Chapter 79: Moon Goddess
Naruto looked at the remaining contestants waiting to enter.
More than half were already gone.
But most of them were Konoha Ninjas.
Nara Shikamaru's name flashed on the large screen on the wall.
Naruto wasn't worried about that guy at all.
Although he was lazy and didn't want to use his brain, he truly had the highest IQ.
You could always trust him, provided he didn't get insta-killed.
Those who play tactics have dirty hearts.
Naruto watched him win easily and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
The big screen continued to scroll.
Shino Aburame vs. Tenten.
Danger!
Tenten!
Although she was a rich girl and a total lucksack, unfortunately, her opponent was a guy who lived by the laws of causality.
Throughout the entirety of Naruto, besides having a low presence, Shino Aburame had never suffered a defeat.
The true Invincible of the East—oh wait, the Invincible of Konoha.
Moreover, Tenten was a girl, and she hated messy bugs the most.
After throwing a whole bunch of ninja tools with a clatter and failing to win, she just ran off.
People with trypophobia really can't handle this.
Naruto suddenly remembered a Character Cardthat was perfect for Shino Aburame.
Zouken Matou.
But just thinking about it made his scalp tingle.
The following matches all ended quite quickly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped down from the stands.
The originally flat arena was now unrecognizable.
Neji and Rock Lee were the biggest contributors to this.
They could be called expert home-wreckers.
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed and began his blah-blah-blah speech.
Naruto inexplicably thought of the principal's speeches during school openings in his past life.
"Next, I will talk about six points..." Half the morning vanished just like that.
After the preliminaries, it would be the official tournament.
But there was a month of preparation time, during which the Daimyos and Ninja leaders of Konoha's allied nations would all be present.
In short, it was very important.
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally finished, and Ibiki Morinostepped forward to have everyone draw lots to determine their opponents for the third round.
Naruto drew number seven.
May Ultraseven grant me good luck.
As long as the opponent wasn't Hinata, anything else was acceptable.
Naruto glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
I hope you don't try anything funny.
Otherwise, I'll have The Fool lend Orochimaru a hand.
This drawing of lots seemed fair and just, but if Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to interfere, it would be quite easy.
After all, he was the biggest thief within the house.
Hinata drew number nine.
Not bad.
Long-lasting and eternal.
And no matter how seven and nine were matched, they probably wouldn't be paired together.
"Don't worry."
Naruto held Hinata's hand with his other hand.
Obviously, she didn't want to be matched with him either.
He just didn't know if she would end up as Neji's opponent.
Well, Neji was number ten.
If they were adjacent, it would be Hinata.
If they were opposite, it would be Sasuke.
Sasuke got number one.
He liked it.
Typical Uchiha, always striving to be number one in everything.
The type that has pride etched into their genes.
"I will now announce the match table."
Ibiki Morino took out the prepared list.
Nara Shikamaru vs. Temari.
Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji.
Sakura Haruno vs. Kankuro.
Uchiha Sasuke vs. Shino Aburame.
Uzumaki Naruto vs. Gaara.
The winners of the first matches will continue to advance until a final winner is determined.
But it's not like only one person can become a Chunin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Land of Fire's Daimyo En Shū, and many Jonin will form a judging panel to evaluate the ten individuals and select the Chunin.
Naruto twitched the corner of his mouth.
This list is really strange.
Hinata fighting Neji is understandable.
After all, it happened in the original work, though that was in the preliminaries.
It's just that he and Sasuke actually swapped opponents.
However, Kurama in the Sealing Space was very excited.
After talking with Shukaku, it hadn't gone back to sleep and would glance out from time to time.
Seeing that Naruto was going to fight Gaara.
It felt like its chance had come.
"Naruto, when the time comes, I'll lend you my Chakra. Beat that little fatty to death!"
Kurama was clearly enjoying the chaos.
"I don't need your Chakra to win."
"Is that the same?!"
Kurama was jumping up and down in agitation; it definitely had to restore its prestige as the boss.
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
This guy usually ignores me, and now he's eagerly offering cheats?
Seeing his smile, Gaara's expression turned cold.
Kankuro and Temari looked at Naruto with pitying eyes.
Still smiling? You're dead meat!
"Naruto-kun..."
Upon learning she had to fight Neji, Hinata's face was full of worry.
This outcome was the second worst in her mind.
And for the official tournament, her father, Hiashi Hyuga, would also be coming.
If she lost, it would definitely make the Main House look very bad.
"You will win."
Naruto also noticed the gazes of the Gaara trio, but he ignored them.
He looked at Hinata and said seriously, "I said so, and no one can stop it."
"You have that much confidence in her?"
Neji's voice suddenly drifted over.
Although Hinata's previous punch was strong, he had obtained a new cheat, so it was impossible for him to lose.
He looked at Naruto.
He somewhat suspected that the ability he suddenly gained was this guy's doing.
Ever since they were kids, Naruto could always produce strange things.
"If I don't have confidence in her, should I have confidence in you?"
Naruto retorted.
"That works too."
Neji nodded.
Naruto was so startled he hugged Hinata.
"Eek..."
Scent.
Naruto-kun's scent... so much, so full.
Hinata fainted spectacularly.
"..."
Naruto rolled his eyes.
Neji, you are truly heinous!
He took out the scroll Orochimaru had given him, handed it to the guy, and waved him off, saying, "Hurry up and leave, don't be a third wheel."
Neji scanned the scroll, and his body jolted.
"Where did you get this?"
"Anyway, it's none of your business."
Neji fell silent, tucked the scroll away, and said, "Thank you."
"No problem. Work hard, and do me a favor when the time comes."
"I will."
Neji turned to leave but stopped again, asking, "I suddenly learned archery, was that your doing?"
Isn't shooting a necessary skill for every man?
Oh, you mean Shirou Emiya.
Naruto thought for a moment and said, "That was your original talent; I just gave you a little 'bang-zhu' (help)."
Neji paused for a moment and said, "In the future, no matter what you want to do, I will agree to it."
"???"
Naruto was so startled he hugged Hinata tighter.
Can you speak normally?
Brother-in-law.
Sasuke originally wanted to come over and say goodbye to Naruto, but seeing him holding Hinata, he tactfully left.
Karin, following the original plan, moved into the house provided by Sasuke.
After all, he had inherited the Uchiha legacy.
He wasn't short on money or houses.
Naruto picked up Hinata, preparing to take her home.
[Please specify the gacha keywords, host.]
A targeted draw brought by the legend of the white snake.
For now, Hinata couldn't beat Neji.
But what keywords should he use?
"Can I use 'Hinata' as a keyword?"
Naruto asked tentatively.
No choice, having a Luck Buff makes one that confident.
[Keyword detected, drawing card... Congratulations, host, you have obtained one Character Card.]
[Character Card: Heroic Spirit Orion.]
[Description: Permanent special Character Card, actually the Moon Goddess Artemis. Upon equipping, the user will randomly gain three of Artemis's abilities. The specific power is determined by the wearer's Chakra.]
[Note: Due to the special nature of this Character Card, a 60% compatibility is required to equip it.]
[Current host compatibility is 0%, cannot equip. Can be transferred to others to receive corresponding compensation rewards.]
Oh, another archer.
Not bad.
And it's the Moon Goddess from Greek mythology.
In Naruto, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Hinata is the Moon Goddess.
After all, the moon was created by the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
[Detecting... Current target, Hyuga Hinata's compatibility is 100%.]
Naruto contentedly slapped the Character Cardinto Hinata's body.
Thanks to the big boss Hellcat for the tip.