Takumi's opponent was the genius of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Neji.
"Now, we should be able to see that Takumi's true strength, right?"
Kankuro crossed his arms, a trace of anticipation on his face.
"The Hyuga Clan is a great clan in Konoha, possessing the top-tier Kekkei Genkai, the Byakugan. Moreover, their unique Gentle Fist is extremely powerful."
"In close combat, few are their match."
"Of course, no matter who it is, they are no match for Gaara."
Temari analyzed while sneakily glancing at her younger brother Gaara.
'Whew, good, didn't say the wrong thing.'
Gaara at this moment was also intently watching the arena.
Who the opponent was held no meaning for him.
He just wanted to go on a rampage, to kill all these self-righteous people! Crush them!
But it wasn't time yet.
He still needed to endure, endure!
Gaara's eyes were calm and unfathomable, but his heart was already growing restless.
"Takumi-kun..."
Hinata's face was full of worry.
Neji was the genius of the younger generation of the Hyuga Clan.
At a young age, he had mastered the Gentle Fist, and he had even self-taught the Rotation Technique, which is not taught to branch house's members...
Hinata was very worried...
Worried that Takumi would accidentally beat Neji badly.
Standing on either side of Hayate, Neji carefully observed Takumi.
It must be said, ever since Takumi rose to prominence, Neji had been quietly paying attention to this genius who had recently gained fame in the village.
He himself was a genius, so naturally, he was very interested in another genius.
But the two had never truly fought before.
Today, he would properly experience the other's strength.
Before Hayate announced the start, Neji spoke first.
"Takumi-kun, I've heard many things about you, all saying how strong you are, but I've never had the chance to fight you myself."
"Now is the perfect opportunity. Let me verify whether your Taijutsu is stronger, or the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist is stronger."
Neji's eyes were filled with seriousness.
It seemed as if he was saying: Accept my challenge, Takumi!
Let me defeat you head-on, and let the elders in the clan see my strength!
However, in Takumi's heart, he considered Neji a pitiable person.
Because his father was from the branch house, he was branded with the Caged Bird Seal from childhood.
It sounded nice, saying it was to protect the Byakugan from falling into outside hands.
But wasn't it just a bunch of old guys wanting to maintain control!
A perfectly good Byakugan, because of the Caged Bird Seal, developed blind spots.
Wasn't that weakening their own power?
But for this duel, Takumi didn't plan to go all out either.
After all, this Neji had died many times in the simulations, which allowed Takumi to pick up Tenten for free...
In terms of his personal affairs, he could be considered to have contributed!
"Please both prepare, cough, form the Seal of Confrontation."
Hayate started coughing again.
Takumi glanced speechlessly at Hayate.
'You're in this state, and you still don't plan to get treatment?'
'You should hurry to the hospital and get checked out.'
'Otherwise, I could take a look at you too...'
"Please, receive my move!"
While Takumi was lost in thought, Neji wasn't just standing there foolishly.
He assumed a unique stance, and an Eight Trigrams formation appeared beneath his feet.
"Gentle Fist Technique: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Neji instantly initiated the attack, rushing to Takumi's side. His hands became blurs, continuously striking Takumi's Chakra points.
The Hyuga's Gentle Fist is based on the Byakugan, using it to observe the flow of Chakra within the target's body, then attacking the Chakra points to block the flow and defeat the opponent.
Therefore, in close combat, ordinary Shinobi are usually no match for the Hyuga Clan.
But this move was clearly useless against Takumi.
'Iron Skin, activate!'
Thud!
A dull impact sound, like a fist hitting iron!
'So painful!'
Neji's eye twitched, and he almost cried out.
'How is it so hard?! Is this human skin?'
'It's as hard as iron!'
The fingers that had poked Takumi were already trembling with pain.
But the technique had already been initiated, and there was absolutely no reason to abandon it midway.
Neji had no choice but to endure the pain and complete the technique.
"Although it cost me something, you've taken my full set of Sixty-Four Palms. You must be unable to even stand now..."
"Pfft!"
Neji's eyes widened, staring at Takumi in disbelief.
Because Takumi was boredly watching him, completely calm and composed!
Only when he saw Neji stop did he ask, puzzled.
"Why did you stop? You hadn't finished the point strikes just now."
"Damn it!"
Neji's face turned bright red.
"In that case, I have no choice but to use my ultimate move!"
"Gentle Fist Technique: Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!"
Neji charged forward again.
His speed became faster, his power stronger.
Tap, tap, tap, tap!
Rapid strikes, even leaving afterimages in the air!
The spectators gasped in surprise.
Because they could no longer clearly see Neji's movements.
"So strong!"
"This speed is astonishing!"
"Is this the Hyuga Clan's genius? Impressive!"
"Both of them are so strong!"
Sasuke's eyes were fixed intently, his Sharingan already activated.
Precisely because he could see it all, his admiration grew even more.
'If I were facing this move, what would I do?'
'Could I win?'
'Maybe...'
Sasuke's expression became grave.
"Takumi-kun..."
Hinata clasped her hands together, her face full of worry.
"Please don't beat Neji-niisan to death!"
"As expected of Neji, even though it's completely useless, I feel my youth is about to burn up!"
Lee excitedly watched the battle below.
The fighting spirit blazing in his eyes made him wish he could jump down and fight both of them.
Next to him, Tenten helplessly spread her hands, moving slightly away to indicate she didn't know this battle fanatic.
"That's right, Lee! You must let the flames of Youth burn, never let them be extinguished!"
Guy fully agreed with Lee's words, giving him a thumbs-up and a flash of his signature shiny teeth.
"Here we go again..."
Tenten covered her face in helplessness, deeply ashamed.
Others also moved away from these two rare creatures one after another.
In the center of the arena, Neji, enduring the severe pain in his fingers, finally finished all one hundred twenty-eight strikes.
"You should fall now, right?"
"This is my strongest attack!"
Yet when he looked up, panting heavily, he found Takumi yawning boredly.
"This!?"
Just after the start, Neji was plunged into deep despair!
He had been striking until his fingers went numb, yet Takumi showed no reaction at all!
The vast gap between them made him deeply understand the difference between himself and Takumi!
It was this gap that made him feel despair.
'Damn it... Is he even human?'
'Compared to him, what kind of genius am I?'
'How can there be someone so strong in this world?'
Neji gritted his teeth, the veins at the corners of his eyes bulging.
At this moment, while feeling shocked, he felt even more resentment towards heaven.
'God, how unfair you are!'
'Since you created him, why create me!'