Naruto Makes a Stunning Debut / Neji's Plan

"Lord Hokage, the prosperity of Konoha is truly enviable," the Kazekage remarked as Hiruzen returned to his seat.

"Haha, since you've come all this way, Kazekage, why not stay a few more days? Konoha will make sure to give our allies a warm welcome," Hiruzen replied with a laugh.

"I envy your younger generation even more. So many outstanding talents have emerged, and they've taken six of the ten spots. By comparison, it's quite embarrassing for us."

"Oh? Didn't three of your own Sunagakure shinobi earn spots? What, still not satisfied?"

"That's why I was thinking: if all three finalists turn out to be Sunagakure shinobi, Lord Hokage's expression would be quite interesting."

The Kazekage's aggressive remarks made Hiruzen raise an eyebrow.

"I do find something strange. I heard the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had drastically cut the military budget, but judging by these three, they hardly look like the product of a lean upbringing. Could it be that you poured all your resources into them to put on a good show?"

The Kazekage's smile gradually faded, but he soon put it back on. "Lord Hokage, you jest. They've performed well simply because they're my children. They have pure bloodlines and inherited orthodox secret techniques, so their showing is only natural."

"I think you're a clever man, Kazekage. You understand how to develop your village during peacetime. If a handful of elites can make a name for themselves, then even if the village's overall strength declines, they'll still intimidate the neighboring countries and keep them from making trouble."

As he spoke, Hiruzen pointed down at the battlefield and continued, "And this is the best stage for Sunagakure to demonstrate its strength."

The Kazekage could no longer smile. His strategy had been completely seen through, despite how pleased with himself he'd been.

As expected of an old fox!

Is he threatening me?

Is he telling me not to get any ideas and unilaterally tear up the alliance between our countries?

Unfortunately, the arrow was already on the bowstring. Some things were no longer up to him.

"Then let's see how the younger generation performs."

"Indeed."

Chapter 62: Naruto Makes a Stunning Debut

"There's still one examinee who hasn't arrived. Shouldn't he be disqualified?" Before the match had even begun, Kankuro had already voiced his objection.

Everyone knew he was talking about Sasuke, and they all turned to look.

"If he hasn't arrived by the time he's due to fight, it'll count as a forfeit," Genma Shiranui said.

After Gekko Hayate had been killed, Genma had taken over as the chief examiner. He thought for a moment, then immediately gave his answer.

"Oh? No wonder this is Konoha's home turf." Everyone could hear the mockery in Kankuro's voice.

"Keep it down. Father's watching us from up there. Even if Sasuke arrives in time, I won't lose," Temari said, patting Kankuro on the shoulder without a hint of concern.

"Hmph. We'll see."

"Brainless Naruto Uzumaki vs. The Clear-Headed Neji Hyuga."

When the electronic board displayed the first match, the audience eagerly looked through the information in their hands. It had been handed out for free, one copy to each person.

In fact, the audience already knew something about the two of them. Ninja Star Cards from Konoha had become popular elsewhere, too, especially among these officials and nobles, who were willing to pay a fortune just to keep up with the trend.

On paper, Neji clearly had the advantage. What's more, the Hyuga name was well known. They were the foremost ninja clan in Konoha, so naturally, most people favored Neji.

Among shinobi who knew the two contestants' strengths, the match was just as predictable. Neji would most likely defeat Naruto in under a minute, and then the next match could begin.

Some people even placed bets on how long it would take Naruto to forfeit. Plenty bet on it happening within a minute; some went even further and bet on thirty seconds.

If you bet it would take more than two minutes, people would laugh at you. Did you think so little of the Hyuga Clan, or of Neji?

As for anyone who thought Naruto would win, there was almost no one.

No, there was one: Keiichi, who had placed his bet at the last moment. He was the only one who'd bet on Naruto to win.

But the bet was small. Everyone assumed he was just cheering on his friend.

One was a dead-last student who had nearly failed to graduate. The other was a young genius from the Hyuga Clan. They were even a year apart in ninja experience. No matter how you looked at it, the outcome was obvious.

So when Naruto stepped onto the battlefield, the audience barely reacted. But when Neji took the stage, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.

The unfair treatment only made Naruto more indignant.

"Neji, I'm going to beat you!" Naruto raised his fist at Neji and declared his determination.

"Big words won't help you. When you lose, I hope you'll remember what you said and realize how ridiculous it was." Neji assumed the opening stance of the Gentle Fist, his expression utterly serious.

"Begin!" Genma blew his whistle.

Naruto knew exactly what Neji was good at. He'd seen what happened when someone tried to fight a specialist on their own terms in the match between Sasuke and Rock Lee.

And Neji was a Taijutsu master of a different kind from Rock Lee.

So Naruto immediately put some distance between them and began forming Hand Seals at speed.

"Multi-Shadow Clone Technique!"

The next moment, sixty or seventy Narutos appeared across the battlefield, filling every corner.

But they didn't charge in recklessly. They simply surrounded Neji, looking extremely cautious.

Seeing this, the audience began whispering among themselves. They clearly hadn't expected an unknown kid to know such a rare ninjutsu. Perhaps he really could give them a pleasant surprise.

Shadow Clones?

Neji activated his Byakugan, but couldn't pick Naruto's real body out from among them. That was exactly what he'd expected.

"Follow the plan!" all the Narutos shouted at once. The clones farther away immediately pulled shuriken from their ninja pouches.

Hmph. He knows he can't beat me in close combat, so he wants to decide the match by throwing ninja tools?

At least he has some brains. But thinking that this will win him the match? He's underestimating me.

Neji stayed ready to use Rotation. That way, no matter how Naruto threw the shuriken, he wouldn't be able to hurt him.

After all, Tenten, a weapons expert, was on Neji's team. Neji often used her as a sparring partner, and even she couldn't get the better of him.

Could Naruto really be better than Tenten?

But to Neji's surprise, the ring of clones closest to him charged forward.

Did Naruto really think he could take me on in Taijutsu?

Whatever Naruto was planning, Neji decided to answer with what he did best. His Gentle Fist Technique flowed like water, and he danced among the clones like a butterfly. In moments, he had dispelled every last one.

The clones couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes!

Naruto was stunned. Why weren't you following the script?

He'd planned to repeat the strategy he'd used against Kabuto Yakushi: first have his clones pin Neji down, then have the others throw Humming Shuriken all at once. That would guarantee his victory. Perfect plan!

Could Neji really be stronger than Kabuto Yakushi?

What Naruto didn't know was that the Hyuga's fighting style was designed to deal with attacks from multiple opponents. It was what allowed them to survive when a battlefield descended into chaos.

Kabuto Yakushi, on the other hand, was an assassin-type shinobi, skilled only in one-on-one combat. That was why he'd been caught off guard and pinned down by Naruto's clones.

But Naruto had already carried out the plan this far. He could only grit his teeth and see it through. All his clones immediately launched their attack.

"Wind Style: Humming Shuriken!"

The audience stared wide-eyed at the scene before them. It was as if countless bees had been released from the clones' hands, then swarmed toward Neji like they were returning to their hive. The air was filled with their buzzing.

"What kind of ninjutsu is that?"

"When did Naruto learn Wind Style?"

"He's even mastered nature transformation!"

Ordinary spectators who didn't know what they were looking at could only enjoy the spectacle. But to shinobi who understood the art, it seemed downright unbelievable, like something out of a fairy tale.

They'd never seen a technique like that before!

Could Naruto have created it himself?

The last person to create a jutsu at the age of thirteen had been Kakashi, a once-in-a-millennium genius!

And judging by its power, Naruto had clearly mastered Wind Release's nature transformation. Was this really just a Genin who'd graduated six months ago?

Even many adult shinobi couldn't master that kind of nature transformation. What made this thirteen-year-old kid so special?

Naruto's performance completely changed everyone's impression of him.

This kid really had something going for him if he'd made it to the finals!

Even those who hadn't thought much of him were beginning to look forward to seeing what he'd do next.

Chapter 63: Neji's Plan

"Kakashi, I thought you only favored the Uchiha kid, but you seem to be looking out for Naruto, too. You taught him this Wind Style technique, didn't you?"

The speaker was Jiraiya, hidden among the audience. And who else could be standing beside him but Kakashi?

Jiraiya had practically kidnapped Kakashi and dragged him to the match. Otherwise, Kakashi should have been with Sasuke at this hour.

"Lord Jiraiya, you jest. Didn't you teach him? You know I specialize in Lightning Style," Kakashi said with a wry smile.

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

If Kakashi hadn't taught him, who had?

It was a jutsu Naruto had created himself. Why deny it so vehemently?

Fine, even if Kakashi hadn't taught him, there were only a few people in Konoha who specialized in Wind Style. Could it have been Danzo?

Jiraiya refused to believe that Naruto could create a jutsu at his age, especially one that looked so powerful.

But it also consumed a great deal of chakra. No one else could use it. It was only suitable for Naruto.

"I didn't teach him that jutsu. I specialize in Fire Style. So you must have taught him the Wind Release nature transformation, right?"

"I didn't teach him that either. As far as I know, he shouldn't have been able to master something as difficult as nature transformation," Kakashi said, waving his hands.

"This isn't some jutsu. Do you really have to deny it so stubbornly?" Jiraiya frowned.

"I really didn't!"

"But I didn't teach him either... Could this kid have taught himself?"

"Do you really think Naruto has that kind of talent?"

"Of course not," Jiraiya said flatly. He'd already figured out his student's abilities over the past few days.

He had decent determination, but nothing else.

"Then someone besides us must be guiding him." Kakashi rubbed his chin, frowning.

"We just don't know what this person's after. If they're someone with ulterior motives, like Orochimaru..." Jiraiya fell silent, sharing Kakashi's concerns.

"Whoever it is, Naruto seems to be learning legitimate techniques for now. But this involves a Jinchuriki, so we need to find out who this person is."

"Agreed. Leave it to me. I'll ask Naruto and get to the bottom of it."

Kakashi glanced at the fight and lowered his voice. "Looks like this match is about to end. I need to get Sasuke back as soon as possible."

"Go ahead."

In the blink of an eye, while everyone was still surprised by Naruto's performance, Neji had already settled on the best way to respond.

"Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin!"

Neji released chakra from his tenketsu all at once and spun at high speed, forming a translucent barrier around himself. Any Humming Shuriken that struck him was deflected, leaving the battlefield in shambles.

The shuriken were remarkably powerful. They had even sliced through the trees around the arena, and deep furrows scarred the ground, a clear testament to the technique's strength.

Yet Neji stood there unharmed, his clothes still neat and not a trace of disarray about him.

By contrast, the shuriken reflected back by Rotation wiped out every one of Naruto's clones. Only his real body remained, standing there with a blank stare.

That worked, too?!

Naruto felt as if he'd only just learned what a gap in strength really meant. Was this the genius shinobi who had drawn the most attention at the last tournament?

Neji's astonishing performance sparked plenty of discussion, but everyone agreed it was to be expected. Naruto's earlier showing had been far more surprising.

If a genius didn't exceed expectations, could he really be called a genius?

"Naruto, I have to admit you surprised me a little. But that was your trump card? It's nowhere near enough to defeat me."

Neji strode toward Naruto, while Naruto instinctively stepped backward. The balance between them had already shifted. Neji hadn't even attacked, yet he had the upper hand.