Chapter 52: The First Duel
Following Konoha's two most famous clans, the visiting spectators were naturally most interested in their heirs.
In stark contrast, Naruto, whose true identity was unknown to most, seemed isolated, his spotlight dim compared to Sasuke's and Neji's. But those who knew—Kakashi, Anko, Sakura, and his other comrades—understood the truth. The likely victor of this entire tournament stood before them, overlooked by the crowd.
Even Iruka, his old Academy teacher, watched with a swelling heart. Seeing Naruto standing there, basking in this hard-won glory, felt like watching a younger brother succeed beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
As the finals were announced to begin, and the first match—Naruto vs. Neji—was called, the proctor, Genma Shiranui (toothpick and all), stepped onto the field. He motioned for all other contestants to clear the arena and return to the competitor's balcony.
Amidst the roar of the crowd, the others withdrew. Only Naruto and Neji remained in the center, facing each other.
"Naruto! You can do it!" Sakura's voice rang out first, sharp and clear. She clenched her fists, her excitement palpable, as if she were the one about to fight.
Not to be outdone, Ino yelled, "Naruto! Win this and I'll treat you to the best dinner in Konoha!"
Sakura shot Ino a glare. Trying to bribe him with food already?! She immediately began a hissed argument with her friend-turned-rival.
Hinata, too, wanted to shout her support. But her nature held her back. She could only watch, her hands pressed tightly together in silent, fervent prayer.
Neji, by contrast, had the vocal backing of nearly half the stadium. The "Hyuga Genius" title carried immense weight.
Sasuke and the others had taken their seats in the competitor's box, their focus absolute. In Sasuke's mind, while Neji was a genius of the year above, Naruto's victory was a foregone conclusion. She was more interested in how he would win.
"The match… begins!" With Genma's announcement, the air crackled. Both Naruto and Neji took a single, synchronized step back.
Seeing Naruto's casual stance, a spark of competitive fire lit in Neji's pale eyes. "I know you've been hiding your strength. A genin who can use a Jonin-level Body Flicker… let's see what you're truly made of."
Naruto offered a slight smile. Neji's Gentle Fist was undoubtedly masterful. But all the skill in the world meant nothing if you couldn't touch your opponent.
Let's test those taijutsu skills first.
With that thought, Naruto's footwork shifted. He became a blur, closing the distance in an instant, a kunai aimed with deceptive simplicity at a vital point.
Neji swayed, a minimal movement that let the blade pass by. His own palm shot out, fingers poised to strike the chakra points on Naruto's exposed torso.
Naruto's body performed an impossible contortion, slipping past the strike. He was already circling behind Neji, the kunai flashing toward another weak spot.
Neji's brow furrowed. He parried with a sharp slap to Naruto's wrist, forcing him back. In close quarters, he's not being suppressed by my style. He's forcing me to defend. After creating space, Neji reassessed. His speed is the key.
Their figures wove through the arena—Naruto a flickering, evasive phantom; Neji an immovable, precise fortress. A stalemate, but one where any keen observer could see Neji was on the back foot. Neither was using their full arsenal.
BAM! A fist met a palm squarely. The impact sent both skidding backward.
Neji stared, his expression now one of grave seriousness. His taijutsu is this refined? His speed surpassed even Lee's dedicated training, and his movements blended raw power with a touch of soft-style fluidity. Incredible. What Neji had assumed would be a battle of suppression was now a desperate struggle.
Naruto, meanwhile, remained relaxed. The brief exchange had given him Neji's measure. His speed was, as expected, superior. Neji's Gentle Fist was potent, a level above Hinata's, but still bound by its form.
The taijutsu display alone sent murmurs through the crowd. The Hyuga were famed for close combat, yet here was Uzumaki Naruto, matching and even pressuring their genius.
In the stands, Hiashi Hyuga watched intently. His young daughter, Hanabi, tugged at his sleeve. "Father, can Neji-nii-san beat him?"
"It is… uncertain," Hiashi replied, his voice low and solemn. "Neji is a rare prodigy. But Uzumaki Naruto… he is unfathomable. Even I cannot clearly see his limits."
"Really? He's that strong?" Hanabi pouted, annoyed. What's so great about that plain-looking guy?
Down in the arena, the tempo shifted again. Naruto suddenly put distance between them, drawing a handful of kunai and shuriken. He flung them forward in a wide arc, his hands already flying through seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The thrown projectiles split in mid-air—two, four, eight—until the sky above Neji was darkened by a spinning, whistling storm of metal. It was a tactic of pure volume, more direct than Tenten's scroll-based version, and it made Tenten herself watch from the stands with envious admiration. This was a technique Naruto had picked up from the Sandaime, now wielded with practiced ease.
Facing the deadly rain, Neji didn't panic. Only when the storm was upon him did he settle into a deep, grounded stance, his hands moving into a mysterious, circular pattern.
Scene Twenty: For Hinata's Sake
The moment that stance was taken, Hiashi Hyuga shot to his feet in the stands.
"That's… the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven! He mastered the clan's secret technique… on his own?!" Hiashi's whisper was laced with shock.
In the arena, Neji completed the spin. His body became a blur of motion, a localized whirlwind of blue chakra erupting around him. The countless kunai and shuriken struck the rotating shield with a cacophony of pings and clangs, each one repelled and dissolving into smoke before hitting the ground.
When the last projectile vanished, Neji stood gracefully at the center, his white robes settling around him. The display of elegant, absolute defense drew screams of adoration from a sizable portion of the female audience.
Naruto stood before him, the faint smile still on his lips. He'd expected this.
"Uzumaki Naruto, I acknowledge your strength," Neji stated, raising a palm. His pride was intact, but his tone held new respect. "But now… I get serious."
Before the last word faded, Neji was a streak of motion, faster than before, a palm strike aimed with terrifying speed.
Naruto, seemingly caught off-guard for a split second, found Neji already inside his guard. The Hyuga genius dropped low, arms spreading wide, assuming the foundational stance of his clan's ultimate technique.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Neji declared, leaving nothing to chance. He would end this with his strongest move.
"You are now within my Eight Trigrams domain! There is no escape!" Neji's confidence was absolute.
The audience gasped as one. Hiashi's face was a mask of stunned disbelief.
"Hanabi, watch closely," Hiashi said, his voice taut with a mixture of awe and instruction. "This is the power of a true Hyuga genius. Learn from it."
On the other side of the stadium, Hinata's face had gone pale with worry. She knew the power of the Sixty-Four Palms all too well. A single hit would seal chakra points, crippling the victim. If Naruto was struck, he'd be unable to use chakra… he'd lose.
Her heart clenched, tears threatening to spill from her wide eyes.
Seeing Hinata's distressed, flushed face, Kurenai beside her frowned in concern. Hinata's heart injury was still healing; such intense emotion was dangerous. "Hinata, don't panic," Kurenai said softly, placing a calming hand on her student's shoulder. "Naruto is strong. He won't fall so easily. You need to rest. You mustn't strain your heart."