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Naruto's plan to dance with the Nine-Tailed Fox spirit under the flashing lights ended in failure—for one simple reason: he couldn't find the fox's waist.
However, the fox didn't seem the least bit ashamed about being so round that it lacked a discernible waist. Upon waking up, it immediately began devouring food with great enthusiasm.
The Morning of the Finals
The next morning, when Naruto arrived at the arena, all the participants were already present. The other nine candidates stood alongside an ANBU examiner, Shiranui Genma, who was chewing on a senbon needle, his posture rigid and silent.
"Yo, good morning, everyone! Anyone want some pine nuts?" a certain someone whose vibe clashed entirely with the rest of the ninja world chimed in cheerfully.
Naruto was currently munching on a handful of pine nuts, casually tossing the shells into a small garbage space within his mindscape.
"Good morning, Naruto. No thanks, I'm good."
"No need."
"…"
"Woof…"
In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire arena shifted.
"Quiet down! Stand straight and face the audience. Today is your best stage to showcase yourselves," Genma quickly interjected, sensing the awkwardness.
"Tch," Naruto pouted internally. Best stage? Please.
Later, I'll show you how to take down Kaguya with a tag-team combo. If you dare to watch, that is.
Naruto didn't care what the audience thought. He hadn't come here for the competition; he was here to beat up his "brother-in-law."
From the stands, the Third Hokage rose to his feet. "Esteemed guests, I sincerely thank you all for attending the Chunin Selection Exam hosted by Konoha."
As Naruto gazed at the Third from the arena, his inner thoughts ran wild. Old man, do you even realize who's sitting next to you? Is it Orochimaru?
"The ten finalists who passed the preliminaries will now compete in the main matches. Please enjoy the spectacle."
The Third kept his speech brief—likely out of fear of boring the audience away.
"Listen up!" Genma, hands stuffed in his pockets and a senbon dangling from his mouth, spoke in a laid-back but authoritative tone. "The battlefield may be different, but just like the preliminaries, there are no rules. The match ends when one side dies or surrenders. However, if I determine the outcome, I'll stop the fight. No objections, understood?"
Silence filled the arena.
"For the first match, Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji will remain. Everyone else, head back to the waiting area."
Naruto scanned the stands, searching for Hinata. The crowd was dense, and it took him two sweeps before he finally spotted her.
Hinata was nibbling on pine nuts, a small paper box resting on her lap. These were the pine nuts Naruto had personally roasted, and she seemed to love them.
On the battlefield below, one opponent was someone she adored, while the other was her brother. Though worried, Hinata's hands continued shelling pine nuts without pause.
In the center of the arena, the two combatants faced each other, their gazes locking.
"You seem confident you'll win?" Neji asked, his Byakugan already activated.
"??? What are you talking about?"
"So you're looking at me like I'm already dead?"
Naruto rolled his eyes internally. Damn, the Byakugan really does have incredible observational skills. How did he figure out my deep, hidden intentions?
Neji's veins around his eyes bulged as he assumed the Gentle Fist stance. "Don't get any ideas. These eyes can see your fate. You'll fall before them today."
Neji's assessment of Naruto's strength placed him somewhere above Rock Lee without Eight Gates, but below Lee with Eight Gates activated. He also noted Naruto's seemingly endless stamina.
This estimation wasn't far off, though it missed a few key points.
While Kakashi or Guy might discuss Naruto's abilities, Guy wouldn't share such information with Neji. Guy was straightforward, not foolish. He knew this was an exam where students had to rely on themselves, so he kept Naruto's secrets to himself.
Brother-in-law, can you stop believing so much in fate? Superstition won't get you anywhere.
If you really want to change your destiny, just stick your neck out, and I'll give you a red buff. Lie in bed for five years, and voilà—you've defied fate.
Naruto felt like he'd heard Neji's words somewhere before. He vaguely remembered someone claiming their Byakugan could see fate, only to be utterly destroyed by the Crown Prince's Wing Chun techniques, their ashes scattering across space.
At that thought, Naruto adopted a Wing Chun stance reminiscent of Donnie Yen's portrayal in Ip Man.
Sure, he didn't know how to use Wing Chun properly, but posing like it was easy enough.
Naruto also recalled comments he'd read online while watching Ip Man: "Wing Chun is all about grabbing arms and hitting heads. If you can't hit the head, aim for the chest." Other comments mentioned the need for lightning-fast reflexes, high physical fitness, and precise control over distance.
Distance control wasn't Naruto's strong suit, but the other two criteria? Definitely checkmarks.
Naruto prided himself on his reflexes. Even during sparring sessions with Sasuke, where Sasuke would unleash flashy moves too fast for the eye to follow, Naruto's body still managed to keep up.
His natural reflexes were already extraordinary, and combined with far more rigorous training than the original timeline's Naruto ever underwent—and countless battles and power-ups—he believed that once fully grown, even the Fourth Hokage's reaction speed wouldn't match his own.
As for physical fitness, Naruto doubted anyone back on his old Earth could compare.
Come on then. Today, let me, Foshan's secret weapon, test your skills, Hyuga Neji of Konoha.
Let's see who truly deserves the title of number one in Konoha.
Number one among Genin, that is.
Naruto retracted his stance and formed hand seals to activate his Wind Binding technique. Shit, I almost forgot to activate my skills again. At this rate, during a fight with Madara, I might forget to activate Kurama Mode.
He resumed his starting stance.
From the stands, the Third Hokage discreetly pulled out two painkillers, popping them into his mouth.
Though he didn't recognize Naruto's stance, he knew exactly what Naruto intended to do.
Did I send Jiraiya to teach you ninjutsu so you could engage in close-quarters combat with the Hyuga?
How long are you planning to drag this fight out?
Beside him, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, Orochimaru mused internally: So sensei truly is getting old. He's relying on medication to keep going.
His resolve to betray his teacher hardened further.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, sending two leaves spiraling downward.
The arena was so silent that even the sound of Hinata shelling pine nuts could be heard clearly.
"Match start!"
One leaf drifted past Neji.
Another floated toward Naruto, only to be caught in his Wind Binding technique before it could escape.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Naruto swiftly pinched the leaf between two fingers.
Infusing it with wind-natured chakra, he flung it toward Neji.
Even the smallest objects could become lethal weapons in Naruto's hands—a flying leaf or a makeshift kunai.
This was Naruto's signal.
Neji gathered chakra in his palm and swatted the leaf away. His Byakugan revealed traces of chakra lingering on the fragile surface. Since Naruto hadn't used a kunai, it was clear he wasn't aiming for an offensive strike.
Neji understood Naruto's intent.
This was merely a competition, not an endless barrage of attacks like his battles against Zabuza or Orochimaru.
As Neji prepared to strike, Naruto shifted into a Taijiquan-like stance. "Come on!"
Then, using his own interpretation of Wing Chun, he engaged Neji in combat.
The Third Hokage popped another two painkillers. Though he didn't understand the nuances, he could tell Naruto was alternating between two distinct styles. What's the point of these poses?
Sensei's health really is deteriorating day by day, Orochimaru thought sardonically.
Naruto's reflexes were lightning-fast. Moreover, Neji's attacks altered the flow of the Wind Binding technique, which Naruto's body instinctively detected. Most of Neji's strikes were intercepted.
Naruto's close-range combat combined with Hyuga-style taijutsu captivated the audience to the point where no one dared blink.
Though the ninja world boasted numerous flashy jutsu with dazzling effects, nothing compared to the sheer elegance of a taijutsu duel.
Dodging Neji's palm strike, Naruto sidestepped, grabbing Neji's elbow with his left hand and wrist with his right. With a twist, he yanked Neji's arm backward while driving his shoulder into Neji's chest.
Caught off balance, Neji stumbled. Before he could recover, Naruto delivered a brutal punch to his chest, sending him flying backward.
Told you I'd use a brick to educate my brother-in-law. Brick it is.
"Is that all you've got?" Naruto taunted.
Sasuke, who had been copying Naruto's movements with his Sharingan, froze. Wait… I've heard that line before!
What has Naruto been learning this past month? His style has completely changed.
No matter. First, I'll copy it. These moves look pretty useful.