Kazuki was also at a loss for words.
It was difficult to explain.
Even if he told them the reason for Hinata's coma… would they believe it?
Fortunately, the matter was quickly resolved.
The Hyuga clan immediately sent someone to examine Hinata's condition. After confirming that she had merely fainted and was not in any serious danger, they allowed Kazuki to leave.
...…
At the Ninja Academy, Kazuki's class had finally reached the final assessment of their first year.
The entire classroom buzzed with excitement as students eagerly awaited their turn.
Even Tenten, who sat beside Kazuki, looked particularly motivated.
Tenten's opponent for the actual combat assessment happened to be Rock Lee.
"Lee, just wait! Today, I'm going to beat you!" Tenten declared confidently.
"That's not going to happen, Tenten!" Lee replied with determination. "I won't hold back just because you're a girl! Don't underestimate my strength!"
Just then, Lee's gaze shifted to Kazuki, who was casually twirling a kunai in his fingers.
"But the most anticipated match today is between Kazuki and Hyuga Neji," Lee said. "I've heard that Neji's strength is on another level. A lot of people believe he'll be the top student in our class this year."
However, Lee's tone became more serious as he added, "But personally, I think you're the strongest in our class, Kazuki!"
"Of course my brother is the strongest!" Tenten said firmly.
Kazuki simply smiled. "No need to overthink it. We'll find out soon enough."
At that moment, the classroom fell silent as their instructor entered.
"Everyone, gather at the training field," the instructor ordered.
A total of 54 students assembled outside.
The instructor paired students based on their performance in previous training sessions. Naturally, the top two students—Kazuki and Hyuga Neji—had already been matched against each other.
"The assessment begins now! The first match: Inuzuka Kiba versus Nishi Keiko."
Two students stepped forward. After exchanging the standard shinobi battle seals, they engaged in combat.
Within moments, Nishi Keiko was defeated.
The instructor recorded the results and announced the next match.
"Next up: Rock Lee versus Tenten!"
The two stepped forward.
Having sparred countless times before, they were more than familiar with each other's fighting styles. Both quickly put their training to the test.
The fight was intense—attacks and counters flew back and forth as they clashed in a whirlwind of movement.
Within moments, they had already exchanged dozens of moves.
"Amazing…"
Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.
No one had expected these two, who rarely stood out in class, to demonstrate such mastery of taijutsu. Their skill alone placed them among the top five students in their year.
Even the instructor, a Chunin, couldn't hide his admiration.
In the end, Tenten secured victory by catching Lee off guard with a well-timed kunai substitution, a trick she had learned from Kazuki.
"The winner: Tenten!" the instructor announced.
He cast a thoughtful glance at Tenten, noting the advanced ninja tool technique she had just used.
Perhaps this should be reported to Lord Hokage…
"Yeah!" Tenten cheered, running over to Kazuki. "Brother! I won!"
"You did well," Kazuki nodded in approval.
Lee, though visibly frustrated by his mistake, took the loss in stride.
"Congratulations, Tenten," he said earnestly. "But I'll keep training, and next time, I'll win!"
Then, he turned to Kazuki with a serious expression.
"My real goal is to surpass you, Kazuki!"
Kazuki smirked. "I'll be waiting."
The combat assessments continued, one match after another…
Time passed, and dusk settled over the training grounds. The final match of the combat assessment was about to begin.
"In the last match, Hyūga Neji will face Kazuki!"
Kazuki and Hyūga Neji rose from the crowd and walked toward the center of the training ground. The other students, who had already completed their assessments, began murmuring among themselves.
"Neji should be able to finish this in three moves, right? He's a genius of the Hyūga Clan!"
"I think so too. We've all unofficially recognized Neji as the top student this year. Even the elders of the Hyūga clan have praised his strength."
"Tsk, even if Kazuki loses, there's no shame in it."
Hearing these remarks, Tenten and Rock Lee felt indignant but remained silent. Soon enough, these people would realize just how wrong they were.
Kazuki's strength was beyond extraordinary.
Even Might Guy had called him a monster.
"Begin!"
As soon as the match started, Kazuki and Hyūga Neji took their stances.
"You're strong enough to be my opponent."
"But against a genius like me, your fate is already sealed."
Neji's tone was calm but filled with confidence. He had already noticed that Kazuki wasn't an ordinary opponent.
With his Byakugan activated, Neji had secretly observed the chakra flow in Kazuki's body.
The amount of chakra was massive. Far beyond what was normal for someone their age.
What a classic second-year syndrome case… Kazuki thought with a sigh.
Neji, who had yet to learn the full truth about the Hyūga Clan, was still blinded by his resentment toward the main family.
Kazuki didn't feel like arguing, so he simply said:
"Come at me."
If words wouldn't work, then he would let his strength do the talking.
"Byakugan—activated!"
Neji's temple veins bulged as he fully opened his Byakugan.
The watching students gasped.
"That's the Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan!"
"Wow, it looks amazing!"
"Neji activated it from the start—he must want to end this quickly!"
Meanwhile, in the center of the training ground, Neji had already charged at Kazuki.
"Gentle Fist!"
He released a burst of chakra from his palm and struck toward Kazuki.
"Not bad power… but your speed is lacking."
Kazuki's eyes remained indifferent. Calmly, he sidestepped Neji's attack.
Compared to sparring against Might Guy's clone, dodging this level of Gentle Fist was nothing.
"Heh, it's not that simple! You've already fallen into my domain!"
Neji's expression turned smug.
"Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms!"
As he shouted, a Tai Chi pattern formed beneath his feet.
The entire training ground seemed to fall under his control.
Though he had only mastered the first sixteen strikes of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, Neji was confident it was more than enough to deal with Kazuki.
The clan elders had told him—
Even Chūnin-level shinobi struggled to withstand this technique.
"Eight Trigrams—Two Palms!"
Neji launched forward, ready to unleash his rapid consecutive strikes.
But before he could even land the first hit—
Kazuki moved.