"At this age, he can already simplify hand seals… I didn't expect such a powerful kid to appear among the Genin."
"It seems this boy won't be easy to deal with. The Hyūga clan's genius has met a genius from the common ranks. This battle will be interesting!"
The surrounding ninjas slowly sat down, but the light of expectation in their eyes only grew stronger.
The examiner leapt lightly from the wall and landed on the water's surface.
Yuichi's expression shifted—he hadn't expected this "ordinary" boy to perform so well.
Shiranui Genma cast a quick glance at the rippling water under his feet.
Bang!
A sudden splash erupted as Neji darted forward, feet pounding against the water's surface as he charged at Yuichi.
"A commoner can never surpass a genius. You're just an ordinary shinobi—I will never lose to you…"
"Water Style: Moisture Clone!"
The surface of the water surged, forming a humanoid figure beside Yuichi.
The water clone lunged at Neji with a punch.
Neji's eyes flickered, but his hands didn't falter. With a swift Gentle Fist strike, he found the clone's flaw and burst it apart in a spray of glittering droplets.
The sparkling water scattered like scattered gems.
But before he could relax, two more clones erupted from behind, rushing at him from both sides.
Bang! Bang!
Neji pivoted sharply, his kick blasting one clone while his fist shattered the other.
The next instant, however, dozens more clones rose from the water around him, surging forward in a relentless tide.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Neji destroyed them one after another, but these clones weren't weak. Each carried surprising force. A single moment of distraction, and he would be struck.
"What a clever kid," a Jōnin observed, eyes narrowing. "That first Water Style technique wasn't meant to hit—it was to create a battlefield that suits him."
"Then he uses Water Clones to probe and drain the opponent's stamina."
Other shinobi nearby gasped in realization. The civilians didn't fully understand the strategy, but that didn't stop them from cheering for Yuichi.
"Come on, Yuichi!"
Bang!
Another Water Clone surged from the surface. Neji spotted its weakness instantly and thrust his finger toward its ribs.
But just as he struck—
A violent gust whipped out from its fist, the raw chakra pressure roaring toward Neji like a tornado.
"Too fast! This isn't a clone—"
"This is him!"
But it was already too late to dodge. The chakra-coated fist bore down, stirring the air into a storm.
Neji's pupils shrank. "—Revolving Heaven!"
Boom!
In an instant, his body spun at terrifying speed, chakra erupting from every tenketsu. Water and wind whipped together into a small storm, deflecting Yuichi's strike.
Yuichi leapt back, sliding several meters across the water before regaining his balance.
Neji's Revolving Heaven slowed, and the two faced each other again, both standing steadily atop the water's surface.
The sudden stillness made the crowd hold their breath.
One second. Two. Three.
Then the arena erupted in cheers and clapping. Even Chūnin-level shinobi couldn't help but applaud.
"That was the Hyūga clan's Revolving Heaven! Only the main family should be able to use that technique!"
"But he's from the branch family. The main house would never pass such a secret down to them."
"Did he… teach himself?"
"To realize Revolving Heaven on his own… this boy truly is a rare Hyūga genius."
"Too bad… he's from the branch family."
A Jōnin chuckled at the discussion. "Why are you all so surprised at Revolving Heaven? Compared to Hyūga Neji, Nagano Yuichi is the real eye-opener."
"Look carefully—Water Style ninjutsu to shape the field, clones to pressure and bait out weaknesses, then the real body slips in for the decisive strike. If not for Revolving Heaven, this battle might already be over."
The others paused, realization dawning.
Yes… they'd been so dazzled by Neji's Revolving Heaven that they forgot Yuichi had been the one to force it out—using only two simple Water Style techniques.
"This Yuichi… he's just a Genin?"
"His talent's incredible. He can shorten seals for ninjutsu, and every move flows seamlessly into the next."
"Since when were Genin this strong?"
From the stands, Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed as he recalled the words of the Third Hokage.
"Such an excellent child… It's surprising the Third chose not to nurture him."
On the water, Neji clenched his fists. Yuichi's relentless rhythm echoed in his mind, each move sharp and precise like a textbook demonstration.
If I didn't have Revolving Heaven, I'd already be lying defeated.
And that realization cut deep. Yuichi had forced him to reveal his clan's ultimate defense with just two Water Style jutsu.
Why are you so strong, Yuichi? You're just a commoner!
Neji's Byakugan flared, locking onto Yuichi.
"Last time, my Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms missed… but this time, I won't."
Neji shifted into the stance of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
Up in the audience, Hyūga Hiashi's face tightened.
This boy… has he truly grasped that technique on his own?