The time has come for a certain prodigy to have a humbleness inserted into his mindset. Will Naruto be successful, or will he actually lose...why am I asking when I could just show you?

I ended up rewriting the fight scene, hope you all like it. Did a few edits here and there so the flow should be better.

Enjoy and tell me what you think.

On with the chapter:

High in the seating area reserved for the attending Kage, the Sandaime Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi watched as the finalists of the Chunin Exams stood in a uniform line in the center of the arena.

His brow furrowed when he noticed two among the finalists from his own village happened to be absent. "I told Kakashi to be on time," the old man muttered to himself. "And where is Naruto?"

"Good morning Hokage-dono," a sultry voice said from the doorway leading into the booth and the man turned to find himself staring at what could only be the physical embodiment of a goddess. Slender and elegant, the woman had long, auburn hair that brushed against her ankles. A portion of her hair was tied in a top knot with a dark blue band and four bangs, the two shorter ones framing her left eye, a vibrant shade of green with a mischievous gleam. Her right was hidden by the red lochs and the two longer bangs descended to cross just below her chin, resting atop her generous bust half-hidden by her blue dress.

The temporarily stunned kage blinked before shaking off his stupor and smiling kindly. "Good morning Mizukage-dono," he stood greeted his fellow village leader formally. "I trust your trip proved peaceful."

"It was a long journey, but I was interested in seeing how well my Suigetsu was doing so it was well worth it."

"It's a good thing we were the one's making this journey Hokage-dono," a smooth voice said from behind the young woman and the two looked to see a man dressed in the robes of the Kazekage with a mask covering the lower half of his face. "If these exams had been hosted in any other village it could have proven difficult for a man of your age. Perhaps you should consider selecting a new successor."

Sarutobi chuckled as all three chose to take their seats. "Fret not; I still have a few more years left in me."

"It's good to see you so energetic Hokage-dono," the Mizukage said as she turned her gaze to the arena. "Still, it appears that there are a few genin missing from our little group of combatants."

"Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha," Hiruzen said, also turning to glance at the line of potential graduates. "I've received word from a former student of mine that Naruto will be on time but the Uchiha is another matter."

"Well what did you expect old man?" The three kages turned to find Jiraiya himself leaning against the balcony, arms crossed and smirking like he'd just learned an interesting secret. "Considering who's been teaching the kid you'd expect him to be late."

"Then where is your so-called student," the Kazekage interrupted any retort Hiruzen might have had. Instead of acting offended, the Gama Sennin just chuckled.

"Knowing him, he's probably napping somewhere nearby, kid's picked up a few interesting habits over the past two months."

"Well it would be a good idea for him to make his presence known," the Mizukage commented. "From what little Suigetsu has told me he should be quite an interesting young man."

Hiruzen sent a heated glare Jiraiya's way. He knew that grin on his students face and it would lead to nothing but trouble if the man let his perverted side take over. Luckily, the hermit managed to get the signal and forcefully buried his urge to pull out his notebook...for now.

"What did Suigetsu say anyway?" the old Hokage asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Just that he was stronger than he let on...and that he was quite handsome." The auburn-haired woman smirked as she once again turned to stare at the group of chunin candidates.

With The Candidates:

"Where is he?" Suigetsu growled, her eyes wandering around the stands, searching for the blond enigma known as Naruto Uzumaki. "If he doesn't show up I'll kill the scrawny jerk."

"Will you quit complaining?" Shikamaru muttered. "It's way too early for someone to be so troublesome."

Suigetsu growled and looked like she wanted to pull her sword on the pineapple-haired genin, but she took a deep breath and let go of the handle.

Temari was silently letting her eyes wander as she patiently waited for the event to begin. 'Where is he,' she thought, thinking of the boy that had saved her life and had asked for nothing in return.

Among the contestants, the most silent was Gaara. His hate-filled eyes were locked onto the kage booth, and his father. They had been told to expect the signal during Gaara's fight with the Uchiha, but the invasion was the furthest from the boy's thoughts. His only desire was to fight and destroy Naruto Uzumaki. Sasuke Uchiha had interested him at first, but when the blond had shown such bloodlust, such power with only a meager glance. 'I'm going to enjoy our battle...Naruto Uzumaki.'

In the stands with Sakura and Ino:

"Not only Sasuke, but Naruto is missing too," Sakura growled, hands clinched into fists and resting in her lap. "That dead last better get here in time or I'm gonna hit him so hard his future grandchildren will feel it!"

Ino glanced at her friend, shocked by how bad she seemed to think of her teammate. She knew Naruto could be annoying at times but she also saw him take down Kiba so it was obvious he was getting better. She was about to comment on the pinkette's rude behavior, but a voice from behind her cut her off.

"Would you shut up already? I'm trying to sleep here." The girls turned to see a strange person in the seat behind them. He was wearing a black vest similar to the one worn by the jonin and chunin over a black armored mesh shirt, dark green cargo pants, and black combat boots. Around his waist he wore a burnt orange sash with three swords resting on his right hip, bandages wrapped around his wrists and a straw hat with a Konoha headband attached to it rested on his face, hiding it in shadow. His hands were resting behind his head and he was leaning back like he'd just woken up from a nap. A senbon needle was clenched in his teeth like one would chew on a blade of grass.

The blonde girl garbed in purple narrowed her eyes, she couldn't help but think this swordsman looked slightly familiar. That was when she noticed the whisker marks on his cheeks. Only one person she knew had those marks. "Naruto?"

The stranger moved a hand pushed a finger against the brim of his hat, lifting it to reveal eyes of the deepest blue she had ever seen. "Hey Ino, what's up?"

Sakura beat her friend/rival to the punch and started to go on one of her rants. "NARUTO! What are you doing up here when you're supposed to be down in the arena?"

Naruto just sighed and sat up, adjusting his hat to sit back on his head and leave his face in clear view. "Calm down Sakura, I got here early so I decided to take a nap while I was waiting. Although," he said, looking around to find the stadium packed. "I might have slept a bit longer than I meant to."

"Just get down there," the girl grumbled, turning around and glaring in front of her while her teammate shrugged and stood up. He quietly walked up to the edge of the balcony, stepped up onto it and stepped off. Ino gasped and bolted to the edge to see if her comrade was alright, only to see him walking toward the line of competitors.

"Glad you finally decided to show up," Suigetsu said, grinning as the blond stepped up to take the place right next to her in line.

"I've been here for over an hour Sharktooth."

"What was that Fishcake?" the Kiri-genin growled, baring her pointed teeth and glaring with bloodlust in her eyes.

"You heard me."

"Hey you two, quiet down," the proctor, Genma said. "We've got a lot of important people here. You're representing your village today so look sharp and professional for once."

"You're so getting it if we fight," Suigetsu whispered, turning back to face the crowd.

Naruto just smirked. "Believe it when I see it Sharktooth."

The girl was about to say screw professional and hit the guy, but was stopped when Hiruzen stood up and addressed the crowd. "Welcome to the final part of the Chunin Exams," he yelled, voice magnified through chakra. "It is my pleasure to have you all here to witness the skills of the next generation. Please join me in congratulating our young combatants that are here today."

The crowd erupted into an onslaught of applause and cheers before eventually quieting down so the Hokage could continue. "Now, let the exams BEGIN!"

Genma turned around to address the genin lined up behind him while the crowd once more erupted with noise. "Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuuga. You two stay here while the rest go to the competitors' box. There have been a few changes to the fight schedule. The new one is posted on the wall of the box, be sure to look at it once you get up there, alright?"

The genin nodded and left, the first fighters remaining where they were. Once the arena was clear Genma stood between the two. "You two ready?"

Neji nodded, smirking as if he had already won. Naruto, he just yawned and gave the guy a thumb's up. Genma nodded and raised a hand up in the air. "The first match of the final stage of the Chunin Exams is about to start. Both fighters ready...Hajime!"

The proctor jumped back, expecting them to charge in and go at it, but they didn't move at all. They both just stood there, staring at each other. The spectators were quiet, the very tension between the two genin so thick it could be cut with a sword.

"What's the matter Uzumaki?" Neji asked, eyeing his opponent. "I thought you swore to make me pay for what I did to Hinata-sama."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he put both hands in his pockets and shifted his stance. "I was just wondering. For someone who claims that fate is all encompassing...you seem to be the one trying hardest to escape it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, didn't you once say the Hyuuga's branch family was created to protect the main house?"

"I did," the branch member arched an eyebrow. "Your point?"

"Well, what part of protecting the main house includes beating the hell out of the heiress and trying to kill her?"

Naruto smirked when he saw Neji scowl. "Poor Neji, trapped by fate and so desperate to free himself and he can't do a thing. You act like such a spoiled little kid, blaming the world for his troubles and unable to get over a past he can't change."

"ENOUGH!" Neji charged forward, index and middle fingers of his right hand stretched out and loaded with chakra. His blow was aimed for Naruto's heart, and had enough loaded chakra to make the organ explode.

Expecting a punch in retaliation Neji lifted his hand to block only to be surprised by Naruto bending backwards to place his hands on the ground, his right leg snapping up to catch the Hyuuga in the chin. Seeing the surprise had rendered him momentarily motionless the teen used it to his advantage and pushed off the ground, spinning and catching his opponent's side with a sweeping kick that sent him stumbling back.

Shaking his head Neji wasted no time in rushing in again, attempting to land a strike as Naruto managed to stay just ahead of him. The blonde shinobi was moving like water, allowing each blow to pass by his body and avoiding the lethal chakra coating of the extended digits. Suddenly he stepped forward, going in low. This time Neji was prepared for the incoming knee strike and was able to place his forearm in the way and counter with a blow to the shoulder.

Both genin jumped back, both rubbing where the other had landed a strike. Up in the stands, a surprised Tenten couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"How is this guy keeping up with Neji?" she asked, unaware of the similar thoughts running through the minds of the jonin sitting not too far from them. Above them all, the gathered kages turned to a chuckling Jiraiya who was watching the fight below with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"May I ask what is so funny Jiraiya-kun?" Mei asked, voicing the question on her fellow shinobi's minds.

The sage glanced over his shoulder, lips curled in a small smirk. "That Neji kid is going to have a harder time then he expected," he answered. "I taught Naruto a few tricks plus with the taijutsu style of his it will be hard to match."

"It is a rather unique style," the Kazekage commented as he watched the two shinobi begin yet another dance of hand-to-hand combat. "It seems to be focused primarily on the user's legs. Wouldn't that be a disadvantage though?"

"It's designed to let his hands work independently from his legs," Jiraiya explained. "By using a more acrobatic style of movement he can focus on attacking with his legs while form the necessary handsigns for a jutsu or if he as a blade in his hand...he can be twice as deadly."

Back on the arena floor Naruto spun on the toes of his left foot as he danced around another of Neji's strikes. Using the momentum of the turn the blonde managed to bring his knee crashing into the prodigy's thigh but he wasn't fast enough to block the strike to his stomach in retaliation. Grunting in pain, he managed to push off and make distance once more, both fighters nursing several bruises from the brief exchange.

"I can read your movements Uzumaki," Neji said, his voice still laced with a layer of arrogance. "Pretty soon I'll seal up all your chakra and you won't be able to do anything. How does it feel to know everything you've worked so hard for is futile in the end? To learn that once you are a failure, you will always be a failure?"

Naruto's only response was a small smirk as he charged forward. Neji prepared to meet the clash head on but just as he stepped forward his Byakugan detected something coming toward his leg too fast for him to dodge. Glancing behind him the boy was just in time to see a mirror version of his opponent land a kick to the back of his knee, forcing his legs to buckle just as the original one he had been fighting jumped up and came flipping down with an axe kick. When the blow landed Naruto allowed himself a small smirk, only to frown when he noticed his foot was hovering in the air just above the smirking face of the Hyuuga prodigy who proceeded to spin in a circle, his chakra forming a rapidly spinning dome that launched both him and his clone back several meters.

Righting himself in the air Naruto landed on his feet and stared at the teen before him, studying the perfectly circular shape that had been carved into the ground around his feet. "I told you already, fate has decided that I am the winner. Why do you continue to push yourself when it is all for naught?"

A wild grin stretched across Naruto's face as he spread his legs to make a stronger stance while returning his hands to his pockets. "As far as I can see I'm the one with the advantage," he said.

"Oh? Please, tell me how that would be."

"I've only resorted to taijutsu, and none of my techniques were the type you'd name. I simply reacted on what you did and used your confusion to my advantage. On the other hand, I'm guessing that little shield trick of yours is one of your trump cards and it must take a lot of chakra to keep going. Seriously, where are you ahead of me in this?"

Neji smirked. "It's true, I was hoping to keep that secret until later in the tournament, but don't mistake it for my only skill." The teen stepped back with his right leg, dropping his body low while extending his left arm until he nearly touched his ankle and his right arm out behind him. "You've seen Kaiten, my shield; would you like to taste my blade? You are within the range of my divination."

'So he's just using another trump card?' Naruto thought, brow furrowed as he pondered the new development. 'He must be pretty confident. Either that or he's trying to show off.'

'Then why don't we show off a little?'

"Hm. Alright Neji, you've shown me something so I might as well return the favor." The aspiring swordsman took his right hand from his pocket and held it in front of him, palm facing the sky. The air began to shimmer and gather in a place mere inches above the palm of the outstretched hand, quickly forming a translucent dome that spun and hummed with a strange energy. "I may be within range of your divination white-eyes...but you," Naruto smirked as he met Neji's stoic glare. "You are within the area of my influence. Room." With that one whispered word the dome hovering over his hand expanded, covering a thirty-meter area with both of them trapped inside. "Let's test your sword against my scalpel."

Both paused for a moment, a gentle gust of wind stirring the sparse grass around them. Suddenly, Neji shot forward, palms extended and prepared to strike. Five meters in Naruto began to step forward...four meters and his left hand came out of his pocket...three his smirk had taken a darker tone as a mark on the bandages wrapped around his right hand glowed before a small puff of smoke was seen...two meters, Neji caught the glint of sun reflected off of metal but ignored it, assured in his own strength...one he spun on the forward leg bringing both hands around to strike the blonde's chest just as said blonde stepped forward with his weapon...zero. Neji felt something connect with his wrist and then felt the dirt underneath his hands...but that wasn't right, he was still standing.

Looking down in confusion, he saw the place where his hands were, only to find them lying on the ground instead. Before his mind even had, the time to register what had happened Naruto's boot-enclosed foot slammed into the side of his head, sending him to the ground. "Looks like my scalpel was sharper," said blonde commented, twirling a blade between his fingers. Just like he'd said, there in his hands was a scalpel just like the ones used by surgeons in hospitals.

Neji couldn't believe it. "H-how?"

Naruto shrugged. "It's just another of my talents," he said, sealing the scalpel back into his bandages.

"What have you done?" the prodigy demanded. "Why can I still feel my hands?"

"I told you Neji, this is my area of influence. I control everything in this circle. This is the operating room and I am the surgeon. I can cut you into little bitty pieces, in fact I'm aiming to cut at every, single joint in your body and do you know what the best part is? You'll live."

"W-what?" Neji felt his legs buckle beneath him as Naruto idly tossed the scalpel into the air and caught it with ease before sealing it away again.

"Hinata made me promise not to kill you and I never go back on my word. Unfortunately, if I used any of the techniques I've learned lately other than this one, you would be killed in an instant. Thus I was forced to reveal my own trump card."

His part said, the blonde placed a hand on one of his swords and began to draw it, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face that gave him a sinister appearance. "Hinata may be willing to forgive you, but she is a friend of mine and you tried to kill her. My friends are the most important thing in my life. They are my treasure, and if anyone ever threatens my treasure-" Naruto's hand shot out and grabbed the collar of Neji's shirt and pulled him up to stare into his eyes. "I make them pay."

Before the blond could torment the Hyuuga any further, Genma appeared via shunshin at his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's enough," he said and turned to face the crowd. "Neji Hyuuga is unable to defend himself, Naruto Uzumaki is the winner."

Naruto glared at the proctor for a moment and then sighed, letting the sword slide home before stooping down to retrieve Neji's severed hands. Genma moved to stop him when he took a step toward the Hyuuga but Naruto spoke first. "Relax, I'm just putting him back together." True to his word, Neji's hands easily reattached to his wrists after which he was swarmed by medic-nin as Naruto stepped back.

The prodigy shrugged them off and moved to stand in front of the one to who defeated him so easily. They faced each other, neither one saying a word while Genma stood close by, ready to act should the loser turn violent. However, Neji's next move surprised them all, he bowed at the waist, presenting the back of his head and neck to Naruto.

"You could have killed me in an instant with that technique," he said. "Was it really because of a promise that you spared me?"

Naruto placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and pushed up, making him stand up straight. "When Hinata was asking me to spare you, she let it slip that you'd had it pretty rough. She didn't go into detail so I got curious and did a little digging. I found a few little secrets the Hyuuga clan wouldn't like outsiders knowing and it gave me a little insight on your situation. While your methods were wrong, I can understand the urge to throw off the shackles others have placed on you."

The hand dropped and Naruto began to walk toward the stairs leading up to where the other potential chunin shinobi were gathered. "Grow stronger Neji, and learn what true strength is. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to figure it out pretty easily." He stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder. "After all, you were never a failure like me," he added before walking through and disappearing into the shadows within.

Kage Booth:

"So, that's Naruto Uzumaki," the Mizukage said, watching him walk away while the crowd erupted with applause, the people not from Konoha anyway. "He is quite an interesting young man."

"I must admit to being intrigued myself Hokage-dono," the Kazekage commented. "We have quite an interesting bunch this year. "My own children, the last loyal member of the Uchiha clan, a former student to Zabuza Momochi and the last known heir to Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki clan."

Hiruzen nodded, a smile of grandfatherly pride on his face as he watched the child of his former successor leave the arena. Jiraiya chuckled and turned to walk back down the hallway leading away from the booth. 'You're training's paid off well kid,' the Gama Sennin thought as he walked toward the medical area established for the competitors. 'And now it's time to fulfill my end of the bargain.'

Competitors' Booth:

All eyes turned to the doorway as Naruto stepped through. With a simple smile and nod he greeted them before taking a seat and pulling a scroll out from his pocket. With a simple flick of the wrist the scroll opened to reveal a simple storage seal. A pulse of chakra later and the seal erupted in a small cloud of smoke, which dissipated, leaving what appeared to be samurai armor for a right arm.

Under the curious gaze of his fellow genin, Naruto pulled out a small brush and inkpot and began to draw seals along the gauntlet section of the armor. It wasn't until a hand touched his shoulder that he glanced behind him to see Shino standing there.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I was simply wishing to ask about the drastic change in your personality and skills Uzumaki-san," he answered. "As a former classmate of yours I must admit it is most intriguing."

Naruto nodded. "I'll answer three questions. One from you, one from Shikamaru...and one from Sharktooth over there."

"Screw you Fishcake," said Kiri-genin shouted, hand twitching toward the handle of her sword.

Her outburst was ignored by the others, all of them mostly curious about what the young heir to the Aburame clan would ask. Said heir was silent for a moment, no doubt he was carefully pondering what he was most curious about asking.

"Would you please describe what that technique you used to defeat Hyuuga-san?"

Naruto smirked. "Figures you'd ask that." With calm movements he resealed the armor and returned the scroll to his pocket. Once his hands were empty he held up his hand and created the same translucent dome they had seen in his fight. "This technique is what I call Room. It creates an area and everything within the area is under my control. I can do to whatever is in that area the same thing I did to Neji…along with a few others too."

Shino nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer and then turned to Shikamaru. The young heir to the Nara clan sighed and placed a hand under his chin. "A power like that is unbelievable strong, but it must have some sort of drawback, all techniques do. So what drawback does it have?"

Naruto smirked. "Leave it to a genius to pick the most dangerous question," he said. The other contestants were focused on him, wondering if he would truthfully answer the Nara. "In truth, using the room results in a significant amount of strain on my body so the more I use it the more tiring it can be."

The gathered genin stared at the blonde in shock, one collective thought running through their head 'Why reveal something like that?'

"Wait a second," everyone turned to look at Suigetsu, who was currently glaring at our blond hero with enough intensity they thought he would burst into flames. "Why would you reveal something like that? Now that we know that all we have to do is make you use it and you'll tire out."

"Well, you may not know this but my friends call me a stamina freak," Naruto said, smirking slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "Plus if the technique causes stress to the body, I'll just make my body so strong I barely feel it."

Shikamaru nodded, it made sense. Naruto knew what his weakness was and had developed a way to counter it, but there was still something bothering the young tactical genius. "Still, it sounds like something that takes time to set up, why would you willingly reveal your biggest weakness?" When the source of his curiosity remained silent, Shikamaru decided to speculate. "The only reason I can think of would be...that your room is not the only trick you've got hidden up your sleeve."

If it was possible, Naruto's smirk grew even wider, yet he remained silent and tipped his hat forward, seemingly falling asleep.

'What happened to you,' Shikamaru and Shino thought, but were called from their thoughts when Genma's voice rang through the air. "The match between Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Desert has been postponed until the end of this round. Will Kankuro Sabaku and Shino Aburame come down to the arena?"

The puppet user cursed. He didn't want to give any of his secrets away before the invasion started. It was bad enough they knew what his weapon of choice of was. 'I don't have a choice,' he thought, growling as he leaned over the edge and called down to the proctor. "I forfeit the match!"

Those words caused an angry shout to rise from the crowd. They had been deprived of their entertainment and were growing restless. Up in the booth, Shino was silently staring at the Suna-nin's back, a barely discernible buzzing coming from his hive the only sign of his agitation. It was only the feeling of a hand touching his shoulder that kept him from making a comment, he looked to see Naruto had stood and was the one holding him back. His smirk had stretched into a feral grin and his eyes were lit with excitement. "You'll get your chance soon Shino," he whispered. "Just be a little more patient."

Sensing a strange sense of anticipation beginning to fill him, the heir to the Aburame clan nodded and turned his attention back to the proctor, who was now calling for Shikamaru and Temari to come down. He could tell the Nara heir was considering following the example set by Kankuro. When he glanced back over his shoulder to Naruto, he saw the boy nod and knew he had something in mind.

"Forfeit and I'll lock you in a room with Ino and your mother for twenty-four hours and tell them everything you've said about them that I've been able to witness."

With a new burst of energy, Shikamaru leaped from the balcony and landed on the ground, eyes narrowed in determination as Temari floated down, perched atop her fan and using her futon chakra to fly down to the arena floor.

Back with the genin, Naruto turned to look at Gaara. The two shared a brief moment, before the blond turned and sat down, propping his feet up on the railing. "Hope we get a good show out of this," he mumbled. The others nodded while he pulled out a new sealing scroll. From this one he unsealed a bottle full of a black liquid that hissed when he opened it. With a happy expression the blond placed the opening against his lips and took a hearty swig. 'That Franky guy was right,' he thought. 'You just can't beat a cold cola.'

AND CUT!

Alright, what do y'all think?

Read and review please, as always my thanks to Kamen Rider for helping me create some form of order from the chaotic storm that is and always shall be my mind.

Hope you all are doing well,

Yurei King signing out.