Chapter 219 : A battle of geniuses
"This is the guy I was just telling you about, Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto watched Uchiha Sasuke and sighed helplessly.
When he heard that a Genius Ninja from Konoha had transferred to the school, he had predicted that Uchiha Sasuke would come looking for trouble.
He had originally intended to remind Hyuga Neji to prepare himself mentally, but he hadn't expected Sasuke to find him so quickly.
Hyuga Neji looked at the overbearing Uchiha Sasuke and, having no intention of sparring with him, simply took a couple of steps to the side.
"I don't want to fight you, and I have no interest in being some Genius Ninja. Please move aside."
Uchiha Sasuke sneered, stepped forward to block Hyuga Neji's path, and said, "Stop yapping. I've already challenged you, and you can't back down now."
Seeing Uchiha Sasuke's aggressive demeanor, Hyuga Neji couldn't help but frown.
Naruto, standing to the side, explained, "Neji, the culture in Hidden Cloud Village might be different from Konoha. Unless you admit you're inferior to your opponent, it's best not to refuse a sparring request from a peer."
"Otherwise, you're very likely to be branded a coward..."
"Ring ring~"
The bell for the end of class rang abruptly, and the energetic boys and girls came rushing out of the classrooms.
Seeing Hyuga Neji and Uchiha Sasuke confronting each other on the playground, everyone gathered around instinctively.
"Look at those eyes! He's a Ninja from the Hyuga Clan. Sasuke really did find him."
"I heard the other guy is a Genius Ninja from Konoha. I wonder if he's a match for Sasuke."
"I don't think he can beat Sasuke. After all, Sasuke is our school's undisputed top student."
"I don't think so. Do you guys know that the Hyuga Clan is a Pupil Technique Ninja Clan just as famous as the Uchiha Clan? The reputation of the Byakugan is no less than that of the Uchiha Clan."
"A duel between geniuses. Looks like we've got a good show to watch."
Seeing himself become the focus of the surrounding students' discussion, Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth.
Within the Ninja Academy, only Naruto and Gaara were on par with him in strength.
But Naruto was clueless about academic classes, and Gaara didn't like fighting, so he had always been recognized as the top student in his grade.
If he could defeat Hyuga Neji today, he would definitely be able to surpass his brother and become the best child in his father's eyes!
Thinking of this, Uchiha Sasuke said arrogantly, "Well? Are you planning to concede voluntarily, or are you going to run away without a fight?"
Hyuga Neji took a deep breath and assumed the starting stance of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. "I'll fight you!"
Now he understood that today's battle might concern the face of the Hyuga Clan.
Even if the opponent was Yuzuru's child, he had to give it his all.
Seeing Hyuga Neji's fighting spirit rise, Naruto and the onlookers immediately backed away. Uchiha Sasuke pulled several wooden Shuriken from his Ninja tool pouch and threw them at Hyuga Neji.
The Shuriken collided with each other in mid-air, rushing toward Hyuga Neji from all directions.
Hyuga Neji raised his hands, and as his body twisted and moved, he easily knocked down the Shuriken one by one.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Sasuke had already rushed in front of Hyuga Neji.
As soon as the two exchanged blows, Hyuga Neji's expression changed.
Uchiha Sasuke's speed and strength were somewhat beyond his expectations, and the Taijutsu he used was fluid and varied, putting him at a disadvantage almost immediately upon contact.
"As expected of Yuzuru's child."
Hyuga Neji was secretly shocked; Uchiha Sasuke was completely different from the peers he had encountered before.
Even without using Chakra, the Gentle Fist was considered first-class Taijutsu, yet Uchiha Sasuke dealt with it with ease.
"Hahahaha... Is that all the talent the Hyuga Clan has to offer?"
Uchiha Sasuke became more and more excited as he fought, his offensive methods becoming increasingly swift and fierce.
Hearing his taunts, Hyuga Neji also got fired up. He immediately seized an opportunity to retreat a few steps, creating distance between himself and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Byakugan, activate!"
Grim blue veins bulged from the corners of his eyes. Hyuga Neji warned in a deep voice, "I'm going to use the real Gentle Fist now. Be careful, don't get hurt."
The smile on Uchiha Sasuke's face froze. "Are you provoking me?"
"Damn it!"
Uchiha Sasuke rushed toward Hyuga Neji again, but this time, it was his expression that changed.
Although Hyuga Neji was still being suppressed by him, he felt his movements becoming increasingly sluggish, and the Chakra inside his body was no longer flowing smoothly.
Gradually, the duel reversed, and Uchiha Sasuke began to struggle under Hyuga Neji's attacks.
"It's useless. In front of the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist, your only outcome is defeat."
"However, to be able to last this long, you are already the strongest peer I have ever encountered."
Hyuga Neji gradually regained his confidence, and even had the presence of mind to speak.
It seemed Uchiha Sasuke was no different from the opponents he had encountered before; he was destined to be defeated at his hands.
"Don't get cocky."
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth and used the Lion Combo to temporarily force Hyuga Neji back.
Immediately after, he quickly formed Hand Seals with both hands, his chest puffing up suddenly. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A scorching fireball several meters in diameter instantly swept toward Hyuga Neji. The searing heat terrified everyone.
Hyuga Neji, bearing the brunt of the attack, was terrified, only able to watch helplessly as the ball of high-temperature flame rushed toward him.
At the critical moment, Hyuga Neji suddenly felt his body wrapped in a mass of sand, pulling him to the side.
At the same time, Naruto's voice rang in his ears. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
The Water Release and Fire Release collided, and a large amount of water vapor instantly engulfed everything.
In the mist, the crowd of onlookers finally reacted.
"It's Ninjutsu! The Uchiha Clan's signature Fire Release Ninjutsu!"
"My God, can this guy Sasuke actually perform Ninjutsu of this level?"
"And there's Naruto and Gaara; they blocked the fireball. Truly worthy of being Yuzuru's children."
The mist dissipated, and Hyuga Neji panted heavily, still shaken.
Just now... he almost died!
"Sasuke, you're being too reckless."
"He was the one who kept provoking me..."
Naruto glared at Uchiha Sasuke with dissatisfaction and helped Hyuga Neji up. "Neji, are you hurt?"
Feeling the eyes of the crowd, Hyuga Neji said in a low voice, "I lost."
He clenched his fists, preparing to face everyone's mockery.
But to his surprise, Uchiha Sasuke walked up to him with his hands in his pockets, turned his head to the side, and spoke with a hint of awkwardness.
"The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and Gentle Fist are both very strong. To think you forced me to use Ninjutsu... I acknowledge you."
The people around also started cheering.
"What a spectacular battle! That was awesome to watch!"
"That's right, truly worthy of being a Genius Ninja of the Hyuga Clan. The reputation is well-deserved."
"So the Gentle Fist and Byakugan are this powerful. I must find a chance to spar with Hyuga Neji properly."
"Can someone speak up for me? My hair, which I just styled, is singed..."
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