Naruto: Rise of the Uzumaki by X009

Chapter 10

Naruto grinned, confident as he stared at the board, raising a fist in front of his chest. "Yes! My turn! Time to show what I can do!"

Kiba snickered, having retaken his place with his team. "I don't know what you're so happy about; you just crapped out."

Naruto turned to glare at his former classmate as Neji scoffed and made his way down to the arena below, his face blank. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Gai chuckled. "I'm afraid Kiba's right on this one, Naruto. Out of my whole team, no. In fact, I'm certain he's the strongest genin of our village."

"Says you," Naruto scoffed. "Guess I'll just have to prove you wrong."

"Don't lose down there, Naruto," Sakura said.

"I'm expecting to see you in the finals. Don't disappoint me." Sasuke added.

"Don't worry, you guys. I'll be back up here in a minute." Naruto replied, confident as he leaped down to the floor.

Hinata gazed at the blond worriedly. "Naruto..."

"He's doomed..." Kiba said, leaning against the wall behind him with his hands in his pockets.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Shikamaru said. "Trust me; we saw him in action back in the forest. He's not the Naruto we knew anymore."

"Well, it's only to be expected that he'd grow by leaps and bounds. That's the beauty of youth. But I'm afraid it won't be enough to overcome Neji's skill." Gai said, closing his eyes and crossing his arms.

"You sure about that, Gai?" Kakashi asked, at ease. "How about we make a wager..." That was the last thing Naruto heard before he was out of earshot.

In short order, he found himself standing across from Neji. The older boy seemed unimpressed.

"Hm, I had thought some of this year's rookies seemed interesting, but to think you're the one I'd have to face," The Hyuuga mused aloud. "I was hoping for a challenge."

Naruto glares at the Hyuuga. "You underestimate anyone; you die. The old man taught me that." He was sure the Third was happy he actually listened. "Yeah, I sucked at the academy. But you know what? Who gives a damn; it doesn't matter how many times you fall. You keep getting back up and back at it till you reach your goal! Everyone can call me dead last till they are blue in the face. But I'll be the one smiling when I prove them all wrong!"

"Nice speech. It'll be fun to watch when reality sets in. Your fate was decided the moment you were pit against me," Neji replied, getting into a fighting stance.

Naruto scoffed, "Fate, huh?"

"Get him, Naruto!" Fuu cheered him on. He sent a brief smile her way before turning his attention back to Neji.

"And, begin!" Hayate announced.

'Bushy Brow said this guy's stronger than he is. If Neji's fast enough to keep up with him... I should feel this guy out first.' Naruto thought as he formed a cross-shaped hand seal.

In a burst of smoke, four clones of Naruto appeared before him. Neji tensed, his brow furrowed as he watched two of them charge towards him as he slipped into a fighting stance.

His eyes changed, veins bulging around his eyes as his solid white eyes changed. While still solid white, the shape of his pupils became visible. 'A dojutsu?'

As the two clones reached him, Naruto and the remaining clones vanished with the Body Flicker Technique. Two appeared behind Neji, one aiming high from a crouch from the left and the other coming down in an ax kick at his right. Without even turning, Neji sidestepped both and grabbed the grounded clone by the arm.