Kankuro was carried off, and who knew whether he regretted bullying that little girl.
Next up was Sakura versus Ino.
It was like watching two rookies flail at each other—almost too painful to watch. In the end, Sakura won. Who would've believed a rookie like her could advance to the finals?
Akado Yoroi, Kankuro, and the others must've been furious enough to spit blood when they found out!
Next came Tenten versus Temari, Sound Ninja Kin versus Shikamaru, and Naruto versus Kiba Inuzuka. One match after another!
Naruto's exciting battle with Kiba Inuzuka completely changed people's opinions of the dead-last loser.
Then it was Hinata versus Neji.
Qinglong watched the two on the field intently. One was the top fighter from the previous year, Hinata's cousin; the other was Hanabi's older sister, who had trained with Qinglong for a while alongside Hanabi.
The two took their stances in the arena. Hinata was still a little nervous, even a little afraid.
The spectators were already buzzing with discussion. After all, the conflict between the Hyuga Main Family and the Branch Family was common knowledge by now.
"Before we begin, I have some advice for you, Miss Hinata. Give up! You're not suited to being a ninja!"
Neji said, hoping a little verbal persuasion would convince Hinata to quit.
But Neji's words were nothing compared to Naruto's. After Naruto's encouragement, Hinata calmed down and found her courage.
Looking at the cousin she had once admired, Hinata gritted her teeth, activated her Byakugan, and took the opening stance of the Gentle Fist.
The two clashed in an instant, trading blows with the Gentle Fist. Though Neji was older and had been the top fighter last year, Hinata wasn't falling behind at all—in fact, she even had the upper hand.
But Hinata was still too soft-hearted. The Gentle Fist was too powerful, and in the end, she couldn't bring herself to strike. Neji hit her with a palm, injuring her and making her spit up blood.
Countless people in the stands were worried for Hinata. Even Qinglong couldn't help holding his breath!
"So this is all the Main Family is capable of?"
Neji started in with his verbal attacks again. Class was in session at the Neji School of Thought.
Qinglong couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up.
"Neji, Hinata already held back, and you're still saying things like that? You're going too far!"
"Hinata! Use the Turtle School!"
"As long as you don't kill your cousin on the spot, I'll heal him no matter how many bones you break. My teacher is Princess Tsunade!"
At Qinglong's words, a glimmer lit Hinata's pained, helpless eyes. She used the Body Flicker Technique to put some distance between herself and Neji.
"The Turtle School?"
Neji finally took her seriously. He didn't know what the Turtle School was, but he knew how powerful Qinglong was.
"The Turtle School? Never heard of it!"
"Could it be even stronger than Konoha's Hyuga style?"
Many people there had never heard of the "Turtle School" before. They all turned their attention to the fighting arena.
Hinata took another opening stance. This time, it wasn't the Hyuga Clan's stance, but the Turtle School's.
"Then let me see if your Turtle School is really that powerful!"
Neji took the stance of the Gentle Fist.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
"What?! That hand sign—it's the Hyuga's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
"That guy! Hinata's already injured, and he's still using such a vicious technique!"
Many of the watching ninja were shocked that Neji had learned the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms at such a young age. Hinata's teacher, Kurenai, gritted her teeth, unable to keep from worrying. Could that "Turtle School" really work?
Neji stamped the ground and charged at her at once.
"Solar Flare!"
Hinata shouted, and her body erupted with a terrifying light! Everyone watching the match felt as if their eyes were about to be scorched blind.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?"
"That light is so blinding!"
Shikamaru, Naruto, and the others had already seen this move once, but they were still caught off guard. The light was so dazzling that they felt as if they were about to go blind.
That move again? Neji opened his Byakugan wide. The scene before him looked like an exposed film negative. The glowing mass in the center was Hinata, transformed into light. There was no way to see Chakra there—Hinata herself had become a ball of light.
"Thud!"
Hinata's fist had already struck Neji. She immediately seized his arm, swung him around, and delivered a vicious shoulder throw! She slammed Neji hard into the ground.
"Boom!"
The spectators' vision returned. When they could see the arena again, Neji was sprawled miserably on the ground. The sound of him hitting the floor made everyone wince.
Kurenai watched Hinata in the arena. So her student had grown this much without her even realizing it!
Might Guy watched the move and couldn't help feeling a headache coming on.
"Chakra turned into light energy, and she defeats her opponent in one move?"
Lee also found it terrifying and murmured,
"That's the perfect counter to our Taijutsu!"
Neji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and struggled to his feet. He felt like one of his ribs was broken!
"Solar Flare, huh? It really is powerful! But I, Neji, haven't lost yet!"
Qinglong looked at Neji and couldn't help smiling.
Neji really had it in him to hit his own cousin. Ever heard of an orthopedic surgeon?
Neji looked at Hinata across from him, almost as if he didn't recognize her anymore. How had this girl, who seemed so gentle on the outside but was so strong inside, become so domineering?
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