The morning sun had slowly climbed into the sky, and the assessments in the dueling arena continued!
When Sato Ichiro saw that the final pair was Kushina Uzumaki and Hizashi Hyuga, he grew a little worried for Kushina. After all, she would still be very important in the future, so he said:
"Last pair, Kushina Uzumaki against Hizashi Hyuga. Kushina, this matchup puts you at a disadvantage. You can concede!"
"We haven't even fought yet, Teacher! At least let me try first!"
Kushina Uzumaki replied somewhat angrily, her brows drawn into deep furrows, her cheeks puffed out and her little mouth pouting, looking thoroughly unconvinced!
Uchiha Lei knew that Hizashi Hyuga was at least as strong as Hyuga Hiashi. His expression turned serious, and he cupped Kushina Uzumaki's face in both hands and said:
"Don't get hurt. Just concede if you have to. Did you hear me, Kushina?"
"I know, Lei!"
Kushina Uzumaki replied with some reluctance, then used the Body Flicker Technique with her hands and flickered over to stand on the right side of the arena, glaring resentfully at Hizashi Hyuga across from her!
Hizashi Hyuga did not mind. He knew how important Kushina Uzumaki was and that he had to hold back, so he reminded her:
"Kushina, don't push beyond your limits. I don't mean anything else by that!"
"Hmph, mind your own business!"
Kushina Uzumaki snorted coldly and raised her hand to form the Seal of Confrontation!
After seeing Hyuga Mie's Gentle Fist, Tsunade was deeply wary of it. She did not want Kushina Uzumaki getting hurt, so she turned and reminded her sternly:
"Kushina, don't fool around. Gentle Fist does serious damage to the body. Don't let your temper get the better of you. Concede if you can't win!"
"I know, Tsunade. Why are you fussing too? Aren't you right here watching?"
Kushina Uzumaki muttered her reply quietly, then looked toward Sato Ichiro to signal him!
Faced with such a stubborn Kushina Uzumaki, Sato Ichiro sighed helplessly and said:
"Form the Seal of Confrontation. Begin the assessment!"
After raising his hand and forming the Seal of Confrontation, Hizashi Hyuga did not dare underestimate Kushina Uzumaki. He knew that even a lion used its full strength to catch a rabbit, so he immediately called out:
"Byakugan, activate!"
After activating his Byakugan, Hizashi Hyuga stepped back with his right foot and assumed a Gentle Fist stance, his left palm forward and his right palm back, watching Kushina Uzumaki intently!
Since Kushina Uzumaki was so angry, she went straight for her Uzumaki Clan's signature technique without another word. Her hands blurred through hand seals, and she called out:
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Seeing golden chakra chains fly out of Kushina Uzumaki's body, Hizashi Hyuga recalled the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu. He circulated chakra throughout his body, forming a green Gentle Fist taiji diagram with two large circles around himself!
Whoosh!
The golden chains shot toward Hizashi Hyuga. His gaze sharpened, and his body spun rapidly, shaping his chakra into a hemispherical ball before he called out:
"Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin!"
Bang!
The repelling force of Rotation sent the golden chains flying!
Taking advantage of Kushina Uzumaki's obstructed view, Hizashi Hyuga immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind her. He thrust out a palm, stopping it twenty centimeters from her back!
Kushina Uzumaki felt a sudden chill at the center of her back and knew she had lost. She could accept a loss; otherwise, the girls and Uchiha Lei would laugh at her. She shouted:
"I lost!"
"Thank you for the match, Kushina!"
Hizashi Hyuga replied politely, then flickered in front of Kushina Uzumaki and formed a Seal of Reconciliation!
Kushina Uzumaki also formed a Seal of Reconciliation, then released her Adamantine Sealing Chains, letting the chains return to her body!
Whoosh!
Uchiha Lei flickered into place beside Hizashi Hyuga, then warned him in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Be careful when Kumogakure comes for peace talks later. Keep an eye on the children and your impulsive older brother. Remember!"
Hizashi Hyuga froze for a moment, but he felt that Uchiha Lei's warning seemed genuine. He turned, bowed slightly, and thanked him:
"Thank you, Lei. I'll be careful!"
Watching Hizashi Hyuga leave, Uchiha Lei felt a weight lift from his heart. He turned and walked up to Kushina Uzumaki, wrapped his arms around her, and patted her lovely back to comfort her:
"It's all right, Kushina. A loss is a loss. You can just win next time!"
"Mm-hmm, I know, Lei!"
Kushina Uzumaki replied softly and wrapped her arms around Uchiha Lei's waist!
Tsunade had not expected to have the pair's romance rubbed in her face just from watching an assessment. Feeling a little choked up, she cleared her throat and said:
"Ahem...
Teacher Sato, announce the results!"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Sato Ichiro answered Tsunade, then announced loudly:
"I declare Hizashi Hyuga the winner! After the assessment, the teachers assigned to your teams will come find you. Don't wander off!"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Lei and Kushina Uzumaki continued embracing in the arena, as though ignoring their teacher!
At the edge of the dueling arena...
Hyuga Hiashi had noticed his younger brother Hizashi Hyuga bowing to Uchiha Lei. Puzzled and somewhat angry, he demanded:
"Hizashi, why did you bow to that guy?"
"Brother, Lei is a good person. You can't keep wallowing because of Mie!"
Hizashi Hyuga offered that reminder, then stood beside him without another word!
Hyuga Hiashi knew that his younger brother Hizashi would not do something like that lightly. There had to be a reason, so he asked curiously:
"Hizashi, what did you two talk about?"
Hizashi Hyuga leaned close to Hyuga Hiashi's ear and told his older brother exactly what Uchiha Lei had told him, then said seriously:
"I don't think Lei was messing with me. I have a feeling this will happen!"
"I feel like it will happen too. The other ninja villages have coveted our Hyuga Clan's Byakugan for a long time!"
Hyuga Hiashi replied quietly, then raised his right hand and patted Hizashi Hyuga's shoulder, smiling sincerely as he praised him:
"You did very well this time, Hizashi. I'm proud of you. I'll get myself together from now on!"
"Thank you for the praise, Brother!"
Hizashi Hyuga thanked him, a happy smile appearing on his face!
On the training ground...
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru stood together, discussing things quietly!
Jiraiya spoke first:
"I want that Minato Namikaze. Arrange the others however you like!"
Remembering what Nawaki had asked of her, Tsunade looked fiercely at Orochimaru and said:
"Orochimaru, Nawaki wants you to be his teacher. Do you agree?"
"'I'll beat you to death if you refuse' is written all over your face. Why even ask me? Fine, I agree!"
Orochimaru replied with a soft chuckle, then glanced at Uchiha Lei before turning back and saying:
"You don't like Uchiha Lei, do you, Tsunade?"
"I don't, but Grandma told me to take him. And Mie, Mikoto..."
Tsunade was halfway through speaking when Orochimaru interrupted her!
"Tsunade, taking Uchiha Lei and Hyuga Mie is one thing!
"You want a second Uchiha too? Aren't you leaving one for me?"
"But they want to be with me!"
Tsunade replied confidently!
Orochimaru would not have it. His expression soured as he said:
"You can only keep one of Hyuga Mie and Uchiha Mikoto. Choose for yourself, or as for Nawaki..."
"Wait, I choose Mikoto. I'll leave Mie to you to scout for enemies. That way, I can rest easy with Nawaki under your care!"
Tsunade voiced her thoughts, looking at Orochimaru seriously!
Orochimaru also felt that Hyuga Mie's Byakugan would be useful, so a smile returned to his face as he said:
"Agreed!"
The three then went their separate ways, heading toward the students they wanted!
Before you continue