Amazing, Naruto contemplated, Both Hyuugas forced each other to reveal their strongest attacks and defenses. I recall Hina-chan telling me something about a new jutsu she's been working on for some time, but she wouldn't tell me what it was, saying that it was a surprise she wanted to show me when it was ready. Now that I'm seeing it, I have to admit that I'm very impressed!
Neji grinded his teeth as his attack ended. He jumped away and saw Hinata fall to both knees and one hand as she gasped for breath before coughing some blood from her mouth and onto the floor as her free hand held her chest area. The male Hyuuga saw that only a few of his blows managed to make their hits. Neji's Kaiten attack followed by the exertion she placed on her body while performing her new jutsu left her vulnerable and very low on chakra. Regardless, she used her remaining strength to stand back up on her feet.
Not wanting to see her rise to her feet, Neji rushed forward and delivered a hard palm strike to her chest just above her heart, knocking her off her feet and several feet backwards before hitting the ground on back. The girl lied there on her back motionlessly. Naruto's eyes narrowed venomously on seeing such a maneuver; however he kept his cool not wanting to anything rash just yet.
"Announce my victory proctor," Neji said coldly before he spat out some blood that had accumulated in his mouth from Hinata's earlier assaults, "She won't be getting up."
He turned and made his way towards the stairs. Upon doing so however, he then heard sounds of coughing and shaky movements. He turned to see Hinata struggling to get back up on feet again before she finally stood up again while holding onto her chest.
"Why do you stand," Neji growled, "Your body can only take so much and fate has decreed your defeat to me when you were paired to fight me. You can't change what was destined to happen before this match even started. There's no point in defying fate and you can never change how weak you are Hinata-sama, just like how a cheetah can't change the spots on its fur."
"…I…don't believe…in fate," Hinata said weakly between her breaths while looking at Neji face to face, "…I never did. Nor do I believe…that I'm weak…like you believe me to be. I have friends…who believe in me…and I promised myself that I would become stronger for them…And I never go back on my word. That's my nindo (Shinobi way)…You on the other hand…are suffering a lot more than you're willing to admit…to both yourself and everyone else. Therefore…you use fate as your scapegoat."
Neji became very angry at that, and charged towards Hinata, fully intent on killing her, "How dare you!"
"Wait, Neji. This fight is over," Hayate yelled while trying to intercept the Hyuuga. Kakashi, Gai and Kurenai also tried. All four of them were beaten however, by Jiraiya. The Sannin grabbed Neji's right hand, held it in a vice-like grip, while holding a kunai to Neji's throat, ready to ram it through at a moment's notice. Jiraiya had moved so fast, Neji had only been able to take a couple of steps. The four Jounins stood around the duo as well.
"Does the Main house always get so much special treatment," Neji asked. Jiraiya looked at Neji coldly before applying pressure and squeezing his hand harder to assure Neji felt it.
"Hinata does," Jiraiya retorted, "And you won. She can't fight on."
Jiraiya then let go of Neji. Gai looked reproachfully at his student, "Neji, you promised me you wouldn't argue about the Main and Branch house."
Just then, Hinata started coughing and fell down. Before she hit the ground, Jiraiya caught her. Naruto and Kurenai rushed over, Shizune, Ino and Haku followed closely behind. Shizune and Haku started treating Hinata; Haku looked really grim.
"He was aiming to kill her," Haku commented. Naruto turned to Neji, just resisting attacking and killing male Hyuuga where he stood.
"You look like you want to say something," Neji taunted. Naruto didn't reply, instead he turned to look at Hinata, whose eyes were barely opened.
"Na…Naruto-kun…," Hinata said lowly, "…Did you…like my new jutsu?"
"I loved it," Naruto replied, "It was truly amazing Hina-chan."
"I'm sorry…I failed," Hinata said weakly. Naruto disagreed, "No, you didn't fail, not to me. You did great out there and gave your all. I'm proud of that."
Hinata smiled weakly before loosing consciousness completely.
"You should stop cheering for people who can never change themselves. A shinobi…," Neji started, but stopped when he felt a strong bloodlust from the Elite Genin. Over the years, Naruto have seen how cruel Neji was towards Hinata and how he have demeaned and belittled her unceasingly, and his attempt on her life today was the last straw. Naruto spoke coldly in a voice devoid of emotions, "For Hina-chan…Neji, I'm going to cripple you…for life."
Neji didn't admit it, but he felt a cold chill run down his back on hearing those words spoken in the manner Naruto used. What Naruto had in mind against him was uncertain to Neji at this time.
"I have to get her to the hospital," Shizune said to some of the medics. They nodded and gently lifted Hinata onto the stretcher. Naruto and Ino watched as Hinata was rushed away, Haku following Shizune on the way to help where she could. Jiraiya grabbed Naruto's shoulder before they turned and walked away together ignoring the smug Neji.
"Winner, Hyuuga Neji," Hayate said, but he sounded like he didn't want to declare that.
The winners of the matches soon assembled on the arena floor.
"Congratulations on passing the preliminaries. (Cough) If you would all come and draw a number from this box," Hayate said and indicated to a box Anko was holding. After the nine finalists that weren't in the hospital had drawn their numbers, each told Ibiki their number. He then scribbled something down on a note of paper. When he finished, he held it out for everyone to see.
He must be seven then, Ibiki thought, referring to Sasuke.
"This is the match up of the main matches, which will be a tournament," Ibiki said, "Take a good look at the line up."
First match: Senju Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyuuga Neji
Second match: Aburame Shino vs. Sabaku No Kankuro
Third match: Sabaku No Temari vs. Nara Shikamaru
Fourth match: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Sabaku No Gaara
Fifth match: Dosu Kinuta will challenge one of the four remaining fighters.
"You have a month to train before the main matches," Tsunade said, "I suggest you use that time well."
"Why a month," Shikamaru asked.
"Because we have to send out invitations for everyone who has to be here to witness the exam," Hiruzen replied, "The judges will decide who becomes Chuunins and not."
"Judges," Shino asked.
"In this exam," Hiruzen explained, "The ones who get promoted to Chuunins are those that show the judges that they have the qualities of a Chuunin. A ninja's true strength can only be measured in combat, and that's the purpose of the main matches. Judges are made up of important people from the villages, including the daimyo of the different countries."
"The second exam is finished," Anko barked, "Meet in the main arena in a month. Dismissed."
All of the Genins left the chamber with their respective Jounins. Naruto however was held back by Anko as Tsunade, Jiraiya and Sandaime joined up.
"Naruto," Hiruzen said, "We have much to discuss…"
.
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/horizon2075🎉