Hinata took the offensive again.
This time, she did not use Divine Vacuum Attack. Instead, she closed in swiftly with the Gentle Fist she knew best.
Her palms flew, their afterimages swirling like falling blossoms as they swept toward the vital points all over Neji's body.
It was the opening stance of Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, the foundation of Hyuga Style-and one of its truest tests of skill!
"Bring it on!"
Neji gave a low shout and advanced instead of retreating.
He unleashed the same Gentle Fist, but his movements were more economical, precise, and seasoned.
Palm met palm, point met point, and a rapid series of impacts rang through the air.
Both pushed their Byakugan to the limit, predicting the path of every strike and searching for the fleeting gaps in each other's defenses.
The spectators in the stands watched the battle below intently.
This was a clash of Hyuga Gentle Fist!
There were no flashy exchanges of ninjutsu, only a deadly struggle decided by fractions of an inch at close quarters.
Every block and every dodge determined whether their opponent would invade and seal their chakra pathways.
"Trigram palms!"
"Two palms!"
"Four palms!"
"Eight palms!"
"Sixteen palms!"
"Thirty-two palms!"
Hinata's palm strikes were tightly woven and disciplined, her defense airtight. Occasionally, she even slipped in a fierce blow with Twin Lion Fists, forcing Neji to change his moves.
But Neji clearly had the edge in experience and fundamentals. His strikes carried more concentrated force, and he controlled the rhythm with ease, often applying pressure in the tiny gaps between Hinata's transitions and gradually shrinking the space she had to maneuver.
"Sixty-four palms!"
Hinata cried out, her palms suddenly accelerating as she tried to overwhelm Neji's slower pace and break through his blockade.
Neji remained utterly calm, chaining skills