Chapter 69: Against Thyself
Vegeta was already feeling the pressure—literally. He clenched his fists, trying to mask his discomfort as his muscles ached under the unfamiliar weight, his Saiyan armor creaking with every slight movement.
Goku on the other hand, stood casually across from him, his tight black shirt clinging to his frame, every muscle relaxed and ready. A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched Vegeta's attempts to adjust.
"You ready?" the younger Saiyan asked, his tone almost too light, too casual.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, his pride already boiling over. He could feel Kakarot treating this as if it were a game. That insufferable grin, the way his body didn't seem to buckle under the gravity unlike his own—it enraged him to no end.
"Don't patronize me, Kakarot," the prince snarled, forcing himself into a battle stance. His voice was venomous, but there was an undeniable edge of frustration in it. "I don't need your pity."
Goku chuckled, cracking his knuckles as he dropped into a loose fighting stance. "I'm not mocking you. Just making sure you're ready."
Without warning, Vegeta lunged forward, his movements a bit slower than usual thanks to the weight, but still deadly. His fist cut through the air toward Goku's face. Goku easily sidestepped, his movements fluid, almost mocking in their ease. Vegeta's eyes flashed with rage as he spun, throwing a kick aimed at Goku's midsection. Again, the younger Saiyan dodged, this time ducking under the kick and sliding behind Vegeta.
Vegeta grit his teeth, breathing harder than he wanted to admit as he turned to face his opponent again. The difference in their power wasn't just in raw strength—it was in control.
Kakarot wasn't even trying.
He could feel it.
And it was infuriating.
"Stop pissing around!" Vegeta shouted, his voice thick with frustration as he launched another barrage of punches and kicks, each one faster than the last.
Goku danced around the attacks, weaving between the strikes with the kind of precision that came from years of honing his instincts. Each time Vegeta threw a punch, Goku dodged. Each time Vegeta kicked, Goku evaded. It was like fighting a poltergeist, and Vegeta was quick to realize that.
"You're still holding back!" Vegeta roared once more, his voice cracking with fury. His ki flared, sending small shockwaves through the room, shaking the metallic walls. But no matter how much juice he put into his strikes, Goku remained calm, composed, and outright untouchable.
"Come on," the prince snarled, launching himself forward with a reckless charge. His fists blurred as they aimed for Goku's chest, face, and sides. But Goku caught every blow, blocking with minimal effort, his expression still calm.
"You're getting worked up over nothing," Goku said, his tone casual but tinged with that infuriating confidence. "You'll wear yourself out if you keep attacking like that. Calm down."
BOOOOM!
Vegeta's next punch was harder, fueled by pure rage, but Goku grabbed his fist in mid-air, holding it with an iron grip. The impact sent a small shockwave across the room, the metallic floor denting slightly under the pressure.
Vegeta's eyes widened in shock. The strength behind Goku's grip was far beyond what he expected.
"Let go!" he growled, trying to wrench his arm free.
Goku's grin faded slightly, his eyes sharpening as he stared down the Saiyan prince. "Alright, if that's what you want."
In an instant, Goku released his hold on Vegeta and shifted his stance. Before Vegeta could react, Goku was on his ass. The speed was unreal—too fast for Vegeta to process.
BAM!
Goku's fist buried itself into Vegeta's gut with a devastating impact, the force of the punch sending him flying backward. He crashed into the metal wall of the Gravity Room with a resounding clang, the entire room shuddering from the impact. The prince grunted in pain, his vision blurring for a second as he struggled to regain his footing.
Before he could even stand straight, Goku was on him again.
BAM!
Another punch. This time to the side, sending Vegeta ricocheting off the floor. The Saiyan prince slammed into the ground, his armor nearly cracking under the pressure. He tried to push himself up, but Goku was relentless.
CRASH!
Vegeta was thrown into the ceiling, his body slamming against the reinforced metal. His mind raced, trying to figure out how Goku had become this powerful. It wasn't just the gravity holding him back—it was Goku's raw strength and speed.
He couldn't keep up.
And Goku didn't let up.
He darted forward again, catching Vegeta mid-fall and slamming him into the ground with a devastating kick to the chest. The floor creaked beneath them, the sound of metal groaning under the impact filling the room. The older Saiyan coughed, the wind knocked out of him as he lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for air.
Goku stepped back, watching as Vegeta struggled to rise. His eyes softened, but he knew Vegeta wouldn't give up so easily.
"Come on, Vegeta. This is just fifty times gravity," Goku said, his voice calm but firm. "You can do better than this."
Vegeta's body trembled as he pushed himself onto his knees, his pride refusing to let him lay down. His chest heaved with labored breaths, and his vision was blurred from the short yet painful beating he'd taken, but still, he stood.
Goku stayed still, arms crossed now as Vegeta staggered toward him. The prince's face was twisted in fury, his pride in shambles.
He charged one last time, fist cocked back, but Goku didn't move.
Vegeta threw his punch with all the strength he had left, aiming for Goku's face. But Goku didn't flinch.
Instead, Vegeta's legs gave out, and he collapsed in a heap at the younger Saiyan's feet, his arms falling limp as his consciousness slipped away.
Goku sighed, shaking his head slightly. "You really pushed yourself, huh?"
With a soft chuckle, he knelt down beside Vegeta's defeated form and reached into his small pack. He pulled out his last senzu bean, inspecting it for a second before placing it gently beside his head.
"You're welcome," Goku muttered softly, standing up and glancing around the room. The dents in the walls and the minute cracks in the floor were evidence of their fight. But it wasn't anger or malice that drove Goku—it was just the Saiyan instinct to fight, to push limits.
Before leaving, he glanced toward the door. "Bulma will probably fix you up when she sees the state you're in. Y'know, maybe you might bring a bit more excitement to her life. Just try not to do anything crazy."
Goku chuckled to himself, the thought of Bulma scolding Vegeta flashing in his mind. He figured being rich and surrounded by tech could get boring, boring as hell at that. The chaos of the Saiyan prince might just be the thing that shakes things up a bit.
With a satisfied sigh, Goku turned off the Gravity Room's settings, letting the atmosphere return to normal. And with one last glance at the unconscious Vegeta, the Saiyan floated up to the hatch, slipping out of the room and into the dark night sky.
The cool wind felt good against his skin as he flew back over the bodies of water, the ocean glistening beneath him.
As Goku soared back to the beach house, his mind returned to his wife. She would still be asleep, and hopefully, she hadn't noticed he was gone. He couldn't wait to lie beside her again, this time ready to finally rest.
He landed softly on the balcony, slipping back into the quiet of the house. The soft sounds of Hinata's breathing greeted him as he walked into the bedroom. Smiling, he undressed himself and climbed back into bed, careful not to disturb her.
The last thing he thought before sleep finally claimed him was how tomorrow, they'd need more senzu beans—and more training.
Frieza wasn't going to wait forever.
Ino stared at her reflection in the wide mirror of the spa, her fingers tracing the edge of the porcelain sink. The light steam that wafted from the hot stone baths around her left her skin glowing, and for the current moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the peace.
Her blonde hair was tied up in a high ponytail, loose strands framing her face. She looked business as usual on the outside—bright, sharp eyes and that confident smirk that charmed people for years—but there was something still brewing beneath the surface.
Seventeen, going on eighteen. An adult by many standards, but there were days Ino felt like the weight of the world had aged her far beyond her years. She could almost laugh at it all—almost.
Her thoughts swirled as she leaned forward, letting the warm water splash against her hands. The Chunin Exams felt like a lifetime ago. Four years since everything had changed in the most brutal way imaginable.
Her mind wandered back to the Preliminary Exams, to the moment she never forgot: Choji. Her heart tightened, but there was no longer the raw pain that had once torn through her when she thought of him.
Time had dulled the grievous hole in her heart, but it would never totally disappear. He wasn't just killed by Gaara—he was annihilated. Crushed into something so unrecognizable that… that there was nothing left to bury, burn, or commemorate.
He was quite literally bloody paste, smeared across both the floor and Gaara's sand.
She remembered the look on Gaara's face, emotionless—an empty, unfeeling void as Choji's screams echoed in that arena. The sickening sound of flesh and bone being pulverized into blood and dust haunted her. Gaara had taken Choji's life without a second thought, and Ino couldn't even properly say goodbye.
The rage, the guilt—it simmered even still. She had loved Choji like a brother, and in the end, she did nothing to save him. She couldn't.
Gruesome death didn't even begin to describe it. Even now, when she thought about Choji, it was hard to reconcile the loss. He was a good guy, full of warmth, loyalty, and strength. He didn't deserve to die like that.
No one did.
Ino's hand clenched around the edge of the sink for a moment, knuckles whitening. The reflection in the mirror flickered, but she relaxed her grip, forcing herself to release the tension that attempted to creep in. Not today. She didn't want to drown in those memories. She was here to pamper herself, to have a rare day of peace to herself before everything spiraled into chaos once again.
Her mind shifted away from Choji, focusing on something less…painful, if still complicated: her love life, or what passed for one.
Naruto Uzumaki.
It was hard to wrap her head around it sometimes, how she'd ended up in this tangled mess of youthful bluster with him.
He was compatible with her in a way that no one else except perhaps Son Goku had been. His energy, his sheer physical presence, was magnetic. They fit together, like two pieces of a puzzle that shouldn't have fit but somehow did. Every time they got physical with each other—over and over again in secret—it felt like an electric storm.
Raw, exhilarating, and overpowering. She couldn't deny how good it was, how much she got wet for him.
But with every touch, every kiss, every insertion, every slurp, there was that nagging guilt. Sakura
Ino wasn't oblivious to how deep Sakura's feelings ran for Naruto. And here she was, betraying her best friend over and over again. She didn't even know why it had gone this far. Maybe it was the thrill, the danger of it all.
But more than that, she knew that it wasn't just physical. Naruto understood her in a way few did. And she understood him. It was messy, complicated, and she sort of hated herself for it. But it was also real.
Then there was Lee. Sweet, unbreakable Lee. He was the one who loved her, who admired her, the one who thought she was more than just a pretty face, more so than anyone else. He saw her for who she was, and that scared her. She loved him in her own way, but not the way he loved her. He deserved so much more than she could give. He deserved someone who could love him with the same fiery intensity he gave.
But that wasn't her.
Ino sighed, letting the thoughts drift away with the steam. Son Goku. Her first real love. Her first kiss. Her first everything. Her heart ached, just thinking about him. Yesterday, he had married Hinata—and she wasn't bitter about it. Not exactly.
How could she be? They were perfect for each other.
But that didn't stop the bittersweet sting that cut through her every time she thought about what they'd shared years ago.
Goku was different. He was simple, straightforward in ways that no one else, not even Naruto or Lee were. He didn't complicate things, didn't play games. He loved with his whole heart, fought with his whole soul. And when he kissed her that first time, she felt something pure, something she hadn't felt with anyone else since.
But it wasn't meant to last.
Hinata was his now, and as much as Ino still internally loved and yearned for him, she knew Goku wasn't hers to have. But damn, it still hurt like hell. She had pushed it down, buried it under layers of indifference, but watching them get married had made those old feelings resurface. Not in a way that would ruin her, no. She wasn't weak. But the memories lingered, laced with what could've been.
A sharp, bitter laugh escaped her lips. What a mess. She had no right to feel this way, no right to want what wasn't hers. But here she was, torn between guilt and desire, navigating a life that seemed to twist and turn in ways she hadn't anticipated. Maybe that was why, today, her soul felt calm. She had wrestled with these emotions for so long that now…now, they were just part of her. The chaos had become her normal, and the tranquility she felt now was just the acceptance of that.
She straightened up, taking a deep breath, letting the aroma of the room wash over her senses. The spa attendants were working quietly in the background, and she was grateful for the silence. It allowed her mind to settle into the next thing on her list—the future.
Outer space.
Her lips twitched into a small smirk. Who would've thought? A few years ago, she couldn't have imagined being part of something as wild as this, heading into space to battle enemies she couldn't comprehend. But here she was, preparing for a journey that would take her far beyond her perspective.
It was terrifying, exhilarating, and calming. Maybe because there was no room for hesitation. There was a mission. There were enemies to fight, power to gain, and a whole universe to explore. It was a chance for her to prove herself, to finally be more than just the pretty girl in the background. She was so much more than that. She knew she was. And now, she had the chance to show it.
Her goals were clear: get stronger, survive, and come back better. More healed than ever if possible. And if there was anything left of her feelings for Naruto, Goku, or anyone else, she would deal with it accordingly.
For now, her focus was on the mission ahead.
The spa attendant knocked softly on the door, announcing the next treatment. Ino nodded, standing tall and stretching her arms, feeling the tightness leave her muscles.
"Let's get this over with," she muttered to herself, stepping into the next phase of her day. Her mind might have been a whirlwind of complicated emotions and impossible decisions, but her soul—her spirit—was as calm as the still waters surrounding her.
And that, for now, was enough.
Sakura stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, the sound of water running into the sink echoing in the small room. Her face was fresh, but her eyes told a different story—heavy with thoughts that refused to go away. She wiped her face with a towel, tossed it aside, and quickly brushed her teeth, moving with a sort of robotic manner that belied the chaos in her mind.
Everything felt… off.
After slipping into her usual outfit, she glanced down at her watch. A message from Tenten blinked on the screen.
Debriefing at my house. Be ready.
Sakura sighed and cracked her knuckles.
Her thoughts drifted—Naruto and Ino. She had tried so hard not to dwell on it, tried to let the advice of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and even Konan and Nagato sink in. They talked about grace, mercy, forgiveness, youth—how mistakes were part of growing. But none of that felt real. None of it mattered when she pictured Naruto with Ino. It was like a punch in the gut she couldn't shake. Every time she tried to breathe, it was there, gnawing at her insides.
And for what? What was the point of all this reflection, all this self-questioning? Did she really want Naruto back? Did she even want to take him back? After what he had done—after the lies, the betrayal—it felt like forgiveness was just a pretty word that older, wiser people liked to throw around.
It sounded good, but to her, it meant nothing. It didn't erase the hurt.
It wasn't just the betrayal—it was the humiliation. Naruto was supposed to be hers, wasn't he? They'd been through hell together, and yet, it was her supposed best friend who he went to behind her back. That stung more than she was willing to admit. Maybe she shouldn't care. Maybe she was being too hard on herself, or on him. But she couldn't help the knot of anger and resentment that curled inside her chest every time she envisioned them together.
But then again…
She clenched her fist, her knuckles white. Her relationship drama was utterly meaningless in the face of the mission. The mission. The one thing that was keeping her grounded, keeping her from unraveling. They were going to space. Space. To fight an enemy she didn't fully understand, one that had the world of the strong whispering in fear: Frieza.
The name hung in her mind like a dark cloud. Every time she heard it, she felt her stomach drop. Goku, Vegeta, Hinata—they didn't seem worried, not in the same way she was. They were probably the strongest of the strong, after all. Battle-hardened.
She wasn't. She was there for healing, to be a backup for when things went south. Not to fight.
But what if it didn't go according to plan? What if she actually did have to fight?
The jitters inside her chipped at her resolve, poking holes in the wall she'd tried to build around her fears. She wasn't sure if she'd survive. The thought of facing someone like Frieza—someone so hyped, so feared—it terrified her.
She didn't want to die out there, in the cold, endless void of space, forgotten and insignificant.
'Would Goku protect me?' she thought, her hand instinctively tightening around her wrist as if that could stop her spiraling thoughts.
She trusted Goku, but her heart wasn't in the right place. She couldn't rely on Naruto—not now. Maybe not ever again. It was almost funny how little faith she had in him. He had once been a literal sun in her life, but now? Now he was a shadow, something she could barely stomach looking at, let alone rely on.
It wasn't fair, she knew that. Naruto had his own struggles, his own burdens. But fairness didn't factor into this equation. She wasn't there yet—her heart wasn't there yet. She needed time. Time to heal, time to figure out if she could ever look him in the eyes again without picturing him with Ino.
"Kami," Sakura whispered, her fingers pressing against her temples. She needed something—anything—to deliver her from this cycle of doubt and pain. But the truth was, even with all the wisdom in the world, even with everything Tsunade, Jiraiya, Nagato, and Konan had told her, Sakura knew one thing...
Her mind kept replaying the betrayal, and her heart couldn't delete it.
The watch on her wrist buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. Tenten wouldn't wait forever. And as much as she wanted to, Sakura couldn't avoid the mission.
She straightened herself, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Get through the mission. Deal with the rest later. That was her plan now. She didn't have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity or in heartbreak. Not when the entire world was at risk. Not when her own life was hanging in the balance.
Walking out the door, she felt the tension in her shoulders tighten with each step, but there was a strange calm there, too. Something resolute, despite the storm brewing inside her.
Sakura Haruno had a job to do. And when it came down to it, nothing was going to stop her from seeing it through.
Sakura stepped into the Iron Cave, her eyes adjusting to the soft glow of the blue light emanating from the center of the room. The advanced table flickered with projections—an intricate map of the universe that mapped out the data gathered by their satellites and the technology scavenged from Raditz's scouter and space pod. Tenten stood next to it, arms crossed, while Bulma's handiwork—an overlay of Frieza's known territories—hovered above the table.
The usual greetings were subdued. Neji stood with his arms folded, his sharp eyes scanning the projections. Sasuke leaned against the cave wall, arms crossed, staring at the galaxy map as if trying to solve a puzzle. Naruto sat with a furrowed brow, clearly not comfortable with the quiet, but this wasn't the time for his usual upbeat self. He flashed a half-hearted smile at Sakura when she walked in, but her gaze flicked past him without much reaction. Lee sat silently next to Shikamaru, who had his chin resting on his hand, his face unreadable.
"Glad you could make it, Sakura," Shikamaru muttered, not bothering to look up from the table. "We're waiting on Kakashi, Ino, Goku, and Hinata. No point in starting yet."
Sakura nodded, her eyes briefly meeting Tenten's before glancing back at the map. She could see the way the galaxies intertwined, territories carved up like pieces of a violent, chaotic puzzle. It made her skin crawl, knowing that somewhere out there, Frieza awaited.
Naruto tapped his fingers on the table, the sound echoing in the room. "So, uh… what do we do in the meantime? Just sit around?"
Shikamaru gave him a look. "This mission isn't something you just charge into, Naruto. We have to dissect what we're up against."
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah. I get that. But waiting here isn't exactly helping, either."
Sasuke's voice cut through the room, low and clipped. "If you can't handle the waiting, Naruto, you're not ready for the mission."
Naruto shot him a glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sasuke didn't bother turning his head. "Based on what we know about him, the second you get reckless, he'll kill you."
Naruto clenched his fists, clearly holding back the urge to snap back. "I know that. I'm not stupid, Sasuke."
Lee, calm and composed, spoke up before the tension could escalate further. "This mission is not like anything we've faced. Our enemy isn't bound by the rules of our world or our playing field."
Sakura blinked, her attention shifting to Lee. She still wasn't used to his new demeanor—the Black Fist of Konoha. His wild energy had been conformed into a razor-sharp focus, and she had to admit, it suited him. His calm confidence made the room feel a less chaotic.
"Do we have any kind of understanding of what Frieza's capable of other than him being a planet buster?" Tenten asked, leaning over the table as she swiped through the information they'd gathered. "This data from Raditz's scouter doesn't give us a damn thing."
"We know enough to be cautious," Shikamaru replied, his eyes narrowing at the map. "Definitely not enough to be comfortable."
Naruto let out a frustrated sigh. "It's not just Frieza, though, right? Allegedly there's an entire army out there. What about them? We just gonna ignore that?"
Shikamaru shook his head. "No, of course not. But if Frieza really is as powerful as the rumors say, then he's the priority. His army, the soldiers—if we can take out their leader, they'll fall apart."
"Likely easier said than done," Tenten murmured, tapping her fingers on the table. "We don't even know the full extent of his forces. For all we know, we could be walking straight into an ambush."
Sasuke, still leaning against the wall, spoke again, his voice steady. "That's why we're planning. We won't go in blind. We'll know exactly what we're up against before we step foot off this planet."
"Right," Sakura added, finally speaking up. "We're not just going to rush into this. We need to approach this strategically. Frieza is dangerous. If we make one wrong move—"
"You'll die," Neji finished for her, his voice cold and direct. "We all will."
The silence that followed was thick, and the reality of the situation settled over them like a weight.
Sakura bit her lip, her mind swirling with the thought of the mission, of the danger. Her mind flickered to Son Goku—strong, dependable Goku—and she found herself wishing he were here already. She trusted him to stop Frieza far more than anyone else in the room.
Naruto, in true Naruto fashion, attempted to lighten the mood. "Hey, we've beaten worse, right? Remember Kaguya? Orochimaru? The Saiyans? Piccolo Daimao? We've got this. Just another mission and another victory, right?"
Sasuke scoffed under his breath. "This is different, Naruto. Frieza isn't Orochimaru. He's not Kaguya. He's allegedly a different beast."
Naruto's grin faltered. "I know that. But we've got Goku, and—"
"You always assume Goku will handle everything," Sasuke snapped. "This isn't his fight alone. If you rely on him to fix your mistakes, you're eventually going to get killed."
Naruto's eyes darkened, and the usual playful edge in his voice vanished. "I'm not relying on him. I'm gonna fight too. Don't think you're the only one taking this seriously, Sasuke."
"Then act like it."
Before Naruto could respond, Lee raised a hand, cutting through the growing tension. "Enough. This isn't the time for arguments. We're all going into this knowing the risks, knowing we have to rely on each other. There's no room for ego."
Sakura felt a flicker of appreciation for Lee's intervention. He was right. They couldn't afford to let personal conflicts interfere with what was coming.
"Lee's right," she added softly, glancing between Naruto and Sasuke. "We all need to be on the same page if we're going to survive."
Shikamaru nodded, his eyes finally leaving the map to focus on the group. "We've got a lot to figure out. We need everyone focused. There's no room for mistakes."
Naruto slumped back into his chair, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface, but he stayed quiet. Sasuke remained rigid, but his silence spoke volumes. The tension in the room was palpable, and they all knew what was at stake.
As they waited for the others to arrive, the group fell into an uneasy silence. The mission to space was unlike anything they had ever faced before, and despite their strength, despite their training, there was a lingering fear that none of them could shake.
Frieza was out there.
Vegeta woke up with a start, his body jolting to life with force. His fingers curled into fists, his knuckles cracking as he pushed himself slowly off the cold, metallic floor. His stomach growled, and his mouth was dry. Without thinking, he reached for the small green bean beside him. He didn't question it. Hunger gnawed at him, and instinct took over. He popped the senzu bean into his mouth, chewing it hastily before swallowing.
"What the hell... ?"
In an instant, a surge of raw power rocketed through his veins. Every muscle in his body tensed, his eyes widening as the energy coursed through him, wild and untamed. His wounds healed instantly—bones knit together, bruises faded, and his strength multiplied. The Saiyan Prince stood up straight, his cobalt aura crackling with newfound energy.
He clenched his fists, a vein bulging on his forehead. "Unbelievable," he muttered, his pride swelling with each breath. "This power... it's greater than before. Far greater."
He threw a punch into the air. WHOOSH!
The force sent a gust of wind ripping through the room, his fist leaving a sharp sonic boom in its wake. His lips twisted into a smirk as he unleashed a rapid series of kicks and punches, each blow generating a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the room. He felt alive—more than alive. His Saiyan blood burned, and he silently thanked whatever God might be listening for his genetics.
Saiyan biology was unmatched; this much was undeniable.
Just as he prepared to unleash a ki blast to test the full extent of his strength, a screen embedded in the wall flickered on. The sudden light grabbed his attention, and Vegeta scowled. On the screen was that woman from before with the letters on the bottom of the screen spelling Bulma Briefs—who looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"Well, well, look who's up and feeling himself," she said, arms crossed over her chest. "Don't get too excited, Vegeta. You were just lying KO'd in that room three minutes ago."
Vegeta's scowl deepened. "Tch. Don't you dare insult me, woman. I didn't ask for your—"
"Save it," Bulma interrupted, her voice sharp and cutting through his arrogance. "Before you go off on one of your oh-so-mighty Saiyan pride speeches, how about you wash up? I can practically smell you from here."
Vegeta's brow twitched. "How dare you—"
"I dare because I'm Bulma Briefs," she shot back, cutting him off without missing a beat. "And you stink. So, wash your ass, Vegeta. Clean your face, too. I'm not letting you walk around looking like a stray dog."
For a moment, Vegeta stood there, stunned by her audacity. He opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. Bulma's piercing gaze from the screen dared him to protest, and something about it made his throat seize. He clenched his jaw, the indignation simmering inside him, but she was her control... it was too strong.
"Come to the door when you're done. We've got things to discuss." The screen flickered off before he could respond.
Vegeta growled, his fists tightening. He could evaporate her with a breath, yet here she was, ordering him around like he was some kind of servant. "Damn woman," he muttered, but despite his words, he found himself walking toward the small adjoining bathroom.
He hated this. Hated it. But there was something about Bulma's authority that made him... comply.
Moments later, after a begrudgingly quick shower, Vegeta stared at himself in the mirror. His battle-worn Saiyan armor was in tatters, and before he could even curse at the sight of it, the accursed woman appeared again—this time at the bathroom door.
"Yeah, that's not going to work," she said, her sharp eyes scanning him. "You can't go into space looking like a worn-out action figure. I'll make you a new set."
Vegeta's pride flared instantly, and he spun toward her. "I don't need your help!" he spat. "I am a Saiyan Prince! My armor—"
"Your armor is trashed," she interrupted, unimpressed. "And frankly, your 'Saiyan pride' means nothing to me. You're lucky I'm willing to help at all."
Vegeta's fists trembled, but Bulma's cool, confident demeanor made him hesitate. Her words weren't laced with malice, just brutal honesty. "You're just like Kakarot, thinking you can just—"
"Oh, don't compare me to Goku," Bulma snapped, rolling her eyes. "I don't care about your ego, Vegeta. Now put these on."
She tossed a bundle of clothes at him—a pink shirt with BADMAN written across the back in bold letters, and garish yellow pants that hurt his pride more than any punch Kakarot had thrown at him. Vegeta blinked in disbelief, holding up the pink shirt.
"What... is this?" he growled.
"Your new outfit," Bulma replied, her smirk widening. "Unless you want to walk around naked."
Vegeta's eye twitched as he held up the shirt, examining it like it was some foreign object. "Is this for a man... or a woman?!"
Bulma laughed, crossing her arms. "It's for you, genius. Now hurry up and get dressed. Goku and Hinata will be here soon."
Vegeta grit his teeth, his pride warring with his survival instincts. The idea of walking around in this absurd outfit made his blood boil, but at the same time, there was something about Bulma's unwavering confidence that made him... listen. Again, he hated it.
Reluctantly, he slipped on the pink shirt and yellow pants, glaring at his reflection. The shirt clung to his muscles, and the word BADMAN felt like a personal insult. He was about to rip it off when he heard the faint sound of energy approaching.
Goku and Hinata descended from the sky, landing gracefully just outside the door. Both were clad in their usual combat gear, ready for the upcoming mission. The younger Saiyan's cheerful grin was in stark contrast to the tension radiating from Vegeta.
"Damn you Kakarot..." Vegeta hissed, his hands clenching into fists. "I didn't need your help with that... that green bean."
Goku scratched the back of his head, laughing lightly. "I figured you'd be hungry after getting beat up. You're welcome."
Vegeta's eyes flared with anger, but before he could fire back, Hinata stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "As bad as you may feel about it, Goku only meant to help. No point in being angry about it."
Vegeta scoffed, his pride prickling at Hinata's defense of her husband. "I didn't ask for it. I don't need charity from low-class scum."
Before things could escalate further, Bulma stepped between them, hands on her hips. "Enough. We don't have time for your pissing contest, Vegeta. We've got bigger things to deal with. Tenten and the others are waiting for you."
Vegeta glared at her, his pride waging a war inside him, but he couldn't argue. Not now. "Fine," he muttered, the word tasting bitter.
Bulma smirked. "Good. Now move."
Vegeta, with one last look of disdain toward Goku and then Bulma, took off into the sky, followed closely by the younger Saiyan and his wife. The friction between the Saiyan prince and the Earth's champion was electric, but the mission loomed larger than their feud.
Just for now, with emphasis on just, Vegeta would comply.
But the moment Frieza was out of the picture? He'd deal with Kakarot personally.
Suddenly, the elevator door entrance to the dimly lit Iron Cave assembly area slid open and Ino walked in, her usual smirk plastered across her face despite the somber atmosphere.
"Well, well, well, looks like the gang's all doom and gloom tonight," she quipped, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. There was a mixture of annoyed looks and half-hearted smirks, but Ino didn't care.
She knew how to read a room, but tonight? She was going to crack jokes regardless. If they didn't like it? Oh well.
Shikamaru sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ino... can you not?"
"Oh, lighten up," Ino shot back, plopping herself down in one of the seats, her carefree attitude contrasting to the intensity swirling around them. She glanced at Naruto, flashing him a wink before settling into her seat. She could feel the awkward energy between them, but she wasn't about to let it mess with her. Not tonight.
Naruto's face reddened slightly at the act, but he didn't say anything, just glanced sideways at Sakura, who was glaring daggers at Ino. Ino saw the look but shrugged it off. Whatever. There were bigger things to worry about.
Before anyone could respond, the door slid open again, revealing the Rokudaime Hokage, lazily walking in with his usual nonchalant expression, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Sorry I'm late," Kakashi said with a shrug, "A black cat crossed my path. You know how it is."
Tenten blinked, staring at him. "We're about to go to space to fight a galactic tyrant and that's what made you late?"
Both of Kakashi's eyes curved in an amused smile. "Priorities, Tenten. Priorities."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, while Shikamaru just muttered something about the absurdity of the entire situation. Ino, on the other hand, chuckled to herself, clearly the only one in the mood to appreciate Kakashi's lighthearted excuse.
Kakashi moved toward the table and glanced at the projections. "Are we still waiting for Goku and Hinata?"
Before anyone could answer, a loud whoosh sounded from outside that signaled their arrival.
The door slid open, and Goku stepped in first, his usual carefree expression tempered with an edge, and Hinata followed close behind.
But then Vegeta walked in behind them, his signature scowl painted across his face, his newly acquired pink BADMAN shirt clashing with the ferocity in his eyes. The instant he entered, the air in the room grew heavy, and every person in the room was on edge, their muscles coiling as their eyes locked onto him.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Sasuke was the first to speak, his voice dripping with venom. His Sharingan flickered to life as he glared at Vegeta. The Uchiha had never taken kindly to strangers, let alone a very recent enemy.
In an instant, Naruto was on his feet, a low growl escaping his throat. His hands clenched into fists, and Kurama's chakra rippled faintly around him. "I thought we were done with this guy."
Vegeta's lips twisted into a vicious smirk as he stepped further into the room. "Well, well. If it isn't the little group of Earth's so-called defenders. Ready to die, are we?" His voice mocked them at every syllable.
Shikamaru stood, his gaze locked on Goku. "What's he doing here, Goku?"
Before Goku could answer, Vegeta chuckled darkly, stepping forward with his arms crossed. "You fools don't stand a chance against Frieza. You're all going to die out there. Kakarot might be able to hold his own, maybe even that woman of his, but the rest of you?" He let out a low laugh. "Complete and utter weaklings. You're nothing but fodder."
Naruto's eyes blazed, and he took a step forward, his voice loud and sharp. "What did you just say?! You're calling us weak? A planet full of weaklings made mincemeat out of you and your bald buddy a month ago!"
Vegeta's expression turned cold, and he cackled bitterly. "That was ancient history. I'm stronger now than all of you combined."
At that moment, Goku cleared his throat with a soft "ahem," causing Vegeta's eyes to flare. "What?" he spat.
Goku shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips. "I mean, you're stronger, sure, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. You're not that strong."
Vegeta's fists clenched as he threatened to boil over. "You think you're funny, Kakarot?"
Hinata stepped forward, her voice steady. "Even if you were stronger than all of us, you could still be defeated. Strategy, skill, and ability matters just as much as raw power, maybe even more."
Vegeta scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward her. "Ninja tools and cute little gimmicks will only make Frieza laugh as he wipes you from existence."
Tenten, who watched from her position, sneered. "You talk a lot for someone who just got his ass handed to him by Goku."
Vegeta's eyes flickered with rage, but he kept his composure, baring his teeth in a savage grin. "Careful, woman. You might be the last thing I crush on this pathetic planet."
Naruto was practically shaking with anger now, and even Shikamaru had to step forward to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Vegeta, you're testing everyone's patience," the Nara warned.
"Let him talk," Sasuke said, his Sharingan spinning. "He's all bark anyway."
"Bark?" Vegeta snapped, his voice rising. "I'm going to cut Frieza down inch by inch. And after that..."
"Oh, after that, you're more than welcome to take another shot at me," Goku added with a playful smile, cutting off Vegeta's threats. "But right now, you're coming with us whether you like it or not."
Vegeta growled, but before things could escalate further, Bulma's voice crackled through the comms system built into the cave. "Alright kids, that's enough posturing. I didn't stay up all night for you to argue about who's the toughest idiot in the room."
Vegeta's eyes flashed, but he didn't respond. He hated Bulma's interference, but once again... something about her—her sheer audacity—made him bite his tongue.
"We're ready for the final debriefing," Bulma continued. "So can everyone stop acting like children and get on with it?"
Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "She's got a point, guys."
Naruto crossed his arms, muttering under his breath, "Still don't trust him..."
Sasuke didn't bother hiding his disdain. "Neither do I."
But Shikamaru, ever pragmatic, sighed deeply. "Trust or not, we need every advantage we can get against Frieza. That includes Vegeta."
Vegeta grinned viciously. "You'll regret saying that, boy."
With that, the group begrudgingly accepted Vegeta's presence. They would need to set aside their personal grudges for the mission ahead. The unknown expanse of space awaited, and Frieza's aura loomed over them all.
The dim lights of the Iron Cave reflected off the metal surfaces of the room, casting long shadows as the group sat around the table, its center projecting a map of the currently known universe. All eyes were locked on the large screen in front of them, where Bulma's confident face appeared, sitting comfortably at her desk at Capsule Corp.
"Alright, listen up," she started, glancing at the notes in front of her. "We don't have much time, so I'll get right to the point. In three days, the ship will be done. It's equipped with everything we need for the mission. The destination? Planet Frieza 304."
Tenten, standing near the projection table with her arms crossed, chimed in. "It's a prime location within the database of Raditz's space pod. The perfect spot for us to strike. We're hitting Frieza directly where he won't expect it."
"Frieza 304?" Naruto blurted out, eyebrows furrowed. "How do we know he's even going to be there?"
Neji, always the calm voice of reason, nodded toward Bulma. "The location was flagged as a prime destination for Frieza's forces. The intel we've gathered from Raditz's pod suggests it's one of their more critical planets."
Shikamaru, sitting at the edge of the table, flicked his gaze between the map and Bulma. "We have to assume Frieza could be elsewhere. If that happens, what's our contingency?"
Bulma raised an eyebrow. "We'll get to that, Mr. Strategy. But first, the ship's details. It's built with a Gravity Room that goes up to 300 times Earth's gravity."
A low whistle came from Naruto as he leaned back in his chair. "300x gravity? Is that even possible?"
Vegeta, standing off to the side with his arms crossed, scoffed. "Of course it is, but alas you being on this mud ball—a planet so technologically deprived—has warped your paltry perception of what can or can't be done."
Goku, sitting next to Hinata, grinned. "300x sounds like fun! I can't wait to face it."
Tenten shot Vegeta a sharp look before continuing. "And before you get too excited, the ship's also fully stocked with everything we'll need for the journey. A well-stocked fridge, enough food for all of us, and even a cappuccino machine. So, we're covered."
Lee, standing behind Naruto, glanced at Tenten. "Not sure we'll have time for cappuccinos when we're fighting an army."
Naruto chuckled. "Speak for yourself, Lee. I'm all about that energy boost before a battle."
"Now," Bulma's voice took on a more serious tone, drawing the group's attention back to her. "Let's talk about the plan itself. It's straightforward. Goku, you're going to go 'Super Saiyan'—as Vegeta calls it—and kill Frieza."
The room went silent as her words settled in. Goku's expression shifted, his grin fading slightly as he nodded, understanding the weight of what was being asked of him. Everyone in the room knew how powerful Frieza was, and though Goku had trained relentlessly, the title of "Super Saiyan" was still something none of them understood or even heard of until Vegeta brought it into conceptual lore.
"Wait a minute," Naruto interrupted, frowning. "What about the rest of us? Are we just s'posed to sit back and watch?"
Vegeta laughed, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You? Watch? The lot of you couldn't even take on Frieza's third-tier soldiers, let alone Frieza himself. Leave the real fight to me and Kakarot. You weaklings will just get in the way."
Shikamaru spoke up next, his voice calm and collected. "The plan has a few more layers than just aiming for the head. While Goku and Vegeta handle the main fight, the rest of us will be taking care of Frieza's forces. Naruto, Hinata, and Lee, you three will be protecting Sakura and Ino. They'll be erasing all data of Earth's existence from Frieza's systems. That's our secondary and almost as equally important goal."
Ino, leaning back in her chair, smirked. "I like that. Wipe Earth off their radar? I'm all for it."
Sakura nodded, crossing her arms. "If Frieza can't track us, it gives us time to prepare in case others come after him."
Naruto's expression grew serious. "And what if Frieza's not there? What's Plan B?"
Neji stepped forward, his eyes flickering faintly. "We'll retreat and come up with a new strategy. But we can't afford to lose the element of surprise."
Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temples. "If Frieza isn't on Planet 304, we'll have to adapt on the fly. That's why we're gathering as much intel as we can before the mission. But we need to be prepared for the worst."
Vegeta smirked, crossing his arms. "If Frieza's not there, we'll just destroy the whole planet. That'll get his attention."
Goku frowned slightly. "We're not blowing up planets, Vegeta."
Vegeta glared at him. "Speak for yourself, Kakarot."
Before another argument could break out, Bulma interrupted again. "I'm coming too, by the way."
A collective murmur spread through the group, some surprised, others apprehensive. Naruto blinked, staring at the screen. "Why would you come with us, Bulma? It's dangerous."
Bulma leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. "I'm the pilot, for one. And secondly, I'm the smartest person on this planet, with respect to a few people in the room. You'll need me up there."
Shikamaru nodded in agreement. "She's right. If we're erasing data from Frieza's systems, there's no one better for the job."
Tenten stepped forward, glancing around the room. "We've got three days to prepare. We need to be at peak performance physically, mentally, and spiritually. All of it."
Vegeta sneered. "No amount of preparation will prepare the lot of you. Only the strongest survive and the weak shall perish."
Naruto shot Vegeta a glare. "We'll see about that."
Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on the map. "Three days. It's not nearly enough time."
Shikamaru shrugged. "It'll have to be. We leave in 72 hours. Get ready."
The room fell into silence as the gravity of the mission settled in. No one spoke for a moment, each person reflecting on their role and the danger they were about to face. Frieza wasn't just another enemy—he was a galactic force of destruction.
But this was the plan, and they were all in.
Goku stretched, breaking the silence with his usual tone. "Alright, three days of getting ready. And we can find out who's who."
Vegeta grinned darkly. "Try not to die before we even get to space, Kakarot."
Naruto smirked. "You're the one who should worry about that, Vegeta."
With the debriefing over, everyone knew what needed to be done.
It was time to prepare for war.
Later in the day, the gravity inside the room pressed down like a silent force, weighing on the bodies of Hinata, Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Yugao, and Haku. It was set at 10x Earth's normal gravity, a level that would crush most humans—but not these women. Even Yugao and Haku, who had stepped back from the intensity of their training days, stood firm, refusing to buckle under the pressure.
Tenten had called this training session for a reason. After their mission debriefing about Frieza Planet 304, she knew they needed to deal with the friction lingering in the air. It was personal. Each of them carried their own unresolved grudges, hidden resentments, and bruised egos. If they were going to fight as one unit, they needed to clear the air.
"Before we can appreciably do our part on this mission," Tenten had said, her voice sharp and commanding, "we need to settle our differences. If that means fighting it out like men would, so be it. We can't go into battle divided, or we'll fall. This mission demands clarity, and that starts here."
Hinata, her long dark hair pinned back, surveyed the room with quiet focus. Her Tenseigan remained sealed for now, out of respect for the sparring session. She didn't need godlike power for this—at least, not yet. She was already formidable without it, her martial prowess honed through years of combat and rigorous training with her husband.
Next to her, Ino stretched, her muscles flexing as she prepared. Despite the serene confidence in her eyes, there was a storm brewing within. Her training with multiple mentors and peers—including Gai, Lee, Naruto, Son Goku, and Tien—had made her devastatingly powerful. The Seventh Gate was at her command, and her telepathic abilities were razor-sharp, giving her a predatory edge in the room.
Tenten—Tetsu due to her combat armor—stood ready, her eyes gleaming beneath the advanced tech armor. This current model—the Mark 4 Armor—was the pinnacle of her inventions, putting her on par with the elite. She flexed her fingers, and weapons began to hum to life across her body: repulser rays, turrets, and laser emitters. It was a walking fortress, designed to counter any foe.
Yugao and Haku stood to the side, a bit more hesitant. Both had been kunoichi of note in the recent past, but time and motherhood had shifted their priorities. Yet, here they were—ready to claw their way back to relevancy. Yugao, her katana gleaming, could still summon deadly chakra slashes. Haku, more refined than ever, had evolved her ice techniques to a terrifying degree.
But both women knew they had to fight their way back into shape.
And then there was Sakura. Her knuckles cracked loudly in the gravity-heavy air, her eyes narrowing toward Ino. Their unspoken grudge simmered like a festering wound, and the latter wasted no time in slicing it open.
"You're looking at me like you've got something to prove, Forehead," Ino sneered, her voice sharp as the gravity itself. "Let me guess—this is about Naruto?"
Sakura's knuckles cracked audibly as she clenched her fists, her body trembling with barely contained rage. "You betrayed me!" she spat through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with fury. "You were my best friend, and you slept with him. You used him."
Ino let out a cold, bitter laugh, her eyes narrowing in disdain. "Oh, Sakura, please. Don't pretend like you ever really had him. You couldn't keep him happy, and you know it. That's why he came to me." She leaned forward, her tone low and mocking, her words designed to wound. "And let me tell you something—he enjoyed every. Single. Second."
Without warning, the blonde dashed forward, her speed overwhelming under the increased gravity, and struck. Her telepathic abilities projected images of her nights with Naruto directly into Sakura's mind—every kiss, every thrust, every release, every moment.
The imagery was vivid, detailed, and unrelenting.
And this was exactly why Tenten had gathered them. They needed to confront these demons now, not in the heat of battle when it mattered the most. If they didn't face their issues head-on, it would cost them far more than their ego—it could cost them the mission.
And of course, their lives.
"We settle this here and now!" her voice cut through the rising tension like a blade. "No more holding back. We need to get this out of our system. Whatever issues you have, handle it now. Because when we face Frieza, we fight as one—or we don't come back at all."
Sakura screamed in rage and anguish, her fists glowing with intense chakra as she retaliated to Ino. She shot a Rasengan toward her, but the blonde was ready, deflecting the chakra ball with ease as she activated the Kyōmon. Green flames exploded around her, and her body surged with immense power.
The taijutsu skirmish between them was fierce, every punch and kick carrying the weight of their personal animosity. Ino was relentless, her strikes brutal and unyielding, while Sakura, using her One-Hundred Healings technique or the Byakugō no Jutsu, tried to keep up by amplifying her speed and strength to her utmost.
Yet, it was clear from the outset—Ino was superior and the gap was significant.
Each of Sakura's moves were countered, every attempt to find an opening in Ino's relentless assault failing.
"You couldn't satisfy him," Ino whispered harshly as she dodged a particularly wild punch. She grabbed a fistful of Sakura's pink hair, yanking her head back cruelly before slamming her face-first into the floor. The gravity-enhanced impact echoed throughout the room.
"You don't deserve him."
Sakura struggled, blood trickling from her nose, her mind a whirlwind. Her body screamed in pain, but it was nothing compared to the emotional wounds Ino was tearing open. Every word felt like a punch to the gut, and she couldn't block them out.
Ino was relentless, her words fueled by her own pent-up frustration, bitterness, and guilt. Because deep down, she knew she didn't believe everything she was saying. Not even a little bit. But the darker part of her, the part that had stopped caring about playing by the rules, didn't care anymore. It felt good to finally let it all out.
Fuck Sakura. Fuck the guilt. She had wanted Naruto, and she had taken him. Why should she have to apologize for that?
Ino slammed her foot down on Sakura's back, pinning her to the floor as she leaned in, her voice dripping with venom. "You lost him because you were too weak. You couldn't keep him because you don't have what it takes to be with someone like him."
Sakura gasped, her strength fading as she lay on the cold floor, the weight of Ino's words heavier than the gravity itself.
But somewhere in the back of her mind, a fire still burned. She wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.
Across the room, Tetsu launched herself at Hinata. She was a whirlwind of weapons—turrets firing, lasers beaming, and repulser rays blasting. The entire arsenal of her suit was brought to bear, trying to overwhelm Hinata.
Hinata dodged effortlessly, her body moving with a grace that belied the gravity. She darted through the barrage of attacks, deflecting lasers with her palms, flipping through the air as smoke bombs exploded around her. Tenten's arsenal was impressive, but Hinata's martial prowess and her control over her chakra flow were equally formidable.
They clashed like titans, each blow a testament to their growth. The sleekness of Tenten's tech hummed with every repulser blast, while Hinata's precision strikes glowed with chakra, her Byakugan pulsing with energy.
Tenten's armor flared to life, turrets locking onto Hinata with pinpoint accuracy. The first volley of repulser rays fired, but Hinata darted to the side, her movements fluid, her body barely a blur as she evaded the attack. Smoke bombs erupted around her, but she glided through them as if they were nothing, her feet barely touching the ground.
"Tetsu or not, Tenten, you'll need more than that to win," Hinata said, her voice calm but firm, her eyes never leaving her opponent.
But Tenten wasn't playing around. With a flick of her wrist, the turrets re-aimed, and from her gauntlets, twin energy blades crackled to life. "You think I'm the same Tenten?" she spat from behind her face shell, the frustration evident in her voice as she swung the blades toward Hinata with deadly intent. "I've been working for this, too. You'll have to earn this win."
Hinata moved to parry, but this time Tenten anticipated it. One blade slid past Hinata's guard, the repulser energy crackling against her forearm, sending a shock through her body. It wasn't devastating, but it was enough to make Hinata wince, the smell of singed fabric filling the air.
"Got you," Tenten said with a smirk, pulling her arm back for another strike.
But Hinata's response was immediate. She shifted her stance, her footwork almost dance-like as she closed the distance. Before Tenten could react, Hinata's palm slammed into the chest plate of the armor with such force that Tenten stumbled back, nearly losing her footing.
"You hit hard," Hinata replied coolly. "But I hit harder."
Tenten grit her teeth. She was not going to let this end easily. She retaliated, summoning a barrage of small explosives from her gauntlets. They exploded in midair, sending shrapnel and shockwaves toward Hinata. But Hinata's Byakugan read every movement, every shift in the air. Her palms moved in a rapid series of chakra-fueled strikes, dispersing the debris before it could touch her.
Meanwhile, Yugao and Haku faced off in their own battle, though it was clear both women were outclassed in terms of raw power compared to the others. Still, they fought with skill and determination.
Yugao swung her sword in fluid arcs, sending chakra slashes toward Haku, who deflected them with razor-sharp ice mirrors. The two exchanged blows, each testing the other's limits. Despite their personal rust, their movements were still sharp, honed by years of experience.
"I'll admit," Yugao said between breaths, "I'm not the fighter I used to be."
Haku nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she spun, sending shards of ice at Yugao. "Neither am I, but we can get back there."
Their fight was less about dominance and more about rediscovering the strength they had once wielded.
It was humbling but necessary.
Back at the center of the room, Sakura's fight with Ino continued to spiral. Ino slammed her elbow into Sakura's gut, sending her skidding backward. Blood dripped from the corner of Sakura's mouth, her breathing labored, but she refused to give up.
"You... think... you're better?" Sakura gasped, struggling to catch her breath.
Ino walked forward, her face twisted in a dark smile. "I don't think. I know. Naruto knew it too. You were just the warm-up."
Sakura's chakra flared violently, her emotions pushing her to her limit. "I'll show you who the warm-up is!"
With a roar, Sakura charged at Ino, her Rasengan whirling in her palm, but Ino met her head-on, her own chakra blazing. The two collided, sending shockwaves throughout the gravity room, the walls trembling under the force of their clash.
And as that took place, the other two went at it again, a whirlwind of blows and counters. Tenten's armor gave her the strength and speed to keep up, but Hinata's precision was something else entirely. The Hyūga's strikes were laser-focused, hitting the weak points in Tenten's suit, forcing her back step by step.
Suddenly, Hinata saw her opening. With a burst of chakra, she closed the distance, delivering a swift, powerful knee to the chest plate of Tenten's armor. The force of the blow was enough to send the tech specialist skidding across the floor, sparks flying from the suit as systems began to short-circuit.
"Damn it…" Tenten muttered, her breathing ragged. She struggled to stay on her feet, her turrets sputtering as they tried to recalibrate. She fired off one last desperate volley of repulser blasts, but Hinata was already moving, weaving through the lasers with practiced grace. With one final, powerful strike, Hinata disabled the last of Tenten's armor systems.
The suit shut down with a dull hum. Tenten fell to one knee, panting heavily, sweat dripping down her face, as her cowl shifted up to reveal her face. "You… you're amazing," she managed, swallowing her frustration.
Hinata stood over her, breathing hard but composed. She extended her hand to her opponent. "And you are too. You put up a great fight, Tenten," she said softly, respect in her voice. "I look forward to the next one."
Tenten looked up, eyes gleaming with determination despite the loss. She took Hinata's hand and stood, brushing herself off. "Me too."
Across the room, the battles raged on, but none matched the intensity of Tenten and Hinata's duel. The air between them was charged with even greater respect, not akin to a rivalry whatsoever.
But even with the fight over, the tension lingered. In the background, the clash between Ino and Sakura still went on, their grudge threatening to tear the room apart. Each woman gave dangerous levels of effort, but unlike the mutual respect between Hinata and Tenten, this fight was personal, raw, and filled with venom.
This wasn't just training. This was war.
Sakura, with her vast chakra reserves, had healed again and again, her body repairing itself after every punishing blow from Ino. But even with the regenerative abilities of her technique, the difference between them was undeniable. Ino's speed and precision were leagues above, her relentless barrage of strikes too much for Sakura to counter. Each hit chipped away at her resolve, until it became clear that healing alone wasn't going to save her.
Ino's eyes were cold, calculated. She wasn't just fighting Sakura—she was making a point.
"You keep healing, but it's useless," Ino snarled, landing a vicious knee into Sakura's midsection, sending her skidding across the floor. "No matter how many times you patch yourself up, you'll never be able to keep up with me."
Sakura struggled to her feet, blood dripping from her mouth. She activated her healing jutsu once more, chakra surging to close the gaping wound in her abdomen. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, but she wasn't ready to give up.
"You think you're better, Ino? Just because you got stronger?" Sakura spat, wiping the blood from her lips. "You don't get it. I'm doing this for—"
"For Naruto?" Ino interrupted, her voice dripping with venom. "Don't make me laugh."
In the blink of an eye, Ino closed the distance between them, her hand flashing out to grip Sakura by the throat. She slammed her into the ground with a sickening thud. The floor creaked under the force, and Sakura's body jerked from the impact, but Ino's grip only tightened.
"You weren't enough for him, Sakura. And do you know why?" Ino hissed, her voice dark, leaning in closer as Sakura struggled beneath her. "Because while you were too busy playing little miss perfect, I was giving him exactly what he needed."
Sakura's eyes widened in shock, her chakra momentarily faltering. Ino's telepathy kicked in once more, projecting the lurid memories directly into Sakura's mind.
"He wasn't thinking about you when he was inside me. Do you know what he was thinking about?" Ino's grip tightened as she smiled cruelly. "He loved how I felt, how I moved. The way I wrapped my legs around him, the sounds I made, the way I screamed his name. He didn't want to stop, Sakura. He didn't even think about you."
Sakura's vision blurred as the images burned into her mind—vivid, intimate moments that made her stomach twist. Ino had deliberately painted the most visceral picture possible, each word stabbing like a knife.
"That's right," Ino continued, her voice dark and unrelenting. "Every thrust, every moan, every fuck was for me. Not you."
Sakura's eyes widened, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. She could feel the words slicing through her like kunai, each one more painful than the last. Her Byakugō seal flared again, trying to keep her conscious, but it was no match for the emotional toll of Ino's assault.
"He told me how much he loved the way I tasted," Ino continued viciously, twisting the knife deeper. "The way I made him feel alive. Real. He said being with me was better than he ever imagined it could be with you."
Sakura's chest heaved, tears mixing with the blood on her face as she struggled against the emotional weight of Ino's words. She tried to summon the strength to fight back, but her body refused to respond. Her mind was a whirlwind of pain, anger, and heartbreak.
Eventually her chakra flared once more, her rage bubbling to the surface as she pushed back against Ino's crushing weight. She summoned all her remaining strength, her fist glowing with power as she aimed a final strike at Ino's face.
But Ino was faster.
With one swift motion, Ino's elbow crashed down on Sakura's wrist, pinning her arm to the floor before slamming her other fist into Sakura's chest. The breath left Sakura's lungs in a pained gasp, her body convulsing as the last of her healing chakra flickered and faded.
Ino stood up slowly, towering over Sakura, whose body lay limp on the ground. Blood smeared the floor beneath her, and her breathing was shallow, labored.
The One-Hundred Healings technique had finally given out.
Ino wiped a trail of sweat from her brow, her expression completely void of any remorse. She stood over Sakura, victorious.
"Remember this, Forehead. You're nothing compared to me now," Ino said coldly, her voice steady as she looked down at her former best friend. "Naruto chose me because I gave him something you never could. And you'll never be able to erase that from your mind."
Sakura lay there, eyes glazed over with tears, the weight of Ino's words—and the truth they carried—crushing her spirit more than the beating ever could.
The room had grown deathly quiet, every woman frozen in place, witnessing the brutal dismantling of their once inseparable bond. The air was thick with something darker than tension—something irreparable.
Ino turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing through the gravity chamber.
"I hope you remember this, Sakura," she said quietly, her voice devoid of any emotion. "Because I won't forget."
The words hung in the air as Ino disappeared into the shadows, leaving Sakura alone, broken on the floor, in more ways than one.
This wasn't just a fight—it was a reckoning. And in that moment, it was clear that the damage done wasn't just physical.
The bond between them, already strained, was now shattered beyond repair.
Speaking of which, the other implicit tension between Ino and Hinata simmered, ready to boil over. The others—Yugao, Haku, Sakura, and Tenten—stood on the sidelines, everyone sans Sakura watching with wide eyes. They all felt the shift in the air, a dangerous undercurrent swirling around the two women.
This was far too personal.
Hinata stood poised and calm, her hands relaxed at her sides, her breathing steady. She exuded a quiet, focused energy, one that promised control over the chaos around her.
She had no need for harsh words or threats. Her presence alone commanded attention, her gaze locked onto Ino.
Ino smirked, her aura flaring with confidence as the Seventh Gate glowed around her. "So, Hinata... finally gonna stop hiding behind that peaceful smile of yours? Face it, if it weren't for Goku, no one would even care about you."
Hinata's expression remained unchanged. She didn't respond to the taunt, but her silence spoke volumes.
Ino took a step forward, her voice dripping with venom. "You think I haven't noticed? You walk around like you're untouchable, like you've won something special. But I was there too, Hinata. I know things you don't. Goku's first kiss? That was with me. Not you. Me."
The words hung in the air like a blade, sharp and cutting. Ino's telepathy flared, and images flooded Hinata's mind—vivid, intimate memories of Goku and Ino. The desert of Suna, the heat between them, the almost irresistible nature of it.
Ino didn't stop there. She projected everything—the moment Goku leaned in, the taste of his lips, the heat of their bodies pressed together. She even replayed how close they had come to diving headfirst into sexual intimacy.
Hinata blinked, but her composure remained intact, unshaken. Ino, emboldened by the lack of reaction, continued.
"If things had been different, if I had been in your place when Piccolo Daimao killed you, I'd be Goku's wife right now. Don't kid yourself, Hinata. You're only where you are because I didn't push the envelope."
With every word, Ino tried to twist the knife, pushing her advantage, mentally weaving the moments she had shared with Goku into Hinata's mind. Her chakra flared as she attempted to drown Hinata's mind in insecurity, sowing doubt and hoping to break her.
But the one thing Ino didn't account for was the depth of Hinata's calm.
The wife didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled—a soft, serene smile, one that was both knowing and kind. She looked at Ino, and her eyes shimmered with a radiant blue light.
The room darkened as the air shifted, and Hinata's Tenseigan activated.
The power that emanated from Hinata was nothing short of godlike in comparison to the others. The azure glow in her eyes brightened as chakra swirled around her like a storm, crackling with raw energy. The gravity room trembled under her might, and the others stepped back, feeling the weight of her presence.
Ino's smirk faltered. The telepathic imagery in Hinata's mind began to fade, like a candle being snuffed out by the wind. Hinata's Tenseigan wasn't just a physical power—it reached into the spiritual and mental realms as well. It crushed Ino's telepathic invasion with ease, dissolving the false memories and projections with no effort.
Hinata's voice was soft but carried an undeniable strength as she spoke. "You may have kissed him, Ino. But I became one with him. Not just in body... but in soul. We are more than a moment. We are a life."
Ino's eyes widened as the weight of Hinata's words sank in. She barely had time to react before Hinata moved.
In an instant, the Tenseigan wielder was upon her. The first strike came like lightning—a swift kick to Ino's ribs that sent her sprawling across the floor. The impact echoed through the gravity room, shaking the very foundation of the walls. The Yamanaka grunted as she slammed into the ground, coughing from the force.
Before Ino could gather herself, Hinata was on her again. She delivered a rapid series of strikes—each one precise, each one devastating. Every kick, every punch, hit with a purpose, driving Ino back, overwhelming her. Ino's chakra flared, and she tried to summon her telepathic abilities again, but Hinata's Tenseigan nullified every attempt before it even began.
"Your tactics won't work," Hinata said, her voice as calm as ever, even as she continued to dismantle Ino. "Goku and I didn't just share a kiss... we've shared everything. You can cling to what could have been, but I already have what is."
Ino's frustration boiled over. She swung wildly, her fist glowing with chakra, aiming for Hinata's face. But Hinata sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing Ino's wrist and twisting her arm behind her back before delivering a crushing knee to her abdomen.
Ino gasped for air, falling to her knees. The pain was real, but so was the humiliation.
She had tried to get inside Hinata's head, and instead, Hinata had gotten inside hers.
As Hinata stood over her, the blue glow of the Tenseigan still blazing in her eyes, she leaned down and whispered, "Goku is my husband. We've shared more than just physical intimacy... we share a lifetime. In that shower, in every moment after, we became one. What you had? It's a memory. What I have is real. And hopefully it's forever."
Ino, for the first time, felt the sting of true defeat. She couldn't find the words to respond.
It was only when Yugao and Haku, watching from the sidelines, called out to Hinata that she stopped. "Hinata, that's enough. The training session is over."
Hinata released her hold on Ino, stepping back with a quiet grace, her Tenseigan fading. The room fell silent, the others stunned by what they had witnessed.
Ino lay on the ground, her pride shattered as much as her body, struggling to catch her breath. Hinata didn't look down on her with anger or disdain, but with an almost motherly pity. She had no need to gloat.
As Hinata turned away, she simply said, "I hope you find peace, Ino. Because this fight isn't against me. It's against yourself."
And with that, the session was over.