Instant Victory

"...Huh?"

Lu Yu, looking listless in the lineup, raised an eyebrow slightly. He really hadn't expected to be the first one called.

The class quickly spread out, leaving a large open space for Lu Yu and Hyuga Hinata.

Iruka came over to Lu Yu and whispered:

"You planning to forfeit again, you brat?"

"Uh, how'd you know?"

"Obviously. No forfeiting. I'll say it again: you'd better fight until I'm satisfied today. Otherwise, I'll tell Yoshino everything exactly as it happened. But if I think you do well, you can keep enjoying the next two months."

At once, the lack of fight in Lu Yu's eyes vanished, replaced by the fiery determination of someone who'd just been injected with a dose of adrenaline.

He'd never dreamed he could keep enjoying days like these. This was too good to be true...

Then Lu Yu and Hinata walked onto the field.

Hinata gazed at Lu Yu as if she were a startled bird, head bowed, occasionally sneaking a glance at him.

A few seconds later, she seemed to summon all her courage and timidly greeted him:

"L-Lu Yu, hello..."

"Hello."

Looking at Hinata's adorable, flushed face, Lu Yu gave a slight nod, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

While she still had the courage, Hinata hurried on:

"Oh, right. I never got the chance to thank you for what happened that day."

"Heh, no need. It was nothing."

Watching Lu Yu and Hinata chat quietly, Ino, standing not far away, pursed her lips for no apparent reason.

"Hmph, that jerk..."

At Lu Yu's reply, Hinata opened her mouth. She had so much more she wanted to say to him, but with her classmates watching curiously, she just couldn't find the courage.

Now she kept her head lowered, unable even to bring herself to look at Lu Yu.

The courage she'd just found had come from not seeing him for so long. She'd worked hard to summon it.

Iruka watched the two with interest and said cheerfully:

"All right, that's enough catching up. Are you two ready?"

"I'm ready."

"I-I am too," Hinata replied nervously.

Iruka nodded and waved to the students nearby, motioning for them to move farther back.

"Then let's begin."

Lu Yu and Hinata faced each other. Hinata's pale eyes reflected Lu Yu's face as she met his dark gaze, and her head began to spin.

Over the past two months, Hinata had barely seen Lu Yu in the classroom. She'd missed him for so long that just being able to look at him now made her feel happy.

Thinking of how she'd said so much to Lu Yu just now, and how he'd smiled and responded, Hinata felt a rush of satisfaction.

Have I finally taken a step forward?

The thought made Hinata lower her head shyly...

Seeing her like this, Lu Yu scratched his head helplessly. He had no choice but to provoke her.

"Give it everything you've got, Hinata. That's the only way I'll remember you!"

His words struck Hinata like a heavy blow to the chest.

Her mind roared as she tried to make sense of what he meant.

Does Lu Yu want me to fight him with all my strength?

That's right. Lu Yu doesn't like timid girls, so I can't be timid anymore!

If I want Lu Yu to remember me, I have to be brave!

A hint of determination surfaced in Hinata's eyes, quickly driving away her fear.

Seeing the change in her, Lu Yu's lips curved slightly.

That's more like it...

"Yes, Lu Yu! I'll give it everything I've got!"

Hinata nodded firmly and formed the Seal of Confrontation. Then she took up the Gentle Fist stance of the Hyuga Clan, her expression serious.

Without another word, Lu Yu formed the Seal of Confrontation and waited for Hinata to attack.

Hinata took a sudden step forward and charged at Lu Yu at incredible speed.

The burst of speed left the students watching from the sidelines dumbfounded.

"That speed... That sleepyhead's in trouble..."

"Whoa, Hinata's that strong?"

"It's over. Looks like Lu Yu's going to lose!"

While most of the crowd doubted Lu Yu, Shikamaru merely yawned in boredom and looked at him in confusion.

"Strange. Why doesn't my brother just forfeit? Girls are such a hassle..."

In the blink of an eye, Hinata's attack reached Lu Yu. She struck incredibly quickly, launching three dangerous attacks at him in rapid succession.

In fact, Hinata wasn't as weak as everyone thought. She had lost to Hanabi, who was five years younger, but only because Hanabi was her little sister and she couldn't bring herself to fight her seriously.

And the reason those three kids had bullied her was her kind nature.

Watching the Hyuga Clan princess attack, countless students stared in surprise. Even Sasuke's expression grew serious.

To make Lu Yu remember her, Hinata had unleashed her full potential.

Her relentless assault lasted for more than ten seconds. During that time, she launched dozens of attacks at Lu Yu.

But her opponent was Lu Yu, with Saitama's physique.

If this had happened two months earlier, there'd have been no question: Lu Yu would've had to forfeit. Back then, he couldn't control his strength precisely enough.

But two months of fishing had given Lu Yu complete control over his strength. There was no chance he'd accidentally hurt her.

His evasions looked slow, yet somehow he dodged every one of Hinata's attacks. He kept it up until she threw everything into one final strike.

As Hinata lunged at him, Lu Yu turned slightly and easily dodged her finishing blow. Then he caught her wrist with his left hand and gave it a gentle tug, instantly throwing her off balance.

The next moment, Lu Yu placed his right hand against Hinata's neck...

"Lu Yu wins! Form the Seal of Reconciliation!"

Seeing Lu Yu "subdue" Hinata, Iruka immediately called out.

The students watching fell silent for a moment, then erupted.

"Whoa, is Lu Yu a monster? He dodged every single one of Hinata's attacks, even with her throwing them out so fast?"

"That's terrifying. I'd have been done for already..."

"And Lu Yu only attacked once, from start to finish, and then... it was over?"

"No wonder he sleeps in class every day and skips lessons without anyone stopping him. If someone this strong worked hard too, there'd be no chance for the rest of us..."

"..."

The students on the sidelines all voiced their amazement. Lu Yu's performance had been so frightening that no one could help being shocked.

Seeing Lu Yu win, Ino felt as if she'd just eaten honey. She lifted her chin proudly, even happier than if she'd won herself.

"Sorry. Are you all right?"

Lu Yu came over to Hinata and offered her his hand, asking gently.

"I-I'm fine."

Hinata stammered. She didn't dare take the hand Lu Yu offered, and hurriedly got up off the ground on her own. Head lowered, she looked dejected, and at the same time, her admiration for Lu Yu only grew.

As expected of Lu Yu. I'm no match for him at all.

Hinata actually wasn't weak. Among her peers, if she could truly let go and fight, she'd have few rivals.

Of course, Lu Yu was an exception. Not just Hinata—even the Sage of Six Paths would probably have fared no better against him.

The two who'd finished their match formed the Seal of Reconciliation and walked off the field. Iruka gave Lu Yu a mischievous look and announced:

"Next match: Nara Lu Yu versus Inuzuka Kiba!"