Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were discussing their strategy in front of Hinata, but she just blankly stared at Shindai, making him increasingly nervous.
Why are you staring at me like that right now? Did I somehow have instructions written on my face?
The battle's already started—go after them!
Pushed by Shindai, Hinata finally moved.
Hinata pressed a button on her arm.
A mechanical voice announced: "Laser Beam! Activating!"
Shindai's eyes widened in shock—huh? She actually used her big move that soon?
Hinata herself was panicking. She had pressed the wrong button!
She had meant to activate a Ninjutsu card instead. Probably because those two buttons were too close together.
A red beam shot from the device on Hinata's chest, rapidly rushing toward Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
The three immediately rolled aside to dodge.
The beam hit where they had stood moments ago, leaving behind a deep crater.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all sucked in a sharp breath—how strong was that laser just now?
If it had hit someone directly, wouldn't they be bruised black and blue?
Kakashi's dead-fish stare fell onto Shindai. "Is giving this kind of weapon to Hinata a bit too early?"
Shindai scratched his cheek slightly. "It was originally meant to be one of Hinata's last-resort options. I didn't expect her to use it so directly."
Shindai looked at Hinata with a complex expression. Could it be that Hinata—who appeared so timid and deferential—actually harbored a wild heart inside?
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!]
Sasuke exhaled a massive fireball from his mouth, sending it flying toward Hinata.
Hinata dodged frantically but wasn't fast enough to completely escape. Half of the fireball struck her.
Luckily, the Chakra Armor absorbed most of the impact, sending her flying backward and rolling across the ground without sustaining any serious injuries.
Meanwhile, Naruto created several Shadow Clones and launched Taijutsu attacks at Hinata.
Because there were simply too many clones, Sakura couldn't even get close and could only observe from the sidelines.
Kakashi turned to Shindai. "Even with your Chakra Armor, if you don't know how to fight, it's just ornamental waste. I understand your goal—to help Hinata build her confidence.
But…you picked the wrong opponents, didn't you? Out of everyone, you know Naruto best. Sure, he acts clumsy in everyday life, but he's actually pretty sharp when it comes to fighting. Sasuke is an Uchiha genius, and even Sakura, who may seem ordinary, definitely isn't weak."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Shindai's lips. "How about we make a bet, Kakashi?"
Kakashi asked, puzzled, "What kind of bet?"
"I'm betting on Hinata to win this one. If I win, you take a promotional photo for my Puppet Shop."
Kakashi flinched ever so slightly but didn't outright refuse. He asked instead, "And if I win… then what?"
Shindai glared fiercely at Kakashi and said, "If you win, you can have your way with everything. What do you say? Do you accept this challenge?"
Kakashi looked toward Hinata, who was being overwhelmed in battle, and agreed, "I'll take it!"
Confused, Kakashi then asked, "But right now, Hinata is completely defenseless. If not for your Chakra Armor, she probably would have already lost."
"In meaningless fights, Hinata instinctively tends to hold back—that's just who she is. But if the battle has meaning, if it's a fight for protection, then Hinata will become different."
Shindai pulled out a radio and spoke into it, "Hinata, I allow you to lose—but I absolutely won't allow you to lose like this. If you fall so easily, you might fall back into your old life again—disrespected by your father, looked down on by everyone, and maybe never even see Naruto again.
But if you give your all in this battle, you can protect your current life and stand beside Naruto, helping him."
Shindai's voice echoed inside Hinata's armored helmet.
Recalling her past, Hinata didn't want to return to that suffocating life anymore.
She wanted to stand by Naruto's side and truly be there to help him.
With determination burning in her eyes, Hinata firmly pressed a button on her arm.
[Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!]
A mechanical voice responded, 'Recognized and activated: [Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique].'
A massive number of small wind blades shot forth, smashing through Naruto's Shadow Clones one after another.
Now freed, Hinata assumed the Gentle Fist stance.
As the Shadow Clone disappeared, Sakura quietly tried to sneak up behind Hinata from behind.
However, Hinata suddenly turned around, activating her Byakugan, and with the aid of her Chakra Armor, accurately marked all of Sakura's vital points.
Hinata focused chakra into her palms and launched a three-hit combo using the Gentle Fist.
The moment she was hit, Hinata's chakra surged into her body, instantly disrupting Sakura's entire chakra flow.
The sudden disruption caused Sakura to kneel on one knee, cold sweat pouring from her forehead.
At that moment, Sasuke had already flashed to Hinata's side, swinging a kunai toward her.
Naruto also charged straight at Hinata head-on.
Hinata casually stepped sideways—one single step that caused both Naruto and Sasuke's attacks to miss completely.
Her hands shot out in parallel strikes, precisely hitting the vital points on Naruto and Sasuke's abdomens.
"Kgh!"
Naruto and Sasuke both widened their eyes in shock, barely managing to leap back and create distance from Hinata.
Standing firm at a distance, facing Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke once more, Hinata re-entered the Gentle Fist stance.
"Sorry, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. I've gotta win this one!"
Naruto rubbed his stomach but smiled: "You've really turned the tables on me, Hinata! You're incredible!"
Hearing Naruto praise her, Hinata blushed and smiled as well.
She had never felt anything like this before.
Shindai smirked: "Even now you still have time to flirt?"
Kakashi's heart was pounding hard right now.
Oh no—if Hinata wins, Kakashi's poster will join Jiraiya's on the Puppet Shop doorstep!
That would be so embarrassing—how could he ever show his face around here again?
Kakashi dry coughed and reminded them, "This is time for battle, not chatting!"
Shindai smirked at Kakashi and said, "Look who's getting anxious."
Under his mask, Kakashi twitched his lips. Of course he was anxious—who wouldn't be in his situation?
Sasuke told Naruto and Sakura, "Proceed with our plan."
They had developed a plan, but to their surprise, they managed to overwhelm Hinata at first, so the plan became useless.
But now, they must follow their original plan—the current Hinata had completely changed her momentum.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stared seriously at Hinata. Right now, in their eyes, she was a legendary figure. They couldn't take her one-on-one—they had to team up against her!
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