The midday sun hung high in the sky, illuminating the empty training ground.
Two figures stood facing each other, their shadows cast long and straight on the ground by the sunlight, exuding an air of solemnity that could not be underestimated.
The wind gently brushed past, lifting their hair and adding a touch of liveliness.
"Chizhao, you can do it!"
Not far away, Lee, Might Guy, and Tenten stood in the shade of a tree. Lee cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, loudly cheering on Chizhao, his voice full of anticipation and enthusiasm.
Neji stood with his arms crossed, his brows slightly furrowed, his gaze indifferently sweeping over Lee's expectant face.
A slight curve touched his lips as he turned his attention to Chizhao, his tone carrying a hint of disdain:
"That guy has always been my subordinate, but he has never given up on his naive idea of becoming a Ninja. If I defeat you in front of him, perhaps it will make him realize the truth."
Upon hearing this, Chizhao looked steadily at Neji, and in a daze, she seemed to see a hazy mist swirling around him, making his handsome face appear indistinct.
"Why are you so eager to deny others' determination to change their fate?"
Neji was startled by the sudden question, as if it had touched a hidden pain deep within him. His brows furrowed tightly, and his displeasure was evident:
"Why?" He sneered, "Of course, it's to make him see reality, to keep him from getting completely battered."
"Then have you given up struggling?"
Originally, Chizhao did not want to attack Neji with words, but his self-negation and projection of negativity onto others had silently affected her, and she, too, felt dissatisfied.
Neji, subjected to this soul-searching question, widened his Byakugan, his expression clearly revealing some anger. He took a punching stance, his gaze fixed on the girl in front of him.
"What do you know? You, who know nothing, should just live out your life as an ordinary person!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Neji attacked with a sharp palm strike. Chizhao parried the blow and then quickly counterattacked.
But a genius like Neji merely tilted his head slightly to dodge the attack. Seizing the moment while Chizhao had not yet recovered her stance, he bent slightly and struck her chest with a palm, sending her several meters back.
Neji, that guy, he's really going all out.
Chizhao took a breath, straightened her back, and took an offensive stance, her gaze burning as she looked at the seemingly effortless Neji:
"I'm not trying to prove anything to you, but I feel like you're caught in some kind of inescapable contradiction that has invisibly become your shackles. What 'seeing reality' is, in fact, something you're telling yourself, Neji!"
These words exploded in Neji's ears like a clap of thunder. He stared incredulously at the indignant girl, his heart churning, even his fingertips trembling slightly.
Why?
Why could she see through the contradictions and unwillingness he had buried?
It was as if she knew everything, dissecting his inner self so thoroughly.
How did she do it?
Neji's heart was consumed by a complex emotion. While he was momentarily stunned, Chizhao lightly tapped the ground with her foot, darting out like lightning, mimicking Neji's palm technique as she struck at him.
A sudden rush of air assailed him, and Neji quickly snapped back to attention, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Then, he swiftly counterattacked, his palm like a blade, striking fiercely at Chizhao. The air was sliced by the force of his palm, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Chizhao nimbly leaped to dodge, her hair flying as she flipped in mid-air, a sight that made Neji lose focus for a moment.
Sweat trickled down Chizhao's cheeks, but her eyes grew even more resolute.
She was fully immersed in the battle, pushing her abilities to their limit.
Around her, the air itself seemed to grow heavy with her aura.
She was like the eye of a storm, launching another fierce attack at Neji with unstoppable momentum.
Their figures intertwined, and a dull thud echoed as their fists and feet met.
Their distance was at times extremely close, and at other times they would leap away from each other only to collide again.
Neji's breathing was clearly audible, and Chizhao could even feel the slight warmth radiating from his body. Sweat trickled down his cheeks, adding a unique charm to him.
Feeling that the opponent was also learning his palm techniques while attacking, Neji couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
Her learning ability is truly astonishing.
Tenten, watching their entanglement from under the shade of the tree, couldn't help but exclaim, "Am I seeing things right? Chizhao seems to be using Neji's Gentle Fist?"
Lee rubbed his eyes, his face beaming with joy: "That's amazing, Chizhao! I'll cheer for you!"
The two fought back and forth; Chizhao seemed to be at a slight disadvantage, but she was consciously adapting to her opponent's fighting style, even making it her own.
"Incredible! That girl is truly full of youth!" Might Guy stroked his chin, a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Neji's eyes sharpened, and he unleashed a Gentle Fist technique, a powerful surge of Chakra rushing towards Chizhao.
As Chizhao dodged Neji's palm strike, she lost her balance and stumbled backwards towards a large rock.
Neji, with quick reflexes, instinctively reached out and grabbed her, instantly closing the distance between them. Even their heavy breaths intertwined.
Gazing at those pristine white eyes, Chizhao felt the strength on her arm quietly release. Neji took a step back, his expression calm:
"Without the enhancement of Chakra, the Gentle Fist cannot unleash its full power. I advise you to give up."
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I wasn't trying to secretly learn it; I just thought it was really cool and wanted to try it myself."
Upon hearing this, a vein throbbed on Neji's forehead.
Just try it?
Did she really know what she was saying?
Feeling offended, Neji lost the desire to continue fighting. He frowned and turned away, no longer looking at her. His black hair, tied at the end, swayed gently with his movements.
"That's enough. There's no point in continuing."
At this moment, the other three spectators gradually gathered around. Lee excitedly leaned in front of Chizhao and asked expectantly:
"What was the result? Did Chizhao defeat Neji?!"
"Unfortunately, Lee, this battle ended without a clear winner."
Lee did not show disappointment upon hearing this result. Instead, he seemed encouraged, pointing a finger at the closed-eyed Neji and shouting with great energy:
"Then it's perfect! I, Rock Lee, will defeat you one day!"
"Hmph! Do as you please."
This time, Neji did not retort sharply as he usually would, which made Lee momentarily stunned in place, somewhat disbelieving.
Gazing at his receding figure, Lee slowly looked up, turning his gaze to Teacher Guy beside him, and asked curiously:
"Teacher Guy, isn't Neji a bit strange?"
Might Guy smiled as if he understood everything, his eyes briefly sweeping over Chizhao, who was still gazing at Neji's retreating back. His words were full of vitality:
"Lee, this is youth! Youth is full of many surprises and confusions, and you need to truly comprehend it!"
Lee was deeply moved by these words. He clenched his fists, his eyes glistening with tears but full of determination:
"Yes! Teacher Guy! I will do my best!!!"
"Then let's walk down the mountain on our hands! Let's make it a training session to burn with youth!"
"Yes!!!"
Accompanied by Lee's passionate shout, the two green figures, one large and one small, immediately went into a handstand. At Might Guy's command, they began to slowly descend the mountain path, hands supporting them on the ground.
"To be honest, handstands are really a challenge for me... but if it's push-ups, I might be able to try that."
At these words, Tenten's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Chizhao in disbelief:
"Huh? Really? Do you also want to join their crazy training?"
Chizhao playfully gave Tenten an indifferent smile:
"I've been through training crazier than this."
"I see, no wonder you were able to fight back and forth with Neji."
Looking at the girl's profile, Tenten seemed to recall something and said gently:
"Oh, I haven't told you my name yet. I'm Tenten. Our class often trains here. If you're interested in joining us, come find us. I don't think the others would refuse."
"Okay! Thank you, Tenten."
Tenten smiled brightly and ran a few steps forward:
"Well, we're off then. See you next time!"
Chizhao waved goodbye to Tenten, watching the two handstanding figures gradually disappear into the distance.