The stands teemed with people, cheers rising in wave after wave.
Son Goten held a huge tub of freshly popped caramel popcorn in his arms as he searched around.
His eyes swept through the crowd and quickly locked onto a petite figure in the southeast corner.
Hinata Hyuga sat uneasily in her seat, her two fair little hands wringing together, her fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure.
Whoosh.
Son Goten leaped straight over several rows of spectators and landed steadily in the empty seat beside Hinata.
"Yo, Hinata, worried about that dead last?"
Son Goten sat down without a care, brazenly pressing a little closer to Hinata.
Hinata jumped in fright. Once she saw it was Son Goten, her little face flushed all the way to her ears at a visible speed.
"G-Goten-kun, shouldn't you be down there getting ready for your match?"
Hinata's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, her head hanging low.
Son Goten grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth, crunching loudly.
"It's too stuffy down there. The view's better here."
As he spoke, he reached out and draped his arm around Hinata's shoulders as naturally as could be.
Hinata's petite body trembled, and her breathing grew rapid.
Instead of letting go, Son Goten leaned close to her ear and lightly inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair.
"Don't worry. If that cataract guy dares bully my buddy, I'll take his bones apart when it's my turn."
Feeling the warmth on her shoulder, Hinata nearly melted, unable to utter a word.
In the center of the arena, Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga had already taken their stances.
"Someone like Naruto is destined never to defeat me."
Neji looked haughty as he positioned his hands in the opening stance of Gentle