Chapter 106

As Neji advanced closer to Gaara, tension gripped the arena. The hearts of Konoha's spectators grew increasingly anxious, while the people of Sunagakure Village hoped for a miracle—a comeback from Gaara.

Meanwhile, the observers from the Hidden Rain Village were simply sizing up who was the weaker opponent.

If Neji won this battle, Konoha would claim victory in two consecutive matches. The pressure weighed on the Hidden Rain Village's genin, unsure whether to face Konoha's rising stars or Sunagakure's remaining competitors.

The three Rain Village ninjas looked on in confusion.

"It's over."

Neji reached Gaara and prepared to deliver the final blow with his palm. He remained cautious, remembering Sunagakure's previous ninja who had used puppetry and poison. Gaara was equally formidable, so Neji expected more tricks. Yet, as he approached Gaara without resistance, his fears began to fade.

But just as Neji's palm was about to strike, a wall of sand surged between them.

"What?!"

Neji couldn't believe that Gaara, even with his chakra points sealed, could still use ninjutsu. As Neji swung to disperse the sand, it clung to his arm and began wrapping around him.

"Not good!"

Sensing danger, Neji activated his Revolving Heaven to repel the sand. However, Gaara had anticipated this and detonated the sand before Neji could fully rotate.

"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"

Gaara's cold voice echoed, and in an instant, the sand that had latched onto Neji's arm exploded, sending blood and sand flying.

"Ahh!!!"

Neji's scream filled the arena. His arm was gone—completely consumed by Gaara's sand. But the nightmare wasn't over. Gaara continued manipulating the sand, aiming to engulf Neji entirely.

In immense pain but still composed, Neji fought to activate his Revolving Heaven again. But with only one arm, it was imperfect. His chakra control faltered, and Gaara exploited the opening, launching another wave of sand.

Despite Neji's repeated attempts to evade, his missing arm drained his stamina and chakra. After more than a dozen rotations, Gaara finally broke through Neji's defense.

Even though Gaara had lost much of his fighting strength, Neji wasn't the same formidable opponent he had been earlier. With only one arm, he could no longer counter Gaara's relentless attacks. His efforts to repel the sand with Gentle Fist techniques were futile.

Just as the sand threatened to overwhelm him, Gekko Hayate appeared in a blur, rescuing Neji from certain defeat.

"The match is over. Gaara of Sunagakure Village wins!"

The conclusion was clear to everyone. Neji no longer had the strength to continue. Pushing further would only result in his death.

"Neji!"

Tenten, Rock Lee, and Might Guy rushed towards their teammate, hearts breaking at the sight of Neji's missing arm and the despair clouding his face.

They tried to comfort him, but Neji was unresponsive, his eyes vacant. Might Guy stayed by his side, escorting him for treatment, while Tenten and Rock Lee remained behind for their upcoming matches.

Gaara, injured but still intact, walked out of the ring under his own power. His expression was as cold as ever, but the fear he inspired was palpable among the other competitors.

No one expected Neji to lose, let alone so miserably. The genius of the Hyuga Clan had not only been defeated but had lost his arm—a permanent, devastating injury.

"Neji was careless," muttered Inuzuka Kiba, his voice tinged with regret.

Shikamaru nodded in agreement. "No one expected Gaara to still be able to use ninjutsu after his chakra points were sealed. Does the sand not require chakra control?"

No one could answer Shikamaru's question, but Kazuki, observing from the stands, might have known. He could have warned Neji before the match, but chose not to. Even if Neji had been more careful, he still wouldn't have defeated Gaara.

Gaara, with the power of the One-Tail Shukaku within him, was a force beyond Neji's capabilities. Even if Neji had tried to land a thousand strikes, it would have barely scratched Shukaku's defense.

In the Hokage's viewing booth, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Neji leave with a heavy heart.

"What a promising talent," the Hokage lamented. "To lose his hand in such a way..."

Becoming a Chunin was no longer the issue. Neji's pride, combined with such a catastrophic defeat, could destroy his entire future as a shinobi.

Unlike Rock Lee, who had always faced adversity and failure, Neji had been a prodigy from the start. This loss—losing both the match and his hand—would strike at the very core of his identity. For someone as proud as Neji, the consequences could be devastating.

He had lost not only his hand but also the very techniques that had made him a genius—his Gentle Fist, his Revolving Heaven, and his chance at redemption. Could he still call himself a genius now?

Could he still have a future as a shinobi after losing so much?

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