The tournament pits a timid Hinata against her own cousin Neji from the Hyuga branch house. Belittled and on the verge of quitting, she draws sudden courage from Naruto's shouts of support, and the two relatives finally clash using the clan's signature Gentle Fist.
Summary
The tournament pairs Hinata Hyuga against Neji Hyuga, her relative from the clan's branch house. When she addresses him as brother, Kakashi clarifies that the two share family ties. As the match opens, Neji belittles his cousin, insisting she is far too gentle and softhearted to make it as a ninja.
Key Events
Frightened and unsure, Hinata looks ready to withdraw as Neji piles on his criticism. Fed up with the taunts, Naruto shouts his support from the sidelines, and his encouragement gives her the resolve to push back. The cousins then clash using the Gentle Fist, the signature combat style of the Hyuga clan.
Notes
This entry of the Chunin Exams arc adapts chapters 78 and 79. It opens the pivotal Hyuga family confrontation, drawing on the rift between the clan's main and branch houses that fuels Neji's bitterness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in episode 46 of Naruto?
In episode 46 of Naruto, "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!," the Chunin Exams tournament pits Hinata Hyuga against her cousin Neji Hyuga, and Naruto's shouted encouragement gives her the courage to fight back after Neji belittles her.
Why does Kakashi clarify Hinata and Neji's relationship?
Kakashi clarifies that Hinata and Neji are relatives from the same clan after Hinata addresses Neji as brother, explaining that Neji comes from the Hyuga clan's branch house in "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
How does Neji provoke Hinata at the start of their match?
Neji provokes Hinata by insisting she is far too gentle and softhearted to make it as a ninja, belittling her as the match opens in "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
What gives Hinata the resolve to fight back against Neji?
Hinata gains the resolve to fight back against Neji when Naruto, fed up with Neji's taunts, shouts his support from the sidelines, encouraging her to push back.
What combat style do Hinata and Neji use against each other?
Hinata and Neji clash using the Gentle Fist, the signature combat style of the Hyuga clan, in "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
Sources & Information
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