Chapter 21: Hinata's Fight
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Walking down from the stage, Horyu found a secluded rock to sit and wind down. His body ached from the exertion, but his mind was clear, focused. The victory was his, but it came with a cost – the growing animosity from his peers, particularly from Shikamaru.
Hinata approached him, excitement in her eyes, though tinged with a hint of apprehension from the brutality she had just witnessed. But she didn't voice her concerns. Horyu was her friend, after all, and she understood that there were layers to him that others didn't see.
"Horyu, that was... intense," Hinata began, choosing her words carefully.
Horyu shrugged, his gaze still distant. "It was necessary. Choji is strong. Underestimating him would have been foolish."
Hinata nodded, though the concern was still evident in her eyes. "But are you okay? That was a tough fight."
"I'm fine," Horyu replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's part of the process. If I want to be strong, I can't afford to hold back, not even in training."
Hinata sat beside him, her presence comforting in its silence. They both watched as the medical team attended to Choji, ensuring he was not seriously injured.
Suddenly, the familiar chime of the system notification echoed in Horyu's mind:
[System Message: Choji's Power Play - Completed!
Reward: 150 exp, 30 AP, Stamina Boost Potion, 300 Ryo.]
Horyu smirked, slightly satisfied. "Another step forward," he muttered under his breath. As Horyu and Hinata chatted quietly, their attention was suddenly drawn by Iruka's voice, announcing the next match. "Hyuga Hinata and Miho Yamanaka, please come to the stage."
Horyu's eyes narrowed as he observed Miho, activating his 'Observe' skill. The system message appeared in his mind, laying out Miho's stats and abilities:
[System Message: Miho Yamanaka - Level: 4, Strength: 3, Agility: 4, Stamina: 3. No obvious weaknesses, well-rounded in close and mid-range combat.]
'Hmm, a well-rounded opponent with no obvious weaknesses,' Horyu thought, a frown creasing his brow. This was a challenge. Miho's balanced skill set meant Hinata couldn't rely on exploiting a single weakness. She would have to charge straight in, something that went against her usual cautious nature.
Leaning towards Hinata, Horyu whispered, "Tell Iruka you need to go to the bathroom and meet me in the girl's bathroom."
Hinata blinked, her face turning a deep shade of red. "E-eh?" she stammered, her mind racing with confusion and embarrassment. 'Does Horyu want to give me a good luck kiss? But I can't! I mean, he is nice and handsome, but I can't!' she thought, her heart fluttering wildly.
Horyu, oblivious to Hinata's misunderstanding, waited patiently. His plan was clear in his mind. During yesterday's quest, the system had rewarded him with a Byakugan Enhancement Potion. Initially, he had no use for it, lacking the Byakugan himself. But now, he saw an opportunity to bolster Hinata's strength.
Hinata, still flustered but trusting Horyu, nodded hesitantly and excused herself, telling Iruka she needed a moment. She hurried towards the girl's bathroom, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation.
Horyu followed discreetly, making sure not to attract attention. Once inside the bathroom, he found Hinata waiting, her expression a mix of nervousness and curiosity.
"Horyu, why did you ask me to come here?" Hinata asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Horyu pulled out the Byakugan Enhancement Potion, cleverly concealed in his jacket. "Here, drink this," he said, handing it to her. "It's an energy drink. It'll help you in your match."
Hinata looked at the potion, then back at Horyu, her confusion evident. "An energy drink?"
"Yes," Horyu replied, maintaining his stoic demeanor. "Your opponent is well-rounded. The only way to win is to charge straight in without hesitation. You need to end it quickly, and this will help."
Hinata hesitated, but the trust she had in Horyu overrode her doubts. She took the potion, uncapping it and taking a tentative sip. As the liquid coursed through her, she felt a surge of energy, her senses heightening.
[System Message: Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan Enhanced]
"Wow, I feel... different," Hinata murmured, a newfound confidence in her voice.
Horyu nodded, satisfied. "Good. Remember, charge straight in. Use your Byakugan and strike fast. Don't give her a chance to counter."
Hinata took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I understand. Thank you, Horyu."
As Hinata left the bathroom, Horyu leaned against the wall, a small smirk playing on his lips. 'Let's see how this plays out,' he thought.
He made his way back to the arena, finding a spot where he could observe the match without drawing attention. The crowd buzzed with excitement as Hinata and Miho faced each other, the anticipation palpable.
The match began, and to the surprise of everyone, including Miho, Hinata charged forward with unprecedented aggression. Her movements were swift and precise, her Byakugan guiding her strikes.
Miho, caught off guard, struggled to mount a defense. Hinata's strikes were relentless, each one targeting vital chakra points. The crowd gasped and cheered as Hinata dominated the match, her usual timidity replaced by fierce determination.
In mere minutes, Hinata landed a decisive blow, knocking Miho out of the combat area. The referee called the match, declaring Hinata the winner.
The crowd erupted in cheers, amazed at the transformation in Hinata. She stood in the center of the arena, her breathing heavy but her eyes shining with victory.
Horyu watched, a rare sense of pride swelling in his chest. 'She did it,' he thought, a nod of approval directed at Hinata. 'She's stronger than she knows.'
Hinata, her confidence visibly boosted, walked over to where Horyu was standing. "I did it, Horyu! The energy drink... it really helped."
Horyu nodded, his expression unreadable. "You had the strength all along, Hinata. You just needed a push."
Hinata smiled, her gratitude clear. "Thank you, Horyu. For everything."
Horyu stood at the edge of the arena, his eyes tracking Hinata's every move. The sudden ferocity she displayed in the fight was beyond anything he had expected. The potion was meant to enhance her Byakugan, but it seemed to have awakened something much deeper, something primal within her.
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