Chapter 59: Chapter 59

“Hyuga Hinata versus Ino Yamanaka.”

Kitazawa’s voice rang out, signaling the start of the next match after the break.

Earlier, Hinata had defeated a classmate who, in truth, had no real presence in the original story. With her skills, it hadn’t even been a contest.

“Hinata.”

Ino gave a sunny smile. “Let’s take it easy, okay?”

She knew perfectly well she wasn’t Hinata’s match, so she felt no pressure, approaching the fight in good spirits.

The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans were famously known as Ino–Shika–Chō—a trio bound by close ties and specialized team tactics. Their secret techniques were powerful but often required cooperation to reach full potential.

Among them, the Yamanaka Clan specialized in control and support techniques rather than direct combat.

And Ino, still young and inexperienced, hadn’t even learned her clan’s signature jutsu yet. So it was nearly impossible for her to defeat Hinata, who had already learned the Gentle Fist.

After a brief exchange, Hinata emerged victorious.

“The winner: Hyuga Hinata.”

Kitazawa paused for a moment, scanning the remaining students. Then he announced:

“Next up: Akimichi Choji versus Uzumaki Naruto.”

Although Naruto had lost to Sasuke in the first round, he’d shown enough skill to earn everyone’s respect. Nobody voiced a single objection about him getting a second match.

“Here I come, Naruto!”

Choji stepped forward, smiling broadly as he transformed into a blur of surprising agility for his size.

In a flash, he was in front of Naruto, swinging a powerful punch.

“Nice move!”

Naruto grinned, shouting: “Leaf Whirlwind!”

He launched a swift kick that collided squarely with Choji’s fist.

A shockwave rippled outward as both boys staggered back slightly, each feeling the weight of the other’s strength.

Among the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, the Akimichi Clan were the heavy hitters—offensive ninjas capable of enduring damage and dishing it out.

Their signature power, the Giantification Technique, allowed them to enlarge their entire bodies or specific limbs.

Unfortunately for Choji, he hadn’t mastered that technique yet.

Meanwhile, Naruto had learned the Leaf Whirlwind and the Leaf Great Whirlwind, giving him a clear edge in taijutsu, especially when physical strength was otherwise equal.

After a heated exchange of blows, Choji raised a hand and conceded.

“The winner: Uzumaki Naruto.”

Kitazawa eyed Choji thoughtfully. Could this be an opening for a mission? He was intrigued by the idea of acquiring the Giantification Technique.

After all, turning into a towering giant in battle wasn’t just cool—it was strategically powerful, especially against massive foes like tailed beasts.

“Is Naruto’s taijutsu already the strongest in our class?”

Kiba blurted out the question, a note of disbelief in his voice.

“It is.”

Ino nodded, sounding genuinely surprised. “Even though Sasuke beat him, he didn’t actually win in taijutsu.”

“Naruto’s changed so much,” Shino said quietly.

He recalled how, just a couple of months ago, Naruto was scrawny, unpopular, and constantly bragging to cover up his weaknesses.

Now, in less than two months, he’d become a different person entirely.

“Once I awaken my Sharingan, his taijutsu won’t stand a chance,” Sasuke said suddenly, his voice low.

Shikamaru and the others fell silent.

Being from ninja clans themselves, they understood the Sharingan’s terrifying potential.

Its most obvious power was copying—your taijutsu today could become Sasuke’s tomorrow.

Kitazawa’s voice cut through the hush:

“Hyuga Hinata versus Uchiha Sasuke.”

“Hinata, you can do it!”

Ino was quick to cheer, pumping her fist in support.

“Beat him!”

Kiba and the others joined in, lending their voices to the encouragement.

Not only did they think Hinata was at a disadvantage, but they also liked her. She was quiet but kind, and everyone got along well with her.

“Thank you!”

Hinata nodded vigorously. “I’ll do my best!”

She glanced quickly at Kitazawa before stepping forward.

Sasuke noticed the look and felt a flicker of unease.

’So she’s been training with Kitazawa-sensei too…’

After seeing what Kitazawa’s training had done for Naruto, he discarded any hint of arrogance.

He knew Hinata was skilled in taijutsu.

So as the match began, Sasuke wasted no time. He hurled two shuriken, sending them whistling through the air toward Hinata.

Hinata recalled Kitazawa’s leaf-catching drills.

Compared to those flying leaves, these two shuriken were hardly any faster.

Her delicate features tensed as she dodged the incoming shuriken and surged forward with surprising speed.

Though she hadn’t activated her Byakugan, Hinata had already mastered the fundamentals of the Gentle Fist.

All she needed was to close the distance. If she managed even a single chakra point strike, she might just have a chance at victory.

’She’s this fast?’

Sasuke felt a jolt of alarm. The last thing he wanted was to engage Hinata in close-quarters taijutsu.

Without hesitation, he weaved hand seals and summoned two clones.

Hinata’s eyes widened in dismay.

Without the Byakugan, she had no way to distinguish the real Sasuke from his clones.

Still, she clenched her jaw and thrust her palm toward the nearest Sasuke.

Smack!

The target vanished in a puff of smoke—it was only a clone.

In that instant, Hinata felt a wave of heat flare to her right.

Sasuke’s real body had slipped around her flank unseen. He inhaled deeply—

“Great Fireball Jutsu!”

A giant fireball roared from his mouth, surging toward Hinata.

She twisted away, narrowly avoiding the blazing flames.

Kitazawa’s brow furrowed as he stepped forward, forming hand seals of his own.

“Water Bullet Jutsu!”

A powerful jet of water burst forth, extinguishing the fireball in a sizzling cloud of steam.

“I’m sorry, Kitazawa-sensei…”

Hinata lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper, heavy with guilt.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Kitazawa said gently, ruffling her hair. “You’re already very strong. If you’d activated your Byakugan, you might’ve beaten him.”

Hinata’s loss wasn’t because of a lack of skill. She was a close-range fighter, forced into retreat by a long-range assault.

“I…”

Hinata glanced up at him, shame flickering in her pale eyes. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d wasted all the extra training he’d given her.

“Don’t worry about it,” Kitazawa said firmly. “It was just a spar. Next time, you’ll win.”

“Mm.”

Hinata let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, a hint of relief softening her features.

Meanwhile, Sasuke stood in silence.

He’d only secured victory because of the Great Fireball Jutsu.

And his usual trump card, the Uchiha clan’s renowned shuriken techniques, hadn’t worked at all on Hinata.

A creeping unease settled in his chest.

Hinata and Naruto were both closer to him in strength than he wanted to admit—and without his Sharingan, he was one powerful jutsu away from losing to either of them.

’If I could just awaken my Sharingan…’

Sasuke clenched his fists at his sides.

Kitazawa cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Time’s nearly up. That concludes our practical sparring for today.”

He paused, then continued:

“Now, I’ll announce the five students who will participate in the upcoming match against Second Year Class A: Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Shino Aburame, and Akimichi Choji.”

“YEAH!”

Naruto punched the air in triumph, grinning from ear to ear.

Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets, lost in thought.

’Hyuga Neji…’

If he was going to fight, he wanted to face the strongest opponent.

But after seeing how much Naruto and Hinata had improved, he wasn’t so sure he could defeat Neji anymore.

Hinata, meanwhile, pressed her lips together, anxiety swirling in her chest.

Being chosen meant there was a chance she’d have to fight Neji.

She wasn’t sure how to face him anymore.

Once, they’d been close. But after Neji was branded with the Caged Bird Seal, a wall of silence had grown between them.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students began gathering their things and trickling out of the training grounds.

Kitazawa had barely taken two steps when a figure in an Anbu mask appeared silently in his path.

“Kitazawa.”

It was Haru, the Anbu operative.

“Hokage-sama wishes to see you.”

“All right.”

Kitazawa nodded and fell into step behind Hare, mind churning with speculation.

’Did the Hokage watch today’s sparring matches? Maybe he’s impressed with Naruto’s progress and wants to reward him?’

Lost in thought, Kitazawa arrived at the Hokage’s office.

He stepped inside—and froze.

Standing before him was a woman in a tea-green jacket, her golden hair shining like sunlight, her figure graceful yet powerfully built.

Her curves were generous, her posture exuded confidence, and her mature beauty was impossible to ignore. She radiated a vibrant, almost intimidating presence.

This was Tsunade Senju—one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.

Kitazawa had never met her in person, but he recognized her instantly.

After all, there was no way he could miss a silhouette like that.

And besides…he couldn’t exactly switch off his “auto-aim.”

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