SWNOVELXO Chapter 67: First Fight
Ino yamanaka vs Kiba Inazuka
The proctor, Hayate Gekko, who was still alive in this version of events, stepped forward. His raspy voice echoed throughout the arena, carrying a surprising strength as he announced, "The first match is between Ino Yamanaka and Kiba Inuzuka. Both of you, come to the arena."
The crowd's cheers grew louder as the two participants made their way down to the center of the battleground. Ino's expression was calm and focused, her usual confidence showing as she prepared for the fight. Kiba, on the other hand, looked eager and fired up, his canine partner, Akamaru, at his side, barking excitedly in anticipation.
As they took their positions, Hayate raised his hand, signaling for them to get ready. "Remember, this is a one-on-one battle. The match will continue until one of you admits defeat, is unable to continue, or I decide the outcome. Understood?"
Both nodded, determination evident in their eyes.
"Begin!" Hayate shouted, dropping his hand to start the match. Ino and Kiba immediately sprang into action, with Kiba charging forward alongside Akamaru, while Ino began strategizing her next move. The first battle of the finals was underway, and the crowd watched in eager anticipation to see who would come out on top.
Before the match began, I had already wished Ino good luck, and she confidently replied, "I'm going to win this match." Now, as the fight started, I stood alongside Sakura and Tenten, cheering for her with all the energy I could muster.
"Ino, go! Defeat Kiba!" we shouted, our voices ringing out over the crowd's noise. Ino seemed to hear us, glancing our way with a determined look in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Hinata found herself in a tough spot. As Kiba's teammate, she naturally wanted to support him, but Ino was also a close friend. Her uncertainty was written all over her face as she watched the battle unfold, her hands clasped together in nervousness. She hesitated to join in our cheers, torn between loyalty to her team and her bond with Ino.
In the arena, Ino and Kiba were already trading blows. Kiba's aggressive style kept Ino on her toes, and Akamaru's quick movements added to the challenge. But Ino was keeping her composure, watching for an opening to use her clan's signature techniques. The match was quickly shaping up to be an intense showdown, and our cheers continued to urge Ino forward as she fought to claim victory.
In the midst of the battle, Ino and Kiba continued trading blows, with Akamaru darting in and out, trying to catch Ino off guard. Despite Kiba's relentless assault, Ino was matching his pace effortlessly, clearly holding back and not yet fighting at her full strength.
"Kiba, you know I'm stronger than you," Ino taunted as they clashed, her strikes meeting his with precision. "Just give up already."
Kiba grinned in response, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Do you think I'll just give up like that? No way! That would be too pathetic," he shot back. "I know you're stronger, but sometimes, even the weaker ones can win if they fight with everything they've got."
Ino smirked at his resolve. "Then you're going to regret that choice, Kiba." Her eyes narrowed as she shifted her stance, preparing to unleash more of her true abilities.
The crowd watched intently, sensing that the real battle was about to begin. As Kiba and Akamaru prepared for another charge, Ino began forming a series of hand seals, signaling that she was done holding back. This match was about to get a lot more interesting, and only time would tell who would come out on top.
Ino formed a clone beside her, quickly setting it in position to intercept Kiba and Akamaru's charge. As the clone engaged them, Ino took the opportunity to prepare her signature jutsu. She focused her chakra and extended her hands forward, forming the seal for the Mind Transfer Jutsu.
In a swift moment, her consciousness shot forward, hitting Kiba directly. His body froze as his mind was taken over, his eyes widening in realization. Despite his efforts to resist, he found himself unable to break free. His mental strength wasn't enough to overpower Ino's control, and he became a prisoner within his own mind.
Ino, now in control of Kiba's body, smirked confidently. "Looks like I've got you, Kiba," she said, using his voice. She guided his body to a still stance, effectively immobilizing him.
As Ino maintained her control over Kiba's body, Akamaru sprang into action, biting Kiba to snap him out of the Mind Transfer Jutsu. The pain jolted Kiba back to his senses, and Ino was forced to return to her own body, her expression showing a hint of disappointment at the lost opportunity.
Not wasting any time, Kiba launched his counterattack. "I'm not done yet!" he shouted, forming a hand sign as Akamaru leapt beside him. In an instant, Akamaru transformed into a clone of Kiba, creating two identical fighters. Without hesitation, Kiba used his signature technique, Fang Over Fang. The three of them-Kiba, the transformed Akamaru, and the clone- spun rapidly towards Ino like a trio of devastating drills.
Ino braced herself, refusing to back down. With a surge of determination, she planted her feet firmly and channeled all her strength into her next move. As the three Kiba figures hurtled towards her, she swung her fist with full force, timing it just right. Her punch connected with all three of them simultaneously, generating a powerful shockwave that disrupted their spiraling momentum.
The sudden impact caused the clones to dissipate, and both Kiba and Akamaru were sent crashing to the ground, unconscious from the force of the blow. The arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted into cheers as the proctor declared, "Winner: Ino Yamanaka!"
As Ino was declared the winner, her face lit up with joy. She dashed over to where we stood, and without hesitation, wrapped us all in a big, triumphant hug. "Guys, I won the match!" she exclaimed, her excitement evident in her voice.
"Yeah, you won!" I replied, reaching out to ruffle her hair playfully. "You showed real strength out there, Ino. That was awesome."
Sakura joined in the celebration, squeezing Ino in the hug. "I knew you could do it! That was an amazing finish."
Hinata smiled warmly, clapping her hands together. "Congratulations, Ino. You did great."
Ino beamed, the adrenaline of her victory still coursing through her. The support and encouragement from all of us seemed to make the moment even sweeter for her. As we stood there, celebrating Ino's success, the excitement of the Chunin Exam finals only continued to grow. There were still many battles ahead, but for now, we shared in the happiness of Ino's well-earned victory.