CHAPTER 113
The flames rushed forward, heat rolling off them in waves. Neji, unable to evade, felt his pupils tighten. A surge of chakra burst from all tenketsu across his body as he spun with tremendous speed.
"Kaiten!"
In the stands, Hyūga Hiashi—present specifically to observe the match—along with several other experienced shinobi, showed clear shock on their faces. A perfectly formed, high-speed chakra sphere erupted around Neji.
"Boom!"
"Rumble!"
The spiraling barrier repelled Sasuke's Fire Style technique with near-perfect defense. Yet that instant of pause was all Sasuke needed. His Sharingan locked tightly onto Neji's chakra flow, giving him no chance to escape.
"Whoosh!"
Sasuke closed the distance in a blur. His left leg swung downward like an iron hammer.
"!?"
Neji reflexively brought his arms up.
"Bang!"
The impact forced Neji's feet into the ground.
This guy…!
His speed and power far exceeded anything Neji had anticipated. To be pressured in close combat—where the Hyūga excelled most—by a member of the Uchiha clan was a result Neji had never truly imagined.
Especially the overwhelming speed difference. Many of his counter-techniques were rendered unusable.
"Kaiten!"
He was forced to spin again.
"Boom!"
"Whoosh!"
Sasuke was pushed back, but only for a moment.
"Tch. That damn turtle shell… Let's see how long it holds."
Sasuke's expression hardened. With a leap, he retreated—this time not to defend, but to gain elevation.
"Huh?"
"What's he doing?"
"So much distance?"
"Why climb up there?"
Tens of thousands of spectators watched as Sasuke clung to the high vertical wall of the arena, body tense with focus.
"Heh…"
His hands blurred through seals at impossible speed.
"Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!"
"What is that!?"
"Lightning!?"
"That sound—!"
"No way…!"
Blue lightning flooded Sasuke's arm.
"You actually taught him that technique…?"
Might Guy stared at Kakashi, rare seriousness in his voice.
"Hahaha… it's because he has the talent, Guy. And besides… he reminds me a bit of myself."
Kakashi's gaze stayed fixed on Sasuke, pride flickering in his lone eye.
The audience leaned in.
"Oh!? Sasuke—what is that jutsu!?"
"Sasuke-kun!?"
Naruto and Sakura were speechless.
Menma narrowed his gaze slightly.
Lee and Tenten gripped the railing, feeling the oppressive air pressure swelling around Sasuke.
"Neji…"
Both looked down with visible concern.
Neji himself stared upward, breath catching.
What is this technique…?
Even with the Byakugan, the violent surging of chakra was overwhelming. The air itself vibrated. Danger screamed at him through every sense.
"Hmph."
Lightning roared violently around Sasuke's arm. Neji's expression hardened, fully aware of the lethal intent behind the technique.
"BOOM!"
The explosion of chakra echoed.
"Chidori!!!"
The shrill cry—like a thousand birds screaming—cut through the stadium.
"Whoosh!"
Sasuke vanished.
To most spectators, it looked as if he had teleported. In the blink of an eye—
He was directly in front of Neji.
"Kaiten!!!"
The Hyūga prodigy unleashed his strongest defense, spinning with everything he had. A perfect chakra dome erupted.
"This is—"
"Ohhhh—!"
"Here it comes!"
The two forces collided.
"BOOM!"
A violent shockwave tore across the ground. Dust blasted outward as the sound of grinding chakra filled the air.
"Pfff—!"
Even with Kaiten taking the brunt of the force, Sasuke's Chidori drilled through the outer layer. The moment the audible cracking rang out—
Neji's heart sank.
The killing intent was real. The Chidori surged forward, inches from his vital points. His Byakugan locked onto the Sharingan—cold crimson staring back at him.
Neji could do nothing. No counters. No escape. He shut his eyes in despair.
"—Tch!"
At the last moment, Sasuke twisted his arm, redirecting the lethal thrust. The Chidori pierced Neji's shoulder instead of his heart.
Fabric tore. Blood burst outward.
The impact numbed Neji instantly.
"Gh—!"
Before he could even react, Sasuke stepped in and slammed a fist deep into Neji's abdomen.
"Gah—!!!"
Blood spilled from Neji's mouth.
Sasuke grabbed him by the collar and hurled him downward.
"BANG!"
Neji hit the ground hard. Pain shot through every part of his weakening body. He could no longer move.
As the dust settled, the outcome was clear.
Sasuke stood tall. Neji lay defeated.
Shiranui Genma raised his hand.
"The winner of the first match—Uchiha Sasuke!"
"OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!"
"Knew it!"
"The Uchiha always rise above!"
"That's the Sharingan!"
"Konoha's elite clan!"
"The Hyūga got crushed!"
Cheers, roars, praise—all of it thundered through the stadium as Sasuke's victory sent the crowd into a frenzy.