"Shit!" Shikamaru exclaimed in Russian, trying once more to use the Shadow Possession Technique on Choji, who in ball form rolled full-speed at him, aiming to bowl him over. Shikamaru had to leap up, mentally thanking himself for multitasking. He concentrated chakra in his feet for the jump while sending his shadow at Choji. Problem: Choji was too close, and the shadow couldn't instantly stop the ball, which would've bowled Shikamaru into the dirt by momentum. Wouldn't kill, but could break something—and he'd spend vacation leave in hospital, which he really didn't want...
"Tch..." Asuma, standing nearby in the forest clearing, clicked his tongue. He didn't catch what Shikamaru said but was unhappy with the retreat.
Post-training hell from Asuma, Choji could now sharply turn mid-roll, changing attack direction.
Next target: Asuma. No time to check on tree-branch-perched Shikamaru—full-speed ball incoming to knock him flying off the clearing.
He could've grabbed brass knuckles, opened first inner gate for massive speed boost, ended it with one precise strike—severe or lethal for his student. Instead, he folded seals and used ninjutsu.
"Wind: Air pulse!" Inhaling deep, he blew at the rolling ball, channeling chakra into the exhaled air. Ball thirty meters out when it hit the stream, but halting that mass at speed? Impossible quick. Slowed to fifteen meters, Asuma sensed Choji wasn't braking—felt resistance, ramped up, trying to push through.
Asuma folded snake seal, scaling the technique, drawing in nearby air—straining hard. Ball stopped dead a second pre-impact; Asuma shoved it back a couple meters before the blessed "I surrender!" echoed from inside.
"Heh..." Asuma exhaled. "Smoke break!" He pulled cigs from his vest pouch, mouthed one, headed to Shikamaru's tree, fishing for lighter en route.
Choji released partial expansion, lay on back suffering vestibular feedback, arms/legs splayed.
"Choji, great job—you pushed me all out. You, Shikamaru? Get decisive, or combat'll cost you and your team's lives." Asuma said, lighter-flicking his cig. "Fuuuuh..." He exhaled smoke post-drag.
"I did what I could..." Shikamaru replied. "Couldn't stop that attack—retreated."
"Why dispel the technique, dummy? Coulda sidestepped last second—no risk talk..." Asuma dragged. "Fuuuuh... You'd make it even point-blank—you're faster, could've flickered."
"You're overrating me..." Shikamaru waved off Asuma's smoke.
"You're underrating yourself. Your retreat dumped it on your teammate—you could've stopped Choji."
"Who got hit?"
"Me!" Asuma said.
"Oh..." Shikamaru noted. "Damn, daily training's dulling me, but you handled it— all good."
"Heh..." Asuma exhaled. "Anyway, what'd you yell jumping? Missed it."
"'Shit?'" He repeated questioningly in bad Russian. "No clue what it means. Naruto says it—and probably still does—when stuff fails first try. Infected me."
"Naruto, huh?" Asuma dragged, pondered, then sensed something.
"By the way, Asuma-sensei, know what the hell that was at prelims? Where'd Naruto get that power?"
"Where?" Asuma echoed. "Ask him yourself now... We're not alone..."
"Huh?" Shikamaru said. Naruto appeared seconds later, dropping from a tree near tenth team's clearing, waving hello as he approached.
"Evening, Teacher Asuma. Yo, Shikamaru and..." He eyed moaning, prone Choji. "What's with him?"
"No worries..." Asuma said. "He's fine—just won't hear you now."
"Naruto... What're you doing here? Wanna train? Too late—we've been at it two hours, heading out soon."
"Nah... Done for today." Shikamaru noted his dirtied clothes, messy hair, battered look, poorly wiped blood under nose. "Here to deliver an invite—oh, and I'm a clone. Original's prepping."
"Gotcha..." Shikamaru took the handwritten invite in DIY envelope. "Made it yourself?"
"Yeah... Also, won't be alone." Naruto scratched head. "Invite's +1, like for couples. Nice if you brought someone too."
"Damn..." Shikamaru said. "Where'm I finding a girl in a day? Warn earlier!"
"Sorry, training wiped my brain. Worst case, invite Ino—I haven't seen her forever."
"Ino..." Shikamaru mused.
"Great idea!" Asuma cut in. "She's off since prelim loss—barely goes out. Talked to her, but... Good for her to unwind."
"I visited too, Teacher Asuma, but Sakura'll be there. She won't come."
"No sweat—Sakura's hospitalized."
"Huh?" Asuma and Shikamaru blurted. "Hope..." Asuma started.
"Nah, nothing bad—overdid training. Bedrest couple days."
"See, Shikamaru? Even Sakura..."
"Quit it, Teacher... I get it." Shikamaru turned, waving the letter as he walked off.
"Where to?"
"Get decisive. Ino's house that way. Sooner I invite, better odds she shows. You handle Choji delivery."
"Fine... Me too." Naruto sealed—clone poofed.
"But... Total scam." Asuma summed up. Choji tried standing then—knees buckled, puked.
"Mm..." Asuma added, eyeing the scene.
***
The door to the room opened, and Kankuro—sans makeup, in regular pants and shirt—entered.
His sister's hotel room was modestly furnished. Though they could've afforded top Leaf Village suites, they picked a standard three-room guest apartment. Two per floor. Temari sat on the bed against the wall, knees hugged near chin, staring at sunset through open window.
"Him?" She turned to Kankuro.
"Yep..." He nodded, set envelope on her desk entering. "Brought you a birthday invite."
"You say anything?"
"Tch... Nah! Said you were showering—he hemmed, asked to pass it." Kankuro irritably replied. "Last time you learned zilch special. Baki says no proof he's Fourth's son. Going?"
"Dunno..." Temari sadly said.
"Birthday's tomorrow. Decide fast! Why you moping since that date? Grinning randomly, then sad like now? He grope you or something—now dodging?"
"You total idiot?!" Temari snapped, lowering knees.
"What'm I supposed to think? You say jack!" Temari looked back out window, face shifting from brotherly anger to sadness.
"Tell me, Kankuro. Talked to Dad?"
"About?"
"You know... Why now, why this village? Is it really necessary when we could have peace?!"
"Heh... As if..." Kankuro said. "Last saw Dad sending us to exams. You demanded audience then—remember?" Temari recalled raging a week pre-exams when Baki announced critical mission: war prep between Sand and Leaf, thus Wind and Fire. Great Daimyo couldn't sit out if Kazekage broke peace pact with Sound backing.
War...
Born post-last Great Shinobi War, nearly all adults—including Baki, who despite orders spent more time with her/bros than bio dad—were war vets.
Temari heard war horrors aplenty; one truth from all adults, including father:
"This war wasn't the last!"
Those words scared her.
Even her, raised elite kunoichi from childhood. Many like Baki, Kankuro forgave her "girl weaknesses"—but not Dad. He seemed never happy with a daughter. Wanted all family strong shinobi, life devoted to new war prep. Even brother Gaara: Dad's prep result. Realizing more harm than good, ordered him killed mercilessly. Shukaku's power prevented; Temari glad bro lived, but... Gaara changed. Started scaring her. First sight of monster Dad sealed inside? Days without eating. Village lucky they beat it—with Dad's help—but she remembered forever. Pre-genin at eleven, she evac'd civilians equal to adults, carried wounded shinobi to shelter. Covered in others' blood, hauling deadweight, dodging flying debris—fell, rose. Saved a few; Dad said nothing.
Nothing.
Even Baki praised her devotion, later noted amid rubble-clearing she'd be strong, brave kunoichi.
"Compared to real war—this is nothing!"
Only words from him at family dinner, month later.
That's her father.
Rarely, she'd catch worry for kids, hidden relief on safe returns from missions. Love? Holiday gifts.
Learning real war loomed, she fought for Dad audience, beg cancel—but couldn't even talk. All requests denied. Kankuro barely tried—knew outcome.
"Remember..." She sighed.
Tried relaying outrage via Baki, but contra expectations, he backed war and Fourth Kazekage's policy hard.
Post-Fourth Hokage's death—feared in all four villages, some calling god/world savior—Konoha weakened badly.
The new generation wasn't ready for war. Baki and her father's position was to strike before Konoha could raise a new generation of strong shinobi. After the Nine-Tails' attack, it became clear that even if Konoha hadn't lost its strategic weapon, it at least couldn't use it for the time being. The main goal was to prepare their absolute weapon—Gaara—and strike first.
Baki held no grudge against Konoha, unlike the Sand Elders, or even the Kazekage. For them, it was simply obvious that Konoha was weak as long as the pacifist old man Third was in charge. Once the Fifth Lord-Hokage was chosen, they could strike with full force without fearing their village would be defenseless. Beating that moment was Sand's top priority.
"Either we start the war, or it starts against us!"
"We're shinobi, and we can't influence that at all," Kankuro said curtly.
"I understand, but still..."
"Go see him, otherwise he won't let up, and we don't need extra attention right now. If you can, find out the source of his power or proof of his connection to the Hokage. If the kid has value as a hostage, it'll be easier for him. If you can trick him and capture him—you'll be a war hero." At that moment, Temari glared viciously at Kankuro's back, but he either didn't notice or pretended not to and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Temari squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists, imagining she'd have to deceive Naruto after all, or maybe even lead him into a trap.
For a split second, her heart stung, and his smile and that goofy thumbs-up pose flashed before her face.
"No..." She snapped her eyes open. "Why now, and why him?" A tear involuntarily rolled down her right cheek.
My birthday didn't start with coffee, or even a pleasant wake-up without an alarm clock.
The morning of my thirteenth birthday in this second life, I met with endurance training. Putting on my old weights, which weren't all that heavy for me anymore—since I'd bulked up nicely even in that one month—I ran to the park, where in plain view of regular people walking their dogs or doing their own workouts (including, for example, the old man who cooked ramen at Ichiraku), I ran 10 kilometers, did 100 squats and 100 push-ups, and, holding my legs at the knees with a clone, crunched 100 on my abs. I don't do that full routine every day, but today it came to mind. For me now, it's a medium-level warm-up with the weights. I did push-ups on my knuckles, naturally, and found a paved spot for it. Could've done them with jumps, but that's overkill—I don't want sore knuckles half the day. The Fox wouldn't heal me just out of spite.
Food had been bought by a clone at dusk and prepped before bed. There was a basin of salad in the fridge, and the pre-sliced meat was marinating. I planned a nature picnic in the style of my old world. The weather was perfect. No forecasts here. Just rough monthly or weekly summaries from meteorological posts, but they weren't very accurate since chakra could influence the weather too. Plus, I already had mushrooms and vegetables. For a side, I chose mash, which wasn't popular here since potatoes were a pricey treat. They hadn't reached the production volumes of quality potatoes like in my old world, so even finding second-rate spuds was a holiday.
And of course tea—can't go without it. I'd brew it right there in nature; I'd already dragged along a gas burner for that.
I'd claimed the spot ahead of time—or rather, the toads had, while I was warming up, scaring off everyone from that waterfall where we'd trained with the pervert. I'd washed my clothes the night before too, and overnight they'd dried despite my doubts. I wore a black field shirt over a white tee, with the Uzumaki clan patch on one sleeve and a Konoha forehead protector on the other, so I didn't have to wear the headband itself. Same black pants, and I'd polished my boots. But first, right after warm-up, I'd stopped at the barber and gotten a trim.
Good thing clones can handle part of the cooking.
It tires me out pretty good, sure, but saves a shit-ton of time. Thanks to them, I could hit bed at nine when it got dark.
I told the others to meet at the park at 11 a.m., and I got there ten minutes early. Five minutes later, Shikamaru and Ino showed up. Good that she'd kept him company after all, though she didn't look great. Already slim enough, she'd lost more weight, and her face had way too much makeup. Shikamaru had dressed up too, incidentally. White short-sleeve shirt, untucked into field black pants like mine, tucked into boots.
After greeting them, I asked how Ino was feeling and was glad she mustered a smile and said she was fine. She wore regular short shorts and a white tee. Some bracelets on her arms, high sneakers on her feet.
The pair was funny. Ino kept trying to stick close to Shikamaru, and he looked at her like she was a bag without a handle.
Temari showed up ten minutes later, a bit late. Same braids, but this time in a short black yukata with a red sash Asian-style, not Eastern. Didn't know she had stuff like that... Not really surprising, she lives in the desert—where would she even wear it... Minimal makeup and short fishnet stockings. Considering she was already way more womanly than Ino at 15, I nearly drooled. She took my elbow, and Shikamaru reluctantly let Ino walk with him like his girl, though his whole vibe screamed he hated it.
We took a long route to that river and waterfall.
Ino asked about the Village of Sand, and Temari modestly explained the main differences after I clarified where we were going and why.
They promised to give gifts at the celebration spot.
Though Ino and Shikamaru were fed up with these "nature picnics" that Konoha folks could do every damn day if they had time and money, they still appreciated my cooking. Ino nearly dropped her jaw when Shikamaru told her I'd made it all myself. She even tried prying recipes out of me, but I dodged. The meat sizzled, giving off a nice aroma.
Temari even helped my clone chop veggies a bit, also amazed at my culinary skills. You could tell outdoor hangs like this were rare for her if not new, and with cooking like that—especially. We ate off my regular dishes on a big blanket from home. Girls sitting, me sitting or on my feet, Shikamaru lying down.
Overall, it was solid chill time—I even briefly remembered my old world and buddies. Wonder how they're doing? Though... probably fine, even if I died in that crash for them. Still curious... If 13 years passed there too, I'm 39 now?
Holy shit!
Probably wrong to count it that way, I realized. I woke up at 4.5 in Naruto's body. Say 5 years... 34 on the dot.
Still, holy shit.
Never thought at 34 I'd be eating shish kebabs by a river with live characters I watched on screen as a kid. Though in reality they're just very similar to themselves, but live they're a bit different. Or maybe just seems that way to me.
Right now I get it—I no longer see them as someone else's drawings. To me, they're real people now.
They're my new comrades.
"Think you're ready for the third exam stage?" Temari asked as we strolled the park at sunset.
Ino and Shikamaru bailed after the picnic, which lasted hours. Nothing special, just friendly hangs. Shikamaru and Ino went practical and gave one joint gift: an envelope of cash. Felt like home, swear to god...
Didn't count the money right there. Not that crazy.
Temari got more creative and gave me a small fan with three moons, like her battle one but mini. Perfect for a dresser or wall. The moons were unique too: crescent first, then half-circle clear, and a full purple circle for the moon.
"Well, dunno... Hope so."
"You were gonna rip that white-eyes guy apart then? You really ready to kill your comrade?"
"He's not my comrade," I replied.
"You know what I mean," Temari insisted. "Sorry if I'm prying—if you don't wanna, don't answer."
"Neji... I barely know him. We crossed paths a couple times in the academy, but didn't even greet. He's from the great Hyuga clan—strongest in Konoha these days. Wouldn't wanna kill him if you wanna know. Though if you and Shikamaru hadn't stopped me then... Not sure I wouldn't have gone all out, and whether he'd survive—I dunno."
"Got it... Sorry if I'm ruining your mood with these questions. Just nervous about this stage myself."
"I know." I said curtly, and her face changed sharply. She got genuinely scared, looking into my eyes. "What?"
"Sorry..." She looked away and stopped at the park exit. "You said it like... Never mind." She came back and took my elbow again.
"I really do know everything, Temari." She flinched and slowed. "I'm nervous too, even if it doesn't show. This whole party's just me hiding it, so I get you—thanks for coming."
"With your power, what you got to worry about?" She forced a smile, changing the subject. "Even if you get hurt, that red chakra gives crazy regen. You can use it anytime, right?"
"You curious yourself, or someone asked?" I grinned. Spy game's weak on her. Pretty good otherwise, and if I didn't know her village was breaking the peace treaty with a surprise attack, I'd buy it as girl curiosity. But second meet in a row asking about the Fox's chakra specifically? Bad sign... Deep down, it saddened me realizing those emotions were probably fake—she feels nothing for me, not even like. Still smiling, watching her reaction, I clenched my left fist at nearly getting played like a dumb guy chasing skirt.
"Naruto?!" She pulled away indignantly, but I caught the brief confusion and fear in her eyes and face. "What're you thinking? I'm just curious, that's it—I said if it bugs you, don't answer and drop it."
"Doesn't bug me. I could tell you everything about my power and origins, but for plain curiosity you ask too often. So I thought..."
"No..." She cut in, clenching fists, eyes shut, shaking her head no. "I don't wanna... Naruto, before this goes too far, let's drop it, okay? Sorry if I said something wrong... It's your birthday, and I'm butting in with stupid shit." She smiled again, eyes closed.
"It's fine, Temari. I'm the one who should apologize—nearly said something dumb." That cleared it up. She knew she'd slipped and shut it down before worse. Wonder why close the topic instead of escalating for an early out? Still hoping to pivot and pry info? Nah... Did I misread, and it's bothering her too? Why?
We walked in silence after. Watching her, I saw her try to keep a straight face, but nearing her inn, a tear rolled down her cheek—she didn't even notice. What's with her?
"Sorry, seems my words upset you..." I started.
"N-No... Don't worry..." She forced a smile. "Just... I realized today was one of the happiest days of my life, and it's ending."
"C'mon, don't get that down... You're not dying. While we're alive, we can do it again."
"I'm not sure. I'm from Sand, you're from Leaf, and..."
"Who cares!" I snapped. "Today I realized too much in my life wasn't up to me. Too long I couldn't influence shit..." Her eyes widened as I spoke. "You asked about my power? Yeah, I got power and I'll use it, but not for petty-killing some arrogant Hyuga. Right now I feel I can shape this life, and I'm not letting that chance slip." I stepped close and whispered. "Give me half a shot, and I'll make sure you don't cry."
She flinched again, and I reached for her face, wiping the tear trail with my thumb.
She looked into my eyes, leaned in slightly, grabbed my cheeks, and kissed me on the lips. We were at a crossroad two blocks from her inn—good no passersby but us. I tried hugging her, but she pulled back sharply, eyes shut.
"S-Sorry, Naruto... I... I!" She blushed hard and turned away. "I can't... Sorry, if you can, but I can't!" She ran toward the inn. I was pretty shocked at the twist and even dumbly went "Uh..." but decided not to chase. If I read right, she needs alone time.
Trying hard to shake the Temari thing from my head, a couple days later I visited Sakura at the hospital. Check on Lee too.
At the hospital entrance, I bumped into Shikamaru carrying a basket of food for the fatty... Choji.
Turns out he'd overdone training and they recommended a week bedrest under observation—overloading the vestibular system like that with his spin ain't a joke.
"Hey, Sakura." Shikamaru and I went in right after they told us no food for Choji—he was on IVs. We left the fruits for Sakura, eating some ourselves naturally. Shikamaru went first, showing fruits with a strained smile—Sakura was never his friend, and he avoided girls in the academy thinking they did scary dumb shit he hated.
Closing the door and turning my back, I sensed someone zip past in the hall with Body Flicker.
Super fast, and it tensed me—I froze a couple seconds thinking what to do. Only felt it thanks to Hayate training, who loved Flickering behind me for attacks.
"Hey Naruto, you gonna stand there?" Shikamaru called.
"Oh, sorry, thought I saw something..." I said, scratching my head.
Sakura was by the window in a white-red tracksuit and hospital slippers. Another girl in the room, but she'd stepped out.
"Thanks for visiting, Shikamaru, Naruto." She bowed to each. "Didn't need to bring so much food. I'm recovered—discharge tomorrow morning. Even did morning exercises today."
"You think it's all for you?" I brazenly grabbed a big apple from the basket. "I'm hungry too, so share. *Crunch*."
"Naruto, at least... Ah, who'm I telling..." Shikamaru muttered.
We hung with Sakura a bit—I swiped another banana, Shikamaru nibbled grapes trying to be modest. Talked third exam stage. Shikamaru brought news from his dad: Dosu, his opponent, died two weeks ago. Bracket changed, now unclear who's fighting who. His dad suggested to examiners: decide on the spot at the stadium. Temari, Shikamaru, and Sakura draw lots—two "fight," one "pass." Pass gets bye, fighters duel, winner faces passer. Bit unfair, but luck matters.
Shikamaru also spilled to Sakura about my birthday bash and how Temari and I kept the "date" going post-picnic like a real couple. Sakura tried teasing, but it fell flat—she seemed really bothered. Not the teasing, more my moves on Temari.
"Alrighty... We'll head out, gotta see Lee and Choji. Bad if we forget 'em, right Naruto?"
"Yeah... Let's go. Get well, Sakura..." I said heading to the door. "And don't be so jealous—the toad ride offer stands..." A pillow flew at me, but I blocked with the door last second.
As expected...
Lee's room was open, and Shikamaru sensed wrong from the hall on his floor and bolted.
"Naruto, cover! Someone's definitely there..." He said, and I nodded. At the door, we flung it open. I whipped out my sword and, not even registering who, aimed the tip at his throat as I rushed in.
The sand coating Lee's bed stopped. Gaara stood before us.
Shikamaru was visibly nervous, but Shadow Possession seemed to hold.
"Hey... What're you doing here?" I asked, staring into his eyes with Kurama's changed ones. Shikamaru sensed my chakra shift and flinched but held the jutsu.
Gaara stared back unblinking and just smirked.
"Knew it..." he said. No fear hint, and he clocked me as a jinchuriki right away.
"Answer, redhead! What're you doing?!" Shikamaru pressed.
"Came to kill him." Calm, almost psychotically, he replied, glancing at Shikamaru who swallowed hard.
"You got some grudge? What'd he do?" Shikamaru asked while I kept the sword steady at his throat.
"Nothing. Just came to kill him. He did nothing to me." Gaara said. "Get in my way, I'll kill you too."
"Question who kills who!" I shot back. "You get your situation?" He glanced at me briefly, then back to Shikamaru.
"You sick? Why take his life?! Your match ended! We didn't show everything in prelims. Think you can take two?"
"In battle, I leave no one alive. He survived, so I'll fix that. Don't care about you, but if you block... I'll kill!"
"Idiot, didn't your parents teach you not to just kill people?! Kill him now, they'll catch and kill you later!"
"Parents... Heh-heh-heh..." He laughed restrained. "My father sealed a monster in me. Sand Spirit—Shukaku. Our village guardian. Did it before I was born, to make me strongest shinobi." Gaara clenched a fist. "My birth killed my mother, and father—who was kind at first—once he saw I couldn't control all Shukaku's power... Since I was six, he's tried killing me more times than I can count."
Shikamaru flinched. New to him, despite shinobi upbringing—life didn't prep him for that. Creepy even for me, knowing what he'd say.
"Tch..." Shikamaru clicked his tongue.
"I was made for one purpose: weapon, perfect shinobi. Weapon's purpose is killing. A weapon that doesn't kill ain't worthy and might as well not exist." Shikamaru's eyes widened with each word, tensing hard.
"Guess you won't stop, huh?" he asked.
"If you don't stop blocking..." Calmly, he crossed arms, shrugging off the shadow hold, sand rising from his back. "Then let me feel alive!"
"Enough!" Guy's voice boomed as he entered. "Save it for the exam!" Gaara's sand crumbled instantly. He knew this foe was outmatched and shuffled out slowly, sand retracting into his gourd like rope rewinding.
"You..." He glanced at me exiting. "Same... They all fear you, and you'll never be their equal."
Hayate returned the next day, and training resumed—nothing new, just drilling.
The pervert showed too, and I gutted my stashes, giving him all the cash for the bet. He'd prepped everything. Ino and Shikamaru's gift went to the pot too—7,000 Ryo in the envelope.
Sakura gave an envelope too, but with those bells I'd tossed at Kakashi's feet. She'd tied a ribbon saying...
"This proves we're Team Seven now."
Got the gist, but meh. No framed team pic on my dresser or table. Mine was stuffed in an envelope in the closet with all my new-life photos—maybe twenty total, probably less. Learned to make paper envelopes for 'em, boxed in a shoebox. Hung the bells on the dresser mirror. Whatever...
For me, what a person feels matters more than how they show it. Might seem like I don't care from outside, but I do. Those events bonded me to Sasuke, Sakura, even apathetic Kakashi. Didn't want it, but they're new comrades now—time to accept and move on. Keep old-life memories to stay me, but not let 'em decide everything.
Rest of the month flew, and now I packed gear early morning. Skipped full warm-up to save energy.
All prepped. I remembered everything that should happen today.
Ten now, stadium by noon.
Gonna be a very, very long day...
Like with Orochimaru, didn't wanna go—steps slowed. Knowing, I cut through Training Ground Four near the stadium.
Leaping from a tree, warming up, I saw someone dart behind targets.
...Wood chips on logs, punch marks... Hand-to-hand training. Small prints—girl...
"Hinata, come out, I found you." I looked at the log, and she peeked cautiously. "Why hide?"
"S-Sorry, Naruto... Didn't realize it was you right away." She lied, blushing.
Yeah... With her eyes...
"Yeah, just me... Not going to the matches?"
"Honestly... I don't..."
"Got it. Anyway. Good luck training. Hope you get stronger." I smiled and tried walking on.
"N-Naruto!" She called, running out.
"Yeah?"
"You're fighting Neji, right?"
"Yeah..." I confirmed, approaching.
"Then you said... Y-You threatened to..."
"Kill him?" I prompted, and she nodded. "Sorry if I scared you—he pissed me off bad."
"You really wanna kill him?" she asked.
Heard that before...
"Dunno... Neji's smart, strong, gifted, well-trained. Not sure I can win without full power. That's all I can say. Won't try killing him specially—not that mad, but..."
"Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"I don't want him dying by accident. Whatever, he's my brother and..."
"I get it, Hinata." I nodded. "Even after everything, he's family." I hugged her as she stared down. "Don't worry... I'll make sure you don't grieve him." She shivered hard, blushing beet-red. I let go quick and turned to go. "Might not get it, but our happy future's on folks like you, Hinata. Stay kind and trust me." I thumbs-upped without looking and headed to the stadium.
Arrived half-hour early; they led me to the locker room. Separate cubbies for each, but...
Urn turned into Konohamaru.
"Oh, lil' bro Naruto, perfect it's you! Fate!"
"What the hell?!" I yelped, changing shirts. "No academy today?"
"Yeah, but I wanna write about our finalists. Interview, lil' bro?"
"Damn... No. Got nothing better? What interview? Back to academy!"
"C'mon lil' bro, Teacher Iruka'll eat me if I come back empty. He'll think I skipped! Pleeease..." He whined.
"Fine... Quick, what questions?"
Nothing special.
Junk like what jutsu—said secret.
Ready to fight? Ready.
Favorite food? What I cook myself.
Girlfriend? None of your biz.
Who cheering? My comrades.
Where's Sasuke? Hell if I know...
I know but won't say.
Examiners called, I exited arena with the others.
Eight of us. Dosu dead, Sasuke missing—but no death confirmed, so held his spot.
Crowd cheered wildly. Felt like pro athletes or soccer stars entering. Never expected after village avoiding me most my life.
Temari avoided my eyes hard. Whatever... I smiled when our gazes met anyway.
Lots drew Temari vs. Shikamaru. Sakura got "pass," advances free.
Canon power... Can't fight it.
After Lord-Hokage's welcome speech...
Yeah, respected him even in thoughts this time, considering what's coming...
Genma explained rules: basically none. He'd stop if he wanted; otherwise, till surrender or incapacitated.
"First match! Uzumaki Naruto! Step forward... Hyuga Neji! Step forward. Others, leave the arena." Everyone shuffled out obediently; Neji and I stayed. "Ready! Fight!"
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan