WARNING: SPOILERS FOR NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Summary
Neji's tragic death in Naruto Shippuden is a poetic sacrifice that mirrors that of his father. Neji's character arc shows significant growth from hatred to understanding, changing his perspective on life. Neji's final act of sacrifice and respect for Naruto completed a perfect circle in his underrated character development.
Many of Naruto Writing stories that help set a high standard for shōnen characters has many layers, but one tragic death more poetic than some fans realize. Throughout the beloved story, several notable characters were killed off, helping push the series' plot and cast to new heights. This includes: Neji's sacrifice during the Fourth Great Shinobi Warthis helped Naruto and Hinata save the world and paid off the storytelling seeds that had been growing for years.
Even though author Masashi Kishimoto was forced to write Naruto's Chunin Exam tournament-style arc, it allowed the series to introduce some great characters. One of the most highly regarded and feared is Neji Hyuga, with his incredible Byakugan eyes and precise and advanced taijutsu skills.
In one of the most surprising moments of the arc, Neji confronts Naruto in an arena filled with residents of Konoha, for whom both characters have complicated feelings. While Naruto was ostracized by the villagers for having the Nine-Tails' soul within him, Neji's view of Konoha was even more dim. Their battle provides a glimpse into the complex and brutal infrastructure of the village.
Hyuga's complicated grudge
Naruto manga written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto
During Neji's battles in this part, Kishimoto reveals the harsh rules of the Hyuga clan and the sad story that ends with his father's death. The clan has a leading clan to which Hinata belongs. Neji's father was born just a little after Hinata, which makes sense he and his descendants would be considered “the lower branch of the Hyuga clan” and obey the head of the family.
Just as the fragile peace treaty between Konoha and Kumogakure was nearly established, a shinobi from the Clouds attempted to kidnap a toddler, Hinata, but was stopped and killed by her father. The enemy village refused to admit that they were responsible for any wrongdoing and instead demanded punishment for the shinobi who were killed. It nearly brought war to the entire Hidden Leaf Village unless the life of a prestigious Hyuga clan member was taken to appease Cloud's unfair proposal.
Because Neji's dad looks exactly like Hinata's dad, Neji had assumed that his father was forced to sacrifice his life to protect the head of the family, but in reality that is not the case. The night Neji's father was killed to stop the war, Hinata's father pleaded for an alternative solution but was stopped by his own brother. “I'm not doing this because you're a member of the head family. I want to die to protect you because you are my brother. This is the first time I have the freedom to choose,” were the last words the Hyuga leader heard before losing consciousness after a strike.
For many years, the prestigious genin believed that his father was unjustly killed to prevent the clan leader's sacrifice. That anger fueled Neji's ruthless attack against Hinata in an earlier tournament match as an outlet for the growing hostility towards the top clan that he had developed over the years. . Naruto's determination taught Neji a lot during their battle, but his conversation with his uncle, the leader of the Hyuga clan, ultimately revealing the truth and charting a new emotional path for Neji to walkwhich then causes him to make the same choice as his father.
In the end, Neji chose understanding rather than hatred
Neji's character had some significant changes after his epiphany and even played a large role in helping Naruto on several missions, which further revealed how highly he appreciated Naruto. after their battle. However, it all culminated years later in the tense Fourth Great Ninja War. After several fierce battles that changed the landscape, powerful villains gained control of the Ten-Tails beast, capable of obliterating mountains and wiping out armies with a single attack. One of those attacks Nearly hit Naruto and Hinata until Neji walked in its way.
The Fourth Shinobi War created a dark legacy and a hellish battlefield that became even more tragic after Neji's death. He was stabbed by two giant Ten-Tails wooden spikes controlled by Obito and Madara. After unleashing a shower of deadly wooden spikes, this massive foe is temporarily stunned by the remarkable Earth jutsu, preventing it from claiming more lives for the time being. Neji lands in Naruto's arms to deliver some of the most touching lines in the series, directly tied to their dramatic battle during the Chunin Exams many years ago.
Characters like Sasuke and Neji are often considered geniuses because of their seemingly innate ability to excel at almost everything they try, in stark contrast to hardworking characters like Naruto and Rock Lee. However, Neji appreciated Naruto so much that after he blocked the Ten-Tails' attack, Neji was asked why he threw away his life; he replied, “Because you called me a genius,” a line of just a few words that says a lot.
After his cold exterior wore off, Neji tried to improve himself and was no longer so confident in his abilities. So when Naruto called him a genius, Neji took it as a compliment of the highest degree because he understood the path his old rival had endured. The talented Hyuga ninja's final thoughts were not of fear or regret but of understanding. Via Choosing to save Naruto and Hinata, Neji did all he could to help future generations and the people he cares about most, just like his father did many years ago.
Neji's arc is a perfect circle
Like his father, Neji sacrificed his life for what he believed was right. You were not forced to sacrifice your life for the Hyuga branch you were born into, a destiny that his past self thought he was destined to fulfill. Neji chose to save the life of a teammate he knew and believed could make a difference in the world.
Neji's last words to Naruto made clear the great respect he had for someone he once despised. In his final thoughts, he understood and appreciated his father's choice, which also helped save many lives. Like the effective Eight Trigrams: Palm Spin attack, Neji's character arc comes full circle in an excellent example of Masashi Kishimoto's incredible character writing in Naruto plot.
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