Chapter 68 - Another Name Added to the Little Book - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

Chapter 68 - Another Name Added to the Little Book Ya is an arrogant and self-assured kid, still in the throes of teenage rebellion. Back in ninja school, Hinata was always the leader of the class, with Sasuke being the second most prominent student. And then there was Naruto, always trailing behind as the class underdog. Naruto… he probably wouldn’t even be able to beat Sakura! Though several months have passed since graduation, Ya has learned quite a few family secret techniques. He didn't believe for a second that he would lose to Hinata or Sasuke. "Hmph! If you want us to hand over the scroll, you'll have to prove you’ve got the strength." Shino adjusted his glasses and calmly stated, "There's no way we're giving up the scroll. If you ask why, it's because we also need to pass this exam." Hinata waved her hands urgently, explaining, "Ya, Shino! You've misunderstood. I'm not trying to take your scroll. If you just promise to treat us to meals for a month after the exam, we’ll let you pass." Sakura, Ya, Shino: "..." The initially tense atmosphere turned awkward in an instant. Ya shouted angrily, "Dream on! Hinata, you eat even more than Choji! Do you think I'm dumb? Treating you for a month would cost more than a few months' mission pay!" Heh, you're no fool! Hinata, expressionless, softly commanded, "Naruto, Sasuke, take them down!" With that, Hinata sprang into action, charging towards the trio. Ya and Shino quickly retreated, but Sakura couldn't react in time and was caught by Hinata. Taking Sakura with her, Hinata jumped onto a tree and sat her on a branch, smiling, "Sakura, let the boys handle the fighting. We can just sit back and watch." Sakura hesitantly replied, "Hinata, isn't this a bit wrong?" Ignoring Sakura, Hinata waved down to the four below, offering encouragement, "Go, go! Do your best!" Having said her piece, Hinata retrieved two fruits from her ninja pouch, handing one to Sakura with a sweet smile, "Watching fights always makes my appetite better." Although they felt tempted to give Hinata a piece of their mind before the fight, Naruto and Sasuke assessed their odds, deciding it might be easier to face Ya and Shino. Despite Ya and Shino hailing from families rooted in secret techniques, nobody in ninja school would give them much consideration. Naruto was an orphan, and Sasuke was too young during the Uchiha clan's downfall. Though they were classmates in ninja school, Naruto and Sasuke had little to no intel on Shino and Ya, aside from their taijutsu skills. The moment they clashed, however, numerous insights would be unveiled. The Uchiha clan's Fire Release was notably the bane of the Aburame clan's insects. Naturally, the Aburame clan had strategies against Fire Release, but Shino hadn't yet mastered them. While Naruto's Shadow Clones could be easily dispelled, in a prolonged battle, Ya was no match for Naruto's endurance. The four each found their opponents and commenced one-on-one duels. Hinata watched with glee, occasionally clapping, "Nice hit! Sasuke, that backflip was beautiful! Yes, hit him in the face. Naruto, target Ya's weak spots!" Hearing Hinata's taunts, Ya felt a sudden chill in a certain area, causing his taijutsu flow to pause briefly. In that split second, Naruto seized the opportunity, swarming Ya and Akamaru with a barrage of shadow clones, overwhelming them. After dealing with Ya, Naruto charged at Shino aggressively. "Naruto, stop right there!" Sasuke called out, "This is my fight!" Naruto halted immediately. Sasuke and Shino had yet to determine a winner. Despite Fire Release countering the insects, Sasuke wasn’t Naruto; he didn’t have as much chakra to expend. Sasuke's energy was 'Chakra,’ whereas Naruto's was 'Chakra-ton.’ They operated on completely different levels. As for Hinata, her energy could be termed 'Chakra-kilo.’ The battle between Sasuke and Shino promised to be more exciting. Though their strategies might not be as unconventional as Naruto's, they occasionally provided surprising moments. Lacking sufficient chakra meant relying on tactics to compensate. Sasuke unleashed multiple Fire Releases but faced severe exhaustion of both stamina and chakra. Shino lost several insects and, weaker in taijutsu, got kicked several times by Sasuke. Ultimately... both were left incapacitated. Shino sustained heavy injuries from Sasuke, but Sasuke had also been drained of chakra and stamina by the insects, leaving him unable even to move a finger. "Tsk, tsk! How pitiful!" Hinata leapt down from the tree... "Ah!" Ya howled in pain as Hinata accidentally landed on his fingers. Apologetically, Hinata remarked, "Sorry, Ya! I didn't notice!" As she glanced at the paint on Ya’s face, she added with surprise, "Ya, do you love painting on your face? Let me help you with that!" Ya shrieked in horror, "Wait! Hinata, what are you doing? No, please!" "Hinata! I know I was wrong!" Hinata took out a pen, holding Ya down with one hand and artistically doodling across his face. Satisfied, she nodded, "There, much better!" "Sakura, let's help them up." Calling Sakura over, Hinata stepped forward, intending to assist Sasuke. "Ah!" Ya let out another cry. Blushing slightly, Hinata said, "My apologies, Ya. Didn’t see you there. Perhaps my Byakugan's going blind!" Of course, Hinata wasn’t about to help Sasuke herself. She shot Naruto a glance, and obediently, Naruto went over to support Sasuke and Shino. Crouching beside Shino and Ya, Hinata asked blankly, "So, have you made up your minds? Hand over the scroll, or treat Team 7 to meals for three months?" Ya groaned in despair, "Hinata, didn’t we agree on just one month?" Hinata retorted, "The rates just went up!" Taking out a kunai, she mused, "Sometimes, engravings can last a lifetime." Ya immediately folded, pouting, "Three months it is. Hinata, just don't do anything crazy!" Hinata nodded, patting Ya's shoulder with a playful smile, "See? It didn't have to be this way!" Ya protested, "If only I'd known earlier..." Seeing Hinata's sweet smile, he swallowed the rest of his words. Waving them off, Hinata said, "Ya, Sakura, you're still able to move, right? Help Shino to the tower. We’ve got more teams to ambush." Ya queried, "In your current state, can you keep fighting?" Hinata confidently replied, "Isn’t there still me?" Nearby, both Sasuke and Shino were coming to. Hearing Ya and Hinata’s conversation, Sasuke’s face was filled with indignation. Why? Why couldn't I even defeat Shino? I graduated from the ninja school as the second best. What have I been doing all these years? Heh! Shino is considered a 'legend of invincibility' in the ninja world. There are few who can match him in battle. Count yourself lucky!