HINATA IS BROKEN

The tension in the room was palpable as Hinata Hyūga prepared to face Neji Hyūga in the third stage of the Chūnin Exams.

"Inuzuka Kiba," Naruto turned to him curiously, "what do you mean by this match being 'too difficult' for Hinata?"

Kiba furrowed his brow. "You don't know? Hinata and Neji may share a family name, but they're divided by Hyūga clan rules. Hinata is from the main family, while Neji belongs to the branch family. The difference between them is… well, complicated."

Naruto frowned, struggling to process the idea. "So, there are rules even Konoha doesn't interfere with? That's just messed up."

As Moonlight Hayate signaled the start of the match, Hinata and Neji took their positions.

Neji's expression was sharp, his words cutting deeper than any kunai. "You're still the same, Lady Hinata. Weak. A person's destiny is determined at birth. Some are elites, while others are forever failures."

Hinata flinched but didn't retreat.

Naruto frowned, his annoyance clear. "This guy talks a lot for someone who hasn't won yet."

"Do you think he's not afraid of the main family's retaliation because he's too strong to be challenged?" Kurama asked curiously from within Naruto's mind.

Naruto shook his head. "No. If he was truly that strong, he wouldn't waste time complaining. He'd show his strength instead of whining."

The onlookers couldn't help but feel secondhand embarrassment for Neji.

Onoki snorted, "Naruto has a point. It's idiotic to air grievances without power to back them up."

Raikage nodded. "In any other clan, Neji's outspokenness would have already brought him trouble."

Even Neji himself felt an unexpected pang of shame as Naruto's observations rang true.

As the match began, Hinata surprised everyone. Her gentle yet firm stance reflected newfound confidence. "I'm sorry, Brother Neji," she said calmly, activating her Byakugan. "But I can't afford to lose."

The fight was fierce. Gentle Fist strikes echoed in the air, and chakra blasts crackled between them. Neji's initial confidence began to waver as Hinata's movements outmatched his own.

"This… this can't be," Neji thought, panic spreading through his mind.

Hinata's determination pushed her forward. Strike after strike, she overwhelmed Neji until he was forced back, coughing up blood.

The audience was stunned. Even veteran Jōnin like Might Guy, Asuma, and Kakashi couldn't believe their eyes.

"Hinata… defeated Neji?"

Meanwhile, in the inner world where Naruto conversed with Kurama, the fox teased him. "Do you like that girl from the Hyūga clan?"

Naruto chuckled. "She's important to me, just like all of my comrades. If I want to shape Konoha's future, they're all part of my plan."

Kurama tilted his head. "You're not just thinking about her as a comrade, though."

Naruto smirked. "You could say she's special. But she's not the only one. They're all vital for Konoha's future. They'll be the leaders of their clans someday. If I want to bring real change, I need their support."

The onlookers in the ninja world watching this revelation were shocked.

Onoki shook his head in admiration. "That kid is already laying the groundwork for controlling Konoha. Impressive."

Terumi Mei added, "He's focusing on the next generation. They'll be clan leaders in no time. By then, his influence will be undeniable."

Danzo, however, scoffed. "Does he think the current elders of Konoha will sit back and let him? He's underestimating us."

But Orochimaru smiled slyly. "If he continues to grow at this rate, your objections won't matter. He'll just eliminate anyone who gets in his way."

Back in the arena, the preliminary matches ended, and the final brackets were revealed. The main event would be held in a month to allow time for preparation.

To Naruto's disappointment, his opponent wasn't Gaara but Hinata. Gaara, instead, was slated to fight Tos of the Sound Village.

Frowning, Naruto approached Moonlight Hayate. "What happens if a competitor doesn't show up for the main event?"

Hayate hesitated, but the implication was clear. The room grew tense.

Naruto turned his attention to Gaara. "I want to fight the gourd guy. He's strong, and I want to test myself against him."

Gaara's murderous aura flared. "Uzumaki Naruto," he hissed, eyes glowing with bloodlust. "You're the only one who scared me in these exams. I will enjoy killing you."

Before anything else could happen, Tos stepped forward, attempting to assert his own dominance. "You think you can ignore me? I'll—"

Naruto didn't let him finish. A single punch sent Tos flying into the wall, leaving a crater in the concrete.

"I hate people who get in my face," Naruto said coldly, turning away.

The room was silent as Naruto looked back at Gaara. "Work hard this month. Don't die before I get to fight you."

Hinata, trembling, suddenly raised her hand. "I… I surrender," she stammered. "I can't fight Naruto-kun."

Her words shocked the crowd, but Naruto's reaction was lighthearted. "Thanks, Hinata! You're so thoughtful. I'll treat you to dinner later."

Hinata's face turned bright red, and she nearly fainted from excitement.

The rest of their peers tried to mask their disbelief. Ino whispered, "He doesn't even need to try, and Hinata's already head over heels for him."

Sakura sighed. "At least she has a chance. What am I, a side character in all of this?"

As the group dispersed to celebrate their progress, Naruto's words echoed in Gaara's ears: "Don't die before I get to fight you."

Gaara's lips twisted into a sadistic grin. "You'll regret those words, Uzumaki Naruto. I'll make sure of it."