On the spectator stands.
Mei Terumī's gaze fell upon those two people.
She sat upright, hands folded over her knees, her face expressionless.
But those eyes never left the black-haired youth.
"Inuzuka Kiba."
The Third Hokage read aloud beside her: "The heir to the Inuzuka clan. Excels in Taijutsu and Fang Over Fang, fighting in coordination with a ninja hound."
He paused.
"Shinji."
He continued reading: "A Konoha Genin who has never been assigned to a squad. Very little Chakra, but good Taijutsu."
Mei Terumī didn't say anything.
She just watched the youth in the arena.
Good Taijutsu?
She smiled slightly.
In the arena, the proctor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Kiba moved first.
He didn't foolishly rush straight in; he knew Shinji had defeated Rock Lee.
In that battle, he had seen with his own eyes how Shinji used pure Taijutsu to force Rock Lee back step by step.
He couldn't beat Shinji. He was very clear on that point.
But he couldn't just give up.
Akamaru jumped out of his arms, landed on the ground, and let out a low growl.
"Akamaru. Let's go!"
Kiba and Akamaru rushed out simultaneously. One left and one right, splitting into two directions to flank him from both sides.
This was the Inuzuka clan's tactic. Utilizing Akamaru's sense of smell and speed to coordinate with the master's attacks, making the opponent lose focus.
Shinji stood in place, unmoving.
He watched Kiba rushing from the left and Akamaru pouncing from the right.
Left and right, they arrived almost at the same time.
Then Shinji moved.
Not retreating. Charging forward.
One step.
Just one step.
He charged into the center of Kiba and Akamaru's pincer attack.
Kiba's fist smashed in from the left. Akamaru's claws swiped from the right.
Shinji turned sideways, letting Kiba's fist pass. Simultaneously, he raised his leg and kicked Akamaru.
With a yelp, Akamaru went flying.
Kiba froze for a split second.
Just that split second.
Shinji's hand had already gripped his wrist.
A reverse twist.
Crack.
Kiba's arm bent at a bizarre angle. He let out a scream of agony, lost his balance, and tumbled forward.
Shinji didn't stop.
He let go of that hand and clenched his other hand into a fist, slamming it into Kiba's abdomen.
Thud.
Kiba doubled over like a shrimp.
The contents of his stomach churned; he opened his mouth, let out a dry heave, and then collapsed onto his knees.
The entire process took less than three seconds.
The sidelines fell into a dead silence.
Akamaru scrambled up from the ground, whimpering and wanting to rush over to save its master, but when it saw Shinji's eyes, its steps faltered.
"Akamaru... don't..."
Kiba knelt on the ground, clutching his stomach, and looked up.
He looked at Shinji.
Shinji stood before him, looking down at him.
Those eyes were very calm, as if looking at something that had nothing to do with him.
"You."
Kiba opened his mouth, wanting to say something. But the words were stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
He remembered the things he had said.
"What a loser this guy is."
"You're not qualified."
"Training relies on talent."
Those words now acted like a boomerang, circling around and smashing back hard into his own face.
He looked at Shinji's expressionless face and those bottomless eyes.
Then he lowered his head.
"I lose."
His voice was very small, almost inaudible.
Shinji didn't speak.
He simply turned around and walked toward the sidelines.
The proctor glanced at him and then raised his hand.
"Winner: Shinji!"
A wave of discussion broke out in the crowd. Some were clapping, while others whispered to one another.
Kiba was still kneeling on the ground, head bowed.
Akamaru ran over, licking his face and whimpering.
He raised his head and looked toward the edge of the crowd.
Hinata stood there.
She was looking at him, her white eyes filled with sadness and pity. But she didn't walk over.
She just gave him a look, then turned her head and looked in another direction.
Toward Shinji's retreating back.
Kiba's mouth moved.
But nothing came out.
On the spectator stands.
The corner of Mei Terumī's mouth curled slightly.
"Interesting," she said.
The Third Hokage glanced at her.
"What does the Mizukage find interesting?"
Mei Terumī didn't answer.
She just watched the black-haired youth walk back to the edge of the crowd, lean against a pillar, and close his eyes.
"Clean and efficient. No hesitation, leaving the opponent no room at all."
She paused.
"I like this style."
The Third Hokage put down his pipe, his gaze falling on the black-haired youth in the arena.
He had just walked off the combat zone, his pace neither fast nor slow; though covered in blood, he was as calm as if he had just finished a session at the training ground.
"This Shinji..."
The Sandaime spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement:
"I remember him."
The "Kazekage" beside him turned his head: "The Sandaime knows him?"
"Yes."
The Sandaime nodded, twirling his pipe in his hand: "A Konoha Genin. Graduated half a year ago, but no squad was willing to take him."
Orochimaru's slitted pupils narrowed slightly: "Oh? With such strength, no one wanted him?"
"His Chakra volume is too small."
The Sandaime's tone was flat: "So little that he couldn't even perform the Three Basic Jutsu properly. But looking at things today..."
He paused, watching the youth lean against the pillar and close his eyes: "It seems he has found another path."
Orochimaru didn't respond. He just watched the youth in the arena, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Interesting. He still remembered that shout the kid let out in the Forest of Death.
Match after match. Some won, some lost. Some jumped with excitement, others left the arena silently with their heads bowed.
Until...
"Next match."
The proctor pulled a slip of paper from the box and unfolded it:
"Hyuga Neji vs Hyuga Hinata."
An even greater commotion erupted from the crowd.
Hyuga. Same clan. Main house and branch house.
When these terms were put together, everyone knew what it meant.
Hinata's face instantly turned pale.
She stood there, her body trembling slightly.
Kurenai's hand rested on her shoulder.
"Hinata."
"I... I'm fine..."
Her voice was shaking. But she still walked forward.
Step by step.
To the center of the open ground.
Neji was already standing there.
He stood with his back to her, arms crossed, looking into the distance.
Sunlight fell on his white clothes, making him shine.
Hearing the footsteps, he turned around.
Those white eyes looked at Hinata, as calm as if looking at a stranger.
"Lady Hinata," he said.
Those words came out of his mouth with an indescribable meaning.
It wasn't respect, it wasn't mockery; it was something more complex. Resentment, grudge, and a tiny bit of pity.
Hinata's hands clenched tight.
"Brother Neji..."
"Don't call me brother."
Neji interrupted her: "This is the examination hall. Call me Hyuga Neji."
Hinata's lips trembled.
She lowered her head.
"Yes... Hyuga Neji."
The proctor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Neji didn't move.
He just stood there, looking at Hinata.
"Make your move," he said. "Let me see the strength of the main house's eldest daughter."