The next match was called, and the air in the arena seemed to thicken with tension.
"Next match: Hinata Hyuga versus Sasuke Uchiha."
The crowd murmured in anticipation. Sasuke was already known for his prowess. Hinata, on the other hand, was still viewed as the shy, quiet girl of the Hyuga Clan, often overshadowed by her cousin, Neji.
Sasuke stepped forward, his Sharingan already activated. He had no intention of holding back. Hinata approached nervously but stood tall, her Byakugan activated and determination glimmering in her eyes. Despite her gentle demeanor, she was ready to prove herself.
---
The Fight Begins
"Begin!" Hayate's voice echoed, and the two combatants wasted no time.
Sasuke rushed forward, his Sharingan allowing him to anticipate Hinata's movements. He aimed for a quick knockout, moving swiftly to strike her, but Hinata's gentle fist techniques allowed her to parry his attacks, dodging with precision. Her training had made her faster and more resilient.
Hinata landed a hit on Sasuke's arm, targeting his chakra points. "I won't give up!" she declared, surprising the crowd with her resolve.
But Sasuke wasn't one to be underestimated. He gritted his teeth and countered with a sharp kick, sending Hinata flying back, hitting the ground hard.
"You've got spirit," Sasuke muttered, "but it's not enough."
Sasuke's Sharingan predicted Hinata's next move as she attempted to stand again, her body trembling from the impact. He dashed forward, landing a clean hit to her side, causing her to gasp and stagger. Despite her efforts, Sasuke's power was overwhelming, and her defenses began to crumble.
In the stands, Neji watched with narrowed eyes, unimpressed. He crossed his arms, scoffing under his breath. "It's no surprise. Hinata is weak. She never stood a chance against an Uchiha."
Naruto, who had been watching intently, clenched his fists as he heard Neji's words. His face twisted in anger, but he kept silent, eyes glued to the fight.
Hinata struggled to her feet, but it was clear she was nearing her limit. Sasuke moved in for the final blow, his hand crackling with the beginnings of Chidori, when Hayate stepped in.
"Enough!" Hayate announced. "Winner: Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke pulled back, letting the electricity fade from his hand as he turned to walk away. Hinata collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily, defeated but still holding on to her resolve.
---
After the match, Neji stood up and walked over to Hinata, looking down on her with a cold, disdainful expression. "You're weak, Hinata. You've always been weak. There's no point in trying to fight against your destiny."
Hinata looked up at her cousin, her eyes filled with sadness but also a flicker of defiance. She had heard these words before, but they stung even more now.
Naruto, who had been holding back his anger, finally snapped. He stood up, glaring at Neji. "Hey! Don't talk to her like that! Hinata did her best, and she's stronger than you think!"
Neji barely glanced at Naruto, dismissing him. "Stay out of this. You don't understand the difference between those destined to win and those destined to lose."
Naruto growled, ready to charge at Neji, but Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Naruto, don't."
---
Kurenai and Hyuk
While the tension between Naruto and Neji was growing, something else was happening on the sidelines.
Kurenai stood next to Hyuk, her hand subtly grazing his crotch when no one was looking. Her fingers teased him gently, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Hyuk remained expressionless, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward in amusement. He casually glanced around to ensure no one noticed, but he didn't stop her. Kurenai, knowing her actions were hidden from sight, continued her subtle caress with a secret thrill.
"Stay focused," she whispered softly in his ear, her tone teasing yet serious. "There's still a lot more to come."
Hyuk smirked slightly, not letting his reaction show as he leaned back against the wall, his eyes fixed on the arena, though his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.