I'll keep this short and sweet so everyone enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 11: Finals Training
Naruto awoke to him hitting his alarm. It was 7 am and he wanted to do his morning routine before he would start some rigorous training. He had a lot to prove and only so much time. He heard a knock on the door. He was in the middle of putting on his shirt and opened the door to see his sensei who was giving him an eye smile.
"Hey Naruto how are…ugh," he said before he was knocked down. Naruto was hugging him tightly and he eye smiled. "I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei," he said still hugging him tightly.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness Naruto," he said helping his student up.
"But, I shouldn't have said all those things. You were under a seal sensei," he said looking at him.
"I know that Naruto. But, I wasn't strong enough to resist the seal. I have memories that awakened when they put the seal on me. I wasn't strong enough. I am not asking for forgiveness, I don't deserve it," he said pulling out a scroll.
"There are a couple of techniques in there for you when you learn with Jiraiya. When the time comes. I want to train you Naruto. One on-one," he said sincerely.
"It wasn't your fault sensei. And if you believe that you aren't strong enough, you can train. You can improve no matter how old you get," he said putting the scroll on his side.
Kakashi just smiled at him, "I will Naruto. Just know that I will make it up to you," he said pointing at the scroll. "That is the start of it," he said.
"I expect you to go far Naruto. I know you make me proud in the exams," he said before patting his head and teleporting away.
Naruto smiled as he looked at the scroll. "Hey brat," called out Jiraiya. "You ready to train?" Naruto looked back and smiled. "Dang right," he said running over to him.
"I need you to make fifty shadow clones for me," he said watching Naruto shrug and form the handsign to make the jutsu. Soon the yard was full of Naruto's awaiting orders. Jairya turned to the clones and cupped his hands around his mouth, "Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Good, Naruto. Now, listen up, all of you." He pulled out a large scroll from his back and unrolled it on the ground. The parchment was covered in intricate seals and symbols, each one pulsing faintly with chakra. "Before we get into the heavy stuff, we'll start with some good old-fashioned chakra control training."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Chakra control? What is the next exercise for chakra control training?"
Jiraiya chuckled. "You need a strong foundation before you start working on the big guns, brat. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Now, see these?" He pulled out a handful of senbon needles and tossed them into the air, catching them effortlessly between his fingers. "We're going to be using these to balance on various parts of your body. It's a great way to improve your chakra control."
Naruto blinked. "Senbon balancing? That sounds kind of… delicate."
Jiraiya smirked. "Delicate, yes. But also deadly if you don't take it seriously. Focus is key here. You need to be able to control your chakra down to the smallest detail. That is the point of Senbon Balancing. There are other chakra control exercises that I will use for later but we won't do that here. There is Kunai Balancing, Katana Balancing, and much more but this will be the only one that we will use," he said dishing out Senbon to the shadow clones.
"Listen you will balance one by one on your fingers until you reach ten and then we shall move on from there," he said walking back to the original Naruto. "What about me Sensei?" he asked him. Jiraiya smiled at that. He reminisced about when he taught Minato when he was young and could see the differences between him and his father.
"He is a 50/50 blend of the two of them. Then again I have to see Kushina's side in him," he thought opening up the scroll.
"Alright kid, before I have you do this. Do you know why chakra control is important for you specifically?" he asked him.
"Well, I know if it was anyone else. It would be so they don't get chakra exhaustion. But, for me. I would assume it is for higher-level jutsus so that I can do them repeatedly," he said.
"Not a bad answer but yes that is mostly true. You see people think that chakra control is something that only affects your control. However, what happens is you get more chakra and more chakra control. It is weird but that is just how it works," he said.
"Regardless I will explain it to you in the future. But, this is a summoning contract I would like you to sign kid. This is the Toad Summoning Contract," he said making Naruto drop his mouth.
"You want me…to sign this?" he asked surprised.
"Indeed, it will help you in the long run. This is an opportunity that only a few have ever had. So why not? You just have to sign it with your blood and boom you are a Toad Summoner," he said shrugging. Naruto debated on it but ultimately conceded and cut his finger to sign his name. He looked at the Fourth Hokage's name and smiled. He finished his name and Jiraiya fixed up the scroll.
"Alright we are going to have to walk a bit of way away in case you summon a big toad," said Jiraiya walking away. Naruto jogged after him and followed him until they were about a mile outside of the compound.
"Alright now that we are away so we don't destroy anything because this isn't village property. Here are the hand signs to summon an awesome toad," he said running through them slowly to show him.
"Summoning Jutsu!" he said as a big puff of smoke surrounded the Sannin. Jiraiya was now standing on a decent-sized toad. "This here is Gama. He is a medium-sized toad. There are small toads, medium toads, large toads, and there are massive toads. There are the strongest but there are the expectations to that," he said looking at Naruto.
"Alright, now you give it a shot," he said waiting anxiously. Gama was waiting too, to see what he would summon. Naruto rang through the hand signs and yelled out, "Summoning Jutsu!"
"Hey, what's going on here?" asked a toad.
"Uh, brother where are we?" asked another toad.
Naruto looked at the two toads in front of him one was mostly dark orange with a navy blue vest and the other was mostly yellow with a bright blue vest.
"Hey, who are you? Are you a new summoner?" asked the orange toad.
"Yeah, I'm Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto introduced himself, still feeling the lingering excitement from successfully summoning these two creatures. "I'm the new Toad Summoner."
"Naruto, huh?" The orange toad crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I'm Gamakichi, and this here is my younger brother Gamatatsu. Looks like you've got the knack for summoning the best toads," he said smugly hopping on his right shoulder.
Gamatatsu hopped on his left shoulder in excitement, "Nice to meet you, Naruto! Do you have any snacks?"
Naruto blinked at the question, taken aback for a moment before breaking into a grin. "Uh, I don't have any snacks on me right now, but maybe next time!"
Jiraiya, who had been observing the whole exchange, chuckled softly. "Not bad for your first summon, Naruto. Gamakichi and Gamatatsu might not be the biggest toads, but they're dependable, and it looks like they've taken a liking to you."
"So how do I know how to summon whatever toad I want to," he asked.
"Well, Naruto, you have to summon based on what type of toad you want. The more chakra you put in, the more likely to summon a big toad. Our pops is the Chief Toad," said Gamakichi.
Naruto nodded at that, "Sounds good. I am going to try again and summon it in a minute," he said looking at Jiraiya. Gama dispelled as he landed gently on the ground.
"Try to channel as much chakra as you can into your arm," he said walking away. "Hey where are you going?" he asked. "I heard something over here I need to check out," he said pulling out his notebook and giggling slightly. Naruto shook his head as he looked at Gamatatsu and Gamakichi.
"You guys staying for a bit?"
"Yeah, we got nothing better to do anyway," said Gamatatsu. "Ok, hang on a second," he said.
"Hey, Kurama why have you been so silent."
"I am not a big fan of toads. Let's say 13 years ago that 4th Hokage summoned one and he sat on me," he said annoyed.
"Well, you could have told me so that I didn't need to sign the contract."
"No, it's fine. I am not mad at you. I just have some annoying memories of a big one with one sword and a scar on his eye. Pretty, sure this is the little toad's father," he said to him.
"Ok, just be prepared for me to borrow just a bit of chakra from you," he said getting back.
Naruto started to charge up his chakra as he was running through the hand signs. "Would you hurry up Naruto," said Gamakichi.
"I'm trying here. You know what, fine. If I get a bad toad it'll be your fault," he said. "Summoning Jutsu!" he said slamming his hand on the ground. They were all shot up into the air as Naruto landed on something firm. He looked and he knew he summoned someone strong and big.
"Master Jiraiya, why have you summoned me here? Is there something you wanted to tell me?" asked the toad in a calm voice. "Here jump on my hand Master Jiraiya so we can speak."
"Naruto jumped down and landed on the hand of the giant toad. He looked to see that the toad was magenta-colored and had horns protruding from his head. He had a shield on his back and if he remembered correctly from what Tenten told him, a sasumata.
"You are not Master Jiraiya. Who are you?" he asked.
"Hey, Uncle Gamaken. He is a new summoner," Gamakichi yelled.
"So Master Jiraiya has let someone new sign the contract, did he? Well young summoner you must have quite a bit of charka if you are summoning me. My name is Gamaken as you heard from the young toad on your shoulder. I understand that you are training and practicing to summon toad so I will alert the others of what you are doing so they won't be surprised. What is your name?
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, mister Gamaken. Yeah, I don't where Jiraiya-sensei went," he said scratching the back of his head and chuckling. Gamaken looked around to see Jiraiya at the top of one of the trees and picked him. "Hey, what is the big idea? I was getting some good material," he said squirming.
He looked up to see one of the big three toads he summons from time to time. "Oh hey, Gamaken? Do you mean to tell me that Naruto summoned you?"
"Indeed he did," he said looking behind him. "I see you are still looking at women, Master Jiraiya," he said. Naruto grew a tick mark on his head and pointed at Jiraiya who was in Gamaken's other hand.
"Your important thing to do was to go and perve on women sensei!" he yelled at him.
"Yes, I perve on women. Who do you think writes the Icha Icha Paradise books brat," he said showing him.
"Great, just great. Every person I know at one point is a pervert. You have the old man, Kakashi-Sensei, Iruka-sensei, that Ebisu guy, and now you," he said pointing at him.
"Wait, Naruto it wasn't that this was important over your training," he said waving his hands out in front of him.
"Don't want to hear it, Pervy Sage, there is so many perverts I know and I can't take it anymore," he said jumping off Gamaken's hand.
"Dear god, don't call me that," he said chasing him. "Naruto come back," he yelled.
The three toads looked at each other in amusement. "Shall we take our leave young tadpoles," he said to them. The three dispelled and you could hear screams from the two Toad summoners throughout the day.
1 WEEK LATER
Naruto had summoned Gamabunta, the Chief Toad the day after he started summoning and Jiraiya was satisfied. It took a few more tries but Naruto had summoned Gamaken and Gamahiro before summoning him and Gamabunta had a little more respect for Naruto because of it. He knew the brat had a lot of chakra if he had summoned them back to back repeatedly. The Chief Toad told him to summon him if he needed but he still had to think about being his underline.
They had been training for about 8 hours every day and at this point, Naruto had mastered senbon balancing as well as learning Kakashi-sensei's scroll of jutsu he gave him. He had learned the Body Flicker and Earth Style: Mud Wall that he had given him. Thankfully, Jiraiya's main elements were Earth and Fire and Naruto had been struggling with Earth for a while.
He also was able to use his jutsu more effectively now with Senbon balancing. Right now Naruto was learning a Taijutsu style to help him out for the next portion of the exams. It was called the Hawk Talon Palm. While the Hummingbird Fist relies on a little bit of everything such as speed, strength, and precision. The Hawk Talon Palm was about flexibility, agility, and being able to dodge your enemy's attacks. It was primarily a defensive stance but still would allow for some decisive blows. He was much for the department of flexibility but he had 5 weeks left so there wasn't much to worry about.
Naruto felt the strain in his muscles as he pushed through another set of drills. His torso was soaked with sweat, and his breath came in heavy pants, but his resolve remained firm. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds. The only sounds were the rhythmic thuds of Naruto's movements and Jiraiya's occasional grunts of approval.
"Good, Naruto," Jiraiya called out, watching his student closely. "Your form's getting better, but you need to focus more on your footwork. The Hawk Talon Palm won't be effective if you're not nimble enough."
Naruto nodded, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "Got it, Pervy Sage."
Jiraiya groaned inwardly at the nickname but let it slide, knowing it was just Naruto's way of keeping things light. "Alright, let's take a break for now. We'll go over some more of the katas next."
Naruto collapsed onto the ground, grateful for the momentary reprieve. He stared up at the sky, his thoughts drifting to the upcoming Chunin Exams. It had been a week since he started training under Jiraiya, and while he had made significant progress, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still missing.
"Pervy Sage," Naruto began, his voice serious, "do you think I'm ready for the next part of the exams?"
Jiraiya looked at Naruto, noting the determination in his eyes. "You've come a long way, Naruto. You've got the raw talent, no doubt about that. But the exams aren't just about strength. You need to be smart, to outthink your opponents as much as you outfight them."
Naruto frowned, thinking back to his battles with Neji, Fu, and Gaara. He knew Jiraiya was right. It wasn't just about power; it was about strategy, about knowing when to strike and when to hold back.
Jiraiya looked up and felt someone was coming to the gate of the compound. He looked at Naruto who was getting up slowly. "Brat, change of plans, do fifty one-handed pushups and we are done for the day." Naruto nodded and got to work.
OUTSIDE OF THE GATES
"What are you doing here buns?" asked Ino as she waited at the gate.
"What do you mean buns? You could do better than that Ino," said Tenten as she walked up.
"You going to answer me or not," she said tapping her foot.
"Well, I haven't seen Naruto in a while so I thought I would have some dinner with him," she said fidgeting slightly.
"I was going to do that Tenten," said Ino getting in her face.
"You probably just saw him. So I should spend time with him," she said doing the same.
"Whoa, whoa, girls calm down and tell me what you are doing here?" asked Jiraiya.
"I wanted to hang out with Naruto and then this weapons chick shows up wanting the same," said Ino making Tenten glare.
"Well, I am his sensei for the exams. Naruto has to finish up his set of pushups then he is done for the night," he said opening the gate for them. "You guys can go and ask him then," he said watching the two of them rush by him. Jiraiya was giggling happily.
"This brat is a gold mine. He has women all over the place. Then again I guess I have to teach him the ways of the Jiraiya the Sannin and how he handles the ladies," he said smugly following them.
"48…49…50," he said doing his last pushup. "Good lord that was a bit rough but I got it done," he said grabbing a towel to dry the sweat off. The two girls made it to the backyard to see a shirtless Naruto before them. They started to blush as they didn't expect to see him like that.
As Naruto wiped the sweat off his forehead, he felt the presence of two people behind him. He turned around, still breathing heavily from his workout, and was surprised to see Ino and Tenten standing there, both looking slightly flustered.
"Uh, hey, Ino. Tenten. What are you two doing here?" Naruto asked, his voice still a bit breathless from the exercise.
Ino was the first to recover, a confident smile quickly replacing the blush on her cheeks. "We, uh, just came to see you, Naruto. I figured you could use some company after your training. You've been working really hard lately."
Tenten nodded, though her gaze was momentarily drawn to the muscles in Naruto's arms before she snapped herself out of it. "Yeah, I thought the same. It's important to relax after training, right? And, well, I haven't had the chance to catch up with you in a while."
Naruto blinked, not entirely sure what to make of the situation. It wasn't every day that two of his friends showed up at the same time, both seemingly eager to hang out with him. But then again, Naruto wasn't one to turn down time with friends.
"Uh, sure," Naruto said with a grin, "Why don't I make some dinner for us then? I'm starving after that workout."
Ino quickly latched onto his suggestion, her smile brightening. "That sounds great!"
"Did you want some sensei?" he asked Jiraiya. "Nah I am alright kid. Just be sure to put some to the side for me. I need to see Hiruzen-sensei about something," he said leaving the three to themselves.
Naruto put on a red longsleeve shirt much to the displeasure of the two kunoichi but made his way to the fridge. "So, what have you guys been training in for the finals?" he asked pulling out some chicken.
"A lot of physical training," said Ino as she sat at the table.
"I've been working on weapons training," said Tenten doing the same. The two girls were giving each other glares as Naruto pulled out some pots and pans to cook the dinner.
Naruto began to heat the stove, the sizzle of the chicken in the pan filling the room with a mouthwatering aroma. He glanced over his shoulder, noticing the tension between Ino and Tenten. They were both trying to keep their expressions neutral, but the subtle glares they exchanged didn't go unnoticed by him.
Naruto, ever the peacemaker, tried to steer the conversation into safer waters. "So, Ino, how's the training with your dad been going? You must be getting pretty strong with all the work you're putting in."
Ino flipped her long hair over her shoulder, a confident smile curving her lips. "Yeah, it's been tough, but I can feel the difference. My mind transfer jutsu is getting faster, and I've been working on some new techniques. I can't wait to show everyone in the finals."
Tenten's eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "That sounds great, Ino. But speed isn't everything. I've been sharpening my aim and precision with my weapons, making sure every kunai hits its mark. It's not just about power—it's about strategy."
Naruto grinned as he stirred the chicken, enjoying the friendly competition brewing between his friends. "You both sound like you're ready to kick some serious butt in the finals. I'm glad I'm not going up against either of you."
Ino smirked, shooting a playful glance at Tenten. "Well, you never know, Naruto. Maybe we'll both make it to the finals and have to face off against each other."
Tenten met Ino's gaze with equal confidence. "I'm looking forward to it. May the best kunoichi win."
Naruto chuckled, flipping the chicken in the pan. "You two really are something else. But hey, no matter what happens in the finals, we're all friends, right? That's what really matters. But, if you ask me. You need just a bit of everything," he said getting the rice from the cubert.
Tenten got up and walked around to the other side of the island and asked Naruto something, "Do you need help Naruto," she asked leaning slightly on him. Naruto became flustered and didn't know what to say. "Um…I…well…how about go grab some fruits from the fridge while I get the other stuff," he said. She nodded and walked away from him to go get the fruits. Ino glared at this as she watched Tenten get the fruits out.
As Tenten retrieved the fruits, Ino couldn't help but be annoyed at the situation. She walked over to Naruto, standing a bit closer than necessary as she reached for the plates in the cupboard above his head. "Naruto, you know, you've gotten a lot stronger lately. I can really see the difference," she said, her voice soft as she handed him the plates.
Naruto blushed slightly, trying to focus on the task at hand. "Thanks, Ino. I've been working hard, you know, trying to keep up with everyone."
Tenten, returning with a bowl of fresh fruits, noticed how close Ino was standing to Naruto. Her lips tightened, but she quickly composed herself, placing the bowl on the counter. "Naruto, do you want me to cut these up for a fruit salad? I know a great recipe that'll go perfectly with the chicken."
"Sure, that sounds great!" Naruto said, grateful for the change in focus. He could sense the competitive energy between the two kunoichi, but he wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. He just hoped things wouldn't get too awkward.
As Tenten began to slice the fruits with expert precision, Ino decided to turn the conversation back to their training. "So, Naruto, have you been working on any new jutsu? I'm sure you've got some surprises up your sleeve for the finals."
Naruto grinned a spark of excitement in his eyes. "You bet! I've been working on something special, but I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say it's going to be a game-changer."
Tenten, intrigued, looked up from her fruit slicing. "Oh? Now you've got us curious. Is it something related to your chakra control?"
"Maybe," Naruto teased, flipping the chicken once more. "You'll just have to wait and see."
Ino playfully nudged Naruto's arm with her elbow. "Come on, Naruto, give us a hint! We're your friends, right?"
Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "Nice try, Ino. You'll find out in the finals like everyone else."
Tenten, watching the exchange, decided to steer the conversation back to her own strengths. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's impressive. But remember, Naruto, it's not just about flashy jutsu. Sometimes, the simplest techniques, when used with precision and timing, can be the most effective."
Ino raised an eyebrow at Tenten, recognizing the underlying challenge in her words. "That's true, but don't underestimate the power of creativity in battle. Thinking outside the box can make all the difference."
As they set the table and sat down to eat, the atmosphere relaxed a bit. The delicious aroma of the food filled the room, and the three friends dug in with enthusiasm.
"This is amazing, Naruto," Tenten said, taking a bite of the perfectly cooked chicken. "I didn't know you were such a good cook."
Naruto grinned, pleased with the compliment. "Thanks, Tenten! I've picked up a few tricks over the past few months. Cooking is kind of relaxing."
As dinner went on the three of them told stories of how being a Genin was and stories from when they were kids. As they cleaned up, the atmosphere remained friendly, but there was an undercurrent of rivalry that neither Ino nor Tenten could completely suppress. Both kunoichi were determined to prove themselves—not just in the finals, but also in this unspoken contest for Naruto's attention.
Naruto finished chewing his food before speaking and cleared his throat. "You know Tenten. I am going to have to teach Neji a lesson right?" he said. Tenten looked at him and nodded and sighed. "I understand. Truth be told, he needed to be put in his place for a while now. Guy-sensei tried to put him in his place but that didn't work," she said thinking about how Neji treated other people the past year.
"Alright I was just making sure that I wouldn't get on your bad side for hurting him is all," he said.
"Like you could do that Naruto," she said eating another slice of chicken.
Once the kitchen was spotless, Naruto walked them to the door with a content smile. "Thanks for hanging out today. It was fun."
Ino leaned in, giving Naruto a quick hug. "Anytime, Naruto. You know where to find me if you need anything."
Tenten, not wanting to be outdone, gave Naruto a warm smile and a playful punch on the arm. "Yeah, and don't hesitate to call if you need someone to train with."
Naruto laughed, rubbing the spot where Tenten had punched him. "I'll keep that in mind. You two take care, and good luck with your training."
The two kunoichi left leaving behind Naruto who went to read some books about the Hyuga's weakness. He didn't bring up anything about Neji because he was Tenten's teammate but he still hated the bastard. That was the reason he was learning another Taijutsu style so he could use the flexibility to evade the attack he posed against him. It wouldn't matter he would beat him and he was looking to be at the top of the Chunin Exams. He had visited Hinata once during the week but she was too knocked out. He knew she would heal but it was taking a while. In a tree a ways away Jiraiya was writing down notes giggling perversely.
"The kid might be oblivious but he is a certified chick magnet," he thought happily. "I should see about what sensei wants though. See if they found out anything from the Kabuto kid," he said teleporting away.
HOKAGE'S OFFICE
The 3rd Hokage looked at the reports from the interrogation of Kabuto Yakushi. All they got out of him was he worked with Orochimaru and that was it. For being so young he was a tough nut to crack. But that did mean Naruto was right about something going to happen during the exams. An invasion was what he assumed but that was about as much as he could go off of.
He was interrupted by Jiraiya teleporting in his office. "What's up sensei? You wanted to tell me something," he said standing up fully.
"Kabuto Yakushi has escaped," he said flatly. Jiraiya gapped at that.
"Seriously," he said. "Yes, seriously, he escaped his jail cell and ran off sometime in the night killing a few important people. One being Hayate Gekko who was overlooking his cell during that time," he said sadly.
"Hayate was one of our best. This is bad, really bad. Kabuto being with Orochimaru means the snake is closer than we thought. And if Kabuto's been this slippery, we have to assume Orochimaru's been planning something big right under our noses."
The Third Hokage nodded, his expression grave as he leaned back in his chair, the weight of his years evident in the lines of his face. "Indeed. This situation is escalating faster than we anticipated. Orochimaru has always been meticulous in his schemes, but this... it feels like he's pushing his plans into motion sooner than expected."
Jiraiya frowned, pacing back and forth in front of the Hokage's desk. "And with the Chunin Exams coming up, we've got every village's eyes on us. If Orochimaru strikes then, it could be catastrophic. We need to increase security, double the ANBU on patrol, and get our best shinobi ready to defend the village."
The Third Hokage sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "I agree. But we also need to be discreet. We can't afford to tip our hand and let Orochimaru know we're onto him. I'll have the ANBU commanders briefed immediately, but the rest of the village must remain unaware. We can't cause a panic."
Jiraiya nodded, his mind already racing with strategies and potential countermeasures. "I'll gather intelligence from my sources. We need to know exactly what Orochimaru is planning. And I'll keep an eye on Naruto, too. If Orochimaru's involved, there's a chance the kid could be a target."
The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts turning to Naruto. "Yes, Naruto's safety is a priority. He's come a long way, but he's still young and vulnerable. Orochimaru might see him as a valuable asset... or a threat to eliminate."
Jiraiya's jaw tightened. "I won't let that happen, sensei. Naruto's been through enough already. I'll make sure he's prepared for whatever's coming."
The Third Hokage smiled faintly, though the worry in his eyes didn't fade. "I know you will, Jiraiya. But be careful. Orochimaru is more dangerous than ever, and we can't afford to underestimate him."
"I should let you know that some of my operatives in the sand village area have told me they found something and will get back to me in a bit. I will make you aware once I find out," he said.
With that, Jiraiya disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the Third Hokage alone in his office, deep in thought. The old Hokage gazed out the window at the village he had dedicated his life to protecting. The clouds above the village were darkening, a sign of the storm that was coming.
2 DAYS TILL THE CHUNIN EXAMS FINALS
"Water Style: Water Wall!" yelled Naruto as he jumped into the air blocking the fire jutsu from Jiraiya.
"You need to be faster Naruto," said Jiraiya as he was already past the water wall and punched Naruto only to see a puff of smoke.
Naruto landed lightly on his feet, a smirk playing on his lips as his clone dispersed behind Jiraiya. "You're getting predictable, Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya chuckled, turning to face Naruto. "Predictable, am I? Then let's see if you can predict this!" He swiftly formed hand signs, and in an instant, the ground beneath Naruto erupted with tendrils of earth. "Earth Style: Mud Wave!"
Naruto's eyes widened as the ground beneath him shifted. He leaped to avoid being caught by the incoming mud wave, twisting in the air. But as he descended, Jiraiya was already on him, his hand glowing with chakra.
"Too slow!" Jiraiya brought his palm down, aiming for Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto barely managed to twist out of the way, but the force of the attack sent him skidding across the training ground. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself up on shaky legs. His breath came in heavy pants, but the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed.
"Again!" Naruto demanded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm not done yet!"
Jiraiya's expression softened momentarily as he saw the determination in Naruto's eyes. The boy had been pushing himself harder than ever since the beginning of their training. This was their final spar before the exams. Anything was allowed and he was holding him off pretty well.
Jiraiya sighed, his serious demeanor returning. "Alright, Naruto. But this time, you better be ready. No holding back."
Jiraiya ran through hand seals, "Earth Style: Mud Dragon Bullet!" he said launching a dragon towards the blonde.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, summoning a dozen clones around him mid-air. They all moved in perfect unison, each one forming their hand seals. "Wind Style: Devastation!"
The clones released concentrated blasts of wind, countering Jiraiya's attack and creating a whirlwind of dust and chakra in the training ground. Jiraiya shielded his eyes from the storm, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Naruto was getting better—much better.
Through the haze of dust, Naruto and his clones charged forward, weaving through the debris with impressive agility. They reached Jiraiya in an instant, surrounding him from all sides.
"Nice try, Naruto, but you're still not fast enough!" Jiraiya declared, his voice cutting through the chaos. He quickly dispelled the clones with a powerful surge of chakra, his movements too swift for them to react. He wasn't there once more and Jiraiya was caught in the middle of it. He looked to see Naruto prepared to release his jutsu, "Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
A large stream of water was released from his mouth as Naruto launched his attack. He was then hit from behind as Jiraiya hit him to the ground holding a kunai to his neck. Naruto sighed as his sensei helped him up.
Jiraiya smacked him on the head. "What was that for? I didn't even call you Pervy Sage."
"It wasn't for that Naruto. You keep sighing. Naruto who were you just fighting?" he asked looking at him.
"You," he said crossing his arms. "Right, you were fighting me. A Sannin who can fight people on par with damn near Kage-level ninja. I am letting you know right now that you are very strong for a thirteen-year-old. Quit underestimating yourself. I will bet a million dollars that you can beat almost all the Mid to Lower level Chunin in the village," he said patting his head.
"Yeah, I know. It's just sometimes when I'm training, I think that I have to do everything all at once and become stronger quickly. Even if I am using Shadow Clones to speed everything up. It still is a process," he said walking back to the compound.
He placed a hand on his shoulder, "That is the whole point of life kid. It is a process that sometimes you can only learn from in the moment, but you have nothing to worry about. Because you are a piece of coal," he said making Naurto confused.
"Naruto a piece of coal when put under pressure will eventually turn into a diamond. However, most people don't want to wait that long to see coal turn into a diamond. They just want a diamond immediately. You get what I mean. Life is a process that is like turning a lump of coal into a diamond. It takes a while but when it is complete, it is something to behold," he said smiling at him. Naruto felt better at that and gained a big boost in confidence.
"Well brat, that is all the training I will be giving you until after the exams. You will have two days or about 36 hours until the start of the exams on Monday. How about you go see your friends in the hospital? That Lee kid and Sakura, I think she woke up a few days ago, maybe that Hyuga girl too. I think she is up," he said putting his trench coat over him.
"Sounds good Pervy Sage. Thank you for everything," he said smiling at him.
"No problem kid, and remember. Stop calling me that brat!" he said hitting his head.
"I'll do that when you stop being a pervert!" he yelled at him.
"Ha, never," he said running out the door.
HOSPITAL
Naruto walked down the hallway to see Hinata first. He knew she was awake but still in bed. He had visited her at least twice a week to see how she was doing and it wasn't until last week that she was up and about doing her rehab to help her walk again.
He got up to the door to see the Hyuga guards outside the door who nodded at him for her to come in. He walked in to see Hinata eating lunch.
Hinata looked up as she heard the door creak open. A soft blush colored her cheeks as she saw Naruto standing there. She quickly swallowed the bite of food she had been chewing and placed her chopsticks down.
"N-Naruto-kun," she stammered, her voice filled with warmth and a hint of nervousness. "You came to visit again."
"Of course, Hinata," Naruto said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He smiled a genuine, heartwarming smile that reached his eyes. "I couldn't just stay away, especially knowing you're getting better. I wanted to see for myself."
Hinata's blush deepened, and she looked down at her hands, fiddling with her chopsticks. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. It means a lot to me that you would visit so often."
"No, it is ok, I owe you big time, Hinata. You stood up for me, and you got hurt because of it," he said thinking of Neji.
Hinata shook her head vehemently, her eyes meeting his with a surprising intensity. "I-I don't regret it, Naruto-kun. I did it because I wanted to. You've always inspired me, and given me strength when I needed it the most. If I could do even a fraction of that for you, then… then it was worth it."
Naruto was momentarily taken aback by her conviction. There was something different about Hinata, something more confident and resolute. He could see it in her eyes, the way she held herself. She had changed, grown stronger in more ways than one.
"Another reason I am here is…for another thing. It has to deal with Neji," he said making her flinch. She looked at him wondering what he meant. "I was wondering. I understand that Neji is your family, but he hurt you. I was wondering how you would feel if I taught him a lesson but did not do anything drastic," he said leaning forward.
Hinata leaned back a little bit in her bed. She understood what he meant and she was grateful for what Naruto was doing, but still, she couldn't find it in her to do anything to Neji. He was misguided and he didn't deserve to be punished for it.
"Naruto-kun…Neji-kun is misguided. I understand that he hurt me and he needs to be taught a lesson. But please don't hurt him too badly," she said looking at him.
Naruto grabbed her hand making her blush a bright red, "Hinata. He hurt you. That is pretty obvious. I will teach him a lesson and you have my promise as Naruto Uzumaki that he would be hurt too bad," he said smiling.
"Thank…you, Naruto-kun," she said shyly.
"Hey Hinata-chan, how are you feeling," asked a small little girl. Naruto took a step back and looked at the girl. She had a yellow kimono on and started to chuckle.
"Who is the little girl?" he asked Hinata. "That is my sister, Hanabi-chan," she said giggling, looking at her sister who was getting mad.
"I am not little girl," she said puffing her cheeks out.
"How old are you?" he asked. "Eight," she said glaring at him.
"Point proven. Ok, see you later Hinata. Get better," he said jogging away.
"I am not little," she yelled sticking her head out the hallway. Hinata chuckled at how Hanabi was with Naruto.
Naruto exited Hinata's room, still chuckling at the encounter with Hanabi. The little Hyuga girl had a fiery spirit, much like her older sister in her way. As he walked down the hallway, his thoughts drifted to Neji. Hinata had always been kind-hearted, even to those who hurt her. It was one of the things he admired about her, but it also frustrated him. Neji's actions weren't something he could easily forgive, not when it involved someone he cared about.
He shook his head, deciding to focus on his next visit: Lee. The green-clad taijutsu specialist had been one of the few people Naruto truly admired. His unwavering determination and spirit, even when faced with impossible odds, resonated deeply with Naruto.
Naruto arrived at Lee's room and knocked lightly before entering. Inside, Lee was sitting up in bed, a cheerful smile on his face despite the heavy bandages wrapped around his limbs.
"Naruto-kun!" Lee exclaimed with his usual enthusiasm. "What a youthful surprise to see you here!"
"Lee! How are you holding up?" Naruto asked, walking over to sit by his bedside.
"I am recovering well, though it will take time before I can return to my full training regimen," Lee said, a note of sadness in his voice. "But I will not give up! I will become stronger, no matter how long it takes!"
Naruto nodded, feeling Lee's determination radiating from him. "I know you will, Lee. If there's anyone who can bounce back from this, it's you."
"Indeed. You did miss something a few days ago," Lee said. He talked about how Gaara came to visit him but nothing happened since Guy was there to stop it. "So, Gaara tried to threaten you and kill you?" he asked bluntly.
"Yes he did but there are Anbu in the room now so we are good Naruto-kun," he said giving a thumbs up. Naruto smiled at that, "That sounds good," he said. "I am going to go see Sakura, Lee. Get better," he said getting up from his chair.
"Thank you for the support Naruto-kun," he said happily.
SAKURA'S ROOM
When Naruto entered Sakura's room, he was greeted by her sitting up in bed, flipping through a medical textbook. She looked up as he walked in, and her face lit up with a smile.
"Naruto! I wasn't expecting you," she said, closing the book and setting it aside.
"Hey, Sakura," Naruto replied, his voice softer than usual. "I just wanted to see how you're doing."
"I'm getting better," Sakura said with a sigh. "But it'll be a while before I can get back out there," she said seeing him sit down. There was a long silence between them for a while when Sakura spoke first.
"Naruto I am sorry," she said looking at him.
"For what?"
"For not fighting the seal that was placed on me. That Danzo guy visited me about nine months ago and he had offered me to be with Sasuke-kun," she said with Naruto nodding.
"I had said no because I wanted him to notice me in his own way and not have it given to me. I still like him but what that seal did to me was become obsessive," she said looking away.
"Then I remember him being over my bed while I was held down by some guys with blank masks," she said not wanting to think about it.
Sakura's eyes filled with unshed tears as she continued, "I... I couldn't stop them, Naruto. I was too weak. They placed that seal on me, and it was like... like I wasn't in control of my own body anymore." Her voice wavered, and she turned her gaze away, unable to meet Naruto's eyes.
Naruto reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "Sakura, this isn't your fault," he said softly, his voice filled with determination. "Danzo is the one to blame. He took advantage of you when you were vulnerable. But I'm here now, and I'll make sure nothing like this ever happens to you again."
Sakura squeezed his hand, her grip tightening as she looked back at him with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. "Naruto, I should have been stronger... I should have fought harder."
"Well, you will be released the day of the Chunin Exams right?" he asked. Sakura nodded and he continued, "Then after the exams is all set and done. They you can start training. Start off small and then make your way up," he said smiling.
"But, I should be the one that says sorry to you. That day I flipped out you…it was wrong even if you had a seal on you."
"Naruto you don't need to apologize. When I was under the seal. I treated you like shit for lack of a better term. I am not asking for you to forgive me Naruto. I really am not, but as soon as I get out of here. I am going to start my training to be better so I don't hold anyone back anymore. I will earn your respect back. I would also like to start with this and start over," she said sticking her hand out.
"My name is Sakura Haruno." Naruto looked at her hand and took it. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki," he said shaking her hand.
2 DAYS LATER – THE CHŪNIN EXAM FINALS
The sun shone brightly over Konoha, casting long shadows across the arena where the Chūnin Exam finals were set to take place. The stadium was filled with eager spectators, all buzzing with excitement to see the young ninja showcase their skills. Among the crowd were the various dignitaries and shinobi from other villages, all eager to see which genin would rise above the rest.
Naruto stood in the waiting area, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had been preparing for this day, honing his skills and focusing on the battles ahead. But as he looked around at the other competitors, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. Everyone here was strong, and some were even stronger than he had initially thought.
"Naruto," a voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts.
He turned to see Shikamaru approaching, hands in his pockets, wearing his usual look of mild annoyance. "You look like you've got something on your mind," Shikamaru observed, his sharp eyes taking in Naruto's expression.
Naruto shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just thinking about the upcoming fights. We've all trained so hard for this."
Shikamaru nodded, his gaze shifting to the arena entrance where they would soon be called to fight. "Yeah, well, just remember, we're all in this together. Don't overthink it. Just do what you do best."
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the simplicity of Shikamaru's advice. "Thanks, Shikamaru. I'll try to keep that in mind."
As they continued to wait, Naruto's thoughts turned to the people he would be fighting against. There was Neji, whose fate-driven philosophy had always clashed with Naruto's own beliefs. Then there was Gaara, the jinchūriki of the One-Tail, whose bloodlust and unrelenting power had become well known during the earlier stages of the exams. Fu, the seven tails Jinchuriki. And, of course, there was Sasuke, the one Naruto had been thinking about the most. Then again it could go any way for anybody so he had the chance to fight anyone.
HOKAGE'S BOX
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood at the railing, surveying the arena with a mixture of pride and concern. The young shinobi below represented the future of the Hidden Leaf Village, and the weight of that responsibility was not lost on him. Beside him, the Kazekage, clad in his signature robes and veiled hat, was a stark contrast in demeanor, his eyes cold and calculating.
"Pleasure to see you again, Lord Kazekage," Hiruzen said, offering a respectful bow as he greeted his counterpart.
"You as well, Lord Hokage," the Kazekage replied with a nod, his voice low and even. He then turned his attention to a younger man standing nearby, who extended his hand in greeting.
"And who might you be, young man?" the Kazekage asked as he accepted the handshake.
"My name is Shibuki, the leader of the Waterfall Village, Lord Kazekage," Shibuki said with a polite smile.
"Well, pleasure to meet you," the Kazekage replied, releasing his hand and moving to take his seat at the far end of the balcony. Hiruzen returned to his place in the center, while Shibuki took the seat to his left.
"We have quite the competition on our hands this year," Hiruzen remarked, his gaze drifting back to the arena floor where the competitors were assembling.
"Indeed," the Kazekage agreed, though his tone was unreadable. "It will be interesting to see how these young shinobi perform under pressure. The Chunin Exams are not merely a test of skill, but of character."
Hiruzen nodded. "True. It is in these moments that we see their true potential—and their resolve."
Shibuki, who had been quietly observing the conversation, leaned forward slightly. "I must admit, this is my first time attending the Chunin Exams in the Hidden Leaf. I've heard much about them, but seeing it in person is... quite different."
Hiruzen smiled kindly. "It's always a pleasure to welcome new allies to our village. The Chunin Exams are an opportunity not just for our shinobi, but for all villages to come together and learn from one another. We are honored to have you here, Shibuki."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Shibuki replied, his voice sincere. "I look forward to seeing the results of this competition. The future of our world rests in the hands of these young shinobi."
The three leaders fell into a contemplative silence as the proctor stepped forward to address the crowd. His voice boomed across the arena, commanding the attention of everyone present.
"Welcome, one and all, to the final round of the Chunin Exams!" he announced, his voice carrying with it the weight of tradition and authority. "Today, we will witness the strength, skill, and determination of our finest young shinobi as they compete for the rank of Chunin. Each match will be a test of their abilities, and each victory will bring them one step closer to their goal. To all of the final participants, this is just a reminding that you can win all the matches and not be promoted to Chunin but you can still lose and be promoted."
The crowd erupted into cheers, the excitement palpable as they awaited the start of the first match. The competitors stood in a line on the arena floor, their faces a mix of determination and nerves. Naruto felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he glanced at the others. This was it—the moment they had all been waiting for.
"Without further ado," the proctor continued, "let us begin the first match of the finals! Will the selected competitors please step forward?"
"First match: Neji Hyuga versus Naruto Uzumaki!"
With his hands in his pockets Neji smirked confidently, "You know something that will always come true is fate," said Neji.
Naruto's eyes narrowed at Neji's words, his fists clenching slightly at his sides. "Fate, huh?" Naruto muttered, more to himself than to Neji. He'd heard this speech before, the idea that one's destiny was set in stone from the moment they were born. It was the kind of thinking that had always rubbed him the wrong way, especially after everything he had been through.
Neji, seeing Naruto's reaction, continued with a confident smirk. "Yes, fate. You were born a failure, and no matter how hard you try, that will never change. It's the fate of those like you to remain beneath those who are destined for greatness."
Naruto stared at Neji, his calm expression unchanging. "You're wrong, Neji," he said, his voice steady. "Know I do agree with you on a couple of things," he said both of them walking in circles around each other. "Everyone is fated to be born and fated to die at some point in their life. But, those are the only things that are guaranteed. Everything else is determined by the actions that get us here, to this point."
Naruto stopped walking as did Neji. "You know I was reading some psychologically the other day and it said in there that people who tell themselves something over and over again
Neji's smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "We'll see about that, Naruto. Let's see if your 'belief' can stand up to the power of the Hyūga."
Genma, standing between the two fighters, raised his hand to signal the start of the match. The crowd hushed in anticipation, their eyes glued to the arena as they waited for the first move. "Begin!" Genma declared, his hand slicing through the air.
*Crunch*
Everyone looked at Naruto who was eating an apple much to the amusement of everyone in the audience.
Neji grew a tick mark as he saw this, "Are you…eating…during our match," he said growing angrier.
"I mean, breakfast is the most important meal of the day," he said taking another bite.
WITH THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS
"That troublesome idiot," said Shikamaru while laughing.
"He isn't an idiot," said Shino as he pointed to the angry Hyuga. "You'll see what I mean in a moment," he said.
Temari chuckled. "This has to be the first time someone is eating in the middle of a match. To my knowledge anyway."
WITH THE OTHERS IN THE CROWD
"Oh good lord Naruto," said Asuma.
"No, it is smart my youthful friend," said Guy.
"He is trying to make him mad so he becomes impulsive," he said back to him.
"Precisely," he said giving him a thumbs up.
"Well at least he isn't late like Kakashi," said Kurenai. Kakashi sighed as he heard this. Hinata who was silent was giggling slightly at his antics. "You can do this, Naruto-kun," she said.
The Hokage just chuckled to himself at Naruto who was bringing some comedic relief to the super serious part of the exams.
IN THE ARENA
"YOU WILL SHOW ME SOME RESPECT!" yelled Neji as he had about enough of this. Naruto smirked as he watched Neji bolt it at him. "Got him," he said as he threw the apple up in the air. Naruto entered the Hawk Talon Fist as Neji threw blows at him.
As Neji lunged at Naruto with his Byakugan activated, his strikes were precise and calculated, aiming for Naruto's chakra points. Each jab of Neji's fingers was intended to shut down Naruto's chakra network, an essential technique of the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist. However, Naruto, having anticipated this, moved with a fluidity that surprised everyone watching.
Naruto sidestepped Neji's attack, his movements smooth and controlled, almost as if he was predicting Neji's every move. The apple he'd thrown into the air moments before now fell back down, and Naruto caught it effortlessly in his left hand while using his right to parry Neji's strikes.
"What's wrong, Neji?" Naruto taunted, a grin playing on his lips as he took another bite of the apple. "You said fate would decide this match, but it looks like you're struggling to keep up."
Neji's eyes narrowed, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. He increased the speed of his attacks, each strike becoming more aggressive, but Naruto continued to dodge and block with infuriating ease.
In the stands, the spectators were on the edge of their seats. This was not the Naruto they were used to seeing—this was a Naruto who was composed, calculating, and utterly in control.
Naruto decided to mix things up and jumped back from Neji. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the looks of the crowd. Most people thought it stupid to fight a Hyuga in close quarters but Naruto was holding off pretty well. He formed the handsign for the shadow clone Jutsu and there were now 6 Naruto's around Neji.
Naruto smirked, tossing the apple core over his shoulder, and getting into a battle stance. "You talk a big game, Neji, but let's see how well your 'fate' holds up against me now."
Neji's Byakugan flared as he assessed the clones, searching for any weakness or telltale sign that would reveal the real Naruto. The Hyūga prodigy was aware that the Shadow Clone Jutsu was more than just a distraction—it was a technique that divided Naruto's chakra evenly among the clones, making each one a real threat. Neji knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down for even a second.
One of the Naruto clones rushed forward, and Neji swiftly countered with a strike aimed at the clone's chest, intending to dispel it with a single blow. However, the clone parried Neji's strike with a speed that caught him off guard. Another clone followed up with a spinning kick, forcing Neji to leap back to avoid it.
"You're going to have to do better than that!" Naruto called out, the real one blending seamlessly with the clones as they coordinated their attacks.
Neji gritted his teeth, frustrated that he was being pushed onto the defensive. With a surge of determination, he activated his Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation, spinning rapidly to deflect the oncoming attacks. The powerful rotation created a barrier of chakra around him, sending the clones flying back as they tried to break through.
This surprised even Hiashi as that was a main branch technique. Naruto straightens slightly catching the apple once more. "You know what is funny," he said to Neji who was panting slightly.
"I studied at least a week about my opponents and all possible combinations that I could've faced off in the finals but what takes the cake is the Hyuga clan. They are actually the strongest clan in the Leaf Village right now and what you did was a main branch technique," he said making Neji go wide-eyed.
"You know of the side and main branch?" he asked surprised. Naruto nodded. "I also did extensive research on what made you turn out his way and I must say I am sorry for the loss of your father," he said solemnly. Neji and Hiashi both were wide-eyed now as Naruto knew of what happened. Neji looked at Naruto with understanding but changed to anger.
"You know nothing. You knowing this doesn't change anything," he said untieing his headband showing the Caged Bird Seal to Naruto.
"I know more than you think, Neji," Naruto said quietly, his tone devoid of its usual teasing edge. "I know that seal represents control, oppression, and a future you didn't choose. But here's the thing—fate isn't some unchangeable force. It's something you can challenge, something you can overcome. That's what being a ninja is all about."
Neji's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of doubt. "You talk about defying fate like it's something easy, but you've never experienced what I have. You don't know what it's like to have your life decided for you the moment you're born."
(Insert the backstory of Neji and Hizashi. We know what happens here)
Naruto gritted his teeth slightly after hearing him. "If what you say is true then this makes you look even more dumb. Hinata was what? Like 3 years old when all of that went down with the kidnapping. Why the heck would you blame everything that happened on a girl that wasn't even four years old? Not to mention your father is a hero. Did you ever stop to think that he did this for the betterment of the clan? What if he did it himself on his own will so he could protect your Uncle," he getting angrier at him.
Neji snarled uncharacteristically at him, "Shut up you damn failure. You are within my range!" he yelled rushing at him. "8 Trigrams: 64 Palms!".
"2 palms!"
As Neji's palms struck out, the air around him seemed to pulse with an almost tangible intensity.
"4 Palms!" Neji continued, his movements precise and deadly. Naruto could feel the force of each blow, the chakra disruption beginning to take its toll. His own chakra flow started to falter, his vision blurring slightly as Neji's relentless attack pushed him back.
"8 Palms! 16 Palms!" Neji's voice grew more frenzied with each strike, his frustration growing. Each hit seemed to echo his inner turmoil, the years of resentment and bitterness boiling to the surface.
Naruto staggered slightly, but he continued to dodge the blows only allowing a few to hit. But even as the blows landed, his resolve only hardened.
"32 Palms! 64 Palms!"
The final strike sent Naruto skidding back slightly on the ground. "Something else I learned over my trip is this," he said showing him where Neji blocked the charka points. Neji looked and saw that chakra was still flowing through his body. "How…how are you doing that?" he asked hotly.
"When you have as much chakra as me, I can force the chakra points to open when you close them. It doesn't work well when you have too little chakra though," he said as the red dots disappeared.
"Alright, I am getting bored. Time to teach you a lesson," he said disappearing and reappearing behind him.
Neji didn't have time to react as Naruto hit him with a bunch of punches and kicks. He hit kicked him in the ribs sending him flying to the side.
Neji struggled to regain his balance as he skidded across the ground, the pain in his ribs a stark reminder of Naruto's unexpected power. This wasn't the same Naruto he had looked down on, the so-called dead-last of their class. This was someone entirely different, someone who had grown far beyond the boy he once knew.
"You think you can just overpower me?" Neji spat, struggling to his feet. His Byakugan flared, veins bulging around his eyes as he prepared to strike again. "I'll show you the true power of the Hyuga!"
But Naruto didn't flinch. He merely stood there, a calm expression on his face, almost as if he was waiting for something.
Neji charged forward, his hands glowing with chakra, aiming to strike Naruto again. But this time, Naruto was ready. As Neji's hands moved in for the attack, Naruto moved faster, slipping past his defenses like water flowing around a stone. He grabbed Neji's wrist, twisting it just enough to throw him off balance, before delivering a powerful palm strike to his chest.
Neji gasped as the air was forced from his lungs, his body jerking back from the impact. He stumbled, but before he could recover, Naruto was on him again. A flurry of blows rained down on him, each strike precise and devastating. Neji tried to block, to counter, but it was like trying to stop a tidal wave with his bare hands.
"Why… why are you so strong?" Neji gasped between blows, his voice tinged with desperation. "You're supposed to be the failure… the outcast…!"
Naruto paused for a moment, his hand inches from delivering another blow. His expression softened, and he took a step back, giving Neji space to breathe.
"I was the outcast," Naruto said quietly, his voice calm but firm. "I was the one everyone looked down on, the one nobody believed in. But that's the thing, Neji. I never gave up. I never stopped fighting, even when everyone else did."
Naruto body flickered to him again grabbing his shirt and throwing him in the air. Naruto was above Neji and he started to channel chakra into his hand and arm.
"This is jutsu I have been working on for a while now," he said chuckling. Neji had only so much time to react. He started to spin in hopes that this would protect him. "Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation," he said spinning rapidly.
The chakra around Naruto's fist was complete now. Everyone in the crowd watched in awe as the two were about to clash. Naruto uttered the words of his new Jutsu: "Wind Style: Drilling Air Fist," he said slamming the jutsu into Neji's. There wasn't much of a clash as Neji was launched to the ground. A huge cloud of dust erupted from the impact.
HOKAGE'S BOX
"That was an amazing jutsu," said Shibuki as he looked at the dust cloud.
"Indeed, what an impressive Genin," said the Kazekage.
Hiruzen was silent as he smiled at the blonde boy in the arena
Naruto landed with grace as he looked at Neji who was twitching from the hit. "You…can't be…this…powerful," he said looking at Naruto.
"And yet I am. I put it bluntly for you. I trained my ass off to get this far. I fought against fate. What is funny Neji is you are a branch member of the using main branch techniques. You are one of the strongest up-and-coming Hyuga's in the Hyuga clan. I say it is funny because you were trying to defy fate too. By showing your true strength from training," he said getting on one knee next to him. Neji was shocked, to say the least. He had never thought of it like that before.
"You are strong Neji. I am a firm believer in that. But you would be stronger if you stopped telling yourself that fate is the only course of action in the world because I would've said the same thing as you when I was younger. Then I would have still been living on the streets and not having a dream to become the Hokage," he said getting up and looking at Genma.
"The winner of the first match is Naruto Uzumaki," he said. There was silence at first but then there were some applause and then cheers. Naruto looked on as he was cheered on for the first time in his life in front of a big crowd like this.
"Neji," he said getting a look from him. "You said you don't know what it is like to have a seal on you," he said whispering in his ear.
"I know what it is like to have a seal without having the choice to say yes or no," he said getting up and walking off. He walked to the waiting area smiled at the crowd who was cheering him on and threw the eaten apple to the side of the arena. Neji was left to his thoughts as the medic ninjas helped him off the field.
"What a strange person he is," said Neji as he was hoisted off the field.
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