The morning sun was just rising over Konoha, painting the training grounds in golden hues, but Naruto felt like he had barely slept. His stomach growled in protest. "Hmm? Oh… it started at six in the morning, and I didn't even eat lunch!"Rock Lee's head shook slightly, noticing the concern flashing across Naruto's face. "Are you trying to die?" he exclaimed. "Even if you're working hard, you can't ignore your body! If this continues, you'll collapse before you even get stronger!"Lee's expression remained determined, however, his eyes burning with ambition. "I ate breakfast, and besides…" He straightened his posture and continued, "I don't have time to waste. Graduation is coming soon, and I refuse to remain a Diao Che Wei!"Naruto's heart skipped a beat. He knew exactly what Lee meant. In less than half a month, the Ninja Academy graduation exams would test every student's skills. This wasn't merely a matter of passing—it was a chance to prove oneself."I want to show that I can become an excellent and powerful ninja… relying only on the strength of Taijutsu!" Lee declared, his voice filled with resolve.Naruto clenched his fists. "Oh! I understand! There's less than half a month left, and I need to prove myself too! I refuse to remain a Diao Che Wei!"Lee's eyes sparkled. "Well said, Naruto! Let's work hard together!""Burn, youth!" Naruto shouted, echoing Lee's fighting spirit."Osu!" Lee responded, matching Naruto's energy perfectly.The two friends, their hearts burning with determination, charged into their training with renewed vigor. Their movements were synchronized, their focus absolute. Every punch, kick, and block was executed with purpose. The training grounds seemed to tremble beneath their energy.But just as their spirits reached a boiling point, a shadowy figure emerged silently from the edges of the training field."Hmph… a Diao Che Wei is still a Diao Che Wei," a cold, mocking voice rang out. "Do you think you can change your fate just by working hard? What a naive dream…"Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Who's there?!"Rock Lee's body tensed. He turned and froze, recognizing the familiar voice. "Neji?!"Naruto's gaze sharpened as he looked at the newcomer. Those eyes… the Byakugan… just like Hinata's."You're… Hyuga Neji?!" Naruto exclaimed.Neji's cold gaze swept over the two boys, filled with an arrogance that sent a chill down Naruto's spine. "How interesting…" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Two generations of Diao Che Wei gathered together. Weaklings truly do like to huddle for warmth."Naruto's temper flared immediately. "What did you just say, you bastard?!"Rock Lee, ever composed, only clenched his fists silently. Naruto, however, could barely contain himself."Do you think killing a Chunin, Mizuki, makes you impressive?" Neji continued, his tone merciless. "Uzumaki Naruto, listen well… A genius is a genius, and a Diao Che Wei is a Diao Che Wei. No matter what you do, your fate cannot be changed."Naruto ground his teeth until they ached. "Hyuga Neji… if you think you're a genius, then come and fight me! I will defeat you!"Neji shook his head slowly, almost pityingly. "You are not worthy of fighting me. Unlike Young Lady Hinata, you are a useless fool."Naruto froze. His heart pounded in fury. He could not believe what he was hearing."You… what did you just say?!" Naruto's voice trembled with rage.Neji continued, indifferent to Naruto's reaction. "I saw your fight against Hinata. That does not prove your strength—it only proves that Young Lady Hinata, as a member of the main family, is far too inexperienced."Before Neji could finish, Naruto's anger exploded. His fist, powered by a mix of fury and determination, shot forward like a meteor.Lee stepped back in surprise. He had never seen Naruto become this enraged."Neji…!" Lee muttered, worried about what would happen next.But Neji merely activated his Byakugan. His eyes glowed as his vision expanded, seeing every chakra point with precise clarity.Buzz—Byakugan!Neji's arms moved gracefully, effortlessly forming a defensive stance.Clang!Naruto's punch, explosive with his anger, struck Neji's defense… and was completely stopped."What?!" Naruto staggered back, astonished. His fist, which he had trained countless times, was stopped with such ease.Neji sneered. "Is that all you have?"Then, like a master of dance, he twisted his arms, flowing with the subtle yet deadly rhythm of the Gentle Fist. Naruto was thrown backward, crashing to the ground several steps away.Bang!Naruto struggled to regain his footing. "What… what kind of Taijutsu is that?!"Lee stepped forward, voice urgent. "Naruto… that is Neji's Gentle Fist—Eight Trigrams Palm! His training, talent, and experience far surpass Hinata's current abilities. Even though you defeated Hinata, compared to Neji, you are still too inexperienced."Naruto clenched his fists again, fury burning in his eyes. "Is that so?" he muttered under his breath. "So that's the Hyuga Clan's Eight Trigrams Palm…"Neji's cold voice cut through the tension. "Indeed. Even though I am from the branch family, what I demonstrate is the true Gentle Fist. Young Lady Hinata hasn't even mastered the basics."Naruto, refusing to be intimidated, shot back: "Forget it! You've trained longer than Hinata, sure. But give her a year… and she'll surpass you, mark my words!"Neji's expression darkened instantly. "And what right do you have to say that?""Because she promised to train with me!" Naruto shouted, his voice unwavering.Neji's lips curled into a laugh, filled with scorn. "Is that all you have as proof? What a joke! Talent and effort already set me apart. What difference can a Diao Che Wei like you make?"Lee stepped forward, but even he knew he could not argue with Neji's reasoning—at least, not yet.But Naruto didn't falter. He burst into laughter, wild and defiant. "Laugh all you want, Neji! You think talent is everything, but effort, determination, and heart can surpass even the strongest of destinies!"Neji's frown deepened. He did not understand why Naruto laughed—it was a sound filled with the fire of unyielding youth, the kind of energy he had never respected or considered significant."You dare challenge destiny with just your heart?!" Neji's voice grew cold, yet there was a flicker of curiosity in his Byakugan-enhanced gaze.Naruto's entire body trembled with anticipation, his spirit blazing. He had seen Hinata's resolve, and he had promised to protect her. No matter what Neji said, he would not allow anyone to belittle her."I don't care what your eyes see, Neji! No one can determine my destiny! I fight not for power alone… but for those I care about!"Lee's heart swelled with pride. Naruto's fire, his unwillingness to submit to fate, was a flame even Lee respected.Neji, sensing the fierce determination radiating from Naruto, finally spoke, his voice colder but tinged with intrigue. "Very well… Diao Che Wei. If you wish to defy destiny, show me… prove that your will can surpass my talent."Naruto's smile widened, his fists clenched, and his heart raced. This was it—the challenge he had been waiting for.The sun shone brightly over the training grounds, as if witnessing the clash of youthful ambition against predetermined fate.Two hearts burned with the fire of youth: one, unyielding in its effort and passion; the other, steadfast in its genius and precision. And in the middle of it all, the future of two intertwined fates was about to begin.Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination. "Let's go, Neji! I will show you what it truly means to fight with heart!"Lee nodded, his voice strong. "Osu! Burn, youth!"Neji's Byakugan shone like a predator's gaze. "Very well… let us see if your spirit can match my skill."The clash of fists and ideals was about to ignite, and the Ninja Academy training ground became the stage for an unforgettable battle of youth, talent, and unshakable determination.And so, the fire of ambition burned brighter than ever before.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)