Land of Fire, Konohagakure. The Arena. The Hyuga clan's genius vs. the dead last. Complaints echoed throughout the entire venue. There was nothing to see. The outcome was also completely predictable.
Hyuga Neji easily crushed Uzumaki Naruto. Just as he was about to end the match, Neji suddenly stopped. He looked at Naruto, who spoke illogically but always replied like a "super-alpha" after only half-reading. Neji smiled, silently untying the forehead protector from his brow, revealing the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
This was the moment he had been waiting for. A fine layer of cold sweat appeared on Hyuga Hiashi's forehead. Not speaking sooner or later, but waiting until this moment, in an arena filled with dignitaries and people from other villages, to expose the Hyuga clan's scandal. Clearly, Neji had a strong purpose.
At the highest point of the stands, Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, glanced at the Third Hokage, whose expression was somewhat grim but quickly hidden. Orochimaru smiled. His teacher was as enduring as ever. Truly worthy of being called the "Professor."
"So... you're saying that as long as you work hard, anyone can become Hokage, right? Face reality! Those who can become Hokage are destined for it from birth!"
With that, Neji put on his forehead protector. Naruto, whose Chakra had been sealed by a Gentle Fist strike, fell silent. He lowered his head, gritting his teeth, his shoulders trembling constantly. Finally, he clenched his fists and shouted at Neji: "Hmph! So what? I won't give up easily!"
At this moment, the victory was decided. Whether in terms of combat or rhetoric, Neji completely overwhelmed the current Naruto.
Hakke Rokujūyon Shō.
As expected, Naruto was once again sent flying by Neji. "The idea that you can achieve your dreams just by working hard is simply a fantasy!" Neji said calmly. The match, which should have ended long ago, was deliberately dragged out by Neji until now.
And then... "Stupid fox! You've lived here long enough, time to pay rent! Lend me your power!"
Kyuubi Chakra erupted. Naruto regained his ability to move. In an extremely disheveled manner, he knocked Neji to the ground. Neji lost to the Kyuubi. He lay on the ground, watching Naruto loudly shouting. He briefly fell into self-doubt. Before the fight, just a dead last; after the fight, this guy was a major landlord.
"Hmph... A captured bird, if it's smart enough, will use its beak to open the cage door, because they haven't given up hope of soaring freely in the sky." Shiranui Genma, with his hands in his pockets, glanced indifferently at Neji.
Neji was stunned. At the same time, on the stands, enthusiastic applause erupted. Suddenly, Neji felt a sense of relief. The birds were caged, but they didn't blame the cage, nor the person who caged them; instead, they blamed the birds for not being smart enough.
Uzumaki Naruto, your sophistry won.
Just as Neji closed his eyes in resignation, a sound rang out.
"Ding~!" "Comparison Live Stream activated!" "The live stream will display the lives of this world's Kyuubi Jinchuriki — Uzumaki Naruto — and a parallel world's Kyuubi Jinchuriki." "The screen with the golden border on the right displays this world's Uzumaki Naruto. The screen with the black border on the left displays the parallel world's Uzumaki Naruto..."
As a huge, seemingly mechanical voice rang out, everyone was stunned. They looked up at the two enormous screens that appeared in the sky.
"Gen... Genjutsu?" "Hehe, Hokage-sama, you really love to joke. We are all here, so who could cast a Genjutsu right under our noses?"
The old thing was really afraid of death. Even though he said so, there was no sign of his Chakra being disrupted; he was still continuously forming hand signs and dispelling them. Soon, the mechanical voice appeared again.
"Ding~!" "Relevant personnel have been pulled in. Everyone can speak freely within the Comparison Live Stream. Any aggressive behavior is prohibited during viewing! During viewing, there will be prize quizzes. Please participate actively. Rewards include Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Kinjutsu, etc., and are not limited to rewards such as resurrection!"
Huh?! What are these things? Prize quizzes? And even resurrection?!
Just as everyone was bewildered and shocked, suddenly, the first message appeared in the chat room.
Shodai Hokage, Senju Hashirama: 1? Rasa: I'm dead and I can still speak? Hey! Orochimaru, get out here, you bastard dared to stab me in the back!
Rasa? Fourth Kazekage? Dead and can still speak?
For a moment, the people in the arena were dumbfounded. They looked up. Wasn't the Fourth Kazekage sitting right next to the Third Hokage? Why would he say he was dead... Could it be?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly. Recalling Orochimaru's appearance during the second exam earlier, he looked warily at the "Fourth Kazekage."
"Orochimaru?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked uncertainly.
At this moment, Orochimaru was also somewhat slow to react. A dead person can still speak... This... He tried to mobilize his Chakra to launch a surprise attack on Sarutobi Hiruzen. However, his body was incredibly calm.
"Aggressive behavior is prohibited..."
Orochimaru shook his head helplessly. Then he removed the Fourth Kazekage's robes, revealing his true appearance. "There's really nothing I can do. Hiruzen-sensei, you should thank the appearance of this Comparison Live Stream. I cannot engage in aggressive actions."
"Orochimaru!" Sarutobi Hiruzen saw his former beloved student. A surge of nameless anger rose, and at the same time, a wave of fear washed over him. He hadn't expected the Fourth Kazekage to be killed by Orochimaru, who then disguised himself and remained by his side without him noticing. "What exactly do you want to do?!"
"Of course, I want to send Hiruzen-sensei off on his final journey." Since he was exposed, Orochimaru no longer bothered to disguise himself. He looked up at the enormous screen in the sky. "To make this old, dilapidated windmill of Konoha turn again."
With that, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. Are these screens the result of technology or Ninjutsu?
Many people, like Orochimaru, had similar thoughts. But just then, someone else spoke in the chat room.
Shodai Hokage, Senju Hashirama: Eh? It seems dead people really can speak. What is this thing?
Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama: It seems to be true, Big Brother. Uzumaki Naruto? Is he from Mito's clan? Senju Hashirama: He should be. Mito, are you there?
Uzumaki Mito: I am. Senju Hashirama: Hahaha~ You're dead too? Uzumaki Mito: Not long after Tobirama died, the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed.
Every ninja village participated, including your Konoha. Tsunade eventually brought back Kushina, who was suitable to become a Jinchuriki, and then I also died.
Uzumaki Kushina: Huh?
Mito-sama! Wait, Naruto... my child! Senju Tobirama: Damn it! The inherently evil Uchiha!
Senju Hashirama: Tobirama, there you go again!
Senju Tobirama: Hmph!
Uchiha Madara: Konoha participated.
Do you think the Uchiha, whom you deliberately targeted and isolated, had a chance to get a piece of the pie?
Why don't you ask your dear subordinates?
F4: Danger!!!
Senju Hashirama: Hahaha, I knew you were here too, Madara~
Senju Tobirama: Big Brother, shut up first!
Uzumaki Kushina: All of you shut up first. Naruto, can you see the messages?
They're all dead people. Are there any living people here? If so, make a sound. Might Guy: Squeak~