Even if he has all the refinement stats to max... a Neji or gnw neji in 4ª position will never, NEVER accupuncture a ninja in 1ª position while he is trying to cast "x mystery".... even if that ninja in 1ª position has 0 refinement stats, unless that ninja in 1ª position is using a skill that don't have prompt movement.

NOW... in your case that Neji or GNW Neji use acupuncture "manual mode" in hinata that is in 1ª position... He can acupuncture. BUT this only works if the other team is not using hinata at the start of battle or before neji cast his mysteryt...

I suggest you read about ninja positions... placing a ninja in "x row" is not the same as ninja position order. If they have neji or gnw neji 1 row up and all the others ninja below him.. then he is in 1ª position.

So do you understand?...