One beat. Two. Three.

Both fighters stared at one another, each one with muscles twitching and relaxing as they studied their foe. All around the crowd was silent as the two Konoha gennin prepared for the final bout of combat. One known for being of the best of his generation the other the dead last. Each fighter wounded from fighting a fight that many thought would be a one sided affair. A fight that was proving to many that if the dead last was this strong, how strong would the rest of the gennin be? For the two fighters, each had their own thoughts on the current fight.

For Nenji this fight was a humiliation and a disgrace. Here he was, the prodigy of the clan being forced to give it all to fight a clan-less loser. Not even his clan's fighting style was able to put down him! He, the best fighter of the clan, losing to NARUTO!

As for Naruto, this fight was under scoring how unprepared he was. He was lacking experience, the formal training and finesse that Nenji had by been a gennin for a year. Wu was right, he had been lucky with his missions and while Kakashi was lacking as a teacher, he did not seek additional training or sparring with the other genin of his class. Now he was paying the price. He had only one more trick, one last card to play.

One last chance.

Closing his eyes he let out air and all the thoughts that were in his head. Snapping his eyes opened and setting his face he prepared himself. He was a ninja of Konoha. Student of Wu, the son of the first spinjitzu master. He was the dead last. He never gave up.

He was ready.

But as he moved into position, deep inside of his soul something was moving.

"So you plan to fight without going all out to break this seal the serpent placed on you." A voice commented in the dark. Rushing water filled the air as a massive paw slammed into a gate, sending shockwaves into the air and rippling the water. A massive eye opened in the dark with the sound of a yawn as the being slowly rose from his position. Nine tails unfurled as a massive fox stood for the first time in years. "What an interesting jailer I have... Now, who are you?"

Silence filled the air to fill in the void of the ringing of the gate and rushing of water. With a growl that increased in volume that turned into a roar the fox lunged at the gate, battering it hard.

"WHO ARE YOU NINGEN!?"

No response other than a soft glow from the torches before they flickered.

"Whom am I?" Came a soft, measured voice.

"YESSSSSS." The nine tails hissed as it glared at the... thing in front of him. The lights flickered as a soft laugh filled the air.

"No one of importance to you youngling. Just an echo, a memory of a name forgotten by time by all but leaving a title. Similar to you, only not as magnanimity and descriptive of your tails."

A snort filled the air.

"Save your false flowery words for anyone else who would care."

The being shrugged as it disappeared from view. Bewildered the fox glanced back an forth, only to spy the figure on it's side of the gate. Swiping a paw faster than many would believe possible the nine tailed fox eyes narrowed in anger and confusion as the figure danced away with a chuckle. With a mighty roar and lunge the fox and the man began a strange bout of cat and mouse. Water sprayed and stones cracked as the fox went after the figure who mocked him with commentary, making the fox hunger for the being's head in it's jaw.

"Too slow, like a baby duck."

A ten foot wave of water arced from the slam of one of the tails.

"You need to work on your aim."

Cracks spread like a spider's web as the fox's head slammed against one of the walls.

"Have you tried drinking some nice jasmine tea? It is rather smoothing and relaxing. You need it, your so tense. Perhaps some Yoga?"

As the duo danced around one another, the fox grew more and more puzzled by the being and his actions. He was clearly no ninja yet he radiated power as he ducked and weaved around each of the blows sent his way. Even the insufferable hat was still attached on his head! Then with a flourish and a bow the being had the gull to disappear in a cyclone of golden light into the darkness.

Settling back down, the fox grumbled as sleep called to him. While he could have forced his chakra out to break the seal by force to help the brat, it was clear that the boy was as stubborn as his mother but most of all?

He didn't care if his host won or not.

Even if he did crack one eye open to see what the brat would do next.

Naruto opened his eyes, eyes glowing with an inner light as he swept a leg back and got into the ready position he was taught by Wu. Neji seeing his action got into position as well to defend himself, his eyes glowing as his bloodline pulled at his chakra reserves. Neither was willing to back down nor would their pride accept a surrender without proving their will greater to the one before them.

Naruto felt this blood pump to the beat of his heart, the pulling and release as his muscles from taunt to relaxed as his body fought off pain and exertion. As chakra raced to his feet in preparation, his senses delivered information to his brain. The roar of silence of the crowd as they watched, the crunching of the sand and dirt under his and Neji's sandals filled his ears. The smell of blood and sweat along the faded scent of oil from the cleaning of their tools, the glitter of light from the sun as it's rays reflected off each of them.

Nej launched several kunai before charging, breaking Naruto's concentration. Naruto let out a grunt of pain as one sliced his upper right thigh as he rolled to one side to avoid the sudden attack. Neji was fast closing the distance between them so there was no time to think. No time to wonder if or the what after. Only this moment mattered.

Jumping back, whipping around he spun.

"NINJA GO!" He yelled as he launched himself at Neji with his spinjitzu.

"WHAT IS THIS!" A voice roared from the crowd but Naruto did not care as he spun towards his foe. To his credit Neji took only a faction of a second to realized the danger before putting up his hakkesho kaiten. Both ninja techniques slammed with a flash of light as the spinning chakra that made each up struck one another. Naruto found his reflected off of Neji's but he did not give up as he used the force to rebound and launch himself into the air.

The crowd was in an uproar as they watched the impossible happen. No one knew what was happening as they watched the tornado of chakra belonging to Naruto descend on Neji's dome of chakra. Neji's eyes were wide as he watched Naruto approach and slam on his defense, only to start breaking though.

'This cannot be! Not possible! Not possible! Not possible!' was his last thoughts before his face was struck by Naruto's foot.

All went silent as Neji's body flew and hit the wall with a crash. Huffing and puffing, Naruto watched as he older boy slowly pulled himself out.

"Ha... ha... ha... Had enough?" Neji gasped with shacking knees, tilting to one side and then falling over to his knees.

Genma Shiranui eyes were wide as he watched the battle final end. He didn't have to check Neji, the boy was clearing done. Raising his hand he however checked with the hokage who nodded before sending him a hand signal. Nodding in understanding he made his announcement.

"Neji is unable to battle. The winner is Uzumaki Naruto!" Glancing at the blonde the proctor rolled his toothpick on his tongue. "Good job kid. Go get yourself checked out at the medical station and relax before your called to fight again."

"...Thanks..." Naruto said as he made his way out, following several medic nin as they took Neji away.

"Will Gaara and Uchiha Sasuke make their way to the arena floor!"