How Kurama Leads Naruto Astray

The Eight Trigrams Palm: Heavenly Spin is a high-level defensive technique of the Hyuga clan, known as the ultimate shield, capable of blocking even a Tailed Beast's attack when used by a powerful Hyuga ninja.

The biggest challenge with this technique is its difficulty to learn. Unlike other Gentle Fist techniques, Heavenly Spin demands extreme chakra control and Byakugan usage, as it requires the user to release chakra from all body points and spin to form a protective barrier. Even a momentary maintenance of this defense can create a huge crater in the ground.

The scattered chakra also forms a powerful air current attack, like a wall striking the opponent, a move that combines offense and defense. The only downside is that one cannot move while using it.

But that's not the main point. The main point is, even the so-called genius Hanabi, with the method to learn it, has yet to master this move. And Neji, he somehow figured it out and used it in battle without any guidance.

No wonder Hyuga Hiashi was astonished. He never expected Neji's talent to be so immense.

Hanabi covered her mouth in shock, her Byakugan eyes watching the chakra burst on the field in disbelief. The powerful tearing force of Heavenly Spin defeated Naruto's shadow clones in an instant, filling the arena with smoke.

Hyuga Hiashi returned to his seat, closing his Byakugan and eyes, his face filled with sorrow: "Neji, your talent surpasses even mine and your father's."

If only Neji wasn't from the branch family...

The storm lasted less than two seconds, the chakra barrier suddenly vanished, and Neji stood at the center, his Byakugan surveying all directions.

Beneath him was a half-meter-deep crater, four to five meters in radius, resembling a miniature meteorite crater. And this was just from two seconds; any longer, and the crater could have been even more terrifying.

On the other side, only four of Naruto's shadow clones remained, plus his real self, making five. They stood over ten meters away from Neji, faces full of surprise at the scene.

Naruto didn't expect Neji's move to be so powerful, instantly defeating dozens of his shadow clones: "You've been holding back such a strong move? You didn't go all out against Hinata last time?"

Neji stood up straight, looking at Naruto from the crater: "No, I've just mastered this move. Now that you've seen it, do you still think you can win?"

"To be honest, it's tough," Naruto forced a smile.

He's no fool; he knows their strengths. His taijutsu is decent, but against Neji, it's not enough. The shadow clone tactic that could bridge the taijutsu gap is countered by the Byakugan, and with Heavenly Spin as a trump card, Naruto sees no hope for victory.

Just as Neji was about to speak, Naruto interrupted: "But it's precisely because of this, winning has its value."

With that, he formed hand seals again, and as the smoke rose once more, dozens of Narutos reappeared on the field.

Neji shook his head: "It's useless, the attack and defense of Heavenly Spin have no blind spots... 

Even if you have countless shadow clones, it's meaningless... 

because a shadow clone disappears with just a bit of damage. Relying solely on that, you can't defeat me."

"Ridiculous!" Naruto thought he noticed a change in Neji's attitude for the better.

But Naruto didn't care about that; he had to think of a way to defeat Neji. Right now, there were only two methods: Kurama and summoning jutsu.

However, even using summoning jutsu required Kurama's chakra support. So it seemed like two options, but in reality, Naruto only had one choice.

As Naruto was sent flying once again, this time he was alone; all his shadow clones were wiped out in an instant, and the result was the ground beneath Neji sinking half a meter.

Neji leaped out of the crater, standing not far in front of Naruto, his white eyes betraying no emotion. "You should give up. There's an insurmountable gap between us. I admit you're not the weakest, but you're definitely not my match right now."

"So, surrender," Neji said earnestly. "At least you won't suffer any physical pain."

Neji meant no disrespect; he was speaking the truth. Unlike the last time he faced Hinata, when Neji asked Hinata to surrender out of disdain, this time was different. At least now, Neji didn't look down on Naruto at all.

But Neji got one thing wrong. The more you try to make the right choice for someone like Naruto, the more rebellious he becomes.

"Tch," Naruto wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up. "I won't surrender, not to you, not to Kurama, not to anyone."

"Kurama?" Neji frowned, having never heard the name before.

Naruto formed hand seals, but this time he didn't activate a ninjutsu; instead, he just grinned. "A guy with a wicked sense of humor who likes to play tricks. But thanks to him, I'm now invincible in battle!"

In the dark sealing space, Naruto's figure suddenly appeared, his gaze as determined as a sword that could pierce through anything, ready to clear all obstacles in his path.

He looked at the huge shadow behind the prison bars, from the fear he felt the first time to the firm gaze he held now: "Kurama, lend me your chakra! I need the strength to defeat him... no, I need the strength to win this fight!"

Kurama looked at Naruto from outside the prison bars, his massive mouth grinning, revealing teeth larger than those of a grown man: "My favorite thing is to say 'no' to those who are full of themselves!"

Naruto was stunned, his whole being frozen in place.

He looked at Kurama in frustration: "Now is not the time for pranks!"

He had mustered such passionate words, and although it was a bit embarrassing to admit, Naruto knew that without Kurama's chakra support, his chances of defeating Neji were slim.

Kurama laughed nonchalantly: "You've already declared yourself 'invincible in battle.' It would be negligent of me not to watch you lying on the ground with your mouth open and eyes closed."

Naruto: "..."

Alright, 

he still couldn't understand the fox's way of thinking. Was watching him lying on the ground with his mouth open and eyes closed really Kurama's idea of fun?

The conversation in the sealing space was quick, and time in the outside world flowed slowly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Naruto with a face full of satisfaction, as if looking at his own child.

Sakura laughed, knowing this was just like Naruto; he was the same during the Land of Waves mission, which is why she and Sasuke chose to believe in him: "You can do it, Naruto."

Hinata's cheeks turned red with emotion, her hands clasped in front of her chest, cheering for Naruto: "Naruto-kun..."

Hanabi nodded in approval, quite satisfied with her brother-in-law: "Big sister's judgment isn't bad."

Hyuga Hiashi also showed a slight smile, his grief and sadness lessened a bit: "Neji must be happy to have such an opponent."

Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, nodded in recognition towards Naruto: "You're just a kid, but I understand your determination."

Neji took a deep breath, his Byakugan filled with resolve, and he took up a stance facing Naruto: "I understand your determination. From now on, I'll treat you as my rival. I won't hold back, so... don't die."

Naruto: "..."

Is it too late to take back what I said earlier? If so, I'll just have to grit my teeth and go for it.

By the way, Kurama, I hate you.

See, the hatred between humans and tailed beasts is so simple, so easily established. And to eliminate that hatred, whether it's humans or tailed beasts, there's still a long way to go.

Kurama said this with a mocking tone, full of sarcasm.

Naruto really wanted to slap Kurama right now, but unfortunately, there was a seal between them. Although the prison door looked big enough to crawl through, in theory, the seal forming the door was not something he could cross right now.

Besides, what would it change even if he went in? Naruto didn't think he could beat Kurama.

But then again, it's so infuriating, really infuriating. Naruto was so angry he wanted to just give up. What kind of jerk promises to help and then bails at the last minute, leaving someone alone to take a beating?

Looking at Neji, fully focused and probably ready to go all out, Naruto felt a toothache.

Of course, he didn't regret saying those words, nor was he afraid of fighting Neji. It was just Kurama's attitude that had ticked him off.

Without Kurama's chakra support, does that mean I can't win?

Well, the hope is slim, but it's not zero.

Naruto took a deep breath, his hands forming seals, his expression indescribably serious. He knew he wasn't Neji's match, but just like during the preliminaries, everyone thought he wasn't Zabuza's match, everyone thought Zabuza would win, but what happened?

The name Uzumaki Naruto has never been simple; his growth is visible to everyone. And don't forget, this guy is the ninja with the most surprises.

Naruto's expression turned solemn: "It looks like I'll have to use that move."

Don't get me wrong, it's not the Sexy Technique. Using that in this situation would be the end of him, not just socially, but afterwards, even if he won, Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei would tear him apart.

What he's going to use is the first tactic he learned as a ninja, the legendary tactic that connects the entire Team 7.

Watch me, Kurama, I will win.

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