"Standing here is me, and what I decide is my own will," Hinata declared, though her voice was shaky. She coughed twice, spitting out scarlet blood but somehow still managing to stand her ground.
"Before, I would've just… cried and given up," she continued, her tone resolute. "I used to want to accept my fate, just like everyone expected."
Her gaze hardened. "But that's over. Not today. Today, I'm going to defeat you, Neji."
As she spoke, Hinata's mind flashed back to something Gojo had told her.
When she was younger, she'd been relentlessly bullied, her shy nature and gentleness making her an easy target. She had all but accepted her weakness as her fate, but that was before she'd met a strange man with sunglasses, a constant smirk, and an attitude like he had nothing to worry about. Casually, he'd sent her bullies packing without a word, and before walking off, he'd tossed her an offhand comment.
"Incompetence and weakness are sins, sure," he'd said, popping a lollipop into his mouth, "but you, kid, aren't guilty. Don't be so hard on yourself."
Hinata had been floored. He probably hadn't even thought twice about what he said, but for her, it had been life-changing. For the first time, she felt seen. And that feeling had stuck, pushing her to train and improve. Her small admiration for Gojo had since grown into an inspiration bordering on hero-worship. To her, he was just about the coolest person she knew.
Back in the present, Hinata clenched her fists, forming a determined mudra. The veins around her temples pulsed, her pale eyes gleaming with renewed energy. "I want to be a great ninja, strong like my father, gentle like my mother."
Neji sneered. "You can't escape fate, Hinata. It ends here."
With that, he lunged, his expression cold as he aimed for her heart. Before he could strike, Hinata caught sight of Gojo sitting casually in the bleachers, watching with that same unconcerned look as always. She straightened, steeling herself.
"I want to live up to his expectations," she thought, heart pounding. "This is my ninja way!"
The crowd caught its breath as Hinata's voice echoed through the stadium. A few people in the audience even did a double-take—had she just glanced up at Gojo Satoru? Was that… admiration?
In the stands, Gojo arched an eyebrow. "Oh, puppy love? Adorable, but hardly surprising. I am incredibly charming, after all."
Kurenai, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. "Please, Gojo. A twelve-year-old girl with a crush on you? You're incorrigible."
He sighed, feigning tragedy. "Yeah, I know. It's a burden. Being too handsome is truly a crime."
The lighthearted moment faded as Neji, fed up with the spectacle, lunged again, anger flashing in his eyes. This time, his intent was deadly. He was beyond done with Hinata's stubborn resilience.
"Enough!" shouted Might Guy from the stands, his face darkening at Neji's intent. "Neji, stand down! You're crossing a line!"
But before anyone could react, Gojo had already moved, springing from his seat. In an instant, he appeared in the air and delivered a precise kick to Neji's chest, sending him skidding backward. Gojo landed with a graceful ease, hands in his pockets and a lollipop still dangling from his mouth.
"Yikes, Neji. Chill out," Gojo said, his usual lazy grin back in place. "A little less 'angry genius' and you might avoid ending up the next Danzō."
Neji, blood at the corner of his mouth, glared at Gojo, his frustration and anger barely contained. "Stay out of this, Gojo-sensei. This is a Hyūga matter."
"Oh, right," Gojo said, unimpressed. "Because keeping it 'in the family' has worked out so well for you."
Might Guy, ever the optimist, sidled over to Neji with his trademark big smile. "Neji, you won the match, but you got a little intense, so I think fifty laps around the village should fix that attitude, eh?"
"Yeah!" Lee popped up beside him, thumb raised. "We'll run together at sunset! It'll be inspiring!"
Gojo, barely containing his amusement, shot them a wry look. "Are you two comedians, or are you here to fight? Guy, your hair's already enough of a show."
Ignoring them, Neji glanced back at Hinata, who had collapsed from exhaustion. But her hand was reaching weakly toward Gojo's leg, and she looked up with a mixture of awe and determination.
"Mr. Gojo… have I… become stronger?"
Gojo sighed internally. Kids. Always so intense.
He leaned down and lifted her effortlessly, a soft blue chakra pulsing in his palm as he healed her bruises. "You did great, Hinata," he murmured with an uncharacteristic gentleness. "Seriously."
A faint smile formed on Hinata's lips as her eyes fluttered shut. "I've… gotten stronger…"
As she slipped into unconsciousness, Gojo glanced over at the medical team rushing in, grinning confidently. "No need for the medics," he called, a touch of his usual arrogance. "I can fix her faster with just one finger." And, in a flash, he was gone, reappearing on the second floor with Hinata in his arms.
The medics exchanged frustrated looks, muttering under their breath about show-offs as they backed off.
Gojo set Hinata down carefully beside Kurenai, who placed a hand on Hinata's forehead. "I'll get you that cake, Gojo," Kurenai grumbled. "Only the best."
"Oh, I'm expecting it." Gojo said with a lazy grin. "And don't skimp on the layers. It's been a long day."
In the crowd, Naruto clenched his fists, pointing at Neji with fire in his eyes. "Just you wait! I'm taking you down in the finals!"
Coughing, Kakashi barely managed to announce, "Winner—Hyūga Neji," while glancing at the scoreboard. "Next match: Lee versus Gaara."
The atmosphere shifted again as Gaara descended to the battlefield, his aura sending a chill through the crowd. Temari and Kankuro watched intently from above, sensing the impending chaos as Gaara prepared to unleash his full power.
Beside him, Might Guy placed a hand on Lee's shoulder, his face beaming with pride. "This is it, Lee. Show them the power of hard work! Let the world witness your ninja way!"
Lee straightened, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Yes, Guy-sensei! I'm ready!"
And in the stands, Gojo watched with a smirk, thinking to himself, This ought to be entertaining.