"Is Sasuke Uchiha still not showing up? If he doesn't come, how can we carry out our plan?"
Kanpō, sitting on the stands, couldn't help but whisper to Baki. It was really unexpected that Sasuke would be absent at such a crucial moment. If Sasuke didn't come, there would be no way to let Gaara fight against him.
Then the original plan of making Shukaku go berserk and attacking Konoha would also fall through.
Baki looked worriedly at the Kazekage on the stands. Although it was somewhat disrespectful, he still had some doubts about whether the Kazekage's plan to destroy Konoha was right. Would it bring new hope to their Sunagakure?
..............
"What? Sasuke Uchiha still hasn't come?"
The Anbu member kneeling beside him replied in a low voice.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. According to the match rules, should we immediately cancel his qualification for the test?"
"Wouldn't it be a pity to cancel it like this? After all, most of the onlookers sitting here came for the name of the Uchiha clan. It would be too disappointing for them!"
The Kazekage, seeing the hesitant Hiruzen Sarutobi, interrupted. He still wanted to see more of the excellent performance of that child as the vessel of Shukaku and didn't want him to be disqualified like this.
But that child deliberately caught his attention but was late at such a critical moment. What on earth was he planning? It was really hard to figure out...
"Well, okay. Since the Kazekage has spoken, let's wait a little longer."
"Yes!"
As soon as the Anbu finished speaking, he instantly flashed in front of Shisui Uchiha to report. The Hokage looked up and caught a glimpse of the intrigued Kazekage from the corner of his eye. He always had a bad feeling.
...............
Shisui received the Hokage's order and nodded slightly. He couldn't help but complain in his heart.
Recently, these two buddies, Itachi and Sasuke, had been acting mysteriously and were rarely seen.
"Ahem, since Sasuke Uchiha hasn't arrived yet, his match with Gaara will be postponed to the last one."
"Huh? The order of the matches can be postponed. I've watched so many Chunin Selection matches, but it's the first time I've seen this!"
"Wow! Just now I said that the referees are from the Uchiha clan. I thought they might be biased. Look, they really are!"
"As a ninja, he can't even be punctual. Why not just cancel his qualification for the test directly!"
"What are you kidding! I came here just to watch his match. If he doesn't play, should I watch you?"
The argument among the onlookers on the stands grew more and more intense, but Shisui ignored it and continued to keep the match going.
"Match 1, Neji vs. Naruto. Both sides, come forward!"
...
"Yo, Neji. Long time no see. Yesterday I met Rock Lee in the hospital. He said you've learned some really powerful Ninjutsu!"
"This guy Rock Lee can't hold his tongue. He just blurts out everything!"
"Don't worry. He didn't tell me a thing. But I won't go easy on you."
"Funny enough, neither will I!"
The two firmly grasped each other's hands and exchanged a smile. They both recognized each other as powerful rivals, and there was nothing more delightful than competing against each other in such an occasion.
Their soaring fighting spirits clashed, even infecting the onlookers seated on the field.
Seeing such an atmosphere, Rock Lee tightly gripped the railing, with his heart filled with a mix of joy and a tinge of disappointment.
He was happy to watch such a match, but disappointed that he wasn't one of the participants.
To be honest, his feelings were complex. As Neji's teammate and rival, he of course hoped Neji would still be as powerful as always, invincible.
But as Naruto's friend, he was really eager to see how this non - conforming and unpredictable ninja would defeat the prodigy of the Hyuga Clan. However, if Neji heard these words, he'd probably be angry.
"Both of you, do your best!"
"Let the match begin!"
As Shisui's voice fell, Naruto dashed forward and delivered a cross - punch straight at Neji's face without hesitation.
Neji calmly took a defensive stance, raising his arm beside his cheek to block. His right hand deflected the blow aimed at his face.
Naruto, having charged too fiercely, lost his balance and fell forward. Sensing a chill at the back of his head, he instinctively leaped into the air, spun backward, and put some distance between himself and Neji.
If he hadn't sensed something wrong and dodged in time, he would have gotten a good hit on the head.
It seemed that going head - to - head with Neji in Taijutsu wasn't a wise choice. So, in that case...
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
"Smart! This kid is using Shadow Clones against the Byakugan. After all, the Byakugan can only see the flow of Chakra in the human body and can't tell which clone is the true form!"
Four of Naruto's clones surrounded Neji from different directions, but there was no trace of panic on his face. He waited patiently until the clones were close enough, then leaped into the air and did a split kick, his feet instantly hitting the jaws of Naruto's clones.
The clones disappeared right away. Seeing that the situation was going against him, Naruto used his clones again to move forward.
He didn't believe Neji could dodge the second time after dodging the first!
Looking at the increasing number of clones around him, Neji couldn't help but admire Naruto's abundant Chakra. Usually, when using this clone technique, one's Chakra is evenly distributed among the clones.
The more clones there were, the weaker they became. Yet, even after using the technique many times, Naruto showed no sign of weakness. It can only be said that Naruto is really great.
Well, out of respect for his opponent, Neji decided to use his signature move.
Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven!
Neji spread his arms wide and spun on the ball of his foot. A massive Chakra vortex formed around him, and his body spun like a top. The terrifying rotational force instantly eliminated the surrounding clones, and even Naruto, who was trying to approach, was knocked aside by this powerful force.
"How could this be! This is the Revolving Heaven, a technique exclusive to the main family! How can a member of the branch family use a move of the main family?"
"
"Could it be the clan leader, Hiashi Hyūga..."
"Impossible! Even if the clan leader, Hiashi Hyūga, took Neji under his wing and doted on him, he would never go against the clan's rules and teach Neji this secret jutsu!"
Hiashi Hyūga sat in the spectator seats with Hinata and Hanabi. Watching Neji grow up, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. He was truly overjoyed and filled with a mix of emotions.
That kid was really a genius. He was both hardworking and diligent. It was truly remarkable that he could independently comprehend the secret jutsu unique to the Hyuga main family at such a young age.
If his younger brother, Hizashi Hyūga, were still alive, he would be very happy to see Neji like this.
..............
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