"Normal Person Talking"

'Normal Person Thinking'

"Boss Summon Talking"

'Boss Summon Thinking'

Chapter 2: Hyuga vs Uzumaki

Everyone except Naruto stood in the arena, heck even Kakashi was on time with Sasuke and was watching the match from the stands along with the other Jonin.

In the Stands

"These seats had better be good, forehead."

From her spot, Sakura bristled, but remained quiet. The seats were good, after all. She'd shown up nearly three hours early to ensure they'd all gotten a front row seat to Sasuke-kun's fight.

As if she'd sit in the nosebleed for such an event.

"As if, Pig." Sakura said, finally, moving aside and patting the seat next to her that she had saved for her rival.

"Yo, Sakura, Ino!" barked Kiba, sliding into two seats in front of the girls and slinging his feet up on the railing. "Thanks for saving us such rocking seats!"

Hinata, taking great care to only occupy the space of one seat, gave a small bow in appreciation to the Team 7 matriarch.

"H-Hai." She stammered quietly, "Thank you Sakura-san."

"Oh!" Sakura laughed, waiving away their gratitude, "It was nothing! I'm just happy we all get to sit together!"

"For sure!" Kiba nodded, a feral grin stretching across his lips. "And hopefully watch our teammates kick some foreign ninja ass. My boy Shino is gonna kick some major ass!"

"While I'm sure," Ino challenged, leaning back and checking her nails to accentuate her condescension. "That Shino had prepared far more thoroughly that you would have, dog breath…"

The blond chose to make a dramatic pause for the sole purpose of basking in the low, growling noise coming from the Inuzuka before continuing.

"But," she finished with a matter-of-fact tone, "Shikamaru has been training with Asuma-sensei all month. And he's even been awake for it all. I'd say he's got this tournament on lock."

The implications of a conscious Nara were lost on no one. It was one of their generation's open secrets, much to the confusion of their academy teachers, but each and every student, when asked who the smartest in the class was, would point straight at the usually sleeping scion of the Nara class. For Shikamaru to actually be awake and actively interested in training would be very, very troublesome for his opponent.

More interesting to Sakura, however, than Shikamaru's sudden deviation from narcolepsy was the almost…proud inflection in Ino's voice as she described the teammate. The same teammate who, just months before after assignments, Ino had spent over an hour venting to Sakura, finding new and creative combination of the words 'shit', 'lazy', and 'asshole'.

"Well Kakashi-sensei has been training Sasuke-kun all month, too!" Sakura countered, never one to let Ino have the last laugh. "He's been showing him his elite, signature jutsu, so I don't think anyone else stands a chance!"

From his seat, Kiba suddenly staggered, his hands flying to the side of his face with a dramatic gasp.

"What?" he whispered, turning to the others bewildered, "Sakura thinks that Sasuke is going win something? I am shocked, shocked, I tell you."

Sakura's fist was already posed to strike, but Ino's rolled up fight bill beat her to the punch, whacking the Inuzuka upside the head.

"Don't be a jackass, mutt." Ino glared, "She's allowed to root for her teammates."

Kiba rolled his eyes, waving his chastisement away with a dismissive hand.

"Please," he shot back. "Then let's hear her support her other teammate. You, know, the one who barely got by me to be here?"

Sakura blinked.

"Yeah, Sakura-san," Choji smacked, suddenly entering the conversation only after fisting another handful of popcorn into his mouth.

"What about Naruto."

Sakura blinked again, confused.

"What … about Naruto?"

It was only as the blank stares of her classmates met her own that Sakura came to the sudden and startling conclusion that she had completely forgotten about the blonde idiot.

Kiba, always the first to comment, slapped a hand to his forehead with a sigh.

"Unbelievable." He muttered, "I mean I know he's dead last and all, but get out of Sasuke's butt for like two seconds, would you?"

"No!" Sakura shot back, rolling onto the defensive. "I just…I don't know where he is! I haven't seen him in a month."

Ino gave the girl a look that made Sakura feel like she'd rather be hiding under her covers at home.

"You mean to tell me that you, his teammate and general center of orbit, haven't heard a peep from the single loudest ninja in the history of ninja?"

Well. It sounded stupid when you said it like that…

"No, I know. But -"

But she didn't know. She honestly had no idea where the boy had been or who he had been training, but she suddenly felt absolutely awful for not knowing. Idiot or not, Naruto was her teammate. Of course, she wanted him to do well.

"He…well he didn't come to our training ground..."

Sakura felt her stomach churn at how pitiful of an excuse that was.

"And you didn't wonder where he had been?"

Sakura didn't even register who had asked her, as suddenly the Proctor's voice filled the Arena.

Kage Box

"Hokage-dono …"

Fighting annoyance from his face, Sarutobi turned to the veiled Kazekage with a well-practiced, welcoming smile.

"Yes, Kazekage-dono?"

"Your village is quite…lovely. This arena is truly something to remember for a life time."

Outwardly, the aged Kage's lips drew into a gracious smile. He even complimented the gesture with a small nod from his seat.

"I thank you, Kazekage-dono. Many people and great individuals work tirelessly at its upkeep."

Inwardly, the Sandaime bit down a sneer. He was already on edge with his wayward student running rampant through the examination, the last thing he needed was to be hounded with asinine questions by an overbearing foreign leader.

What's more, the Kazekage was...different…than the last he had met the man. Less hard-line-autocrat, more creepy movie villain, his ANBU had confided to him after surveying the man for hours.

Sarutobi sighed.

As if he needed more stress at his age.

"And for the opening match of these Chunin Exam finals, please welcome Hyuga Neji to arena center! Joining Neji for his final preparations is his squad leader, Maito Gai of Konohagakure!" said the Proctor with a voice amplifying technique.

The arena erupted into a raucous applause. Hyuga were always a crowd favorite in home exams. The clan usually shelled out thousands to reserve prime seats for all its members; main house and branch. Even at Chunin level, the opportunity to witness the legendary Byakugan was a treat in and of itself.

"I have heard much of this boy's master." The Kazekage's gravel voice seemed to hiss. "He must have trained a truly formidable student."

Sarutobi nodded firmly. At least this was conversation about the task at hand, for once.

"Maito Gai is one of Konoha's foremost Taijutsu experts. Young Neji is extremely capable for a shinobi his age."

The Kazekage chuckled behind his veil, his eyes locked on the arena.

"Then let us hope his challenge is up to the task."

"And now, facing Hyuga Neji in round one, please welcome Uzumaki Naruto to the arena!" continued the Proctor.

For a moment, the arena was silent, and the Hokage felt his heart clench in his chest. But then, he heard it. Slower, and definitely less enthusiastic than for the first combatant, Sarutobi was unable to fight a proud smile that stretched across his face as the crowd gave a Konoha shinobi support. It had seemed that things might finally be looking up for.

There was a puff next to the proctor and it revealed a small Toad who said something to the Proctor who cleared his throat and continued.

"Assisting his apprentice in his final preparations is Densetsu no Sannin's Gama Sennin Jiraiya."

The moderate applause that had filled the arena went silent, and Sarutobi lurched in his chair.

"Hokage-dono." The Kazekage's said urgently, his voice alarmed. "I was not told Jiraiya-dono would be in attendance."

"You were not told, Kazekage-dono." The elder Kage grit out tersely, his eyes narrowing at this sudden surprise. "Because I was not aware of this sudden … development."

Suddenly there was large puff of smoke in the Arena, when it cleared it showed the Toad Boss Gamabunta and two other people on his head.

Suddenly a voice cried out "Myobokuzan's all-known Gama Sennin, whose stories are spread in all directions, the one whom the ladies are mad after; Gama Sennin Jiraiya."

Then another voice cried out "The unappreciated Hero of Konoha, Last of a Royal Line and the apprentice of the great Jiraiya-sama, Uzumaki Naruto."

The smoke fully cleared to show Naruto and Jiraiya leaning on each other but nearly everyone's eyes went out of their sockets, for a moment they confused Naruto for the Yondaime Hokage.

Then Gamabunta also spoke up "Myobokuzan's Great Toad Boss, the one who has served for 3 generations and the one who helped the Yondaime against the Kyuubi, Gama-Oyabun Gamabunta"

Gamabunta went back in a puff of smoke leaving only Jiraiya, Neji, Naruto and Genma in the Arena.

Jiraiya also soon left to the roof of the Arena to watch the match from a special view.

In the Stands

In the stands Kakashi was now feeling even guilty, Naruto reminded him so much of his sensei and thinking about him made him realize about his failures.

Sakura near him stuttered out "Sen-sensei is that really Jiraiya-sama?"

Kakashi nodded and answered "Yes Sakura, it is really Jiraiya-sama, due to some … events the Yondaime Hokage entrusted Jiraiya-sama to train Naruto but I didn't know he would appear so soon."

The other Jonin already knew that by 'events' Kakashi meant the Kyuubi but they did not know about Naruto's Heritage.

Ino nudged her, "Hey. I know you're worried about Sasuke-kun but…Naruto's match is first so why don't you stop fretting and cheer him on?"

Sakura turned to look at her old friend and smiled, "yeah".

"The first match of the Chunin Exams will now begin. Will Hyuga Neji and Uzumaki Naruto step forward while the other competitors go the fighters box to wait until it is your turn," said the examiner: Genma.

As the other participants left the two Ino couldn't help but say, "… He's up against Neji…can he actually win against him?"

"I…I don't know," Sakura said honestly as she remembered their mission to Wave Country and their time in the Forest of Death. She smiled slightly, "but … he won't go down easy".

"The kid doesn't stand a chance; he's fighting a Hyuga," someone in the audience spoke up and several others agreed with him.

Kiba just grinned slightly at that and thought'yeah that's what I thought too. Look at what happened though; I got my ass kicked'.

Kage Box

"The boy will have an easy win" spoke the Kazekage.

Hiruzen let a small smirk grace his lips and replied "We shall see".

Arena

"I vow to win," Naruto spoke as he thrust out his hand towards Neji. He remembered his oath to Hinata back in the preliminaries and silently swore that he would do everything within his power to defeat Neji.

"You appear to believe you can win," Neji chuckled in amusement. "You cannot change destiny though; fate has already decided the outcome of this match. I cannot wait to see your eyes when you realise the truth," he continued as he settled into his Juken stance.

Naruto just stood there and said nothing in response

"Let the first match of the Chunin Exam Finals begin...now!" Genma called out as he jumped out of the way of the two.

Almost immediately Naruto made a hand-seal, "Tajuu Kage Bunshin on Jutsu" (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique). 50 shadow clones popped into existence in front of Naruto and he called out "Charge!"

Stands

"The kid knows the Tajuu Kage Bunshin on Jutsu…that's a Jonin level Kinjutsu; where did he learn that and more importantly how can he use it so effortlessly?" Izumo asked as he observed the fight.

"I don't understand…he can't even pull off a simple Bunshin no Jutsu…how can he use a more powerful version of the technique?" asked Kotetsu in confusion.

Arena

'The fool …' Neji thought as the clones charged. He activated his Byakugan and smirked at the oncoming one-man army and thought 'his clones have an equal amount of chakra in them so I am unable to ascertain which one is the real one but…you cannot fool my eyes'. He dodged the attacks the clones sent at him and charged right at Naruto, "The one who hangs back while his clones fight is the real one". He lands a Juken strike at Naruto's heart and sends him crashing into the nearby tree and called out "it's over". The 'Naruto' he hit however suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke a moment later 'Nani?!'

The ground below at his feet suddenly parted as two golden chains came out and hit him on the chin.

In the Stands

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw the famous Chakra Chains of Uzumaki Kushina back in action after 12 years.

The most affected were Kurenai, Anko and Yugao as they were Kushina's students and started to figure out about Naruto.

Kurenai suddenly said "He is sensei's son for sure"

Every Jonin looked at her in disbelief while Kakashi glanced at her with the corner of his eye.

Anko decided to continue "The same aptitude for pranks, last name Uzumaki, those chains and sensei was taken off duty 7 months before that Gaki's birthday; all the dots connect Nai-chan."

Ino asked "Who are you talking about Kurenai-sensei?"

Before she could say anything Kakashi said "Nothing Ino, you should concentrate on the match and Kurenai and Anko, shut your goddamn mouth if you don't want to blurt out a SS-Class secret and get executed without a trial."

This seemed to shut them up and confirm the thing for others who also shut up.

Back in Arena

Neji glared and asked "How did you do it? I always kept my eyes on your original body."

"Do you really think I was using those clones to fight you? I was just using them to find out what you were made of! Do you really think I'm stupid enough to fight a Hyuga in close-combat without an ace up my sleeve?" Naruto shot back with a smirk.

'This ignorant little…' Neji trailed off as his eyes narrowed.

"The clones also served another purpose," Naruto stated.

"And what might that be?" asked the Hyuga Progeny.

"To find out if there was gap in your line of sight," the blond answered truthfully.

'Nani?!' Neji turned swiftly in surprise but was unprepared for one of Naruto's clones to land a rather powerful punch to his face. The blow sent him flying back with the clones in pursuit 'he located the gap in the Byakugan with his clones!' was the thought of each Hyuga in the battlefield.

"Finish him now!" Naruto shouted to his clones as they took out their weapons to finish the job.

'I have no choice; I must use that jutsu', Neji thought as he touched back down on solid ground and expelled chakra from all over his body. "Hakkesho Kaiten!" (Eight Trigrams Palms Heavenly Rotation) he called out as he spun and encased himself in a large ball of spinning chakra.

The clones were destroyed in moments…

Stands

"He's really pushing Neji into a corner," Ino said in disbelief.

"Go Naruto!" Sakura cheered at seeing her team-mate beating the Hyuga.

"I don't believe it," Izumo said not believing what he was seeing.

"This kid…" Kotetsu muttered under his breath as he watched Neji execute a Kaiten.

"That plan was worthy of a practical joke," Izumo said as he let a small grin form on his lips.

Sasuke was furious because Naruto had not used anything that he could copy and make use of while Kakashi was feeling proud and guilty at the same time.

He shook his thoughts and said "Well Gai, it looks like Naruto is getting better of Neji."

Gai reluctantly nodded and said "If he has any wild cards from Jiraiya-sama, then even Neji can't do anything against him as he revealed his only trump card to Naruto-kun's basic jutsu."

Kage Box

"Impressive," the Hokage commented as he smiled slightly. "The boy thought up a plan almost instantly to throw off his opponent," he continued.

"…" The Kazekage remained silent as he kept his calculating eyes on the arena below.

Arena

"Do you see how you cannot change destiny? My fate is to win this match; you cannot stand against fate," Neji told him.

Naruto remained silent so he continued, "I have had enough of your games; I shall end this now". He charged forward faster than before and yelled "Hakke Rokujuyon Shō!" (Eight Trigrams 64 Palms).

But he stopped mid-way and widened his eyes and was trying to speak something, the other Hyugas also activated their Byakugan and were in the same state.

Neji finally regained himself and said "How-how am I not able to see your Tenketsus, it's like you have vanished from the Byakugan at all."

Everyone was not able to believe what Neji had just said but they saw the entire Hyuga Clan nod and decided to agree.

Naruto in the stands and Jiraiya on the roof smirked as Naruto removed his left glove and showed the back of his hand to Neji which had a seal and said "This seal nullifies all the properties of the Byakugan, so your so-called 'Perfect Taijutsu' is useless against me and being a Hyuga and Fate's Bitch, I don't think you know any Ninjutsu except for the Academy Three."

Stands

"He's done for," Izumo sighed listening to the blonde.

No one in the stands could believe that Naruto just nullified the Byakugan, one of the 'Three Great Dojutsus.'

"I never expected this outcome" said Ino as she shook her head as she leaned back.

'Naruto …' Sakura thought as she remembered what he had done in the preliminaries and started to think how useless she is and how far she is behind her teammates.

Kage Box

"Well, that is something that could earn promotion on its own, it's not every day you nullify the Byakugan" said the Hokage.

The 'Kazekage' nodded but he was seething under his veil and furious on the inside and thought 'I should kill that damn brat; he may become someone even more problematic than Pein.'

Arena

He clenched his as he settled his gaze on his opponent "Now do you understand bastard?! I had you beat from the start! I just wanted you to show me your trump cards first so I knew what to expect!"

Neji's eyes widened at that and thought 'He had this planned from the start!'

Suddenly 4 Kunai on the field puffed to reveal 5 Kage Bunshin who surrounded Neji along with the real Naruto and made a Pentagram around him. The clones rushed at speeds as fast as Lee without his weights and tied each of Neji's Limbs with a Ninja wire which they clenched with their teeth.

Stands

"He is as fast as Lee without his weights but how?" asked a flabbergasted Gai.

"Because of Resistance Seals" called out a voice from behind. Everyone turned back to see Jiraiya with a smirk on his face.

Everyone nodded understanding what Jiraiya meant, Jiraiya then approached Kakashi and said "Well Kakashi, you have lost every right on him, currently he is not a member of your team and he will certainly gain a promotion and even the council can't do anything about that, I must say, he was very angry and broken that his sensei did this to his surrogate father's son."

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock and he said "You mean …"

Jiraiya nodded and said "Well, I found a diamond in the rough; his genius is not as much as Minato but definitely as good as yours when you were a kid and he has 4 nature affinities."

Every Jonin widened their eyes, not even Kages had 4 affinities on such a young age as Jiraiya continued "You could have passed on your Raiton jutsus to someone but you lost your chance."

Kakashi was now filled with more guilt as Jiraiya motioned him to look at the match.

Arena

Now each of Neji's limbs was with one clone each. Suddenly the Real Naruto in front of Neji rushed at him and tied a Ninja wire around his torso and clenched it in his teeth.

The clones then came to Naruto and gave their wires to Naruto who was now holding 5 wires in his mouth.

Naruto stepped back and nodded to all the clones.

The 4 clones made hand-signs and called out.

"Katon: Ryuka no Jutsu" (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique)

"Suiton: Teppodama" (Water Release: Gunshot)

"Raiton Jibashi" (Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder)

"Futon: Daitoppa" (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)

Everyone watched with wide eyes as one clone exhaled fire like a projectile towards Neji as he was burning and screaming, when the flame cleared, he had 1st and 2nd degree burns on his body.

Soon an orb of water was spewed from another clone's mouth and gave Neji some relief but it was short lived as the third clone slammed his hands on the ground and electricity travelled towards him electrocuting and numbing him.

The last clone exhaled wind from his mouth as it blew Neji to the arena wall where he slammed and was bleeding from the various cuts on his body."

The clones went up in a puff of smoke as Naruto approached Neji.

Neji looked up and said "How?"

Naruto answered "Through hard-work, anyone could beat a genius; Lee never said that it was not his fate or something like that, instead he worked hard and here he is today, same is with me."

Neji nodded and looked up at the sky as the Proctor called out "Shousha Uzumaki Naruto."

The crowd erupted in claps and cheers as Naruto looked around with a happy and true smile on his face and made his way back to the participant's box.

Stands

"He won" screamed Sakura as she pumped her fist into the air and said "Shannaro!"The Jonin were surprised and they agreed with Jiraiya as how Naruto showed 4 Nature affinities and was only slightly winded from that attack.

Kakashi noticed something but decided to stay quiet about it.

Matches-

Sasuke vs Gaara

Sasuke tried Chidori and failed and reluctantly gave up but increased Gaara's bloodlust a lot.

Rest 2 Matches same as Cannon.

A/N: Next Time, Tanuki vs Kitsune.