Chapter 24: Shino vs Temari

Everyone eagerly awaited Sasuke, anticipating the next match against Gaara.

Examiner: "We'll briefly delay this fight and move on to the next one."

Shikamaru: "Hey! That means my match is coming up sooner!"

Hinoka: "Oh, come on, Shikamaru, don't be like that!"

Examiner: "Alright, onto the next pair! Temari and Shino Aburame! Step forward!"

As both fighters prepared, the battle began.

Shino released his bugs, but Temari countered with a strong gust of wind, pushing him and his bugs back.

Despite Temari's constant attacks, Shino managed to evade, keeping up his defense.

Suddenly, Temari tried another attack but stumbled back and fell, clearly exhausted.

The crowd was surprised as Shino calmly explained, "My bugs have been absorbing your chakra throughout the fight, and it seems you've finally run out."

Approaching Temari, the examiner asked, "Are you still able to continue?"

Struggling to get up, Temari shook her head and said, "No," looking annoyed.

Examiner: "The winner is Shino Aburame. Next, Shikamaru Nara and Hinoka Hyuga. Step forward!"

Hinoka: "Yeah, finally my turn."

I jumped down to the arena and looked up at Shikamaru, who wasn't moving.

Shikamaru: "Maybe I should abstain."

Just then, Naruto hit Shikamaru on the back, saying "C'mon! Shikamaru, fight hard!" sending him falling into the arena.

I smiled and started running towards Shikamaru. "Hey Shikamaru, where's your fighting spirit?" I punched where Shikamaru was, but as the cloud of dirt cleared and I looked at the gigantic hole I created, Shikamaru was gone. I looked up to see him.

Shikamaru: "It doesn't really matter if I become a Chunin or not. But there's no reason why a man should lose to a woman."

Hinoka: "Is that so? Well, we'll see who wins, Shikamaru!" I said with a grin.

"Well… let's do it," Shikamaru replied with a smile on his face.

I charged towards Shikamaru with a kunai which he blocked with his own. I tried to kick him but he dodged by jumping down. As I turned, he was already gone.

I couldn't help but think, 'What are you planning on doing, Shikamaru?'

After a while Shikamaru stepped out with a smile on his face, which I returned as I ran towards him and attacked from above with a kunai which he blocked with his own.

Shikamaru: "You're seriously using close-ranged attacks knowing my jutsu?"

Hinoka: "Yep."

I jumped back as I stared at Shikamaru, before running towards him again, thinking 'I need to find a way to beat him…'

As I ran towards him, his shadow started coming towards me. I dodged it as I got closer to him, when I was about to slash him, I spotted his shadow.

'That's what he was planning. He wanted to lure me in and when I would be about to strike, he would use his hidden jutsu.'

Just as I was about to hit Shikamaru, I jumped over him and was about to kick him when he said, 'Okay, that's it, I give up.'

I stopped and landed as I looked at him, dumb struck.

As he said, "It's too much work fighting you. Even if I make the perfect plan, you'll find a way to drag this match out and I would end up using all my chakra and you would end up beating me so I might as well just give up now."

I was trying to contain my laugh as the examiner said, "The winner is Hinoka Hyuga."

As we walked back, I looked at Shikamaru and said, "The first time we get to fight against each other, and you decide to quit."

Shikamaru: "It was too much of a drag."

I smiled as I said "you never change."