Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 73

Overwhelmed by a tidal wave of fear: Neji... he's so strong... he hates the main clan so much... how... how could I possibly win? I don't... like fighting at all...

The two stood in the center of the field.

Hinata lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Neji's eyes, which also possessed Byakugan but were cold and devoid of emotion.

She felt like a small boat in a storm, about to be swallowed up by the towering waves before her.

"Hinata-sama..."

Neji's voice was calm and even, yet it carried a chilling intent that pierced to the bone.

Clearly reaching Hinata's ears and echoing throughout the silent hall: "Give up. You can't beat me. This was your destiny from the very beginning. Your weakness, your hesitation, your so-called 'main family' status are meaningless in front of my all-seeing Byakugan."

"Admitting defeat is your only dignified choice, and it can also avoid unnecessary...pain."

Neji's words, like a cold awl, pierced Hinata's fragile heart.

"Meaningless"

These words almost completely shattered her already fragile courage.

Yes, Neji is right, I'm too weak... I'll only cause trouble for everyone... Giving up... might really be the best choice...

Her head drooped even lower, her shoulders trembled slightly, and she was on the verge of tears.

"Hey! Kid! What nonsense are you spouting!"

A loud voice, filled with intense dissatisfaction, shattered the oppressive silence in the room like a thunderclap!

All eyes immediately focused on the blond, blue-eyed boy in the stands.

Naruto leaned forward, his hands gripping the railing of the stands, his face filled with anger and disapproval.

The blue eyes were fixed on Neji in the arena: "What bullshit about fate! Who says Hinata can't beat you? Hinata... she just hasn't shown her true strength yet! She's much stronger than you think!"

He abruptly turned his head to look at the timid figure in the center of the field, who seemed ready to disappear at any moment. His voice suddenly rose, filled with undeniable encouragement and trust:

"Hinata!! Don't listen to him! Look up at me!"

Hinata shuddered, as if struck by an electric current.

She subconsciously and slowly raised her pale face, which was streaked with tears.

With a blank and incredulous look in her pure white eyes, she gazed at the figure in the stands that shone like the sun.

Naruto looked directly into Hinata's eyes, a bright smile spreading across his face that seemed to dispel all gloom.

He clenched his fist and shouted, "Hinata! Do it! I believe in you!!"

"Naruto-kun..."

Hinata murmured the name, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls.

But this time, the tears washed away not just pure fear and despair.

Naruto's trusting and encouraging gaze was like a warm ray of sunshine, piercing through the layers of gloom in her heart and injecting an unprecedented strength.

That power was weak, yet exceptionally tenacious.

Hinata sniffed hard and wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve.

When she looked at Neji again, her pure Byakugan eyes, though still glistening with tears, no longer darted away.

The fear did not disappear, but a stronger emotion overwhelmed it.

I don't want to betray Naruto-kun's trust! I don't want to cowardly run away like this anymore!

She took a deep breath and slowly assumed the starting stance of Hyuga-ryu Gentle Fist.

With his palms one in front of the other, each palm containing chakra, his movements were still somewhat clumsy and stiff, but his eyes became incredibly determined!

"Ningji-nii-san..."

Hinata's voice, still trembling, rang out clearly: "Please...please guide me!"

A crack finally appeared on Neji's perpetually icy face.

He frowned deeply as he looked into Hinata's eyes at the unfamiliar light that seemed to be "resistance."

His eyes were filled with cold disappointment and even deeper sarcasm.

He scoffed, "Hmph, foolish. You've been blinded by a few empty words of encouragement, unable to see the gap between reality and expectations? Young lady of the main family, you are still as naive as ever, as... disgusting."

He slowly raised his hands, adopting the same soft fist stance, his movements fluid and perfect, like a precision instrument.

"Since you insist on experiencing despair, then I will grant your wish. I will show you how laughable your pitiful courage is in the face of absolute power and predetermined fate."

"The match begins!" Moonlight Gale's voice rang out.

The battle breaks out instantly!

Neji moved! His movements were like a ghost, so fast that he only left a faint afterimage in his place!

He executed the Hyuga clan's traditional footwork with unparalleled skill, instantly closing the distance between them.

A straight palm strike imbued with chakra, accompanied by a piercing shriek that seemed to tear through the air, aimed directly at Hinata's vital point in the chest!

Hinata's pupils contracted, and her Byakugan activated instantly!

Neji's movements became clearer to her, but her body reacted a beat too late!

She hastily turned to the side, simultaneously channeling chakra into her right hand, attempting to deflect the force using Gentle Fist techniques.

The two palms clashed together, producing a crisp sound.

Chapter 83 The Hyuga clan of the past were incredibly audacious!

Hinata felt an overwhelming force surge through her, and her arm went numb instantly.

He staggered backward several steps uncontrollably, his blood and qi surging within him!

Neji's pure chakra was like a steel needle, attempting to penetrate her meridians along the point of contact!

From the stands, Tian Tian couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Neji... wasn't serious at all."

Xiao Li said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with worry.

The two teammates could easily tell, especially Xiao Li.

He often fights Neji, and Neji's movements are much slower now than when they fight, as if he deliberately slowed them down to match Hinata's movements.

Naruto stared intently at the arena, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Damn Neji! He was holding back as expected! He wasn't using his full strength at all!"

He could clearly see the ease with which Neji moved, and the disdain he showed for Hinata.

At this moment, he regretted letting Hinata go on stage, but he saw Hinata grit her teeth and stand up again despite her disheveled appearance.

The stubbornness in his eyes became increasingly clear, but he just couldn't bring himself to say, "Hinata, give up."

All he could do was shout in his heart over and over again: Hang in there, Hinata!

On the field, Hinata steadied herself, her gaze becoming even more focused.

She knew the gap was huge, but she didn't want to give up!

In response to Naruto-kun's expectations!

Also, in order to... prove that I'm not completely useless!

Hinata let out a sharp cry and launched an attack!

She unleashed her most proficient Gentle Fist technique, her palms flying as chakra gathered at her fingertips.

He tried to find an opening in Neji's defense and struck the chakra points on his body.

"Hmph, all show and no substance."

Neji snorted coldly, his Bagua Steps flowing smoothly as he easily dodged Hinata's attacks.

His Byakugan was also activated, making Hinata's every exertion and every flow of chakra impossible to hide.

He didn't even need to block with all his might; with minimal movement, or a light touch, he neutralized Hinata's attack.

At the same time, each contact was accompanied by a precise chakra impact, which made Hinata's arm go numb and her internal organs ache slightly.

For a moment, it seemed as if a bizarre dance was taking place in the arena.

Hinata was like a moth drawn to a flame, her attacks seemingly endless, yet she could never reach Neji's clothes.

Neji, on the other hand, moved with an effortless grace and deadly skill, each seemingly casual counterattack costing Hinata dearly.

This duel between two martial arts styles, though sharing the same bloodline, has also attracted the attention of the three "fathers".

Madara suddenly chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm: "Heh, the Hyuga clan? Those white eyes... they remind me of some unpleasant old stories."

Kyuubi lazily raised his eyelids and swung his huge tail: "Huh? Why are you so angry, Old Banhead? Do you remember the good times when you were beaten by Hashirama?"

The phantom image of the stigmata suddenly froze, exuding an aura of displeasure: "It was those arrogant guys back then, relying on their ancestral 'pressure point' skills, that Hyuga clan leader practically had his nose in the sky!"

Kurama became interested and shifted to a more comfortable position: "Oh? What's the explanation? Daring to put on airs in front of you and Hashirama? You've got some nerve!"

Madara snorted coldly: "Back then, didn't I co-found Konoha with Hashirama? At that time, that old codger Hyuga felt that we two outsiders were not worthy of being in the same village as them."

Kurama was utterly ashamed. Was the Hyuga clan really that powerful before?

"Then, they wanted to have a contest with us to see who was the leader of the village."

When Ban said this, his tone was full of disdain, as if he thought, "Who do you think you are?"

Nine-Tails couldn't help but scoff: "Hahaha! Overestimating yourself! And then what?"

"Were you wiped out by a single Susanoo-clad wooden golem?"

Nine-Tails' tone was full of schadenfreude.

Madara shook his head unexpectedly, the phantom seemingly rolling its eyes: "...No, it was Tobirama who made the final move."

Nine-Tails tilted its massive head, its golden vertical pupils filled with confusion: "Huh? That white-haired brat? Old Madara, when did you become so good-tempered? Someone was provoking you to your face, and you actually held back from attacking?"

Ban's figure trembled violently, as if a sore spot had been hit.

After pausing for a moment, she spoke with an extremely aggrieved resentment: "Good temper?! Bullshit! That old man's sarcastic face was practically screaming 'you don't deserve it' on his white eyes! What's the difference between that and pointing his finger at me and calling me, Uchiha Madara, a peasant?!"

Minato's gentle, ghostly figure listened from the side, trying to maintain a smile, but the smile was already a little stiff: "Uh... Mr. Madara, calm down..."