"I didn't expect to run into Sakura…"
Yamanaka Ino stared at the names on the screen, eyes wide. Of all the possible opponents, this was the one she least wanted. Sakura wasn't just a teammate from the past. She was a close friend.
"You're not going to hold back, are you?" Fujimoto Tōma asked quietly.
He wasn't worried about Sakura. She'd already seen real combat. But Ino… he couldn't quite remember how this fight went originally, only that there was something memorable about it.
"Of course not," Ino said after meeting his gaze for a moment. Then she turned and walked down from the stands.
Tōma watched her back, the determination in her posture clear.
Maybe she was stronger than he'd realized.
"She'll be fine," Nara Shikamaru said, with Akimichi Chōji nodding along.
Tōma agreed. In the original timeline, if Sakura hadn't broken free through sheer willpower, she would've lost much earlier. And now, Ino's physical conditioning and mastery of clan techniques were far beyond that version.
If anything… Sakura was the one at a disadvantage.
Not intentionally. Tōma had guided Sakura toward genjutsu fundamentals and medical ninjutsu for her future. Useful paths, but ones that hadn't yet borne fruit in a straight fight. Against a Yamanaka, partial genjutsu training didn't offer much protection.
The match began.
It was a refreshingly grounded fight. No monstrous techniques. Just movement, timing, and resolve.
"Sakura, sorry," Ino said as her fist drove into Sakura's abdomen. "I won't hold back. I need to catch up to Tōma."
"Good," Sakura replied, forcing a smile as she disengaged, pain flashing across her face. When did Ino get this strong?
The attack patterns were familiar, but the difference in stamina and impact was undeniable.
From the stands, Hatake Kakashi sighed. "This isn't looking good. Ino hasn't even used her clan techniques yet."
"Sakura, you've got this!" Uzumaki Naruto shouted at full volume.
"Keep it down, idiot," Uchiha Sasuke muttered, rubbing his temple. He wanted Sakura to win, but cheering against Tōma's girlfriend felt… complicated.
"Tch. I shouldn't have helped him cheat back then," Ino muttered under her breath, then refocused.
A soft breeze brushed past her ear.
In that wind, she heard Tōma's voice.
You've got this.
Ino smiled, steadied her breathing, and formed hand seals.
Sakura's pupils shrank. The Yamanaka technique… now?
If Ino missed, her mind wouldn't return instantly. That would be Sakura's chance.
But—
"Wait, that angle's bad," Shikamaru frowned. "She could win safely without risking it."
Then he noticed Tōma's faint smile.
Ino raised her hand.
The familiar gesture of the Mind Body Switch Technique.
Sakura tensed, ready to dodge.
And then—
BOOM.
A thunderous impact exploded inside her mind.
Her vision went dark. Her body went slack.
That wasn't… the Mind Body Switch—
Before she could finish the thought, her strength vanished.
"Winner: Yamanaka Ino."
The announcement echoed faintly as Sakura collapsed. To the audience, it looked simple. Ino advanced, placed a kunai at Sakura's neck, and claimed victory.
Most spectators were confused. That wasn't a standard Yamanaka technique.
Ino helped Sakura up and guided her toward the stands.
"Why…?" Sakura asked weakly.
"That was the Mind Transmission Technique," Ino answered gently. "Not the same thing."
She didn't elaborate further.
Unlike the high-risk possession technique, Mind Transmission only required locking onto the opponent's mental position. In a closed arena like this, it was almost guaranteed.
And the method Tōma had taught her was even more brutal.
Strike at the moment when the opponent's mind is stretched tight.
Then detonate chakra like thunder inside their thoughts.
From the stands, Tōma smiled.
Classic shock interruption. Effective anywhere. Especially for Yamanaka.
It was a refined mental strike. No distance, no warning.
Sakura's reaction surprised even him. Most people would freeze for a second or two. She'd dropped instantly.
Ino had overperformed.
When Ino returned and handed Sakura back to Team Seven, Sakura could stand, but her eyes were unfocused.
Ino hesitated, guilt flashing across her face… then brightened and rushed over to hug Tōma.
"That technique was amazing!"
"Use it without mercy on enemies," Tōma said calmly. "But go lighter on friends."
Mental damage lingered longer than bruises.
"I know," Ino nodded seriously. "I didn't expect it to work that well."
"And don't use it on someone with overwhelming mental strength," Tōma added. "You'd just expose yourself."
"Got it."
Shikamaru stared at them. "That was your idea, wasn't it."
Ino explained the technique's effect. The principle was simple enough that the weakness became obvious.
Shikamaru broke into a cold sweat.
If she hits me while I'm thinking… I'm done.
Tōma smiled faintly. An unexpected counter to Shikamaru's habits.
The next match was Tenten vs. Temari. It was pure matchup disadvantage. Wind Release shredded weapon-based attacks. No suspense there.
Then—
"Finally! That's me!" Naruto shouted, leaping toward the arena.
His opponent: Inuzuka Kiba.
Kiba relaxed the moment he saw it. At least it's not that red-haired monster.
The blond kid was tough, sure. But brute stamina alone wasn't unbeatable.
Kiba grinned.