The defeated Hinata returned to the spectator stands, supported by Kurenai.
Since Neji had held back, she wasn't critically injured, but her chakra network was a mess.
Neji followed them back, looking stoic.
"Excellent, Neji!" Might Guy gave a blinding thumbs-up, tears streaming down his face. "You've finally broken through your hatred! This is true YOUTH!"
Guy was deeply moved!
He had watched Neji suffer for years. Seeing him resolve his conflict with the Main House was better than winning.
"Hinata," Hiashi walked over.
He looked at his bruised daughter. "You performed well today. You showed spirit."
Then he looked at the tense Neji.
"Neji," Hiashi said, his voice unusually gentle. "When we return to the compound, I'll give you your father's note. I hope you'll work hard as the Branch House leader and protect the Hyuga clan's honor together with Hinata in the future."
"Ah?"
Neji blinked, He didn't expect this.
He expected a reprimand or the pain of the Caged Bird curse.
"Clan leader," Neji whispered, glancing at the girl standing behind Hiashi. "Could what Hanabi said be true? Is she really going to..."
"Yes," Hiashi nodded solemnly. "That's right. Everything Hanabi told you is true. She is making a sacrifice."
"It's actually true..."
Neji's pale eyes shifted to Makoto.
So this is the enemy of the Hyuga clan who wants to take Hanabi away?
But... why does Hanabi seem to hold no hatred toward him?
"Hm?"
While Neji was analyzing him, he saw Makoto stand up.
Makoto stopped chatting with Hanabi and walked past Neji, heading straight for Hinata.
"What do you want to do?"
Hiashi instantly moved to block Makoto's path and his killing intent spiked.
Could it be that after seeing Hinata's new resolve, he's setting his sights on her too? Does he want both sisters?!
Neji was a step slower but also positioned himself in front of Makoto, assuming a protective stance.
"Relax," Makoto raised a hand. "Out of respect for Hanabi, I'm just giving her sister a friendly reminder."
"A reminder?" Hiashi frowned, stepping aside slightly but keeping his guard up.
"This reminder actually applies to most people," Makoto said.
"When you hear Uzumaki Naruto's passionate encouragement and his 'never give up' belief... don't get carried away."
"He's a Jinchuriki," Makoto said bluntly. "He can unleash infinite power and Chakra through emotional outbursts. Can you?"
"If you don't have a kekkei genkai that lets you power up through rage, then honestly assess your own strength. Calmly handle every battle."
"Otherwise, the final result will be helpless rage, followed by defeat and death."
Makoto gestured to the arena.
"He encouraged Hinata earlier because he doesn't understand others—he only understands himself. To put it bluntly, it's path dependency."
"He discovered he could erupt through sheer determination and he blindly assumes everyone else can do the same. It's survivorship bias."
"Oh right," Makoto added, "and his Uzumaki clan physique combined with the Nine-Tails' regenerative abilities means he can take a beating that would cripple you. Don't try to tank damage like him. You will die."
"..."
Hinata stared at the ground.
"He's right," Hiashi agreed surprisingly. "In that situation earlier, if it weren't for Hanabi... Neji would have killed you."
If Hanabi hadn't intervened, Hinata would have kept standing up due to Naruto's cheering, and Neji would have kept striking her until her heart stopped.
As the future heir, she needed calm thinking, not suicidal bravery.
But Hiashi paused.
'Wait the hell up.'
'How does this guy, an outsider, know so much about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?'
"What is a Jinchuriki?" Neji asked, tilting his head.
"What a Jinchuriki is isn't important!" Lee shouted, pumping his fist. "Big bro, I think you're wrong! Naruto's way is the way of YOUTH! Determination overcomes all! We should—"
"Next match: Rock Lee vs. Gaara! Contestants, please enter the arena!"
Just as Lee was about to launch into a passionate rebuttal, the electronic board flashed.
"Sorry, big bro!" Lee bowed apologetically to Makoto. "Let's continue our discussion about youth after my match! Watch me prove that hard work beats genius!"
Lee leaped over the railing, landing in the arena with a dramatic pose.
"Hah," Makoto's corner mouth twitched. "Who wants to talk about youth with you... you spandex weirdo."
...
Rock Lee vs. Gaara.
It was indeed the most spectacular battle of the exams.
The unstoppable force of the Eight Gates vs. the immovable object of the One-Tail.
Both Gaara and Rock Lee were essentially smurfing in the Chunin Exams. They were playing a different game than the other kids.
However, unlike the original story, today's match was about to be cut short.
Lee dropped his weights and he moved faster than sound.
But.... even after removing his weights and using his extreme speed against Gaara's absolute sand defense, Lee still couldn't defeat Gaara.
He looked toward Might Guy in the stands.
Just as Guy was about to give a thumbs-up to permit Lee to use the gates, a voice came from beside him.
"Are you really going to let him use the eight Gates?" Makoto asked, leaning against the wall.
"I know one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist... Kisame Hoshigaki. He told me a story about how his predecessors were kicked down to just three survivors by a 'green-clad geezer' like you."
"At the time," Makoto continued, staring at the arena, "that geezer was shouting something about 'Self-Restraint' and 'protecting precious people with his life.'"
"Seems like it was just a rumor after all. If he uses the Gates here, for a meaningless tournament match... he's violating the very rule that makes the technique sacred."
"..."
Makoto's calm tone hit Might Guy's mind like a thousand-pound hammer.
Self-Restraint.
Protecting precious people.
These were the exact words his father, Might Dai, had told him before sacrificing his life to save Guy from the Mist Swordsmen.
He'd once asked his father why he remained a Genin. His father told him that true victory wasn't about defeating strong opponents for glory.
It was about burning your life force only when it truly mattered.
Lee was young—it was understandable that he'd get carried away by the heat of competition.
But Guy? He had nearly forgotten the core philosophy of his father's legacy!
"YAH-HA!"
Down in the arena, Rock Lee, who was waiting for Guy's response, was suddenly kicked flying by Guy who had jumped down.
"Guy-sensei?"
Lee covered his face, climbing up from the rubble in confusion.
Across from him, Gaara looked equally puzzled.
What are those two weirdo doing?
"LEE!" Guy shouted, tears exploding from his eyes like geysers. "I know you want to defeat Sasuke! Defeat Neji! To prove that an underdog can surpass a genius!"
"But the Eight Inner Gates technique isn't meant to be used this way! It is not a tool for your ego!"
"Self-restraint, Lee! SELF-RESTRAINT!"
Guy hugged Lee tightly.
"Self-restraint..." Rock Lee realized his mistake.
He hugged Guy back while sobbing. "I'm sorry, Guy Sensei! I forgot! I shouldn't break my rule just for victory in a match! I have shamed the springtime of youth!"
"Today I'll run 3,000 laps around Konoha as punishment!"
...
"Winner: Gaara."
When the referee announced the match's conclusion by forfeit, the audience looked completely bewildered.
Some even began to boo and curse at them.
But facing these curses, the two green beasts flashed their sparkling white teeth and gave a blinding thumbs-up toward the stands.
"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!"
..
In the Stands.
Unlike the confused spectators, Hiashi Hyuga was utterly terrified as he stared at Makoto.
How?
What exactly is Might Guy's "Self-Restraint"? Even Hiashi, as a fellow Konoha ninja, didn't know the details of the Eight Gates philosophy.
How did he know about Dai?
Combined with Makoto's previous knowledge about Hizashi's suicide note... and about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki...
'Damn it!' Hiashi sweated. 'Is there a traitor in the village? Or is this man a prophet?'
"What is self-restraint?" Hanabi tugged at Makoto's cloak, her face full of curiosity. "Is it related to the Strong Fist?"
She saw how powerful Guy and Lee were. If just one sentence from Makoto could stop them, it must be something else.
Hanabi happened to be wondering how to achieve the balance between hard and soft that Makoto had mentioned earlier.
Maybe this was the key?
"Children shouldn't ask about such things," Makoto deadpanned.
He patted her head.
"This technique requires wearing their special green spandex to use."
"Ah?"
Hanabi looked at Guy and Lee.
She looked at the tight, shiny green jumpsuits.
She looked at the orange leg warmers.
"Then I don't want to know!"
She quickly covered her ears and looked away.
'That outfit is too ugly! I'd rather stay weak!'
-------
Tonight chapter will be a blast!