Ch 414: Not Enough
Half a month passed in a flash, and Rock Lee’s injuries had healed. He had long since gotten out of bed and resumed his training.
But he wasn’t involved in the following battles. Only the victors could advance to the final showdown.
Tsukiyomi Hayate, having not died, reappeared on the exam grounds, rubbing his dark circles.
Clearly having achieved success and retired from the Anbu, why did he feel even busier…? And it wasn’t busy with official duties, but busy at home. The young Uzuki Yūgao was quite clingy…
The exam grounds had been cleared considerably this time.
Previously, Daimyō from various countries had observed the battles as guests. This time, only some ninjas and the exam participants were present.
“Ahem!”
Clearing his throat, Tsukiyomi Hayate subtly adopted the demeanor of a Referee.
“Now then, next up is the final Sparring Match! Please look at the large screen!”
The screen scrolled, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Naruto Uzumaki VS Neji Hyuga!”
Tap tap tap—
Neji slowly walked to the center of the arena, tilting his head slightly, and looking at Naruto with an appraising gaze.
After the extreme conflict between the Main Family and Branch Family subsided, Neji and Hinata’s relationship was good.
This older brother, who possessed a little sister complex, noticed that his younger sister would always blush when she looked at Naruto Uzumaki.
So…this kid likes my sister?
“Are you worthy?”
“Huh?”
Naruto’s mouth hung open, completely dumbfounded.
“W…me?”
What did I do? You just asked me if I’m worthy!
Naruto had no idea what Neji was thinking. He was still stretching his arms and legs, warming up.
“Begin!”
Seeing the tension, Tsukiyomi Hayate didn’t delay and immediately announced the start.
Neji instantly disappeared from his spot, launching a Gentle Fist strike.
Before Naruto could react, in the blink of an eye, a palm landed on his chest.
Bang—
Without any surprise, Naruto was directly knocked flying.
“You dare be distracted while fighting me? You’re too arrogant, Naruto Uzumaki.”
Neji’s face darkened.
Although he had held back and hadn’t used much strength, Naruto’s lack of respect angered him.
Actually, Naruto hadn’t reacted in time.
After all, Neji was a year older than Naruto, had more experience, and his combat experience was unmatched by Naruto.
“Hiss—That hurts! Hey, Neji! You sneak attacked me!”
Naruto clutched his chest, flipping up from the ground with a carp-style roll.
However, his aggrieved chest-clutching pose made it seem like Neji had done something terrible to him.
In the stands, Kushina’s face showed some worry.
However, she wasn’t worried about Naruto getting beaten up.
“Minato, does Naruto lack some masculine spirit? If this child were like you when you were young, like a sissy, I wouldn’t want him.”
Minato awkwardly scratched his face.
Can you just say you don’t want your son?
If it weren’t for school being out today, he really wouldn’t want to watch Naruto’s match with Kushina.
The last time he came back, his arm was swollen, and he didn’t know what would happen this time.
Naruto’s demeanor was also a bit disgusting to Neji.
Neji suppressed the urge to grimace and change his cold expression. Without a word, he charged again.
“Gentle Fist! Sixty-Four Palms Rotation!”
“That’s…”
Hinata watched in shock from below.
When Neji fought her, he let her win for a while, then tripped her with a kick and ended it, barely using any techniques.
But against Naruto, Neji actually used the Sixty-Four Palms Rotation!
The Sixty-Four Palms Rotation wasn’t a common technique. It was a Gentle Fist palm technique passed down only in the Hyuga Main Family. Neji, with his exceptional Talent, had actually mastered it himself!
Hinata was worried that her older brother would cripple Naruto.
These sixty-four palms weren’t simply about sealing acupoints and restricting Chakra flow. Each palm strike was a heavy blow, and a person might even die before the sixty-four palms were finished!
However, Hinata clearly overestimated her brother Neji’s Fighting Ability and underestimated Naruto’s…uh, durability.
Once caught in the sixty-four palm combo, escaping was difficult, at least for Naruto now.
So he was relentlessly hit with sixty-four palms by Neji, like a punching bag, front, back, left, and right.
After finishing, Naruto knelt on the ground, unable to use Chakra, while Neji struck a pose and began his mental attack.
“Give up. With your Ability, you’re not worthy of my sister.”
“Huh? Your sister? Uh…is it Hinata?”
Naruto wasn’t stupid. He could tell from their names that Neji was referring to Hinata.
Naruto glanced at Hinata, whose face was buried in her hands in the stands, then at Yuta, and shook his head.
Who said I liked Hinata? Was it Yuta? No way, a good friend should keep their mouth shut. So who’s spreading rumors!
Naruto didn’t understand Hinata’s good qualities yet. Of course, Hinata was still young and hadn’t reached the point of showing them. Even now, Naruto didn’t even understand what liking a girl meant.
But Naruto knew that to become Hokage, he absolutely couldn’t fall here!
Gritting his teeth, Naruto shakily stood up.
It’s just that I can’t use Chakra! What Yuta can do, I can do too! I, Naruto, can use Taijutsu!
Bang—
Seeing Naruto stand up, Neji punched him away.
What expression is that? You’re still trying to fight me?
After a flurry of blows, Neji had a good time, while Naruto was beaten black and blue.
With only some Nine-Tailed Fox Chakra but not the Nine-Tailed Fox itself, once his Chakra was sealed, Naruto had no means of power-up.
However, Neji only beat Naruto up, not to the death.
Thump—
“Naruto Uzumaki is unable to continue. Neji Hyuga wins!”
“Truly worthy of being my goal!”
Rock Lee exclaimed from the stands.
Rock Lee thought he was still on the path of catching up to Neji. He didn’t know that Neji himself wasn’t confident in facing him with the Five Gates open.
“Hey.”
Neji didn’t immediately leave but walked over to help Naruto up.
But seeing Naruto’s face, he reconsidered and didn’t reach out.
“You can get up yourself, right? The acupoints will unlock themselves soon. My sister isn’t someone anyone can like. At least not you yet, understand?”
Neji almost said, “Work harder, and you can pursue my sister later.”
“Please leave the exam grounds, contestants. If you can’t move, should I help you?”
Seeing Neji leave, Tsukiyomi Hayate asked the dejected Naruto.
Naruto pouted, shook his head, and shakily climbed back to the stands.
“Yuta, am I too useless…?”
“Don’t say that.”
Yuta comforted him.
“Everyone is stronger than me. Naruto, don’t be discouraged~”
…….
…….
