had already exchanged their lot numbers to ensure they would face each other!

"Participants with lot numbers fifteen and twenty-two, please step forward for the match." Genma announced lazily.

Karin and Hinata glanced at each other, then stepped into the field with a smile.

Naruto munched a food pills to pad his stomach, then looked down at his lot number: 18.

Naruto silently calculated and realized he would be the last to compete.

'I really am the protagonist!'

Naruto felt invigorated, though he wondered if Sasuke had gotten lot number 19.

"So you're number 18, huh?" Suigetsu's voice suddenly came from behind Naruto.

"What do you want?" Naruto jumped in surprise.

"If you're number 18, I need to get number 19 to face you."

Suigetsu touched his chin and looked towards the others and said, "Hey, who's got number 19? Let's swap!"

The other four contestants ignored him.

"Damn it, are you all treating me like I'm invisible?" Suigetsu angrily said.

"Before asking others, tell us your own lot number first!" Kankuro said with a dissatisfied snort.

Suigetsu hesitated for a moment, but he was too eager to kill Naruto with his own hand, so he had to show his lot, "I am number 16."

"16? Then, doesn't that mean I'm your opponent?" Kankuro didn't feel too good, as the lottery in his hand is actually 21.

"You?"

Suigetsu was overjoyed, and rushed to Naruto's side, then urged, "Namikaze Naruto, quickly switch your lots with that old man so I can face you!"

"No way!" Naruto shook his head firmly.

As the protagonist, he naturally wants to be the last one to compete, so he couldn't give up his lot number 18!

Nearby, Lee's eyes sparkled with realization, 'Naruto is 18, Suigetsu is 16 and Kankuro is 21, then…'

He quickly got between Sasuke and Gaara, and asked, "I'm number 20. Sasuke, Gaara, which of you is number 17?"

Sasuke's eyes flickered momentarily.

Lee, with his keen perception, caught the subtle reaction, and was thrilled: "Great, even if my opponent isn't Naruto, I'll still give it my all against Sasuke!"

"Humph." Sasuke snorted coldly.

'Wait!'

Kankuro's heart sank, 'Hozuki Suigetsu is 16, Uchiha Sasuke is 17, Naruto is 18, Rock Lee is 20, and I'm 21. That means number 19 is… Gaara?!'

Thinking of this, Kankuro swallowed his saliva. Although he is Gaara's elder brother, he was scared to speak to Gaara on his own initiative. Now, if he tried to make an excessive request such as changing their lot numbers… he would be courting death!

"So my opponent is him?" Naruto also heard Lee's words, so his cyan pupils instantly locked onto Gaara.

Suigetsu immediately rushed over, "Hey, gourd guy, swap your lot with me!!"

Gaara gave him a sideways look, and coldly said, "Scram."

"…Okay."

When Gaara's lifeless and indifferent eyes fell on him… Suigetsu immediately backed down.