Yet Hinata Hyuga stood utterly motionless before the gale powerful enough to overturn boulders. The fierce gleam in her pure white eyes, threaded with bloodshot veins, only intensified. She formed no hand seals, nor made any unnecessary movements. Just as the wind blades were about to touch her body, she abruptly raised her palm!
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
A sharp blast erupted from her palm. Visible ripples of chakra surged forward like a tangible shock wave, meeting Temari's Sickle Weasel Technique head-on with overwhelming force. This was not the traditional pushing force of the Gentle Fist, but explosive power concentrated to its utmost limit, releasing chakra through her palm in an instant to form a shock wave capable of shattering solid objects.
Boom!
The two invisible forces collided violently in midair with a deafening roar.
The raging chakra shock wave spread outward, gouging a deep trench through the center of the arena. Dust billowed and shattered stones flew, while even the spectators in the stands felt a powerful gust strike their faces. Temari's Sickle Weasel Technique was completely canceled out, then even driven back by the Vacuum Palm. Her body faltered briefly in midair, and her enormous fan vibrated with a loud hum.
"What?!" A flicker of astonishment crossed Temari's emerald eyes. She had thought this move would leave Hinata struggling helplessly, yet her opponent had met it head-on with astonishing ease-and even struck back. This was nothing like the frail Hinata Hyuga described in her intelligence!
The instant Temari's surprise left her open, Hinata's body blurred. She used no ninjutsu; through supreme chakra control and a sudden burst of physical power alone, she left an afterimage where she had stood.
"So fast!" In the contestants' area, Sasuke Uchiha abruptly activated his Sharingan. Its three tomoe spun rapidly, yet even