However, this wasn't a Chunin Exams arena battle; there wouldn't be rounds of selections, advancements, and a championship match.
It was merely a random draw to select two students for Ninja sparring.
Iruka-sensei revealed the results of the random draw.
"The first pair for Ninja sparring are…"
"Sakura Haruno, and…"
"Hyuga Hinata!"
At that moment, Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart.
Goodness… the very first match is Sakura and Hinata?
For her, it was like a showdown between two friends… Moreover, the relationship between the two of them was already quite delicate.
Hinata liked Uzumaki Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto liked Sakura Haruno, and Sakura Haruno liked Uchiha Sasuke.
Both of them also had excellent academic records; although their personalities were completely different—one outgoing and uninhibited, the other reserved and shy—they were both the most eye-catching figures in the class.
Who would ultimately gain the upper hand?
Sakura Haruno and Hyuga Hinata walked to the Ninja sparring ground under everyone's gaze.
Hinata said in a low voice, "Sakura, please, please guide me."
Sakura Haruno said, "Hinata, last time you stopped me, and even wanted to fight me for Uzumaki Naruto.
Today is a good chance to settle things."
Hinata hastily said, "That, that was because…"
Sakura Haruno interrupted her, "Never mind why, let's just have a good fight!"
"…Alright, alright."
Uzumaki Naruto was also a bit confused at the moment.
Although deep down he still had feelings of affection for Sakura Haruno.
But for some reason, he now only wanted to cheer for Hinata… However, doing so would be a bit unfair to Sakura Haruno… He could only shout, "Go for it!"
He didn't even know who he was saying it to.
Ino Yamanaka had the same thoughts, so she simply said nothing and just watched the match silently.
Iruka-sensei gave the command.
"Sparring begin! Form the Confrontation Seal!"
Hinata and Sakura formed the Confrontation Seal with each other.
Then… Sakura roared and instantly charged forward, throwing a powerful punch at Hinata.
However… Hinata blocked the attack directly with her arms.
She took a deep breath.
Although she didn't like to fight, she had a reason why she absolutely couldn't lose!
Because… she had promised Naruto-kun that she would work hard and cheer him on, so… how could she be defeated here?!
"Byakugan…"
"Activate!"
In an instant, Hinata activated her Byakugan, taking in Sakura's movements completely, then immediately unleashed her family's Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm.
"Haaah!"
A seemingly gentle but actually fierce palm strike was instantly unleashed, surprising Sakura Haruno, who quickly defended, but was still sent flying by the power of the Gentle Fist!
"That is…"
Before Sakura Haruno could even react in shock, Hinata was already in pursuit.
Once the Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm was unleashed, it was impossible to defend against, instantly making it seem as if one had fallen into an Eight Trigrams formation, allowing the opponent's relentless attacks to barrage them!
Bang—
Bang, bang, bang!
The continuous palm strikes quickly made it difficult for Sakura Haruno to resist.
Her face paled, and she soon cried out, being sent flying by Hinata's Gentle Fist technique and falling with a splash outside the ring!
Iruka-sensei quickly said, "Sparring over!"
"Hinata wins!"
Hinata quickly went forward to help Sakura Haruno up.
"Sakura, are, are you alright?"
Sakura Haruno was a little at a loss, and shook her head dejectedly.
For some reason, Uzumaki Naruto felt relieved.
"Good, good…"
He and Ino Yamanaka unconsciously exchanged glances, both seeing the same thoughts in each other's eyes.
At this moment, the two were in sync, appreciating each other.
Hinata and Sakura Haruno formed the Reconciliation Seal with each other, then each returned to the sidelines.
Afterwards, other students had their respective sparring matches, but they were all rather unremarkable.
Uzumaki Naruto had been looking forward to his turn.
His goal, without a doubt, was Uchiha Sasuke!
However, this was a random sparring session, and he had no certainty that he would happen to encounter him.
"Ahem, the next pair for Ninja sparring are…"
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Uzumaki Naruto immediately perked up his ears, silently praying in his heart.
"Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke!"
In fact, Sasuke was also waiting for such an outcome.
His expression changed, and he also became nervous, clenching his fists tightly.
Under everyone's watchful eyes.
Iruka-sensei spoke the name of the other person.
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
At once, the entire field erupted in an uproar, and everyone couldn't help but anticipate it greatly!
Hinata, Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and everyone else felt a stir in their hearts!
Uzumaki Naruto, on the other hand, shouted loudly and jumped up happily.
"This is great!"
Although Sasuke had also been looking forward to this outcome, seeing Uzumaki Naruto's cheering and jumping expression, he couldn't help but sneer.
"Hey, Diao Che Wei…"
"Are you that happy to meet me?"
"You should know very well that fighting me will only lead to a complete defeat!"
Uzumaki Naruto didn't care at all and immediately retorted.
"Heh, I've never thought of myself as a Diao Che Wei!"
"Sasuke, I've waited long enough for this day!"
"Now, I can finally fight you fairly and thoroughly defeat you in public, proving my own strength!"
Sasuke said coldly, "Overestimating yourself!"
Iruka-sensei's brows furrowed slightly.
He knew the bond between these two, but precisely because of that, this battle was inevitable!
Amidst numerous eager gazes, Uzumaki Naruto and Sasuke strode to the center of the field, standing in confrontation, their fighting spirit boiling and burning like flames!
Iruka-sensei took a deep breath.
"Battle start!"
Chapter 69: Clash! Is This a Ninja Academy Student's Battle?! Please Subscribe for the First Chapter!!!
As Iruka-sensei gave the command.
The Ninja sparring officially began!
Uzumaki Naruto!
Uchiha Sasuke!
These two, although in everyone's eyes one was like heaven and the other earth, in terms of their influence on the entire class, they had always been the two most extreme existences!
The genius, and the Diao Che Wei!
But now, no one dared to call Uzumaki Naruto a Diao Che Wei.
He had honorably defeated Hinata, and rumor had it he had even killed the Chunin Mizuki!
Although, most people didn't know if that was true or false.
But one thing was certain… that the so-called absolute genius Uchiha Sasuke, despite his sarcastic remarks, his most valued enemy… was Uzumaki Naruto!
Otherwise, he wouldn't be showing such a formidable look of readiness and fulfilled ambition now!
"Sasuke-kun…"
Sakura Haruno clasped her hands tightly, seemingly sensing the burning fighting spirit in Sasuke's heart!
She couldn't help but glance at Uzumaki Naruto opposite him.
His eyes, too, seemed to be spitting fire, his fighting spirit boiling, as he stared intently at Sasuke!
For some reason, Sakura Haruno suddenly felt a tremor in her heart… she actually started to worry about Sasuke… If it were her original self, she would certainly have believed that Sasuke-kun would win, how could that scoundrel Uzumaki Naruto compare to him?!
But now, she suddenly wasn't so sure… "No, what am I thinking?!"
"How could Uzumaki Naruto be Sasuke-kun's opponent?!"
"That's simply impossible!"
However.
Hinata, with a gentle smile, silently prayed and wished Uzumaki Naruto well.
"Regardless of victory or defeat, Naruto-kun, you are my hero…"
"Go for it, Naruto-kun…"
Ino Yamanaka looked at Uzumaki Naruto and Sasuke, then at Sakura Haruno and Hinata, her heart filled with complex emotions.