When two people are together, they inevitably influence one another.
Ino had many of her bad habits straightened out, and Hinata was similarly affected. Her knowledge, temperament, perspective on the world, and even her style of dress had all undergone changes.
Hinata appeared in her natural state, wearing a long dress with her long hair down. Singing a love song under the watchful eyes of the crowd had completely exhausted her courage. Even though ninety-nine percent of the audience off-stage didn't know her, that tiny handful of acquaintances was enough to overwhelm her. After the song ended, her face was flushed red, and like a frightened little rabbit, she fled with quick steps.
Ino smiled but said nothing.
After she stepped down from the stage, she waved her hand, and several blue-faced, fanged imps hurriedly ran over to interview her. Although it was self-promotion, the interview segment was essential to give the opening ceremony a proper conclusion. They couldn't exactly send a few imps to interview the Grand Kai, could they? None of the four Kais wanted to show their faces, so this task fell to Ino.
The imp asked with a face full of excitement, "May I ask, Lord, what do you think of the effect of this opening ceremony?"
"It was excellent. Our stage effects are top-notch, and our staff is also outstanding. Finally, I must say that the Grand Kai's musical attainments are at least ten thousand years ahead of this current era. His music contains profound and mysterious universal truths, a point that we still need to study and ponder carefully..."
She spouted a stream of awkward praise, blah blah blah, and the imps nodded vigorously, expressing their agreement.
"Alright, you guys continue the interviews. I'm going to remove my makeup." To contrast with Hinata's pure style, Ino had taken the sexy route on stage tonight. Now that the interview was over, she was ready to go back and change clothes.
"Yes, yes, take care, Lord."
The blue-faced, fanged imps watched Ino walk away, then looked around and quickly found a random audience member. It was a girl with short pink hair who looked quite capable and had a kind expression; she probably wouldn't say anything reckless.
"May I ask, what did you think of the opening ceremony tonight?" The imp held the microphone up to inquire.
Sakura froze. What does this mean? What do I think? Can I tell the truth?
Sasuke was still waiting to watch the martial arts tournament later, so she had left the venue alone. What was the effect of the opening ceremony? Heh.
She had seen Hinata's blushing face. Speaking of which, she was a little envious. That kind of public display of affection was something Sasuke would never do in this lifetime. Thinking of her own emotional journey, she felt an inexplicable bitterness.
Unable to control that surge of emotion, and seeing a certain figure in the distance, she seized the pretext to vent, "Ino-pig, your method is useless! What kind of damn divine power is this? Can you look me in the eye? Refund!"
Ino, who hadn't walked far, stumbled. She whipped her head around, then walked back suspiciously. Sakura knew she had been impulsive and revealed an ingratiating, embarrassed smile.
Ino looked at her strangely. "The method I sold you, the method to use divine power, really doesn't work? Do you not feel your constitution getting stronger?"
Sakura pursed her lips, tilted her head to the other side, and didn't make a sound.
Ino scratched her head. "It should be effective. Did I overlook some step? A refund is impossible, but I'll think about it later..."
She looked at the interviewing blue-faced imp, who understood immediately: "I will cut this part out."
"Alright, you continue the interview."
By the time Ino wanted to say something more, Sakura had already walked far away, holding her head high and chest out with tsundere pride.
...
This was just like a company annual meeting where the boss goes up to sing. Only after leaders like Ino and the Grand Kai finished singing could the World Martial Arts Tournament officially begin.
"Hmph, remember my words, the warriors of the West Galaxy are the strongest! Pack up your trashy planet and wait for me to take over!" Below the stage, the West Kai brought up the previous bet again.
Recently busy with Son Goku and Frieza's affairs, the North Kai had forgotten about this matter. Being reminded of it suddenly, he was mentally unprepared and immediately felt uncertain. He hurriedly turned his head, and Ino gave him a wink, implying that their North Galaxy team would definitely win!
Son Goku and his group had already been resurrected, so naturally, they couldn't participate in the Underworld Martial Arts Tournament. The matter of Recoome and the others being "good guys" wouldn't stand up to scrutiny, and putting them directly into the tournament would easily cause controversy. However, there were still plenty of other contestants.
Leaving aside the Blue Planet Team on Ino's side, Killer B had also received a few pointers from the Grand Kai two days ago and possessed impressive strength. Additionally, they had Krillin on their side.
Krillin had 'lay flat' after the Androids Saga, but at this moment, the little bald guy was still very motivated. It looked like his battle power already exceeded ten thousand; if he exerted himself, he might reach fifteen thousand. At this level, even in the Underworld, he was a minor expert. The limit for most cosmic beings was around one or two thousand. Nappa was considered an elite among Saiyans, and his battle power was only four thousand. Those with battle power over ten thousand were extremely rare on a universal scale.
Thinking about having Krillin on their side, the North Kai felt he still had a chance.
"Hmph, the one who will lose is you! Get your West Kai's Planet ready and wait for me to take over!"
The North Kai and West Kai were sulking like children. If Ino hadn't stopped them, these two short, fat guys might have started fighting right then and there.
"The warriors of the North Galaxy are the strongest!"
"The warriors of the West Galaxy are the invincible ones!"
With Ino blocking the middle, the two short, chubby men punched and kicked at the air. Their legs were too short to reach the other side, but their momentum was full.
The Grand Kai had changed into a different outfit and was watching the commotion cheerfully from the side.
With the opening ceremony concluded, the competition officially began.
Referencing some rules from the World Martial Arts Tournament on Earth, it started with massive preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and qualifying rounds, leading into a structure of the Round of 32, Round of 16, and so on.
There were many contestants coming from 3,500 planets. The preliminaries for over ten thousand contestants would take a lot of time.
The estimated duration for the entire tournament was one month. Of course, it didn't matter if it ran over time; even if they fought for ten years, the Grand Kai wouldn't have any objections.
Ino was only responsible for the preparation. Once the tournament convened smoothly, she wouldn't have much else to do.
The Grand Kai didn't miss a single match. He watched the competition every day, happy as if it were a holiday. With him watching, no chaos would occur. On the second day of the opening ceremony, Ino also saw the short-statured Supreme Kai whispering with the Grand Kai, with the stern-faced Supreme Kai attendant, the red-faced and silver-haired Kibito, standing behind him.
With the Supreme Kai present, who could crush Frieza with "one finger," Ino had even less reason to worry.
In her residence on the Grand Kai's Planet, she met with Orochimaru and Amado Sanzu, who had come by invitation.
These two could be considered famous scientists in the shinobi world. She would need their help for what she intended to do next.
If one were to ask who influenced Ino the most? That would probably be Master Six Paths.
Although Tsunade and the North Kai had also taught her, one was a gambler and the other was a funny guy; they couldn't really be said to have influenced or reshaped her worldview and philosophy of life.
The Sage of Six Paths had the greatest influence on Ino.
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