"All of my ninja tools have been disabled… This is a first."
Tenten stood at the center of the arena, her breath slightly unsteady, disbelief flashing through her eyes. For someone who had trained her entire life around weapons, having every single tool rendered useless felt unreal.
But she did not panic.
Instead, a sharp light appeared in her gaze.
"Then we'll settle this with one final move," she declared firmly.
"A special move to decide the winner!"
In the next instant, Tenten leapt high into the air. Two long sealing scrolls unfurled behind her, spiraling upward like twin dragons awakening from slumber. Chakra surged violently as the seals activated.
"This is—!"
"The Rising Twin Dragons!"
Countless ninja tools poured out from the scrolls in a relentless torrent. Kunai, shuriken, spears, blades, chains—an overwhelming storm of steel descended from the sky, filling the entire arena with shrill whistling sounds. There was no blind spot, no safe angle.
Avoidance was impossible.
Spectators gasped as the sky itself seemed to rain weapons.
But Hinata Hyuga did not retreat.
Instead, she took a deep breath.
Her pale Byakugan eyes sharpened, veins bulging at her temples as her chakra surged to its peak.
"Naruto-kun… Sasuke-kun…" she whispered softly.
"You're both fighting with everything you have."
Her stance shifted.
"I will not lose here either."
Hinata crossed her hands, her posture calm yet resolute. The air around her trembled as chakra flowed with perfect precision.
"The Protective Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm… was created to protect the people most important to me," she said quietly.
"If even one attack slips through… it will be because of my own weakness."
Her long black hair fluttered as invisible pressure erupted around her.
"I will never allow that to happen!"
The Eight Trigrams formation expanded outward like a transparent barrier. With the Byakugan's near-absolute perception guiding her, Hinata struck again and again—each palm releasing finely controlled chakra waves that intercepted every single incoming weapon.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang—bang—bang!
Metal shattered, deflected, or fell harmlessly to the ground.
To the stunned audience, it was as if an invisible force field surrounded Hinata. Not a single weapon breached her defense.
The arena floor quickly became littered with broken ninja tools.
Tenten landed heavily, breathing hard. Her eyes trembled with shock.
"How… is this even possible…?"
"She blocked all of them…"
Before she could recover, Hinata dashed forward, her palm glowing with focused chakra.
A single decisive strike.
Boom!
The blow struck Tenten squarely in the chest—but the expected explosion never came.
Tenten froze.
She felt it immediately.
Hinata had held back.
Understanding flashed across Tenten's face, followed by a gentle smile.
"Thank you… for stopping yourself."
She lowered her head slightly.
"Hinata… I lost."
Hinata immediately withdrew her hand and bowed politely.
"Thank you for your guidance."
There was no resentment. No bitterness.
Only mutual respect.
Gekkō Hayate announced weakly, "Winner… Hyuga Hinata."
Naruto leapt to his feet instantly.
"That was amazing, Hinata!"
Might Guy laughed proudly.
"Tenten, you did very well too! It's just that Hinata's technique perfectly countered your weapon-based fighting style!"
"Keep training hard!"
"Yes, yes, Sensei," Tenten replied, still smiling.
The Next Match Begins
"Next battle!"
"Uzumaki Naruto versus Akado Yoroi!"
Naruto burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Finally my turn!"
He jumped straight down into the arena, full of energy despite his pale face.
Hinata sighed softly.
"It's rare to see Naruto-kun this excited…"
Kakashi smiled wryly.
"Well… that's Naruto for you."
Sasuke frowned deeply.
"Naruto…"
"How much strength do you really have left?"
No one understood the toll of the cursed seal better than Sasuke. Even Naruto's monstrous stamina could not escape its effects.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke gravely.
"If Naruto shows signs of danger, stop the match immediately."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Rock Lee shouted passionately, "Naruto! Show everyone the results of our training!"
Even Hyuga Neji, though expressionless, watched with concern.
From the Sand Village stands, Gaara spoke quietly,
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
"There is something terrifying hidden within him."
Temari frowned.
"He looks pretty ordinary."
Kankuro nodded.
"Is he really that strong?"
Baki spoke coldly.
"Do not underestimate him."
"He is likely the strongest shinobi Konoha has produced this time."
Akado Yoroi stepped forward, his body concealed beneath black clothing, a mask, and dark glasses. His presence was unsettling.
"Even though we are from the same village," he said coldly,
"this is as far as you go."
Naruto grinned.
"Ha! I was about to say the same!"
"Let's start!"
Gekkō Hayate nodded.
"Match… begin."
Chakra Devourer
Naruto exploded forward with raw chakra and power.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
Boom!
Yoroi was sent flying backward—but in the next instant, he grabbed Naruto's right leg.
Naruto's expression changed instantly.
"What the—?!"
His chakra began draining violently.
"My chakra… it's disappearing?!"
Yoroi laughed coldly.
"I absorb chakra through contact."
"I weaken your body, suppress your ninjutsu, and strengthen myself."
"You can't win."
Hinata clasped her hands nervously.
"Naruto-kun… be careful…"
Kakashi frowned.
"This is bad."
Naruto gritted his teeth.
"Damn it!"
Suddenly, he twisted his body and kicked violently with his free leg.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Yoroi was forced to let go.
Naruto staggered back, panting—but his eyes gleamed.
"So that's it…"
"You need physical contact."
Even weakened, Naruto smiled.
"I still have plenty of chakra!"
Yoroi froze.
"How…?"
Naruto formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A massive storm erupted, sweeping across the arena like a roaring beast.
Boom!!
Yoroi was blasted into the wall, collapsing unconscious.
Silence filled the arena.
Anko gasped.
"How does he still have that much chakra?!"
Hiruzen answered calmly.
"That is Naruto's own power."
Kakashi sighed.
"Compared to him… I'm barely a drop in the ocean."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)