Epilogue

The first to arrive was number one, Might Guy —Li, who also had a watermelon head, thick eyebrows, and a green bodysuit.

The severe injuries he sustained during the Chunin Ninja Exams have long since healed thanks to Tsunade's skillful treatment, and he has returned to his peak condition.

No, that's not right, it should be, he's faster than before.

Sakura keenly noticed this. She turned back and exchanged a knowing glance with Sasuke, then nodded.

"Sasuke, are you alright...?" Lee didn't strike a bizarre pose like Might Guy, and greeted him normally.

Then his next sentence immediately revealed his peculiar way of thinking, inherited from Might Guy: "Since the Chunin Ninja Exams, you've been the opponent I've most wanted to challenge, I can't fall here!"

So you're concerned about his health just for this? No wonder he's the disciple of the challenge-obsessed master... This master and disciple pair are just full of things to complain about.

Wait a minute, could Lee and Sasuke become the next Might Guy and Kakashi pair?

Sakura felt like black lines were popping up on her forehead again.

"The Chunin Ninja Exams?" Sasuke curled his lip, pointing to his Chunin vest, and said coolly, "Unfortunately, I'm already Chunin, so I won't have the chance to face you again in the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

"We've been promoted to Chunin too, Sasuke!"

Neji Body Flicker Technique appeared behind Lee, his figure appearing almost simultaneously with his voice.

Ying raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. This handsome and delicate-looking boy was not much slower than Li.

She quickly realized something from the faint Chakra she sensed from Neji —he had activated the Hokuto Shinken.

This gentler version of the Eight Gates Released Formation is very suitable for practitioners of the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan. Although the amplified Chakra is not much, it is easy to control. Even Neji, who is not particularly fast to begin with, can keep up with Lee's full-power burst of speed after opening the third gate.

It's clear that after mastering the Hokuto Shinken, Neji's combat strength has at least doubled compared to before.

This made Neji, who was already very proud, even more confident in himself.

"We're both ninjas from the same village, so there will be plenty of opportunities to spar! I'm really looking forward to fighting you, Sasuke!"

Neji said calmly.

He and Sasuke exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting for a second. In those vast, Byakugan, Sasuke seemed to see a burning fighting spirit hidden beneath his calm exterior, no less intense than Lee's.

"You're all very strong. I'd love to spar with you all!" Sasuke's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

Sakura Haruno was left standing there, puzzled for a long time.

I'm really strong too... Why won't you spar with me!

The girl stroked her smooth chin, feeling utterly perplexed.

Just then, the last member of Team Might Guy arrived, panting, shouting, "Wait for me! How come you're all running faster than each other!"

She was a beautiful woman with her hair styled in a bun, dressed in China style.

Seeing that she was complaining about everyone not waiting for her, but was actually staring at Neji, her true intentions were obvious to everyone. Might Guy then explained, "Neji just used a new Secret Technique he learned, a Ninjutsu similar to the Eight Gates Released Formation... that's why his speed suddenly increased."

Hmm, judging from a woman's perspective, this explanation is practically useless. So clueless about women's hearts... Sakura Haruno thought to herself, no wonder she's still single at twenty-eight or twenty-nine.

She was secretly grumbling to herself when Might Guy suddenly shifted the topic to her. "You invented this Ninjutsu, didn't you, Sakura?"

"Huh?" The girl jumped up and stood up straight. "That's true, but to be precise, it was developed by me and Neji's Hinata. Neji also helped a lot."

Seeing that everyone was looking at her with great interest—and perhaps with other meanings in their eyes— Sakura Haruno said a few more words.

"We call it Hokuto Shinken (Northern Divine Fist). It's a forbidden Taijutsu developed based on the Eight Gates Released Formation, but the difference is that Hokuto Shinken can only open seven acupoints, and its effects are far less than the Eight Gates Released Formation. However, its advantage is that it puts far less strain on the body than the Eight Gates Released Formation, and the amplified Chakra isn't as violent, so it can be used in Gentle Fist."

"Although it can open seven acupoints, this forbidden technique is still under development. Currently, only the first three acupoints have been identified. Therefore, Neji is not using the complete version of Hokuto Shinken; if only three acupoints are opened..."

Following the naming conventions of Eight Gates, Seven Stars, Six Harmonies, Five Elements, Four Symbols, Three Powers, and Two Forms --

"... Calling it 'Farmer's Three Fists' might be more appropriate."

Neji spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Just kidding, just kidding! Haha~" The girl waved her hands Neji, who looked like he wanted to kill her.

"Alright, Neji," Might Guy smoothed things over, patting the Byakugan boy on the shoulder, "It's perfectly reasonable for the jutsu developer to have the naming rights..."

His explanation seems to be adding fuel to the fire.

"If we're talking about sparring, how about we schedule a time with Team Kakashi for a joint training session? I think you two also want to spar with Sakura, right?" Might Guy quickly changed the subject. "What do you think, Kakashi?"

Kakashi had arrived silently without anyone noticing.

He stood behind Sakura and Sasuke.

"That's a good idea," Kakashi scratched his mask, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's Neji and the others are officially promoted to Chunin. Everyone should be available then."

He looked down and carefully examined Sakura and Sasuke, who had gradually fallen silent.

Weakness and lethargy due to excessive blood loss... But since neither of them was seriously injured, I breathed a sigh of relief.

With Kakashi's arrival as a sign, waves of Konoha Ninja began to arrive to provide support.

The four members of Team Kurenai Yuhi arrived right after Kakashi.

"Yo, you're here." Sakura Haruno forced a cheerful greeting at the girl who rolled her Byakugan, trying to sound relaxed.

She forced a smile, but suddenly felt a slight sense of disorientation.

... Am I also losing too much blood? Sakura shook her head, realizing her problem.

She had been standing for so long that she was starting to feel numb. She tried to sit down, but found her body limp and unable to support her. She blinked, and it took her a few seconds to realize that Hinata was standing behind her, supporting her.

"You're being stubborn again." Byakugan girl's voice was as cold as ever, and the concern in her voice sounded more like a reproach, while the strength in her hand gripped Sakura so tightly it hurt.

Sakura leaned against her, feeling that this position seemed somewhat familiar.

Hmm... she no longer had the strength to recall.

He raised his head with some difficulty, trying to catch Hinata's gaze.

Their gazes met in the air, and the girl with the Byakugan, who had been looking blankly, suddenly became sharp as a knife.

"What are you looking at?" she spat.

"If there's a next time, I won't stand behind you again!"

Hey, Hinata's mother's angry.

Sakura chuckled lightly after being scolded.

Another hypocrite...

The more arrogant a person is, the more likely they are to act this way.

Sakura twisted her neck, finding the softest, most comfortable, and warmest spot.

"Don't move, I'm just going to sleep for a while."

Hinata was startled. When she looked down, she saw that the girl in her arms was breathing heavily and evenly.

(To celebrate the highly recommended chapter, this is the third update tonight. Tomorrow, on Qixi Festival, this volume will conclude.)