After Hinata and Sakura’s one-sided match, Kiba and Choji step up to the ring. While waiting for the signal, Choji took a defensive stance and Kiba lowered his body. As soon as Mizuki gave the start, Kiba dashed forward, high speed. Just before Kiba reached Choji, Choji did something unexpected. He attacked.

Before Kiba could understand what’s happening, he pressed his cheek on Choji’s fist. Then, he flew out of the ring.

“Well, that was unexpected,” I said to no one in particular.

“He attacked while he was on a defensive stance. Isn’t it wrong to do that?” Ino asked, looking at me curiously.

I sighed, “You don’t have to fight defensively while holding a defensive stance. As Choji did, you can do whatever you want. Kata’s are guides after all. You don’t have to follow them to win a fight.”

“But you said to use the best stances for our plans. If we don’t have to follow them, why did you said that?” This was Sara. She was looking at me with as much curiosity as Ino.

“It’s best to follow the katas. Why? Because they give you the best chance against opposition and improve your moves according to their focus.”

“Thanks, Shino. I couldn’t have explained better.” Shino nodded to me. Then I looked at the others. They seemed thoughtful. Then Choji reached our group, carrying Kiba. He put Kiba on the ground beside Sara and sat beside Shikamaru. We congratulated Choji for his win and turned to the next match.

It was between Shikamaru and Ami.

“Who do you think is going to win?” Ino asked.

I waited for someone to answer but it seemed like everyone was waiting for me to say something. “I will tell you… after the fight.” I grinned. Some groaned -in Ino’s case- and some chuckled with me.

Shikamaru and Ami came face to face and after the start, Ami started attacking Shikamaru. She threw a punch at his head. Shikamaru leaned back and retaliated with a kick. Ami dodged that and tried her luck with a kick of her own. Shikamaru dodged that too. Then Ami jumped back and said, “Isn’t this troublesome? This will take longer if you don’t forfeit.”

Shikamaru sighed. “It’s troublesome but not fighting for the rest of the year worth it.” He then rushed forward with a speed greater than Ami’s and threw a punch even faster. Ami caught by surprise and took the punch to her nose.

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There was a crack and Ami fell then started crying. “Shikamaru, you bastard. I will beat you if my nose gets ugly.”

Shikamaru sighed. “Troublesome.” He was about to forfeit the match when we heard Iruka’s voice. “Winner is Shikamaru.” Iruka made his way to the center of the ring where Ami was sitting and lifted her off. He then took her towards the infirmary.

Shikamaru came beside our group and laid down on the ground. No one said anything and we started waiting for Mizuki to tell us about the next matches.

After a few minutes of waiting, Mizuki called us to the center of the field and told us about the next matches.

Choji Vs Ino

Sasuke Vs Hinata

Naruto Vs Shikamaru

‘Three matches. Meaning one of the kids will jump to the final.”

While I was thinking Ino and Choji walked to the ring. Choji seemed neutral but Ino seemed stressed. Probably because of Choji’s girth. The fact that he managed to make Kiba fly must have contributed to it.

Mizuki gave the signal and the match started. But neither Ino nor Choji made a move to attack. After a few seconds, Choji made the first move. He started inching towards Ino while keeping his defensive stance. ‘Why does he keep fighting with that stance? He knows lots of stances either for attack or defense. Does he perhaps…’ I turned to Shikamaru who flinched when I turned to him. “Shika, why is Choji limiting himself to a single stance?”

Shikamaru frowned for a second, then said, “I know the reason but I can’t say. Try asking him.”

“Okay, I will do that.” I turned to the match. Still, Choji was trying to get closer to Ino who, for some reason, keeping her distance. “What is she planning?” I asked to no one in particular. Then Sasuke said, “She is trying to tire him out. Since Choji always keeping the same stance, he always works and tires the same muscles. It doesn’t matter anyway. Choji doesn’t seem to be tiring.”

“A-Ano. He does.” We all turned to the voice to see a red Hinata looking down at us where she stood. She then continued, “His legs are trembling. If he continues to stay in t-this stance, h-he will…” She finished by muttering. None of us heard what she said but all of us understood what she was trying to say all the same.

While we were listening to Hinata, the match went on and when I turned back to the match, I saw a sweaty Choji sitting on the ground. Ino on the other hand seemed to prevent Choji from resting by using long-reaching and fast attacks. It proved to be a good tactic since, after a few minutes, Choji seemed to find it hard to even sit on the ground without much effort on his part.

“Cho, forfeit.”

Both Ino and Choji stopped and looked at Shikamaru. Choji nodded at him and forfeited the match, which meant Ino won.

After celebrating her victory, Ino helped Choji stand and they made their way to us. As soon as Choji laid down on the ground I asked, “Choji, why didn’t you used other stances?”

Choji sighed. “My father. He said when I could keep that particular stance for hours, he is going to teach me our clan's taijutsu.”

“Hah.” I reflexively put my hand on my chin. ‘What is so special about that stance? It defensive and requires strong legs for prolonged usage.’ “So it’s like that…”

“So you figured it out,” Shikamaru said without looking at me. He then continued, “Don’t tell others, it’s a secret of Akamichi, even if they don’t exactly hide it well.”

I nodded. “Fine.” I turned to Shika. “Now, Shikamaru. Is there any way you think of forfeiting the match?”