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CHAPTER 21: CHUUNIN EXAM: NEJI VS SAKURA

Everyone in the fighting grounds is now watching in excitement, wondering who will win the other. They know that Hyuuga Neji is the prodigy of his clan and is also the rookie of the year in last year's Gennin graduates. Also, his opponent, Haruno Sakura, is not a kunoichi to be underestimated even though she does not come from a ninja family.

Everyone knows that she is the niece of 'The Replicator' and is being trained personally under him. Now is the perfect chance for everyone that has never seen her fight to see her fighting abilites. The Hokage himself would like to see how good she is since her team was able to complete an A-rank mission last week or so.

"Maki-sensei," Naruto said, never taking his eyes away from Sakura, "What do you mean when that guy can see Sakura-chan's genjutsu?"

"I'm sure you noticed that during Ino's match, Hinata's eyes were a little different than usual, right?" Maki asked.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah. There were some sorts of veins popping out of her eyes."

"Right," Maki said, starting his explanation, "That is the Hyuuga's bloodline limit, the Byakugan. It allows them to see the chakra system in our bodies. The eyes can help them when using the 'gentle fist' but with those eyes, they can genjutsu's clearly too."

Naruto looked even more confused, "How come?"

Maki sighed, "Okay, let me give you an example. You have been caught in her genjutsu where she used vines to attack you, right?"

Naruto nodded.

"Well," Maki continued, "With the Byakugan, they can still see the vines attacking them but they can see that the vines are infused with chakra. They can tell that they have been caught in a genjutsu. However, the Byakugan cannot see through all genjutsu's if the genjutsu is too strong."

Maki now stood nexto to Naruto, his hands on the railing, "The only way Sakura can win this match is by forcing Neji to use up all his chakra."

"How is she going to do that?"

Maki grinned, "This is why only people with good chakra control are advised to be genjutsu specialist since, like I've explained before, the better the chakra control the better your techniques are. And in a genjutsu case, the better your chakra control, the more chakra a person needs to use to release the genjutsu affect."

"So," Naruto looked at Sakura, "If Sakura-chan can keep using genjutsu's that force Neji to keep using chakra to release the genjutsu, she can win?"

Maki shook his head, "No, she just has a higher chance to win."

The two ninjas of team seven stop their conversation to now watch the match, hoping that the pink haired girl will emerge victorius.

Neji looks seriously at his opponent in front of him. He has already respected her and Naruto and also the Uchiha. He has heard about them completing high rank missions when they have only prepared themselves for a C-rank mission. Neji gets into the stance of the Hyuuga, prepared to give it all he has got in this match.

Even though he already knows that Sakura is a person who is only good at genjutsu, which his eyes can see it clearly, he will not underestimate her. His Byakugan is still not as good as the elite Hyuuga's and even if he was, the Byakugan cannot see through all the genjutsu's that are cast upon them.

"You should just quit," Neji said calmly, "Before you end up getting hurt."

Sakura smirks, her hand picking out a kunai, "And what makes you think I will end up getting hurt?"

"Because it is your destiny. You cannot change destiny."

Sakura gets into a defensive stance. "And how does destiny tell you that I will lose?"

Neji smiled, "Because I am a genius. And even if you work hard to become strong, the genius will always overcome the one that works hard."

Sakura narrows her eyes, "Maybe I can help hit some sense into your head?"

Neji activates his Byakugan, "You can try."

With that, he charges at the pink haired kunoichi. Sakura remembered that genjutsu are useless against the Hyuuga's and they are excellent in the Taijutsu area, which she is weak at. Ninjutsu is out of the question since she knows so little. She really is at a disadvantage.

She throws her kunai at Neji who easily dodges it and continues charging at her. She jumps back, forms three seals and cast the genjutsu. Neji can see huge shurikens coming at him but with his Byakugan, he can see chakra infused in the shurikens.

'Damn' Neji thought, 'This girl has perfect chakra control. It is going to make me use a lot of chakra to release this genjutsu. However, I just have to avoid them and attack the caster.'

Everyone that is watching the match can tell that Neji has been caught in Sakura's genjustu since he seems to be avoiding something, although to everyone's eyes, he is simply running around.

Neji finally reached Sakur and successfully attacked Sakura's chest, damaging her heart. To his surprise, Sakura's body slowly disolves and turns into pink petals and soon, Neji is surrounded by pink petals, clouding his vision.

People watching the match can see that Neji attacked absolutely nothing since Sakura is now behind him. Neji is like a lost dog, glancing left and right.

'Damn it,' Neji thought, 'This girl is good with genjutsu's. I can't see through anything, even with the Byakugan. I have no choice but to release this stupid technique.'

He forms the simple seal.

"Release!"

The pink petals dissolve and he can now see that he is back at the fighting grounds. Neji can't believe that he used such a large amount of chakra to just get out of that genjutsu. He glances at Sakura who is grinning, a kunai in her hand. Neji knew that he is going to have to be serious to beat her.

"You're pretty good." Neji commented.

"You just realised it?" Sakura remarked.

Sakura charges at Neji once again but picks out three shurikens at tosses it at Neji. Neji easily avoids it and Sakura took the opportunity to form seals again but Neji saw through it and tosses a kunai at her, causing her to stop the seals to avoid it. Neji lands on the ground a few feet in front of Sakura, his Byakugan seeing through her act.

"Now I understand," Neji said, "Like how you attacked me earlier, you need me to be distracted for at least a second for you to form the seals to cast the genjutsu. Am I right?"

"Not really," Sakura replied calmly, "That is just one of my methods."

Neji narrowed his eyes and charged forward, taking Sakura by surprise. He knew that he cannot afford to get caught in another genjutsu even if his eyes can see them. Sakura was too surprised by Neji's sudden charge that she did not prepare for any counter attack.

Neji aimed for her chest but Sakura avoided by side-stepping to her left. Sakura quickly tries a round-house kick but Neji grabbed her foot and using all his strength, tosses her to the wall. This move is definitely not used by a Neji as Sakura crashes hard on her back on the wall.

The next thing Sakura could feel was Neji's palm resting on her stomach and intense pain coming from that area. A small amount of blood escaped her mouth but she can still continue on in the match. She can see Neji coming for the second strike but she grabbed Neji's wrist on time with her right hand. Since she can't back away since she is already on the wall, she uses her free hand to grab a kunai. Neji saw this but his reactions were a little too slow.

Sakura waved the kunai in front of Neji, who made it on time to dodge the attack. Sakura clutched her stomach in pain from the attack earlier. It seems that the 'gentle fist' have damaged her stomach or perhaps her liver. She could not tell but she must not get another blow like that again or she might lose from the pain.

Neji himself know that he just neess one hit on Sakura and he can win the match. And just one strike on her heart will definitely beat her but right now, they are quite a distance from each other which gives Sakura the advantage since she is a genjutsu specialist. Neji can also feel a deep pain on his right cheek and feels it. Neji had a shock expression when he realise that Sakura was able to scar him, blood on his hand.

"You are definitely a strong opponent." Neji complimented Sakura.

Sakura did not respond as she is trying to think of a way to beat her opponent. She knows she cannot beat him in a Taijutsu contest so that is out of the question.

'Maybe it is time we do what uncle Maki taught us.' Sakura thought to herself.

Flashback

It was a regular day in Konoha and Sakura is now patiently waiting for Naruto and her uncle so that they can train for today. However, the two are running late. She can understand if Naruto is late since he is the kind of guy to forget things but her uncle is a person whom is rarely late. She is also getting frustrated since patience is something that she is not very good at.

Sakura is currently sitting under a tree to protect herself from the strong heat coming from the sun. After sitting down there for another three minutes, a figure entered the training grounds and she immediately recognised the man. She stood back up, waiting for him.

"I sure hope you have a good reason for being late, uncle Maki!" Sakura said angrily when Maki reached her.

"I apologise," Maki said, scratching his hair, "But I had another lecture from the Hokage."

Sakura sighed, "Why can't you just learn some manners, uncle? And teach Naruto that too!"

"I can't help it," Maki exclaimed, "Even my brother scolded me for such things but I just can't seem to learn."

Sakura wasn't listening. She was looking left and right, "Where is Naruto?"

"Oh, he is on a mission right now with his team. I am not needed on the mission since it is just to repair some broken fences and cleaning the house."

"So it is just you and me?" Sakura asked.

Maki nodded, "And today's training will be a secret."

With that, Maki took out a very small pocket from one of his Jounin's pockets. Sakura know that the Jounin vest is used to carry those small kinds of scrolls and it is also used as protection. Although the vest seems to be fragile, the vest is actually quite strong and can at least reduce the impact of a kunai.

"Here," Maki said, throwing the scroll to Sakura.

Sakura catches the small scroll, a questioning look on her face, "What is this?"

Maki now has his hands on his hips with a dead serious expression, "It is a scroll that has a technique for you to learn. I know you are in the genjutsu field but even a genjutsu specialist requires some basic knowledge of other techniques."

"How come?"

"Sakura, there might come a time when you face an enemy ninja that can easily counter genjutsu's that you throw at him so you just might need to beat him by either using Ninjutsu or Taijutsu. Since you are weak in Taijutsu, you are more suited to learn ninjutsu's."

Sakura nodded her head and opens the scroll. She can see the name of the technique and is surprised that her uncle would actually have suggested learning this technique. It is a B-rank technique and she already knows of the power since she has seen her uncle perform this technique a lot.

"You actually expect me to learn this?" Sakura asked, shocked in her voice.

Maki nodded, "This technique suits best when your chakra control is good and since yours is very good, it should be quite devastating. Also, it can be used as a distraction for you to cast a genjutsu."

Sakura gulped and started reading the scroll, learning how to perform the technique. Although the way the scroll said seems to be easy, when she tried it, it was difficult to use. She glanced at her uncle who seems to be lost in thought. She can't believe that her uncle can use this technique easily and she can tell that his technique is at it's maximum.

'If uncle Maki can do it, I can do it!' She thought to herself, 'I am a Haruno after all.'

End of Flashback

Sakura remembered the seals she will need to use that technique. Also, she has never shown anyone that she can use this technique. The only person who has seen it is the person that taught her.

Sakura looks at Neji in the eyes. His Byakugan still activated and with those eyes, he can always see the seals she is performing and what types of genjutsu she will be performing. She needs to use this technique and use the most powerful genjutsu she knows to beat him. It will require a large amount of chakra but it is the only way. She has made her choice.

'It looks like she is going to use it.' Maki thought.

"It seems she is either going to win or lose in her next move." Maki said.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, wondering what Maki meant.

Maki looks at Sakura, "With her low chakra capacity, she will be using techniques that will need to use up most of her chakra." Maki explained.

Naruto then looks at Sakura, wondering what she is planning.

Sakura takes a deep breath and charges at Neji, something that caught everyone by surprise since charging against a Taijutsu specialist should never be done. Neji himself is confused and gets into the Hyuuga stance. He knew that Sakura is planning something since charging at him is only a dumb person would do.

Sakura then starts forming the seals required. With the Byakugan activated, Neji can see that Sakura is gathering chakra to her throat.

"Fire release! Grand fireball technique!"

Everyone was in shock as Sakura blew out a large fireball, one that is actually even larger than Sasuke. Neji himself is in shock and quickly jumps to his right. He successfully avoided it but now he can no longer find Sakura anywhere.

Everyone watching the fight was impressed that Sakura can cast such a big fireball at her level. Her chakra control had actually helped her so much that her fire was as large as Maki. Maki himself is surprised that his niece actually went so far in their 'secret' training to improve so much.

Neji realise that he is already in a genjutsu since everyone else is no longer watching him. He is alone in the fighting grounds and the place seems to be darker than usual. Suddenly, seven large shurikens were coming at him from every directions but he can see that all seven of them are infused with chakra.

'Wait,' Neji thought, inspecting one of the shuriken, 'One of them is not infused with chakra.'

Even though getting hit by the shuriken will not damage him physically, it will hurt his mind. He avoids all the shurikens easily but then he could feel a sharp pain at the back of his left thigh. He looks at it and realise that a shuriken is plunged deep in, blood seeping down his thigh.

'Impossible!' Neji thought, 'This is physical pain! How can this be? Isn't this a genjutsu?'

Ignoring all the pain, he takes out the shuriken. He can tell that this shuriken is real and not from a genjutsu. He is even more confused than ever when another wave of shurikens are coming at him again and only one of them is not infused with chakra.

'Damn it, I guess I have to use 'that' to find out what is going on.' Neji thought.

Everyone that is watching the match can tell that Neji is having trouble in the genjutsu which is rare since he has the Byakugan. He also seems to be having trouble to avoid shurikens that Sakura is throwing at him. However, the Jounins and expeirenced ninjas watching this match understand what is happening and are surprised that Sakura used such a high level genjutsu. However, this technique uses a lot of chakra.

This kind of genjutsu involves both mental and physical pain. This kind of genjutsu requires a large amount of chakra because of the chakra infused in the shurikens. The person caught in the genjutsu will still try to avoid the shurikens but he can never do so since those shurikens are to distract him when the shuriken that is not infused with chakra, a real shuriken, is thrown at him.

Neji, still caught in genjutsu started spinning and just as the shurikens were about to hit him. Then, a blue shield envelops around Neji, blowing away all the shurikens, including the real shuriken thrown at Sakura.

Everyone of the Jounins watching the match recognised that move. It was the Kaiten and only those of the Hyuuga can use that technique but for a Gennin to use it, is truly impressive. Also, the real shuriken that is thrown at Neji is thrown back at Sakura, causing her to avoid the shuriken and dispelling the genjutsu.

Neji is out of the genjutsu and he can see Sakura a few feet in front of him. However, he smiled when he can see that Sakura's body is completely out of chakra. She has no more chakra to use any more genjutsu and this will be the end of her.

"You have lost," Neji said, moving into the Hyuuga stance, "And no more shall your stupid mind tricks disturb me. Destiny has been laid upon you."

With that, he charged at Sakura. Sakura is too weak and tired from using that high level genjutsu and it should have worked if it weren't for that stupid technique used by Neji that caused Sakura to dispel the genjutsu. She can see Neji getting nearer and nearer and the last thing she heard was Naruto calling her name.

Neji laid his palm on Sakura, right where the heart should be. The impact caused Sakura to fall back, her heart in pain from the attack. She landed on her back a few feet away from Neji, coughing out blood from the pain. Neji relaxed and disactivated his Byakugan, knowing that Sakura has lost.

Maki shook his head, "Sakura has lost the match. There is no way for her to continue."

"How can you say that?!" Naruto said angrily, "She is your niece! I thought you promised her that you will believe in her?"

"I know what I promised!" Maki roared, "But look at what Neji has done to her? Even as a ninja, I never wanted to see her in pain like this!"

Hayate is currently inspecting the injured pink haired kunoichi and has made his decision. He stands up and was about to make the announcement when to everyone's shock, Sakura slowly gets back to her feet. She had blood seeping out of her mouth, some dried while some are still wet.

Sakura is clutching her heart in pain and also desperately trying to stand. Hayata now did not know what to do. Most ninjas would have just given up but it seems that Sakura is right now pushing herself to the limits. Neji's mouth was slightly open from the shock that Sakura can still be standing up after he had attacked her heart.

Neji, unlike Hinata, has mastered the 'gentle fist' so all his blows are about three times stronger than Hinata. Sakura had actually received the blow of an experienced Hyuuga and here she is, barely standing.

"I won't lose," Sakura said weakly, "Not to you."

Neji narrowed his eyes, "Just give up. You will end up dead if you continue."

Sakura coughed out blood once more, "I can continue," She said to Hayata, "Please don't end this match yet."

"Can't you see that destiny has already said you will lose?" Neji asked, shaking his head, "You can't change..."

"Shut up!" Sakura interrupted the Hyuuga, "Just what makes you think that destiny has said that you will beat me?"

Neji smirked, "The fact that you are actually forcing yourself to stand." Neji then turned serious, "And also because I am a genius. Those that are born a genius will always beat the one's that work hard. No matter how hard they train, the genius will always beat them."

Naruto and Maki are currently holding in their anger to beat Neji up but they had to restrain themself. However, unlike Maki, Naruto is also releasing a large amount of killing intent and this is also because of the Kyuubi. Gaara himself could feel it and for the first time, made him feel a little bit of hesitation to fight Naruto.

"I will warn you once more," Neji advised, turning to the Hyuuga stance, "Forfeit now or your life will end."

Sakura scoffed, "I won't quit just because of your threats. I am a kunoichi of Konoha and I will not give up that easily."

With that answer, Neji activated his Byakugan and charged straight at Sakura. Sakura could feel her heart throb in pain and she can barely avoid the attack. Neji has every intent on killing her and Maki sensed this.

'Damn it,' Maki thought, pulling out his custom kunai, 'If she receives another blow to the heart again, she will die!'

Maki threw the kunai right in front of Sakura.

"Release!"

Maki threw it so fast that all the Gennin's never saw it and so was surprised when a shadow clone of Maki appeared in front of Sakura. Neji is surprised too and the next thing he knows is that his right hand was grabbed hard and a cold metal placed at his neck. The grip is so strong that he can barely move and the speed that Maki moved was too fast.

"Hayate," The shadow clone said, "The match between these two is over."

The moment he said that, Sakura coughed out blood once more but this time, it was serious and she collapsed to the ground, losing counsciousness. Naruto quickly jumped down and ran to Sakura. Neji is currently trying to get out of the grip but Maki was too strong.

"Winner, Hyuuga Neji!" Hayate announced.

Instantly upon the announcement, medic ninjas rushed into the fighting ground, inspecting Sakura. Sakura could barely see Naruto but she smiled weakly that Naruto was that concerned for her and she will have to thank her uncle for actually saving her life. The blow that Neji was about to give could have killed her. As Sakura begin to close her eyes, the last thing she saw was Naruto.

The medic ninjas are currently carrying Sakura and putting her on a stretcher. Then, two of the medic ninjas are carrying her away, most likely to the hospital. Naruto and Maki watch on until the medical ninjas finally disappeared from sight.

The clone holding Neji finally dispelled itself. Naruto then glared at Neji with every intent of ending his life right here but he had to restrain himself. That is something that Maki taught him and that is to never fight with a comrade unless he is a traitor.

"Don't give me that look," Neji warned, "She had caused her own destiny to be like that when she could have just forfeited the match. That was her own fault."

Naruto did not answer. Instead, he bent down and grabbed a handful of blood that Sakura coughed out earlier. Everyone, including the Hokage watch in silence, knowing that Naruto cared a lot for Sakura. Maki himself wondered what Naruto was about to do. Naruto then showed Neji a fist, the blood of Sakura dripping slowly from the fist.

"With the blood on my hands right now," Naruto said, his eyes locking with Neji, "I swear that I will beat you in the finals. Believe it!"

Neji could tell from Naruto's voice that he just might be telling the truth. For the first time in Neji's life, he felt threatened. He has already heard that Naruto is a strong ninja that specialises in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. It seems that he will have to prepare himself for the finals.

Maki smiled, knowing that Sakura will one day be married to someone that will love her so much that the person will give up his own life for her. Not that he wants Naruto to die but the love he has for her is that big.

Then, the black screen starts to randomly select the names for the next match. Neji makes his way back to his team while Naruto walked back to Maki, ignoring the glares given to him by the other ninjas. Then, the black screen stopped and the two names that were shown were two powerful ninjas.

"Yosh!" A voice said loudly, "It is finally time for people to see how my youth will help in my fight!"

"That's right, Lee!" Gai said, agreeing with his student, "It is time for the spring time of youth!"

With that, Lee jumped down to the fighting grounds. His opponent stared coldly at him and jumps down to face Lee. Maki could feel the intensity of the match and after what just happened, Lee's opponent will definitely not be in the mood to show Lee any mercy.

"This will be a perfect opportunity to fight for Sakura's love!" Lee said enthusiastically.

"Do not mention her name," Lee's opponent said, his eyes filled with anger, "Because she loves no one but me."

The two then lock eyes, waiting for Hayate to start the match. Maki sighed, hoping that he will qualify with Sasuke. After all, it is time those two release the tension of wondering who is better than the other. Maki looks at the black screen, the two names mentioned. This will indeed be an interesting fight.

ROCK LEE VS UZUMAKI NARUTO

Hayate coughs a few more times and clears his throat. He looks at Lee who seems to be unable to contain his excitement in fighting the blonde ninja. He then glances at Naruto who is right now, ready to end this match as quickly as possible. Hayate smiled. He himself is wondering who is going to win.

"Begin!"