At this moment, Uchiha Tatsumi's gaze was fixed on Hyuga Hizu. The man truly lived up to his reputation as the next patriarch of the Hyuga clan, showing exceptional experience and timing.
If Orochimaru hadn't interfered, Hyuga Himeji, who had already taken several hits from the Gossip 64 Palms, wouldn't have had much of a chance to turn the tide.
Could Hyuga Himeji really fail at this point?
All the students in the audience watched the stage in silence, captivated by the intense battle.
Despite the odds, Hyuga Himeji remained unphased. Her expression was cold and determined, showing no signs of panic—a trait that set her apart from many other ninjas.
Just as Hyuga Nizu's Sixty-Four Palms made contact with Hyuga Himeji, a dazzling burst of chakra erupted around her.
The chakra quickly formed a semi-circle, surrounding her.
"Bagua Zhang: Huitian," Hyuga Himeji's voice rang out.
"This is..." Uchiha Tatsumi's eyes widened as he observed the unfolding scene.
The audience stared in disbelief, many unfamiliar with this technique.
Multiple chakra points condensed around Himeji, forming a vortex that repelled Hyuga Nizu's attack after the first few Sixty-Four Palms. The offensive was instantly reversed!
The unexpected turn of events left Hyuga Nizu, who had anticipated an easy victory, entangled by the chakra vortex created by Huitian.
"Himeji, come on!" the crowd shouted, cheering her on.
Hyuga Nizu looked on, worry in his eyes, but he was unable to intervene.
"This girl's talent is exceptional," Orochimaru commented, observing the fight closely. His interest was piqued by Hyuga Himeji's mastery of Huitian, a technique typically reserved for the Hyuga clan's main branch.
Huitian, as Orochimaru knew, was a secret technique of the Hyuga clan, only accessible to those of the main family. It allowed the user to create a powerful defense by releasing a massive amount of chakra from their chakra points and rotating in a circular motion, deflecting all incoming physical attacks.
"But not everyone can master it," Orochimaru mused, impressed by Himeji's ability to perform the technique at just nine years old, though it was still far from perfect. The size and intensity of her Huitian were not on the level of a fully trained practitioner, but it still demonstrated her incredible potential.
In the audience, Uchiha Tatsumi took the opportunity to explain the technique to Mikoto and Minato.
"Huitian is the Hyuga clan's secret technique," Tatsumi said. "It's a defensive move where the user releases a large amount of chakra and rotates in a circle, deflecting all incoming physical attacks. The power of the technique is enhanced by the user's Byakugan and chakra control, making it nearly impossible for anyone to land a hit."
"Absolute defense," Minato muttered, intrigued. "Is there such a thing?"
"No defense is truly absolute," Tatsumi replied with a smirk, shaking out his windbreaker. "Every technique has a weakness, even Huitian."
The fight continued on the stage. Hyuga Nizu struggled to get up, blood dripping from his mouth after the force of the Huitian had knocked him back.
While Hyuga Himeji had taken several hits from his Sixty-Four Palms, her chakra flow was now unstable, and she was clearly drained.
Standing tall, Hyuga Nizu addressed his sister. "Sister, it's time to stop."
Hyuga Himeji, however, didn't respond. She simply stared coldly at him, her determination unwavering.
"Hyuga Himeji's strategy is clear," Uchiha Tatsumi commented, analyzing the situation. "She knew she couldn't match Nizu in physical strength, so she drew him in close and hit him with Huitian. Although she landed a successful blow, it seems Nizu was hurt more severely."
"However, her Huitian was not perfect," Tatsumi continued. "She overestimated her technique's power. The few hits from Sixty-Four Palms weakened her chakra flow considerably, and now she's at a disadvantage."
"If she can't figure out a way to fight back, she's lost this match."
Hyuga Himeji, realizing the severity of the situation, pulled out kunai, throwing five of them toward Nizu.
Nizu, still struggling, barely managed to parry them. One kunai struck his arm, causing blood to spill from the wound.
The two siblings exchanged blows—soft strikes of the Gentle Fist clashing in a brutal, back-and-forth contest. The audience was tense, watching in awe as the fight reached its climax.
Uchiha Tatsumi was caught up in the intensity of the moment, his eyes fixed on the battle, trying to predict who would falter first.
Orochimaru, observing from the sidelines, was quiet but clearly intrigued by the display of skill. His snake-like eyes glinted with an unreadable expression.
At this moment, Hyuga Nizu, despite his injuries, pushed forward.
"Soft Fist!" he yelled as he struck Himeji's unguarded shoulder.
The force of the blow sent Himeji staggering back. She coughed up blood but refused to retreat. Her eyes burned with determination.
She wasn't about to give up—not when the stakes were so high.
Himeji grabbed Nizu's fist mid-strike, countering with a powerful kick to his abdomen. The impact knocked him off balance, and he fell to the ground.
But Himeji was also exhausted. She struggled to stand, her body battered from the relentless exchange of blows.
The audience was eerily silent, absorbed in the intensity of the duel.
"I declare this battle a draw," Orochimaru's voice rang out.
There was no celebration, no cheers. Just the quiet, tense atmosphere hanging over the arena.
Hyuga Nizu rushed to his sister's side, lifting her onto his back and rushing to Tsunade for medical attention.
Nizu lay on the ground, bloodied and defeated, with no one paying attention to him.
Uchiha Tatsumi, watching the aftermath, couldn't help but marvel. "The power of the ancient ninja families... it's terrifying."
"But that's what it means to be a ninja," Tatsumi continued, his voice steady. "Everyone has their own path and their own struggles."
Turning to Minato, he asked, "So, what's your Shindo, Minato?"
Minato, after a pause, replied seriously, "My Shindo... is to protect those I care about. And for that, I'll become Hokage."
Tatsumi nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. "I see. And Naruto's Shindo?"
Minato looked puzzled for a moment. "Naruto?"
"Oh, never mind," Tatsumi said with a shrug. "So what's your Shindo, Mikoto?"
Mikoto smiled gently. "To protect my family, just like Minato."
Tatsumi glanced at the two, then turned his gaze back to the arena. For a moment, the weight of his own path seemed uncertain.
After a long silence, Minato, unable to stand the tension any longer, chuckled. "Well, what about you, Tatsumi? What's your Shindo?"
Tatsumi thought for a moment, then answered quietly, "… I'm still figuring that out."