Naruto Vol. 9

Although Ino successfully takes control of Sakura’s body, Sakura’s strong inner consciousness resists the Mind Transfer Jutsu and forces Ino out. Exhausted, the two exchange a final series of blows and knock each other unconscious, eliminating both from the competition. The next match places Naruto against Kiba Inuzuka, whose enhanced senses and coordinated attacks with Akamaru allow him to dominate the early exchanges.

Naruto disrupts Kiba’s sense of smell and confuses him through transformations and shadow clones. Despite repeated setbacks, he devises the Naruto Uzumaki Barrage and wins, demonstrating the tactical growth he has achieved since becoming a genin. His victory encourages Hinata Hyūga, who is selected to face her cousin Neji Hyūga.

Neji explains the hierarchy separating the Hyūga clan’s main and branch families and attempts to convince Hinata that her personality and failure are predetermined. Encouraged by Naruto, Hinata continues fighting even after Neji blocks her chakra network and inflicts serious internal injuries. The match is halted before Neji can deliver a final blow. Outraged by his cruelty and fatalism, Naruto swears on Hinata’s blood that he will defeat him. The next contest then begins as Gaara faces Rock Lee.