Terrifying Heart Protection Hair

"I didn't expect that female ninjas from Konoha would be so different. Your name is Sakura, right? You're truly embarrassing..."

Unlike the arrogant Dosu and Zaku, Kotone, being female, possessed a certain degree of caution.

As soon as she clashed with Sakura and Hinata, she accurately assessed their strengths:

The ninja named Sakura had average abilities, while the one called Hinata was a formidable opponent for her.

Not to mention, these two were teaming up against her.

Seeing this, Kotone immediately conceived a plan to provoke Sakura's anger and win amidst the chaos:

"With your level of skill, you can actually participate in the Chunin Exams? I assume your teammates must be incredibly strong, and you're just riding their coattails!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Kotone's words instantly made Sakura, whose sore spot had been hit, blush furiously.

However, during the battle, she forcibly suppressed her anger, channeling all her rage into her attacks.

But Kotone clearly didn't expect to disrupt Sakura's mindset with just one sentence. As the fight continued, Kotone's taunts grew increasingly outrageous.

Words like "riding coattails," "useless," and "unearned gains" were thrown around. By the end, she even resorted to claims of "using her looks to get ahead."

By this point, Sakura could no longer hold back.

Staring at Kotone's increasingly detestable face, her eyes turned red, feeling blood rush to her head. Without regard for anything else, she prepared to fight desperately!

"Sakura, stop!"

The moment Sakura's face flushed red, a cool stream of Chakra flowed into her from her back.

It not only suppressed the chaotic Chakra within her but also calmed Sakura down.

When she turned her head, she saw Hinata standing beside her:

"You just fell for her genjutsu. From the looks of it, the two bells she has are the trigger condition. Be careful!"

"Thank you, Hinata!"

Sakura shot Kotone a fearful glance before gratefully saying to Hinata:

"If it weren't for you, I would have gotten hurt!"

"It's fine, we're comrades fighting together at this stage!"

Hinata replied calmly:

"And she's right, your skill really isn't that great. You could easily die!

Honestly, I don't know how you had the courage to enter the tournament.

Even if you wanted to get a feel for the exam content, this kind of battle is still too early for you!"

Sakura: "..."

In Sakura's memory, Hinata had always been a wallflower in their class.

Whether it was doing things or speaking, she was timid and hesitant.

She had no idea how Kazeka had treated Hinata, but now she was not only terrifyingly strong but also spoke with a tongue that could pierce anyone's lungs!

"Hmm? You seem unconvinced?"

Seeing Sakura's expression, the tough-talking Hinata glared:

"What, you can't handle being told the truth about your lack of skill? If you're unhappy, go team up with her right now, and I'll beat both of you!

Who are you making that crying face for? As a ninja, strength is paramount.

What's the use of Tenten being a lovesick fool? Once you're strong, you can have any man you want!

Just pick the handsome ones and snatch them up!"

"Uh, this..."

Such a sermon, so far beyond her time, instantly made Sakura's jaw drop. At this moment, Sakura was still in the phase of a young girl yearning for beautiful romance.

However, Hinata's words seemed to have opened a new world for her.

She thought about it carefully. Although Sasuke had always been interested in Naruto, if her own strength surpassed Sasuke's, and she forced Sasuke...

Thinking of that scene, Sakura's cheeks instantly turned red, and she even shrieked:

"Just thinking about it is incredibly exciting!"

"As expected, a useless person. While on the battlefield, you can still have such strong emotional fluctuations. Someone like that poses no threat..."

Kotone glanced at Sakura with disdain and then shifted her attention to Hinata:

"I was a little wary of you originally, but now..."

Kotone clenched her fist:

"Your teammate, Kazeka, has some real skills, I must admit.

I can feel the Chakra within my body skyrocketing.

This power-up seems even stronger than Zaku's. Soon, you will be defeated by my hands!"

"Your reaction is rather unexpected..."

Hinata didn't rush to attack. Instead, she looked at Kotone with a hint of curiosity.

"Seeing your teammate's miserable state, aren't you afraid at all?"

"You were right at the start. Strength is the foundation for us female ninjas.

As for the side effects, if my personality just becomes more carefree, I can accept that!

As long as I defeat you during this surge of power, that researcher named Kazeka will have no choice but to give us the antidote!"

Kotone tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Being more straightforward, this heroic and dashing feeling is also nice... nice... what!"

Kotone's words trailed off as she suddenly looked at her arm in disbelief.

"Why has my skin gotten so dark?"

"Hmm, it seems you've finally noticed something's wrong..."

Hinata stood calmly in place, uttering a truth that brought Kotone to despair.

"I've spent a long time with Kazeka. His grasp on human nature is terrifying.

He wouldn't do something that only makes his opponent stronger.

From the looks of it, your current state is the true effect of his potion:

Your personality won't turn masculine; on the contrary, it will become even more feminine. What's truly changing is your appearance!

You're transforming into a powerful man!"

"Impossible, this is impossible..."

"There's nothing impossible about it. Hinata is right..."

Kazeka's voice echoed from the distance, completely confirming Hinata's words.

"That's just how it is. If you don't surrender, what awaits you will be a hell of despair!"

"I don't believe you!"

Kotone screamed in fright, but the sound was unusually deep. Sensing something was wrong, she quickly covered her mouth.

Then, she discovered in horror that her arms had become considerably thicker, her skin darker, and she was starting to grow coarse body hair!

Kotone Tsui, a Sound Ninja, was slender with fair skin and a standard oval face, a true beauty.

Her greatest dream was to possess the power to reach the pinnacle of the ninja world while maintaining her beauty as a woman.

She was an ideal female ninja who desired beauty, strength, and wisdom to coexist.

However, seeing her body change so strangely, she completely lost it.

Looking in Kazeka's direction, she couldn't help but let out a deep, furious roar!

"You bastard, what exactly did you do to me!"

"As a female ninja, your mindset truly can't compare to male ninjas. You can't handle this much and you're already like this..."

Kazeka glanced at Kotone, shook his head slightly, and uttered words more terrifying than any demon in the abyss.

"Then when you start growing Heart Protection Hair, you'll completely break down!"