Eight Trigrams Heaven Lock

Naruto came to Team 8 and said to Kurenai, "Hello, Kurenai-sensei. I came to see Hinata."

Kurenai smiled. "Oh, it's Naruto. Hinata, Naruto's here to see you."

Hinata lowered her head shyly. "Naruto-kun, you're here. Congratulations on passing the exam."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks. Congratulations to you, too, for passing."

Kurenai smiled. "All right, Kiba, Shino, let's go. We shouldn't interrupt these lovebirds. Naruto, do your best!"

Naruto grinned confidently. "I will."

Kurenai glanced at Hinata's blushing face and smiled before leaving with Kiba and Shino.

Naruto stepped up to Hinata and took her hand. "Hehe, Hinata, look. Even Kurenai-sensei is giving us her blessing." Hinata's face turned even redder when she heard him bring it up again.

Seeing that Hinata was so embarrassed she might as well have burrowed into the ground, Naruto stopped teasing her. He wrapped his arms around her, and after a brief moment of surprise, Hinata shyly hugged him back.

Remembering their time in the Forest of Death, Naruto sighed. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could stay like this forever?"

Hinata replied softly, "Naruto-kun, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly say that?"

Naruto looked puzzled. "Hinata, don't you like it when I hold you?"

Hinata hurriedly said, "No, how could I ever dislike your hugs, Naruto-kun? They're so warm. But if we stayed like this forever, wouldn't that mean we'd never have children?" Her voice grew quieter with each word until it was barely audible.

Hinata's bold words left Naruto stunned. But when he recovered, he beamed. "You're right, Hinata. I shouldn't be content with things as they are. We have an even happier future ahead of us."

Naruto gazed into Hinata's eyes. "Hinata, will you build an even happier future with me?"

Looking into Naruto's clear eyes, Hinata felt as though they could illuminate people's hearts. She replied happily, "Naruto-kun, I'd love to build an even happier future with you."

Overcome by Hinata's innocence, Naruto kissed her. They kissed as if no one else were around, oblivious even to the Third Hokage's speech from the high platform. They didn't part until Kakashi and Kurenai came to find them. Kurenai said nothing as she led Hinata away.

As she passed Naruto, she chuckled under her breath. "Hehe, you little rascal. You've got some game." Naruto was left thoroughly embarrassed.

After Kurenai and the others had gone, Kakashi said helplessly, "Naruto, I know you and Hinata grew up together, but you still need to pick an appropriate time and place."

Naruto shot back, "You're jealous, Kakashi-sensei, aren't you?"

Kakashi replied, "What would I be jealous of?"

Naruto said casually, "You're single, and you're jealous that I have a girlfriend."

Kakashi was hit hard. Flustered and furious, he yelled, "Naruto, I'm going to beat the crap out of you today!" But Naruto had already escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakashi pursued him with the Body Flicker Technique, but Naruto's Flying Thunder God was faster. By the time Kakashi arrived, Naruto had already gone somewhere else.

Naruto laughed. "Kakashi-sensei, if you want to hit me, you have to be able to catch me first. How can you hit me if you can't even get close?" Kakashi was so exasperated he felt wounded inside, but there really wasn't anything he could do about Naruto.

Just then, Gekko Hayate said, "The matches are about to begin. All examinees, be quiet." Kakashi and Naruto finally stopped and looked toward the arena.

Gekko Hayate announced, "We'll begin the draw now." The names on the electronic board kept changing. When it stopped, it showed Naruto Uzumaki and Rock Lee.

Gekko Hayate announced, "The first match is Naruto Uzumaki versus Rock Lee." Naruto was a little surprised. He hadn't expected to be in the first match instead of Sasuke.

It seems things have changed, but that makes it more interesting. The corners of Naruto's mouth lifted slightly.

Naruto and Lee walked onto the arena floor. Naruto smiled. "Lee, I didn't expect to face you in the first match. I'm a little surprised."

Lee replied, "I didn't expect to face you first either, Naruto-kun. But I won't give up. The word 'give up' isn't in the dictionary of youth."

Naruto smiled. "Then let's begin."

The moment Naruto finished speaking, Lee appeared behind him. "Leaf Whirlwind!" He swung a kick at Naruto.

But as Lee moved, Naruto had already thrown a kunai behind him. With the Flying Thunder God Technique, he dodged Lee's Leaf Whirlwind and appeared above and behind him.

"Rasengan!" Naruto swung a Rasengan at Lee's back. The instant Naruto vanished, Lee realized he'd used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear above and behind him. He didn't panic. Using the momentum of the Leaf Whirlwind, he planted his sweeping foot on the ground and dodged the Rasengan, then kicked at Naruto with his other leg.

Naruto's Rasengan struck the ground and kicked up a cloud of dust. Sensing danger, Naruto braced himself upside down with the hand that had formed the Rasengan and blocked Lee's attack with his other hand. Though he blocked the kick, Lee still sent him flying.

Naruto flipped through the air and landed steadily, warily facing Lee. Their fight had lasted only an instant, but it had caught the teachers' attention.

Guy proudly said to Kakashi, "Well, Kakashi? My student's impressive, isn't he? I'm sure Lee can beat Naruto."

Kakashi turned to Guy with a puzzled look. "Were you talking to me?"

Guy took another heavy blow and drooped. "You really are my eternal rival."

Asuma said to Kurenai, "We know Naruto's strong, but Rock Lee is strong too."

Kurenai replied, "Yes. With that level of Taijutsu and his combat talent, he'll become another Mr. Guy someday." Asuma nodded in agreement.

Hinata called out anxiously, "Naruto-kun!"

Kurenai smiled. "There's no need to worry, Hinata. Naruto won't lose easily. He's nearly caught up to the jonin. If he uses the Nine-Tails' power, he'll be close to surpassing the Third Hokage. So don't worry."

Hinata said, "But I'm still a little worried." Kurenai knew what Hinata was like, so she stopped trying to reassure her and let the poor girl fret.

On the arena floor, the two fighters exchanged attacks, but Lee was hit more often. Naruto hurled several kunai. Lee dodged them, but Naruto, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear behind him, kicked him flying.

Naruto smiled at Lee. "You should give up, Lee. You can't beat me."

Lee stubbornly replied, "No, I haven't used my full strength yet. The Hidden Lotus of Konoha can bloom again!" With that, he removed the weights from his legs. Their immense weight shocked everyone.

Lee said, "It's still not enough. Teacher Guy, please let me follow my ninja way."

Hearing this, Guy shouted to Lee, "Go, Lee! Let the Hidden Lotus of Konoha bloom once more!"

At Guy's reply, Lee immediately shouted, "Third Gate, Gate of Life, open! Fourth Gate, Gate of Pain, open!" Lee's skin had turned crimson.

Kakashi was shocked. He pulled up his Forehead Protector and looked at Lee with his Sharingan. Then he angrily shouted at Guy, "Guy, did you teach this child the Eight Inner Gates? Have you lost your mind? What do you take him for, teaching him such a dangerous forbidden technique? I was wrong about you. You're not fit to be his teacher!"

Guy replied angrily, "What would you know? You don't understand this child at all. He has no talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu, not even the slightest bit. He knows only a little Taijutsu.

"But even so, he has to work a thousand times harder than anyone else just to catch up. Yet he never gives up. Lee is a genius too, just not the same kind as other geniuses. He's a genius who succeeds through hard work." Everyone with a dōjutsu stared at Lee in shock.

Enduring intense pain, Lee said, "It's still not enough. This still isn't enough to fight Naruto-kun. Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit, open!" With the Five Gates open, Lee launched himself at Naruto.

Naruto said admiringly, "Come on, Lee. Let me see your determination." Lee suddenly vanished from Naruto's sight. Sensing danger, Naruto hurriedly escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

A huge crater appeared where Naruto had been standing. Lee's figure appeared for a moment, then vanished again. At Lee's current speed, even if my Flying Thunder God is faster, it's useless if my body can't keep up. In that case, I have no choice but to do this.

In the instant Naruto was distracted, Lee attacked him again. Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to dodge Lee's flying kick once more. "Lee, I really admire your determination. I'll show you the true power of the Uzumaki Clan. Chain Release: Eight Trigrams Heaven Locking Formation!"

Eight massive chains burst from Naruto's body, and countless smaller chains branched off from them, forming a gigantic Eight Trigrams symbol.

Naruto had created it by combining the Uzumaki Clan's Eight Trigrams Sealing Style with what he remembered about the Eight Trigrams symbol from his previous life.

When Naruto used his original Eight Trigrams Heaven Locking Formation, everyone in the arena was stunned by his technique.

Lee had already charged into the Eight Trigrams formation. Countless chains immediately shot toward him. Though he was incredibly fast, one chain still caught him by the foot. More chains surged toward him, binding him as he struggled to break free.

Naruto formed Hand Seals again. "Chain Release: Eight Trigrams Transforming into Four Symbols. Dragon Locking Heaven Formation!" The chains shifted into the shape of an Eastern dragon and wrapped tightly around Lee.

The seals on the chains suppressed all the chakra in Lee's body. With his chakra sealed, the gates closed, and Lee passed out.

Guy hurried over to Lee. Naruto released the technique and immediately felt weak. Fortunately, Kakashi rushed over with the Body Flicker Technique and caught him.

Concerned, Kakashi asked, "Are you all right, Naruto?"

"I'm fine, Kakashi-sensei. I just used up too much chakra. I'll be fine in a bit."

Kakashi nodded, then looked toward Guy. Naruto looked over as well. Guy had already lifted Lee onto a stretcher and was looking deeply worried.

Naruto said to Guy, "Teacher Guy, Lee is fine. His chakra is only sealed. I can release the seal for him later."

Guy breathed a sigh of relief. He thanked Naruto, then left with the medical staff.

Gekko Hayate announced, "The winner of the first match is Naruto Uzumaki!" Their friends in the crowd cheered.