Gaara's face darkened as he faced Rock Lee, who had just exploded with the terrifying power of the Fourth Gate.
> "I didn't expect this guy, with such horrendous fashion sense... to be hiding such terrifying strength!"
Despite his unimpressed look, Gaara was growing more and more anxious. But even more nervous than him was Uzumaki Naruto, who stood just a few steps away, clenching his fists with worry.
> "Gaara, you have to beat Lee!"
This wasn't just a simple fight. While it was technically just the Chūnin Exam preliminaries, and there were no dignitaries from other nations watching, this match still held incredible weight.
> If Gaara lost here… all our efforts would be in vain!
And then…
> "Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit… OPEN!!"
As Lee's body erupted with an even more intense wave of chakra, it looked as if his entire body was set ablaze by the sheer intensity of his youth. The floor cracked beneath his feet, and the air warped around him from the pressure of his power.
Naruto's heart pounded. He couldn't remember ever feeling so nervous — not even during his own battles.
> "You have to win, Gaara… I believe in you! I put my hopes in you… well, I also kind of bet on you."
Gaara: "???"
Did Naruto just say bet?
At that critical moment, Lee's body suddenly twitched. The immense burden of the Eight Inner Gates technique began to take its toll. His muscles screamed and tore under the strain. The Fifth Gate had not yet reached its full destructive potential when Lee's body started collapsing from the inside.
Because of that, Gaara was able to withstand the attack and finally seize control of the battle.
In retaliation, Gaara unleashed his Sand Coffin, ruthlessly crushing Lee's limbs without mercy. The crowd gasped. Lee's arms and legs were shattered, leaving him unable to fight ever again.
Just as Gaara prepared to deal the final blow and finish Lee off permanently, a green blur flashed across the arena.
> "That's enough!"
It was Might Guy.
He appeared just in time, shielding Lee with his own body, preventing Gaara's final strike.
> "Why?" Gaara's eyes were blank, almost confused. "Why are you protecting him?"
To Gaara — who had lived a life without love, without companionship — this act made no sense. Why risk your life for someone else, especially someone who could no longer fight?
> "Because he is my most important student!" Guy said with tears in his eyes, cradling Lee gently. "He is a ninja that I recognize!"
After saying that, Guy didn't even spare Gaara another glance. He picked Lee up and carried him out of the arena, announcing Gaara's victory on the way out.
---
> "Phew... That was close, Big Fox."
Naruto let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow.
> "Gaara almost lost!"
> Kurama scoffed from within, "Naruto, don't underestimate Jinchūriki like him. That brat hasn't even started using One-Tail's chakra yet. If he did… no one in your little Konoha village could've stood up to him."
> "Okay, okay, I get it, Big Fox!" Naruto replied casually, hands resting behind his head.
---
With Gekkou Hayate's final announcement, the Chūnin Exam preliminaries officially came to a close.
The next step: the lottery draw for the official tournament bracket.
> "Um… Hinata… can you help me?" Naruto asked shyly.
> "O-of course, Naruto!" Hinata blushed furiously.
Since this lottery wasn't conducted with electronic screens but with slips inside a box, it was possible to cheat — theoretically. And with Hinata's Byakugan, that theory became reality.
Thanks to Hinata's precise guidance, Naruto was able to draw the name of Gaara as his opponent.
What about the others? Their matchups… really didn't matter much.
> Because once Naruto was in the finals, the rest of the games didn't matter anymore!
> "Thank you so much, Hinata!" Naruto said, his eyes shining with gratitude.
Hinata's heart was beating like a drum. This... this was the first time she had done something so daring and outrageous.
> Using Byakugan to peek into a lottery box… this is practically cheating!
If anyone found out, the consequences could be severe. They might even be disqualified.
> But… if it's for Naruto-kun… then I'm willing to do anything!
---
> "Let's go, Hinata!"
Without hesitation, Naruto reached out and took Hinata's soft hand in his own.
> "N-Naruto-kun… Where… where are we going?" she stammered.
Even though she was slowly getting used to Naruto's bold behavior, she couldn't help but blush every time.
> "Let's go on a date!" Naruto grinned. "Didn't we agree that if you beat Neji, you'd go out with me?"
> "W-why? You… You don't want to?"
> "I… Of course I do!!" Hinata replied firmly, cheeks glowing red.
This was her first date with Naruto — she had to do her best! No mistakes allowed!
> I wonder if Naruto-kun minds me being a little older than him… he's always hanging around little Sakura.
---
Haruno Sakura: "???"
Yamanaka Ino: "Hahaha! Don't worry, Hinata! Naruto-kun likes our type!"
Tenten: "Ugh, I'm so jealous. I guess I'm just a bit better than little Sakura… Like, 1.5 Sakuras. Still not good enough!"
Little Sakura was spiraling into depression.
> These girls are getting too carried away. Are they treating me like a unit of measurement now?
Sakura clenched her fists.
> Just wait! I'll become Tsunade-sama's disciple! One day, I'll have the same towering... strengths!
---
Uzumaki Kushina: "That's my boy! Naruto finally asked Hinata out on a date! Now I feel so relieved!"
Jiraiya: "Heh, is that kid Naruto really going on a date, or is he planning something more 'research-worthy'?"
Minato: "Jiraiya-sensei! Naruto is still a child. He knows his limits."
Ohnoki: "Tch, I'm not so sure. That kid's ambition and scheming are well beyond his years. It's obvious he wants to revive the Uzumaki Clan and rebuild the Land of Whirlpools. So naturally, these girls in Konoha…"
Tenten: "Wait, does that mean I have a chance too?!"
Uzumaki Naruto: "So… this is what it feels like to be 'Naruto'… Not bad!"
---
> "Oh, Hinata! One sec — can you wait for me?" Naruto suddenly asked.
> "Sure, Naruto-kun! I'll wait for you out front!"
At this point, Hinata would obey anything he said. If he asked her to wait standing, she'd wait. If he asked her to wait crouching, she'd squat without hesitation.
Naruto turned and rubbed her head gently.
> "I'll be back soon!"
Hinata stood frozen in place as pink steam rose from her cheeks.
> I… I had close contact with Naruto-kun… I want to have a few babies with Naruto-kun… Is that okay…?
---
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, the injured participants from the preliminaries were being treated.
Pushing open a door, Naruto walked into one of the wards.
> "Yo, Neji… genius of the Hyuga Clan."
On the bed lay Hyuga Neji, defeated by none other than Hinata Hyuga herself. Though his physical injuries had been mostly stabilized, his pride… had been shattered.
Defeated by someone he had once dismissed as a weakling — a mere Hyuga vase — the humiliation ran deep. It cut far worse than any wound the Caged Bird Seal had ever inflicted.
He lay there, paralyzed more by shock and shame than by pain.
Then he heard it — the door creaked open, and Uzumaki Naruto's voice followed.
> "The genius of the Hyuga clan?"
> "You… b*****d… Did you come to laugh at me?"
Naruto smiled warmly — not mockingly, but kindly.
> "No… You've got it wrong. I'm here to help you."
---
To be continued...