Soon, the next match arrived. Kiba warned Hinata to forfeit immediately if she faced Gaara or others.
The result was announced: Hinata vs Neji. Seeing this, Hinata showed a stunned expression.
Neji remained outwardly calm, but complex emotions surged within him.
"I never imagined I'd face you, Hinata-sama," Neji said first as they stood opposite each other.
"Neji-niisan!" Hearing him, Hinata addressed him.
Hearing this, Naruto asked in confusion if they were siblings. Kakashi then explained to everyone about the Hyuga Clan, an ancient and prestigious clan of Konoha, and the distinction between the Main and Branch Families.
Watching the two, Takeru inwardly sighed for Neji. The Main and Branch Family System led to his father's death, filling Neji with deep resentment towards the Main Family.
Initially, Neji had quite a favorable impression of Hinata upon their first meeting. However, after an incident where Neji's father, Hizashi, went to his death in place of his brother, Hiashi, their relationship froze. Neji grew to despise the Main and Branch Family System.
Knowing the plot, Takeru understood it was Hizashi's own choice to die, wanting to make his own decision for once.
Takeru also felt Hiruzen's weakness played a significant role. Though it's just after the Third Great Ninja War, he let his own village being bullied by Kumogakure and, for the sake of so-called peace, not daring to speak up...
During his tenure, Konoha went from arguably the strongest to nearly the weakest: the White Fang's death, the Fourth Hokage's death, Orochimaru's defection, the Uchiha Clan's massacre... aside from the prime culprit, Danzo, Hiruzen bore the greatest responsibility.
Seeing Hinata unable to meet his gaze, Neji bluntly advised her to give up being a Ninja. He knew Hinata's flaws well: too kind, yearning for peace and avoiding conflict, and constantly plagued by feelings of inferiority...
Neji even believed Hinata was only in the exam because teams required three members, implying she was there due to peer pressure.
"N-no... that's not it... I... I want to change that part of myself, so I..." Hinata whispered in response.
Seeing her like this annoyed Neji. "You truly are the Main Family's young lady. People cannot change. A loser is a loser; their personality and abilities won't change." Neji even launched a mocking attack.
This instantly angered Naruto on the observation deck. Lee also watched Neji intently, as he too was once a loser.
Neji continued, stating some things were unchangeable, just like their family status.
During this, Neji revealed details about the Byakugan, which Kakashi then explained to the others.
Hearing the Byakugan's abilities, Ui and Ritsu were taken aback. Its functions were very similar to Observation Haki but with subtle differences.
However, Observation Haki was silent and undetectable. Unless someone also possessed Observation Haki or special sensory abilities, its use went unnoticed.
The Byakugan was different: it consumed more energy than Observation Haki and was far more conspicuous when used.
Under Neji's pressure, Hinata instinctively chose to retreat, her eyes darting and evasive… proof of her lack of confidence.
Neji then proceeded to analyze Hinata's heart and actions in detail, even making Takeru feel it was a waste that Neji didn't go into investigation work.
Just as Hinata's heart was shaken to the extreme, Naruto interrupted Neji's words. Encouraged by Naruto, Hinata finally solidified her resolve, her gaze turning firm as she looked at Neji.
"Hinata-sama, if you don't forfeit, I can't guarantee the outcome," Neji frowned, noticing her change.
Though resentful of the Main Family, his feelings towards Hinata alone were complex. After all, when they were young, they were very close.
"Neji-niisan, let's settle this with a fight!" Hinata didn't say much more. She proved herself with action, activating her Byakugan and assuming a fighting stance.
"Very well." Seeing this, Neji also took his stance. Since both learned the Gentle Fist, their starting postures were identical.
Soon, an intense battle ensued. Compared to Hinata's all-out effort, Takeru could clearly sense Neji wasn't using his full strength initially.
But the gap in their abilities was too vast, so they appeared evenly matched for a moment. Hinata, fully aware of Neji's strength, attacked without reservation.
Sensing Hinata's move, Neji was somewhat surprised. He even left a slight opening due to his astonishment, allowing Hinata to graze his waist, causing minor injury.
Seeing this, Naruto thought Hinata's attack had been ineffective.
But Lee and Guy explained the Hyuga Clan's special ability… the Gentle Fist!
Konoha's fighting styles were divided into Gentle Fist and Strong Fist. The difference: Strong Fist destroyed the enemy from the outside, while Gentle Fist used special techniques to inject Chakra into the opponent's body, causing internal damage.
Though ordinary people's internal organs were hard to train, Takeru's defensive capabilities greatly strengthened his organs as well. At the very least, he believed he wouldn't be harmed even if he stood still and let Neji attack.
As for Ui, using Armament Haki and Nen for defense, Neji's Gentle Fist attacks would likely be ineffective.
While Guy and Kakashi were explaining, the situation below changed. Hinata and Neji's attacks landed simultaneously, and their movements temporarily halted.
Takeru, however, saw clearly: Neji's strike hit Hinata, but Hinata's attack was blocked by Neji.
As Neji's Chakra entered Hinata's body, her internal organs suffered as if struck by a terrifying attack, causing her to vomit blood.
"So, this is the extent of the Main Family's strength?" Neji mocked again, not targeting Hinata personally but complaining about the system.
"It's not over yet!" Hearing Neji, Hinata endured the intense pain inside and attacked again. Yet, Neji easily caught her arm with his left hand, then pressed two fingers against a specific Chakra Point on her arm.
Hinata felt intense pain, and using Chakra became even more difficult.
Seeing her state, Neji pushed up her sleeve. Instantly, everyone saw several peculiar red marks on Hinata's pale arm.
"Could it be... you from the very beginning...?" Staring at her arm, Hinata looked at Neji in shock.
"Correct. My eyes can even see through Tenketsu Points now." After a brief statement, Neji sent Hinata flying with a palm strike.
"Hinata-sama, this is an unchangeable gap. The gap between an elite and a loser… this is an unalterable reality. You must feel despair now. This is my final advice: give up," Neji said, looking at her.
"I... won't... go back on... my own words. That is my Ninja Way!" Struggling to her feet, Hinata declared with unwavering will.
To show her resolve, she activated her Byakugan again. However, doing so agitated her internal injuries, making her vomit more blood.
Now, with her Chakra Points blocked by Neji, Hinata couldn't use the Gentle Fist. Yet, she refused to give up. Relying on sheer willpower, she charged at Neji again.
Following her gaze, Takeru understood her refusal to quit was entirely because of Naruto. She didn't want to lose in front of him, even if it meant being severely injured and disgraced.
Under her attacks, no miracle occurred. Facing her increasingly feeble strikes, Neji simply dodged and counterattacked easily.
After being pushed back again, Hinata coughed painfully but showed no sign of surrender.
Kurenai watched with a pained heart, 'From when had Hinata, who used to give up easily, changed so much?'
And today, this look of defiance in her eyes… it was the first time Kurenai had seen it.