"Hinata, I won't go easy on you," Neji said, his tone gentle but firm.
This Neji was different from the one in the original story. He no longer harbored resentment toward the main family. Hinata had changed — she wasn't the timid, hesitant girl he once looked down on. Her strength now nearly matched his own. And with her kind and earnest heart, Neji couldn't help but see her as a precious little sister.
"Brother Neji, I won't admit defeat," Hinata said, lifting her head bravely. Then, her eyes drifted toward a certain blond figure in the stands.
Neji followed her gaze — and froze.
That yellow-haired kid. ╭(╯^╰)╮
Although the Uzumaki brothers often visited the Hyuga household, Neji had always been training outside the compound, so he never met them. He hadn't realized until now that his cabbage had already been stolen.
"Who's that blond kid?" Neji asked flatly.
"That's Naruto," Hinata replied softly, cheeks reddening.
Neji: "..."
Stolen. Absolutely stolen.
Menma, watching from above, nearly laughed. So my brother-in-law is about to become the romantic rival? Poor guy — Naruhina's bond is too strong for you, Neji.
When the match began, both Hyuga cousins used nearly identical taijutsu — it was like watching mirror images. Their palms struck, their chakra clashed, and dust kicked up from the force of each blow.
In the end, Neji's chakra reserves gave him the edge, and he won by a narrow margin.
"Hinata! Are you okay?" Naruto jumped down immediately and rushed to her side.
"I'm fine," Hinata said softly, though her body trembled. She tried to stand, but her legs gave out.
Without hesitation, Naruto scooped her up into his arms.
Neji: (╬) ...Did he just—?
"Put her down," Neji said through clenched teeth.
But Naruto had already sprinted away, carrying Hinata up to the viewing platform. "Brother! Can you check if Hinata's okay?"
Menma fought to keep a straight face. Good job, Naruto.
He glanced over Hinata briefly and said, "She's fine. Just exhausted. Let her rest and get something to eat."
Naruto nodded earnestly. "Got it!" He carefully set Hinata down and dashed off.
Hinata's heart was pounding so fast she thought it might burst. Why am I… happy?
A few minutes later, Naruto returned — arms full of snacks and boxed lunches — only to be intercepted halfway by Sasuke.
"Sasuke, move it!"
Sasuke said nothing, simply snatched a bag of chips from Naruto's hand before stepping aside.
Naruto didn't even argue — he hurried back to Hinata's side. "Hinata! What do you want to eat? This is good, and this one's even better!"
Across the room, Sakura and Ino exchanged jealous glances, watching Hinata's flustered expression as Naruto hovered over her.
Menma couldn't resist teasing, "Naruto, Hinata can't move right now — you'll have to feed her."
Naruto froze. "Oh… ohhh!"
Hinata: (//ω//) Oh no.
Naruto began feeding her awkwardly, and Hinata, bright red, quietly opened her mouth to accept the food.
The entire room watched in silence. The collective atmosphere screamed too much affection.
Unable to bear the overflowing "dog food," everyone quickly looked away toward the next match.
Seventh Round: Nara Shikamaru vs. Kanesui
These two had fought before during the second exam, so they knew each other's tricks. It became a pure battle of intellect.
Shikamaru used his shadow technique cleverly — narrowing his shadow into a thin line and disguising it as his opponent's thread shadow. Before Kanesui realized it, he was already caught. Controlled by Shikamaru's jutsu, he slammed himself into the wall and fainted instantly.
"Nice job, Shikamaru!" Ino cheered.
Now, only Choji was left to represent their trio.
She turned to him with fire in her eyes. "Choji, you better not lose!"
Choji: "..." Why do women change moods so fast?
When he didn't respond quickly enough, Ino shouted right in his ear.
"OW! Fine! I got it!" Choji yelled, covering his ears and inching away before he went deaf.
Eighth Round: Inuzuka Kiba vs. Uzumaki Naruto
The moment Kiba saw the name "Uzumaki," his heart stopped. For a split second, he thought it was the Uzumaki. Then he realized it was Naruto — and exhaled in relief.
"Oh, it's that Naruto. Okay, I can handle this."
The two entered the arena, standing face to face.
"Naruto, I won't hold back!" Kiba grinned confidently.
"Same to you!" Naruto shot back.
Gekko Hayate raised his hand. "Eighth round — begin!"
Kiba immediately formed a hand seal. "Beast Mimicry: Four-Legged Technique!"
Chakra flared around his body as he dropped to all fours. His hands and feet sharpened like claws, his movements faster and more feral.
He lunged forward, elbowing Naruto straight in the stomach — sending him flying.
The crowd gasped.
But the "Naruto" that hit the wall burst into smoke.
"Shadow clone!?" Kiba's eyes widened.
From the side, a gust of wind roared.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Kiba dodged just in time — the ground where he had been standing erupted, leaving a crater.
"Close one," he muttered, only to see five more Narutos rushing in.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The clones surrounded him, fists flying. Kiba clawed and countered, barely keeping up.
Then, two Narutos jumped back in perfect sync.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Two whirlwinds collided into one enormous blast.
"Akamaru, watch out!" Kiba shouted, but it was too late — the impact threw him clear across the arena.
When the dust settled, Kiba lay on the ground, dazed, his clothes torn and his backside embarrassingly exposed.
Naruto scratched his head. "Uh… maybe that was a bit much."
Gekko Hayate sighed. "Uzumaki Naruto — wins."
Naruto ran over, helping lift Kiba. Akamaru barked angrily at him the whole time.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Naruto apologized frantically.
Akamaru growled again until Menma gave him a single glare.
The dog instantly went quiet, sitting down with a nervous whine.
Off to the side, Kurenai turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, your students are both impressive."
Kakashi rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Heh… yeah. Though I can't say I taught him that much."
(End of Chapter)
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