Chapter 31 Twin lion and Wind vs Wind.
As soon as Genma said "start," Neji and Hinata moved, attacking each other with Gentle Fist.
"Gentle Fist: 2 Palms, 4 Palms, 8 Palms, 36 Palms!" they shouted as their strikes collided with perfect timing and speed.
Neji looked at her in surprise as Hinata jumped back. "I'm not here to lose." Neji scoffed, "You think training all day will make you stronger?"
Hinata blinked, confused. Isn't that how everyone grows stronger? she wondered, but Neji continued. "Talent decides how far you can go, not hard work."
{Well, that's true. But Hinata clearly has more talent than him. And there are ways to bypass talent, like the gravity seals we use,} Naruto's voice echoed in Hinata and Ino's minds through the telepathy seal.
{And the Yang chakra you share with us. That also bypasses talent. As long as we train, we will grow stronger,} Ino said with a grin.
{Ino, stop distracting Hinata. She is fighting,} Naruto scolded. {Oi, you bastard, you started it. And Hinata is playing around. Why is she taking so long to deal with Neji?}
Hinata smiled faintly at their conversation as she blocked Neji's Gentle Fist strikes. Neji's disbelief grew with each exchange as the fight continued.
Hanabi suddenly cheered, "Go, big sister!" before quickly covering her mouth and glancing nervously at her father.
Hiashi didn't respond. He simply stared at Hinata in disbelief. "How?" His eyes shifted toward Naruto and Ino cheering for her. "No way…"
Neji gritted his teeth. "Enough playing around. Byakugan!" He activated his eyes, while Hinata's Byakugan flared without hand signs.
Neji and Hiashi both stared in shock. Is this still the weak Hinata who didn't want to hurt anyone?
Neji attacked again with Gentle Fist, but Hinata countered every strike. Frustrated, he prepared to use Rotation just as Hinata's stance shifted.
"Gentle Fist: Twin Lion Fists." Two chakra lions formed around her hands as she struck. Neji's Rotation was torn apart, and she tapped his chest. "The match is over."
Genma stepped in. "The winner is Hinata Hyuga." Cheers erupted around the arena.
{Bahahaha, that's my Hinata!} Naruto shouted through the telepathy seal. Hinata's face turned red, but a proud smile appeared.
Guy stood beside Neji, who looked completely lost. "How? She was weak. I defeated her multiple times… then why?"
Guy patted his shoulder. "That's youth, Neji. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. A single defeat changes nothing. Train harder, and next time you will win."
{Tsk, getting all excited after defeating Onii-chan? You really enjoy beating weak opponents,} Ino teased. Hinata smiled. {Is that the excuse you'll use after losing to me?}
Tension sparked between them as Naruto wrapped his arms around both their shoulders. "Oi, no fighting. Wait for your matches. And Hinata did great."
Hinata smiled victoriously, glancing at Ino from the corner of her eye. Ino clicked her tongue. "Just wait. I'll show you how a real match is fought."
"Next match: Kiba vs Dosu," Genma announced. The fight was typical, with some back and forth, and Kiba and Akamaru won.
"Next match: Gaara vs Sasuke." Gaara floated into the arena on his sand, his eyes briefly landing on Naruto, much calmer than before.
Sasuke stepped into the arena. "Start!" Genma shouted as Sasuke rushed forward. Gaara blocked effortlessly with sand and countered with Sand Coffin.
Sasuke dodged and activated his two-tomoe Sharingan. Lightning crackled in his hand as the sound of a thousand birds echoed. "Chidori!"
He dashed forward, piercing through the sand shield, but Gaara vanished. "Sand Burial!" The ground erupted, trying to crush Sasuke.
"Damn it!" Sasuke cursed, breaking free with lightning as a massive sand fist slammed down. The battle continued, but Gaara remained in control.
After proper rest a his seal stabilized, Gaara had grown calmer. His bloodlust had faded, and he fought with control instead of madness.
Temari watched with a soft smile. This is the real Gaara. A tear formed in her eye, but she wiped it away quickly.
Genma stepped in. "The winner is Gaara." Sasuke clenched his fists, staring at the ground. "Damn it…"
A surge of emotion hit him, and his Sharingan evolved from two tomoe to three. Sasuke didn't notice as he silently walked away.
"Next match: Ino vs Temari," Genma announced. Temari glided into the arena on her fan.
Ino appeared dramatically, flipping her hair as petals seemed to fall around her. {Tsk, show-off,} Hinata muttered. {You're just jealous,} Ino shot back.
"We finally meet, Suna princess," Ino said with a grin. Temari studied her calmly. "Let's see what you've got."
{I want to see what made my Naruto take interest in you,} Ino said through the telepathy seal. Temari narrowed her eyes.
"Start!" Genma signaled as Temari swung her fan, releasing a powerful gust of wind.
Ino smirked, drawing a kunai and slashing forward, sending a wind blade that split the attack.
Inoichi blinked in shock. Shikaku asked, "When did she learn nature transformation? She's better than most jonin."
Inoichi remained silent. "You think I taught her that?" Shikaku chuckled. "This just got interesting." His eyes shifted to Hinata and Naruto with curiosity.
Temari summoned Kamatari, a giant white weasel. With a swing of her fan, a massive tempest surged forward.
Multiple shuriken apperded in Ino's hand as she infused them in wind chakra and threw them.
Ino grinned, forming hand signs. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu." Dozens of wind-infused shuriken multiplied and rained down.
The attack shredded through the storm, forcing Kamatari to disappear. Temari defended herself, but as she stood—
A kunai touched her neck. "Wind Style: Illusion Steps," Ino whispered behind her.
"That was a good fight, Temari-chan," Ino said with a grin. Temari stared at her in silence.
Genma cleared his throat. "The winner is Ino Yamanaka."
{Train well, princess. Next time, let's have a more exciting match,} Ino said through the seal as she walked back toward Naruto and Hinata, smiling brightly.