New Soul (Naruto Various! x Reader)

Ch. 69: Hit It or Quit It: the Final Rounds Get Complicated! Part 1

3rd POV

The whole arena is as quiet as a morgue, just comprehending that the winner was Naruto. The said boy is breathing air back into his lungs as he stands over Neji. Neji, who is laying on the ground, glares up at his opponent with a scowl. Tenten peers down at her dear teammate with a sad sigh.

Sakura however gasps with a laugh and clenches her fists. "You did it!!!"

Ino is just as happy, turning her head to look at the people around her who are clapping for Naruto.

'Wow, that Naruto kid really knows how to fight.' Kotetsu also claps with an impressed smile.

"That's my best friend down there!" Y/n shouted out and pointed her finger down at the Uzumaki.

Gradually, Naruto stops panting for a moment when he listens to the applause and cheer. Blinking in astonishment, his mouth forms into a sheepish grin.

Sticking out a peace sign, "Yeah!" He laughs gleefully and jogs around the terrain feeling the glory.

Genma grins with his needle sticking out from his mouth. 'Incredible, even after that fight he has the energy to run around. That kid has amazing stamina.'

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" The blonde boy has an open grin as he takes it all in.

Slowly, Sakura's smile turns into a frown. 'Naruto just keeps getting stronger.'

"Wow, he did it. He won the fight." A kunoichi with long raven hair wearing a gray sleeveless turtleneck said to her friend.

Sakura turns her head towards them, hearing their conversation.

Her friend who has her brown hair in a bun and is wearing a lime green shirt nods. "Mhm, he's on a track to success."

"And he's kind of cute too." She giggles with a hinted blush.

The pinkette quietly sighs and turns face front. 'I hate to admit it, Naruto, but I envy you.' She watches him giving kisses to the crowd. 'But watching your battle has made me realize that I have to work really hard too, or I'll never get anywhere.' She sighs yet again and closes her eyes.

In the waiting area, Shikamaru is gripping onto the railing. "Ugh, Naruto defeated Neji? Oh man, I can't believe it."

"Well you better believe it Shika." Y/n nudges him with her elbow.

He gives her a side glance, "And I thought Naruto was the same as me. One of the dorky, uncool guys."

'I don't think you're dorky or uncool.' The song girl thought as she gazed at him.

Shino turns to Shikamaru too. "Dorky and uncool?"

"Now everyone's saying that he's gonna make something big of himself. Just great, I doubt I could beat him now. This is really bad. I've never felt so depressed. What a drag." His head drops down sulkily.

Y/n pats him on the back. 'I don't think you'll be fighting him soon Shika.'

In another spot of the crowd, the three Jonins: Asuma, Kurenai, and Zabuza are sitting next to each other.

Kurenai tells the two men, "He was able to draw upon the Fox's chakra all by himself."

"Yeah, even the people from the Hidden Leaf Village seem totally surprised." Asuma places a cigarette in his mouth.

Zabuza eyes the crowd, finding what Asuma said was true. "I know I'm not surprised." He remembers the last time he used the Fox's chakra back in the Land of Waves.