Naruto sat back, clapping enthusiastically as he watched the aftermath of the fight unfold. His eyes sparkled with admiration as he observed the growth of both Donna and Diana. "That was wonderful. Both of you were great, but Donna definitely made huge improvements while I wasn't looking," he remarked, his voice filled with excitement. He had been completely entranced by the speed and intensity of the battle, so much so that he had nearly forgotten himself in the heat of it. The sheer speed and unpredictability of the fight had stoked a desire in him to join in, to feel the rush of combat once again.
But Naruto, ever the strategist, held back his impulse. He knew that there would be time for him to step into the fray later, perhaps in the future. For now, he showered both of the women with praise, acknowledging their strength. "It really was a huge change for both girls. Donna literally adopted a new fighting style, and Diana... well, Diana can now properly react to that style."
The fight had been exhilarating—fast-paced and fierce, with both warriors showing impressive skill. For Diana, it had been especially eye-opening. She had never faced such a challenging battle, one where she had no room to react except through pure stats and endurance. The realization struck her harder than she had expected. The loss had been even more humbling than her defeat at the hands of Ares.
Diana stood beside Donna, a proud yet bittersweet smile on her face. "Well, you got his interest and mine as well, little sister," Diana said, her tone encouraging and warm. She patted Donna's back with a soft thud. "I'll be cheering you on, so don't give up. Get what you want." With that, Diana walked away, leaving her sister to catch her breath before the next battle.
Though Diana was confident her mother had an edge in understanding Donna's fighting style, she couldn't help but feel a little curious about how things would play out. Her mother had always been strategic, and the look on her face suggested that she was prepared for this fight in a way that Donna might not anticipate.
"I'm really interested in how this will play out now," Diana mused to herself as she settled into the audience seats, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the ongoing competition. Despite her defeat, she didn't feel down at all. The battle had been fair and enjoyable, and she had learned more about herself and her sister's capabilities than she expected. Her expectations had been shattered, and she found herself surprised by how much Donna had grown.
As the arena quieted, Donna made her way back to the participant area, her body sore from the battle but her spirits high. Just as she took a seat, a warm presence appeared beside her. Naruto, always attentive, had appeared in an instant. He smiled at her, his pride evident in his eyes. "I was really impressed by your growth," he said softly. "It was a beautiful battle, and I look forward to fighting you after we're done."
Naruto placed his hands gently on Donna's shoulders, his energy flowing into her. A wave of warmth spread through her, healing the aches in her body and replenishing her stamina. Donna's eyes closed briefly as she absorbed the energy, a soft smile curling on her lips.
"Was that all you felt?" she teased, her voice light and playful.
Naruto chuckled at her question, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "I was happy at your growth, Donna, and your insistence to help me," he said, his voice sincere. "Thank you for doing this for me." As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice the way Donna's smile lit up her face. There was something undeniably charming about her—something that made his heart flutter, though it wasn't the spark of love that moved him.
For Naruto, love was the driving force behind everything he did. It was what made him act, what made him fight. But as he stood there, sharing this moment with Donna, he couldn't deny the connection he felt for her. She was the mother of his child, and while that bond alone was enough to make him protective and affectionate, he felt that something more was starting to form between them. But love would take time.
"If you win this battle," Naruto said, his voice gentle as he leaned in, "let's go on a date before the fight with Hercules. Is that okay, Donna?" He embraced her from behind, his arms wrapping around her gently, his presence offering comfort after the intense battle.
Donna felt warmth spread through her chest as his arms encircled her, but she hesitated. She wanted him to hold her longer, to savor the closeness, but she pulled away, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I would love to go on a date," she said, her voice light with excitement. "Let's have some fun like always."
As she stood up to prepare for her next match, Donna glanced back at Naruto with a look of quiet longing. There was still so much ahead of her in this tournament, but the thought of spending time with him after the battle filled her with anticipation. She stepped away, moving toward the area where her mother was warming up, but her thoughts were still on the promise of the date. No matter how fierce the competition would become, she knew there was something special awaiting her afterward—a moment of peace and happiness with the man who had become so important to her.
Hippolyta stood from her position in the audience, her gaze unwavering as she observed the battle before her. She had always known just how powerful her daughter Diana was, but what shocked her most wasn't just Diana's prowess— it was how far Donna had come. Hippolyta had witnessed Donna grow from the young girl who had been stolen from the island and raised in the outside world. Once, Donna was just a copy of Diana—a lesser version of the Amazonian warrior, meant to be a mere playmate for her older sister.
But now, Donna had transformed. She was no longer just Diana's shadow. Donna had become a force in her own right, an accomplished fighter in her own right. Though she had far less training than most others, Donna's natural gifts, combined with her fierce determination and the real battles she had endured, had sculpted her into a true warrior. She had surpassed what anyone had thought possible for someone like her—someone who was never meant to be a warrior, someone who was never supposed to be anything more than an imitation.
And yet here she was.
Hippolyta couldn't help but feel a swell of pride, mingled with awe. Donna had managed to become one of the best fighters, even without the same level of training that others had received in the safety of their homeland. The arena of real combat had forced Donna's skills to evolve faster than any training ground could have. In the safe world of their island, their abilities could only grow so much. It was only through fighting real battles that one could truly push their limits. And thanks to Naruto, Donna had gained just that—an experience she had once been denied.
Naruto, with his clones and mastery of multiple styles, had pushed them beyond their own boundaries. He wasn't just a single opponent to face; he was like fighting an entire army, each clone possessing a different skill, a different strength. With his guidance, their stagnant growth had started to shift again, breathing new life into their abilities. For Hippolyta, even she had felt the change. A master of spear arts and one of the greatest fighters of her time, she had once thought her skills were at their peak. But Naruto's influence had brought her back to the grindstone, allowing her to grow further.
And now, Donna was about to face her mother—someone who knew firsthand the brutality of real combat.
Hippolyta wore her golden armor for the fight, her regal presence magnified by the shining armor that gleamed in the arena's light. She had also donned a special bracelet, similar to Diana's, to increase her powers further. The weapon she had chosen—a spear, her weapon of choice for as long as she could remember—was a reminder of her legacy. She had imagined using it against Diana, but now, facing Donna, she knew she would have to use everything in her arsenal. This battle would not be like any other. There was no room for hesitation.
Diana, in contrast, had always been too proud or too distracted by her own sense of invincibility. She had chosen to fight without her own special items, treating them as if they were ordinary, even when the stakes were higher. Diana's arrogance or her habitual reliance on her raw power had often been her downfall. Hippolyta knew that if Diana had used her full power in their past fights, the outcome might have been different. But that was a fight for another day.
Right now, it was Donna's turn to face her mother's full strength.
The air seemed to charge with electricity as Naruto announced the start of the battle. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble in anticipation. The tension in the arena was palpable. Without exchanging words, the two warriors sprang into action.
Hippolyta was the first to make a move, her spear flying through the air with incredible speed. The force of the throw caused a massive explosion upon impact, the sheer power of the attack sending a shockwave that rattled the ground beneath them. But Donna was no novice. She ducked and rolled swiftly out of the way, avoiding the blast just in time.
Hippolyta wasted no time. She followed up her spear throw with a lightning-fast dash, closing the distance between them in an instant. She launched herself into the air, an axe kick aimed directly at Donna's head.
Donna's reflexes were sharp, and she barely managed to raise her daggers in time to block the attack. The impact sent a jolt through her body, and despite the protective armor Hippolyta wore, the force of the kick sent Donna staggering backwards, forcing her down onto one knee. The ground cracked beneath her as she struggled to regain her footing. Donna's armor protected her from some of the force, but it wasn't enough to prevent her from feeling the weight of the blow.
The battle between Donna and Hippolyta intensified, each exchange pushing the two warriors to their limits. Donna, though younger and less experienced, fought with a determination that only years of hardship and the guidance of Naruto had fostered within her. She had grown tremendously since their last encounter, and it was clear to Hippolyta that her daughter's development had taken a significant leap.
With a swift motion, Donna released beams of light, attempting to push Hippolyta back. The light blasted towards the older woman, but Hippolyta, always poised and prepared, used her agility to kick Donna in the chin, sending her hurtling across the battlefield. Donna collided with the wall, her body momentarily crumpling from the force of the blow. But Hippolyta didn't allow her to recover for long. The Queen of the Amazons, in a flash, propelled herself through the air, her foot kicking off the ground and launching her towards Donna in a powerful elbow strike.
In that instant, Donna tapped into the shadows, using the darkness to her advantage. Black tendrils shot out, attempting to hold back the Queen's momentum. She hurled a dagger at Hippolyta, who instinctively used her gauntlets to block the incoming weapon. The battle was fast-paced, a blur of movements that tested both women's abilities.
Hippolyta, her battle instincts honed over countless years, called her spear back to her hand, holding it at the ready. Donna, on the other hand, stood tall, her body bruised but unyielding. She could now see it clearly—Hippolyta was using the powerful artifacts she wore, boosting her already formidable abilities. Her skills had evolved, and it was no longer just a matter of brute strength; this was a battle of technique, strategy, and power.
Donna's thoughts raced. Her skills are a lot better now. She really wasn't jesting. The realization didn't discourage her, though. Instead, it ignited a fire within her. She gripped her daggers tightly, spinning them in her hands as she locked eyes with her opponent. Her smile returned, a sign of her resolve. "I'm starting now," Donna muttered to herself.
With a deep breath, Donna exhaled into the air, and in an instant, the entire battlefield became shrouded in dense fog. It was a tactic she had perfected—one that would help her control the flow of the battle. The fog was thick, swirling around them, and as it did, ice began to form across the ground. The cold spread quickly, covering the entire arena as ice spikes erupted from the floor, shooting toward Hippolyta from all directions, leaving no escape.
Donna, already anticipating the next move, vanished into the fog the moment the attack began. She used the environment to her advantage, knowing that in the confusion, Hippolyta would struggle to find her. The fog concealed her movements, and the ice created a labyrinth of obstacles that the Queen of the Amazons had to navigate.
Hippolyta, however, was no stranger to such tactics. She remained undeterred, her combat experience kicking in. As she moved, her spear cut through the air with precision, attempting to clear the fog with every swipe. But the fog remained, as dense as ever. Donna, having locked on to her mother's movements through the mist, was quick to exploit any opening.
Using her heightened senses, Donna honed in on Hippolyta's legs, aiming to disable her mobility. She dashed forward, her daggers poised for the strike. In a flash, she sliced through the air, cutting part of Hippolyta's foot before the older woman reacted. The attack landed, but before Donna could press further, Hippolyta's retaliatory kick forced her to retreat. Donna was sent staggering, her body injured from the kick, but the damage wasn't permanent. Thanks to her own artifacts, she healed quickly, though she couldn't fully recover as Diana or Hippolyta could with their superior healing factors.
Seeing that Donna was temporarily vulnerable, Hippolyta spun with remarkable speed, her spear moving like the blades of a helicopter. The air around her swirled, and with each rotation, the fog was blown away, creating a brief window of clarity. The wind swept in all directions, and Hippolyta began sending wind-based attacks in every direction, hoping to flush Donna out of the mist.
But Donna was already anticipating this move. She remained low to the ground, on all fours, and once she sensed the wind attacks shifting, she pounced. She had pinpointed where Hippolyta would strike next, and as soon as the Queen sent a gust of wind in a particular direction, Donna attacked.
The darkness responded to her call. Tentacles of shadow lashed out, binding Hippolyta's body, restricting her movements. Donna aimed for Hippolyta's arm, hoping to disable her ability to fight effectively. However, the older woman, ever the seasoned warrior, broke through the tendrils with sheer force. Her spear lashed out, blocking Donna's attack, before she kicked Donna, sending her back.
Donna reacted quickly, moving aside just in time to avoid a second strike. She countered by kicking Hippolyta's leg, causing the Queen to stumble. But before Donna could fully capitalize on the opening, Hippolyta punched her squarely in the face, knocking her back. The blow allowed Hippolyta to regain her footing, but Donna wasn't down for long. She quickly pushed herself back up, determined to continue the fight.
Hippolyta, seeing the opportunity, threw her spear at Donna, but with remarkable speed, Donna kicked it aside, deflecting the attack and landing safely. The spear, ever loyal to its master, quickly returned to Hippolyta's hand. Without hesitation, the Queen dashed forward again, aiming to strike Donna with a brutal stab. But Donna, ever agile, managed to block the strike with her daggers. She then twisted, narrowly avoiding the spear's lethal point as it spun around, nearly striking her shoulder.
In that split second, Donna launched a concentrated blast of light at Hippolyta, sending the older woman flying back. The force of the attack was immense, but Hippolyta resisted, holding her ground despite the impact. This gave Donna the opening she needed.
Without wasting a moment, Donna threw both of her daggers through the light beam. The blinding glow momentarily obscured Hippolyta's vision, and in that brief moment of vulnerability, the daggers struck their mark. One sank into Hippolyta's abdomen, the other into her shoulders, and the final dagger found its way into her leg.
The Queen of the Amazons staggered from the attack, but Donna wasn't finished. With precision, she summoned Hippolyta's own spear and hurled it toward her mother, driving it into her abdomen with incredible force. The spear lodged deep into the older woman's body, and with a resounding thud, Hippolyta was sent crashing against the opposite wall, pinned by the very weapon she had once wielded with such mastery.
Donna stood panting, her chest heaving as she surveyed the damage. It had been a hard-fought battle, but she had proven herself. She had bested the Queen—at least for now. And as the dust settled, Donna knew that this victory was only the beginning. The bond between mother and daughter, forged in battle and blood, was stronger than ever.