HINATA IS BROKEN

The third round of the Chūnin selection exam officially began. The atmosphere in the arena was tense as the names of the contestants flashed across the electronic screen on the wall.

This time, the format had finally shifted to a one-on-one battle, and it was clear that the moment to test everyone's abilities had arrived. Each participant's strength would be put to the ultimate test in a head-to-head clash.

Uchiha Sasuke was the first to step into the arena. His movements were fluid, effortless, and brimming with confidence. Without breaking a sweat, he dispatched his opponent in no time at all, leaving the spectators in awe of his skill.

As the matches progressed, Uzumaki Naruto found himself increasingly uninterested. He leaned back against the railing in the stands, his gaze drifting as the battles unfolded. The typical excitement of the tournament was absent from his eyes.

Boring, boring... he thought to himself, watching with detached indifference.

Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino were the next to face off, and after a rather intense exchange, the two ended up in a draw. Sakura, though exhausted, looked over at Naruto, offering an apologetic glance. The meaning behind her eyes was clear—she understood that her abilities were not enough to surpass Ino. Despite all the training, she knew her growth wasn't truly her own achievement.

Naruto, noticing her expression, responded with a gentle wave of his hand. "Everything's your own hard work," he said softly, trying to offer some comfort.

Sakura could only cry bitterly, the weight of her own inadequacies pressing on her.

As time passed, the number of remaining participants dwindled. The tension grew thicker with each match. Naruto, however, couldn't help but feel a sense of nervous anticipation.

Please, I hope I don't have to face Gaara just yet. This is all going according to plan… I can't have things go off track now. He scanned the remaining contestants, mentally preparing for the battles ahead.

The competitors left were Gaara, Rock Lee, Hyūga Hinata, Hyuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba, and himself. The names on the screen were finally set, and the next battle was announced.

It was Uzumaki Naruto versus Inuzuka Kiba.

Inuzuka Kiba, along with his canine partner Akamaru, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over him at the announcement. Their previous experience in the Forest of Death still haunted them. The memory of fighting alongside Naruto and seeing his immense strength made the prospect of facing him in a one-on-one battle too overwhelming.

As Naruto jumped into the arena with an easy grin, Kiba stood frozen, trembling. He couldn't shake the fear of what a fight with Naruto would mean.

No, he thought desperately. He wasn't prepared for this. He knew that facing Naruto would likely result in his own defeat. His survival instincts kicked in, and the decision was made.

"Woooooooo…" Akamaru let out a low growl, as if to confirm Kiba's own thoughts. Kiba nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. Surrendering is the right choice.

"Why are you standing there in a daze, Kiba?" Naruto's voice broke through his thoughts. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Kiba, still frozen, could only manage a weak, apologetic smile.

Yuhi Kurenai, Kiba's sensei, called to him, urging him to step forward and face the challenge. But Kiba, knowing he was outmatched, quickly came up with an excuse. "I—I'm feeling unwell," he muttered, trying to mask his fear behind a pretext.

Aburame Shino, standing nearby, seemed to find the situation amusing. He slid his hands into his pockets, pretending indifference, but his eyes glinted with a hint of humor. "If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself. There's no point in risking injury if you can't handle it."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, but she was too experienced to show how much Kiba's sudden admission surprised her. "Is that so? Well, if you're feeling unwell, I suppose it's better to withdraw than risk an injury."

Kiba gave a weak nod, his confidence shattered. He couldn't bear the thought of fighting Naruto, especially after their past encounter. As he made his exit, the announcer, Moonlight Hayate, declared Naruto as the winner by default.

Naruto, a bit confused by the sudden forfeiture, shrugged it off. His mind was already elsewhere. This is still part of the plan. As long as I don't face Gaara right now, everything will work out.

With Kiba's match out of the way, the next group of opponents was revealed. Gaara versus Rock Lee.

Naruto's gaze sharpened at the sight of Rock Lee. He remembered their earlier encounter, where Lee had challenged him, eager to prove his worth. Naruto had no doubt that Gaara would win, but he also understood the ferocity with which Lee would fight. He could only pray for his friend's safety.

The match was intense from the start, with Lee using his incredible speed and strength. The crowd gasped in disbelief as Lee opened the Eight Gates, unleashing a torrent of power. Even Gaara, with his deadly sand defense, struggled to keep up with Lee's relentless onslaught.

Naruto watched with bated breath as Lee's attacks landed, pushing Gaara to his limits. It was a battle unlike anything the audience had seen. Lee's bravery was unmatched, and his raw determination left even Gaara rattled.

But as the battle raged on, Naruto could see the toll it was taking on Lee. The side effects of opening the Eight Gates began to manifest, and Lee's body started to break down. Despite his best efforts, Lee ultimately collapsed, unable to continue the fight. Gaara emerged victorious, but only by the skin of his teeth.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Lee hadn't lost his life. If it hadn't been for Might Guy stepping in to block Gaara's final blow, Lee might not have survived the fight.

"I never would've imagined that Gaara would be pushed so far," Naruto muttered under his breath, his mind still reeling from the intensity of the battle.

In the stands, the crowd buzzed with excitement and disbelief, but Naruto remained focused on the next phase of the exam. His thoughts briefly turned to Hinata.

Hinata…

He recalled the conversation he'd had with her earlier, offering his encouragement. He hoped that, unlike the others, she wouldn't give up on herself. He believed in her, even if she didn't believe in herself.

As the final matches loomed, Naruto's heart raced with anticipation. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: the path ahead was fraught with challenges, and the coming battles would be decisive.

---

In a quieter part of the arena, Hyūga Hinata stood, her hands clenched into fists.

She watched the fights unfold before her, feeling the weight of her own uncertainty. Even as the others fought bravely, Hinata felt an undercurrent of doubt. She wasn't like the others—she wasn't as strong, as capable, or as certain of her own power.

Her gaze drifted to Naruto, who was talking with Lee. Seeing him, she felt a strange warmth fill her chest. He had always been a source of encouragement for her, and the brief exchange they shared earlier had stirred something inside her.

I... I must be very happy, shouldn't I? Hinata thought, her voice trembling with emotion. The thought of Naruto's support, of his belief in her, made her feel more powerful than she had in a long time.

But just as quickly, her heart sank. Her older brother, Neji, was next in line for the match. It was hard to shake the fear that Neji would defeat her with ease. She wasn't sure if she could keep up, but she had to try. She had to believe in herself.

And yet, the gaze from Neji—his piercing, mocking look—gnawed at her. It was clear that he considered her a failure, someone too weak to belong in the prestigious Hyūga clan.

But then, something inside her shifted. It was subtle at first—a tingling sensation that started deep within her and spread out to her fingertips. She felt a surge of power, of chakra, filling her, making her feel stronger than before. The fear that had paralyzed her moments ago seemed to dissipate.

This... this is Naruto's chakra, she realized, feeling the warmth of it flowing through her. The energy was not her own, but it was enough. Enough to give her the strength to face Neji, to stand tall in the face of his ridicule.

I can do this, she thought with newfound confidence. I will prove him wrong. I can do this.

The match was about to begin. Hinata's heart raced with excitement, but for the first time, it wasn't fear that gripped her—it was the anticipation of the challenge ahead.

---

Naruto, still lost in thought, glanced back at the arena as he walked towards the stands. His attention was drawn to the sight of Hinata, who seemed to radiate a new energy. He smiled to himself, pleased to see the change in her. She wasn't the same timid girl she once was. She was growing, becoming stronger.

Good luck, Hinata. I believe in you.