I don't own Naruto.

Hi. Basically, Shino is taking the taijutsu exam in order to become a jounin. This piece is inspired by the fifth chapter of my story Betting on a Bug but my style is very different and you don't have to read it. I might use this style in BOAB in the future but only in certain scenes, like the one described here or claustrophobic ones…I dunno.

I usually only write like this when I want to write poetry that I never publish. But this is not a poem, the narrative simply is unusual but it doesn't rhyme.

According to Narutopedia, Shino's stats in Taijutsu and Strength in the third databook are very low. I decided to 'create' a style for him. I love number 3. Enjoy and review.


"Chaotic Harmony"

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Aburame Shino dodges and leaps back, away from his opponent.

His examiner follows and he dodges again.

He can feel eyes watching him.

A pair of them belong to Yuuhi Kurenai, another pair belong to the Godaime Hokage. The rest belong to jounin who are there to criticize his performance in taijutsu. It doesn't help that Maito Gai is one of them.

Aburame Shibi, his father, is also present. A spectator among the rest.

If he wants to become a jounin, he needs to make a good impression.

He doesn't have to show talent like that of Rock Lee's or Hyuuga Neji's. He merely needs to prove that he is a capable ninja in that art.

For becoming a jounin in his very first try is his current goal. Becoming a Tokujo is not enough.

And he is Aburame Shino. He does not fail, he's told himself countless times.

Failure is not an option.

But he knows, he knows, he knows that he isn't doing well.

He keeps dodging, running away.

Hiding.

He is a natural strategist.

He observes in the shadows first, he attacks later.

He assesses an opponent's abilities, formulates plans and executes them.

Taijutsu is an art where he cannot do that.

Why?

Because he knows, he knows, he knows that he lacks the strength and the reflexes and the experience to attack and counterattack.

Because he cannot watch and predict as acutely as he would like to.

Because he cannot remain in the shadows.

Because his kikaichu aren't allowed to take part in this.

He's alone in this.

Alone

His evasiveness and endurance are his only allies right now.

But it doesn't matter.

If taijutsu is his challenge, he will face it.

He will find a way.

Even if his examiner is an accomplished taijutsu specialist, even if he is much more skilled, he will not back down.

He's defeated stronger enemies with his mind. He can do this, he tells himself.

He would give it all he's got, like the Aburame motto dictates.

Still, how he wishes he could land a proper hit.

Still, how he wishes he could use strategy in this.

Find a pattern, his mind demands.

And he observes, he observes, he observes.

He observes while dodging.

He finds it.

But logic tells him that he's not fast enough, not strong enough, not skilled enough…not good enough.

Logic tells him it is impossible.

His spirit tells him it's not in an odd moment of whim, in an act of defiance.

Improvise, it tells him.

You are fast, you are sneaky, you are resourceful, it whispers to him.

You can do this.

You must succeed.

Think outside the box.

Strategy and taijutsu can become one if you wish it.

Set aside your logic.

If logic becomes a limitation, leave it.

Leave it

…Leave it…

And…

Do not reject the capacity to feel, to wish, to desire.

Let it be your ally

Let it take you further

Further

…Further…

Let control and impulse fluctuate in chaotic harmony.

Feel, feel, feel. Think, think, think.

And he attacks, and he fakes movements and he experiments.

He experiments because he knows it's time to challenge his body, to push it further, to defy himself.

He fakes moves because he is deceitful and devious and scheming.

He attacks because he is Shino, simply Shino.

His spontaneous attack costs him, he is sent to the ground.

But he gets up, he no longer wants to escape.

His mind berates him, his actions were irrational.

Shino ignores it.

If he lacks strength, he will acquire it.

And he tries again, and he attacks.

He attacks as fast as he can and he grabs his examiner and punches him as hard as he can and releases him at the same time.

This time, it's not him in the floor.

His opponent is surprised at the power of his fist and wipes away the blood from his face.

Shino is agile of mind.

He has efficiently used his kikaichu to suddenly increase the weight of his fist.

His beautiful hand has become tainted with blood.

He ignores the stinging sensation in his knuckles.

Taijutsu has suddenly become a matter of creativity.

He moves and dodges the examiner's counterattacks.

The jounin is obviously not happy with this turn of events. His pride has been insulted by an apparently untalented kid.

Shino is sent to the ground again.

He gets up and the examiner attacks him faster than he could've expected.

He barely registers the fact that he dodges and moves faster than he could've thought possible.

He barely registers the fact that he kicks his opponent away, effectively scoring.

He has done this instinctively.

The kikaichu below his skin buzz with excitement.

They are right.

This is…

Exciting

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Hypnotizing

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Intoxicating

He is a predator, just like them.

He refuses to become the prey.

He allows himself to be overwhelmed by adrenaline, if only for a moment.

A moment in which emotion and instinct become his main weapons.

A moment in which he feels very alive.

A moment in which he feels completely free.

Free of the boundaries his logical mind had imposed on him.

He attacks and he dodges and he punches and he kicks and he moves, he moves, he moves.

He attacks mercilessly, deceitfully, unpredictably.

He goes beyond what he once thought were his limits.

The feeling is enthralling, alluring, mesmerizing.

His sudden drive puts his examiner off balance.

And Shino notices this. He also realizes that his opponent is going to attack faster and possibly change his pattern.

He leaps back and breaths.

He breaths, he breaths, he breaths.

And he observes, he observes, he observes.

His perception was correct.

The pattern is different and Shino falls victim to it.

But he doesn't fall to the ground.

There will not be a third time, he tells himself.

And he allows himself an ephemeral moment of capriciousness, of impulse.

He will not taste failure, he promises himself.

He launches at his opponent recklessly.

He observes and he attacks and he deceives.

He deceives, he deceives, he deceives.

He evades and he attacks and he is free.

He feels free, he feels alive.

.

.

He is a silent man in action.

He is Shino.

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.

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Two weeks later he reads his name in the list of aspirants to Jounin and Tokujo.

Behind his collar, the corners of his lips slightly turn up, if only for a moment.

Failure has never existed in his vocabulary.

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