~~
When the electronic screen displayed the names Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga, the Third Hokage, Kakashi, and the other Jonin, who knew of the love-hate relationship between the Hyuga Clan's Main Family and Branch Family, all wore peculiar expressions.
Unfortunately, the Third Hokage and the others had it wrong.~~
Without Hao Shuai, Neji might have held onto his grudge against the Main Family and beaten Hinata badly, just as he had in the original story.
But with Hao Shuai in the picture, the outcome would be completely different.
For one thing, over the past year or so, Hinata had been allowed to eat her fill, and with Hao Shuai's guidance, her strength had improved as rapidly as her body had grown. She was now nearly Neji's equal.
Neji's only real advantage was probably his experience in actual combat.
And over the past year or so, Neji had occasionally sought Hao Shuai's guidance. He had known about Hinata and Hao Shuai's relationship for a long time.
Knowing just how terrifyingly powerful Hao Shuai was, Neji wouldn't dare beat Hinata until she was left coughing blood, even if he still didn't know the truth or understand the reason behind it.
Neji believed that if he so much as made Hinata bleed, Hao Shuai—a man who fiercely protected his own—would rip him limb from limb to make an example of him.
As it turned out, Neji was right.~~
The moment Hao Shuai saw the names of the two opponents, he shot Neji a look that said, "You'd better behave." Then he turned to Hinata beside him and said with concern, "Hinata, just do your best in the match. Don't push yourself. If you can't win, forfeit. Understand?"
"Hao Shuai-kun, I understand," Hinata replied, touched.
The match went just as Hao Shuai expected.