Journey To The True Martial World

"Did you teach him rotation?" Hiashi asked his brother

"I swear on my life, that I did no such thing. The same way you haven't been teaching Hinata the Gentle fist art or should I say Ba Gua Zhang. Her movements are flawless, hidden in her techniques are the mysteries similar to those hidden in the Taiyi Fire Dragon Palm. " Hizashi replied.

"I think it's time we discuss the other half of our agreement with Uzu Clan" The brothers knew better than to refute the 1st elder's words. Their father, even though he abdicated his seat as Family Head to become the 1st Elder. He was still the one in charge.

The two brothers replied in unison "Yes, 1st elder."

"And you both know, who will be offered as the bride"

The two replied in unison once more "Yes, 1st elder"

"Hmm, Hizashi, Go tend to my grandson. Ko, as my eldest granddaughter's caretaker, you have done well. You will be the intermediary between the two clans. Take our proposal to the Uzumaki compound" Orders rolled off of the first elder's tongue with ease

Bowing his head, Ko disappeared from the Hyuga's section in the stands.

"Do you find it odd that the Uzumaki heir is participating in the final rounds. And not a single

Uzumaki or Uzu is present." A Jonin from the main family asked

"Mind your business. But stay vigilante" Hizashi replied to the Jonin.

Everyone who needed to know, knew of the incoming attack. That naturally included the Hyuga Clan leaders. And because of the potential threat. The Hyuga had confined al of their members, except the ones present in the stand to the Hyuga Compound. Orochimaru was not to be taken lightly. Without the Sharingan, the shinobi world focused their attention on the Byakugan and the Uzumaki Sage eyes.

On the stadium Neji had no choice but to give, Exploiting the weakness of the Byakugan wasn't an easy feat. Neji had never expected Hinata to be so skilled. Her victory in the preliminaries was attributed to the Byakugan's prowess. Neji never considered her a true opponent until it was too late.

The next fight was Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the sand. Just like the canon, Uchiha d.i.c.k was to arrestable and instead of disqualifying Sasuke, The Hokage suggested and the Kazekage agreed to rearrange the order of the matches.

"Temari Vs Shikamaru Nara!" The proctor called out and the stands went ballistic. They had all wanted to see the Uchiha boy fight the sand monster.

"This is such a drag; Mr. Hot Shit is late to his match and I have to pick up the slack…" Shikamaru wasn't a happy a man.

"Don't worry about it Shikamaru, I know you can beat that sand bitch hands down" Ino reassured him

Ino's words caused Gaara's head to throb and fingers to twitch. Even in his mad moments, Gaara was always sweet on Temari. His sister had the mannerisms of their mother and deep down that gave him comfort. It reassured him that a monster like him could still be loved and his mother was still expressing her love for him, through his older sister.

Feeling the killing intent, Naruto, Ino, Shikamaru, and Shino prepared for battle. Watching from the stand. Seiichi chuckled a little. From their body language, Seiichi knew exactly what was going on. 'So, my influence has changed them quite a bit. Even Shino is more open about his brutality. It must be Kaiya's doing. All Shino ever wanted was for his 'friends' to notice him. With Kaiya bringing more attention to him, and she being his true friend. What did he care if the shinobi world began to see him as overtly dangerous.

Placing a hand on Ino's shoulder, Naruto blatantly said, "He's mine" Turning to Shikamaru, Naruto gave him the trade marked happy go lucky smile "Go get her, Shikamaru"

Down in the stadium Shikamaru dragged himself along and dreaded having to fight another girl. When the match began Shikamaru evade her attacks and hid where he could. Throwing a barrage of kunai to give himself some fighting room. Shikamaru took a stance an launched a show imitation Jutsu. Temari evaded it with every move. When Shikamaru had reached his range limit. His shadow was pulled back.

Temari stood prideful with her fan pressed against the ground like a giant staff. Shikamaru squinted, changing hand seals, multiple shadow splintered of from the main shadow, shocking Temari. Jumping back to create distance. Temari felt a sharp pain through the back of her calf.

It was a shadow, coming from the shadow of the arena wall. Landing on the ground, Temari's body was pierce a few more times by Shikamaru's Shadow sewing technique.

"That's my boy." Shikaku muttered

"Didn't you just teach him that Jutsu?" Choza asked

"Hmm" Shikaku nodded with a satisfied smile.

Back in the stadium, Shikamaru walked to a now restrained Temari and put his kunai to her throat.

"How?" She asked, struggling to break loose from Shikamaru's technique

"Simple. Kind of like slight of hand. While you were focused on the big shadow, closer to me, a little shadow had splintered off to go do the real work. I know I couldn't trap your shadow. However, I could still trap you."

"How did it get behind me?!"

"A speck or a pool. It doesn't matter to a Nara. Where there's a shadow, there's a way." He replied.

Looking at a slim shadow. Travel throw the shadows created by kunai and plants. Temari could see a network form that led all the way to the arena wall's shadow, directly behind her.

The stands erupted in cheers. Then Shikamaru rose his hand, high into the air. "I give up" he said

The proctor's jaw nearly dropped, and the crowd went silent. In the next moment, Shikamaru's Jutsu vanished. "She didn't surrender, and I was running out of chakra. Next time, I'm not explaining myself"

Shikamaru stuffed his hands in his pockets then walked away. Shikamaru knew the limits of his abilities, He could have knocked Temari out. But his next appoint, his next appoint would be deadly for sure. Looking up at the contestant box. Shikamaru laid eyes on Hinata, Ino, Naruto, Shino, and the remaining sand shinobi. "Troublesome" he muttered to himself and proceeded to exit the stadium.