Chapter 142 Monster

As Gaara watched Naruto, who had broken free from his restraints and undergone a drastic transformation, the perpetual indifference on his face finally shattered completely, replaced by a twisted, almost pathological, excited smile, his lips parting to reveal his pale teeth: "Heh—heh heh heh—"

"That's more like it—that's interesting! You—Konoha Village's—Fox Demon!!"

He swung his right arm violently, and a large amount of sand condensed and deformed on his arm, finally forming a huge, ferocious Sand Giant Claw, which, with a shriek that tore through the air, fiercely struck the Fox Demon-transformed Naruto!

"Ow—!"

Naruto let out a non-human roar and charged forward without fear.

The beast claw covered in red Chakra collided fiercely with the gigantic Sand Claw!

"Boom!"

"Clang!"

"Snap—!"

Piercing collision sounds, friction sounds, and tearing sounds were incessant!

Every clash sent sparks flying!

Crimson Tailed Beast Chakra and shattered yellow sand particles mixed and splattered, as if a red and yellow interwoven rain of death was falling!

The two engaged in the most primitive, most savage, and most brutal close-quarters combat in the center of the arena!

The ground beneath their feet continuously cracked!

Cracks appeared on the walls.

Stones began to fall from the ceiling.

The entire round tower trembled, as if it could collapse at any moment.

Are they going to demolish the entire tower just for a fight and an exam?

Such a battle, let alone Chunin, even Special Jonin could not intervene, and did not even have the qualification to watch.

Might Guy and other Konoha elites were also moved.

"Is this the power of a Tailed Beast?"

"How terrifying."

This was everyone's inner thought.

There was no suspense about the outcome; Naruto, who had unleashed the Nine-Tailed's power, directly beat Gaara to a pulp, a crimson giant claw easily tearing through all the sand, pinning Gaara to the ground and pummeling him.

"Thump!!!"

"Crack!!!"

A heavy thud accompanied a clear cracking sound!

The hard Sand Armor on Gaara's body showed large areas of spiderweb-like cracks, then completely shattered.

"Mon—monster—"

"A monster even more terrifying than Gaara!"

Kankuro stared intently at the arena, his pupils shrinking sharply, his face filled with horror!

"Whoosh"

Just as Naruto was about to smash Gaara's giant gourd, all the Konoha Village elites moved.

Might Guy grabbed Naruto's arm.

Asuma Sarutobi reached out a hand from behind and put his arm around Naruto's shoulder.

Kakashi Hatake stood between Naruto and Gaara, one hand touching Naruto's forehead protector, a crimson three-tomoe Sharingan spinning wildly.

"Naruto, that's enough, you won."

Kakashi Hatake said in a deep voice, his five fingers igniting with Chakra flames of different colors.

Aside from the Evil Sealing Method that helped Sasuke suppress the Cursed Seal of Heaven, Kakashi Hatake, as the original teacher of the Seventh Team, naturally also had sealing techniques for Naruto.

"I—won—"

Naruto, panting, immediately had the crimson Nine-Tailed Chakra cloak wrapped around him recede like a tide.

"It's good that I won, job done."

Naruto yawned, as if nothing had happened, and turned to return to the second-floor stands.

"???"

This left Kakashi Hatake and other Konoha Village elite Jonin looking at each other, utterly dumbfounded.

They had been prepared to suppress an out-of-control Naruto.

The result?

Not only was Naruto not out of control, but he also seemed perfectly fine.

On the contrary, Gaara was beaten like a dead dog.

"Has he initially mastered the Nine-Tailed's power?" Orochimaru, mixed among the Ninja, narrowed his eyes.

The seventh match became Nara Shikamaru and Kin Tsuchi.

Kin Tsuchi's Genjutsu Bell Senbon was commendable, but she ultimately lost to Nara Shikamaru.

Eighth Round:

Rock Lee VS Inuzuka Kiba!

Originally, Rock Lee was supposed to fight Gaara, but now his opponent was Inuzuka Kiba, which significantly reduced the pressure, and he won easily.

In the ninth round, it was finally Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Neji's turn.

When their names appeared on the screen, everyone's expressions changed.

Some found it interesting, some had solemn expressions, and some had playful smiles on their lips.

"It's finally your turn."

Rock Lee looked at Hyuga Neji, punching him on the shoulder: "You have to win, I'm rooting for you."

Hyuga Neji nodded and leaped down from the second-floor stands.

Naruto smiled and said to Hyuga Hinata: "Only you from our Seventh Team haven't appeared yet. Now let everyone see the results of your training."

"Hinata, go for it, I know you can do it."

"Defeat Hyuga Neji and prove yourself!"

Ino Yamanaka was also cheering for Hyuga Hinata.

"Yes! I will!!"

Hyuga Hinata clenched her fists and nodded solemnly.

In the past, facing Hyuga Neji, who had the name of a genius, besides admiration, she even had a hint of fear.

Now—

Hyuga Hinata was more curious about how strong she had become after Naruto's special training and her own efforts, and how big the gap was between her and Hyuga Neji. The two geniuses of the Hyuga family stood on the training ground.

On the surface, it was a Byakugan battle, but in reality, it represented the conflict and struggle between the Hyuga family's Main House and Branch House.

"Lady Hinata, I didn't expect my opponent to be you."

"Brother Neji."

Hyuga Hinata looked at Hyuga Neji with a determined expression, without any of her past grievances or timidity.

"Lady Hinata, it seems you've truly changed a lot."

"Recently, I've often heard the elders praise your growth, but this is our first true encounter, please."

Seeing this, Hyuga Neji nodded silently, spread his hands, and assumed the starting stance of Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm.

He wanted to personally experience whether the once timid and cowardly young lady had truly grown enough to stand on her own and become the head of the Hyuga Clan's Main House.

"Ninth round, match—start!"

Gekkō Hayate's voice fell, breaking the silence.

Neji's eyes widened, and veins bulged on his temples.

He didn't hesitate at all, his figure like an arrow released from a bow, instantly closing the distance.

Hyuga Neji's right hand was held like a blade, his fingertips condensed with highly compressed Chakra, and with a shriek that tore through the air, he thrust directly at Hinata's right shoulder.

Hyuga Hinata did not retreat or give way. The moment Neji's fingertips were about to touch, her left foot subtly slid half a step to the side and back, her body gracefully turning like a willow catkin.

At the same time, her right hand moved first, also with fingers together, pointing with extreme precision at the inner wrist of Neji's attacking hand!

"!"

Two streams of pure Chakra collided at extremely close range, producing a faint popping sound.

Hyuga Neji felt a numbness in his wrist, and the Chakra originally condensed at his fingertips instantly became chaotic and mostly dissipated!

His attack was completely neutralized!

"What?!"

Hyuga Neji was shocked.

Hinata's movements seemed not fast, but they were terrifyingly precise, and her timing was perfect!

What surprised Hyuga Neji even more was the force of Hinata's pressure point strike and the penetrative power of her Chakra, which far exceeded his expectations.

This timid young lady seemed even more difficult to deal with than he had imagined!