Even with the unparalleled insight granted by his Sharingan, Sasuke could not immediately tell the difference between Naruto's Shadow Clones and his true body. Yet this keen perception allowed him to anticipate the attacks more accurately than ever.
Raising both hands, two kunai materialized in his palms. With a surge of chakra, he thrust them forward, aiming directly at one of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Pat—
The clash was immediate and violent. Sasuke's kunai struck the clone squarely in the chest, and in an instant, it dissolved into a cloud of white smoke.
"A Shadow Clone?!" Naruto yelled, his voice sharp with surprise.
Without hesitation, he retaliated, sending the remaining two Shadow Clones into a coordinated assault.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Three Narutos erupted at once, attacking from different angles. The whirlwind of movement was nearly impossible to track, even for someone with the Sharingan. Sasuke's eyes strained, desperately seeking the smallest imperfection in the synchronized attacks.
Finally, he noticed it—a fleeting vulnerability. Seizing the opportunity, he propelled himself upward, leaping high into the sky.
"We're flying!" Naruto thought, adrenaline pumping through every fiber of his being.
The two Shadow Clones followed, desperately trying to close the distance, but Sasuke's aerial maneuver put him out of immediate reach.
"Damn it!" Naruto shouted, frustration etching his features.
From above, Sasuke unleashed his ultimate technique: Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!
A searing torrent of flames roared into the air, twisting and darting like a dragon brought to life. The flames scorched the earth beneath, burning through trees and scorching rocks in their path. This was Sasuke's most powerful ninjutsu, the culmination of years of training and refinement.
Naruto's Shadow Clones surged toward the fire, undeterred.
"Leaf Whirlwind!" one shouted.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!" the other echoed.
The tornadoes formed by their spinning kicks collided with the dragon-shaped flames, shredding them into a scattering torrent. Flames dissipated into sparks and smoke, dissipating harmlessly into the air. Yet the two clones were not spared—the intense heat immediately reduced them to white smoke.
Sasuke's eyes widened, disbelief flooding his expression. My Dragon Fire Technique… shattered? By Naruto?!
Yet the battle was far from over. The main Naruto remained, standing tall, breathing hard but unbroken.
"Your move," Sasuke hissed, spinning downward with the Sharingan still blazing. He gripped his kunai tightly, ready for the next strike.
Naruto's chest heaved as he gathered the last remnants of his strength. Memories of training with Might Guy flooded his mind, the countless hours of sweat and pain giving him courage.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!" he roared.
Spinning backward while launching a powerful kick, he targeted Sasuke's descent from above. The technique was Guy's secret Taijutsu, designed to strike an opponent from behind, leaving them no time to counter.
Sasuke's face went pale. Even with the Sharingan anticipating Naruto's movements, his body could not respond in time. The strike connected with a thunderous impact, sending him hurtling through the air, limbs flailing uncontrollably.
The arena fell silent. Dust and debris swirled as Sasuke landed beyond the ring, groaning in pain and disbelief.
Naruto dropped to his knees, exhausted, body trembling from the effort. Yet he remained upright, unbroken. There was no doubt—he had won.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" Iruka Sensei finally announced, his voice brimming with pride and emotion.
The crowd, still reeling from the spectacle, struggled to comprehend what they had witnessed. Could it be true? Sasuke Uchiha, the prodigy, had been defeated? And the victor—Naruto, the mischievous underdog—had triumphed over him?
Sakura's face drained of color as she watched, disbelief etched into her features. She had been so focused on helping control Sasuke that she had forgotten to move.
Hinata, her hands clenched tightly, watched Naruto with awe. Her heart swelled with pride, unable to contain the happiness she felt on his behalf.
Iruka Sensei hurried toward Sasuke, concern etched across his face.
"Sasuke! Are you all right?" he called out.
Sasuke's body trembled violently, yet the physical pain paled in comparison to the firestorm raging within his heart. Rage, humiliation, and disbelief collided as he faced the truth: he had lost. To Naruto.
"Impossible…" he muttered, his voice low and strained.
Naruto, barely able to comprehend the moment, felt a wave of joy and relief wash over him. All the hardships, the rejection, the endless training—it had culminated in this victory.
Iruka Sensei placed a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Congratulations, Naruto. You did it…"
The words triggered an overwhelming flood of emotions. Naruto's knees buckled, and he collapsed into Iruka's arms, tears streaming down his face.
"I… I won…" he whispered, his voice breaking with relief and joy.
Iruka Sensei, understanding at last, held him close. No one could understand Naruto's struggle better than he did—the loneliness, the mockery, the weight of being orphaned and feared by the village. He had endured more than anyone could imagine.
Slowly, the other students began to process the outcome.
"Did Naruto actually defeat Sasuke?" one whispered.
"How… how is that possible?" another asked, disbelief in their voice.
"The gap between them was supposed to be unbridgeable. Naruto never had a chance," someone murmured.
"Could Sasuke have held back?" another speculated.
"No way. Sasuke would never show mercy—especially to Naruto," the first responded.
"Then… Naruto must be a true genius too," someone concluded quietly.
Hinata's face flushed pink as she continued to watch him, hands still tightly clasped in admiration and awe.
Naruto remained in Iruka's embrace, overwhelmed by the realization that he had finally achieved something remarkable. The cheers of the crowd, the astonished faces of his classmates, and the pride radiating from Iruka Sensei made his victory feel surreal.
Every obstacle, every moment of doubt and pain, every insult and lonely night had led him here. And now, standing victorious, he understood the truth: hard work, courage, and determination could change even the most impossible odds.
Sasuke, still reeling from the defeat, clenched his fists. Hatred and frustration boiled within him, yet a reluctant respect began to form deep in his heart. He had underestimated Naruto—but he would never forget this day.
Naruto's classmates slowly approached, their faces a mixture of awe, pride, and disbelief. Even those who had doubted him could not deny the strength and growth he had displayed.
"You… you really did it, Naruto," Sakura finally breathed, her voice trembling with astonishment.
Hinata smiled shyly, her admiration evident in her gentle eyes. "Naruto-kun… I'm so proud of you," she whispered.
Iruka Sensei looked down at him with tears in his eyes, a rare smile of pure pride on his face. "This… this is the result of your perseverance, Naruto. You never gave up, even when the world counted you out. And now… you've shown everyone what you're truly capable of."
Naruto nodded, overwhelmed, his tears mingling with sweat and dirt. Every trial, every hardship, every moment of ridicule had been worth it. Today, he had finally proven himself—not just to the village, not just to his friends, but to himself.
The arena, once tense and chaotic, now buzzed with a mix of astonishment and respect. Naruto had crossed a threshold. He had transformed from the underdog into a hero, a ninja who could challenge the strongest.
And as he looked up at the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun and the cheers of the village around him, a quiet determination settled in his heart. This victory was only the beginning. There were still countless battles ahead, still countless dreams to chase, and he would face them all—head-on, without fear, and with the unshakable spirit of the Uzumaki Naruto.
For the first time in his life, he truly felt that anything was possible.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)