The next match is the one that drew everyone's attention the most, a duel between fifth-grade students and graduates.
If Uchiha Tatsumi's match had the most buzz, then this one was undoubtedly the fiercest battle of the day.
The graduating squad, led by Hyuga Nizu, faced off against the fifth-grade Hyuga Himeji squad.
It was a battle between siblings.
"Sister, if you lose, go home obediently," Hyuga Nizu said calmly, although there was a hint of concern in his gaze as he looked at his sister.
"Senior, please be gentle with me," the girl in the Hyuga clan-style clothing responded coolly.
She had the signature white eyes of the Hyuga clan and long light blue hair, resembling Hinata Hyuga from the future, though her demeanor was different. Unlike Hinata, who often came across as weak, Hyuga Himeji exuded an icy coldness, radiating a fierce fighting spirit like an iceberg that would never melt.
Uchiha Tatsumi, watching from the sidelines, felt a slight confusion. Just moments ago, Hyuga Himeji had been referred to as "Sister" by Hyuga Nizu, but she had called him "Senior." It seemed there was a complicated relationship here, sparking Tatsumi's curiosity.
Hyuga Himeji bowed respectfully to her elder brother, Hyuga Nizu, and assumed a ready stance.
Her eyes flared with blue veins, and she activated her Byakugan. "Byakugan!"
"The Byakugan!"
"Himeji, give it your all!"
"Defeat the bastard Nizu!"
If Uchiha Tatsumi's previous match was notable for its dazzling use of illusions and impressive versatility, Hyuga Himeji, on the other hand, had become famous for her beauty and genius. She had been a standout since first grade, admired for both her looks and talent, capturing the hearts of many male students. However, despite all the attention, she had never been swayed by anyone.
Her talent was unmatched, and by the age of nine, she could already use her Byakugan with great proficiency. Paired with her mastery of the Gentle Fist style, few opponents could match her.
As the daughter of the Hyuga clan's head, she had garnered much admiration. Now, she was the top name on the "Most Wanted to Date" list at the academy.
Though women often caused trouble in such matters, Hyuga Himeji was also the younger sister of Hyuga Nizu and his family, which made their sibling rivalry even more intriguing.
As she took her stance, the atmosphere among the students grew intense. The audience roared with enthusiasm, with many rooting for Himeji, while others, especially those from the Uchiha clan, were openly against Nizu.
Uchiha Tatsumi stepped away from the crowded high platform, taking Mikoto with him. With the crowd getting riled up, he didn't want to be in the middle of the chaos.
On the stage, Nizu threw a few shuriken into the air, advancing toward Himeji as they began their combat.
Himeji dodged the shuriken with a substitution jutsu and, realizing that Nizu had closed the distance quickly, prepared to engage him in close-quarters combat. Despite being slightly younger, she wasn't outmatched in skill.
Nizu attempted a soft fist technique, aiming to strike her chakra points, but Himeji responded swiftly, avoiding the attack and countering with a kick to his thigh.
The two separated briefly, but Nizu had already readied himself for another attack. With a quick leap, he threw several more shuriken at her, hoping to create an opening. Himeji evaded the shuriken with another substitution, but Nizu was already closing in again.
"Despicable! Hyuga Nizu is sneaking attacks!" yelled one of the onlookers.
"Smelly foot of the graduating class! What a cowardly move!"
The audience was livid, with the boys who admired Himeji voicing their anger, while others jeered at the Hyuga clan.
In response, the Uchiha trio had already unfurled a banner that read: "Defeat Hyuga Nizu and save Himeji!"
Back on the platform, Hyuga Nizu closed the gap and launched another set of attacks. Himeji, determined to prove herself, didn't flinch. She blocked his attacks, looking for an opening. As Nizu launched a barrage of quick strikes, Himeji managed to dodge and retaliate.
With a brief moment of respite, she quickly formed a series of seals.
"Fūton: Daitoppa (Great Breakthrough)!" she yelled, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that sent Nizu flying backward.
The wind howled fiercely, but as the gust hit him, Nizu disappeared—revealing a log.
"Substitution jutsu!" Himeji's eyes widened in realization.
She quickly scanned the battlefield with her Byakugan, spotting Nizu just as he moved behind her.
"Sister, I've been waiting for this!" Nizu called out, his voice stern. "If you lose, you'll come home with me obediently."
With that, a symbol of the Eight Trigrams appeared beneath his feet. Nizu unleashed his final attack, "Soft Fist: Bagua Sixty-Four Palms!"
Himeji, though a genius, was still inexperienced in battle, and before she could react, Nizu's attack overwhelmed her.
"You can't escape this!" he declared.
With that, the match reached its decisive moment.