If Neji had heard Lee's earlier remark, he surely would have given him a hard smack without hesitation.
Temari, arms folded as her sharp eyes tracked the fight below, analyzed coolly. "Strong as they are, if one can create distance and use long-range ninjutsu to keep the pressure on, there might still be a chance."
Gaara, on the other hand, could hardly contain himself. Watching the intensity of the match, his blood felt like it was boiling. He wanted to fight.
As expected of Lady Hinata. Her strikes are truly terrifying! Neji gritted his teeth as he traded blows with her. His palms were already tingling, numb from the repeated impacts, yet he forced himself to hold steady.
The Gentle Fist was notorious. The further one pushed, the faster and sharper the strikes became. Few could ever master its higher forms.
One Hundred and Two Palms.
Neji's breathing grew heavier. Almost at my limit already… His pale eyes focused on Hinata's calm expression. She moved with effortless poise, as if none of this exertion even touched her. Bitterness welled inside him. Am I still unable to keep up with Lady Hinata?
Before he could think further, her hand thrust toward his chest.
Too fast! My body won't react in time!
Desperation surged through him. With a sharp bite to his lip, Neji forced chakra to explode from every tenketsu in his body. His torso twisted sharply. "Rotation!"
The absolute defense of the Hyuga clan spun into existence, its barrier of chakra forcing Hinata back a few steps.
Kakashi had already lifted his forehead protector, his Sharingan watching closely. "That move… it's the Hyuga clan's secret technique, reserved for the main house."
Asuma exhaled smoke slowly, his tone steady. "Exactly. The dirty little secret of the Hyuga clan isn't much of a secret to us jonin."
Kakashi glanced toward Guy. "Did he figure it out himself?"
Guy shook his head with an open, rueful smile. "You know me. I train in the path of hard fists, direct and powerful. I couldn't teach him something like this. He discovered it through his own insight and effort."
Kakashi's lone eye softened. "This boy's talent is extraordinary."
The village had never lacked for geniuses. One wave after another, Konoha produced them without pause.
On the stands, Naruto leaned forward with interest. "Oh? If Neji can use Rotation, maybe he'll be able to handle at least four of my punches now."
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, analyzing in his usual detached way. "If it were me, I'd just keep my distance and use ninjutsu. His chakra reserves aren't large enough. Rotation eats through stamina fast. He's not like Hinata her chakra pool is massive. Unless Neji also knows Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, his defense won't last."
In the arena, Hinata leapt back, giving Neji room as his Rotation wound down.
The technique faded quickly. Neji's breath came heavier, proof of how taxing it was.
"Neji," Hinata said gently, her face framed with a soft smile, "you've improved a lot."
Neji dipped his head. His eyes remained serious. "My mission has always been to protect you. If I can't keep up, then that mission is meaningless. You would only end up protecting me instead."
Hinata's gaze softened, but her voice remained firm. "I've told you before. That's not your mission, Neji. The branch family shouldn't be chained by fate. Naruto once told me something… 'My fate belongs to me, not the heavens.' Destiny can be broken if you have the will."
Her words struck deep. Neji's heart clenched as he looked into her clear eyes.
My fate belongs to me, not the heavens… Could that really be true?
But when he glanced past her, toward the blond boy standing in the audience, Neji felt a spark of possibility. If anyone could defy fate, it was Naruto.
"Neji," Hinata called, her voice carrying across the arena. "Keep up with me!"
She raised her hands, and powerful chakra swirled to life, gathering into twin spectral lion heads that roared in her palms.
Neji's Byakugan widened. So this is her original technique… Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.
Hinata charged.
Neji spun again, forcing his body into Rotation. The barrier of spinning chakra met Hinata's rushing assault. Her twin lions slammed into the defense with a deep, shuddering impact.
This wasn't the traditional Gentle Fist. Hinata had created it herself, combining the hardness of Strong Fist with the finesse of Gentle Fist. It was both internal and external, soft and unyielding.
And she had already mastered Rotation far better than Neji himself.
With sheer force, she ripped through his defensive barrier like tearing apart the invisible shackles that bound his life.
"Unbelievable!" Asuma's cigarette nearly dropped from his lips. "She actually broke through Rotation head-on?"
Kakashi gave a rare smile. "This is something only Hinata could do."
From the stands, Lee's voice rang out, half-whining. "Ah, what a pity! I wanted to fight Neji myself, but Lady Hinata beat me to it."
Naruto and Sasuke shared a knowing grin. Their squad had already cleared this round of matches.
Neji stared at Hinata, at the fierce lions glowing around her hands. For the first time, he felt something shift inside. The chains in his heart cracked and fell away.
"I surrender," he said quietly, raising his hand.
"Winner: Hinata Hyuga," Genma announced.
The two returned to the observation platform.
"Neji, are you alright?" Tenten asked with real worry.
"I'm fine. Thank you, Tenten." For the first time, Neji's lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
Tenten froze. "Wait did you just smile?!"
Lee bounded over with a stopwatch in hand. "Neji! I timed you. You lasted much longer this time. Tremendous progress!"
Neji's expression stiffened, his jaw tightening. "Thank you… Lee."
"You're welcome! After all, you've still never beaten Lady Hinata!" Lee puffed up proudly.
"Shut up!"
Meanwhile, Naruto slipped Hinata a cup with a grin. "Here. Milk tea with red beans."
"Ah? Thank you!" Hinata's cheeks lit up as she accepted it.
She sipped gently. The warmth spread through her, the sweet beans releasing a faint texture that lingered on her tongue like a soft, tangled sweetness clutching at her heart.
Sasuke turned away, feeling like the world's largest third wheel.
This idiot… Using the Flying Thunder God technique to buy milk tea? Who does that?!
The announcer's voice cut through the moment. "Match nine: Rock Lee versus Gaara!"
Lee straightened, flames of youth blazing in his eyes. "I may not be the final match, but I'm more than ready!"
Guy leaned down, his face suddenly serious. "Lee, since you are my beloved student, allow me to give you one crucial piece of advice."
"Yes, Sensei!" Lee's posture snapped rigid as he awaited wisdom.
Guy's expression hardened. "That gourd on his back… looks very suspicious."
Lee gasped. "So that's it!" He immediately fished for a notebook.
"No time for notes during battle, you fool!" Guy scolded, hands on his hips.
"Understood, Sensei!" Lee etched the advice directly into his heart.
From the sidelines, Neji closed his eyes in quiet resignation, while Tenten subtly shuffled a few steps away, pretending she didn't know them.
Hinata chuckled softly into her milk tea. "Lee is as full of spirit as ever."
Naruto smiled warmly. "That's my teammate. He may be simple, but that purity is what makes him so strong in taijutsu."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Still, against Gaara… it will be difficult. He's a Jinchuriki. That's not something Lee can counter yet."
Naruto nodded firmly. "If things go too far, I'll step in."
Sasuke relaxed slightly at that.
Guy's voice boomed. "Now go, Lee!"
"Yes, Sensei!" Lee leapt down into the arena, fire in his eyes.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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