"I think she's right." Mamoru's lazy yet cold voice echoed across the arena.
Hinata stared blankly at the back that had suddenly appeared in front of her. Her tightly strung nerves finally relaxed, her legs gave out, and she knelt on the ground, completely losing the ability to move.
Seeing the newcomer, Neji's anger intensified. He roared, "Get lost!"
Then he charged forward again with renewed force, disregarding everything.
But the next moment, Guy and Hayate, who had arrived just in time, blocked him one after another.
"The match is over! The winner has been decided!" Hayate announced solemnly, his voice clearly reaching every corner of the examination hall.
"Neji! That's enough!" Guy gripped his student's arm tightly, his tone heavy. "Didn't you promise me you wouldn't get into conflicts with people over Main Family matters anymore?"
Seeing Neji restrained, Mamoru finally turned and crouched down.
When he saw Hinata's body covered in injuries, his brows furrowed unconsciously. "I told you to take the exam, not to fight to the death."
"I'm sorry... cough, cough..." Hinata started to speak but immediately burst into violent coughs, blood spilling from the corner of her lips.
"Don't speak." Mamoru's tone was grave, but his movements were exceptionally gentle.
He helped Hinata lie flat. Without needing any examination, his Six Eyes instantly and precisely located all the injured parts within her body. A hand glowing with soft green light gently pressed against her chest. Pure green Chakra, like a warm stream, frantically yet orderly permeated her body, focusing on repairing her severely damaged heart and internal organs.
Hinata's previously rapid and painful breathing visibly calmed down.
Mamoru's tense expression finally eased slightly. His Mystical Palm Technique was now applied with increasing proficiency. Even Tsunade would surely admit inferiority, though it still couldn't compare to the Reverse Cursed Technique he hadn't yet learned.
Kurenai appeared beside Mamoru at this moment, anxiously asking, "How is Hinata?"
"Displaced internal organs, multiple Chakra pathways damaged, a bit troublesome." Mamoru didn't lift his head, focusing on the treatment, but habitually quipped, "But don't worry, with this divine doctor here."
"What time is it, and you're still making jokes!" Kurenai couldn't help but glare at him, reproaching him.
"I'm telling the truth." Mamoru continued his work, the green light constantly surging.
"Ma-Mamoru..." A faint voice came from Hinata's mouth.
Her eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if she was unconsciously calling out.
"I'm here." Mamoru's voice unconsciously softened. "It's okay, you won't feel uncomfortable soon."
"I... I... worked hard..." Hinata said intermittently, as if seeking approval.
"Mm, I saw it all." Mamoru nodded affirmingly, his eyes gentle. "You did very well."
"Hinata, don't talk for now, just rest well." Kurenai gently comforted her.
At this moment, the medical team at the edge of the arena rushed over with a stretcher.
"No need, just leave it to me." Mamoru raised his hand, signaling, his tone carrying an undeniable confidence.
The members of the medical team hesitated, looking at Kurenai.
Kurenai gazed at Mamoru's focused profile, then at Hinata's visibly improving complexion, and finally nodded, signaling the medical team to withdraw.
After the medical team left, Kurenai turned her gaze to Neji, who was still being held by Guy, her eyes filled with unconcealed anger.
Neji's face revealed a twisted, almost desperate smile. "Even if you look at me like that, it won't change anything. This is the result, she will ultimately..."
"Neji." Mamoru's clear, cold voice interrupted him.
He didn't turn around, still focused on the treatment, but his words clearly echoed throughout the arena, "How pathetic."
Neji froze in place as if struck by lightning. Several seconds later, he clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.
He gritted his teeth, all his resentment seemingly finding an outlet. "You... what do you even understand?! Someone like you..."
"I don't need to understand your grand theories."
Mamoru finally completed the initial treatment. He carefully helped Hinata up, letting her lean against him in a more comfortable position, and then slowly turned his head, looking calmly at Neji.
Those sky-blue eyes were calm and unmoving, yet they seemed to pierce through everything.
"The law of the world is survival of the fittest. The weak cannot break free from the shackles of fate. And those who can truly break free from the constraints of fate are invariably those who see reality clearly and possess unyielding perseverance. Your venting of hatred here towards your clan members who acknowledge and care for you, besides proving your own powerlessness and mediocrity, changes nothing."
In the original timeline, Neji's fate never truly changed from beginning to end, and he ultimately even sacrificed himself to prove the tragedy of 'fate cannot be changed' that he believed in.
And for someone like Naruto, a person prophesied to be the savior, who constantly shouted, "I can change my destiny," in Mamoru's view, wasn't this the greatest joke of fate?
A creation of fate crying out against fate, how ironic.
Neji was stunned, remaining motionless for several seconds.
Mamoru's words were completely different from what he expected. There was no empty comfort, no false sympathy, only the brutal truth, which was like a sharp dagger, precisely piercing the part of his heart he least wanted to face.
For a moment, he almost opened his mouth, but then found himself at a loss for words to retort.
Mamoru said finally, his voice not loud, but carrying a strange power, "So, don't look at your supposedly unchangeable fate with such a narrow perspective."
After speaking, he didn't spare another glance at the dispirited Neji, as if he had just uttered something insignificant. He lowered his head to look at Hinata's face in his arms, seeing that her injuries were stable and her complexion was no longer as sickly pale as before.
"Let's take Hinata back to the stands to rest. This isn't suitable for continued treatment." Mamoru said to Kurenai, then easily picked Hinata up by the waist.
"Mm."
Kurenai nodded, glancing worriedly at Hinata, then at the rigid Neji, sighing softly to herself.
The two used the Body Flicker Technique to return to the spectator stands, leaving Neji standing alone, silent for a long time.
Guy reached out and heavily patted Neji on the shoulder, attempting to comfort his student, who was filled with contradictions and pain, in his own way.
Mamoru carefully helped Hinata lean gently against the corner. As soon as she was settled, her former ninja academy classmates immediately gathered around, their footsteps a mix of hurriedness and anxiety.
"Hinata... is she alright?" Sakura crouched down, her voice full of worry.
"Her injuries are stable now." Mamoru answered concisely, his gaze never leaving Hinata's unconscious face.
Ino looked at the weak figure, unconsciously clenching her fists. "How awful. Even though they're relatives, he was so ruthless."
Mamoru remained silent, not responding. This was a deep-seated conflict between the Hyuga clan's Main Family and Branch Family, and as an outsider, he felt it was inappropriate to say much.
His voice was soft, yet his tone carried an undeniable authority. "Alright, everyone, please step back and allow for air circulation. The treatment needs to continue."
After everyone retreated, Mamoru pondered, stroking his chin, his gaze repeatedly examining Hinata's drooping arms.
He murmured, "The acupoints on her arms were almost all pierced in one strike, and her Chakra pathways are in disarray. I must re-guide them from the source."
Hearing this, Kurenai gently rolled up Hinata's sleeve. When she saw the dense red spots, symbolizing damaged Chakra pathways, covering the pale arm, she gasped, her brows deeply furrowed. The marks were like a shattered spiderweb, strikingly vivid on the girl's delicate skin.
Mamoru sat cross-legged beside Hinata, his palms once again filled with vibrant green light. He gently placed his palms over Hinata's Chakra source point in her abdomen, closed his eyes in concentration, and guided the gentle green Chakra, like a trickling stream, to permeate her damaged Chakra pathways, patiently repairing them.
The green light flickered steadily, illuminating his focused profile and also brightening Hinata's gradually recovering complexion.