"What? You wanna learn? I'll teach ya!"
Hearing this, Neji stared blankly at the lightly smiling Naruto.
The sunlight outside streamed in, falling on his face and hair.
His golden hair and gentle smile made him seem unusually warm.
At this, Neji's suppressed breath finally escaped. His body went limp, and with a thud, he fell straight onto the ground.
By the sound of it, the fall must have hurt badly.
But he showed no reaction, simply lying there listlessly, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Naruto looked at him, deep in thought.
Like Sasuke, he too might have some unshakeable obsession, right?
Sasuke would defect for the goal of revenge. As for him? How far would he go to defy so-called fate?
He didn't know.
But no matter how miserable he was, could he be more miserable than Naruto himself?
Orphaned, and almost the entire village hated and ignored him.
Could he be more miserable than Sasuke?
His elder brother massacred his entire family—no, his entire clan! Leaving only him to live under the curse of revenge.
At this moment, Naruto suddenly felt that these people he had encountered seemed quite miserable; they had all experienced drastic changes from a young age.
So, it definitely wasn't their fault, but the world's fault.
This world was sick and needed change.
But these were things to do later.
Turning back,
Looking at Neji, seeing him like this, so young, yet already despairing of the world.
It shouldn't be.
He was only 13, with the reputation and strength of a genius.
The world was vast, open to him, and he had an infinite future of youth to spend.
Why be so prematurely old? Was it really necessary?
"Get up."
Naruto smiled gently, "Why are you so despairing? We're only twelve or thirteen, full of youthful vigor, in our prime, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Hope rests on you... on us. The world belongs to us."
"I can see you have some kind of obsession, like you said, fate and all that... but fate is something that's born to be changed."
"If you can't do it yourself, leave it to me. When I become Hokage, I'll change your fate!"
At this moment, a light seemed to shine into Neji's life.
So warm.
Fate, it seemed, wasn't unchangeable.
When you become Hokage?
Then, on your path to becoming Hokage, let me, Neji, be your right-hand man.
"Come on."
Naruto extended his hand, and Neji extended his as well.
A large cloud of gloom dissipated, and Neji, relieved and sincere, asked, "Can I learn Gentle Fist from you?"
"Of course." Naruto didn't hesitate for a moment. Who was he? The aspiring sun about to rise over Konoha.
And, a man must keep his word.
Yeah, a boy too.
This was one of his ninja ways!
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi, upstairs, smiled with satisfaction.
The sun at eight or nine in the morning?
The future belongs to you?
Naruto's words, slightly rephrased, fit the Will of Fire perfectly.
Is this the perception of Konoha's next generation?
As expected of the child he had taught since childhood.
And looking at the shattered hall, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but click his tongue.
This was pure taijutsu, yet its power was so immense?
If no surprise, this was Naruto's first time using Gentle Fist, and he learned it on the spot.
A genius?
At this moment, he even felt that Naruto was more of a genius than Minato.
Perhaps, that scroll could be handed over to him.
Like Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Chunin gathered around all watched Naruto intently.
Swoosh~
After sending Neji back to Guy-sensei's team, Naruto returned to his loyal Team 7.
Noticing Sasuke and Sakura's expressions, as if they were looking at a stranger, he put on an arrogant facade, like 'I'm a genius,' and proudly raised an eyebrow, asking, "What? The genius among geniuses? Have you ever seen one?"
They really hadn't.
Before, they only knew Naruto was strong, and they all thought it was the result of his six years of arduous training.
After all, the two of them had grown rapidly in the three months since graduation, thanks to Naruto's sealed space.
It was reasonable for Naruto, who started training so early and for six years, to be stronger.
But now, you're telling me that this Naruto guy actually possesses such terrifying talent?
He can learn just by watching?
Sakura didn't mind; she was even thrilled by Naruto's growth in strength, but Sasuke couldn't be happy.
"When did you learn Gentle Fist? Did you learn it from Leopard-sensei?" Sasuke frowned, asking unwillingly for confirmation.
Naruto's eyes were clear and calm, and he shrugged casually, "I told you, I learned it on the fly."
Instantly, Sasuke's face turned ashen, his lips trembled twice, but he couldn't speak.
He remembered his grand vow: to surpass Naruto within three years.
Looking at it now, three years... is it really feasible?
No... that's not right. We're all human, and I'm from the Uchiha clan. Naruto has talent, but don't I, Uchiha Sasuke, have it too?
I should be stronger!
Sasuke regained his confidence. His tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and he asked casually, "Naruto, can I learn Gentle Fist too?"
You want to learn Gentle Fist too? Naruto looked at him in surprise.
Sasuke wouldn't want to compare himself to me, would he?
He almost said: Don't compare, buddy, I'm cheating.
It seemed that would be too much of a blow.
So, he decided to rephrase, subtly conveying his meaning, "Do you have the Byakugan?"
"No, but I have the Sharingan."
"The Sharingan? It's useless for Gentle Fist. Then, can you sense chakra?"
"A little bit."
"That's like having no... Old Pig, no, Second Disciple. Gentle Fist is a precise skill; it's not really suitable for you."
Naruto felt he had been sufficiently subtle, but Sasuke was a bit stubborn.
Do I need to learn chakra sensing again?
At this thought, Sasuke remembered what Naruto had just said to Neji and couldn't help but mutter somewhat sourly, "You certainly didn't say that to Neji!"
"What?" His voice was too low, and Naruto didn't hear clearly.
"Heh, nothing." Sasuke turned to look at the electronic scoreboard.
After a series of names flashed, the last two names popped up.
[Uchiha Sasuke VS Akado Yoroi]
"Hmph, it's my turn so soon? Hiss~~~" As soon as he spoke, he felt an intense itch on his neck.
Don't blame me, Sasuke. That Orochimaru, who knows if they're male or female, is looking over again.
However, this time, Naruto felt that Orochimaru's gaze was directed more towards himself.
Has he set his sights on me again?
Sasuke jumped down, ready to face his opponent, but Orochimaru's gaze was still fixed on this side.
This guy really seems to have set his sights on me.
Snake-boy, you've picked the wrong target this time.
Hope you know what's good for you.
However, Orochimaru's attention on him must be related to the talent he just displayed.
Not just Orochimaru, Naruto clearly sensed that there were more people in the arena, intentionally or unintentionally looking at him.
It seemed that through the previous battle, everyone had become aware of his talent.
A bit rash, but it doesn't matter.
His goal for this Chunin Exam was precisely this.
During his time at the ninja academy, he had always hidden his true abilities. Firstly, it was due to his unfamiliarity with this world. Secondly, he had too many enemies; revealing his talent might cause his hidden enemies to suddenly emerge, seeking to nip him in the bud.
After all, he had a system and this terrifying talent; as long as he developed, he would be invincible.
Previously, his actions had all embodied the saying: "In ancient times, Judy feigned madness to save his life and achieved dominance; today, I, Naruto, play dumb to develop and forge invincibility."
Now, he was already invincible, did he still need to continue developing?
No need!
It was time for him to display his talent to the world, and the Chunin Exam was the opportunity he had dreamed of.
The most important point was: Hokage.
This seat belonged to the virtuous.
It was time for him, Naruto, to display his 'virtue.'
Displaying overwhelming power in the Chunin Exam, and after the exam, using that to ascend to the Hokage seat.
It couldn't be more perfect.
"Hey."
Sasuke's voice suddenly rang in his ear again. Looking over, he had already finished his fight.
That fast?
Indeed, with Sasuke's strength, fighting Orochimaru was a stretch, but clearing minor opponents was his specialty.
Seeing this, Naruto looked at the electronic scoreboard.
Next,
[Hyuga Hinata VS Gaara]
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