Challenge! A Wager with the Elder

What surprised Guy even more was Neji's methods.

This kid might just turn out to be someone special in the future.

After settling the day's mission, Guy had intended to take the opportunity to have a talk with Neji, but Neji had excused himself early, citing clan matters.

Guy had actually heard rumors for some time that Neji often trained alone at the clan's practice grounds. He had originally assumed it was just the stubborn effort of a dead-last student...

Yet, the results he saw today had truly opened his eyes.

Based on the techniques Neji displayed, Guy had every reason to believe that the boy hadn't even shown his full strength yet.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for achieving the milestone: First real combat against a Jonin. Reward obtained: Injectable Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation!"

"Detected Taijutsu compatible with Lightning Release chakra nature transformation: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms! Would you like to inject it?"

"Inject!"

After receiving the reward, Neji infused the Lightning Release chakra nature transformation into his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and headed to the clan's training ground to practice.

He picked out a wooden stake and began his routine movements as usual.

But this time was different. Neji drew upon the techniques and methods now deeply ingrained in his mind, refining his own Lightning Release chakra...

The sensation of chakra surging through his body felt like lightning—rapid, accompanied by a faint, numbing tingle.

Yet, the power didn't seem particularly great.

"Zzzzt!"

Every palm strike transmitted through his technique into the wooden stake, but the effect was far from significant.

As the sky grew dark, Neji returned to his room to avoid drawing any further attention.

"Tch, strange. I can't really see the results."

Whether in terms of learning difficulty or practical application, the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was a technique that surpassed Rotation.

A jutsu of this caliber shouldn't be performing at such a mediocre level.

Neji frowned; he was extremely dissatisfied with today's practice.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Neji slowly channeled the lightning-natured chakra within him, and the subtle sensation of electricity coursing through his meridians immediately spread across his entire body.

"Could it be because... the wooden stake has no meridians?" He paused, as if he had discovered a secret.

"Hah!"

He let out a sharp shout, refining even more lightning chakra, and the sensation of thunderous speed became even more rampant throughout his body.

"It seems I must find someone to test the effect of this move; it's meaningless against a wooden stake. And it has to be someone strong."

Neji finally realized that the Sixty-Four Palms was a technique designed to attack an opponent's meridians. Since wooden stakes lacked meridians, the training effect was naturally far inferior to real combat—a point where it differed from Rotation.

Moreover, he needed an opponent strong enough to truly appreciate the specific differences this change would make...

"Young Master Neji!"

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

"Is that Aunt Haru? Come in!"

Haru entered; she was a woman with a gentle gaze, roughly thirty years old.

She was Hinata's servant, and she was the only one who still addressed Neji as "Young Master," which was how Neji recognized her immediately.

"What kind of trouble have you caused? The Clan Head has called an emergency clan meeting; you need to go over there immediately!"

"Me?"

Neji frowned slightly. Clan meetings were only for the powerful members of the clan. If he was being summoned, the topic of discussion must involve him.

After thinking it over, only one thing came to mind.

Upon arriving at the venue, he saw a large room lit by a few scattered candles.

Hiashi sat in the main seat, with two rows of clan elders seated on either side. Aside from two or three faces from Hiashi's generation, the rest were all elders much older than him.

The others in the room were younger ninjas standing further back, all members of the Hyuga Clan. These people represented the backbone of the Hyuga Clan, all of them being top-tier talents.

"Neji, I heard you've mastered Rotation, and that you've been practicing the Sixty-Four Palms in private?"

Hiashi asked directly. Seeing Gintoki and Aota hiding in the corner, Neji understood everything in an instant.

He couldn't hide it, but it wouldn't be easy to explain, either.

"My meager little tricks are nothing compared to the orthodox heritage of the Hyuga Clan."

"Hmph! Nothing? You call it nothing, yet you managed to injure both my grandson and my grandson-in-law?"

Sitting closest to Hiashi was the elder Hyuga Tenshu. That old man was Gintoki's grandfather, and Aota was his grandson-in-law.

Naturally, he was protective of his own.

"Clan Head, don't listen to this brat's excuses. With his talent, what else could it be but stolen techniques?"

Hiashi frowned slightly. When it came to clan matters, he naturally dared not be the least bit negligent.

Neji felt no shame in his heart.

"If I had truly stolen the techniques, why would I have waited until today to do so!"

The stubbornness in his tone was evident.

Tenshu, unable to contain his anger, raised his chin, stroked his small mustache, and continued to shout: "Don't be a stubborn mule; you're the one who's been closest to the Main Branch all this time!"

"Heh, I think there is no need for Brother Tenshu to make things so difficult for Neji. When Hizashi was still around, he never treated you poorly."

Hyuga Tenmoku, standing to the side, spoke with a kind and gentle expression on his chubby face.

This single sentence left Tenshu embarrassed and speechless.

Upon hearing the name Hizashi, Neji's fingers trembled slightly.

"Then, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"

"Even if we overlook his theft of the techniques, are we just going to let it slide that he injured my grandson and grandson-in-law?"

Seeing Tenshu's aggressive stance, Tenmoku glanced at Neji and smiled leisurely.

"The Chunin Exams are about to begin. Since Neji has such talent, let him take first or second place to bring honor to the Hyuga name before the villagers. Not only would this prove his abilities, but he would also be promoted to Chunin, allowing him to truly serve the Main Branch. How about that? If he can do it, we shall drop the matter!"

Hiashi was delighted to hear this and nodded, saying, "That is a good idea!"

At this moment, someone asked, "And what if he fails?"

"I suspect he most likely will!"

"Neji, do you accept this challenge?" Hiashi asked.

Seeing the opportunity, Neji quickly spoke up: "I am grateful for the elders' concern. I, Hyuga Neji, promise: if I do not take first place in these Chunin Exams, I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit!"

"Hmph, don't you think—"

Tenshu wanted to continue, but Tenmoku curled the corner of his mouth: "Brother Tenshu, leave some room for maneuver in all things. Your grandson is no stranger to trouble himself; we all know how it is, so let us not push our luck too far."

These words left Hyuga Tenshu with nothing more to say.