"Shikamaru, if Naruto could make so many clones, why did he use Transformation Jutsu?"
"Couldn't he like defeat Kiba with the barrage of Shadow Clones?" Ino curiously asked.
She never thought Naruto would be this strong since the last time she saw him, he was sleeping injured.
"Damn! I never thought Naruto would be so smart."
Shikamaru muttered as he analyzed Naruto's strategy.
"So, did you figure out why he used this method?" Asuma asked.
"It's quite simple when you think about it. Shadow Clones can't tank a lot of damage, can they?"
Shikamaru asked, though his voice sounded like he knew the answer.
"Yeah, one solid hit and Shadow Clones pop off like a balloon."
Asuma nodded and replied.
"Kiba's attack has a large area of effect while also being fast. If Naruto uses his shadow clones to fight such an attack from the start, Kiba would destroy his clones."
"I am not sure if Naruto knew about Kiba's attacks, but his idea to probe Kiba's strength using his clones was fantastic."
"He released a large amount of smoke but only produced a few clones because he hid most of his clones."
"Using four clones, he fared quite well against Kiba until Kiba took this seriously and used his Clan Jutsu. But it was too late by then."
"He was punched hard on the cheek, kicked on the head, and his face had crashed on the ground, even before Naruto got serious."
"So, when he used his Jutsu, he used them in such a hurry that he didn't think whether he was fighting a clone or a real Naruto."
"Not only did he leave Akamaru defenseless, but Kiba was also exhausted. This gave Naruto an easy win."
Hearing that, Asuma nodded and asked.
"Then, why do you think Naruto created so many clones when he could've preserved his Chakra?"
"Because Naruto wasn't sure of Kiba's limit. What if Kiba were strong? Although we had a Taijutsu contest in the academy, it was nothing compared to this."
"So, Naruto couldn't possibly know Kiba's trump cards. That's why this is a genius plan. But, why does he have so much Chakra?"
Shikamaru's answer satisfied Asuma as he nodded and said.
"It's normal for Naruto to have more Chakra. You will understand it later. So, in this match, Naruto did use his intellect to get a win."
Shikamaru nodded.
"Hmm! If he performs even better in the finals, he might have a shot of becoming a Chunin."
Asuma muttered. He didn't expect Naruto to perform this well.
With his performance, Asuma believed he had no choice but to support Naruto's promotion.
'But, will Old Man let him promote so quickly? Wouldn't that only put him in more danger?'
Asuma thought to himself.
On the other hand, the battle between Hinata and Neji had begun.
Hyuga Neji stood in front of Hinata and spoke.
"I never thought I'd be facing you, Hinata-sama."
Although Neji tried to sound respectful, his tone certainly wasn't.
"Brother Neji..!"
Hinata couldn't help but feel clenched her fist.
"Start!"
Just as Hayate gave the order, Neji spoke.
"Before we begin the fight, I'd like to say something, Hinata-sama!"
Hinata remained silent as Neji continued.
"You don't make a good shinobi. Forfeit now! You are too kind. You wish for harmony and avoid conflict."
"You agree with others, never resisting. And, you have no confidence in yourself. I always feel your sense of inferiority."
"That's why I thought it would be best for you to remain a Genin. The Chunin Exam can only be taken as a Team of Three."
"You couldn't turn down your teammates' respect and unwillingly entered. Am I wrong?"
At this moment, Hinata closed her eyes for a moment as she remembered Naruto's words and said.
"No…I…I just wanted to change myself."
"Hinata, as I thought, you are a spoiled brat of the main house. People cannot change themselves."
"Losers are losers. Their personality and strength will not change."
At this moment, Naruto suddenly shouted.
"Hinata, why are you listening to him?"
His voice suddenly silenced Neji, and everyone turned their eyes towards Naruto, who didn't care about them.
He simply waved his hand and shouted.
"He doesn't even know you. Why do you need to listen to someone who doesn't understand you?"
"You are kind, but this doesn't make you weak. Aren't First Hokage and Fourth Hokage kind as well?"
"Even the old man is a kind person. Being kind doesn't make you weak. Not willing to attack your comrade doesn't strip you of your profession."
"You said it yourself. You joined this exam to change yourself. Then, show him that change! Show him what you can do, Hinata!"
Hearing his words, Neji clenched his fist. He was certainly angered by Naruto's interruption.
But when he saw Hinata's stance, he opened his Byakugan.
"Naruto-kun is right, Brother Neji. I will not admit defeat."
Hinata also opened her Byakugan as she said.
His words caused quite a stir in Kakashi and the Third Hokage's minds. Because Naruto talked as if he knew the First and Fourth Hokage.
But both of them were sure that Naruto wasn't a good academy subjects. And whether they were kind or not was mentioned in the academy.
At this moment, Kakashi asked.
"Naruto, how did you know the Fourth Hokage was a kind person?"
Hearing that, Naruto controlled his heartbeat and looked at Kakashi with a confused look.
"Didn't he sacrifice his own life to save the village?"
This sentence was enough to shut down Kakashi's brain and his future questions.
But he saw Third Hokage's eyes and read Third Hokage's lips.
He nodded and asked.
"But, it is a duty of every Hokage to save the village. So, why would you just mention him and the First Hokage?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders and said.
"But not everyone can sacrifice their lives to save the village? I just learned this from Iruka Sensei."
He looked at Kakashi and asked.
"Didn't two of the Sannin run away from the village?"