"Naruto... Ha... You're not the only one who wants to become the Hokage!"
Naruto stared at Kiba wide - eyed and unbelieving.
"Are you too?"
"Ah, sorry about that. It's quite ridiculous that a mortal like me has the same dream as a genius like you..."
"That's not true..."
"So! That's why I don't want to lose to you who have the same dream. That's why I get really pissed off every time I see you. That's why I don't want to show my weak side in front of you!"
"Kiba..."
Naruto looked at Kiba in front of him. Although his clothes were all torn up, he was shining with an extraordinary light. Especially his eyes sparkled when talking about his dream!
Naruto was very happy that he had a rival like Kiba.
.....
"Kiba, it's not easy to achieve the goal of becoming the Hokage. That's why it can be our goal! If anyone can easily get this title, who would still take it as a goal?"
"Naruto..."
"So, Kiba, when it comes to this dream, I'll never give it to anyone, including you!"
"Come on, Naruto. Let this be the final battle to decide who will be the Hokage!"
Facing such a rival with a strong will, he knew it wasn't the time to hold back. To show his respect for Kiba, he should use all his strength to respond to Kiba's feelings.
"Yeah! The final battle to decide the Hokage. Let's have a showdown, Kiba!"
"Naruto!"
"Kiba!"
Kiba took the lead and attacked. He ran around the arena quickly while forming Hand Seals with both hands.
"Four Legs Technique"
Kiba concentrated his limited Chakra on his four limbs, gaining the strength and speed of a wild beast. He touched the ground with his four limbs and rushed towards Naruto like a wild animal.
"Wind Release: Fierce Gale Palm"
He didn't resort to Shadow Clone Jutsu or other Ninjutsu to dodge Kiba's attack. He wanted to take it head - on and show Kiba with all his might who was more persistent in the dream.
The two of them punched each other hard in the face when they were close to each other, and then fell in their respective directions.
Naruto endured the pain on his cheek, spat out a mouthful of bloody spittle, and stood up shakily, gasping for breath. He saw Kiba in the distance again. This guy hadn't given up and managed to get back on his feet with all his might.
"Kiba, you're such a tough guy!"
"Humph, same to you!"
Both of them dragged their feet forward, planning to launch a new round of attack. Suddenly, Kiba's body fell heavily forward and he lay on the ground, unable to stand up again.
"The winner is Naruto Uzumaki!"
As Itachi announced the result, Naruto felt relieved. That guy Kiba was really a tough nut to crack.
He walked over and watched as the Medical Ninja carried the injured Kiba onto the stretcher. His eyes were slightly moist.
"Kiba, don't worry. I'll carry your dream forward. Leave the rest to me!"
?_?
"Get lost! I'm not dead yet. I'll fulfill my own dreams. I don't need you!"
"Sigh-----------------"
"Just now we were passionately singing the praises of our great dreams. How come you turn your back on me after losing?"
"Ha~ Who was singing the praises with you? Stupid Naruto!"
As the Medical Ninja carried Kiba away, Naruto stretched out his hand and looked lonely and dejected in the direction Kiba was leaving.
"Why is it like this?"
"Naruto, go onto the stage right after the match. Don't hold up the next match."
"Itachi Aniki."
"Call me Examiner here. Don't call me Itachi Aniki!"
Naruto put his hands in his pockets discontentedly and walked up, muttering, 'They're all so heartless. Humph!'
..............
"Stupid Naruto, if you hadn't been cracking jokes all the time, the match wouldn't have been so slow!"
(angry gesture)
That Sasuke guy always pours cold water on him. He finally won the match. Is it so hard for Sasuke to praise him? He keeps a stinking face all day long. Who knows who he's showing it to! Humph?
"Naruto, congratulations on your victory and advancing to the next match."
"Rock Lee, thanks. You guys should also cheer up. By the way, who's next?"
The big screen scrolled again.
"Neji Hyūga vs Hinata Hyūga"
"Hey~ Neji and Hinata have the same last name!"
"Of course. Neji is Hinata's cousin. They're from the Hyuga Clan, which is as famous as the Uchiha Clan in Konoha!"
"Ah~ Is that so? Neji is so strong. He'll definitely win this match, right? In my impression, though, Hinata always blushes shyly at the Ninja Academy and doesn't dare to talk to others."
"That's not necessarily true!"
Naruto looked at Rock Lee in shock, who had a serious expression. He had seen Neji's skills before. Could there really be an opponent that even Neji might not be able to defeat? Is Hinata that strong?
"Hinata and Neji are from the Hyuga Clan. They're siblings and live together. They must know each other inside out."
"So that's how it is."
.................
"Two contestants, come forward."
"Brother Neji."
Hinata came up slowly, avoiding Neji's eyes. She didn't like fighting, and she especially didn't like to fight with her brother, who had taken good care of her since childhood, in front of so many people.
"Hinata! Please give me your best!"
Neji assumed the unique punching stance of the Hyuga Clan and waited for Hinata. But Hinata didn't move. Instead, she took a step back, with hesitation in her eyes.
"I... I don't want to fight against Brother Neji."
"Why?"
"Because... because we're family. Why do we have to fight here? Besides, people will gossip about Brother Neji!"
Hinata lowered her head.
"People will gossip about Neji. Why?"
Standing on the stage, Naruto was completely confused. Isn't Neji super strong? Why would someone gossip about him?
"That's because the Hyuga family is divided into the main family and the branch family. Hinata is the future heir of the main family, while Neji is just a member of the branch family."
"In the Hyuga Clan, the main family are the masters, and the branch family are just the servants commanded by the main family."
"Five years ago, Neji was taken in by the head of the main family, his great - uncle, to be trained as the heir. This has attracted a lot of opposition from the clan as they don't agree that Neji from the branch family should become the heir of the Hyuga family. These people act radically and keep suppressing Neji everywhere."
?_?
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