(Note: I purchased the Chapters from the author so I hope for your support on Patreon.com/flokixy so I can purchase more Chapters 💜)
( Translator: I miss some paragraphs for almost all the chapters and I added them sorry )
Mujin and Karin, as participants, arrived early at the grand arena located on the outskirts of Konoha. By now, the stands were nearly filled with spectators.
In the ninja world, there weren't many forms of entertainment, so the Chunin Exams were like a festival for the common people. Anyone who could spare the time would come to watch.
The opening time for the third round of the exams quickly arrived. Under the guidance of Konoha shinobi, Mujin and Karin entered the competition grounds, where the other participants were already gathered—except for Sasuke and Tsuchi Tosu from Otogakure.
However, Tosu's name was still listed on the match roster. Mujin speculated that perhaps he hadn't been killed by Gaara this time but had instead been taken away by Orochimaru to serve as a sacrifice for the Impure World Reincarnation technique. After all, the fate of the Sound Trio was always tied to such schemes.
The surrounding noise didn't affect Mujin or Karin. The two calmly awaited the start of the grand spectacle they had long anticipated.
Promptly at ten in the morning, the arrival of Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage signaled that the plan to collapse Konoha had officially entered its countdown phase.
Below, Mujin observed as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, exchanged sharp words with the imposter Kazekage, Orochimaru in disguise. Afterward, the Third Hokage stood up and formally announced the start of the matches.
"…So! Please enjoy the matches!"
Yes, enjoy this grand performance.
Special Jonin Shibi Akado brought out the match roster and addressed the participants. "The competitors for the first match should stay. Everyone else, please head to the waiting area."
"Um," Naruto raised his hand, "What should we do if Sasuke doesn't show up?"
"If he isn't here by the time his match comes, it'll be counted as a forfeit. Don't keep everyone waiting too long."
After Shibi finished speaking, Mujin and the others left the arena, leaving only the participants for the first match…
Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga.
Naruto's expression turned serious as he clenched his fist and pointed it at Neji. "I told you! I'll definitely defeat you!"
As Naruto and Neji exchanged verbal jabs, Mujin chuckled softly. He began scanning the surroundings and noticed, in the shadows overlooked by the crowd, several shinobi disguised as ANBU operatives.
Karin confirmed that one of them was Yakushi Kabuto in disguise. Likely, some Oto-nin had also infiltrated the area.
The entourage accompanying the Fire Daimyo had noticeably thinned, suggesting that Suna's shinobi had already moved into their designated positions.
"Wow! So cool!"
A sudden cheer erupted from the audience. Mujin turned his head to see Naruto instantly create dozens of Shadow Clones, all charging toward Neji at once.
Neji responded with a single Hakkesho Kaiten, generating a high-speed spinning chakra shield that repelled all the incoming clones in an instant. Even Naruto's real body was sent flying over ten meters, sustaining significant injuries.
"Fate has already been decided. You cannot defeat me. It's over." Neji shifted into position, spreading his hands apart to initiate the Eight Trigrams Palm technique. "Gentle Fist Art! Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Neji moved like a gust of wind, appearing before Naruto in an instant!
"Eight Trigrams! Two Palms!"
Bang! Bang!
Though called palms, Neji's hands formed sword fingers, striking Naruto's body in rapid succession.
"Four Palms!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms! Thirty-Two Palms! Sixty-Four Palms!!!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang—!
After finishing his flashy sequence of sixty-four strikes, Neji sent Naruto flying. Fortunately, he wasn't wielding a kunai; otherwise, Naruto would have ended up with sixty-four gaping holes in his body, sealing Neji's victory.
"Ughaa—!!!"
Struck by the Eight Trigrams technique, Naruto collapsed in pain, trembling and struggling to get up—but found himself completely unable to move!
At this moment, Neji, who had yet to join the side of justice, did not deliver a finishing blow. Instead, for reasons unknown, he began conversing with Naruto. "All sixty-four of your tenketsu points have been sealed. Give up. You can't stand anymore. Feeling frustrated? Believing that hard work will make your dreams come true? Hmph, those are just the delusions of ignorant children."
Seeing this situation, Mujin suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to laugh. Neji didn't yet realize that when a villain drones on endlessly in front of a hero, the hero is usually secretly reviving or preparing a comeback.
"What!? How is this possible!?" Just as Neji finished speaking, he was shocked to see Naruto, whom he had just declared unable to stand, tremblingly rise to his feet right in front of him!
"Heh heh, didn't I say it already? I'm not giving up that easily!" Standing tall, Naruto radiated an aura of unyielding determination.
At this moment, Mujin noticed some commotion near Hinata's location. The wound she had sustained from Neji earlier had reopened, but fortunately, Kabuto Yakushi was nearby. For reasons unknown even to himself, Kabuto stepped in to save her.
Mujin shifted his gaze back to the arena, where Neji was recounting the tragic story of his life to Naruto.
His father—born into the Branch Family—had sacrificed himself for the Main Family. Despite surpassing everyone with his talent, Neji remained forever bound by the fate of being a Branch member. No amount of effort could change that reality.
As a member of the Branch Family, his destiny was to serve the Main Family—a fate impossible to escape, predetermined at birth.
"Therefore, you are destined to lose to me," Neji declared, a bitter smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "This is fate—a path decided upon our birth!"
"Fate?" Naruto panted heavily, yet his grin remained resolute. "Are you just going to give up because of something as vague as 'fate'? How can you know unless you try?! If you believe fate cannot be broken, then let me show you how to shatter it!!!"
Kurama!! Lend me your power!!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Naruto clenched his teeth, every muscle in his body taut as he desperately began channeling Kurama's chakra within himself.
"What!?" Neji gasped in shock.
Mujin, however, watched the two combatants with gleaming eyes, chuckling softly to himself.
Naruto spoke boldly about breaking free from fate, but wasn't relying on the Nine-Tails' power the ultimate validation of Neji's words?
Fate, after all, was determined at birth!
Neji! Open your eyes and look carefully!
Before you stands the reincarnation of Ashura Ōtsutsuki, the chosen Child of Prophecy foretold by the Great Toad Sage, the son of the Fourth Hokage, the disciple of one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya—and above all, the host of the Nine-Tails, the most fearsome creature in history!
And you… are merely a member of the Hyūga Branch Family.
But…
Naruto's loud cries elicited no visible change.
"What's going on!? Damn fox! Stop messing around! Give me your power already!!" Panic began to creep into Naruto's voice.
Meanwhile, deep within the seal inside Naruto's mind, the Nine-Tails sat cross-legged behind its cage. It raised its paws helplessly and sighed.
"Don't look at me…"
Its expression suddenly sharpened as it gestured toward the massive barrier inscribed with the characters Ten, Chi, and Jin (Heaven, Earth, and Man) plastered across the bars of its prison.
"This thing appeared out of nowhere early this morning. Now, not even my chakra—or my voice—can pass through!"
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Mujin doubled over in uncontrollable laughter, clutching his face as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Especially when Neji finally delivered the decisive blow, knocking Naruto flat on his back!
Fate!!!
Had truly been altered in this moment!!!
"A mere Branch Family member defeating the great savior of prophecy! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Mujin laughed so hard his back arched like a bow.
The sheer madness of his laughter sent chills down the spines of everyone in the waiting room. Even Gaara, who was notorious for his own insanity, couldn't help but swallow nervously. He never imagined anyone could be more unhinged than him.
But Karin understood—the laughter bubbling forth from Mujin was genuine. She hadn't seen him this happy in years. Her lips curled upward involuntarily as she joined in with soft giggles.
Mujin glanced at the stunned faces around him and attempted to compose himself, though his upturned lips refused to settle. Finally, he shrugged and said, "Why so serious?"
That simple remark somehow made everyone feel even more uneasy.
Ignoring their reactions, Mujin turned and strode out of the room with Karin close behind.
"W-wait! Where are you going? Your match hasn't started yet!"
Without looking back, Mujin left only his retreating silhouette behind. "Run while you still can. The children's games are over. What comes next… is the adults' celebration."