"I don't really want to talk about this..."
"..."
Yamato quietly returned to his spot without another word.
Gekko Hayate jumped back into the center of the arena to announce the next match.
"Fourth match... Neji Hyuga of Konoha versus Hinata Hyuga of Konoha!"
"What happened to Hayate's face?"
"Who knows? Maybe he's allergic to bugs?"
Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged a glance.
Unless they had seen wrong, Yugao had dragged Hayate away just now...
Kakashi patted Might Guy on the back.
"Your Team Three is really something! Three matches in a row with your students!"
"If Neji wins this one too, Team Three will have a clean sweep."
Kurenai Yuhi crouched down and tidied Hinata's hair.
"Don't be nervous, Hinata. Winning or losing doesn't matter. As long as you give it your all, there's no telling who will win!"
"I'm not nervous, Sensei. Don't worry."
Hinata smiled at Kurenai Yuhi, looking as sweet as a little flower!
Naruto casually gave Hinata a pat on the shoulder too.
"Good luck, Hinata!"
Well, that did it. Now she was nervous...
Her little face flushed, Hinata took a deep breath and forced herself into the arena.
Tenten kneaded Neji's shoulders and offered him a few words of encouragement too.
Neji glanced at the smiling Tenten, then at Guy and Rock Lee giving him thumbs-up, and smiled warmly.
"Everyone, I won't lose!"
"Go for it, Neji!"
Like Tenten, Neji climbed onto the railing, leaped lightly into the air, and flipped into the arena.
Both practiced styles of taijutsu that emphasized finesse, so their movements shared some similarities.
"Hinata, are you ready?"
"Neji, please don't hold back!"
What? Why didn't members of the Branch Family have to address the main family with honorifics anymore?
Did you see Xuanhui standing over there?
It was fine