On the retreating team's side, several wind-formed shurikens streaked toward Shion—but Neji's sharp eyes intercepted them all. One attack was even kicked back, revealing Setsuna, who had been hiding behind the branches.
In a parallel direction, Kusu weaved through the forest, chasing only these two targets.
"Ningji!" Sakura's voice carried worry, but Neji, calm as ever, simply ordered: "Go!"
Once Sakura had moved a safe distance away, Neji intercepted the enemy himself. "That's far enough! Don't even think about advancing!"
'He can manipulate wind escape chakra freely… Five-direction attack incoming!' Neji's Byakugan analyzed the enemy's movements with precision, and he spun into action: "Baguazhang—Kaiten!"
Chakra surged from his acupuncture points as he rotated at dizzying speed. A solid blue sphere formed around him, perfectly deflecting the enemy's strikes.
"Amazing! Another move I haven't seen before."
"Could you learn that after understanding the principles? That would be incredible!"
"Forget it. This is a Hyuga-only skill. Only the Byakugan can form it."
Hyuga Hiashi watched Tianmu with surprise. "You learned Kaiten on your own? That kid might even surpass Hanabi's talent!"
Meanwhile, in the meeting room, Sasuke's gaze lingered on Neji. His hands clenched beneath the table. 'Could the Great Fireball Technique even pierce his defense…?'
Sasuke mentally simulated the battle, yet even without Neji's mastery of Kaiten, his chances seemed slim. Close combat would be futile without the Sharingan, and ranged attacks would be countered by Neji's insight. The only hope: his most powerful ninjutsu—the Great Fireball Technique.
Frustration bubbled within him. He had graduated top of his class, yet the future Neji dominated the sky screen while he might have already risked everything. And his revenge… likely remained incomplete. Sakura, observing him, noticed his gloom.
"Incredible… but how much chakra can you resist my attacks?" Setsuna pressed Neji relentlessly. Floating mid-air, Neji had no choice but to Kaiten again, spinning to deflect the strikes.
Back in Xiao Li's battle, he dodged a barrage of explosions with blinding speed, unleashed by the Eight Gates. Yitai, however, seemed thrilled: "Yahahahaha! You're quick on your feet! So flexible! Hahaha!"
Rational enough to know his enhanced form wouldn't last long, Yitai planted all six arms on the ground, triggering even more explosive blasts along the cliff's edge. "If that's the case… destroy everything! Hahaha!"
The cliff finally gave way beneath them, and Xiao Li and Yitai plummeted toward the forest below.
During the fall, Xiao Li made a desperate decision, recalling past memories.
"Li Yo, in this critical moment… eat this!" A thick-browed man handed him a chocolate ball.
"Who's this? Rock Lee's dad?"
"Nope—Might Guy, Konoha's jonin, master of taijutsu. Very strong."
"Asshole! Don't spill our village secrets!"
"Sorry, Konoha… if you can handle the Sky Curtain, fine. If not, don't blame me!"
"I just read up—Rock Lee's moves are tied to the Eight Gates. Opening them grants extreme strength."
"Did they teach you how to open them?"
"No, only that it's dangerous—serious bodily harm if done improperly."
"Most secret techniques look simple on the surface. You can't just steal moves from the sky screen."
"What you gave Xiao Li… a chocolate ball?" Kakashi whispered to Kai, double-checking.
Kai's face went pale. "Hiss! That's the forbidden move!"
Xiao Li, hearing this, perked up. "A forbidden move? My future self learned a technique stronger than the Eight Gates from Teacher Kai?!"
Ningci and Tiantian, recalling previous incidents of Xiao Li's drunken antics, broke into sweat. "Teacher Kai… take him somewhere private before teaching him this move!"
Kai nodded, secretive, while Team 7 watched with curiosity but didn't press.
"A new medicine?" Xiao Li held the chocolate ball. Kai smiled faintly: "No… it's a chocolate ball. A super chocolate ball."
"Awesome! Teacher takes my training seriously. I hope a super crisis comes soon!" Unaware of the connection, Xiao Li eagerly ate it. His face flushed immediately. "What… is this? Tastes like… medicine… but hotter…"
Seeing this, Yitai casually asked: "Did you eat something?" and launched an attack. But Xiao Li, now unpredictable, dodged, stepped on a rock plate, and struck Yitai—sending a violent explosion straight at him.
Using his extended bandages, Xiao Li wrapped around Yitai and pulled himself forward. After shattering the rock armor behind him, he spun like a drill, driving the attack into Yitai's back: "Li Lianhua—Super Acrylic Version!!"
Yitai was hurled into the air by the force, purple chakra bursting from cracks in his rock armor. Perhaps from backlash, he screamed as his body exploded from the impact.