Chapter 56
The arena was filled with murmurs as the audience watched the blond teenager laughing to himself.
"Has he gone insane?"
"Does he really think he can stand against the Hyūga Clan's strongest prodigy?"
From the stands, the Third Hokage observed Naruto Uzumaki with narrowed eyes. The boy he had always known as the dead-last, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki who never seemed serious about becoming a shinobi, now stood with an aura completely unlike before. What happened? Hiruzen wondered. This is nothing like the Naruto I knew!
At that moment, Genma Shiranui raised his hand and declared, "The first match of the Chūnin Exams... Begin!"
Neji Hyūga activated his Byakugan immediately, shifting into the Gentle Fist stance, his expression cold and composed. In contrast, Naruto stood with his hands in his pockets, his long cloak billowing in the breeze.
In the stands, Hiashi Hyūga observed the scene alongside his youngest daughter, Hanabi. "Watch carefully, Hanabi. Neji has inherited the bloodline of the Hyūga Clan better than anyone. Even your sister, Hinata, is no match for him."
Hanabi blinked, glancing at her father. "Better than... my sister?"
"That's right," Hiashi said with certainty. "And he surpasses even you."
In the arena, Neji's voice was laced with scorn. "The honor of the Hyūga Clan is not something you can insult. That delicate girl Hinata is unworthy of our name!"
Naruto's playful smirk disappeared instantly. His cerulean eyes narrowed as he took slow, deliberate steps toward Neji.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"Is he crazy? Naruto can't win in close combat against a Hyūga!"
"What an idiot! He's charging straight at him!"
Ino Yamanaka clenched her fists. "Naruto! What the hell are you doing?!"
Naruto ignored them all. His mind flashed back to the anime he had watched in his past life—the scene where Neji ruthlessly battered Hinata, spitting venomous words at her. That memory fueled the fire burning inside him.
He shifted his gaze to Rock Lee in the stands before turning back to Neji. "You think effort means nothing? That talent is all that matters? Fine. Let me show you the power of those who never give up!"
He took a deep breath and widened his stance.
"First Gate—Open!"
Gasps filled the air.
Rock Lee's eyes went wide in shock.
Might Guy's jaw dropped. "No way…! Naruto knows the Eight Gates?! Kakashi, what the hell have you been teaching him?!"
Even the Third Hokage stood up, his pipe slipping from his lips. "Impossible! The Eight Gates Formation…!"
Naruto took another step forward.
"Second Gate—Rest Gate, open!"
Another burst of chakra erupted from his body, shaking the arena floor.
"Third Gate—Life Gate, open!"
Green energy flickered around him, his body trembling slightly under the sheer force. His muscles tensed, ready to explode into motion.
Then, with a loud boom, Naruto vanished.
Neji barely had time to react before Naruto reappeared behind him.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
A high-speed roundhouse kick smashed into Neji's guard, sending him skidding backward. Naruto didn't stop—his figure blurred as he attacked from different angles, disappearing and reappearing in an instant.
Neji's Byakugan darted in all directions, barely keeping up. "He's too fast!"
Then, suddenly—
Naruto vanished completely.
"Nani?!" Neji gasped.
A split second later, Naruto materialized below him, launching an uppercut kick.
"Konoha Ryu—Primary Lotus!"
Naruto grabbed Neji mid-air, wrapping him in a tight grip as they rocketed toward the ground. But before impact—
"Kaiten!!" Neji roared.
A massive chakra sphere erupted around him, blasting Naruto away. The force sent Naruto skidding across the dirt, but he flipped mid-air, landing gracefully on his feet.
The spectators were speechless.
Hanabi turned to her father. "That was…"
Hiashi nodded. "Yes, Rotation—an absolute defense technique passed down only within the Main Branch of the Hyūga Clan. For Neji to have mastered it on his own… Impressive."
Neji steadied himself, his breath heavy. "You can't win, Naruto. Talent is absolute. Some are born to rule, others to fail. No amount of effort can change that! Fate is set in stone!"
Rock Lee clenched his fists, his expression dark.
Neji's voice carried across the field. "You claim you want to be Hokage? That's impossible. A failure like you has no right to dream! Hokage is a title for those born with the mission to lead! You can't just become one because you want to! That is reality! Fate dictates everything. There is only one thing in this world that is equal for all… Death!"
Hiashi narrowed his eyes. So, you still carry hatred for the Main Branch…
Naruto dusted himself off, rolling his shoulders. "Damn, you sure love to talk."
Then he smirked.
"Alright then, time to show you what 'a failure' can do."
He bent his knees slightly.
"Fourth Gate—Pain Gate, open!"
A thunderous boom erupted as the ground beneath him cracked. A powerful shockwave radiated through the arena.
"Fifth Gate—Limit Gate, open!"
The air trembled as debris flew in all directions. Neji barely had time to blink before Naruto disappeared—
And then, he was there.
A crushing kick sent Neji flying. Before he could recover, another strike hit him from the opposite direction.
"Damn it!" Neji snarled, spinning mid-air. "Rotation!"
But Naruto was already above him.
"Eight Inner Gates..." Naruto's voice echoed.
Neji looked up, his eyes widening in horror.
"!!"
A monstrous impact shook the arena as Neji's body slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater.
Silence.
The entire stadium stared in disbelief as the dust settled. Naruto stood at the edge of the crater, panting heavily, his body steaming from the strain.
Neji lay in the center, motionless.
The referee gulped. "T-The winner… is Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Naruto barely heard them. He looked down at Neji and smirked.
"Still think fate is unchangeable, huh?"
From the stands, Rock Lee wiped away tears. "Naruto… you…"
Might Guy folded his arms, his eyes glinting with approval. "Magnificent… Absolutely magnificent!"
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage exhaled deeply. "This boy… He might just pull it off…"
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