Real Combat! One-on-One Test

Neji chuckled, "Compared to the true power of the Hyuga Clan, this is nothing."

Hinata's face was full of shock, "No, Neji-niisan is already very impressive!"

Neji was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.

This silly little sister always made him feel that this ninja world wasn't entirely cold.

Beyond her amazement, Hinata furrowed her brows slightly.

"Neji-niisan, the news about you and Gintoki-niisan clashing today has already reached the elders."

"So soon..."

Neji rubbed his chin; if this matter blew up, it wouldn't be easy to handle.

The Caged Bird curse mark on his forehead was the greatest restraint, but with his current strength, even without the mark, opposing the clan would be a dead end.

"I will explain that matter to the clan clearly, you don't need to worry."

"Okay."

"It's getting late, go get some sleep."

Neji didn't want Hinata to get too involved; she was just a kind-hearted, silly little sister.

"Mm..." Hinata lowered her head, her mood sinking.

"What's wrong?" Neji asked.

"...Father told me today that within a year, he will choose the heir to the main house between Hanabi and me, and the other will be relegated to the branch house."

Hinata's eyes were filled with distress.

Neji knew well that she, like him, was no "failure"; she was simply too kind-hearted to bring herself to harm her own sister.

After a long moment of thought, Neji reached out and patted Hinata on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, a year is a long time. I will change the fate of the branch house; I promise you."

Although they were just words of comfort, they ignited a spark of hope in Hinata's eyes.

She looked up and nodded heavily.

"Mm!"

"Lee! It's heading your way!"

Tenten, wearing a headset, sprinted through the dark alleys of Konoha.

"Received!"

The ninjas moved with tension and speed.

Rock Lee stepped lightly, afraid of startling the cat cornered in the dead end, when suddenly a figure descended from the sky...

With a "thud," it landed, and with a "meow," the cat was caught.

"Haha! In the end, you still fell into the hands of the Blue Beast of Konoha! Little kitty!"

Might Guy smiled broadly as he held up the calico cat, which shrieked and struggled desperately, looking at him as if he were a monster.

"As expected of Guy-sensei! Your speed is incredible!"

"No, no, no, Lee, you don't understand—power and speed are parallel!"

"I've learned it, I've noted it down!"

Tenten: "What is there to be so excited about for a cat-catching mission..."

Neji walked over slowly, only to see Guy and Lee acting like lunatics while Tenten stood to the side with a bitter smile.

"Hey, Neji, why are you only just getting here? How can you not even keep up with the speed of a cat now!" Tenten asked directly.

Lee also laughed, "Neji-kun, you need to work harder. As a qualified genin, these daily tasks should be a piece of cake, just like for Guy-sensei!"

Neji gave a wry smile, "I will definitely practice more!"

Tenten continued, frowning, "Speaking of which, the Chunin Exams are coming up in a while. If you keep going like this, Neji, you're going to hold us back!"

Lee: "The Chunin Exams!"

Guy-sensei scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly, "Actually, we are a team. If Neji doesn't want to participate, we can also..."

"I'll participate!"

Neji suddenly interrupted Might Guy, his eyes burning with intensity.

If he remembered correctly, the Chunin Exams would provide plenty of opportunities for real combat!

He could use those battles to earn many rewards; this was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss!

All three of them looked surprised. The Neji who usually couldn't do anything right actually wanted to participate in the Chunin Exams?

Guy, in particular, turned serious, "Neji, the Chunin Exams are no child's play. Are you sure you want to participate?"

"Of course!"

"In that case, I shall test the three of you to see if you are qualified to participate in the Chunin Exams!"

Konoha's abandoned training ground.

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Guy held two bells in his hand, a smile appearing in his eyes: "I have already explained the rules to you; you may attack together or cooperate!"

Tenten and Rock Lee both wore expressions of hesitation.

Tenten, in particular, glanced at Neji and said: "You've got to be kidding, this isn't a 3-on-1 at all; Neji won't be of any use, will he?"

Rock Lee also sighed.

Neji, however, let out a soft chuckle and said: "As long as we get the bells, we can participate in the Chunin Exams? And we can use any means necessary?"

Right now, he only wanted to find an opportunity for real combat!

"Of course!" Guy confirmed once more.

"In that case, I have no choice then. Neji... try your best to keep up with us!" Rock Lee said as he began to unwrap the bandages on his hands, which contained weighted blocks.

"Wait, I've been training hard to improve my strength lately, and now I want to know exactly where I stand... let me handle this test alone."

Neji took two steps back, his gaze turning serious.

"No way? Are you joking? One-on-one?" Tenten and Rock Lee were both astonished.

Guy was also startled: "Neji, have you thought this through?"

"I also really want to spar with Guy-sensei! I must participate in the Chunin Exams!"

This statement allowed everyone to see Neji's determination.

Rock Lee and Tenten sensibly retreated a good distance, with Tenten muttering under her breath: "What a joke, how could Neji possibly manage to snatch a bell..."

"Bang!"

An explosion rang out, startling the two of them.

They saw that Neji and Guy-sensei had already begun their battle, but it was Neji who had seized the initiative; he struck out with a palm, and though Guy-sensei dodged, the tree behind him was pierced straight through, leaving a large hole!