Chapter 10 Neji's Resolve
The night passed without dreams, and Hyuga Gen woke up early.
Today, he changed into a brand-new white robe, and was currently standing in front of the mirror looking at his new appearance.
"No matter what I wear, I'm still this handsome."
Hyuga Gen praised himself without hesitation, even flipping his long hair.
Compared to his previous tight Ninja attire, the loose white robe made Hyuga Gen feel more comfortable and gave him a sense of elegance.
Combined with the Hyuga Clan's standard raven-black long hair, he lost a bit of the Ninja aura but gained more of a Grandmaster demeanor.
Picking up a Ninja pouch filled with blank scrolls, Hyuga Gen forcibly patted Gu Gu, who was currently tearing up the room nearby, and then walked out.
Soon, Hyuga Gen arrived near the examination venue.
He first hid his Ninja pouch in a secluded corner, and then proceeded directly to the center of the examination grounds.
There was still some time before the start, but most of the audience had already arrived.
Hyuga Gen raised his head and surveyed the stands.
The feudal lords and dignitaries from various countries in the front rows had already arrived and were whispering amongst themselves.
The general audience in the back rows was more enthusiastic; they were all passionately discussing who would achieve the final victory, wishing they could participate themselves.
On the high platform opposite, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already arrived, but the seat belonging to the Kazekage, Fourth Hokage, was still empty.
Hyuga Gen was about to look away, but suddenly realized that something was slightly off.
That was because there seemed to be too many people standing next to the Third.
"As expected, did he notice something?"
Hyuga Gen rubbed his chin, wondering what Orochimaru would think when he saw this scene.
"Time is almost up. Why haven't Naruto and Sasuke arrived yet?"
In the arena, Nara Shikamaru happened to be standing next to Hyuga Gen, and his words immediately drew Hyuga Gen's attention back.
"They should be arriving soon. Maybe they are already at the entrance."
Hyuga Gen looked at the main gate of the venue and said meaningfully.
As soon as he finished speaking, a blonde youth in yellow clothes rushed into the venue, sliding across the ground for more than ten meters and kicking up a cloud of dust.
The examinees on the field and the audience in the stands all turned their heads to watch.
"What kind of entrance is this guy making?!"
Nara Shikamaru looked down at Naruto, who was sprawled on the ground, and couldn't help but complain, then he pulled the somewhat dazed Uzumaki Naruto up.
Seemingly stunned by Naruto's spectacular entrance, the crowd in the stands burst into enthusiastic cheers and laughter after a moment of shock.
"Seriously, how did this guy even advance?"
Hyuga Neji, standing nearby, slightly turned his head, seemingly unable to bear watching such a sight.
Seeing Hyuga Neji's appearance, Hyuga Gen suddenly felt the urge to tease him.
So he walked up to Neji and joked, "Our Neji is truly aloof, no wonder Tenten likes him so much."
Unfortunately, the scene of Neji panicking that Hyuga Gen had anticipated did not occur.
"Hmph!"
Hyuga Neji merely let out a cold snort, looking completely unmoved and ignoring Hyuga Gen's words entirely.
This guy is so calm today?
Seeing Hyuga Neji's reaction, Hyuga Gen was greatly surprised.
Normally, if he teased him even slightly, this guy would become flustered.
Could it be that he was teased too much and developed immunity?
Hyuga Gen's gaze was somewhat complicated; he felt he had lost one of life's greatest pleasures.
Just then, the belated "Kazekage, Fourth Hokage" finally appeared on the main platform.
"He finally decided to show up. Kazekage, no, Lord Orochimaru."
Hyuga Gen gazed toward the main platform, wanting to see Orochimaru's expression upon seeing a group of Anbu surrounding the Third.
Unfortunately, because the 'Kazekage' was wearing a straw hat and a veil, and because Hyuga Gen was quite far from the platform.
He couldn't clearly see Orochimaru's facial expression at all.
However, Hyuga Gen still noticed that Orochimaru's footsteps seemed to pause slightly; he probably hadn't anticipated this situation.
Didn't expect that, Orochimaru? The Third has changed!
Hyuga Gen suppressed his laughter internally, quietly watching the interaction between the two real and fake Kages.
Without making the audience wait too long, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, approached the front of the platform, and announced the official start of the Chunin Exams selection matches.
"First match, Hyuga Gen versus Hyuga Neji!"
After the referee, Shiranui Genma, finished reading the match list, the remaining examinees temporarily withdrew from the arena.
As the other examinees left, all eyes in the arena focused on the two of them.
"Haven't you noticed, those two look so alike?"
"Now that you mention it, it's true. Doesn't that sickly person look like what Hyuga Neji will look like when he grows up?"
"They certainly look about seventy to eighty percent alike. Are they biological brothers?"
"It's probably because they are both members of the Hyuga Clan. Their family generally practices inter-clan marriage."
...
At this moment, Hyuga Gen and Hyuga Neji stood opposite each other, both looking at the other party.
"Neji, are you ready!"
Hyuga Gen tilted his head and started the teasing, "Don't cry when I beat you later, okay?"
However, Hyuga Neji ignored Hyuga Gen's provocation. He took a deep breath, his expression somewhat solemn.
"I have something I want to say to you."
"What?"
Hyuga Gen was stunned. He felt that Neji was acting a little strange today.
Not only was he too quiet, but his tone of voice was also off.
Is he in a bad mood, or is there some other reason?
Could it be that this guy doesn't like women, but men instead?
Thinking of this, Hyuga Gen involuntarily stepped back two paces and said seriously, "Neji, I didn't expect you to be this kind of person. You've disappointed me greatly!"
"What will Tenten think of this? Are you worthy of her?"
"Huh?"
Seeing Hyuga Gen's actions, Hyuga Neji was slightly taken aback, and then he could no longer suppress the calmness on his face.
"You, you... what nonsense are you thinking about!"
Hyuga Neji's chest rose and fell rapidly; he was clearly angered.
But what surprised Hyuga Gen was that Neji did not remain 'shamefully angry' for long, unlike usual.
Instead, he regained his composure in a moment, and his eyes became cold again.
Something is wrong with this guy!
What happened?
Seeing Hyuga Neji's expression, Hyuga Gen frowned.
Hyuga Neji today was simply too calm, so calm that he barely reacted to Hyuga Gen's two intentional teases.
It wasn't that having a calm mind was bad, but Hyuga Neji seemed to be suppressing something that was about to explode.
What exactly did I overlook?
Hyuga Gen rapidly flipped through his memories, trying hard to recall every detail of the Chunin Exams.
According to the original trajectory of fate, Hyuga Neji's opponent should have been Uzumaki Naruto.
The two fought for a long time, and Neji once held the advantage, even using the Gentle Fist Art: Rotation, a secret technique of the Main Family... Rotation, Main Family... So that's it!
Hyuga Gen finally understood what Neji intended to do.
This guy has probably been waiting for this day.
Under the witness of the major Ninja Villages, the feudal lords, dignitaries, and the two Hokage.
Neji wanted to expose the ugly truth of the Hyuga Main and Branch Family system...
He glanced at Hyuga Hiashi in the audience, and then looked at the incredibly 'calm' Hyuga Neji.
Hyuga Gen opened his mouth, unsure of what he should say.
He had originally thought that if his opponent was him today, that scene wouldn't happen.
"Forget it. It's not good to hold certain things in without venting them."
Hyuga Gen gently shook his head, then looked at the referee, Shiranui Genma, and signaled that the match could begin.
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