In front of everyone attending the clan meeting, Neji made his promise. It immediately spread throughout the Hyuga Clan.
The name "Hyuga Neji" had long been tightly associated with the word "failure" in everyone's minds.
By now, aside from the occasional rumor that Neji often practiced alone against a wooden post, no one paid any attention to this "failure's" path as a ninja.
"I see him practicing every day. Isn't it because he's so untalented? I admit that hard work deserves respect, but forget him. He's just a dreamer..."
"Exactly. I bet he secretly learned that secret technique!"
"Good thing Hinata of the Main Branch is so kind. Otherwise, she would've reported him ages ago! I bet he tricked Hin—"
"Shh! Don't say that!"
The two women sweeping in front of the Hyuga Clan's main gate saw Neji approaching and immediately fell silent.
"Hehe, it's Neji. Where are you off to?"
The two women only gave him a faint smile, while Neji smiled warmly and bowed to them.
They never greeted him. He was used to it by now.
There was no point saying more. He would use his strength in this Chunin exam to shut them up!
"Oh, Lady Hinata!"
The two women suddenly spotted a treasure, their eyes lighting up as their attitudes changed completely.
"Lady Hinata, you're going to take the Chunin exam, aren't you? I'm sure you'll pass and become a Chunin!"
But when Hinata approached, she gave them the cold shoulder.
"Mm."
Hinata answered softly, then ignored them and caught up with Neji.
As Hinata hurried after Neji, the two women were left awkwardly standing there.
"Neji!"
Neji turned around and saw Hinata. He smiled warmly.
"Good luck on the exam!" Hinata said to Neji, her face faintly flushed.
Neji smiled. "You too. Go meet up with your teacher, Kurenai Yuhi!"
"Mm!"
Only after watching Hinata leave did Neji hurry off to the woods behind the mountain.
It was still early morning. A few birds called out overhead.
"This one will do."
Neji found a sturdy tree and began his training for the day.
"Hah!"
"Ha!"
Panting, Neji delivered his final palm strike, drenched in sweat.
He took a deep breath and opened his training panel.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, proficiency: 9999/10000!
He smiled with satisfaction. All that hard work had paid off. A new move!
Even though he was nearly out of strength, Neji took a deep breath, refined his chakra, and carefully assumed the stance.
"Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!"
He struck the tree. The entire tree shook violently a few times, but only one leaf fell.
On the ground, countless leaves lay scattered.
Ding! Congratulations, host! Your Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm proficiency has reached 10,000. Vacuum Palm has reached the Beginner level! Reward: 10 Military Ration Pills!
Neji thought, Just what I wanted.
I'll have one now!
At the thought, a Military Ration Pill about the size of his thumb appeared in front of him.
He snatched it up and swallowed it in one gulp!
The taste... was bitter and astringent.
But that little bit of bitterness was nothing. Military Ration Pills could quickly restore chakra, so it was just what he needed to replenish some strength.
"Neji! You're here early again?"
A figure approached.
"Whoa!"
Tenten was startled as she came closer and saw the ground beneath the tree in front of Neji covered in leaves.
"How much training have you done this time? You've stripped all the leaves off this tree..."
"Hehe, I was just warming up."
"Why push yourself so hard? You should understand that hard work alone isn't enough. I want you to use the right method instead of wasting your effort." Tenten earnestly tried to talk him around.
Neji simply nodded slowly and murmured, "Mm."
Guy and Rock Lee arrived soon after, and Guy began giving them a general briefing on the day's Chunin exam arrangements.
"Is there anyone you're especially interested in? Studying your opponents can be helpful sometimes!" Guy said with a smile.
Tenten and Neji remained calm, but Rock Lee perked up.
"I am! There's a prodigy from the Uchiha Clan among the newcomers. I'm really interested in him!"
Tenten covered her face. "Honestly, you'd be better off looking at our own team. Let's just see if we can make it to the third round first! I heard the first and second rounds are both team-based!"
"It'll be fine. Neji won't hold us back, right?" Rock Lee asked, looking at Neji expectantly.
Neji hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly.
After lunch, Neji took the opportunity to train a little more.
Rock Lee was probably off to pick a fight with Uchiha Sasuke, but Neji wasn't interested.
After thinking it over for a long while, Neji still felt that improving his strength should come first. There was no point hiding his abilities anymore.
By the time Neji reached the exam hall, it was already packed with people.
At a glance, he spotted a crowd gathered around a young man who was speaking to them.
Squinting, he saw Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Shino, Kiba Inuzuka, Yamanaka Ino, and others gathered there.
"Rock Lee. This guy can't use ninjutsu, but he's an expert in Taijutsu. He's a tough opponent."
Kabuto Yakushi, surrounded by the crowd, rubbed his chin. He drew the card from the top of the stack and pointed at the last one.
"This one... Hyuga Neji. Weak, untalented—not worth mentioning."
Neji heard him, but didn't take it to heart.
To his surprise, someone beside him rushed forward.
"Hey, white-haired guy! What do you mean by that? Neji's made a lot of progress. Don't underestimate him!"
Rock Lee immediately began arguing his case, while Tenten reluctantly went over to try to calm things down.
Neji was left by himself, sighing. I wonder whether he's doing this to help me or hurt me...
"Everyone, quiet!"
A stern shout cut through all the noise.
Everyone looked to the center of the hall. At some point, a fierce-looking man had appeared there.
Morino Ibiki!
"Stop bickering. Look at you—all worked up over a little Chunin exam. Is there really any need to be so nervous?!"
He gave a cold laugh and swept his gaze over the crowd. Almost everyone looked intimidated.
"Time's up. Everyone's assembled! I hereby declare... this Chunin exam officially underway!"
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