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Kirigakure:
In the Hidden Mist Village, Kirigakure, where thick fog blankets everything and lends a lethal mystery to the atmosphere, the Art Store there was not a place of tranquility for the Mist shinobi.
Despite its luxury, the Mist shinobi were simply accustomed to harsh environments.
At the center of the venue, the Third Mizukage sat with a solemn silence, his eyes watching the manga pages with his usual coldness.
After all, he wasn't reading this manga for entertainment; it was part of his duty, especially since the Naruto manga had previously intervened directly in their village's affairs.
The so-called The Bloody Era mentioned by the manga still cast its shadow over Kirigakure, and the story of Zabuza and Haku and its moving ending had become a historical icon in everyone's hearts… this meant that the impact of that story was still ongoing.
Beside him was Momochi Genma, one of the elite shinobi in the village, and more importantly, he was Zabuza's father… who was also naturally by his side, possessing a sharp gaze that already exceeded his age.
"The Hyuga style… Gentle Fist…" The Third Mizukage muttered in a raspy voice.
"This style has always been a mystery to us. In Kiri, we rely on brute force and tearing, but the Hyuga clan kills from within without a single drop of blood."
Genma, Zabuza's father, nodded as he stared at the illustration of the chakra circulatory system.
"Zabuza, take a look, this is the difference between us and them. We attack flesh and bone, but they attack the chakra system itself. If they can touch your internal organs, no armor or muscle strength will help you."
Young Zabuza, who was resting his hand on the hilt of his sword (A small-size of Kubikiribōchō), raised an eyebrow, a feature he still maintained at his current age.
"It's a style for cowards, father. Why attack the inside if you can cut off the head with one blow?"
The Third Mizukage gave a cold laugh.
"Don't underestimate them, boy. The Gentle in their technique's name is the biggest trick in the shinobi world. Look at Hinata and Neji; they are dancing in the arena, but every touch from them is a dagger thrust into the heart or lungs. Kirigakure must learn how to face this kind of smooth killer."
'I find the Uchiha with their Sharingan more terrifying…'
Young Zabuza kept his thought to himself… after all, he still remembered the details of his counterpart's battle in the manga with Kakashi and his Sharingan.
…
Back in Konoha, the new chapter had already begun to depict the violent clash.
[— Manga Scene —]
'I can…' With lightning speed, the exchange of blows began between Hinata and Neji. The movements were so fast that ordinary readers saw only a blur of hands.
'Hinata has controlled herself..' Shino observed calmly.
'Hinata…' Kurenai whispered anxiously.
"Great, Hinata!!" Naruto shouted enthusiastically as he saw Hinata matching Neji's speed.
"To attack internal cells… who are these people?" Sakura wondered in amazement as she saw the storm of soft hands.
"Heh heh!! What are these internal cells? Not your stupid questions again!" Naruto mocked Sakura.
"I'll explain to you." Rock Lee began to clarify.
"Internal cells are like veins that carry blood; the internal cells are a system inside the body. They are like branches that carry chakra to all parts of the body."
"Oh, so it's like a chakra jutsu…" Naruto concluded.
"Yes.. and the internal cells surround the organ that produces chakra. If you attack the internal cells, you cause damage to the internal organs." Lee added.
"Wow! You know a lot!" Naruto shouted in surprise.
"How rude of you?!" Sakura shouted as she hit Naruto on the head.
"This.. of course, because Lee's first opponent is… Hyuga Neji."
"Sensei.. but how can they do this?" Sakura asked.
"Not because the internal cells are invisible. How can you attack cells that are inside the body?"
"No.. with the eyes of these two.. with the Byakugan.. you can see them.."
"And the Gentle Fist attack differs from a normal attack. You release chakra from the palm of your hand and place it in your opponent's body, and this will cause direct damage to the body's cells." Kakashi answered.
[— End Scene —]
In the Art Store in Konoha, members of the Hyuga clan exchanged looks of pride and awe.
"Lee explained it enough, but Kakashi pointed it out accurately," Takeo Hyuga said as he adjusted his posture.
"But he didn't mention that this requires very precise chakra control. To expel chakra from the Tenketsu in your palm and enter it into your opponent's system… that is the true style."
Hiashi was watching Hinata as she stood her ground against Neji's strikes.
"She is using the Gentle Fist for defense and attack at once. She is trying to protect her vital points while looking for a gap in Neji's defense. But Neji… his speed is terrifying."
Hizashi nodded. "Neji isn't just attacking; he's closing the paths. From his movements, it seems as if he sees Hinata's chakra system as an open map before him. Every strike of his is not random; it aims to stop her chakra flow."
"It seems your Gentle Fist is much more developed than Neji's already, since you see it with such depth…" Masanori nodded with a smile, given that his sons were superior.
…
At this moment, and not far from the Hyuga clan members, Minato was analyzing the situation with the eye of a future Hokage.
"The Byakugan gives a terrifying advantage in close combat. Kakashi is right; you cannot protect your internal organs with ordinary physical training. This type of combat requires a medical ninja or someone with exceptional chakra control to survive."
Kushina was clenching her fist. "Go Hinata! Don't let him touch you!"
"Naruto, stop making Sakura angry and focus on watching the fight!"
She was saying that as if Naruto would hear her through the manga.
…
In the elite corner of the Konoha Art Store, the Third Hokage was puffing smoke from his pipe slowly, his eyes following the graceful movements of Hinata and Neji.
"The Gentle Fist… it is the embodiment of lethal beauty." Hiruzen muttered in a tone that carried much appreciation and a little sadness.
"This style requires not only strength but a vision that transcends matter. Take a look, Danzo; these children represent the future of one of Konoha's pillars, but they also represent its division."
Danzo Shimura sat rigidly, his eyes gleaming coldly, and did not move.
"Talent without absolute loyalty is a danger, Hiruzen. Neji possesses a genius that transcends the boundaries of the Branch House, and this type of power when mixed with hatred… becomes a double-edged sword. As for Hinata, she possesses the kindness she is proud of, but in the shinobi world, it may be her undoing."
Hiruzen didn't know whether to agree with his words this time or not; after all, Danzo was absolutely right.
Jiraiya was leaning back in his chair with the manga volume in his hand, laughing sarcastically as he shook his head.
"Stop seeing everything as war tools, Danzo. Don't you see the fighting spirit exploding in the arena!"
"Hinata is not just fighting Neji; she is fighting to prove her existence before her father and before the world."
"… And Neji is fighting to escape his psychological prison. This fight is one of the most beautiful stories the manga has written so far, a story about breaking the chains we put on ourselves."
Jiraiya added as he stared at Naruto: "And this boy… Naruto. He knows nothing about complex Hyuga techniques, but he understands the language of the heart. That shout of his wasn't just encouragement…"
"… it's like an awakening; it reminds me of someone… someone who had the same ability to ignite light in the darkest places." Jiraiya continued.
Hiruzen smiled silently, realizing that Jiraiya meant Minato, but he preferred to stay in the world of the manga for now.
At this moment, Tsunade was watching the illustration of the internal organs with the focus of a surgeon.
"Tsk… these Hyuga are truly terrifying. Kakashi has a point; damage to internal organs by chakra is the hardest type of injury to treat. If Neji hits her heart with one precise strike, all the medical arts in the world won't help her."
"She must be very careful, for the chakra they release acts as an invisible scalpel that tears tissues from within."
Orochimaru was watching the scene with a mysterious smile, his tongue passing over his lips slowly as if tasting the power inherent in the drawing.
"The Byakugan… what truly beautiful and interesting dojutsu. The ability to see the entire chakra system, with all its branches and weaknesses, is one of the steps towards the technical perfection I seek…."
"Neji possesses chakra control that reminds me of myself in my youth, that cold precision that knows no hesitation. He doesn't just strike; he sews her death with precise strikes targeting the very core of life. What a sophisticated art that transcends mere ordinary killing."
It wasn't that they hadn't seen Hyuga members fight with the Gentle Fist before, but seeing a genin like Neji with this skill and precision made them all truly praise him… the same for Tsunade and Orochimaru.
He continued in a whispering tone: "Just imagine what could be done if this insight were combined with forbidden medical knowledge."
"Poor Hinata… she's trying to match him, but she's like someone trying to stop a hurricane with a paper fan. However, there's something in her eyes… something illogical, and that's the part that both disgusts and intrigues me at the same time."
…
Sunagakure:
In the Sand Village, the Third Kazekage was analyzing the situation with Chiyo.
"The Hyuga style depends on very close combat. If a Sand shinobi can keep the distance, the Byakugan will lose half its power. But once they enter their dome, the game is over."
Granny Chiyo nodded. "Yes, I think so too, but Hinata uses defensive techniques that remind me of our puppet-controlling methods, but she uses her own body as a puppet and a weapon at once."
"Konoha truly possesses amazing talents."
"We also have excellent talents… I strongly want to see Gaara fight…"
Shazan smiled as he looked at Gaara in the manga, who in turn was watching the battle with mysterious eyes.
…
Iwagakure:
Onoki was still arguing with Kitsuchi.
"See? I told you it's the mechanism! The Byakugan is the key. Seeing what others don't see is an amazing power. But even if they are geniuses, they are still very young and not mature enough."
Onoki wasn't just referring to Neji and Hinata, but all those present in the Chunin Exam.
Kitsuchi laughed.
"If our genin were also participating in this exam, would you say the same about them, dad?"
"Of course, and why not? To me, it doesn't matter if you have a Kekkei Genkai or even a Kekkei Tota, and even if they were jinchuriki, none of that matters as long as they aren't mature enough…"
"They are all still children, but that doesn't mean I'm not excited to see them grow up."
"This is the true essence of this manga, Kitsuchi."
Hearing his father's words, Kitsuchi smiled.
He in turn was excited to see himself in the future, and perhaps his offspring… why not, a beautiful young woman who might be the future village leader?
…
Konohagakure:
The atmosphere in the Konoha Art Store returned to ignite again with every page turned, and the tension was almost palpable.
The younger members of the Hyuga clan were discussing with enthusiasm and apprehension.
"Hinata tried to hit a Tenketsu point in Neji's shoulder!" a young man from the Hyuga clan shouted, his eyes wide with amazement as he looked at the manga page.
"But he dodged it by mere millimeters, then countered with a counter-strike that almost ended the matter. The speed here is insane; it exceeds what we expect from a genin!"
A girl from the clan this time, a medical ninja, was watching with increasing concern with every movement.
"Neji has begun implementing a gradual shutdown strategy. He has already closed the chakra paths in Hinata's left arm. If he continues like this, she will completely lose the ability to use the Gentle Fist in that hand, which means her defense will completely collapse."
"The fight is approaching the point of no return, and Hinata is consuming her chakra reserves quickly in desperate offensive attempts."
Another Hyuga, a normally silent shinobi, added in a heavy tone:
"The problem isn't physical strength, but vision. Neji sees her chakra flow as if he's reading an open book, while Hinata struggles to predict his next move. The difference in experience and innate talent is clearly shown here, and yet… she doesn't back down."
Hiashi and Hizashi were sitting side by side, the twins who represent the clan's division and the core of its tragedy, watching their shared future being displayed as a comic strip before the public.
Hiashi felt a desire to shout to Hinata to pay attention to her gap on the right side; he felt a deep helplessness as he saw how her kindness, which he used to see as weakness, was now the fuel for her resilience.
While Hizashi felt a desire to hug Neji and tell him that the world isn't a dark prison as he sees it, and that his blood shouldn't be wasted in proving the inevitability of failure to others.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 179: That's My Ninja Way Too!
Chapter 180: An Unbreakable Will
Chapter 181: An Expected Defeat
Chapter 182: Rock Lee VS Gaara…? (End of the Volume)
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