I am so sorry for the late update. I've been dealing with writer's block for the story for months because of how much I wanted to get this portion of the exams right. Even though this is my most popular story, it's not my favorite to write—shockingly. I still intend to finish it, and I still intend to continue writing it but at my own pace. This was one of the first stories I wrote that actually got attention, and I feel like I am obligated to make this the best I could possibly make it. Hopefully, after this portion of this arc is over, the rest of it should be able to be done quicker. As you all know, in my opinion, the next chapter is the one that has actually held this story back more than the others, and you'll know what that will be when you get to the end of this chapter. Anyway, sorry for the shortness of this chapter. The next one will be around the same length as this one.

Chapter 21 Naruto versus Lee fighting for our sensei

Everybody was silent as Naruto and Lee were about to start their match. Naruto hadn't had a fight outside of a sparring match with Sasuke and his sensei since the Land of Waves. Though this wasn't a fight to the death, Naruto knew this battle couldn't be one he could take lightly either; Lee was not an opponent he could underestimate. He did beat Sasuke before the exams began.

"Remember, kit, this Lee is far more powerful than he appears. Do not let down your guard, even for a moment. He has a lot of hidden power that he hasn't shown anyone," Kyubi said cautiously.

This was Naruto's big moment. This wasn't a battle far away from the eyes of his peers. His classmates, whom he had gone to school with for years, were watching. It wasn't even that long ago when he was considered the class clown.

His training over the past three months from his sensei had transformed his skills; it was night and day compared to what he had before. Lee was no opponent he could take lightly. Sasuke wasn't able to beat him, and Naruto knew that unless he used a technique he had been practicing alone, without his teacher's knowledge, he would not be able to keep up with Lee's speed without it.

The training he had done after the Land of Waves was a secret that nobody knew about—not even his sensei. It was a technique that could help increase his speed for a short time. However, he had not tested it in combat; he didn't even get a chance to use it during the Sapphire mission. It was a technique that could be extremely dangerous if he wasn't careful. Naruto wouldn't use it unless there was no other choice.

Lee was stretching and doing his workout before the match began. Naruto thought it was strange the instructor had not signaled for the match to begin yet; it felt like an eternity. Naruto felt sweat drip from his face. He gulped; he wasn't nervous because he was afraid he was going to lose. He didn't want his sensei to be disappointed in him. He wanted to win; he wanted to prove to everyone, especially to her, how far he had come.

"Naruto-san, I am glad that we had a chance to fight, though I wish it was in the finals and not here," Lee said, disappointed that they were fighting so soon.

"I know what you mean, bushy brows. I wanted to do this in the finals, but they had other plans for us," Naruto replied.

"May the best man win; I will hold nothing back," Lee said.

"May the match begin," Hayate said as he signaled the match to start with a hand motion.

There was no movement as he gave the okay. Naruto got into a stance; he could not show anyone what he was feeling—the anxiety, the fear of failure—he could not show it at all. His opponent would know, and that was the last thing Naruto wanted to deal with. Lee got in his own stance; there was no way this fight couldn't end with him losing.

Lee made the first move. Naruto barely got a chance to move out of the way as Lee kicked him with his whirlwind kick. Naruto landed on the ground, though not without Lee getting another hit. Naruto blocked his roundhouse kick to his face and countered with his own kick to Lee's stomach.

Naruto quickly did hand signs and created Shadow Clones; he created 10 of them. Lee was calm; he didn't have the look of anyone that was concerned. Naruto knew he couldn't defeat him just by overwhelming him with clones. That would not work; he was not dealing with an inexperienced amateur, but a Shinobi with at least one year of experience over him.

While his clones were distracting him, Naruto did the hand signs for his technique that he had not used in ages.

He got into position and shouted, "Wind Style: Wind Bullet!" A gust of wind came out of Naruto's hands as it knocked Lee back. Naruto did another Wind Bullet, which aimed for Lee's legs. Lee lost his footing; Naruto thought he could get a quick victory, but was proven wrong when Lee countered with another whirlwind kick that Naruto barely blocked.

He had to get distance; he had to think quickly. This was a far more difficult fight than he thought.

Lee disappeared right behind Naruto and knocked him down. Naruto barely managed to regain his footing. Lee was about to kick him again, but Naruto uppercut him on the chin, knocking him into the air.

When he was about to execute a technique he had thought about in his head, he was stopped when Lee landed gracefully on the ground.

"I apologize, Naruto-san, for holding back until this point. I underestimated you," Lee said, apologizing for his lack of respect. Naruto never saw that, but he appreciated Lee being respectful to him when he didn't have to be.

"I can't afford to lose. I have a lot on the line," Naruto replied.

"I know. I, too, have dreams on the line. I cannot lose here," Lee replied back.

"From this point onward, Naruto-san, things will be more difficult. If you have any techniques hidden, you better use them now," Lee said as he undid the bandages and jumped in the air, landing on the finger of one of the statues in the room. He went to where his shoes were and removed what looked to be weights. Naruto couldn't believe it—he was fighting him wearing those?

Naruto got back into his stance. When the weights hit the hard stone floor, Naruto knew this fight would be a lot more difficult—far more, in fact. He was probably one of the strongest Genin in the exam.

He did not want to have to reveal his secret new technique—not now, not yet—but he may have to if he was going to keep up with his opponent's speed.

Hinata was watching Naruto doing something with his index fingers. She wondered what he was doing. Was it some new technique that he was teaching himself? She hoped not; those techniques are dangerous if it is what she suspects Naruto's going to use.

"Well, I'll be! He's just like his mother," said Hiruzen, watching the fight.

"That technique is dangerous; it could—" Hinata was about to say but was interrupted by the Hokage.

"I have full faith that Naruto will not be reckless with this technique. He didn't use it up until this point, even though he wrote it down. When he looked at the scroll, he knew the dangers of the technique before using it," Hiruzen said as Lee moved fast—faster than the untrained eye can see. He appeared right behind Naruto, and Naruto was not able to use the technique that Hinata was afraid of him using.

He was barely able to keep up with Lee, as Lee went even faster. It was as if he were in multiple places at once; it wasn't an afterimage technique—it was just him moving at extremely fast speed, using a technique that Hinata had only read about. It was the Inner Gates. She couldn't believe a dangerous technique like that was being used, but it wasn't one of the more dangerous ones; it was the first gate that was being used.

He wasn't using Front Lotus, his technique that would tire him out. No, he was using it primarily to quicken his speed. Naruto was trying to keep up, but it was difficult.

"Of course he's going to lose to Lee; it's not shocking. I don't even know why this match is allowed to happen. It's just two losers fighting," said Neji with his fatalistic outlook. Hinata couldn't stand this; she had full faith in Naruto. She had to say something.

"Naruto will win," said Hinata confidently. This surprised everyone that she would say this out loud.

Naruto was getting pummeled. Everyone thought the match was as good as won, but she still would not give up on Naruto. No one believed in him back in the academy, and there was no way she was going to let Naruto think that there wasn't someone supporting him.

"You're wrong to assume that Naruto will lose," Hinata said to Neji with clenched teeth.

Neji didn't respond; they weren't on speaking terms, and she wasn't in the mood for a philosophical debate. Her priority was showing Naruto her support; whatever Neji believed or said did not matter.

Someone had to believe in Naruto. It had to be her. She watched the fight with full confidence that her student would win. No, Naruto was her friend, and she would believe in him even if she were the only one in the room who did.

The technique that he had to use would increase his speed, but with a great cost; it put a lot of strain on his body. It was a technique that was invented by his mother—it almost felt poetic in a way, using a technique that his mother wanted to use. He had been practicing this technique for months and felt there had been no appropriate time to use it because he didn't want to risk doing irreversible damage to his body. Even though he had Kyubi to help stave off the worst of the effects, he still did not want to depend on his companion. He wanted to win this battle with his own power.

"That technique is dangerous. With my help, I could stave off the worst of the effects," Kyubi said, offering to help him. Naruto appreciated the gesture, but he couldn't accept his assistance; he didn't want to treat his friend as a tool to be used every time a situation became inconvenient for him. Plus, he wanted to win this fight with his own power—he wanted his Sensei to know how far he had come. He didn't want Hinata to think of him as a boy.

"I appreciate the gesture, Kyubi, but you're not a tool that I use every time things get inconvenient. You're my friend, and I would appreciate it if you let me fight this battle on my own," Naruto said, which shocked Kyubi.

"What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this, Naruto? You have a weapon at your disposal; use me!" Kyubi insisted, not understanding why Naruto didn't want to use his power.

"No, you're my friend. I will not use you in this situation; please respect my decision. I can't." Naruto couldn't finish before Kyubi interrupted him.

"How the hell are you going to prove to Hinata that you're a man by not winning this fight? Naruto, how are you going to catch up to her? Why does it matter the means that you get there? It's not your fault that I'm in your body; why does it matter to you?" Kyubi asked him, not understanding Naruto's reluctance to use his chakra.

"Because I want to prove to everyone that I don't require your help to win, that I'm able to stand on my own. Plus, you're not a tool that I can use whenever it's convenient; you're my friend. You didn't choose to be in me. Please, the best thing you can do to help me is to support me by believing in me, please." Naruto said to Kyubi, which surprised him, still not understanding why he wasn't willing to use him.

"Very well, it's your decision. Naruto, fine, I'll believe in you. But know the consequences of refusal could delay you catching up to her. Don't complain if you lose; you better win." Kyubi said, embarrassed that Naruto treated him as a friend instead of a tool.

Before Naruto was going to use the technique, he couldn't help but think about the past when no one believed in him; when he was alone in the academy at a time before he met Hinata, before he found out about his parents. He couldn't help but think about this exact moment when he was fighting Sasuke in the playground when he was seven.

6 years ago

Naruto was at the academy grounds, waiting for his turn to spar. He didn't particularly like these moments because, when he started with Sasuke—which is what he did most of the time because nobody else would—he would always lose. Losing was not what bothered him; it was the fact that no one even cheered him on. Everyone was cheering for Sasuke.

Sasuke didn't give his fangirls any attention; his main focus was Naruto.

"You never learn, do you, loser?" asked Sasuke as he got in a fighting stance, that annoying smug look on his face that Naruto hated. Naruto got into his stance.

"You're never going to win, Naruto. Why do you bother with this? Why do you put yourself through this humiliation?" Sasuke asked. The 8-year-old boy didn't care; he wasn't going to just do nothing. He wanted to prove to everyone that he was as capable of being a ninja as everyone else.

"I don't give up. That's not my ninja way," said Naruto, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"No matter how many times you say that, it will not change the outcome. Why do you bother?" Sasuke asked again.

Naruto had no answer for that. How can he possibly answer that? He wants to be the Hokage, but when it comes out of his mouth, he sounds like an idiot. Nobody takes his decor seriously; they think he's just talking out of his mouth, that his words are hollow and mean nothing. If he beats Sasuke, he is one step closer to being the Hokage and getting the respect of the villagers. That is why he fights.

Nothing more was said as the boys started their usual sparring routine. Sasuke quickly ended the fight as he usually does. Naruto felt hopeless as Sasuke pinned him to the ground. He felt completely useless. Iruka dismissed everyone before Naruto got up and went back to his class, but he was pulled aside.

"Naruto, you should consider fighting other people. Sasuke is way too far out of your league," Iruka advised.

"Why do I fight someone that's weaker than me? That only reinforces that I'm nothing more than a loser who fights people weaker than him!" Naruto asked angrily.

"No, it's about being realistic. Naruto, Sasuke is way too far ahead of you in every conceivable way. He is better than you at everything. I know what I say sounds harsh, but I'm trying to tell you how it is. There are some obstacles, Naruto, that are too high to overcome." Iruka said, trying not to be too hard on Naruto.

But Naruto saw it for what it truly was: he didn't believe in him. Even if Iruka treated him kinder than everyone else, he still was like everyone else when it came to the one thing that Naruto hated the most—no one believed in him or supported him when it mattered.

He didn't say anything. He was dismissed from art and went back to his classmates. He wondered what it would be like to have someone believe in him. And support him not just as a friend but as something else?

That memory Naruto remembered the time when no one believed in him, but things had changed. Sasuke, while still his rival, is also his friend who treats him with respect, and he can keep up with him now. He has even been able to win some sparring matches.

Hinata, the woman who greatly admires his mother and father, was the woman who was his teacher and his friend. He didn't need to turn around to know that she was supporting him; her support was everything. It was the only thing that mattered to him. Nothing else did. To Naruto, Hinata was the most amazing person. Despite her flaws and everything that people would say is imperfect, to Naruto, she's everything that is perfect, including her imperfections. He cannot lose, not after everything Hinata has done for him.

He made her laugh and smile for the first time in who knows how long, but there were other ways he wanted to thank her. In other ways, he wanted to show his appreciation for her, to show that he is not a boy anymore. Everything that she has done for him over the past few months made him want to express his gratitude by showing how far he has come.

The technique he was about to use would be risky on his body. He did the hand signs and put his index finger where his chest was, activating the wind speed technique that would make him fast as the wind itself.

Naruto took a brief glimpse at his legs; it was as if rockets were being fired beneath his feet. His hands felt as if he had been granted the ability of flight. He felt speed like he had never imagined before. He was grateful that he took the extra time to study this technique when he took the scroll back when he thought, foolishly, he needed to steal in order to find a different way to pass the academy's final exam. This one technique he had been training for months—this would be the first time he would ever use it in combat. He hoped his body would not give out before the match was over.

He started to move; he moved so fast that nobody except a few individuals could keep up. He was amazed at how fast his legs were moving—it was as if he were the wind itself. His opponent was caught completely by surprise as Naruto hit Lee hard in the chest, knocking him back. Everyone gasped.

Nothing was said. Naruto had to resist the urge to smirk; it was too early for him to prematurely celebrate. This was a technique that he had not fully mastered yet. He would have to end this fight fast; otherwise, all of his efforts would have been for nothing.

Hinata saw Naruto put his index finger to his chest. She saw a gust of wind appear at Naruto's feet, and everyone was surprised that Naruto was using an S-rank technique. Naruto moved as fast as the wind; Lee was barely able to dodge his attack. Naruto went even quicker; it was as if he were in multiple places at once. He went left and right, up and down; he was moving as fast as the wind would take him. Everyone looked impressed by the technique, including Yui, who did not have a high opinion of Naruto. Even she was impressed. Hinata could see, out of the corner of her eye, the amazed look on her face.

Though she knew Lee had more techniques in his arsenal, she saw him use more of the gates that increased his speed in order to keep up with Naruto. His skin turned orange. This was dangerous for both of them; so much was on the line. But Hinata wanted to know why Naruto was willing to risk everything just for this bout. It wasn't even a life or death situation. Why? She did not get it.

Each punch that Naruto and Lee threw at each other sent a shockwave that almost pushed everyone back. These weren't dead last Genin fighting; these were high-level Shinobi, which shocked everyone who didn't think too highly of either one. Everyone had forgotten that these were Genin because of the amount of speed and skill being shown by Naruto and Lee.

They were so fast in their movements that Hinata was barely able to keep up with the match with her eyes. It was borderline impossible, considering how fast both of them were moving. They went from one side of the arena to the other. Lee punched Naruto in the stomach; Naruto did the same to Lee.

Both of them were screaming as punch after punch was thrown. Everyone was watching in amazement. Nobody was expecting a battle this intense with the bottom Genin of this year and last year. Their performance was more impressive than most of the students who performed better in their certification exams. This battle proved Hinata's belief that the exams were flawed. The dead last were showcasing more impressive feats than most of the students who performed better than them academically. It was difficult for her to believe that these were Genin fighting; they could be Chunin given the way they were demonstrating their skills.

They were both moving even faster despite the pain they were in. It was as if she were watching two opponents moving faster than the speed of light. Unless someone's eyes were trained like Hinata's, they would not be able to keep up with Lee and Naruto. It was as if they were moving from one dimension to the next; each blow sent shockwave after shockwave. The pavement on the ground had multiple holes; even the walls showed cracks. This could potentially get dangerous the longer the fight went on. She was proud of her student, proud of her friend. There were those who thought Naruto would just be another weakling; they were proven wrong. Even those who doubted Naruto were impressed by what he was capable of and how well he was performing against Lee and his high-level techniques.

"I'll be damned," said Guy, who was impressed with Naruto's skills. Both opponents were going all out; people couldn't keep their eyes off the battle. Just when people thought one opponent had the advantage, the other reversed their fortune. It was too difficult to judge for certain who could win or would win.

As much as Hinata supported Naruto, she couldn't help but worry about his health with the technique he was using and how much strain it would put on his heart if he used it for too long.

What was Naruto fighting for? Why did it matter so much for him to risk his own life?

"The best thing you can do to support someone in an important battle for their pride is to let them see it through to the end, no matter what. Hinata, if you have someone important to you—a friend, a student, a lover—the best thing you can do to support them is to let them see things through, no matter the outcome," Shisui said to her seven years ago when she first became a Genin. When she saw her teammate fighting in a life-and-death battle, her heart clenched as she thought about her friend who had long since passed from this world. Another reason to hate Itachi.

She would take her departed friend's advice and support Naruto, regardless of the outcome, because nobody else would.

"I know you can win, Naruto-kun. Don't lose," Hinata whispered, only low enough for her to hear. Little did she know, Naruto did hear her.

With his enhanced hearing, Naruto was able to hear everything people were saying. It was difficult to block it out; it was one of the reasons he was reluctant to use the technique up until this point. Not only did it give him faster speed, but he was able to hear everything and everyone. It wasn't just an enhancement jutsu to boost his speed and physical strength; it also enhanced his hearing as well. He heard Hinata's words: he wasn't going to lose. He couldn't, not with her believing in him.

Lee increased his pressure on Naruto. The two combatants were so fast that barely anyone was able to see them. Naruto was lucky for his stamina; otherwise, his jutsu would have burned him out long before he got to this point in the fight. Obviously, only an Uzumaki would be able to take advantage of this technique's abilities because it is built with their bodies in mind. Naruto was fortunate to have this heritage, even though he didn't know much about his clan. He would have to ask his cousin when this was over.

He made a motion that barely allowed him to dodge Lee's attack. Lee was increasing his speed as well. Despite how much power this technique gave him, Naruto was starting to feel the downsides. If the fight dragged on for too long, it could potentially kill him because of the strain it put on his heart. His opponent recognized this as well, but Lee had a technique that tired him out too, and he couldn't use it for too long. Both of them had to finish this fight; they couldn't drag this on anymore.

"Naruto-san, you have proven me wrong in every way possible. I have to apologize for underestimating you and for thinking that you wouldn't be worth my time. It is a shame we didn't fight in the finals. This fight would have been a spectacle; if we fought in the finals, we would have proven to those who looked down on us and thought we were nothing that we were as strong as the elite, if not stronger. A shame the power of youth has to end before anyone can see it," Lee said as he got into his stance for his final attack. Naruto got into his as well; there was another technique that he had at his disposal. Did he dare use it?

"I can't lose here. If I lose here, I won't catch up to her! I won't be able to be her equal. I'm sorry, Lee; I won't lose here," said Naruto as he got , into his stance for his final attack. Could he use this technique without putting too much strain on his body? He did not know, but he had to risk it.

Things were silent between them; it was as if an eternity was happening. Things were tense; it was as if time itself was standing still. There was no sound; nothing. It was as if sound itself wasn't able to get through. Naruto was going to use the technique that he had been practicing, though Lee had inspired him with the name.

Lee made the first move as he moved as fast as light. Naruto, not having much time to use the technique, moved as quickly as Lee did. Both of them were punching as fast as their arms would allow; it was as if the laws of physics were being manipulated at that moment. The gust of wind from Naruto's enhancement technique exploded, knocking back the spectators in the arena. Naruto had to do the technique now. With the surprised look on Lee's face, he did hand signs to create Shadow Clones. Blood came out of his mouth. He couldn't lose his nerve now; he had to win.

Naruto kicked Lee back. The first of the Naruto clones kicked him in the air; the second punched him; the third kicked him down to the ground, and the other four knocked him back up in the air, high for everyone to see. Naruto, with the speed of his technique, went above Lee and, with a downward motion of his right leg, yelled, "Uzumaki Barrage!"

Naruto said as he kicked down hard onto the ground. Everyone was silent when Naruto landed hard on the stone floor. He was barely able to stand. The technique that he used earlier was undone; his body could no longer handle it. He was hoping that was the blow that ended the match. He didn't know if he had it in him to continue, but Lee was on the ground; he was not able to move.

There was silence; everyone was shocked. They did not expect Naruto to win. Naruto smiled when he heard the announcement.

"Winner: Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto wanted to celebrate, but he felt like his body was hurting all over, and he heard his companion inside chastise him.

"I'll be damned! You won! I won't hear you complaining about hurting. I did offer to stave off the worst of it, after all. I'll help keep the worst of the pain at bay while your body heals itself," Kyubi said. Naruto was about to collapse until he felt Hinata wrap her arms around him to prevent him from falling.

"It's okay, Naruto. I'll take you up," said Hinata as she lifted him up, which caused him to be embarrassed that he was being picked up like a child. When she landed with him where her team was, they congratulated him.

"Damn! I didn't know you had a technique like that in your arsenal. I'm glad you're not our enemy," said Kagome.

"Now I really want to fight you," said Sasuke, intrigued by Naruto's strength.

"Oh man, I feel exhausted," said Naruto as he sat down. Hinata looked at him with concern, but he smiled to try to reassure her that things were not as bad as they looked.

"makes hardly any difference. A loser is always a loser."Naruto looked, and it was none other than Neji.

He tried to get up, but his body was unable to because of the strain. Neji looked at him as if he was beneath him.

"The outcome of the battle hardly mattered. Two losers were fighting each other, and the stronger of the two won. You're not cut out to be anything great; it's not in your destiny," Neji said arrogantly, which angered everyone at Team 7.

"I'll be in the next fight, and I'll be fighting the spoiled princess of the Hyuga clan, and I will prove what I say is correct. I will win the next fight. You will wish you would have lost Naruto if you face me in the finals; I will defeat you in both body and mind." Neji said as he walked past him.

"Wow, what an asshole," said Kagome, not liking the boy's arrogance.

"It's to be expected from the Hyugas," said Sasuke, then looked at his sensei.

"No offense, Sensei. I mean, I." Sasuke was cut off gently by Hinata.

"I take no offense, Sasuke. What you're saying isn't too far off."Hinata replied.

They knew the next fight would be the battle that would conclude the primary rounds.

She had witnessed the entire battle. Naruto and Lee—the one person that believed in her—was her descendant. She was not surprised, due to Hinata caring for the boy. She saw him fight, strength to strength, speed to speed; he was putting his own life on the line, even risking destroying his own body, all for his sensei. No, this had nothing to do with that; she could feel it. The boy's feelings for her descendant were obvious. The boy was in love with her descendant; that was clear from his eyes. When she looked at him, she could not help but be reminded—no, she could not think about him.

She pushed that thought aside. She couldn't allow Momo to sense her emotions. The boy's refusal to use Kyubi—his reasoning interested her. He was treating the spirit like a friend and not a tool, like his previous hosts had. He actually respected the power that he was wielding. He intrigued her. What was it about this boy that inspired others? It was subtle, but she saw gradual changes in Hinata. When she first met her, Hinata was colder, but now, when she saw her face, there was a warm smile rather than the cold exterior—the shield that she had put around herself to keep others at arm's length.

He was special; someone like that was only born once in a generation. A light like that could easily go out because of the cruelty of the Shinobi world. She had seen multiple boys like Naruto who became cold and ruthless when they became adults. That light—she felt sad. She hoped he wouldn't end up like the rest of them.

She didn't get a chance to indulge in her thoughts for long when she saw the names of two of her descendants: Neji and Hanabi. She couldn't help but feel sad; her descendants were torn apart because of a caste system introduced by her brother. She clenched her fist when she thought about Natsu, the man that she despised. Both of her descendants and his were about to face each other.

The Battle of Destiny: cousin against cousin. She saw briefly an image of herself fighting her brother until she shook her head. No, she couldn't think about him—the revulsion she felt when she thought about him and the children she was forced to carry that were his. This was the curse that Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji were forced to bear—descendants of her first husband's children. She wanted to throw up just thinking about it.

The curse and legacy of Natsu—a legacy that had cursed her family for generations. She watched through Momo's eyes the inevitable Battle of Destiny between her descendants.

This was originally going to be part of the previous chapter but I didn't want it to be too long so sorry for the short chapter for this particular battle. The next chapter will be between Neji and Hanabi, the chapter I've been looking forward to ever since this story began.