Chapter 86 – You're Not From the Hyuga Clan
Shikamaru, I'm helping you here.
Naruto gave a shrug.
He ignored the resentful look on Shikamaru's face.
Lost the match, but gained a wife.
Not a bad trade.
Naruto didn't stay in the rest area.
He headed straight for where Hyuga Hiashi and Hanabi were seated.
"Big sister."
Hanabi pulled Hinata over and shot Naruto a glare.
"Do your best in a bit."
The next match was between Hinata and Neji.
She was torn.
Who should she cheer for?
Both of them treated her so well.
But her sister was closer after all.
She leaned toward Hinata.
Even if she thought Neji's odds were higher.
"Call me big brother."
Naruto handed her a bottle of cola.
"What's this?"
Hanabi eyed it suspiciously.
Pitch-black liquid—was it some kind of computer part?
As for calling him big brother, she brushed that off.
Impossible.
Unless he changed his last name, she'd never call Naruto big brother.
"Drink it and you'll know."
Naruto smiled.
Hinata, sitting beside Hanabi, said, "It's called cola; it's pretty tasty."
She'd had it a few times.
Hanabi took a cautious sip.
Her eyes lit up.
Then she immediately straightened her face. "Mediocre."
Naruto produced sunflower seeds and shared them with the two girls.
Hiashi's expression slowly shifted.
You brat, you already led Hinata astray—now you want to corrupt Hanabi too?
"Ahem, I think—"
"Ah, sorry, I forgot."
Naruto snapped awake and stuffed a pile of snacks into Hiashi's hands.
"..."
Hiashi tugged at the corner of his mouth.
That's not what I meant.
I'm the head of the Hyuga Clan—do I look like I covet snacks from a kid?
Sigh.
These seeds are pretty fragrant.
The cola's not bad either.
Naruto watched the fight in the arena.
Shikamaru looked miserable.
Temari was chasing him like a dog.
Some roared with laughter, some cheered, others stared in envy.
Naruto figured the two were just flirting.
Every so often they showed off tactics.
Explaining each other's moves.
Stop fighting already—take it to the bedroom; you can't kill each other like this.
In the end Shikamaru outsmarted Temari and pinned her.
Then he forfeited.
Temari stared in shock.
Their eyes met, sparks of love flying.
Naruto handed Hanabi another bottle of cola.
"Hinata, be careful."
He honestly couldn't say who'd win between her and Neji.
Their power-ups were kind of similar.
But Hinata should have the edge.
After all, she'd gained three abilities.
"Mm."
Hinata nodded to the three most important people in her life.
She would win.
"Hinata, I won't hold back."
Neji looked at her.
A month of special training—he'd even mastered the Main House's Rotation.
He'd also sharpened his archery further.
No reason to lose.
"This time, neither will I."
Hinata's face was serious; she activated her Byakugan and took her Gentle Fist stance.
Neji blinked.
She felt... different.
He quickly brushed the thought aside.
Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!
He struck without hesitation.
His arms lashed like twin bolts of lightning, aiming for her Chakra points.
Hinata's face stayed calm; her fists shot out like cannon fire, matching him blow for blow.
Fist met fist.
Shockwaves rang out.
They clashed dozens of times in an instant.
"So strong!"
Hanabi's mouth hung open.
The shock made her drop her seeds.
Hiashi quietly activated his Byakugan.
When...
Hinata actually kept pace with Neji.
Not just in Gentle Fist—her whole demeanor had shed its usual timidity.
He instinctively looked at Naruto.
Calm as ever.
He'd expected this?
Hiashi suddenly realized he might not know his daughter as well as he thought.
Neji and Hinata separated after the exchange.
He caught his breath.
Hinata had perfectly matched his rhythm.
It stunned him.
But this ends now.
Neji raised his hand; Chakra shaped a black longbow.
Seeing it, Hinata drew a bow of her own.
Neji blinked.
You use a bow too?
They both leapt back.
A string of explosions.
Fireworks bloomed overhead.
Hiashi gaped.
What the heck?
"Father, do you remember our clan has a sky-falling archery style?"
Hanabi was equally lost.
The two prodigies meant to lead the Hyugaweren't using Gentle Fist—they were sniping each other with bows.
Where had it all gone wrong?
In the stands Hiruzen Sarutobi scratched his head.
Could the Hyuga really hide jutsu beyond Gentle Fist?
Beside him Orochimaru licked his lips in glee.
As expected of Konoha.
Hinata and Neji's performance thrilled him.
On par with Sasuke.
Worthy vessels.
Delicious.
The fireworks grew brighter.
Mid-fight Neji realized his Chakra was draining faster than Hinata's.
He couldn't understand.
Was it Naruto?
Neji inhaled; Chakra flooded his hand.
A spiral sword appeared.
Hinata realized what was coming.
She drew her bowstring.
Cupid's Wedge!
The plain arrowhead flared, glowing blue-white.
A visible aura blazed.
Neji's heart skipped.
Somehow he knew this shot was meant only for him.
Naruto's eye twitched.
That ability.
Cupid's Wedge—extra damage against males.
"Male-specific" meant damage increased when the target was a man.
Naruto suddenly felt his future might be dangerous.
Neji released.
The spiral sword burned, warped the air, and vanished.
An ear-splitting screech.
A red-and-blue ring exploded where the arrows met.
In the next instant
Hinata's arrow pinned Neji with terrifying force.
He dropped the bow and spread his arms.
Rotation!
He spun.
Wind howled, weaving an invisible shield.
Air sliced into blue lines.
It was Hinata's arrow.
Neji felt a jolt.
The high-speed whirl died.
He toppled backward.
The ground cracked like glass.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
He stared at Hinata standing in the distance.
Her hair danced, haloed in light—like a moonlit goddess.
A sense of unfamiliarity washed over him.
"Winner: Hyuga Hinata."
Shiranui Genma swallowed his shock and announced the result.
Since when do the Hyuga fight like this?
Next person who claims the Hyuga only use Gentle Fist gets a senbon in the eye.
Hiashi rubbed his temples.
Hinata winning should be good news.
Both prodigies showing strength beyond their age—even better.
So why did it feel wrong?
He could already picture clan members begging, "Head, teach us archery."
Trouble was, he didn't know it either—he wanted to learn!
"Naruto-kun, I did it!"
Hinata ran over, beaming.
Hiashi's headache worsened.
Who are you? You're definitely not from the Hyuga Clan.
Thanks to the big-shot reader crouching in the corner for the tip. P.S. Feeling dizzy today; these two chapters might not be great.