A/N: Now onto the next chapter and we will be having the fated match between Naruto and Neji. Thanks for being with me and bearing the irregular updates. Anyways this might be the only update I will give in this month since I have some exams in the coming days so I apologize in advance. Also special thanks to GBAboy313 for beta-editing this chapter. Talking about GBA, he is a really nice guy and our views resonate quite a lot, especially on the topic of Naruto and My Hero Academia. He is currently writing two wonderful Naruto stories, "Seals of Fate" and "A Simple Glance". To those who haven't read the fics mentioned, I would like to recommend you to give them a read, they are really interesting. (They can be found among my followed/favorite stories) Also my special thanks to Naruto30, one of the best original jutsu creators here in fanfiction, who has helped me out a lot in writing the fight scenes in this story. And lastly, thank you all for your love and support and happy reading. :)

CHAPTER 12: DESTINY CAN BE ALTERED!

As Naruto and Hinata were having breakfast in training ground 7, in the Konoha stadium, the finals were starting up. Shino and Konkuro's fight had been announced. As Kankuro made his way into the arena, Temari looked around with a bit of nervousness in her mind. Due to the absence of Baki, in the arena she was now effectively in command until senior shinobi from Suna arrived in the stadium. Until then she had to ensure that everything went according to the plan. She gulped.

*In the arena with Shino and Kankuro*

Genma eyed both the contestants carefully as the boys kept looking at each other with serious expressions on their faces.

"Are both contestants ready?" Genma asked.

Shino simply replied with a nod.

"I am ready as well." Kankuro replied.

"All right then, Hajime!" Genma said and jumped back to give the genin space for their fight.

Shino knew that the Kankuro before him was most likely a puppet. But before he could raise his arms to release his insects, Kankuro closed the distance between them swiftly and Shino was forced to dodge his strikes.

Taijutsu was not the forte of either of the genin fighting and since both of them were equally lacking in taijutsu, none of them got an upper hand until the next ten minutes. Both mentally thanked Kami for pairing them up against an equally inexperienced taijutsu user since otherwise they would have been knocked out as soon as the taijutsu bout began.

Finally Shino managed to land a kick on his opponent's chest. His kick lacked the power to throw the puppet user back but Shino used the kick to throw himself back a few feet and before he even landed he released his swarm of insects from under the sleeves of his coat. As the swarm made its way towards Kankuro, the puppet user knew that he had to get the Aburame before the insects could drain his chakra. Immediately the real Kankuro separated himself from his puppet.

The puppet crow was immediately disassembled into various parts and Kankuro directed the parts towards Shino while running away from the approaching swarm of insects.

Shino knew he had to dodge the puppet's attacks until his insects devoured the puppet user's chakra which was a matter of a minute or two. However within that minute, parts of crow got to Shino and assembled back into the puppet, as the bug user was not fast enough to gain a safe distance between himself and the puppet. At that time, some of the bugs had already got to Kankuro and were in the process of devouring his chakra. The puppet user used the last bit of his rapidly fading strength and a hidden blade from crow landed a scratch on Shino's face, right beneath his sunglasses. Then Kankuro got completely surrounded by insects. Some insects also landed on the chakra strings that were controlling crow and devoured the chakra from it. Soon the puppet fell on the ground. But at the same time Shino began feeling dizzy and the world around him started spinning. Just as the bugs left an unconscious Kankuro on the ground, Shino also collapsed.

'Looks like the single scratch from the puppet rendered the Aburame boy unconscious, it can't be helped, Suna's puppet users always have the blades of their puppets coated with various kinds of poisons and paralyzing drugs. I hope there was no lethal poison in the blades of that puppet.' Genma thought as he checked on Shino and Kankuro.

"Both Shino Aburame and Kankuro are unable to continue. This match is a draw." Genma announced and medic nin carried away both Shino and Kankuro. Just as Genma had hoped, Kankuro hadn't used any lethal poison on Shino, just a drug that would knock him unconscious for a day. For all their cockiness and arrogance, Temari and Kankuro were not merciless killers. They were even opposed to the invasion and even during the fights both of them wanted to avoid killing as much as possible. Being a tactically talented person, Temari at some corner of her mind even thought that this invasion plan would end in a failure but she was not in a position to influence the decision making of the village.

Right now she could only hope that Kankuro would be back with her by the time the signal for the invasion would be given.

Genma took to the arena again and on the huge display screen again two names were displayed.

"Shikamaru Nara of Konohagakure and Temari of Sunagakure come forward."

'These Suna shinobi are definitely up to something and whatever that is, I don't get a good feeling about it. It may be troublesome but I need to find out what this troublesome blonde girl is capable of.'

Shikamaru let out a yawn and started making his way towards the arena when he saw Temari gliding down on her fan. Some people clapped at the stylish entrance.

'Troublesome woman'

(The fight happened just like canon so I won't delve into details)

"What were you thinking Shikamaru forfeiting like that!" Ino shouted at his teammate while Choji was busy eating his chips. He then offered one to his best friend who took it.

"Don't be too troublesome Ino, as I said I was almost out of chakra and was tired." Shikamaru said lazily and leaned onto the railings.

"That was an interesting fight. Well…onto the next one." Genma said.

Then again two names were flashed on the display.

"Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuuga of Konohagakure, please step into the arena." Genma announced.

*Back at the near the gates of the arena, a couple of minutes ago*

"Gomen, I distracted you a bit by telling about my clan Naruto-kun. Just remember that I will always believe in you no matter what. I will cheer for you. Do your best, ok?" Hinata said as she cupped his cheeks and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips.

Naruto pressed his forehead against her as he held her cheeks.

"My Hime, I promise I will show Neji that he is not the only one who suffers or who is special. I also promise you that I will change the way of the Hyuuga, no matter what. I swear that on my…no…on our nindo, our ninja way. Just watch me Hime."

This declaration brought tears into Hinata's eyes. She knew if Naruto promised something he will do it and she trusted him absolutely.

The lovers parted.

"All the best Naruto-kun."

"Thanks Hime." Said Naruto as he began walking into the light, into the arena. Hinata watched for some seconds and then turned towards the viewers' gallery to find herself a good seat and watch her boyfriend fight.

*With Hinata*

Hinata headed to the viewers' gallery and quickly identified her sensei and teammate. Kiba waved at her.

"Yo Hinata, where have you been?"

"T-There was some delay in discharging me from the hospital, Kiba-kun."

"Nice to see you Hinata, how are you feeling?" Kurenai asked.

"Good morning sensei, I am fine."

'She came here totally unprepared for a fight. (A/N: Hinata is wearing the same outfit she was wearing when she gave Naruto the 'Proud failure speech' in canon) Not to mention she's just discharged from the hospital (Kurenai didn't know about Hinata's involvement in Naruto's fight with Baki and Kabuto either) I have to keep an eye out for her when things start to go wrong.' Kurenai thought.

*With Naruto*

Naruto walked into the arena calmly with a determined look. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, suddenly he found himself in the mindscape.

"Naruto, I know you will win this fight but there's a catch, me and your mom won't give you any hints here since this is an exam." Minato said and his son nodded.

"However you can ask Kurama and take suggestions from him okay?"

"Got it Dad."

"Do your best my boy." Minato said as he ruffled his son's hair.

"Naru-chan, I know I don't have to say this but give that idiot boy a good beating for hurting Hinata-chan. No one messes with our family Dattebane! And I know you can do this." Said Kushina. Minato remembered how Kushina used to beat up all those who tried to bully her and later how she lashed out at his fangirls after they became a couple.

"You got it Mom."

"All the best Son." Both his parents said at the same time.

"Thank you Mom and Dad, just watch me."

*Back in the real world*

Before Naruto could step forward suddenly Kakashi appeared at his side via a body flicker and put his hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

"I think I should apologize to you Naruto for leaving you like that but I hope you understand my reasons?" The copy ninja asked.

Naruto nodded.

"Sensei, I won't lie to you, I was mad at you for leaving me at first but I can understand that Gaara is a far more dangerous opponent. His cold and emotionless style of fighting and lack of hesitation in going for the kill is really dangerous." Naruto said and his sensei nodded. (Earlier Minato had explained Kakashi's reasons for wishing to train Sasuke alone and Naruto understood the genuineness of it. He was no longer mad at his teacher for that. However never telling him about his parents was another matter. Although Minato and Kushina have explained the possible reason for him not being told about his parentage, he was determined to give Kakashi, Ero-Sennin and Jiji a piece of his mind someday but that could wait. At least he knew that they cared for him.)

"But I am glad that Jiraiya-sama took care of you during this month so I have no doubt that you'll do great today. All the best!" Kakashi said with an eye-smile.

'Sensei really cares for me after all.' Naruto thought happily.

"Thanks sensei." The blond genin replied and Kakashi gave him another eye-smile before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. Naruto then took a glance towards the gallery and caught Hinata looking at him with a smile and he smiled back. (Yup, even at a distance they can understand each other's expressions.) Then he looked forward and saw Neji who was looking at him with a smirk.

'Today's the last day you get to smirk like that asshole. Just because you were branded by the caged bird seal and bullied by the main branch doesn't mean you get to bully my Hinata-chan!'

Naruto stepped forward and looked at Neji with a calm but determined look.

"Looks like somebody is very eager to lose. I think my worthless cousin and you would really make a nice couple as you both are equally worthless." Neji said with an arrogant smirk.

"After I am done with you today, either that stick stuck up in your ass will be gone for good or it will be shoved up further enough to stick out of your mouth and keep you from talking." Naruto said with a calm voice. "As for your clan of pricks, I swear I will change the way of the Hyuuga." Naruto declared aloud. His calm and confident declaration actually affected the Hyuuga elders and Hiashi present in the gallery but they didn't show any expression.

"Are both contestants ready?" Genma asked.

Naruto nodded and looked at Neji.

Neji also nodded and glared at Naruto. Noticing his glare, Naruto flared a bit of his killing intent, which he was able to flare now thanks to training from Kurama.

Neji felt the pressure but to his credit, he didn't flinch. Genma eyed the two Genin carefully and yelled "Hajime!" before jumping back.

For the next couple of seconds neither genin moved, each waiting for the other to make a move. Then all of a sudden they rushed at each other at a high speed. Neji hadn't even bothered to activate his Byakugan yet, thinking he could hit the irritating blond without the dojutsu. He was surprised when he saw Naruto effortlessly dodging his strikes. In the stands, Gai smirked.

The two genin then jumped back.

"It seems you are not a total failure." Neji said as he made the required hand seal for his bloodline limit to activate.

"Byakugan!" The veins around Neji's eyes bulged.

"Multi-shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto yelled making the cross hand-sign and more than sixty copies of him came into existence.

"Charge!" Naruto yelled and all the clones with kunai in their hands rushed towards Neji. The Hyuuga with a little effort dodged the attacks of the clones and with precise, chakra enhanced jyuuken strikes dispelled one clone after another.

'I can't identify the original, all of them have similar chakra networks. May be one of those three standing back is the original but I have to get rid of this horde first to get to them.' Neji thought while continued dispelling the clones. They had surrounded him but hadn't charged at him all at once, that could have been countered with 'Kaiten'. Neji was on the defensive, he didn't want to waste chakra on the kaiten when three or four clones attacked him together. He just continued being on the defensive and dispelling clones.

Suddenly

"Wind style: Great Breakthrough!" The three Narutos standing back from the attacking horde shouted and at the same time all the remaining shadow clones dispelled in puffs of smoke. The blast of wind hit Neji with full force. The Hyuuga was thrown in the air but the fight was far from over.

"Kaiten!" Neji yelled as began spinning, mid-air while a dome of chakra engulfed him. The wind attack was nullified and the Hyuuga landed on the ground gracefully.

'So that's the dreaded rotation technique Dad told about. It does pack a punch. But I wonder how many times he can pull it off in a row.'

In the meantime, the Hyuuga elders and Hiashi were surprised. The branch family was not supposed to know about the rotation. Neji knowing it only spoke volumes about his talent and potential.

'To think that Hizashi's son was such a genius that he reverse engineered a main house technique, amazing.' Hiashi thought.

"Daughter observe this fight carefully. Even if he is from the side branch, Neji has perhaps inherited the Byakugan more strongly than any other Hyuuga." He said to his second daughter Hanabi who was sitting by his side and the girl nodded. The father and daughter had no doubt that Hinata would never hold a candle to Neji. Unfortunately they were totally unware that Hinata had the strongest Byakugan ever. Her potential far surpassed that of Neji's or any other Hyuuga's. That fact would be known soon, a certain blond, his parents and a certain nine-tailed fox would make sure of it.

*Meanwhile*

One of the two shadow clones with Naruto didn't waste any time in throwing shuriken at Neji and went through a set of hand-seals. Hiruzen recognized it and smiled.

"Shuriken shadow clone jutsu!" The clone yelled and the single shuriken immediately became hundred. In the stands, Kakashi raised an eye brow in amusement. In the meantime the original Naruto and his other clone had gone through their own set of hand-seals and yelled,

"Wind-style: Great Breakthrough!"

With a large gust of wind the hundred shuriken moved at binding speeds towards Neji. The Hyuuga hadn't fully recovered from using the Kaiten once but he used it again.

"Kaiten!" Neji yelled as he spun with a high speed.

All the shuriken were deflected but Naruto never intended them to hit his opponent in the first place. By the time Neji stopped spinning he saw a fist right in front of him which hit him square in the face and pushed him two feet back.

Naruto had actually managed to deliver the first hit. Except for Hinata and Gai, all of the shinobi were surprised. Hinata was just looking at her boyfriend with pride.

'That's the most unpredictable knucklehead ninja for you' Kakashi thought with an eye-smile.

Neji was irritated, this clanless orphan had managed catch him off-guard and hit him. How dare him!

"You are within my range of divination" Neji said with a smirk.

"Gentle fist: Eight trigrams Sixty-four palms!"

'Oh No! This is bad, even for Naruto-kun!' Hinata thought. Her Byakugan activated instinctively. (If any other Hyuuga had seen that this so-called failure of a Hyuuga activate her dojutsu without hand-signs, they would have had a heart attack.)

"Two palms!"

"Four palms"

"Eight palms"

"Sixteen palms!"

"Thirty two palms!"

"Sixty four palms!"

When Neji was finished with his attacks, Naruto was thrown back. To his credit, the blond landed on his feet, panting and looking down.

*In the Gallery*

'That's the end of it.' Thought Hiashi, Hanabi, all the Hyuuga elders, Tenten and most of the other shinobi present there. After all, that (in)famous move of the Hyuuga was known internationally and those at the receiving end of it would always be out of the fight for quite some time.

"You should give up now loser, you should have known that fate had decided for you to lose as soon as you were paired up against me." Neji said with a smirk.

Tears flowed down from Hinata's eyes as she saw Naruto's closed chakra points (tenketsu). Her Naruto was stronger than this. Her Naruto won't go down like this. Then with her Byakugan, she saw 'it' and smirked. Hinata saw red chakra rushing through Naruto's chakra network and within a fraction of a second all the closed tenketsu were opened.

"Go Naruto-kun!" She cheered…well as loud as she can. Only a few people around her heard her and looked at her with a surprised expression. Naruto actually looked back at her and gave a smile, which made her blush.

Neji had already deactivated his Byakugan but then he saw it as well. Powerful red chakra swirling around his body, visible to the naked eye. The ground below his feet started to vibrate and crack. Neji felt afraid of the blond for the first time since the beginning of the fight. He activated his Byakugan again and was totally surprised to see all his tenketsu open.

'How did he open those tenketsu so soon as if it was nothing?' The Hyuuga prodigy thought to himself.

"Do you think that you are the only one who has suffered? The only one who is special? Hinata-chan has been suffering all this time too. Her own family abhors her. Her cousin who is supposed to protect her tried to kill her! Her father and sister behave like she doesn't exist! What happened with you is wrong but that gives you no right to hurt Hinata-chan! For that you'll pay today." Naruto said calm, yet loud for everyone to hear. Hinata had tears of happiness flowing down her cheeks by now.

Neji was pissed. This clanless orphan was taunting him, challenging his beliefs as if he knew about the suffering he had to go through.

Gai was already pleased with Naruto's youthful display. Even if the blond was fighting his own student, Gai was actually rooting for Naruto since the beginning.

"NARUTO TAKE THEM OFF!" The Taijutsu master yelled. Kakashi looked at his rival with his visible eye widened, if he hadn't been wearing his mask, his jaw would have dropped. The other jonin also looked at Gai with wide eyes and gasped.

"Time for the flames of youth to burn brighter than ever!" Naruto said with a smirk as he back flipped and while inverted, spun in the air and undid the weights on his legs. The weights flew towards Neji who dodged them but looked at the blond wide-eyed, totally shocked that his own sensei had been training Naruto all this time. By the time Naruto landed his hands were in an X formation.

"Eight Inner gates formation! Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life Open!" Naruto yelled as his skin turned a bit red. He could have gone for Kurama's chakra just like his fight with Baki but refrained as per Minato's advice. For his own security though, Kurama subtly covered Naruto with a chakra cloak without any tail, it would help the blond in being faster than the normal speed of the third gate. Gai was grinning at this point while the other jonin were looking at him with wide eyes and jaws hanging open.

Neji gritted his teeth. This blond was proving to be the most difficult opponent he had ever faced and throughout the fight he had been holding back! He was fighting with weights! The Hyuuga for the first time understood that he might be outmatched here and that he could lose. He was running out of options, he had to go for a finishing move as soon as possible.

"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams, Sixty Four Palms!" Neji yelled as he moved to deliver the strikes but he met…..nothing. He stopped his attack to see the blond Uzumaki standing five feet to the right.

'He's actually somehow faster than Lee in the third gate! How is that possible? And what the hell is this red chakra?'

Naruto looked at Neji and let out a devilish smirk as he held out his hand.

"Defend yourself from this Mr. Fate-is-Everything!"

In seconds a blue spiraling sphere of chakra was formed in the grasp of Naruto's palm.

"WHAAT!" yelled Kakashi and Hiruzen. Jiraiya would have done the same had he been there in the stadium and seen it. The other jonin were also totally shocked when they saw that jutsu.

Neji knew the incoming attack was going to be deadly. He started spinning.

"Kaiten!"

At the same time Naruto leapt at his opponent at full speed, enhanced by the three inner gates and Kurama's chakra.

"For Hinata, Rasengan!"

The two jutsu collided and fought for dominance. The Hyuuga were watching this with their fists clenched and then, the fate they had proclaimed themselves able to read with their all seeing eyes showed how fickle she was a dealt a blow decimating their mountain-sized egos, the 'Rasengan' won. With an explosion a figure flew straight into the wall, crashed into it with a loud "CRACK!"

The dust cleared and everyone saw Naruto standing there, panting but almost totally unharmed while Neji had been knocked out after crashing into the wall.

Genma came and quickly checked Neji.

"Neji Hyuuga is unable to continue. Winner by knockout, Naruto Uzumaki" Genma declared. The declaration was met with silence.

"That was a really amazing performance kid." Genma whispered to the blond genin.

"Thank you, proctor-san." Naruto whispered back.

The shinobi and civilian all gradually came to terms with what they just saw. The prodigy of the most prestigious and powerful clan of Konoha was decisively defeated by the failure, the demon brat, the idiot. Not only that, the so-called failure had totally dominated the fight. He had let Neji attack him and perfectly countered the latter's every move. He effectively toyed with him, holding back most of the time and after proving that the Hyuuga's most powerful attack was useless against him, Naruto had then upped the ante and went in for the finish, delivering the final blow with the Yondaime Hokage's prized jutsu, all the while proving that the impenetrable defense of the Hyuuga was not so impenetrable after all. In essence, Naruto had owned the fight, from the beginning till the end.

Once the shock of the upset died down, Naruto heard something he hadn't expected to hear at all. Claps, applause. Mostly from the shinobi side but from some civilians as well. Had it been the original timeline, or even one month before in this current one, Naruto would have jumped in joy, all over the arena. But these last few days have made him understand something. He knew whose applause for him actually mattered. Mainly of three people, two inside his head and one in the stands, one big nine-tailed fox and perhaps a few others. Naruto simply raised his fist in the air, acknowledging the applause and walked back into the contestants' box.

At the stands where several members of the Hyuuga clan, along with Hiashi and Hanabi were seated, complete silence, enough to make a pin-drop as noticeable as an explosive tag going off reigned.

Hiashi was stiffened, at first, he was taken aback by the fact, his nephew had learnt jyuuken tricks that he never was taught about, most likely it was from observation only. It would have been an understatement to say that he was impressed. It was only natural that after that he would expect his nephew to win. But to see him played around and defeated by the whiskered prank loving blonde was much more than surprising. 'That boy, he is really something. I have heard that he and Hinata have become quite close these days, perhaps I will need to have a talk with him. Also, he countered all the best moves our clan and the jyuuken has to offer, he survived our best offence and penetrated our best defence. We will have a lot to work on now, I wonder how the elders are taking this'. Thinking this, the Hyuuga clan head glanced back, the reactions he saw from the elders satisfied him.

'While it is unfortunate that one of our best has lost, that kid more than earned his victory and also gave me the chance to enjoy the reactions of the old fools of our clan, I will have to thank him later for slapping their egos like that.' Hiashi thought trying hard to suppress a chuckle, after all it would be totally unbecoming of the clan head to laugh at a moment when one his own clan members had lost a fight.

As for the elders of the clan, their thoughts went from shock to horror to disgust and finally to rage, in a matter of seconds. The arrogant old men and women glared at Naruto who was now walking back towards the arena with his fist raised in the air. This kid had penetrated their absolute defence and survived their powerful attack like it was nothing. Some of them were contemplating ways to have the blonde assassinated since someone with the potential to overturn both their defence and offence can't be allowed to live on. Some others who had heard the whispers of the blonde kid and the former heiress were absolutely disgusted. It was already disgusting enough that one of the main branch, the clan head's daughter no less, was seeing the demon brat, despite all their efforts to the contrary including going to the extent of breaking the Sandaime's decree. Had they not gotten hold of some weak points of the clan head and his personal life, they could have never hoped to get away with it.

Some other elders had a different line of thought, they knew what Naruto was, they knew that their clan's power as well as their hold on the village would skyrocket if the boy was in their grasp, he was such a powerful weapon after all.

Naruto walked back to the contestants' room. Before he could enter the said room though, his lavender eyed girlfriend came and wrapped him up in a tight hug as she planted kisses on his face.

"That was amazing, Naruto-kun."

"Thanks, Hime. I am sorry though, for hitting your cousin like that." Naruto replied as he pressed his forehead against hers. Hinata shook her head and smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I am really happy Naruto-kun. You don't need to apologize for anything. I am really happy." Saying this Hinata pulled Naruto's face closer and locked lips with his. The kiss was passionate but they parted sooner than they would have liked to….well whatever…they knew they would get more time for this after the finals.

A/N: And another chapter is done. I hope you all enjoyed reading. The Chunin exams will continue through the next two chapters, after which we will move to the invasion. As I mentioned at the start, the next update might be a little delayed due to my exams but I will try my best to publish it at as early as I can. Thanks for all the love and support again. See ya all in the next chapter.