Everyone in the arena fell silent at that moment—the examiner, Gekko Hayate, the unconscious Karui lying on the ground, and the spectators on both sides.
But the next instant, feverish cheers erupted from the surrounding stands!
"My freaking Byakugan! Is this the power of the Hyuga clan?! That was too fast! He took down his opponent before I could even see it!?"
"Hahaha! I knew the Hyuga wouldn't let me down! Bet big, win bigger! I put down a hundred thousand and turned it into a hundred eighty thousand! Tonight, I'm taking the boys out for a full-service spa!"
"I want Technician No. 18!"
"Can I get two?"
Neji silently hooked the ninja tools in his hand with his fingers, swung his forearm in several circles, then sealed them back into the scroll. He quietly looked toward Gekko Hayate.
"Examiner, did I win?"
Only then did Hayate snap back to his senses. He raised Neji's right hand and shouted loudly.
"The winner: Neji Hyuga!"
Neji leaped straight down from the arena and headed back along the path he had taken to get here. On the way, he ran into Naruto.
What a lucky brat, to actually earn Lord Senya's favor!
"Hey, Naruto. Konoha can only win. You are not allowed to lose."
"Don't let Lord Senya's expectations down."
Neji's words were cold, but to Naruto's ears, they sounded like encouragement.
"Osu! Don't worry! I've mastered a new ultimate move."
"I definitely won't disappoint Big Brother Senya!"
The two brushed past each other. Neji turned back for one more look at Naruto's retreating figure before heading for his own waiting room.
He was someone to be envied, but somehow, impossible to resent...
Meanwhile, Senya was lowering his head in thought.
Am I the transmigrator here, or are you, Neji Hyuga?
I'm