Only the boys from Ao Ban's group were cheering for Hyuga Ao under pressure.
"Is this child a genius of the Hyuga clan?" Even Iruka couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.
Under Ao's Byakugan, Sasuke's thunderous attacks were all neutralized.
Shiki had already noticed that sweat was forming on Sasuke's brow—he was even showing signs of panic.
Truthfully, Shiki knew that at this point, Sasuke had been relying solely on past achievements. Obsessed with revenge all day long, he hadn't been striving harder.
In the original story, it wasn't until the Chunin Exams that he was woken up by Lee. And at that time, Lee hadn't even used the Eight Gates, nor had he removed his Weights.
So theoretically speaking, when the Chunin Exams started, Uchiha Sasuke had already been defeated with less than thirty percent—maybe even less than ten percent—of Lee's full strength.
Even more so, Shiki thought Sasuke had grown complacent in others calling him "genius," becoming conceited like a frog at the bottom of a well.
Therefore, Sasuke being at this level didn't surprise him at all. Although compared to other kids, Sasuke was still considered excellent. But as time passed, sooner or later, he would be surpassed one after another.
After dodging another punch from Sasuke effortlessly, Ao mocked, "Alright, we've played enough. 'Genius' Sasuke? It's time you experienced the might of the Hyuga clan."
Then Ao suddenly steeled himself and shouted, [Gentle Fist!]
Shiki then noticed through his sensing ability that Ao's hands gathered a unique chakra. Each time just avoiding Sasuke's attack, he brushed slightly against Sasuke's body.
"Looks like Sasuke's definitely going to lose this round." Observing this, Shiki realized the battle had no suspense left.
Even Naruto couldn't help shouting, "Damn it, Mr. High-and-Mighty! You're always so full of yourself—at least win this match!"
Although soon a chorus of girls mocked Naruto for having lost his own match too, almost everyone unavoidably pondered the same question: Could Sasuke truly live up to the name of a genius?
Kiba Inuzuka absolutely couldn't stand watching this one-sided beatdown. Despite the pressure from the girls, he shouted into the arena, "Sasuke, you loser! If you can't beat Hyuga Ao, get down here and let me take over!"
Hearing this, Iruka immediately stopped the excited Kiba Inuzuka and comforted Sasuke by shouting, "Sasuke, you've done great in this match. It's okay even if you lose. Just do your best!"
You've done great in this match?
It's okay even if you lose?
Just do your best?
Shiki knew these comforting words would sound like the cruelest mockery to Sasuke's fragile pride.
Then, Shiki saw how Sasuke's steps had become somewhat unsteady. His chakra flow grew unstable, but oddly enough, his movements instead quickened slightly.
Shiki said quietly, "Sasuke… he's about to lose."
Chapter 14 Sasuke's Defeat
Sure enough, right after Shiki spoke those words, the situation took a sharp downturn.
Sasuke's offensive options were running dry, while Hyuga Ao's Gentle Fist kept landing hit after relentless hit on Sasuke's body.
Even Sasuke knew he couldn't keep dragging this out anymore.
In fact, Sasuke began to notice his chakra slowing down, almost like his meridians were blocked.
Need space — now!
Thinking this, Sasuke finally decided to retreat. After barely dodging another strike from Hyuga Ao's Gentle Fist, he leaped backward, instantly increasing the distance between them.
Shiki shook his head again. "If you had adopted this cautious strategy right from the beginning, maybe you still had a chance of winning. But now, there's no hope left."
Sakura and Ino glared at Shiki discontentedly, but since they were good friends with him in the end, they didn't say anything harsh—only speaking in unison: "Sasuke will definitely win!"
Shiki simply smiled and didn't bother to argue back.
That uneasy feeling just kept growing inside him. After jumping backwards, Sasuke kicked up a cloud of dust. Yet surprisingly, Hyuga Ao just stood there motionless.
The Hyuga clan, known for their close-combat expertise, allowed their enemy to retreat like this? What an immense show of contempt!
He wasn't even using his full strength yet!
Feeling disrespected, Sasuke's fragile pride couldn't handle it anymore.
Three kunai flew through the air, bearing Sasuke's last hope, cutting through the sky like agile swallows.
Their speed and precision startled everyone present. Such skills shouldn't be possessed by someone this young.
But Sasuke wasn't done yet.
[Fire Release! Great Fireball Jutsu!]
Massive flames instantly engulfed the flying kunai, obscuring the weapons in fire and enhancing their impact.
Even Shiki felt that against such a technique, he could only dodge—he wouldn't dare block it directly.
So then, would Hyuga Ao make the same choice, trying his best to avoid this strike?
After all, for someone their age, this move truly seemed unstoppable.
In that split second, Shiki's mind raced through these thoughts. Yet today seemed determined to keep shocking him nonstop.
Much to his disbelief, Hyuga Ao showed absolutely no sign of retreating. Instead, he raised his right hand in front of his chest, directly facing this incoming attack capable of consuming his entire body.
He intended to withstand this head-on!!!
It was almost unbelievable to Shiki—if Ao really could take this blow head-on, he'd be comparable to a genius like Neji Hyuga, the true prodigy.
Still, Ao couldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Neji. Though like Sasuke, it was hatred that fueled Neji's drive forward.
Neji had real merit; he never stopped forcing himself to grow stronger. Since childhood, he'd secretly mastered the Main House's secret technique—the Eight Trigrams Rotation.
Now, Neji could probably already use the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms.
Unlike most members of Konoha's Twelve Guardians who showed potential only later, Neji and Lee immediately demonstrated extraordinary fighting spirit and strength from the start.
But that didn't mean current-day Hyuga Ao was weak either. Shiki remained watchful, wondering how Ao would endure Sasuke's latest move.
[Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!]
Shiki's eyes narrowed in disbelief. Never did he expect to witness this taijutsu again!
The Hyuga Clan's only long-range attack technique seen in the canon.
Though not especially powerful, this taijutsu was designed specifically to compensate for the Hyuga Clan's lack of long-range combat techniques.
What shocked Shiki was that Hyuga Ao had mastered yet another taijutsu like this.
What had he gone through these past few months?
[Boom!]
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