Chapter 22: Core of Sakura, The Saddest of Victories
The teams assembled in the arena for the one-on-one preliminary matches, a charged atmosphere enveloping them. Sakura had donned a battle-ready black outfit, lined with red, her hair pulled up high, specialty beads poised and glimmering with intent. Her expression remained reserved, yet her eyes revealed a deeper truth—she was far from an ordinary shinobi. Her team recognized this, but they remained unaware of her true extent. No more hiding from my team… they deserve to see me as I am, just like Genma, Hayate, Yugao, Ino, Hiruzen-sama, and Ibiki have.
Asuma had been summoned by his father earlier that day and couldn't help but notice the weight in Sakura's gaze, one that belied her youth. It was as if she carried the burden of the world on her shoulders. His father had shared everything with him, and if he didn't know both Sakura and his father better, he would have doubted his father's sanity. But Ibiki had lent credibility to the claims. Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Asuma spoke, "I don't know what divine forces brought you to us, but no matter what happens today, you have my support."
Sakura looked up, warmth radiating from his brown eyes. She smirked slightly, "Don't go getting all sentimental on me now, Asuma." She nodded toward the two boys standing nearby, hesitating to interrupt, "They need you more than anyone."
Asuma shook his head. "No, we need each other. Regardless of the secrets you carry and the distances we must navigate, our team will always stand by you. We can wait until they're older—at least Chunin—to share the details." He glanced at Shikamaru and Chouji, who nodded in understanding. "There's a lot at stake, and trusting one another, no matter what anyone else says, is what truly matters."
The boys exchanged glances, and Shikamaru said, "Yeah, even if you can't always tell us everything or be right there, you've already shown us you care. If we need to wait, then we wait."
Chouji chimed in, munching on the healthy protein snacks Sakura had prepared that morning, "Yeah, you always take such good care of us. If Asuma-sensei says we have to wait to understand certain things, then we'll do just that."
Sakura smiled gently, acknowledging their support. "I'm sorry, but for your safety, plausible deniability is the best option for now." Her eyes scanned the matchups, and she groaned playfully, "Ino, don't expect me to go easy on you! You better bring your A-game!"
Ino laughed from where Team 7 stood, her grin brightening the atmosphere. "I wouldn't dream of it, Sakura! Let's put on a show for everyone!"
Asuma and the boys exchanged exasperated looks, while Kiba scoffed from the sidelines. "Sure, like you girls can put on a show. Yeah, right!" Shino merely shook his head, unimpressed.
Hinata, standing nearby, elbowed Kiba gently. "Kiba, Sakura and Ino-san are my classmates. Sakura graduated at the top of our class; she's not to be underestimated."
Hinata bowed slightly, but Sakura interrupted. "You don't owe anyone an apology, Hinata. If you didn't do it, you aren't responsible. Don't bow to anyone who hasn't earned that respect—not friends, not family, not even your parents unless they truly deserve it."
Sakura adjusted Hinata's posture, instilling confidence. "You are an heiress, a shinobi, and you have every right to walk with your head held high. You are enough. You answer to no one's expectations but your own. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you did your best and keep moving forward."
Their eyes locked, Sakura unwavering. "Anyone who tries to belittle or discourage you isn't worth your tears or respect. They are weak, lashing out to hurt you, to manipulate you. Don't give them that power. You are Hinata Hyuga, and you are enough."
Hinata's heart raced, her eyes shimmering with determination. "I am Hinata Hyuga, and I am enough." She pressed her hand to her chest, her voice stronger than ever. "I will do my best, and no one can take that away from me!"
Sakura beamed at her, pride swelling within her. "Exactly! Words are nothing more than weapons wielded by the bitter. Don't let their pain become yours; you're better than that, and you're among the best."
With that, Sakura leaped into the ring alongside Ino as their names were called for their match.
Kurenai approached Asuma, her brow furrowed with concern. "I've been trying to understand her for months. Just what kind of person is she?"
Asuma chuckled softly, warmth radiating from his gaze. "She's the best kind of person. She uplifts her comrades and stands tall, even in the face of the unknown. With her, the impossible becomes possible." His eyes drifted to Sakura, his admiration evident. "She has secrets, per my father's orders, and she's more than she seems. But she leaves no one behind if it's within her power."
In the ring, both Ino and Sakura summoned their weapon beads, their determination evident. Sakura held her Chakram, while Ino wielded her sword-whip. The crowd fell silent as they engaged in a fierce yet respectful battle, neither girl fighting unfairly. As Sakura upped her game, a bead released a torrent of water, ensnaring Ino within a water prison.
Counting to ten, Sakura maintained control, holding a kunai to Ino's throat. "I yield," Ino groaned, then playfully punched Sakura's shoulder. "Got me again… damn it!"
Sakura smiled, pride swelling in her chest as the announcer declared, "Winner: Haruno Sakura! Next match: Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji." Sakura shot a firm glance at Hinata, who nodded back, her fierce determination matching Sakura's own.
Neji's brutal glare settled on the pair, filled with disdain. Sakura walked Ino over to her sensei, healing her wounds before returning to her team, her heart pounding with anticipation for Hinata's match. She understood Neji's bitterness but would not stand idly by if he sought to inflict harm on Hinata.
Neji waited for Hinata to enter the ring, his words dripping with malice. "You know you were never meant to be a ninja. You lack confidence and feel inferior to everyone here. You couldn't bear to let your teammates down, could you?"
But instead of wavering, Hinata stood firm, recalling Sakura's words: "Words are the weapons of the bitter and jaded. Neji has not earned my respect." Her voice rang out strong and clear, "You're wrong." It was the most resolute she had ever sounded, drawing the attention of her father in the stands, who had never heard her speak with such conviction.
"Hinata, you're nothing more than the pampered daughter of the Hyuuga's main branch." When she remained silent, Neji continued to taunt her, his voice dripping with disdain. "We can change our physical appearances, but the truth remains: you were born into privilege, while I come from a lesser branch. What you're really thinking, though, is how much you'd like to run—run as far from here as possible."
Inside, Hinata trembled, but she stood her ground. No more, she resolved. She would not allow him to wield that kind of power over her ever again. She would no longer be bullied by the circumstances of her birth. Today, she would show him that she was enough, despite what he and her father believed.
Both of them activated their Byakugan, and Hinata spoke firmly, her voice strong with newfound confidence. "Are we here to fight or to listen to you whine about birthright, Neji?" She took up a stance that deviated from the traditional Hyuuga style, a form she had adapted from watching Sakura and Ino's match. "I won't apologize for using your techniques, Sakura-san. Neji needs a valuable lesson."
Sakura interjected with encouragement. "Feel free! We can spar later for practice. Show them what you're made of, Hinata-chan!"
With determination, Hinata darted forward and spun behind her cousin, striking a critical chakra point in his back that severely hindered his movements. She quickly retreated, avoiding any counters that could leave her vulnerable. As she assessed his capabilities with the newfound block, she noted that he was slower but not entirely incapacitated. She had to be careful not to fall into the predictable rhythm of their clan; he could read that easily.
Neji spoke coolly, his confidence still unshaken. "You were destined to lose the moment you reminded me this was a fight. You can't escape your fate."
Hinata stood firm, her resolve unyielding despite his taunts. This was not the meek princess he was used to. What has changed? he wondered, unnerved by her defiance.
"I will win," Hinata declared, her voice steady. "And I will change our clan. I won't let the separation between branches poison future generations. If that means I have to fight you now…" She grounded herself, readying for his fury. "Then so be it!"
With a furious charge, Neji lunged at her, but Hinata anticipated his move. She disabled several chakra points in his arms before delivering a swift karate chop that knocked him unconscious. Looking down at her fallen cousin, she whispered sadly, "I'm sorry it came to this, Neji… I love you, even if you hate me."
Taking a deep breath, she waited for the announcement.
"Winner: Hyuga Hinata!" The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, met with stunned silence until applause erupted from the competitors' side. Hinata turned to see Sakura clapping, a humble pride radiating from her.
"Well done, Hinata-chan," Sakura said, her tone sincere. "I knew you could do it."
Hinata smiled, albeit a bit tremulously. "Thank you, Sakura-chan. I'll never forget what you said: I am Hinata Hyuga, and I am enough. No matter what anyone else says." With that, she stepped out of the ring, joining her team, wanting to avoid the reactions of her father or anyone else.
Asuma bent down to meet her gaze. "Good job, Hinata. I'm proud of you. You didn't let him bait you, and you won."
Finally allowing herself to smile, Hinata pressed her hand to her chest. "I won… I did it!" She rushed to Sakura, enveloping her in a hug. "Thank you, Sakura-chan!" Then she moved toward her cheering teammates, who celebrated her victory, undeterred by Kiba's earlier loss.
Sakura smiled back, feeling a swell of pride. "I did nothing," she said, then turned her gaze toward Hinata's father. "You had it in you all along, Hinata. You just needed a friendly reminder to see it for yourself. Now, will your father recognize his mistakes and change, or will he bury his head in the sand?"
The elder Hyuga paled, glaring at Sakura as his Byakugan allowed him to read her lips. He watched as his daughter celebrated with her team, an unsettling thought creeping into his mind: If I had acted differently, would she have been like this all along?
