Inside the illusion space, Naruto instructed Ino to repeatedly use the Mind Body Switch Jutsu on him.
This kind of training would help strengthen both of their spiritual power.
And so, Ino kept forming a heart shape with her hands over and over.
"Mind Body Switch!"
But it was tough from the start.
Using the technique on Naruto barely had any effect.
Still, even without successfully taking control, the act of using it again and again served as solid spiritual training.
After just half an hour, Ino's chakra was completely drained.
Yet in that short time, she felt her mental strength had grown by leaps and bounds.
For the next month, Ino came to Naruto's house every day for private training.
Every time she left, her face was a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction.
This caught the attention of a gossipy aunt living nearby, who watched Ino leave with a look of envy and disdain.
"Such a young girl and already so... shameless. What is her family teaching her?"
What she didn't know was that during this time, Naruto's own spiritual power had steadily increased as well.
Mind Body Switch Jutsu: 10000 / 10000
Once the technique maxed out, Naruto naturally unlocked its advanced forms.
He gained three new abilities:
-Mental Shock
-Thought Control
-Psychokinesis
By Day 20, Ino's mental strength had far surpassed her former self.
On Day 21, Naruto decided it was time to teach her the new powers.
"Ino, next I'm going to teach you three new techniques.
Whether you can master them… that's up to you."
Ino's eyes lit up with determination.
She nodded firmly.
Naruto explained each new technique one by one:
- Mental Shock
A spiritual attack launched directly with mental power.
If used unexpectedly, it can instantly incapacitate the enemy—
If not kill them outright, at least stun or restrain them.
- Thought Control
An upgraded version of the Mind Body Switch.
Unlike the original, it doesn't require shifting consciousness into the target—
It allows for direct control, especially effective after landing a Mental Shock first.
- Psychokinesis
Using spiritual energy to manipulate physical objects at a distance.
At high enough levels, even a mountain could be lifted.
Ino stared at him, her mouth slightly agape.
"These… are incredible…"
Just hearing about them made her heart race.
Each one was leagues above her clan's traditional technique.
"Naruto, you really are a genius among geniuses. Thank you…"
She had only come looking for a little extra training—
but the results were beyond her wildest dreams.
In her heart, Naruto now occupied a position far higher than mere admiration.
Another week passed.
Within the illusion world, Ino trained diligently and finally grasped the basics of the three techniques.
Though she was just getting started, her combat power skyrocketed.
Meanwhile, Naruto had also fully mastered all three skills himself:
Mental Shock: 10000 / 10000
Thought Control: 10000 / 10000
Psychokinesis: 10000 / 10000
—
When she exited the illusion world, Ino looked at Naruto with eyes full of emotion.
Then—hesitant for a moment—
She mustered her courage, walked up to him, and…
…stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.
Ino had long noticed the subtle relationship between Naruto and Hinata.
She knew that if she wanted to carve out her own place beside him,
she had to take the initiative.
—
When she returned home and tested her mental strength against her father, Yamanaka Inoichi,
she defeated him easily.
Inoichi was shocked.
"Ino, how has your spiritual power improved this much? You've surpassed even me… What happened?"
Ino beamed with pride.
"I've been training with Naruto lately.
The details, though… that's a secret~"
Seeing his daughter like this, Inoichi felt both nervous and proud.
"My little girl's growing up…"
But her skyrocketing strength filled him with relief.
"Uzumaki Naruto, huh…"
Thinking of Naruto's terrifying strength, Inoichi stopped questioning it.
This was his daughter's fortuitous encounter—he had no intention of interfering.
—
The next day, the one-month break ended.
The Third Round of the Chūnin Exams began.
Konoha was bustling with excitement.
The stands—numbering in the thousands—were completely packed.
Naruto and the participating genin arrived at the preparation zone.
Scanning the crowd, Naruto's senses quickly locked onto a familiar chakra signature.
Orochimaru—disguised as the Kazekage—was seated beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, making conversation.
Naruto looked at the aged Third Hokage and murmured to himself:
"Old man… it's about time to send you off."
—
At the center of the arena, Gekkō Hayate stood with a senbon in his mouth, announcing the first match.
"First match: Hyūga Hinata vs. Hyūga Neji!"
The crowd instantly buzzed.
A battle between the main family and branch family of the Hyūga clan?
Back in the waiting area, Hinata's body trembled slightly.
She looked at her cousin Neji, her gaze no longer timid like in the original timeline.
Naruto walked up and gently ruffled her hair.
"Do your best. Just show them everything you've got."
Hinata nodded obediently, her cheeks slightly pink.
With Naruto's encouragement, her confidence surged.
For years, she hadn't held back when it came to food—
but she had also worked hard, diligently mastering the techniques Naruto taught her.
As she entered the arena, she stood tall and steady, matching Neji's height.
Her black hair was tied into a high ponytail, her figure more mature and filled out than in the original.
Even Neji was surprised by the determined expression on her face.
"Is this really the same timid cousin I used to know?"
Up in the stands, Hiashi Hyūga watched his daughter with narrowed eyes, his stern face softening.
He was proud—he knew this change in her was thanks to Naruto.
"As a father, I really haven't done enough."
—
"Begin!"
Gekkō Hayate's shout rang out.
In a flash, both Hinata and Neji activated their Byakugan.
But Hinata didn't hesitate for even a second—she took the initiative!
"First Form!"
Her figure vanished—then reappeared at Neji's side.
A sharp palm strike laced with chakra-infused Gentle Fist smashed toward Neji's neck.
"She's fast!" Neji thought, startled.
He barely raised an elbow to block.
CRACK!
The strike hit his arm with full force, sending him flying over ten meters before crashing into the ground.
When he got up, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Wasn't she supposed to be the cowardly heiress? How is she this strong?!"
"That's Neji, right? The Hyūga prodigy?
And she just smacked him across the arena with one blow?!"
The contrast was staggering.
Whispers filled the audience.
Every word echoed in Neji's ears.
Grimly, he raised his fists into the Gentle Fist stance.
"Lady Hinata… I won't hold back anymore!"