Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 22 22 : Beating Them So Helplessly

Just as one of the Genin was about to speak, a fist slamd into his back.

Boom—

The sheer force of the blow sent him flying, crashing into a large tree several ters away.

Pain exploded through his body as he collapsed face-down on the ground, completely unable to move.

Ino and Hinata stood frozen in shock.

Ino even thought she was hallucinating. "Hinata, am I dreaming? Riku—Riku actually took down two full-fledged ninjas? And they couldn't even fight back!"

"How is this possible? Hehehe…"

She laughed nervously, unable to believe what she had just witnessed.

But Hinata's Byakugan had been activated. Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth. "This…"

She didn't finish her sentence, but her gaze remained locked on Riku. She could clearly sense the imnse chakra radiating from his body—it was at least Jonin-level.

Hinata couldn't believe it. Just a few days ago, Riku's chakra had only been at Chunin level.

That alone had seed amazing at the ti.

But now, only days later, it had surged to Jonin-level intensity.

Ino noticed Hinata's stunned expression and imdiately sensed that she had seen sothing significant.

"What is it, Hinata? What did you see?" she pressed.

Hinata glanced at Ino but shook her head, lips sealed.

There was no way she could say it out loud.

It was simply too unbelievable. Apart from Naruto, she had never seen anyone their age possess such a massive chakra reserve.

Sure enough, she thought, Riku-kun really is a mystery. In just a few days, he already has this much chakra. It's not quite as overwhelming as Naruto-kun's, but it's still incredible.

Although the Byakugan couldn't see the Nine-Tails, it could still sense the imnse chakra stored within Naruto.

And Naruto's own chakra was imnse to begin with. Even at six years old, his chakra reserve was already at Kage level—beyond extraordinary.

After defeating the two Genin, Riku shook his head. "So this is what passes for Genin these days? Or is it just that your strength is too pathetic?"

The two ninjas clutched their stomachs in pain, completely powerless to move.

Riku stood over them calmly. "I'll say this once. Don't ss with again. Next ti I see you, I won't hold back."

His voice was steady, but the weight of his words crushed the two of them.

They trembled and nodded rapidly.

It was humiliating—but what choice did they have?

Riku was terrifyingly strong. They doubted even their Chunin-ranked squad leader could match him.

And yet, Riku was only a student at the Ninja Academy—a six-year-old child.

The thought sent shivers down their spines.

They wouldn't dare provoke Riku again, even if they had ten tis the courage.

After issuing the warning, Riku turned and walked away.

As he passed by Ino and Hinata, Hinata stood frozen, covering her mouth with wide eyes full of disbelief.

Ino, on the other hand, practically bounced with excitent. She ran circles around Riku, looking him up and down. "I can't believe it! You're so strong! You completely destroyed those two ninja without breaking a sweat."

"You even lost to Hinata before. I don't buy it. Riku-kun, why were you hiding your strength?"

Riku looked at her flatly. "That's none of your business."

He brushed past her, ignoring Ino's puffed-up cheeks of indignation.

Then he glanced at Hinata, whose Byakugan was still activated, eyes round with disbelief.

He smiled faintly. "Hinata, don't tell ... you figured it out?"

Hinata was still in a daze. She nodded chanically. "Yeah…"

Riku gave a small smirk, then turned and left.

This ti, he didn't walk with Ino and Hinata.

By the ti the two girls snapped out of their shock, Riku had already disappeared.

Ino turned to Hinata, still incredulous. "Hinata, did you see that just now? He really beat two ninja—beat them so badly they couldn't even fight back!"

They could tell the two were real ninja by the forehead protectors they wore.

Only true Genin or higher-ranked shinobi wore those. Academy students weren't given them.

That ant the two Riku had defeated were at least Genin.

Ino was stunned. And even more intrigued by Riku than before.

Hinata nodded. "Riku-kun is really strong. I didn't expect him to be able to beat two actual ninja."

"It's amazing…"

After Riku left, Ino and Hinata headed ho together.

They had seen Riku's true strength today, and it was difficult to believe that he was in their class—just six years old, like them.

Riku himself didn't dwell on what had happened.

He knew Ino and Hinata wouldn't spread the story.

And as for the two Genin—there was no way they'd tell anyone about such a humiliating defeat.

After returning ho, Riku began reading again—absorbing the vast collection of ninjutsu manuals Kakashi had given him.

These materials were far more detailed and advanced than anything available in the Academy's library.

Kakashi had been busy with missions for over a month now, so Riku had been on his own during that ti.

For more than a month, his days had followed a simple routine—reading, training, and attending school.

By now, Ino and Hinata had grown very familiar with him.

Every day before and after school, the three of them often walked together.

Their growing closeness had drawn the attention of Shikamaru and the others.

But Riku didn't explain anything, and Ino never told them about his strength.

More than a month later, Riku received a ssage from Kakashi—his mission was finally complete.

The note instructed Riku to et him in the back mountains after school.

Seeing the ssage, Riku's lips curled into a faint smile. "So it was an S-rank mission after all... it actually kept him away for over a month."

"I wonder what kind of ninjutsu he's going to teach this ti."

"Whatever. Ti to head to school first."

After burning the ssage, Riku slung his bag over his shoulder and left for the Academy.

Halfway there, soone tapped him on the shoulder.

Without turning, Riku spoke. "I already said—I can sense you coming."

Ino jumped in front of him, also carrying her schoolbag, and bead. "Hehe! I knew you always pass by here at this ti, so I've been waiting for more than ten minutes!"

She pouted. "You should feel bad for making a girl wait!"

Riku glanced at her. "You? Feeling wronged? That's new."

Ino puffed out her cheeks. "What's that supposed to an?! Of course I feel wronged!"

Riku chuckled and kept walking.

Ino caught up, grinning. "We're being tested on shuriken throwing today. Did you practice?"

But then she stopped herself. "Oh—never mind. You're definitely not going to show your real skills anyway. That's a sha… If you did, you'd totally be the most popular person in class. Even Sasuke might not be able to compete with you."

Ino's once obsessive admiration for Sasuke had faded.

Instead, she'd started to develop a soft spot for Riku.

He felt far more approachable than Sasuke, who always acted cold and distant.

In the past, she had chased after Sasuke just to compete with Sakura—but now, she didn't feel the need anymore.

It just wasn't worth it.