Me: Yo people. Just telling you that I just had an interview with Einstein's Bagels. Crossing my fingers here because I can really use a job.
"Will the participants of the second match please come down!" Bo' Rai Cho announced.
Before he left, Naruto took off his waystar and gave it to Sasuke. "Hold on to that?" Sasuke nodded as Naruto and Neji walked down the stairs towards the arena floor, glaring at each other all the way.
XXXXXXXXXX
"So let me get this straight," Mushu said as he continued eating chips. "That little punk almost killed his cousin and still fights? I'm sorry, but that's just messed up, man!"
Hiashi sighs. "I tried talking to him, but he wouldn't listen to me."
"Even Gai and Lee have tried," Kakashi said.
"Because he's a-" Kiba stopped himself when he saw Hinata motioning her eyes towards Hanabi. "A jerk?" Hiashi rolled his eyes.
"Have you been able to get through to him, Tenten?" Sakura asked.
Tenten shook her head. "Sorry, Sakura. But I haven't spoken to him since I found out what he did to Hinata."
"I have to ask, but what is he like on your team?" Tsunade asked.
"Like a guy who thinks he's better than everyone, but he's still the strongest guy in it. After seeing Lee though, I ain't sure anymore."
"Do you think Naruto will be okay?" Hinata asked in concern for her crush.
"Of course he will," Ahsoka said. "I've helped him train this past month and I'm sure he'll win."
"What'd he train on?" Ino asked.
"Sorry, I am in no liberty to tell."
"But-"
"Shh!" Dawn shushed Ino. "It's starting.
XXXXXXXXXX
In another part of the stands were sitting Izumo, Kotetsu, Kabal, and Stryker.
"Okay," Izumo said. "While I do admit Naruto is very strong, he's never gone up against someone like Neji Hyuga."
"I wouldn't say that, Izumo," Stryker said. "You didn't see how angry Naruto was when Neji tried to kill his cousin. He even threatened the guy using his voice." He whispered that last part. "He's definitely going to go all out."
Kotetsu sniffed. "Even so, the Hyuga's a prodigy in close combat."
Kabal narrowed his eyes. "Oh really? Care to make a wager?"
Kotetsu raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
XXXXXXXXXX
'So you gonna summon any of the toads?' Kurama asked.
'No,' Naruto thought. 'That would be too easy.'
"Does anyone have any objections to this fight?" Bo asked. Naruto glared at Neji, and the Hyuga glared back.
"I have no objections here!" Naruto growled as he drew two kunai.
Neji activated his Byakugan and saw the chakra in Naruto's body going haywire. 'He has absolute faith in himself. As if he hasn't got a single doubt.' "Me neither," He answered.
"O.K! The second match of the Chunin exam will begin... NOW!" The crowd went wild.
"Shado Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted as four Naruto clones appeared in puffs of smoke.
'So he starts out with Shadow clones?' Neji thought. 'Fine, but since chakra is equally and evenly distributed among all the clones, my Byakugan won't be able to determine which of the bodies is the real one. Clever. But in the end there's only one real failure.' An evil smirk appeared on his face.
"Don't get cocky," Naruto warned.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Neji asked. "Come here and prove me wrong... if you dare."
"Whatever you say!" Naruto replied as his clones charged him. The first one slashed at Neji with his kunai, but the Hyuga grabbed his wrist and slammed his palm into the clone's chest, making it disappear. Two of the clones tried ganging up on him, but he jumped backwards, dodging the attacks. When they tried it again, Neji dashed forward and slammed both palms into their stomachs before they had a chance to attack. Then the last one threw his kunai at Neji's head, but the Hyuga grabbed it before it connected. He smiled evilly and flung it back, striking the clone in the head. Now all the shadow clones were gone, leaving Naruto and Neji. Everyone in the crowd was stunned.
"You want to be Hokage huh?" Neji asked in a mocking tone. "I don't think that's gonna happen. I can pretty much tell with these eyes of mine. The abilities and talent are determined at birth. In other words, your entire destiny is set from the time you're born."
"Blah, blah, blah! You just love hearing the sound of your own voice don't you?!" Naruto shouted in anger. "You're always so sure that the future is full of doom and gloom. Why?!" Neji stared at him and sighed.
"Are you saying anyone can become Hokage? If they just try hard enough? Only a select few shinobi are even considered for Hokage. Wake up and face reality! Those who will become Hokage are born with that fate. You can't get there by trying; you have to be pre-selected. Each person's life consists only of being swept along in the inescapable current of destiny. All of us have only one thing in common. One shared fate… death." He finished in a depressed voice.
Mushu had a look of disgust on his face. "Sheesh. That dude seriously needs a girlfriend." He said. Unbenounced to him and the others, Tenten blushes.
"Who cares?!" Naruto asked as he made an army of clones. "I guess I'm just a sore loser!" Now Neji was surrounded by Naruto clones.
"I'm not an idiot, you know. I've seen through you pattern of attack already."
"I told you! You shouldn't make any assumptions about the future!" Naruto shouted as all his clone converged on the Hyuga. Punches came from everywhere, but no hits landed on Neji. He merely jumped and dodged all attacks sent his way. Then he dashed through the crowd of blond ninjas, searching for the real one. Then he caught sight on one that was staying back.
'There you are….' Neji thought as he dashed towards the one staying in the back. Before he had a chance to counter, Neji slammed his palm into Naruto's stomach, causing all the other clones to disappear. Naruto coughed up blood and stumbled backwards.
'Oh no! Naruto!' Hinata thought as she watched from the balconies with the others.
"The one who is afraid to get hurt and stays in the back is the real one," Neji said, triumphantly. But Naruto started to chuckle, confusing the Hyuga.
"I... I told you already..." Naruto gasped. "D... don't make assumptions so much..." And he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What?!" Neji growled as the real Naruto appeared behind him.
Naruto quickly made hand seals and shouted, "Earth Style: Stone Fist Jutsu!" And then jammed his arms into the ground. When he pulled them back up, they we're incased in rock and stone. "Did you see this!" Naruto mocked, as he charged towards the stunned Neji and punched him in the face, sending him skidding back 15 feet.
"YEAH! GO NARUTO!" Ahsoka, Ash, and Naruto's other friends and family cheered.
Asuma whistled. "Yet another thing you taught him, Kakashi?"
Kakashi chuckled. "Yup."
"I've been meaning to ask," Kurenai spoke up. "But why is Naruto's main element earth?"
Kakashi shrugged. "I don't understand either, but you can't complain with the results."
After recovering, Neji felt something in his mouth. He spat into his hand and saw two of his teeth. Neji clenched his hand in anger. 'Son of a bitch!' He cursed inwardly.
Naruto smacked his fists together. "So much for your supposed fate and destiny crap." He then charged forwards, unleashing fast strikes. The Hyuga tries blocking the punches, but each time that he did, he felt pain everytime Naruto's stone fists made contact with his hands.
Thinking fast, Neji started rotating with chakra surrounding him. Naruto's strikes stopped dead in their tracks as they made contact with the protective chakra shield. Then Naruto was sent flying and skidded across the ground before quickly recovering and stood up, unfortunately Neji's counter-attack destroyed the earth that covered Naruto's arms.
"You thought you had me beat?" Neji mockingly asked.
"That's Neji's defense," Hiashi sighed. "The vision range of the Byakugan is almost a full 360 degrees. In other words, he can practically see a full circle around him. And with the Byakugan, he can anticipate all of his opponent's attacks. From now on, Neji will be shielding himself within the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation. The instant before an attack reaches him, he emits large amounts of chakra from chakra points all over his body, halting the enemy's attack with a cocoon of chakra. And then he moves his body in a circle like a spinning top, repelling and reflecting the attack. Normally, chakra emitted from chakra points is difficult to control. Even Jonin can usually only utilize such chakra from a single body part at a time, like hands and feet. But Neji, a master of the Gentle Fist, can emit from his entire body. You could consider it another kind of absolute defense that's even more powerful than the Kazekage's youngest child." Hiashi finished. Back in the arena, Naruto shook off the pain as Kurama started healing his wounds. He looked and saw Neji, dropping into a different stance.
"You're finished," He said. "You're within the boundaries of my eight trigrams. Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams 64 Palms!" Neji leapt forward and sent a barrage of strikes all over Naruto body. "Two Palms! Four Palms! Eight Palms! 16 Palms! 32 Palms! 64 Palms!" Naruto cried in pain as his body was riddled with blocked chakra points. His legs, his arms, his face and torso were among the places the strikes lands. Naruto fell backwards and landed with a thud.
"Naruto!" Hinata cried at the sight of her crush lying on his back in pain. Almost everyone looked away, not baring to see the Uzumaki in pain. Mushu quickly covered Hanabi's eyes.
"I've blocked 64 points around your body. You can no longer stand." Then he started snickering. "It must be frustrating. Here, on your knees before my immutable strength. You must finally comprehend your own powerlessness. Believing that your dreams will come true is you try hard enough. It's simply a fantasy." But that didn't stop Naruto. To Neji's, and the entire audiences' shock, Naruto struggled to his feet, not giving up. He looked up and glared at the Hyuuga.
"I told you... I'm a sore loser..." He grunted, trying to fight back the pain as Kurama started healing him again, but the fox can only do so much as the chakra points were blocked.
"Listen," Neji began in a sincere voice. "Just give up, all right? If you keep going, it'll only be more of the same. And I don't have any grudge against you, so…"
"Shut up!" Naruto shouted, interrupting Neji. "I do!" Neji didn't understand.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Naruto held up a finger for each answer. "1: Your attitude that everything in life is set at birth. 2: Thinking that your better than everybody else just because you come from a clan. And 3: You almost killed Hinata! One of my best friends and your own cousin! Were you high or just mentally retarded?" The crowd went 'ooh' as a few of them snapped their fingers. Neji's face turned red in embarrassment. "All because of the separate houses of your clan?"
But Neji only chuckled. "Do you want to know about..."
"... The caged bird seal."
Neji's eyes went wide with surprise.
Naruto looked at him with a serious expression. "Your uncle talked to me a week before the tournament. He told me that one day, when you were four years old, that thing was branded onto your forehead using the curse mark jutsu. That day, a grand celebration was being thrown in Konoha. There was a lavish ceremony in honor of a visit from the Village Hidden in the Clouds. Konoha had a long grudge against the nation, but an ambassador had come to sign a pact of alliance. Every shinobi in Konoha, from Genin to Jonin, was in attendance... except one family... Yours! Coincidently, that day was also the day that the main branch's heir turned three. It was Hinata's third birthday. Your father and uncle were twin brothers. However, Hinata's dad, Hiashi Hyuga, was born first, and thus was the eldest son and a member of the main branch. While your dad, as the second son, was relegated to the cadet branch. When Hinata turned three years old, you were branded with the curse and a 'Caged Bird'. A member of the Hyuga's lower branch." Neji looked at him in shock. "Your uncle was very thorough."
Naruto took a deep breath before talking again. "I asked him why would they do all that? He responded with much sadness in his voice that the mark was supposed to destroy the Byakugan as soon as the Hyuga was killed. Of course it's only the lower branch because some of the upper branch members thought, with their arrogance, that they shouldn't die for Konoha. Their country, their village, their own GODDAMN HOME!" Red chakra started seeping out through his body, suprising everybody. "They think that because of their 'powerful' bloodline that they were superior to everyone, including the other clans and even the Hokage." Hiruzen gritted his teeth. He always knew that Tomoyoshi always thought he was better even after he became Hokage.
"But you!" He growled in rage that seemed almost palpable as he pointed a finger at the now frightened Neji. "Have now become the very thing you despise! You have the same arrogance some of the upper branch members have!" He could feel the killing intent coming from some of the Hyuga spectators in the stands, but after flaring off his own killing intent, the Hyuga's shrank back in their seats. "Hinata always told me that you and her were close, like brother and sister. It was only after the ambassador tried to kidnap her so his village could gain a bloodline that everything changed. I actually smiled when your uncle told me he killed the bastard by destroying his heart with one quick strike."
"Unfortunately, it was after the ambassador signed the contract. So Kumogakure tried to save themselves by stating that Konoha went against the contract first and started making demands like winy children." Now he started sensing killing intent from the Kumo spectators in the stand, so he released another KI flare.
Neji growled. "And in order to avoid a war, Konoha made a deal with Kumo to hand over the one responsible. But instead of my uncle, they gave them my father instead! My father was sacrificed by the main branch to protect the Hyuga clan!"
"No!" Naruto snarled as he grew fangs, his whisker marks became thicker, and his eyes slitted and turned from blue to red. "You're dad was sacrificed because everybody knew that if Kumo had gotten Hiashi instead, then they would have had the bloodline! It was a sacrifice that had to be made."
"HOW DARE YOU!" Neji roared.
"I dare because nobody wanted another war!" Now Naruto grew claws. "Why can't you see that?"
"Because it was fate!"
Naruto just spat on the ground. "I guess the only thing that will change your mind is being defeated by someone who's suppose to lose to you right?"
Neji smirked. "That's right, but it isn't going to happen anytime soon," Then he ran forward and hit's Naruto straight in the chest. He smirked, thinking he won...
... Before Naruto grabbed his arm, digging his claws into it.
Neji winced in pain. Using his other hand, he started hitting Naruto again and again, but somehow the red chakra that covered the jinchuriki acted like armor, blocking his attacks.
Naruto smirked. "Sorry buddy, but I will not lose to a jackass like you!" Then he bent down and scooped up a clump of dirt. 'Now Kurama,' He called to his friend. 'It's time to show this guy my new move.' The fox grinned as he started giving Naruto as much chakra he could give without disrupting the shield. Almost instantly, red chakra started converging on the dirt, making it swirl around until it formed into a sphere the size of a balloon and as thick as metal.
Neji's eyes widen. 'NO! NO! NO!' He tried striking harder now, but couldn't make a dent.
"Tsuchi Rasengan!" Naruto shouted, slamming the sphere right into Neji's gut, sending him flying back as fast as a bullet right into the wall.
The smoke soon cleared and showed Neji embedded into the wall. Few seconds later, he slumps forward to the ground, out cold. Bo 'Rai Cho walked toward the down Hyuga and poked the boy with his cane and saw his hand twitching.
Bo smirks. 'The boy is as strong as his father, maybe even stronger.' "The winner of the second match is Naruto Uzumaki!"
"ALRIGHT NARUTO!" Ash, Ahsoka, Anko, Sasuke, Ino, Sakura, Kiba, and Choji hollared as the rest of the audience erupted in thunderous applause. Shino, Shikamaru, Dawn, Eraqus and the rest of the adults clapped along. Hinata and Hanabi embraced each other, cheering with the others. Akamaru and Tonton jumped up and down and Mushu launched fireballs into the air where they exploded like fireworks.
"How was this match, Kazekage?" The Hokage asked as he and his friend clapped along.
"Remarkable," The disguised Orochimaru said on the outside, but inside he was terrified. 'How is he able to control the Kyuubi? My seal should have blocked it's chakra unless... the Rasengan... Jiraiya! He's here?!' He looked around the arena and saw the Tano family... sitting right next to Tsunade! 'No! No! NO! I will not have my plans ruined because of my foolish old team!'
After turning back to normal, Naruto walked towards Neji as the Hyuga was about to be taken by the medics. Naruto saw that Neji was awake. "How?" The Hyuga asked. "How did I lose to you? It was fate that..."
"Let me stop you right there," Naruto said. "You gotta understand now that there is no such thing as fate. Life is not determined by fate or destiny at the start of your birth, but when you really want it and take it into your own hands. I only hope you see that now." Naruto turned around and started walking towards the balcony.
Neji didn't say a word, he just stared at the sky and saw the birds flying overhead. 'Father... what would you do?'
XXXXXXXXXX
"Ha!" Kabal laughed. "Pay up!" Kotetsu grumbled as he reached into his pocket and gave Kabal 50 munny. "Chump."
XXXXXXXXXX
Seeing Neji being taken by the medics, most likely towards the medical room in the arena, Hiashi stood up. "Hinata, watch Hanabi. I have to talk to Neji." Hinata nodded as her father walked away from the seats and started making his way towards the room where his nephew is. On the way, he spotted his father, Tomoyoshi and the other elders blocking the way. Hiashi sucked in air through his teeth. He did not have time for this.
Hiashi stopped in front of them. "Excuse me, father, but I must see my nephew."
Tomoyoshi huffed. "Don't fool me. I know you're going to tell the boy the truth about his father."
Hiashi's eyes turned cold. "I'll ask one more time. Move."
"Watch your mouth!" One of the elders growled. "You're forgetting who you are talking to."
"I know exactly who I'm talking to!" Hiashi stated with anger now coating his voice. "The same arrogant old fools who sent my brother to his death." One of the elders moved to strike him, but received an open palmed hit to the chest that sent him to the floor. "That is but a warning. Don't test me!"
Tomoyoshi growled. "You have no idea what you are doing, Hiashi! You've already put this clan in great danger by telling that boy of our secrets."
"I know exactly what I'm doing, father! I'm saving my nephew from the arrogance that is the main branch of the Hyuga clan, as Naruto so put it. My clan! The clan I lead! Not you! And as for that boy, I told him the truth so he can save Neji and bring him back to my family since you are nothing but a worthless old shit, useless leader, and a horrible father!"
Tomoyoshi and the other elders activated their Byakugan's. Hiashi just laughed as he activated his. "Go ahead and try, but we all know who'll win this fight. I train every day to hone my skills while you all just grew lazy and just sit around spending all the clans money on useless junk and eat expensive meals like pigs! Now I won't ask again. MOVE!"
The Hyuga elders snarled with immense rage before they deactivated their Byakugan's, retrieve the fallen Hyuga off the floor, and left.
Hiashi smirked. He wanted to let all that out for a long time. He turned around and opened the door where Neji was staying in. After asking for the medics to leave, he stood in front of his well beatened nephew. And by well beatend, I mean fucked up. The boy's arms and legs were covered in bandages and his abdomen was covered in a cast.
"Neji." His nephew looked away. Hiashi sighs. "We have to talk. I know you don't want to speak to me, but I have something very important to show you." He reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll. Neji just layed there. "Neji, please take it."
"I can't move my arms or sit up," Neji deadpanned. Hiashi cocked a brow. "The doctors told me that half my ribs are broken from Naruto's attack and the tendons and muscles in my arms are damaged. They said it will take at least 2-3 months before they're fully healed. I think it's because of that red chakra."
Hiashi winced. It's going to be tough telling him about the Kyuubi inside Naruto. "He really did another number on you huh? So I'll handle it." He opened the scroll and held above Neji's head so he can see. The boy's eyes slowly widen as he read on. Soon after he stopped reading, tears were poring from his eyes.
"Why haven't I've been told this before?" Neji whispered.
"It's because of the elders," Hiashi stated as he put the scroll back into his robes. "They kept it a secret because it was a Hyuga matter. Nobody else's." He then went to the floor and bowed. "Even though you can't see me, I am bowing for forgiveness for keeping this a secret from you." His ear's twitched when he heard a sound. Was Neji... laughing?
"I should be asking you the same thing," Hiashi looked up to see more tears coming from his nephews eyes. "I almost killed my own cousin who I loved like a sister. My father would be ashamed of me."
"Don't speak like that," Hiashi said as he stood up. "You were misled by your grandfather. All you have to do to make this right is simply apologize to Hinata."
Neji contemplated on this before coming to a decision a few seconds later. "Alright, I'll apologize to her."
Hiashi nodded. "Shall I go bring her here?"
"Not yet. I want to wait until the tournament is over."
Hiashi raised a brow, but honored his nephew's wishes and left. Neji turned towards the open window and saw birds flying through the air. And to his surprise, a thrush landed on the window sill. It tweeted to Neji a few times before flying out the window towards a tree. On one of the branches was a nest with who was most likely the birds family, his mate and three chicks.
Neji stared at the sight until a smile grew on his face.
Me: So the ending was pretty cheesy, but it is nice. I'm sure some of you might have questions so here are the answers to what you are most likely going to ask. Naruto summoning the toads would have been too easy. The reason I had Naruto chew out the Hyuga clan is because there's proof in the manga that they are really arrogant. Tsuchi is Japanese for earth.(I used google translate) And the Hyuga elders are going to be very small antagonists in the future. Okay that's all I have for today. AE is out! PEACE!