CH-93. Ino Vs Hinata

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He saw that the surface of the skin was covered with dense parasites.

Inuzuka Kiba was startled and moved his body to the other side of Shino.

He raised his claws again, aiming them at Shino's waist.

With a bang.

He hit Shino, but it was just a wooden stake.

It was a substitution technique.

Inuzuka Kiba sniffed and turned quickly, only to see Shino with his hands open.

Three shiny parasites flew out.

"You're looking down on me!"

Inuzuka Kiba did not realize that these were no ordinary parasites.

He angrily lunged forward, his chakra-wrapped nails making contact with the parasites.

Inuzuka Kiba was stunned as pain shot through his fingers.

The next second, the three parasites accelerated and struck his chest, knocking him to the ground.

"What's going on?"

Naruto was incredulous, "How did he lose to three bugs?"

Shikamaru frowned slightly.

Those parasites gave him an unsettling feeling.

"Were Shino's bugs always this strong?"

Sakura asked, her mouth slightly open as she glanced at Shiki.

He had never used his bugs in a fight.

Could he not use them?

Impossible.

As a member of the Aburame clan, he must know how to control bugs.

The only explanation was that he hadn't needed to.

Remembering that Shiki had knocked Neji down with one punch, Sakura couldn't understand why he'd need bugs.

"Are you okay?"

Shino walked up to Kiba and extended his hand.

"This injury is nothing."

Kiba rubbed his sore chest, stood up, and complained, "You're one secretive guy."

"You just didn't pay attention to me," Shino replied, adjusting his sunglasses.

"Haha."

Kiba awkwardly put his arm around Shino's shoulders, "That's not it."

"As expected of a student from a ninja clan."

Iruka looked on with admiration.

No matter how hard civilian students trained, it was nearly impossible for them to learn these techniques at such a young age.

"Next match: Hinata vs. Ino."

Iruka glanced at the matchup table and called out loudly.

"Huh? I have to fight Hinata?"

Ino looked surprised.

How could she stand a chance against Hinata?

In the previous practical class, although Hinata had lost to Neji, she'd managed to hold her ground.

"Ino!"

Just then, Sakura approached, held her hand, and whispered, "Think about Shiki."

Ino froze for a moment.

Both she and Hinata liked Shiki.

If she lost, would she be at a disadvantage?

Ino's pressure doubled instantly.

Hinata breathed a sigh of relief.

Not having to face Shiki was the best outcome.

She walked to the center of the playground.

Ino hesitated but had no choice but to go on stage.

"Big brother," Shino said with interest, "who do you think will win?"

Shiki glanced at her, "Ino's taijutsu isn't strong."

Shino understood what he meant.

He believed Hinata would win.

"The Ino-Shika-Cho formation is usually one unit. Separately, their strength drops significantly."

Kiba chimed in, clearly favoring Hinata.

"Ino-Shika-Cho?"

Naruto looked confused, "So Ino is... the butterfly?"

"No, she's the pig," Choji replied suddenly. "I'm the butterfly."

"Huh?"

Naruto looked at Choji's size and fell silent.

Something seemed off.

Shikamaru couldn't help but laugh.

It was common for people unfamiliar with the Ino-Shika-Cho formation to react this way.

---

"Hinata."

Ino took a deep breath, looking serious, "I'll give it my all."

Hinata blinked, not fully understanding but sensing her determination.

She adopted her Gentle Fist stance and activated her Byakugan.

Ino suddenly felt as though she'd been seen through.

Gritting her teeth, she quickly made seals.

With a poof, two clones appeared.

It's useless.

Hinata moved forward quickly, closing the distance between them.

As she got closer, the two clones sprang forward.

She raised her arms and deflected them simultaneously.

The sound of wind rushing by.

Behind the clones, two kunai flew toward her.

Ino knew she couldn't fight Hinata up close, so she used her clones to create an opening, putting more distance between them and throwing kunai.

Hinata, unfazed, grabbed the kunai directly with her Byakugan's help.

Despite the kunai's force, her strength was greater.

She was blessed by both her white and black Gu techniques.

Ino's eyes widened.

There was truly no chance of winning.

She regretted not training harder or mastering the Mind Body Switch technique.

Hinata threw the kunai aside and attacked Ino.

A chase ensued, with Ino throwing shuriken and kunai as she tried to keep her distance.

But it was no use.

After a few minutes, exhausted, she was struck by Hinata's palm.

"I lost."

Ino looked disappointed but quickly declared, "But I won't lose Shiki."

Hinata looked at her, a new realization dawning.

Possessiveness flickered in her gaze: "Neither will I."

[Achievement unlocked: 'At that moment, the girl grew stronger.' Reward: Ai Shengli.]

[Ai Shengli: A level-two poison, also known as Ai Bi Li. Highly toxic, causing instant death upon entering the bloodstream.]

Shiki had been watching with interest, but the sudden achievement notification surprised him.

How did this trigger?

The reward, Ai Shengli, was known as one of the most potent level-two poisons.

Shiki recalled that its cultivation required special ingredients: a reincarnation grass, a widow spider, a red needle scorpion, and a lover's heart.

Yes, a real heart.

He felt as if the system was hinting at something.

---

After Ino and Hinata left, it was Sakura and Choji's turn.

Though Sakura excelled in theoretical studies, she knew only basic ninjutsu and the substitution, transformation, and clone techniques.

There was no way she could handle a heavyweight like Choji.

"Next: Sasuke vs. Naruto."

Iruka glanced at the list, becoming more excited.

This was the match he'd anticipated the most, second only to Shiki's.

"Wait! Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto raised his hand and asked, "Who will Shiki be up against then?"