"Genius? Heh, that's merely the threshold to meet me."
These words instantly shocked everyone.
Almost everyone gasped in unison.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smoking, did the same. He inhaled sharply twice in surprise, nearly choking. He coughed a couple of times before recovering.
He stared at Naruto, wide-eyed. When did this kid become so arrogant?
Is this even Naruto? Who taught him this?
No one paid him any attention at the moment; all eyes were fixed on Naruto.
Focused on that blond kid in the arena...
Genius is merely the threshold to meet you?
So arrogant!
They were curious about the blond kid's next move, wondering what made him so confident.
Especially Uchiha Rokuroku, who had just returned from cheating.
He immediately jotted down in his notebook: [Uzumaki Naruto: What genius? Genius is merely the threshold to meet me!]
This would be tomorrow's headline.
Paired with a cool photo of the boss, it would be absolutely stunning!
Countless girls in the ninja world would lose their appetite for the boss every day.
Neji was also stunned by these words.
After he reacted, a surge of anger erupted from his heart.
The title of 'genius' was something he had earned through years of rigorous training and his innate talent.
It was also proof of his transcendence over the Main Family!
He absolutely would not allow the title of genius to be trampled upon like this.
"Big talker."
Neji glared at Naruto, trying his best to correct his words, "Do you know what a genius is?"
"What is it?"
Seeing his serious expression, Naruto's lips curved into a smile, returning to his sunny, cheerful boy persona.
It was as if the terrifying presence that had briefly revealed a corner from the clouds had been covered by thick clouds once more.
A pair of Byakugan stared intently at Naruto, Neji emphasizing each word: "In this world, only a very select few can be called geniuses."
"These people are all exceptionally brilliant, growing up to become the pillars of the village... or even a Hokage."
Hokage,
that was once an unattainable dream for him when he was a child, contemplating how to resolve his family's issues.
Unfortunately, members of the branch family could never become Hokage.
And he, a caged bird of the branch family, seemed to only have the desperately earned title of 'genius' crying out against his injustice.
When he eventually became a sacrificial pawn, would the title 'Genius Neji' be the last ripple he left in the world?
At this thought, his eyes flared with anger, even more unwilling for the 'genius' title to be so belittled.
"And you? You're just a genin who's good at genjutsu!"
"Genius is merely the threshold to meet you?"
"That's absolutely laughable!"
"Oh, got it."
Naruto also sensed Neji's anger. He didn't quite understand why he was so triggered by his bold statement.
But it didn't concern him.
"So what? What do you intend to do?" he asked indifferently.
"Anyone can talk big. Now, let me see your true strength!"
Seeing his unyielding attitude, Neji knew further words were useless. It was time for action.
Activating his Byakugan, veins bulged around his eyes,
Neji lowered his center of gravity, placing his hands one in front of the other, adopting a starting stance.
"By the way, I was prepared. From now on, your genjutsu is useless against me! So, let me see why you talk such big words."
"Is that so?" Naruto replied casually.
Although the joke was cold, he had no intention of using genjutsu anymore.
At this stage of the competition, every strong individual had their own style and specialty, be it ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu.
He, Naruto, understood a little bit of everything.
So, what would he use in the upcoming match?
That didn't depend on him, but on what his opponent used!
Whatever his opponent used, he would use.
And: learn on the spot!
He, Naruto, would prove to the ninja world what it meant for: genius to be merely his threshold.
But this starting stance, is it taijutsu?
He spoke to confirm, "You're very skilled in taijutsu?"
"It doesn't matter if I tell you. The Hyuga clan specializes in taijutsu," Neji stared at Naruto, his eyes, however, observing Naruto's body's chakra pathways and pressure points.
"It's taijutsu, huh..."
After a moment of thought, Naruto said, "Although I'm not particularly skilled in taijutsu, since this is your strongest ability, I can also challenge my own weakness."
"You...!"
Hearing this, Neji once again felt insulted. What does he mean, challenging his weakness?
His teeth were almost grinding.
Even now, this guy was still so arrogant!
"Come on, let me see your strength." Naruto stood ramrod straight, casually waving him over.
"You'd better not regret it!"
Neji rushed forward, unleashing Gentle Fist, targeting the chest's central point, striking with a palm!
With this one blow, he'd render him unconscious!
On the second floor, at the viewing area.
Seeing Neji adopt his stance, Sakura curiously asked, "Kakashi-sensei, Hyuga Neji is...?"
"That's the Hyuga clan's secret family art, passed down through generations: the Hyuga Style Taijutsu. It's known as Konoha's strongest taijutsu style."
Kakashi's gaze was fixed on the two in the arena. "Unlike other Steel Fist taijutsu that only cause external injuries, their Gentle Fist taijutsu can directly attack the body's pressure points, chakra pathways, and even damage internal organs."
"But how do they do that?"
Sakura didn't understand. If they attacked pressure points and chakra pathways, how could they see them?
"The Byakugan. Through the Hyuga clan's bloodline limit, the Byakugan, they can see the body's chakra pathways and pressure points. Then, by using Gentle Fist to attack these points, they disrupt chakra flow. Lightly, it renders a person unable to fight; severely..."
Kakashi didn't finish, but Sakura understood, and Sasuke was also deep in thought.
For Naruto, it would be easy for him to deal with this type of taijutsu ninja.
Whether it was ninjutsu or genjutsu, Naruto was extremely proficient.
But... the situation developed beyond their expectations.
Naruto didn't use any ninjutsu or genjutsu; he actually intended to fight the genius Neji with only taijutsu.
Clang clang clang~~~
The two exchanged blows. Neji's attacks were powerful and fierce, but Naruto parried each one.
To test his limits, Naruto dodged Neji's attacks only at the very last moment.
This made him appear quite disheveled, but it was only an appearance.
However, to outsiders, he indeed seemed to have no way to fight back, only passively taking hits.
"Tch~ Is that all?"
Kankuro looked quite disdainful. This blond kid had boasted so much; genius was just his threshold?
What big talk.
He thought such an arrogant person would surely have solid strength, but this was it?
Wasn't he just passively taking hits the whole time?
Besides, they were still probing each other. Once the probing was over, this blond kid would be beaten until he fled in fear?
He should just forfeit!
He glanced sideways at Gaara and Temari,
finding them both completely absorbed in watching, ignoring him.
Seeing this, he could only turn his gaze back to the arena.
Clang clang clang~~~
In the arena, Neji was completely in control, attacking at will, while Naruto could only passively defend.
Another palm strike launched, which Naruto 'barely' dodged.
Neji had figured it out: this blond kid seemed not to be very good at taijutsu, only capable of passive defense without attacking.
He thought he was a master, but it turned out he was just a blank slate.
"Hey,"
Stopping his attack, Neji scoffed confidently, "If your taijutsu is only like this, I won't hold back!"
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he looked at his system panel.
[Detected that you possess SSSSSS talent. You have learned 'Gentle Fist' through observation.]
[Gentle Fist: 3601/5000 (Master)]
In an instant, countless Gentle Fist experiences flooded his mind, as if he had been immersed in this art for decades.
Taijutsu, what a hassle.
There are too many techniques. Otherwise, if it were a ninjutsu, he would learn it with one glance. Why would he need all this trouble?
Looking back at Neji, he said with relaxed confidence, "Your Gentle Fist seems to use chakra to destroy the human body's chakra pathways and pressure points?"
He already figured it out? Neji was startled.
But... what if he figured it out?
"Then what?"
Neji frowned. Is this guy afraid to continue fighting him with taijutsu?
"If that's all there is to it... then it's too simple. I've already learned it!"
Naruto struck an identical Gentle Fist stance.
"Next, let me show you—my Gentle Fist!"