"Perfect!"
Kiba's eyes lit up when he saw the orange fox in Naruto's arms. "This way it won't look like I'm ganging up on you two-on-one. Thanks for being so considerate, Naruto! Now we can have a fair and just duel!"
He dropped into a combat stance, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes.
Akamaru yipped beside him, equally ready for battle.
"Exactly, Kiba. You understand the principle." Naruto nodded seriously. "On my journey to make friends, I, Naruto Uzumaki, have always upheld the values of fairness and justice."
"Every fight I've had has been completely fair and just."
"Today's battle between you, Akamaru, me, and Nine-Tails will be no different—perfectly fair and just."
Kiba's expression grew solemn with respect. "Then I'll use my full strength to honor you as my opponent, Naruto." He formed the seal of confrontation. "That's how seriously I'm taking this."
Naruto started to say he'd also use his full strength, then reconsidered. If he actually fought at full power, he might lose his potential friend Inuzuka Kiba forever—permanently.
"I'll... take this very seriously," Naruto amended.
Seeing that both sides had prepared adequately, Kiba decided it was time to begin. Akamaru couldn't contain himself any longer—the puppy's paws scraped against the ground, his eyes locked on the small fox with eager intensity.
"Alright then. Let's start."
"Akamaru, you ready?"
Akamaru barked his readiness.
Naruto set Nine-Tails on the ground and whispered, "Handle it however you want. Just don't bully Kiba's puppy too badly."
Nine-Tails' expression radiated disdain. As if he would bully a puppy. Such a disgraceful act was beneath him.
"Come on, Kiba! Akamaru!" Naruto's fighting spirit ignited as he charged forward. "Let's have a fair fight!"
Kiba and Akamaru rushed to meet them. Their strategy was obvious: Kiba would face Naruto while Akamaru engaged the small fox. The puppy didn't consider the tiny orange creature much of a threat.
Nine-Tails watched Naruto charge toward Kiba with theatrical enthusiasm, his lip curling in contempt. "Tch. So fake. Pretending it's an even match."
He knew perfectly well that with Naruto's Iron Body conditioning at its current level, a hundred Kibas wouldn't be enough to pose a challenge.
Meanwhile, Akamaru bounded toward Nine-Tails, teeth bared in what he probably thought was a fierce expression. The puppy leaped, jaws opening wide to bite the fox.
Foolish child. That won't even tickle. And you dare try to bite me?
Nine-Tails remained sitting calmly as Akamaru sailed through the air toward him.
Then, at the last possible moment, he moved.
Nine-Tails raised his head slightly and fixed Akamaru with a single, contemptuous stare.
King's Contempt.
The pressure of a higher life form crashed down on the puppy like a physical weight. Akamaru's trajectory faltered. He landed with a pathetic splat and sprawled flat against the ground.
"Whine... whimper..."
Pressed into the dirt like a pancake, Akamaru couldn't move. Weak whining sounds escaped his throat.
I'm going to die. This fox can literally stare me to death.
Instinct screamed at Akamaru that he needed to make amends immediately if he wanted to survive.
The puppy cautiously pushed himself upright, keeping his eyes on Nine-Tails. When the fox didn't seem to care about his movements, Akamaru grew slightly bolder.
He scrambled to a nearby bush where he'd hidden his most precious possession—a bone he'd been saving for years. Carefully, reverently, Akamaru carried it in his mouth and placed it at Nine-Tails' feet. He whined softly, tail tucked, hoping this offering would earn forgiveness.
Nine-Tails glanced at the bone with utter disdain. I eat beef and lamb every day. Premium cuts. Why would I want your filthy bone?
"Whine..."
Akamaru felt utterly lost. He didn't know what else would appease this terrifying creature.
This bone was all he had.
Crack. Thud. Smack.
Kiba, who'd just exchanged several blows with Naruto, groaned internally. Every part of Naruto's body felt like solid iron. Each collision sent shockwaves of pain through Kiba's limbs, as if he were punching stone walls.
This hurts too much. I can't keep trading hits with him. My body won't last.
From the corner of his eye, Kiba glanced at the battle between Akamaru and Nine-Tails.
His pupils shrank. His jaw dropped.
Akamaru had his rear end pointed at Nine-Tails, wiggling his backside back and forth. The puppy's face wore an expression of desperate flattery, as if saying: Please have mercy on me!
"Akamaru, snap out of it!" Kiba shouted. "Don't be seduced by that fox's appearance!"
His partner couldn't be defeated without even putting up a fight!
Naruto looked over curiously and couldn't help laughing. "Nice work, Nine-Tails! I'm impressed."
After much deliberation, Akamaru had concluded he had nothing left to offer except himself. So the puppy had decided to present his body for whatever purpose the terrifying fox desired.
Nine-Tails hadn't been paying much attention to Akamaru's antics—until Kiba and Naruto spoke.
He turned his head. Saw Akamaru's posture.
Fury ignited in his chest.
Especially at Naruto's comment, which suggested Nine-Tails had subdued the puppy with beauty. How dare he!
Nine-Tails was created by the Sage of Six Paths himself, destined to be a force that would shake the entire ninja world. He'd terrified this puppy into submission with nothing but a glance and overwhelming presence—not through seduction!
Seeing Akamaru still wiggling his rear end like some kind of offering, Nine-Tails decided the puppy needed a harsh lesson about who he was dealing with.
The fox stood, planted his paws on his hips, and stalked toward Akamaru with murder in his eyes.
Without a word of warning, Nine-Tails began pummeling the puppy.
Akamaru yelped in pain and confusion, having no idea what he'd done wrong.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
Within moments, Akamaru's nose had swollen, both eyes had puffed into slits he could barely see through, and pathetic whimpers escaped his mouth continuously.
Seeing Akamaru getting thrashed, Kiba's composure shattered.
Naruto noticed that Nine-Tails had already started "the process," while he hadn't made any progress on his end. Seeing the desperation and urgency in Kiba's eyes, Naruto decided it was time to wrap things up.
Thump. Crack. Smack.
Before Kiba could even deploy his full arsenal of techniques, Naruto's "friendly sparring" concluded. The Inuzuka boy collapsed with a bruised and swollen face.
On the ground, Kiba crawled desperately toward Akamaru. On the other side, Akamaru dragged himself toward Kiba, whining pitifully.
A human hand reached out.
A dog paw extended.
They clasped together tightly.
Naruto and Nine-Tails stood side by side, observing the touching reunion.
They exchanged glances, reading each other's thoughts perfectly.
It seemed their sparring session had deepened the bond between Kiba and Akamaru even further.
Having performed such a good deed, both Naruto and Nine-Tails wore satisfied expressions.
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