Hyūga Hinata vs. Hyūga Neji
Even Akuma raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at the match announcement. So… it's finally happening, he thought, his gaze shifting to Neji, who stood cold and silent. Hinata, meanwhile, trembled visibly, her fingers fidgeting as she stepped forward with timid steps.
Both descended into the arena.
"I never thought I'd be fighting you… Lady Hinata," Neji said, his voice calm but dripping with disdain.
"...I… Brother Neji…" Hinata's words quivered, breaking apart under the weight of her fear.
Up on the deck, Naruto's voice boomed out in shock. "HUH?! They're siblings?!"
As Kakashi and Rock Lee began explaining the Hyūga clan structure to him, Akuma tuned them out completely, his eyes locked onto the two figures below. Let's see what you'll do, Neji…
"Forfeit now, Lady Hinata," Neji demanded, his Byakugan activating, veins bulging around his pale eyes. "You and I both know you're unfit to be a shinobi. You crave harmony in a world defined by conflict. You lack confidence. You bend to others' will without question. Let me guess—the only reason you entered this exam was because you were forced to, right? Your teammates needed three people, so even though you didn't want to, you came for them. Am I wrong?"
Hinata stayed silent, staring at the floor as if trying to disappear.
Neji's lips curled into a thin smile. "Your teammates probably told you to forfeit if you faced me. So why aren't you listening now?"
Her shoulders trembled, but slowly, she raised her gaze to meet his.
"...Because… I want to change… myself… even if just a little… I want to do something… for me…"
For the first time, Neji regarded her with mild amusement. "People can't change, Lady Hinata. A loser will always be a loser. Talents, strengths, status—everything is decided at birth. That's why there's a main house and a branch house."
His eyes narrowed, his voice turning venomous.
"I was born in the branch family, and you in the main. That is fate. That is the hierarchy our elders and grandfather imposed upon us… only one man ever challenged that belief. But you? You're just the spoiled, useless daughter of the main house. Do you really think you can change my mind?"
Hinata winced as Neji stepped closer, towering over her small trembling form.
"Stop acting strong. Deep down, you want to run away… just like you always do. You can't hide from my Byakugan."
Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she raised her hand to her mouth, biting down on her finger to keep herself from shaking.
"Does this eye remind you of the clan head's eyes? The same eyes that see you as a failure… a disappointment… not even as talented as your little sister. You've always been pathetic, hiding your face so I can't see your true feelings, biting your finger to distract yourself from your fear. You've done it hundreds of times since you were a child."
Neji leaned in, his voice low and cutting like steel.
"You already know it's over. You've lost… just like you always do. You will never change."
Hinata bit her lip so hard it bled, tears streaming down her cheeks. Even after mustering all her courage… it felt like the walls were closing in again. Her knees buckled, but before she could fall—
"DON'T GIVE UP!!!"
Naruto's scream ripped through the silent arena. Hinata's eyes widened as she looked up at him. He gripped the railing so hard his knuckles were white, his whole body trembling with rage.
"STOP LISTENING TO THAT BASTARD!!! KICK HIS ASS, HINATA!!! STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, YOU IDIOT!!!"
His words burned into her chest like fire. Her trembling stilled. Her tears stopped.
"…No… I… I won't run away anymore," she whispered.
Her Byakugan activated, veins bulging around her pale eyes as she took a fighting stance. Neji's gaze sharpened.
"…So you won't forfeit," he said coldly. "Fine, then."
The fight began. Hinata lunged forward with surprising agility, striking Neji's arm with precise chakra point hits. For a brief moment, it looked like she had the upper hand. But Neji's eyes flashed with grim finality. He blocked her next attack with ease, then countered with a flurry of strikes, each pressing into her chakra points.
Blood splattered from her lips as her knees buckled.
"This is the extent of the main family's strength?" Neji sneered. "Give up before I hurt you further."
Hinata wiped her mouth weakly, smearing blood across her trembling fingers. "No."
Neji's face darkened. His next barrage closed more of her chakra points, sending pain crashing through her nerves. Hinata coughed violently, blood dripping down her chin as she collapsed to her knees. Her vision blurred, the world spinning.
"Just give up," Neji said coldly. "You can't change your fate. A loser will always be a loser. That's why your sister was chosen over you. Accept it."
But Hinata forced herself up, her legs shaking uncontrollably.
"I… I won't… go back… on my word… That is my ninja way."
For the first time, Neji saw something in her eyes that unsettled him. Real determination. A blazing, unbreakable resolve.
"Am I… the only one… who can't change…? No!!!"
Neji's face twisted in rage as he lunged forward, his palm glowing with lethal force. He struck her again and again, finally sending her crashing to the ground. Her body hit the stone floor with a sickening thud, blood spraying from her mouth.
"Do whatever you want. You will never change," Neji spat, turning away from her limp form.
But he stopped mid-step, eyes widening in disbelief. Hinata… was standing again. Broken. Shaking. Bleeding. But standing.
All around, gasps and murmurs echoed through the arena. Even Akuma's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Why… why are you standing up?!" Neji shouted, his voice cracking. "If you keep this up… you'll die! This pain… this suffering… it was forced on you from birth! We can't change our destiny! LET IT GO!!!"
Hinata raised her gaze, eyes glassy but resolute.
"…No, Brother Neji… The person who suffered most under this destiny… is you."
Her voice trembled, but her conviction did not waver.
"I will not forfeit… even if I die."
Neji's rage exploded. "So be it, then!!!"
He dashed forward, palm aimed directly at her heart to end it for good.
A sudden gust of wind whipped around them, and before Neji's strike could land, Might Guy and two other jōnin appeared in an instant, their grips like iron around his wrist.
"Neji, that's enough!" Might Guy barked. "You promised me you wouldn't lose yourself to this hatred!"
Neji looked around at the jōnin restraining him, his lips curling in disgust. "So… all the jōnin step in. More special treatment for the main family. Nothing ever changes."
His eyes shifted up to Naruto, who was shaking Hinata's limp shoulders desperately, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Hey… loser over there," Neji called out coldly. "See this? Even if you cheer for her all day… a loser will always be a loser. Your cheering changes nothing."