Author's Note: This isn't 750 words, but I HAVE been writing, so I think I'm excused for not meeting the quota. Anyway, this idea? It isn't mine. It's been borrowed from demonicnargles' story 'Killing Intent' whose name I finally remembered after hours of searching.


Never Underestimate Naruto

Chapter 9

Killing intent is not a common skill.

As strange as that may sound, it's true. Ninja who can properly project killing intent are downright rare.

Genin barely understand the inner workings of their own jutsu, much less how to manipulate their chakra to such a degree. Chuunin have a bit more mastery of their chakra and they can actually use a small amount killing intent, although their control fluctuates with their emotions. Jounin are a different matter. The jounin of any hidden village are battle-tested and masters at using their chakra. Not only can they use killing intent, but they can use it on command, paralyzing enemies with the sheer force of their will.

During the fight with Zabuza, Sasuke was forced to stab himself in the leg just to keep from running away. Naruto was curiously unaffected.

Just as there is the gap between genin and chuunin, and just as there is a gap between chuunin and jounin, there is a chasm between jounin and those that hold the title of Kage.

When a Kage uses killing intent, the world stands still. Entire squads of shinobi run away in utter panic, hearts stop beating out of fright alone, and the air becomes thick with a miasma of lethal rage.

For Orochimaru who is a Kage in everything but name, killing intent is as natural as breathing. One, predatory look and a gleam in his snake-like eyes, and young Uchiha Sasuke does everything he can to escape.

Until Naruto, once again curiously unaffected by the killing intent, barges in.

Where the Kage are undisputed masters in the art of projecting murderous intent, there is only one King.

It is said that the Kyuubi's killing intent spans for miles, that its foul chakra stings and burns, and that if you look into its great, red eyes, you will freeze in place, helpless to do anything when a massive taloned hand crushes the life from your body.

So powerful was the Kyuubi's rage that on the night of its attack on Konoha, 548 civilians died from exposure alone. They tried to run, but the air turned thick, and something squeezed their hearts.

The only man capable of facing down the Kyuubi's paralyzing stare unaffected was the Yondaime Hokage himself, and in the end he gave his life to stop the beast.

For weeks afterwards, the killing intent lingered in the air, causing miscarriages and hemorrhages. It was particularly strong around a newborn baby in the Sandaime (now Hokage)'s custody.

Perhaps, some speculate, the baby inherited some measure of the demon's power. Perhaps that's why Naruto never so much as blinks at stronger opponents.

Perhaps that's why his glares when he's truly enraged are like death incarnate.