Naruto: The legend of Kiba

Chapter 37 Reflection

"Five seventy-one... Five

hundred and seventy-four..." Kiba counted each squat, his mind replaying

the battle with Kakashi.

There... that's where I was

negligent. I didn't notice the hole I made.

He realized he hadn't observed the

terrain calmly. Instead, he'd focused solely on defeating Kakashi and

anticipating Kakashi's moves. Although he succeeded, if it had been a

life-and-death fight, things would have been different. Kakashi might not have

chosen the Decapitation Jutsu, and Kiba might not have been able to use the

Substitution Jutsu.

Neglecting to observe the terrain

was a mistake.

Kiba reflected deeply. Despite

having considerable combat experience and having sparred with elite ninjas like

Kushina, he had only one real-life life-and-death struggle under his belt—the

encounter with the seriously injured ninja from Soin.

But that ninja had been gravely

injured, providing Kiba with limited valuable experience.

"Five hundred and

ninety-nine... six hundred!" Kiba gasped, completing the final squat.

Next were the push-ups.

During this period of intense

training, his stamina and strength had significantly improved. His daily

physical training routine had increased to six hundred repetitions to close the

gap.

After all, taijutsu requires

constant tempering. Even with the increased chakra from the Life Gate mode,

training with Kakashi and Kushina had already pushed his limits. Now, learning

water ninjutsu from Kushina, mostly C-rank and B-rank, his chakra often felt

insufficient.

Kushina mentioned that if he

reached a Jonin-level chakra, she had a secret technique to teach him.

However, he couldn't rush or

forcefully open the Gate of Healing yet. Transforming into the Gate of Injury

mode brought greater chakra, but it was more violent, and Kiba wasn't fully

confident he could control it.

For now, he could only train

diligently, ensuring his body wasn't excessively damaged and he could train

normally the next day.

Despite the decline in the Life

Gate mode's benefits, reaching Chunin-level chakra would allow him to learn

Kushina's secret technique. Developing the Gate of Healing mode could even

grant Jonin-level chakra.

But caution was essential.

Kiba's mind was clear. Sometimes

he wished for a system to exchange ninjutsu easily. But every time he thought

this, he would shake his head, chuckle, and dismiss the idea.

In his previous life, he had

indulged in anime to escape reality, allowing someone else to control his fate

until he died alone. Kiba knew his own laziness and cowardice had been his

greatest enemies.

But now, in the Naruto world,

mastering Bamen Dunjia and possessing powerful ninjutsu talent, he had no

reason to be lazy or fantasize about instant power.

He could only work hard—really

hard. There was no shortcut to improving his strength and controlling his

destiny.

Besides...

Kiba glanced over at Yukina, who

pushed against a tree with her gentle fist, creating rhythmic "bang,

bang" sounds.

In the distance, the sound of

shurikens piercing trees echoed ethereally in the evening wind.

Besides, there are these two guys!

Kiba completed his six hundred

push-ups, stood up, took a short breath, and began a 10,000-meter run around

the assembly area.

While Kiba, Hirohiko, and Yukina

trained hard, they didn't notice a pair of eyes watching from the depths of the

dense forest.

The eyes remained vigilant until

the trio finished their training and headed to supper.

In the Hyuga Sect's Hyuga Yutaka's

room...

"How's the situation?"

Hyuga Yutaka, sitting upright in meditation, slowly opened his eyes.

"Young master, Miss Yukina

and that traitor's son are just training diligently," a black-clad figure

outside the door reported, kneeling.

"Is it just training?"

Hyuga Yutaka nodded, then frowned. "Since you're back, Yukina should have

returned too, right?"

"No, Miss Yukina, the

traitor's son, and Uchiha Hirohiko went to Ichiraku Ramen. They'll return

soon," the figure responded.

"Why did you come back so

soon?" Hyuga Yutaka's anger flared. "I told you to return when Miss

Yukina arrives! What are you doing here now?"

"Young master..." The

figure trembled, kneeling silently.

"Hmph!" Hyuga Yutaka

snorted. "Go and watch them immediately! If that filthy traitor makes any

moves, you know what to do."

"If he dares approach Miss

Yukina, I will kill him on the spot," the figure said fearfully.

"Then why are you still here?

Go watch that traitor's son!" Hyuga Yutaka's anger grew.

"Yes!" The figure

quickly departed.

Once alone, Hyuga Yutaka snorted

again.

Taki Kiba, don't make any

mistakes. If you harm Lady Yukina, I will kill you!

At that moment, another door in

his room slowly opened.

Hyuga Yutaka was instantly alert,

but he saw a handsome middle-aged man with long hair and pale eyes enter.

"Master Shinsuke," Hyuga

Yutaka stood and saluted.

Hyuga Shinsuke nodded, signaling

for Yutaka to sit. He walked to the center of the room and extended a hand,

motioning for Yutaka to sit as well.

"Yutaka," Hyuga Shinsuke

began, "I heard you were allowed to take the Chunin Exam?"

"Yes, Master Shinsuke,"

Yutaka replied respectfully.

Hyuga Shinsuke, Yukina's father

and the youngest brother of the current patriarch, held significant influence.

Despite not being the heir, he remained in the main family due to his elder

brother's compassion.

"Very good," Hinata

Shinsuke nodded, smiling. As the patriarch's younger brother, he was well-liked

and respected within both the main and branch families for his gentle demeanor

and fairness.

"Yes," Hyuga Yutaka

replied.

"This time, Yukina has strong

opponents. Besides the young Uchiha genius, you are her main challenge,"

Hyuga Shinsuke said with a smile, pride evident in his eyes.

"Master Shinsuke, I will do

my best to support Yukina in the Chunin Exam," Yutaka vowed.

"Hehe..." Hyuga Shinsuke

chuckled. "You're too serious, Yutaka. Your father and I were old friends,

graduating from the Ninja Academy together. If he were here... Well, in short,

his son is my son. You worry too much about Yukina's and my relationship,

affecting your judgment. I came to tell you to go all out against Yukina in the

Chunin Exam."

Hyuga Yutaka looked up in

surprise, meeting Shinsuke's sincere gaze.

"This... but Master Yukina is

your daughter..." he hesitated.

"Because she's my daughter, I

must be strict. Being lenient could harm her future. You are far superior to

her. For years, you've hidden your strength out of consideration. But I believe

you are the Hyuga clan's greatest genius in a century. Don't hide your

abilities anymore. Be yourself," Hyuga Shinsuke advised.

"Master Shinsuke..."

Hyuga Yutaka was deeply moved.

"Thank you for always

protecting Yukina and considering her well-being," Hyuga Shinsuke

acknowledged.

"This is my duty,"

Yutaka responded earnestly.

"It's late, and you need to

prepare for the Chunin Exam in five days. Rest well," Shinsuke advised,

rising to leave.

Yutaka stood to see him off.

After Shinsuke departed, Hyuga

Yutaka swore to himself: Lady Yukina, I will protect you. I won't let you be

tainted by someone like Taki Kiba!

The next morning, Kiba, Hirohiko,

and Yukina met at the training ground, determined to push their limits.

Uzumaki Kushina arrived, her

presence commanding their attention. "Today, we'll focus on refining your

elemental jutsu and improving your taijutsu. Kiba, we'll start with your water

and earth techniques. Hirohiko, you'll work on your shuriken skills, and

Yukina, we'll enhance your gentle fist."

The three nodded, ready to begin.

Kiba knew that mastering these techniques was crucial for the upcoming Chunin

Exams.

Later that day...

Kiba stood before the small river,

concentrating as he performed the Water Release: Water Colliding Wave technique

Kushina had taught him. Water surged from his hands, forming a powerful wave.

"Good, Kiba. Now, use your

Earth Release to counter it," Kushina instructed.

Kiba quickly formed the seals for

Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall. A sturdy wall of earth rose from the ground,

blocking the water wave.

"Excellent," Kushina

praised. "Keep practicing. You need to improve your chakra control and

timing."

Meanwhile, Hirohiko practiced his

shuriken techniques with precision and speed. His Sharingan activated, allowing

him to see the trajectory of each shuriken. He hit multiple targets with ease,

his skill evident.

Yukina focused on her gentle fist,

striking a training dummy with precision and power. Her byakugan activated,

allowing her to see and target chakra points accurately.

As the sun set, Uzumaki Kushina

gathered the team.

"You've all improved today.

Remember, the Chunin Exams are not just about individual strength but teamwork

and strategy. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we push harder."

The three nodded, feeling a sense

of accomplishment and camaraderie.

That evening, they gathered at

Ichiraku Ramen, enjoying a well-deserved meal. The familiar smell of delicious

ramen filled the air, lifting their spirits.

"This ramen never gets

old," Kiba said