As soon as Neji and Karui stepped onto the stage, a hush fell over the entire arena.
Some held their breath in nervous anticipation. Others watched with bated excitement.
For many, this match was more than a spectacle — it was a gamble, literally. Wagers had been placed the moment the lineup was announced. After all, among the competitors stood a shinobi from the famed Hyuga clan of Konohagakure.
"Big bro, did you bet yet?"
"Of course! I put down a hundred thousand ryō on Hyuga Neji. The Hyuga clan's strength is the pride of Konoha — you'll see!"
"Tch, what's so special about a Konoha noble family? Karui's one of the most promising ninja in our village!"
"Yeah, yeah, everyone's a genius until they get slapped with reality. Neji graduated top of his class two years ago. I'm not worried."
Down in the audience, a merchant from Konoha argued with a dignitary from the Land of Lightning, their voices tense with patriotic pride.
In the center of the arena, Gekko Hayate stood between the two fighters. His hand raised, he began reciting the rules.
"If either side is forced out of the ring, loses the ability to continue fighting, falls unconscious, or forfeits, the match is over and the other is declared the winner.
"Additionally, if I determine that one's life is in danger and I intervene, that will also count as a loss."
"The match begins at the sound of the signal gun. Prepare yourselves."
With a swish of his cloak, Hayate leapt out of the ring, leaving Neji and Karui standing face to face.
Both raised a single hand in the traditional ninja salute.
"Hyuga Neji of Konohagakure. Please guide me," Neji said calmly.
"Karui of Kumogakure. Likewise," she replied.
The signal gun fired with a thunderous bang, echoing across the arena — and just like that, the match began.
Karui wasted no time. She drew her ninja blade and charged forward, chakra flaring around her.
Neji instantly released a burst of chakra from the soles of his feet, sending himself skidding backward with calculated precision. Veins bulged at his temples.
"Byakugan!"
Through his heightened vision, he watched the flow of chakra pulsing through Karui's body — it surged toward her blade.
"Ninjutsu enhancement?"
Without hesitation, Neji pulled several shuriken from his pouch and flung them — not directly at Karui, but off to her upper right.
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Karui twisted her body, dodging expertly.
But in the next instant, she realized her mistake.
"Shadow Shuriken Technique…?"
From the shadows of the first set of shuriken, another volley had hidden itself, flying straight at her!
"Crafty bastard," Karui muttered, lips curling into a grin. "But tricks like these won't beat me!"
With swift, practiced motion, she swung her sword, cutting through all the projectiles mid-air.
Then, without missing a beat, she charged again.
"They say the Hyuga clan is untouchable in close combat? Let's see how your Gentle Fist really holds up!"
Neji's hand froze above his tool pouch. His brow furrowed.
"Gentle Fist…?"
He exhaled deeply and shifted his stance — left hand forward, right hand pulled back, knees slightly bent.
"The Hyuga clan's reputation isn't something to mock."
"It's been a while since I used this technique... I almost missed it."
Karui narrowed her eyes. He wasn't moving. He wasn't even blinking.
"Too cocky... Are you underestimating me?"
She accelerated again — lightning chakra surged along her blade, energizing every cell in her body. The blade left a silver trail in the air, crackling with raw energy.
"Shadow Thunder Fang!"
She vanished — a blur of motion — and reappeared right in front of Neji, blade slashing horizontally toward his ribs in a crackling arc.
But Neji didn't panic. He saw it all.
He whispered.
"The moment of weakness... is now."
"Gentle Fist Technique: One Strike!"
He twisted at the waist with fluid grace, his right hand pulled back just enough to slip under her attack. With a snap, his palm struck upward — right into the gap beneath Karui's ribs.
BOOM.
A shockwave of chakra blasted through her body, blowing open her flak jacket at the point of impact.
A flash of agony tore through her ribs, but Karui gritted her teeth and let loose her trump card.
"Lightning Release — Thunder Blade!"
With a surge, the lightning chakra wrapped around her sword expanded outward — a desperate detonation aimed at Neji.
Neji sensed danger. He flared his chakra defensively and leapt back, but arcs of electricity still grazed his chest.
He winced, quickly striking several tenketsu points on his own chest to numb the residual pain.
But Karui wasn't looking too great either. Her breathing was labored, and every twitch in her torso triggered a fresh pulse of pain.
She could feel her chakra flow slowing down — at least a tenth of her usual speed — thanks to Neji's precise strike.
And yet she stayed standing.
Neji watched her carefully. His gaze held both admiration… and a touch of pity.
"That counterstrike was impressive. Your follow-up explosion nearly got me."
"But without the Byakugan... you can't win."
"There's no need to drag this out. Surrender. It's the most honorable choice left."
But Karui… just punched herself.
A fist slammed into her injured side so hard that blood sprayed from her lips.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then spat blood onto the arena floor.
"You bastard... don't insult the will of Kumogakure ninja."
"Lightning Style — Lightning Waltz!"
Neji tensed, his posture shifting again.
She just smashed her own rib to disrupt the chakra block from my strike?
"Smart... and stubborn."
"You have my respect."
"But there can only be one winner."
"Because strength — true strength — decides the outcome."
"And I... am stronger than you."
"Gentle Fist — Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
-------
Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated 🫂