What surprised Guy the most wasn't just the win—it was Neji's technique.
This kid, Guy thought, might actually be the real deal.
After turning in the mission report, Guy wanted to have a heart-to-heart with his student, but Neji bailed early, claiming he had "clan business" to attend to.
Guy had heard the rumors, of course. People said Neji trained alone in the clan's training grounds every night. Guy had always assumed it was just the desperate flailing of a "dead-last" trying to catch up...
He never expected the results to be this eye-opening.
Based on what he saw today, Guy was convinced of one thing: the kid was still holding back.
---
[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: First Combat with a Jonin.]
[Reward: Lightning Nature Chakra Infusion (Injectable).]
[System Notice: Compatible Taijutsu detected for Lightning Infusion: 'Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms'.]
[Do you wish to infuse?]
"Infuse," Neji commanded internally.
After receiving the reward, Neji channeled the Lightning Nature Chakra into his Sixty-Four Palms technique and headed straight for the clan's training grounds.
He found a wooden training post and started his routine drills.
But this time, it was different. Neji accessed the new data uploaded directly into his brain by the System. He drew out the Lightning Chakra simmering inside him...
The energy surged through his body like live electricity—fast, volatile, and accompanied by a slight numbing sensation.
But when he struck, the power seemed underwhelming.
Zzzzt!
He landed palm strike after palm strike on the wooden post, transferring the electricity, but the damage was negligible.
The sky was getting dark. To avoid attracting any more unwanted attention, Neji decided to pack it up and head back to his room.
"Tch. Weird. Why isn't it working?"
Both in terms of difficulty and combat utility, the Sixty-Four Palms was a tier above the Heavenly Rotation. It shouldn't be this weak.
Neji sat on the edge of his bed, frowning. He was unsatisfied with the day's progress.
He slowly cycled the Lightning Chakra again. The subtle, buzzing sensation of electricity racing through his nerves spread across his entire body.
"Wait... is it because the wooden post doesn't have a nervous system?"
He froze. He'd found the bug in his training method.
"Hah!"
He flared his Chakra, drawing out more electricity until the static tingled over his skin.
"I need a live test subject. Hitting a log is pointless. And it can't be just anyone—I need someone strong."
Neji realized that the Sixty-Four Palms was designed to shut down an opponent's internal Chakra network and pressure points. A log didn't have pressure points. The training effect was practically zero compared to real combat. This was completely different from the Rotation, which was just a shield.
He needed a human target to see what this move could really do.
Knock, knock.
"Young Master Neji!"
"Is that Auntie Spring? Come in."
Spring Hyuga entered. She was a gentle-looking woman, around thirty years old.
She was Hinata's personal attendant, and the only person in the compound who still respected him enough to call him "Young Master."
"Did you get into trouble again? The Clan Head has called an emergency meeting. They want you there, now!"
"Me?"
Neji frowned. Clan meetings were usually reserved for the elites and elders. If they were summoning him, the topic of discussion was definitely about him.
He didn't need to think hard to guess what this was about.
---
The Meeting Hall
The room was cavernous, lit only by flickering candles along the walls.
Hiashi Hyuga sat at the head of the room. Flanking him were two rows of Elders. Aside from a few who were Hiashi's generation, the rest were ancient—the old guard of the Hyuga clan.
Behind them stood the younger ninjas, the cream of the crop, the clan's enforcement squad.
"Neji. I hear you've mastered the Heavenly Rotation. And that you've been secretly practicing the Sixty-Four Palms?"
Hiashi asked the question point-blank.
Neji spotted Gintoki and Aota hiding in the corner, looking smug. The situation was clear.
There was no point in denying it, but explaining it was going to be tricky.
"My little tricks are nothing compared to the orthodox traditions of the Hyuga Main House," Neji said calmly.
"Hmph! Nothing? If it's 'nothing,' then how did you manage to injure both my grandson and my grandson-in-law?"
The speaker was Elder Tianshou, sitting closest to Hiashi. He was Gintoki's grandfather.
Naturally, he was protecting his own.
"Clan Head, don't listen to this brat's excuses. With his talent? The only way he learned those moves is by stealing our secret scrolls!"
Hiashi furrowed his brow. He took clan law very seriously.
Neji stood tall, his conscience clear.
"If I wanted to steal secrets, I would have done it years ago. Why wait until today to show off?"
His tone was firm, bordering on defiant.
Elder Tianshou was furious. He stroked his goatee and shouted, "Don't try to lie your way out of this! You're the one always hanging around the Main House family!"
"Now, now. Brother Tianshou, there's no need to corner the boy like that. When Hizashi was alive, he never treated you unfairly."
The speaker was Elder Tianmu, a man with a round, kindly face.
That single sentence shut Tianshou up instantly, looking awkward.
At the mention of his father's name, Neji's fingers twitched slightly.
"So, how do you suggest we handle this?" Tianshou grumbled, trying to regain ground. "We can overlook the theft allegation, but he assaulted my family members. Are we just going to let that slide?"
Seeing Tianshou being aggressive, Elder Tianmu glanced at Neji and smiled comfortably.
"The Chunin Exams are coming up. Since Neji clearly has talent, why not let him prove it? If he can take First or Second place, it would bring glory to the Hyuga name in front of the whole village. It proves his worth, and if he becomes a Chunin, he can properly serve the Main House. How about it? If he pulls that off, we drop all charges."
Hiashi looked pleased. "That's a good idea."
Someone from the back chimed in, "And if he fails?"
"He's a branch member. He'll probably fail."
"Neji, do you accept this challenge?" Hiashi asked.
Neji saw his opening.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Elders. I, Neji Hyuga, make this vow: If I do not take First Place in the Chunin Exams, I will submit to any punishment you see fit!"
"Hmph, don't think you can—"
Tianshou tried to interject, but Tianmu cut him off with a smirk.
"Brother Tianshou, always leave a bridge open. We all know your grandson isn't exactly an angel. Don't push your luck."
That final comment shut Tianshou up completely. He didn't have a single comeback left.