376-380

Chapter 376: It Was All a Lie! 

Jiraiya just straight-up told Naruto to die, completely throwing Naruto for a loop. 

"Huh? You want me to die?" Naruto pointed at himself, utterly baffled. 

Jiraiya was completely serious, with no hint of joking. "Release massive amounts of chakra from the fear of death! Use your own body to find the trick! If you don't want to die, then figure it out yourself!" 

Shindai crouched down in front of Naruto, a smug smile on his face. "I bet you didn't get anything from the last two times, did you? Its power is your power, so you have to take the initiative to use it, not wait for it to be given to you. Otherwise, you'll always be passive. Alright, if you don't want to be splattered like a pancake, then go for it! Oh, and if you happen to see it, tell it I said hi. Also, you remember what I told you before, right? Talk to it nicely. It's a total tsundere!" 

Shindai reached out and placed his hand on Naruto's chest. 

The next second, Shindai was immediately repelled, sent plummeting straight down the cliff. 

"AHHHHHHH!" 

Naruto let out a bloodcurdling scream that could wake the dead. 

Jiraiya and Shindai stood at the edge of the cliff, watching Naruto fall. 

Jiraiya muttered gravely, "Now is the moment to witness if the power given to you can truly be yours. Shindai, keep an eye on him." 

Shindai nodded. "Don't worry, I magnetized Naruto just now. If anything goes wrong, I'll stop him." 

The dizzying sensation of freefall made Naruto feel like he was about to wet himself. If he hit the ground like this, it would be a miracle if he survived! Naruto gathered his chakra, trying to grab onto the cliff face. But the cliff had been smoothed by the constant waterfall, making it incredibly slick. And at this speed, with Naruto's current chakra control, it was impossible to grab hold. 

So... Naruto had no choice but to rely on the Nine-Tails' chakra. He had to try and open that door, his own way. That was Jiraiya's current thought. 

However, what happened next completely blew Shindai and Jiraiya away. 

Naruto used the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, using his clones to toss his main body upwards. And once Naruto's main body found its balance, he'd create another clone, step on it, and leap, significantly slowing his descent. If this continued, Naruto would be able to land safely. 

Jiraiya's jaw hung open. "I've been training him for days, and he seemed so clumsy. How did he get so smart all of a sudden?" 

Shindai, equally astonished, said, "Unbelievable! Can this kind of thing really boost your IQ?" 

Jiraiya immediately called out to Shindai. 

Shindai responded, "I know!" 

Shindai formed hand signs and pressed his hands to the ground, using magnetism to directly interfere with Naruto's magnetized chakra, preventing him from creating any more shadow clones. 

Naruto's scream echoed once more. 

Naruto stared in terror at the ground rushing closer, his heart pounding like a drum. At this rate... he was really going to die! 

Naruto's mind was filled with the word 'death.' 

In a daze, Naruto found himself in what looked like a sewer. He looked around in confusion; shouldn't he be falling off a cliff? Suddenly, Naruto heard a series of roars. Naruto walked towards the source of the sound. This feeling... it was that chakra! 

Naruto followed his instincts, arriving at the deepest part of the sewer, where a massive prison gate stood before him. And behind that gate was the monstrous Nine-Tails. 

Naruto stared blankly at the Nine-Tails, his brain completely shutting down. 

The Nine-Tails' voice boomed, "Brat, come closer!" 

Naruto took a few steps forward. The Nine-Tails' claw suddenly lashed out at Naruto, but it was stopped by the gate. Still, Naruto was so frightened he fell back onto the ground. 

"As much as I want to eat you, I can't open this gate, darn this seal!" 

Naruto snapped back to reality, staring at the Nine-Tails in disbelief. "You're... the Nine-Tails?" 

"I never expected you to come looking for me on your own. What do you want?" 

Naruto sat, rubbing his chin in thought. "I remember what someone told me... something about when I saw you... Kurabara, yes, I're supposed to call you Kurabara!" 

The Nine-Tails suddenly roared, its breath sending Naruto tumbling several times. "IT'S KURAMA!" 

Naruto rubbed his backside and stood up, annoyed. "What's the big deal? So I messed up the name a little! You're so loud, you're no different from a megaphone!" 

The Nine-Tails glared menacingly at Naruto. "That guy told you, didn't he? That Shindai!" 

Naruto looked confused. "Huh? You know Big Brother Shindai?" 

A frustrated expression appeared on the Nine-Tails' foxy face. Before it was sealed, Shindai had told it, "I am the one you Tailed Beasts have been waiting for! I am the Child of Prophecy!" It was because it had paused for a moment after hearing Shindai's words that it failed to kill Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, and got sealed instead. 

The Nine-Tails didn't believe him at the time because Shindai's eyes were black, not green. But Shindai had said that "green eyes" didn't refer to the color, but to symbolic meaning: someone with a pure heart, impartial, full of integrity, and unwavering righteousness. During the time it was sealed, the Nine-Tails had been thinking about this. 

The Nine-Tails felt there was some truth to it, because the Old Man of Six Paths was always so cryptic. Maybe those "green eyes" really didn't refer to eye color. Since Shindai said he was the Child of Prophecy, it was very likely him, especially since only the Tailed Beasts knew about this, and Shindai, a human, knew. So it really should be him. 

But... why couldn't it just believe it?! 

Naruto now remembered what Shindai had told him. Naruto cleared his throat and said, "Oh, right! Big Brother Shindai told me something to tell you when I saw you." 

The Nine-Tails eyed Naruto suspiciously. "What did he say?" 

Naruto recalled the words as he spoke. "Big Brother Shindai said that what he told you before was a lie. All that stuff about being 'the child of prophecy,' and 'green eyes,' it wasn't him at all. That 'child of prophecy' is actually right here." 

The Nine-Tails instantly exploded upon hearing Naruto's words, slamming against the prison gate repeatedly and roaring, "Brat, open this seal right now! I'm going to kill that scoundrel!" 

Naruto shrunk his head, not understanding why the Nine-Tails suddenly got so agitated. The Nine-Tails was furious. It had been agonizing for so long over whether Shindai was the Child of Prophecy, only to find out in the end that it was all a lie! 

Naruto realized that since he could see the Nine-Tails, it meant he was only here in his consciousness, and in reality, he was still falling. 

Naruto anxiously shouted, "Hey! You stupid fox! Since you're living inside my body, give me your chakra as rent!" 

Chapter 377: The Delinquent Toad 

Naruto proposed that the Nine-Tails give him chakra as rent. 

The Nine-Tails slowly calmed down from its rage, its eyes fixed intently on Naruto. The Child of Prophecy is right here... so this brat is the Child of Prophecy? No way! If this kid is the Child of Prophecy, I'll lick Shukaku! From now on, if I believe a single word Shindai says, I'm an idiot! 

The Nine-Tails sneered. "No matter what, if you die, I die. You've got guts to threaten me. As a reward for coming here, I'll give it to you. Take as much as you want. And tell that human, when I get out, he's the first one I'm going to kill!" 

Naruto was enveloped in red Tailed Beast Chakra, and his consciousness returned to reality. Naruto's eyes turned into red beast eyes, and his body was filled with Tailed Beast Chakra. 

"This is the feeling!" Naruto bit his finger and began to form hand signs. 

"Summoning Jutsu!" 

A burst of red chakra was released, and a massive cloud of smoke appeared. From within the smoke, a gigantic figure emerged. 

Jiraiya's lips curled into a slight smile. "Well done." 

Shindai clicked his tongue. "It's that delinquent toad, huh? Naruto's in for a rough time." 

Jiraiya shot a sideways glance at Shindai. "If he hears you say that, you'll be chased down and sliced up." 

Shindai shrugged, unconcerned. "If I want to run, he'll have to catch me first." 

The toad Naruto summoned was Gamabunta from Mount Myoboku. Naruto landed on Gamabunta's head, bouncing a few times on his squishy dome. Gamabunta propped himself up with his hands and feet against the rock wall, his eyes a bit dazed. "Where am I?" 

Naruto was super excited right now because he had finally summoned a toad, not a tadpole with a tail! 

Jiraiya looked down at Naruto and said, "This should be his first time condensing the Nine-Tails' chakra. Even so, it's still unstable, leading to too much output, which summoned that guy. But it's always a good start." 

Shindai laughed. "Yeah, it's a huge step forward. Once you do it once, you can do it again." 

Naruto was sitting on Gamabunta's head, patting it. "I did it, hahaha!" 

Gamabunta roared aggressively. "You brat! Do you know whose head you're yelling on?! It's on the head of me, Gamabunta, the Toad Boss! You idiot, quiet down!" 

A similar tone to the Nine-Tails emerged, and Naruto was almost blown away. Luckily, he grabbed onto Gamabunta's pipe. 

Gamabunta glared fiercely at Naruto. "Honestly, it's been a long time since I breathed this worldly air, only to have some stinky brat climb on my head for no reason! Hey! Where's Jiraiya?! Why did you summon me?! Jiraiya, come out now! You idiot!" 

Jiraiya immediately hid. "Oh no, I can't even handle Gamabunta myself, and if he finds out, things will get complicated. I need to get far away... Hey, Shindai, where are you going?" 

"I'm heading back! Didn't we accomplish what we set out to do? Besides, this is a matter for you Mount Myoboku summoners, it has nothing to do with me. So, bye-bye~" 

Shindai flew off directly towards Konoha. 

Jiraiya's mouth twitched. He actually just abandoned him and ran. Jiraiya glanced at Naruto and Gamabunta. No, I have to run too. As Jiraiya ran, he noticed a few young women bathing in the waterfall's pond. Jiraiya's old habits immediately kicked in. He completely forgot about Naruto, pulled out a pair of binoculars, and started peeping. 

Naruto and Gamabunta had a 'friendly' exchange. They even reached an agreement: as long as Naruto didn't fall off his head, Gamabunta would acknowledge him. 

Meanwhile, at a hotel in Konoha Village. 

Baki was holding a small meeting with Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. 

"I don't think you're clear on the details of this mission yet, so I'll explain it now." 

Temari was surprised. "Aren't we just supposed to win this Chunin Exam?" 

Baki said seriously, "While the Hidden Sand Village is sending you three to participate in the exams, the purpose isn't for you to pass the Chunin Exams. It's to use the Chunin Exams as a pretext to crush Konoha Village!" 

Kankuro and Temari stared at Baki with wide eyes, and Gaara's gaze also landed on Baki. 

Temari asked anxiously, "Why? Didn't Konoha and Sand sign an alliance treaty?" 

Baki replied with resentment, "The problem lies with the alliance treaty. As genin, you might not know this, but the daimyō, using the treaty as an opportunity, forced the Hidden Sand to reduce its military power and handed over missions that should have been ours to Konoha. They also significantly cut the budget for our ninja village, drastically reducing the number of ninjas." 

"The foolish actions of those at the top affect us below. To keep the village running, your father, the Kazekage, has had to use sand gold to exchange for money to maintain the village's operations. And to maintain the village's fighting strength, we've had to improve the quality of every ninja, which is why ninjas like you, Gaara, were born." Baki glanced at the expressionless Gaara. 

Baki continued, "Currently, the Land of Wind is in an extremely dangerous situation. The Land of Fire is developing better and better, which inevitably shrinks our living space. But the daimyō and those around them simply don't understand this!" 

As he spoke, Baki angrily punched the wall. 

Baki took a deep breath. "So, the Kazekage sensed the current crisis in the village and allied with Danzo of Konoha. Danzo wants to stage a coup and seize power in Konoha, and we can use this opportunity to obtain the resources we need and restore the Hidden Sand Village's prestige. At the same time, it's to inform that idiotic daimyō about the importance of managing a country's dangers!" 

"If the village continues like this, we'll no longer have the power to contend with Konoha. We must seize this rare opportunity now to completely reverse the village's decline! Gaara, this mission and your performance are closely linked. Once the flames of war are ignited, we will face Konoha in battle!" 

Gaara responded with a cold affirmation. 

Temari looked saddened. "More war again? The alliance treaty, bought with immense sacrifice, will be broken again, and many more people will die..." 

Baki sternly warned, "This is all the will of the Kazekage. Ninjas are ultimately just tools of war. That alliance treaty itself is merely a tool threatening our existence. This is an S-rank mission, take it seriously! And in this war, we also need to eliminate two former Hidden Sand rogue ninjas. This is also the Kazekage's will!" 

Temari and Kankuro immediately thought of Shindai and Yugao Uzuki, while Gaara's cold expression showed a hint of anger. 

Kankuro instinctively touched his ninja tool pouch. Inside his pouch was a scroll, sealing one of the puppets Shindai had made back in the Hidden Sand Village. 

Chapter 378: Hizashi's True Plan 

Kankuro currently possessed two puppets. One was 'Crow,' created by the legendary genius, now a rogue ninja, Sasori of the Red Sand, before he defected from the Hidden Sand Village. Kankuro always kept Crow wrapped in bandages on his back, ready to use it for misdirection tactics against his opponents. 

The other puppet, stored in a scroll within his ninja pouch, was one of the few puppets crafted by Shindai back in the day. Years passed, but the Hidden Sand Village's puppeteers showed no innovation whatsoever. They created puppets with no originality and never thought to dissect Shindai's or Sasori's creations for research. Instead, they treated these puppets like precious treasures, only entrusting them to puppeteers with exceptional talent. For example, the Kazekage Rasa's son, Kankuro. Due to his status as the Kazekage's son, Kankuro had already obtained Sasori's 'Crow' and Shindai's 'Trial Two.' 

Why 'Trial Two'? Because that's what Shindai reported it as – Prototype Number Two. He had made a total of four puppets for the Hidden Sand Village, all given equally casual names like Prototype One, Two, Three, and so on. 

Even though Shindai and Sasori were rogue ninja from the Hidden Sand, enemies even, Kankuro couldn't help but secretly admire them. The puppets created by Shindai and Sasori were unique in their own ways, far surpassing anything the Hidden Sand's puppeteers could achieve even now. They were, without a doubt, the two greatest puppeteers. And next, Kankuro's opponent would be one of those legendary puppeteers, Shindai himself. He couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness. 

As twilight descended, Naruto finally passed Gamabunta's test and was successfully accepted as his subordinate. 

Days ticked by, and currents of unease stirred both within and outside the Hidden Leaf Village. 

A week before the Chunin Exam finals, Shisui and Itachi found Minato Namikaze in the Hokage's office. 

"Fourth Hokage," Shisui stated gravely, "I'm not entirely sure, but I feel like something is very off in the Leaf Village lately." 

Minato set down the scroll he was reading and inquired, "Shisui, what exactly feels off to you?" 

Shisui looked to Itachi, who answered, "Recently, there have been frequent gatherings led by Uchiha Uto. Since there are guards outside the meeting places, we haven't been able to get close enough to learn what's being discussed. The individuals attending these meetings are all extremist clan members who previously opposed your policies and Father's. So, we're concerned they might try something during this Chunin Exam." 

Minato pondered for a moment. "Shisui, Itachi, lead a portion of the ANBU and the Guard Force to monitor Uchiha Uto and his group." 

"Yes, sir!" 

Watching Shisui and Itachi leave, Minato's brows furrowed deeply. As the Chunin Exam finals drew nearer, his bad premonition grew stronger, like the calm before a storm. Especially last night, on his way home from work, someone had slipped him a note. It simply read: "Beware of Danzo and the Hidden Sand." Minato had wanted to use the Flying Thunder God to pursue them immediately, but the sender was well-prepared, disappearing into the crowd the moment the note was thrown. 

Within that crowd, unbeknownst to Minato, was Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi Hyuga. 

Today, Hizashi Hyuga was also holding a meeting within the Hyuga clan compound. Sitting before him were all members of the Branch Family. 

Hizashi began, "I believe you are all well aware of why Danzo removed the Caged Bird seal from you. His goal is to use our strength to seize political power in the Leaf Village. However, our conflicts should not involve the Leaf. The Leaf Village is doing well as it is. The irreconcilable conflict is merely between our Branch Family and the Main Family. Therefore, as the head of the Branch Family, I am issuing an order to you." 

Hizashi took a deep breath before continuing, "On the day of the Chunin Exam finals, if chaos erupts, you are not to obey Danzo's commands. You must obey the Fourth Hokage's orders and defend the Leaf Village!" 

The Branch Family members stared at Hizashi, taken aback. They had been in turmoil recently. Their resentment was never towards the Leaf Village itself, but towards the Main Family, for treating them as less than human. Although the Caged Bird seal had been removed, they were still extremely reluctant to follow Danzo and incite internal conflict within the Leaf. 

But there was no choice. They were already on Danzo's rogue ship, so they had to convince themselves. For instance, if they helped Danzo seize control of the Leaf, they would no longer be Branch Family members, and they wouldn't have to secretly hide that their Caged Bird seal hadn't actually been removed. 

Yet, to their surprise, Hizashi was telling them not to obey Danzo's orders, but to still follow Minato's. 

One Hyuga clan member asked in confusion, "But, Master Hizashi, Danzo also placed a cursed seal on us. And if we don't help him, won't we suffer? And if our Caged Bird is removed, won't the Main Family come after us?" 

Hizashi explained, "Don't worry about the cursed seal on us. It's the Tongue-Bind Curse Seal, designed to prevent people from revealing secret information. If the person under the jutsu tries to speak anything related to specific matters, their entire body will become paralyzed, unable to speak or move. Danzo placed this seal on the tongues of all former Root members to control his subordinates, preventing them from revealing his secrets. So, as long as we don't reveal any secret information about Danzo, this cursed seal is as good as useless. There's no need to worry; it won't affect us. 

"Furthermore, I don't believe Danzo can succeed. He lacks any qualities of a Hokage. Even with the Hidden Sand Village's cooperation, he won't achieve his goal. Therefore, Danzo will ultimately fail! If we follow Danzo and incite a coup, ruin awaits us. All we have ever wanted is equal standing. So, there is absolutely no need for us to follow Danzo in a coup. 

"As for the Main Family..." Hizashi closed his eyes, remaining silent for a moment, then opened them again, his gaze firm. "Everything, absolutely everything, stems from our Hyuga clan's so-called traditions, traditions that are enforced and supervised by the esteemed Hyuga Elders. So... when the time comes, I will deal with those Hyuga Elders. And everything, absolutely everything, will be borne by me! I will become the criminal of the Hyuga clan and take responsibility for it all! At that time, the Branch Family will outnumber the Main Family by several times, and without the restriction of the Caged Bird, I believe you will be able to handle things yourselves. Your future will change." 

Hizashi revealed his true plan—a plan to change the future of the Branch Family. 

Chapter 379: A Total Mess 

The Branch House members stared at Hizashi Hyuga, stunned. They couldn't believe Hizashi was willing to sacrifice himself, becoming a "sinner" of the Hyuga clan, just to secure a future for them. 

One of the Branch House members exclaimed, "We can act with you, Head! Let's kill those old geezers and fight for the rights we deserve as Hyuga!" 

The other Branch House members echoed his sentiments, their emotions running high. 

Hizashi Hyuga shook his head, refusing. "No. The sin of spilling our own kin's blood, I'll bear that alone. I am your Head, and this is an order. You must obey! That's it, dismissed!" 

Hizashi Hyuga gave the Branch House members no room to argue, making the decision final. As Hizashi Hyuga left the room, the Branch House members watched his retreating back, each feeling a deep sense of unwilling resignation. 

Danzo would never have imagined that his plan was now a complete mess. 

The Tangled Web of Schemes 

Danzo wanted to seize power in Konoha and eliminate Hikari Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, and the Hidden Sand ninjas. 

The Hidden Sand Village was assisting Danzo in attacking Konoha, aiming to weaken Konoha, completely reverse their own decline, and simultaneously eliminate Shindai and Yugao Uzuki. 

Nagato wanted to destroy Konoha, then kill Danzo to avenge Yahiko. 

Hizashi Hyuga decided to turn against Danzo, shifting his target to the Hyuga clan elders instead. 

The only one whose plans hadn't changed was Uchiha Yuto, still blissfully fantasizing about Danzo's successful coup and becoming a top-tier figure. 

Pre-Exam Chit-Chat 

"Only seven days left. Shindai, Kakashi, how are your students doing? Don't tell me they're going to get completely stomped," Obito remarked from inside the izakaya, where he, Shindai, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara were having a team get-together. 

Shindai boasted, "Heh, I'm not kidding, Obito. If you were Hinata's age back then, she might have beaten you senseless!" 

Kakashi also chimed in, "I believe in Naruto and Sasuke." 

Obito grumbled, "Beaten senseless by her? What are you talking about? I was super strong back then!" 

Kakashi was quick to deflate Obito's ego. "Actually, you were pretty much beaten senseless by Shindai back then." 

Obito retorted, "What are you talking about?! It was a back-and-forth fight, thank you very much!" 

Shindai asked, "By the way, Obito, what kind of mission have you, Shisui, and Itachi been on? You're always out of Konoha." 

Obito complained, "It's all because of the Hidden Mist Village. Their ninjas are all a bit crazy, even though they know they can't beat us, they keep sending people to harass us. But it should be over now. We won't need to go there anymore." 

Shindai speculated, "Is it because the Hidden Mist Village is planning to ally with Konoha, right?" 

Obito nodded. "Exactly. It seems the Mizukage in the Hidden Mist Village has changed. Her name's Mei Terumi, and she seems to have ended the Bloody Mist policy. She wants to reopen the village. The Hidden Mist ninjas still harassing the Land of Fire border are just extremists who refuse to acknowledge the end of the Bloody Mist policy. They're not a threat anymore." 

Kakashi asked Rin Nohara, "Rin, how's Sakura doing with her training under you?" 

Rin smiled. "Sakura has a real talent for medical ninjutsu. She's learning very quickly." 

Kakashi immediately relaxed. "That's good. Naruto and Sasuke are growing so fast that Sakura always felt like she couldn't help. Now she's finally found something she's good at." 

Shindai spoke up, a note of caution in his voice. "For the main Chunin Exam rounds, pay attention. I have a feeling something might happen." 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin's eyes twitched simultaneously. They all blurted out, "You're not planning to go after the Kazekage directly, are you?" 

Shindai retorted, annoyed, "Am I that stupid? Why would I attack him in the main rounds, in front of so many people? If I'm going to attack him, I'd find a secluded spot, wouldn't I?!" 

Kakashi pondered for a moment. "You've got a point, but then again, maybe not. You're pretty unpredictable sometimes." 

Shindai rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, I'm not joking. I really do think something might happen during these main rounds." 

Obito suddenly turned serious. "What Shindai says might actually be true. Shisui and Itachi found some clan members acting strangely in the village. These are the ones who were against the reconciliation between the Uchiha and Konoha back then, and they've been meeting frequently lately. It feels like they're planning something. Shisui and Itachi went to report this to Minato-sensei." 

Shindai, Kakashi, and Rin also became solemn. Shindai especially. According to his guess, Orochimaru had turned over a new leaf, so the Konoha Crush plan shouldn't happen. However, Shindai had a terrible feeling lately, like something big was about to go down. 

Shindai instructed, "Everyone, be careful. It's always good to be prepared." 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin nodded in agreement. 

The Day Arrives 

Time flew by. Today was the day the Chunin Exam main rounds began. 

Outside the arena, Shindai advised Hinata, "Hinata, remember, you have to believe you can beat Neji to have a chance. And your chances aren't low now. The rest is up to your performance in the arena. Yugao, Hikari, and I will be watching you from the stands. Good luck~" 

Hinata was incredibly excited. After a month of special training, the day to show her results had finally arrived. 

Hinata declared firmly, "Yes, I'll do my best! I'm going in!" 

Hinata entered the arena alone. Shindai, Yugao, and Hikari also took their seats in the stands, awaiting the start of the main rounds. 

Meanwhile, in the long-sealed Root base, people were now present again. The people inside the Root base were Danzo and the former Root ninjas. Danzo's mood was a mix of excitement and tension. If he succeeded, he would gain everything. But if he failed, he would lose everything. However, in Danzo's eyes, he had already lost everything when he was stripped of his position as Hokage's advisor and Root leader. A man with nothing has nothing to fear! 

Danzo gave his orders: "Disguise yourselves and enter the arena. pinpoint Hikari Uchiha's location, but don't act rashly. The main objective is to kill Minato Namikaze. Prioritize assisting Rasa in assassinating Minato Namikaze!" 

The Root ninjas began to move out. 

Outside Konoha Village, Akatsuki members also appeared. 

Deva Path Pain commanded, "Act according to the plan. Apart from the members directly involved in the action, no one else is to act without orders!" 

The Pains (excluding Animal Path), Kakuzu, Deidara, Hidan, and Uchiha Setsuna disguised themselves and entered Konoha Village. 

The Hidden Sand Village's ninja deployment was also complete. They waited outside Konoha Village for the signal, ready to act immediately once it appeared. 

Hizashi Hyuga didn't go to the main exam arena to watch Neji's match. Instead, he sat alone at home, eyes closed, waiting for the beginning. 

Chapter 380: Hinata vs. Neji 

The Chunin Exam finals were about to begin, and all the participating genin were already in the arena. 

Naruto was practically vibrating with excitement, hands on his hips, pointing at Gaara and yelling, "Hey, red-haired, no-eyebrows guy! I'm gonna beat you into the ground!" 

Gaara just squinted at Naruto, then completely ignored him. Naruto, surprisingly, got even angrier at the dismissal. Sasuke, standing next to him, said, "Alright, alright, stop yelling. It's about to start. People from other countries are watching in the stands right now. If you make a fool of yourself, you're embarrassing the entire Leaf Village." 

Naruto instantly quieted down, glaring at Gaara with a huff. 

Genma Shiranui, this round's proctor, piped up, "Alright, now, puff out your chests and face the audience." 

A roar of applause erupted from the stands. 

At the very top of the spectator stands, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sat in the main seat, with Shisui, a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon, standing beside him. 

The Kazekage, Rasa, walked in from a side entrance. Minato looked at Rasa and smiled. "Lord Kazekage, you've finally arrived. Please, have a seat. You must be tired from your journey." 

Rasa sat down. "Not at all. It's good that the venue is in the Leaf. If it were in the Sand Village, I imagine the Hokage and the Leaf ninja would be the tired ones." 

Minato chuckled heartily. "Our Leaf ninja aren't that delicate." Minato then stood up and walked to the edge of the railing, looking down at Naruto and the others in the arena. "Well then, let's get started. I'd love to have a long chat with Lord Kazekage once it's over." 

Rasa looked at Minato's back, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes, but his tone remained gentle. "Of course. I, too, am eager to see the strength of the Leaf's new generation of geniuses." 

Minato's voice boomed as he announced, "To all our esteemed guests, I extend my heartfelt thanks for coming to the Leaf Village to witness the Chunin Selection Exams! Now, let the ten genin who passed the preliminaries begin the official selection matches! Please, enjoy the show!" 

In the audience stands, Jiraiya propped his chin on his hand, proudly telling Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, "Old man, what do you think? My student's pretty excellent, right?" 

Hiruzen chuckled. "Most of that credit goes to me!" 

Jiraiya scoffed. "What do you mean 'most'? Most of the credit is clearly mine!" 

Hiruzen and Jiraiya suddenly heard furious shouting from nearby. 

"Rasa, you ugly, donkey-kicking, pig-stomping, no-good punk!" 

"Rasa, your face is bigger than your butt! A toad with hair, are you a bird or a beast?!" 

"Where's your old hag of a mother, Chiyo, with her missing teeth? Why isn't she here?!" 

"And where's your deadbeat dad, Onoki? Isn't he coming to see his son in the Leaf?!" 

Hiruzen and Jiraiya's expressions instantly became exasperated. Without even looking, they knew it had to be Shindai doing the yelling. Shindai was standing on his chair, unleashing a barrage of insults at Rasa. Pakura and Uchiha Hikari next to him covered their faces, too embarrassed to be seen. However, everyone around them was from the Leaf, and the cheers were so loud that Shindai's voice couldn't possibly reach Rasa. Shindai was purely just letting off some steam. And it had to be said, Shindai was having the time of his life. 

Genma Shiranui explained, "Listen up, everyone. Although the arena is different, the rules are the same as the preliminaries: there are no rules. A match only ends when one party dies or concedes. However, if I determine that the victor has clearly been decided, I will stop the match, and you are not to resist. With that said, for the first match, Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Neji will stay. Everyone else, return to the waiting room." 

Naruto cheered Hinata on, "Hinata! You gotta beat him good!" 

Hinata nodded, then glanced at the expressionless Neji. The audience was incredibly excited, unable to believe that the very first match would be an internal Hyuga clan battle. 

Hinata and Neji now stood facing each other. Neji looked at Hinata. "It seems you still haven't acknowledged the gap between us. You're just standing here with a naive hope." 

This time, Hinata didn't avert her gaze. She looked directly into Neji's eyes and said, "Perhaps there is a gap between us, Neji... But this time, I'm standing here with the intention to win!" 

Neji activated his Byakugan, observing Hinata. Hinata's eyes held a strong confidence; it didn't look like a bluff. Neji took a fighting stance. "Hmph, this makes it more interesting. I really want to see the panic in your eyes when you face reality. Even though I'm from the Branch Family, you Main Family members have always been nothing but nobodies in my eyes. A bunch of cowards who only dare to hide behind us Branch Family members and never fight!" 

In the audience stands, Hiashi Hyuga's expression was grim upon hearing Neji's words. Hanabi, meanwhile, was extremely worried about Hinata. Hanabi looked at Hiashi beside her, about to speak, but Hiashi cut her off directly. "Don't hold any illusions about your sister. Your sister won't win against Neji. Even if Shindai is her master, it's impossible for her to surpass Neji in such a short amount of time." 

Hiashi also sensed some changes in Hinata, but he still held no hope for her victory. Hiashi scanned the surrounding audience stands but didn't find Hizashi, which surprised him. Knowing Hizashi's deep affection for Neji, he shouldn't have missed watching Neji's match. Furthermore, almost none of the Branch Family members were present. An unexplained feeling of unease settled in Hiashi's heart. 

Neji told Hinata, "I'll give you time to put on your armor. I'm going to shatter all that baseless confidence of yours!" 

Hinata took her stance, activating her Byakugan as well. "This time, I will defeat you with my own strength, Neji!" 

"You'll regret that decision. Even if I kill you here, the Main Family can't do anything to me!" 

Neji lunged forward, closing the distance to Hinata with a large stride, attacking her with the Gentle Fist's taijutsu. Hinata also used the Gentle Fist to block. The moment they made contact, Neji's brow furrowed slightly. The places he was striking were Hinata's chakra points, yet Hinata was deliberately avoiding having her chakra points hit. And... the places Hinata was striking on him were also his chakra points. 

Still, Neji remained completely at ease. As he fought, he spoke, "It seems your Byakugan can now see chakra points. But even so, it's useless. The gap between us still exists. You won't gain an advantage just because you can see my chakra points." Neji landed a sudden counter-attack that caught Hinata off guard, striking a chakra point on her right arm. Hinata immediately abandoned close-quarters combat and put distance between herself and Neji.