The time for the big test was there, and it was going to be a hard fight for Ino. She had been preparing for this with her father for a month. Her focus was on showing everyone that she was a good kunoichi. She wanted to show Sakura, Kaza, her teammates her improvement and that she wasn't going to be just a simple fangirl again. Ino took a deep breath to clear her nerves. She was nervous, she knew that Sakura was a skilled and talented kunoichi and she hoped that she was as good or stronger than her. She had been working hard for this and she didn't want to let Kaza down by doing badly. She wanted to look awesome in front of him.

As she thought she suddenly felt a hand press against her left shoulder. She looked over and smiled, seeing Kaza standing beside her, his shirt off and his shoulder patched up. "It seems nothing permanent was done. They were able to fix things up well enough," Kaza said with a smile, moving his other arm to show that he had regained some mobility after being treated. "I had to be back out to see your match and get ready for my next one too."

"I'm glad you're okay, Kaza. You were amazing out there," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "And don't worry, I'll give it my all in my match too."

Kaza nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I know you will, Ino. Just remember, no matter what happens, you've already shown how strong and capable you are. Now go out there and show everyone what you can do."

Ino felt a surge of confidence from Kaza's words. "I will. Thank you, Kaza," she said, giving him a quick hug before heading to the arena. As she stepped into the ring, she felt ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead, inspired by Kaza's resilience and unwavering spirit.

"Of course, you came out and cheered her up," Sakura said, patting Kaza on the back of his shoulder. "Well, good, this is going to be fun."

Ace grinned, "Sakura, kick her butt. Have fun and show everyone just how great you are." His smile radiated confidence in her.

Kaza nodded, "Yeah, do your best, Sakura. I know you're a great teammate and ninja, but this round, you know, I must cheer for Ino. But I want you to do well too."

Sakura smiled at her teammates, feeling the warmth of their support. "Thanks, guys. I'll give it everything I've got," she said, heading to the arena. She glanced back at Kaza and Ace, appreciating their words of encouragement.

Ino stood at the entrance, taking a deep breath. She glanced at Kaza and Ace, then locked eyes with Sakura. "Let's make this a fight to remember," Ino said, determination in her voice.

Sakura nodded, her own resolve matching Ino's. "Absolutely. Let's show them what we've got."

Sakura and Ino waited for the announcement of the start of their fight. The moment it started, Sakura tried a trick on Ino, activating a genjutsu right away. Sakura wanted to see if she could catch Ino off guard. She smirked as she saw a slight blush on Ino's cheeks for a moment.

Sakura saw something appear in her mind, a mental image, that caused her to blush as well. The two teenage girls looked flustered for a moment as the fight began.

They quickly broke out of the genjutsu, but both were still a bit flustered. "That was a cheap trick, knowing my weakness, but that genjutsu was really impressive, Sakura," Ino said with a smile. "No more using our weaknesses, let's keep this above board."

Sakura nodded, not realizing Ino could project such images. "Yeah, I don't think that would make for a very good fight either. Let's show our strengths, not just our tricks."

The two of them moved at each other, throwing attacks quickly. Ino blocked the first attack with her forearm and countered with a quick strike. Sakura dodged to the right, both still trying to gain an edge with their mental telepathy or genjutsu. The fight quickly devolved into a fistfight, with both girls slugging it out, throwing punches and kicks in quick combinations. They landed good hits on each other, and after a few moments, they pulled back, both catching their breath from the intense exchange.

Ace and Kaza cheered from the stands, while Shikamaru watched, shaking his head but focusing on his teammate. Ino was doing great, standing on her own two feet, and Sakura was equally impressive. These two were very talented kunoichi, who were going to be very dangerous in the future.

Sakura and Ino clashed again. Sakura used her genjutsu on Ino, trying to bind her mentally, but noticed Ino was already prepared. Ino's ability to dispel genjutsu had greatly improved, likely thanks to training with her father. Sakura realized Ino was using a mental connection to keep herself grounded.

"You're using Kaza and your mental link to help dispel my genjutsu, aren't you?" Sakura asked.

Ino smiled, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. "You caught on, Sakura. I've been practicing with Kaza's help. It's not just about blocking genjutsu; it's about keeping my mind sharp and focused. And I'm not the only one who's grown stronger."

Sakura nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "I can see that. I am really proud of you, but don't expect me to let you win, I want to show off my own abilities too."

Ino grinned. "Of course, Sakura, I wouldn't have it any other way."

The two clashed again, punches flying as they used their training and focus. Sakura's punches were a bit crisper, but both had good form. Sakura aimed to create an opening with a high feint before aiming for a sweeping kick to Ino's legs. Ino pulled back for a moment before pressing her foot against the ground and cutting back in with a hard punch that Sakura deflected with the back of her wrist. She then went in for a haymaker which Ino dodged by a fraction of an inch.

The fight had everyone's attention. Kaza and Ace were transfixed, proud and happy to see their friends fighting like this. Ace hadn't seen how much Sakura had grown and knew she was an amazing kunoichi. Kaza, having connected mentally with Ino over the past month, was amazed to see it in person.

Sakura wanted to try genjutsu again. She used a dense genjutsu to make it seem like the ground was grabbing Ino, hoping to get a punch in. "I got you," Sakura called out as she moved in.

"Ino, don't give up!" Kaza roared from the side, his natural overpowering chakra causing a ripple in the air that unintentionally broke the genjutsu. Ino gathered herself as the two threw hard punches at each other.

They traded punches, both ending up on the ground, breathing hard, before pushing themselves back up to their feet. They looked at each other and smiled, both rather competitive. They might not be competing over the same boy anymore, but they still had plenty to compete over. They both wanted to be strong, fierce ninja, treated as capable warriors.

Sakura took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve, Ino. Let's see if you can keep up."

Ino smiled, wiping her mouth. "Bring it on, Sakura. I'm ready for whatever you've got."

Ino and Sakura engaged again, trading attacks with fierce determination. Ino's resolve, much like her beau's, matched Sakura's improved form and technique. However, Sakura's slightly better taijutsu form allowed her to land more effective hits. While Ino got in clean strikes, she took more damage from Sakura's precise attacks.

The two continued exchanging stronger and stronger blows until they were both knocked back by a mutual strike. Ino took a deep breath, reflecting on Shikamaru and why he gave up. She realized that sometimes, admitting one's loss and accepting that one wasn't as strong was not the end of the world.

"I give up, Sakura," Ino said, breathing heavily. "Thank you for the good fight. I hope to keep getting stronger, and I will cheer for you."

Ino admitted defeat, understanding that she wasn't going to win this match. Without Kaza nearby, she was sure she might have lost much earlier due to Sakura's genjutsu.

Sakura nodded, extending a hand to Ino. "You fought well, Ino. Let's both keep getting stronger."

Ino smiled, taking Sakura's hand. "You bet. Next time, I'll be even tougher to beat."

Ino moved to the side, looking at Kaza. She felt bad for not winning in front of him and couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. Yet, the moment she was close, Kaza hugged her tightly.

"You're so amazing, Ino. What you did out there was super cool. I am so very proud of you," Kaza said, hugging her tightly, ignoring any pain in his wounded shoulder.

Ino smiled, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Kaza. I really wanted to win, but I'm glad I gave it my all."

Kaza pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "You did more than that. You showed everyone how strong and determined you are. That's what matters."

Ino nodded, feeling her spirits lift. "You're right. And next time, I'll be even better."

Kaza grinned. "I have no doubt about that."

"Those two are a hell of a team, even when they don't know it," Sakura said, watching Kaza and Ino from a bit away. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see a grinning Ace.

"Yeah, but I think we're pretty good ourselves," Ace said confidently, giving Sakura a warm smile. "You are amazing, Sakura Haruno. You have grown so much in the last month of training," Ace said firmly and affectionately as he looked into her eyes. "I am proud to have you as my teammate, and I am proud to have you as someone rather special in my life as well. I can't wait to show you just how strong I have gotten and how together you and I are a hell of a team too, every bit as good as brother and Ino."

Sakura smiled back, feeling her heart lift at his words. "Thank you, Ace. I'm looking forward to seeing that too. And I'm glad to have you by my side."

The next match was unexpected as it didn't happen. Kankuro forfeited against Shino right away before the fight even had a chance to start, as if he were messing with the order or trying to pull a fast one since Sasuke wasn't there at the moment.

This odd occurrence was quickly forgotten as the next fight between Naruto and Neji took center stage. Ace, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kaza were all amazed by the determination and skill that Naruto brought to the fight. It was impressive watching him try so hard and seeing Neji's skills and abilities on display as well. Naruto's refusal to give up and his never-say-die attitude was inspiring. Ino felt she could understand Naruto a lot better after having to deal with Kaza. Ace and Sakura felt similarly, as they understood Naruto's mindset a lot better, seeing many parallels with Kaza.

"Well, Naruto is getting rather good," Sakura said out loud as she saw him win the fight against the very talented and skilled Hyuga member. "I think he has been working really hard. I'm proud of him," she said of her former academy classmate.

"I think it's my turn," Ace said with a smile as he looked at his teammates, Ino, and Shikamaru. "Wish me luck," he added with his charismatic smile.

"You got this, Ace!" Ino cheered, giving him a thumbs up.

"Yeah, give it your best shot," Shikamaru added with a nod.

"Show them what you're made of," Sakura said, smiling confidently at him. She totally believed in him in this match up.

Kaza, still holding his patched-up shoulder, grinned. "Make us proud, brother. We'll be cheering for you."

Ace entered into the arena; he knew that his foe was none other than Dosu who was very overconfident in his abilities. He smiled as he bowed and prepared to start his match. He looked at the sound ninja, not sure how much if at any he had improved, but this wasn't about him, this was going to be about showing everyone just who he was and how ready he was to take the world by storm.