Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-32864768-20180916164445/@comment-734582-20180916181946

Vladosaurus wrote: The prophecy would've still happened someway. Naruto in a way or another would've brought the bijuu and the ninja world together regardless if he would've went to the land of waves or not. While the prophecy would've had happened, it simply would've been someone else. Vladosaurus wrote: Kind of funny how Naruto lectured Neji about destiny, yet his destiny was determined 1000 years before he was even around. On the contrary. Naruto was literally the chosen one. In the end, Jiraiya's choice was to chose Naruto's ninja way, which led to Nagato's defeat. Tsunade became Hokage and did all she could to support Naruto because she became convinced he was chosen. Jiraiya similarly didn't believe Naruto until he was truly shown by Naruto that he was capable. The Biju's decision to accept Naruto was ultimately influenced by the prophecy.

In addition, Minato was at some point believed to be the chosen one, but once he died that belief (obviously) faded. Nagato was also believed to be the child of destiny, causing Jiraiya to directly seek to enact the prophecy (acting uncharacteristically). If he hadn't known of the prophecy, he wouldn't have taken in Nagato, and subsequently, Naruto would never have undergone the major character development during the Pain arc.

In the end, the point made to Neji is that destiny can be chosen, and Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade, the Biju, Hagoromo etc chose to believe that Naruto was worthy of that power.