Chapter 41: Battling Uchiha Sasuke
When Naruto returned to the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Sasuke had also returned, with Sakura Haruno standing by his side, fussing over him with concern.
Shikamaru saw Naruto return and stepped forward, asking in a low voice, "What did Hokage-sama want with you?"
"It was nothing! I set up a Genjutsu Barrier at the Wooden Hut by the river and trapped some Anbuinside. Hokage-sama asked me to go let them out."
Shikamaru nodded upon hearing this and said, "I see!"
After Shikamaru finished speaking, he froze, staring blankly at Naruto. "The Genjutsu Barrier you set up could actually restrain Anbu? Anbu members are all Jonin or Elite Jonin. Your Sealing Jutsu is way too powerful!"
Naruto smiled and said, "It's just a small trick! During the Sengoku period, the Uzumaki Clanrelied on Sealing Jutsu and Barrier Ninjutsu to hold a place in the Ninja World. Don't underestimate the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu."
Shikamaru nodded, lost in thought for a long while, looking at Naruto with worry in his eyes.
Naruto looked at Shikamaru in confusion and asked, "Why are you looking at me with that kind of expression?"
Shikamaru's face darkened as he used Secret Telepathic Communication with Naruto.
"You've exposed your strength. The Third is definitely suspicious of you now."
Naruto was also stunned for a moment upon hearing the telepathic message. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was so strange when he knew Naruto had set up the Genjutsu Barrier.
However, Naruto didn't care anymore. With his current strength, even if he couldn't defeat the Konoha Ninja, he could still escape.
Furthermore, now that Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he was proficient in the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu, he would be even more hesitant to act against him. Naruto was the one carrying the ultimate weapon, the Nine-Tailed. If he was provoked and released the Nine-Tailed in the Village, the Village would suffer a catastrophe.
Having figured this out, Naruto smiled and replied to Shikamaru via Secret Telepathic Communication, "It's fine. You forgot, I'm carrying a massive weapon. I can release the Nine-Tailed at any time. The Third won't do anything that stupid."
Shikamaru nodded and said, "You have a point, but you should still be careful. Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall!"
"Understood!"
Over the next two years, Konoha remained relatively peaceful, though that was only on the surface.
As for the secret power struggles between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, those were beyond their knowledge.
Naruto kept a relatively low profile at the Ninja Academy, avoiding any flashy displays of power.
But today, Naruto found himself with a bit of a headache.
Because today, Iruka had organized an outdoor duel.
Whether it was Iruka's deliberate arrangement or the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's, his opponent turned out to be Uchiha Sasuke.
During these two years, Uchiha Sasuke had been training desperately every day, fueled by hatred.
Since Naruto had completely looted Uchiha Fugaku's house, Sasuke was financially strapped. As a result, the current Sasuke looked somewhat malnourished, bearing a resemblance to the Narutofrom the original story.
Naruto stepped onto the stage, looked at Sasuke, and asked, "How did you end up like this?"
"Shut up! Are we even that close?"
With that, Sasuke charged toward Naruto and threw a punch.
Naruto, with his hands in his pockets, dodged left and right, stepping back gradually, showing no intention of actually fighting Sasuke.
Seeing Naruto effortlessly dodge his attacks, Sasuke increased the speed of his strikes.
Naruto shook his head at Sasuke's performance and said, "A heavy hammer is useless if it doesn't hit the target. Speed without power is a waste of effort. Your footwork is messy, and you're only chasing flexibility..."
Before Naruto could finish, Sasuke roared and swung his fist.
"Shut up! I don't need a dead last like you lecturing me!"
Naruto sighed, crouched down to dodge a punch aimed at his face, and swept his leg out in a wide arc, tripping Sasuke.
After being tripped, Sasuke quickly performed a backflip, jumping two meters away from Naruto, and began forming hand signs.
Snake - Ram - Monkey - Boar - Horse - Tiger.
"Great Fireball Technique!"
Naruto's mouth twitched as he watched Uchiha Sasuke perform the signs. He really wanted to say that the Great Fireball Technique never actually kills anyone.
However, the fireball was already approaching his face, so Naruto quickly shouted, "I forfeit!"
But to everyone's surprise, Iruka acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Seeing this, Naruto had no choice but to leap forcefully, dodging the Great Fireball Technique.
He immediately used the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu while in mid-air.
Several Shadow Clones directly threw Naruto's real body toward Sasuke.
Naruto formed hand signs in the air, preparing to use a Sealing Jutsu on Sasuke.
Seeing Naruto flying toward him, Sasuke braced himself for defense.
But to Sasuke's surprise, Naruto simply brushed aside his hands and, using the momentum of his descent, pressed his hand against Sasuke's body, sealing his Chakra.
Then, Naruto did a backflip and stood on the arena, looking at Sasuke. "Looks like I win!"
Sasuke struggled to stand up, looking at Naruto. "What did you do to me? Why can't I mold my Chakra?"
"What I study is Sealing Jutsu! Naturally, I've sealed your Chakra."
After speaking, Naruto ignored Sasuke and looked at Iruka instead. "I forfeited just now. Didn't you hear me?"
Iruka looked at Naruto with a playful glint in his eyes and said, "I indeed didn't hear you!"
"Oh! That's fine then! But next time someone surrenders, you'd better listen closely. In case I injure, kill, or cripple someone, I hope you won't say you didn't hear it then."
Iruka's face turned as black as a pot's bottom upon hearing Naruto's words. This was a blatant threat and warning: if you make me fight someone again, I will strike hard, and regardless of whether you intervene, someone will surely be injured or killed.
After saying that, Naruto put his hands in his pockets and prepared to leave the arena.
However, Uchiha Sasuke looked at Naruto and said, "Wait! I haven't lost yet!"
Naruto turned back to look at Sasuke and asked, "Are you planning to continue fighting me with Taijutsu?"
"That's right! Even if I can't use Ninjutsu, I can still use Taijutsu."
Naruto gave a cold laugh and pulled out two weights from the bandages around his legs, dropping them onto the arena.
Two loud booms echoed from the stage.
"These two weights are only one-tenth of the total weight I usually carry. Do you still want to fight me?"
Sasuke looked at the pits smashed into the arena by the weights, staring at Naruto in disbelief.
"You were fighting me while wearing these weights just now?"
"Yes."
"And these two weights are only one-tenth of what you carry?"
Naruto was about to nod, but then he shook his head and said, "I haven't calculated it! Even if I told you how much weight I'm carrying, would that help you beat me?"
With that, Naruto turned and jumped directly off the arena.