Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Under everyone's expectant gaze, Naruto and Hinata stepped onto the arena.

This is the final of Group A, a surprise showdown since fan-favorites like Sasuke and Neji had been knocked out.

No one expected the two 'lucky contestants', who hadn't actually fought yet, to make it this far.

However, these two people are not simple either. One is the top graduate of the Academy, and the other is the heiress of the Hyuga Clan. The audience was still eager to see what these two might bring to the match.

"Alright, without further ado, the Group A's final between Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Hinata … begins!"

As soon as he announced that, Hayate swiftly retreated, leaving ample fighting space for both sides.

But, to everyone's surprise, neither Naruto nor Hinata moved to take a fighting stance. Naruto stood with his hands in his pockets, while Hinata nervously fidgeted with her fingers, her cheeks flushed.

"Naruto-kun, I'm no match for you… I think I should forfeit." Hinata murmured.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto frowned, "You've worked hard to make it here. Are you really going to give up now?"

"But... but I..." Hinata stammered, unable to find the right words.

"If you have something to say, just say it. We've got time, don't be nervous," Naruto said, encouraging her.

Hinata nodded heavily, took a deep breath and said, "I know how strong you are, Naruto-kun. No matter how hard I try, I could never be your match. I just feel like this match is pointless."

"No matter how strong I am, you won't know until you try."

Naruto frowned and said, "Don't worry about anything else. What's important is giving it your all and showing everyone what you're capable of."

After thinking for a while, Naruto continued, "Think of Neji, Sasuke, Tenten, Lee, and even Squirtle earlier. Each of them is fighting with everything they had. Do you think they were fighting just to win the championship? They know my strength and know they likely won't win, but they still gave it their all. Why? Because they wanted to show their true selves!"

"All of them have trained hard, faced exhaustion, and pushed through pain. Why? To show the world what their efforts have amounted to."

Naruto then gestured toward the stands, "Look at the audience, there are quite a few people from the Hyuga Clan here too. As the heiress of the Hyuga Clan, don't you want to make them proud?"

"But... but my father favors Hanabi. She's so much younger than me, yet she's already stronger. I have long been out of the Hyuga Clan's sight." Hinata replied, her face shadowed with disappointment.

Naruto frowned and said, "If you think the clan doesn't care about you, then why are you training so hard? I heard you've been putting in a lot of effort. Is that all just to stand here and doubt yourself?"

"No... that's not it! I want to improve, to be able to keep up with my companions. Most of all..."

Hinata's cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red as she said this.

"Go on, tell me! Why are you doing all this?" Naruto encouraged her.

"I want… I want my companions to recognize me and not to be a burden on them."

Hinata said quietly, deflating a little after she spoke.

"And?" Naruto pressed gently.

"And… well…" Hinata clenched her small fists, struggling to speak further.

Seeing her hesitation, Naruto decided to open up about his own goals to encourage her, "Since you're not saying it, let me tell you why I work hard."

Naruto knew he had to guide her along. Shaking his head with a smile, he explained, "I want to become stronger than anyone else. Not because I crave power, but because I don't want anyone to be able to bully me, and I don't want my companions to be hurt either. Most importantly, when I grow up and start a family, I will also have the strength to protect my wife and children. This is the biggest motivation for me to work hard!"

Hearing this, Hinata said softly, "I really envy your future wife."

"Just envy?"

Naruto could hear the jealousy in her voice and couldn't help but teased her, "I don't even have a girl I like yet. Honestly, you might have a chance too. But why am I even telling you all this? You're probably like the other girls, all into Sasuke, right? Enough chit-chat. The audience is getting restless. Show me the results of your training. Here, I'll let you have the first three moves."

"Wait!"

Hinata took a deep breath and, summoning all her courage, said, "I just have one last thing to say. I don't like Sasuke. In fact, the reason I work so hard is because of someone… a person who changed me."

"Oh?"

Naruto raised his eyebrows slightly and said with interest, "Now, this sounds intriguing. Go on."

"There was a time when he was weak, but he still stood in front of me, driving away the bullies. He got hurt a lot because of it. Maybe he's forgotten about all that by now, but I still remember it all."

Hinata's eyes held a nostalgic gleam, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but formed a happy arc, "Since then, I've been quietly watching him. Slowly, I started seeing sides of him no one else noticed. Others always think that he is fooling around, making trouble, and being the last one. But they don't see his efforts and hard work. I'm lucky that he's grown so much, to a level I could never hope to reach. His hard work over the years finally paid off when he graduated, earning everyone's respect."

"And that's exactly why I've been working so hard. Because I know that hard work can gain recognition. You asked me why I push myself… actually..."

Hinata paused for a moment and took a deep breath again, "Actually, I just want to be acknowledged by someone. And that person… is you!"

After saying this, it was as if Hinata had used up all her strength, leaving her breathless.

It took her a long while to regain her composure, only to realize there was a heavy silence all around her.

She looked up at Naruto, who was simply smiling at her, with a gentle warmth in his gaze.

"I... Please forget what I just said."

Although Hinata was young and naive, she understood one thing… that his silence likely meant he didn't feel the same. However, she wasn't upset, just a little disappointed.

'How could someone as outstanding as Naruto-kun be interested in someone as ordinary as me?'

"Forget it? Why would I do that?"

Naruto chuckled and said, "Honestly. Was that a confession? This is the first time a girl's confessed to me. If I'm lucky enough to be that person, then give it your all and show me what you've learned. Who knows, maybe I'll acknowledge you too!"

"Alright!"

After hearing what Naruto said, Hinata's fighting spirit was ignited again.

"Are you two going to fight or what? Hurry up! Stop wasting time!"

The people in the audience couldn't hear the conversation between the two and thought that they were whispering about some strategies. But they came here just to see an exciting Shinobi battle.

Hinata felt even more nervous at the audience's impatience.

Seeing this, Naruto encouraged, "Earning my recognition won't be easy, so attack me with everything you've got. Show me what you can do. Who knows… I might just fall in love with you."

"Really? Then get ready!"

With those words, Hinata took her fighting stance, starting with the Hyuga Clan's signature Gentle Fist.

"Nice look, bring it on!" Naruto encouraged.

Hinata nodded, "Naruto-kun, here I come..."