Sakura vs. Neji (1)

"So it really is Neji?" Sakura glanced thoughtfully in Neji's direction, her gaze meeting Neji. Their white pupils and emerald eyes locked for a moment, and then, in perfect unison, they both jumped from the stands into the lobby.

Bang! They landed almost simultaneously, both swaying almost imperceptibly before regaining their footing at the same time.

That was a beautiful jump.

Neji's eyebrows rose slightly. As a highly skilled Taijutsu ninja, he habitually analyzed a girl's Taijutsu prowess from her movements. Perhaps some people would deliberately conceal their strength before a battle, but subtle details often reveal their true level.

For example, this simple jump.

The stands were quite high, and when she jumped from that height, her feet were still together, and the two feet that landed were so close together, yet there was almost no wobbling upon landing. It's no easy feat to do that!

However, she is indeed a ninja skilled in Ninjutsu.

Neji activated his Byakugan, and his penetrating gaze revealed the secret hidden beneath the girl's clothes. From her feet, ankles, and knees all the way down to her waist, shoulders, elbows, and wrists, a thin layer of water surrounded the vital areas, protecting her joints and aiding her in performing Taijutsu movements. The prolonged immersion in this liquid environment also gave her joints, which were usually prone to calluses and dead skin, a smooth, fair appearance unlike that of Taijutsu ninja.

Neji knew that this was a Nintaijutsu that consumed a small amount of Chakra, but required the user to have extremely high Chakra control. Although he didn't know how the girl was able to use soft water in Nintaijutsu, Neji could tell from this alone that his opponent was not only highly skilled in Ninjutsu, but also had considerable Taijutsu.

As expected, he's no easy opponent! Neji's expression turned serious.

Sakura, however, didn't think as much as Neji did.

While Neji was sizing up Sakura, Sakura was also observing Neji.

Although, as a Ninjutsu -type ninja, she couldn't analyze an opponent's Taijutsu level from a single movement, all she could see was that Neji's movements were very graceful and free, which, combined with his long hair and handsome face, made him look very dashing.

The real Neji Sakura had imagined. If it weren't for his overly sharp eyes, and if his expression were a little softer, many people might mistake him for being of uncertain gender.

Thanks to her knowledge of the original work, she was well aware of Neji's strength. With her Ultra-Pure Water defense, Sakura could easily defeat a pure Taijutsu- type ninja like Neji.

She simply felt that Neji's Byakugan was very sharp, completely different from Hinata's Byakugan. Under that penetrating gaze, Sakura even felt as if she were facing Neji naked.

Of course, Sakura also knew that the Byakugan could indeed see through clothes, and this feeling was not an illusion... Although, given Neji's black-and-white vision in Byakugan mode, what he was doing could not be considered blatant peeping.

With a slight twitch of her brows, the girl suppressed her displeasure and adopted a Taijutsu stance.

She planned to test her Taijutsu against Neji.

The examiner's calm voice rang out.

"Match 4, Sakura Haruno Neji Hyuga, begin!"

In the stands.

"Kakashi, I didn't expect to meet our disciple so soon!" Might Guy approached Kakashi had somehow returned to the stands.

Kakashi put down the erotic book in his hand and stroked his chin. "Is that so... I don't find it strange at all!"

Given Kakashi's level, he certainly knew the principles behind the match arrangements, and this kind of intense battle was exactly what everyone wanted to see.

Might Guy frowned as he watched the two men assuming their Taijutsu duel stances.

"Kakashi, isn't Sakura Haruno a Ninjutsu -type ninja? Does she intend to fight Neji using Taijutsu? Doesn't she know that Neji's Gentle Fist is a perfect counter to ordinary Taijutsu? Heh heh, Kakashi, it seems I'll have to win the first match between our subordinates!"

Kakashi chuckled lightly, seemingly not taking Might Guy's warning to heart at all.

"Might Guy, don't jump to conclusions too quickly." Kakashi leaned against the railing, watching the two facing off below, and said casually, "Compared to Gentle Fist... perhaps Sakura's Nintaijutsu is more deserving of being called a counter to Taijutsu! You'll see as you watch; Neji's chances of winning this match are very low!"

Might Guy didn't refute Kakashi's words, but simply watched the two on the sidelines in silence. Years of getting along with him had taught him that Kakashi must have his reasons for acting this way.

Instead, Lee couldn't help but interject, "Kakashi-sensei, aren't you being too hasty? Neji's Gentle Fist and pressure points are very effective against Taijutsu attacks. If Sakura uses Ninjutsu, it might not be a problem, but if she's going to Neji Taijutsu, no matter how you look at it, Sakura is no match for Neji!"

Kakashi smiled calmly and did not refute Lee's words.

With her offensive Nintaijutsu combined with the defense of Ultra-Pure Water, even a typical Taijutsu ninja would find it difficult to contend with Sakura. To be honest, even Kakashi might not be able to defeat her in her current form using only Taijutsu, let alone the still relatively inexperienced Neji.

Without Kekkei Genkai or relying on inherited Ninjutsu, Sakura carved out a new path in a field where no one had ever guided her before. That's what makes Sakura a true genius!

Off the field, the two, having assumed their starting stances, did not rush into combat.

"You're clearly Ninjutsu- type ninja... It seems you want to fight me using Taijutsu?" Neji said calmly.

"Hmm, is that not allowed? Thanks to Hinata, my Taijutsu is pretty good!"

Neji was slightly displeased upon hearing Hinata's name, but did not react further.

"Hmph... I've heard some things about you! You were the top graduate of this year's Ninja Academy, you have a natural talent for Ninjutsu, and you even developed a new technique yourself... You and Sasuke Uchiha are known as the twin stars of the new generation. However, most people don't really have high hopes for your future as a ninja!"

Sakura remained unmoved.

She had heard of such methods before; they were not uncommon.

Sakura is not a ninja in the traditional sense.

In times of war, so-called "prodigy ninjas" often graduate from the Ninja Academy at the age of six or seven and go to the battlefield. Within two or three years, their strength can reach the level of Chunin, and they can be promoted to Chunin through battle merits. Then, they can become Jonin during their teenage years. In contrast, Sakura was still practicing Chakra manipulation when she was six or seven years old, and she was promoted to Genin at the age of twelve. She only went into battle for the first time a few months ago. Her physical qualities are average, her strength and speed are mediocre, and her Chakra reserves are entirely forcibly increased by her powerful mental strength. She also does not have a powerful Kekkei Genkai. She is a "prodigy," but her reputation is undeserved.

But...

So what?

Sakura coldly retorted.

"Many people think... you're just good at the Ninja Academy exams, you don't have the potential to become a true powerhouse! Most people believe that on the path of a ninja, you're not as good as Sasuke, because you can only grow to the level of Jonin at best!"

Neji sneered, a hint of contempt hidden in his tone.

"I think you should know very well that your Chakra reserves are not outstanding, and your Taijutsu talent is not exceptional! You are a Water Release ninja, and the primary condition for becoming an excellent Water Release ninja is a large Chakra! And you don't even meet the first requirement! You can neither become an excellent Taijutsu ninja nor an excellent Water Release ninja, and this is your future fate!"

Veins bulged on his face, Neji's sharp eyes seemed to see right through Sakura's fate!

"My white Byakugan have seen through all of this...!"

"Although you adopted a stance of attacking with Taijutsu, you were secretly manipulating Chakra. This shows that your posture was merely a ploy to mislead me, while you were actually preparing to unleash Ninjutsu! Unfortunately, your tactics are exposed by my Byakugan, and you have no chance of winning! This is your fate!"

"Give up, Sakura Haruno!"

Under Neji's blank, white gaze, Sakura actually let out a snicker.

"What a brilliant speech... Neji Hyuga," Sakura said sarcastically. "Your imagination truly opens my eyes."

"It's true that many people don't have high hopes for me, but I'm not their mother, so I don't need to cater to their opinions!"

"As for Chakra, give me a ninja who doesn't mobilize Chakra before a battle! What fate, what destiny? Sorry, I don't believe in such nonsense! All that talk and no action, let's see who's the real deal!"

Sakura is the kind of person who's incredibly stubborn; she knows she can't win but still insists on fighting. Neji would be better off hoping Sakura would go streaking instead of trying to Talk no Jutsu her to surrender with words.

Moreover, Sakura didn't believe she would lose to Neji at all.

After Talk no Jutsu, the two realized that neither of them had suffered any physical or psychological damage. Without further ado, their eyes narrowed, and they charged at each other simultaneously!

A flurry of punches and kicks ensued!

The boy and girl began a brutal, hand-to-hand combat in the hall!

Bang bang bang!

A tall, slender figure with long, straight black hair and a delicate figure with pink hair moved back and forth, shifting and dodging. The sounds of heavy impacts erupted as their fists and feet clashed. The high-speed back-and-forth fighting dazzled the audience in the stands, leaving them breathless!

On one side is a talented young man from the Hyuga Clan, and on the other is a frail girl from a poor family.

The two, who seemed to be of vastly different strengths, actually engaged in a closely contested battle in the hall!

What's even more striking is that the young boy's boxing style was skillful, gentle, agile, and fluid, with a swift and unpredictable movement, making him adept at wide-range attacks and maneuvers; while the delicate girl's moves were powerful, vigorous, clean, and precise, with astonishing power, a true example of the hard Strong Fist!