Neji entered the waiting room.

("Naruto!") Neji saw Naruto standing right next to Sakura and staring at the field.

"Neji," Naruto turned back upon noticing his presence.

*Ugh!*

Neji felt uneasy to face Naruto, especially after the humiliating loss he just suffered.

"You surprised me with that punch today" Naruto said.

"Hmph!" Neji snorted.

"Yeah, even I was surprised" Sakura added.

"Huh" Shikamaru turned around to see Neji facing Naruto and Sakura.

"No matter what I did"

"Loss remains a loss, I have been defeated by you Uzumaki Naruto" Neji said.

"Neji!" Naruto called out.

"Hmm..?" Neji stared at Naruto.

"The past you had worked hard in order to be independent of the Hyga family"

"All the hard work you put in before was merely to distinguish yourself amongst their rank," Naruto said.

"What are you trying to say..?" Neji asked in an impatient manner.

"Tell me, Neji!"

"Didn't feel anything different when you worked hard towards this match?" Naruto asked.

Neji stared at Naruto in silence.

"Didn't you have a sense of satisfaction in working hard for yourself compared to all the times you had to put in the effort, in respect to your father's existence?" Naruto asked.

Neji's eyes widened.

"Neji!"

"I know how much hard work you put forth to be the genius you are today, despite not being taught by the main branch."

"I know how much hatred you had for the main branch because of what happened to your father" Naruto said.

"How did you" Neji stared at Naruto.

"I have trained with Lee, and I am aware of a few things."

"If you feel this defeated from one rematch, think of how much frustration Lee must have built after facing you thousands of times," Naruto said.

("Lee") Neji thought back to the times he always defeated Lee, only to see Lee stand up with the same vigor he had in the match before

Lee never backed down after Losing against Neji.

In fact, Lee would always face him, in hopes of defeating Neji.

Neji lifted his head to see Naruto staring at him.

"Neji!"

"Hard work is only a burden that would wear you out sooner or later if you are doing it just for the sake of doing."

"Hard work is meaningful when it is something you do wholeheartedly."

"It's only then, there is no burden, but results that push you forth"

"Unlike a failure like me, you are a genius!"

"Don't let your past drag you down."

"Learn to let go and embrace the future in your hands," Naruto said.

Neji thought back to what his dad said.

FlashBack

"Overcome your own fate, Neji."

"Fate is something you work out with your own hands," Hizashi concluded his letter.

"Father" Neji stared at the final words left by his father

-End of FlashBack

"Naruto" Neji stared at Naruto.

"THE FIFTH MATCH BETWEEN UCHIHA SASUKE OF THE HIDDEN LEAF AND GAARA OF THE SAND."

>>>>BEGIN