Seeing that ordinary sand attacks were useless, Gaara opened one hand and faced Hinata Neji, saying coldly:
"Sand Binding Coffin!!"
In an instant, countless sands emerged around Hyuga Neji, spiraling around him!
"Neji!"
Seeing Neji being tightly bound by the sand, Tenten and Rock Lee became nervous subconsciously.
Gaara's face remained cold as his hands clenched instantly.
"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"
…
"Um?"
The expected scene of Neji being crushed into minced meat by the sand did not appear. His sand seemed to be blocked by something, unable to advance!
The next moment, all the sand exploded outward as Hyuga Neji spun like a butterfly, blue chakra swirling around him in a mesmerizing display!
"Is this... Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen in the spectator seats showed a surprised expression.
Today was the qualifying match, and the head of the Hyuga clan had not arrived. Otherwise, if he saw this, he would have been shocked.
After all, Revolving Heaven is a secret technique that isn't passed down lightly within the Hyuga clan. Even members of the main branch rarely master this in their lifetimes!
But Hyuga Neji had learned it on his own, through sheer talent!
"It's a pity. If Neji had been born in the main branch, he'd be even more brilliant," Sarutobi Hiruzen thought regretfully, though he had other ideas in mind.
The Hyuga clan's division between the main and branch families meant that Hyuga Neji, born into a branch family, would never be able to rise within the clan's ranks. However, this also meant he could potentially be recruited into ANBU.
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Neji with increasing satisfaction.
On the other hand, Gekko Kazuki, who had always had high expectations placed upon him, was starting to seem less pleasing to the eye.
Gekko Kazuki's extraordinary strength and independent nature made him difficult to control.
If it were possible, Hiruzen might have even considered trading Gekko Kazuki for three obedient warriors like Hyuga Neji.
In the Sunagakure viewing area, Baki recognized the moves Neji used right away.
"Konoha is full of talented individuals," Baki thought, impressed.
"He's already mastered the Hyuga clan's secret taijutsu. Whether he belongs to the branch or main family, people are sure to take notice of him."
Even with Neji's mastery of Revolving Heaven, Baki wasn't too concerned. After all, absolute defense wasn't exclusive to the Hyuga clan.
Tenten and Rock Lee both breathed a sigh of relief seeing Neji unharmed.
Tenten: "I knew Neji wouldn't go down that easily!"
Rock Lee: "Neji, defeat this guy from Sunagakure!"
In the ring, after breaking free from the Sand Coffin, Neji instantly appeared in front of Gaara.
Neji's palm shot forward.
Boom!
A wall of sand emerged around Gaara, blocking Neji's attack. This was Gaara's absolute defense, sand that automatically protected him without needing to react.
But Neji wasn't fazed. In fact, he sneered.
"This weak sand can't stop my attacks!"
Though Neji wasn't as fast as Rock Lee, his Byakugan revealed that Gaara's sand was filled with weaknesses. It was only a matter of time.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Neji's attacks grew faster, creating afterimages with every strike!
Gaara's sand wall constantly broke and repaired itself under Neji's relentless strikes. By the sixteenth palm, Neji's Byakugan spotted a flaw in Gaara's defense. His palm shot through the sand and struck Gaara's shoulder.
Gaara flew back, but Neji didn't stop.
"Eight Trigrams Thirty-Six Palms!"
"Thirty-Seven Palms!"
Many in the audience, especially Temari and Kankuro, were shocked.
Their younger brother, someone they feared, was being dominated by a Konoha genin?!
Gaara, always reliant on his defense and control over sand, was now at a disadvantage against Neji's precise and powerful strikes. His unique abilities, a result of his connection to Shukaku, were the only reason he'd been able to crush so many opponents before. But Neji's Gentle Fist was unlike anything he'd faced.
As Neji landed his sixty-fourth palm, Gaara was sent flying more than ten meters, landing hard on the ground.
Everyone held their breath.
After a moment, Gaara didn't stand. Neji smiled confidently. "It's over."
Turning his back, Neji began to leave the ring, expecting Hayate Gekko to confirm his victory.
But then, a crack appeared on Gaara's body. Chunks of sand fell off, revealing his scarred and battered form.
Gaara gasped for breath, struggling to stand. The sand armor had failed to protect him entirely, and Neji's precise strikes had blocked his chakra points, making it impossible for him to control his sand.
"Huh? I didn't expect you to stand. Give up. You can't control the sand anymore. Continuing to fight is pointless."
Neji's words, filled with a calm confidence, echoed through the stadium.
But Gaara showed no sign of surrendering.
Seeing this, Neji sighed and walked toward him, step by step.
"Everyone has their destiny. Fighting against it is foolish, Gaara. Accept yours."
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+86 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg