HINATA IS BROKEN

The scene at the Chūnin exam venue, above the stands, was tense with anticipation. Among the spectators, Uzumaki Naruto stood, his mind in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. His thoughts were focused on a single question: "Is the version of myself in the black frame really the villain everyone thinks I am?"

He couldn't help but question his very existence as he observed the alternate Naruto. That other version, shunned by the villagers, was a person who didn't hesitate to offer help, defend the oppressed, and fight for the underdog. Despite the bitterness he harbored toward the villagers of Konoha, he still showed kindness toward Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, even if it was overshadowed by his anger.

Naruto, observing this other version of himself, suddenly had an epiphany. The alternate Naruto was someone who dared to love and hate in equal measure. He was driven not by the opinions of others but by the need to act on his feelings, and he would not be swayed by judgments or criticism.

But that wasn't all. There were deeper mysteries at play, especially in the wake of his battle with Orochimaru. That encounter had revealed just how much Naruto still had to learn about the ninja world. Hidden ninjutsu, strange abilities, and unfamiliar tactics were just the surface of what lay ahead.

Naruto felt an unsettling curiosity about Orochimaru's snake transformation. It didn't seem like a simple jutsu. To Naruto, it felt almost unnatural, a reminder that there were still secrets in this world that could change everything he thought he knew about ninjutsu and human capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Nine Tails, who had been silent up until now, couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Naruto pushing forward in his own plans. "Naruto, when are you going to stir up the chaos with Gaara?" The Nine Tails was clearly amused, waiting for the day that Naruto would finally release Gaara's fury on Konoha. The fox had been waiting for a Jinchūriki who would do things differently, and it felt like Naruto was the one.

Naruto, ever calculating, simply smirked. "Patience. There must be an audience for such a grand spectacle." His grin widened as he turned toward the Nine Tails. "I need time, time to raid the Hokage archives and gather the materials I need. A little more preparation, and then we'll see."

The Nine Tails, taken aback by the sudden shift in Naruto's goals, couldn't suppress a laugh. "You're not only seeking revenge, but you're turning into a robber as well? What's next, stealing their lunch money?"

Naruto, still with that calculated grin, turned to face the Nine Tails. "If I'm going to burn the village down, might as well get something valuable out of it."

The Nine Tails let out an exaggerated sigh. "You're ruthless, Naruto. I thought I was the one with a twisted mind, but you've taken it to a whole new level."

As the conversation shifted, the Nine Tails asked, "Are you truly sure you want to unseal me completely?" It was a serious question, one that Naruto had been considering for a long time. The Eight Sign Seal had always limited his full potential, and if he could remove it, he would become far stronger.

Naruto, unfazed, responded, "Of course. The seal is holding me back. It consumes my Chakra and limits my growth. If I don't break it, I'll never reach my true potential."

The Nine Tails, ever the skeptic, warned, "You know, unsealing me could mean your death. I might tear you apart the moment you let me out."

Naruto, without hesitation, countered, "If you tear me apart, it will mean I've reached the limit of my abilities. But if I don't, I'll always be stuck here, limited by this seal."

His words hung in the air, and for a moment, the Nine Tails was silent, as if considering the gravity of the situation. The idea that Naruto was willing to gamble with his life to gain more power intrigued the fox. "You're fearless... or maybe just reckless. Either way, you have my attention."

The weight of Naruto's words left an impression on everyone. It was clear that he wasn't the naive, impulsive kid he had once been. His mind was sharp, and he was willing to take extreme measures to reach his goals, even if it meant risking everything.

As the tension in the air thickened, the conversation shifted to lighter matters. The other participants in the exam were also contemplating their next moves. Sasuke, standing next to Naruto, couldn't help but notice the subtle but undeniable change in his comrade's demeanor. "Naruto, are you ready for the next round?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Naruto nodded, his focus returning to the task at hand. "Yeah. Let's do this. We're almost there."

The group made their way to the front hall where the death forest trial was about to begin. There, they lined up with the other teams that had survived the brutal first round. Naruto took a moment to scan the room, taking note of the other candidates who had passed. Seven teams, twenty-one people, almost all of the original hundred candidates eliminated.

As they gathered, Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped forward, preparing to announce the second round. Naruto's eyes wandered to a familiar figure standing among the Jōnin. The unmistakable orange snake eyes belonged to none other than Orochimaru, who was once again trying to stay hidden in plain sight.

Naruto couldn't suppress a grin as he noticed Orochimaru's presence. "What is he doing here?" he muttered to himself. It was clear that Orochimaru hadn't abandoned his obsession with Sasuke. The snake-themed Jōnin was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya, ever the optimist, looked forward to the chaos that was about to unfold. "I can't wait to see how Naruto deals with Orochimaru in this world. Will it be the same as before? Or is something else at play?" he mused.

Tsunade, always pragmatic, raised an eyebrow. "Don't get too excited, Jiraiya. Naruto may have a plan of his own, and I'm sure it involves more than just fighting Orochimaru."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen delivered his usual speech about the Chūnin exams and the purpose behind them, Naruto's thoughts shifted. The exam wasn't just about proving strength; it was about gaining the favor of the important figures of the world, those who could offer more opportunities.

The moment of truth had arrived. The preliminaries for the third round were about to begin, and with it, Naruto's plans would start to take shape. What he would do next, only time would tell. But one thing was certain—his journey was far from over.