Dark Shadow's Performance

Neji Hyuga looked gravely at his arm.

After that collision, his arm had actually started trembling, as if it had gone numb.

Though he was unwilling to admit it, he had to say that the little Ninja Hound was indeed formidable.

If his reaction had been any slower, he would probably have been injured by now.

Raising his head and staring directly at Ye Fan, Neji Hyuga could see the contempt on that face, as though it were saying:

So this is the so-called genius? Nothing special!

Damn it!

Did he think he could defeat me just like that?

The battle had only just begun.

This time, Neji Hyuga no longer underestimated his opponent and activated his Bloodline Limit—the Byakugan!

When his gaze fell upon the little Ninja Hound, surprise uncontrollably appeared on his face.

Who could have imagined that such a tiny Ninja Hound possessed such an immense amount of chakra within its body?

Even more unbelievable was that this little Ninja Hound could wield its chakra so skillfully.

A large amount of chakra gathered around its limbs, containing tremendous explosive power. No wonder it had displayed such terrifying speed just now.

Gentle Fist—Guard Stance!

Neji Hyuga acknowledged this opponent. His hands drew a semicircle through the air, his feet spread apart, and his knees bent slightly as he assumed a defensive stance.

However, he had clearly forgotten one crucial point.

This was not an official match.

"Iruka-sensei, if I remember correctly, the requirement for this makeup exam is simply that I remain undefeated for five minutes, right? There's no need for me to rush in and attack, is there?"

"Ah, I had been looking forward to this makeup exam, but I never expected it to be so boring."

Ye Fan deliberately dragged out his words in an infuriating tone.

His words were like steel nails, deeply piercing Neji Hyuga's pride.

The veins at the corners of Neji Hyuga's eyes bulged.

He also realized that if he did not take the initiative to attack, then once the five minutes were up, his opponent would pass this makeup exam.

That was absolutely not a result he wanted to see!

With that thought, Neji Hyuga pushed off the ground and charged at Ye Fan once more.

At the same time, the little Ninja Hound, Dark Shadow, also launched an attack, rushing straight toward Neji Hyuga.

Neji Hyuga had been prepared.

Seeing the black blur charging toward him, he immediately raised a palm to block it. Chakra flowed from his fingertips like sharp surgical scalpels.

Bang!

Another clash.

But this time, Dark Shadow was the one knocked back.

Dark Shadow landed steadily without being affected in the slightest, then charged toward Ye Fan again.

Bang!

Bang!

Neji Hyuga unleashed the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, skillfully blocking off Dark Shadow's attack routes.

For a moment, palm shadows flew everywhere.

Like a golden bell protecting his body.

Impenetrable!

On the other side, Dark Shadow became a streak of black light, continuously battering against the other's defenses.

Sometimes charging head-on.

Sometimes circling behind for a surprise attack.

One defending and one attacking, the two sides unexpectedly fell into a brief stalemate.

Such a spectacular battle left everyone in the stands staring wide-eyed.

They were astonished by Dark Shadow's performance, while also witnessing Neji Hyuga's formidable strength.

"That little Ninja Hound is so fast. Its speed is actually on par with Lee's."

Tenten looked astonished in the stands.

"Neji really is amazing."

Beside her, Rock Lee seemed to have had his fighting spirit ignited as he spoke fervently.

"That little Ninja Hound has already been suppressed by Neji. It has no chance left."

As though she had seen through everything, Tenten spoke again.

"My training is still far from enough!"

Rock Lee seemed not to have heard her and spoke to himself.

In the stands not far away, Hanabi Hyuga used her Byakugan to observe the battle below.

"So this is the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms? It can completely seal off all of Dark Shadow's attack routes. As expected of Brother Neji. But what is going on with Dark Shadow today? Its attacks always feel like they lack sharpness."

Muttering to herself, Hanabi Hyuga could not help looking toward Ye Fan.

Ye Fan sat atop Laiyun with an unruffled expression. Like the people in the stands, he seemed to be nothing more than a spectator.

Hanabi Hyuga probably did not know that Dark Shadow was currently fighting Neji Hyuga entirely according to its own will and was not under Ye Fan's control.

If Ye Fan had controlled Dark Shadow, Neji Hyuga would probably not have been able to defend so easily.

Although the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was powerful, flaws could still be found in it.

Ye Fan had even spotted several gaps amid those impenetrable palm shadows.

If he had controlled Dark Shadow in battle, there would have been no suspense. In just one breath, it could have broken through Neji Hyuga's defenses.

But Ye Fan did not want to do that. He did not want this test to end so boringly.

He had prepared a special gift to test whether the Byakugan could be restricted.

The real show had not even begun yet!

"One minute has already passed! Good job, Dark Shadow! Keep holding on, and Brother Ye Fan will be able to pass this test!"

Kiba Inuzuka shouted loudly.

Compared to the intensity of the battle, he cared more about the result.

"I'm afraid it isn't that optimistic," Shino Aburame beside him said. "The little Ninja Hound's attack patterns have already been figured out by Neji."

Almost at that exact moment.

Bang!

A muffled sound rang out.

The little Ninja Hound, Dark Shadow, was struck in several acupoints by Neji Hyuga in rapid succession. The chakra flowing through its body was immediately obstructed, and it fell to the ground, unable to get back up for a long while.

"Dark Shadow!"

Kiba Inuzuka could not help shouting.

At that moment, nearly everyone's gaze turned toward Dark Shadow.

That small body had not given up yet, struggling to rise from the ground.

"You're next!"

Neji Hyuga's cold voice rang out as he stared directly at Ye Fan across from him.

"It really lacks combat experience. Looks like I'll have to intensify its training in that area later."

Ye Fan looked thoughtful.

He was not surprised by Dark Shadow's defeat, but he was not satisfied with Dark Shadow's performance either.

If Dark Shadow had been experienced in battle, it would not have charged around recklessly. It could have circled its opponent and looked for the right opportunity.

In terms of chakra reserves, Dark Shadow far surpassed Neji Hyuga.

If it had not been so eager to attack, it could have simply worn down its opponent and secured victory.

What a shame!

The little fellow was too single-minded.

Or perhaps it simply wanted too badly to prove itself.

Whoosh!

Neji Hyuga did not want to waste any time. After defeating Dark Shadow, he charged toward Ye Fan once again.

However, Laiyun was a Ninja Hound with extensive combat experience. With only a light leap, it once again widened the distance between them.

Neji Hyuga pursued.

Laiyun leaped again.

It simply would not let him get close.

Neji Hyuga was nearly bursting with rage.

He had never expected his opponent to be so timid. If this dragged on any longer, this makeup exam would be over.

"Coward, do you dare fight me?"

Neji Hyuga glared furiously.

"What? Are you getting upset because you can't catch me?"

Ye Fan smiled calmly, then continued:

"Since you're in such a hurry, I'll let you see the gift I specially prepared for you."

As his words fell, Ye Fan waved his arm, sending a pill-shaped object resembling a hidden weapon flying toward Neji Hyuga.

Neji Hyuga snorted. An attack at such a speed was something he could catch with his eyes closed. He could not even be bothered to dodge.

But in the next moment.

An unbelievable scene unfolded.