The Battle of Fools / The Clear-Eyed Realist

Among the SSR characters, Shikamaru was the only one whose true capabilities he couldn't figure out. He didn't look all that impressive.

"Whether Shikamaru wins depends entirely on whether he wants to. It has nothing to do with his strength," Keiichi said simply.

"Who wouldn't want to win?" Sasuke couldn't understand.

"He hates trouble, for one, and he hates fighting women, for another. Maybe he'll get a weird idea and deliberately lose to her. Right now, both things apply."

The people nearby who heard that couldn't help laughing. What kind of ninja was afraid of women?

"Hey! I don't want you going easy on me!" Kin had heard Keiichi, too. As if insulted, she snapped at him.

"How does he know everything? What a drag..." Shikamaru shot Keiichi a deeply resentful look and started taking things a little more seriously.

The battle began soon after. With the Ninja Star Scrolls so widely available, both sides already knew what the other could do, so there was no need to test the waters. They launched straight into a fierce exchange.

Shikamaru's Shadow Technique failed to catch Kin, while Kin's sound-based method of disorienting her opponent was easily countered by Shikamaru.

They had expected the fight to last a long time, but then—

"Sorry, I win." Shikamaru had just dodged one of Kin's surprise attacks and retreated several steps. As soon as he straightened up, he declared victory.

"How is that possible...?" Kin tried to move, only to find that she couldn't budge. She was stunned.

When did this happen?

"He used the terrain to his advantage," Keiichi explained. "The floor's made of square stone tiles, so there have to be gaps between them. Those gaps are in shadow. In other words, as long as Kin stepped on a gap between the tiles, the conditions for the Shadow Control Technique were met."

Naruto sucked in a breath. "It's that simple?"

"What else?" Keiichi shrugged.

That was the point of a clan secret technique. If it didn't have a few tricks up its sleeve, how could the Nara Clan have survived for a thousand years?

That was why they were willing to do whatever it took to protect their exclusive techniques.

Even during Naruto's time as Hokage, the Shadow techniques remained the Nara Clan's exclusive secrets, and outsiders could hardly learn a thing about them.

Shikamaru made Kin mimic his movements, forcing her to run headfirst into the wall. She fainted on the spot, and he secured his place in the third round.

"You're the one who told me not to go easy on you," Shikamaru muttered as he left the arena.

The crowd murmured among themselves. Shikamaru's victory had been expected. They'd wanted to see him win through strategy, but instead he'd relied on his clan's secret technique. It was a disappointment.

The worst part was that the Leaf Village had won again. Why did comparing themselves to them make it feel as if they were the useless ones?

"'Brainless' Naruto Uzumaki versus 'Dumb Glutton' Akimichi Choji!"

"My turn at last!" Naruto exclaimed, rushing onto the platform in excitement.

"Damn it, why couldn't I have drawn Naruto?" Inuzuka Kiba wailed. Of the remaining contestants, Naruto was the one he was most confident he could beat.

Chapter 46: The Battle of Fools

Keiichi was rather surprised. He vaguely remembered that Naruto had never fought Choji before; he was supposed to face Inuzuka Kiba. Why had the match changed?

There was only one explanation: the butterfly's wings had started to beat. The effects of his presence on the Chunin Ninja Exams were showing themselves now.

"Keiichi, do you think Naruto can win this time?" Sakura, now fully conscious, came over and asked worriedly.

"I can guess what smart people are thinking. How am I supposed to know what's going on in a fool's head?" Keiichi waved a hand. He really had no idea this time.

As soon as he finished speaking, Choji barreled across the platform in his Human Bullet Tank, crushing the floor and leaving a trail of cracked stone in his wake. It was easy to see how powerful the technique was.

Naruto instinctively used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. But the moment his clones appeared, they panicked and scattered all over the arena. Some even ran right off the platform, completely ignoring Naruto's orders.

"If you've got the guts, stop running!"

"If you've got the guts, stop chasing me!"

The two traded taunts, but neither slowed down. One rolled with gusto, while the other fled without hesitation.

There wasn't a shred of strategy involved. They were simply fighting with the things they did best, and seeing who came out on top.

The spectators couldn't help admiring Keiichi's choice of nicknames. He might get the names wrong, but he never got the nicknames wrong.

There wasn't a bit of skill to it!

The farce went on for a full half hour. Finally, both of them collapsed onto the platform, panting heavily.

Keiichi shook his head helplessly. They'd really found their perfect match. The Akimichi Clan specialized in body-control techniques, which fell under Yang Release, so they had to replenish their physical energy by eating.

Naruto, meanwhile, came from the Uzumaki Clan, which also had an astonishingly deep reserve of physical energy.

They were both the sort who relied on stamina to wear down their opponents. It was hardly surprising that they'd ended up in a battle like this.

"Naruto, if you give up, I'll share my snacks with you!" Choji offered reluctantly.

"No way! If I offered to buy you ramen, would you give up?" Naruto wasn't swayed in the slightest.

He'd always held onto one determination: he had to make it to the third round and face Sasuke in a fair fight.

Only then could he prove his strength in front of everyone and earn their recognition. Naruto wasn't some dead-last nobody!

"All right. If you buy me ramen, I'll give up."

"Really?"

"Really. But do you even have that much money? I'm afraid I'll eat you into bankruptcy," Choji said doubtfully.

"Don't worry. I may be broke, but my big brother has money. He'll pay!"

As he spoke, Naruto winked furiously at Keiichi.

This kid...

Keiichi nodded helplessly. He'd swindled so much money out of Naruto that he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Besides, how much could ramen cost?

"Naruto wins!" When Choji happily walked off the platform of his own accord, Gekko Hayate could only announce the result with a wry smile.

That had probably been the least tense fight of the entire tournament.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Naruto flashed a V-sign and hopped off the platform, immediately turning to brag to the others.

He, Choji, and Shikamaru had been in the same class since they were little. They were a few of Naruto's precious friends, so of course he could talk things over with them.

"Is this the level of the Leaf Village's ninja?" After watching that match, the spectators began to doubt their earlier judgment. A fight like that had been so childish, it felt completely out of place.

Zaku Abumi, with both his hands crippled, was crying down there. Couldn't they hear him?

"'Young Lady' Hinata Hyuga versus 'Clear-Eyed Realist' Neji Hyuga!"

Seeing the next match, Keiichi sighed helplessly. It seemed the butterfly's wings had only stirred things up this much. The changes weren't that significant.

"Though this is an internal match between members of the Hyuga Clan, there's no doubt Neji will win. The reason is simple: not only are their abilities mismatched, but their will to fight is worlds apart. Until Miss Hinata finds her Ninja Way, she isn't ready to be a ninja," Keiichi commented without pulling his punches.

His words were harsh, and Hinata felt the pressure. Her heart had already been uneasy, and now she felt even more crushed.

Neji walked onto the platform with an impassive expression. He was glad to be matched against Hinata. Their different statuses meant there were things he couldn't say to her normally. But now, standing on this "fair" platform, he wanted to speak the words he'd buried in his heart for years.

He just hadn't expected someone else to understand Hinata even better than he did—and to speak up for him.

Wasn't Keiichi afraid of offending the Hyuga Main Family?

In truth, Neji didn't need anyone's approval. Whoever he faced, he had to win this match.

Because he'd made a bold decision: he would stake his entire life's fate on reaching that final stage and performing his last dance in front of everyone.

No one could stop him!

Both sides took their positions and waited for Gekko Hayate to signal the start of the battle. Before that, though, Neji had something to say.

"Young Lady, there's something I've always wanted to ask you. Do you think people are born different from one another?"

Hinata panicked and shook her head when she heard him. But soon she nodded, then immediately took it back. Even she didn't know how to answer anymore.

"What's Neji talking about?" Naruto asked, completely lost.

"Isn't it obvious? It's the same old issue between the Branch House and the Main House. The Hyuga Clan is a major clan with a strict hierarchy. A long time ago, they established a rule that divided children at birth into the Main House and the Branch House. Those born into the Branch House have to serve the Main House their entire lives," Sakura explained.

"Neji's question is actually simple: why was I born into the Branch House while you were born into the Main House? Hinata understood what he meant, which is why she doesn't know how to answer. If she says people aren't different from one another, then why should Neji be the one serving her as a member of the Branch House? If she says they are different, that would be awfully arrogant, and kind-hearted Hinata would never say something like that," Keiichi added, a hint of mockery on his lips.

"Besides, everyone knows Neji is much stronger than Hinata. If they were judged by talent alone, Hinata should be the one in the Branch House."

"So why should the Main House have the right to stand above the Branch House from the moment they're born?"

Naruto only half understood. All he knew was that Hinata's cousin didn't seem like a good person. He was being way too harsh. Just look at how pitiful Hinata was.

"Neji, that's not it..."

"Not what? Are you going to say that even if I was born into the Branch House, I could change my fate through hard work? Enough of that laughable nonsense. Let me tell you the truth: everyone's fate is decided the moment they're born. Their whole lives, they can only struggle within a space as narrow as a birdcage. That's the future they've been given."

Neji's words struck a chord with Keiichi. In his previous life, he hadn't had a system to give him an advantage. Even with the foresight he'd possessed, he'd still been trapped in the cage woven from the Leaf Village and bloodline. His fate had never been in his hands.

From his perspective as someone who knew the future, Neji's future would unfold exactly as he'd said: a fate designed for someone from the Branch House.

Without someone to undo the seal on that caged bird, he'd never fly free of that cage.

Chapter 47: The Clear-Eyed Realist

"Hinata, give up. You're simply not suited to be a ninja. As a member of the Main House, you should stay home and wait for us in the Branch House to fight bloody battles on the front lines. Then you can enjoy the spoils of victory we place in your hands. This isn't the place for you." Neji pointed at the battle platform beneath his feet, his expression impassive.

"Neji, I'm a ninja too..."

Hinata remembered that scene from the past. Her teacher, Kurenai Yuhi, had approached her father and tactfully told him that she might not be able to teach the young lady.

And what had her father said? Teach her however you like. With that timid personality, she'd be useless no matter who taught her.

She didn't want people to think she was useless—especially Naruto.

"I know what you want to say. But people can't change their nature. You should stop trying. Wouldn't it be better to live an ordinary life? You're from the Main House, after all. Once you're married, you can just stay home, raise your husband, and teach your children."

"Hey, you bastard! What are you saying?" Naruto sprang to his feet, outraged.

Keiichi watched coldly from the sidelines. Wasn't Naruto the one who'd eventually make Hinata stay home and raise their children?

What gave him the right to get mad?

Was Neji wrong? Hinata wasn't suited to being a ninja. She was far too easily swayed by her feelings and would only drag her teammates down.

Dragging herself down was one thing, but given her status, she could easily put others in danger—especially the members of the Branch House assigned to protect her life.

Did you think Neji was saying all that because he cared about Hinata's future?

No, you were wrong!

He was worried about his own life!

And he wasn't wrong to worry. In the end, he died protecting Hinata.

Did I give him the wrong nickname when I called him the Clear-Eyed Realist?

And none of you had even understood what he was trying to say. It was like talking to a brick wall.

Gekko Hayate seemed unable to watch any longer. If Neji kept using his words to shake Hinata's resolve, there'd be no fight at all. So he immediately announced the start of the match.

Both sides were Hyuga ninja with the Byakugan, and they fought like mirror images, blocking and countering each other's moves. But Neji was clearly faster, his techniques more polished and decisive. Before long, Hinata was being driven back again and again.

Anyone could see that they weren't even close in strength.

Naruto watched anxiously from the sidelines, able only to cheer Hinata on with all his might. The longer he watched, the more he disliked Neji.

The match was actually quite spectacular, and everyone watched with rapt attention. The Hyuga Clan was the Leaf Village's largest clan, after all, so the more information they could gather about them, the better.

Keiichi, meanwhile, watched with a yawn. It was just a case of a strong fighter beating up a kid. What was there to see?

Soon, Neji sent Hinata flying with a dazzling combination of attacks. She hit the ground and lay there, unable to move for quite a while.

"Are you still refusing to give up? You should have felt the difference between a genius and a mediocrity by now. Someone as mediocre as you will only drag others down on the battlefield."

Neji thought he'd made himself perfectly clear. Who else could he mean by "others," if not himself?

Could the young lady please stop dragging him down?

The Branch House already had it bad enough. There was no need to go onto the battlefield and cause more trouble. This wasn't the backyard of her home!

"Get up!" Naruto suddenly shouted.

"Get up, Hinata! Don't lose to this guy!" Naruto cheered her on with all his might. The stands fell silent, leaving only his voice.

Hinata heard Naruto's words. Whether love had gone to her head or she was pretending not to understand Neji's meaning, she shakily rose to her feet, raised her hands, and took up her fighting stance once more.

"Say what you mean. That's my Ninja Way, too!" That was Hinata's answer.