Bleach x Naruto: Shinigami in Konoha

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"The first round of the Chunin Exam preliminaries… ahem… Naruto Uzumaki vs. Karui."

After confirming the matchup, Moonlight Gai coughed into his hand and announced it in his usual weak voice.

Naruto and Karui both walked to the center of the arena under the tower.

Sasuke Uchiha stood at the edge of the platform, watching quietly. Beside him was Karin Uzumaki.

A shinobi wearing a Kusagakure (Hidden Grass Village) forehead protector approached them. Karin tugged at Sasuke's sleeve. He glanced sideways as the shinobi approached.

"Why are you the only one who passed the second test? Where are your teammates?" the Grass ninja asked with hostility, then reached out toward Karin.

Snap!

"Talk if you want, but don't lay a hand on her," Sasuke said coldly, gripping the shinobi's wrist.

"She's from Kusagakure, isn't she? Why is a Konoha shinobi interfering?" the ninja snapped, noticing the Uchiha fan emblazoned boldly on the back of Sasuke's custom haori.

Though Sasuke was wearing a modified Shiba-style shihakushō (a stylistic nod to Bleach influence), Mikoto Uchiha had personally embroidered the red and white Uchiha fan on it, symbolizing his clan. However, the haori bore no formal rank or Anbu insignia.

"It concerns me because she's part of the Uzumaki clan—an ally of the Hidden Leaf," Sasuke replied calmly. "And more importantly, she's the cousin of a dear friend of mine, lost many years ago."

This explanation had been arranged between Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin over the past few days. Naruto had already informed Minato Namikaze through Kakashi. Sasuke also understood the contents of Karin's earlier conversation with Kushina Uzumaki.

Karin's mother and Kushina had been close childhood friends in Uzushio (the former Whirlpool Village). They were separated during the destruction of the village. Kushina had once considered adopting Karin, but the girl had refused out of guilt and uncertainty.

"What nonsense! That girl was raised in our village! Just a few words and you want to claim her as yours?" the Grass shinobi shouted, drawing the attention of several other jonin from various villages.

Just then, a white-haired man in a flak jacket with his signature mask ambled over lazily, scratching his head.

"It's not nonsense," Kakashi Hatake said with a single visible eye looking sharp. "This girl is the niece of Lady Kushina, wife of the Fourth Hokage. We've been searching for her for years. Frankly, we're grateful that Kusagakure protected her. Of course, we won't just take her without compensation."

Kakashi's voice carried calm authority. "She's a genin now, so we'll reimburse you with the cost equivalent to raising a chunin. Sound fair?"

The murmurs from the other village shinobi quieted. They recognized Kakashi instantly—the Copy Ninja, famous throughout the Five Great Nations.

Kakashi was, in fact, giving the Grass ninja much more courtesy than they deserved. In the original history, Orochimaru had taken Karin away without any negotiation at all.

"But…" the Grass ninja hesitated, clearly reluctant to lose someone with Karin's unique healing abilities, even if she wasn't combat-trained.

"She is Lady Kushina's niece," Kakashi continued coolly, "which means her mother is Kushina's younger sister. I assume you won't mind if we also bring her mother to Konoha? She's not a shinobi, so there shouldn't be any diplomatic complication, right?"

At those words, the Grass ninja's expression froze. Cold sweat formed on his brow. He glanced aside uneasily. He had heard rumors about the mistreatment Karin's mother endured under their village's care—rumors that, if brought to light, would cause diplomatic trouble.

"…I will need to report this to our village leader," he replied, dodging Kakashi's gaze.

"Of course," Kakashi said with a polite smile. "In the meantime, Karin will be residing in Konoha. Any objections?"

"…No problem," the Grass ninja said, retreating swiftly.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke said quietly.

"No need. I'm just following orders. Besides…" Kakashi scratched his head again, "I owed your brother one."

He leapt lightly back onto the observation platform. Kakashi was referring to the time Itachi Uchiha had helped him better control the Sharingan, giving him techniques to reduce chakra consumption.

"It's alright now," Sasuke said, turning to Karin with a rare gentle look.

Karin nodded, visibly relieved.

Sasuke's attention shifted to the match as Naruto and Karui squared off in the center of the arena.

Karui drew her long sword, chakra flickering across the blade in the form of crackling white-blue lightning. She charged at Naruto.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto crossed his fingers. Poof! Nearly a hundred clones appeared around Karui, filling the arena.

If the venue had been larger, Naruto might have summoned even more. As a direct descendant of the Uzumaki clan, he possessed enormous chakra reserves. Even while holding back some of his chakra to suppress Kurama, his reserves rivaled those of most jonin.

Kurama's true value to Naruto would only become fully evident in the war arc. For now, his role was limited to occasional bursts of strength.

The wave of clones surged toward Karui.

The sheer number of shadow clones startled many of the surrounding jonin. Some began making quiet deductions about Naruto's parentage.

Karui clicked her tongue in irritation and withdrew her lightning chakra from the blade, switching to more conservative combat. She slashed through several clones rapidly.

Suddenly, a yellow blur zipped behind her—a clone with perfect timing kicked her in the back.

Sasuke, watching closely, narrowed his eyes. Naruto's Body Flicker Technique had improved. It was crude, but there were shades of Minato's speed.

Karui recovered quickly and slammed her sword into the ground.

"Lightning Style: Cloud Flow!"

Lightning surged through the blade into the earth, spreading arcs of electricity in all directions.

Naruto's body sparked from the jolt—but he wasn't worried. He quickly formed a hand seal and created a single clone. The clone grabbed the real Naruto and hurled him into the air just before being electrocuted and disappearing in a puff of smoke.

While airborne, Naruto formed more seals, creating five more clones. Four of them dropped toward Karui like falling meteors, while the fifth clone grabbed Naruto again and hurled him toward her.

Karui blocked and cut down three clones, but the fourth knocked her balance off.

Naruto flew in, spinning with a kunai clutched in both hands, and kicked her sword arm. Karui flew backward and crashed into the stone wall, breaking part of it before slumping to the ground.

"…The first match—" Moonlight Gai coughed, preparing to announce the result.

"I… haven't lost yet!" Karui shouted, staggering to her feet.

"Lightning Slash: Thunder Flash!"

Electricity surged around her again. She stabbed her blade into the ground. A bolt of lightning tore through the floor, racing toward Naruto.

But Naruto calmly used the Body Flicker to dodge. His movements were still rough but effective. The lightning exploded behind him.

Karui finally collapsed to the ground, this time unable to rise.

"The first match—winner: Uzumaki Naruto… cough cough…"

JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS. Two members on my patreon get a free book each month. A lucky draw,it can be you.

Currently at CHAPTER 101 on Patreon.

Five chapters every two days on Patreon.

One chapter everyday on webnovel.

patreon.com/FrancisMW

"I look forward to welcoming you as member"

ENJOY THE BENEFITS.