Konoha: Gu Master

"Is Naruto going to lose?" Ino asked, watching the scene on the field intently.

"No," Shinho shook his head. "Sasuke's taijutsu is good, but it's not enough to take Naruto down."

It wasn't so much that Sasuke's attack lacked power—it was more that Naruto's resilience was just ridiculously high.

"Besides," Rock Lee added, his eyes shining with excitement, "Naruto can use that technique."

"You mean the Eight Gates?" Shikamaru's face turned serious.

"Exactly!" Lee grinned. "Trust me, Naruto's going to win this! That's the power of youth!"

"Looks like Sasuke is in for a tough fight," Shikamaru muttered, realizing that every member of Team 7 was terrifyingly talented. 

Though the Eight Gates technique wasn't widely known, it was legendary among high-level shinobi for its destructive power. 

In the Second Shinobi War, Might Duy had held off the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alone, taking down four of them and forcing the rest to flee. Unfortunately, the technique was incredibly difficult to master; many had attempted and failed.

Even Neji glanced at Lee, a bit unsettled. Having witnessed Lee's strength firsthand, he knew the power of the Eight Gates.

He'd only ever seen up to the Third Gate in training, so he wasn't sure just how powerful Naruto could become.

At that moment, Guy's booming encouragement rang out across the arena.

"It's happening!" Lee's eyes lit up, turning to look at Naruto with excitement.

Shinho and the others shifted their attention to Naruto, who had just pushed himself off the ground, his voice filled with determination as he shouted back, 

"Got it, Uncle Guy!"

Naruto, though bruised, was still going strong, his scrapes already healing.

Sasuke watched in disbelief. Any other genin would've been in the hospital after taking that many hits. But Naruto looked like he hadn't taken any serious damage at all.

His teammates were practically unbreakable—one had absurd endurance, and the other had skin like iron. Compared to them, Sasuke wondered if he might actually be the most "normal" one.

"Eight Gates!" Naruto shouted as chakra began to surge around him.

Is he about to use the Rasengan? Sasuke thought, feeling a bit of anticipation.

As the intense, high-pitched chirping of Chidori crackled through the air, Sasuke's expression sharpened.

This was a technique he and Kakashi had created together—a variation called Chidori Current. Lightning danced across Sasuke's body, creating a protective barrier of electricity that could both attack and defend.

But Sasuke quickly realized he might have underestimated Naruto.

The chakra roaring around Naruto grew even stronger, creating intense gusts of wind like a hurricane. Naruto's blond hair stood on end, his skin flushed red as he channeled the Gates.

"Open: Gate of Opening! Gate of healing! Gate of Life!"

Each gate amplified the chakra, creating a powerful shockwave.

"This technique was supposed to be for Shinho," Naruto muttered, as he stripped off the bandages on his arms, revealing the muscles beneath.

Sasuke didn't have the presence of mind to respond. He gripped his lightning-charged sword tightly, feeling a strange sense of dread. 

Naruto's power had become overwhelming, and the Chidori Current shielding him no longer felt sufficient.

How can taijutsu be this strong? Sasuke quickly weaved signs, unleashing a Dragon Fire Jutsu. 

A dragon-shaped flame burst forward, speeding towards Naruto. Yet Naruto effortlessly leaped high into the air, easily evading the attack.

Impossible! Sasuke's Sharingan could barely follow Naruto's movements—they were faster than sound.

"SASUKE!" Naruto shouted, then launched forward with enough speed to produce a trail of shockwaves, like a rocket soaring into the sky.

Hidden Lotus!

The final stage of this powerful taijutsu technique had arrived, Naruto's bandages whipping in the wind as he closed in. 

Each Gate of the Eight Gates came with its own devastating move, and the third was Hidden Lotus—a technique of tremendous force, though with a heavy cost. 

In the original series, Lee had suffered torn muscles just from using it.

Sasuke's Sharingan flashed, focusing on the blur that was Naruto. 

With an effort, he gathered his lightning chakra into a protective barrier around himself, mimicking the Raikage's Lightning Armor to the best of his abilities.

Naruto's punch connected.

Sasuke winced as the hit struck, forcing him to retreat as Naruto's fists kept coming in rapid succession, pounding against the lightning armor with explosive sound. 

The ground beneath them shattered from the impact, dust rising only to be immediately swept away.

Naruto paused briefly, launching a bandage from his wrist to ensnare Sasuke around the waist for the Lotus' finishing strike—a powerful throw intended to send his opponent crashing into the earth. But just then, a shadow appeared above him.

Naruto glanced up to find a massive summoned lizard blocking the light. This momentary distraction gave Sasuke the chance he needed.

Sasuke grimaced, fighting through the pain, and gathered his chakra into Chidori.

With a battle cry, he lunged at Naruto, who had just recovered from his aborted Hidden Lotus.

Despite the disruption, Naruto felt exhilarated. "Impressive, Sasuke! Gate of Pain, open!"

The surge in chakra continued as Naruto reached the Fourth Gate, magnifying his power even further.

Super Leaf Hurricane!

The energy from his feet surged with chakra, and Naruto executed a powerful back-kick against Sasuke's Chidori.

The arena was awash in blue light as Sasuke was launched backward, feeling his arm go numb from the impact. 

Still, he managed to steady himself as his summoned lizard lunged at Naruto, sending tremors across the ground.

Chunks of stone flew toward the stands, but nearby ninja formed a barrier just in time, shielding the audience.

"Amazing…" Temari stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the spectacle before her.

"Unbelievable," Kankuro muttered. 

He had assumed that only Gaara was this formidable among the genin, but these Leaf shinobi had all shattered his expectations.

"That's incredible," Gaara whispered, his bloodlust palpable as the air around him seemed to distort.

Temari and Kankuro shivered and instinctively stepped back.

"Gaara, remember the plan," Temari whispered, though her voice trembled.

But Gaara only stared at the arena, oblivious to her words.

"So he learned the Eight Gates, did he?" Orochimaru murmured, surprised. 

He was suddenly grateful that Naruto hadn't used this technique in the Forest of Death. If he had, Orochimaru doubted he would have escaped from Team 7 unscathed.

"Are you familiar with the Eight Gates, Lord Kazekage?" Tsunade asked with a hint of amusement.

She was thrilled by Sasuke and Naruto's performances so far. 

And with Shinho still to come, the Leaf Village was undoubtedly stealing the spotlight today, leaving Sand and other smaller villages in awe.

"Only a bit," Orochimaru responded coolly.

"Who do you think will win?"

Orochimaru feigned disinterest. "It's hard to say."

Meanwhile, in the arena, the battle continued to escalate.

Naruto, letting out a fierce yell, threw the giant lizard off him with sheer force, slamming it to the ground with a resounding crash.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, his posture slightly hunched but his voice resolute. "Come at me again!"

"You're already at your limit," Sasuke observed, gripping his lightning sword with his left hand. "This is my win."

"You think so? Youth never gives up!" Naruto declared, his body enduring the strain better than Rock Lee's thanks to his natural resilience.

"Alright, Naruto," Sasuke murmured after a short silence. "You're a worthy opponent after all. This next move of mine was originally meant for Shinho."

Sasuke's eyes sharpened as his blade flashed forward.

Naruto immediately felt the danger, dodging to the side with the speed afforded by the Fourth Gate. But he could still hear the slice of Sasuke's blade through the air.

Before he could fully process the attack, Sasuke was upon him again, and Naruto had no choice but to dodge.

Again and again, Naruto and Sasuke clashed, their attacks perfectly balanced.

"Is this... White Fang of Konoha?" Orochimaru muttered, eyes narrowing as he recognized the fighting style.

Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted even more strongly, rising from his seat abruptly. 

During the height of the Sannin's fame, another ninja had held even greater fame—Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo. 

His terrifyingly precise and ruthless swordsmanship had left an indelible mark on the battlefield. 

Unfortunately, after a mission went disastrously wrong, Sakumo had chosen to take his own life, leaving Konoha to mourn his passing.

"It looks like Kakashi has found a true successor," Tsunade said, visibly surprised.

Kakashi, Sakumo's son, had never truly inherited the White Fang's swordsmanship, partly because of his reliance on the Sharingan. 

But now it appeared that he had passed it on to Sasuke.

"Congratulations," Orochimaru commented with a feigned calmness as he resumed his seat. 

Inside, however, he felt a thrill. 

Hatake Sakumo's techniques were legendary—only a true prodigy could master them. Sasuke's gift for swordsmanship was indeed extraordinary.

Your talent is remarkable, he thought with a glint in his eye. But soon enough, you'll be mine.

Tsunade managed to suppress a smirk. She recalled that much of Sakumo's fame had been won at the expense of Sand Village's shinobi. 

No doubt, this "Kazekage" was seething.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in thought. His expression was tinged with regret. 

Perhaps, he thought, if I had intervened back then, Sakumo's life might have taken a different path.

Down in the arena, Naruto called out with burning enthusiasm, "Sasuke! I can feel my blood boiling!"

I hope it doesn't boil over! Sasuke thought, feeling exhaustion already creeping in.

White Fang's swordsmanship was famed for its lethal speed and precision, though it required immense physical stamina to execute correctly. 

Sasuke relied heavily on his Sharingan to approximate the technique, but his success rate was slipping against Naruto's relentless power and speed. 

If it weren't Naruto on the receiving end, he would have ended the match by now.

"MY YOUTH HAS NO REGRETS!" Naruto shouted, a gleam of determination in his eye. "Gate of limit… OPEN!"

For the first time, Naruto entered the Fifth Gate.

In the depths of the hidden sewer within his mind, a monstrous fox opened one eye. 

The Nine-Tails' chakra surged through Naruto, manifesting as visible waves of energy around him, scattering dust and pebbles across the battlefield.

"???"

Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. Is he cheating reality right now?

Naruto's face contorted in pain as blood trickled from his mouth, the cost of unleashing such overwhelming power.

"Sasuke! This is my Final move!" Naruto roared, closing the gap in an instant and unleashing a kick that was barely deflected by Sasuke's blazing lightning sword. 

But the sheer force sent Sasuke flying across the field, where he landed with a bone-jarring impact before promptly losing consciousness.

"I… won!" Naruto managed to say with a smile, moments before his own legs buckled and he collapsed to the ground, too drained to move but still conscious.

"Victory goes to... Naruto Uzumaki!" Genma announced, swallowing hard. 

These are just genin? he thought, dumbfounded. This has to be some kind of joke.

The crowd erupted in applause, the arena filled with cheers and excitement. 

The intensity of this first match had surpassed everyone's expectations.

"Shizune, get down there and treat them immediately!" Tsunade said, her voice urgent. 

Konoha's future depended on these kids, and any injuries they sustained could cost the village dearly.

Though a medical team was prepared, Tsunade wanted Shizune's personal assistance. 

Shinho could have also helped, but his own match with Gaara was still to come, and she didn't want him to exhaust his chakra before then.

Lee, moved to tears, cried out, "THAT… was the essence of YOUTH!"

"..."

Neji subtly sidestepped away from him. 

He observed Naruto closely, shaken by the Fifth Gate's power.

But he was confident that, given the chance, he could immobilize Naruto with his Gentle Fist, forcing the boy's body to collapse under the strain.

"Thank goodness I didn't draw Team 7 as opponents," muttered Kiba, clutching Akamaru tightly.

"Woof!" Akamaru agreed, visibly tense.

Shinho gave a glance in Hinata's direction, suppressing the urge to reach out. 

He wouldn't be able to hug her, though he had to admit, Naruto's performance hadn't surprised him much. 

Sasuke, on the other hand, had caught him off guard with his White Fang-inspired swordsmanship.

It made sense, though, now that he thought about it. Sasuke's skills had been honed under Kakashi's careful guidance much earlier than the original series, which made the timing right for him to inherit such techniques.

"Shinho…" Hinata said quietly, glancing up at him.

He turned to see her face full of concern. "Worried about me?" he asked.

She hesitated, nodding. The battles fought by Naruto and Sasuke had shown her how powerful they were—and made her wonder if Gaara's strength might be equally overwhelming.

[Achievement Unlocked: "Ultimate Genin Squad" – Reward: Ghost Cry Gu.]

[Ghost Cry Gu: A Rank-3 Gu of the Soul Path, able to emit a piercing wail that disrupts the enemy's spirit.]

Shinho raised an eyebrow. Seriously? Ultimate Genin Squad? Then again, it was strangely fitting.

Focusing on the Ghost Cry Gu, he couldn't help but be delighted. 

The Gu, specializing in soul-based disruption, was rare and potent—any soul-based technique was dangerous, as they were exceedingly difficult to guard against.

"What incredible power," Kurenai muttered, watching in awe.

"Kakashi, you truly are my eternal rival!" Guy declared, giving a thumbs-up. "My youthful spirit is ablaze! Let's have our own match after the exams!"

"Nope, too busy," Kakashi replied without hesitation. 

He knew better than to encourage Guy; a little acknowledgment would only fan his flames.

"Curse you, Kakashi!" Guy shook his fist dramatically. "Are you really going to just sit back when my student defeated yours? Shouldn't you be fired up too?"

"Not even a little." Kakashi met Guy's intensity with an unbothered look. 

He knew all too well that any small reaction would only spur Guy on.

"Are these really genin?" Kankuro said, hands shaking slightly as he absorbed what he'd just seen.

"It's terrifying," Temari whispered, her face pale.

Even Gaara, previously emanating a chilling bloodlust, now stood more subdued.

 An unexpected flash of doubt crossed his mind. Could I withstand Naruto's Fifth Gate?

As medics carried Sasuke and Naruto away, the arena floor cracked and battered, the damage filled and stabilized by Earth-Style users from the Anbu.

"Next match: Temari versus Shikamaru Nara!" Genma announced.

"Man, what a pain…" Shikamaru sighed as he dragged himself toward the center of the field.

"I'll make this quick," Temari said confidently, her spirits lifted. 

Although Naruto and Sasuke had been impressive, she was confident that no ninja from the Nara clan could pose a serious threat.

"Ino, do you think Shikamaru stands a chance?" Shinho asked, noting how Temari seemed to be chasing Shikamaru all over the battlefield.

"Shikamaru's smart, but… I'm not sure," Ino said worriedly. "Maybe he's just too lazy for this."

Shinho patted her shoulder. "It's all about tactics with Shikamaru. He's going to be fine."

The rest of the audience murmured, curious about the condition of Sasuke and Naruto.

Meanwhile, in the arena, Shikamaru, to everyone's surprise, suddenly raised a hand and declared, "I forfeit."

Temari, frozen with shock, just stared. 

He'd had her in his Shadow Possession Jutsu—he could have won.

"Shikamaru!" Ino shouted, indignant. "You had her!"

"Unlike Naruto, I know my limits," Shikamaru shrugged. "I was completely out of chakra."

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