Hinata, Stop Pretending

Hyuga Hiashi's eyes revealed satisfaction. Setting everything else aside, both his daughters were exceptionally talented. If not for Hinata's personality, perhaps this match would never have taken place.

As the two continued their close-quarters struggle, Hanabi ducked her head to evade a palm strike before immediately attacking Hinata's abdomen. Hinata's heart stirred. It's finally here.

Her left hand immediately moved to defend, intending to block the attack, but Hanabi merely feinted. With a step of her left foot, she actually circled behind Hinata.

Just as she swung out a palm toward Hinata's back, joy appearing on her face as she believed the outcome had been decided, she suddenly noticed a palm approaching an acupoint beneath her own chest without her realizing it.

Judging by its speed and distance, she would definitely be struck first. Her attack would be forced to stop. It seemed she had already lost.

Her thoughts raced. Big Sister really is amazing. I didn't lose unfairly.

With a loud bang, a figure crashed to the ground, seemingly no longer capable of continuing the fight.

The sole victor in the arena accepted everyone's cheers and congratulations, yet she stood there blankly, without moving an inch.

Hyuga Hiashi said, "Hanabi Hyuga has won. Therefore, I declare that Hanabi Hyuga will become the heir to the Hyuga Clan's main family."

Though his tone was calm, without the slightest hint of joy, anger, sorrow, or delight, his eyes seemed filled with rage.

Hanabi neither cheered nor went to help Hinata, whom she had knocked to the ground. Instead, she replayed what had just happened in her mind. She should have been the one who lost.

She racked her brains, when an image suddenly flashed through her mind. In that final moment—under the all-around observation of her Byakugan—the palm that was about to strike her suddenly stopped.

Then, the palm she had not held back at all struck exactly as she had expected. As her sister was sent flying, she seemed to turn her head and give Hanabi a smile.

And it seemed as though she had said something. Perhaps her voice had been too soft, or perhaps her sister had not made a sound at all. Then Hanabi had won.

Hanabi was a little lost, unsure what to do next. Looking at her father, who had already announced the result, she called out, "Father."

Hyuga Hiashi raised a hand to stop her from continuing. She did not know what to do, but instinctively chose to obey her father's wishes and stood quietly to the side.

At that moment, a scene from the past seemed to flash through her mind. She had been three years old, cultivating with her sister beneath the exceptionally bright moonlight.

Back then, as she wondered why her sister was ignoring her, her sister had stroked her head with warm hands and told her, "No matter what happens in the future, Big Sister will definitely protect you."

Those words now echoed through her mind like a nightmare. Comparing them to her sister's lip movements just now, they seemed to match exactly, word for word.

She did not understand, so she was deeply confused. She did not know why her sister had truly done this. This could affect her future.

Sure enough, warmth and affection were nothing but fleeting clouds

Although she still had not figured everything out, she at least understood that her sister had been going easy on her. Looking at Hinata, who was still lying on the ground, she hesitated slightly.

No matter what the future held, she intended to go over and help Hinata up. But just as she took a step forward, Hyuga Hiashi stopped her.

The surrounding discussions also reached her ears, and hearing those words made her feel distinctly uncomfortable.

They were mostly praising her outstanding talent, calling her the future hope of the Hyuga Clan, and praising Hyuga Hiashi for his excellent guidance.

It was as though Hinata, who had yet to rise, had been forgotten like trash. No one was willing to spare her a second glance—not even the father she had always respected most. He was just like the rest of them.

That was Hanabi's only feeling. For some reason, she began to dislike this kind of life. A person's fate was to be decided by a single small match.

After lying on the ground for a while, Hinata slowly began to get up, cursing inwardly, You little brat, you hit way too hard. Good thing your sister has a tough body. If it were anyone else, that palm strike might have killed them.

Another wave of pain struck after that thought, and she silently swore that she would never mistreat herself like this again.

She slowly stood, her expression blank. Looking at Hanabi, who was already surrounded by admirers, she turned away and revealed a faint smile when no one was paying attention.