Naruto: Winds and Changes

"Despite the pain I felt from her loss, I continued to persevere through everything, growing stronger from my experiences, gaining an understanding of the real world. And do you know what I learned?" Naruto smiled at Neji who was listening to every single word, along with the rest of the audience.

"I learned that fate doesn't exist. We choose our own paths. There is only one fate everyone shares, and that is death." Well for most of us, Naruto thought bitterly as he would never be given the choice to die unless someone killed him, but did not make that comment out loud.

Shaking his head he continued, "But how we die, and the purpose we die for… that is our choice. I had offered that kunoichiachance to come with me, back to Konoha and if she hads he would have lived. However that was not her choice. She chose to give her life for someone else, to protect her precious person. Likewise, I do not believe your father was killed, but that he chose to die not to protect the Byakugan, not to protect the main house..."

Naruto paused here and gave Neji a smile, "But to protect his brother, his family. He defied his fate by choosing to give his life for his brother. Just like what you're trying to do Neji," Said Hyuuga's eyes widened.

"Even if you don't realize it, you are trying to defy fate, in fact, I would say that you at least partially succeeded. While I do not know much about the Hyuuga clan in general, I do know that those two techniques you did are not techniques that a branch member is allowed to learn. If fate controlled everything, then fate would have made sure you did not know those techniques." Naruto's eyes hardened as he looked at the fallen Hyuuga.

"So don't give me any of this fate bullshit anymore. Fate doesn't exist. I know that life is sometimes hard, and I know that sometimes the burdens we are placed with feel like they're too much to bear. I still don't know a whole lot about this Main branch hatred you seem to have. But it doesn't matter, because if this burden of yours is too much to bear on your own, then I'll be there to help. When I become Hokage, I'll change the Hyuugas, and that's a promise."

There was a small glimmer of hope that flickered into Neji's eyes before they closed, and he slipped into unconsciousness with a smile on his face. Naruto sighed as he turned to look at Genma who was currently gaping at him, his senbon having long since fallen from his mouth, "It's over, even if he was conscious there is no way he could have done anything anyways."

Genma quickly shook himself out of his stupor and nodded before announcing, "Shousa! Uzumaki Naruto!"

For a moment there was nothing but silence, the whole stadium had gone quiet as they absorbed all that had transpired during the battle. Naruto had expected as much and began to walk away. Then it happened. Clapping could be heard coming from the Kage booth as both Sarutobi and A began clapping. It soon began to sweep throughout the stadium as everyone began to clap and cheer wildly.

"WAY TO GO NARUTO-KUN!" Both Tenten and Yugito shouted out at the same time. Hearing the other speak they both turned to look at the other.

"YOSH! What a youthful battle! And such a heart felt and youthful speech!" Lee covered his face with an arm as tears poured down his eyes like a waterfall.

Suddenly he lifted a fist to his face and shook it as a fire ignited in his eyes, "I WILL STRIVE TO BE LIKE NARUTO-KUN AND SPREAD MY FLAMES OF YOUTH! AND IF I CANNOT DO THAT THEN I WILL DO ONE MILLION LAPS AROUND KONOHA ON MY HANDS! AND IF I CANNOT DO THAT THEN I'LL…"

Everyone except Tenten, who was used to Lee's antics, backed away from the Genin who began shouting about 'youth' and making ridiculous challenges to himself that got more Ludicrous and more grandiose as time went on. Many of them wondered if he had lost his mind. Of course since he was wearing green spandex, they felt the answer to that was rather obvious.

Temari looked at the blond, replaying his speech in her head. She was not sure what to think about the blond shinobi, he was a lot different from other ninja she had known. But she had to admit, the battle and speech afterwards were most impressive and heartfelt, it's too bad he'll most likely be dead before the end of the day...

"THAT'S SHOWING 'EM NARUTO!" Sakura shouted as cheered her teammate on.

"I can't believe how badly he beat Neji," Ino said as she clapped and whistled. "I don't even think Neji laid so much as a scratch on him."

"That's Naruto for you. He always comes up with some way to surprise you," Sakura agreed.

Asuma chuckled a bit as he clapped, "That was quite the speech, ne?"

"I have to admit, I never expected something like that," Kurenai replied. "Though to be honest, even after what I saw him do in the preliminaries, a part of me was not expecting him to win either."

"Hah! If anyone actually thought my gaki could lose to some white eye, they need to get there head checked," Anko took the time to say before she continued cheering.

Asuman and Kurenai looked at the woman, before turning an amused gaze on each other.

"Man! Did you see that!" Kiba shouted while Akamaru barked loudly. "He totally creamed your cousin Hinata-chan, I don't think I've ever seen someone lose so badly before!"

Hinata smiled as she clapped, Naruto-kun, you truly are amazing.

"I'm not even sure what to say about this battle," Kotetsu commented.

"I'm not even sure I can call it a battle," Izumo replied amusedly, "That Hyuuga kid barely even got any licks in before he was defeated. Hell, I'm almost positive that Naruto had him beat from the beginning. That plan was easily Chunin if not Jonin-level strategy."

Kotetsu nodded as he grinned, "I can tell you one thing, I'm definitely putting his name on the list for Chunin."

Izumo chuckled, "Yeah, me too."

"That Genin of yours is most impressive Hokage-dono," The Raikage complimented. "I don't think I've ever seen such an impressive and efficient strategy, not since the great war anyways."

"He always has been one of my most surprising ninja," Sarutobic huckled. "When he was young he would actually come up with complex pranks similar to this, it never ceased to amuse me."

"You don't say," The Kazekage murmured as he stared at the blond Konoha shinobi down in the stadium. Such an ability! Such strategy! And to think I had almost disregarded him… yes he will make an excellent weapon.

"I can't believe Neji-nii-san lost to some peasant," Hanabi muttered.

Hiashi frowned at his daughter before standing up, "Stay here Hanabi, I have something I need to take care of." Maybe now, I can finally reveal the truth behind what happened that night. I only hope Neji can understand.

Hanabi watched her father leave, I wonder what's so important that he has to leave.

For a moment Nauto stared out at the people in the arena in shock, he had not expected them to cheer for him. However he could not deny it felt good.

As he listened to the crowd cheer a part of him could not help but go back to what he had said during his little- er large speech. Mainly his talk of Haku and his A-ranked mission. Memories about his time with the black haired beauty came to him.

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