friends, right?AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 43 Sakura: Who Told Us We're Best Friends?
The match begins.
Hinata and Neji activated their Byakugansimultaneously.
Unlike the Sharingan, this dōjutsu, which originated from the Ōtsutsuki Clan, grants the user the ability to perceive the flow of Chakra.
Because of this, the Hyuga Clan developed a series of Taijutsu based on the Gentle Fist Art.
Through strikes, acupoint hitting, and other means, they attack the opponent's weaknesses and obstruct their Chakra flow.
"However, as one of the Three Great Dōjutsu, compared to the Sharingan and Rinnegan, the Byakugan's power is clearly a level below..."
In the spectator stands, Naruto watched the Taijutsu contest between Hinata and Neji, feeling sentimental in his heart.
After all these years, the Hyuga Clan hasn't produced a single Kage-level Expert; at most, they reach the level of an Elite Jonin.
Others start with Amaterasu, or 'Almighty Push'.
Meanwhile, you Guys are still hitting Acupoints, sealing meridians, and engaging in close-quarters combat.
What era is this? Still playing with traditional Taijutsu?
Looking at the original work, the only highlight of the Byakugan seems to be during the Five Kage Summit, when Ao saw through Danzo using Kotoamatsukami to control Mifune.
What? You say Ao isn't a member of the Hyuga Clan, his nickname is 'Byakugan Killer,' and his Byakugan was stolen?
Oh, never mind then.
"Huff... huff..."
On the field, the battle reached a stalemate.
After another clash where both exchanged punches, they pulled apart again.
Hampered by his injuries, both Neji's reaction time and movement speed had dropped significantly.
His gaze gradually turned cold.
"To think I've let this battle drag on for so long."
Neji originally thought that even with his injuries, finishing Hinata off quickly wouldn't be difficult.
But he found that not only did she not retreat a single step, the way she looked at him was filled with Battle Intent.
This made him very unhappy, feeling as if he was being underestimated.
"The weak should have the awareness of the weak... Young Miss, I hate that look in your eyes."
He raised his hand, fingers slightly spread, as Chakra rotated and condensed at high speed on his fingertips.
"Originally, I intended to save this move for the next round."
"However, since you insist on persisting, then try this."
Hinata was startled, forcing herself to focus entirely to see his movements clearly.
It's coming... the next second.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Originally, this was a secret technique of the Hyuga Clan passed only to the Main House.
However, Neji, who was from the Branch House, managed to comprehend it on his own through sheer talent.
The images seen by the 360-degree field of vision of the Byakugan are like a circular Eight Trigrams; enemies within the Trigrams will suffer fierce attacks.
By striking all sixty-four Acupoints on the body, one can stop the opponent's Chakra flow, causing them to completely lose their ability to fight.
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Palm shadows poured down like raindrops.
Neji's figure moved rapidly around Hinata; under the lock-on of the Byakugan, any subtle dodge had nowhere to hide.
"Two Palms... Four Palms... Eight Palms!"
Hinata gritted her teeth, desperately circulating the Chakra in her body, trying to use an immature external release to offset the impact of the sealed points.
But a gap is a gap after all.
"Sixteen Palms!"
Her chest felt tight.
An almost inaudible groan escaped Hinata's throat, and her steps faltered, yet she stubbornly refused to fall.
In the spectator stands, Kurenai Yuhi had already stood up, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"Hinata..."
She could see that it was no longer just a match.
"Thirty-Two Palms! Forty-Eight Palms!"
With every palm strike, the Chakra pathways inside Hinata's body dimmed further, and her limbs gradually became heavy and numb.
Her vision began to go dark.
But she remained standing.
"...Sixty-Three Palms!"
Hinata's body jolted violently, her vision blacked out, and the Chakra in her body came to a complete standstill.
"Sixty-Four Palms—!"
The final palm was about to land.
This time, the target was no longer a sealed point, but a vital spot.
Almost at the same time.
Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and Gekkō Hayate—the five Jonin present—all realized something was wrong simultaneously and rose together to stop Neji.
But someone was faster than them.
In the next instant.
Bang!!!
A dull thud.
Neji's body flew out like a broken kite, slamming heavily into the edge of the arena and rolling several times before stopping.
"That's enough."
At this moment, in Hinata's barely focused vision, only the figure of the Blond-haired Youthremained.
"Na... ruto..."
Naruto took her hand and let her lean against him.
Then, he looked at Gekkō Hayate.
"It's over, we forfeit."
Gekkō Hayate was stunned.
Is this just about it being over?
Clearly, I was here first.
I am the referee!
"W... Warning once! If you interfere in the match again, I will disqualify you from the exam!"
"Oh."
Naruto nodded, then took Hinata and left without looking back.
"The winner of this round is... Hyuga Neji!"
After speaking, Gekkō Hayate hurriedly went to Neji's side and reached out to check his breathing.
Confirming he was still breathing, just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"No!!! Neji, you absolutely mustn't die!!!"
His two students had fallen injured one after another.
Guy was now plunged into deep self-doubt.
Is this reasonable?
Is something going to happen to Lee later too?
"Calm down, Guy." Gekkō Hayate's mouth twitched. "He just fainted. Go call the Medical Unitimmediately."
"I'll go call them!"
Rock Lee, who had just caught up, hurriedly volunteered.
Just as he was about to step out, the big screen announced the two sides for the next match.
Gaara VS Rock Lee
Rock Lee: "..."
Might Guy: "..."
...Medical Unit.
Inside the ward.
"What?! That bastard actually did such outrageous things to you!!"
After listening to Ino recount her experiences—from the first written exam to what Naruto did to her in the Forest of Death.
Sakura clenched her fists.
The two girls now had a common enemy.
The rift that had existed between them for years because of Sasuke completely vanished at this moment.
"Waaah... if that videotape gets out... I'll never be able to get married!"
For a female Ninja from a traditional large clan like Ino.
Getting married and having children has always been her biggest dream.
Sakura quickly patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry, I will definitely help you get it back!"
"Really?"
Ino wiped her tears. "Can we really do it just by ourselves?"
"Uh..."
Sakura hesitated for a moment.
Actually, she didn't know why Naruto had suddenly seemed to become a different person lately, with his strength skyrocketing.
But... even if this Guy is strong, could he really be stronger than Sasuke, or Kakashi and Asuma-sensei?
"We can definitely do it!" Sakura nodded. "If Narutodares to mess around again or push his luck, we'll tell the teachers, tell Hokage-sama!"
"Mhm!"
Ino seemed to be injected with courage and showed a smile.
"Sakura, thank you. I will also definitely help you snatch back that book of contract!"
Sakura was startled. "Actually... there's no rush. That Guy is very strong now; we need to come up with a plan."
"So what if he's strong?"
Ino sniffled and vigorously wiped away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Just because he's strong, do I have to keep being led by the nose by him?!"
"From now on, I will never let him manipulate me again, nor will I listen to a single word he says!"
"Whether it's the videotape or the book of contract, I will get them all back!"
Sakura suddenly smiled.
The smile was light, but it carried a long-awaited sense of relief.
"Not 'I,' but 'we'."
She squeezed Ino's hand.
"Who told us we're... best friends."
Ino was stunned.
In that instant, those past scenes of arguments, cold wars, and competing with each other were like being overturned by someone, scattering away with a crash.
"...Stupid Sakura."
She scolded with a smile, but tears welled up again.
Just then.
The room door was suddenly kicked open.
Naruto walked in carrying Hinata.
"You, and you, get out and guard the door. Don't let anyone irrelevant in."