Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice

The day of the Chunin Exams' third stage had finally arrived.

The sun hung high over the massive stadium, its light spilling onto the packed stands. Nobles, shinobi, and villagers filled the arena, murmuring with anticipation. The energy in the air was electric—this was more than a competition; it was a chance for these young genin to make history.

From the waiting area, Teriyaki could see the Hokage seated above, flanked by other village officials and the Kazekage. The contestants gathered, some focused, others tense. Sasuke was still absent—probably locked in last-minute training with Kakashi. Gaara stood at the farthest end, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Neji remained composed as always, but there was something cold in his eyes, as he looked at Naruto especially.

The proctor stepped forward, his ever-present senbon dangling from his lips. He raised a hand, calling for silence.

"Listen up," he announced. "These fights are one-on-one. No interruptions. You win by knockout, surrender, or death." His sharp eyes scanned the genin. "First match: Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga."

A surge of excitement rippled through the audience. Naruto grinned, practically bouncing on his feet as he leaped down into the arena. Neji followed, his steps controlled, deliberate. The two faced each other, the difference in their composure clear.

Hinata watched from the stands, hands clasped together. "Naruto… please be careful."

Genma glanced at both competitors. "Begin."

Naruto lunged forward without hesitation, fist cocked back. His punch shot toward Neji's face—but it never landed. Neji's arm flicked upward with surgical precision, striking Naruto's wrist and deflecting the attack entirely. In a blur, his other hand slammed into Naruto's chest.

"Gentle Fist."

A pulse of chakra burst from Neji's palm. Naruto's eyes widened as he was sent skidding backward, clutching his ribs. The audience gasped at the speed of Neji's counterattack.

"Predictable," Neji muttered, eyes locked onto Naruto. "You should give up now."

Naruto wiped his mouth, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, not happening."

With a roar, he created a dozen shadow clones. The crowd erupted in excitement as the clones charged in from all angles. Neji remained still until the last second—then his feet shifted, his body moving like a breeze. His hands flashed outward in rapid strikes, each clone bursting into smoke before they could land a single hit.

Naruto's real body tried to strike from behind, but Neji spun sharply. "Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation!"

A dome of chakra erupted around him, sending Naruto flying. He crashed hard onto the stone floor, coughing dust. The audience murmured—Neji's technique was flawless.

Neji exhaled, lowering his stance. "You can't defeat me. Fate has already decided the outcome."

Naruto groaned but pulled himself to his feet, fists clenched. "I don't care about fate!" he shouted. "I make my own future!"

"Kage buunshin no jutsu!"

His clones led the way.

He rushed forward again, zigzagging unpredictably. Neji's Byakugan tracked his movements with ease, Neji took Naruto's clones out in a matter of seconds. The moment Naruto got close, Neji's palm lashed out. Naruto barely dodged, retaliating with a kick—but Neji's hand struck his knee mid-motion, stopping the attack cold. Another palm jab followed, hitting Naruto's shoulder.

"Eight Trigrams: Two Palms!"

Naruto stumbled, his arms feeling heavy.

"Four Palms!"

Neji's strikes grew faster, each one closing Naruto's chakra points.

"Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms!"

Naruto couldn't react. His body was being overwhelmed.

"Thirty-Two Palms! Sixty-Four Palms!"

Neji's final strike hit dead center in Naruto's chest. His chakra shut down instantly. Naruto gasped, unable to move as he crumpled to the ground. The crowd held their breath.

"It's over," Neji said coolly. "You have no chakra left. You cannot fight."

Naruto twitched, fingers digging into the dirt. "No…"

Neji turned away. "Accept your fate."

And then—

The ground cracked beneath Naruto's palms.

A deep, red aura flickered around him. His whisker marks darkened, his wounds sealed instantly. The air shifted, thick with raw power. The crowd murmured in confusion and fear.

Neji turned back, his Byakugan widening. "What…?"

Naruto looked up, his eyes burning orange-red.

"I'm not done yet."

In a flash, Naruto closed the distance. Neji barely raised his arms before Naruto's fist crashed into his jaw, launching him off his feet. He flipped midair, landing unsteadily. Naruto was already coming again, faster than before.

The Hyuga prodigy had no time to think—Naruto's punch slammed into his stomach, sending him flying into the arena wall. The stone cracked on impact. Neji coughed, barely able to stand.

The crowd was in shock.

Naruto walked forward, his aura flickering. "You keep talking about fate," he said. "But I don't care what's supposed to happen! I'm gonna win because I refuse to lose!"

Naruto ran forwards and what came next was a blitz of shadow clones and trickery that caught Neji off guard every time.

Neji was beaten back time and time again, every attack he landed was only on a clone, Naruto landed strong blows to Neji time and time again.

Neji gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright. He had never fought someone his age who could recover from the Sixty-Four Palms. But he wouldn't surrender, his fate was victory.

With a final burst of strength, Naruto leaped, fist drawn back. Neji tried to counter—but Naruto's punch struck first.

The impact sent Neji skidding across the ground. He tried to push himself up, but his arms buckled beneath him. He had nothing left.

Genma stepped forward. "Winner: Naruto Uzumaki."

The stadium erupted into cheers. Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head as the red aura faded.

Up in the stands, Hinata smiled through teary eyes. "You did it, Naruto…"

Neji lay on the ground, staring up at the sky. For the first time in his life, the certainty of fate felt… uncertain.

As Naruto returned to the waiting area, Teriyaki exhaled slowly. His own match would come soon. Watching Naruto fight had sparked something in him.

"I have to give it everything I've got."

Teriyaki yawned, slightly worried abotu his own upcoming fight. "Who would've seen that coming?"