"Naruto, next time—I'll definitely beat you!"
After a long nap, Kiba finally woke up. His body ached all over, and his pride ached even more.
What the hell was that match!? He didn't even have time to fight back before getting flattened.
Still, he clenched his fists. He had lost fair and square—no excuses.
The ninth round was Choji vs. Tsubaki.
Choji fought bravely, but Tsubaki's wind-based techniques overwhelmed him.
Tsubaki advanced to the third selection exam, while Choji ended up flat on his back—again.
Then came the tenth round: Menma Uzumaki vs. Yakushi Kabuto.
The entire hall went quiet.
"It's finally here," Kakashi said, arms crossed.
Shikamaru exhaled slowly. "Yeah… poor guy. Facing the boss? That's just tragic."
Choji nodded, pale. "Thank goodness it's not me."
With only six fighters left, everyone's odds of being picked were rising—so when Choji realized he wasn't next, he nearly danced with relief.
To them, facing Menma was psychological torture. They'd all been "trained" by him since childhood—which really meant getting beaten senseless over and over. No matter how much they improved, his strength was just on another level.
He was less a senior and more a childhood trauma in human form.
"Hey, isn't that the guy who tried talking to us before the first exam? The one big brother kicked out?" Ino whispered, recognizing Kabuto.
Shikamaru nodded quietly.
Gekko Hayate raised his hand. "Begin!"
The two combatants stood motionless. Menma had his hands in his pockets, looking as casual as ever.
"Not planning to forfeit, Kabuto?" he asked lightly.
Everyone blinked.
Was he serious? He just told his opponent to quit before the fight even started!
Naruto shouted from above, "Hey, glasses guy! My brother told you to give up, so just give up already!"
The crowd turned to look at the Uzumaki brothers—Menma below, Naruto above.
Same face. Same hair. Same grin.
Two brothers, one gene pool of chaos.
The murmurs spread fast.
"Wait—they're brothers?"
"Explains everything."
But Kabuto only smirked and pushed his glasses up. "You'll find out soon enough."
Menma's smile thinned. So Orochimaru sent you to test me, huh?
"Oh? Someone told you to measure my strength?" he said calmly. "Too bad—you're not qualified to measure it."
And before anyone could blink, Menma was gone.
A flash of movement—then a loud crack.
"Rasengan!"
The swirling orb slammed into Kabuto's stomach, sending him flying across the arena.
"GAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
He hit the wall and crumpled, coughing blood.
Menma straightened, hands sliding back into his pockets. "Hayate, better call it fast. He's about five seconds from meeting his ancestors."
He turned and walked away casually.
Orochimaru, if you're using your underling to test me, that's on you. Don't blame me when he can't stand afterward.
If Menma hadn't held back, Kabuto would've been a red smear on the floor.
The audience sat frozen in silence. Even Gekko Hayate took a second before rushing forward to check Kabuto's pulse.
The fight hadn't even lasted ten seconds.
Menma's little brothers—Naruto and the rest—exploded in cheers.
"Brother Menma, that was awesome!"
"You're so cool!"
"You're the best!"
Menma: (￣ω￣;) Did one of those voices sound male? Don't… don't do that.
He sighed. "Stop praising me. Brother's just a legend, not a god."
Tsunade stood up and addressed the room. "Listen up! All examinees—try to avoid unnecessary injuries or fatalities during these matches."
She gave Menma a look.
This guy… one fight and he nearly kills someone again.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ "What am I going to do with him…"
She rubbed her forehead. "Forget it. Jiraiya can deal with the complaints when someone starts whining later."
Then came the final match: Gaara vs. Rock Lee.
"Oh! The protagonist's finale!" Lee shouted, vibrating with excitement.
Guy gave a dramatic thumbs-up. "As expected of my student!"
"I have one piece of advice," Guy added suddenly, leaning close.
"Yes, sensei?"
"That gourd on his back—suspicious. Very suspicious."
Lee nodded seriously, flipping open his small notebook.
Guy's smile twitched. "Wait—don't write that down! You won't have time to read it mid-battle!"
Lee: "Noted!" Writes faster.
Sakura facepalmed from the stands. "Unbelievable…"
"Alright, Lee," Guy said finally, pointing forward. "Go!"
"Yes, sir!" Lee shouted, leaping into the arena. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I didn't expect to fight you so soon, Gaara! I'm thrilled!"
Gaara, however, only stared back in silence. His face was blank, cold, unreadable.
Gekko Hayate raised his hand. "Final match—begin!"
Lee launched forward instantly. "Leaf Whirlwind!"
His kick connected—only for a wall of sand to erupt between them.
"What—!?" Lee gasped, flipping back as the sand retaliated, lashing toward him like a living wave. He barely dodged.
"That sand…" he muttered, watching it retreat into Gaara's gourd.
The audience murmured in awe.
"Is that… sand?"
"What kind of jutsu is that?"
"Does he store it in the gourd?"
Naruto leaned toward his brother. "Hey, what's that, Brother?"
Menma smiled faintly. "Want to hear his story?"
Naruto nodded eagerly.
"His name is Gaara. He's a lot like us," Menma said. "His father is the Fourth Kazekage… and he's the Jinchuriki of One-Tail, Shukaku."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait—One-Tail? Then he's like the Nine Tails' little brother!"
At that, both Nine-Tails inside them twitched.
Kurama: (╬) "WHO'S whose brother!?"
Menma's Nine-Tails: (╬) "Don't lump me in with that raccoon!"
Naruto ignored them. "Brother, what does Shukaku even look like?"
Menma thought for a moment, smirking. "Kinda like… a teapot."
There was a beat of silence—
Then both Nine-Tails burst out laughing.
Kurama: "A teapot! Bwahahaha!"
Nine-Tails (Menma's): "Hahaha! I can't—this is too good!"
The brothers couldn't help but laugh too.
(End of Chapter)
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