Chapter 171: Epilogue
The first to arrive was a smaller version of Gai—Rock Lee, with the same bowl-cut hair, thick eyebrows, and green bodysuit.
The serious injuries he had sustained in the Chunin Exams had long since healed under Tsunade's masterful treatment, and he had returned to his peak condition.
No, that wasn't right. It should be said that his speed was even faster than before.
Sakura keenly discovered this. She turned her head and exchanged a knowing look with Sasuke, and they nodded.
"Sasuke, are you alright..." Lee didn't strike a bizarre pose like Gai, but asked with normal concern.
Then his very next sentence immediately exposed the bizarre thinking he had inherited from Gai: "Ever since the Chunin Exams, you have been the opponent I want to challenge the most. You can't fall here!"
So the only reason you care about his health is for this? As expected of the disciple of a challenge-obsessed master... This pair of master and disciple is just full of things to complain about.
Wait, are Lee and Sasuke going to become the next Gai and Kakashi?
A black line appeared on Sakura's forehead.
"The Chunin Exams?" Sasuke pouted, pointing to the Chunin vest on his body, and said coolly, "Unfortunately, I'm already a Chunin. I don't have the chance to fight you in the Chunin Exams anymore!"
"We've also been promoted to Chunin, Sasuke!"
Neji appeared behind Lee with a Body Flicker, his figure appearing almost in sync with his voice.
Sakura raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. This youth, so handsome and delicate he almost looked like a girl, his speed was actually not much slower than Lee's.
She quickly realized something from the faint chakra sensation from Neji—he had activated the Fist of the North Star.
This milder version of the Eight Gates was very suitable for the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist practitioners to use. Although the amplified chakra was not much, its advantage was that it was easy to control. Even Neji, whose speed was not fast to begin with, could keep up with an all-out Lee after opening three gates.
It could be seen that after mastering the Fist of the North Star, the strength Neji could display in battle had at least doubled compared to the past.
This also made the already very proud Neji even more confident in himself now.
"We're all ninja from the same village. If we want to spar, there are plenty of opportunities! I'm also looking forward to a match with you, Sasuke!"
Neji said faintly.
He exchanged a look with Sasuke. Their gazes met for a second. In those blank, white eyes, Sasuke seemed to see a blazing fighting spirit hidden beneath his calm exterior, one that was in no way weaker than Lee's.
"You are both very strong. As for sparring with you... I'm looking forward to it as well!" The corner of Sasuke's mouth curved up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
This left Haruno Sakura alone on the side, wondering for a long time.
I'm very strong too... why doesn't anyone want to spar with me!
The girl mused, rubbing her smooth chin, feeling utterly baffled.
At this time, the last member of Team Gai also arrived, panting, amidst shouts of "Wait for me! How can you all run faster than the last!"
It was the little beauty with her hair in twin buns, dressed in a Chinese style, Tenten.
Seeing that her complaints about everyone not waiting for her were actually directed only at Neji, it was clear to everyone what was on her mind. Gai explained, "Neji just used his newly learned secret technique, a ninjutsu similar to the Eight Gates... that's why his speed suddenly became so fast."
Hn, from a woman's point of view, the utility of this explanation is approximately zero. He really doesn't understand a woman's heart... Haruno Sakura thought to herself. No wonder he's still a single dog at twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
She was secretly complaining in her heart, but she didn't expect Gai to suddenly shift the topic to her. "This ninjutsu was invented by you, right, Sakura?"
"Hn?" The girl snapped to attention and said, standing up straight, "That's right, but to be precise, it should be that I developed it together with Neji's cousin, Hinata. Neji also helped a lot."
Seeing that everyone was looking over with great interest—Tenten's gaze possibly carrying another meaning—Haruno Sakura elaborated a little more.
"We call it the Fist of the North Star. It's a forbidden taijutsu developed in imitation of the Eight Gates. The difference is that the Fist of the North Star can only open seven tenketsu points, and its effect is also far weaker than the Eight Gates. But its advantage is that the burden on the body is far less than that of the Eight Gates, and the amplified chakra is not as violent, so it can be used for the Gentle Fist."
"Although it's said that it can open seven tenketsu points, this forbidden jutsu is actually still in the development stage. Currently, we've only researched how to open the first three. So what Neji is using is not the complete version of the Fist of the North Star. If it's just opening three points..."
Following the naming convention of Eight Gates, Seven Stars, Six Harmonies, Five Elements, Four Symbols, Three Powers, Two Principles...
"...Calling it the Farmer's Three Punches is probably more appropriate."
Neji almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
"Just kidding, just kidding! Haha~" the girl said, waving her hands quickly and smiling sheepishly at the murderous-looking Neji.
"Alright, Neji," Gai intervened to smooth things over, patting the white-eyed youth's shoulder. "It's very reasonable for the developer of a jutsu to have the naming rights..."
Doesn't his explanation sound a bit like adding fuel to the fire?
"Speaking of sparring, how about we set a time with Team Kakashi and have a joint training session? I see you two are also looking forward to sparring with Sakura, right?" Gai promptly changed the subject. "What do you think, Kakashi?"
Kakashi had arrived at some point without anyone noticing.
He was standing behind Sakura and Sasuke.
"That sounds like a good idea," Kakashi said, scratching his mask and thinking for a moment. "How about the day Neji and the others are officially promoted to Chunin? Everyone should be free that day."
He looked down and carefully sized up Sakura and Sasuke, who had gradually fallen silent.
Weakness and listlessness from excessive blood loss... But neither of them was in any mortal danger. He silently breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
With Kakashi's arrival as a signal, the supporting Konoha ninja began to arrive, wave after wave.
The four members of Kurenai's team arrived right after Kakashi.
"Yo, you're here." Haruno Sakura forced herself to greet the white-eyed girl, speaking in a deliberately relaxed tone.
She forced a grin, revealing a smile, but suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.
...Have I also lost a little too much blood? Sakura shook her head, realizing her problem.
She had been forcing herself to stand for so long that she was already a little numb. She wanted to sit on the ground but found that her body was soft and couldn't support her. She blinked, and it took a few seconds for her to realize that Hinata was standing behind her, supporting her body.
"You're pushing yourself too hard again." The white-eyed girl's voice was as clear and cold as ever. The concern in her voice sounded more like a reprimand, and the grip of her hand was painfully tight.
Sakura leaned against her, feeling as if this posture was somewhat familiar?
Hn... she no longer had the strength to recall.
She raised her head with some difficulty, trying to catch Hinata's gaze.
Their eyes met in mid-air. The white-eyed girl's blank gaze flickered for a moment, then became as sharp as a blade.
"What are you looking at," she spat.
"If there's a next time, I won't be standing behind you anymore!"
Ah, Hinata Mama is angry.
Being scolded, Sakura actually chuckled lightly.
Another case of saying one thing and meaning another...
The more arrogant a person is, the more likely they are to be like this.
Sakura twisted her neck, finding the softest, most comfortable, and warmest spot.
"Don't move, I'm just going to sleep for a bit."
Hinata was stunned. When she looked down, the breathing of the girl in her arms had already become fine and long.
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