Naruto, having once used the One Thousand Years of Death on bullies who harassed Hinata, now felt firsthand the power of that very move.
Naruto felt a pain as if enduring a thousand years of death.
When Sasuke saw Kakashi knock Naruto aside, his eyes lit up.
This was an opportunity!
Sasuke immediately formed hand seals and released a Fire Release technique toward Kakashi's back.
[Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!]
Flames burst from Sasuke's mouth in all directions, rushing toward Kakashi.
Kakashi dodged left and right, easily avoiding every flame.
Tch!" Sasuke tsked. He was way too agile—his sneak attack didn't even hit. How was he supposed to fight like this? This guy's just messing with us!
Kakashi continued toying with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, occasionally giving them the illusion they could reach the bell at his waist, luring them into attacking him.
As Naruto's trio began working together, just when Kakashi was preparing to end the exercise, two unexpected visitors appeared.
"Hmph, you're really working hard," Shindai said as he arrived at the training grounds with Hinata.
Kakashi looked at Shindai helplessly. "Why are you here? Need the field?"
Smiling brightly, Shindai replied, "Not at all. Your childish team cooperation test ends here. From now on, I'll add some intensity for them."
Kakashi flinched slightly. "What do you mean to do?"
Naruto and Sasuke also gave wary looks toward Shindai.
If Shindai was their next opponent, they were doomed.
Shindai pushed Hinata forward one step. "Relax, I won't fight myself. My apprentice Hinata will take you on."
Naruto was the first to doubt. "Huh? You're joking, right, Shindai? There's no way Hinata can beat me! Hinata must be a distraction, and you'll jump in later under some excuse!"
Sasuke snorted coldly, "Exactly. Who doesn't know this guy's bad taste?"
Shindai twitched at the corner of his mouth. "You two brats! Fine then. If I intervene, you can pick whatever I make. How about that?"
Naruto instantly agreed, "Deal!"
Sasuke immediately added, "Fine!"
Although Sasuke disliked everything about Shindai, whatever he cooked up was always delicious.
"Eh?"
Still clueless, Sakura was completely lost.
Shindai turned to Kakashi. "How about it? Isn't that okay?"
Frowning slightly, Kakashi asked, "You haven't given Hinata any scientific ninja-ware, have you?"
Kakashi understood Shindai too well. If Hinata struggled even in a one-on-one fight, facing three opponents at once—wasn't that a guaranteed loss?
So Shindai must be well-prepared then.
Shindai smirked smugly, "Of course. I'm Hinata's teacher, and my specialty is Ninja-Ware. Naturally, I should equip her with them. Don't worry; you and I can step in directly if anything goes wrong, right?"
Kakashi didn't immediately respond to Shindai and instead turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. "You've heard it yourselves—Hinata will be using the Ninja-Ware. Are you still willing to accept this challenge?"
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances. If Hinata uses Shindai's Ninja-Ware, things might get tough—but it's still worth the risk. We don't really stand to lose anything anyway.
Sasuke said to Shindai, "We'll go along with it, but if we win, each of us gets to pick one of your belongings!"
Shindai raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, pretty shrewd move. Fine, I accept—as long as you actually beat Hinata."
Then he turned to look at Hinata. "Hinata, I don't want to hand over my Ninja-Ware to them, so do your best."
Suddenly feeling enormous pressure, Hinata still summoned her courage as she replied, "I'll do my best, Shindai-sensei!"
"Then once you're all ready, let's begin."
Shindai and Kakashi stepped back a few paces.
Naruto looked ready to throw a punch, brimming with fighting spirit. "Come on, Hinata! For Shindai's Ninja-Ware, I'll defeat you with all my strength! I hope you'll fight seriously too!"
"O-Okay!"
Hinata unfurled a scroll.
[Summoning Technique!]
She summoned her Chakra Armor.
With astonished looks from Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, the Chakra Armor automatically recognized Hinata and fitted itself onto her body.
Naruto exclaimed with awe, "Whoa, Hinata—so cool!"
Sasuke also stared intently at Hinata in the Chakra Armor—it really looked cool.
Watching Sasuke's gaze, Sakura thought to herself: If I wore something like that, would Sasuke look at me like this too?
Kakashi glanced at Shindai beside him, asking, "Your new research project?"
Beaming proudly, Shindai answered, "Yep, brand-new research, specially customized for Hinata."
"Could you make one for me too?" Kakashi had grown slightly envious.
Shindai rejected flatly, "Not unless you call me Teacher."
Kakashi made a face. Calling Shindai "Teacher"? That was never going to happen in this lifetime.
Hinata took out a pair of glasses and put them over the eyes section of her helmet. Instantly connecting with the helmet, it scanned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. All pressure points on their bodies were clearly displayed within Hinata's field of vision.
"I-I'm already ready."
Even though Hinata was wearing such an ultra-cool Chakra Armor, she still spoke timidly—it didn't quite match its fierce appearance at all.
Sasuke turned to Naruto and Sakura, "That armor must have multiple functions. Don't get careless. Let's test it first… Naruto, you idiot!"
Before Sasuke could finish speaking, Naruto had already created over a dozen Shadow Clones, all charging recklessly toward Hinata.
Lines appeared across Hinata's gaze, revealing the weak points of each clone.
Hinata simply followed the lines and took down one clone after another with pinpoint precision, quickly eliminating all of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Naruto exclaimed in shock, "So powerful?"
Sasuke shot Naruto a glare and said, "That armor definitely has a predictive function. Charging in headfirst like that just makes you a walking target."
Naruto asked confusedly, "Eh? How do you know Hinata's armor has a predictive function?"
Suddenly feeling extremely tired, Sasuke thought back two years ago—when Shindai fought against Obito and Kakashi, didn't that pair of glasses also have predictive abilities?
Considering how decisively and swiftly Hinata had struck each of Naruto's clones right where they were weakest, anyone could tell this armor had a predictive function.
Sasuke seriously looked at Hinata ahead and said, "This time, all three of us must cooperate properly. Otherwise, we really might lose!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura started openly discussing tactics right in front of Hinata.
Hinata felt slightly confused—wasn't the fight already started?
Looking lost, Hinata turned her gaze toward Shindai.
Shindai threw up his hands in exasperation and said, "Why are you looking at me? Come on! Attack them already! You're not seriously planning to wait until they finish talking, are you?"
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