The outcome of this battle didn't differ much from the original story.
Although there was no massive crater created by Naruto in the plaza as in the original, Shikamaru still used an explosive tag to create a smokescreen, allowing his shadow to restrain Temari.
Just like before, after binding Temari, Shikamaru did not seize victory as he had against Kin, but instead raised his hand and forfeited on the grounds of insufficient stamina.
This action not only drew gasps of admiration from the audience but also earned the appreciation of the higher-ups, as well as a newfound respect from Temari. It was truly one move that killed three birds with one stone.
"Your turn, good luck."
Watching Shikamaru walk back toward the entrance, Haruma encouraged Ino and Hinata.
Almost as if in response to Haruma's words, Genma in the plaza suddenly announced, "Candidates who drew numbers 9 and 10, please make your way to the arena immediately."
"Hehe… Although I can't beat Hinata, I'll give it my all so that I won't have any regrets."
Ino, linking arms with her friend-turned-opponent Hinata, waved toward Haruma. The two girls then walked toward the exit together.
Soon, the two entered the plaza shoulder to shoulder. This match, however, was the least exciting of the finals. The gap in strength between Ino and Hinata was simply too great. Indeed, Hinata's aura had grown noticeably stronger since their month-long separation.
Even though Hiashi Hyuga had long given up on Hinata, he still couldn't allow her to bring disgrace to the Hyuga clan. Thus, over the past month, he had rigorously trained her.
Under this hellish training, and with Hinata's innate talent which had only been held back by her kindness, she had mastered both the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation and part of this was thanks to Haruma.
Rotation was one of the Hyuga clan's secret techniques, reserved exclusively for the main branch. To master this advanced taijutsu required not only the Byakugan's insight but also refined chakra control.
Had it been the Hinata from the original story, her chakra control would not have met the requirements but over the past months, after Haruma had taught her tree climbing and water walking, Hinata's control had unknowingly reached the level necessary to train in Rotation.
Thus, under Hiashi's guidance, she had indeed mastered the technique.
When Hiashi saw his daughter perform Rotation, for the first time, he felt a trace of pride. Perhaps his eldest daughter was not beyond saving after all.Yet her timidity and lack of confidence made her unfit to inherit the main family.
At first, Hinata did not fight with full strength, unwilling to harm her dearest friend. But, knowing that her father and younger sister were watching from the stands, Hinata could not hold back. She activated her Byakugan, neutralising the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques as well as the genjutsu Haruma had taught Ino.
With her abilities sealed, Ino was left with nothing but the Three Basic Techniques, just as when she fought Sakura in the original story.
Facing this weakened Ino, Hinata chose not to humiliate her. After several rounds of exchanges using ninja tools, Hinata formed her Eight Trigrams stance and unleashed Thirty-Two Palms, sealing Ino's chakra points.
Realising she could no longer use chakra, Ino decisively surrendered.
Even so, a trace of dejection flashed across her face. She had expected to lose, but not so utterly.
With Hinata's Byakugan able to perceive chakra, any attempt by Ino to use her clan's jutsu was instantly exposed. Her secret techniques were useless, her genjutsu ineffective. The helplessness gnawed at her.
But Ino quickly swallowed her disappointment. Linking her arm with Hinata's, she smiled and said, "Thanks, Hinata."
"N-no… it's nothing!" Hinata shook her head, softly explaining, "Sorry, Ino, I just couldn't lose."
"It's fine. I get it, don't worry about it honestly."
Understanding Hinata's meaning, Ino patted her back affectionately and whispered, "You didn't finish me instantly, you already spared my pride."
Yes, Ino's gratitude stemmed from Hinata's mercy.
With her true strength, Hinata could have ended the match instantly. But instead, she allowed Ino over a dozen exchanges before gently sealing her chakra points, without striking hard enough to cause internal injury.
This mercy was both respectful and considerate.
As the daughter of the Yamanaka clan, Ino understood Hinata's position.
As the heiress of the Hyuga, the last of the great clans in Konoha, and now its foremost shinobi family, if Hinata were to lose or even struggle against Ino, it would bring great shame to her clan.
So Ino comforted Hinata, knowing how heavy that burden was.
Compared to herself, Hinata carried the weight of her entire clan, had only two friends, Shikamaru and Choji aside from Haruma, and lived a much lonelier life.
And yet… Ino still liked the same boy as her.
Whenever she thought of this, guilt weighed heavily on Ino.
But to give up Haruma? That, she could not do.
That was why she had never dared to confess to him.
Haruma had known Hinata long before her. She was the one who shamelessly intruded between them. If she rushed ahead again, it would make her feel utterly dishonourable.
Thus, she resolved to let fate, and Haruma himself, decide.
At present, the three of them maintained a delicate balance.
If Haruma could not, before this balance collapsed, make both girls unable to live without him, and gain the acceptance of both clans, then he would eventually be forced to choose only one.
But if he could succeed, he would be able to embrace the blessings of both, achieving the feat of "having it all."
To achieve this, however, he needed not just affection, but also something far more crucial.
Power and status.
To Haruma, these were not obstacles at all. Give him three or four more years, and not only two women, even if he married more, no one would dare oppose him.
That's if he wanted to, however.
With Ino and Hinata's battle concluded, the final highlight of the third exam's matches was about to begin…
Gaara vs. Sasuke Uchiha!