Ace looked at his brother, his little brother as he thought of him, although they were only a few months apart in age. He never thought he would ever see Kaza lose it like that, especially with Ino, the girl he had a crush on forever. It was strange, but Ace figured he had been holding it in for so long that it just kind of exploded.

Ace wondered if Kaza still had his crush upon Ino, he wondered and worred he didn't have thos same feelings anymore. He worried that those feelings of love would turn into anger and later hate. He knew that the feelings between love and hate were not that far apart. He just hoped it didn't go that way. He knew his brother cared far to deeply for Ino and he wanted the best for her. He hoped that side of him never changed.

As he wandered to his home he looked for where Kaza was, he knew that he had to be somewhere. His mind went over his normal places, and he knew just where to find him. He would find him at his most favorite place in the whole world, the Togusa shrine. He always went there when he needed to think about things and focus his mind on what he had to do.

Ace walked out of the front door, it was a lovely evening as the sun was going down, he knew that the shrine was empty as it was past hours for it. He walked up from the front entrance and quickly found Kaza resting his head against his hands that were pressed on his knees as well in that moment, as he sat on the front steps.

Ace walked up and sat down next to his brother on the first step of the temple, patting him on the back. "Well, that was a hell of a day. I honestly never thought you would do something like that," Ace commented, but received no reply from Kaza. Ace knew his brother was feeling very down about the whole ordeal.

"Kaza," Ace began gently, "I know you're upset. But you stood up for yourself today. That takes guts."

Kaza lifted his head slightly, his eyes still downcast. "I don't know what came over me, Ace. I just... I couldn't take it anymore. She thinks I'm useless. I had to show her I'm not."

Ace nodded. "I get it. You've got a lot of heart, Kaza. And sometimes, it takes something like this to show others—and yourself—what you're really made of."

Kaza sighed. "But what if I lose tomorrow? What if she proves I'm just all talk?"

"You won't," Ace said firmly. "You've trained hard. You have worked really hard; I know I have seen the work you have put in. I think you're really amazing brother. I think you could be the best if you push hard for it. I really believe in you, Kaza."

Kaza looked up at Ace, seeing the confidence in his eyes. "Thanks, Ace. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, little brother," Ace replied with a smile. "Now, let us focus on the real problem. It isn't if you can win, it is how to handle her. I know you have had an eye for her since we were kids, you always have had a soft spot for her, and it is so obvious. So, you fighting her was surprising."

"Brother, what if she hates me after all this?" Kaza finally let out, his voice trembling slightly. "I still have feelings for her," he admitted openly as he looked over at Ace, letting out a deep sigh. "I know I am stronger, but I don't like the idea of punching her or hurting her."

Ace placed a reassuring hand on Kaza's shoulder. "I get it, Kaza. You don't want to cause her any harm, you don't want to harm her either physically or emotionally. You would rather hurt yourself than hurt her. Yet she needs to learn the truth. She has problems that she had to work through. If she doesn't face her own issues and refocus on being a ninja she will never grow. You will fight her will in time, help her."

Kaza looked down, still conflicted. "But what if she hates me afterward?"

Ace shook his head. "If she is the girl worthy of your affections, she won't. You must believe in her, you must believe that your message, your proof will get through. That she needs to focus on getting stronger and not just focus on what she is now. You believe in her, you have these feelings, you should believe that she can grow and become better right. You taking this seriously will show her where she has to get better, and in time it will make her a better ninja and person."

Kaza took a deep breath, trying to absorb his brother's words. "I hope you're right, Ace."

Ace smiled warmly. "I am. Trust me. And remember, no matter what happens, you've got me and the rest of the team backing you up. You're not alone in this."

Kaza nodded slowly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Ace. That means a lot."

"Anytime, Kaza," Ace replied. "Now, let's get some rest. You've got a big day tomorrow, and I know you'll do great."

As Kaza walked home to get some sleep, Ace looked up to see Tia standing nearby with a smile on her lips. Tia wandered over and stood next to Ace as she looked in the direction her younger son went. "Nice job on that one," she said softly as she looked down at him messing with his hair now. "You're a good brother and I am sure that Kaza is happy to have you as his brother. I know I am happy to have you as my son, Ace."

"Now, how about I give you some of the cake I made? I think it's just about finished. It's strawberry cake too," Tia said with a soft, kind smile. "It does my heart good to see you two, my pride and joy, helping each other."

Ace grinned, the tension of the day's events easing away at the mention of cake. "Strawberry cake? You really know how to cheer a guy up, Mom."

Tia laughed gently. "Of course, that is my job, after a long day with challenges some sweets are the best way to end them."

She helped her son up; she knew that both her sons were getting bigger slowly and soon might be taller than her. She didn't mind, but she would miss moments like these a bit as they got older. She was going to make the most of them while she had the chance to do so. She slipped her arm around her adopted son's shoulder as she led him to the kitchen and the cake that was waiting for him.

Ace took a bite and his face lit up. "This is amazing, as always. Thanks, Mom."

Tia smiled, watching him enjoy the treat. "I'm glad you like it. You know, seeing you support Kaza like that reminds me why we're a family. It's not just about blood; it's about being there for each other, through thick and thin."

Ace nodded, savoring another bite. "Yeah, I just hope he can handle tomorrow. He's always been the quieter one, but I think he's stronger than even he realizes."

"That's because he has a big brother like you to look up to," Tia said, her voice filled with pride. "And no matter what happens, he'll know he's not facing it alone."

Ace finished his cake, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thanks, Mom. I needed that."

Tia patted his shoulder once more. "Anytime, Ace. Now, let's make sure we're ready for tomorrow. We'll all need our strength."

Tia watched Ace walk away, feeling immense pride in her son. She then turned and helped serve cake to both Ace and Kaza, chatting with them for a while before they went to bed. Ryota joined in, mostly listening but occasionally offering advice on how to fight a Yamanaka, drawing from his own sparring matches against Inoichi.

The next morning, Kaza was with Sakura and Ace at Training Ground 4, ready for his match against Ino. He stretched and made sure he was loose, mentally preparing himself. This was going to be a significant fight, and while he had lingering questions about his feelings, he knew he had to do his best and not hold back just because his opponent was the girl he cared for.

A moment later, Ino arrived with Shikamaru and Choji. They stood opposite Kaza in a simple, well-worn clearing, its dirt surface a testament to the many battles fought there.

Kaza bowed slightly, his eyes meeting Ino's. "Ino, I'm going to prove to you that I am not nothing. I am a ninja just as much as you are, and you're the one who needs to improve."

Ino's eyes flashed with determination. "We'll see about that, Kaza. Just don't cry when I beat you."

Kaza's heart pounded, but he maintained his composure. This was his chance to show Ino and everyone else that he was more than just a quiet boy with a crush. He was a ninja, and he was ready to fight.

Aoba and Asuma stood to the side, ready to oversee the match and ensure it remained fair. "Alright," Aoba announced, "this is a friendly match. No lethal force, and no holding back. Show us what you've got."

Kaza moved forward as he knew that Ino's game was her mind transfer jutsu, the key was to not let her get that off and let her use some trick on him. He moved quickly cutting across as she threw shuriken quickly at him trying to get a quick advantage against him. He had to trick her and make it, so she left herself open with it, he had to out-think Ino Yamanaka.

He saw her moving back quickly away from him as he came up with his plan, he moved quickly before as he tossed a smoke bomb at his own feet, he threw shuriken from there as he stopped for some reason. One of them had a quick bright shining aura to it or something did as it flew by her aimlessly. Ace, Sakura and Aoba even were curious what the hell Kaza was doing with that move, blinding himself but limiting what Ino could see wasn't that big of a deal her sensory abilities should pick him up and allow her to hit him with her mind transfer jutsu.

"Idiot that was so stupid, just like the fake ninja you are," Ino called out as she prepared her hands, "Now enjoy this loss, idiot, Mind Transfer Jutsu."

As the smoke cleared, she saw there was nothing in the smoke itself, "Your next words are, How the hell did you do that idiot," Kaza said standing behind Ino as he moved quickly on her.

"How the hell did you do that idiot," Ino called out saying just what Kaza had predicted that she was going to say before.

Kaza burst forward with the light release again as he ended up right close as his hand slammed into Ino's gut as she turned towards to him far too slowly, he followed it up with a kick that send her into the dirt as he grinned, "You underestimate me, and assumed I had no skills of my own, Ino. I know everything about you, and you know nothing about me. You didn't even bother to ask your father about my kekkai genkai did you, I bet you didn't."

"Going into a fight not knowing your foe is stupid, having such poor taijutsu skills are unacceptable, and thinking yourself better than anyone is the idiot move, idiot," Kaza let rip as he let out his thoughts without any filter as he had won the match. "You're so much better than this, you could be amazing, the best, but you let your own stupid pursuit of one boy take away your own focus from being a good ninja, if you want to be a fangirl don't try to be a ninja too. You can't be a good ninja when you only care about impressing a boy."

Ino struggled to her feet, glaring at Kaza with a mixture of anger and disbelief. She wiped the dirt from her face, feeling humiliated but also strangely impressed. She had underestimated Kaza completely, and he had shown her that he was not the person she thought he was.

Ace, Sakura, and the others watched in silence, stunned by the intensity and honesty in Kaza's words. Even Shikamaru and Choji, who knew Ino well, could see that Kaza's critique had hit home.

Aoba stepped forward, clapping his hands to break the tension. "That's enough for today. Good fight, both of you. Kaza, you demonstrated skill and strategy. Ino, you've got potential, but you need to focus more on your training."

Asuma nodded in agreement, his eyes on Ino. "Kaza's right, Ino. There's more to being a ninja than just chasing after someone. You've got the talent; you just need to apply it better."

Ino's face softened slightly as she absorbed the words. She glanced at Kaza, who was still catching his breath, his expression serious but no longer angry. "I... I'll work on it," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.

Sakura walked over to Kaza, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did great, Kaza. You showed everyone what you're capable of."

Kaza nodded, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Thanks, Sakura. I just... I had to say what I felt."

Ace came over, ruffling Kaza's hair. "You really surprised me, little bro. That was some impressive stuff out there."

Tia and Ryota, who had been watching from a distance, approached with proud smiles. "You handled yourself well, Kaza," Ryota said, his voice filled with pride. "You showed not only your strength but also your heart."

As the group dispersed, Kaza felt a sense of accomplishment. He had faced his fears, stood up for himself, and shown Ino—and everyone else—that he was more than just a quiet boy with a crush. He was a ninja with his own path to follow.