Hyuga Civil War

Yei's performance greatly surprised his peers, and even Kakashi, who was observing all the examinees, was slightly taken aback.

Yei has indeed changed somewhat from before. This speed... it's almost comparable to that Uchiha's Body Flicker Shisui... Kakashi glanced at Yei, then shifted his gaze to Shisui.

Although Shisui was young, he had already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and earned the moniker Body Flicker Shisui, possessing considerable fame in the ninja world.

Kakashi had witnessed Shisui's Body Flicker Technique on the battlefield. It was fast. While not as swift as his own teacher's speed, it was difficult for ordinary Jonin to track him.

With just a moment's inattention, enemies would fall to Shisui Uchiha!

The speed Yei had just displayed was surprisingly not inferior to Shisui Uchiha's, which made Kakashi sigh. Indeed, the battlefield was the best place to hone one's skills...

The Yei of the past was not nearly as strong, and his performance in the Ninja Academy was very ordinary...

The examination continued. Although Yei's performance was acceptable, others were also doing well.

Several of Yei's familiar peers took their turns. Some faced weak opponents and advanced easily, while others had bad luck, encountering stronger opponents and being unfortunately eliminated.

Gai had rather poor luck, facing Shisui Uchiha in the very first match. After a brief exchange, he was ultimately eliminated by Shisui Uchiha.

The main reason was that Gai did not intend to use the Eight Gates Formation during the examination. He viewed that power as a means to protect his comrades and would not use it lightly. During his fight with Shisui Uchiha, he relied solely on his regular Taijutsu. Shisui Uchiha seized an opportunity and defeated him with a single move...

Nami, Hayate Gekko, Anko, and others were also eliminated. Of course, they were not discouraged. Elimination did not mean the end of their chances to become Special Jonin. This examination was not solely based on combat power.

If it didn't work this time, there would be next time.

As for the Shadow Guard Squad, it was merely something Asuma had mentioned in passing. Whether they were actually selecting for it this time was uncertain, and they didn't hold out much hope...

The combat examination naturally aimed to select the final candidates.

There were five platforms in the arena, meaning five individuals with the strongest combat power would be chosen.

These five individuals had the greatest chance of becoming Special Jonin. No, it should be considered a certainty!

After all, combat power was a factor in the examination, and it was definitely a relatively important aspect.

It was only selecting Special Jonin, and excelling in any one area was sufficient.

Of course, as mentioned before, elimination did not mean one couldn't be selected. The standard for Special Jonin wasn't solely based on combat power but also on performance in other areas.

The difficulty of becoming a true Jonin was even greater!

The vast Konoha Village, at its peak, had over ten thousand ninjas on its roster. The combined number of Jonin and Special Jonin was only a few hundred, which was telling...

Yei stepped onto the stage again. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but this time his opponent was a member of the Hyuga Clan, just like him.

The opponent appeared a few years older, around seventeen or eighteen, and was also taller than Yei.

This person's name was Yuta Hyuga, also a member of the Branch Family.

The Anbu Jonin acting as the referee waved his hand and said "Begin" before leaving the platform, leaving it to the two of them.

The two faced each other on the platform. Yuta Hyuga didn't attack directly but looked at Yei. "Clan brother Yei, you are no match for me. Surrender!"

Both belonging to the Hyuga Clan, they knew each other and were even related.

Yuta Hyuga knew about Yei's situation. They had sparred during past clan gatherings, and he knew Yei's performance in the Ninja Academy was mediocre, making him no match for Yuta.

That's why he told Yei to surrender.

Yei just shook his head slightly. "How will we know if we don't try?"

"That's true. As a member of the Hyuga Clan, how can one admit defeat without a fight? Then be careful, clan brother Yei, I won't hold back!" Yuta Hyuga's expression turned serious, he assumed a Gentle Fist stance, veins bulging around his eyes as he activated his Byakugan!

The Hyuga Clan was inherently gentle, unlike the extreme Uchiha Clan.

Furthermore, among the Branch Family, due to the oppression from the Main Family, there was a sense of shared hatred towards a common enemy. Therefore, the members of the Hyuga Branch Family had very harmonious relationships with each other, with almost no grudges existing.

"Bring it on!" Yei also quietly activated his Byakugan and assumed a Gentle Fist starting stance.

"A battle between Hyuga Clan members? This is truly interesting..."

"What a shame, I didn't get to see a battle between the two great Dojutsu noble clans. Uchiha and Hyuga, I wonder whose Dojutsu Bloodline is stronger?"

Everyone watching the two on the platform focused their attention.

Most of the people here were civilian ninja, and they mostly held a reverent attitude towards the ninja of the noble clans...

Soon, the battle in the arena began.

Yuta Hyuga initiated the attack first, his Byakugan fixed on Yei. He drew a shuriken from his Ninja Tool Pouch and threw it at Yei.

Yei simply dodged it with a flash of his body and charged towards Yuta Hyuga. He performed a simple hand seal, and Chakra flowed to his fingertips. He flicked his finger, sending out a Chakra Bullet: "Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"

This was Yei's application of Hadō No Ichi · Oki, which in this world had transformed into a bullet-like Chakra Bullet!

Its speed and destructive power were astonishing. Moreover, due to its small size, it was difficult to detect and could play an unexpected role at certain times!

Hadō No Ichi could also enhance the power of the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm. When fighting the ninja who attacked them before, Yei's Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm had incorporated Hadō No Ichi · Oki!

"Hmm? Is this an alternative application of Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm?" Although Yei's attack was very concealed, the Chakra Bullet was clearly visible within Yuta Hyuga's Byakugan vision. He was only slightly surprised.

Seeing the trajectory of the attack clearly, Yuta Hyuga quickly threw his shuriken, which collided with the Chakra Bullet in mid-air.

With a 'clang' like the clash of metal, the Chakra Bullet exploded directly, and the shuriken was sent flying.

The two's attacks did not stop, and under everyone's gaze, they collided with each other!

'Bang bang bang...'

Gentle Fist and Taijutsu were in opposition, both masters of the Hyuga Clan, exceptionally skilled in the use of Chakra. The clashes of palm against palm, fist against fist, caused the Chakra in the arena to surge.

A wave of energy swirled around the two of them.

With a "bang," the two clashed palms again. Chakra and strength erupted, and both were forced back several steps!

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!" Yei smiled slightly, channeling the Chakra within him and concentrating it in his palm before pushing it forward!

"Rotation!" Yuta Hyuga's expression changed slightly, but his reaction was swift. His body spun rapidly like a top, Chakra erupting from his acupoints to form a spherical shield!