"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't talk like you're giving your last words. That guy is probably losing a lot of money at that casino right now."
Turning around with a smile, Jiraiya slowly left, leaving only Sarutobi Hiruzen alone, looking at the sunset gradually setting with endless emotion.
Inside the Trial Tower at the heart of the Forest of Death.
Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!
The cold steel needle pierced the acupoint, and the Amegakure, who was still stubbornly resisting, felt numb all over and collapsed to the ground weakly.
"The victor is Konoha, White!"
After confirming that only 12 ninjas remained, Shiranui Genma announced loudly.
"The second exam has now concluded. We will have a one-month break to prepare. We hope that all the successful candidates will use this month to improve their skills and showcase their village's glory to the daimyo of various countries."
A few minutes later, a proctoring ninja posted the list of candidates for the third exam. Shikamaru, standing on the platform, froze, staring incredulously at the red-robed figure beside him.
"No way? Me, fight Naruto? I guess it's better to just admit defeat as soon as I step onto the field..."
"Stop talking such unambitious nonsense! Even if you're going to lose, you should lose in a spectacular way. The Chunin Ninja Exams aren't about selecting ninjas to advance to Chunin wins and losses."
Ino couldn't help but raise her voice; as a teammate, she really couldn't stand Shikamaru's lazy attitude.
" Ino is right. As long as we do our best to show our strength, we will have a chance. Let's do it for our teacher and defeat Naruto in one go."
Beside him, Sarutobi Asuma encouraged him in a low voice, but upon catching a glimpse of Shikamaru's troubled look, he instantly realized that Shikamaru still couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
On the other side, Gaara's lips curled into a ferocious smile as he stared intently at Sasuke, who stood indifferently to the side, and Naruto beside him.
" Uchiha... Sasuke..."
"My opponent is that guy who uses Kekkei Genkai, this is a bit troublesome..."
Temari stared at Haku on the battlefield, her brows furrowed slightly. Kankuro glanced at Neji, who was covered in wounds not far away, and a look of worry appeared on his face.
"It just so happens to be the Byakugan, which can see chakra. This is extremely troublesome, and the battle just now..."
Recalling the battle between the two Byakugan, the long-range chakra attacks and the Byakugan girl's incredible regenerative abilities, he found it all very troublesome.
"The only solution we can think of is to use poison..."
At this moment, Neji, standing in the stands, lowered his eyes, recalling the battle just now, the chakra that had been condensed to the extreme, and felt a lingering fear in his heart.
'So close, so close to losing. How could that weakling have grown to this level, even managing the Eight Trigrams: Air Palm...'
Awakening from self-doubt, Neji asked himself that none of the Hyuga Branch House ninjas, including his father, were his match.
Unexpectedly, if we hadn't maintained our composure today and seized Hinata's small opening when she was in a hurry, it would have been hard to say who would have won or lost.
'How did that guy, who wasn't cut out to be a ninja, manage to grow into this state?'
Inside the Trial Tower's infirmary, Hinata's face was grim as she shoved away the medical ninja who was trying to treat her.
"Wait, Hinata- san, your injuries..."
"None of your business, get out."
Although the medical ninja found it strange, he left the infirmary as Hinata instructed.
After the medical ninja left, Hinata closed her eyes, and emerald green chakra flowed from her wounds, instantly restoring her to her former fair skin. Even the wounds pierced by Gentle Fist within her body were healed.
"Damn it... Neji, the genius of the Hyuga Clan, from the very beginning, you planted that explosive chakra in your chakra points using Gentle Fist..."
By enveloping the strange chakra in the normal Gentle Fist chakra, he became careless despite his ability to continuously heal his injuries, ultimately leading to his defeat.
Even if Hinata was unwilling to admit it, in terms of developing the same power, Neji, who preferred covert methods, was indeed much stronger than her.
"Just you wait, I'll definitely stand by Teacher Huayue's side and make him look at me with new eyes!"
A near-morbid obsession flashed in Byakugan, and a faint blush rose on his fair face as he couldn't help but recall that one encounter from the past.
Knock knock knock!
" Hinata, how are you? I heard you wouldn't let the medical ninja treat you?"
A stern voice came from outside the door, Hinata immediately reverted to her usual gentle and indifferent demeanor, speaking in a calm tone.
"It's nothing, Father. There's no need to trouble the medical ninja with such a minor injury."
With a creak, the wooden door was slowly pushed open, and the little girl following behind Hyuga Hiashi ran happily to Hinata's side.
"Big Sister!"
" Hanabi."
Hinata only managed a slight smile when she saw Hanabi.
Hyuga Hiashi coughed twice, his tone solemn.
"Even after all this time, Neji's talent remains unchanged. You've done your best in this battle. Even if the clan elders and elite Jonin of the Main Family personally stepped in, they couldn't have lasted this long..."
Hinata go in one ear and out the other, secretly chuckling to herself.
Since the Hyuga Branch House released the Caged Bird Seal, even the village has not mentioned the Hyuga Branch House, a name that has been relegated to the past.
Nowadays, most ninjas distinguish between the Hyuga Eastern Clan and Western Clan.
The Hyuga Branch House is located in the southeast, while the main family is in the west of the central, bustling area. Apart from the elderly members of the main family who reminisce about the past, no one cares about the facts that have already passed.
When discussing the two factions now, we're essentially talking about the strength of the ninjas; the so-called clan duties are utter nonsense.
"Father, if there's nothing urgent, I'd like to go back and rest first."
A hint of resentment and escapism flashed through Hinata's mind as she pulled Hanabi away. Hyuga Hiashi, then nodded slightly.
" Hanabi, don't disturb your sister's rest."
After his two children disappeared from sight, Hizashi Hyuga frowned deeply.
"Why, why is there such an unprecedented chakra within Neji and Hinata's bodies? That emerald green chakra, was it your doing? Uchiha Huayue..."
Konoha Hospital, emergency room.
Might Guy paced anxiously outside the medical room. A moment later, a medical ninja appeared hastily, his face showing a hint of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kai, although the child's life is not in danger, the large number of bone fragments is compressing his nerves. Even if he recovers, he may not be able to become a ninja... The difficulty of removing those bone fragments is simply..."
Before he could finish speaking, the attending medical ninja saw Kai standing there, frozen in place, pretending to be nonchalant, and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, stop joking. There must be someone in the village who knows how to cure Rock Lee Li Du, right? Right?"
"Sorry, Kai, don't cause trouble for the doctor. Let's leave Rock Lee's problem to the professionals."
Kakashi offered a low-pitched word of advice, but then a series of steady footsteps sounded, and the medical ninja, who had been feeling troubled, suddenly brightened up.
"Kai, give me that child's medical records."
"Lord Huayue, there's... there's hope!"
Half a month later, at the border of the Land of Wind, Rasa stood with two guards, his brows furrowed.
Orochimaru? Sasori?