The Chunin Exam [7]

As The Names of Hinata & Neji were announced, both of them came down the stairs to the stage.

....

"I never imagined we'd stand across from each other like this... Lady Hinata.

"Brother Neji....."

Neji moved slightly into the combat zone and spoke, 'Before we initiate this battle, I have something to express, Lady Hinata."

"You're not cut out for the ninja lifestyle, surrender now. You're too gentle, seeking peace and shying away from confrontation... you are always in agreement with others, never putting up resistance."

You lack self-assurance, I constantly sense your feeling of insecurity, and that's why... I believed it would be most suitable for you to remain as a genin. But the chuunin exam can only be taken by a team of three.

"You couldn't refuse your teammates' request and reluctantly signed up. This is the harsh truth. Am I mistaken?".

"Neji, dear brother, you've got it all wrong," Hinata's voice carried a rare but raw intensity that defied her usual demure demeanor. "I am not the same Hinata you once knew. My reasons for being here, for participating in this exam, are not out of obligation to my comrades, but rather, a testament of my own self-belief."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, not of fear, but of profound determination. "I've learned to trust in my own abilities, to rely on myself... and that is a lesson that someone very dear to me has taught."

There was a pause, a moment of silence that was punctuated by the intensity of her sentiments. "This person, precious to my heart, has not only guided me but also unveiled the path to my true self.

He taught me that I had the power within me all along. The power to stand up, to not shy away from a challenge, to face my fears head-on."

As she finished her impassioned speech, Hinata turned her gaze towards Naruto, who was watching her with a proud smile. The silent exchange between them spoke volumes about the bond they shared.

It was a moment etched in time, a testament of transformation, courage, and unwavering belief in oneself.

Neji, his face a mask of neutrality, stared at Hinata who stood tall and resolute. "Words are wind, Hinata. Your conviction will be tested in battle," he said, his voice as sharp as a newly forged kunai. With that, he fell into his combat stance, the renowned Gentle Fist technique of the Hyuga clan.

Hinata took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting the calm before the storm. "Very well, brother Neji," she replied, and assumed her stance as well, the same technique but wielded by a very different hand.

The air between them was electric, the tension palpable. The referee, Hayate, stepped back, giving them a wide berth. "Begin!" he commanded, his voice echoing in the stillness.

Neji moved first, flashing towards Hinata with blinding speed. His hand shot out, aiming for a tenketsu - a chakra point to disrupt her flow.

But Hinata was quicker. She pivoted on her foot, dodging his assault and retaliating with a swift palm thrust. Neji barely had time to react, the force of her attack sending him skidding backwards.

"Hinata, you..." he started, surprise etched on his face. He'd underestimated her.

"I am not the same," she repeated, charging forward again.

Their fight was a whirlwind, a dance of swift movements and sharp strikes. Hinata held her ground, her attacks precise and calculated, forcing Neji to remain on the defensive. She landed a glancing blow on his shoulder, the impact sending a jolt of pain through him.

Neji gritted his teeth, his pride smarting more than his injuries. "Why are you doing this, Hinata?" he asked, his voice was strained. "Why risk everything?"

"Because I believe in myself," she answered, her voice steady. "Because I'm not afraid."

As she lunged at him again, Neji barely managed to block her assault, his thoughts whirling. He shook his head, his face grim. "This fight isn't over, Hinata," he warned, his eyes glinting with determination.

Hinata just smiled, her breaths coming out in small puffs. "I know, Neji," she replied. "This is just the beginning."

As they readied themselves for the next round, the other genin watched with bated breath. The fight was far from over and the outcome anything but certain.

Neji took a deep breath, gathering his chakra. His eyes, the powerful Byakugan, began to glow more intensely. "Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms," he announced, his voice echoing in the empty arena. His silhouette blurred, turning into a whirlwind of strikes aimed at Hinata.

Hinata's breath hitched in her throat, but she didn't falter. She focused on Neji's movements, her Byakugan tracking his every strike.

As he launched his first set of attacks, Hinata moved swiftly, her body spinning and dodging most of the blows. However, one managed to connect, sending a shock of pain through her side.

She winced but didn't let it deter her. Pulling herself back into her stance, she focused her chakra, her hands moving in a pattern. "Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms," she retorted, her tone unwavering. She lunged forward, her palms glowing with concentrated chakra.

Neji, surprised at her counterattack, tried to evade but wasn't fast enough. Hinata's palms made contact, disrupting his chakra flow and causing him to stagger back.

Watching from the sidelines, Naruto clenched his fists. "You can do it, Hinata!" he cheered.

Hinata shot him a quick smile before turning her attention back to Neji, who was now back on his feet. His expression was stormy. "You've improved," he admitted grudgingly, his voice tight.

Hinata nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "And I will continue to do so, Neji."

Once again, they fell into their fighting stances, and the air crackled with tension.

Neji and Hinata locked eyes, their breaths heavy and uneven. They were both pushed to their limits, their techniques had taken a toll on their chakra reserves.

But neither was willing to back down; this was a battle of resolve as much as it was of strength and skill.

Neji made the first move, a wave of chakra surging from his palms. "Eight Trigrams Air Palm," he called out, a powerful gust of wind hurling towards Hinata. She was quick, her feet barely touching the ground as she nimbly dodged the attack.

Hinata didn't waste time, retaliating with her own technique. "Gentle Step Twin Lions Fist," she declared, her hands covered in a cloak of chakra formed like twin roaring lions. She darted forward, her twin lions lunging towards Neji.

Neji was taken aback, barely managing to block her attack by crossing his arms in front of him. The impact was strong, pushing him back several feet, dust swirling around him.

Hinata didn't let up, pressing her advantage. She dashed towards Neji, her twin lions roaring in unison. But Neji had recovered, and with a swift move, he intercepted her, his hand reaching for her shoulder.

"Eight Trigrams Mountain Crusher," he said, a burst of chakra exploding from his palm. The attack sent Hinata flying, her back hitting the ground hard. She groaned, pain flaring up her spine.

Hinata struggled back on her feet, her face pale but defiant. Neji, on the other hand, was panting heavily, his chakra visibly depleted. They were both at their limit, their bodies screaming for rest, but their spirits unwilling to yield.

The referee watched them carefully, ready to step in if things went out of hand. But he knew better than to underestimate the determination of a shinobi, especially when their pride was on the line. This match was far from over, and the outcome was anyone's guess.

As Hinata pushed herself back to her feet, she could feel the toll the fight was taking on her. Her muscles screamed in protest, her chakra dangerously low. But she couldn't afford to back down now, not when she had come this far.

Meanwhile, Neji, catching his breath, watched Hinata with a newfound respect. She was unlike the timid girl he once knew. This was a woman who had grown, who had become strong, no longer hiding behind others.

As Hinata regained her footing, she looked up at Neji, a determined glint in her eyes. "This fight... is not over," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, but carrying a strength that echoed around the arena.

Neji nodded, his stance ready. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, his voice cold, but his eyes showed a hint of admiration.

With his [Byakugan] activated, Neji made a clicking sound with his tongue as he observed the fierce determination in her gaze. He lunged forward, his palm poised for a strike.

Hinata, unyielding, adopted a 'Gentle Fist' Taijutsu stance in retaliation.

Swish! Shiu! Swish!

They engaged, parried, attacked, and deflected, until Hinata fell short in the exchange. Neji landed a palm strike on Hinata's chin, sending her reeling five steps backwards.

Despite the evident exhaustion and bodily harm, Hinata refused to collapse. She coughed violently, eyeing Neji to see if he would strike again. When he didn't, she took the initiative and attacked.

Neji sidestepped her attack by a whisker and countered with a palm strike to her stomach.

Thud!

"Gaah!" Gai exclaimed, witnessing the strike. "A decisive hit right to the core. I empathize with her, but she won't rise again."

Hayate declared in agreement, "Continuing is impossible and thus..."

Contrary to Gai's remarks, and to everyone's surprise, Hinata got back up.

"Impossible," Gai muttered, sweating as he watched Hinata rise.

"Why do you persist... If you continue to push yourself, you'll die," Neji warned, watching Hinata stand defiantly before him.

"It's not over yet..." Hinata responded with a smile. However, she was taken aback when a kunai suddenly appeared before her.

Naruto, grinning, stepped in front of Hinata and gently patted her head. "It's over, Hinata. You've proven your determination."

Hinata responded with a smile as her strength waned, and she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness.

Naruto caught her.

Neji remarked, "That's right, pretending to be strong is futile. You were barely standing. From birth, the burdens of the Main Family have been thrust upon you. You've always despised your own weakness, but people cannot change. That's destiny. There's no need to suffer any longer, let it go."

Turning her head toward Neji, Hinata managed a soft smile. "That's not true... brother Neji. Because.. I can see it... the person who's truly lost and suffering within the destiny of the Main and Branch family, is you."

Neji, refusing to accept her words, lunged at Hinata, who was unconscious as Naruto caught her.

As Naruto saw Neji coming for attack again.... He laid Hinata to the ground gently and looked back at Neji.

"Neji-kun! The match is over!" Naruto said as he caught Neji's attack with his limitless technique, Neji was stunned that his attack was stopped before even reaching to Naruto.

Neji chuckled a little "why are you Protecting that loser.....?"

Bang!

Crash!

Everyone was taken by surprise, reacting only when Neji was sent flying. They saw Naruto in a kicking stance, and Neji crashed into a side wall.

Naruto, with an uncanny aura of calm and a playful grin, glanced at the collapsed Neji. There was an inexplicable charm in his voice, imbued with an unusual combination of confidence and jest, "My dear Neji, it's not in good form to label someone a loser, especially a lady. And you know, it's not very gentlemanly to hit a girl either. Should you forget this little piece of advice and repeat your actions... well, let's just say I might not be in a mood to keep you in one piece. Remember, life's a lot more fun when you're not causing unnecessary trouble."

As Naruto said those lines , everyone watching there including the jounins standing there got goosebumps at Naruto's words.

Naruto again went back to Hinata who was still unconscious, he smiled looking at the innocent face of her and took her to closest Med-Nin who were there Incase anyone gets injured.

Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, and Hayate, who had reacted, chuckled. "Looks like we didn't need to worry about Hinata after all. Neji is the one we should be concerned about..."

They took Neji who lost consciousness after the attack from Naruto & he was getting treated by the medical ninjas there.

As everything was solved after that commotion , everyone went back to their place and the preliminary round continued.

Hayate announced "The ninth dual , Rock Lee Versus Gaara."

As hayate announced Gaara appeared in the arena surrounded by Sands.

"That's Cool....." Ino commented at the entrance made by the sand ninja.

On the other hand Rock Lee jumped from the second floor to the arena.

With a defiant posture, Rock Lee stood tall, a smirk playing on his lips. "The opportunity to challenge you at this early stage... I couldn't be more thrilled."

As Rock Lee took center stage, the cap on Gaara's gourd burst open, sending it flying in Rock Lee's direction. Rock Lee, with reflexes like a cat, snatched the cap from the air and retorted, "No need to be so restless."

"Now is the time! The 9th match commences!" Rock Lee sprang from his spot, launching a swift kick towards Gaara's head. "Leaf Whirlwind!"

As the match was announced and was about to begin , Naruto came back....

"Hey, Naruto ... You're back.... Where's is Hinata?" Sakura waved at him & asked.

"She's taking some rest....." Naruto replied and stood beside his team.

"Man, that was awesome! Our guy Naruto just swooping in and rescuing his girl like a total champ!" Sakura said, her voice light and full of jest.

Naruto only gave a small smile and looked at the match going on at the arena.

Thud! Shhh! Gaara's defensive sand, poured from his gourd, blocked the attack. "Sand?" Lee pondered as the sand attempted to ensnare him. He grunted, leaping backward off the protective sand.

Naruto, with a grin, remarked, "I always wondered about the origin of the sand. It seems it's stored in his gourd."

Rock Lee quickly regained his footing and launched another assault from a different angle, a punch, which was similarly blocked by the sand. He continued his relentless attack, alternating between kicks and punches.

"Hmm...the attacks aren't making an impact..." Naruto puzzled over the situation.

Kankuro, with a smirk, stated, "All physical attacks are futile against him. Regardless of Gaara's intention, the sand forms a shield and defends him. That's why no one has ever managed to even scratch Gaara."

Naruto chuckled, "That's because his opponents have been weak. Simple as that." Kankuro scowled, but couldn't deny the truth. Gaara had never faced an adversary stronger than him.

Sakura, observing from the sidelines, questioned, "Why is Lee-san only using taijutsu? Close-range combat is challenging. He should use ninjutsu from a distance."

Gai, with a smile, responded, "It's not that Lee doesn't use ninjutsu, but he can't." He continued, "Lee lacks the talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu."

"Eh? Then how'd he reach this stage?"

"When I first met Lee, he was an ordinary boy with no special talents. The only skill available to him as a ninja is taijutsu. Not many ninjas lack the ability to use ninjutsu or genjutsu."

Swish! Swish! Swish! Sand hands sprouted from the ground, attempting to bind Lee, but he evaded them, albeit with some effort. Eventually, he found himself atop a statue in the arena, staring down at Gaara.

Then Gai's voice echoed, "Lee! Take them off!"

"Huh?" Sakura queried.

"But Gai-sensei! Isn't that reserved for when I need to protect many precious people?" Lee questioned.

Gai, flashing a thumbs-up, reassured, "It's alright! I'll allow it!"

Rock Lee, relieved, chuckled atop the statue as he removed a cloth-covered object from his feet.

'Hm? Weights?' Naruto wondered.

Holding the weights in each hand, Rock Lee announced, "Yosh! Now I can move more freely!" He let go of the weights, which sunk into the ground, and then... Boom!

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