Hyuga Neji listened to the arrangements and did not object, quickly stepping into the field.
Seeing that there was a show to watch, not only the students in Neji's class but also Iruka's class became restless.
Iruka, unable to handle the commotion, could only give a helpless, apologetic smile to Tendo and the others.
He stopped his original teaching plan and let the students cheer as they crowded around the field to watch the battle.
It had to be said that as long as he didn't take off his forehead protector and expose that ugly Caged Bird cursed seal, Hyuga Neji really had a good appearance.
His elegant movements combined with his calm temperament instantly triggered a wave of cheers among the girls.
"Go Neji-kun!"
"Neji-kun is so handsome!"
Meanwhile, Tendo was never one to fall behind when it came to looking cool.
He formed hand seals, and along with the scattering of fallen leaves, his figure appeared in the field at some unknown point amidst the falling foliage.
"It's the Body Flicker Technique."
"So cool."
"Go for it, handsome big brother!"
The crowd of onlookers instantly defected.
Many people think that the Body Flicker Technique is a space-time ninjutsu, a view that is both right and wrong.
The Body Flicker Technique is actually a broad category that includes space-time ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Beyond the Flying Thunder God, most actually use ninjutsu or taijutsu to achieve an effect similar to teleportation.
The Konoha Body Flicker is one such type, a Body Flicker Technique that combines ninjutsu and taijutsu.
While moving, leaves scatter to confuse the enemy.
In the original story during the Chunin Exams, Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Sasuke once used it for their entrance.
This move was also included in Konoha-Style Taijutsu.
So Tendo was currently considered a master of the Body Flicker Technique.
Perhaps one day he could even earn a title like "Body Flicker Tendo."
Furthermore, while the Konoha Body Flicker might not be the fastest, its style points were definitely the highest.
Tendo was very satisfied with this impressive entrance.
Across from him, Hyuga Neji possessed a steadiness beyond his years.
He silently took his stance with an unmoved expression, and the noise outside the field unknowingly quieted down.
"This Hyuga Neji is not to be underestimated."
Watching from the periphery, Inuzuka Akita took on a solemn expression.
"I wonder if Tendo has what it takes."
Although Inuzuka Akita and Tendo had never been known for their martial prowess in the past, they were ninja after all and had sparred with each other before.
In Inuzuka Akita's perception, Tendo's strength could only be described as barely satisfactory, just meeting the level of a civilian chunin.
That was right.
Although the title of chunin was inconspicuous in the original Naruto story, it was also divided into classes.
Civilian chunin were one class, while chunin from ninja clans were another.
The difference in strength between the two could be said to be worlds apart.
Naturally, their promotion paths were also inconsistent.
Civilians generally accumulated seniority and were automatically promoted once they had enough.
Elite ninja from clans usually first made a name for themselves in the joint Chunin Exams of the ninja villages, showing their faces and potential before the high-ranking officials and nobles of various villages.
Even if some did not pass the Chunin Exams on the spot, they would soon be granted the rank later.
These people usually did not stay at the chunin stage for very long.
If the previous Tendo had been a standard civilian chunin, then this Hyuga Neji, who hadn't even graduated from the Academy, should already have the strength of a clan chunin.
It's a pity he was born into the Hyuga Branch House, Inuzuka Akita sighed inwardly.
She then looked back at Tendo in the field.
Although she maintained a calm exterior, there was a hidden worry in her gaze.
I wonder if Tendo can hold out...
I can definitely hold out.
Tendo returned a reassuring smile to Inuzuka Akita, feeling full of confidence about this battle.
In the original story, Hyuga Neji appeared with strength close to the jonin level, mastering secret techniques like the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation through his own realization.
When he lashed out at Hyuga Hinata during the Chunin Exams, several jonin had been needed to subdue him together.
This was partly for safety, but it also reflected Hyuga Neji's threat level at the time.
However, that was him two years later.
No matter how strong you are two years from now, it's irrelevant.
Observing Hyuga Neji's movements in the field, Tendo had only one thought in his mind.
It's in the bag.
Tendo took the stance of the Konoha-Style Strong Fist, a smile playing on his lips.
"Neji-kun, you take the first move."
"Alright, Tendo-senpai," Hyuga Neji responded formally.
Currently, having lost his father and without the companionship of Guy and his teammates yet, he was in the darkest phase of his life, behaving much like a robot to the outside world.
He took the stance of the Hyuga Gentle Fist.
Veins bulged on his face as his Byakugan quietly activated.
Within his 359-degree field of vision, Tendo's chakra pathway system was visible in every detail.
"Pardon me."
Before Hyuga Neji's voice even faded, his feet were already stepping in the Gentle Fist footwork.
He rushed straight toward Tendo with the speed of a lone swan streaking across the sky.
The watching students felt their eyes blur as Neji's figure vanished, appearing next near Tendo.
The edge of his right palm sliced straight toward Tendo's ribs.
Meanwhile, his left hand covertly joined its fingers into a sword shape to strike at a vital point on Tendo's right arm.
This was the Gentle Fist Art: Tenketsu.
It was the move he had used in the original story during the Chunin Exams against Hinata.
It was unexpected that he had already mastered this move before even graduating from the Academy.
However, Tendo wasn't flustered at all.
Your Tenketsu mechanism is indeed good, but sorry, my stats are higher than yours.
The chakra within Tendo's body suddenly erupted.
"Konoha Hurricane."
Drawing power from the ground, Tendo's move actually struck second but arrived first.
Before Neji's Tenketsu could strike Tendo, Tendo was already about to kick Neji away.
Neji witnessed Tendo's chakra eruption.
But though he saw it, he couldn't react.
Neji could choose to continue the Tenketsu strike.
But if the opponent's right arm was hit, it would only slightly hinder their chakra.
Whereas if he took a kick from the opponent, he would likely be seriously injured.
Out of necessity, he could only bring his arms together, changing his move to block Tendo's attack.
Neji had originally prepared to deflect the force.
But the power transmitted through the intersection of his leg and arm was unexpectedly weak.
"Good reaction."
Tendo did not press the attack after withdrawing his move, but instead returned to his original position.
"Continue your attack."
Hyuga Neji's expression was complex.
Since his father's death, he had closed off his heart, viewing any concern from his clansmen as having ulterior motives.
This rare kindness from a stranger actually touched him slightly.
"Alright, Tendo-senpai."
They were the same words, but this time with a bit of warmth.
Hyuga Neji took his stance again, preparing to use his current strongest killing move to show respect to his senior.
He had been contemplating this move but had never had the confidence to succeed.
Now, with his state of mind touched, he actually had a moment of realization.
Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.