Chapter 81: Hinata's Victory
Naruto was somewhat speechless when he heard Hyuga Neji's words. It was fine to be a sister-con, and no one would judge him for that, but using the method of putting Hinata down to make her grow quickly so she wouldn't end up like him in the Branch House was a bit too much.
This was completely destroying Hinata's self-confidence!
Naruto really couldn't stand it anymore and shouted at Neji, "Hey, hey, hey! Are you talking so much because you're afraid of losing?"
"You bastard, what do you know! I'm just sparing her from getting hurt."
"You're just afraid of getting hurt yourself! So much nonsense."
Just as Neji was about to snap back at Naruto...
Naruto looked at Hinata and said, "Hinata, beat him up for me! If I'm satisfied, I'll not only grill fish, but I'll also make your favorite Braised Pork."
Just as Hinata was about to agree, Ino anxiously said to her, "Hinata, you must give Neji a good beating. Then, we can make Naruto cook more Braised Pork."
Shikamaru and Choji also looked at Hinata with burning eyes. If it weren't for the rules of the match, Choji would definitely have been the first to go down and pummel Neji.
Even Sasuke stared intently at Hinata, as if saying that if she didn't beat Neji to a pulp, she'd be in big trouble.
Back when they were training at the Riverside Hut, Shikamaru and the others had trained quite late, so they stayed there to rest. However, everyone was hungry, so Naruto went to the kitchen and cooked a meal.
Because of that one meal, Shikamaru and the others often trained until very late, just waiting for Naruto to cook.
Later, when Naruto returned to the Village, he rarely cooked because conditions didn't allow for it. Sasuke had the good fortune of tasting it once, but he had never forgotten it.
Neji saw Hinata's friends looking at him with eyes that said he should just stand there and take the beating, or else they would gang up on him. This made even Neji feel a bit flustered.
Seeing that her usual friends all wanted her to beat Neji, Hinata's resolve hardened. Her gaze was no longer as fragile as before as she stared intently at Neji.
"Um... Brother Neji! I cannot fail my friends' expectations."
Seeing that Hinata's gaze had changed, Nejiangrily took the starting stance of the Gentle Fist.
"Hmph! Then I can only say I'm sorry. You're likely going to have to fail those friends' expectations."
After Neji finished speaking, the two began their duel, both using the Gentle Fist at the same time.
The fight between the two was as if they were fighting their own shadows; from the starting stances to the techniques, everything was identical.
Naruto's training of Hinata had also taken effect. She was trading blows back and forth with Neji. When Neji sealed one of Hinata's Chakra Points, Hinata would strike back and seal one of Neji's. By the end, they were practically neck and neck.
Both used the same technique simultaneously and stepped back two paces.
Neji looked at Hinata in disbelief and said, "How is this possible! You're supposed to be a failure. How can you be this strong?"
Hinata smiled shyly and said, "It was... Naruto-kunwho helped me train."
"That damn blond again!"
With that, Neji attacked Hinata once more.
Hinata got angry when she heard Neji call Narutoa "blond." With a slight frown, she used the Tai Chi Fist, using her opponent's strength against him. She performed a sequence of moves: Grasp the Sparrow's Tail, Single Whip, Raise Hand and Step Forward, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Brush Knee and Step Forward, Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch, Apparent Close up, Cross Hands, and Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain. After this combo, she knocked Neji flat on the ground.
Perhaps Hinata had been too immersed in the fight; after finishing the combo, she stood there panting as she looked at the fallen Neji.
The spectators' eyes widened in disbelief. They hadn't expected such a delicate girl to defeat the genius of the Hyuga Clan, and to do so while leaving him completely unable to fight back.
The entire arena was silent, except for Naruto, who grinned and said, "Beautifully done, Hinata! When we get back, there'll be not only Braised Pork but also Sweet and Sour Pork."
Hearing Naruto's words, Hinata lowered her head shyly and said timidly, "Tha... Thank you! Naruto-kun."
As soon as Hinata finished speaking, the audience erupted into thunderous applause.
Gekkō Hayate also smiled and announced Hinata's victory.
Neji was carried onto a stretcher by the Medical Ninjas, but he still stared blankly with his eyes open in disbelief. He simply couldn't believe he had actually been defeated by Hinata.
Lee and Guy were also in disbelief that Neji had been defeated by Hinata. In their eyes, Neji was the most powerful among this year's Genin, yet he was defeated by Hinata.
Hinata timidly returned to the second-floor observation deck and walked over to Naruto and the others.
Naruto smiled at Hinata and said, "You did a great job!"
Hinata lowered her head with a shy smile.
"Thank you! Naruto-kun!"
Ino also happily put her arm around Hinata's neck and said, "Hinata, you're going to have a feast when you get back. Are you happy?"
"Ha... Ha... Happy!"
"You can't forget about us just because you're happy! We were cheering for you, too!"
"I won't! We can all go and eat together."
"Great! I was just waiting for you to say that!"
Ino jumped for joy, but Shikamaru and Choji were too embarrassed to be as intimate with Hinata as Ino was. They could only stand beside Ino and stare at Hinata.
It was as if they were saying, "Don't you dare forget us, we want to go too."
Even Sasuke silently stood next to Shikamaru and the others, while "that whoever" Shino also stood beside Sasuke.
How could Hinata not know what they meant? She stole a timid glance at Naruto. She was also afraid of tiring Naruto out, as cooking was hard work. She had to ask for Naruto's opinion no matter what.
Naruto chuckled and said, "Since everyone wants to get together, let's head to the Riverside Hutafter the exam is over!"
Hearing Naruto agree, Shikamaru and the others were so happy they jumped for joy, pumping their fists and ready to give it their all.
Naruto looked at Kurenai Yuhi, Kakashi, and the others and said, "You Guys should come along, too!"
Kakashi had actually wanted to taste Naruto's cooking for a long time, but he still hesitated for a moment and said politely, "Would that be inconvenient?"
"Oh?! If you think it's inconvenient, then forget it!"
How could Naruto not know what Kakashi was thinking? If you're going to be polite, I'm going to play along.
Hearing Naruto's words, Kakashi immediately changed his tune.
"Even if it's inconvenient, I still have to supervise you all to prevent you from getting too rowdy and starting a fight. As your teacher, I have a responsibility to prevent you from getting hurt."
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head with a smile at Kakashi's antics and looked at Naruto, saying, "I'll...!"
Just as Kurenai Yuhi started, Naruto quickly interrupted.
"Senior Kurenai! You helped me get started, and you're Hinata's Team Leader. No matter what, you must come."