The finals open with Naruto against Neji, and the Hyuga prodigy carves through wave after wave of shadow clones with ease. When Neji preaches that fate is sealed at birth and the title of Hokage is chosen by destiny, Naruto only digs in harder and reaches for a far larger swarm.
Main Characters (4)
Summary
Naruto scans the stands for the absent Sasuke, while Shikamaru puzzles over why Dosu has failed to appear, and the Anbu quietly join the search. The so-called Fourth Kazekage takes his seat with his guards as the Third Hokage declares the final round underway. Genma calls the opening bout between Naruto and Neji. Naruto reaffirms his promise to defeat his opponent, then starts by throwing several kunai and rushing in, only for Neji to slip aside and answer with Gentle Fist, narrowly missing the chakra points.
Key Events
Naruto brings out the Shadow Clone Technique and swarms in with clusters of duplicates, all of which Neji dispatches with practiced ease. The genuine Naruto stays on his feet as Neji lectures that one's lot is sealed at birth and that becoming Hokage is a matter of destiny. Furious at the cruelty of those words, Naruto refuses to fold and reaches instead for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Byakugan distinguish shadow clones?
In this episode, Neji's Byakugan lets him effortlessly counter every shadow clone Naruto throws at him during their Chunin Exam finals match. Even so, the genuine Naruto remains standing once the clones are dispatched, showing the technique alone does not immediately end the fight.
What is the Shadow Clone Technique in Naruto?
The Shadow Clone Technique lets Naruto create solid duplicates of himself to swarm an opponent. In Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Technique!, he escalates it into the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique against Neji in the Chunin Exam finals.
What does Neji believe about fate during his match with Naruto?
Neji lectures Naruto that a person's lot is sealed at birth and that becoming Hokage is a matter of destiny rather than effort. He makes this argument while dismantling wave after wave of Naruto's shadow clones with the Gentle Fist.
How does Naruto respond to Neji's talk of destiny?
Furious at the cruelty of Neji's words, Naruto refuses to fold and instead reaches for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. He doubles down rather than accepting Neji's claim that his fate was decided at birth.
What arc and chapters does Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Technique! adapt?
The episode belongs to the Chunin Exams arc and adapts manga chapters 99 and 100. It opens the Naruto versus Neji finals match, framing the clash between fixed fate and self-made destiny that defines their rivalry.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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