I, Your Father, Carry a Big Stick

"You know, I kind of figured you'd be the last one up. You like showing off, don't you~?" Instead of falling for Wu's 'provocation,' Sasuke appeared calm and stoic as he stated, "I won't remain in your shadow forever, Wu. Once I surpass you, I'm sure defeating 'that man' will follow soon after." Spreading his arms in a 'come hither' gesture, Wu's already cheeky smile became more so as he teased, "I cast a pretty big shadow..." Interpreting Wu's words as a trigger, Sasuke lowered his center of gravity and performed a rapid sequence of hand signs for his Clan's famous Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu. The original Jutsu allowed the user to temporarily augment their lung capacity using Yang Chakra, subsequently using it as a fuel source to create a rather sizeable inferno once exhaled. The version Sasuke used functioned off of the same principles, but instead of allowing the flames to spread and engulf a target, he condensed them into a much smaller area, drastically enhancing the speed and penetrative capabilities of the Jutsu. Though he was able to dodge the laser-like cone of condensed flame, Wu could feel the skin on his body drying out due to the intense heat. Instead of being bothered by this, however, an excited smile developed across his face as he accelerated toward the 'defenseless' Uchiha. While most people struggled to deactivate or modify active Jutsu due to the intense focus required to shape and control the technique, Sasuke's eyes followed Wu like a hawk that had locked onto its prey, a trio of pitch-black tomoe revolving within his abruptly scarlet irises. At the same time, he swept the beam of flame in Wu's direction, widening an imaginary focal point to convert the attack from a high-velocity laser to an encompassing flamethrower. Grinning fiercely, Wu extended his left hand and diffused his Chakra to form an invisible, inverted cone. The moment Sasuke's flames entered into it, they became condensed to a point before rebounding, much like a shaped charge. Luckily for Sasuke, Wu didn't angle the inverted flames at him as the escape velocity of the 'charge' nearly exceeded the speed of a lightning strike. Though Wu directed the concentrated blast a few meters away from him, Sasuke was impacted by the resultant explosion. Tiny pieces of shrapnel pierced his clothing and even tore into his flesh, but the expression on his face remained serious and resolute as he formed hand seals in the middle of being blasted away. Before crashing into the ground directly, Sasuke flipped over at the last moment, his feet sliding through the dirt before he planted both hands on the ground and used the Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall. The moment he completed the technique, a five-meter tall, one-meter thick wall of earth formed a semi-crescent barrier in front of him, obscuring him from view. As Wu wondered what the boy was up to, he sensed a 'thread' of Chakra move through the ground and rapidly condense beneath his feet. Once it had reached an appropriate level, it erupted from the ground in the form of multiple spikes, attempting to skewer him but failing as he shrunk to his smallest size and slid down one with his hands behind his head... Feeling no 'feedback' from his Jutsu, Sasuke took immediate evasive action, flipping backward several times so that his view was no longer obstructed by his earth wall. When he saw no traces of Wu anywhere, he strained his eyes to their absolute limit, knowing the boy could 'pop' up just about anywhere. "Man, this hair could house a crow...." Interrupting Sasuke's focus, Wu expanded to the size of a small doll atop the boy's head, appending, "How many bottles of conditioner do you go through in a week?" Clicking his tongue, Sasuke said, "Get off my head." instead of trying to remove Wu forcefully. Fortunately, Wu did precisely that, hopping off the raven-haired youth's head to say, "You're improving rapidly, but it was a mistake to obscure your own vision, especially when your opponent is an incredibly talented, potentially even peerless Sensor such as myself. I'm only giving you a six this time around. You can do better." Instead of getting angry or upset, Sasuke gave a curt nod in response to Wu's words before turning around, placing his hands into his pocket, and saying, "It's a shame you aren't participating in the Chunin Exams. I still have a lot of tricks up my sleeve..." Shrugging his shoulders, Wu remarked, "You're welcome to show them to me now." but Sasuke just continued walking away, exuding the 'cool' aura he had inadvertently cultivated since his Academy days. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Wu shifted his attention to the peanut gallery and said, "Okay, you lot, go ahead and git. I, Your Father, have a beautiful wife patiently awaiting my return. If you aren't staying for dinner or planning to live here in the future, bugger off." Hearing Wu's braggadocious words, Kiba asked the first question that came to everyone's minds, "Are you going to be cooking? If so, I'm down to chill and eat dinner at your place." As the food Wu cooked was always inexplicably delicious, everyone who had been allowed to try it eagerly looked forward to the next opportunity. His secret was the same thing that permitted him to farm the revitalizing peaches: Natural Energy. By infusing it into the food he served, he could drastically enhance the flavor while providing various benefits to anyone fortunate enough to consume it. Making a shooing gesture with his right hand, Wu asserted, "I don't need snot-nosed brats ogling my bride while I toil away in the kitchen. Anyone with a dick can go shove it in a hole somewhere." Though everyone present was fairly used to how crass Wu could be, the boys within the group couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed. They knew Wu was trying to brag, and, after seeing his wife, they honestly couldn't blame him. The only two people that didn't seem to mind were Lee and Shino, but the former was perennially enthusiastic while the latter never showed his emotions in public... ... .. . With the exception of Hinata, who followed after Naruto despite her stomach producing an audible growl, all of the girls accompanied Wu to the Main House of the Senju Clan Estate. The opportunity to sample Wu's cuisine was too good to pass, so after checking to see if it was okay with Sasuke, Ino and Sakura tagged along with Tenten, a frequent guest, and diner within the Estate. On their way to the Main House, Ino openly remarked, "I still can't believe you got married to Lady Tsunade, Wu-kun. I know you like strong women, but how exactly does that work? I know she looks young, but isn't she like thirty-seven years older than you? And what about Tenten?" Answering in Wu's stead, Tenten had a half-lidded expression as she pointedly replied, "Wu-kun and I are doing just fine, thank you. Both my parents and Lady Tsunade have given us their permission, so we're still dating with the intent to marry once I become a Jonin. You should worry more about yourself, Yamanaka-san..." Furrowing her brows, Ino said, "I told you to stop calling me that. I know you don't like me, but can't we at least try to get along around Wu-kun...?" Narrowing her eyes further, Tenten retorted, "I don't see why that should matter to you. You're not Wu-kun's girlfriend or anything, so why should I try to get along with someone I dislike?" With her left eye twitching visibly, Ino suppressed her urge to shout as she said, "You're way too serious...if I had known you were going to be so butthurt about it, I would have just lied to you. I honestly don't even get why you're so angry. If Wu-kun was against it, he could have stopped it or said no whenever he wanted. What am I going to do, overpower and force him...?" Attempting to prevent 'yet another' fight between Ino and Tenten, Sakura made a placating gesture with her hands, her expression awkward as she said, "Calm down, you two. I get why you're angry, Tenten, but it's not like Ino had any malicious intentions..." Directing her half-lidded gaze to Sakura, Tenten's tone was flat and piercing as she said, "Considering you were partly responsible for what transpired, you should just keep your mouth shut, Sakura..." With the expression on her face becoming even more awkward, Sakura looked to Wu as if to prompt him to speak out in her defense. Fortunately for her, he did have something to say on the matter, stating, "If you need someone to direct your anger towards, feel free to target it at me. As Ino said, I could have put a stop to things whenever I wanted. I just went with the flow because it was interesting and exciting. I'm not going to tell the three of you to get along, but squabbling like this serves no purpose. Besides..." Pulling Tenten toward him before she could begin to pout, Wu sealed her lips with a rather assertive kiss, hefting her by her butt while Sakura and Ino could only watch. The two had started dating Sasuke around seven months before graduation, but the most intimate acts they had performed with the 'resolute' youth was holding hands, linking arms, and going on a handful of dates. They 'had' kissed a few times, but it was nothing like the interaction between Wu and Tenten. Though she offered a middling resistance in the beginning, largely due to the presence of Ino and Sakura, Tenten eventually gave up and permitted herself to melt in Wu's embrace. She intended to chastise him for fondling her butt in 'public,' but that was a matter for future her to worry about... After nearly two full minutes of kissing, Wu permitted Tenten to catch her breath, his expression smoldering and voice deep as he asserted, "You're the only girl present qualified to receive my affection. Also, as cute as you are when pouty, you're outright beautiful when you exude the confidence I love you for...smile for me, dango girl..." Turning her eyes up due to Wu calling her 'dango girl,' Tenten's anger was nowhere to be seen as she said, "You're such a dork, Wu-kun..." Without missing a beat, Wu retorted, "Perhaps...but you know you love it, just as I love everything about you. Especially this..." Since he still had his hands on Tenten's ass, Wu gave it a firm squeeze. As fond as he was becoming of large breasts, the elasticity of a woman's ass was a direct reflection of the effort they made to improve or maintain their appearance. Tenten worked harder than most girls, so Wu felt as though he could appreciate her ass all day without feeling like he was wasting his time. As the blush in her cheeks bled to her ears, Tenten adopted an insincere 'warning' look as she whispered, "Behave yourself..." Releasing his hold on the petite brunette's ass, Wu raised his hands as if to yield as he playfully mused, "If that's truly what you desire, your wish is my command..." Rolling her eyes, Tenten resisted the urge to retort, instead shifting her attention to Sakura and Ino. Both had rather prominent blushes on their faces, but Sakura had the good sense to avert her eyes while Ino had a pouty, slightly teary-eyed expression on her face. The latter had been trying to 'pressure' Sasuke in a similar way as she had Wu, but the former was significantly less 'easy going' than the latter. Thus, even though she was dating the boy she had always had a crush on, Ino felt more than a little frustrated after nearly a year of 'restraint.' Feeling a little amused by Ino's reaction, a taunting smile made its way to Tenten's face. She wasn't 'trying' to taunt the boyish blonde; it just kind of happened, prompting Ino to internally scream ("This cheeky bitch...!") as her hands formed into indignant fists... ... .. . (A/N: Teenage drama at its finest. And yes, Ino does have a somewhat boyish look. She developed the habit of wearing more casual clothes due to her training and kept her hair relatively short, similar to her younger self or Shippuden Sakura. Think Android 18, just in the style of Naruto.)

As it wasn't the first time Wu had brought his little pseudo-harem to their house, Tsunade didn't really react to the presence of Tenten, Sakura, and Ino outside of saying, "Oh, it's you three." Smiling wryly, Sakura responded with a polite, "Good afternoon, Lady Tsunade." Tenten gave a similar response, but Ino was still in a bad mood, so she remained silent, prompting the busty Senju to ask, "What's got you in such a bad mood? Boy troubles...?" Furrowing her brows, Ino responded with a half-hearted, "Something like that..." before shaking her head and appearing to regain her usual vigor as she asked, "So, what's for dinner?" Before Tsunade could turn to Wu and ask the same, the latter said, "You'll find out soon. For now, the three of you should go and get washed up. I'll head in a little later with my beloved wife." Smacking the back of Wu's head, or at least attempting to, Tsunade said, "Don't be cheeky." before turning to the three girls and adding, "Come on. You can 'explain' things in the bath. I'll hear you out." Without giving the trio a chance to refuse, Tsunade began dragging Ino and Sakura while Tenten followed after them with an awkward smile. In their wake, Shizune, a modest-looking woman with short black hair and large black eyes, arrived with a similarly wry smile as she said, "I see you invited those three over again..." Exhibiting his lack of shame, Wu gave a playful wink as he teased, "No need to be jealous. Tsunade 'did' extend you an invitation to 'help' out. I certainly wouldn't mind." Exhaling a helpless sigh, Shizune remarked, "You really shouldn't say things like that, Wu-kun..." before asking, "Do you need my help in the kitchen? I could cook for you and Lady Tsunade if you taught me your methods." Shrugging his shoulders in a different form of helplessness, Wu replied, "I would if I could. However, unless you can learn how to manipulate Natural Energy, the most you can do is help me prepare the ingredients. Come on, let's get started." As she had gotten used to Wu being the 'man of the house,' Shizune gave a courteous nod before following him into the kitchen. She had served as Tsunade's attendant and apprentice for more than twenty years, so, even though Tsunade had given her permission to leave and lead her own life, Shizune had remained in the Manor to serve as a vassal of the Senju Clan. As such, even though Wu was more than fifteen years her junior, she still looked up to and respected him as her Lord... ... .. . While Wu and Shizune were preparing dinner, Tsunade, Tenten, Sakura, and Ino were soaking their bodies in the onsen-like bath of the Estate. Hashirama, the First Hokage, had been obsessed with natural hot springs during his life, so he had constructed a massive bathhouse, complete with a small waterfall and heated by a rare ore that could only be found in the basins of active volcanoes. With her breasts floating due to their buoyancy, Tsunade exhaled a sigh that alluded to her actual age as she remarked, "Haaaaa...I never get tired of this bath. Returning to Konoha was the correct decision..." Though she 'glowered' at Tsunade's breasts for a moment, much like the other two girls, Ino perked up when she heard the buxom Senju's remark, asking, "What was it like on your travels, Lady Tsunade? Did you ever visit any foreign countries...?" Without rising from the stone she was reclined against, Tsunade made a so-so gesture with her hand, lazily replying, "Once or twice. When you're as famous as I am, traveling abroad just invites trouble. I did spend a bit of time in the Land of Hot Springs, but I mainly rotated between Tanzaku Quarters and a few other towns famous for their gambling scene." Expecting something more 'juicy,' the smile on Ino's face strained as she replied, "Uh...that sounds...interesting?" Unashamed to admit she had wandered down a pretty dark path, Tsunade shook her head and asserted, "It really wasn't. I was just going through the motions for a long time, so don't feel you need to glorify my behavior, kid. I'm glad there are still young girls who look up to me, but you'll enjoy life more by focusing on your own paths, not following in the footsteps of someone else's." "..." x3 Confused by the sudden silence, Tsunade raised her head, an awkward smile developing across her face as she questioned, "Did I get a little too serious for you girls? I supposed that's one of the pitfalls of getting older. Hahahaha~" Recovering from her momentary daze, Ino narrowed her eyes and said, "Speaking of which...how is it you're able to look this good at your age? I'm not trying to sound rude, but you barely look older than the rest of us." As Wu had never explicitly informed the girls he had been training about the peaches, Ino wasn't the only person who was shocked by Tsunade's appearance. Those who knew her well simply assumed she was using her infamous 'Eternal Youth Jutsu,' but, as they had never seen her adult form, Ino and the others had no point of reference for her 'true' appearance. Instead of answering Ino's question, Tsunade pointed out, "Actually, you girls look a lot younger than you 'ought' to for girls going through puberty. Tell me, are you getting regular periods...?" Though she was a little taken aback by Tsunade's words, Ino eventually replied, "Yes...?" in a slightly uncertain tone. The truth of the matter was that she had never really 'noticed' her periods. She was certain she was having them, as she occasionally noticed faint traces of blood in her urine and panties, but they were nowhere near as bad as other girls in her class had described. If Kaia, Sakura, and Hinata weren't in the same boat, she might have worried. Narrowing her eyes, Tsunade issued a thoughtful hum that made each of the other girls nervous. The former was known as the greatest Medic Nin in history, literally 'pioneering' the Iryojutsu used through the Elemental Nations. If there 'was' something wrong with them, it stood to reason that Tsunade would be among the first to notice. Making a come hither gesture, Tsunade said, "Come over here. Let me give you a quick check-up. Don't worry; I'll only palpate your chest and use the Diagnosis Jutsu. Nothing invasive." Despite her apparent age, Tsunade had an air of 'authority' about her that made it difficult not to obey her. Ino's nervousness was off the charts, but she still approached the busty blonde tentatively, her body trembling ever so slightly as Tsunade felt around her chest and abdomen before creating a veil of greenish-blue chakra on her palm. Seemingly having confirmed something, Tsunade gave a slight nod and muttered, "Yeah...I thought as much..." before retracting her hand from Ino's abdomen and adding, "You're 'perfectly' healthy, and I mean that in a very literal sense. I'm something of an expert when it comes to things like cell division. In typical cases, a person's body is constantly losing and replenishing cells, somewhere on the order of 1,000,000 cells every single second. Your body isn't nearly as 'active.' If I had to approximate it, you're losing and producing cells around a tenth the normal rate." As her knowledge of Iryojutsu was fairly shallow, Ino's expression was equal parts hopeful and trepidatious as she asked, "Is that a bad thing...?" Shaking her head, Tsunade asserted, "It's an undeniably good thing, from a purely medical standpoint. However, if you have plans of 'maturing' any time soon, you might want to cancel them. As it stands, you're aging a lot slower than normal. I'd need to conduct a more thorough examination and several other tests to approximate just how slow." Since Ino looked as though her soul had vacated her body, Sakura took it upon herself to ask, "Does this have anything to do with your appearance, Lady Tsunade? I already know it's related to Wu-kun...you know, given the circumstances..." Nodding her head, Tsunade revealed, "Wu gave me a very special peach that revitalized the cells within my body, effectively reversing the effects of aging with no discernible detriments. My current appearance isn't the result of any forbidden technique or transformation Jutsu. Because of that brat, this is what I actually look like now." "..." With Sakura also falling silent, Tenten, the only one who was aware of the peaches, remarked, "Wu-kun told me that the peaches were the product of infusing Natural Energy into ordinary peaches over a three to ten-week period. He also mentioned that he infuses Natural Energy into the meals he prepares, albeit in much smaller quantities. So I'm assuming the more we eat his food, the slower we'll age?" Nodding her head in approval, Tsunade remarked, "You have a good head on your shoulders. It's no wonder Wu made such a fuss when I attempted to get him to give up other women. If he disclosed that much, it's clear he trusts you considerably." Feeling a little abashed, Tenten shrunk into the water and replied, "I don't know about that..." in an uncertain tone. She knew Wu informed her about things he probably shouldn't, but she believed it had less to do with trust and more to do with the fact he didn't fear the consequences of exposing the information. After all, he had gone toe to toe with the Raikage and, to an extent, the whole of Kumogakure. Who could punish Wu for revealing a secret or two...? Believing Tenten was simply feeling embarrassed, a teasing grin appeared on Tsunade's face. Before she could tease the aspiring weapons expert, however, Ino and Sakura returned to their senses, the former asking, "Are you telling us that eating Wu-kun's cooking effectively makes us eternally young...?" Shaking her head, Tsunade asserted, "I doubt it's that extreme. You're still aging; you're merely doing so at a much slower rate. If you stop eating his food and avoid letting him treat your injuries, the Natural Energy suffusing your cells should gradually exhaust. You could say his food is diminishing the 'symptoms' of aging, not 'curing' it completely." As if realizing something, Sakura's expression became 'serious' as she softly muttered, "That explains why Hinata's breasts are growing so much faster than ours..." Hearing Sakura's remark, Ino's pale-blue eyes came alive with the light of hope. She hadn't been too worried about her periods, but she 'had' been concerned about her lack of development in the breast department. Her mother was far from the most well-developed in that department, but her distinct 'lack' of improvement had been a sore spot over the past two and a half years. She even bloodied the nose of several of her former 'friends' for calling her a washboard. Now that she knew the 'truth,' she couldn't wait to rub it in their faces...especially as they got older and she remained young. Undermining Ino's plans, Tsunade said, "As a responsible adult, I should probably prohibit you from eating Wu's food in the future. It's not much of an issue right now, but if you're stuck this way into your mid to late teens, a lot of people are going to notice. Being young is certainly a blessing, but you'll receive a lot of judgemental stares if you remain like this and end up going out for a night on the town with your future husbands." Imagining her current self with an 'adult' Sasuke, Sakura's face became as red as a tomato. Ino also blushed, but, as she and Sasuke had never done anything 'explicit,' he wasn't the first person who appeared in her mind... ... .. . (A/N: Natural Energy functions similarly to the energy found in cultivation novels. It drastically affects the apparent age and lifespan of the person cultivating it. This includes Wu, but as he is constantly training, his cells are being destroyed and replenished out of 'necessity.' This is also why he was consistently shorter than the other boys in his class xD...)

With all of the delegations from foreign nations having arrived, Wu began using his miniature clones to gather as much information as possible. He wasn't the type to leave things to chance, so he secretly sat in on a few Council meetings and accumulated intel on every participant, proctor, and test that would be administered. After learning that the Elimination Round would be taking place in Training Ground 44, colloquially known as the Forest of Death, Wu dispatched well over a thousand clones to conduct a survey and create supply caches. He had already memorized the topography during a past training session, but it was better to be sure than to assume everything was still the same. The Forest of Death was the origin of the 50m long snake Wu had slain, so the terrain was constantly changing as Chakra Beasts clashed for supremacy and to protect their dens. While his clones carried out his investigation, Wu's 'focus' was on helping his 'friends' prepare for the event. He initially started with just Tenten, but it wasn't long before her entire Team began showing up at the Senju Clan Compound. Shortly after that, Teams 7, 8, and 10 showed up, primarily at the insistence of Sakura and Ino. Once the duo discovered they had been given a chance to participate in the Chunin Exams, they instantly thought of training with Wu. Ino was basically the decision-maker in her Team, so she easily 'convinced' Shikamaru and Choji to participate. The dynamic in Sakura's Team was a bit different. Still, by persuading Sasuke and Naruto to join in, she created the opportunity for Hinata, Kiba, and the enigmatic Shino to do the same. When he first discovered that Naruto 'and' Hinata would be coming to the Senju Clan Compound for training, Wu expected some kind of incident to occur. There was still a notable tension in the duo's relationship, but upon learning that Wu was now married, Naruto 'enthusiastically' congratulated him, seemingly forgetting their past argument. Everyone else had mixed views on the relationship between Wu and Tsunade, especially those who had looked up to the Legendary Kunoichi their entire lives, but the general vibe within the group was that they were happy for him. At least, that was how things appeared on the surface... ... .. . "Are you prepared this time? I wouldn't want to knock you on your ass before you can prepare your 'absolute defense' again." Seeing Wu standing in a relaxed posture, not even bothering to make use of his staff, the perpetual scowl on Neji's face became even grimmer than usual. He had trained exhaustively since his last spar with Wu, but despite awing nearly everyone in his clan, the 'distance' between him and the boy across from him seemed to have increased exponentially... Despite history having proven otherwise, Neji answered, "I'm ready..." in a firm tone, the veins around his eyes bulging. At that exact moment, Wu's figure seemed to 'flicker' before appearing right in front of him, seemingly without taking a single step. Neji immediately backstepped, but found his vision blocked as Wu's hand stopped right in front of his face. ("Not again...") Disregarding the prodigious Hyuga's thoughts on the matter, Wu promptly grabbed the grim-faced youth's face before tossing him to the side before he could present any meaningful resistance. It's not that he didn't attempt to, but every time he struck one of Wu's Tenketsu, the mysterious, bright green energy within his body would condense in that location, effectively repelling the Chakra of his Gentle Fist Technique. While Neji bounced back to his feet immediately, rebuilding his stance and showing a willingness to continue, Wu just stared at him with a bored look and said, "I've said this time and again, but if you keep relying exclusively on the Gentle Fist Techniques, you'll never be able to defeat anyone truly powerful. It might be exceedingly powerful against 'ordinary' Shinobi, but extraordinary individuals like me see it for what it really is, a gimmick. You are powerless against anyone that can counter your attacks or stay out of melee range." To prove his point, Wu leaped a few tens of meters into the air before crossing his arms and asking, "Now what? Will you throw a kunai at me?" Clicking his tongue, Neji reached into the angular pouch strapped to his right thigh and grabbed three kunai, throwing them at Wu's grinning face out of spite. In response, the latter just let them hit him, a metallic ding ringing throughout the training field as they deflected off his skin. "..." Refusing to be 'played with,' Neji dropped his guard and said, "We're done here. Sparring against you isn't going to help me get stronger..." Maintaining his cross-armed posture in the sky, Wu retorted, "It would if you actually tried devising countermeasures against my abilities. Do you think your 'enemies' will just let you walk away? Are you going to accuse people on the battlefield of being 'dishonorable' for not standing at your ideal range and permitting you to poke them to death?" Without waiting for Neji's response, Wu shifted his attention to the peanut gallery watching off to the side, shouting, "Hinata! Come and show Mister Destiny over here how a capable Shinobi fights...!" Hearing Wu shout her name, Hinata, still wearing baggy clothes, looked to Naruto as if to seek his permission. Only once he had nodded and told her good luck did she rise from his side and make her over to where Neji had been standing moments prior. Then, instead of getting into the traditional Gentle Fist stance, she stood with her feet close together, back straight, and hands hanging loosely at her sides. Maintaining his position in the air, Wu's expression and tone hardened as he said, "Give it your best..." Instead of responding to Wu's words with her own, Hinata closed her eyes, veins bulging along their periphery as a high-pitched 'humming' sound began to reverberate through the area. From the centers of her palms, laser-like blades of extremely condensed Chakra began to take shape before she suddenly kicked off the ground with enough force to generate a small explosion. Though most Shinobi would avoid launching an aerial assault, as it placed them in a highly vulnerable position, Hinata exhibited no fear or hesitation as she attempted to slice through Wu with her exceptionally sharp blades of Chakra. When he evaded her by simply dodging to the side, she flipped her body in mid-air, surprising Neji by 'stopping' in place and appearing to crouch against an invisible wall. She then used said wall as a springboard to continue her assault on Wu, changing directions several times without needing to return to the ground. Nodding his head in approval, Wu remarked, "You've improved..." while continuing to dodge Hinata's assault. The latter had struggled a bit with her control near the start of the training but had quickly surpassed even Sakura once he began providing her supplemental lessons in secret. Though he couldn't keep it up for long, as empty air was a pretty shitty medium, Hinata could emulate the effects of Wu's greaves by diffusing her Chakra into the air to create a solid surface. Her strength had also increased explosively, allowing her to vault about at high speeds, punch through trees, and even destroy large boulders with a palm thrust, utterly transcending the typical Gentle Fist user. Hearing Wu's praise, a faint smile developed across Hinata's face before immediately disappearing. Then, for the first time since her assault began, she opened her eyes to reveal a Byakugan tinged with glowing blue light. At that moment, her strength and speed seemed to compound, her figure turning into a blue and beige blur as she zipped through Wu's afterimage and impacted the ground like a small meteor... ... .. . Witnessing Hinata's performance, Kiba couldn't help asking, "Is that really Hinata?" in an incredulous tone. This was the first time he had seen her go 'all out' since they were placed on the same Team about five months prior. He knew she was strong, especially after training with a 'monster' like Wu for four years, but he never imagined she was 'this' strong... Rubbing the underside of his nose with his index finger, Naruto had what could best be described as a shit-eating grin as he replied, "Yeah, that's my Hinata, alright. You should see her when she summons these massive lion heads around her hands. She's only using those blades because she's trying to conserve Chakra, and they're probably the only things that can cut through Wu's defense." As he often trained with Hinata as a substitute for 'other' kinds of physical exertion, Naruto was intimately familiar with her abilities. The only way he could win against her was by keeping a safe distance and 'spamming' his Wind and Earth Release Jutsu. The moment he fell into her range or ran out of Chakra, he was basically 'fucked' as Wu would say. Fortunately, he had 'a lot' of Chakra... ... .. . Rising from the rather sizeable crater she had created, an embarrassed smile developed across Hinata's face as she glimpsed the damage she had caused to her surroundings. It faded almost immediately, but Wu had noticed it, remarking, "No need to worry. A bit of damage here and there adds character to the Estate." Since Hinata seldom spoke to anyone when Naruto was around, Wu didn't wait for her response. Instead, he turned to Neji and questioned, "Do you still think this kind of training is pointless, or are you just going to continue making excuses for your shortcomings?" Furrowing his brows even deeper than usual, Neji replied, "Lady Hinata has trained with you since she was a child. I won't be able to emulate her abilities just by seeing them in action..." Though he had seen Hinata dispersing her Chakra into the air, thanks to his Byakugan, Neji couldn't understand how it permitted her to create a foothold in empty air. He could also disperse Chakra outside of his body, but it generated a stream of pressure, not a static wall. He presumed it had something to do with her control and immense physical strength, but he couldn't be certain without hearing an explanation or observing Hinata utilizing the technique over a prolonged period. Egging Neji on, Wu teased, "Excuse it is..." before dropping to the ground and adding, "Two years ago, Lee was the weakest kid in your Class. Now, he's running around with 12,000kg of weight strapped to his calves. How much can 'you' carry, Mr. Prodigy...?" With his angriest expression yet, Neji replied, "It doesn't matter how much weight he can carry. He's never once defeated me in a spar. Not everyone is as 'monstrously talented' as you, Wu-kun. Some people are fated to-" While making a sock puppet gesture with his right hand, Wu interrupted Neji's monologue with a "Blah, blah, blah..." before adding, "Just because you cry me a river, that doesn't mean I'll drown myself in it. Actions speak louder than words, asshat. And talent can only get you so far. Give me six months with Lee, and I'll have him surpass you so thoroughly you'll never catch up on your own. Why? Because you lack the conviction. A person who believes their fate was decided from birth will never rise above it..." Finished with what he had to say, Wu preempted Neji's response with a shooing gesture, stating, "I know you're the center of your own distorted little world, but I have other people to train. If you interfere with someone else's progress, I'll fucking destroy you..." "..." Though he had a lot he wanted to say, Neji turned away and stormed off with a characteristically grim expression. In his place, Lee happily jumped into the fray, not even waiting for a starting cue as he performed a flying kick towards Wu, shouting, "Have at thee, Wu-kun...!" ... .. . (A/N: I wonder how Naruto would react if he learned this isn't the limit to Hinata's power...?)

Chapter 56: A Cold Breeze in Spring