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Chapter 7: The Wild Within
The village of Konoha buzzed with excitement. The Chūnin Exam Finals had finally arrived—a moment that would decide the fate of the most promising young shinobi of their generation. Spectators filled the massive arena, shinobi from every corner of the Elemental Nations lined the walls and stands, and nobles—including the Fire Daimyō—watched from high seats.
Security was tight. ANBU patrolled the rooftops and shadows, watchful for any signs of trouble.
Inside the arena, proctor Genma Shiranui stood tall, clipboard in hand, senbon between his lips. His eyes scanned the line of finalists in front of him.
One was missing.
"Where's Uzumaki Naruto?" he asked aloud, brow raising.
The murmurs in the crowd began. Some chuckled. Others scoffed.
High above, in the Kage balcony, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the field calmly—but his thoughts were anything but.
Two weeks earlier, Naruto had vanished from the village. Hiruzen had requested Jiraiya take him under his wing, but the Sannin had returned empty-handed—clearly more interested in his "research" than the boy. Something didn't sit right with the Hokage… and Kakashi, Naruto's teacher, hadn't said a word about the seal Orochimaru placed on him. Why?
The pieces didn't add up.
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Up in the spectator stands, the other rookie genin sat with their instructors—Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai. Kakashi was nowhere in sight.
"I can't believe he's late," Kiba groaned. "He's gonna get disqualified."
"Wouldn't be surprising," Tenten added. "It's Naruto."
But Ino shook her head. "He made it this far. You saw the prelims. He's not the same idiot from the academy."
She turned to Sakura, who sat quiet, her eyes locked on the arena floor.
"What do you think, Sakura?" Ino asked. "Naruto or Neji?"
Sakura's expression was serious. "Neji's a genius, but... Naruto's changed. He's not the same as before. If anyone can shake Neji's confidence, it's him."
Even Hinata looked hopeful, fingers clenched in her lap.
Suddenly—
A gust of wind swept through the arena. Dust rose from the entrance tunnel.
All eyes turned.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Naruto Uzumaki walked into the sunlight.
Gone was the loud orange jumpsuit. He wore black combat gear layered under a charcoal-gray trench coat with flame-red trim. Fingerless gloves wrapped his hands, and his posture was calm, confident. Taller. Sharper.
The stadium hushed.
"Is that… Naruto?" someone whispered.
Neji's brows furrowed. This wasn't the same fool he expected.
Naruto stopped in front of Neji and met his gaze.
"I hope you're ready," he said quietly, but with a force that carried.
Genma smirked. "About time, Uzumaki."
Raising a hand, he gave the signal.
"This match: Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyūga Neji… Begin!"
Neji activated his Byakugan instantly, veins pulsing at his temples.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He rushed forward.
They met in a clash of fists and open palms. Neji's gentle fist style aimed for chakra points, but Naruto ducked, blocked, and countered with smooth, instinctive movements. The arena echoed with their rapid strikes.
The audience was stunned.
"He's keeping up with Neji!" Kiba shouted in disbelief.
Tenten's eyes widened. "He's not just stronger—he's cleaner. Every move has a purpose."
Sakura leaned forward. "It's not just training… it's instinct."
Neji was already adjusting, but Naruto's momentum kept pushing forward.
Then—Naruto jumped back suddenly, skidding to a stop, a wide grin creeping across his face.
He looked feral.
"I was just warming up," he said. His voice dropped a pitch. "Let's go wild."
His chakra spiked.
A thick wave of killing intent rolled out from him, crashing over the arena like a physical force. Even the jōnin in the stands stiffened.
Neji flinched, his stance tightening.
Naruto's green eyes flashed—wild and sharp like a beast's.
"First Fang: Predator's Gate!"
He launched forward with explosive speed. Neji tried to defend, but Naruto moved like an animal off-leash—fluid, savage, and instinctual. His strikes were unpredictable, bypassing Neji's precise defenses.
Neji spun into his rotation, but Naruto used a burst of chakra to vault over it, crashing a knee into Neji's shoulder.
The Hyūga stumbled back.
Naruto followed with relentless aggression—hooking punches, sweeping kicks, and even a headbutt that bloodied Neji's nose.
From the Kage balcony, the Third Hokage watched with wide eyes. "So this… is what he's become."
Anko smirked, arms crossed. "That's my brat."
The crowd was frozen. They weren't watching a prankster anymore.
They were watching a predator.
Then—Might Guy stood up, eyes wide in shock.
"That technique—! That's the Eight Gates!"
Everyone turned to him in disbelief.
"Eight Gates?" Kurenai repeated, stunned.
"But that's not how Rock Lee used it!" Kiba exclaimed. "Lee was glowing green and moving insanely fast. Naruto looks... like a beast!"
Guy nodded, still watching Naruto intently.
"That's because there are multiple ways to access the Gates," he explained, voice firm. "The method I taught Lee is based on my taijutsu style and the Philosophy of Youth."
He gestured toward Naruto. "But Naruto… He's using a completely different fighting style and philosophy. His Gate is fueled by bloodlust. Survival. Instinct."
His eyes narrowed with admiration.
"I wonder… who taught him?"