Hinata seized control of the rhythm, maintaining the initiative. Neji's movements, his feints, even his intentions—were laid bare before her Byakugan. Hinata could see his actions several seconds ahead, rendering his tricks meaningless.
With a sudden burst of speed, Hinata's palm struck Neji's abdomen squarely. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth as he stumbled back, but Hinata stepped in immediately, pressing the attack. Her hands blurred into a dense flurry of strikes, the air trembling with the force of her chakra.
Neji defended desperately, blocking what he could, but her barrage was relentless. Each impact landed on a vital point—his shoulders, ribs, arms, abdomen. The only reason he wasn't gravely injured was that Hinata deliberately refrained from channeling chakra into her attacks. If she had targeted his acupoints, the match would have ended instantly.
Neji gritted his teeth, gathering chakra. He intended to counter with the Rotation Technique, but Hinata's pressure was overwhelming. She fought at a closer range than he could handle, giving him no time to prepare.
I have to create distance, Neji thought. If I can just use the Rotation, I can turn this around.
But Hinata, reading him perfectly, disrupted his stance before he could spin. She knew the Rotation Technique well—and she also knew how to prevent it. A few precise strikes to specific pressure points sealed the flow of chakra needed to perform it.
Neji coughed up another mouthful of blood. Even so, he refused to yield. Step by step, he retreated, eyes blazing with defiance.
"I can't lose! Not like this!" he hissed through clenched teeth.
But no matter how he struggled, Hinata anticipated everything. Every time he tried to gather chakra, she was already there—interrupting, countering, suppressing.
He had looked forward to this duel, hoping to defeat Hinata and the main branch she represented. Even a narrow victory would have been enough. Yet reality was cruel. He couldn't even unleash thirty percent of his full power. Every attempt was stifled.
The frustration burned in his chest.
In desperation, Neji prepared to risk everything—planning to use the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, even if it meant mutual destruction.
But Hinata was one step ahead.
Her short hair lifted, fluttering as if caught in an unseen breeze. Then, before anyone could blink, it grew—flowing down past her knees.
"Rabbit Hair Needle," Hinata whispered.
Thousands of hair strands exploded outward like needles of steel. Under the Byakugan's perfect precision, each strand struck true—piercing Neji's chakra points one after another.
"!!"
Neji froze mid-motion, his body riddled with thin, glimmering strands. His chakra collapsed, and his strength left him completely. He fell backward, defeated.
Hinata exhaled softly, deactivating her Byakugan. Her knee-length hair shortened again, returning to its original style as though nothing had happened.
"Neji-nii-san!"
Her tone changed instantly—her fierce composure melting away. The moment the battle ended, she reverted to her gentle, timid self. Hinata hurried forward, supporting Neji and calling for help.
The spectators were silent for several long seconds, stunned by what they had witnessed.
Then the whispers began.
"That was… Lady Hinata?"
"When did she become that powerful?"
"She's stronger than Neji… the genius of the branch family!"
Even the branch family members fell into uneasy silence. Meanwhile, the main family elders exchanged glances and nodded, their expressions solemn yet approving.
All doubts had been dispelled.
Every resource, every ounce of effort poured into Hinata had proven justified.
…
Outside the dojo, Hinata carefully removed the hardened strands of hair from Neji's body. Once pulled free, they softened instantly, reverting to their usual silky texture.
Neji's breathing was ragged, his eyes wide and unfocused.
"Neji-nii-san… are you alright?" Hinata asked anxiously.
He looked at her, disbelief and bitterness flashing in his eyes.
"Why…? How did you become so strong?"
Without waiting for her reply—or perhaps unwilling to hear it—Neji forced himself to stand and staggered away, refusing her help.
Hinata instinctively took a step to follow, but a firm hand landed on her shoulder. She turned to see her father.
"His heart is conflicted," Hiashi said quietly. "But you don't need to concern yourself with it. I'll handle it."
Hinata hesitated, then nodded obediently.
"Yes, Father."
Hiashi regarded his eldest daughter thoughtfully, clearly wanting to ask about the strange technique she had just used—but he decided against it. Instead, he said,
"You've had a long day. It isn't good for you to stay cooped up at home all the time. Go out and relax a little. Take Hanabi with you—she enjoys being with her sister."
Hinata lowered her gaze respectfully.
"Yes, Father."
After saying her farewells, Hinata returned to her room. At home, she preferred comfort and simplicity in her attire. But when going out, appearances mattered.
To conceal the weights she constantly carried, Hinata chose long-sleeved clothing and full-length trousers. Her Konoha headband rested neatly around her neck, and the Hyuga clan crest adorned her cuffs, collar, and hem.
It wasn't necessary—everyone in the village recognized a Hyuga on sight—but tradition demanded it. The clan's customs, passed down through millennia, valued rules and formality above all.
Once she was ready, Hinata checked her pouch—enough money, a few pills tucked away as snacks—and took Hanabi by the hand. Together, the two sisters stepped out of the Hyuga compound into the bright Konoha afternoon.
…
Hanabi, who was clinging to her sister's arm as usual, pouted in discomfort.
"Onee-sama, why do you have to wear weights even when we're going out to have fun?"
Hinata smiled gently.
"Training requires constant effort, Hanabi. It's like rowing against the current—if you don't move forward, you'll only drift backward. Besides, habits form naturally. If I suddenly stopped wearing them, my body wouldn't know how to adjust."
"Then I'll wear weights too!" Hanabi said eagerly.
Hinata chuckled softly and stopped her.
"Wait until you're older. You're still too young."
Taking Hanabi's hand, Hinata led her toward the lively street lined with Konoha's famous snack stalls.
Life lies in movement, and life lies in eating. Hinata had long decided that she would live by those two principles.
Halfway down the street, she froze. Ahead of her was someone she hadn't expected to see—Naruto.
He had returned from his mission, as energetic and animated as ever. Just seeing him made Hinata's heart feel lighter.
There was no need to greet him; she simply watched quietly from afar as Naruto, Sakura, and a small child ran past, laughing and talking. Yet, without realizing it, Hinata's Byakugan activated on its own, tracking them with a soft pulse of chakra.
Her Byakugan—enhanced through two optimizations—far surpassed the standard version. It allowed her to perceive things ordinary Hyuga could not.
Through it, she saw them clearly… and beyond them—two colossal presences.
A vast fox of blazing chakra.
And a massive tanuki, equally monstrous.
It was the first time Hinata had witnessed chakra of such terrifying magnitude. Even the word "immense" felt inadequate.
Just as she was processing the sight, Hinata noticed Naruto was in trouble. Her instincts flared, and she grabbed Hanabi's hand to rush toward him—but before she could reach the scene, the danger was gone.
It had been handled effortlessly by Naruto's teammate, Sasuke Uchiha.
Realizing she wasn't needed, Hinata quietly stepped back.
At that moment, three figures passed by—the Sand Siblings.
Gaara walked ahead, cold and silent. Temari gave Hinata a brief glance, her eyes sharp with curiosity, while Kankuro, clearly annoyed, averted his gaze entirely.
Hinata recognized their village headbands immediately.
Sunagakure…
During her puppet studies, she had encountered extensive records about Suna's puppet techniques. The connection made her pause, thoughtful for a moment, before she gently shook her head. There was no point dwelling on it. She tightened her grip on Hanabi's hand and led her to a nearby food stall.
—---[2]
A few quiet days passed before Kurenai-sensei sent a signal for Team 8 to gather. Hinata hurried to the meeting spot.
Kurenai handed out forms to her three students, her tone calm but serious.
"Keep these safe. Whether you choose to participate in the Chunin Exams is up to you. But remember—teams from other villages will be competing as well. There will be real danger to your lives. Think carefully before you decide."
She gave them a brief explanation of the exams, then disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
"I'm definitely joining!" Kiba announced at once, his grin wide and confident. "I've gotten a lot stronger lately, and this is the perfect chance to show it!"
Shino, as usual, said nothing—his silence quietly blending him into the background.
Hinata smiled softly, her expression serene.
Whether or not she participated wasn't a decision she could make on her own—it depended on her father and the clan.
That evening, when she brought it up at home, Hiashi raised an eyebrow.
"Participate," he said firmly. "Why wouldn't you? With your strength, it's only right that you uphold the prestige of the Hyuga clan. I expect great things from you."
Hinata bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Father."