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Despite Neji's obvious brilliance, by birth (or rather, by his father's birth) he is still a member of the lesser Branch Family of the Hyuuga Household. The curse-mark tattooed to his forehead is testament to his being branded as one of inferior status, and, most importantly, as one subservient to the wills and demands of the Main Branch of the Hyuuga. Combined which his father's death (as a sacrifice for the Main House, particularly Neji's cousin Hinata), this has made Neji bitter and unwilling to compromise his hatred towards the family.

Graduating top of the class, Neji is assigned to the genin squad under the command of Maito Gai. Rock Lee, a boy incapable of ninjutsu or genjutsu, is also signed to the same team. Although Lee develops a rivalry towards Neji (obviously attempting to mirror their sensei's own rivalry with Hatake Kakashi), the Hyuuga boy refuses to reciprocate it. Lee's skills are too far beneath Neji, and every time they fight, Neji proves so with his mastery of the Gentle Fist. It is more than a duel of the physical, however: Lee's philosophy is also at odds with Neji's--Lee believes in hard work paying off, whereas Neji believes in Fate: what one is to be is defined at birth, and a loser can never beat a genius.

During the Chunin Exams, all that changes, however, when Neji faces off against Hinata and later, Naruto. Hinata's persistence (not unlike Lee's determination to keep fighting against Neji--and also Gaara, in a battle Neji witnesses--despite seemingly hopeless odds) does not at first move Neji, who still holds the weak Hyuuga Heiress in contempt. But Naruto's triumphant defeat of Neji and his subsequent promise to change the Hyuuga, as well as Neji's own conversation with his uncle afterwards, change his perception of Fate, genius, and the ability of one determined soul to surpass both. Neji resolves to be better and even attempts to repair his relations with the Hyuuga Household.

Retrieving Sasuke is a mission as much for Naruto, Lee, and the others of Konoha as for the Uchiha survivor himself. Neji sees a little of himself in Sasuke and he sees the potential change that someone like Naruto can bring to that cold heart lost in darkness. He also sees the pain Naruto must be experiencing at being betrayed, or at the very least losing, his teammate and rival. For that, he nearly gives his own life in an effort to hold off an enemy while Naruto and the others race to bring back Sasuke. He barely survives the encounter with Kidomaru, but the fight further cements his resolve to better himself.

The time lapse in which Naruto is training away from Konoha serves Neji well. Aside from new techniques and achieving the elite rank of Jounin, his bonds with his teammates grow with the newfound respect he has for them. Although still cool and aloof with his teammates and friends, it is clear now that he respects them and their abilities, and has even come to like and appreciate them as if they were family.