As the atmosphere in the tournament prepared for the fight, Arthur took the time to recall Fū's story.
An overly enthusiastic girl from the Waterfall Village, Fū had always longed for companionship, desperate to escape the isolation that came from being a Jinchūriki.
With dreams of forging friendships, she decided to enter the joint Chūnin Exams by the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Sand—an opportunity that occurred in the original a couple years from now.
Shibuki, the village leader, was initially opposed to her participation since he feared that the revelation of her Jinchūriki status could attract unwanted attention. But after much deliberation, he relented, recognizing the Chūnin Exams as a chance to restore their village's former glory.
As the exams progressed, her heart remained set on making friends. A plot twist brought her face-to-face with Gaara, who at the time was involved in a conspiracy to extract his Tailed Beast.
They would survive that event, but she was stated to be captured by the Akatsuki members, Hidan and Kakuzu.
Who knows what might transpire now if those from earth have their way?
Regarding her opponent, Hana Inuzuka, she was a distinguished Chūnin from the Inuzuka clan, known for her expertise as a veterinary medic.
Her loyal canine companions, the "Three Haimaru Brothers," were not allowed in the arena. But when the Inuzuka clan members threatened the staff to let their mutts in, Arthur was forced to oblige.
There was no harm in letting them through, especially considering how strong of a bond the Inuzuka clan members were committed to their pets.
Hana was no exception.
With her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, framed by two locks around her face, her attitude fell more on the laid-back side.
It was ironic that she was here in Arthur's tournament because she was Kiba's older sister.
Growing up, she frequently took care of him while their mother was away on missions. In the wake of Kiba's tragic death, she was reported to be furious, vowing that if she ever encountered his killer, the repercussions would be severe.
"Mark my words," she declared at the time, "all Inuzuka clan members will rip out his…" There was no need to say more due to her unfiltered threat.
Now she was here in the tournament, ready to face a Jinchūriki. And it was a rare chance to witness what a Fū could achieve when bound by the rules of taijutsu, as well as what a skilled Inuzuka clan member with heightened senses could muster.
Arthur watched as the two fighters walked toward the center.
Fū stood confidently at her spot, and with a friendly smile, she raised her hand in a gesture of camaraderie, offering it to Hana. The unexpected display of openness caught Hana off guard; she raised an eyebrow, momentarily stunned by Fū's upfront nature.
The handshake was rejected, and Arthur could tell by the look on Hana's face what she was thinking: 'What's with this girl?'
Fū's expression remained brightly lit. "Awe! Come on! Can we at least be friends after I win?"
"After you win, huh? First, I didn't come all this way to make friends. And second, you're not going to win."
Fū's smile faltered just slightly as she quickly tried to defend herself. "I was just—"
"Save it!" Hana cut her off. "I'll be going all out from the get-go, so you better be ready."
The intensity in her voice riled the crowd.
Rather than feeling cowed, Fū's smile returned, wider than ever as she declared, "Good! That's just how I like it! Let's give them a show then!"
The crowd roared in approval. So the announcer, standing between the two combatants, raised his hand high to electrify the scene. "Competitors, are you ready?!" Both entered a poised stance. "Then… Begin!"
The crowd stirred, but despite the announcer's declaration to start, neither woman made a move.
The moment kept the audience on their toes. So much so that it caused them to lean forward, waiting for the first sign of action.
The announcer darted his gaze back and forth between the two fighters, feeling a nagging sense of déjà vu—another silent standoff. "I said be—"
Before he could finish, Fū took a step forward, causing Hana to drop to all fours.
"Ninja art of beast mimicry: all-fours jutsu!" she said.
Her fingers elongated into claw-like digits, her pupils narrowed into slits, and her teeth sharpened. Her behaviour had now become that of a wild animal.
"Wow!" Fū said, having never seen the Inuzuka's signature technique. Then a thought registered in her head, glancing at the announcer. "Is she allowed to do that?!"
Even he had to look at the sensors at the edge for an answer.
They nodded at him, confirming that no chakra was being utilized. "No chakra is being utilized! Hana is free to continue."
With a feral grin, Hana sprang towards Fū, claws bared and intentions clear.
Swish!
Fū had dodged. But Hana didn't stop, darting after her like a predator.
The two soon began to weave around the arena as Hana's swipes narrowly missed.
Fū was now breaking a sweat. "You're super fast!" she said, voicing her thoughts. "I really didn't see any of this coming!"
Freshly exhilarated by the challenge, she pushed herself to maintain her footing. But as she sidestepped one of Hana's attacks, she tripped.
"I gotcha now!" Hana screamed, launching forward.
Shank!
Hana's claws raked across Fū's forearms!
"Oww!" the girl exclaimed after pulling back. The scratches had left red lines marring her skin. Hana stood there for a moment, ready to inflict more damage. But rather than losing steam, Fū's expression shifted into one of determination. "That's it! Now it's my turn!"
A peculiar sensation made Hana's hairs stand on end. And for a moment, she could feel something primal emanating from Fū. It was as if a dog was sensing a giant beetle nearby.
Before Hana could gather her thoughts, Fū lunged forward, propelling herself with a surprising burst of speed.
Hana soon found herself in a desperate dance of dodging and ducking. Every whipped punch and kick was aimed at her head. Now, she was on high alert and being kept on edge.
"Now we're talking!" Fū said, keeping up her advances.
Those who understood Fū and Hana would have also understood what was making Hana so uneasy.
Fū was the Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, a colossal rhinoceros beetle. While Hana couldn't see Chōmei or any Tailed Beast chakra being emitted, her animalistic senses allowed her to feel it as if it were on stage.
Seizing a moment of breathing space, Hana initiated a counterattack: "Tunneling fang! Her body twisted at remarkable speed as she spun toward Fū.
Swish!
Fū leaped into the air gracefully, just barely dodging in time. "Holy cow, that was fast!"
The audience gasped, jaws dropping at the breathtaking show of both of their abilities.
As Hana skidded to a halt, searching wildly for Fū in mid-air, the audience watched as Fū flipped herself for a counterattack, fist out to strike Hana down.
"Hidden waterfall hurricane!"
"Don't think that'll work!" Hana said, leaping forward with another Tunneling Fang attack.
Boom!
The impact rattled the arena as Hana was struck right back to the ground.
Then silence. Hana was not moving.
Cries of the Three Haimaru Brothers echoed in the stands before the crowds began their cheers.
"And that's it! That's it!" the announcer bellowed. "The match goes to Fū!"
"Yay!" Margaret and Jada clapped.
The two were clearly excited, having wished for these results.
As Hana lay there, Arthur observed from the sidelines with an unreadable expression. Once again, in this fight, despite an opponent being a Jinchūriki, he was not at all impressed—especially after he had already defeated a Jinchūriki before.
Nonetheless, he was content with the data he had gained from their match.
With the cheers of the crowd still ringing in her ears, Fū approached her opponent.
Hana finally rose slightly, clasping her head. When she looked, Fū was offering her a hand, the same hand before the fight began. Hana couldn't help but smirk at her weird attitude.
So she gave in and accepted the gesture.