Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm

On the arena stage, Neji Hyuga stood with his arms crossed before his chest, looking coldly at Hinata.

"You're not suited to be a ninja. You're too kind, you avoid conflict, and you always cater to what others think."

Hearing his words, Hinata explained, "I just want to change myself, so..."

Neji Hyuga loudly cut her off. "A dead last will always be a dead last! Neither your personality nor your abilities will change!"

Just then, Feng An had quietly made his way behind Naruto.

Neji said mercilessly to Hinata, "Give up. You'll never be able to change yourself!"

Naruto was already beside himself with rage, his Talk-no-Jutsu gathering in his throat.

Just as he was about to unleash Sage Art: Talk-no-Jutsu, a large hand suddenly covered his mouth, sealing his Talk-no-Jutsu.

He hurriedly pulled the hand away and turned around furiously. "Who the hell was that?!"

After seeing the person's face clearly, Naruto's expression softened slightly.

He said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "So it's you, Feng An. Why'd you suddenly cover my mouth?"

Feng An smiled. "Haven't seen you in a while. I was just saying hello."

That was what he said on the surface, but his thoughts were entirely different.

Like hell I'd give you, you blond idiot, a chance to earn favorability points. Besides, Hinata doesn't need anyone else to encourage her anymore.

Below the stage, Hinata let out a long breath, activated her Byakugan, and calmly looked at Neji.

"I won't surrender."

"Hmph!"

Neji said no more and activated his Byakugan as well.

The two rushed toward the center of the arena and began exchanging blows at high speed.

They both belonged to the Hyuga Clan, and their Gentle Fist techniques were largely similar.

Watching their similar movements, the people in the stands found it difficult to tell who held the advantage.

After staring in shock, Tenten and Rock Lee discussed the match.

"Hinata's that strong? Didn't he keep saying his little sister was weak and unsuited to being a ninja?"

"There aren't many people who can trade moves with Neji like this. Still, I think Neji will win."

Only the two of them, who spent every day with Neji, knew just how terrifying his strength was.

Seeing Hinata's fierce attacks, even Naruto's scalp tingled.

"Hinata's amazing!"

Among everyone present, only Kakashi and Feng An, who possessed the Sharingan, could see that Hinata had already fallen into a disadvantage during the exchange.

Feng An said nothing, staring intently at the battle between Hinata and Neji.

During their intense exchange of moves, Hinata's stamina was clearly starting to fail her.

The moment her movements slowed, Neji suddenly struck out with his palm.

Hinata had no time to block it and was instantly sent flying several meters away.

At that moment, Neji frowned and said coldly, "Give up. You can't possibly defeat me."

Hinata panted heavily and wiped away the blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Her determined gaze met Neji's directly.

"Brother Neji, I know the pain you've always endured. I'll make you acknowledge me. Not just you—Father too..."

Seeing this, Kurenai murmured, "This is the first time I've seen such determination in Hinata's eyes."

Asuma Sarutobi beside her said, "Is it really all right to let this continue?"

Kurenai's delicate brows furrowed. She knew Asuma was hinting at certain matters within the Hyuga Clan.

The issues between the Main Family and the Branch Family.

"If I went to stop her now, I couldn't do it. And that kid wouldn't agree either."

Kurenai shook her head and turned her gaze toward Feng An.

At that moment, Feng An gripped the railing of the stands tightly with both hands, staring fixedly at the battle below.

Hearing Hinata's words, Neji frowned deeply.

"You don't understand at all. How could you, the young lady of the Main Family, possibly understand my pain?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, I understand. Amid the fates of the Main Family and the Branch Family, you're the one who is most lost and in pain."

"Shut up!"

Enraged by her words, Neji shouted and charged forward.

Just as he closed in on Hinata, a powerful impact struck his body, forcing him to slow down.

"This! This is..."

Using his Byakugan, Neji saw that the Chakra in the acupoint on his struck shoulder had been sealed.

His expression changed drastically, and his breathing quickened.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm... When did you master it?!"

"The day before the official exam."

Hinata answered Neji's question seriously.

After seeing her use the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, Feng An let out a long breath and released the railing, where two clear palm prints had been left behind.

Half a month before Kurenai announced the Chunin exam, Feng An had begun training with Hinata.

In the end, on the day before the exam,

Hinata comprehended the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm. At the same time, her Byakugan evolved from merely observing Chakra pathways to clearly seeing acupoints as well.

"Damn it!"

Neji clenched his fists so tightly that blood seeped out.

He could not accept being surpassed by someone from the Main Family.

But in the current situation, he knew he had already lost. Continuing to fight would be meaningless.

Struggling, Neji raised his hand. "I surrender."

Gekko Hayate asked in surprise, "Are you really, cough, surrendering?"

Neji Hyuga ignored him and turned to walk out of the arena.

Seeing this, Gekko Hayate said, "Cough, then I announce that Hinata Hyuga has won this match."

An uproar instantly broke out among the crowd.

"How did she win?"

"Why did he suddenly surrender? Because of the inexplicable things she said?"

"No matter how you look at it, he didn't seem to be at a disadvantage."

"I don't get it!"

Kurenai's eyes widened, and she said with parted lips, "She actually did it..."

Xiao Ling grabbed Neji, who was walking forward with his head lowered, and demanded, "Why did you surrender?"

Tenten also walked over in confusion.

"You didn't go easy on her just because she's your sister, did you?"

Neji remained silent. He said nothing and did not even turn toward them.

Just as Xiao Ling was about to ask something else,

Might Guy appeared and pulled Xiao Ling away, shaking his head at him. "Let him be alone for a while."

Elsewhere, Feng An held Hinata's little hand.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

In front of Feng An, Hinata returned to her shy self.

Her beautiful eyes fluttered as she said softly, "I want grilled Wild Boar. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Even if you wanted grilled Akamaru, I'd quietly catch him and roast him."

"Let's not roast Akamaru. Kiba Inuzuka would get angry..."

"So if Kiba didn't get angry, you really would want to eat grilled Akamaru?"

Hinata hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head.

"No! I don't! How could I..."

"I'm joking."

Feng An turned and pulled Hinata into his arms, leaning close to her ear.

"My Hinata really is changing in her own way."

"Mm."

Hinata murmured softly and pressed her head close to Feng An.

She wanted Neji's acknowledgment, wanted her father's acknowledgment, and wanted Feng An's acknowledgment as well.

Just then, Feng An suddenly looked around.

Seeing that no head had suddenly popped out, he let out a long breath.

This time, he actually knows how to behave.

Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "Were you looking for me?"