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You can now get early access to Chapter 67 of Re: Naruto Uzumaki on my Patreon. You can also read up to Chapter 11 of Naruto: Satoru Senju.
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IF WE REACH 650 POWER STONES, I'LL POST A BONUS CHAPTER TOMORROW!
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[POV of Hiruzen Sarutobi]
"It's amazing how much Naruto has progressed in such a short time, don't you think, Gato?"
Hiruzen asked the masked ANBU hiding in the shadows.
"Without a doubt, Hokage-sama. Naruto-sama's growth has been exceptional... though I must confess I still don't fully understand how he managed it."
"Minato always had the gift of teaching," Hiruzen murmured, recalling the conversation he had with Naruto when the latter spoke to him about the Eight Trigrams Seal.
"It seems to be a hereditary trait, Hokage-sama. Naruto-sama has been instructing Hinata-sama in preparation for the Chūnin Exams."
The ANBU stepped out of the shadows, standing by his side.
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow with interest.
"Has Hinata shown significant progress?"
He had recently learned of Hiashi Hyūga's decision to appoint his younger daughter, Hanabi, as heir to the clan, thus displacing his eldest.
According to reports, Hinata had been considered weak, to the point of even losing to her younger sister despite the age gap.
"I recommend you see for yourself, Hokage-sama. Hinata-sama has managed to master the Twin Lion Fists under Naruto-sama's guidance."
Hiruzen turned his attention to the combat arena, where Hinata was fighting Neji Hyūga.
As far as he knew, the young Hyūga hadn't even been able to successfully perform the Heavenly Rotation Palm, a "basic" technique only taught to members of the Main Branch within the Hyūga Clan's style.
And now, in barely a month, she had mastered a technique like the Twin Lion Fists?
Few members of the Hyūga Clan could make such a claim without sounding arrogant.
Even Hiashi, in his forties, avoided using it except in extreme circumstances. A small error in its execution could cause severe internal injuries to the user. In fact, the technique was considered forbidden due to its danger.
Yet there was Hinata, executing it with precision, as if it were any other technique.
Had Hiashi cast aside such talent?
Hiruzen knew Hanabi. He had seen her personally in the past.
And although the little girl had talent and potential, the difference with the young woman he now observed was vast.
Slowly, his gaze drifted toward Naruto.
What had that boy done to elevate Hinata to this level?
The Third Hokage felt a deep curiosity.
...
The silence in the combat arena was nearly absolute. From above, the Third Hokage watched closely.
Not far away, Naruto stood with arms crossed, eyes fixed on Hinata.
Hayate Gekkō leapt backward, moving out of the arena and leaving the two combatants face to face.
"Let's fight, cousin Neji!" Hinata exclaimed with conviction.
Neji looked at her for a moment, surprised, before frowning with disdain.
"As you wish."
Hinata stepped forward. Her arms rose, bent, and chakra lions formed around her hands. Her expression was calm but determined.
Neji launched forward without hesitation.
They met at the center of the arena in a sharp clash of palms.
The strikes were fast, precise. Each tried to shut down the other's chakra points, but they dodged and blocked with equal skill.
Neji tried to flank her from the left, aiming for the liver. Hinata twisted her hips and deflected the blow with her elbow, countering with a double palm to the chest.
Neji retreated, rolled across the ground, and stood up immediately.
"You've improved, Hinata-sama," he said dryly, casting a quick glance at Kurenai, who watched silently from the stands.
Hinata didn't reply. She stepped forward again. Her movements were more confident, faster.
In an exchange of strikes, Neji managed to land a direct palm on her shoulder.
Hinata stumbled back, her arm shook from the impact, but she took a deep breath, planted her feet, and attacked again.
"Gentle Fist Art: Exorcism!" she shouted in her mind.
Naruto had told her not to announce techniques out loud, but doing so mentally helped her focus.
Hinata launched two frontal strikes. Neji barely blocked them. The third hit him square in the chest, making him stagger.
Hinata took the chance and leapt, used Neji's torso as a springboard, and flipped back through the air, landing lightly.
Neji frowned, breathing a bit more heavily.
"Seems like you've finally started taking your training seriously..."
Then Neji took the offensive. He moved forward decisively, his blows growing more aggressive, faster. He aimed at vital points on her torso. Hinata blocked one, two, three... but took a direct hit to the side. She stepped back but stood her ground.
Neji spun on one foot.
"Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation Palm!"
A surge of chakra spun around him. An explosive barrier enveloped him, kicking up dust and pushing Hinata back. She slid across the ground but kept her balance and charged again, the lions growling in her hands.
Neji tried to break through her defense, but for a moment, he felt that getting closer would cause his own chakra to begin draining.
Neji himself knew how dangerous the Twin Lion Fists were.
He still couldn't understand how Hinata had learned it.
"You're not so weak anymore," Neji muttered reluctantly.
Hinata smiled, spun cleanly, and shouted in her mind:
"Eight Trigrams, Sixty-Four Palms!"
Neji noticed it and leapt back, out of range.
But Hinata followed him. She was no longer the girl who trembled at raising her voice.
Neji activated the full power of his Byakugan. He couldn't hold back anymore.
They charged at each other simultaneously.
Clashing palms, feints, blocks, short kicks to break balance. Neji landed several hits on her left leg. Hinata dropped to her knees, but pushed off with her right arm and struck Neji directly in the abdomen.
The impact echoed. Neji doubled over.
Hinata didn't miss the chance.
"Eight Trigrams, Sixty-Four Palms!" she shouted in her mind again.
She closed the distance. Hinata's arms were like chakra whips.
"Two palms! Four palms! Eight palms!"
Neji tried to guard. But Hinata was too fast.
"Sixteen! Thirty-two!"
The lions roared. The final barrage was an unstoppable storm.
"Sixty-four palms!"
The final strike sent him flying. Neji slid across the arena, gasping. His body bore the visible marks where each chakra point had been sealed.
Propping himself on one elbow, Neji murmured:
"You haven't won... it's impossible... that someone like you beat me..."
Hinata was also at her limit. She breathed heavily. But she remained standing.
Neji took another step, staggering. He threw a clumsy punch. Hinata barely dodged it with a twist, raised her right palm... and struck.
A single hit, clean and direct to the chest.
The dull sound echoed through the entire stadium.
Neji fell backward. He didn't move again.
Hinata stood for a second longer… then dropped to her knees, exhausted but conscious.
Naruto appeared beside her and helped her up. She smiled sweetly at him.
"You did really well. Much better than I expected, Hinata…" Naruto said, surprised.
"T-thank you…" she whispered weakly.
"As expected… from the Byakugan Princess," Naruto murmured, not realizing he had said it out loud.
Hinata looked at him, a bit confused, but said nothing.
Hayate Gekkō appeared next to them, his voice firm:
"Hinata Hyūga wins the match."