C18 Fighting Against Hyuga Neji!

At the Ninja School, Tenno's class was buzzing with excitement as the end of their first academic year drew near, and with it, the final exams. The air was thick with anticipation, as every student was eager to demonstrate their prowess.

Beside Tenno stood Tiantian, brimming with energy and ready to take on her adversary, Lee Rock. "Lee, get ready to take a beating today!" she boasted with a confident smile.

Unruffled, Lee Rock met her bravado head-on. "Don't count on it, Tiantian. I'm not going to pull any punches just because you're a girl. Underestimating me would be a mistake."

Lee Rock then glanced at Tenno, who was nonchalantly twirling a kunai. "Today's combat drills have one match that's the main event: Tenno versus Hyuga Neji. Tenno, Neji is incredibly strong. A lot of our classmates believe he's a shoo-in for chief student."

"But if you ask me," Lee added seriously, "you're the top contender."

"My brother is absolutely the strongest," Tiantian asserted with firm conviction.

With a casual smile, Tenno responded, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The fight will settle who's the strongest."

The chatter in the classroom ceased as the homeroom teacher walked in. "Students, gather at the practice field," he directed.

All fifty-four students headed to the field, where they were paired off for combat tests based on their training performance. With the best records in the class, Tenno and Neji were naturally matched up.

The two students stepped forward and positioned themselves in the center of the field. The match began, and after a few swift moves, Keiko was outmatched.

The two, familiar with each other's techniques, took their places. They launched into action, showcasing the culmination of their hard work and skill in a flurry of moves.

The assessment began. "I'll call out names, and those students will step forward. Inuzuka Ame and Keiko Nishi."

The two emerged from the crowd, making their way to the center of the training field.

Once the match started, they engaged in combat.

After a few moves, Keiko was defeated.

The instructor recorded their scores and then announced the next students for testing.

"Next up, Lee Rock versus Tiantian!"

Tiantian and Lee Rock walked to the center of the training field, their names having been called.

They had sparred many times before, and soon they were showcasing the full extent of their training.

In a brief exchange, they traded dozens of moves.

"Amazing," the crowd murmured in awe.

No one had expected these two unassuming classmates to possess such formidable body technique skills, strong enough to rank them in the top five of the class.

The Chionin instructor looked on with admiration, seeing the two students in a new light.

Ultimately, Tiantian used the Substitute Kunai given to her by Tenno to exploit a gap in Lee Rock's defense, securing her victory.

"The victor of this examination round is Tiantian!" the Chionin instructor announced.

He gave Tiantian a thoughtful look, intrigued by the unique ninja tool she had used.

Perhaps this was something to report to Lord Hokage.

Tiantian jumped up excitedly. She ran to Tenno and proudly exclaimed, "Brother, I just won the match!"

"You did well," Tenno nodded in approval.

Lee Rock came over, visibly annoyed at his oversight but admitting his defeat.

"Congratulations, Tiantian. I'll keep working hard. Next time, I'll be the one to defeat you!" he vowed.

Then, turning to Tenno with determination, he added, "Because my goal is to surpass you!"

Tenno smiled lightly and responded, "I'll be watching."

The practical exams continued as the day faded.

At twilight, the final combat test of the day commenced.

"Hyuga Neji versus Tenno!"

Tenno and Hyuga Neji stepped out from the crowd and positioned themselves at the heart of the training field.

The students who had finished their exams whispered among themselves.

"Neji will beat him in under three moves. He's a Hyuga prodigy!"

"The consensus is clear. Neji is the top student of our class, and even the Hyuga elders sing his praises."

"There's no shame in losing to Neji."

Tiantian and Lee Rock bristled at these comments, their pride wounded.

Yet they remained silent, confident that everyone would soon recognize their mistake.

Tenno's strength was extraordinary; even Mr. Guy had called him a 'monster.'

"The battle begins!"

Tenno and Neji immediately assumed their fighting stances.

"You're strong enough to be my opponent. But against a genius like me, defeat is inevitable!" Neji proclaimed, having already taken note of Tenno's remarkable abilities.

After activating his Byakugan, Neji had discreetly observed the flow of Chakra within Tenno's body, which was vast and far beyond what someone their age should possess.

"What an idiot," Tenno thought, rolling his eyes in silent frustration. This was Neji before Naruto's influence—still a resentful, arrogant youth toward the Hyuga main branch.

Without wanting to waste words, Tenno declared, "Let's start the match!"

Tenno wasn't one to talk much; he planned to teach Neji a lesson through sheer power.

"Byakugan!" Neji was fully alert.

The battle began, and the veins around his temples bulged as he activated his Byakugan. A murmur spread through the crowd.

"That's the Hyuga clan's Byakugan!"

"It looks incredibly powerful!"

"Neji's using the Byakugan right from the start. Is he aiming for a quick victory?"

At that moment, in the middle of the training field, Neji lunged at Tenno.

"Gentle Fist!" Neji shouted.

Blue Chakra surged from his palms as he aimed a right-hand strike at Tenno.

"Your palm strike has force, but it's too slow," Tenno commented calmly.

Unperturbed by Neji's attack, Tenno dodged with ease. His regular sparring sessions with Guy Might's Shadow Clones had made handling a Body Technique like Gentle Fist second nature to him.

"It's not that simple! You've already stepped into my zone!" Neji exclaimed, his confidence soaring, "Eight Trigrams, Sixteen Palms!"

With his declaration, a Tai Chi symbol appeared beneath his feet, and the training ground became his domain. Though he had mastered only up to the Sixteenth Palm of the Eight Trigrams Palm technique, he was certain it was enough to overpower Tenno. The clan elders had often said that even a ninja of a lower rank couldn't withstand his assault!

"Eight Trigrams, Second Palm!"

Hyuga Neji was full of confidence, prepared to demonstrate the skills honed through his clan's rigorous training and land every strike on Tenno. But to his astonishment, an unexpected obstacle emerged before his first strike could land.

Because Tenno had made his move!