After the matchups were decided, in the contestants' seating area...
Hitomi said to Mitsuki, who was about to head into battle, "My aunt is really strong, Mitsuki..."
Mitsuki smiled. "Yes, I know. She might be the strongest ninja in Konoha after the Hokage right now."
But Hitomi said, "Still, I hope you win. I know you've been hiding your strength. As your friend, I really want a fair, honest match with you..."
He held out his fist to Mitsuki.
Mitsuki gazed at Hitomi, then held out his own fist and bumped it against his.
"I'll do my best."
Mitsuki turned and headed for the arena, his sleeves fluttering in the breeze!
In the arena...
Hanabi stood gracefully in an orange-and-red kimono dress. Facing the eight-year-old Mitsuki, she showed none of the airs of an elder and greeted him with a smile. "You're Mitsuki, right? Hitomi's friend."
Mitsuki nodded. "Yes, I suppose so."
Hanabi said, "I know that boy, Hitomi. He doesn't acknowledge others his age easily, so I won't underestimate you."
As she spoke, she took her fighting stance and activated her Byakugan!
Whoosh!
Mitsuki launched the first attack!!
Outside the arena, someone remarked, "He dares to attack first against an elite of the Hyuga Clan. Is this what they call the fearlessness of youth...?"
As he ran, Mitsuki flicked his sleeves!
-Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Hiss, hiss, hiss!!
An astonishing number of snake hands shot from Mitsuki's sleeves and lunged at Hanabi!!
Hanabi looked surprised. "This technique..."
Slash! Slash! Slash!
With nimble footwork and precise hand chops, she severed the snake hands in short order!
Mitsuki came within ten meters and formed hand seals.
-Wind Release: Breakthrough!
Boom! Powerful wind pressure blasted straight at her!
"Ha!"
Hanabi swept her sleeve, crushing the Wind Release with Eight Trigrams Vacuum