Chapter 84 : Chunin Exam Finals 2

"The first match is between Uzumaki Naruto and Hinata Hayuga." Called out Genma, for some reason Hayate was still not the proctor of the finals even after surviving. In fact, this was one thing which Shika had no idea about, Baki died right? So what was the reaction from the sand team, what happened?

The story should no longer follow the cannon in this regard, Shika was even surprised that there was no outcry from the sand village for the death of there Jonin Baki.

There was no doubt that Hokage did something in this regard but what he had no idea. Not in fact Shika was a little worried, his plans needed Hiruzen to die, and if he didn't then that would be a problem.

So, will Orochimaru go through his plan like he did in the cannon, and has Hiruzen planned something ahead of time?

By now, Yamanaka people by now must have gathered some information about the sand's dealing with Orochimaru. So what is it that both Hokage and Orochimaru think?

Shika pondered as he saw the match between Naruto and Hinata. This match was important, it explains what Hinata's stand towards others and more than anything what she feels about him.

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The arena was filled with anticipation as Naruto and Hinata faced each other. It was an unexpected match-up, and Hinata stood nervously, her eyes avoiding Naruto's. Shika was right, this was a harder match for Hinata than fighting with Neji, in a certain sense.

She had always admired Naruto from a distance, but fighting him made her feel she herself wasn't sure what she was feeling anymore.

Naruto grinned confidently, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, Hinata! Let's give it our best shot!" he yelled, full of energy. For Naruto who has no idea what is going on inside the head of the girl in front of him, the only thing right now he wanted to do was to win.

Hinata nodded but remained quiet. Her heart was pounding. The thought of going all out against Naruto made her stomach twist with anxiety. She clenched her fists, trying to focus.

Unlike before when he was fighting with Neji, this time she didn't have to go through this, even if she gave up that fine, but honestly speaking she didn't wanted to. Just like how when she fought with Neji before, here too she wanted to shout and say that she would win.

Winning also it's important considering Hinata's own reputation in her clan and now her goal to remove the cage bird seal, to achieve that Shika wanted power, a power which she could only get if she became the Clan head of the Hyuga Clan. She couldn't back down now.

But as the match started, Hinata hesitated. Naruto came at her with his usual enthusiasm, throwing punches and charging forward, but she barely dodged, unsure if she could really fight him seriously.

"Come on, Hinata! I know you're stronger than that!" Naruto shouted as he jumped back, confused by her hesitation. His words hit her, but she couldn't shake her nerves.

Her own emotions were going out of control right now, to Shika who was watching this fight, the fact that Hinata even stood against Naruto without fainting was a big deal, though this was no cannon Hinata, she was no longer the helpless girl anymore. She has both ambition and guts to achieve what she wants, Shika can't help but smile seeing this.

Then, from the stands, a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

"Hinata! Focus! Remember what we've worked on!" It was Shika. His voice was steady and confident, just like always. "What are you supposed to say when you can't seem to find a way out…!" Shika who was observing Hinata not attacking just shook his head and shouted, giving a helping hand to the girl.

Kurenai on the side also notices this and so does Hinata's father. But right now Hinata didn't care about them, she only saw the boy in front of her who was looking complicated.

But then this voice came from the side…

Hearing Shika call out to her stirred something inside Hinata. She remembered all the long hours they had spent training together, his patience, and how he pushed her to be stronger. She thought of how much she had improved because of him. Slowly, her nervousness started to fade, replaced with a determination she hadn't felt before.

"I'll Win." She said with determination.

Hinata activated her Byakugan, her eyes narrowing in focus. Her chakra flared up, and she got into her Gentle Fist stance. Naruto's eyes widened as he realized she was serious now.

"Alright, now we're talking!" Naruto shouted, grinning with excitement.

Hinata charged forward, her hands moving swiftly as she aimed to strike Naruto's chakra points. Naruto dodged and blocked, but Hinata was faster than he expected. She landed a few clean hits, disrupting his chakra flow slightly.

Naruto jumped back, surprised. "Whoa, Hinata! You've really gotten stronger!"

Hinata didn't respond, her mind focused on the battle. She moved with precision, remembering everything Shika had taught her. Her attacks became sharper, more calculated. She was fighting not just for herself, but because she didn't want to let down the one who had believed in her—Shika.

She didn't know why but she didn't want to lose in front of Shika. Even if that means she has to fight and beat Naruto.

There was something in her heart, but she right now can't even say it.

However, Naruto wasn't someone who would go down easily, there is a reason why he is the protagonist, and his plot armour is the strongest. He created multiple shadow clones, surrounding her from all sides. The clones rushed in, but Hinata didn't flinch. She spun quickly, her palms glowing with chakra. "Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation!" she called out, creating a spinning shield of chakra that knocked back all the clones.

She learned this technique in this one month's time under her father.

"What was that!" Naruto exclaimed, impressed by Hinata but no matter what he wasn't planning to go down like this.

He charged again, this time with more force, and Hinata met his attacks head-on. For a while, it was an even fight. Hinata's Gentle Fist strikes landed, while Naruto's raw strength and determination kept him in the game.

But slowly, Naruto began to overwhelm her. Despite her best efforts, Naruto's stamina and unpredictability started to wear her down. Hinata could feel her energy fading as she took several hits.

She wasn't closing Naruto's chakra points for some reason…maybe she still didn't want to hurt Naruto that much.

But even that would have worked on Naruto, after all, he is a Jinchuriki.

Shika seeing this can't help but shake his head, even he can't handle a fight of attrition against Naruto, so expecting the same from Hinata would be stupid, and even her most powerful technique won't work against Naruto, this fight was determined from the beginning.

xxx

Honestly I don't see Hinata winning, not only because Naruto is strong but Hinata here doesn't have that much motivation to win... last time was diferent. Not to mention this was still naruto we are talking about.

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