Naruto: Rise of the Uzumaki by X009

Chapter 16

X009: Hey everyone. Sorry for the long wait. I've been dealing with some things IRL.

"He quit because he used up all his chakra? Seriously?" Naruto asked in disbelief, his eye twitching as he gripped the railing. His sight was honed on Shikamaru, casually walking back to the booth as if he didn't just send the audience into an uproar.

Sakura put her hands on her hips, scowling at the blond. "We don't all have enough chakra to throw out shadow clones like kunai, you know? Besides, he probably didn't want to screw her over. It doesn't look like he planned on moving on to the next round anyway."

Naruto turned to glare at her as he pointed down into the arena. "And it's better to take a fall when you're two seconds from winning? Isn't that throwing the fight? Forget going on to the next match; I'd be insulted if he pulled that on me!"

His pride wouldn't have stood for it had he been on either side of that. Naruto might have called off the next fight if he didn't think he could go through with it, but forfeiting when he'd already won? And he'd be pissed if anyone ever handed him a win like that.

He failed to notice Hinata flinch at his words.

He then looked up at the crowd, which was still in an uproar. "And they don't sound too happy about it either."

"Well, to be fair, Ino probably feels the same way." Sakura mused before chuckling a bit. "I wouldn't want to be Shikamaru when she gets a hold of him."

"Hmm?" Fuu looked at them curiously. "What's Ino going to do? I thought she was nice. Didn't you tell me Ino used to support you back in the academy?"

"Ah, yeah," Sakura replied, rubbing the back of her head. "It's just that she can get a bit fired up when she thinks someone's being stupid. Or lazy. Especially if she cares."

"And that's probably about what she'll think of this stunt; lazy and stupid," Naruto said with a nod.

Meanwhile, up in the stands-

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT IDIOT THINKING!?" Ino yelled as she shook Choji back and forth, her mouth set in a snarl and her eyes solid white pits of rage.

The chubby genin just chuckled at the antics of his teammates.

Naruto chuckled. "Yep, he's in for it. But he probably knew that already."

"It's time for the Third Match! Naruto Uzumaki vs Hinata Hyuuga."

"Looks like you're up," Fuu said, turning to him. She then looked between him and Hinata and raised a fist. "Do your best out there, you two!"

"Heh. Like I'd settle for anything less," Naruto replied, punching his open palm with his fist.

"Let's show them what we've got, Hinata!"

"U- um," Hinata replied nervously. Her eyes briefly turned away before she took a breath and closed her eyes. Then, she seemed to settle herself a bit and gave him a determined look. "Right."

"Good luck out there!" Fuu said as they made their way to the exit.

"Knock 'em dead, Naruto!" Sakura said.

"You can count on it!"

The two walked in silence as they made their way down to the arena. Hinata trailed behind Naruto, the blond thinking of blowing everyone away with how he'd grown since his academy days.

As they neared the exit, Hinata spoke up for the first time since they left the fighter's booth. "Um, Naruto?" She began, drawing his attention. He stopped. She fidgeted and looked away like she always seemed to.