In the mid-lane grass, Hayashi Ren quietly observed as Neji Hyuga squared off against Sako Uchiha.
There was no denying it—Neji Hyuga's strength was formidable. It was no surprise that he had been the top student of the previous class. His abilities were impressive, and after graduating, he had been undertaking missions with Might Guy, which had only further sharpened his skills.
Right now, Neji had Sako completely pinned beneath her tower, unable to counterattack.
"So this is the so-called top student of this generation? Pathetic,"
Neji sneered coldly, his voice dripping with mockery.
Sako didn't respond. She simply let out a cold snort through her nose.
"Come on, Uchiha heiress,"
"If you've got the guts, step out from under that tower and fight me. Or are you scared?"
"If you're going to be scared, might as well just surrender now. You're just as useless as our own Hyuga heiress."
The sarcasm and contempt in Neji's eyes were completely unhidden.
Each word was like a stab, thrown with deliberate cruelty.
"What are you waiting for? Hayashi Ren? Don't make me laugh. Even if he shows up, I'll take you both down without breaking a sweat."
Truthfully, Neji didn't especially care to mock Sako.
But the rivalry between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans—both hailed as the greatest in the Hidden Leaf, both possessing powerful ocular kekkei genkai—ran deep.
And beyond that, Sako was the same age as Hinata.
Whenever he looked at Sako, he couldn't help but think of Hinata.
And whenever he thought of Hinata…
…the pain resurfaced.
His father had died because of her.
He knew full well he was projecting that hatred onto Sako. He knew it was irrational.
But even so, he couldn't help it.
"Hmph, Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
With a sharp cry, Sako exhaled a massive fireball from her mouth, roaring straight toward Neji.
"Don't you know?"
"The Byakugan's insight is unrivaled."
Neji let out a dismissive chuckle.
"This level of ninjutsu is useless against me."
With a subtle shift of his body, he sidestepped the fireball completely, avoiding it with minimal effort.
"Hmph, you really think that was all I had?"
Sako's voice rang out again. Just then, Neji heard a sharp, slicing noise—multiple blades cutting through the air.
"I said, the Byakugan's insight is unmatched."
Neji's figure darted forward, evading the incoming kunai with fluid motion. Not only did he dodge Sako's attack, but he also made sure to step outside the tower's attack range.
With a low hum, the ground beneath his feet lit up with a glowing eight-trigram symbol, and he gave a cold grunt:
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Palm Revolving Blast!"
Boom!
A burst of chakra erupted from Neji's palm and struck Sako head-on, blasting away a full third of her HP.
"His attack power is insane…"
Sako's eyes widened in shock. She quickly hurled several kunai toward Neji, then dashed out from under the tower.
She activated Leaf Shadow Dance, aiming to launch Neji into the air.
Hidden in the brush, Hayashi Ren watched the scene unfold, and let out a helpless sigh.
"Trying to use taijutsu against Neji? Really, Sako… I expected better from you."
Ren had thought that now Sako was a girl, she'd be less reckless than her original version.
But clearly, she was just as headstrong as ever—only now she hid it better most of the time.
"Heh."
Neji let out a cold laugh and flashed away, instantly dodging Sako's assault.
His feet shifted into a combat stance, arms extended outward, and he said icily:
"You've stepped right into my Eight Trigrams zone."
"Crap!"
Sako's heart jumped in alarm. She tried to retreat, but it was already too late.
A glowing aura of pale blue chakra bloomed around them as Neji's expression darkened.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"