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Thinking of this, he began releasing chakra from both hands, slightly crouched forward, and then—without making any evasive move—started spinning rapidly on the spot.
Immediately afterward, layers of compressed air formed around him, creating a swirling dome. The incoming fireball was deflected as if repelled by an invisible barrier.
"Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven?" Might Guy's expression finally shifted, and he exhaled sharply. "I didn't expect Neji to have already mastered that move."
He recognized the technique immediately—it was Hakkeshō Kaiten, a secret jutsu of the Hyuga Clan. Known as their absolute defense, it could deflect attacks from all directions. Only members of the main family were formally taught it, and outsiders—or even branch family members—weren't authorized to learn it.
Yet Neji Hyuga had grasped it on his own, purely through observation and genius. Even Might Guy, who understood Neji better than most, was astonished.
"Imitations are still imitations… They're not the true, orthodox version."
Ye Dou, of course, recognized the technique. Hyuga Hanabi—Huahuo—could use it as well.
But unlike Huahuo's flawlessly executed Kaiten, Neji's version had a critical flaw. It wasn't truly invincible.
And that flaw wasn't due to the technique—it was due to Neji himself.
As a branch family member, Neji's Byakugan was limited by the cursed seal placed on him. It robbed him of true perfection—he couldn't achieve full 360-degree vision. His blind spot left a one-degree vulnerability—at the lower back of the neck—a known flaw in the Byakugan.
"Wha—?!"
The moment Neji stopped spinning, he was stunned. He hadn't sensed his opponent's approach.
He knew his Byakugan had a blind spot. But how could Ye Dou have found it so quickly?
Turning his head, he saw Ye Dou already standing behind him, a single finger extended—pressed directly against his temple.
"Shigan."
The cold voice rang out—and in the next instant, Neji was blasted backward as if struck by lightning.
"Urgh—!"
Neji cried out in pain.
His left arm throbbed as if pierced by a kunai—it felt as though it had gone numb, even useless. Cold sweat poured from his brow.
Ye Dou had deliberately held back. He couldn't kill Neji in front of an audience. So instead of striking the head, his final blow had landed on Neji's arm.
"That's enough! The winner of this match—Ye Dou!"
Might Guy immediately leapt in to halt the sparring session before it went too far.
"Neji... lost?"
"No way. That's impossible. Neji can't lose!"
Lee and Tenten stood frozen in disbelief. Neji was considered the most gifted prodigy of the Hyuga clan. How could he lose to someone who hadn't even graduated from the Academy?
But the sight of Neji holding his injured arm in agony confirmed the truth.
By the time Lee and Tenten followed Neji, it was clear: Ye Dou had won, without question.
Might Guy promptly ended the drill.
"Well done today, Ye Dou."
He approached Ye Dou and handed him a bottle of water.
He was deeply satisfied with the day's results. The intense combat had given Neji and Tenten a reality check—and, Guy hoped, encouraged them to reflect on their weaknesses. For now, thoughts of the Chunin Exams could be set aside.
Originally, due to Lee's lack of confidence, the team had decided to forgo the Chunin Exams this year—a decision that had touched Guy deeply.
Still, Guy wasn't entirely sure they wouldn't change their minds.
Especially someone like Neji, a genius with unwavering self-belief. He wouldn't accept failure easily. But maybe—just maybe—this defeat would humble him enough to wait one more year. That way, the team wouldn't be split up.
"Whether it's hitting a person or smashing a log, it's all training."
"Really now? Hahaha…"
Guy laughed awkwardly. In truth, his students could be extremely hot-headed—and Ye Dou's deadpan comments didn't help.
As expected, all three members of his team were now glaring at him. If they hadn't known they'd lose, they probably would've attacked him already.
After taking a few sips of water and resting, Ye Dou stood again, strapped on his weighted ninja gear, picked up his sword, and resumed practicing his slashes with the same calm intensity.
Seeing this, Neji—still clutching his left arm—walked over and said, "I want to see with my own eyes just how strong your sword really is."
Ye Dou glanced at him and replied coolly, "Then stand in front of me."
Pfft!
"Stand in front of you? So you can slice him?!"
Tenten couldn't help spitting out her drink, speechless.
Neji also twitched with frustration. He wasn't foolish enough to think Ye Dou was naive—and he certainly wasn't going to stand there and take a hit just for curiosity's sake.
After a few deep breaths, Neji turned around, his expression icy.
"One day, I'll make you draw your sword seriously."
He was a genius—of that, there was no doubt.
Everyone said so: clan members, teachers, peers at the Academy.
That's why he refused to accept defeat. He would claw his way back and reclaim his pride.
That was the strength—and weakness—of geniuses. They believed in themselves completely. They were proud. Too proud.
And if they couldn't bear the weight of failure, they risked collapse.
Just like Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of the Leaf. He was a man who had once made even the Sand Shinobi tremble in fear. He didn't die on the battlefield—he died crushed by the weight of village rumors.
———
The day passed quickly. In the days that followed, Ye Dou's training ground grew lively again.
Whenever there were no missions, Might Guy would bring Team Guy here to train.
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