Hyuga Clan

As for Hinata, Naruto felt deeply conflicted. Even though he had learned everything from Awen's memories, he was only thirteen and had no real concept of marriage. But he could not simply ignore Hinata.

"Hinata-sama!" Neji snorted coldly as he stepped into the arena. "I never expected to be facing you."

"Brother Neji..." Hinata murmured softly as she walked onto the platform.

Naruto had also learned all about the Hyuga Clan's grievances through Awen's memories. The Hyuga Clan was divided into the main family and the branch family. Neji belonged to the branch family, while Hinata was the eldest daughter of the main family. The conflict between the two sides could not be explained in just a few words.

Among some ancient clans, internal conflicts ran deep. Even the Uchiha, who had already been exterminated, had been no different.

In order to protect the clan and its bloodline, the founders of the Hyuga family had established many rules favoring the main family. For example, the main family could control the branch family through the Caged Bird. It was precisely because of the Caged Bird that the conflict between the branch family and the main family had become irreconcilable.

"The match begins..." Gekko Hayate announced loudly.

In the arena, Neji looked at Hinata with a complicated expression and advised her, "Hinata-sama, before we begin, I want to give you some advice. You are not suited to be a ninja. You should give up."

Hinata's pupils trembled slightly, and her expression dimmed.

Neji continued, "You are too kind. You always hope for peace and want to avoid all conflict. You have no mind of your own, no confidence in yourself, and you often feel inferior because of it. The Chunin Ninja Exams are entered in teams of three. You only forced yourself to participate because you could not find a reason to refuse Kiba."

"No, that's not it, I..." Hinata's expression grew even more dejected. Then she thought of that figure who wanted to become Hokage and never gave up, and her voice turned firm. "I want to change myself through my own efforts, Brother Neji!"

Kurenai Yuhi remained silent in the stands. She recalled the time she had visited the Hyuga family for Hinata's sake, seeking out the Hyuga Clan's head, Hyuga Hiashi.

"Hinata is about to become my subordinate, but is that really all right? She is supposed to inherit the Hyuga main family someday, isn't she? If she becomes a Genin, she will face death!"

"It does not matter. There is no place in the Hyuga family for trash like her. She cannot even compare to Hanabi, who is five years younger than her. If there is nothing else, leave. I am busy..."

Looking back on that conversation, Hyuga Hiashi, as the Hyuga Clan's head, had spoken without any courtesy. Clearly, his attitude toward Hinata was one of a harsh tongue and a soft heart.

Although Hinata's talent was inferior to Neji's, it was not poor. After all, she would later master the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, which required tremendous control over one's own chakra. It was simply her personality that kept her from fully displaying her strength.

In the stands, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi all noticed that Naruto seemed somewhat different.

Neji looked at Hinata. The veins around his eyes bulged as he activated the Byakugan. "A person's fate is decided from the day they are born. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change it..."

"It is precisely because it cannot be changed that people differ from one another. Elite, failure, genius, trash, noble, commoner—these labels exist because of that!"

"People judge others by their appearance, intelligence, ability, build, and personality. It is because these things cannot be changed that distinctions exist. Just as I am from the branch family while you are from the main family, no matter what I do, I can never escape the shackles of being a caged bird of the branch family. With these Byakugan, I have seen through everything!"

Every word Neji spoke was striking and incisive. Having seen the relevant memories from Awen, Naruto did not know how to refute him. At the very least, he could not argue with Neji as the Naruto in Awen's memories had.

"Phew... Go, Hinata!" Though he had countless things to say, they all became one sentence as he shouted it aloud.

"Naruto!" Seeing Naruto cheering for her, the panic and anxiety in Hinata's heart vanished. A warm current flowed through her entire body, and the figure in her heart—the one who wanted to become Hokage—became even clearer.

Hinata activated her Byakugan and assumed a fighting stance. The confusion in her eyes was gone. "I do not want to keep running away, Brother Neji. Let us settle this properly. Speak my mind and never give up lightly—this is my ninja way!"

"Tch... Fine. You will not give up? Then bear the consequences yourself!" Neji and Hinata began a Gentle Fist duel between members of the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan possessed a unique taijutsu passed down through generations. Unlike the powerful, attack-focused taijutsu used by Might Guy and Rock Lee, the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist targeted the opponent's chakra pathway system and internal organs.

As for why the Hyuga Clan did not simply use kunai to perform Gentle Fist, it was because fists and feet were more agile.

A Gentle Fist duel was highly entertaining, carrying a graceful, flowing beauty. But Naruto could not feel happy at all. The gap between Hinata and Neji was far too great.

Bang!

Hinata was sent flying by Neji's punch. All the chakra in her body had been sealed, yet she trembled as she forced herself back to her feet. At that moment, Naruto thought of how, in Awen's memories, he had been pinned to the ground by the Deva Path. Only Hinata had stepped forward, fearlessly trying to save him. Her strong, stubborn figure seemed to overlap with the Hinata before him.

"You can still stand? If you know what is good for you and surrender, you will not have to suffer so much." Neji slowly approached Hinata.

Hinata assumed the Gentle Fist stance and spat out a mouthful of blood. "I do not want to lose too miserably in front of the one I love! Brother Neji, I can see it. The fate of the main family and branch family has made you suffer even more than I have..."

"Is that so?" Killing intent appeared in Neji's eyes. The instant he charged at Hinata, the Jonin and Gekko Hayate all reacted and prepared to intervene.

But Naruto was faster. His eyes turned crimson, his vertical pupils carrying an eerie air. As a gust of wind swept through and stirred Hinata's hair, he instantly appeared in front of her.

"Naruto..." Hinata murmured.

The other Jonin moved as well. Might Guy hooked an arm around Neji's neck, while Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi seized Neji's right wrist. Gekko Hayate pointed a finger at Neji's forehead and used the Binding Jutsu.

For once, Might Guy's face held none of its usual playfulness. He said sternly, "Neji, this ends here. You promised me you would not clash with others again over matters involving the main family!"

"Damn it. All the other Jonin have stepped in. Is this the special treatment only the main family gets?" Resigned, Neji stopped. The veins around his Byakugan gradually faded.

Naruto turned around, his eyes returning to normal. He asked anxiously, "Hinata, are you all right?!"

"Naruto... Have I changed..." Hinata collapsed forward, and Naruto carefully caught her in his arms.

"Damn..." Naruto carefully lifted Hinata in a princess carry, then placed her on a stretcher. The medical ninja immediately carried Hinata away.

Throughout the entire process, Naruto did not say a word. He lightly bit his lip, unable to calm the turmoil in his heart.