𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

The Preliminaries, Pt. 4

Last time:

"Right! Next up is Uzumaki Naruto vs Inuzuka Kiba!" the proctor announced.

'Whoever decided to put those to loudmouths together was an idiot.'

Now:

"YESSS! IT'S MY TURN!" Naruto exclaimed as he jumped into the fighting area.

"I hope you're ready to accept your defeat," Kiba said as he too made his way to the fighting area.

"Good luck, Naruto," Sakura smiled.

"All right, seeing as there aren't any objections, let the fifth preliminary match begin!" Hayate announced.

"Sorry, Kiba, don't take it personally if I blow you away," Naruto said.

"Ah! That's exactly what I was going to say, only not as politely. Right Akamaru?"

"Arf!" Akamaru responded as he jumped out of Kiba's sweater and onto the ground.

"Wait a second, what's the puppy doing here? Come on, isn't that against the rules or something?"

"No, like Shino's bugs, the dog is a part of Kiba. He is within the rules."

"Hmph, whatever. Fine by me. I do my best work with a handicap."

'Ugh, is this entire match just going to be a huge trash-talk session?'

"Aw man, Kiba's so lucky!" Choji exclaimed.

"I think you'd be surprised Choji," Hanara smirked, "I mean, this is the same Naruto that's escaped squads of ANBU after doing a prank."

And then, their attention was brought back to the match when Naruto let out a huge yell and his body hit the floor with a thud.

"This little guy is gonna be out for a while," Kiba told the proctor, "You can call the match."

"Thought as much," Shikamaru commented.

"Yeah, I thought Kiba might be too much for him, but that was fast," Ino responded

"You know, you had me believing in him for a moment," Choji said to Hanara.

Hanara shook her head, "Watch. If there's one thing Naruto is good at, it's surprising everyone and defying expectations."

As if that was his cue, Naruto forced himself to his feet.

"What! No way!" Kiba said, turning around.

Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Lee, and practically everyone but Hanara, Kakashi, and Sakura, let out a gasp of shock.

"I told you!" Hanara laughed.

"Don't ever," Naruto growled, "Don't ever underestimate ME!"

"Heh. Seems like the kid's come a long way." Shikamaru smiled.

"YEAH!" Lee cheered.

"Yeah, yeah, more tough talk. Look at yourself in a mirror, you're a mess!" Kiba exclaimed, hiding his shock.

'Ughhhh can we get to the actual fight already? What is this? A let's-see-who-can-talk-their-opponent's-ear-off-first competition?'

"Come on, Akamaru," Kiba said, running in Naruto's direction with a bunch of smoke bombs.

"He's planning on doing what I did to defeat Shikamaru on our first day with Asuma-sensei," Hanara muttered as Naruto was engulfed in a bunch of smoke.

"Darn, the best part and I can't see anything!" Shikamaru exclaimed.