Nikki's POV

"Lady Mikage, please stand next to me for a moment." A Jōnin with a toothpick said to me.

I nodded and did what was told, standing in front of Naruto and did others.

"I have something to tell you before the matches." The Jōnin said, taking out a piece of prepare and held it out to them. "Look at this."

I took a peek and notice the Dosu was not there. What happen to the Sound ninja? I wondered.

"There was a slight change to the tournament. Check who you'll be facing one more time." He told them.

"Say...say." Naruto held up his hand.

"What?"

"What is it, Naruto?" I said curiously.

"Umm... Sasuke still hasn't come. What's happen?" He asked causing me to wonder that as well.

Sasuke... I though worriedly.

"In case a competitor does not arrive by starting time of his match...he or she will lose by default!" The Jōnin said.

I watch as Naruto turn toward the entrance, checking to see if Sasuke was there.

"Listen up, you guys." I snapped out of my worried. "The terrain is different, but the rule is that there are no rules, the same as in the preliminaries." The Jōnin said.

"The matches will continue until one or the other dies, or acknowledges defeat. However, if I judge that it has been settled, I'll stop the match there. Arguments will not be allowed. Understood?" The Jōnin explain and waited a moment to see if their would argue but no one did.

"So the first match is... Naruto Uzumaki. Neji Hyuga. Just those two remain and the rest of you go to the waiting room." He told them before turn to me. "Lady Mikage, you are welcome to join them or go to the bleacher." He told me.

"Okay, thank you." I said, bowing to him before following Shikamaru.

Third Person's Pov

"Good luck, Naruto." Nikki whispered as she passed by him.

Naruto reassuring her with a nod.

Naruto and Neji walk to stand in front of each other.

"You seem like you want to say something." Neji said with a smug.

Naruto didn't say anything and simply held out his fist to him as he was trample with rage.

"I said it before, too, didn't I?" He said as he remember his promise.

"I'll win, no matter what!" He proclaimed.

Neji close his eyes and open them again with the Byakugan on, staring at Naruto. He has the looks...of being sure of himself... It's as if he's not all worked up... He though as he took a fighting stand.

"That makes it move worthwhile for me. I look forward to your look of disappointment...when you know the true reality..." Neji mocked at Naruto.

"Stop whining." Naruto snapped at him.

The wind start to pick up, around them, blowing intensely.

"Let's...get started!" Naruto exclaimed, determined.

"Now then, round one. Begin!" The Jōnin announced.

Naruto and Neji was having a stare off, before Naruto made the first move by throwing a few kunais at Neji which he deflected easily.

Naruto ran straight at him for a frontal assault but failed when Neji was about to hit Naruto, stopping a chakra point in his shoulder.

Uh-oh! Naruto thought.

"Naruto!" Nikki exclaimed worried.

Naruto quickly retreated, getting some distance from his opponent.

I missed, huh...? Neji thought unsure.

In other words, he'll press the pressure point if I get too close and I'll become unable to use jutsu. That means all I can do is fight from a distance. Naruto though, breathing heavy.

"You understand, right? You have no way of winning." Neji told Naruto.

Naruto smirked. "Heh... All I did was to verify your power." He getting up. "The real fight is just getting started, Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto created five clones, all of them pull out kunais.

Shadow Clone Jutsu?! I get it. If chakra is evenly distributed among the Clones, indeed, I can't detect the real one even with my Byakugan. Neji thought.

"But there's only only one real one, after all!" Neji said with a smug.

"Heh. Don't be acting tough!" All Naruto's said.

"If you're going to come, then come." Neji said causing Naruto to frown.

Naruto, beat him. Nikki thought as she remember what Naruto had told her of what he did to Hinata, holding her hands over her heart.

"Hey! Don't...you...underestimate...me!" All the Naruto's said after one another as attack Neji but every attack that him and clones did, Neji dodge them flawlessly and eliminated the clones leaving only the real Naruto.

"Naruto..." Nikki was growing worried.

"You're going to become...the Hokage...? With this level, it's impossible." Neji common in a mocking tone causing Naruto and Nikki to gritted their teeth together.

"I can generally tell with these eyes... Intrinsic abilities are set." Neji continue, angering Naruto more.

"Why...? Why are you always so judgmental like that?" Naruto asked.

"Then...are you going to say that anybody can become the Hokage...if they just work hard?" Neji said shocking Naruto. "Only a very small percentage of shinobi are chosen to be the Hokage! Look more at reality! Those who become the Hokage are born with a destiny. It's not something you become by trying to become it. It's determined by destiny. People must live within their different respective currents that can't be defied. The one single...destiny everyone has equally...is death."

Nikki stared in shock.

"So... So what?!" Naruto said, looking at his fists before holding out one at Neji.

"I don't know when to give up! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He summoning a dozen clones.
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N/A: This is a short chapter and I apologized and I'm sorry to say but I'm going to be really busy once again so I don't won't know when I'll be updated.
Sorry.