[Byakugan Princess...]
[This thought flashed through Neji's mind.]
[But when he spoke, it turned into: "Lady Hinata, you are still too kind."]
["A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit."]
["In a Ninja world full of killing intent... such kindness is unacceptable."]
[Hinata neither nodded nor shook her head.]
["Brother Neji, you are not an enemy."]
[Neji: "..."]
[Neji wanted to say something.]
[But meeting Hinata's pure, flawless eyes, he silently swallowed his words.]
[In the back.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was unsightly.]
['The Hyuga... it seems that incident from years ago still left a lot of resentment!']
[Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a fleeting trace of regret, but it vanished instantly.]
[Mostly, he felt it was a pity.]
[If the Hyuga held no resentment...]
[He would have known everything sooner and more completely.]
[Then, he could have made some fine adjustments to the team assignments.]
[What a pity.]
[He glanced at Neji, whose shoulders were trembling slightly; an experienced eye could tell his Chakra flow was damaged.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart tightened.]
[He naturally knew of Hyuga Neji's reputation as a genius.]
[He had even planned to approach him after a while.]
[After all, Neji's status was somewhat sensitive; if handled well, he might be made into someone like Naruto...]
[This battle was, in fact, something Hiruzen Sarutobi had deliberately orchestrated.]
[Suddenly.]
[Inside the dojo.]
[Neji's forward-charging body jerked and froze in place.]
[Meanwhile, Hinata silently withdrew the finger she had pressed against Neji's chest.]
[Drip—]
[Neji's arms hung down somewhat unnaturally.]
[Blood kept pouring from his mouth.]
[Hinata's elegant brows furrowed slightly.]
["Brother Neji..."]
[Neji, however, seemed not to care about his injuries at all.]
[In reality, he hadn't sustained too much damage.]
[He suddenly smiled.]
[He was already very satisfied that Hinata could reach this level against him.]
["Lady Hinata... it seems you no longer need the Branch House to protect you."]
[With a thought.]
[New Shinobi Sect!]
[The Great Fox's Chakra, mixed with Naruto's Chakra, slowly surged out.]
[It seemed gentle.]
[However, the restriction Hinata had set via pressure points was broken in an instant.]
["Eight Trigrams... Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"]
[Ignoring his injuries, Neji continued his attack.]
[He still wanted to keep pushing Hinata.]
[To force Hinata to strike harder.]
[Just as he said, Hinata was indeed too kind.]
[This kindness... if it wasn't accompanied by a cold side, it would harm her.]
[Unless Hinata ceased to be a Ninja in the future.]
[Hinata's beautiful brows furrowed, and a trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes.]
["Do it."]
[Neji's tone was calm.]
[But his hands were not slow.]
[The first strike of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was already launched.]
[Whoosh—]
[Hinata sighed inwardly.]
[She could clearly feel the concerned gazes cast by her companions behind her.]
["Do it, Hinata. Being hesitant and soft-hearted will only make Neji's injuries worse."]
[Just then.]
[Naruto's voice suddenly rang out.]
[Hinata was startled.]
[But her body had already responded immediately.]
[Swoosh—]
[Neji's mind went blank.]
[His body stiffened, still maintaining the starting stance of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.]
[The first palm had been struck, but the second palm was frozen in mid-air.]
[His whole body trembled violently!]
[That seemingly airtight attack.]
[An offense that, even in the eyes of fellow Hyuga clansmen with their Byakugan active, had almost no flaws.]
[Before Hinata, it was riddled with openings.]
[Hinata pressed her index and middle fingers together, accurately striking Neji's heart.]
[Instantly, she sealed Neji's Chakra flow and his ability to move.]
[Whoosh—]
[Neji's eyes widened.]
[The bulging veins around his eyes slowly receded.]
[The blood overflowing from his mouth did not stop.]
[The victory was decided!]
[For The Rookie 9, this result...]
[...was no surprise at all.]
[As the strongest person under Naruto.]
[Hinata, who had been well-fed for many years, had strength that was beyond doubt.]
[Even the proud Sasuke would feel a sense of powerlessness when facing Hinata.]
[Too strong!]
[Moreover, Hinata's strength was different from others.]
[She was like a massive mountain standing before everyone.]
[In every aspect... she crushed them!]
[Most importantly... it had been a very, very long time since they had seen Hinata activate her Byakugan.]
[Even so... The Rookie 9 could still see from the battles between Hinata and Naruto... that even without activating the Byakugan, Hinata could kill them in one move.]
[Yes, she was just that strong!]
[A serious Hinata was simply unreasonable, with insight beyond imagination... Pressure points? Her fingers practically bypassed the flesh...]
[Of course, this was in a one-on-one situation.]
Senju Tobirama: "Such strength... even in our era, she would definitely be a top-tier expert."
Fourth Raikage: "While unafraid of speed, she herself possesses a speed unimaginable to ordinary people."
Fourth Raikage: "And this is without her activating the Byakugan... Even with the speed of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, I probably wouldn't gain the slightest advantage against her."
Mei Terumī: "It seems even the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God couldn't escape her Byakugan."
Kurotsuchi: "Hmm... Metal Lee with the Eight Gates open and Inuzuka Kiba using dynamic tracking... ultimate targeting, ultimate speed... and, ultimate power?!"
Rasa: "Good grief, Konoha's Genin are way too overpowered!"
Mei Terumī: "Exactly, send one to our village. I think little brother Naruto is quite good, he's the perfect choice~!"
[And at this moment, no one noticed.]
[In Hinata's pure, flawless eyes, a trace of blue light flashed.]
[It was gone in an instant.]
This scene, however, was clearly seen by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who had become slightly serious.
She was dazed for a moment and couldn't help but murmur: "Tenseigan..."
[Of course, Hinata's change naturally couldn't be hidden from Naruto.]
[Over these years, it could be said that Naruto knew every inch of Hinata's changes like the back of his hand.]
[Moreover, the two of them often practiced together.]
[Naruto had a premonition that the next time Hinata's Byakugan changed... it would be an earth-shattering transformation.]
[Previously, in Hinata's pure, flawless eyes, a trace of purple light would flash from time to time.]
[Then, with continuous cultivation, constant fulfillment of intake requirements... and the growth of her body.]
[The purple light that occasionally flashed in Hinata's pure, flawless Byakugan disappeared.]
[It was replaced by a more solid golden light.]
[And only then did it become the current blue light.]
[The whole venue fell silent.]
[Everyone thought it would be a fierce battle... they didn't expect this.]
[In the end, it was such an obvious, crushing battle.]
["I'll go."]
[Swoosh—]
[Might Guy disappeared from his spot.]
[To take Neji away, and also to check on Rock Lee's condition.]
[The whole venue was silent for a moment.]
[Finally, Gekkō Hayate couldn't help but cough.]
[And then he had to speak first.]
["Hyuga Neji is unable to continue, Hyuga Hinata wins... cough cough... next match..."]
[Gekkō Hayate turned back to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi for instructions.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a cold, sharp look.]
["Look at the big screen."]