Naruto Of The Shadow Clones

chapter 23 Prelim part 2

Chunnin Exams: / Hinata's and Lee's Stand

"Show Off."

"And proud of it!"

Hinata giggled as she heard this. She then glanced over to the board and immediately stiffened. Naruto, who had looked over when he heard her, glanced over himself and got a more serious look as well.

Hayate coughed while looking back at the board before saying "Will Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga please come down."

Hinata and Neji headed to the stairs. When she got close to Team 7, Naruto put a hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him, he smiled and said "Relax Hinata, I know you'll do just fine out there."

Hinata suddenly let her shoulders loose where she had unconsciously tensed them and nodded before matching his smile.

"Thanks Naruto."

Naruto nodded and leaned in before placing a kiss on her cheek before sending her down. Hinata had a small blush as she went down the stairs but quickly got in under control before she reached the bottom.

Back on the balcony, Naruto leaned against the railing and said "I'm looking forward to Neji's face when he finds out she's not the timid little girl she once was."

Kakashi eye smiled and nodded before saying "Yes, she has greatly improved in the past half year. You did a good job Naruto."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and said "Well, it wasn't just me. You, Matto, and Heza helped just as much."

Kakashi just kept eye smiling as he said "But it was you who took the first step when others wouldn't. That makes your part all the more important."

Naruto didn't say anything to that since they were about ready to get started on the floor.

Down there, Neji was trying to get Hinata to forfeit by preying on a lack of confidence that was no longer there.

Neji frowned as he said "Word of advice lady Hinata. You should forfeit."

Hinata frowned as well and said "And why Neji, would I want to forfeit?"

Neji's frown grew as he said "It is not in your nature to cause harm to others. You are not made for being a ninja. The only reason why you entered this exam was so not to let your teammates down. Now there is no reason for you to continue this charade. So I will say again, forfeit. It is your fate to fail here any way."

Hinata sighed and closed her eyes while slightly lowering her head. After a second, her head snapped up and her eyes shot open with her Byakugan activated without a single seal or call and she glared at Neji with such intensity he actually took a reflexive half step back.

Still glaring Hinata said "You are wrong Neji. I am not the so called weak main branch member I was before. And as for fate, you can shove it up your rear end as far as I care."

The rooks along with all of the members of Team 7 burst out laughing while Team Gai looked on in shock. They were not expecting this from the gentle Hinata they had seen occasionally.

Back on the floor, Neji grew angry and activated his own Byakugan before saying "Proctor, start the match. Nothing more is going to be said here."