Chapter 45: Chapter 44: The elite, the losers, Byakugan!
Clasping her hands together, Hinata's Byakugan activated. At the same time, Neji looked at her with a disgusted expression.
(The expression on his face has changed. There is no longer fear or panic...).
"Listen, Hinata. If you don't give up now, I will show no mercy."
With cold words and a facial expression of displeasure, Neji looked at Hinata. At the same time, Hinata looked back at him. Now she would fight for real, knowing that Toru is supporting her, fighting Neji now would be easier.
"Defend yourself, Neji-onii-sama."
Raising her palms and placing them in front of herself, Hinata took a breath of air. Likewise, Neji watched this with a neutral expression on his face, before the veins around his eyes throbbed.
"You'll regret this..."
Responding to what Hinata had said earlier, Neji adopted his fighting stance. This made Naruto feel curious, as they both had the same fighting stance. To his good fortune, Rock Lee took it upon himself to explain this.
Hyuga style, is the only taijutsu in Konohagakure that is passed down from generation to generation. Compared to the taijutsu that Rock Lee and Might Guy use, which is focused more on external damage, the Hyuga style focuses on causing damage to the internal organs and chakra network in the enemy's body.
Since the chakra network is distributed and entangled with a person's vital organs, the Hyuga's eyes, i.e. Byakugan, help them to see this chakra network and, by wrapping the palms of their hands in pure chakra, they can obstruct or destroy the chakra channels in the opponent's body by striking them. This can cause great damage, since, Hyuga style causes damage to two things at the same time, internal organs and the chakra network. This is why his fighting style was so dangerous, after all no matter how much you train, you will never be able to strengthen your organs.
Having heard everything, Naruto swallowed his breath. For a moment, he felt worried for Hinata, as Neji seemed to show no mercy to his enemies.
"Ha!"
Interrupting the conversation between the ninjas, Hinata and Neji started the fight. They both tried to hit each other, however, they were both skilled enough to be able to block the attacks with their bare hands.
*Boom, bam, bam!
Each punch caused a small rumble that everyone could hear. Both Hyuga had their hands wrapped in chakra, all this in order to damage their enemy. At the same time, each hit that was blocked caused a small wave of chakra and wind.
(That's more than I expected, Neji is definitely strong. However, Hinata hasn't wasted any time, she has also become strong. That's why, Neji, don't underestimate your own blood.)
Crossing his arms, Toru was interested in this fight between family. Hinata was undoubtedly strong, thanks to this strength she was able to defeat a chunin-ranked ninja, which, for a novice genin was a feat to admire.
*Boom, bam!
Continuing the exchange of blows, the veins around Neji's eyes throbbed as he increased the strength in the dojutsu and the speed in his taijutsu. Hinata also tried to increase the pace of her blows, however, Neji seemed to have more experience, so she was quickly overshadowed by her cousin's talent.
The two have the same blood running through their veins, however, the difference in power was evident to the naked eye. Neji's movements were more fluid, full of strength and vitality. Hinata on the other hand, her movements were somewhat stiff, as if she was trying not to strike at some specific points.
This is what Neji meant, Hinata will always seek peace and avoid conflict. She is too kind and gentle with everyone, she will never try to hurt anyone. However, she wanted to change this part of her personality, because sometimes, in order to live in peace, you must snatch, that is the law of life.
Neji understood this because he saw the world in a different way, he saw the world as if it was in black and white.
*Bam, boom, bam!
With no time to respond, Neji was able to dodge one of Hinata's blows at the last moment. If only he had been an inch closer to Hinata, he would have taken a huge damage right in the chakra channels that tangle around his ribs.
Still, Neji had the ability to block his cousin's half-hearted attacks.
(You can't handle this, Hinata. You should have given up when you had the chance.)
Neji was a bit irritated because of Hinata's attitude. Right now, she had a very serious expression on her face.
(I can, Toru-kun is watching me, I mustn't let him down.)
Increasing the strength in her punches, Hinata started to take the lead in this fight.
Neji was surprised, he couldn't believe that Hinata was hiding strength like that. But, in the end, the losers will remain losers and the elite will rise among the unlucky ones like a thunderbolt full of power and authority.
So, attacking at the same time, Hinata and Neji extended the palms of their hands, striking right at each other's chest.
"I hit him!"
"Way to go, Hinata!"
"She's amazing!"
Ino, as well as Naruto and Sakura felt happy because of this, but... it was too early to celebrate, as neither Hyuga was moving.
Silence pervaded the place and Toru's gaze was now somber.
"Ahg..."
Throwing some blood from her mouth, Hinata collapsed, falling to the ground on her own forehead.
(Miscalculate...)
Squeezing the metal bars tightly, Toru's gaze darkened. Even though he had an expressionless face, you could see this strange feeling of danger in his gaze.
Ino noticed Toru's gaze the instant Hinata fell to the ground.
"I told you."
Glaring at his cousin with disdain, Neji deactivated his Byakugan. The outcome of this fight was obvious, however, based on the information Toru had, Hinata might be able to put up a good fight against Neji, however... the outcome made Toru sigh.
He was wrong, he had to admit it. But apparently, this fight was going to continue, as Neji crouched down so he could see Hinata's face.
"Even when I warned you, you were able to throw yourself into the attack against me. You should know, I'm different. A loser like you couldn't make a scratch on me, yet you train a lifetime, you can never change who you are, no matter how hard you try, no matter what methods you use, in the end it will be the same. The elite always triumph over the less fortunate. That's how the world works, that's something you have to learn."
Still lying on the ground, Hinata clenched her fists as she tried to hold back the tears that were about to come. Neji's words were not wrong, she knew that very well.
(I can never be as strong as Toru-kun... he's different. Someone like me...can't walk beside him. Neji-onii-sama is right...I'm a failure.)
Touching the ground with her forehead, Hinata lamented her weaknesses. She's weak, but she's still kind to everyone. Then, when Hinata looked at Toru, who had a gloomy look in his eyes, a memory came back to her mind.
"I wish I had eyes like yours."
Although she knew she was misunderstanding him, Hinata felt saved by those words. That day, Asahi Toru saved Hinata from an abyss of darkness.
"Hm... apparently, Hyuga participant Hinata is incapacitated, therefore, Hyuga Neji-"
When Hayate suddenly stopped speaking, the expression on Neji's face hardened as he looked at Hinata.
She, despite her central chakra conduit being blocked, stood up with blood in her mouth. Her eyes somehow looked dull.
"Idiot girl..."
To Neji, what was happening was ridiculous, a sign of the weakness of a person, who only had a head full of dreams and illusions.
"You still don't get it, do you want to die?"
Seeing that Hinata had regained her fighting stance, Neji didn't like this. It was irrelevant, ridiculous, utter stupidity.
"I won't give up...I will never show weakness again...because that is my strength, my ninja way."
When she heard those words, Toru's eyes widened. How was it that this girl, after being defeated in such a sad way, could stand up again and say something like that? This provoked a strange feeling in Toru, who clenched the metal bars tightly, waiting for the outcome of this fight.
"Then, if you want to die, so be it."
After saying that, Neji's Byakugan activated again. So, raising his palms, Neji attacked.
Now, Hinata couldn't use chakra, as the hit she received from Neji obstructed the main chakra conduit, preventing her from sending chakra to her hands or legs. Right now, that girl was fighting using the strength of her body.
"Ha!"
She was putting most of her remaining energy into this last attack. But Neji could easily dodge it.
*Bam!
"Ah!"
Using two fingers, Neji tapped one of Hinata's arms. At the same time, he used the other arm to hold his cousin's shoulder to prevent her from escaping.
"This is depressing."
Lifting one of the sleeves of Hinata's sweater, Neji could see the different chakra points that had been obstructed so far. Even without the Byakugan he could see these clogged conduits due to the red dots spreading on Hinata's skin.
"Even with all your failed efforts, it can do nothing. Weakness will consume you, and your kindness will be what leads to your death."
*Bam!
Hitting Hinata's central chakra point again, Neji smirked as he watched Hinata collapse once more.
"That idiot wants to kill her!"
"No... Hinata..."
Naruto was furious, everything Neji had done so far was horrible. A horrible person with a twisted personality. This made the blond boy's blood run hot with anger.
Many in the place thought the same, also the Jounin, who were already preparing to stop this fight by force.
"You're finished, you won't be able to do anything in that state.
Neji had already won this fight. This made Hayate look at the girl lying on the ground before speaking.
"This time, Hinata Hyuga can't continue. The victor is Hyuga Neji, advance to the final exam."
This fight was over, but not for Hinata, who got back up from the ground.
Everyone saw, that girl had blood in her mouth and on her clothes. She could barely stand up.
At the same time, an expression of disgust formed on Neji's face. This was already too much, this was making him angry.
"What do you think you're doing, can't you see how you are, you loser?"
"I... I can still continue... this fight. I haven't beaten you yet."
Just hearing those words made the flame of anger flare up in Neji's heart.
"I see... then... die."
With uncontrollable bloodlust. Neji wrapped his hands in chakra and ran in Hinata's direction. Everyone's eyes widened at what they were seeing. At the same time, the Jounin present jumped up to stop the boy, but....
*Bam...*
The Jounin stopped just a few centimeters away from Neji, as someone stopped him before. That someone, was Toru who at that moment had managed to stop Neji by grabbing his wrist tightly.
"What are you doing, let go of me!"
"You already won, why do you insist so much?"
With a look as cold as ice, Toru spoke while increasing the strength of his grip. Neji didn't know it, but he hates feeling a huge force that was about to break his arm.
"Tch..."
Clicking his tongue, Neji avoided looking at Hinata and simply walked away from the place. This thanks to Toru letting go of Neji's arm.
"Agh!"
But all this suspense was broken when Hinata spat out a large amount of blood as she fell to the ground.
"No!"
Yamato quickly approached Hinata.
"Her heart is going to fail! Call medical ninja!"
For some reason, desperation could be seen on Yamato's face as he looked at his student lying on the ground.
But hearing these words changed the expression on Toru's face. And when he saw his teammate, he simply disconnected from the world, as the image of Hinata reminded him of something Toru would dedicate to forget.
(Okaa-san...?)
As if transported to the past, Toru could see Kyoko covered in blood. But he was quickly pulled out of his thoughts by Neji's voice.
"You should worry about yourselves. You don't have to pay so much attention to a failure."
Tugging a smile on his mouth, Neji folded his arms as he walked back to the highest place in the fighting arena. But, when he turned his gaze, he met Toru, who looked at him as if he was the worst piece of trash in the world.
"If anything happens to Hinata, I will destroy you."
Hearing Toru's scary voice close to his ear, a shiver ran down his spine. For some reason Neji, felt a huge danger.
[Summary of the eleventh match:
Hyuga Neji vs Hyuga Hinata.
Time: 6.02 minutes
Winner: Hyuga Neji
Decisive Blow: Jukenpo (Soft Fist)]
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Author's note: The long awaited evolution of the protagonist has begun. I have a lot of things planned for when that happens. Too bad they didn't reach the goal of the power stones, though. Still, here's a chapter. I'll post another one tomorrow :D
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