Hinata, Stop Pretending

Hanabi looked at Hinata, her cheeks flushing slightly as she softly called, "Sis." Inside, she thought, Don't worry, Sis. I'll definitely give it everything I've got.

Even if I still might not be your match, I won't be disappointed. You've been going easy on me all this time, so this time, let your little sister truly experience your strength!

Hinata's thoughts were: Sigh, you brat, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and make your move! Don't you know that putting on an act like this is actually exhausting?

As the scene demanded, at the instant an unnamed fallen leaf slowly touched the ground, the two in the arena shot toward each other like unleashed wild horses.

To be honest, Hinata had always felt that every training ground in the Naruto world had it rough. Whether it was a duel between powerful ninja or a scuffle between newly minted ones,

every scene would inevitably end with dust flying everywhere. People did not even need to watch the exchange itself; just seeing all that swirling dust was enough for them to imagine how fierce the battle was.

Was this what they called not enough background effects, so dust clouds had to make up for it?

In the first round, the two merely tested each other. Neither had activated their Byakugan. Hanabi calculated, Sis really is strong. From that one clash of Chakra-infused palms, I was actually forced back two whole steps.

Hinata, meanwhile, thought: Hanabi! Put some more effort into it! Your sister was already holding back a lot just now. Not only can't I let those cataract-ridden spectators watching us notice anything, I also have to do my best to adapt to your attack style.

Then the two shouted, "Byakugan, activate!" Instantly, veins bulged around their eyes, making them look like they might frighten small children into tears.

Both instinctively wrapped Chakra around their hands before charging at each other. Hanabi understood how powerful her sister was, so naturally, she did not want to let Hinata take the offensive.

Otherwise, once her sister seized the rhythm, she would have no chance whatsoever to fight back. Realizing this, Hanabi launched the first attack.

Her left and right hands darted toward Hinata like interweaving butterflies. Hinata quietly praised her. That's it, girl. That's how you do it.

Yet she remained utterly calm in the face of danger. Her hands and body worked in concert, receiving every one of Hanabi's attacks one by one. It looked as though she was not giving Hanabi the slightest opportunity.

Sis really is difficult to deal with, Hanabi thought. But this isn't all I can do. Take this, Sis!

The Gentle Fist Style practiced by the Hyuga Clan was a martial art capable of directly attacking the Chakra points and nervous system of the human body. Combined with the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan,

it meant that once you were struck by the Gentle Fist Style, the scales of victory had already tipped toward your opponent.

In the battle that followed, even a single disruption in your Chakra circulation could expose further openings. That was why anyone who fought the Hyuga Clan found it extremely unpleasant, and it was also the source of the Hyuga Clan's strength.

Hanabi flipped through the air, evading a palm strike Hinata had sent at an opening she had caught while Hanabi's old momentum had faded and her new strength had yet to arise.

After landing, she stepped forward with her left foot. Her left hand abandoned its previous ghostly, serpentine style altogether, and this palm shot straight toward Hinata's chest.

Hinata bent backward in a bridge to evade the strike. Hanabi's heart leaped with joy at the sight. Using her left foot as a pivot, she lifted her right foot off the ground and lashed it directly toward Hinata's waist with a whip kick.

Without changing her bridged posture, Hinata forcefully stomped her right foot against the ground, sending her body vaulting higher into the air. Hanabi's fierce attack missed as well.

After landing, Hinata retreated two steps and faced Hanabi once more. A gust of wind swept by, scattering the dust that had filled the air moments before. It seemed to signal that the battle had entered its third round.

The spectators watching from the side also began to comment. "They're both amazing! I wonder who the final winner will be!" Their words drew a round of nods from the others.

Hanabi was anxious inside. She knew that if this dragged on, she would definitely run out of Chakra first. Her sister's steady, methodical stance seemed to be forcing her to admit defeat.

If Hinata knew what Hanabi was thinking, she would definitely cry injustice: Girl, do you have a persecution complex? Your sister is waiting for you to pull out a beautiful and dazzling move.

Then she could complete the mission perfectly and smoothly.

Hanabi made her decision. No, her only chance of winning now was to catch her sister off guard and make it impossible for her to guess what her final move would be.

She immediately scrutinized her sister. Then her eyes suddenly shifted. She had it.

She took a deep breath. Her eyes became resolute once more as she adjusted her stance and tangled with Hinata again. Amid a series of sharp smack, smack, smack sounds, their Chakra-infused hands collided, and the battle seemed to have reached a stalemate.