Chapter 3: Have You Ever Been Hit by a Flash Kick?
Neji Hyuga's Gentle Fist was a sight to see. Every move was sharp and clean, with no wasted motion. The palm strikes flowed together, creating a defense that was hard to break.
When they got to the training grounds, Hinata and Takahashi split up. They weren't in the same class, after all.
Might Guy saw Takahashi approaching and gave him a wide, teasing grin. "Ah, the fires of youth are burning bright this morning!"
Rock Lee, standing nearby, just looked confused. Training hadn't even started yet. How could Guy-sensei tell?
Tenten's eyes held a different look—a little knowing, a little amused.
Takahashi didn't let the new power from the fruit go to his head. He just greeted everyone like he always did. The responses were the same as always, except from Neji, who ignored him completely.
Once everyone was gathered, Guy clapped his hands to get their attention.
"Listen up! Before the Chunin Exams, we have a mission! A group of bandits is causing trouble near the border. The catch?" Guy's expression turned serious. "Intel suggests they might be ninjas from another village, here to spy. We cannot be careless! Countless skilled ninja have fallen to overconfidence. Your youth is precious—don't waste it!"
Rock Lee's whole body seemed to ignite with passion. "YES, GUY-SENSEI! WE WILL NOT FAIL!"
Tenten just sighed quietly at his energy. Takahashi and Neji, however, showed no reaction.
Guy looked over his team, his eyes finally settling. "You have four days to prepare. Be ready."
That's when Neji raised a hand.
"Guy-sensei. I have an objection."
His cold eyes slid toward Takahashi. "I do not agree with Takahashi participating in this mission. His skills are not on our level. For simple tasks, it's tolerable. But if we face elite ninja from another village, his weakness will get us all killed."
The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy. He might as well have called Takahashi a dead weight straight to his face.
Even Tenten looked uncomfortable. "Neji, that's a bit harsh..."
But Neji didn't care. In his mind, Takahashi was at the top of his list of annoyances.
Takahashi met his gaze. "Are you saying Guy-sensei is a bad judge of his own team?"
Neji's frown deepened. "Don't twist my words. I'm saying you are weak. You can't keep up. If you had any self-respect, you would quit this team. I won't let a liability like you drag down our reputation and get us killed."
This was no longer just criticism; it was a direct insult.
Rock Lee, who trained with Takahashi often and considered him a friend, stepped forward. "Neji! That is too far! Takahashi works as hard as anyone! How can you say that?"
Neji just smirked. "What good is hard work? How many 'hardworking' ninja die every year?"
"You—!" Lee was ready to argue more, but Takahashi put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's fine, Lee." Takahashi looked straight at Neji. "If words don't work, then a ninja proves himself with action. If I defeat you, then you have nothing left to say, right?"
A stunned silence fell over the group. Everyone knew the gap between them. Challenging Neji was like asking to lose.
Tenten gasped. "Takahashi, are you crazy? This is suicide!"
Even Lee, though loyal, had to whisper, "You cannot win against him, my friend."
Guy-sensei's face was stern. "Takahashi, don't be reckless." He wasn't just worried about Takahashi losing; he was worried about what Neji might do in a fight. One serious hit from the Gentle Fist could end Takahashi's career as a ninja.
But Takahashi's mind was made up. If he didn't stand up now, he'd be walked over forever.
"My decision is final. If I win, you drop this. Agreed?"
Neji shook his head, a look of pure arrogance on his face. "You have a zero percent chance. Fine. If you can land a single hit on me, I will accept your presence. But when you lose, you will leave this team for good. It's time you learned the real difference between us."
Takahashi didn't get angry. He just smiled, a bright, confident smile that surprised everyone.
Seeing there was no stopping it, Guy reluctantly gave in. "A spar only! No serious injuries!" He prepared himself to jump in the moment things went too far.
Neji just ignored him.
They stood ten meters apart. Neji activated his Byakugan, the veins around his eyes bulging. "Any last words?"
Takahashi said something that made no sense to anyone. "Hey, Neji. Have you ever been hit by a flash kick?"
"What?"
Confusion was on every face.
In the next instant, Takahashi vanished.
There was a blur of movement, a flash of golden light. He reappeared right in front of Neji, his left foot glowing brightly as it slammed into Neji's chest.
THUMP!
The sound was sickening. Neji felt a terrifying force explode in his ribs. It was like being hit by a train. His body was thrown backward through the air.
"NEJI!" Guy-sensei moved in a blur, catching him before he could smash into a tree. The impact was so strong it sent Guy skidding back seven steps, his heels digging grooves into the dirt.
Neji coughed, dark blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. At least two of his ribs were broken. But he barely felt the pain. His wide, shocked Byakugan eyes were locked on Takahashi, filled with pure, utter disbelief.
What was that? What kind of monster is he?!
He had seen geniuses before. But he had never, ever seen speed like that. It was so fast his Byakugan couldn't even track it. His Gentle Fist stance was useless. He was defeated in a single, blinding moment.
The most shocking thing for Neji was the crushing realization of the gap between them. It was a chasm.
But the person most stunned of all was Might Guy. He stared at Takahashi, his usual exuberance completely gone, replaced by sheer, speechless awe.
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Pretty Much Invincible now.
STONES