As Neji looked toward Hyuga Kagami on the dais, the dozens of Narutos on the field also turned to look at the dais, at Hyuga Kagami seated high above them!
Like Neji, Naruto had a reason he could not afford to lose.
A Hokage's disciple had to earn the title of "top of the class"!
This simple thought filled both Neji and Naruto's hearts, shutting out all distractions and bringing them into an unprecedented state of focus. It was as if everything around them had vanished, leaving only the opponent before their eyes.
"Hm..."
Hyuga Kagami let out a soft sound of surprise.
In that instant, he noticed a change in Neji and Naruto's bearing. The two boys seemed to have shed the impatience and immaturity of academy students at the same time, beginning to fight like true shinobi!
Hyuga Kagami was clearly not the only one to notice the change.
The Third Hokage, pipe in mouth, smiled with satisfaction.
Jiraiya, beside him, sighed emotionally. "For one brief moment, I actually saw Minato's shadow in Naruto!"
Tsunade said, "It seems Naruto's potential is greater than we imagined!"
In the arena.
Knowing that continued passive defense would inevitably lead to defeat, Neji decisively abandoned his strategy of holding his ground. With a flash, he launched an active assault against the Narutos spread across the field!
Bang bang bang...
Under Neji's skilled Gentle Fist, Naruto's Shadow Clones were continuously destroyed. Dull impacts rang out across the field as puffs of white smoke rose one after another!
As he darted and maneuvered, Neji did not forget his objective. Taking advantage of openings in his attacks, he pushed his Byakugan to its limit, searching desperately among the dozens of Naruto's Shadow Clones for the real Naruto.
Faced with Neji's sharp taijutsu, Naruto did not