Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm

On the arena floor, Neji Hyuga stood with his arms crossed before his chest, looking coldly at Hinata.

"You are not suited to be a ninja. You are too kind, avoid conflict, and always cater to other people's wishes."

Hearing his words, Hinata explained,

"I only wanted to change myself, so..."

Neji Hyuga loudly cut her off. "A failure will always be a failure. Neither your personality nor your abilities will change!"

Just then, Kanami quietly came up behind Naruto.

Neji said mercilessly to Hinata, "Give up. You will never be able to change yourself!"

Naruto was already furious, his Talk no Jutsu gathering in his throat.

Just as he was about to unleash Senjutsu Talk no Jutsu, a large hand suddenly covered his mouth, sealing his Talk no Jutsu.

He hurriedly pulled the hand away, then turned around angrily and demanded, "Who the hell was that?!"

After seeing the person's face, Naruto's expression eased somewhat.

He said with slight dissatisfaction,

"So it was you, Kanami. Why did you suddenly cover my mouth?"

Kanami smiled. "It had been a while since I saw you, so I came to say hello."

That was what he said on the surface, but inwardly, it was another story.

No way am I giving you, you dead blondie, a chance to earn favorability points. Besides, Hinata doesn't need anyone else to encourage her anymore.

On the arena floor, Hinata let out a long breath, activated her Byakugan, and calmly looked at Neji.

"I will not surrender."

"Hmph!"

Neji said no more and activated his Byakugan as well.

The two charged toward the center of the arena and rapidly exchanged blows.

They both belonged to the Hyuga Clan, and the Gentle Fist techniques they used were largely similar.

Watching their similar movements, the spectators found it difficult to tell who held the upper hand.

After recovering from their shock, Tenten and Rock Lee watched the two of them and discussed the fight.

"Hinata is this strong? Didn't he always say his younger sister was weak and unsuited to being a ninja?"

"Very few people can trade moves with Neji like this, but I still think Neji will win."

Only the two of them, who spent every day with Neji, understood just how terrifying his strength was.

Watching Hinata's fierce attacks, Naruto's scalp went numb as well.

"Hinata is amazing!"

Among everyone present, only Kakashi, with his Sharingan, and Kanami could tell that Hinata had already fallen into a disadvantage during their exchange.

Kanami remained silent, staring intently at Hinata and Neji's battle.

Amid their high-intensity exchange, Hinata was clearly beginning to run out of stamina.

The moment her movements slowed, Neji suddenly struck out with his palm.

Hinata had no time to block the strike and was instantly sent flying several meters away.

At that moment, Neji frowned and said coldly,

"Give up. You cannot possibly defeat me."

Hinata panted heavily and wiped away the blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Her resolute gaze met Neji's directly.

"Brother Neji, I know the pain you have always endured. I will make you acknowledge me. Not only you, but Father as well..."

Seeing this, Kurenai Yuhi murmured, "This is the first time I have seen such determination in Hinata's eyes."

Asuma Sarutobi beside her said,

"Is it really alright to let this continue?"

Kurenai Yuhi's delicate brows furrowed. She knew Asuma was hinting at certain matters within the Hyuga Clan.

The problems between their Main House and Branch House.

"If I went to stop her now, I couldn't do it. Besides, that kid wouldn't agree to it either."

Kurenai Yuhi shook her head, her gaze falling on Kanami.

Kanami was gripping the railing of the stands tightly with both hands, staring fixedly at the battle below.

Upon hearing Hinata's words, Neji frowned deeply.

"You do not understand at all. How could you, the young lady of the Main House, possibly understand my pain?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, I understand. Of everyone trapped by the fates of the Main House and Branch House, you are the most lost and suffering one."

"Shut up!"

Enraged by her words, Neji shouted and charged forward.

Just as he closed in before Hinata, a powerful force slammed into him, forcing him to slow his steps.

"This! This is..."

With his Byakugan, Neji saw that the chakra in the acupoint on his struck shoulder had been sealed.

His expression changed drastically, and his breathing quickened.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm... When did you master it?!"

"The day before the official exams."

Hinata earnestly answered Neji's question.

Seeing her use Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, Kanami finally let out a long breath and released the railing, where two palm prints had been left behind.

Half a month before Kurenai Yuhi announced the Chunin Ninja Exams, Kanami had begun training with Hinata.

In the end, on the day before the exams.

Hinata comprehended Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, and her Byakugan evolved from merely observing chakra pathways to clearly seeing acupoints as well.

"Damn it!"

Neji clenched his fists so tightly that blood even seeped out.

He could not accept being surpassed by someone from the Main House.

But in the current situation, he knew he had already lost. There was no point in continuing the fight.

Struggling, Neji raised his hand. "I surrender."

Gekko Hayate asked in surprise, "Are you really, cough, surrendering?"

Neji Hyuga ignored him and turned to walk off the arena.

Seeing this, Gekko Hayate said,

"Cough, then I announce that Hinata Hyuga has won this match."

A huge uproar instantly swept through the crowd.

"How did she win?"

"Why did he suddenly surrender? Because of those inexplicable things she said?"

"No matter how you look at it, he wasn't at a disadvantage."

"I don't understand!"

Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened slightly, her lips parting as she said, "She really did it..."

Rock Lee grabbed Neji, who was walking forward with his head lowered, and demanded, "Why did you surrender?"

Tenten also walked over in confusion.

"You didn't go easy on her just because she is your sister, did you?"

Neji remained silent. He said nothing and did not even turn toward them.

Just as Rock Lee was about to ask something else.

Might Guy appeared, pulled Rock Lee away, and shook his head at him. "Let him be alone for a while."

Meanwhile, Kanami held Hinata's little hand.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

In front of Kanami, Hinata returned to her shy self.

Her beautiful eyes fluttered as she softly said, "I want to eat roasted wild boar. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Even if you wanted roasted Akamaru, I would secretly catch him and roast him for you."

"Forget roasted Akamaru. Kiba Inuzuka would get angry..."

"So if Kiba did not get angry, you really would want to eat roasted Akamaru?"

Hinata hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head.

"No! I wouldn't! How could I..."

"I was joking."

Kanami turned and pulled Hinata into his embrace, leaning close to her ear.

"My Hinata really has been changing in her own way."

"Mm."

Hinata gave a soft murmur and pressed her head closer against Kanami.

She wanted Neji's acknowledgment, wanted her father's acknowledgment, and also wanted Kanami's acknowledgment.

Just then, Kanami suddenly looked around.

When he saw no head suddenly poking out, he let out a long breath.

This time, he actually knew how to read the room.

Shino adjusted his dark glasses. "Were you looking for me?"