Chapter Text
The Chuunin exams is reaching its final phases. Daimyo, Kage and representatives from across the continent gathered to witness their finest genin, eager to showcase their nation’s power and strength. Though the crowd were ecstatic for the fights lined up, hushed tones whispered of disappointment, of disparaging remarks spreading subtly through the benches with how the first round wouldn’t offer much entertainment. After all, for the genius of the Hyuuga clan pitted against the village pariah, the audience didn’t expect much of a battle. All bets hedged on Neji's win.
Neji scoffed, he was no fool. Their confidence notwithstanding, he knew the foe he faced, knew never to underestimate any opponent. The civilian populace are too naive, too distanced and detached from the realities of the ninja world. Of course, it eased his nerves to knew he would be facing Naruto. What was it they said? The fool who failed to graduate by messing up a simple bunshin jutsu? The no-name clan attached to an equally dismal family background. Uzumaki is a clan more obscure than the Harunos- of this Neji’s victory is assured. He would have this match blindfolded.
Still, his training tempered his arrogance. He took his position among the grounds, a taunting smirk on his face though vigilance hinted at his diligent training and dedication to winning. Despite the surety coursing through his veins, something feels different in the air somewhat. That pulse of chakra that seemed to pulse with his opponent’s boisterous energy as Naruto barrelled through the arena unceremoniously.
“I’m surprised you manage to find your way to the match. I surmised you have lost your way, just like that teacher of yours.” Neji taunted, smirk widening at the fire he ignited in his opponent’s eyes. Naruto pumped his fist, a scowl and a fang peeking to show his irritation.
“Shut your mouth, pale eyes! I’ll have you know Kakashi-sensei is a great teacher. And by the time this match is over, you’ll be apologizing to both him and Hinata. But only after a beat you to a bloody pulp!” Naruto bellowed an uncharacteristically growly voice, flaring his blue chakra- a gesture caught by Neji’s all-seeing eyes.
“Empty words, from an equally empty head. It is destined that you’ll lose this match. You worthless joker, the cosmos has preordained, your loss is inevitable. But while your tongue waggles meaninglessly, allow me to demonstrate the difference in our strength… Byakugan!” Neji’s eyes narrowed to pale slits as veins gorged themselves with blood around his eyes, pumping chakra and energies centralizing to his dojutsu. He could see it all. Naruto’s chakra paths, the coursing blue of chakra that gushed through the boy’s body, all the chakra points that Neji would love to silence with just a simple push of his fingers.
Naruto just grinned, unperturbed by his taunts. He weaved his handsigns, and soon Neji could see that gushing blue split into three. He scoffed, assuming defensive formation and preparing his palms to defend against Naruto’s charge.
“Come on, we’ve seen that trick before, lowlife. I’ve seen all your tricks when you fought Kiba. Give us something new.” Neji deflected a punch, easily dodging a kick to his head as his long dark hair danced in unison with his moves. As he dodged Naruto’s attack, a creeping wariness sent hairs raising at the back of Neji’s neck.
“Oh yeah? I haven’t even started yet.” Naruto’s clones gathered blue chakra at the ends of their fist while Neji barely dodged them, the resulting impact dented the ground before him, right where his fought used to be. For a second, the usual stoicism within Neji took a backseat as he assessed the situation.
This speed… This grace… This power… It’s almost… unnatural. It’s as if the Naruto who beat Kiba with his brawn and luck and the Naruto he’s fighting now are completely different people.
A fluke perhaps? But no, this raw power is controlled, unlike the chaotic energy with which Naruto fought Kiba in the preliminaries. This is different, almost like a hurricane that moved with surgical precision.
He had to act fast, had to show more of his power if he has to counter this.
“Kaiten!”
Neji concentrated his chakra and twisted his body. And just as expected, the clones dissipated as they collided with Neji’s burst of chakra. But where is Naruto?
Neji stopped his rotation, eyes concentrating around him. Even the crowd is confused. Naruto has disappeared. Then, his eyes saw a subtle shift of blue beneath him, jumping just in time to evade Naruto’s hand aiming to grab at his ankle.
Sneaky. But not sneaky for Neji’s eyes. Nothing escapes the Byakugan. Using Naruto’s momentum, he grabbed the other boy’s wrist and grabbed it, tossing Naruto to the air and with precision, Neji struck at Naruto’s tenketsu points.
121…164…240….. 121 more to go. Naruto was panting, his chakra system scrambling to find pathways throughout to deliver his chakra. Neji relaxed, stepping back, panting himself from the exertion.
“These eyes… can see you…. Deadlast. Every cell, every pathway, every chakra coursing through you. I closed nearly two-thirds of your tenketsu. Your chakra must be so confused by now.” Neji grinned, lunging at the startled Naruto before he unleashed more of his palms and fingers.
268, 290, 321….
“Do you know the human body has 361 tenketsu points? You’re left with only 40… just enough to keep your heart beating. Perhaps it is prudent for you to call this match a defeat. Accept your destiny just as I have accepted mine.”
He leered at the downed Naruto.
“Just as it is destined that my wings be clipped, I will clip your foolish dreams, here and now. It is fate that you fall to me this day.”
“I don’t get what the hell you’re saying. I ain’t beaten yet. Destiny? Fate? I don’t believe in that crap. I’m gonna be Hokage, and I’m gonna beat you today.”
“Oh but you are. I left just enough to keep you alive. But you couldn’t even conjure your chakra, could you? Look at yourself. Accept what is inevitable.”
“Nothing’s inevitable. Nothing’s set in fucking stone!” Naruto growled as he struggled to push himself off the ground. “I”ll have you apologize to Hinata. I made a promise!”
Neji gritted his teeth and delivered a kick to Naruto’s torso, sending the other flying. “You can’t deny fate! Just as I can’t deny mine.” He hissed, hand lifting his protector to reveal the caged bird seal.
“This shows that no matter how hard I work, how many foes I beat, my fate is that of a branch member, never to ascend, never to be acknowledged as nothing more but an inferior insect fit to only serve those in the main branch. This fate, I have accepted, much as you will. We cannot defy our destiny Naruto, much like how you can't defy yours.” His tone turned softer, as if he’s trying to control his raging emotions.
Neji walked closer to Naruto, his eyes focused and steely as painful reminders of the past flooded him. But just as quickly as he approached, he stopped his advance, a menacing chakra… or is it an aura? No… an aura would be too faint.. this chakra, faint though it may be coursed through the closed tenketsu, allowing Naruto to stand up.
“Fate? Destiny? I don’t give a crap!” Naruto stood up. “It ain’t about what you’ve been handed, man… but…” Naruto paused, that faint chakra now pulsed with vibrant orange…. then… crimson…. Gushing through the closed chakra points forcing them open.
“But what you do with it!”
Naruto lunged at him, crimson tendrils of chakra wrapping themselves around Neji, emerging like tails from behind Naruto, catching the Hyuuga unprepared. Neji steeled himself for the inevitable blow, from the fist that was coming to him. But surprisingly, it never came, instead, crimson eyes gazed at him, holding him close.
“I get it, man. It’s hard to see the chains when you lived your whole life with it isn’t it? In time, you learned to just accept them no matter how rusty and flimsy they became.” Neji’s eyes widened, the uncharacteristic wisdom spilling from the other ninja’s lips.
“These chains... these shackles… Let’s break it… Together…”
Neji smiled. A genuine one. This Naruto… this deadlast… it’s refreshing.. So uncharacteristic. That raw unbridled power simmering in the other boy’s chakra intrigued him, but so does the unwavering fire in the eyes staring at him.
Then and there, Neji knew… knew that he has been beat. Not in raw strength or strategic prowess. But in the superiority of thoughts, in the strength of heart, mind and soul. He gave a silent look at Naruto, his usual stoic eyes now gentle, inviting.
“Perhaps. Didn’t you say you’d beat me to a pulp?” He grinned teasingly, not even evading Naruto’s fist as it him squarely on the jaw.
“I sure did. But it ain’t gonna be your jaw I’ll break, Neji… You can count on it. Believe it!” As Neji flew to the ground, he accepted his defeat. But not with a heavy heart. Because in this moment, he found something greater… something to believe in... his light… Naruto.
“These chains… these shackles… Let’s break it… Together…” he echoed back as the matched was called.
“Winner: Uzumaki Naruto!”