章節 46: Preliminaries IV

There was no tension, only eagerness to see how the fight will develop, two ninjas fighting with the same style and Doujutsu, is not something that often happens, I already knew who will win the fight, at least unless something changed due to Neji's new attitude, will his lack of hate and unnecessary brutality will change the outcome of the fight or will remain the same but with a healthier Hinata by the end of the fight?

The first one to move was Hinata with a barrage of palm attacks aiming for Neji's upper body and head, Neji stayed at defense, blocking and dodging most of the time, mixing a few counters that seemed to be blocked by Hinata, Neji intentionally created an opening for Hinata to attack his lower body, and she fell for it, Neji increased the distance taking half a step backwards, making Hinata's attack to miss her mark, while he landed a solid counter on her abdomen taking advantage of his longer reach, Naruto was excited hearing the impact, thinking that Hinata was the one that landed her attack, I can't blame him for that, due to the angle and the swiftness of Neji's movements.

The Jonins and more experienced ninjas were capable of seeing the real result of the exchange, before any of the fighters showed some indication of it, Hinata had some blood coming out of her mouth, Neji attack was stronger than it looked and while he avoided hitting a vital organ, the strength was enough to make some considerable amount of damage, Hinata recomposed quickly, trying to land a strike of her own, but Neji's reflexes and battle experience were too much for her to handle, he countered once again with a palm strike on her chin sending her flying away.

Hinata tried to stand up, but Neji didn't give her the chance, he ran towards her, ready to finish her with a second palm strike to the head, but Hinata reacted in time doing a similar counter to him, instead of increasing the distance she managed to take a small jump, closing the distance between them, trying to hit him in the chin, Neji barely reacted in time blocking the attack, but Hinata continued with her barrage, but that wasn't enough to overcome Neji's defense, they matched blow for blow, but it was clear who had the advantage, Hinata's movements were getting weaker and slower with each exchange while Neji remained the same.

They kept going like this for a while until Hinata stopped moving, locked in place with her battle stance, the only reason she didn't fall was due to her battle spirit, there wasn't light in her eyes or reactions coming from her, she was unconscious, but refused to admit defeat, standing proud in her battleground, Hayate declared Neji the winner of the fight and signaled aunt Kurenai to carry the unconscious Hinata, back to her place, the medic already making his way towards the second floor to provide assistance for her.

"Let's resume the battles" Hayate said, the board behind alternating in rapid succession between the last four names, Gaara, Choji Akimichi, Dosu Kinuta and Rock Lee, by some reason the organizer decided to let it spin a bit longer than the other combats, adding to the anticipation and anxiety of the remaining combatants, at least they know how to make a show or how to play with the psyche, finally the board stopped, showing the names of Gaara and Rock....

"Gaara VS Choji Akimichi" Hayate announced, that is unexpected, this was supposed to be Lee's fight, he would go out, only for Gaara to leave him injured and almost dead, due to the injuries of the Fourth Gate and Gaara's Sand Burial, but instead of that Choji is fighting him, and I have no explanation for it.

Everything was the same as canon, until now, Naruto being an outcast, resentful Neji, Saske branded by Orochimaru, talentless Lee, Sakura obsessed with Saske, Kakashi leading Team seven, unless... my presence was starting to create bigger diversions, Ino no longer likes Saske, Neji let go of his resentment earlier, Orochimaru wanted me as a Vessel, I was Naruto's first friend, Temari lost her fight in the preliminaries, Hinata was healthy, so Naruto doesn't have a reason to be mad at Neji.

Everything was the same, the major events at least, but with tiny divergences, everything was the same yet so different, I was blind to the fact that my sole presence changed everything, and while this is Naruto's world, it is not the same story, I made changes thinking it won't affect anything, I made changes thinking I can keep ahead of the timeline, but now I see the truth, all my memories are unlocked, but hey may be as good as useless by now, I can't say for sure that Jiraiya will come now to the Village and help with Naruto's training, what if Akatsuki strikes earlier? What if Orochimaru takes me along with Saske? What if Naruto fails to defeat Gaara? What if I can't do anything to protect myself and those I care for?

No, I can't think like that, I have to be ready, I have to wait to see how the rest will unfold, at this point Orochimaru's plan are still in motion, something didn't change, only the details, I can take advantage of that and prepare for the upcoming destruction of the Village, I may be able to stop it even, I just need to focus on what is important, my Team, my friends and my family, I changed this world and I will take care of those consequences and the best way to do it is unlocking the rest of my memories, obtain the abilities derived from them and get rid of every single threat from the following events that I can remember, Orochimaru's attack, Akatsuki's first appearance, Saske's treason, Naruto's search for Tsunade, Gaara's death, Tenchi Bridge, Asuma's death, Saske absorbing Orochimaru, Saske VS Itachi, Jiraiya's death, Naruto VS Pain, the Five Kage's Summit, Fourth Shinobi War, the Ten Tails Revival, Kaguya's Revival, and finally Naruto VS Saske.

In my mind it sounds easier, but I am weak compared to them, I can't fight Orochimaru, and I'm already thinking of fighting Kaguya, I need power, not only from my past lives, I need that and more, I need to be at the same level as the so-called rabbit goddess and beyond, I need to become the Sage of the Six Realms, I will change everything in my favor, I will protect those I care for, even if I have to pay the ultimate price.