T/N:
Thank you, AbsoluteZero & Av , for joining my Patreon and supporting the journey!
-------------
After listening to the system's explanation about favorability, Furen quickly asked, "Is 200% the highest favorability level?"
The system replied, "Yes."
Furen then inquired, "Is there a reward draw for every 25% increase, like in the first 100%?"
The system explained, "After 100% favorability, you will get a reward draw at 120%, 150%, and 200%. Also, after 100%, any reward remaining in the draw pool will automatically default to the best one."
Hearing this, Furen became excited. He realized that once Kin Tsuchi's favorability reaches 120%, there would be a golden reward in her pool waiting for him!
"I'll wait until I get a few more characters to 100% favorability and increase the rarity of my rewards. Then, I'll open Kin Tsuchi's draw pool!"
The match between Shikamaru and Kin ended with Kin's victory.
After the referee, Hayate Gekko, recorded Kin's win, the screen displayed the next match participants: Haruno Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino.
Both Ino and Sakura were stunned as they looked at each other.
"Sakura, I didn't expect us to end up as competitors," Ino said, glancing at Sakura before turning her gaze toward Furen.
Sakura responded, "I didn't expect to face you either..."
Seeing that Ino's attention was fully on Furen, Sakura clenched her fist and waved it in front of Ino. "I'm talking to you, Ino-pig! Stop staring at Furen!"
"You like Furen, don't you?" Ino teased, brushing her hair aside.
"W-what?!" Sakura blushed, flustered, her voice lowering, "It's... it's not like that..."
Ino grinned, feeling victorious. "So you say you don't like Furen, huh?"
Before Sakura could react, Ino cupped her hands around her mouth, pretending to shout Furen's way. Panicked, Sakura rushed to cover Ino's mouth.
"Ino-pig, don't you dare say that!" Sakura yelled, her face full of frustration.
Seeing Sakura's over-the-top reaction, Ino stopped and stared at her. "You really do like Furen, don't you?"
This time, Sakura didn't avoid the topic. Blushing, she admitted, "Yes, I like Furen. So what, Ino-pig?!"
Ino smiled calmly and replied, "Well, I like Furen too—a lot."
Sakura was taken aback, recalling her history with Ino.
She remembered when, as a child, Ino had handed her a large chrysanthemum and encouraged her: "If a flower wilts before it blooms, wouldn't that be a shame? Flowers are meant to blossom, and maybe it'll turn out even more beautiful than a chrysanthemum!"
It was Ino who had given her the confidence to face her feelings for Furen.
"I won't lose to you," Sakura declared to Ino.
"Neither will I," Ino responded, heading down to the arena. "Let's settle this like real ninja."
In the Arena:
Sakura took her forehead protector off her head and tied it around her forehead, signaling that she was serious.
Seeing this, Ino recalled Sakura's words from the past, when they both were competing for Furen's affection.
"When I wear my forehead protector like this, it means I'm serious. As a kunoichi, I won't lose to you."
Ino's expression turned serious. "For Furen's sake, I won't lose either, Sakura!"
"Begin!" declared the referee, Hayate Gekko.
As soon as the battle began, both girls rushed forward. Sakura quickly formed a hand sign, creating three clones that charged at Ino.
"Simple clone jutsu," Ino observed, unimpressed. "Do you think this is the ninja academy graduation exam? Basic ninjutsu like this won't help you beat me!"
Clone Technique isn't Shadow Clone Jutsu, Ino thought to herself. I just need to focus a little, and I can easily tell which one is the real Sakura.
Suddenly, the real Sakura gathered chakra in her feet and boosted her speed, dashing forward. Before Ino could react, Sakura's punch connected, sending her flying backward.
Picking herself up, Ino wiped the corner of her mouth and charged back at Sakura. The two girls began exchanging blows, one punch at a time, neither willing to back down.
Both fought to prove themselves—and for Furen.
"It's been ten minutes already. This fight's dragging on," Hayate Gekko remarked, sweating a little as the two continued to trade punches.
"Women are terrifying..." Shikamaru commented as he watched from the sidelines.
"Yeah..." Chōji nodded in agreement.
After a fierce round of shuriken exchanges, both Ino and Sakura were nearly out of chakra.
The only sound in the arena was their heavy breathing.
Though exhausted, neither girl gave up. Both were determined to win Furen's favor.
"Damn it, there's no way I'll lose to you!" Ino shouted.
"Hmph, I told you—Furen is mine," Sakura retorted.
Catching her breath for a few seconds, Ino suddenly widened her eyes and formed a hand sign. "It's time to end this. I'll make you admit defeat with your own mouth!"
-----------------
T/N:
Get 40 advanced chapters at p@treon.com/Ashborn69. Your support helps me so much Thank you!