Su Bai vs. Neji Hyuga

"Fate is so unfair."

Neji said between ragged breaths.

"The branch family can never surpass the main family. That is our destiny."

That massive Heavenly Rotation had consumed a great deal of Neji's chakra.

Su Bai remained silent in the face of his words, calmly assessing the situation.

Main family and branch family? Su Bai did not care.

Red Smoke Escape had been countered, but that was exactly what he had expected.

What was the point of a victory without any challenge?

Su Bai knew that Neji excelled at close combat, and that happened to be his own strength as well.

In that case, they might as well engage in hand-to-hand combat and see who was superior.

"Come on, Neji. Let me see what you can do."

Su Bai spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.

The next instant, Su Bai charged at Neji like an arrow loosed from its bow.

His movements were lightning-fast, yet possessed a distinctive fluidity, like a sharp blade carving a graceful arc through the air.

Neji immediately assumed the opening stance of the Eight Trigrams Palm, ready to meet him.

However, Su Bai's assault caught him off guard.

An ordinary-looking straight punch shot toward Neji's face. Just as Neji moved to block it, he realized it was a feint.

Su Bai's other hand had already sliced toward his flank like a blade.

Neji barely avoided a vital spot, but a bloody gash was still carved across him.

"What is this...?"

Neji realized in shock that Su Bai's hand blade possessed an edge sharp enough to cut through flesh.

The two instantly fell into close-quarters combat, fists and kicks flying as they traded blows.

Every one of Su Bai's moves combined the flexibility of Hand-to-Hand Combat with the fierceness of swordsmanship, making him impossible to defend against.

Neji, however, refused to be outdone. He brought the exquisite techniques of the Gentle Fist into full play, trying to seal Su Bai's chakra pathways.

"Bang!"

Their fists collided in midair, stirring up a burst of air.

"Hah!"

Su Bai spun, his leg lashing toward Neji's head like a whip.

Neji crossed his arms over his head to block it, but the force of the kick left both arms numb.

Seizing the opportunity, he darted forward and thrust out several fingers in rapid succession, aiming straight for Su Bai's vital points.

The spectators outside the arena held their breath, staring intently at the fierce battle.

Every move exchanged by the two genius youths was fraught with danger. One moment of carelessness could decide the winner.

The spectators outside the arena were left dumbstruck by the astonishing battle.

"Is that... a combination of swordsmanship and taijutsu?"

Someone cried out in shock.

Neji gave it everything he had and unleashed the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

Yet most of his attacks were deftly neutralized by Su Bai.

Only a few palms struck Su Bai's acupoints.

"What an elegant fighting style."

Might Guy could not help but praise him.

The fierce battle continued for quite some time, and the two actually fought to a draw.

However, upon closer observation, Su Bai remained composed while Neji had already begun panting heavily.

His close-combat ability truly was remarkable, enough to match Su Bai blow for blow.

Su Bai quietly watched Neji, a trace of admiration flashing through his eyes.

However, he knew it was time to reveal his true strength.

"It's time to end this match."

Su Bai slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with a chilling sharpness.

"All things in the universe, turn to ashes—"

Su Bai's voice was low and powerful, as though reciting an ancient incantation.

As he spoke, the air around them began to grow scorching hot, almost suffocating.

"Ryujin Jakka!"

With the final syllable, an indescribable energy erupted from Su Bai's blade.

Blazing flames poured from his blade like living creatures, instantly engulfing the entire battlefield.

Su Bai merely gave Ryujin Jakka a light swing.

The flames danced through the air, forming an enormous fiery vortex that surrounded both him and Neji.

Neji's eyes widened as he stared at the unbelievable sight before him.

He tried to retreat, only to suddenly discover that his body could not move at all.

"Th-this... what's going on?"

Neji discovered in terror that some invisible force seemed to have bound him tightly.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not move even a finger.

Sweat slid down Neji's cheeks, but he could not tell whether it was from fear or the searing heat around him.

He could feel the flames' terrifying power, yet strangely, he had not been burned.

"So this is your true strength, Su Bai?"

Neji forced out the words, his voice mixed with shock and a trace of unwillingness.

Su Bai did not answer. He simply stood quietly amid the flames, like an invincible god of fire.

The scorching waves of air distorted the atmosphere, blurring his figure and making him seem even more mysterious.

The entire arena fell into stunned silence. Everyone held their breath and stared fixedly at the astonishing scene in the center.

A shocked silence filled the stands.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stared wide-eyed as his pipe slipped from his slightly parted lips.

An expression of disbelief rarely seen on his weathered face appeared.

"This Fire Release has reached the level of a forbidden technique!"

Beside him, Might Guy's mouth hung open, and his round eyes were wider than ever.

"Youth!" he shouted instinctively, though his voice was clearly trembling. "How on earth did that kid do it?"

Kakashi's reaction was calmer, but surprise still flickered in his one visible eye.

He slowly raised a hand and pushed up his forehead protector, revealing the Sharingan usually hidden beneath it.

"This chakra... is highly unusual."

Orochimaru, currently disguised as the Kazekage, fixed his snake-like eyes tightly on Su Bai in the arena. His pupils dilated slightly with excitement.

His long tongue unconsciously licked his lips, and a nearly inaudible hiss emerged from deep in his throat.

"So this is the brat Kabuto mentioned, the one comparable to a tailed beast!"

A greedy gleam flashed in his eyes. "This brat is worth taking back for a thorough dissection and study."

Throughout the entire arena, whether spectators or contestants, everyone's gaze was fixed on the youth surrounded by flames.

Seeing that the outcome had been decided, a jōnin leaped into the arena through the terrifying heat, drenched in sweat.

"The match is over! The winner is Su Bai!"

Su Bai sheathed his Zanpakuto.

As the flames gradually faded, Su Bai slowly walked toward Neji, who was still standing there in a daze.

Shock and a trace of unwillingness remained in Neji's eyes, but confusion filled them even more.

"Since you possess such a powerful weapon as the Byakugan, you should shoulder the responsibility it brings instead of blaming fate and resenting others."

Neji frowned, about to retort, but Su Bai's next words stopped him cold.

"I don't care what grievances you have against the main family."

Su Bai continued, his gaze turning sharp. "But don't take your anger out on Hinata. Like you, she is a victim of this system."

Neji's expression wavered slightly. Clearly, he had not expected Su Bai to mention that.

Su Bai's voice suddenly softened, but his tone was filled with unquestionable resolve. "If Hinata were my little sister, I would protect her like a treasure. I would never allow anyone to hurt her!"

Those words struck Neji's heart like a heavy hammer.

His eyes widened and his lips trembled slightly. He seemed to want to say something, but did not know where to begin.

Scenes of playing with Hinata when they were children rose uncontrollably in Neji's mind.

Back then, Hinata had always worn a gentle smile and treated him with respect and kindness.

But at some point, he had begun to look upon that gentle cousin of his with hatred.

"Have I... really been too cruel to Lady Hinata?"

Neji muttered, pain and regret flashing through his eyes.

Su Bai noticed Neji's change, but did not say anything further.

Some realizations had to be reached on one's own.

The surrounding spectators discussed the match animatedly. Some marveled at Su Bai's strength, while others were moved by his words.

In one corner of the stands, Hiashi Hyuga watched the two in the arena thoughtfully, his expression complicated.

This match had not merely been a contest of strength, but a dialogue between hearts.

In the stands, Hinata had been anxiously following the battle.

When she heard Su Bai say those words, her mind seemed to shut down in an instant.

"Su... Su Bai..."

Hinata murmured, so softly that almost only she could hear it.

Her cheeks turned crimson at a visible speed, the blush even spreading to her neck and ears.