Chapter 69: Please; Watch Me Closely

"Shinho! Get over here!"

Naruto Uzumaki called out instinctively. He had already considered Sasuke Uchiha a friend, and seeing him collapse filled him with anxiety.

The students gathered around were still in shock, unable to process what had just happened. The result was beyond anyone's expectations, and everyone was momentarily stunned by the surprise.

"Pinch me," Sakura Haruno extended her arm.

Ino Yamanaka casually slapped her skin.

"It didn't hurt... So, this must be a dream."

Sakura's expression softened as if things were suddenly clear.

"It's real," Shino Aburame stated calmly. Sasuke had mastered the Great Fireball Jutsu, Naruto had learned the Leaf Whirlwind, and Shino had received a new parasitic insect.

Everyone had a bright future ahead.

You really are amazing, big brother.

"Damn it," Kiba Inuzuka clenched his fists. "No way! I can't let Naruto surpass me—I need to find my own dog!"

The Aburame clan's secret lay in insects, while the Inuzuka clan relied on dogs.

Without a dog, how can I even learn my family's techniques?

"Naruto's training with Guy is paying off," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

Six-year-old Sasuke learning the Great Fireball Jutsu proved he was a genius, but for Naruto to defeat him showed promising talent as well. It seemed Naruto's Taijutsu training with Guy could continue—despite a few eccentricities, a bright and cheerful Jinchūriki wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Iruka Umino stood frozen for a moment, finally shaking off his daze. The shock of seeing Naruto—who was usually at the bottom—defeat Sasuke, the long-standing second in the class, had left him speechless.

He began to step forward, intending to check on Sasuke, but someone beat him to it.

Iruka frowned slightly.

Isn't this a bit reckless?

Though Shinho Aburame was Tsunade's student, he was still a first-year student.

What could he possibly do?

But then Iruka's eyes widened.

There was a green glow in Shinho's hand.

Shinho learned medical ninjutsu?

This was even more shocking than Naruto's victory over Sasuke.

Iruka let out a deep sigh.

I really am just here as a bystander in this world.

"Medical ninjutsu?" Neji Hyuga stared at Shinho. This guy wasn't as weak as Neji had originally thought. However, being a medical ninja meant he couldn't be a real opponent for Neji.

How boring.

Neji had been hoping to witness the skills of Sasuke Uchiha, the younger brother of the renowned genius Itachi Uchiha. Given Sasuke's current state, however, it seemed there would be no further battles for today.

"He's fine," Shinho said, standing up after checking Sasuke's condition.

"That's a relief." Naruto patted his chest, glad Sasuke wasn't seriously hurt. If Sasuke had been badly injured, Naruto would've felt guilty for the rest of his life.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura Haruno immediately rushed over.

Ino Yamanaka watched her cling to Sasuke, her blue eyes filled with envy.

I want to get that close to Shinho too, to have all those moments with him.

"Move," Sasuke said coldly, his expression blank.

It's uncomfortable having her lean on me like this.

"You're awake?" Sakura asked happily, ignoring the discomfort in his voice.

Sasuke struggled to sit up, brushing her off and immediately turning to Naruto. His emotions were complicated. In his mind, today was supposed to be the day he first defeated Neji Hyuga, and then Shinho Aburame.

But, none of that had happened.

"It's a tie," Iruka declared, finally snapping out of his earlier daze, smiling as he spoke.

He had made peace with his own limits. As an ordinary person, he didn't need to compare himself to geniuses. In fact, the stronger his students were, the better it reflected on him as their teacher.

In time, I'll get promoted, get a raise, maybe even marry a beautiful wife and live a great life.

The thought of it made him a little excited.

"Heh, Sasuke, next time I'm definitely going to beat you!" Naruto flashed his thumb up, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight. "I swear on the name of youth!"

Sasuke's mouth twitched.

How embarrassing!

If I lose again, I swear I'll...

"If everything's fine, let's get back to class," Iruka announced, signaling the end of the match.

"Hinata," Shinho called softly.

Hinata Hyuga looked up reflexively. Unlike everyone else, she had stayed put, looking worried and conflicted from the sidelines.

"Go on," Shinho said, reaching out to pat her head gently.

Hinata's cheeks immediately turned red.

Ino, who had been watching Shinho closely, felt like she'd been struck by lightning.

When did this happen?

Did Hinata steal him from me while I wasn't looking?

Ino's face filled with frustration and disbelief.

Hinata slowly walked to the center of the training grounds. With so many eyes on her, she clenched her fists nervously.

Radishes, radishes... everyone's just a radish, she repeated to herself in her mind.

Neji Hyuga was confused.

With her personality, shouldn't she be hiding at the back of the crowd, avoiding attention?

But even though she had stepped forward, she still seemed nervous.

"Hinata?" Iruka was surprised but quickly switched to encouragement. "Who do you want to challenge?"

As her teacher, he understood her issues. Seeing her muster the courage to step up was a rare moment, and he wanted to support her.

"Big... no, Neji Hyuga," Hinata said after taking a deep breath.

"What?" Iruka blinked, thinking he had misheard her.

Neji froze for a second before a cold smirk appeared on his face.

How naive.

All the words in the world can't change facts.

"Why would Hinata challenge Neji?" Ino's face was filled with worry, even though moments earlier she had been fuming with jealousy.

"They're both from the Hyuga clan, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Kiba Inuzuka asked hesitantly.

"It's tough," Shikamaru Nara muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"Go, Hinata! Beat him up!" Naruto shouted, pumping his fist into the air.

The silence didn't last long before the crowd of students began cheering from both classes.

"As expected of Naruto," Shikamaru sighed, both exasperated and impressed. Naruto probably wasn't specifically rooting for Hinata, but would have cheered for anyone who stepped up.

That's what it means to have the will of fire.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, watching the scene unfold. Even though Naruto had grown up surrounded by disdain and suspicion, he always valued his friends and teammates.

"Hinata, are you sure?" Iruka raised his hand to quiet the crowd, looking seriously at her.

Hinata nodded firmly.

Neji, seeing her resolve, stepped forward.

"Remember, it's just training—don't go too far," Iruka reminded them both.

"Neji-niisan," Hinata said softly as they prepared to face each other.

"Hinata-sama," Neji replied, shaking his head. "There's a limit to how far you can overestimate yourself."

"I..." Hinata opened her mouth to speak but hesitated.

"If you insist on challenging me, I'll show you the true gap between us," Neji said coldly. "This isn't just some family sparring match."

He got into a stance, activating his Byakugan. The veins around his eyes bulged as he focused his chakra.

Hinata's body trembled for a moment, and her hands instinctively gripped the fabric of her clothes.

"You're not suited to be a ninja," Neji declared, charging forward, his right palm aimed directly at the pressure points on her wrist. He wasn't holding back—if he hit her, her entire arm would go numb, temporarily useless.

At the last possible moment, Hinata dodged back, twisting her wrist and meeting his palm with her own.

A shockwave of chakra rippled through the air as their strikes collided.

Neji's expression shifted, and he stepped back, retreating three full steps.

That strength...

What's going on?

He distinctly remembered her being much weaker just two weeks ago.

Her Byakugan was activated as well.

Neji stared into her eyes, momentarily taken aback.

Hinata's expression had changed—her face was now filled with determination.

I won't let Shinho-kun's efforts go to waste.

Please, watch me closely!

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