Hinata vs. Neji

Leaving aside Kurenai's sullen expression, let's turn our attention back to Hinata.

Hinata had originally planned to follow her teacher's instructions and try to improve her strength as much as possible, but when she saw Naruto waving, she instinctively ran over.

However, she still had some reservations, after all, her teacher was right; without strength, she would have no way to protect Naruto in the future.

But she didn't want this to affect Naruto's mood, and she didn't want to distance herself from Naruto by increasing her strength, causing him to be unhappy.

So Hinata came up with a plan: spend more time with Naruto during the day, and then train harder at night to improve his strength.

This way Naruto, we can both take care of Naruto's feelings and improve our strength, so that we will have the power to protect Naruto if he is in danger in the future.

Although it would be very tough, requiring her to stay up all night training every day, Hinata wasn't afraid, because this was the only way to achieve the best of both worlds.

So.

She chose to do so without hesitation, letting Naruto hold her hand.

"Next match: Neji Hinata."

The sound of Gekko Hayate suddenly rang out, causing Naruto to frown slightly.

Considering the significant difference in strength between Hinata and Neji, Naruto said gently, "Hinata, don't go. You'll lose."

"It's okay, Naruto, believe me." Hinata's big eyes curved into crescent moons.

If she had simply admitted defeat before, then so be it. But Kurenai said that getting too close to Naruto would hinder her training, which made Hinata very concerned.

She didn't want others to say that Naruto was affecting her training, nor did she want her teacher to say anything bad about Naruto.

Therefore, he must personally take to the field and win a victory to defend Naruto's reputation and prove that even when he is with Naruto, he will not fall behind in his training.

So this time she bravely looked at Naruto, grabbed Naruto right hand with her fair little hand, and then placed it on her cheek.

"Naruto, can you trust me?"

Hinata finished speaking, she looked at Naruto nervously, her small hand tightly gripping Naruto's right hand, gazing at him hopefully.

Hinata's courageous stance made Naruto hesitate. If he didn't support her, who would?

But.

Hinata and Neji are far apart in strength, and Naruto is worried about Hinata's safety. However, considering that he is strong enough to stop her in time, he remained silent for two seconds before speaking.

"If you're in danger, I'll help you, even if it ruins the Chunin Ninja Exams."

"Thank you, Naruto."

Hinata grasped Naruto's right hand with her slender hands, holding it to her chest, her beautiful, alabaster eyes gazing at Naruto.

"I will definitely prove my strength, I definitely will."

Hinata bravely walked towards the arena, step by step reaching the center of the field under Naruto's watchful gaze.

On the other side.

Neji walked over with a tense expression and slowly stopped in front of Hinata.

"I never expected to fight you, Hinata- sama. Before we begin, I have a piece of advice for you: forfeit. Your personality is simply not suited to be a ninja."

"No, I won't give up. I will face it bravely," Hinata shook her head in rebuttal.

"Hinata, you are the eldest daughter of the Main Family. You are insecure and timid, which is not the nature of a ninja at all. Moreover, your strength is too weak. You are no match for me. You are destined to lose if you fight me."

Neji spoke coldly, his hands clenching instantly as he recalled the image of his father's death.

"I can do it, I... I will prove everything."

Hinata glanced in Naruto's direction, spoke without hesitation, and even activated her Byakugan, assuming a fighting stance.

"Then I'll make you give up completely."

Neji also assumed the starting stance, and his Byakugan activated in the next second.

"Begin!" the examiner shouted.

Whoosh!

As soon as the examiner finished speaking, Hinata and Neji suddenly mobilized their Chakra and began to fight. The two used Gentle Fist to attack each other, aiming their attacks at each other's meridians.

Bang bang bang!

Driven by sheer willpower, Hinata managed to gain the upper hand and achieve a brief advantage, much to everyone's surprise.

"Not bad, Hinata has actually gained the upper hand." Sakura exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this.

The people around him also looked surprised. After all, Neji was last year's number one, and being a year older and stronger, he was not so easy to deal with.

But now, everyone can clearly see Hinata's advantages, which has drawn praise from everyone.

However, Naruto watched this scene with a cold face, arms crossed, remaining vigilant about the battle.

His expression puzzled those around him, and even Gaara Naruto, frowned.

"Temari, did you see that? Hinata holds a very important place in Naruto's heart," Kankurō whispered.

"It's clear that Hinata is very lucky to have Naruto's high regard for her. Naruto's strength is terrifying."

Temari to ask in a low voice.

"Gaara, what level of strength do you think Naruto has reached? If you unleash that monster, what are your chances of winning?"

"There's no chance of winning," Gaara said coldly.

"No chance of winning? Not even against that monster?"

Temari exclaimed in surprise, "Shukaku's power is terrifying! I don't think we have no chance of winning!"

"This Naruto is strange. Shukaku never comes out when he's around, and even when he does, Shukaku always retreats back inside."

Gaara paused for two seconds before continuing, "Shukaku seems a little afraid of Naruto."

"What?"

Temari and Kankurō were stunned, looking at Gaara in disbelief. "Are you sure? That's Tailed Beast."

"I'm not entirely sure, but I will continue to verify," Gaara replied.

Bang!

A cracking sound echoed through the stands, and the shockwave spread outwards. The stands beneath Naruto's feet shattered, forming a spiderweb-like cracked area.

Naruto, standing on the cracked floor of the stands, coldly stared down at the crowd below, his surging killing intent causing those around him to pale.

Gurgle.

Kankurō swallowed hard, glancing at Naruto with some fear. His expression subtly changed as he sensed the murderous aura surrounding Naruto.

"Neji only struck Hinata's wrist, yet Naruto almost went berserk. That reaction was too strong, and the killing intent was too intense."

"Yes, look at Neji. His fighting ability is being affected by this murderous aura," Temari said, glancing at Neji with pity.

Neji had initially regained the upper hand in the battle, even striking Hinata's wrist, but Naruto's near-rage caused Neji.

But.

Temari didn't pay much attention to Neji, but instead planned to continue asking Gaara the question he had just asked.

But when she turned to look at Gaara, she found that Gaara was tense, looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy, and even had cold sweat on his forehead.

"What's wrong Gaara?" Temari asked, puzzled.

"It's alright, I've already confirmed it." Gaara a deep breath and looked at Naruto with a serious expression.

"What did you confirm?" Kankurō, bewildered.

"It's confirmed that Shukaku is indeed afraid of Naruto; Shukaku has shrunk into a ball again."

"What? It's shrunk into a ball of paper again?" Kankurō and Temari exchanged a glance, neither of them able to believe their ears.

A majestic Tailed Beast that strikes fear into the hearts of countless people, was actually terrified into a ball by the murderous aura of humans. How embarrassing is that if word got out?

The problem is that they're both weak and afraid of killing intent, which is understandable, but for a Tailed Beast with terrifying power to cower in a ball like that, what are you doing?

Furthermore, although they were afraid of the murderous aura, they still maintained their standing posture, but you, a Tailed Beast, shrank into a ball first, which is truly speechless.

Even Kankurō and Temari were speechless, unsure of what to say.

They weren't the only ones speechless; Neji below was also quite speechless.

The advantage he had gained in the battle hadn't been fully secured when a loud bang came from behind, followed by a palpable killing intent that rippled around his neck.

That murderous aura was like an invisible knife pressed against his neck, threatening to kill him at any moment. Even his skin felt like it was being pricked by needles under the influence of that murderous aura.

Under such a murderous aura, Neji had to be on high alert, constantly wary of any sudden attack, which made his battle somewhat chaotic. He felt speechless and frustrated at the same time.

There's no way around it; it feels like playing with fire next to a gas cylinder that could explode at any moment. Who could play safely in such a situation?

Therefore, Neji's fighting ability was naturally not at its peak, and he could only passively defend in frustration.

On the other side.

Danzo, Orochimaru, and the Third Hokage were frowning as they looked at Naruto the cracked floor beneath his feet. Due to the distance, they did not sense a strong killing intent.

Even the floor beneath Naruto's feet still made them look solemn, with Orochimaru even squinting as he scrutinized Naruto.

"Is this all the power he has? It seems we made the right decision to come this time," Danzo murmured.

"Danzo, what do you want to do?" the Third Hokage questioned.