In the stands, the skill displayed by Naruto and Neji left many spectators stunned.
Are they really just Genin?
Are these truly Konoha's Genin?
Their strength was simply unfathomable.
Among the audience were not only nobles from the Lands of Fire and Wind, but also shinobi from other nations. To them, the level of power on display was beyond what they expected—even Chūnin rarely reached such heights.
The Third Hokage was unaware of the thoughts running through the minds of the spectators, but he understood one thing clearly: Konoha had achieved its goal.
If even Konoha's Genin could display such power, then how much stronger must its other shinobi be?
From beside him, Orochimaru cast the Hokage a sidelong glance. A polite smile curled on his lips, though in his heart, a cold sneer took shape.
Oh, Third… Do you truly believe these are Konoha's rising stars? No. They are your death warrants.
His gaze swept over the village, sharp and calculating, as though he could see through the brilliant façade to the rot festering beneath.
"Lord Hokage," Orochimaru said, feigning admiration, "I never imagined your village would possess such talent. Sunagakure cannot compare."
The Third Hokage, pleased by the praise, smiled faintly. He never realized that behind the mask of the Kazekage, his former student was sneering at him in contempt.
Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Fourth Hokage, had lived a childhood filled with loneliness and hatred. And Neji Hyūga… years ago, his father had been sacrificed because of a compromise made by none other than the man now sitting proudly on the high seat.
Back then, when Kumogakure's envoy attempted to kidnap Hinata, a confrontation broke out. The Raikage demanded reparations, insisting on Hiashi's life. To avoid war, the Third Hokage pressured the Hyūga Clan into handing over Hiashi.
It was Hizashi, Neji's father and Hiashi's twin, who stepped forward to die in his place.
This tragedy had scarred Neji's heart. And it was a consequence of the Hokage's decision to compromise.
Orochimaru's sneer deepened. This is the "Will of Fire" you cling to? Nothing but cowardice hidden behind ideals.
Down below, Naruto's hands flashed through seals. The ground shook as jagged earthen spikes burst upward and launched toward Neji.
This Earth Release technique was Naruto's own creation. Though not a high-ranked jutsu, it was devastating against large numbers—ideal for breaking enemy formations.
But Neji stood firm. His palms glowed as he released bursts of chakra, smashing the spikes mid-air. Shattered fragments rained down harmlessly to the ground.
He knew Naruto wouldn't stop there. Yet at this moment, more than winning, Neji wanted to fight freely—under the gaze of all—to prove himself.
To show the world how a caged bird could break free of its shackles.
"Come, Naruto!" Neji called, his voice fierce, laughter wild and unrestrained. "Let me show you the strength I've gained!"
Up in the stands, Hiashi's brows furrowed. Something about Neji's expression, his energy, was unusual.
Meanwhile, among the Branch Family seated in the crowd, eyes shone with fervor. They knew what Neji was doing. This was the very dream they had clung to: a Branch Family member defying the cage, taking flight for all to see.
The caged bird would soar again.
"Then come, Neji—release yourself completely!" Naruto laughed back.
Eight kunai appeared between his fingers, arcs of lightning crackling along their surfaces. With a flick of his hands, he sent them whistling toward Neji, each strike deadly sharp.
But Neji did not flinch.
He spun in place, chakra erupting from every tenketsu in his body. A dome of whirling energy formed around him—Revolving Heaven, the Hyūga Clan's ultimate defensive technique.
It was a secret of the Main Family. And yet, here was Neji, a Branch Family member, displaying it openly.
But what stunned everyone most was that his Revolving Heaven had changed. The barrier now bore curved, scythe-like blades of chakra along its edges, spinning with deadly force.
Any who touched it would be shredded to ribbons.
In the stands, Hiashi suddenly stood, shock flashing across his usually calm features. It was already unbelievable that Neji had mastered the Main Family's technique. But this—this modified Revolving Heaven—was beyond anything he had imagined.
Such control, such refinement of chakra… it required precision bordering on genius.
Though rooted in the Hyūga's secret art, this version was Neji's own creation. Its power was terrifying.
On the battlefield, if one were to hurl themselves into a crowd with this technique, the result would be nothing short of slaughter.
Naruto's kunai, crackling with lightning chakra, clashed against the modified Rotation. Those that struck the spinning defense lit up with brief sparks before being shredded into fragments.
Others were deflected outright, scattering into the arena floor and leaving behind a cluster of shallow craters.
The sheer force of the clash drew gasps of awe from the nobles watching in the stands.
Neji immediately pressed the advantage. His palm shot forward several times in rapid succession—unleashing one of the Hyūga clan's rare long-range Gentle Fist techniques.
Naruto blurred aside, his afterimages dissolving into the dust cloud that followed the impact. When the smoke cleared, a crater nearly three meters wide marred the spot where he had just stood.
Another wave of dust rose, shrouding Naruto's figure.
"Fire Release: Flame Whirlwind!"
A sudden cry cut through the haze as a ring of searing flames burst outward. Neji's Byakugan locked onto Naruto's movements without pause. He flipped back, landed lightly, and swiftly weaved hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Trumpet!"
The Hyūga clan traditionally disdained ninjutsu, priding themselves on the Gentle Fist above all else. Most considered elemental techniques unnecessary distractions.
But under Naruto's influence, Neji had abandoned such narrow thinking. He refused to discard any path to strength.
For him, the clan's rigid traditions—and even its so-called rules—no longer held meaning. He had long resolved to walk away from both Konoha and the Hyūga name.
As Naruto often said: keep the essence, discard the dross.
Not every legacy was worth preserving—especially the cursed seal of the Branch Family. To the Main House, it was a safeguard. To the Branch, it was nothing less than a shackle.
Resources, techniques, and even freedom itself were privileges reserved for the Main House. The Branch lived in servitude.
Naruto's flames were doused by Neji's water technique, and one after another, his elemental attacks met firm counters.
Then Neji called out sharply:
"Naruto, let me show you this move of mine!"
"Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!"
A vast Eight Trigrams field expanded beneath Neji's feet. It was a technique said to be attainable only by a Hyūga jōnin.
Up in the stands, the Third Hokage frowned slightly. Could Kakashi have taught Naruto all these ninjutsu?
"Good—bring it on!" Naruto's grin widened, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Let's see if you can reach me!"
With a smirk, he created ten shadow clones in a neat line before him.
Neji surged forward, his strikes bursting with blinding speed. Clone after clone was obliterated under the flurry of Gentle Fist strikes, each one dispersing in a puff of smoke.
By the time Neji reached the eighth clone, his momentum began to wane.
Though the Eight Trigrams Palms grew more destructive the longer it was sustained, its complexity and strain weighed heavily on the body.
At last, his assault halted—just shy of reaching the real Naruto.
...
TN:
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