Chapter 40: Hinata Vs Ino

The outcome of this battle doesn't differ much from the original.

Although Naruto didn't leave a crater in the arena, Shikamaru, n, still employs a detonating talisman to create a smoke explosion. Taking advantage of the chaos, he ensnares Temari with his shadow, just as he did in the original story.

However, Shikamaru raises his hand and declares his abstention due to his lack of physical stamina.

This unexpected move not only astonishes the audience but also garners appreciation from the higher-ups and admiration from Temari.

It's a win-win situation!

"It's your turn, come on," Sato encourages Ino and Hinata as they watch Shikamaru return to the entrance.

In response to Sato's words, Genma Shiranui in the plaza announces, "Since examinee Toss is absent, the winner of the fourth battle is Akimichi Chōji. Candidates number 9 and 10, please enter the stage promptly."

As Genma Shiranui's announcement echoes through the arena, a wave of complaints erupts from the audience.

If it weren't for the highly anticipated match between the Uchiha clan orphan and the Kazekage's son, they would undoubtedly express their frustration and demand refunds.

First, there was an abstention, and now another absence. It feels like we've wasted our time watching two matches. Isn't this a waste of money?

However, the ninjas pay no attention to the disgruntled civilians.

"Hee hee... Although I can't defeat Hinata, I'll give it my all and have no regrets," Ino declares, grasping Hinata's arm. She waves goodbye to Sato, and the two women head towards the exit.

After a while, shoulder to shoulder, they step onto the arena.

This battle turns out to be the least spectacular match in the official competition.

The gap in strength between Ino and Hinata is too significant.

During the past month, Hinata's momentum has grown considerably.

In order to prevent Hinata from embarrassing the Hyuga clan, even though he has given up on her, Hyuga Hiashi diligently trains Hinata.

Under Hiashi's rigorous training regimen, Hinata's talent shines through. She has mastered both the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven techniques.

Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven is one of the secret arts of the Hyuga clan and an advanced physical technique exclusive to the clan members.

To practice this advanced technique, one must possess the insight of the Byakugan and have precise control over chakra under specific conditions.

In the original story, Hinata's chakra control was not up to the required standard. However, in the past few months, with Sato's guidance in tree climbing, water walking, and basic medical ninjutsu, Hinata's chakra control has unknowingly reached the level necessary to practice Revolving Heaven.

Thus, under Hyuga Hiashi's guidance, Hinata successfully grasped this technique.

By the way...

Upon witnessing Hinata's mastery of Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, Hiashi feels a sense of relief for the first time. It seems that his eldest daughter isn't entirely hopeless.

The only regret is that her timid and lacking self-confidence make her unsuitable for inheriting the clan.

Returning to the plaza, the battle between Ino and Hinata, friends turned opponents, commences.

Initially, Hinata refrains from going all out against her best friend.

However, aware that her father and sister are watching from the audience, Hinata decides not to hold back and opens her eyes wide from the start. She counters Ino's Yamanaka clan techniques and illusions taught by Sato.

Consequently, Ino, like her battle with Sakura in the original story, must rely solely on her basic ninja skills apart from her shadow clone jutsu.

Facing this version of Ino, Hinata opts not to defeat her mercilessly. After exchanging blows with ninja tools for over a dozen rounds, Hinata activates the Gentle Fist technique and employs her Byakugan to unleash the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms, sealing Ino's acupuncture points.

Unable to mobilize her chakra, Ino concedes defeat.

However, Ino, who raises her hands in surrender, can't help but feel frustrated.

She anticipated losing, but not to such an overwhelming extent.

Facing Hinata's Byakugan, which can see through the flow of chakra within the human body, Ino realizes that Hinata can predict her every move.

The inability to utilize her family's secret techniques and illusions leaves Ino feeling profoundly uncomfortable.

But she quickly calms herself down, suppressing her frustration.

Taking Hinata's arm, Ino smiles and says, "Thank you, Hinata."

"No... You're welcome!" Hinata hastily shakes her head and softly explains, "I'm sorry, Ino, I couldn't afford to lose."

"It's alright, I understand."

Understanding the implication behind Hinata's words, Ino lovingly pats her delicate back and whispers, "You didn't defeat me in seconds; you've already shown me respect."

Indeed, Ino expresses her gratitude because of Hinata's mercy.

Given Hinata's strength, she could have easily ended the battle in the opening moments.

Instead, Hinata immobilized Ino's acupuncture points for over a dozen strikes, without driving chakra into her body and causing severe internal injuries.

This display of restraint from Hinata was a significant show of respect, and Ino appreciates it greatly.

As a member of the Yamanaka clan, Ino can understand Hinata's predicament.

Hinata is the only one of the remaining heirs of the three prominent Konoha clans and the eldest daughter of the current head of the Hyuga clan. Losing in front of her family would undoubtedly strip her of her right to breathe freely at home.

Though Hinata's current standing within her family may not be as powerful, Ino understands the weight she carries.

These thoughts make Ino feel guilty whenever she considers pursuing Sato.

However, she couldn't bear to give up on him either.

This conflict is precisely why Ino has hesitated to confess her love to Sato.

Sato met Hinata before he knew Ino.

I shamelessly inserted myself into their relationship, and running away now would be inhumane.

Hence, Ino decides to let fate run its course and leave the final choice to Sato.

The three of them maintain this unspoken balance.

If Sato can't make both girls indispensable to him and gain acceptance from their families before the balance collapses, he will have to make a choice in the end.

If he manages to make both girls inseparable from him and secures acceptance from their families, he can enjoy the blessings of having two devoted companions and achieve all the goals he desires.

To achieve this, apart from emotions, he needs crucial elements: strength and status.

From Sato's perspective, none of these three factors pose a problem.

Given another three or four years, he could marry multiple women without any objections, let alone two.

Returning to the main focus, after Ino and Hinata's battle, the third exam's official matches finally reach their climax...

Gaara versus Sasuke!