C5 The Challenge! the Bet with the Elders!

Kai was astounded by Neji's techniques.

This guy had the potential to be a real powerhouse someday.

After completing the day's mission, Kai had planned to have a word with Neji, but Neji had already left, citing urgent family matters.

Kai was aware of the rumors about Neji's solitary training sessions at the clan's practice grounds. He had thought it was just a last-ditch effort to avoid being the weakest link...

However, what he witnessed today was a revelation.

The skill Neji demonstrated gave Kai every reason to believe that the young ninja was still holding back his true strength.

...

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on achieving the milestone of your first real combat with a Jonin. You've earned a reward: Chakra that can be infused with lightning properties!"

"Body technique compatible with lightning attribute Chakra infusion detected: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms! Would you like to infuse it now?"

"Infuse!"

With the reward in hand, Neji infused the lightning attribute Chakra into the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and went to the clan's training grounds to refine his skills.

He found a wooden stake and began his usual routine of practicing his moves.

But this time was different. Neji channeled the technique, now second nature in his mind, and extracted his lightning attribute Chakra...

The feeling of Chakra flowing within him was electrifying, quick, and accompanied by a slight numbing sensation.

Yet, the power output was disappointingly low.

"Zi Zi!"

Each palm strike Neji delivered to the wooden stake with his technique had little to no impact.

As the evening approached and to prevent any mishaps, Neji decided to return to his room.

"Tsk, strange. There's no visible effect."

The Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms were renowned for their steep learning curve and effectiveness in battle, a cut above the rest.

The technique should not be this lackluster.

Neji frowned, extremely dissatisfied with his practice session.

Sitting at the edge of his bed, Neji slowly stimulated the lightning attribute Chakra within him. The subtle sensation of electricity moving through his meridians instantly spread throughout his body.

"Could it be because... the wooden stake doesn't have meridians?" he wondered, struck by a sudden insight.

"Ha!"

He shouted, drawing forth a more potent wave of lightning Chakra, the feeling of electricity coursing even more intensely through him.

"It seems I must find a real opponent to test the true effect of this technique; it's useless on a wooden stake. And it has to be someone strong."

Neji had an epiphany: the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was a technique that targeted an opponent's chakra pathways, something a wooden dummy simply didn't possess. As a result, practicing on it was significantly less effective than actual combat, a fact that set it apart from the 'Return to Heaven' body technique.

Only by facing a truly formidable opponent could one appreciate the subtle differences...

"Young Master Neji!"

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Is that you, Aunt Chun? Come on in."

Hinata's servant, Chun, stepped inside—a gentle-eyed woman in her early thirties. Neji immediately recognized her; she alone continued to call him 'young master.'

"What trouble have you stirred up now? The patriarch has summoned an emergency clan meeting, and you're to attend at once!"

"Me?"

Neji's brow creased slightly. Clan meetings were reserved for the elite, and his presence meant the discussion was likely about him.

He could only think of one thing.

Arriving at the meeting place, he noticed the room was dimly lit by scattered candles.

Jitsuzai presided at the head, surrounded by rows of Hyuga Clan elders. Most were older than Jitsuzai, with only a few of his contemporaries.

The room's perimeter was lined with young shinobi, the backbone of the Hyuga Clan, each a standout in their own right.

"Neji, word has it you've mastered 'Return to Heaven' and have been secretly practicing the Sixty-Four Palms?"

Jitsuzai's direct question caught Neji off guard. Spotting Gintoki and Aota hiding in the shadows, the situation became crystal clear.

He couldn't hide the truth, but explaining it was no less difficult.

"My humble techniques are nothing compared to the Hyuga Clan's venerable traditions."

"Hmph! Nothing? How can 'nothing' leave both my grandson and great-grandson injured?"

Hyuga Tenko, the elder closest to Jitsuzai, was Gintoki's grandfather and Aota's great-grandfather. His protective instincts were flaring.

"Patriarch, there's no need to entertain the boy's excuses. With his level of skill, what else would he be doing but sneaking around, learning these techniques?"

Jitsuzai's brow furrowed slightly, a testament to his unwavering dedication to clan affairs, where not a single detail could be overlooked.

Neji stood resolute, his conscience clear.

"If I were guilty of underhanded tactics, why would I wait until now to reveal them?"

His tone was laced with defiance, leaving no room for doubt.

Unable to hold back his irritation, Hyuga Tenko stroked his modest beard and exclaimed, "Stop playing the innocent; you're the one who's always ingratiating yourself with the Master Family!"

"Ha, there's no need to be so harsh on Neji, Brother Tenko. Remember, he never mistreated you, even as the day drew to a close," Hyuga Tenmoku chimed in, his round face exuding kindness and approachability.

His comment rendered Tenko momentarily speechless.

The mere mention of the day's end caused Neji's fingers to tremble imperceptibly.

"So, what's your verdict on this matter?"

"Whether he's been learning in secret is one thing, but injuring my grandson and great-grandson—should we just let that go?" Tenko pressed, his tone aggressive.

Tenmoku, observing Tenko's combative posture, glanced at Neji and smiled calmly.

"The Chunin Exam is fast approaching. With Neji's talents, let him aim for the top two spots. It will not only affirm his skills but also enhance the Hyuga Clan's stature. Plus, it'll set him on the path to becoming a Chunin, ready to serve the Master Family wholeheartedly. If he can pull it off, we'll drop the issue."

Jitsuzai, pleased with the proposal, nodded his approval. "That's an excellent plan!"

Then, a voice in the crowd questioned, "And if he doesn't succeed?"

"I seriously doubt he will!"

"Neji, do you accept this challenge?" Jitsuzai asked.

Without hesitation, Neji seized the opportunity, declaring, "I am deeply grateful for the concern of my elders. I, Hyuga Neji, make this vow: If I fail to take first place in the Chunin Exam, I will submit to whatever judgment you deem fit."

"Hmph, don't be so sure of yourself..."

As Tenko was about to respond, Tenmoku cut in with a knowing smile, "Brother Tenko, patience. Your grandson has had his own challenges, as we're all aware. Let's not jump to conclusions."

Neji, with his chakra finely tuned, was a master of body techniques. His Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms was a testament to the Hyuga Clan's prowess. Hinata, though not as adept as Neji, still carried the Jitsuzai of the Hyuga within her. The Hyuga Clan, renowned for their shinobi excellence, had produced many skilled warriors, including the likes of Gintoki and Aota.