Finally the finals to the Chunin Exam is here. That means the matches for the finals are going to happen. Not to waste anymore time, here you go. As for the disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 34:
Grudge
The moment had finally arrived. It was what people have been waiting for a month for. It was the start of the Chunin Exam finals. Unlike with the preliminaries, there was a much larger crowd who came to watch. Standing there were the genins that were there to fight before them. Most of them were there but there was an exception. That was Sasuke Uchiha.
Scattered among those watching were those who were eliminated in the preliminary round. One of those eliminated competitors was Sakura Haruno. She wasn't paying attention what was going on in the battlefield as she was in deep thought as she was concerned at why Sasuke wasn't there. "Why would Sasuke leave the hospital without notice?" Recalling to what was said by Orochimaru as he left her team only worried her even more.
"Come on Sakura. Cheer up." suggested Ino who was seating beside her depress friend. "Sasuke might not be here but Naruto's match is coming up. So why not trying to cheer for your other friend?" Ino's words seem to do the trick as it got Sakura out of the funk that she was getting in.
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"Where the hell is that bastard?" Unaware to Sakura but her other teammate was having similar thoughts going through his head. "Sasuke might be a pain in the ass but there's no way that he would miss this. He would've dragged his body here if he had to."
After told the rules of the finals the proctor decided to get things started. "The first match is between Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga. Everyone else go to waiting room for your turn." Following the instructions the five other genin left the fighting area. For those watching they saw the match as foregone conclusion as the majority figured that the Hyuga boy was going to lose the match.
As for the two fighters, the expressions on their faces were complete opposites. While Neji appeared to be supremely confident, Naruto had a look of complete determination. "It seems like you have something to say. Why don't you not just say it already?"
"What's the point?" Naruto answered solemnly. "It would just be a waste of time talking. I prefer to just beat it into you. Maybe then you'll finally open your eyes." There wasn't any sign of doubt in the boy's words and his eyes didn't waver.
Neji saw this. Without a word he opened his Byakugan and went into the Jyuken fighting stance. "If that's what you wish, so be it. It'll be amusing to see you finally except reality."
"Shut up. Let's just fight already." While Naruto was being calm on the outside, he was trying to figure of what to do. "All right, think clearly. I've fought against the gentle fist several times while sparring with Hinata but honestly the level between her and Neji are completely different. I can't risk fighting him close range. Then I guess I'll go with this plan."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu." On either side of Naruto were two clones, making it all together five Narutos. Surrounding Neji they prepared to attack. All the while the Hyuga didn't show much concern of being outnumbered. "Those eyes may be able to see all around him but I might get lucky and land a blow. Either that or I can judge his skills further."
Giving the signal the four clones went on the attack. As expected, all of the attacks that the clones tried to use were blocked or evaded. In short order all of them were destroyed, leaving only the original Naruto behind. "Man, I knew that he was good but this is unreal."
"It's as I expected." voiced Neji. He didn't even seem the least bit winded from the little scuffle that that he just went through. "With your level of skill it's no way that you can deny what destiny has intended for you."
"Destiny you say? You keep spouting about our lives already being determined by destiny but that's just a bunch of bullshit. We decide whether we improve or not." A glare came over the blond haired boy's face. "Hinata proved it when she decided to become stronger than she once was."
"Yes and look what happen to here." Neji shot back. "She saw that no matter how much you wish to change, there's no way for a person to change their fate. So go ahead and just give up. No point in continuing in a match that you have no chance of winning."
Surprisingly, the glare disappeared from Naruto's face and a small smile to its place. "That's what you think? Then let's find out, shall we?" Once again he created four shadow clones and they circled around their opponent.
"You're going for the same trick? This didn't work the first time so why go for it again?" Neji sounded almost disappointed as things were becoming tiresome. "I thought that you would've at least put up more of a challenge than this."
Those words only seemed to cause the smile on Naruto's face to become even bigger. "Now, who said anything about using the same trick as before?" That strange response only confused Neji as he wondered what the spiky blond had planned.
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"What does that idiot think he's doing?" In the audience was Kiba Inuzuka. Like everyone else he was there to see the matches, specifically the one that involved his teammate, Shino but that match wouldn't happen until later. "Does he even realize that all that's doing is wasting his chakra?" No response was given, not like he was expecting one.
Sitting beside the outspoken was his other teammate, Hinata Hyuga. She was also there to lend moral support for Shino but also do the same for her two other friends' matches. Those two being Naruto and Shikamaru. Right now though she was having problems with the match that was going on as she didn't know what she should do. Even though she was badly beaten by him, Neji was still her cousin and didn't want to see him get hurt. However, she wanted the same thing for Naruto, someone that she cared for deeply.
No matter how much she wished for it she knew that there wasn't no way that one of them would come out of the match without some kind of injury. Hinata could only hope that when it was all over that it would at least somewhat ease some of the hostility that was between them. "Please. All I'm asking is for no one to get really hurt."
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"What are you blabbing about? You should know already know that no matter what you try you'll never be able to hit me." informed Neji. How he said it made it sound as though it was already a given.
"Then let's find out." Putting their hands together the five Narutos gathered chakra in-between them. "Flash Fare." Like with the preliminaries, he used the jutsu that created an intense light. As with his preliminary match, it caused his opponent to be blinded. Add to the fact that it came from the shadow clones as well it only made the light brighter that it actually covered the area for a few seconds.
"Now let's see if I'm able to hit you when you can't even see anything." Naruto's words didn't get through to Neji as he was trying to regain his vision but found it futile. In a unspoken unison three of the Narutos hit consecutive kicks that sent the Hyuga into the air and was followed by one of the other two jumped higher and drove Neji back to the ground with an axe kick.
"You take so much pride of that Byakugan ability of yours. But it proved to be your Achilles' heel since it cause you to receive the Flash Flare from all around you." enlightened one of the Narutos. Nothing was said in retort as Neji remained facedown on the ground, not moving. "Quit faking. We both know that something like that won't keep you down."
Just as Naruto has figured, the branch member of the Hyuga member got to his feet. It was then that the damage that the Uzumaki Barrage did became evident. Under Neji's right eye was a small cut that was deep enough that a small trial of blood to come out. Creative move but it was for not." He stopped for a moment to spit out a bloody spit. "In the end it would matter as you'll end up losing like Hinata. Destiny has already decided it."
"Watch what you say Neji Hyuga." Naruto warned with an edge to his voice. "Have you forgotten what happen last time that you put down Hinata? I was close to putting a kunai into a chest before I was stopped. There wouldn't be anyone to stop me if I decided to try it again." Taking a deep breath Naruto let it out to calm down. "Why do you have such a problem with the main members of your family?" A possible reason came to the blond.
"Could it have something to do with what happen to your daddy?" That question cause a immediate reaction as Neji was shocked at what was said. "Oh yes. I've known for a while. Hinata gave me a brief explanation about what happen. There were a few blanks managed to get the entire story. Honestly, if that's your excuse then your priorities are messed up."
That statement seemed to anger Neji more than anything before. "How can you say such a thing? If you actually knew what happened then you wouldn't say such an idiotic thing." In the audience was the leader of the Hyuga family, Hiashi who had his head lowered in regret.
"How about before you start bitching about things you get your facts straight?" Naruto shot back. "It doesn't matter. You can think about it after the match is over. That'll be a matter of moments." As if following a silent command the five Narutos charged in at the same time. Try as they might none of the Narutos couldn't land a blow. "Damn it. I can't get a hit on him. That means that I can't use the Rasengan since I can only maintain it for about a minute. I've got to think of something."
All of once the Narutos attack again but they were stopped but in another way. Spinning around, Neji released chakra outward and shielded him. There was enough rotation behind it that it caused all five Narutos to be pushed away. Slowly the Hyuga boy stopped with his surprise move. "Did you actually think that you could win?" The attack seemed to do some damage as it caused one of the shadow clones to be destroyed. "It was only due to your little trick that you were able to attack me like you did."
No reply came from Naruto as he tried to recover from the unexpected attack. It proved to be difficult as one by one the other shadow clones disappeared as well until only one Naruto was left and was someone who could hardly remain standing. "You said something about our match coming to an end. However, I'll continue while you remain where you are. Defeated and hopefully, finally understand that destiny doesn't change. No matter how hard you try."
Unexpectedly, a smile came over Naruto's face. Before it could be asked what that was about, he went away in a cloud of smoke. "All of them were clones? Where's the original one?" Even with the Byakugan it was impossible to tell where the blond could be. Suddenly bursting the ground by Neji's was Naruto who used the surprise to his advantage to get in an uppercut that knocked the Hyuga down.
"Surprised you, didn't I?" questioned Naruto. "Probably didn't expect me to use Flash Flare as not only an offensive move but also as a diversion." A smirk was on the spiky haired boy's face and it only grew as he continued to explain. "All I had to do was wait until you let your guard down and attack you from below. I'd hoped that it would've knocked you out but unfortunately you're tougher than I thought. Guess I'll have to beat you up some more."
Getting back to his feet Neji seemed to have a strange look on his face. It was somewhere between anger and certainty. "A creative plan I'll admit. However, you've forgotten one important thing. You're within range of my Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms attack." In lightening speed, Neji reached Naruto and in quick succession hit sixty-four hits on various parts of his opponent's body. "I have hit sixty-four of your chakra points. You won't be able to stand, let alone use any chakra. Now say down and accept your fate."
On the ground, with his arms clutching his body, Naruto tried to ignore the pain and to get to his feet. "Man, my whole body feels like hell. I can hardly think straight because of the pain." All of a sudden, images of how hard Hinata and Lee fought in their matches despite how hurt they were flashed in his head. With renewed determination Naruto slowly got back to his feet, to the amazement of everyone watching. "Are you getting ahead of yourself? This match is far from over."
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"I'll give him credit, the boy is determined." acknowledged Tsunade. Watching from an area that was secluded from most of the audience was the legendary medical specialist. She was in the company of her first apprentice. "Even with the odds seemingly against he's not willing to give up. You don't find many people like in this time of day."
"Do you think that he has a chance of winning?" asked Shizune who was the only other person with the older woman. "His chakra points are blocked and can barely stand. If he were to become Fox he would have a better chance of winning."
"Perhaps but he won't do it." stated Tsunade. "He's not going to revealthat secret in front of all these people. Also, look at him. There's more to Naruto than what has been shown." Nothing was said by Shizune as she watched to see if her teacher was right.
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"This has started to become pathetic." The annoyance was evident in how Neji was reacting to how things had transpired. "There's no point for you to continue. No matter how much you try you'll never beat, nor more than you can't change destiny."
"How about you cut the crap?" exclaimed Naruto in between gasp of breath. He clearly was still feeling pain from his chakra being sealed. "You keep spewing out destiny this and destiny that but you don't believe it." With each word that the boy spoke he became even more resolved.
"Hinata, someone who's considered weak by even her own family has endlessly worked hard to improve herself. Let you beat her down mercilessly. Are you, a part of the branch family supposed to help protect the main family? In your own way aren't you trying defy destiny?" Only reaction that came from Neji was a slight twitch to his eye.
"It's clear that all the talk about destiny is something for you to hide behind. If you have problems with how the Hyuga family is then try to fix it instead of bitching about it." Ignoring the as much as pain that he could, Naruto put his hands together and tried to bring out his blocked chakra. "Shit. None of my chakra is coming out. My chakra points are still blocked. I've got to think of something."
"What a fool you are." voiced someone in the Naruto's head. Immediately he knew that it belonged to the fox spirit, Kyuubi. "Care for some advice?"
"Can this wait? I'm busy trying to come up with a strategy." He wasn't in the mood to hear demonic tenant jabber on how pathetic humans were as while Naruto tried to think of a plan he kept an eye on Neji who could've attack at any time.
"Why do you think I'm trying to tell you?" Kyuubi retorted in annoyance. "Use some of my chakra to 'unblock' your chakra points so you can fight." All that was given as a response was hesitation. "Not enough to allow yourself to become Fox. Only enough so you can continue this fight. There isn't much of an alternative in the situation." As much as Naruto hated to admit it, what the fox was speaking truth. "Do you want my help or not?"
"Fine." Naruto reluctantly agreed. "But if you try to do anything shady I'll put a stop to it. I'd rather lose than let you have a chance to run wild." Though he was trying to sound reprimanding, Naruto was a bit uneasy.
"Don't worry. I won't try something like that. Especially here, since it would be bothersome to deal with all of the people here." promise Kyuubi which was somewhat weird to hear from a demonic fox. Strangely, it helped to put Naruto at ease.
"Its pointless." remarked Neji who failed to notice what was going on. "You won't be able to use any chakra for quite some time. Unfortunately for you, it'll be over by the time that happens."
As if to challenge his boasting a burst of chakra started to rush through Naruto's body. Thanks to the Byakugan, Neji could see his opponent's chakra flowing throughout his body. "How is this possible? His chakra points were blocked. He can't possibly use any chakra. What is he?" In the audience the people watching were wondering the same thing.
During all of this Naruto was calm and collective. "Let's pick up where you left off, shall we?" Right before everyone the spiky haired boy disappeared. It only thanks to having his Byakugan activated that Neji was able to avoid Naruto's attempted attack, if by inches. He tried to respond with an attack of his own but his opponent got out of harm's way.
"You prefer close combat, don't you?" Reaching into his weapon's pouch he pulled out a kunai. "Let's see how good you are." Using the same kind of speed that he had before, Naruto rushed straight for Neji. Thinking quickly the Hyuga boy once again did a Heavenly Spin. When the two of them collided it resulted in an explosion that caused both of them to be thrown back. As the smoke covered the fighting stage everyone watching was wondering what happen to the two genin.
When the smoke started to disappear there was two craters and inside both of them was the two competitors. It was about another few moments until one of them began to emerge from one of the craters. Walking slowly over to the other crater was a very battered and worn out Neji Hyuga as he stared down to a motionless Naruto. "It's just as thought. You had no chance of winning."
Suddenly, Naruto's body started to be covered in a white light. A second later he exploded in a giant explosion. The result being that it made Neji hit the ground and having trouble getting up. To add to the confusion someone emerge from underneath the ground. Getting to his feet was an equally battered and exhausted Naruto. "What do you know? I got you."
"What was that?" Neji managed to get out. He tried to get back up but wasn't able to. "That wasn't like any of the shadow clone that you usually do."
"You're right. That was something different." confirmed Naruto. Even with his well known history of having large amount of stamina he was close to reaching his breaking point. "It was something that I thought about for a while. It's like a regular shadow clone except that I can make it explode whenever I want. However, it takes a lot of chakra to do and I can only do one or two at a time. Means I can use recklessly. I had to wait for the right time to even try that jutsu and you know the rest of the story. I could've made it strong enough to kill you but that would upset Hinata and I prefer not to do that to her."
Slowly it seemed like Naruto had finally started to regain some of his strength as he became more relaxed. "I've said it before but I'll say it again. If you want to change your 'destiny', then go for it. Only when you stand back and do nothing, do you truly give into 'destiny'. Instead of complaining about how you can't change destiny try to actually do it. Because I believe that you're able to do so."
So focus on his own version of words of advice, Naruto briefly forgot that his and Neji's fight was still going on. It was only when the proctor spoke up did he remember what was going on. "Winner of the match: Naruto Uzumaki."
Well, there you go. I hoped that the long awaited match between Naruto and Neji was worth the wait. Of course, I know that there were some similarities between this version and the one that happen in the canon. One thing I didn't want to do was directly copy how the fight ended. That of course is one of the reasons why I decided to have Naruto use exploding shadow clones.
Just so you know, I decided a long time ago to have Naruto learn that particular version of the shadow clone jutsu. However, like with when he first learned how to do shadow clones, he'll have a limit to them but I'll find ways to get around that. The next chapter will be out early next month and I hope you'll enjoy it. Until then, see ya.