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Chapter 370 - 16. The Final Offensive
[V2] - 16. The Final Offensive
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"This is the Ninja Football World Cup?!" Boruto's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Rock Lee... the teacher, who was glowing green and running with a goalpost that was three or four times his size. "So exciting! This Ninja World really is interesting!" He immediately raised his fist and cheered, "Go, Konoha! Go, Da... Naruto!"
Right from the start, the entire stadium's atmosphere was instantly ignited.
After all, carrying the goalpost to attack was a signature move of the former King of Football—Might Guy—who, even when surrounded by many players, still passed five checkpoints and defeated six players, scoring three goals on his own to win.
Unfortunately, Might Guy only participated in one Ninja Football World Cup, so this move only appeared once. In the end, Might Guy led the entire Konoha team to win the cup!
After that match, everyone immediately understood... the goalkeeper wasn't just a goalkeeper anymore.
Who would've thought... after so many years, they would see it again?
You had to know that this goalpost wasn't just any goalpost—it was specially made: not only extremely heavy but also very large. Running with it wasn't easy.
However—
In the first match, Konoha faced a team from Sunagakure.
Their shameless puppet-style tactics were quite impressive.
They used more to defeat fewer. Although it was 12 vs. 12 (this was ninja-style football), you could never imagine...
At first, Sunagakure's team really had only 12 players. But as the match progressed... no one knew how many more had joined.
Next to them, a Ninja Football World Cup analyst pushed up his glasses and said directly, "Don't underestimate Sunagakure's team. See that kid carrying a gourd? He's the dark l*li who was abused by his father!"
As his words fell—
"???"
Sasuke and Boruto, off to the side, looked at the gourd-carrying guy from Sunagakure and were stunned.
Wasn't that Gaara (uncle?)?
What dark l*li?
Just as they were confused, the analyst continued his commentary: "Although rumors say his dream is actually to become a cool racer—after all, he's a One-Tail Jinchuriki."
Except for the first Ninja Grand Prix, where Biwa Juzo won the race, in all later races, if a Jinchuriki participated, then the winner was always a Jinchuriki.
So the idea that Jinchuriki make excellent racers was deeply rooted.
However—
Sasuke and Boruto didn't know this. They frowned slightly while listening to the commentary, full of confusion: [Is it common knowledge that everyone knows about a Jinchuriki in this Ninja World?]
"But don't underestimate him." The analyst's tone turned serious and he continued: "Sunagakure's goalkeeper—Gaara! He possesses a terrifying ability... Absolute Defense! No matter what kind of attack, he can block it!"
As soon as the words fell, the crowd exclaimed.
Some even asked what Absolute Defense was.
At that moment, a change occurred on the field. Everyone instinctively turned their attention over.
Suddenly—
In the stadium, where it had just been drizzling, a sky full of sand and dust rose up, directly blocking Konoha's shot.
Especially when they saw the sand wall that automatically intercepted attacks, everyone understood.
That was... Absolute Defense!
...
"Too fast!" Sasuke looked seriously at the Absolute Defense rising on the opposite side. "Didn't I tell Rock Lee not to use his trump card so quickly? We should be taking a stable and steady approach!"
As he finished, Rock Lee gave a thumbs-up, a sparkle seemingly flashing at the corner of his mouth. "Youth means charging forward without hesitation! That's what Might Guy-sensei said!"
"Exactly!" Naruto agreed, nodding with both hands on his hips as he looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke, you coward—what's the point of so many plans? We just need to charge forward!"
"You idiot! It's called being cautious! Didn't you see that even Shikamaru agrees?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the big idiot. "Charging forward like that... It's because of you that every time we skip training, we get caught by Hiashi-sensei!"
Those tragic days...
When others spent holidays at the amusement park or recharging 648, only he and Naruto... were training hard at the Hyuga clan!
Not even Onii-chan could accompany him!
There was no childhood at all!
"Hehe..." Hearing Sasuke's accusation, the previously confident Naruto immediately gave an awkward laugh, "I didn't do it on purpose~"
"You really are an idiot! You never listen to anyone's advice!"
"Alright!" Beside them, the tactician Shikamaru yawned and said, "Since the game's started, let's just keep playing!"
To be honest...
He didn't even want to participate! But...
Sigh!
Looking at the still-glowing Rock Lee, "Time's running out. Rock Lee, how much longer can you keep going?"
"No problem!" Rock Lee gave a hearty laugh and confidently gave a thumbs-up. "Youth will never stop!"
"Then next... Choji, use Multi-Size Jutsu to make some time, and Ino will work with me to control the enemy! As long as we take down that Jinchuriki, victory will be ours." Shikamaru stretched lazily and said with a drawl, "We can't outlast a Jinchuriki in endurance!"
The brief tactical meeting ended and the match resumed.
On the side, the head coach—Kakashi Hatake—watched nervously, but when he saw Shikamaru seemed to have a plan, he relaxed a little. His gaze grew serious as he looked at Sunagakure's team, especially their ace: the One-Tail Jinchuriki—Gaara.
As long as they could break through his defense, then... they'd have a chance to win.
There was no other way.
At this time, due to years of elite ninja training, Sunagakure's ninja team really did have stronger overall capabilities than Konoha's~
He sighed inwardly and pulled out Jiraiya-sensei's newly published book to read.
Originally, the head coach should have been Might Guy, but that guy had a last-minute mission, so Kakashi had to fill in.
Most likely, Might Guy wouldn't make it to the stadium in time to watch the match.
Time continued to tick away...
However, the Absolute Defense of Sunagakure's ace still prevented Konoha from breaking through after so many attacks. On top of that, their puppeteer... the more they fought, the more people they seemed to have!
"Hahaha~" Kankuro controlled his specially made elite puppet players, laughing loudly as he looked over at Konoha. "It looks like you guys are about to lose! As expected, there's no way you can break through Gaara's Absolute Defense!"
Then he glanced at Rock Lee, who was carrying the goalpost. "It looks like your goalkeeper is already tired! That idiot! Carrying such a heavy thing right from the start—of course he'd get tired!"
He skillfully manipulated his puppets and laughed wildly, looking down at Konoha's players.
This feels so good!
Maybe, after this Ninja Football World Cup ends, the new King of Football will be him... the puppeteer master from Sunagakure—Kankuro-sama!
You should know that these two puppet players were not ordinary ones—not made by himself, nor bought from Sunagakure.
They were actually ordered online, and the shipping location was from the Land of Rain.
He had bought them out of curiosity at the time, not expecting... they'd be this powerful, looking very similar to those made by the once-missing puppet master—Sasori of the Red Sand!
Faced with Sunagakure's mockery, the expressions on Konoha's side didn't look good either. But... after attacking for so long without success and unable to break their defense, Konoha really had no solution!
"Damn it!" Naruto, a little exhausted, fell to his knees on the damp grass. The rain was getting heavier. If this went on, they would all collapse from exhaustion.
Clenching his fists, he pounded the grass hard. "I clearly promised to bring the cup to Mom and Nine-Tails!"
But now... he couldn't even get in a single shot!
"No way around it. Sunagakure's ace is just too overpowered!" Sasuke sighed. "It looks like we're going to lose this time."
However—
Just as he finished speaking—
"No!" Naruto suddenly seemed to have thought of a good idea and jumped up excitedly, "I've got an idea!"
"???"
Just as everyone was confused, Naruto quietly leaned over to Sasuke's ear and whispered, "You and me—let's use that ninjutsu! The one we just learned a few days ago!"
After he spoke—
"Are you insane?" Sasuke's pupils shrank as he looked at Naruto. "Using a powerful ninjutsu is really dangerous—if we mess up, we'll get red-carded and thrown out!"
"I know!" Naruto, however, smiled confidently. "But we're not attacking people. That thick turtle shell will definitely work!"
"If it doesn't..." Hearing Naruto's plea, Sasuke rolled his eyes. "If it doesn't work, we won't have any strength left. Then we'll really be flat on the ground!"
Feeling that this plan was just too risky, the cautious mindset he'd developed over years of being taught by Uncle Yuto resurfaced. "How about I think of another plan?"
"No! Trust me! It'll definitely work!" Naruto immediately shouted in urgency. "There is no other way now—just go with mine!" He lowered his head. "Please, Sasuke!"
"..." Seeing Naruto begging him again, Sasuke fell silent for a moment, then helplessly nodded. "You always have the dumbest ideas... if this doesn't work again, don't blame us for beating you up after we lose!"
"No problem!" Naruto laughed happily, then stood beside Sasuke and looked at Shikamaru.
"Then I'll leave the rest to you, Shikamaru! Watch for the right timing!"
"I really don't get why you care so much. This kind of boring match—we should just finish it already!" Shikamaru yawned helplessly, then gave a slight smile. "Don't worry. Leave the rest to us."
As he finished speaking—
Under the puzzled gaze of the Sunagakure team, Konoha changed their tactics once again.
The vanguard—
Uzumaki Naruto!
Uchiha Sasuke!
The two charged straight forward.
At that moment—
The spectators in the stands also noticed this scene and quickly began to watch intently.
Was the final offensive about to begin?
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Read upto [V2] Chapter 70 in patreon.com/kurato6180
