Helllo everyone! Next chapter is here, the spar between Naruto and Neji. I feel like... this was missing something I'm not sure? I am never satisfied with my writing I swear lmao. How do you feel about the characters? I feel like I could have added more things but was just blanking on how to put it in without rewriting everything. Idk, I felt very off about writing this chapter. I wanted to incorporate more character thoughts but I wasn't sure how too, and unsure if it would take away from the fight scenes.

Thanks for reading people, please review!

Chapter 19: Naruto vs Neji

The sun was setting as the two genin stood across from each other on the patchy field of grass. Hayate stood at the side of the field to officiate the spar. Sasuke decided to go sit on a nearby log and as far away as he could from the two screaming kunoichi who were currently cheering for their teammates to win.

"Go Neji! Beat up that idiot so the dumb blonde over there can shut her mouth," screeched Sakura.

Ino, equally screaming, yelled to Naruto, "Did you hear what that pig just called me? You better win Naruto… and maybe you'll get a nice reward."

Sakura blushed at her comment, 'What reward is she talking about?'

Naruto briefly tore his gaze from his opponent to look at Ino and wink. Focusing back on Neji, he quickly took notice of his eyes. The Byakugan was already activated. His veins were popping out around his eyes, staring into Naruto's soul and body.

"Okay, you know the rules. No killing, it's just a spar alright? Fight will go until one of you yields or I say so, got it?" stated the Jonin. He then counted down by three and begun the match.

Naruto quickly started to circle Neji, keeping his distance to see what the Hyuuga would do. Crossing his fingers, he summoned six shadow clones. They all began running in different directions, surrounding Neji. The Hyuuga stood his ground within the circle of clones, standing ready in his signature stance. The clones rushed him from all sides, wary that he could still see them from all angles. Two of the clones jumped in the air as another two went for the body. Neji quickly dashed towards the two in front of him and took them out with a series of quick punches. He waited for the midair clones to come into range before kicking them, popping them out of existence. Naruto continuously summoned more and more, sending a nonstop wave of four or five clones attacking Neji nonstop. The Hyuuga prodigy destroyed each and everyone sent his way seemingly without worry or fatigue. Naruto wasn't phased either, he sent a few clones into the air.

"Wind Style: Wind Bullet," yelled the airborne clones.

"Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation." Neji began to spin rapidly as he knocked away the nearby clones and jutsu headed his way. Once it was clear, he stopped and sprinted towards the real Naruto, bobbing and weaving through the clones trying to stop him. The blonde genin blocked the incoming punch and they clinched face to face. Naruto grinned as he looked into the white eyes of the Hyuuga. He was slightly impressed that Neji managed to find where his true body was, but he didn't show that. He pushed off with his arms as they continued to trade punches and kicks. They were evenly matched in taijutsu it seemed, which frustrated the Byakugan user.

Sasuke watched from the sides with his Sharingan activated. Soaking in every move that he could from the duel in front of him. He was also surprised that Naruto was easily matching Neji's moves. Just how much has Naruto trained he wondered.

"Wind Style: Blade of Wind," said Naruto and his clones. Wind shaped knives formed on Naruto and the clone's fingertips as they charged towards Neji. The Hyuuga went full defensive mode as he tried to counter all the attacks coming his way. However, it was not enough as Naruto managed to land many strikes with the barrage. Neji again had to use his rotation jutsu to give himself breathing room. Naruto jumped back and analyzed the situation once again.

Looks like that rotation technique takes a lot out of him, thought Naruto. He continued his assault with shadow clones as he and a few others stayed back and launched wind bullets. Again, and again Neji had to use the rotation jutsu to stop give himself some space. Naruto gave him no resting time and attacked relentlessly.

For what seemed like hours; but was only a few minutes, the blonde genin continued to use his shadow clones, getting them to attack in perfect unison, trying to overload the Hyuuga's defenses. One after another him and his clones switched in and out of attacking, confusing the Hyuuga as to which was still the real one. Eventually, an attack slipped through. A clone managed to hit him on the chin, while another struck him behind the legs. The Hyuuga was quickly being worn down. Hit after hit the Hyuuga took from Naruto and his shadow clones. Blood started to seep down the mouth of Neji as he struggled to keep up. Naruto, seeing an opening to end it, rushed in with a punch aimed at Neji's stomach.

It's over, he thought when suddenly, his fist was smacked away to the side and he was met with a hard palm to the chest.

"Gentle Fist Art," started the Hyuuga, "Sixty-Four Palms."

"Two Palms," said the Hyuuga as he struck Naruto twice in the chest, "Four Palms, Eight Palms, Sixteen Palms, Thirty-two Palms."

Naruto gasped with each hit he took. His clones disappeared as he was struck in the chest, then the stomach, then the chest again. Again, and again he felt punches to his torso, unable to fight back. Ino looked on in horror as Naruto was struck over and over.

"Naruto!" she yelled, a worried look in her previously bright blue eyes.

"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!" finished the Hyuuga as he sent Naruto flying towards a wooden sparring beam, breaking it in half as the genin flew through it. Sakura let out a yell in celebration, while Sasuke continued to stare unmoving.

"You're good, but there's no way it can keep up with my Gentle Fist," stated Neji as he lifted his palms up, readying into his signature stance yet again. Naruto let out a grunt as he struggled to lift himself back to his feet.

Crap, what the hell was that? Thought Naruto as he slowly pushed himself up. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he looked at Neji and noticed a serious look along the genin's face. Naruto quickly tried to create more clones but was shocked when he couldn't mold any chakra. Neji dashed in, attacking Naruto while he was still weary from the previous attack. Naruto took multiple hits as he struggled to defend. It was looking bad, and Ino's face was deepening in horror. Even after all their training Neji still managed to do this to Naruto. Then she remembered their conversation from earlier with Hinata and her team. She can see chakra throughout an enemy's body. Neji must also have the same ability. Maybe Neji did something to stop him from using chakra. At the same time Naruto was thinking the same thoughts.

"It's impressive you're even keeping up with me still after my sixty-four palms. You can't mold any chakra to summon any clones can you," stated Neji as he spoke between his attacks.

"Ninjutsu isn't the only skill that shinobi should have," replied Naruto.

"Yes, but it's the only advantage you have over me," said Neji as he struck Naruto in chest, knocking him back a few steps. They continued sparring as Neji slowly and slowly started gaining an advantage. Taijutsu was his backbone, especially with the Byakugan at his disposal. Things were looking grim for Naruto, he didn't want to lose, he couldn't.

"Naruto!" screamed Ino as tears started forming in her eyes. Naruto quickly looked over and made eye contact with Ino. A wave of motivation suddenly washed over him. He couldn't lose in front of her. Absolutely not. They worked too hard to lose.

Naruto started fighting back with more vigour, slowly starting to match Neji's attacks yet again. Angry with this, he began to use his gentle fist technique again.

"Gentle Fist Art: Sixty-Four Palms," started the Hyuuga, "Two Palms!"

Naruto deflected the two fists coming at him. Neji's eye's widened but he continued to press forward, "Four Palms!" Once again, Naruto deflected all four of the attacks. This shocked everyone. Sasuke quickly stood up from his seat, focusing on the fight more closely with his sharingan.

"Eight Palms, Sixteen Palms, Thirty-Two Palms!" Naruto hands moved in a yellow blur as he deflected each individual strike thrown his way. Neji was shocked, and with a final yell he attempted to finish his attack, "Sixty-fou-" he started but Naruto quickly countered, seeing the smallest opening within the attack and sent the Hyuuga flying backwards into the nearby stream. Anyone else would have missed it, but only Sasuke with his sharingan saw the quick change in Naruto's eyes, seconds before the attack landed.

Everyone was standing there with mouths open, unsure if what they just seen really happened. Hayate, deciding this was becoming far too intense of a sparring match, jumped between the two genin.

"Alright, enough guys, I'm calling this match over," said the Jonin. Sakura ran over to Neji to help him to his feet.

"Sensei, I can still fight," the Hyuuga retorted as he leaned on Sakura, water dripping from his clothes and hair.

"I can see that, but at this point it'd be to the death, this was just a spar. From what I could tell, neither exactly won. You both landed clean strikes on one another," stated Hayate. Neji just grunted and stumbled towards Naruto.

"That was impressive, Naruto," said Neji as he stuck out his fingers to reconcile. Naruto smiled and accepted.

"You were good too. I figured you'd be good, but not that good. It seems me and Ino aren't the only ones working our butt's off," laughed the blonde ninja.

"I didn't think anyone would be able to block, let alone counter my gentle fist techniques. It seems I have much more to learn too."

"That attack caught me by surprise the first time, but I had to realize that just because I couldn't mold chakra, doesn't mean the fight is over," said Naruto as he walked towards Ino and leaned on her for support, "still hurts though."

"Well, next time we face each other may be in the chuunin exams. I'll get stronger by then, so don't think you'll be able to block my gentle fist again," stated Neji.

"I look forward to it," grinned Naruto as he and Ino started to head home. Sakura and Ino looked at each other and stuck their tongues out blowing raspberries.

"That was a great match kids, Kakashi taught you well Naruto," said Hayate as he walked up to the couple.

"Thanks Hayate-sensei," replied Naruto as he looked towards Sasuke, who was already leaving the training grounds.

The friendly match was over, and the sun was just a sliver over the horizon. Everyone went their own ways, except Hayate who helped Neji get back home safely. Ino helped Naruto back to his apartment as they talked about the event.

"I thought we were so far ahead of everyone else, but it seems there are still a few that could match us," said Ino as they walked towards his home, "but good thing you won in front of that pig. That's what she gets from talking smack!"

"Yeah, we really have to practice hard. Who knows who we will face in the chuunin exams," said Naruto. Ino leaned in to kiss him and smiled. They continued to walk home, going over his tactics and what he could have done differently. They finally reached his apartment when they noticed a figure leaning against the building.

"Naruto," said the Uchiha with a blank stare.

"Sasuke," replied Naruto, equally without emotion.

"What are you doing here?" asked Ino with a raised eyebrow. Sasuke got up from the side of the building and stared at them.

"I saw what happened at the end of that sparring match. Since when did you have a Kekkei Genkai?" asked the Uchiha. Naruto frowned, unsure of how he should answer. Ino and Naruto thought maybe his hidden power must have come into play when he countered Neji's sixty-four palms, but they weren't quite sure.

"What are you talking about?" asked Naruto, obviously playing dumb. This frustrated Sasuke.

"Don't play dumb with me. I saw your eyes change with my sharingan when you countered Neji's attack towards the end of the match. Since when did you have a Dojutsu, and what is it?" he snapped. Naruto and Ino looked at each other with questioning faces. Dojutsu? Naruto didn't have any eye techniques. His only power was his quick teleporting ability that he has randomly used in the past and he still had yet to control it or even use it willingly.

"Sasuke, I don't think he has any dojutsu. What do you mean you saw his eyes changed?" asked Ino, perplexed. Sasuke looked at both of them, realizing that they were actually telling the truth.

"You really don't know?" he asked again. Naruto decided to briefly tell Sasuke of his abilities. How he has no control over it when they occur. No one mentioned anything about his eyes changing when they were trying to figure out what he can do.

"I see, so that also means there's more room for you to grow…" muttered the Uchiha, "I guess with my sharingan I was able to see it while others couldn't. Your eyes, they briefly changed to gold. It has to be a dojutsu ability or some sort of Kekkei Genkai."

Naruto looked at them with a wide grin. Maybe that's the key to using his abilities! It's not just a physical enhancement, it can be done with some sort of dojutsu ability. No one asides from an Uchiha could have seen the quick change when he tried it. He tried to remember if Kakashi even tried to use his sharingan during their sessions. He supposed not since it was unneeded. Now that they know, maybe they could finally work together to figure his powers out.

"Thanks, Sasuke. We actually had no clue. I think you just unlocked the secret to my abilities. I can't wait to test it out!" said Naruto as he pumped his fist into the air. The Uchiha scoffed and walked away.

"Well, if you don't even know your powers fully, there's no reason for me to stay here any longer," he replied coldly. He walked away, realizing that Naruto could potentially grow even more stronger once he mastered his ability. I have to grow stronger… I have to master my Sharingan, thought the Uchiha.

Whelp, that was it. I don't feel happy with that chapter, there's something missing! and I wasn't sure how to add it! fuck!

Please read and review!

Next up: Month long training (Also, what do you guys think for next chapters. I'm thinking of doing one mainly on Naruto, and the next Ino, or should I just incorporate what they're both doing in the same chapter. It's the first time in the story they will be seperated so I'm curious as to what you guys think!)