This is the real reason Kishi decided to kill off Neji

[Guardian of the Rain]

Solely for this moment...

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One of the Rookies (+Team Guy) had to go for sake of the irony of there being nine of them and nine of Kurama's tails.
You can argue that Neji could've replaced Sai in this moment, being that Sai isn't an original Rookie. Neji had already underwent A LOT of character development by the time he died. Sai still had much more to go.

 

[Prince Lucifer]

No No.. Neji needed to die so Rock Lee could get with Ten-Ten, who else would want a fodder like Rock Lee?

 

[SenseiSama]

Real reason is because he didn't want Neji to have Hamura's chakra, a genius dojutsu user with Rikudou chakra would be too much to handle for Toneri and would take the focus away from Naruto and Sasuke.

 

[Reraru]

He should have killed sai or someone else.

 

[Legendary Saiyan]

No No.. Neji needed to die so Rock Lee could get with Ten-Ten, who else would want a fodder like Rock Lee?

Boi

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Rock Lee was smacking Naruto and Sasuke. No plot restriction.

 

[Obito the supreme jin]

No because Sakura never jumped with them to help out Naruto. If that were really the case then Neji could be a bystander along with Sakura.

Neji died bevause he wanted to strengthen the bond between NH. Yes he died to some wood splinters for Hinata to say how big Naruto's hands were.

 

[baul 24]

kishi killed neji so hinata can hold naruto's hand.

 

[IKSOKRIPS]

"One of the Rookies" - Neji, nor Lee and Tenten were ever one of the rookies... the rookies were Teams 7, 8 and 10... :erm:

 

[lord seventh]

Plot no jutsu

 

[Jokule67]

No No.. Neji needed to die so Rock Lee could get with Ten-Ten, who else would want a fodder like Rock Lee?

Only Uchiha fans talk like this

 

[Jokule67]

Plot no jutsu

This^^^^^^^^

 

[Prince Lucifer]

Uchiha Fans speak the truth and you know the saying, the truth shall set you free.

Only Uchiha fans talk like this

 

[Jinrou]

After talking big about how he won't let anyone die, how painful would it be to then watch one of your friends die? Perhaps Kishi wanted to make Naruto feel despair (yet again) especially after talking big. And at that moment who else's death was supposed to have made more impact apart from Sakura and Kakashi(both who were future plot devices) and possibly Hinata? The only person I can think of is Neji.
If not I'll have just preferred Kishi killed Ino imo.

 

[Yatori]

Neji changed because of naruto. I think the most impact person to make naruto feeling despair is neji as shikamura still play big character and other person have distant bond with naruto. Neji is perfect for the scenario to make naruto feel despair.

 

[Styles]

Should have killed Sai imo. NH could have still happened without Hinata being thirsty for Naruto's hand. She cried for like 2 seconds when he died then got a straight face when Naruto/Hinata held hands.

 

[Jokule67]

After talking big about how he won't let anyone die, how painful would it be to then watch one of your friends die? Perhaps Kishi wanted to make Naruto feel despair (yet again) especially after talking big. And at that moment who else's death was supposed to have made more impact apart from Sakura and Kakashi(both who were future plot devices) and possibly Hinata? The only person I can think of is Neji.
If not I'll have just preferred Kishi killed Ino imo.

You right noone else really mattered. Only Rock Lee and Neji woulf have an impact on me and he didnt even let Rock Lee avenge neji

 

[JENchuuriki]

He should kill Ten-ten

 

[JENchuuriki]

hahahahaha!