Match

Hyuga Neji's face was set with arrogance, his expression sharp, and he looked at Lee with pure disdain. It was the look of a high-born, certain of superiority.

But Lee just grinned, unfazed by the challenge. Such provocation hardly scratched him. The techniques he had learned in his mind, inherited from Sion's memories, were crafted to handle far more significant challenges. Through Sion's memories, he knew how to rise from nothing—disregarded and without advantage.

"Neji, that's too harsh," Tenten said, unable to stay silent. She stepped forward, her voice full of frustration. "Lee is our teammate! How can you talk to him like that?"

"He's hardly my teammate." Neji's voice was calm and confident. "Even if he works hard all his life, he'll never pass the Chūnin test. With my Hyuga blood, I will someday be known as one of the strongest. And you want me to consider this…genin my equal?" He gave Lee another look, full of pure contempt.

Lee's grin widened, but he remained silent, absorbing the moment without giving Neji a response.

"Is the Hyuga bloodline so impressive?" Lee finally replied, his tone light but pointed, influenced by the resilience of Sion's memories.

Neji's eyes flashed. "Are you doubting it?" he shot back, surprised at the audacity.

"Well… I'm just wondering," Lee replied with a sly smile, "since the Hyuga clan isn't the strongest family in the village." His gaze remained steady on Neji.

Neji's expression wavered, the confidence in his eyes flickering. His lineage was indeed strong, yet it wasn't absolute. Other clans, like Uchiha and Senju, had an influence that even the Hyuga couldn't rival.

"Lee, excellent!" Guy Sensei watched silently up until now, but now he gave Lee a subtle nod of approval, full of pride.

Before Neji could respond, Guy said, "This sparring match will begin! First match: Lee versus Neji!"

Neji scowled, then positioned himself. "I won't hold back."

Lee just bowed his head, feeling the rush of a challenge ignite.

"Begin!" shouted Guy Sensei.

With that, Neji moved first, his hand cutting through the air in a refined strike. Lee noted Neji's precision—it was the Gentle Fist, a technique passed through the Hyuga clan. However, through Sion's teachings, Lee recognized openings, movements, and the underlying weakness in Neji's stance.

Despite knowing this, Lee deliberately held back. He struck with controlled force, meeting Neji's hands. There was a jolt, and Lee felt a rush of strange energy targeting pressure points along his arm. His right shoulder suddenly went numb, and his arm dropped.

Neji smirked, confident. "Gentle Fist is the strength of the Hyuga bloodline. You'll never overcome it."

Lee didn't reply, only smiled. His fist clenched, energy swirling through his body in a way only Sion's techniques could explain.