Whoosh!
Naruto Uzumaki hurled a kunai infused with Wind Release chakra.
Empowered by the chakra, the kunai sliced through the air, streaking toward a large tree.
Bang!
A piercing sound echoed as the tree was punctured, a small hole forming.
The kunai embedded itself in another tree behind it.
Naruto gasped at the destructive force of the Wind Release chakra.
"Such terrifying penetration."
Picking up the kunai, Naruto grinned.
Tucking it away, he clenched his fists, glancing toward the Hyuga clan's estate.
...
The next day, within the Hyuga clan.
Neji Hyuga, now a Genin, wore the Leaf's headband proudly.
He was preparing for a mission when a commotion at the gate drew his attention.
The Hyuga estate was usually eerily quiet, disturbed only by the sounds of clan members training.
Approaching the gate, Neji recognized the source of the noise.
A spiky blond head, piercing blue eyes—it was the nobody he'd defeated half a month ago.
Neji's gaze, cold and disdainful, fixed on the boisterous Naruto Uzumaki.
"Neji Hyuga! Come out!"
"Our fight isn't over!"
Naruto's eyes burned with resolve. Neji's Gentle Fist had left him in pain for days.
Now brimming with confidence, Naruto had come to challenge him on a day off from the Ninja Academy.
"Haven't you had enough?"
"This time, you won't get off as easily."
A glint of anger flashed in Neji's eyes. Naruto's crude provocation irritated him.
He couldn't fathom why untalented people like Naruto refused to give up.
Like Hinata Hyuga, whom he saw daily, their futile efforts baffled him.
The Hyuga clansmen blocking Naruto glanced at Neji, the Branch Family's genius, then stepped aside.
As long as the conflict stayed outside the estate, it didn't concern them.
Neji and Naruto faced off in an open area just beyond the Hyuga gates.
They stood mere meters apart.
Neji didn't bother assuming a Gentle Fist stance or activating his Byakugan.
Naruto, sensing Neji's dismissal, felt a surge of anger.
"You jerk, don't blame me when you're eating dirt."
"Multi-Shadow Clone Technique!"
Naruto formed hand signs, and smoke erupted around him.
Dozens, then hundreds, of smoke clouds appeared, stunning Neji.
"Shadow Clone Technique? Impossible."
"How could a Genin know that jutsu—and summon so many clones?"
Neji stared in disbelief, questioning if they were truly shadow clones.
The technique demanded significant chakra and was typically reserved for Jonin.
Naruto's ability to produce so many clones seemed implausible.
"Byakugan!"
Neji closed his eyes, veins bulging around them as he reopened them.
His Byakugan pierced through the crowd, confirming the clones were real.
A hint of caution crossed his face.
Seeing Neji finally take him seriously, Naruto didn't hold back. He sent his clones charging.
Hundreds of Narutos rushed from all directions, a spectacular sight.
Though Neji's taijutsu outclassed Naruto's, the sheer numbers narrowed the gap.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Neji struck with precision, each Gentle Fist blow dispersing a clone into smoke.
His Byakugan kept his vision clear amidst the haze.
His movements quickened, his steps rhythmic, allowing fluid strikes.
Within moments, over half the clones were gone.
"Damn, there's still so many…"
Even Neji, disciplined and rigorous, struggled against the onslaught.
Maintaining focus to avoid openings drained him, leaving no chance to track Naruto's real body.
As he considered going on the offensive, a Naruto appeared before him.
Neji struck instinctively, but his pupils trembled—he'd targeted the real Naruto.
Naruto was forming hand signs, preparing a jutsu. Too late to dodge, Neji crossed his arms defensively.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
Naruto clapped his palms, seizing the moment. A compressed burst of Wind Release chakra surged forth.
The violent gust slammed into Neji. Though a C-rank jutsu, less lethal than Fire or Lightning Release, its close-range impact was excruciating.
The fierce wind stung Neji's body, hurling him backward uncontrollably.
Behind him, two shadow clones waited.
As Neji flew toward them, they struck his back with heavy punches.
The impact halted his flight, sending him careening in the opposite direction.
Pain blurred Neji's consciousness momentarily. When he refocused, dread hit him.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto, hands already signed, unleashed his second Wind Release.
Great Breakthrough's whirlwind was less potent than Gale Palm, but Naruto's massive chakra reserves amplified it.
His version packed double the chakra of a standard Great Breakthrough.