Chapter XIX

Chapter XIX

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As they made their way towards the medical ward, Tatsuya shot Yumiko a curious sidelong glance, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You were just using me as a practice dummy for Tsubasa-sensei's swordsmanship style during our fight, right?"

Yumiko let out a small, almost embarrassed chuckle. "You figured it out that quickly? I'm impressed."

Tatsuya nodded knowingly. "Of course, I'm familiar with sensei's unique sword styles."

Yumiko's expression turned slightly reflective as she began explaining. "Well, one day sensei unexpectedly approached me during training and offered to teach me her sword style since my hand-to-hand combat was a bit lacking." She shook her head in disbelief. "I was really surprised that the usually cold and aloof Tsubasa-sensei decided to mentor me personally. I must have caught a lucky break those days." A hint of amusement tinged her tone.

Arching an inquisitive brow, Tatsuya's lips quirked upwards into a sly smile. "Or maybe sensei took pity on you after watching me hand you losses time and again during our hand-to-hand spars. She probably realized it was time for you to learn some real combat skills." He couldn't resist adding with a teasing lilt, "Though it seems even sensei's training wasn't enough for you to beat me today."

Yumiko felt a flush warming her cheeks at his needling jab, but she met his gaze steadily, her onyx eyes glinting with competitive fire. "Hey, I haven't had nearly enough time yet to fully master sensei's sword techniques. But you can bet by our next fight, I'll have analyzed her style thoroughly. Then the tables will turn, and you'll struggle to keep up with me."

Letting out an amused chuckle, Tatsuya raised his hands in mock surrender. "Sure, sure, I'll be eagerly awaiting that day then."

However, even as he played along outwardly, a thought whispered through his mind. 'Did Tsubasa-sensei actually approach Yumiko because of me...when I had asked her about Yumiko's background information? If so, I may need to thank sensei for taking the initiative to help train her for just my request for information.'

Shaking his head minutely to refocus, Tatsuya glanced up as they approached the medic's station. "A couple of energy restoration and muscle strain relief pills, please," he requested once they reached the counter. These specially formulated pills were a joint creation of the Akimichi clan's unique protein blends and the Medical Union's expertise.

Tatsuya passed the capsules to Yumiko, who accepted them before swallowing the pills in one swift motion. Activating his Byakugan, he observed the capsules' journey through her body, witnessing the dissolution and the specialized protein-chakra blend distributing throughout her system.

Within moments, the fatigue seemed to melt away from Yumiko's features, replaced by a subtle, healthy flush to her complexion that made her appear slightly invigorated before settling back to normal.

"Better?" Tatsuya asked.

"Yeah, much better," Yumiko confirmed with an appreciative nod. "I'm finally feeling some energy return after your vicious attacks." She shot him an accusing glare.

"If my attacks seemed vicious to you, then I must be doing something right, as attacks need to be vicious," Tatsuya remarked confidently.

"Quite ironic to say for someone who uses Gentle Fist," Suu retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I can use Violent Fist too," he shrugged.

"What are Violent Fists?" Suu wondered, assuming it was some variation of the Hyuga Fighting style.

"...Fists that are violent," Tatsuya replied teasingly.

Suu deadpanned."Really?"

Tatsuya chuckled at his bad joke.

But suddenly he saw Yumiko looking at him suspiciously, and questioned, " Now that I think about it, you didn't use your Byakugan on me earlier, did you? I noticed you staring at me intently."

Tatsuya's grin turned mischievous. "What if I did? It's not like you'd know. I could be looking right now for all you know. What would you do about it?"

"You...shameless pervert!" Yumiko shouted in fake outrage before lunging at his back, locking him in a chokehold from behind.

"Hey, hey! I was just kidding around! Let go!" Tatsuya protested between chuckles.

Only after a few moments did Yumiko finally release the chokehold with a huff. "You better be joking."

Offering a sheepish smile, Tatsuya inwardly mused, 'Her chest… got potential. And as for using the Byakugan on her, He of course maintained control, focusing only on her internal organs rather than looking at her assets. As once you start down that path, it's a slippery slope. Though I suppose it would be different if I had explicit permission...'

By the time Tatsuya and Yumiko reached the sparring arena, the sounds of clashing kunai filled the air. Several other shinobi trainees were locked in fierce skirmishes across the training grounds.

"We missed Sakura and Ino's fight," Yumiko remarked with a tinge of disappointment.

Tatsuya's gaze swept across the area before settling on a small crowd gathered in one corner. "Yeah, it seems they've already finished theirs."

Noticing his line of sight, Yumiko followed it to find Sakura and Ino sitting amidst a circle of their peers, dirt-streaked and looking utterly spent, but neither seemingly having gained the upper hand.

"Let's go check it out," Tatsuya suggested, inclining his head towards the commotion.

Yumiko nodded in agreement, and they made their way over.

"Another stalemate between Forehead and Ino-pig? You're both as stubborn as ever!" One of the onlookers, Kiba, laughed mockingly.

Ino shot him a withering look, her chest heaving with exertion as she pushed herself up to a seated position. "You should shut your dog mouth, Kiba! Otherwise, there isn't much difference between you and Akamaru. Only this time, Akamaru is the better one," she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain.

The remark earned a few snickers from the surrounding group, and even Sakura failed to stifle an amused grin at her friend's retort.

Kiba quickly opened his mouth to respond, but a sharp elbow from Hinata cut him off before he could escalate things further.

"You know she's just riled up from the fight, Kiba-kun," the Hyūga heiress murmured, her soft tone the voice of reason. "Best not to provoke her more right now."

Grumbling under his breath, Kiba relented and didn't argue further, wisely heeding Hinata's gentle advice.

It was at that moment that Tatsuya and Yumiko approached the gathered group, exchanging an amused glance as they surveyed the aftermath of the fierce battle between the former rivals turned friends.

"Looks like we came late to the party," Tatsuya remarked, his eyes dancing with mirth as he surveyed the aftermath of the intense battle.

Hearing their voices, the assembled group immediately turned towards the newcomers. Ino was the first to speak up, her eyes narrowing playfully. "And just where have you two gone? I was waiting for you to watch my fight."

Before Tatsuya could respond, Yumiko piped up with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Ino. I felt a bit drained after my spar with Tatsuya, so he escorted me to get some energy restoration pills."

"...Oh." Ino's shoulders slumped slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering across her features before she quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "I guess that explains why you missed my fight then."

Tatsuya then let his gaze drift over the two kunoichi, taking in their dishevelled appearances marred by dirt, sweat, and a smattering of bruises. "So it seems. The fight must have been quite intense from what I can see"

Shikamaru heaved an exaggerated sigh from where he leaned against a nearby tree trunk. "You have no idea. Those two were going at it like a couple of furious wildcats. So Troublesome"

"Hmm-hmm," Choji nodded in agreement through a mouthful of chips, wincing slightly.

Naruto, never one to mince words, let out a boisterous laugh. "Yeah, I don't think OldMan Hokage could have stopped them, dattebayo!"

While their friends continued dissecting the finer points of the intense clash, Tatsuya's gaze remained fixed on Hinata, who was unexpectedly lost in thought throughout the recounts. His expression turned pensive, scrutinising her carefully.

'What's up with her? She seems a little lost...suspicious,' Tatsuya thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.

Unlike the others, Hinata stood a bit apart from the group, her fingers fiddling idly with the edges of her jacket sleeves.

As if sensing his scrutiny, Hinata's gaze suddenly flickered up to meet him, and Tatsuya noticed a fleeting surge of...embarrassment? Jealousy? Flash across her expression before it smoothed over into her customary gentle mien. Because of his byakugan he was able to analyse her expression with just one look.

"I-Is something the matter, brother?" she inquired softly, offering him a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Tatsuya opened his mouth to respond, his brow furrowing slightly at the uncharacteristic undercurrent he detected in Hinata's tone. However, before he could get a word out, a loud, authoritative voice suddenly boomed across the training grounds.

"Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyūga! Come to the main arena immediately!"

It was time for their battle.

- x - X - x -

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