Timidly, Hinata stepped onto the stage.
She glanced toward the stands and saw Sasuke smiling at her reassuringly. His encouragement gave her the strength to steady herself.
"I never expected you to be my opponent," Neji said, his white eyes cold and emotionless. "To be honest, Hinata, you're not suited to be a ninja at all."
His voice carried a sharp edge. "You lack confidence in yourself. If you can't even believe in your own strength, how can you expect your teammates to rely on you? Becoming a Chūnin? Completing missions? It's laughable. You should give up now."
"Enough!" Hinata's voice, uncharacteristically firm, cut through the air.
She lifted her head sharply, determination flickering in her pale lavender eyes.
Sasuke's words replayed in her mind—his encouragement, his guidance.
"I… I want to prove that I am a qualified ninja," Hinata declared.
And in her heart, she added silently: I will prove that I am a worthy heir to the Hyūga Clan.
Neji narrowed his eyes. "Very well. Then let's see what you're capable of."
Without further words, his Byakugan activated, veins bulging around his temples.
Hinata mirrored his stance, assuming the Gentle Fist position as her own Byakugan flared to life.
"Begin!" Moonlight Gai called out.
Instantly, the two Hyūga dashed forward, their fingers glowing with chakra.
Gentle Fist was a deadly art—one that bypassed external defenses and directly attacked the body's internal organs. In a battle between two Gentle Fist users, victory could come in a single decisive strike.
Sasuke observed silently, his Sharingan spinning as he analyzed every movement.
A fight like this was akin to dancing on a tightrope—one wrong step and it was over.
"Hinata's holding her own!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah! Keep it up, Hinata! You can win this!" Naruto cheered.
But Sasuke frowned slightly. There's still a gap between them.
Though Hinata was fighting fiercely, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Her breath was growing uneven, while Neji remained composed, effortlessly countering each of her attacks.
Then, in a flash, Neji struck.
A precise palm to Hinata's chest sent her flying backward. She barely managed to brace herself before hitting the ground. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to stand.
"You're still getting up?" Neji asked, unimpressed. "My attack wasn't even at full strength, and yet you can barely move."
Hinata didn't answer. She simply raised her fists once more, her eyes burning with resolve.
"Don't give up, Hinata!" Naruto shouted. "You can still—"
"Naruto, shut up."
Naruto froze.
Sasuke's voice was calm but firm.
"Not everyone is built like you."
Naruto blinked in confusion.
"You have the Uzumaki clan's life force. You're the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. You can take a beating and keep going," Sasuke said. "But not everyone is that lucky. Gentle Fist doesn't just hurt—it destroys. Every strike damages internal organs. If she keeps fighting, she might not recover."
Naruto's fists clenched. He hated hearing that.
But Sasuke was right.
From the stands, Kurenai Yuhi tensed, ready to step in.
Before she could, Sasuke was already on the field.
He appeared beside Hinata in a blur.
"That's enough," he said quietly. "Losing now doesn't mean you'll always be behind. You can train, get stronger, and fight again."
Hinata hesitated, glancing at Sasuke.
"I… I want to…" she started.
"Humph," Neji scoffed. "Uchiha, this is a Hyūga matter. You have no right to interfere."
His expression darkened. "You don't know anything about our clan's suffering. You don't understand the fate we bear!"
Sasuke met Neji's gaze, his Sharingan swirling with silent intensity.
"Hatred?" Sasuke murmured. "You think you're the only one who knows pain?"
For the first time, Neji faltered.
"If I were you," Sasuke continued coldly, "I wouldn't waste time blaming fate. I'd become stronger. Stronger than everyone else in the Hyūga clan. And then, with my own hands, I'd break that so-called 'destiny.'"
Neji's breath hitched.
"Break… the curse?"
Sasuke's words struck deep.
Images of his father flashed in Neji's mind.
"Yes," he thought. "I must become stronger… I must surpass everyone!"
A new fire ignited within him.
Hinata, too, felt something shift inside her.
"Even if I fall behind now… I can still grow stronger."
With newfound clarity, she stepped forward.
"I forfeit," Hinata said firmly.
Neji exhaled sharply, then turned and walked away in silence.
Kurenai, watching from the stands, smiled in relief.
"Sasuke Uchiha… That was surprisingly kind of you," she mused.
---
The next match was about to begin.
Gaara vs. Rock Lee.
Sasuke's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"This is it…"
"The Eight Inner Gates."
He activated his Sharingan.
This was a rare opportunity to witness the power of the Eight Gates firsthand.
"I'll analyze everything," Sasuke thought. "With my understanding, who knows what I might gain?"
As the names flashed on the screen, Gaara leapt from the stands in a swirl of sand. His lifeless, dark-rimmed eyes locked onto Rock Lee.
"Come down," Gaara said in his eerie monotone. "It's our turn."
"Lee!" Might Guy called out, flashing his signature grin. "Show them the strength of Konoha's Blue Beast!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Lee responded enthusiastically, landing in front of Gaara.
Kankuro sneered. "These fools don't realize what they're up against."
"Yeah," Temari added with a smirk. "Poor Watermelon Head. He's lucky if he survives."
The match was set.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Let's see what you're capable of, Rock Lee."