"Bang!"
The dull sound echoed softly through the arena.
The entire venue fell silent once more.
Even Hada Ryuhiko, whose expression had shifted to one of confusion as if he wanted to say something and confirm something with Hada Anna beside him, frowned and slowly looked toward the arena with a grave expression.
Hada Ichiba and Hada Anna also remained silent, watching the arena.
And it was not just them. The remaining contestant from the Sound Village, the three from Sunagakure, the other Jonin instructors, and even Konoha's most boisterous rookies all stayed silent.
The most boisterous among them, the Blond-haired Blue-eyed Youth, Uzumaki Naruto, had a completely tense face as he stared unblinkingly into the arena with his azure eyes.
He was practically holding his breath.
"Cough!"
Then, a heavy cough accompanied by splattered blood shattered the silence hanging over the venue.
"Thud!"
That was followed by the sound of a body collapsing to the ground.
"You really don't know when to quit. Your attacks have never been effective from the very beginning. This time, it truly is over, Miss Hinata."
As the veins at the corners of his eyes gradually faded, Neji Hyuga slowly turned around, looked at Hyuga Hinata lying on the ground, and spoke calmly.
As long as I defeat you, that will be enough.
As long as I shatter all your dreams, you'll understand that fate cannot be changed!
When all was said and done, if fate could be changed...
If it could be changed...
That thought flashed through his mind.
Hinata, this is enough! Even if you didn't win this battle, you're no longer the same as before.
You did very well!
At the same time, after looking at Neji Hyuga, who had said something in the arena before turning to leave, Kurenai Yuhi's