"Do you want it? Do you dream of it?"
Kiba nodded frantically like a puppy, practically wagging his tail.
"Then show me all your strength and defeat my Greymon."
"Only in the face of adversity, when your wills are connected, can Akamaru achieve evolution."
Natsuki's eyes narrowed. He slammed his right hand onto the ground and roared, "Come forth, Greymon!"
A huge cloud of smoke billowed up in the arena.
"Roar!!!"
A roar, like that of a dragon's echoed throughout the stadium, causing many ordinary spectators to fall out of their seats in fright.
A moment later, the smoke cleared.
A streamlined body, a terrifyingly large head, with teeth like daggers glinting with a cold light. Thick, muscular hind legs with claws as sharp as blades.
Such a ferocious image was exposed to tens of thousands of spectators. Suddenly, the entire venue fell silent.
Even Kiba, who had seen this sight before, shivered.
Akamaru crouched on all fours, his fur standing on end as he whimpered.
When they were just companions, he only felt a sense of security from this giant beast.
Now, facing it as an opponent, facing this sharp killing intent head-on, he understood how much courage it took to be Natsuki's enemy.
No wonder, in the Forest of Death, Gaara, a seemingly powerful ninja from Sunagakure, was taught a lesson.
And that girl, Temari, was scared to tears.
He had even chuckled at them then.
He never thought it would be his turn to face this beast so soon.
Kiba's face was solemn, and his heart sank even further. But he remembered Natsuki's teachings: Akamaru needed adversity to grow.
If Akamaru could truly evolve, then... all the hardship would be worth it.
"What a huge Summoning animal!"
"If I had to face such a terrifying monster, I think I'd choose suicide."
"Is the first round of the Chunin Exams this intense?"
"Whose kid is that? I have a daughter, I wonder if a marriage alliance is possible…"
"You're dreaming! Let my family handle it. My twins just turned three this year. This young man is handsome; it wouldn't be a loss."
"What the fuck?! You want to marry off your kids so young?"
"Well, isn't it planning for the future? Geniuses are sought after by every family. If I can recruit a genius son-in-law to improve the family genes, maybe years later, Konoha will have another powerful clan."
"Senior, you have such foresight! If I go home and give birth now, would it be too late?"
"You fools, stop arguing and watch the match! That Inuzuka kid is in danger."
"The Inuzuka clan's skill in raising ninja dogs is top-notch in Konoha. What a pity, they ran into an opponent who can summon monsters in the first round."
After a brief silence, all kinds of exclamations erupted from the audience.
There was surprise, matchmaking attempts, and nonsense.
But most of them were not optimistic about Kiba.
This ultimately ignited Kiba's fighting spirit.
"Akamaru, don't be afraid!
"I will fight alongside you until the very end! Let others see that the Inuzuka clan is not to be trifled with!" Kiba loudly encouraged his partner.
"Woof woof!"
Akamaru turned to look at his master and barked twice, his body gradually stopping trembling.
As long as his master had the will to fight, he wouldn't be afraid.
"Since you're ready, then let's begin.
"A true enemy won't give you time to prepare.
"I will not hold back."
Natsuki said indifferently, his body lifting off the ground and slowly floating above Greymon's head.
"Greymon, use Nova Blast."
Suddenly, Greymon opened his massive mouth, and an orange light ignited in his throat.
Then, several formed fireballs roared out.
"Akamaru, dodge!
"Four Legs Technique!"
As Kiba warned his partner, he used the Four Legs Technique, gathering Chakra in his limbs, transforming himself into a beast-like form.
This increased his grip, speed, and attack power.
Bang Bang Bang!!
Kiba and Akamaru managed to dodge all the fireballs.
But the next instant, a tail whip, carrying the sound of tearing air, struck.
Boom!
The two figures were sent flying like cannonballs, amidst a thick cloud of dust.
"The gap is too big. How can they fight?"
In the audience, Hana Inuzuka, Kiba's older sister, looked at the arena with worry.
"It feels like that monster was just warming up, and the Inuzuka kid was already beaten to a pulp."
"That Summoning animal is incredibly strong. Not only is its whole body a weapon, but it can also use Fire Style jutsu." A few ninjas with some knowledge of Summoning animals explained.
Ordinary ninjas could only summon common animals like birds, cats, or small dogs for simple reconnaissance missions.
Stronger ones could summon ninja beasts that could use basic jutsu.
Even more renowned were those who could summon exceptionally powerful and large Summoning animals capable of using powerful jutsu.
These Summoning animals could even rival Tailed Beasts, weapons of war, for a short time.
Ninjas who possessed such powerful Summoning animals were all famous throughout the ninja world.
For example, the Legendary Sannin of Konoha could each summon unique and powerful Summoning animals.
No one expected to see a Chunin Exams participant capable of the same feat.
"Akamaru! Let's use Fang Passing Fang together!"
Just as everyone's attention was focused on the giant beast in the arena, Kiba, who had been repeatedly sent flying, stood up.
This time, he and Akamaru performed their current signature move together:
Fang Passing Fang!
Two identical figures spun rapidly, quickly creating two horizontal tornadoes that simultaneously attacked Greymon.
This move dazzled the audience, eliciting cheers.
"Greymon, use Great Horn Attack!" Natsuki commanded calmly, unfazed.
The horn on Greymon's head hardened, like a helmet, and he rammed forward with his massive head.
The sky-piercing horn, more ferocious than a bull's, instantly tore through the two oncoming tornadoes.
Kiba and Akamaru were once again sent flying.
Only then did everyone realize that Natsuki hadn't made a single move himself. He had simply resolved the battle using his Summon.
"The difference is just too great," everyone sighed inwardly.
"Kiba, give up.
"Don't continue."
Hana, his sister, shouted anxiously from outside the arena.
They couldn't even break through the opponent's defenses; the gap was too wide, and victory was impossible.
It was better to concede early and avoid further injury.
Kiba, lying on the ground in pain, felt a moment of confusion.
But Akamaru crawled forward, his limbs trembling, resolutely shielding Kiba and facing Greymon's pressure head-on.
"When no one believes in you, you still firmly believe in yourself.
"You firmly believe in your partner's ability.
"You possess courage and resilience. What you've always lacked is true trust in your partner.
"You always thought Akamaru was young and needed protection. But this might have hindered his growth.
"Perhaps, you can try to trust your partner and let Akamaru protect you for once." Natsuki's voice was like a melody bringing enlightenment reaching Kiba's ears.
In an instant, he was enlightened.
That was right! He was still afraid.
In every battle, he would rather rush to the front himself than let Akamaru get hurt.
This was the reason why he hadn't been able to make Akamaru evolve normally for so long!
Clearly, in the Land of Waves, he had succeeded in making Akamaru evolve, but because he was too impatient and unwilling to let Akamaru break free from his dependence, it had resulted in a flawed evolution into a zombie hellhound.
"Akamaru!
"I understand.
"It was me who held back your growth all along." Kiba looked at the small dog in front of him, tears streaming down his face.
"Trusting your partner is the true power of friendship.
"Akamaru, my good partner, please guide me for the rest of our lives." Kiba slowly crawled to Akamaru's side, as if reintroducing himself, and grasped his paw.
"Woof woof!"
"Awooo!!!" Akamaru happily responded to Kiba's emotions.
A loud bark gradually transformed into a wolf's howl.
Feeling his partner's fighting spirit, Kiba was filled with strength, even his pain suppressed.
A smile unconsciously spread across his face, and he said naturally, "Akamaru, evolve!"
His voice, though not loud, resonated throughout Konoha.
After many years, a towering pillar of light shone once more.
It rose from the Chunin Exams arena, piercing the sky.
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