Naruto: Stormborn Uzumaki

The tower's grand hall hummed with nervous energy as the surviving genin stood in ragged clusters. Sunlight filtered through high windows, casting long shadows over the stone floor. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped forward, his aged voice cutting through the murmurs. 

"This final test will determine who proceeds to the last stage of the Chunin Exams," he declared, leaning heavily on his staff. "The rules are simple: one-on-one battles with no restrictions. Victory is achieved by surrender, incapacitation, or death." 

A ripple of unease passed through the crowd. Naruto's eyes darted to Sasuke, who stood rigidly, his fingers twitching toward the cursed seal hidden under his collar. Beside him, Haku's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Sakura's nervous fidgeting. Across the room, Gaara's hollow stare locked onto Naruto, the unspoken challenge as sharp as a blade. 

The matchups flashed on the screen: 

1. **Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka** 

2. **Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado** 

3. **Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga** 

4. **Shikamaru Nara vs. Kin Tsuchi** 

5. **Tenten vs. Temari** 

6. **Rock Lee vs. Gaara** 

7. **Dosu Kinuta vs. Choji Akimichi** 

8. **Haku vs. Zaku Abumi** 

Naruto's fists clenched at the sight of Hinata's name paired with Neji's. *That arrogant jerk… If he hurts her, I'll make him regret it.* 

---

The arena buzzed as Naruto and Kiba stepped onto the sunlit floor. Kiba smirked, Akamaru growling low on his shoulder. "Ready to lose, dead last? This isn't the Academy anymore." 

Naruto grinned, rolling his shoulders. "You're the one barking up the wrong tree, Kiba! Let's see if you've grown since our last spar!" 

**—The Battle—** 

Kiba struck first, his **Beast Mimicry** transforming his movements into feral lunges. Akamaru darted around Naruto's legs, nipping at his ankles. Naruto's **Six Eyes** flickered to life, the world slowing as he tracked every twitch of muscle, every shift of chakra. 

"**Fang Over Fang!**" Kiba and Akamaru spiraled toward him in a whirlwind of claws and fur. 

Naruto's tanto gleamed as he channeled **Tempest Gale Breathing: Second Form – Gale's Fury**. The blade sliced through the air in a crescent arc, dispersing the attack. Kiba skidded back, panting. "Not bad… but try this!" 

Akamaru transformed into a perfect replica of Kiba, and the twins launched a synchronized assault. Naruto weaved between them, his sword deflecting strikes with precision. 

"You're predictable, Kiba!" Naruto taunted, feigning a stumble. 

Kiba fell for the bait, lunging—only for Naruto to pivot and slam the hilt of his sword into Kiba's spine. Kiba crumpled, Akamaru whimpering beside him. 

"Had enough?" Naruto offered a hand, his grin softening. 

Kiba groaned, swatting it away. "Tch… You got lucky." 

**Winner: Naruto Uzumaki.** 

---

Hinata trembled as she faced Neji, her cousin's Byakugan already active, veins bulging around his pale eyes. The crowd fell silent, sensing the weight of the Hyuga clan's legacy hanging between them. 

"You don't belong here, Hinata-sama," Neji sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Surrender now and spare yourself the humiliation." 

Hinata's fists shook, but she assumed the Gentle Fist stance. "N-no… I w-will fight." 

**—The Battle—** 

Neji struck first, his palms a blur as he targeted her chakra points. Hinata staggered, her breath hitching as her left arm went numb. 

"Pathetic," Neji spat. "You cling to a title you don't deserve." 

Hinata's vision blurred, but Naruto's voice cut through the haze: "Don't give up, Hinata! You're stronger than he thinks!" 

Her eyes hardened. *I… I won't run!* 

With a cry, she lunged, her chakra surging. Neji blocked her strikes effortlessly, but Hinata twisted mid-air, her palm grazing his shoulder. A single chakra point is sealed. 

Neji froze, stunned. "You—!" 

Hinata collapsed, blood trickling from her lip. Neji stared down at her, his composure cracked. "A pointless effort." 

Naruto vaulted over the railing, his Six Eyes blazing. "You call that a fight?! She's ten times the shinobi you'll ever be!" 

Proctors restrained him as Neji smirked. "Sentimental fool." 

**Winner: Neji Hyuga.** 

---

Shikamaru trudged into the arena, hands in his pockets. "What a drag…" 

Kin Tsuchi twirled her bell, her smirk sharp. "This'll be over quick, lazy boy." 

**—The Battle—** 

Kin unleashed **Demonic Illusion: Bell Ringing**, the dissonant chimes warping Shikamaru's senses. He yawned, weaving through her sound waves with sluggish grace. 

"Predictable," he muttered, his shadow stretching across the floor like ink. 

Kin dodged, but Shikamaru's shadow split, ensnaring her ankles. "**Shadow Possession Jutsu: Complete.**" 

Kin froze, forced to mimic Shikamaru's bored shrug. "Checkmate." 

**Winner: Shikamaru Nara.** 

---

Tenten twirled her staff, her grin fierce. "Let's see how your wind handles this!" 

Temari unfurled her iron fan, her smirk icy. "You're outclassed, Konoha girl." 

**—The Battle—** 

Tenten unleashed a barrage of kunai, but Temari's **Wind Scythe Jutsu** scattered them like leaves. 

"Is that all?" Temari mocked. 

Tenten's eyes narrowed. She unsealed a massive scroll. "**Twin Rising Dragons!**" 

Weapons rained down—spears, swords, chains—but Temari countered with **Cyclone Dance**, shredding the arsenal. A lone kunai grazed Temari's cheek, drawing blood. 

Tenten collapsed, her chakra spent. "Next time… I'll win." 

Temari wiped her face, grudging respect in her eyes. "Not bad." 

**Winner: Temari.** 

---

Lee dropped his weights, the resulting crater shaking the arena. "I will prove… that hard work beats genius!" 

Gaara's sand hissed, swirling around him like a living thing. "You… will die." 

**—The Battle—** 

Lee's speed was blinding. He danced around Gaara's sand, landing punches that cracked the gourd's surface. 

"**Primary Lotus!**" Lee slammed Gaara into the ground, the impact cratering the floor. 

But the sand cocoon held. Gaara emerged unscathed, his eyes manic. "You… hurt me." 

A tidal wave of sand crushed Lee's arm and leg, the sickening cracks echoing through the silent arena. Gai leaped to his side, tears streaming. "You've already won, Lee!" 

**Winner: Gaara.** 

---

Choji cracked his knuckles. "You're going down, weirdo." 

Dosu adjusted his arm guard. "Fool." 

**—The Battle—** 

Choji transformed into a **Human Boulder**, rolling toward Dosu with crushing force. Dosu's arm-guard vibrated, unleashing **Decapitating Airwaves** that sent Choji crashing into the wall. 

"Pathetic," Dosu sneered as Choji struggled to rise. 

**Winner: Dosu Kinuta.** 

---

#### **8. Haku vs. Zaku – Ice and Fury** 

Zaku spat blood, his arm cannons humming. "I'll blow you to pieces, ice girl!" 

Haku's senbon glinted. "You'll regret those words." 

Zaku fired **Ultimate Airwaves**, the concussive blasts tearing up the arena. Haku's **Ice Mirrors** materialized, reflecting the attack. Senbon rained down, pinning Zaku's sleeves to the ground. 

"Yield," Haku said softly. 

Zaku snarled, firing a desperate blast. Haku flickered behind him, a senbon pressed to his throat. "I said… yield." 

**Winner: Haku.** 

---

Naruto stormed toward Neji, but Kakashi's hand clamped on his shoulder. "Not here, Naruto." 

Sasuke's cursed seal pulsed as he watched Gaara leave, the redhead's sand trailing blood. "That monster…" 

Haku knelt beside Lee, her hands glowing with medical chakra. "You were incredible," she murmured. 

Lee smiled weakly. "Thank you… Haku-san." 

Naruto crouched next to Hinata, his voice gentle. "You're amazing, Hinata. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." 

Hinata blushed her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you… Naruto-kun." 

--- 

The Hokage announced the finalists: 

1. **Naruto Uzumaki** 

2. **Sasuke Uchiha** 

3. **Neji Hyuga** 

4. **Shikamaru Nara** 

5. **Temari** 

6. **Gaara** 

7. **Dosu Kinuta** 

8. **Haku** 

As the crowd dispersed, Kabuto lingered in the shadows, his glasses glinting. "Soon, Orochimaru-sama… soon." 

---

Naruto stood at the tower's edge, staring into the forest where shadows writhed like serpents. *No matter what comes… I'll protect them.*