Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The Main Match Begins, Heiming vs. Gaara
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Heiming's last statement left the audience stunned, their hearts racing at his confidence.
In previous matches, Uzumaki Naruto's actions often seemed to prepare for a grander plan. But this time, Heiming's outright dismissal of his opponent's strength shocked everyone.
Terumi Mei commented, "I remember Heiming as someone humble, rarely underestimating his opponents."
Ohnoki added, "It's not hard to understand. His training at Mount Myōboku must have elevated his strength considerably."
Fourth Raikage nodded, "And after witnessing the fight between Rock Lee and Gaara, he's likely gauged the balance."
Jiraiya, however, countered, "Still, he might be underestimating Gaara. He hasn't seen Gaara fully transform into the One-Tail."
Naruto mused, "What if the big fox already told Heiming about Shukaku's powers?"
The audience buzzed with murmurs. Such a scenario was entirely plausible. Even if Gaara fully released Shukaku, it was clear from previous battles that Heiming had grown strong enough to neutralize such threats.
Still, Gaara showed no sign of fear or caution. His usual resentment burned brightly, fixated on tearing Uzumaki Naruto apart.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen addressed the audience, welcoming them to the main Chūnin Selection Exams, Orochimaru watched him with a sinister grin, thinking, You'll see something far more interesting soon, Sensei.
Once Sarutobi's speech ended, proctor Shiranui Genma stepped forward, toothpick in his mouth and hands casually tucked in his pockets. "The rules are the same as before," he said, his tone calm yet firm. "You win if your opponent dies or surrenders. However, I'll stop the match if necessary. Don't resist when I do."
The participants nodded, including Heiming, whose focus was entirely on Gaara.
In Heiming's mental world, Kurama, the Nine-Tails, stood upright and serious for once. "You seem confident, Naruto. Didn't have time to prepare a clone in the village, did you?"
Naruto grinned. "No worries, big fox. My plan is to provoke Gaara enough to draw out his full strength, even if it means chasing me through the streets of Konoha. I'm sure he won't care about the exam's status if he's consumed by bloodlust."
Naruto looked at Gaara, who was visibly trembling with excitement, his intent to kill almost tangible. "I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
The audience gasped at Naruto's audacious plan. Heiming viewed this as a cat-and-mouse game, where Gaara was the mouse, and he the cat, toying with his prey before delivering a decisive blow.
Ohnoki reminisced, "I remember Heiming excelling in a subject where you analyze uncertain situations to predict outcomes. Maybe he's using that skill here to read Gaara."
Terumi Mei added, "He must've planned this by understanding Gaara's personality."
However, as Kankuro and Temari observed from the stands, their faces showed only dread. They had witnessed Gaara's strength firsthand, and even Kankuro whispered, "Gaara at half-tailed beast mode is terrifying, let alone if he fully transforms."
When Genma announced the first match, "Gaara vs. Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara's eyes widened, his bloodshot gaze fixed on Naruto. His body shook with anticipation, his anger boiling over.
Finally, Gaara thought. This day has come.
Gaara's month-long wait felt like an eternity. Despite searching Konoha high and low, even entering Naruto's home, he had found no trace of his target. Now, with Naruto standing before him, the desire for vengeance overwhelmed him.
Naruto smirked, observing Gaara's bloodlust. "Big fox," he said to Kurama, "why do all Jinchūriki, except me, act like they're terminally ill?"
Kurama chuckled. "This one's worse—his mind's cracked."
Gaara, however, was ecstatic. "Naruto, you're just like me...a monster. That makes your blood all the sweeter."
The fight began, and Gaara immediately summoned his sand. But before it could attack, he froze mid-motion, clutching his head as if in pain.
Naruto frowned. "Big fox, is he okay? Don't tell me he's breaking down already."
Kurama sneered. "No, he's too excited. He's about to lose control and go berserk."
Naruto's grin widened. "Perfect timing."
Without warning, Naruto dashed toward Gaara, aiming a punch. Gaara's sand instinctively formed a barrier, blocking the strike. But as Naruto disappeared and reappeared with blinding speed, the audience realized he was emulating Rock Lee's fighting style.
Temari and Kankuro paled. "Naruto's provoking him," Kankuro muttered. "He doesn't realize how dangerous Gaara is."
Naruto's rapid movements startled even his peers in the stands. Rock Lee, watching with crutches, was speechless. "Naruto has grown so much in just a month..."
Sasuke smirked. "Lee, Naruto isn't comparable to you or me. If I'm a genius, he's something beyond that."
Back on the battlefield, Gaara struggled to keep up with Naruto's speed. He countered with waves of sand, trying to trap his opponent, but Naruto evaded effortlessly.
"You're just copying Rock Lee," Gaara sneered, frustration evident. "You don't have his ferocity."
Naruto simply smiled. "Who said I was trying my best?"
He suddenly removed the weights strapped to his waist and threw them aside.
Boom!
The ground shook as the weights landed, kicking up dust. Gaara's eyes narrowed. "What's this?"
Naruto smirked confidently. "Sorry, Gaara. From here on, you won't even touch me."
The battle escalated. Naruto, faster and more agile than ever, darted around Gaara's attacks, landing blows that Gaara's sand barely managed to block. Frustrated, Gaara let out a guttural roar, his sand swirling violently around him.
In the stands, Terumi Mei commented, "Heiming's pushing Gaara's buttons on purpose. He's trying to remind him of Rock Lee's beating."
Ohnoki nodded. "Heiming is forcing Gaara to lose control, pushing him closer to transformation."
Gaara, enraged, summoned a massive wave of sand, aiming to engulf Naruto. But Naruto remained calm, dodging gracefully.
As the fight raged on, Naruto's calculated provocations became clear. Every move seemed designed to draw out Gaara's anger, making him lose focus.
Gaara's losing it, Kurama said. One more push, Naruto, and he'll fully transform.
Naruto grinned. "Good. Let's see what the One-Tail is made of."
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Naruto continued his relentless assault, his every move a calculated step toward his ultimate goal: forcing Gaara to reveal the full extent of his powers.
Gaara, trembling with rage, finally screamed, "Enough!" His chakra surged wildly, and the arena began to quake. The sand spiraled around him like a storm, signaling the emergence of Shukaku's power.
Naruto, unfazed, smirked. "That's more like it, Gaara. Show me what you've got."
And so, the true battle began.
This was no ordinary Chūnin exam match. It was a clash of Jinchūriki, a spectacle that would test not only their powers but also their resolve. As the tension in the arena reached its peak, the audience could only watch in awe and trepidation, wondering who would emerge victorious in this high-stakes confrontation.
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