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NBB Chapter 174: From Transformation to Determination
🕑 Added 2025-08-24 21:03:49 +0000 UTCKonoha, on the rooftop of Naruto’s house.
Sasuke and Naruto stood together, gazing down at the bustling crowds below.
“Oi, I’m hungry. This body sure gets hungry fast.”
Suddenly, ‘Sasuke’ spoke up.
“If we can’t figure out a way to fix this, I’m going back to eat ramen.”
“Idiot. Eating ramen every day will just make your body worse.”
‘Naruto’ scoffed.
“No wonder I’ve been feeling so lousy. So that’s the reason—you’re such an idiot.”
The words fell into silence. Then, all at once, both grabbed each other by the collar and shouted: “If you hate it that much, then give me back my body!”
“Idiot! Yesterday it wasn’t just me who didn’t wear the skirt. And you spiked my juice with alcohol—was that really okay?!”
‘Naruto’ roared, while ‘Sasuke’ refused to back down.
“Cut the crap! Gen must’ve sensed it already, so let him be. But why the hell are you acting like this too? And didn’t I drink it as well? If you’ve got the guts, hit me!”
“Fine, I’ll hit you!”
Without hesitation, ‘Naruto’ swung his fist.
“You’re just a useless loser who can’t even take revenge. All that effort, and you’re still the same dead last. Look at the pathetic state you’re in!”
But after only a few punches, he faltered, unable to keep going—giving ‘Sasuke’ his opening.
“You’re not any better!”
‘Sasuke’ went at him with a flurry of punches.
“You’re nothing but a dead-last too! Even Sakura wouldn’t spare you a glance. And now you’re so cautious about your allowance, afraid Gen will swindle you out of it—you bastard!”
Yet as the blows rained down, he too soon found himself unable to continue.
The two fell silent, staring at each other. Somehow, every punch they’d thrown felt like it hurt themselves more.
“Oi?”
Just then, a voice cut in beside them. Turning their heads, they saw Kakashi, dead-fish eyes half-lidded, watching them.
After a long moment of hesitation, Kakashi finally asked, utterly baffled, “Are you two… playing some kind of Transformation Game?”
“Hah? Transformation?”
“Transformation.”
It was obvious—Sasuke and Naruto had been turned into each other by Kitagawa Gen’s Transformation Technique.
Last night the two idiots had inexplicably drunk too much, and Gen had been forced to drag them home.
And he had been curious about one thing—what would happen if those two switched bodies?
“So, let’s give it a try!”
Once the thought struck, he acted. At first he had considered using the Spirit Transformation Technique, but after thinking about it, he decided to keep it simple.
“After all, I’ve been wanting to use this jutsu for a while now.”
Back when he hadn’t yet obtained the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, he often pondered what he would do if he became just another disposable pawn during the Chūnin Exams.
After much consideration, he had figured the best strategy would be to turn the enemy into his own likeness, then disguise himself as the enemy. That way he could at least cling to life.
Now, of course, he didn’t really need such tricks anymore. But trying it on someone else… that could still be interesting.
It was just that—the effect worked a little too well.
“Mm, your self-introductions weren’t bad at all.”
Kakashi rubbed his chin as he looked at the two boys, who had already dispelled the Transformation Technique, and couldn’t help smiling as he spoke.
“…”
Sasuke and Naruto, their faces bruised and swollen, kept silent. Of course, they both knew they’d been set up by Kitagawa Gen.
Just thinking back to how, right after waking up with their heads buzzing, they had blindly gone along with that absurd scene—they both flushed red with embarrassment.
“Alright, alright. I called you here today for something.”
Kakashi didn’t bother about the boys’ condition. He smiled as he continued.
“Though compared to Gen back then, your performance falls far too short… Honestly, you’re the worst batch of students I’ve ever led.”
“…”
“But still, I’ve decided to give you a chance. Here—these are the application forms for this year’s Chūnin Exams. If you want to participate, just sign your names.”
“Huh?”
Both boys froze at his words, then their faces instantly lit up with joy.
“The Chūnin Exams?”
“Us?”
“Mm.”
Kakashi nodded, then picked up Icha Icha Paradise again.
“How you decide is up to you. Also, make sure to pass this on to Sakura. Tomorrow morning, gather at the usual spot.”
After saying that, Kakashi gave a casual wave of his hand, and in the next moment his figure vanished completely.
“The Chūnin Exams…”
Sasuke and Naruto stood where they were, staring at the documents in their hands, excitement written all over their faces. They exchanged a look, and it was clear—they both saw the determination in the other’s eyes.
“Your face looks a little swollen.”
Suddenly Naruto chuckled, though almost immediately he felt his own face flare with pain.
“Idiot.”
Sasuke rubbed his cheek, wincing from the sting.
They glanced at each other—and suddenly, both burst out laughing.
...
“I can’t shake the feeling you did something bad.”
Meanwhile, at the edge of the village, Deidara and Kitagawa Gen had arrived at a training ground.
Looking at Gen, whose face was full of smiles, Deidara muttered under his breath.
“Tch, your feeling’s off.”
Gen shook his head, then asked curiously, “By the way, how many people did you bring this time? And when is your Tsuchikage arriving?”
“Not saying how many. Anyway, you’ll know later today or by tomorrow.”
Deidara blinked, dodging the question with a sly glance.
He had at least reached the rank of jōnin now. Though he still acted in his usual reckless, self-willed style, he did carry himself with a bit of a jōnin’s presence.
“As for the old man, he’ll probably only show up once the final round begins. Isn’t that tradition?”
“Not bad. You’ve actually started learning how to keep secrets.”
Kitagawa Gen raised his brows and couldn’t help but laugh. Deidara, however, didn’t care.
“Tch. Like you’re any better—you never say a thing. And who knows, maybe I’m not keeping secrets at all. Maybe I simply don’t know.”
“Fine then. Let’s just begin.”
Gen didn’t press further. He casually swung the ninja blade in his hand.
“A friendly reminder—if you’ve got any tricks, you’d better use them quickly. Otherwise, you might not get the chance.”
“Or maybe…”
Deidara grinned wickedly, lifting his brows at Gen.
“…I’ve already started!”
The words had barely left his mouth before countless tiny explosives came flying at Gen in an instant.
But Gen only shook his head. His figure vanished, and in the next heartbeat his blade pierced straight through Deidara’s body!
“Of course I knew you’d started. After all, I was already prepared.”
Even as he spoke, purple lightning burst outward in a frenzy, spreading in all directions. In a flash, every one of the micro-bombs was rendered useless.
“Oi, you bastard—you’re not actually planning to stab me for real, are you? Hm!”
From the sky, Deidara’s voice rang out. At some point, he had taken to the air, standing atop a great white bird.
Staring down at his clay clone being skewered below, he couldn’t stop his eyelid from twitching.
“What powerful Lightning Release… All my clay’s been neutralized. What a terrifying guy.”
He had long known that Gen’s Lightning Release was the perfect counter to him. Back then, the reason Gen had refused to fight him had been exactly that.
But seeing it firsthand now—it still made him purse his lips.
With lightning like that, his art couldn’t even be brought into play!
“Guess I really ought to thank you for the reminder. You’re the reason I decided to study Dust Release. Truly someone who shares my sense for art, hm!”
Deidara’s mood was still good. Even if this attack had failed, it meant little.
After all, his art had already evolved.
“Be ready, Gen. I’ll show you the new art I’ve mastered!”
Standing on his soaring clay bird, Deidara’s hands blurred through seals.
“It’s coming?”
On the ground, Gen’s full attention was locked on him. This battle with Deidara was bound to accelerate—
After all, both of them embodied the art of the instant.
Dust Release—Gen had been waiting a long time for this.
For years he had studied it, even making some progress.
But the ratio of chakra fusion was elusive. Fusing three chakra natures was far more difficult than two.
With two chakra types, at worst the ratio simply altered the effect—trial and error had plenty of room.
But with three… even he wasn’t willing to risk recklessly!
