In Konoha, Naruto lies down

Chapter 56: Bird Out of the Cage

Naruto just dodged, whether attacking or retreating, he was dodging most of the time. At the same time, Hinata's physical strength was rapidly consumed.

Neji was already stabbing at him with his palms, and Naruto saw the right moment and released his remaining chakra. Relying on his experience of covering the entire body with the tailed beast's chakra, he released the remaining chakra from Hinata in a very realistic way.

"What is this?" Ningji's pupils suddenly dilated after he stabbed the air with his palm, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"That move! Could it be!"

Xiao Li in the stands suddenly grabbed the railing, leaned forward, and stared at Hinata's movements in the field.

"It's actually Huitian?" Tiantian, who was watching the game in the stands, also showed a surprised expression on his face, his eyes slightly stunned. "How could it be Huitian?"

Sakura didn't understand what they were saying, but she felt it was impressive.

"What is Huitian?"

Kaiten is a secret technique of the Hyuga clan. It uses high-speed rotation to drive the chakra surrounding the body to form a chakra vortex, neutralizing any external attack. The principle is roughly like a high-speed rotating cutting machine that can dissipate force.

Of course, Naruto wasn't using Kaiten. How could he possibly perform such a move? He could barely master the most basic chakra-wrapped soft fist, let alone a highly difficult move like Kaiten.

But Neji didn't know that almost at the same time Naruto started to attack, a large amount of blue chakra burst out from Neji's body and his whole body was spinning at high speed.

This is a matter of turning the tide!

The real Kaiten: rotating the body causes the chakra to rotate.

And what Naruto is using now is a fake Kaiten: letting the chakra rotate on its own.

With a bang, Naruto leaped out of the way, allowing the vortex of chakra to collide with Neji's Kaiten. Those in the stands only saw Hinata suddenly leap away from the confrontation, and then the two Kaiten exploded in an instant. Neji was knocked back several meters, holding on.

"What just happened?" Sakura opened her eyes wide, looking confused.

However, Rock Lee and Tenten were looking at the field nervously, staring at Neji's figure with worried expressions.

The genius in their group actually failed?

Kaiten was Neji's trump card, and they knew it. If he were to be defeated in a place like this, Neji would surely feel very frustrated. Neji in the arena didn't understand it either, let alone the laymen in the stands, Lee and Tenten.

"That girl named Hinata is quite strong." Kakashi, who was watching the battle, suddenly said, "But I always feel something is strange about her. What do you think? Kai?"

Might Guy didn't look relaxed. Neci was his student, and the most talented of his three students. He had thought that Neci might meet an opponent in the Chunin Exam, either Sasuke or Naruto, but he had never imagined it would be Hinata.

After all, Neji is known as a genius of the branch family, and is more powerful than the main family among the new generation of Hyuga.

"I find it a little strange, too," Might Guy said. "That girl is one of Kurenai's students, right? I heard she's quite introverted, but why does she fight so much like a boy?"

"Well, Hinata's backswing reminds me of someone..." Kakashi said with his eyes drooping, "I hope I'm overthinking it."

As the copycat Kaiten move was used, the atmosphere in the arena became tense and Neji's expression became serious.

But at this moment, Naruto suddenly controlled Hinata's body, raised his hand, and spoke.

"I've used up all my strength and chakra. I can't fight anymore. I surrender!"

"Give up?" Neji gritted his teeth. "What is that? Charity?"

Naruto said nothing. His methods of playing as a substitute were somewhat dishonorable to begin with. Now that he had achieved his goal, it would be too disgusting to stand on the moral high ground of the vested interests and give some inspirational speeches.

The hatred between the main and branch families cannot be resolved with a few words. The key to the caged bird is not in words. And breaking the cage requires a hammer, not love. But these words are inappropriate whether spoken by Naruto or through Hinata's body.

If you haven't experienced their pain, don't easily persuade them to let go. Ask yourself, morality is used to restrain yourself, not to kidnap others.

In the end, the game was over.

[The detonating talisman was successfully deployed.]

Hinata didn't return to the stands, but instead walked out of the central tower. She walked along the path with familiarity, stopping at a shady set of stone steps. A yellow-haired boy lay sleeping on the steps. It was Naruto himself.

After a few seconds, Naruto, who was lying on the stone steps, suddenly opened his eyes.

The forest was filled with the cacophony of cicadas, but the sunlight from above couldn't penetrate the canopy of the giant trees that blocked out the sun. Beneath the cool shade of the trees, Naruto and Hinata stared at each other for a few seconds, one taller than the other.

"Are you... angry?" Naruto asked tentatively.

Hinata shook her head, her jade-like cheeks were so white and glowing that people wanted to pinch them.

"Then why are you unhappy?"

"When the match ended, I saw the look of loss on Neji-san's face. I've never seen him look like that before," Hinata said. "Even though Neji-san won...I still feel bad."

"Well, he probably felt frustrated. The genius of the Hyuga clan's branch family is stronger than the main family." Naruto said, "His pride has been shattered, so he feels lost and even doubts his life."

"Then...what should I do?" Hinata was completely panicked. "I...I'm actually very weak and afraid of fighting with others. If it weren't for Naruto-kun, I might..."

"Maybe I'll get a beating?" Naruto asked. "Do you want to get a beating in exchange for Neji's favor towards the main family?"

"I..." Hinata hesitated.

"Don't worry." Naruto reached out and touched Hinata's head, comforting her, "This is not the solution to the problem. The conflict between the main family and the branch family cannot be solved by you alone. The crux of the problem does not lie with you."

"Naruto-kun, is there no other way?" Hinata asked somewhat aggrievedly.

"Yes," Naruto said, "When you become the clan leader, you will completely abolish the caged bird system."

"But I..."

"You haven't really thought about snatching the position of clan leader for Neji, have you?" Naruto suddenly laughed and asked.

"Ah."

"I'm just kidding. You don't have to be the clan leader to solve the problem." Naruto said, "Your father is the clan leader of the Hyuga clan. In that case, you just need to convince him to abolish the caged bird curse seal."

"The Caged Bird Curse Seal is also meant to protect the weaker members of the Hyuga clan. If the Byakugan cannot be used even if it is seized, there is no need to seize the Byakugan of the branch family. Conversely, the main family with perfect Byakugan would have to bear the risk of being spied on, so the tradition of the branch family protecting the main family gradually formed."

"But the root of all this is simply that white eye transplants are too convenient, and their reconnaissance capabilities are too powerful, which is why they are being coveted by various forces. If we just focus on how to protect our eyes, perhaps we can gradually remove the caged bird."

Hinata was stunned listening to this. She blinked and looked at Naruto and asked.

"Naruto-kun, why do you know so much about the Hyuga clan?"

Naruto replied casually with a nonchalant look on his face.

"Listen to what others are saying."

Chapter 57: Only once?

Hinata was skeptical, but didn't ask any more questions.

But Naruto's words did give Hinata hope. That's how you coax a little girl. You don't have to use practical methods; just offering constructive suggestions from a high-level perspective will do. As for how her father should abolish the caged bird and what obstacles he'll face...it doesn't matter anymore.

At least now the girl's worries have flown away and a smile has returned to her face.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun."

"You're welcome. As long as Hinata is happy, that's all that matters."

Hearing this, Hinata's face inexplicably turned red again.

[Pursuing Hinata, with 14.2% approval from Nine-Tailed Fox.]

Naruto really wanted to pinch Hinata's face, but in the end he kept his composure, scratched his head and said.

"Hinata, go in first, I'm leaving."

"Naruto-kun, aren't you going in to watch the game?" Hinata was a little confused. "Is Sakura and Ino's match about to start?"

"No," Naruto said awkwardly, "I can't go in anymore since I gave up."

He thought to himself that even if he could go, it would be awkward. Who would he cheer for? While it made sense to cheer for Sakura, completely abandoning Ino seemed a bit excessive. Wouldn't it be like being fence-sitter if he cheered for both?

"Naruto-kun..." Hinata hesitated for a moment, lowered her head a little embarrassedly and whispered, "You can have my body."

"Just like before, although it's a little uncomfortable and feels like my brain is about to break down. But if I wasn't fighting and was just watching, it shouldn't be like that."

"I can't take over, I can only use it once." Naruto was a little embarrassed, "This is not a life-swapping game."

"Is there such a ninjutsu? One that can only be used once?" Hinata asked with a hint of regret in her tone.

Naruto felt embarrassed and thought to himself, what are you regretting? If they get caught, both of them will be finished.

"Yes, it can only be used once." Naruto said.

"Ok."

Naruto: “….”

Damn, is this some kind of stealth property that has been developed?

By the time Naruto came to his senses, Hinata had already run far away.

He could only shake his head and turn to walk towards the exit of Training Ground No. 44. Before that, he had to cross the Death Forest alone.

The method is feasible but no one would do it. Most candidates would leave in a group, while most individuals would stay quietly somewhere in the central tower waiting to be escorted by the senior ninjas after the exam.

But he was too lazy to wait. Since he wasn't going to watch the game, there was no point in staying here. Besides, it was still early for the game to end, so waiting any longer would be a waste of time.

He did not encounter any danger along the way and left the Death Forest smoothly.

After quickly eating a meal at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto returned home to wash up, and then lay down directly after he was done.

He gained a lot in this Chunin Exam, including the Lightning Style Ninjutsu Lightning Strike and the Wind Style Ninjutsu Wind Blade. Although the two ninjutsu were not at the maximum level and still needed practice to maximize their power, what kind of bicycle was that?

Two A-level ninjutsu were discovered in one exam, and Hinata's strategy progress also took a step forward. Overall, Naruto still gained something in this exam.

There are fewer things to do now, and it’s unexpectedly quiet.

Thinking of this, Naruto fell into a deep sleep.

On the other side, inside the central tower of the Death Forest.

Facing Gaara's intense attack, Rock Lee chose to cheat, opening the Eight Gates to the fifth gate, and the two fought in a close battle. At the last moment, Might Guy saw that Rock Lee's body was overloaded, and directly ended the match in the name of the third team's coaching jonin.

Xiao Li, who was cheating and exhausted, escaped the disaster and was exempted from the punishment of being banned for 700 episodes.

Gaara, who was badly beaten, lost the battle. He was unwilling to accept the defeat, but he dared not confront Gai. The strange man with the watermelon-shaped haircut in front of him was obviously Lee's teacher. Lee had nearly kicked him to pieces. Gaara didn't dare to provoke Might Guy and could only leave with a gloomy look in his eyes.

Sakura and Ino tied, and the fight was intense, with both of them falling to the ground.

The list of candidates for the Chunin Exam was announced: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Gaara, Hyuga Neji vs. Kankuro, Shikamaru vs. Temari, Inuzuka Kiba vs. Aburame Shino.

Before this, all candidates have one month to prepare.

"Jingle Bell!!!"

The alarm clock rang urgently. Naruto reached out and threw the alarm clock away, then turned over and continued to sleep.

After the room fell silent for a few seconds, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Naruto!"

"How long are you going to sleep? You promised to go camping by the river with everyone, and you forgot again!"

Sakura's voice echoed outside the door, accompanied by an irritable knock.

Naruto opened his eyes drowsily, as if he had remembered something. Yesterday, or the day before yesterday, he seemed to have agreed to participate in the camping trip for the 10th and 7th classes.

All of this was because Ino and Sakura's relationship suddenly improved, so Shikamaru and Choji had to agree to these two strong women and drag Naruto into it as well.

"Sakura, is this where Naruto lives?" Ino's voice came from outside the door, "You seem very familiar with this place?"

"That's because..." Sakura was about to speak.

Suddenly, the door was opened from the inside, and Naruto, who was sleepy in his pajamas, glanced at the two of them, yawned and asked suspiciously.

"When did you two become so close?"

"What do you care?!" Ino made a face.

"Naruto, you gave up the second round of the Chunin Exam, so you don't know." Sakura hugged Ino beside her, and the two energetic girls stuck together, showing intimacy.

"We've made peace!"

"Yes! We've made up." Ino nodded.

"Oh." Naruto said in an ambiguous tone. It took him a long time to tidy himself up, and the three of them went out together.

At the riverbank, some distance from the village, beneath a large waterfall, Shikamaru and Chouji waited, wearing large sunhats. Under the blazing sun, only the two girls remained in high spirits.

"Hey, Naruto, isn't Sasuke coming?" Shikamaru yawned and asked with dead eyes.

Naruto was also very sleepy, so the two poor students gathered together to build a barbecue grill.

"Sasuke can't come. The curse seal on him seems to be a bit tricky. Kakashi-sensei has taken him for special training."

"Special training, Asuma did greet me."