Across the entire shinobi world.
Within the Akatsuki organization.
"So this is the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Nagato watched the young, weak Naruto with his positive attitude—he reminded him so much of Yahiko.
But he would never forget the pain Yahiko suffered.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you resemble who I used to be. But sooner or later, you will understand the cruelty of reality!"
Obito Uchiha felt a sense of déjà vu—the current Naruto was too much like his past self.
In a cave somewhere.
Itachi Uchiha's eye twitched violently upon seeing Sasuke so severely injured. Fortunately, Sasuke was ultimately unharmed.
In a laboratory somewhere.
Suigetsu Hōzuki, upon learning the location of the Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade), immediately rushed out.
He was determined to claim it.
Many shinobi knew that Zabuza had died not long ago, meaning the blade was likely still unclaimed. Undercurrents of tension began to stir.
Konoha Village.
Shinobi watched Naruto's words, some even reflecting on whether they had ever been so resolute in their beliefs.
"Has Naruto already learned to control the Nine-Tails' power?"
The Third Hokage looked surprised as he watched Naruto regain his senses in the video.
"Naruto, you looked so cool just now!" Choji crunched on a potato chip and remarked.
Some feared him, but others genuinely worried for him.
Little did they know that before the exams, they had experienced such a dangerous ordeal.
That was the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza!
....
[On the screen, Kakashi informs Naruto and the others about the Chunin Exams. Shinobi from other villages gradually gather in Konoha.]
[The first exam presents Naruto with a major challenge. As the dead-last in academics, taking a test is worse than death for him.]
[Fortunately, Naruto turns in a blank paper and narrowly passes.]
...
Worlds in times of peace.
Student A: "Teacher, is today's test about our ability to gather intelligence?"
Teacher A: "Yes. What do you think I'm about to do now?"
Student B: "Put the stick down! Let's talk this out!"
[The second exam begins. The initially relaxed atmosphere turns tense as participants start dying. Naruto's team encounters Orochimaru in disguise and the Grass Shinobi trio. After a bloody battle, they finally reach the finish line.]
[The third exam follows. Naruto defeats Kiba.]
"This exam is way too scary! The Naruto world is so dangerous—so many people die just from taking a test!"
"This Gaara guy is so strong. His eyes are terrifying!"
"Let's go to the bathroom and change our pants."
"Why, you want to spar?"
....
One Piece World.
"This exam is incredibly intense. I never expected so many strong participants. Some of them would make great Marines."
Sengoku stood up, feeling a sense of familiarity with the raw, fist-to-fist combat. Perhaps this was the mindset of a brawler.
After all, Lelouch had left many questioning their own intelligence.
"Are the ninjutsu in Wano Country this powerful?" Sengoku asked Akainu beside him.
"Not so far," Akainu shook his head.
....
[Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, arrives and begins teaching Naruto the Summoning Technique. During training, Naruto sees Orochimaru's cursed seal, causing his chakra to go haywire—which he casually dispels...]
[In a desperate situation, Naruto successfully summons Gamabunta and earns his recognition...]
[The selection day for the eight qualified candidates quietly arrives...]
[The first match: Naruto vs. Neji begins!]
[Against Neji, who masters the Gentle Fist art, Naruto's Shadow Clone Technique is practically useless. Moreover, Neji possesses the 'Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven,' an absolute defense. To outsiders, the battered Naruto's defeat seems inevitable...]
[Naruto's chakra points are sealed by Neji, preventing him from using chakra. He struggles to stand up.]
["I won't lose to someone like you who always talks about fate and runs from reality!"]
["You know nothing! Don't act all high and mighty while lecturing me!"]
Neji thinks about the destiny of the main and branch families—a fate that cannot be resisted.
["How could you understand a fate that cannot be defied from birth?!"]
Naruto gasps for breath, a memory flashing in his mind:
[A scene from his childhood: his shadow morphs into a raging Nine-Tailed Fox. Countless people stand before him, but not a single one stands by his side...]
Naruto slowly opens his eyes, clutching his sealed chest.
["Yeah... I understand that pain..."]
He smiles at Neji.
["So what if I do?"]
["Stop putting on airs! Don't think you're the only special one in the world!"]
["Hinata suffers just like you! As a member of the main family, she isn't recognized. She strives desperately to change herself. Even after you beat her severely, she still got back up..."]
["You're fighting desperately against fate, aren't you..."]
Naruto's words provoke Neji, causing his killing intent to swell.
But before Neji can act, Naruto begins forming hand signs. He remembers Jiraiya's words about another power within him.
["This... this guy!"]
Neji, using his Byakugan, sees an enormous surge of chakra within Naruto and is stunned. He sealed Naruto's points—why does he still have chakra?!
On the high platform, Gaara shows an unusual expression for the first time. The chakra radiating from Naruto agitates the chakra within him.
Orange-red chakra forms into tails, ravaging the arena and creating ripples of energy. Everyone watches in shock.
["Here I come!"]
Chakra envelops Naruto, and all his wounds vanish instantly.
Neji, seeing this bizarre scene for the first time, panics.
In the next second, Naruto disappears from sight, moving at extreme speed.
Neji hastily uses Rotation and throws his remaining shuriken at Naruto.
But Naruto is now too fast, evading them effortlessly.
Neji grits his teeth in frustration at Naruto's calm demeanor.
["You're confident in close combat, right..."]
Naruto grins and charges straight at Neji. With every step, the ground cracks under the terrifying force, causing Neji to retreat repeatedly.
Naruto's eyes are determined as he runs and says,
["I don't know about the Hyuga clan's hated destiny that you speak of..."]
["If you can't change it... then let it be..."]
["After I become Hokage... I'll change the Hyuga clan's fate for you!"]
Two chakra forces collide, exploding instantly and kicking up a cloud of dust.
When the dust settles, Neji crawls out of the dirt, while Naruto lies defeated nearby...
Just as Neji thinks it's over, the ground suddenly cracks open. A fist the size of a sandbag emerges and strikes Neji's jaw.
Neji collapses heavily, unable to move.
["To use a shadow clone in that situation..."]
["That's your specialty... I let my guard down..."]
Naruto pants heavily and says:
["I failed the graduation exam three times because I had bad luck—I kept getting the jutsu I was worst at..."]
["The Clone Technique was always my weakest jutsu..."]
["So... stop spouting nonsense about not being able to change fate..."]
["Because you're not like me... you're not a dead-last..."]
The proctor smiles slightly, raises his right hand, and announces loudly:
["Winner... Uzumaki Naruto!"]