Chapter 14: The Finals!
Naruto was currently waiting in the hospital lobby, a particular thought had drawn him back here—Hinata. He hadn't visited much over the past month, but the one time he did, she had shared something that left him bewildered. She knew. Somehow, Hinata knew he had been treated poorly by the village. Naruto had always thought no one really noticed him back then—he was just the village outcast. How had she noticed?
A nurse approached him, smiling as she handed him a visitor's pass, but her expression faltered slightly as she mentioned, "You can visit your friends, but I should let you know—Sasuke disappeared from the hospital two weeks ago." Naruto waved it off with a grin. "He's probably just training for his match. Sasuke's not the type to sit around when there's work to be done," he said confidently, though inwardly he hoped that Sasuke had something up his sleeve for Gaara.
Entering Hinata's room, Naruto smiled when he saw her looking much better than the last time. "Hey, Hinata! You're looking way better," he said cheerfully, making her blush. She smiled shyly, explaining that she would be discharged tomorrow, just in time to watch the finals. Naruto was excited at the thought of her cheering him on and started talking about his upcoming match before Hinata interrupted, her voice soft but earnest.
"N-Naruto… Do you remember cheering for me during the preliminaries?" she asked, her hands fidgeting with the blankets.
Naruto's face brightened. "Of course, I remember! You did great out there. You've come a long way since the Academy, Hinata."
Hinata blushed deeply but managed a small smile. "Thank you. Even if I… don't look that different on the outside, I feel stronger after our match. Do you… think I can become strong like you?"
Naruto's grin widened as he spoke with confidence. "I've gotten a lot stronger since then, and I know you will too. You're not the same Hinata from before." He gave her a wink. "Besides, I've been studying body language lately, and I can see it—you've got more confidence now. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll be an amazing kunoichi!"
Hinata's heart raced, but before she could respond, Kiba knocked and entered. After a brief exchange of greetings, Kiba remarked on how much stronger Naruto had become since their fight, though he didn't say it lightly. Naruto, with his usual grin, replied, "You've gotten stronger too, Kiba." He then glanced back at Hinata, adding, "If you put in the effort, the results will show."
After wrapping up his visit, he made his way to Lee's room, something caught Naruto's attention—Gaara, entering Lee's room. On the other side of the hallway, Naruto noticed Shikamaru, who shared his concerned look. In an unspoken agreement, the two bolted towards the room
Naruto immediately positioned himself in Gaara's way, but the sand from Gaara's gourd lashed out in response. Naruto stood firm, not reacting, knowing Shikamaru was just behind him. True to form, Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Jutsu caught Gaara's shadow, halting the attack just in time.
"Putting too much faith in me, Naruto." Shikamaru muttered, half-exasperated, half-impressed.
Naruto smirked. "It worked, didn't it?"
Gaara's cold voice cut through the moment. "Move, or I'll kill you both."
Naruto, unflinching, locked eyes with Gaara. "We've got you outnumbered here, Gaara. Walk away."
Shikamaru, already sweating from the murderous intent leaking from Gaara, added, "Yeah… You haven't seen what we're capable of."
Gaara's expression didn't change. "I don't care," he said flatly. "Move, or die."
In an attempt to stall for time, Naruto asked Gaara why he wants to kill Lee.
Gaara began recounting his grim past—the death of his mother, his father's cruel attempts on his life, and how he became a weapon, a jinchūriki.
Shikamaru, after hearing Gaara's twisted take on love, sarcastically quipped about it. Gaara's face remained emotionless, but the corners of his mouth slowly twisted into a grin. "I exist only to kill," he said darkly, his face now betraying the madness within.
Naruto's fists clenched. "I know what it's like," he shot back. "To be hated. To be feared. But that doesn't mean you have to live this way."
Gaara's lips twitched into a dark smile. "It's the only way I know," he whispered, his voice edged with madness.
Naruto knew Gaara's pain better than anyone but felt helpless at the moment. Before he could respond, Shikamaru's grip on the shadow wavered, then, with a sudden burst of movement, Gaara's sand surged forward, targeting Naruto and Lee behind him.
Naruto was ready. Preparing to unleash Wind Style: Great Breakthrough, intending to blow the sand away from himself and Lee. But before he could launch the attack, Guy appeared between them in an instant, his presence alone halting both the sand and Naruto's technique. Naruto dropped his stance, as did Gaara's sand, retreating back into the gourd.
Guy's voice was firm but calm as he spoke. "Save it for tomorrow, Gaara. Unless, of course, you want to be disqualified early."
Gaara glared at him, his fingers twitching in agitation. But after a long moment, he muttered darkly, "I'll kill you all," and stormed out of the room.
Guy spoke to the remaining Genin, more lighthearted now. "Good luck tomorrow, both of you. Especially you, Naruto. You'll have to have trained really hard if you want a chance to beat Neji, he's my student after all!"
Naruto, still serious and lost in thought about Gaara's words, stared at the door Gaara had exited through. After a moment, he turned to Guy, his eyes full of resolve. "I have," he said with unwavering confidence. Then, without another word, he walked out, leaving both Guy and Shikamaru silently watching his exit, the weight of his words lingering in the air.
- The Day Of The Finals -
Seven of the nine Chunin hopefuls stood lined up opposite the grand viewing boxes in the arena. The stadium buzzed with excitement, filled with spectators eager for the matches. Naruto glanced toward the Hokage's box and noticed a seat reserved next to Hiruzen, likely for the Kazekage, as this was a joint event between their two villages.
Naruto's mind briefly wandered to his own surroundings as he scanned the lineup—Sasuke was missing. Next to him, Shikamaru muttered, "Where the hell is this Dosu guy?"
Their musing was interrupted by Genma, the proctor from the preliminaries, who ordered them to face the crowd. "You're who they're here to see, after all," he reminded them. Straightening, Naruto's eyes drifted to meet the Third Hokage's gaze. With a deep breath, Naruto nodded to himself. He was going to win today.
As Naruto watched, a man entered the Hokage's box and spoke briefly with Hiruzen, who chuckled at something the man said. Moments later, Hiruzen stood, drawing the crowd's attention, and began his opening speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to the Chunin Selection Exam! I thank you all for gathering in Konohagakure today. We will now begin the finals—a one-on-one tournament between the eight candidates who advanced from the preliminaries. Please enjoy!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Genma turned to the Genin. He held up a revised match list, explaining that Dosu had been removed from the tournament. Shikamaru let out a sigh of relief, grateful he wouldn't have to fight multiple rounds now that his first match was against Temari.
Naruto frowned and asked Genma about Sasuke's absence. Genma explained that Sasuke had until the start of his match to appear, otherwise, he'd lose by forfeit. Naruto nodded, though concern gnawed at him—where was Sasuke?
With no further questions, Genma announced the first match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyuga. The remaining contestants were directed to the waiting room to watch the upcoming battles from a designated balcony within the arena.
- Naruto Uzumaki Vs Neji Hyuga -
Naruto and Neji stood face-to-face in the center of the arena, the atmosphere tense as they sized each other up. To Neji's surprise, Naruto's expression was calm, determined—completely different from his usual loud self. Trying to provoke him, Neji sneered, "What happened to all that bravado you had in the preliminaries?"
But Naruto wasn't rattled. He raised his fist and spoke quietly but firmly, "I vow to win."
Neji's smirk was barely perceptible. "Fate has already decided this match," he said coolly, his eyes narrowing on Naruto. "You're a failure, and no amount of training will change that."
Naruto kept his cool. He wasn't going to let Neji's words get under his skin. He'd worked too hard during the past month to be shaken now.
This wasn't the loud, brash Naruto everyone knew. There was no grand proclamation or dramatic gesture—just calm determination.
In the stands, the crowd buzzed with speculation. Most believed Neji, the Hyuga prodigy, would win easily. Nearby, Hinata watched silently, ignoring the whispers of two Chunin who dismissed Naruto as a "dead last" with no chance against someone like Neji. She believed in Naruto's strength. Kiba, sitting beside her, voiced his opinion to the chunin, telling them he remembered underestimating Naruto before and knew how dangerous it was to do so. The pair of Chunin simply waving him off with a laugh.
As soon as Genma signaled for the match to begin, Naruto dashed forward, his movements faster but more precise than usual. Without hesitation, he launched a handful of kunai at Neji. Using Wind Style: Gale Palm, he accelerated their speed, followed immediately by Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, multiplying the projectiles into a hailstorm.
Neji's Byakugan flared as he activated his Eight Trigrams Palms Rotation, effortlessly deflecting the attacks. Still, something about Naruto's demeanour struck him as different—more calculated.
Just as Neji finished his spin, a Naruto clone darted toward him from behind, kunai raised. Neji dispelled the clone with a single palm strike, but as the smoke cleared, another Naruto lunged from the side. Neji dismantled that clone too, but he couldn't help noticing how composed Naruto seemed amidst the chaos.
Several clones were scattered around the arena, watching for an opening. "Numbers won't help you," Neji taunted. "The Byakugan sees all. You're wasting your energy."
One Naruto clone seemed to hesitate, backing away from Neji's gaze. Thinking he'd pinpointed the real Naruto's fear of having his tenketsu blocked, Neji rushed in and delivered a series of rapid strikes, sealing what he thought was Naruto's chakra network. A small smirk crept onto his face.
But then the clone grinned and flashed a peace sign—before exploding.
Neji barely reacted in time, evading the brunt of the blast but still sent flying a few meters back.
Among the remaining clones, the real Naruto watched carefully. He knew Neji's greatest strengths was the Byakugan's vision, and his exceptional Taijutsu. But that also meant he was predictable in how he reacted.
"I've been training for this," Naruto thought. "I'm not just some idiot who throws punches anymore."
Naruto suddenly launched forward in a blur of movement as he called out, "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
A powerful gust of wind blasted toward Neji, carrying debris and shuriken with it. Neji dodged the direct line of attack, but Naruto had anticipated that.
Naruto didn't let up, he propelled himself into the air using Wind Style: Gale Platform, then, twisting mid-flight. "Wind Style: Air Bullets!"
A barrage of compressed air bullets shot toward Neji, but the Hyuga prodigy once again used Rotation to block the attack. This time, though, Neji was breathing heavier. The constant barrage of attacks was beginning to wear him down.
"I see what you're doing, Naruto," Neji said through gritted teeth. "You're trying to chip away at me. But you can't win this way. Fate is on my side!"
Naruto landed softly, his feet barely making a sound. "I'm not trying to beat fate. I'm just fighting smarter." His tone was as calm as ever, his expression unreadable.
Neji, growing frustrated with Naruto's elusive tactics, decided to go on the offensive. He charged at Naruto with a blinding burst of speed, his hands glowing with chakra. "Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"
Naruto barely had time to react as Neji closed the distance. But instead of backing away, Naruto met him head-on. The first few strikes hit, sending painful jolts through Naruto's body as Neji targeted his tenketsu, blocking his chakra flow. But just as Neji was about to deliver the final strike, Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Another clone?!" Neji's eyes narrowed angrily.
From the crowed of clones, Naruto decided it was time to finally reveal himself. "This is it," Naruto thought. "Time to end this."
Naruto's hand formed the familiar spiral of chakra as he charged forward, a Rasengan swirling in his palm. Neji's Byakugan instantly spotted the charging Naruto, and he reacted instinctively, spinning into his Eight Trigrams: Rotation. The two techniques collided with a thunderous crash, sending shockwaves through the arena.
For a moment, it seemed like the two techniques were evenly matched, the swirling energy of the Rasengan pushing against the defensive whirlpool of Neji's Rotation. But soon it became obvious which technique was the stronger of the two.
Neji's eyes widened, cracks began forming in his Rotation, and with a final burst of energy, Naruto's Rasengan shattered his defense, sending Neji sprawling across the arena.
The stadium fell silent as the dust settled. Neji struggled to rise but found his body uncooperative. He was utterly spent.
Naruto stood tall, his breathing steady. "You fought well, Neji," he said quietly. "But fate didn't decide this."
Neji looked up, shock and a hint of respect in his eyes for the first time.
Genma stepped forward, raising his hand. "Winner: Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Naruto barely noticed the noise. His focus remained on Neji, who finally managed to sit up. After a brief pause, Naruto offered him a hand. Neji, after a moment of hesitation, took it.
"You didn't just fight fate," Neji muttered, catching his breath. "You fought smarter than I expected."
Naruto shrugged. "You're not the only one who's been training. Plus, I had to learn to fight smarter if I'm going to be Hokage one day."
Neji nodded, his pride wounded, but his understanding deepened. For the first time, he realized that fate wasn't as absolute as he'd believed.
As Naruto stood in the centre of the arena with Neji, his fellow Genin and spectators looked on with newfound respect. He wasn't just the underdog anymore—he was a real shinobi, someone they could all proudly call a shinobi of the leaf.
Hinata smiled from the stands, her faith in Naruto unwavering. Beside her, Kiba grinned at the gobsmacked Chunin who had earlier dismissed Naruto. "Told you not to underestimate that guy."
Kakashi, watching from the sidelines, felt a surge of pride for his student. Naruto had proven his strength, intelligence, and determination—he wasn't the same boy who only relied on brute force.
Clenching his fists, Naruto looked toward the Hokage Monument, a fire burning in his chest. Today wasn't just about winning a fight; it was another step toward his dream.
"Just you wait," Naruto thought, his gaze set on the future. "I'm going to become Hokage, no matter what."
- Hallway To Spectator's Box -
Naruto made his way toward the spectator's box, but Neji's voice stopped him. For a moment, Naruto feared Neji might hold a grudge, but when he turned around, Neji's expression was calm.
Neji requested a conversation, expressing his desire to explain his fixation on fate. Naruto, curious, agreed, remembering what Hinata had said about their similarities.
Neji took a deep breath before diving into the story that had defined his entire outlook on life. He began by explaining the Hyuga clan's strict hierarchy, where the family was divided into two parts: the main family, who held all the power and status, and the branch family, who were essentially their protectors. Members of the branch family, like himself and his father, were branded with the Caged Bird Seal—a curse mark that allowed the main family to control their fate.
Neji raised his hand to his forehead, brushing aside his headband to reveal the dark outline of the seal. "This," he said quietly, "is the fate I was born into. My family's destiny is to serve the main branch—whether we want to or not."
He went on to explain that the seal wasn't just a mark of servitude. If a branch family member ever defied the main family, they could experience excruciating pain or even death at the hands of those who controlled the seal. "They could kill me with a single thought," Neji stated with chilling calmness. "This mark is a constant reminder that my life isn't truly my own."
Naruto listened, eyes wide as Neji's story unfolded. Neji's tone hardened as he continued, his bitterness apparent. He spoke of how his father, Hizashi, was once a proud shinobi, just like him. But despite Hizashi's strength and talent, he was bound by the same cruel fate because he belonged to the branch family.
Neji's voice wavered slightly as he recounted the moment that truly cemented his belief in destiny: the day his father died. The Cloud Village had attempted to kidnap Hinata, the heir of the Hyuga main family, but were caught in the act. In retaliation, the Cloud demanded compensation for their loss, and they wanted Hiashi, Hinata's father, as payment. However, to protect the clan's secrets, the Hyuga elders decided that Neji's father, Hizashi, would be sent to die in Hiashi's place—just because they were twins, and no one would know the difference.
Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, but he remained silent, letting Neji continue.
"My father's death was inevitable from the moment he was born into the branch family. No matter how strong or skilled he was, his fate was decided. Just like mine." Neji's eyes darkened as he looked directly at Naruto. "That's why I believe in fate. Because no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you fight against it, some things… you can never change."
Before Naruto could respond, the sudden presence of Hiashi Hyuga interrupted the moment. The clan head appeared, his authoritative gaze falling on Naruto, who stiffened instinctively. This was the head of the prestigious Hyuga clan—someone Naruto knew not to anger. But instead of hostility, Hiashi complimented their battle, his voice carrying a weight of dignity. Naruto glanced at Neji, who stared at the ground, his expression void of emotion, as though he'd shut himself off from the world.
Naruto, though hesitant, felt the words bubbling up inside him. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Why did you sacrifice Neji's father?!"
Hiashi's reaction was not what Naruto expected. The Hyuga head closed his eyes and nodded, acknowledging the question instead of lashing out. Naruto stared, waiting for a punishment that never came. Neji, however, lifted his head, his eyes burning with suppressed anger. Hiashi calmly announced that it was time to reveal the truth, to which Neji scoffed in disbelief. "Why now?" Neji's voice was low, simmering with frustration.
Hiashi met Neji's gaze and said simply, "Because I think you might believe me now." His eyes flicked to Naruto, giving a subtle nod that startled the young ninja.
"May I have a moment with Neji?" Hiashi's tone was polite but firm, more an order than a request.
Naruto nodded, muttering a quick, "See ya, Neji," before heading up the stairs to the spectator's box. His heart was still pounding, not only from the intensity of the recent battle but from the storm of emotions that swirled between Neji and Hiashi. As he glanced back one last time, he saw Neji standing rigid, staring at Hiashi with a mix of defiance and expectation. Whatever conversation they were about to have, Naruto sensed it would change everything for Neji.
- Spectator's Box -
Naruto watched from the spectator box, his irritation growing as the minutes ticked by. Sasuke was nowhere to be found, and if he didn't show up soon, he'd be disqualified. The crowd was growing restless, their murmurs turning into shouts of frustration. Suddenly, a Leaf Jonin body flickered down from beside the Third Hokage, whispering something to Genma. The proctor nodded before announcing that Sasuke's match against Gaara would be postponed. Instead, they would move on to the next fight in the bracket: Shino versus Kankuro.
But before the match even began, Kankuro withdrew, much to the crowd's annoyance. Shikamaru, standing in the spectator's area, face-faulted at the realization that his match was next. His opponent, Temari, wasted no time, flying down to the arena on her fan, eager to battle. Shikamaru sighed deeply, contemplating whether he should just forfeit like Kankuro. Before he could act on the thought, Naruto, with a mischievous grin, slapped Shikamaru hard on the back and shouted, "Go get 'em!" The unexpected push sent Shikamaru tumbling over the railing, landing flat on his back in the arena.
- Shikamaru Nara Vs Temari -
He lay there for a while, staring lazily up at the sky with an expression that could only be described as annoyed resignation. The crowd, growing impatient, shouted for the match to begin. Slowly, Shikamaru sat up, raising his eyes to Temari, who stood ready and smirking at him. She taunted him, saying she was wondering if he was ever gonna get up, clearly trying to provoke a reaction. Shikamaru sighed again, muttering under his breath about troublesome women. Before Genma could even call for the match to start, Temari lost her patience and charged at the tired ninja.
At the beginning of the match, Temari had complete control. She unleashed powerful gusts of wind from her fan, forcing Shikamaru to dodge and retreat, looking as though he had no plan in mind. To the crowd, it seemed like Temari would overwhelm him with her relentless attacks. However, Shikamaru soon began to analyse her every move, launching one clever strategy after another. Each of his manoeuvres created small opportunities, slowly leading Temari into his trap. Finally, after several turns of the battle, he managed to catch her in his Shadow Possession Jutsu.
The crowd erupted in cheers, realizing that Shikamaru had turned the tide. But just as he prepared to land the finishing blow, Shikamaru sighed loudly and raised his hand in defeat. "I quit," he announced, his voice carrying across the arena.
The crowd gasped in shock. Temari's eyes widened, but Shikamaru explained with a tired smile, "I've got no chakra left. This was just to prove I could win."
Genma confirmed the match's end, declaring Temari the winner by forfeit. Shikamaru, ever the genius, had won in spirit, but as always, his laziness got the better of him in the end. Temari, both frustrated and impressed, couldn't help but smirk as she realized just how close she'd come to losing to the unmotivated Nara.
Naruto smiled from his spot in the spectator's box, watching Shikamaru walk off the battlefield with his usual calm demeanor. "Man, Shikamaru's intelligence is kinda scary. It's like he always knows his next move," Naruto thought, admiring the way his friend had nearly won the match without breaking a sweat. He gave Shikamaru a thumbs up, which Shikamaru lazily returned before heading toward the stairs leading to the spectator's area.
Naruto's thoughts wandered. "Shikamaru's probably getting promoted... I hope I do too. I mean, I did pretty good, right?"
- Spectator's Box -
Shikamaru arrived at the spectator's box with his hands in his pockets, his usual carefree attitude in full display. Naruto grinned at him, saying, "You did good out there, but you'd better hope that first match was enough to get you promoted, 'cause you're not getting another chance to prove yourself now."
Shikamaru shrugged, completely unfazed. "I don't really care if I become a Chunin or not," he muttered, his laid-back tone only serving to annoy Naruto.
"How can you not care? Becoming a Chunin means moving up in the ranks, getting stronger!" Naruto argued. To him, advancing was crucial—his path to achieving his dream of becoming Hokage.
Shikamaru, however, cut him off mid-rant. "Can we not talk about this? Besides, I think you'll be more interested in what's about to happen next." His eyes glanced toward the arena floor.
Naruto blinked, about to question him, when it hit him. With Kankuro forfeiting and Shikamaru's match over, the next match was Sasuke versus Gaara. His heart sped up. He quickly glanced down at the field but saw no sign of Sasuke. "Where the hell is he!?" Naruto muttered under his breath, worry creeping in as Genma looked ready to call the match in Gaara's favor due to Sasuke's absence.
But just as Genma raised his hand to declare the result, a dramatic swirl of leaves filled the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd. As the leaves cleared, standing confidently in the center of the arena were Kakashi and Sasuke, the latter now dressed in a sleek all-black outfit that made him look undeniably cool.
Naruto groaned, feeling a pang of annoyance. "You took your damn time!" he shouted from the box, his voice carrying down to the arena. "Thought you were chickening out of fighting me after you're done with Gaara!"
Sasuke smirked slightly in response, clearly unfazed by Naruto's jab. Kakashi, ever the calm presence, apologized to Genma for their tardiness.
Genma nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Sasuke, asking, "Your name?"
Sasuke, his voice composed and calm, replied, "Sasuke Uchiha."
- Sasuke Uchiha Vs Gaara -
Gaara soon entered the arena, menacingly walking into the centre, opposite the Uchiha boy. The two stared at one another, unflinching. Seeing no interaction happening between the boys, Genma decided not to waste any more of the spectators time by calling for the match to begin.
As the match began, Sasuke showcased his dramatic improvements, blitzing toward Gaara with incredible speed—now nearly as fast as Lee without his weights. Using his Sharingan, Sasuke had copied Lee's taijutsu, and his movements were fluid and precise, putting immediate pressure on Gaara. But Gaara's sand shield moved to block each of Sasuke's attacks automatically.
Sasuke kept the pressure on Gaara who was soon forced to activate his ultimate defense, encasing himself inside a sphere of sand. The audience watched with bated breath, unsure of how Sasuke could breach such a formidable defense. Meanwhile, in the stands, Shino overheard Kankuro and Temari's hushed conversation, catching the word "plan." He quietly relayed this information to Shikamaru and Naruto, who took note of the Sand siblings' suspicious behaviour without giving any outward reaction.
Back in the arena, Sasuke revealed the final move he'd learned during his training—the Chidori. Lightning surged around his hand as he charged toward Gaara's sand sphere. With a piercing cry, Sasuke plunged his Chidori into the dense sand, sending shockwaves through the arena. The attack broke through, the audience gasped.
However, Gaara's reaction was anything but calm. His monstrous side began to emerge, and a large arm formed from the sand, swinging at Sasuke. Sasuke barely managed to pull away in time, leaving both fighters visibly strained.
Temari, in the stands, expressed her shock that Gaara's shell was breached before the transformation completed. Before Naruto could confront the sand shinobi, a new threat quietly unfolded. Feathers began to fill the arena, and Naruto's vision blurred. Realizing a genjutsu was being cast, Naruto quickly formed the release hand seal and dispelled the illusion, shouting "Release!" just in time.
- The Sand Invasion -
Naruto barely had time to process the situation as the chaos of the invasion unfolded before him. A thick cloud of smoke billowed from the Kage box, and when it cleared, he saw the Third Hokage being lifted onto the roof. A strange, shimmering barrier surrounded him, cutting him off from any potential help. Naruto's heart raced in disbelief as the reality of the invasion hit him then and there, this was a declaration of war.
All around the stadium, shinobi from the visiting villages were launching attacks, showing no mercy to the villagers and shinobi of the leaf. Screams and the clash of steel rang through the air as panic spread. Naruto's fists clenched as he saw the Sand siblings fleeing the arena, their retreat suspiciously swift. He spotted Sasuke breaking into a run behind them, clearly intent on pursuing Gaara. His gut churned with unease—Sasuke was heading into danger, and he had no backup.
Naruto gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't just let Sasuke run off on his own, especially not with Gaara in the unstable state he'd seen. But the situation in the stadium was escalating by the second. Kakashi, Guy, and the other Jonin were already engaged in battle, fending off the enemy forces with brutal efficiency, but they couldn't be everywhere at once.
"This is bad... really bad..." Naruto muttered under his breath. His eyes scanned the arena, calculating the risks. He had to chase after Sasuke, but the Leaf needed reinforcements to protect the village.
Realising what needed to be done, Naruto formed the hand sign for his Shadow Clone Jutsu. With a single sharp breath, he summoned an overwhelming number of clones—around 500. The arena was suddenly filled with the sound of a massive smoke explosion, causing heads to turn in confusion. But that confusion quickly turned to astonishment as the smoke cleared to reveal hundreds of Naruto clones, all ready for battle.
Naruto wasted no time. "You guys know what to do!" he barked at his clones, who immediately dispersed into groups. Some engaged the invading shinobi, dividing their forces and taking advantage of the sheer numbers, while others took on the crucial task of evacuating the civilians, guiding them to safety as chaos reigned.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Naruto's clones moved with precise coordination. They weren't individually strong enough to take down a Jonin-level shinobi, but in groups, they overwhelmed their enemies, systematically pushing them back. Leaf Jonin, who had been struggling to contain the sudden attack, couldn't help but glance over in appreciation as Naruto's clones turned the tide.
High above in the stands, Kakashi and Guy exchanged a brief look, a subtle smile tugging at Kakashi's lips. "That kid... He's something else," Kakashi muttered to himself, impressed by Naruto's initiative.
With the battle on the ground handled, Naruto focused on the real task at hand—tracking down Sasuke. He turned to Shikamaru and Shino, who were standing nearby, observing the chaos. "We're going after Sasuke," Naruto said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Shino adjusted his glasses, nodding in quiet agreement. "Understood," he replied, ever calm in the face of danger. Shikamaru sighed in exasperation, rubbing the back of his head.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered. "You do realize we're chasing after Gaara, right?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I know. That's why I need your help."
Shikamaru sighed again but relented. "Alright, alright. Let's go."
Before they could take off, Sakura appeared by their side, breathless but determined. "Kakashi-sensei told me to join you," she explained, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them.
Naruto paused, looking between the three of them. "Alright, Sakura, you're in," he said, but then added quickly, "We can't take anyone else. If we have too many, we'll just slow down."
Sakura nodded in understanding, and the four of them took off together, slipping over the walls of the arena as they chased after Sasuke. The sound of battle faded into the distance as they focused on the new mission at hand—catching up to their teammate before it was too late.
As the group of Genin hopped from tree to tree, Naruto shot a glance behind him, his brow furrowed with concern. Shikamaru, keeping pace beside him, caught the expression and casually remarked, "Relax, you left your clones to help out. They'll handle things."
Naruto shook his head slightly, "That's not what I was worried about."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, curious now. "Oh? What then?"
Naruto's eyes flickered as he spoke, keeping his focus ahead. "A group of shinobi tried tailing us back there. My clones managed to slow them down, enough for Asuma-sensei to notice and take them out. If it wasn't for him, we might've been in trouble."
Shikamaru smirked at the thought of his laid-back sensei intervening at just the right moment. "Lucky break," he commented, adjusting his pace slightly to match Naruto's. "Not sure how we would've dealt with an enemy like that right now." The usual laziness was still in his voice, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness that Naruto caught.
Naruto gave a small nod, relieved but also still a bit on edge. "Yeah. We can't afford any more surprises. Sasuke's still up ahead, and we've gotta move fast."
They pressed on through the thick canopy of trees, their pace steady but urgent as the situation behind them grew more distant. As they leapt from branch to branch, the tension in the air seemed to thicken. The trees blurred past, and Naruto's thoughts raced. He couldn't help but wonder how Sasuke was doing, especially after seeing how dangerous Gaara had become in the arena.
Suddenly, Shino, who had been quiet for most of the journey, spoke up, his voice calm but carrying weight. "The female beetle I left on Sasuke has stopped moving. We're close."
Naruto's eyes sharpened at the news, and he quickly scanned the forest ahead. "Got it," he responded, picking up the pace. The other members followed suit, their expressions grim. There was no telling what condition they'd find Sasuke in, but the fact that he had stopped moving couldn't be a good sign.
The group silently landed on a large branch, and there, just a few meters away, they spotted Sasuke. He was standing on a branch across from Kankuro, who was visibly tense. Kankuro cursed under his breath, startled by the sudden appearance of the Leaf shinobi.
Naruto eyed Sasuke sharply, the tension evident in his voice. "What's the situation?"
Sasuke glanced at him, momentarily surprised by Naruto's uncharacteristic seriousness. But he didn't hesitate. "Kankuro stayed behind to stall while Temari ran off with Gaara," he replied, keeping his focus on the puppet user.
Naruto's mind raced, considering their options, but it was Shikamaru who quickly devised a plan. "Shino and I will handle Kankuro. You three keep after Gaara and Temari."
Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura exchanged looks of agreement. There was no time to waste. "We'll catch up after we finish here," Shikamaru assured them, his voice level despite the gravity of the situation.
Without another word, Team 7 darted off into the trees, leaping swiftly from branch to branch in pursuit of the fleeing Sand siblings.
Naruto glanced back as they moved swiftly through the trees in pursuit of Gaara and Temari. He trusted Shikamaru and Shino to handle Kankuro; they were the most strategic shinobi from their class, after all. Shikamaru's lazy demeanor hid a sharp mind, and Shino's insects made him a dangerous opponent. Still, Naruto wasn't the type to take unnecessary risks. With a quick hand sign, he created a Shadow Clone and left it behind as backup for his friends, just in case things got more complicated than expected.
Naruto's gaze sharpened as Team 7 closed in on Gaara and Temari, who were only a short distance ahead. Gaara appeared disoriented, supported by his siblings as they fled. Naruto guessed that the strange behavior was tied to the dangerous power Gaara held within. Memories of his own intense rage in the Land of Waves flashed through Naruto's mind, reminding him of the surge he'd felt when he thought Sasuke had been killed by Haku.
Team 7 leapt onto a branch opposite the Sand siblings just as Gaara's expression turned dark. With a sudden, callous movement, Gaara shoved his sister from the branch, her shocked face disappearing into the trees below. "You're in my way," he muttered, eyes fixed on Team 7. The hostility emanating from him was palpable, and Naruto could feel the dangerous aura of the Tailed Beast beginning to stir.
Sasuke stepped forward, his Sharingan activated, ready to face Gaara once more. Team 7 stood ready, knowing that this would not be an easy battle.
As Team 7 locked eyes with Gaara from across the branches, Naruto's mind raced through strategies, weighing every move and possibility. He quickly noted Temari's absence but wasn't willing to risk a surprise reappearance. With a hidden hand sign, he quietly summoned a clone and dispatched it to locate and monitor her position. Then, preparing to come up with their next move, Naruto began, "So, what's the—" only to be cut short by Sasuke's sudden charge forward, clearly driven to finish the fight they'd started during the Chunin Exams. Naruto sighed, watching Sasuke's lone advance. "…plan," he finished under his breath.
Gaara, in his half-transformed state, swung his monstrous arm to intercept Sasuke's attack. Sasuke barely dodged, his eyes widening as he took in Gaara's transformed state. "This guy really is a monster," he thought, feeling a pang of dread as the realization hit. Naruto dropped down beside him, meeting Sasuke's look with a steady gaze. "Oi, Sasuke, I get you want to beat this guy on your own," he said firmly, "but that's not gonna happen." Sasuke opened his mouth to protest, but Naruto raised a hand. "Look at him. This isn't just Gaara anymore—you're not proving anything by getting yourself killed."
Sasuke clenched his teeth, frustration flashing in his eyes, but he knew Naruto was right. Resigned, he gave Naruto a glare. "Who would've thought you, the class idiot, would be talking sense." Naruto smirked, letting a chuckle slip, but quickly returned his focus to the task at hand. "Here's the plan: I'm going to go head-to-head with Gaara. I've got some new moves that should give us an edge. I'll draw his attention, and I need you to use that crazy speed of yours to blindside him with everything you've got."
Though reluctant, Sasuke gave a nod, understanding that the success of their plan relied on coordinated teamwork. Naruto called out to Sakura, who quickly positioned herself nearby, ready with projectiles and tools to keep Gaara off-balance. With a final look to Sasuke, Naruto turned his focus back to Gaara, steadying himself for the intense battle that lay ahead.
Naruto's body surged with chakra, the potent red aura intensifying as his eyes glowed a fierce crimson, his pupils narrowing into sharp, predatory slits. Sasuke, stunned at first by Naruto's transformation, quickly refocused, realizing the battle demanded his full attention. Naruto gave him a nod before rocketing off, his movements so swift they left deep marks in the branches. Sasuke only paused for a moment before launching into action, following Naruto's plan and striking Gaara's unprotected angles while Naruto kept him occupied. Sakura supported from the bushes, her well-timed explosive tags and kunai forcing Gaara to stay on his toes.
Suddenly, Sakura felt an eerie presence behind her. She turned, eyes widening at the sight of Temari. But before either could act, Naruto's hidden clone appeared behind Temari, pressing a kunai against her throat. "Try anything, and you're done," he warned coldly. Temari tried to play it off with a smile, daring him to follow through. But Naruto's steady, unflinching gaze and resolute tone—"Try me"—left her rattled. She'd witnessed his power, and as much as she wanted to help Gaara, she knew pushing back could mean a brutal defeat with nothing gained. So, her smile faltered, and she found herself pinned by the uncertainty of Naruto's next move.
Back on the battlefield, Naruto and Sasuke's coordinated attacks began to strain Gaara's monstrous defenses. The added pressure had him backing away, visibly unnerved by the relentless strikes from every direction. Gaara's eyes darted, increasingly wild, as he struggled to maintain his sand shield against the unpredictable onslaught. The teamwork of Team 7, bolstered by Naruto and Sasuke's raw power, began to tilt the battle in their favour.
Gaara's rage erupted, and the sand swirled around him until he completely transformed into Shukaku, the giant tanuki beast with a single tail. Shikamaru and Shino arrived just in time to see the monstrous creature, their eyes widening in shock. Shikamaru asked, "What the hell is that?" to which Naruto, keeping his cool, replied, "That's Gaara—sort of."
Naruto quickly devised a plan and urged the others to retreat. Though Sasuke hesitated, suspicious of Naruto's strength, the others complied, though with some doubt and concern. As Sasuke demanded to know what Naruto was planning, Naruto bit his thumb, formed a string of hand seals, and slammed his hand onto the ground, summoning a massive toad, Gamabunta, towering above at a similar height to Shukaku. Realizing he'd only slow Naruto down, Sasuke begrudgingly joined the others as they made their way to safety, all eyes watching Naruto face down Shukaku with newfound respect and awe.
Gaara, now in full control of Shukaku's formidable power, roared, shaking the earth around them, but Naruto remained undeterred, steeling himself for what would be his toughest battle yet.
With a fierce determination, Naruto stood tall on Gamabunta's head, his red, feral eyes assessing the battlefield. Shukaku's form towered opposite them, a relentless behemoth of sand, claws, and rage, his eyes wild and unrestrained as he zeroed in on the pair. The earth trembled as Shukaku unleashed a barrage of air bullets, each one a deadly projectile tearing through the air. Naruto's mind raced—regular attacks wouldn't break through such immense power.
"Gamabunta, let's show him we're not backing down!" Naruto shouted.
Gamabunta growled, acknowledging Naruto's resolve, and fired a torrent of liquid bullets. In one swift motion, Naruto infused his wind chakra into the attack, transforming the water projectiles into high-velocity, spiraling jets. Each water-enhanced bullet crashed into Shukaku's air blasts, shattering them with explosive force and slicing through the sand armor shielding Shukaku's form.
Taking advantage of Shukaku's momentary stagger, Gamabunta surged forward, launching himself with surprising speed for his size. He collided with Shukaku in a bone-jarring body slam, causing a shockwave that rippled through the trees and sent dust and debris into the air. As Shukaku reeled, Gamabunta leaped back, giving Naruto an opening.
Naruto gritted his teeth, forming more wind platforms to bridge the distance between him and the monstrous tanuki. He launched himself forward with lightning speed, dodging an enormous sandy claw that swiped at him with vicious intent. Darting past Shukaku's fingers, Naruto evaded a second attempt, twisting through the gaps in the sand with the agility granted by the Nine-Tails' chakra. Every movement was precise, fueled by his new strength and training, as he closed the distance with single-minded focus.
Finally, Naruto landed directly in front of Gaara's slumbering form embedded within Shukaku. With one powerful strike, Naruto smashed his fist into Gaara, disrupting his trance with a force that sent tremors through the sand. Gaara's eyes shot open, dazed and confused, and the monstrous form of Shukaku crumbled into a disorganized mass of sand, dissipating into the breeze.
As Naruto caught his breath, he looked down at Gaara, his chest heaving with exertion. The battlefield, once filled with chaotic energy, settled into a profound silence, with Team 7's mission finally complete.
Gaara sat in stunned silence, his expression a mixture of fear and confusion as Naruto took a step forward. With each step, Gaara scooted back, his hands scraping against the dirt as he yelled, "Don't come any closer!" But Naruto didn't stop. As the Nine-Tails' chakra faded, his intense red eyes softened back to blue, and he knelt down beside Gaara, his voice calm and sincere.
"I know what it's like to feel alone," Naruto said quietly. "The only difference between us is that I have people to care about. They make me stronger. I have people worth protecting."
Gaara's brows knit in frustration, his voice sharp but uncertain. "Why would you care about anyone but yourself?"
Naruto smiled gently. "They saved me from my own loneliness. They showed me I'm more than just a vessel for the Nine-Tails—even before I knew what it was. They cared about me, so I care about them."
Gaara's gaze softened as he processed Naruto's words, his rigid posture easing. He looked down, defeated but reflective. "I see now. I… I owe Temari and Kankuro an apology. I've been a terrible brother."
Naruto chuckled softly. "So, am I gonna have to drag you back to the Leaf, or will you come with me?"
Gaara managed a slight, hesitant smile that caught Naruto off guard. "I'll come willingly"
Hiya guys, hope you enjoy this chapter! I feel like the Neji fight was well done though maybe I rushed on the sand invasion a little bit, other than the few changes I inputted I don't see a massive difference happening so perhaps I rushed a little.
I'd like to be publishing chapters a lot more often but it feels like with this story I have to really think things through and do my research so it takes a lot of time; that I don't really have. I'll still definitely keep uploading when I find time, but I might publish another ff in my freetime that'll allow me to atleast work on something else when I'm unable to work on this story. The other story will most likely be something that I can just do whatever I want with haha. Not sure If imma do Naruto or something else just yet!
Reviews time!
Dennis Spiral-flame 55 - I appreciate the review, and of course, I really enjoy reviews like yours too! I'm glad you enjoyed the training arc! Thank you for that criticism, to be completely honest, I didn't know pervy sage was just the dubbed version of ero sennin... I thought they were two different nicknames lol... Also you're English is great dude, don't worry!
the god of distruction - I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm surprised at the amount of people who actually liked the training arc so I'll definitely include another in the future! Yeah, I felt his progress definitely needed to be slowed down either way, and obviously that's a pretty damn good reason! Imagine Naruto becoming the smartest in his class after just a month lol... Also, I did add that limitation onto Naruto, when he first learnt about the training method, he abused it and had way too many clones training, causing him to get extremely fatigued which actually did the opposite of what he was hoping for and caused his progress to actually slow down.
I think Naruto finding out about his jutsu's creators could definitely be interesting and would probably make him keep these jutsu in his main arsenal, especially shadow shuriken jutsu, maybe he'd even find himself improving said jutsu... I think Naruto would take just as long to talk to Kurama, maybe a tiny bit faster just because Naruto might learn more about Jinchuriki and tailed beasts. I'd definitely like Naruto to learn about his Uzumaki heritage at some point too, perhaps he'll find an old book about them or something like that.
Legend3881 - To be honest, I went for more basic Jutsu as I wanted to just expand Naruto's arsenal a little bit without making him stupidly overpowered with A-Rank jutsu. Gale Platform (movement), Great breakthrough (defense), Wind Bullet (ranged).
A wind bow would be pretty sick, It'd be like the wind bullet but perhaps with more piercing power? Which doesn't really make sense given the name, but the wind bullet seems to be more of bludgeoning damage
KingRK - Thanks! Hope you enjoy this one too!
NewRadcarl504 - Thank you, hope you keep reading!
Nikion - I'll definitely change how I worded it, honestly it was more of a reminder for myself, I doubt Naruto's stats changed that much in Canon from after the month training anyway, I know he learnt the rasengan and stuff so his Ninjutsu would probably improve a little bit, but I'll change it anyway just to clear up any confusion!
bloodbrother 18 - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy how I've approached it, I'm trying to keep it as realistic as I can whilst still adding some cool divergences that'll make the story more interesting!
St0rmRid3r - Great! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
WilsorBR - I'll definitely add some more scenes with the two of them to make it more natural. I felt in Canon their relationship was a little bit forced, so hopefully I can do a little better! And yeah, I weren't too happy with how little I explored the scene but it just felt a little out of character to make them develop their feelings properly just yet.