Chapter 88: Total Domination

A month passed quickly.

Over this month, the three little ones were pushed to their limits by Aoba, enduring intense training that left them half-dead. However, their improvement was undeniable.

Thanks to targeted training, the three of them had now surpassed the typical standards for Genin. In fact, most Chunin probably couldn't take them down.

Sasuke's lightning chakra control had advanced to the point where he could instantly generate electricity on his hands. In combat, this made his unarmed and weapon-based attacks significantly more powerful.

Naruto, on the other hand, had spent the entire month getting beaten up by Aoba's shadow clones. While he couldn't retain a lot mentally, his muscle memory was exceptional. The various combat techniques had become almost second nature to him.

As for Karin, her wide-range jutsu was enough to make every civilian ninja in Konoha envious. If her opponent didn't have an overwhelming advantage, they'd be forced to match her jutsu for jutsu or get blasted.

Among the competition, only Gaara could rival Karin's chakra reserves.

Since it was the finals, it would have been improper for Aoba not to attend.

So this time, he arrived early with Yumi, finding a seat in the middle to wait for the match to start.

"Seriously? While other teachers are giving last-minute advice, Aoba-sensei just went to the spectator stands," Naruto complained.

But Sasuke and Karin understood Aoba's intentions. This meant that he didn't consider any of their opponents a threat.

Of course, except for that one guy.

Sasuke fixed his gaze on Gaara in the distance. As his own power had grown, he could now sense Gaara's dangerous presence.

"That guy doesn't seem like a Genin at all."

"Exactly. His chakra is subtle but unimaginably strong."

"He's probably using some technique to hide it. Aoba-sensei specifically warned us to be cautious around him, so let's just stay alert."

Aoba didn't pay much attention to Gaara. He was scanning the surrounding spectators instead.

As expected, quite a few members of the Anbu were already on guard in the stands.

Kakashi wasn't in the spectator stands this time. He was at the main podium, sitting next to Hiruzen Sarutobi as one of the Hokage's advisors. Aoba noticed Kakashi also surveying the stands.

Orochimaru hadn't exactly been subtle. Konoha's Anbu weren't amateurs; they'd sensed something. But they still hadn't identified the source of the threat.

Orochimaru was bold enough to sit right next to Hiruzen without anyone recognizing him. The face-masking technique was indeed invaluable.

It might have also been that, with the disguise of the Third Kazekage, the sensory team didn't dare check him carelessly. Orochimaru was playing the "hidden in plain sight" game to perfection.

Soon, Aoba spotted Kabuto among the crowd. Wearing an Anbu mask, he was seated casually, with teammates who were either Sound Village shinobi or under his control.

After a few lackluster matches, it was finally Karin's turn. Her opponent was Tōsu from the Sound Village.

Karin, having graduated early but still part of Team 7, had a good relationship with the Konoha 12. When she entered the arena, there was plenty of cheering.

But Tōsu was in for a tough time. The Sound Village trio had escaped Sasuke's wrath in the second round, but due to plot deviations, they'd faced several tough opponents, barely making it through.

Karin kept Aoba's teachings close to heart: "Strike first, or risk being struck down." She didn't waste time with words.

She started with the Water Release: Water Colliding Wave technique. Tōsu barely managed to dodge in the enclosed arena.

But Karin seamlessly followed up with the Water Release: Heavenly Weep and then the Water Release: Water Bullet technique, linking the three area-of-effect jutsu in rapid succession.

Before the audience could react, Tōsu had been dragged underwater.

Karin hadn't intended to kill him, or she could have ended it with a Water Shockwave or even thrown a kunai. Tōsu would have been dead in seconds.

Though brief, Karin's performance as a ninjutsu-type shinobi was a hit with the spectators. The flashy display was the first highlight of the finals.

Next was Naruto vs. Neji.

Aoba found this match particularly interesting. He even thought it was the one Konoha's higher-ups had most carefully arranged.

Neji was a talented but disillusioned young man. Constrained by his branch family status, his body and mind were never truly free, which led to a resentment toward his cousin, Hinata.

In truth, Aoba knew Neji didn't resent Hinata herself but rather her lack of resolve. He feared she'd end up like him, unable to control her own fate.

Hinata's poor performance, compared to her sister Hanabi's remarkable talent, made her position as the clan heir precarious.

Neji might appear proud, but he was actually a "tsundere" at heart, especially protective of Hinata.

Everyone in the Konoha 12 knew of Hinata's feelings for Naruto, except for Naruto himself. This made Neji secretly resentful toward him.

In the original storyline, Neji dominated Naruto, almost killing him several times. But as the "Child of Destiny," Naruto's resilience kept him in the fight long enough to turn the tables.

But this Naruto was different. Unable to master long-range ninjutsu, he'd focused on close combat. After a month of Aoba's brutal training, his combat instincts had improved immensely.

Honestly, Aoba wouldn't train just anyone like this, as it could easily break them. But Naruto was different. His mental and physical resilience only made him stronger.

As the fight began, Neji quickly realized something was wrong.

Although they weren't close, Neji knew Naruto was the "dead-last" in his class.

But after crossing fists, Neji saw that Naruto's taijutsu and combat experience were top-tier.

And Naruto's chakra reserves were ridiculous. A single Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu would create dozens of clones. Though his Rasengan was still unrefined, Naruto could simply create thirty clones.

In a whirlwind of clones, Neji was quickly knocked unconscious, beaten down by a storm of punches.

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Currently on Chapter 128 - Itachi and Kisame's Tactical Retreat