Ninja of the Void
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it.
"Talking"
Thoughts
Explosive First Round, the Fate of a Caged Bird
"Now let the match begin!" announced Genma as the crowd roared in cheers to the upcoming battle.
For all eyes were on the ground below as Naruto Uzumaki faced off against Neji Hyuga in classic showdown as the two boys were in their specific fighting stance as they stared at each other. Seeing as this was the first match of the finals, everyone was expecting it to be an exploding start.
"Yeah this is going to be awesome!"
"An Uzumaki versus a Hyuga huh, this ought to be interesting".
"Yeah! Let's see some ass kicking going on!"
"Come on Naruto, win me some big money" as Kiba crossed his fingers to this.
"This ought to be good" said Ino as she watched the match below.
At some other part of the crowd seating, Kakashi, Gai, and Lee watched the match below with some intrigue.
"Good luck Naruto-kun" as Lee stared intensly at the match below.
"See Kakashi" pointed out the elder green beast. "Your Naruto has much learning to do before he can match my Neji".
"What? Did you say something?" the silver haired ninja questioned which irked Gai considerably. But as Kakashi looked to the arena down below, "come on Naruto, you can do it".
Now on the ground, both boys held their stances as they looked to each other trying to see a weakness in each other's technique. However neither of them dared to move as they both knew that a fight can easily end in an instant if one of them were careless.
As Neji shifted his hand a bit, his eyes narrowed at seeing Naruto shifting the angle of his body away from his center. "It's as I thought. Hinata-sama has versed him well in our Hyuga arts. He's anticipating my move by trying to cover his critical chakra points from attack. Hmm, he might even be aware of some of the main branches techniques. This fight may become quite troublesome". His eyebrow then rose in peculiarity as his opponent had suddenly dropped his guard. "What is he getting at? Why leave himself vulnerable like this?" But then seeing Naruto's eyes focused to his, he gave a bit of a smirk. "It looks like there is something you want to say to me" as he too lowered his hands.
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he glared at him. "Let it go Neji. It wasn't Hinata-chan's fault for what happened to your dad. Your anger is misplaced. For what happened that night was no one's fault but the perpetrator himself. So I ask of you, let go of your anger for what happened".
Now in the rarest events, Neji's prized calm was shaken with that statement as he felt his anger float to the surface as it began to become apparent on his face. "I suggest you be silent now" as his rage began to vaguely reflect in his tone.
"I won't Neji. You have to stop this. Hinata-chan does worry about you believe or not, and I will tell you that your anger will only lead to more suffering. So for Hinata-chan's sake and yours, let it go!"
Neji grinded his teeth at this as his eyes began to stare at the blond with intent that would intimidate a lesser person. "You know nothing of suffering or my anger towards the main clan. This talk of family, unity, and guardianship is all but lies to conceal the truth that we branch members are nothing but slaves to main family. If they tell us to jump, we say how high. If they tell us to bark, we say how loud. If they tell us to die, we die. You tell me Naruto" as his tone now reeked venomously. "How is it fair that my father had to die like that and I was just to accept it for what it was?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed at this as he could not rebuttal against something like that. "His pain is deeper than I thought . . . ." He soon closed his eyes reopening them reflecting a kind of calm behind them, "then change . . . . Things don't have to stay like this Neji. We can change the Hyuga destiny if you tried. Things can be better than this".
The Hyuga prodigy scoffed at his notion. "Fool . . . . You're damn fool Naruto. You still don't understand that this isn't some fantasy world we live in. This is real life to which everything is bound to a certain destiny that cannot be overturned". Neji then lowered himself back into his stance. "I'll make sure you learn this well as I crush you".
The blond jinchuriki closed his eyes to this before reopening them going back to his stance. "Fine Neji! If that's how it's going to be then I'll beat it into you that the future isn't set in stone!"
"Enough talk!" as Neji dashed in with one of his strikes. At seeing the incoming attack, Naruto parried his arm as he pushed away as far as he could to offset him. However he would not be having that as Neji would not allow his opponent any time to counter as he repeatedly attacked forcing Naruto to retreat with each move.
"This is getting tricky. If he gets too close he might hit one of my chakra points". Naruto was on the defensive as Neji was far faster than he anticipated as he had to use chakra just to keep up. But just looking at how relaxed his movements was he could tell that his Hyuga opponent has yet to show his real power as he was either toying with him or testing him. But either way, he needed to pick up the pace if he wanted to win. "I need more room to breathe!" to which kicking off the ground getting enough distance between them Naruto used his familiar cross-seal. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!"This technique instantly created three clones next to him. The blond then looked to his clones as he gave a nod to them. "You know what I'm thinking right?"
"Yeah!"
"Let's do it".
"Let's get into position!"
The four Naruto's then ran around Neji as they then had him surrounded as they covered his sides, back and front. "Alright, attack!"
"Annoyances!" Neji grimaced as he now had to effectively multitask as the four Naruto's were fighting in sync with each other leaving him no opportunity to fight back as two of the Naruto's would attack at the same time while he was fending off the other two. Neji then couldn't help but clench his teeth at taking a few solid punches to his ribs and gut. "Fine then, if it's come to this" as he started focusing chakra to his eyes, "Byakugan!" With the activation of his eye technique, the Hyuga prodigy was easily fending off the four blonds as the balance of the fight became even again.
The crowds above roared in cheers at the intensity of the match.
"Amazing! Neither of them is letting up one bit!"
"Unbelievable, that little blond shrimp is putting up a better fight then I thought. I probably should have betted on him too".
"Come on! More give us more!" as the cheers went.
"Wow this is intense" said Kiba.
"Yeah" agreed Ino. "With the way this fight has been going, it could be anyone's win".
"Holy crap" said Shikamaru as he was watching the match from above as he was sitting on the very edge of his seat. "I didn't think Naruto was this kickass. To make even a Hyuga like Neji work this hard for a win is unbelievable".
"Impressive, perhaps I should fight Naruto one of these days" said Shino.
"Incredible" said Sakura as she watched in awe. "I knew Naruto had skill. But I didn't think he was that good. Did you know about this Hinata?" as she looked to the pale girl.
Hinata nodded sheepishly to this. "Naruto-kun is very strong, but . . . ." as she looked away a bit. "Neji-kun is also really strong".
"Don't worry" as the pink kunoichi patted her on the back. "Naruto will definitely pull out a win on this one. Just have more faith in the dufus OK".
However that wasn't the problem. Of course she had absolute faith in Naruto's abilities, but Neji was family. So it made things difficult for her to decide on what to do. But nevertheless, "Good luck you two".
Now back to the arena floor, "hey Neji! Bombs away!" as Naruto had created more clones as they started to do suicide runs right at the Hyuga which forced Neji to run as distance was his friend now. As for Naruto himself, he didn't really like using the bakuretsu bunshin no jutsu as the clones still transmitted the information back to him to which self-destructing was not exactly a pleasant feeling. However this technique was necessary now as he had to tip the scale of this battle back in his favor.
But Neji had a counter in mind as he would forcibly make them disappear. So taking out several kunais and shurikens, he threw them out forcing the clones to dispel as they were damaged. At seeing the first clone he attacked explode upon impact Neji smirked as he saw something that could work in his favor. So taking careful aim, and planning his strategy to have the Naruto clones spread out, he threw a kunai at each of them which exploded them all around the arena grounds as a smoke screen formed around the arena which hindered the sight of everyone even the crowd above due to the smog. However those with special eyes didn't have a problem as they were able to see through it. "Too easy" Neji arrogantly smirked as the smog was no hindrance to his Byakugan as he could see Naruto within the disturbance as clear as day.
"Oh not good" said the blond as he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. "He used my technique against me . . . Ahh man what am I going to do?" For Naruto knew his chakra channels would light him up in the fog under the gaze of the Byakugan which definitely spelt trouble for him if he didn't either find a way to clear out the smog or somehow see through it. All Neji really had to do was touch him and it would be over. But seeing that he had no way of seeing though the confusion or clearing it out then what he had to do was force Neji into the same situation. "I don't want to use bakuretsu bunshin no jutsu or else this fog will never clear and there is a good chance I might get caught up in the blast", "alright! Kage bunshin no jutsu!"
Neji's eye narrowed at this as he was seeing multiple chakra channels all around him. "Damn him and his blasted technique".
Meanwhile above Hinata, Hanabi, Hiashi, and every other Hyuga around were still able to watch the match undeterred. "Please be careful Naruto-kun" thought Hinata as she was watching this match very closely.
"Hey Hinata, tell us what's going on down there" said Sakura as she along with everyone else gave slight coughs from inhaling the dust from the explosions.
"Wait!" thought Naruto. "I might be able to also use this to my advantage" as the blond created more clones. "But I'll have to do this in hit and run . . . ."
Neji scanned around to see roughly twelve clones is close proximity to each other. "I can't differentiate the difference between them because their chakra is evenly divided between them all . . . . I don't think he would use that explosive technique of his as it would not work in his favor . . . ." Then looking to the closest one to him. "Then I'll have to knock them out one at a time till I get the right one" to which with that Neji dashed towards one of the Naruto's as he struck his heart. But upon impact he dispersed in a puff of smoke. "Fine, then the next one . . . . What?" as he looked to see one of the Naruto's launching at him with his fist. "How can he know I'm here?" as he blocked the attack striking that Naruto as he too dispersed in a puff of smoke to which was followed by another Naruto running in to attack.
"This dust is killing my eyes" as Naruto didn't feel comfortable fighting with eyes closed. The blond was creating more clones as discreetly as possible matching their chakra values to his own to keep up the ruse. With each clone that Neji destroyed, it sent information back to himself and his clones to where he was which sent his next clone in to attack. However Neji kept moving which forced Naruto to keep up with this strategy as it was like he was playing aggressive hide and seek in the dark. "But I need to end this now!" So doubling the number of clones he had, they all started to wander out to every corner of the arena effectively creating a sensor net around them. Since all the Naruto's knew the plan, it was just up to Neji to trip the trap. Once his opponent destroyed one of his clones, that's when they all converged on him.
Neji's expression hardened at this as his Byakugan was not exactly designed to fight a battle like this. His eyes when activated interpreted information differently than his normal eyes which made it difficult to focus on what he was seeing as he was fighting. At destroying eight clones that came at him, he suddenly lost his balance as one of the Naruto's did a slide trip knocking one of his legs as another one span in with a spinning elbow into his side. But even after taking such attacks, Neji didn't falter as he continued to fight back destroying every Naruto that approached him.
"Amazing" said one of the Hyuga's sitting in the crowd.
"What is?" asked the person sitting next to him.
"In such a situation like this a Hyuga would definitely have the advantage yet that Naruto brat is actually fighting back rather well".
"What do you mean? You know I can't see anything down there".
"In situations where we have to fight with your senses blinded, it's usually the person who can gather the most information on the environment and their enemy who will turn out victorious. Although the Byakugan can see through the smog that Naruto brat is using his kage bunshin technique rather well seeing as he hasn't been defeated yet".
"Incredible!" marveled the man. "I can't wait to see who wins this. This is just incredibly exciting!"
To those who were fortunate to be sitting next to a Hyuga in the crowd, everyone else just chanted out names and cheers for victory to come.
After taking a few more hits, Neji's patience has all been worn out. "Enough!" as chakra began to come out from every chakra point in his body. Then kicking off the ground into a spin, "kaiten!" as a sphere of chakra was formed blowing out the smoke screen and destroying every Naruto nearby as the arena became clear once again. As this occurred everyone roared in cheers to the spectacle.
"Father!" Hanabi exclaimed at seeing what Neji had done.
Hiashi was equally as stunned as he didn't expect a branch member to know a main family technique like that to which was the same reaction for most of the other Hyuga's that were watching.
Hinata could only watch on with concern as she had a feeling that her cousin would know that technique. "Be careful Naruto-kun . . . ."
"Oh snap, I might actually lose my money here!" said Kiba worriedly.
"Is that the thing you're worried about?" then said Ino.
"That's it" said Tenten who was sitting and observing from the crowd. A small smirk then began to form. "The ultimate unbeatable defense of the Hyuga's, kaiten". The weapon mistress then looked to now see one Naruto as he seemed a bit bashful at what had just happened. "Sorry Naruto, but this is Neji's win as his next attack is something you won't be able to guard against".
Now back on the arena grounds, Naruto's eyes were a bit wide in surprise. "Damn that was one powerful kaiten. It was even strong enough to blow away everything".
"Now this ends . . . ." which snapped Naruto out of his stupor as he now looked to Neji with more focus. "You are now trapped in my circle of hakke, there is no way for you to escape now" as he lowered himself into his gentle fist stance. "It was your destiny to lose to me in his match".
Naruto then stood up shaking himself off from the daze. "Are we back to this destiny crap again?" He then dusted his jacket of the dust that got on it as he then folded his arms and stared at Neji. "You're going to use the sixty-four trigram aren't you?" which surprised Neji a bit that Naruto would know about it let alone that he was about to use it. "Fine, then come at me with everything you have and nothing less because it will then be when I crush all that you built up from your hatred".
Neji's eyes narrowed at this, ". . . . We'll see".
Now in the crowd above, some of the Hyugas that were watching were confused to what Neji was doing. But for the main family members, they were all surprised that someone like Neji would know a technique like that.
"Oh no" as Hinata held her mouth at what she was seeing.
"What is it?" asked Sakura. "What is Neji doing?"
"I don't recognize this technique what is it?" asked Shino.
"It's a main family's technique known as the eight trigram sixty-four palms" to which everyone then looked to her to continue. "This technique is a devastating attack which doesn't only damage it's opponent, but it also seals the chakra and movements of those it hit".
"Damn Naruto is in trouble" said Shikamaru.
Chouji began to eat his chips more intensely at the escalating events.
"Not good" thought Naruto. Looking around his space in the arena, there was no way for him to escape Neji's attack range. But that's when he felt the circular object in his pocket. "The watch! If I use it's jump ability I can easily escape the attack and get him from behind!" However he then mentally smacked himself for that. "Then I would be breaking my promise to Kakashi-sensei. Plus . . . ." as he looked to Neji preparing to attack him. "I have to show this jacka** where real skill comes from". With that, Neji dashed in for the attack.
"Two strikes!" as Neji struck twice. "Four strikes!" hitting four times simultaneously. "Eight strikes!" hitting eight times simultaneously. "Sixteen strikes!" hitting sixteen times simultaneously. "Thirty-two strikes!" hitting thirty-two times simultaneously. Then finally "sixty-four strikes!" hitting sixty-four times simultaneously. As each hit made contact, Naruto was forced back at the intensity of the attack. Upon Neji finishing his technique, the blond jinchuriki was blasted back as he was now down upon one knee. The Hyuga prodigy then relaxed his stance as he now stood up looking over Naruto.
Many murmurs could be heard from the crowd as it ranged from what they saw to if someone had actually won now.
Hanabi was slightly gaping as she was dumbstruck to what she saw. "For a branch member to use a technique like that . . . ." She then looked to her father. "It's over now isn't it?"
Hiashi's eyes narrowed to this. "No it hasn't . . . ."
"Huh?"
Hinata looked to the arena as she was now gripping the guard rail at how intense this all was. "Naruto-kun . . . ."
"I guess it's over" said Sakura sadly as Naruto didn't seem to be getting up.
"I don't think so" said Shikamaru as he soon sat back down from his excitement.
"What?"
"You'll see" said Shino. "However it might be over for Naruto soon".
Neji then started to walk up to Naruto as the blond started to get up. "You can't possibly beat me now. Not in the condition you're in".
Naruto gave a cocky smirk to this. "Don't count me out" to which he gave a slight cringe in pain, "just yet".
The Hyuga prodigy narrowed his eyes at this. " . . . . You did well in blocking most of my strikes with your hands and forearms" as he looked to how bruised and bloody they were. "But my eyes tell me that I sealed the chakra in your arms. You have no way to use any of your jutsus now. Surrender or this time . . . . I'll make sure I won't miss".
"Fat chance Neji. There's no way I'm going to lose to you. I still have to give you an attitude adjustment after all".
Neji cracked his knuckles at this. "That was a courtesy warning . . . . But if you so insist then so be it as when you go down you will not get up again" as he lowered himself back into his stance.
"Yeah, we'll see about that". However Naruto knew better. "Damn, my hands are all but crippled" as his arms twitched in pain. At this point all he would be doing in bluffing as he was pretty sure he couldn't take another barrage of Neji's technique. Plus the fact he was no taijutsu expert like Lee, so he couldn't very well kick Neji into submission. Even if he wanted to use his watch, his hands were in no condition to be holding anything. At seeing how bleak his options were, that's when he remembered something that Jiraiya told him concerning the Kyubi's chakra.
~ Flashback ~
"Healing?" Naruto questioned as he was slurping down his Ichiraku ramen.
"Yes" said Jiraiya. "A partnership whether it were consensual or not, the bijuus chakra that is constantly flowing through the jinchurikis chakra channels has a kind of regenerating effect on its user. Depending on how much power is being used determines how quickly the regeneration works". He then looked to the blond, "I believe you've felt this before haven't you? Or at least in some passive manner right?"
Naruto looked up from his bowl as he thought about it. "Well I'm not sure. When I was sent to the hospital a couple of times the medic ninjas there were usually surprised at how fast I would bounce back as they would tell me it would take a normal person days to heal. So . . . . yeah, I think so".
Jiraiya gave a nod to this. "Yes, that is the effect of the bjiuus chakra. Since you have learned to summon the Kyubi's power not only will it enhance your strength, speed, and chakra potency, but also your healing abilities. However" which caught the blond's attention. "The bijuus chakra works like a double edged sword. For remember there chakra concentration is far denser than that of a human making it volatile to us. So keep in mind to use the Kyubi's chakra sparingly and in short durations as it will quickly wear out your body from the constant burning and regeneration you have to go through which both takes energy to do. Although it may seem small, keep in mind that multiple small events can add up into a big problem".
"Sounds rough, I can't really imagine myself needing to use it then".
"Well using that power in small amounts should be fine" as Jiraiya patted him over the head. "Just use it wisely, got it kid".
"Yeah, we'll see".
~ End Flashback ~
"Come on you stupid fox" as Naruto began to concentrate. "Give me . . . . your power!" as a faint orange chakra began to appear.
Neji's eyes widened at feeling the ominous force. "What is that?" With his Byakugan eyes, he saw some orange energy as it began to twist into the form of a fox as it started to howl at him. Unknown to him, he began to step back as cold sweat of fear began to form.
For the Konoha citizens that sat in the crowd watched in a mixture of fear and awe at feeling that familiar evil chakra.
Sarutobi was even surprised at feeling this presence after so many years. "Naruto, was it Jiraiya who taught you to use this power?"
Orochimaru under the guise of the Kazekage was surprised at this feeling. "The Kyubi's chakra . . . . How many years has it been since I felt this evil?"
"What the hell was that?" questioned Kiba as Akamaru slightly cowered back on his shoulder.
"I suddenly feel a bit cold" shivered Ino.
". . . ." as Shino felt his bugs reacting weirdly inside him.
"What is this feeling?" questioned Sakura.
Hinata's eyes at this time were activated as she could see the Kyubi's chakra as clear as day. "So that's the Kyubi inside Naruto-kun . . . ."
Now back on the arena ground, "What the hell is this power?" questioned Neji. But then strengthening his resolve, he stood firm before the blond. It felt like he was standing in front of something enormous. However he refused to allow something like that to deter him from his victory. So getting back into his stance,"I refuse to lose to you!" as he charged in striking at Naruto's chest. However his hand was grabbed in mid strike which surprised him that he could catch his attack at such speeds let alone catch it all. But then sending his other hand, Naruto caught that one too. "What?" Now looking at the blond's hands, they were healing right before his eyes as if nothing had happened to them before. "What is the meaning of this?" Naruto then looked up as he lifted his leg kicking Neji away several feet. "What is with this strength?" as he almost felt like doubling over from getting hit.
"Yeah that's it" Naruto smirked as he clenched his fist feeling that his arms were back to normal or probably even better at the power he was generating. He then looked to Neji. "Alright, let's end this shall we?"
Neji's face tightened at this. "Whatever he's doing, his power is too much to fight directly. I'll have to fight at a distance" as he pulled out several kunais and shurikens taking aim.
"Alright let's do it" as Naruto pulled out his own kunais and shurikens taking aim. Like a machine, both ninjas started throwing their weapons at each other as they collided against one another in midair falling harmlessly to the ground. But after a few minutes when both ninjas had exhausted their immediate supply, Naruto kicked off the ground dashing in for the kill. "Here I come Neji! I'm going to end this!"
"No you won't!" Seeing the blond coming right at him and timing it to the second he kicked off the ground into a circular motion. "Kaiten!" Just as Naruto's fist collided against it, he was immediately shot back hitting the ground rather hard.
"Damn that hurt" Naruto hissed as he slowly stood back up. He then looked to see that Neji was breathing heavily indicating that this match was going to end soon between them. Now looking at his hand, "ero-sannin was right with the wearing out part. I better end this fast". So looking back to Neji, "he'll just use kaiten again if I tried to charge in head on and I can't afford to get smacked around by that technique again". But now thinking about it, "well might as well see what 'that' technique will do against him seeing as we both got nothing to lose here". With that Naruto used kage bunshin creating one clone of himself as he stood next to him. "You got the plan right?" to which the clone nodded.
"What is he up too?" Neji questioned. At seeing two Naruto's now, "he must be trying to bait me into using kaiten again while offsetting my timing". But then a smirk formed. "But I won't let that happen. I'll crush you with everything that I am". With that the two Naruto's ran towards him as one of the Naruto's was slightly ahead of the other as they seemed to have been up to something. "So which one is the real body?" as he looked between them. But then quickly closing into him, the second Naruto jumped ahead in an attempt to attack him. However he easily jabbed him in the gut which forced his target to disperse. "Then this must be the real Naruto" to which at the last possible moment, "kaiten!"
As a giant sphere emerged, Naruto had his own something in his hand as he braced his legs into the ground. "I have no idea how this will turn out, but here I go!" Raising his hand with the sphere of chakra that was there, Naruto finally learned what the technique was called from the notes as he smashed it against kaiten while calling out its name. "Rasengan!" In an explosion of power, both techniques collided to which one of them had to give. But after a moment it became apparent which one won as Naruto's miniature chakra bullet shattered Neji's technique but only barely as his technique soon disappeared too. But not allowing himself to lose momentum, he kicked up punching Neji in the face with all he had which sent the Hyuga prodigy flying several feet away. Upon that finish, the match was concluded.
At seeing this ending, "and the winner is Uzumaki Naruto!" announced Genma to which the crowd erupted into cheers.
"Way to go shrimp!"
"Good job you little brat!"
"Yeah!"
Naruto looked up as a fond smile began to form. "Yeah! Thank you! Thank you everyone!" as he began to run around giving a victory lap.
Sarutobi gave a soft sigh at this. "The crowd must be rather impressed at Naruto. He not only showed that he could control the Kyubi's power but also demonstrated a technique that should have been impossible for someone of his caliber". The sandaime then stood up as he too started to clap his hand. "Well done Naruto, well done".
Back at the crowd, Kiba was jumping in joy. "Hell yeah what a killing I made!" as he had a big stack of money in his hand.
"I think I deserve some of that" said Ino as she took three-fourths of the dog ninja's stack.
"Hey! Don't steal my hard earned cash! Go earn your own!"
"My god" said Shikamaru in his seating area. "That was one hell of a win".
Shino remained silent as he continued to watch as Chouji slowed down his eating rate.
"Incredible!" shouted Sakura. "Naruto actually pulled out a win from the very jaws of defeat".
Hinata clasped her hands together as she smiled fondly. "Naruto-kun".
Lee was wide eyed as his mouth slightly hung to what he was witness too. "Neji-kun . . . . lost . . . ."
"Neji . . . . you fought well" said Gai.
Kakashi was both proud and surprised of what Naruto had accomplished. "Naruto . . . . when or even how did you learn that technique?"
During this entire event, Hiashi sat calmly as he didn't partake in the crowds antics. During the entire match he heard every word Neji had said as he then closed his eyes in contemplation. "It's time now . . . ." as he soon got up to leave.
"Father?" questioned Hanabi.
"Just wait here Hanabi. I'll be back some time later as these guards will watch over you" to which he then left.
Now back of the arena ground, medic nins came by to scoop up Neji who was unable to move at the moment due to being kind of out of it. Then after some transporting, the Hyuga prodigy was taken to the medical wing to which Tenten and Hinata were present to see if he was OK. Even Lee came by to see if his number one rival was going to make it so he can fight him again someday soon.
Then shortly after, Naruto arrived to see Neji resting in bed as Tenten was sitting bedside to him with Hinata standing next to her as Lee was up in his usual high spirit annoying Neji as he usually did. Naruto looked to the Hyuga prodigy as something was now on his mind as his match with Neji had got him thinking about something.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned as she peeled herself away from her cousin to stand next to Naruto.
The blond jinchuriki closed his eyes in thought as he soon grabbed Hinata's hand. "I need to talk you about something".
"OK" she nodded as they both then stepped outside. "So what's on your mind Naruto-kun?"
"It's been bothering me for all these years to what happened to Neji's dad and it still hurts me today that I couldn't do more".
"Naruto-kun?"
"I was just a scared kid then. But it ate at me that I could've done so much more if I were braver that day you were taken".
"Naruto-kun?" as Hinata was starting to get worried as she had a feeling that she knew where her blond friend was going to take this.
"Most people don't ever get a second chance as they prayed with everything they had that they had the power to change that one instance in their lives". Naruto then took the watch out from his pocket as he looked to it. "But I have the power. The power of a second chance as I can save Hizashi's life. All I have to do is input the right sequence into the watch and jump back in time to stop you from ever getting kidnapped. If I do so then Hizashi would not have to die and Neji would never have to suffer like this".
"You can't!" Hinata exclaimed as she slapped her hand over the watch. "You remember what your dad wrote right? He said it should never be done as it's too dangerous!"
"But it's Neji's dad Hinata-chan!" Naruto retorted. "Your uncle! I have to do this!"
The pale girl looked away at this. Like her blond friend, if there was a chance to save her uncle she would want to try. But as the notes had stated, the danger was too great and she didn't want anything to happen to Naruto. "But Naruto-kun . . . ." as she started to shy away.
"No, I'm going to do this" as he pulled his hand back as he started inputting the sequence. "I know what I have to do to fix things and I'm going to make everything right!", "alright, all I have to do is focus and imagine where I want to go just like the hiraishin". At finishing the sequence, his figure began to distort and glow as the technique was about to start.
"Wait! Naruto-kun!" as Hinata went to grab him. Just as she touched him, they both disappeared in a flash of light.
~ Unknown Place ~ (Unknown Time)
"Ahhh!" Naruto yelped as he fell to the ground in pain.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata exclaimed as she knelt down next to him. "Are you OK? Are you feeling alright?"
The blond jinchuriki took some pained breaths which slowly went to heavy which eventually regressed to slow breaths as Naruto soon stood up followed by Hinata. "I'm OK Hinata-chan. It just took a lot of power out of me all at once to use. I guess I should have rested a bit more before going half-cocked into this". Then calming himself a bit, he looked to his pale friend. "But you shouldn't have come. You should have left me to deal with this on my own".
Hinata shook her head at this. "No, this is my problem too and I can't let you deal with this on your own" as she was now giving him a rather serious look.
Naruto continued to stare as her, but then sighed at this. "I can't make Hinata-chan change her mind when she get's like this". "Fine fine" he exhaled, "just stay close to me at all costs OK" to which Hinata nodded too. "But first off" as he looked around, ". . . . where are we?"
"What do you mean Naruto-kun?"
"I followed the instructions for this technique exactly to which we were supposed to be at your house one hour before you were taken. But . . . ." as he looked around a bit more. "This doesn't look like the Hyuga's estate".
Hinata then took notice of this as she looked around. "This doesn't look like any room I recognize. Naruto-kun, did something go wrong?"
"I don't know. Let's find some paper and see that we are at least in the right time".
"OK" as she started to look about.
But now as the pair looked around, it was quite apparent that the room was some kind of study as it was littered with books, papers, a huge assortment of tools, and schematics of some sort.
Finally finding a newspaper, Naruto went wide eye to what he saw. "Oh crap!" as he gaped to what he was reading. "This paper is from fourteen years ago! I completely over shot our intended time by a little over seven years!" Although he yelled all this out, he turned to see that Hinata wasn't paying attention as she appeared to be transfixed on something else. "Hinata-chan! Didn't you hear me? We've completely overshot where we are supposed to be!" However the pale girl still didn't move as she was still focused on whatever she was looking at. "Hinata-chan?"
"Naruto-kun" as she turned her head to look at him before turning back to what caught her attention.
The blond jinchuriki then stood beside his friend to which he too then became transfixed to what she saw. "It can't be . . . ." He then took out his watch. Looking to the object that was being held by a clamp on the desk. "That watch . . . . . It's the exact same as mine . . . ." as he looked back and forth to see that every last detail between the watches were the exact same from the color to the engravings all around the cover.
"What does this mean?" Hinata asked as she pointed between them.
However Naruto was speechless as he didn't understand what this was supposed to mean. But then hearing some noise in the background Naruto was ready to jump back into action. "Someone coming! We have to hide!"
"But where?" said Hinata. "There is nowhere to hide!" As the two children began to panic, they were running all over the place as they had no idea what to do or how to react to the person who was about to walk right through the door frame. They were pretty sure that whoever the person was isn't going to believe that they invaded their home by accident and that they were from the future. Hearing the person's footsteps come closer, both children paused as they had no choice but to accept the inevitable.
"Who's there?" asked the voice as the person was now standing at the door frame ready to fight whoever trespassed into their room.
As the person stood there, both Naruto and Hinata felt their mouths hang open and go dry as they couldn't believe who was now standing before them. "The fourth hokage!" they both thought in unison.
"Yondaime-sama!" shouted Hinata as she quickly bowed her head. "We are very sorry for entering your home without permission! Please allow us to explain why we are here!"
Naruto's eye twitched as he couldn't believe his idol was standing right in front of him like this. "The yondaime is right here in front of me . . . ." Although he stood there, Naruto was having a strange mix of feelings as he felt both admiration and intense rage towards the man who was the savior of Konoha as well as the very man who messed up his life.
While the two children were stuck in their own little worlds, Minato slowly calmed himself as he didn't see that anything was stolen or damaged. Since the children didn't give off any sense of danger to him, his features softened as he displayed a calming smile. "It's alright you two. There is no need for you to act flustered like this. Since nothing was stolen or damaged then you two are more than welcomed to be on your way".
"But . . . ."
"Or did you come here to get an autograph or something" to which Minato gave a light laugh too.
Both Naruto and Hinata gave off a strained chuckle. "Uhh . . . . It's not like that . . . ."
"Hmm, then why are you here?" But that's when Minato's eyes widened as seeing what the blond child was holding. Then quickly looking to his desk and then back to the boy, that's when he started to analyze every square inch of him from the color of his hair and eyes to the details of his expressions. Then getting on one knee to get a better look at the boy, he stared right into his eyes.
"Ehh . . . . Is there something wrong?" as Naruto started to feel a bit awkward.
Minato then narrowed his eyes at him as he slowly began to speak. "Are you . . . . Are you Naruto?"
The blond jinchuriki and the Hyuga heiress almost felt like jumping out of their skin at what the elder blond man had just stated. "How . . . . how do you know my name?"
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: This concludes another chapter. If you're wondering when Naruto learned rasengan, it was a few chapters back as I alluded to it in chapter 7. Now this is where most of the questions will be answered as I hope things will definitely get more exciting from here on out.
Anyways I hope this chapter was a good read as I don't think I'm very good at writing action scenes.
So I thank everyone for taking the time in reading this fic and further extend my gratitude if you can review it as well.