Chapter 16: Naruto VS Neji

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Naruto's POV (Training Ground of Team Nine)

Naruto and Neji squared up. The tension in the field was immeasurable. Kurenai went to officiate but Kakashi held a hand up. Merely shaking his hand no. They needed to truly cut loose. This proved to be wise as the two started at close range immediately. Neji tried for a palm thrust to the face, but Naruto ducked and drew his tanto. Slashing at the Hyuga's legs, Neji backflipped to escape this. Leaping forward and unleashing a barrage of finger jabs. Naruto wisely used his tanto to block these until one of the jabs landed.

Naruto puffed into smoke.

"Nice job jackass!"

"Ya, you beat one of us!"

"Only took like seven moves!"

"Might as well have been a thousand!" Clones called out as they walked into the clearing. Neji's eyes scanned around but couldn't identify the blonde from the clones. "Now, let's get him with one of our newest moves! Naruto Hammer!" Clones called out in unison as they fired off each other towards the Hyuga who was dodging easily enough. "Naruto Reflect!" The clones kept the blonde missing flying manual redirecting them with numbers if needed. Neji constantly dodged but was getting closer and closer to getting hit.

"Damn you! Kaiten!" Neji called. Spinning in place he was surrounded by chakra that destroyed the clones slamming into it.

There was a lull of action as the smoke cleared. "You realize, I see you and your copies in the forest around me right?" Neji asked.

"Do you know which one is the real one?" Naruto asked.

Neji growled. Before, more clones charged. He met their charge tearing through them before seeing one of the explosive clones come in. They attempt to grab the Hyuga, but with Kaiten he manages to escape unscathed.

"Hey, Neji!" Naruto called as he fell. From above the Hyuga. "Block this!" Neji seemed to take this to heart. Immediately reactivating Kaiten. Naruto smiles as he pulls his tanto and assumes the stance had earlier in mid-air "Uzumaki Style: Rising Spiral!" Once again, a twisting amount of chakra flowed from the tanto focused on the top of Kaiten. The two techniques clashed, spinning in opposite ways, the two attacks grinding together. This caused an explosion that rocked the field. As the dust settles from the attack. Neji stumbles unharmed but obviously dazed from being in the center. Naruto cast a smirk as he called once again "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

The blonde was once again surrounded by clones. He led a charge with some of the others stopping to fire kunai, shuriken, and Naruto hammers. Neji saw the widespread assault coming but merely growled, matching their charge once again. A blonde missile fired off directly at the Hyuga who spun out of its way. In the process spinning kicked another flying clone out of the way. Swiping a kunai out of the air aimed for his neck, he clashed with another clone. The two pushed their blades trying to overpower the other. Immediately dropping the knife, Neji unbalanced the clone. Dispelling it with a palm strike. As he did he blocked a roundhouse from another, but was hit by another clone who landed a hard body kick on the Hyuga. Neji stumbled back in pain but quickly rolled when he noticed yet, another flying clone coming from above. As he recovered his stance, he ducked a slash from a Naruto. Another tried to sweep his legs. But Neji merely jumped into the air with a call of "Kaiten!" All the clones attacking the Hyuga, were knocked into the air. All but one popping. Neji smirked as he landed and dashed to where Naruto would land.

"This is crazy." Choji whispered, amazed.

"Naruto!" Ino called out concern when she saw how hard Kaiten hit the blonde.

"This very well could be over. Neji is absurdly strong for a Genin. I have sparred against him several times in class. And never managed much. Naruto should be proud to do this well. Unfortunately, Neji seems keen on ending this."

"Shame, I thought blondie had more spunk than that." Yuno said simply seemingly disappointed.

"Just you wait! Naruto is gonna turn this around!" Ino retorted instantly.

Naruto fell towards Neji. Seemingly a bit out of it from the hard blow. As the blonde drew close Neji merely smiled as he spun again. "This is the price of defying fate! KAITEN!" The dome returned and the blonde slammed into the top of it. He bounced upwards and fell again. Neji merely continued his rotation. The blonde bounced again now bruised and bloodied. Neji stopped his rotation and chambered his hand. As Naruto fell from the sky defenseless, Neji mercilessly called out. "PALM BOTTOM!" He slammed his palm into the blonde, Naruto coughed up a bit of blood as he flew back. Rolling on the ground and stopping in a heap.

"This is done. That is the weight of fate." Neji said coldly as he stomped forward. Naruto had done fairly well but it was disappointing to see he had failed. A small part of the Hyuga hoped he would be proven wrong today.

"Where the fuck you going?" Naruto called out. He stood on his feet. He was covered in dirt with an occasional bruise. He had a bit of blood flowing from his mouth and oozing out of a cut on his forehead. But he stood strong, even smiling at the Hyuga. "You really should've finished me when you had the chance." Naruto said his smile was growing. "That would've been a great finish! But I prefer to end things with a bang! Shadow Clones: Walking Landfield Jutsu!"

Neji's eyes widened, first at the blonde still standing. Then at the numerous wells of chakra glowing throughout the field. As he scanned the area he saw he was surrounded by exploding clones hiding underground. A damn tunnel system had been caved in by them! He spun desperately as the clones exploded. Creating a massive explosion. Coating everything in a dust cloud.

"Why must he blow everything up?" Kakashi complained while watching. Kurenai seemed to be glaring at him. The Cyclops wondered if it was the brutal fight, the potential lethality of it, or the destruction of her training field. Kakashi would be putting some earth jutsu on display after this.

As the ground cleared Neji was still standing mostly unharmed except slightly singed. He stumbled but received no pity. With a shout, several blondes flew from the air hitting Neji in tandem. Before Neji could fly away they grabbed the Hyuga and held him up. Each holding one of his limbs and lifting him in the air restraining him "I'M ENDING THIS NOW!" Naruto called as Neji saw him and a clone flew through the air above. One was holding the other Naruto by the hands. Flipping through the air the two build speed. Neji touched two fingers from two of the clones holding him, dispelling them and freeing his arms. Unfortunately, this led to his upper half falling. Neji realizing he would not have time to avoid nor the freedom for Kaiten crossed his arms over his face. Filling them with chakra he mounted the best defense he could muster. Naruto flew in hard, screaming "NARUTO BATTLE AX!" His foot slammed into the Hyuga. The blow sent the Hyuga into the ground cracking the concrete below. His arms saved him somewhat but his back and skull still crashed into the ground. Only Neji's determination kept him conscious. The two clones holding him were expelled from the harsh impact. Naruto jumped back and waited. He was certain Neji couldn't tank a hit like that but it never hurt to be sure. Once ten seconds passed the blonde decided to approach the Hyuga carefully.

"LET'S GO BLONDIE! BLONDES FUCKING RULE!" Ino cheered excitedly.

"Haha! Who knew Naruto had it in him?" Choji agreed, happy to see his friend succeed.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Yuno interjected.

"Why not? Naruto laid him out." Choji asked

"That's because Neji's playing him." Shino informed them.

"Otherwise Kurenai and I would be down there." Kakashi informed.

"Naruto…" Ino said quietly. She wanted to warn him but he would likely be furious if she did.

Naruto approached and held out in front of him. Twenty feet away, ten, five. Neji had yet to move. As Naruto got into arms reach, the Hyuga sprung up with a roar. Naruto prepared for this and countered with a thrust. But Neji seemingly had seen this already, having thrown a kick to counter the thrust. He kicked the blonde off balance. And with a smile prepared his new technique. "You're in my range. One Palm!" Neji dashed forward, Naruto attempted to counter with a slash but Neji landed a finger on his shoulder before he could. Naruto could feel his arm numb and hesitate. This was all Neji needed to continue the assault. "Two Palms!" One went high and low making the blonde stumble back. "Four Palms! Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms!" Naruto seemed completely defenseless, the pain seeming to overwhelm him. "Thirty-Two Palms!" Naruto was barely standing. Neji merely growls viciously as he moved to finish the blonde. "Sixty-Four Palms!" Naruto flew back and landed flatly on his back. Neji fell to his knees. Both panted on the ground. Naruto with a groan crawled to his feet picking up his tanto as he did so. Neji sighed as he rose as well.

"Are you running on empty?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, I see you're struggling to mold chakra. Surrender."

"I planned for this actually," Naruto stated simply as he made a new stance with his tanto holding it up for a downward slash. "I don't need chakra for this technique. "Uzumaki Style: Raging Wave!"

Naruto slashed downward, his sword glowing as he did so. Once he reached the bottom of the swing Chakra burst from the blade in a quick straight line. Neji was shocked but twirled by instinct. "Fate has spoken! Your future is decided! YOU CAN'T CHANGE ANYTHING! KAITEN!"

"Then I'll break my fate! I'll show you! YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR OWN LIFE!" Naruto screamed. As the two yelled their fury, Naruto's newest technique slammed into the barrier. There was a clash of chakra as the two ground against each other. But the domed seemed to bend inward before shattering. The wave of chakra hit the Hyuga. The blow knocked him back and burnt him. On his chest was a slash as if he had been cut by a blade. There was silence as everyone waited to see if Neji would rise again. But the Hyuga did not. The final blow had knocked him out.

Kakashi appeared to check on the Hyuga. Once he was happy that Neji was stable he stood and stared at Naruto. Kurenai appeared as well. The shock on her expression as well. "Naruto Uzumaki wins the spar!" She called. Both teams cheered happily both seeming to have enjoyed the fight and the victor. "What the hell are you teaching them, Kakashi?" She asked. "Chunin would've struggled to do anything against either."

"Oh, they both carry heavy burdens." Kakashi explained simply.

Kurenai rolled her eyes at the lack of info on the answer. But they were both interrupted by a waking Neji. Even as damaged as he was he rose to his feet. Stomping over the blonde. Kurenai went to interfere but Kakashi stopped her again.

Neji arrived barely standing in front of Naruto. Naruto was hurt but managed to stand firm. "You actually defeated me. You were nothing special ye-"

"Listen, our circumstances are important, they help make us who we are. But they are not the only factor. Things are never set in stone. The only time they are is when we give up. I could never become Hokage, but I never would give up. I don't have much in this world. But I have my willpower, my drive, my dreams. So one day when I AM Hokage, I'll set the branch members free." Naruto said as he walked forward holding out his fist. Neji seemed to stare at it unsure of what to do. But with a small smile, he met the fist.

"I apologize for my actions. I look forward to working with you. Loser." Neji said.

"You too, you absolute ass." Naruto countered.

Ino felt the pressure building inside her dissipate. The fight was over somehow Naruto had won, and even better somehow the men seemed closer. Choji and Shino were both happy to see the blonde win. Yuno merely seemed fascinated with the blonde.

Kakashi merely smiled. He wondered if Minato and Rin would be proud.

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Jiraiya's POV (Nearby)

Jiraiya chuckled from the trees nearby. It had been murder getting here in time but it was well worth it. Kushina had written to him informing the Sage of the match the blonde was involved in. Jiraiya had to see the fight. See if the kid had his father in him. The blonde had actually knocked off Neji, decisively as well. He had even shown guts. The man was one he hadn't met yet. A busy man like the Toad Sage was often on the go. But the blonde had Kushina so he was not worried. Yet in that fight, it was like watching Kushina and Minato battle together again. A mix of viscous planning and sharp instincts had allowed the blonde to win. Jiraiya wanted so badly to introduce himself but not yet. He would get the blonde as a tutor as soon as he was promoted. And after this performance, Jiraiya had no doubt he would soon see his godson. But for now, he would wait. "Soon Naruto, soon."