(Naruto and Korra were walking around for a while.)
Korra: Man, Imagine476 is sure taking his sweet time with this story
Naruto: (grunting) Yeah, what gives?! He shouldn't be leaving all of his readers in suspense like this! (notices something) Hey, what's that?
(They saw a group of boulders labeled "College", "Research Papers", "Internship applications", and at the bottom, they noticed a dark-skinned hand sticking out.)
Me: (weakly) Help...me.
Korra: Holy Crap! Is that you Imagine476? What the heck happened?
Me: NEVER MIND THAT! JUST HELP!
(A few minutes later)
Me: (sighing) Thanks, guys. I needed that off my back for a bit.
Naruto: Why would you be dumb enough to have that on your back?
Me: (sends a glare) Quiet you.
Korra: (giggling) You know, there are people you ask for massages instead of rocks, right?
Me: (getting up) You both are jerks. I'm heading to my laptop.
Naruto and Korra: Try not to get crushed this time!
Anyway guys, I'm really, really sorry about being gone for so long. These 4 months have been crazy and let's leave it at that. And I guess I haven't made this very clear in terms of pairings, but I want to keep this strictly NarutoxKorra (Sorry NaruHina fans. I myself adore that pairing and am happy to see it canon, but it just won't be in this story) and please don't expect Korrasami in this either.
Also, HOLY CRAP! KAKASHI'S FACE IS REVEALED!? A NEW DRAGONBALL ANIME IS COMING!? Now, all I need is a next generation game for Jak and Daxter. Any day now... any day now... what? I can dream can't I?
About this chapter, I wasn't all that pleased with it and I desperately wanted to skip to the next one I wanted to do, so sorry if this looks crummy.
Thank you all for your reviews, favorites, follows during this time. So without further delay, the next chapter awaits.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or The Legend of Korra.
Chapter 8: A Failure's Triumph
"When you base your expectations only on what you see, you blind yourself to the possibilities of a new reality."
-Zaheer
No sooner after the Genma started the match that Neji unleashed his Byakugan and Naruto made his signature handsign.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Four shadow clones joined Naruto on the battlefield.
Neji narrowed his eyes. I see he thought. His chakra is distributed equally among his clones, so my byakugan won't be able to tell which one is real.
I've gotta find weak spot somewhere or force him to make mistake. Naruto thought. But if I'm not careful, he'll block my chakra and that'll be it for me.
His clones immediately circled around Neji and began charging him from all sides.
Each clone kept putting the pressure on the Hyuga prodigy and tried to land to a single hit on him, but without success.
As soon as Neji tried to strike one of the clones, the clone got in a waterbending stance, leaned to the side as the Hyuga struck and grabbed his wrist. The clone then swung Neji and tossed him over to another clone who in turn grabbed onto Neji restraining his arms.
"Alright! Way to go!" Kiba yelled from the stands.
Nice one! Korra thought ecstatically. With his arms restrained, that jerk can't use the Gentle Fist. Now, Naruto can go at him full force!
Back on the battlefield, the remaining Naruto clones charged at the restrained Neji as the Hyuga of interest tried to break free from the other clone's grasp.
"TAKE THIS!" all the clones yelled.
Despite his predicament, Neji smiled. He pulled his legs to block the oncoming punches. He used the momentum to knock the clone that was restraining him back causing his grip on Neji to loosen.
Neji flipped over that clone once he freed himself and landed to face Naruto's stunned clones.
He then proceeded to strike each one with Gentle Fist strikes and eventually all of the Shadow Clones on the field were dispelled.
The real Naruto stood alone, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Damn it! I figured beating him that way would've been too easy, but this is almost too much! He thought in agitation.
"You should give up, you know," Neji declared.
Naruto tensed as his opponent got his attention.
"What're you talking about?" Naruto challenged, "Don't count me out yet! We barely got started!"
Neji shook his head at this before sending a cold stare at his blond opponent.
"You've already become aware of your disadvantages. You have no hope of beating me let alone becoming Hokage," Neji answered with a hard tone.
"What was that?" Naruto questioned in anger. He had enough of people putting him down.
"You heard what I said," Neji continued, "All of the previous Hokage didn't achieve it just by working hard. They were destined to do so, and everyone with a destiny must follow it… obediently to the end. And that applies to beings like the Avatar, chosen to wield great power by fate unlike you who has no potential."
Up in the stands, Korra felt her fists tighten considerably. That guy's got some nerve. She thought with anger as Neji had used Korra's own status as a way to discredit her friend.
"Huh? The Avatar?" Sakura asked aloud.
"Yeah," Shikamaru answered as he yawned beside her, "Apparently there was some powerful guy called Avatar Aang from the bending countries. From what my family told me the Avatar reincarnates into every nation there, but no one knows who the current one is. This was told within some of clans, and it's not exactly common knowledge. Either way I figured it was too troublesome to pay attention to anyway."
Sakura blinked once before turning back to watch the match. She wondered what this "Avatar" person could be like.
Naruto had his head down with his eyes hidden from view. To Neji, it that he let those words sink in and would his warning, but really Naruto was looking at the blue and white armband on his bicep, remembering the words of the person who gave it to him.
Regardless of what the village thinks, I really think you'll make a great Hokage.
"I don't care."
"What?" Neji questioned, taken back by the blonde's response.
"I don't know what your deal is, but I didn't make it all this way for jerks like you to count me out!" Naruto yelled as he made his handsign.
"Besides, you're just beginning to see what I can do. Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
This time, dozens of Naruto's copies joined him on the battlefield and they all circled around the Hyuga prodigy.
"Very well," Neji responded as got into his stance and activated his byakugan again, "Let's see how well you hold up."
Immediately, the clones closest to Neji charged. Neji fought back with the advantage of his 360-degree vision and dodged and blocked any attacks that came his way, while dispelling the clones that attacked.
Over time, however, the clones' put more pressure on Neji with their attacks and coordinated their moves so he would have a much harder time dodging or blocking.
Looks like I underestimated him. Neji thought as he frowned. I have to find out where the original is quickly.
Korra and the others were watching Naruto's latest assault with anticipation, with Korra showing the most of it.
"Alright! Naruto's got him on the ropes now!" Korra yelled in excitement.
Hope you're right. This could still go either way from what I'm seeing. Kiba thought, staring intently at the fight.
Hinata was watching intently as well. She increasingly become more concerned as both fighters gave it their all, especially with what Neji said about destiny. She looked over at Katara with uncertainty.
The old waterbending master noticed and gave Hinata a smile. Hinata smiled back, remembering what Katara told when she healed her.
(Several days before the final rounds)
Hinata opened her eyes and realized she was lying on a bed somewhere. She groaned as she sat up to look around.
"Feeling better?" an elderly voice asked her.
The Hyuga girl quickly turned in surprise to see an elderly woman sitting on a chair near her bed. Once Hinata realized the woman's question, she was able to find her voice.
"W-where am I? What happened?" she asked, cursing herself for stuttering again.
The woman gave a relaxed smile, "Take it easy on yourself. You're very lucky that Korra brought you here when she did. That internal damage you suffered could have put you in the hospital longer."
Hinata's eyes widened as she remembered the coughing fit she was having earlier.
"I see. So you're Korra's teacher and the one who healed me," She realized as she bowed in said woman's direction, "Thank you so much and sorry for being a burden."
Katara chuckled in response, "It's no trouble at all. Though I'm more concerned about how you received such injuries."
Hinata continued to look down at her hands in silence. She was still feeling sore about her defeat.
"I lost against my cousin in the Chuunin Exams. I guess those Gentle Fist strikes from him were still lingering from after that," she answered as continued to look disheartened.
Katara's eyes softened with concern, "But that's not the only thing bothering you is it?"
Hinata grasped her sheets in response.
"I've trained every chance I could get. I had Naruto-kun and Korra-chan to support me, and I continued grow stronger," she said as her eyes became watery, "But after this…is this all I've got? Is this really my destiny? To always fail?"
Katara didn't say anything for a bit and looked toward the window, "You know, destiny can be quite unpredictable. You never know where you end up until you give life a try, even after failure. A friend of mine had his share of failures before he found his own destiny."
Hinata looked up at the older woman with interest, while said woman smiled and continued.
"Back then, he was an enemy and a banished prince trying to fulfill a destiny that was forced on him, but once he found what he truly wanted, he became an ally and later a devoted friend and became the ruler of his country to help bring an end to a terrible war."
Hinata was speechless and curious about who her friend was before she realized Katara was laying a hand on her shoulder.
"Never give up on life, Hinata. Failures may come, but if you keep moving despite the hardships, life will surprise you," Katara said firmly.
Hinata stared in surprise for a moment before she managed a smile.
"That does make sense. Thank you, Katara-san."
Katara smiled, "I'm just thankful that I can help out. But you know something else? Naruto and Korra both have their struggles as well. Naruto's I'm sure you know, and Korra has some stumbling blocks to her training, but they'll continue to work toward their goals, and I think you can go far with that attitude as well."
Hinata smiled at that thought. She had no doubt they become great, and wanted to become strong as well.
(End Flashback)
Hinata continued to watch the match with determination.
Naruto-kun, I know can win. Neji-niisan, maybe one day, I can do something about fate that has been forced upon you. She thought.
On the battlefield
Where is he? Neji thought with irritation.
For several minutes, Naruto's shadow clones have been continuing their attempt to wear the Hyuga down. Before long, Neji would have to find the original Naruto to put an end to the attack.
Just then, one of the Narutos broke from the group and began a sequence of handsigns.
Now's my chance. He thought.
However, Neji's Byakugan immediately caught notice.
"There you are," he mused and immediately ran past the surprised shadow clones.
Naruto was frantically trying to finish his handsigns, but it was too late.
Neji struck him at one of his chakra points.
"NO!" Korra yelled from her spot as Hinata beside her gasped at the sight, "He was so close!"
Naruto coughed up blood as Neji's fingers were still on his chakra point and all of his shadow clones disappeared in puffs of smoke.
"I don't know what jutsu you were planning to use, but it really help all that much in the end, did it?" Neji said, mockingly, "Regardless, it's just as I said before. You're a failure."
(Naruto Shippuden OST: Emergence of Talents)
To Neji's confusion, however, Naruto just chuckled.
"Is that right?" the blonde knucklehead ninja questioned as he grabbed Neji's arm in a tight grip, "Then I guess it only took this failure to fool you!"
Neji's eyes widened in shock as he noticed other Narutos surrounding them.
Damn! Now I get it! He had one of his shadow clones weave handsigns on purpose to lure me into a trap! The Hyuga prodigy thought as the situation dawned on him.
Meanwhile, Naruto with his shadow performed the signs for their jutsu.
Tiger. Ox. Dog. Rabbit. Snake. They all recited in heads as they inhaled.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
As Naruto and his clones exhaled, strong gusts of wind blew from their mouths and shot at a restrained Neji. When the attack made contact, dust covered the whole area where the Hyuga prodigy was standing while others watched in amazement.
"Awesome! That must've been some technique he's been working on!" Korra cheered.
So he possesses wind-style chakra. Katara thought with amazement as others watching were surprised at the blonde's affinity for wind chakra.
Meanwhile, Naruto and his clones waited for the dust to clear.
"Did that get him?" one of the clones questioned.
To his dismay, however, the dust cleared to show Neji spinning within some kind chakra barrier that was also spinning. After a moment, Neji stopped spinning and his rotating barrier dispersed.
"I must admit," Neji said after he composed himself, "you almost had me for a minute there, but it still amounts to nothing."
Crap! Naruto yelled internally.
"WHAT!?" Korra yelled, outraged, "How the heck did he block that? That last attack should've ended it!"
Next to her, Hinata widened her eyes in disbelief. That jutsu! I can't be. She thought as her father was having the same thoughts.
Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation. Hiashi thought. A Gentle Fist technique that is only taught within the main household. Yet a member of the branch family has mastered it. How things should have been different, my brother.
I have no idea what that was, but he completely stopped my wind style jutsu! Naruto thought frantically before he got into his fighting stance once again. But that doesn't mean I'm going down yet! Believe it!
"Ok! So you have another fancy trick, but let's see you do it again!" Naruto shouted as he and his shadow clones took out shuriken and kunai.
Neji smirked, "Just try it."
Immediately, Naruto and his copies began to throw and their shuriken and kunai to attack, but the Hyuga prodigy summoned his Rotation jutsu again to block them.
Even with that kind of defense, there's still gotta be a weakness. He thought as he was trying to come up with ideas.
Fool. It seems like his only option is to wear me down, but he'll be finished before that happens. Neji was thinking, still using his jutsu.
Eventually, Naruto and his clones decided to charge at the barrier.
He's gotten desperate. Neji thought as his barrier repelled the blonde's attack and sent his clones to hit the ground. Once he dispelled his barrier, however, he noticed that they all dispersed into smoke.
What? The real one wasn't there? He pondered, confusedly.
Before realized it, Neji was hit with a blast of wind from the real Naruto. Ha! Good thing I switched out with one of my clones earlier! The blonde thought with success as he blew Neji into the stadium wall…
…who immediately dispelled into a log as he made contact.
Eh!? Substitution jutsu already!? Naruto thought with frustration.
"You're now within my range," Neji's voice called from another direction.
Naruto immediately turned to see Neji in a new kind of stance, but it was already too late.
"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!" the Hyuga prodigy called out as he began his attack.
He struck Naruto two times as his opponent recoiled in pain. "Two palms!" Then doubled the next strikes.
"Four palms! Eight palms! Sixteen palms! Thirty-two palms!"
For his final attack, Neji thrusted his palm at Naruto to deal a harsher blow.
"Sixty-four palms!"
The force of the attack sent Naruto to the ground hard. Neji waited for a moment before turning to Genma.
"Proctor, call the match. He won't be able to continue on," Neji spoke with surety in his tone.
However, Genma would make his own decision to end the match and chose wait it out to see if the Hyuga clansman was correct.
Up in the stands, Hinata sent a worried glance toward Naruto. She would have been amazed at Neji's prowess with Byakugan as he used a main household technique if her friend wasn't used as the target. Her worry only got worse she listened to the other spectators.
"Yep. The kid's definitely finished," one bluntly said.
"Can't say I expected anything different," another responded, "He may have put up a show, but he has to quit now."
"What can you do? He's just no match for a genius like that Hyuga." Said another.
"I mean, come on. Hokage? Who was the brat fooling?" the first one sneered.
Hinata gripped hands tighter, hoping to tune the villager's cruel words. Did they really think Naruto had no chance at all? However, it still made her anxious seeing Naruto still lying on the ground.
"COME ON, NARUTO! GET UP!" Hinata heard the brunette next to her yell.
"COME ON! I KNOW IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN THAT TO FINISH YOU!" Korra continued to yell.
She knew Naruto could do more than this. He trained his butt off after all and Korra didn't want Naruto to give up without trying. That, and she was tired of hearing everyone else's discouragement.
"Come on you big jerk!" Kiba joined in on the yelling, "You better not make me regret ever losing to you!"
Akamaru barked in agreement.
Hinata watched as her friends continued cheer Naruto on. If she didn't join too, how could she herself his friend?
"Naruto-kun! Please, don't give up!" She yelled along with the others.
"It's pointless to yell," Neji muttered on the battlefield.
Naruto has already met his defeat. He thought, satisfied. His destiny can't change, no matter how much they yell. Hmph, and I thought Hinata would know better.
That was before he heard some grunting behind and he turned around in shock.
"It can't be," He thought out loud.
The blonde, knuckleheaded ninja was getting back up on his feet with some difficulty. Yet, despite the pain, he managed to face Neji with a smirk.
"Sorry, pal" Naruto said while taking deep breaths, "Looks like I'm sticking around in this fight for a while."
"You fool," Neji replied once he composed himself, "You should have stayed down. Just accept your fate! You'll only lead yourself to more pain!"
"Big whoop," Naruto stated as he stood up straighter, "As if you're one to care, especially after what you did to Hinata."
Neji only narrowed his eyes at his opponent, "What should that matter to you?"
"Simple. Because she's a friend of mine, and all that stuff about the main household and branch family is a bunch of crap! What makes you think you have any right to say whether or not she's a failure?" Naruto replied with anger.
"I see," Neji replied as he narrowed his eyes even further, "Well, if you don't quite get it, I'll tell you…about the Hyuga clan's heritage of hatred!"
Neji then took off his Leaf headband to his Caged Bird Seal, and then proceeded to talk about the roles of the Hyuga clan's Main household and Branch family. He went on to explain the incident that occurred in which Neji's father was killed in order to protect the main household.
Up in the stands the group with Korra and Hinata listened with different reactions:
Hinata and Katara both listened with sadness. Katara for coldness within the family and Hinata for cruel fate that was placed upon her cousin.
Kiba seemed visibly upset by what was being said. Though being a clan member himself, he wasn't sure what being upset would do about the situation.
Korra on the other hand was shocked and appalled by what she heard. She couldn't believe that family members would do such things to each other. It made a little more sense to her now why Neji is acting so bitter, but it didn't make her less angry with him for how he treated Hinata. Hinata is one of the sweetest and most kind-hearted people she's met and there was no way she would act with such cruelty like older members of the main household have done.
Neji put his headband back on when he was finished.
"So now do you understand?" He asked as he glared at Naruto, "Fate is something you can't deny. No matter how loud you boast or how determined you are, the outcome will stay the same, just as you are about to lose this fight."
"I guess all this stuff with the Hyuga clan is all messed up, and I know your father's death wasn't fair," Naruto responded after he absorbed this new information, "but that doesn't change a thing. I still plan to beat you!"
"You fool," Neji replied, angered, "You've learned nothing. You have no idea what it's like to be branded with a mark that sets you apart; a mark that can never be wiped away!"
Korra clenched her fists at that statement. The nerve of that guy! She thought angrily.
Neji's words forced Naruto to recall his childhood. A time when he was marked an outcast because of the Demon Fox inside of him.
"Believe me," Naruto replied with a melancholy tone, "You're not the only special one around here."
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"You think you've got problems?" Naruto continued, "You ever thought about what Hinata was going through? She was always called 'weak' by other members of the main household and she dedicated herself to training every day. Even you tried to tear her down she fought for your respect, even when it almost killed her. And what the hell was that about anyway! I thought you said your destiny was to serve the main household, not beat it to a bloody pulp! You can talk all you want about destiny, but you don't even believe in it either, do you?"
"Enough of this," Neji replied, getting tired of his opponent, "None of this matters this battle, since you're already finished, unless you think you can prove me wrong."
Naruto smirked in response, "Oh trust me. I'm about to prove you wrong on a lot of things, starting right now!"
Ok. That's easier said than done. I can't jutsu now that my chakra points are blocked. Wait, that just means there's one other option! Naruto was thinking before he made as if he about to summon up chakra.
"Just what do you think you're trying to do? You can't even use your chakra. Just give up!" Neji said with a smug look.
Alright you overgrown Fox. Lend me your strength! Naruto shouted in his head ignoring his opponent.
Neji then noticed something strange with his opponent and activated his Byakugan.
What!? It's not possible! He thought, astonished.
Naruto OST: Heavy Violence
Naruto let out a shout as he was summoning the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra. Said red-orange chakra was swirling around him.
Where is this chakra coming from? Neji thought amazed, though he wasn't the only one.
Hiruzen looked at Naruto in amazement. When did he learn to harness the Kyuubi's strength? He thought.
Up in the waiting area, Sakura and Shikamaru were shocked at the display as well, while two of the Sand Siblings were becoming unnerved.
Just what did that kid do? Temari thought, worriedly. Gaara's somehow becoming restless again!
Said reddish brown-haired Sand genin was shaking in response to this development with excitement.
I wonder. Are you finally somebody worth killing, Uzumaki? Gaara thought with an unsettling smile.
Over in the stands, Katara observed the spectacle with wide eyes. Unbelievable. To think he's grown so much to summon the Fox's power.
Hinata was observing with her Byakugan and was shocked as well.
"I-it can't be! T-this chakra! I've never seen anything like it." Hinata managed to utter out in awe.
"Are you sure?" Kiba asked Hinata, "I thought his chakra points were blocked."
He then heard Akamaru whimper.
"Huh? What's wrong, boy?" He asked, trying to comfort his canine companion, "Is there a lot of power you're sensing?"
The whimpering ninja hound nodded.
"Dammit," Kiba gritted his teeth in frustration, "Just what the hell is going on?"
Korra was looking on with both awe and fear. She was in awe of the amount of power her friend was putting out, but was also a little fearful of the malevolence behind the energy.
Holy crap! Is this the Nine-Tails' chakra? It's so powerful, yet…so terrifying. Wait, how am I able to feel this? Korra was thinking before suddenly felt energy stirring inside of her.
What's going on? She thought before she noticed the orange-red energy covering Naruto in a shroud. Guess I'll just see what happens.
Just…what is he?! Neji thought with uneasiness.
Naruto felt the energy coursing through him, healing his wounds. Amazing. This is more power than before. He thought before taking a battle stance and staring at Neji intently.
"Here I come," Naruto declared before disappearing a burst of speed.
What? Where did he- Neji thought before he finally noticed Naruto in the air behind him.
The blonde-haired genin then performed a rapid series of handsigns.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough! He chanted in his mind as he blew a gust of wind chakra at Neji like before.
This attack, however, had more than previously traveled at a speed that forced Neji to dodge as it collided with ground where he was standing.
He's faster than before. The Hyuga prodigy thought, frantically. And his jutsus are stronger too. Where did he get this power from?
Sadly, his thoughts were interrupted when he had to avoid punch from said opponent. Naruto proceeded to send a rapid barrage of kicks and punches at Neji, who was struggling to keep up. The Hyuga wasn't able to parry every attack, however, as a punch to the face and several hits to the abdomen sent him to ground rolling.
He immediately got up and took out several shuriken before tossing them at the black-orange-clad shinobi.
Naruto took out his kunai in response and deflected the projectiles before charging at Neji who also took out a kunai, ready to meet him.
They both attempted to slash at each other without success until separated once again.
The encounter left Neji breathing heavily while trying to remain aware of his opponent's next move.
Naruto, looking none worse for wear, was ready for his next move, "Let's see how you like close combat," he stated before charging at Neji.
I have to use my Rotation. NOW! Neji yelled in his mind as prepared to use that jutsu.
Suddenly, he noticed the ground crumbling behind him and was restrained.
Another Shadow clone!? Neji thought with astonishment. It must have hidden in the ground that was damaged after that wind style attack during. Now I'm too exhausted to break free!
"Maybe it's the Hyuga way to cave into destiny, but it's not mine!" the real Naruto yelled as he got closer getting ready to throw a punch.
As a last resort, Neji channeled chakra to the area of his face where he sure Naruto's fist would make contact.
As expected, Naruto's fist was halted by the chakra Neji released, but Naruto wasn't calling it quits as he continued to push through that defense with the help the red chakra.
"I'll change the way of the Hyuga clan…" Naruto yelled as his attack finally pushed through, and colliding hard against Neji's cheek, "…after I become Hokage!"
The force of Naruto's attack blew Neji away as he was sent skidding across the ground. The crowd watched amazed as the prodigy of the Hyuga clan was defeated and known "Dead Last" stood victorious.
Naruto was breathing heavily once the fight was over and walked over to where his opponent was lying.
"I…can't move," Neji complained as Naruto approached, "I was careless. I should have expected your continued use of Shadow Clones. It's your specialty after all."
Naruto just stared down at the Hyuga, "You know. I've trained year after year to become a ninja; to become stronger. But I failed the graduation exam three times because of one jutsu I just couldn't get."
Neji didn't reply as he listened to what the blonde was saying.
"That's right," Naruto continued, "I failed the Clone jutsu every time. My clones were pathetic. If I just accepted what that told me, I'd never get this far in the first place, so don't come whining to me about fate. And don't assume that you understand everything about it. If you look beyond what you're given you'll find something better. I know you can do it too because unlike me, you're not a failure."
Again, Neji said nothing in response and merely contemplated those words.
"Winner. Naruto Uzumaki!" Genma announced.
That statement and the subsequent cheering brought Naruto's attention back to his surroundings. It felt odd considering this was first time the villagers would cheer for him, but he accepted the praise, and his friends up there made it easier.
"WHOO! YEAH, NARUTO! YOU DID IT!" Korra yelled out along with the crowd. She was nervous about that red chakra at first, but she knew it was still Naruto who was fighting and not the Fox.
Katara smiled at the blonde's victory as well as her student's enthusiasm.
"Well, I'll be," Kiba said, surprised. Akamaru gave an agreeing nod.
Hinata watched her victorious friend with a pleased smile. She was happy that he finally managed to gain the positive attention of the villagers. However, she also saw this as an encouragement to keep growing stronger. She then looked over to a downed Neji with concern.
Someday, I want to change the way of the clan too. She thought with determination. And hopefully I can help free you from your curse, Neji.
Up where he was at, Hiruzen gave a proud smile toward his surrogate grandson.
You've grown tremendously well, my boy. He thought. Your parents are certainly proud.
In the waiting area, Sakura also cheered for her teammate's success.
"Way to go, Naruto!"
"Man, who knew he'd get this much stronger? This is such a drag." Shikamaru complained, while somewhat happy for Naruto's win, but troubled at having to fight another strong opponent.
"Interesting development," Shino said, more so to himself.
"Damn. I never would have thought that brat could pull it off," Kankuro remarked as Temari nodded in agreement.
Gaara, even after the battle, was shaking with excitement.
What is this strength you have, Uzumaki? I want to experience it firsthand and prove my existence once more. The Sand genin thought before looking over to the brunette who was loudly cheering for the blonde as if she knew him. Yet, I wonder what "Mother" finds so interesting about you.
He would get his answers later because little did everyone know disaster would soon befall the village.
Hope you all enjoyed! By the way, if I wanted to do a crossover of 3 video game series, how would I access Game X-overs?