Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 254 Victory

With a deafening boom, Hyuga Neji was sent flying by a whip kick after Kakashi Hatake caught him off guard. Before he even landed, a fireball followed. Neji used his waist to twist his body, bracing himself with his hands on the ground, and performed a backflip to avoid the incoming fireball. This also created distance between him and Kakashi. After catching his breath, he finally regained his footing.

Kakashi Hatake locked his Sharingan onto Neji Hyuga, a hint of shock on his face. He inwardly praised the kid: "This brat is incredibly strong in terms of reaction time, speed, and power. It's a pity I'm not from the Uchiha clan; even with the Sharingan, my strength would be even greater." However, the exertion was too intense; he couldn't continue this prolonged battle!

A thought flashed through Kakashi Hatake's mind. He formed hand seals and unleashed a burst of flame. Neji Hyuga dodged the flame. But Kakashi seized the opportunity to rush forward, kunai in hand, aiming for Neji's chest. Neji sidestepped, kicking Kakashi in the abdomen. Kakashi smiled slightly, leaning back to avoid Neji's attack. Then he quickly rose, thrusting his kunai towards Neji's back.

Hyuga Neji felt a strong gust of wind behind him, knowing that Hatake Kakashi had caught up. He took a deep breath, and his entire body's aura exploded instantly, forming a powerful gust of wind. He suddenly swung his hands out. Instantly, a layer of green light appeared on his palms, enveloping their entire surfaces.

Kakashi Hatake was startled when he saw the green light on Neji Hyuga's palm. He knew it was the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist technique, but he hadn't expected Neji to use it so skillfully. He immediately stopped, holding his kunai in front of him, ready to meet Neji's attack.

Hyuga Neji slammed his feet into the ground, his body hurtling towards Hatake Kakashi like a cannonball. His hands moved like phantoms, each swing carrying a powerful energy surge. Hatake Kakashi dared not be careless; he wielded his kunai and engaged Hyuga Neji in a fierce exchange.

The two exchanged blows, neither giving an inch. Kakashi Hatake was incredibly fast, his kunai flashing through the air like streaks of cold light, relentlessly attacking Neji Hyuga's vital points. Neji, however, used the advantages of Gentle Fist to nimbly evade Kakashi's attacks, occasionally launching a counterattack. For a moment, a series of crisp metallic clanging sounds filled the air.

As the battle progressed, Hyuga Neji gradually gained the upper hand. His Gentle Fist technique became increasingly proficient, posing a growing threat to Hatake Kakashi. Meanwhile, Hatake Kakashi, due to excessive stamina depletion, began to move sluggishly. Finally, in one exchange, Hyuga Neji found an opening in Hatake Kakashi's defenses and landed a punch on his chest.

Kakashi Hatake groaned and flew backward. He crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Neji Hyuga did not press his advantage but stood still, coldly watching Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi Hatake got up from the ground and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He smiled and said, "Not bad, you're very strong. But if this is all you've got, you still can't defeat me." As he spoke, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and a powerful aura emanated from his body.

Hyuga Neji sensed the change in Kakashi Hatake's aura and was startled. He knew Kakashi Hatake had a backup plan, so he immediately went on high alert.

Kakashi Hatake formed hand seals, then extended his right hand into a claw shape, while his left hand grasped his right wrist. Instantly, a layer of leaping lightning erupted from his body, as if he were enveloped in lightning. Then, countless bolts of lightning converged towards his right hand, and in just a short moment, his right hand was engulfed by the raging lightning, forming a lightning-like blade.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!" Kakashi Hatake roared, the raging lightning in his hand emitting a tremendous hoofbeat, and then his three-tomoe Sharingan locked onto Neji Hyuga. He then charged towards Neji with lightning in his right hand, his figure transforming into a streak of light.

Neji Hyuga's expression changed, and he dared not be careless. He immediately activated his Byakugan, trying to see through Kakashi Hatake's movement. However, Kakashi Hatake was too fast at this moment, like a beam of light, and there was no time to dodge. He had no choice but to quickly mobilize all the energy in his body and use the Rotation Defense.

Countless energies emanated from Hyuga Neji's body, which then began to spin rapidly in place, forming a blue barrier.

Kakashi Hatake tried his best to stop his attack, but his speed was too great, and the lightning in his hand slammed into Neji Hyuga's Heavenly Rotation. "Boom!" With a loud crash, the lightning in Kakashi's hand was deflected, and he screamed as his body flew backward. A sharp pain shot through his hand, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. However, as an experienced ninja, he had already taken defensive action the instant of contact, and his body was unharmed.

Hyuga Neji also stopped and returned, panting heavily. Although he had withstood the attack, he had exhausted most of his energy, and his body ached. However, the vortex of energy in his dantian began to spin faster, absorbing and refining the surrounding natural energy to recover from his earlier depletion. In this fierce exchange, neither side gained any advantage, and both suffered considerable losses.

However, thanks to the vortex of energy in his dantian, Hyuga Neji's recovery speed far exceeded that of ordinary ninjas, and he still maintained a certain level of combat strength. While Hatake Kakashi hadn't continued his attack, he wasn't without options either. His eyes were filled with fighting spirit and determination, as if telling his opponent: I will not give up easily!

The battle grew increasingly intense, with both fighters demonstrating their strength and determination. Their duel was more than just a simple fight; it was a test of their beliefs and will.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared coldly at Neji Hyuga and Kakashi Hatake in the training ground, his heart heavy with growing gloom. Neji's displayed strength astonished him; the boy was only thirteen years old! Yet he could fight against an elite Jonin of Kakashi's caliber without being at a disadvantage, and even gradually gained the upper hand. If left unchecked, Neji would become the next Kanan Hyuga, and Konoha would be shrouded in his power. How would he, as Hokage, then cope? However, eliminating Neji in this situation would not be easy. With Hiashi Hyuga present, he would not stand idly by, nor would he give them the slightest chance.

If the Konoha leadership chooses to intervene forcefully, the Hyuga clan will undoubtedly rise up in resistance, inevitably leading to an armed conflict within the village. However, this is not the most crucial issue. With the Konoha leadership's current power, suppressing the Hyuga clan is not difficult. The key problem lies in the possibility of the matter being leaked to Hyuga Kanan, who will incur his wrath. After all, Hyuga Kanan is an extremely powerful ninja, whose strength is enough to shake the entire ninja world. The Konoha leadership naturally dares not provoke such a figure lightly. Therefore, the Konoha leadership must act cautiously, weighing the pros and cons to avoid triggering a greater crisis.

Hiashi Hyuga seemed to sense Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts. His gaze suddenly sharpened, locking onto Hiruzen. He knew that if Hiruzen made any move against his nephew, Neji Hyuga, he would no longer care about the peace and stability of Konoha, and would completely turn against Hiruzen, fighting to the death! The dignity of the Hyuga clan could not be violated, and even at the cost of his life, he would protect his family's safety.

At this moment, on the training ground, the battle between Hyuga Neji and Hatake Kakashi was unfolding with increasing intensity. Ever since Hyuga Neji activated his mysterious and powerful Byakugan, Hatake Kakashi had begun to feel himself in trouble. No matter what taijutsu or ninjutsu he used, his opponent could easily see through it, which gradually put him at a disadvantage in the confrontation.

Every attack seemed preordained, every movement so transparent. Kakashi Hatake felt as if he were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, unable to break free. He couldn't help but wonder, "Just who is this kid? Why can his Byakugan so easily counter my attacks?"

As time passed, Kakashi Hatake's chakra was depleted, and his stamina began to wane. Neji Hyuga seized the opportunity to intensify his attacks, pushing Kakashi into a corner. Kakashi knew that this battle could not continue; he had to find a way to escape his predicament as soon as possible. Otherwise, defeat would be inevitable.

"Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!"

Hyuga Neji formed hand seals, then swiftly thrust out his palms, instantly unleashing countless transparent palm prints. These palm prints rained down on Hatake Kakashi like a storm, completely engulfing him.

Faced with such a powerful attack, Kakashi Hatake's expression turned serious, but he showed no sign of backing down. He quickly formed hand seals and unleashed his signature ninjutsu—Lightning Blade.

"Rachel!"

Kakashi Hatake gathered a massive amount of lightning power in his hand, forming an incredibly sharp blade. He flashed forward like lightning, charging towards Neji Hyuga.

However, Neji Hyuga's Eight Trigrams Palm was simply too powerful. Although Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Blade was sharp, it was still somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer number of palm strikes. After being struck by the palm strikes, he was sent flying backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Cough cough..." Kakashi Hatake coughed up a mouthful of blood and struggled to his feet. He knew that the gap between him and Neji Hyuga was too great, and if they continued fighting, they would probably only face death.

"I lost..." Kakashi Hatake said through gritted teeth.

Hearing Kakashi Hatake admit defeat, Neji Hyuga stopped attacking. He looked at his opponent with a cold gaze.

"Hmph, Kakashi Hatake, your strength is nothing special," Neji Hyuga said disdainfully.

Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Neji Hyuga, you are indeed very strong. But don't forget, there are other strong people in Konoha."

After saying that, Kakashi Hatake turned and left, leaving Neji Hyuga standing there with a confident smile on his face.