Chapter Twenty Three: Fear is in the Eyes

"Winner; Hyuuga Neji of Konoha!" Genma called out as Neji scoffed and began to walk away from the downed Oto ninja. The match had been short and brutal. Dosu had attempted to use his Melody Arm to create an opening by disorienting Neji through the sound waves it created, the Hyuuga however was wearing earplugs meaning a simple shot wasn't going to be enough. The Oto genin tried to back pedal so that he could build up power and try again but Neji rushed him and began using his Jyuken to lock down Dosu's chakra, and then his movement before finally knocking him unconscious. It all happened in less that five minutes.

In the stands above people were cheering over Neji's victory and the boy himself allowed a small smile to show as he walked back up. Genma inwardly mused that he had immense potential before calling down the next two competitors as the crowd got ready for the next match.

In the competitors box Naruto quickly locked lips with Hikari in a passionate kiss before turning and heading down, Temari having left the second Neji was declared the winner. "Wish me luck Hikari-chan."

"Why? You won't need it. Just hurry up, the last fight was boring." She teased as he only grinned as he spun around and left. He was on the stairs down when he came across Neji walking back up. The two glared at each other but said nothing as Naruto kept going down and Neji had paused. The Hyuuga clicked his teeth in annoyance but began walking up again once he was past as Naruto rolled his eyes and hurried down, knowing that Temari was likely walking onto the field at that very moment.

The blond shielded his eyes for a moment as he stepped out onto the sun filled arena floor before dropping his hand and walking up towards the arena's center with a grin. He also idly noticed that Temari had only just stopped when he got out so he was glad he wasn't trailing too far behind. The girl only raised a brow as he got close. "Done flirting with your girlfriend?" She asked, having noticed him staying behind just to kiss the purple haired girl.

"For now. After this I plan on doing some more." He admitted with a casual shrug, getting Temari to roll her eyes as he grinned when he noticed it. "Why? Jealous?" The girl began sputtering denials as he laughed. When Temari realized he was only teasing she growled but composed herself as Naruto got his laughter under control and Genma stepped up.

"Temari of Suna versus Naruto of Iwa; hajime!" Genma called out, getting Naruto to turn to the proctor angrily so that he could chew the man out for not calling his full name. However as the boy opened his mouth he was blindsided by Temari pulling the fan off her back to blast him with a gust of wind that sent him flying across the arena. Naruto growled as he landed and rolled across the ground before kicking to his feet and glaring at Temari. His anger with the proctor could wait, he had a match to win first.

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"Mind explaining why the proctor purposely left out my genin's surname Sarutobi?" Onoki asked with a growl as he watched Naruto get blasted before getting up to fight. The Hokage sighed as he resigned himself to explaining as the Kazekage looked on from his seat, wanting to know the answer as well.

"With the boy's lineage and loyalty to Iwa, it would be catastrophic to Konoha if word got out to the public. Already some of my own ninja came to find out the truth and have been sworn to secrecy as the genin are now questioning things as well."

"Not my problem." The Tsuchikage interjected. "Your proctor's move caused Naruto to lose his focus and get cheap-shot across the field. I don't care what happens to your village but when it distracts my shinobi we're going to have a problem."

"I understand your point and perhaps I should have sent word ahead of time warning you of my decision but what's done is done."

"What is the boy's name? If it would be so detrimental to Konoha it must be important." The Kazekage asked as Sarutobi stayed silent but glanced at Onoki.

"Oh just wait. I've given Naruto no orders about hiding his identity and I will not do so either. He'll probably freely reveal it himself during or after the match." The diminutive Kage said and while the Kazekage nodded slowly and turned to watch, Sarutobi began to silently pray Naruto was knocked out before he could. That info could not be allowed out if Konoha was to keep any of its standing in the world.

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"I hope you enjoyed that freebie, it's the only one you're gonna get." Naruto shouted as he ran forward towards Temari. The girl only grinned before waving her fan to send another gust at the teen. The boy narrowed his eyes before pushing chakra to his feet and dashing to the side to avoid the brunt of the attack, only spinning lightly from the edges of it before continuing his charge. Seeing him avoid her so easily Temari gritted her teeth and decided to use an actual jutsu this time instead of an overpowered gust.

"Kamaitachi no Jutsu!" (Sickle Weasel Technique) She called as she waved her fan. This time instead of a simple (albeit huge) gust of wind, the fan let out a torrent of shredding winds at the charging genin. Naruto grit his teeth as he leapt up, hoping to go over the range of the technique. However Temari anticipated his dodging and was already swinging her fan again for another one. "Kamaitachi!"

"Fuck this! Futon: Senpuu Bakuha!" (Wind Release: Whirlwind Blast) Naruto shouted as he punched forward, sending out a large wind blast that collided with Temari's Kamaitachi and exploded in midair, the blast shoving Naruto back to the ground as Temari used her fan to shield herself. When she moved the weapon out of the way to see she saw three small black balls land in front of her before exploding in a large cloud of smoke. The blond girl coughed a bit until she managed to blow the smoke away with her fan but by then it was too late.

"Shit!"

"Ya got that right!" Naruto taunted as he was up close to the girl and threw a punch at her head. Temari closed her fan quickly as she moved it into the way for a block but Naruto kept going, making her continually move the fan to block his attacks. The problem was that he was faster than her, far faster actually. She already knew this from his preliminary fight against the green spandex wearing genin so she wasn't surprised when he upped his speed and began to get a few hits through her guard. The girl was trying her best but eventually found herself beaten when he hooked his foot on her fan and pulled it out of her grip before tripping her and landing on her with a knee to her gut. "Forfeit Suna girl. Tsuchikage-sama said not to kill you but I'm sure you wouldn't want me to scar that pretty face." Temari growled in anger, mostly at herself for getting pinned, but nodded her head.

"I surrender." She called as Naruto grinned and got off her without a word. Temari stood up and walked away to pick up her fan as the proctor popped up now that the fighting was finished.

"Winner; Naruto of Iwa!" He announced, reminding Naruto of his anger at the man.

"That's Namikaze Naruto you fucking dumbass! Use my full name!" He shouted at the man, making him frown but remain silent. His shout though got the attention of the people above in the stands. Most recognized the name instantly as the surname to their Yondaime and began to draw comparisons in appearance between the boy and the man. However just as many people dismissed it as impossible as not only was the Yondaime never reported as having even married but also that if he did have a child they'd be a Konoha shinobi and not one with their greatest enemies. Which was why the crowd reaction was very unexpected to the blond as well as the Tsuchikage.

"Liar!"

"The Yondaime never had a kid!"

"Looking like the man doesn't mean you're related!"

"Go back to Iwa!"

Naruto's eye twitched as he had his head down and was growling under his breath. If there was one thing he hated being called it was a liar. Genma was about to tell him to leave the field for the next match when everyone's attention was pulled off of the blond by the swirl of leaves at the arena's center. When the leaves died done it was revealed that Kakashi and Sasuke were the cause, the boy even wearing a different outfit. Sasuke now wore a black shirt with matching shorts as well as some bandages and straps on his left forearm. His clan symbol stood out proudly on his back and the boy himself was smirking while Kakashi only looked around idly before noticing Naruto standing a few feet away.

"Sorry, are we late?" The jonin asked while Genma shook his head.

"Nope. We were just about to have the last match of the first round. You're fine."

"Good." Kakashi chirped. "Alright Sasuke, good luck in your matches. See ya later." He said before vanishing in a Shunshin (Body Flicker) up towards the stands to watch with his fellow jonin sensei's. Sasuke meanwhile only grunted before walking towards the waiting area, idly noticing Naruto ahead of him, the blond having begun his trip back when Sasuke showed up. The Iwa teen was silent as he walked up, caught up in his own angry thoughts about everyone denying his claim to the Namikaze name. He hardly even noticed that by the time he had gotten to the top Hikari was waiting for him. In fact he almost walked past her before she grabbed his arm.

"Hey." The blond shook his head to refocus himself as he faced his girlfriend and she only smiled before pulling him along, past the waiting area and down the hall to a point where they were out of sight. "You're angry."

"What gave it away?" He replied sarcastically as she frowned.

"You had to have known that kind of response was possible." She mused as he shrugged.

"Considering the prelims where it was a shocked denial I kind of expected more of that before they would realize it's true. I mean, my appearance and skills aren't enough?"

"I suppose not. But you're forgetting something Naru-kun." Hikari said as she wrapped him in a hug, the boy returning the gesture as she wrapped her arms around him and he rested his chin on her head. "What they think doesn't matter. We know the truth and if you're still angry with them, then all you have to do is wait. Remember the plan alright? Konoha will get what they deserve and more. Just be patient." She calmly told him as he sighed but said nothing, only holding her a little tighter in response.

"...Thank you, Hikari-chan."

"...We better get back before they start to think something's up."

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"To think your Yondaime had a child, and that he's a part of Iwa's forces no less." The Kazekage mused idly as they watched Naruto and Sasuke leave the field. Onoki was frowning at the audiences reaction to the reveal while Sarutobi was frowning as well since Naruto actually revealed it. While the crowd's response was welcome in his mind, it was only a matter of time before it was revealed as the truth. The Kazekage already knew it since he had heard what was said only moments earlier about the possible damage Naruto's full name could cause. "I wonder what would happen if the crowd were to learn his claim is true? It's an amusing thought."

"No offense Kazekage-dono, but I hope they don't. I was not expecting their denial but am glad for it. Konoha will be ruined should that be known as the truth." Sarutobi replied as Onoki scoffed.

"Just wait, Naruto has another match and if I know my genin, he'll make sure they learn of it by the time he finishes." The shortest Kage there taunted, inwardly making Sarutobi sweat as it was a very likely possibility.

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"Proctor I forfeit!" Kankuro called as Naruto and Hikari walked back into the room, seeing that Sasuke had taken a spot near the corner to watch the matches alone while Tenten frowned at hearing Kankuro quit without a fight.

"Fine. Winner by surrender is Tenten of Konoha!" Genma announced as the Iwa pair looked at Kankuro strangely before heading to the railing to wait. "We will have a ten minute break before starting the second round." He declared before vanishing in a Shunshin like Kakashi had earlier. Naruto and Hikari walked over to where the Suna trio were standing to talk while Tenten went out of the room for something with Neji and Sasuke just waited in the corner he had chosen, sending small glares at Naruto occasionally which the blond boy ignored.

"So why'd you quit?" Naruto asked as they walked up, an arm around Hikari's shoulder. "I mean, that chick only uses weapons right? Should be easy enough for a puppet user I think." The boy mused while Kankuro shrugged.

"Maybe but I want to keep Karasu's full arsenal a secret, ya know?" He replied quietly, referencing the Invasion plan. The Iwa pair nodded while Naruto looked at Temari.

"No hard feelings alright? I just wasn't going to accept a loss when I didn't have to." Temari only rubbed her side lightly where one of his punches had connected that still hurt but nodded her head as he then turned his attention to Gaara. "And sorry for you brother, but you won't be fighting next round." He told him getting the three to look confused.

"I'm going to forfeit, it's why I dragged out my match in the opening even though I had a jutsu that let me win instantly. I can't even beat Kurai because of his immortality. If I wanted to beat you, my best guess would be poison gases but they might kill you or wouldn't wear off in time for the 'next round' so I won't use them on you." Hikari explained, the emphasis on next round being an obvious reference for them. "Besides, Tsuchikage-sama said to forfeit no matter who won your match so that I could conserve my chakra."

"I see..." Gaara muttered with a frown. While he would be truthful and admit he wouldn't have killed her since she was so important to his jinchuriki brother, he was still wanting to fight. Kurai had really got him going and now he was still lusting for battle but wasn't going to get it until the Invasion, which would start with the Uchiha's match.

"I guess I'll be the only one fighting next round." Naruto mused before grinning. "And it's against that white-eyed prick. I'll make it a very entertaining and bloody match." The boy promised as he grinned while the older Suna siblings only exchanged nervous glances. While Naruto clearly wasn't the 'kill everyone around' insane that Gaara was slowly going to attempt not to be, he was also clearly a fight nut that enjoyed when things got messy. The boy's eyes then widened as he realized something. "Wait, you just quit," He started, pointing a finger at Kankuro. "You're going to quit," He continued, this time nudging Hikari lightly with his arm. "And then we come back to me. Damn, I pretty much get two fights in a row. Awesome!" Hikari and Temari rolled their eyes in unison, though Hikari had a smile as she did, while Gaara only frowned and Kankuro shook his head.

The five waited patiently for the break to end, only making idle chatter as they did. Silently both Temari and Kankuro were admittedly slightly afraid of Naruto for his battle-lust but would also admit that he'd been a good influence on Gaara for the short time they've known each other and spoken together. While Gaara still enjoyed killing, the feeling of death around him had lessened enough that they could actually attempt conversation with him and he'd actually pay attention and reply. Which was a marked improvement over the annoyed stares and silent threat of death if they opposed him.

"Alright, break time is over!" Genma announced as he reappeared in the center of the arena. The crowd, which had been talking about the previous matches, settled back down as they were ready to watch more fights. "Okay, would Hanamaru Hikari of Iwa and Subaku no Gaara of Suna come down now?"

"Procter I forfeit!" Hikari called out right away getting many in the crowd to groan at missing out on another match.

"You sure?" Genma asked, hoping to dissuade her and get the match going. The visiting dignitaries had to be entertained in order to help bring more funds to Konoha after all.

"Hey, I know my limits. I'm not about to get past all of Gaara-san's sand so I'm not going to injure myself trying." The girl explained with a scowl, annoyed he didn't just accept her surrender without complaint like he did for Kankuro's. She idly wondered if it was because he wanted to see the Iwa genin get hurt and possibly killed or if it was because the crowd didn't like missing two matches in a row.

"Fine, then the winner by surrender is Subaku no Gaara of Suna. Would the next competitors please come down now?" Genma called, silently hoping these two wouldn't quit. Neji only scoffed but began walking down while Naruto kissed Hikari again before he decided to be a bit flashy and simply leapt over the railing rather than walk through the passage to the stairs. As he neared the ground he kicked off the wall and landed in a roll, coming to stand in front of Genma. "At least someone's eager." The man muttered as Naruto glared at him.

"You gonna call my full name this time dumbass?" The blond half asked and half growled. Genma sighed but shook his head.

"Sorry kid, orders from above." He replied, making Naruto send a glare towards the Kage Box where he knew Sarutobi was. Inwardly Genma was one that knew the truth the second he laid eyes on the boy. He had known about Minato and Kushina and had known they were expecting a child. While he hadn't known what had happened to said child, once he had heard about the Iwa genin claiming the Namikaze name and seen a picture when he went to the Hokage for answers, he knew it was true. His only worry was how Iwa got him as he didn't know Sarutobi had sent him away in the first place.

"I'm hating that old fucker more and more every minute." Naruto muttered as he crossed his arms and waited for Neji to arrive. The wait wasn't too long as within a couple minutes the boy came out onto the field from the halls Naruto had chosen to skip. Many in the crowd began cheering when the Hyuuga came into view, both because his opponent was from their most hated enemy and because many were hoping Neji would beat Naruto to a pulp for claiming to be related to their Yondaime. Neji himself started smirking when he heard the cheers while Naruto only scowled and silently vowed to expose the truth of his heritage before the day was over. He was tired of hearing the calls of 'liar' directed towards him.

"You both ready?" Genma asked as Neji reached the arena's center and stopped across from Naruto. Both teens nodded so Genma raised and arm. "Hyuuga Neji of Konoha versus Naruto of Iwa; hajime!" He shouted before leaping back.

"You should give up. It's my fate to win this tournament." Neji taunted as Naruto only scoffed in response.

"Fate huh? Well I don't believe in that bullshit. I make my own fate." The blond stated before rushing Neji, surprising many as close range combat was where the Hyuuga clan shined best. Naruto opened the match with a right hook that Neji batted to the side but when he tried to strike back at the blond's tenketsu to seal his chakra he missed as Naruto pulled his arm back and used his left to bat aside Neji's own attack in a mirror of the deflection he had just done. The Hyuuga growled but began throwing out the rapid precise strikes the Hyuuga were known for as Naruto began blocking them in a way that stopped Neji's instinctual counter strike on the defending limb. Neji growled lowly in frustration but kept his assault up while Naruto kept his face in the same irritated and angered scowl it had been in since the beginning of the match as he continued his defense. Finally the two both simultaneously dashed back for some room as they kept to their respective stances.

"Not bad, but don't think it means anything. Just because you beat that Suna girl or my failure of a teammate in the preliminaries doesn't make you the equal to a genius such as I." Neji taunted, hoping to get under Naruto's skin. It was a well known strategy to infuriate your opponent as they would then get sloppy and easier to defeat, and Neji was very skilled in taking small visual ques and turning them into emotional and verbal assaults on his opponents. The only problem here was that Naruto wasn't responding or showing anything, just the same scowl the entire time. He wasn't even sweating or breathing any heavier than when the match started, as if they hadn't been fighting but merely walking around.

"I wonder how a close range fighter like a Hyuuga would have done against the long range strategies Temari clearly favors?" Naruto questioned getting Neji to narrow his eyes at the unspoken insinuation that he would have lost that fight. "Plus, have you ever fought your teammate when he opened the gates? I highly doubt it as the gates are a kinjutsu that are never to be used on allies out of the fear of killing them. At least that's how Iwa looks at them, does Konoha view the Eight Gates differently?" Naruto asked as Neji remained silent. Truthfully Lee had never even removed his weights against Neji so he didn't know. What Lee had shown in the preliminaries was very impressive, even Neji would admit that much (silently of course). Neji knew he wasn't as fast as Lee was and was only staying on top during their spars because of his bloodline and fighting style making him the superior taijutsu user between them in addition to the boy handicapping himself by always fighting with his weights firmly strapped on. However Naruto was questioning that by bringing up valid points.

"It doesn't matter. Fate would never allow a failure like Lee to defeat a genius such as myself. And I have a couple tricks of my own that would have handled the kunoichi." Neji replied, pushing the thoughts out of his mind to focus exclusively on Naruto. Without even trying the blond had turned the mental assault back towards him and almost made him doubt himself with only a couple small questions.

"Tch, more fate talk." Naruto clicked his teeth in annoyance. "You know, I did my research on a few of you all during the month to know how to fight you and I found out that you shouldn't even be in the finals. How's that for fate?" Naruto mocked as Neji scowled.

"What are you talking about?" He demanded, making Naruto actually grin.

"I mean the seal on your forehead." The blond pointed out getting the Hyuuga, as well as everyone in the stands that knew of the Hyuuga clans' practices, to widen their eyes in shock. "Yeah, that little mark on your head that makes you a branch house servant to the main. It has a pain and death function right? One that any main house member can activate at will? Your opponent in the prelims was the Hyuuga heiress, meaning she's main house right? Then doesn't that mean if she was actually ruthless instead of a pansy that she could've beaten you in a single move?" Naruto questioned as Neji was now shaking in silent rage. Up above the Hyuuga were fuming at how the blond from Iwa not only somehow knew some of their clan secrets but was even spilling those secrets out to the public. Naruto himself was sending a silent thanks to Orochimaru, who had provided info on everyone from Konoha in the Finals to help them prepare better and as a thank you to Onoki for accepting and joining his plan to strike at the village.

"I don't know how someone like you knows of that but it doesn't matter! Hinata-sama is weak and is fated to be such! She could never defeat me and knows it!" Neji spat out angrily while Naruto only grinned and made a half-ram sign mockingly.

"You sure? I mean, one of these in your direction would have you screaming to death wouldn't it? If I was her then I would've just blasted the seal until you gave up or died. I mean, you branch house guys are a dime a dozen ain't ya?" The blond taunted getting Neji to shout in rage as he charged the blond, Byakugan flaring to activity as he did. Naruto dropped his grin into a smirk at making the older teen lose his cool before he began deflecting Jyuken strikes as fast as he could, none getting through his guard. A strike at his shoulder was knocked over the arm from below. A palm to the chest was shot away to the side making the Hyuuga teen spin into another strike only for that one to be pushed up. Everything Neji tried was pushed away by Naruto's faster guard until the boy had enough and dashed back to get some distance. "Futon: Senpuu Bakuha!" He cried as he punched towards Neji, letting out a wind blast that sent the brunette flying back. Naruto wasted no time and charged in as Neji stumbled to his feet.

"Enough of this." He muttered as the blond closed in. "Hakkesho Kaiten!" (Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation) Neji called as he began spinning and letting out a large amount of chakra from his body, blocking Naruto's charge and sending the boy back a couple feet. Naruto sprang back to his feet as Neji ended the move in a lower stance than his normal one. "You are within range of my divination." He taunted as Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Hakke Rokujuyon Sho!" (Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms) Neji dashed forward quickly and struck at Naruto with two Jyuken stabs of his hands but the boy deflected them. Not going to be deterred, Neji continued the move aiming four more strikes, again to be blocked by Naruto. Growling Neji forced himself to go as fast as possible, attacking faster and faster as the taijutsu technique continued. But to now avail as Naruto blocked each and every blow. When Neji reached the final and sixty-fourth hit, Naruto didn't just block him but grabbed his wrist before the outstretched palm came close to his body. "Impossible!"

"My turn!" The blond grinned as he tossed Neji's arm to the side to throw him off balance and began raining down his own punches and kicks to the open Hyuuga. Inwardly Naruto found it hilarious that Neji thought he could out-speed him as Naruto had already proven he was far faster than any of the genin in the Exams after his match with Lee. The blond was sure that had he been hit by the technique Neji used then he'd have been beaten, even with his regeneration. However since he was faster than Neji he decided to taunt the boy by blocking each hit without issue as well as use it as an opening to counter attack. Naruto laughed as he aimed a few punches at Neji's face before letting out a spin kick that sent him down on ground while Naruto laughed. "You actually thought that would work when I've proven I'm faster! That's so fucking funny!" He cheered. "Seriously, my father was considered the fastest man alive before dying! How could I not live up to that?" Naruto asked, referencing the Yondaime again. More in the crowd were starting to think it may actually be possible as Neji struggled to his feet.

"Lies." He spat out before spitting up some blood and glaring at Naruto. "You can claim the Yondaime as your father as much as you like. It will never be true!" He shouted as he charged Naruto and tried to punch him in the face. However with how clearly injured he was, the attack was so slow that Naruto only raised a hand to grab him by the wrist and stop him in his tracks. Naruto began squeezing the wrist painfully as Neji cried out and dropped to his knees, trying to pull his arm free but it wouldn't budge from the blond's grip.

"Lies... liar..." He muttered before growling. "I am sick and tired of everyone calling my heritage a lie! My heritage makes me heir to a village! Makes me heir to a country! Who are you to deny it?!" He shouted before twisting his wrist to snap Neji's as the teen screamed his pain. The blond then kicked Neji in the chest as he let go of his wrist, making the boy fly back and roll across the ground before stopping and getting up on his knees, painfully holding his broken wrist to his chest. "I am the son of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina! I am the jinchuriki to the Kyuubi no Yoko!" Naruto announced as his eyes turned red and the whiskers on his cheeks grew thick and wild. Red chakra began to bubble out of Naruto, covering him like a second skin while from the head the chakra shaped itself into twin fox ears and a tail of energy sprouted at the base of his spine. "I am the Shinku Akuma!" (Crimson Devil) He declared before vanishing in a burst of speed as Neji's eyes went wide, right before the shut in pain at the hit to his face.

There was no warning or build up at all as Neji began getting hit from every direction in the course of a few seconds. All the crowd could see was a red blur surrounding Neji from Naruto's speed at rushing around the Hyuuga and attacking. The older teen would fold over himself vomit up blood when he was struck in the gut only to snap back as he received a hit to his chin. Then he'd spin to one side from getting attacked on the left just to get whiplash from how fast Naruto would bash him from the other side right after. Neji couldn't put up a defense as Naruto was just too fast and he was already in too much pain from the prior beating and his broken wrist. He came close to blacking out multiple times only for Naruto snap him back into focus again with another hit. Finally he received a massive uppercut that sent him straight up and away from the assault. However this was no reprieve as he felt a pressure against his back that had him worried. "Futon: Satsubatsu Sora!" (Wind Release: Bloodthirsty Sky) Was heard before that pressure exploded in pain across his entire body. Neji was heard screaming but couldn't be seen due to the red winds surrounding him before it vanished and he crashed to the ground covered in multiple slash marks from the winds. His clothes were stained red with his blood and his headband had fallen off, showing everyone the seal Naruto spoke of earlier, a black mark in the shape of the kanji for ban. The blond himself was hunched over a couple feet away with his head down as the chakra tail waved wildly behind him. Everyone was silent at the sheer assault Naruto had just unleashed on the Hyuuga prodigy before they began to hear something. It was quiet but kept growing slowly in volume. People began to notice Naruto's shoulders were shaking and wondered what was happening before he threw his head back and spread his arms as he started laughing loudly, his face a bloodthirsty grin at what he had just done.

"How's that huh?! Still want to mock me as a liar?! Still want to deny my heritage?! I told you and this is my proof right here! Hahahahahaha!" Naruto laughed. In front of him Neji groaned showing he was still alive and looked in Naruto's direction fearfully. The red chakra coming off the blond was terrifying and disgusting yet he seemed to revel in it while that last jutsu had left him unable to move, likely due to cutting a key tendon or two.

"Wh-*cough*... what are y-you?" He stuttered out through his pain and Naruto's eyes widened as he looked down at him.

"You're still alive?" He shouted in surprise. "I thought for sure that killed you! That is some impressive will to live." He commented before Neji's question registered. "What am I? Didn't you hear me? I'm the jinchuriki to the Kyuubi no Yoko, the strongest of the biju and the demon that decimated Konoha the day I was born."

"What's a j-j-jinchuriki?" Neji asked as he coughed up more blood. Naruto only shook his head in disbelief.

"I know you didn't know the term after that little encounter at the ramen stand but seriously, I thought you'd ask your sensei or someone about it." The blond mused before shrugging. "Whatever. A jinchuriki is someone with a biju sealed inside of them. Being jinchuriki to the Kyuubi means that's the demon sealed in me. Gaara up there is jinchuriki to the Ichibi no Tanuki as well." He added with a small jerk of his head towards the waiting area for the competitors. Despite his pain though, Neji grinned at what he head.

"N-now I know y-you're l-lying. Yondaime-sama k-killed the K-Kyuubi." Naruto stared at him for a minuted before a massive wave of killing intent crashed down on him, its source being the blond himself.

"Oh, Kyuubi is not happy to hear that one bit. And honestly, neither am I. How can you be so uneducated about ACADEMY knowledge?" Naruto asked as he kept the pressure up. "Seriously, fourth year academy students are taught about the biju and jinchuriki back in Iwa. Was Konoha so embarrassed at their fuck-up that they decided to ignore the fact they even exist just like I apparently was?" Naruto questioned before sending a glare up towards the Kage box again. But then an idea came to him and he grinned. "Tell ya what Hyuuga, I'll be generous and explain everything; everything about the biju, jinchuriki and even how it all ties together with me. So pay attention prick, it's story time."