Chapter 76: A Jealous Hinata Hyuga, The Final Matches Begin

Chapter 76: A Jealous Hinata Hyuga, The Final Matches Begin

Happy moments always pass too quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was August 5th, Year 60 of the Hidden Leaf Village.

The countdown to the third exam’s official matches had reached its final two days.

After spending half a month playing with Hanabi Hyuga, Izayoi finally departed, carrying several large scrolls and bidding a reluctant farewell to Karin.

Before leaving, Izayoi turned to Karin and said, “There’s an unfinished scroll on the desk in my study—it contains a technique’s training method. After I leave, practice it diligently. I hope you’ve mastered it by the time I return.”

Hearing that Izayoi would visit again, Karin perked up immediately, standing straight to promise, “Yes! I won’t disappoint you, Izayoi.”

“We’ll head back now. Goodbye.”

“Big sister Karin, bye-bye!” Hanabi Hyuga waved farewell as well.

Karin smiled and waved back, watching Izayoi hoist Hanabi onto his back before vanishing in a Body Flicker.

At six in the evening, Izayoi and Hanabi Hyuga returned to the Hidden Leaf Village on schedule.

“So many carriages… and so many people…” Hanabi Hyuga marveled, glancing around Central Street.

“Of course. The Chūnin Exams’ final matches are in two days. Ordinary folks can’t use Body Flicker, so they have to arrive early,” Izayoi chuckled.

“Big brother, I’ll definitely cheer for you during the match! Don’t lose, okay?” Hanabi Hyuga clenched her fist, determined.

“Don’t worry. Big brother’s victory is guaranteed.” Izayoi gazed into the distance, his eyes piercing through unseen barriers as a confident smile spread across his face. “In every way.”

After dropping off Hanabi Hyuga at the Hyuga Clan’s gates with the sealed scroll containing her souvenirs, Izayoi returned home to prepare for the grand event two days away.

…

August 7th, Year 60 of the Hidden Leaf Village.

At dawn, Central Street buzzed with life, growing louder by the minute.

By midday, fireworks lit up the sky.

Commoners in simple clothes and nobles in carriages or carried on palanquins alike flocked to the Hidden Leaf Village’s central plaza.

An hour before the exam, the plaza was already packed.

Many foreigners and out-of-towners who failed to secure tickets argued with guards at the entrance.

When they realized entry was impossible, they stayed outside, hoping to imagine the spectacle through sound alone.

Unfortunately, the ninjas’ minds were too dull to reserve tickets for resale or set up a betting ring outside. They could’ve made a fortune.

“Izayoi, long time no see.”

A month later, Hinata Hyuga finally left her home to visit Izayoi.

The side effects of her artistic photos had long been dissolved by her intense longing.

The moment she saw Izayoi, Hinata impulsively threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly, her voice and eyes brimming with affection.

“Long time no see, Hinata Hyuga.”

Izayoi embraced the girl tightly. Even as her soft chest pressed against him, he felt no stray thoughts—rare for him.

Since age six, they’d been inseparable. This was their first time apart, and for two who’d grown accustomed to each other’s presence, the month had been agonizing.

Izayoi had it easier, at least with his little sister-in-law keeping him company.

For Hinata, the past month had been torturous.

Especially when listening to Hanabi’s travel stories and seeing photos of Izayoi and Hanabi together, Hinata had rarely felt jealous of her younger sister.

The moment her vacation ended, she rushed to find Izayoi.

This separation hadn’t weakened their bond—it had deepened it.

They stood in silence, clinging to each other before finally parting to share breakfast.

While Hinata washed the dishes, Izayoi returned to his room, retrieving Hanabi and Hinata’s birthday gifts: a white robe with flame patterns and several large scrolls from Sakura Street. He carried them into his private bathroom.

By the time Hinata finished tidying up and removed her apron, Izayoi had already emerged.

Together, they left for the Hidden Leaf Village’s central plaza.

The plaza was a spherical open-air structure, a restricted area like the Forest of Death, opened only for major events.

Each opening marked a significant festival.

Through the competitor’s entrance, the vast arena already hosted the head proctor and some examinees.

Seeing the proctor with a senbon in his mouth, Izayoi knew the main protagonist of the Shippuden era still couldn’t escape death.

“I thought you two were too busy dating to remember the exam,” Sasuke Uchiha sneered as Izayoi and Hinata arrived.

Hinata blushed as usual, but Izayoi merely smiled. “You look like you’ve had a rough month.”

“Quite the opposite. I’ve had a great one.” Sasuke’s lips curled into a smirk. “When we meet in the finals, I’ll amaze you.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Izayoi glanced at Sasuke’s neck, noting the absence of the Heavenly Curse Mark. He deduced Sasuke had trained with Hatake Kakashi as in the original story, likely mastering Lightning Release: Chidori.

With that, Sasuke’s Lightning Release Nature Transformation had reached a level where he could begin Shape Transformation, learning Chidori Stream and Chidori.

The stronger Sasuke became, the happier Izayoi felt.

Time ticked away as the remaining examinees arrived.

Unlike Sasuke, Naruto Uzumaki hadn’t arrived chased by bulls.

In the Vip section, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage had already taken their seats.

Checking his pocket watch, Genma Shiranami addressed the ten examinees. “Time’s up. Absent examinees forfeit, and their opponents advance automatically.”

At his words, many glanced at Naruto.

Of the eleven examinees, only Tōsu Ame was missing.

Naruto crossed his arms, laughing boastfully. “Hah! That coward must’ve run away, scared of my might!”

“Now, the rules.” Genma pulled out a clipboard, striking Tōsu Ame’s name. “You’ve all attended the Ninja Academy and know no-holds-barred duels. The final matches allow any method—killing your opponent incurs no penalty, as the Death Waiver you signed during the second exam remains valid.”

“So if you’re outmatched, surrender quickly. Don’t expect me to save you.”

“Examinee number 2 forfeits. Naruto Uzumaki, drawing number 1, advances. Hinata Hyuga (number 3) and Temari (number 4) remain. Others, head to the waiting area.”

As Genma spoke, Gaara, Kankuro, and Neji Hyuga left first.

Izayoi and the other protagonists cheered for Hinata before heading to the competitor’s section.

“Great! It’s my sister’s first match. Go, sister!” Hanabi Hyuga shouted from the audience, seeing Hinata and Temari on stage.

“Hanabi Hyuga, mind your manners,” Hiashi Hyuga reprimanded.

“Yes, father.”

Knowing she couldn’t shame her clan publicly, Hanabi straightened her posture, her face turning serious.

“So you’re Hinata Hyuga—the one who graduated this year?”

Temari sized up Hinata, who was three years younger but outclassed her in figure, even surpassing many mature women. Her eyes and lips twitched slightly.

Learning that Hinata had a handsome childhood friend who ranked first from enrollment to graduation, mastered multiple Nature Transformations, and developed the S-rank Storm Release only deepened Temari’s envy.

To top it off, they’d been teammates since graduation, never separated. Even as the Kazekage’s daughter and Sunagakure’s princess, Temari couldn’t help feeling jealous.

Her looks, talent, and lineage were unfair enough—why did she get the perfect partner too?

Had this woman saved the world in her past life?!

Hinata remained oblivious to Temari’s thoughts.

Hearing Temari’s words, she felt shy again.

Why did female peers—or even older women—always stare at her chest, their eyes filled with envy?

It felt like a burden.

At least, that’s how Hinata initially thought.

Until she realized Izayoi loved it—enough to nosebleed—and she no longer saw it as a hindrance but a pride-worthy asset.

At that thought, her shyness vanished, her lips curving upward.

To Temari, it looked like Hinata was smirking disdainfully at her flat chest.

The Sunagakure princess seethed.

With a bang, Temari slammed her three-bladed fan onto the ground, glaring at Hinata. “Noble lady, I hope your skills can satisfy my three-bladed fan.”

The word “noble” seemed to trigger something in Hinata.

Glancing toward her sister and father, Hinata’s temples throbbed with visible veins as she faced Temari, her expression hardening. “I’ll give it my all.”

Their gazes clashed, sparks flying between them.

The intense aura even intrigued Genma, who removed his senbon and raised his arm. “Chūnin Selection Third Exam Final Match: Hinata Hyuga vs Temari… officially begins!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end