I thank December Silentvale for helping me.
Once Zaku was cleared out of the way, Hayate kept things moving among. "Uh, all right, everyone. Moving right on to the third match."
"Hnh." Naruto hummed, eager to see who was fighting next and hopefully himself when he noticed something Huh?"
In a puff of smoke, Kakashi returned.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto cheered.
"Hi." Kakashi greeted them.
"What do you mean, hi?" Sakura demanded as she got worked up. "Is that all you can say? Wh-what about- what about Sasuke? How is he?" She badgered her sensei, worried for her teammate and crush.
"Oh, he's fine. Sleeping soundly in the infirmary." Kakashi assured her, the girl sighing in relief.
Though he left out an important titbit. 'But he's been put under guard by the Anbu Black Ops.'
Naruto kept his eyes peeled as the increasingly familar rush of characters moved swiftly over the board. Everyone eager for their own turn as the computer randomly selected the names of the third genin match of the preliminaries.
As the characters settled, Naruto gasped as the board reviled two names. 'Rei Hinode VS Shachi Ameyuri' Recognizing the first name as he looked across the room at the Mist ninja.
Kakashi's interest was peaked as he read the last name. 'Ameyuri? One of the seven swordsman of Mist had that name. A relative maybe? If he's got half the skills of Zabuza, then this will be interesting.'
'So the Swordsman of the Mist in-training is fighting next, huh?' Kankuro thought as he glanced over at Shachi, 'This should be good.'
Beside him, Gaara was also eager to see what Shachi was capable of since getting a sneak peak the day they arrived in Konoha.
"Well, well, Shachi. Looks like your next to face off against the Sound. Now we will see if the Sound is really that weak or strong." Ao-sensei spoke as he turned to his student along with Sakuya and Ren.
They watched as Shachi bowed his head, leaving them unable to see his eyes. His fist clenched beside him as he began to shake. Leaving the three of the wondering what was wrong with him. Ren grew concerned for the male, wondering if he was afraid of this member of the Sound Shinobi, the girl being part of the group that unnerved Ren when they arrived. The same team they had been making an effort to avoid their entire stay in the tower.
Ren was about to place a hand on his shoulder to comfort Shachi when he proved it was unnecessary.
"WOO-HOO! Boo-ya! I'm next! Take that suckers!" Shachi yelled as he fist pumped the air. Laughing like a maniac in his delight of finally having his match. His teammates could sense the beginning of a growing bloodlust within the boy. They began to feel sorry of his poor opponent and the match hadn't even started yet.
The shouting startled the rest of the shinobi in the room, having yet to see anyone so ecstatic to fight up until this point. The three of the Mist ninja just sighed, understanding why Shachi had been shaking. Shaking in eagerness, anticipation, and the drive to fight. To conquer his enemies. Not of fear.
"Hmp." Ao-sensei huffed before sighing and giving his student a grin. "Go get them, Shachi, Do what you came here to do. Failure is not an option." He encouraged.
"Good luck." Sakuya offered.
Shachi nodded, knowing full well what was at stake in this match. He was about to take his leave of the balcony when Ren halted him. Giving Ren a questioning look, the girl said nothing as she detached her water gourd and handed it to him. Eyes widening, Shachi accepted it and thanked her before leaping over the rail and landing on the floor, rolling to help with the impact until he stopped in front of the proctor. The boy bouncing on his feet as he waited for Rei to walk down the steps and get over to them.
"Was that really necessary?" Sakuya asked from above.
"Stairs are for people with no imagination! We can walk on walls for crying out loud! It's also way more fun!" Came his answer.
Meanwhile, Rei nodded her partings to her mother and siblings as they all wished her good luck. Rei took her time as she walked past the others on the balcony and down the step, much to Shachi's agitation.
"Hurry up!" He whined. "We don't have all day, Fish Bait! And don't you dare think of backing out! I haven't had a real fight in four days and I am so ready to fight a worthy prey!" Shachi shouted.
His last words reminding him of his Aunt when she was still alive before she died of disease. She used to train him when he was younger and wasn't out on missions. She too called her opponents prey. She had a playful attitude, and enjoyed toying with him like all her other opponents. Like his Aunt who never missed her prey, he would not let this Rei Hinode leave the room unscathed. That he promised.
Thinking of his Aunt always got Shachi feeling sentimental as he remembered himself asking Ringo why she liked him so much. Her stating she liked those that could stand their ground against her and prove a challenge. While, he wasn't as strong as other opponents, she respected his courage to always get back up on his feet and face her no matter what along with his potential fighting skills she helped him hone.
"Pardon me, Ameyuri. I wished to save energy before fighting an opponent such as yourself. Do not worry. I am just as eager as you to fight even if I do not show it. It is an honor to fight you." Rei replied as she took her position and bowed to Shachi which he gave her a disgusted look.
"You're weird and creepy!" Shachi declared as he pointed at the girl before turning to Hayate, "She's creepy. It's obviously fake! No one is that polite!"
Hayate sighed and coughed before answering. "It doesn't matter if you deem her creepy or not." Though deep down, part of him agreed with Shachi's assessment. "Are there any objections to the match?" He asked
"None at all." Rei answered with a polite smile.
"No way! I'm ready to get this show on the road!" Shachi answered as he drew his sword. The blade glinting in the light.
"Very well then, begin." Hayate ordered as he backed off.
Upon the word leaving the proctor's lips, Shachi wasted not a second as he charged right at Rei. The girl merely grinned at him as she didn't move to dodge or counteract the swift blade aimed to maim her.
Unlike those before him, Shachi wasn't in the mood to stand around waiting for his foe to attack, bring the task upon himself. People say look before you leap, but he who hesitates is lost. So, Shachi decided to make his move before the other could. He who strikes first, strikes twice, after all. Fortune favors the bold and the one who strikes first gains the advantage.
He wouldn't wait to warn them like Shino had done before with his opponent. When it came to a fight, Shachi wasn't in the habit of making small talk and wasn't going to waste his breath with threats that were never idle. Shachi would capture his prey and never let them go. He was determined he, only reason Rei would get out of this fight, was because killing at this stage was frowned upon and the proctor would probably stop him anyways before it got too serious.
Just as the sword was about to reach Rei, she finally moved with a flash of sliver, drawing something from her sleeves. Using the tool she had drawn, Rei blocked the sword, though the strength Shachi's attack forced Rei's feet to skid back before she moved her feet to create greater resistance, halting her backward movement and the blade as a distinct ringing filled the room.
All eyes watched perplexed as they witnessed what stopped the large weapon in it's tracks. It wasn't a knife or any other blade the gathered Shinobi had ever seen in any ninja's arsenal. Rei's weapon was none other than a large tuning fork. Thus, the collision of metal on metal was what made the two vibrate at a certain frequency.
"Eh...?" Shachi muttered, utterly confused by the odd choice of weaponry. Everyone else in the room sweat dropped at this peculiar sight. Some finding it amusing, thinking it was a joke taken a little bit too far. The Village Hidden in the Sound using a tool for sound and music. Others thought it was ridiculous but were reluctant to dismiss it for fear there being a deeper meaning to the use of the tuning fork.
"I have heard some kenjutsu users say, that depending on it's user, a sword can live or die. You are related to Ameyuri Ringo are you not?" Rei asked with a sickly sweet smile. "You sword's resonance is loud and clear. You're blade is full of life. It shows you are quite the swordsman. It is a pity that I must end the life of a fine crafted piece such as this." Rei said as she quickly moved her arm suddenly and moved out of the way of the Mist Shinobi.
The loss of the opposing strength causing Shachi to stumble forward a bit as Rei twirled and kicked him in the gut. Forcing the ninja to kneel as he collected himself and used his sword to help support himself. All the while, Rei still had that sick twisted smile on her face.
Above, Ao-sensei frowned. 'That match has just begun and already he's made a sloppy amateur mistake. Though, I will give him that her choice of weaponry would throw off anyone's grove. But that is besides the point! A ninja must see through deception and be prepared for anything! Get your head in the fight, Shachi!'
"Hey, Shachi! I thought you were stronger than that!" Sakuya taunted.
"Shut It!" Shachi shouted before he wheezed.
Backing away, Rei allowed Shachi to recover himself for a moment. The boy coughing a little as he stood and walked Rei circle him like a beast with it's prey, him being the prey.
'This girl... she's toying with me... heh! She thinks she's the predator. I guess I'll just have to prove her wrong.' Shachi thought with a wide shark tooth grin.
"You know... You could have just attacked me again while I was down." Shachi said as he pulled out the two water gourds. Pulling the corks on them. Moving his own close to his lips.
"Why would I want to do that? The fun has only just begun Mr. Ameyuri." Rei said sweetly.
Shachi only chuckled, "You're right the match has just begun. And I, will make you see clearly, just who is the prey." He promised darkly as he suddenly swung both bottles forward, splashing the water out into the air as Shachi's hands moved rapidly. Forming the seal of confrontation. Otherwise the combination of the hand signs Ox, Snake, and Ram. The water forming into mist. Enveloping the entire room. None, not even the proctor could see what was going on at the current moment.
"...And who is the predator..." Shachi spoke as his voice echoed through the room.
Naruto and Sakura gasped as they recognized this move.
"Kakashi-senesi! This is-!" Sakura cried as both she and Naruto turned to her sensei as he too was surprised. Though he quickly recovered as he nodded.
'This is what Zabuza Momochi used against us!' Naruto thought in shock. Flashbacks of what happened sending shivers down his spine.
"You're correct Sakura. Both of you have seen this move before on our trip to the Land of Waves. This is the Hiding in Mist technique Momochi used. In hindsight, it shouldn't be that surprising that this boy knows it. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are known to be masters of this technique, and were even good enough to track and kill opponents through sound alone. He shares the same last name with one of the former members. It's obvious he admires them. Learning this technique was a must for him. The fact that he has learned and mastered it at such a relatively young age though is interesting." Kakashi said.
'So that's why that girl gave him the other water gourd. He could have used his chakra to create the mist, but it is easier with an existing water source to create the mist. Thus saving charka.' Kakashi observed.
"What is this?" Rei asked through the fog, her voice calm with a sense of curiosity. Far different from the fear that had once enveloped Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura when they faced Zabuza. Yet, even they could feel the room grow colder as Shachi's bloodlust spiked and everyone either shivered or did their best to contain it.
Gaara, Erhu, Suzu, Flute, and the rest of the Mist ninja didn't seem to be effected. The Mist ninja having been around it long enough to have dulled and grown used to the oppressive feeling.
"A speciality of the Shinobi from Kirigakure." Shachi's voice echoed, the sound bouncing off the walls. Sounding as if it came from everywhere. "The Hiding in Mist Technique is where one causes a mist to spring forth either by using a pre-existing water source, or expelling it from their mouth. They can then go in and out of sight at will from within the pearly-white realm. The mist's thickness is controlled by the amount of chakra kneaded into it."
Above, Naruto was slightly sweating as he tried putting on a brave front. "Man! Stupid fog! We can't see what's going on!" Naruto shouted.
The other members of rookie nine and their sensei's were amazed, while the remaining Mist ninja looked into the fog with smiles.
"Neji. Do you think you can see through the fog and tell us what is going on?" Lee asked. Wondering what was happening and eager to know.
"Of course." Neji answered as he formed the right hand signs. Seeing both ninja through the mist.
"This technique cannot fool the Byakugan." Neji said with a smirk.
Along their side of the room, Hinata also activated hers in order to see what was occurring below. Each Hyuga quietly passing on what was happening briefly in order to not be heard by the combatants below and not give away either ones positions.
On the opposite side of the room, Erhu was annoyed she couldn't see her daughters match, but assured herself that her daughter could handle the situation. Confident in the girl's ability. She knew anyone of her daughters could make their way through the darkest of caves and never trip or stumble. A little mist would be nothing.
Ren stood leaning against the rail, even though she could see nothing before her. The Mist making her remember her gloomy home village along with making her recall Zabuza and her dear cousin Haku. While Ren had never been particularly close to Zabuza, she felt she knew him well through the letters Haku wrote to her while both men were still alive. Reading them, Ren could tell Zabuza was the center of Haku's world.
Below, someone else was getting sentimental. Lapsing into his memories, Shachi recalled the special training his Aunt had given him back in the Hidden Mist Village. There was plenty of mist to use for training in it, but Ringo took the training farther than that. She had taken him to the beach where she blindfolded him and stuck him in a cave there at low tide. The objective was to get out quickly, quietly, and as fast a possible before the tide came in. There was also traps and an obstacle course built down there. There had been many close calls where he almost drowned before Ringo was able to save him or barely making it out by himself before he was able to master using only his hearing to make his way through his surroundings.
Ringo had also made Shachi experience her own bloodlust. Training him to overcome it and not freeze up so badly. Learning to become one with the mist as he created it and focused on keeping it up even while he faced his Aunt. It had been gruesome, but like a tempered blade, hit over and over to make it strong, Ringo honed his skills and helped make him into the swordsman he was now.
There were also times when she reminded him of a rabbit with the way she styled her hair. A playful red rabbit filled with lightning.
Shaking the thoughts off, Shachi focused as he was hidden deep in the mist as he now circled Rei. While his own vision was obscured by the Mist, due to his training Shachi was still able to locate the girl with only the use of sounds. He could hear her breathing, but it was not the type of pattern he had been expecting to hear. Most would have already been panicking and breathing sharp quick and uneven breaths, Shachi would have been able to hear the girl's rapid heartbeat as it sent blood through her body. Yet she was calm even under the pressure of his bloodlust. She had yet to quiver or quake in her spot.
Shachi was honestly impressed. 'She's way better that that other doofus, Zaku. But I simply can't have her becoming too confident and let her arrogance swell up. Prey should know when it's best to fear the predator. Prey should by overcome with the instincts of fight or flight. Or be paralyzed in fear of moving a single inch, drawing those who seeks them attention.'
"Shachi…" a voice spoke, familiar to the ears of the one it addressed. Shachi could not believe his ears. Startled by the familiar gruff voice that spoke tenderly to him as it most often was when it wasn't barking orders, scolding him for his mistakes, or yelling to get a move on. It was the voice of his beloved aunt, ...Ringo Ameyuri.
Above, Ao, Sakuya, and Ren all gave a start of alarm, they too recognizing the voice. Others were confused as to who was speaking. The Hyūgas could see what was going on yet even they were confused as to how and why. Thus they kept their silence as they watched the events unfold before them.
Shachi stilled as he listen, his heart yearning for more. Eagerly listening for the words of his long dead aunt. Listening for the origin and find the source. Getting closer as it spoke, but remaining hidden and silent.
"Shachi… Shachi…" The voice called out, hoping for a reply from the boy. "Shachi, why do you not answer me? It has been a so long since I have seen you. Have you grown? I see your Hiding in Mist Technique is as strong as ever. Won't you lower it and gaze upon you Aunt? I'm sure you want to see me as much as I do.
"Are you defying me, Shachi? Why do you not answer your teacher and Aunt?" She asked at first irritated before yelling. "As punishment for defying me, I should burn you to a crisp!"
Taking a deep breath, the voice of Ringo sighed before breaking off and asking in a softer, sadder tone. "Are you afraid to see me, now? Afraid you have become a disappointment?"
"You used to send shockwaves through my heart, seeing you learn and grow. You were never boring. An interesting soul that gave me a thrill. You always had a strong backbone and determination." Ringo's voice reminisced.
Shachi finally found the source and gave a bitter sweet smile as he circled it, Making his voice bounce around on the walls of the chamber.
"Do you remember, Aunty?" Shachi asked.
"Remember what, Shachi?"
"The nickname you gave me? Don't you remember?"
Ringo's voice was silent as she gave no answer.
Though most couldn't see it, Shachi smirked.
"I'm... your little... Blubber Ball!" Shachi yelled as he appeared behind the source of Ringo's voice. Bringing the sword down on none other than Rei Hinode. The girl screaming in pain as the merciless blade bit into her flesh, tearing into her clothing and her back.
"Do you think I'm stupid?!" Shachi growled as he pushed the blade in further, eliciting another scream from the girl.
"Rei!" Her sisters and mother cried at the sound of the girls pain, unable to see what was going on.
Grabbing her hair, Shachi yanked it back and moved Rei's head so she could see his wicked countenance with his eyes aflame with anger and a call for vengeance. His teeth, sharp and gleaming in his smirk.
"You've made me mad, so you'll never escape me now! You're good I'll give you that. Imitating my Aunty Ringo's voice and messing with my head is a good strategy. You got most of her personality when she was around me right. Your one flaw however is that no one knows my aunt better that me!" Shachi yelled as he let go of Rei and kicked her away. Disappearing into the mist once again.
"What's going on!?" Lee asked as Neji answered at last.
"It's as he said. The Sound Village kunoichi was imitating Ringo Ameyuri's in order to mess with the boy. She kept talking which lead to the Mist ninja into finding her and infuriated at her audacity, came in from behind her and attacked. It's sure to leave a scar."
Below, Shachi continued to circle Rei, attacking her and backing off. The girl crying out when he injured her over and over. Not even getting enough time to recover from the injury on her back as Shachi continued his onslaught.
"If my Aunty taught me anything, it was never how to be a coward! Cowards like you are not her type, Rei Hinode! You will pay for trying to use her memory against me!" He bellowed slashing out at her again only for Rei to finally regain her senses and raised her injured arm to block the attack, though it hurt the bleeding arm.
"Whatever is going on in there, that girl sealed her fate when she tried messing with his aunt." Sakuya said, Ren nodding.
'I just hope he doesn't lose himself to his emotions. They can help at times and blind you in others.' Ren thought.
One again the distinct ringing filling the room. Backing away, Shachi was silent as he waited. Wanting to toy with the girl, making her fear as she wondered where the next attack would come from.
Panting, Rei collected herself before emitting a high pitched sound Shachi and the others could barely hear. Hesitating, Shachi waited to see what the girl was doing.
Rei listened for a moment before smirking. Turning towards Shachi, Rei charged at his and once again hit Shachi's sword with the tuning fork. This shocking Shachi as he backed away further into the fog as Rei pursued him. All the while emitting more of the sounds she was making.
"Are you confused, Ameyuri? Allow me to explain then." Rei said as he pulled out a kunai knife and tried to attack Shachi with it while using the tuning fork. It's shape allowing her to hold the blade in between the two parts of the 'U' and tilting it so Shachi would not be able to easily remove it. Forcing Shachi to try and duck.
"Are you familiar with bats? It's a special technique similar to the echo-location they use to find bugs to eat and move throughout their surroundings. By using my technique, I can find you in this room no matter where you go! Never mind the fog!" Rei told him as she tried to attack again.
"I am able to do this through something that is called sonokinesis. The ability to manipulate sound waves. This power can be used to create a wide range of effects; from powerful sonic blasts, glass and wall shattering screams, to even something as simple as mimicking a person's voice." Rei explained as she sliced a bit of his hair as he struggled to release his sword and counter attack.
"Earlier, as you heard before, I was using a part of the ability to imitate Ringo Ameyuri's voice. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but thankfully my mother had and using sonokinesis, was able to imitate her voice for me and my sisters. I honestly was hoping for the chance to fight you and use this against you. I didn't use echo-location before because I wanted to see if you could over come it." She smirked as Shachi finally released his sword from Rei's tuning fork and devilled deeper into the fog.
"Didn't you hear me beforehand? You can not hide from me!" Rei said before she heard a different sound. Similar to her own echo-location, though it was deeper and louder. When she tired to use her echo-location the two sounds conflicted each other, canceling the other out.
The loss of her technique to find her opponent scared Rei as she wildly looked for the boy in vain in the mist. Taking advantage of her confusion, Shachi continued his hit and run tactics against the Sound Kunoichi. She tried again and again to get a clear reading on the boy only for the echo's of Shach's own echo-location to disrupt and distort the reading. Making it impossible for Rei to find him. Making the girl sloppy as Shachi used other ways to find Rei in the fog even though she didn't move much from her current position.
Shachi smirked. 'There we go... The scent of fear in the air... It gets me pumped!'
Above, Erhu was confused as to what was going on. "What is that noise?"
"That is my student, Shachi." Ao answered the Sound Kunoichi who glared at him. Ao smirked as he continued his own explanation. "Bats are not the only creatures that use echo-location. Dolphins and some whales use it for hunting and navigating just as bats do. There is a reason Ringo called him her little blubber ball. Because he was able to communicate with whales when he was young."
"The Hidden Mist Village is a group of large islands. Whales migrate there often. When he was young, Shachi learned to communicate and use echo-location just like they did. Ringo actually caught the boy swimming on their backs one time. He's using this knowledge to counteract your daughters so she can't find him." He explained.
Down below, Rei was having just enough of Shachi's hit-and-runs with his sword. When he attacked her yet again, Rei was able to block with her tuning fork again.
"Why do you even use that thing?" Shachi asked, curiosity getting the better of him and finally asking this important question.
Rei smirked as she looked at him. "The answer is simple Ameyuri. Thanks to this tool, I am about to do something highly unpleasant. I believe I have the right frequency now. Forgive me for what I'm about to do to your sword."
"What!" Shachi asked as Rei began emitting yet another sound. Different from the noise she used for echo-location. He noticed his sword beginning to resonate with it. Jumping away, the sword continued to vibrate until, to Shachi's absolute shock, the blade shattered into hundreds of shards.
The sound of the shattering echoing through the room. Everyone one standing in silence as they waited to see what would happen next.
Ripping from his throat, a roar sounded through the room. A roar of anger and despair. Growling in anger.
"What just happened?!" Kiba asked the girl beside him.
"His sword was shattered, she didn't even touch it!" Hinata answered.
So emotional, Shachi lost his focus on the mist he created. Shachi dispelled the mist as it fell to the floor, covering the ground floor with water. Leaving small puddles in it's wake. Revealing to all the others the two opponents.
Rei was the worse of the two. Covered in cuts and bleeding all over. Her hair a mess from when Shachi had grabbed it. Her blood falling and staining the puddles crimson at her feet. The worst being the one on her back. Shachi had made sure to not leave a clean cut. The flesh jagged.
Shachi was frozen in his spot as he kneeled to the ground. What was left of his sword on the ground as he held the hilt of the once huge blade gripped tightly in his hand. The other was grasping the remaining shards. The pieces mercilessly cutting into his hand.
"What in the world was that?!" Ao-sensei exclaimed as he witnessed the damage the Sound kunoichi dealt.
"The answer is quite simple."
Ao and the rest of his team turning to the source of the voice to see the female Sound sensei speaking to them though her eyes remained fixated on the match below.
"That was one of my daughter's abilities. Sound Resonance Manipulation. She has the ability to control the resonance of sound. You see, all objects vibrate at a particular frequency. Using the tuning fork from before, she was able to get the right frequency for the blade. That is why she used it to block to many times, to make she got just the right one. When she projects and hits an object with the same frequency, the vibration begins to resonate throughout the object, strengthening until the object shatters like glass. The target she chooses can literally be anything. This time it was the sword and you can see the results." Erhu answered with a satisfied smirk.
Gaara was shaking once again. The smell of blood and far more blood than before riling him and mother together. Kankuro and Temari sharing concerned looks at each other as they slightly edged away.
Quickly looking around, Rei spotted him and quickly ran towards him. "Die!" She yelled as she drew her knife and attacked the distracted ninja. Just as she was about to slit his throat, the boy smirked as he disappeared. Leaving Rei shocked as she continued flying through the air as she fell and splashed into the surrounding water on the floor.
Getting up, Rei looked wildly for the boy. "Where did you go, you coward!" She yelled. Losing the calm and polite she and her sisters often shared.
"Where did he go!?" Naruto shouted as the others looked for him.
Kakashi hummed as he observed what happened.
"Do you know, Sensei?" Sakura asked.
"I might. Do you two remember the two missing-nin Chūnin from Kirigakure that assisted Zabuza Momochi on our trip to the Land of Waves? The Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu, I believe?" Kakashi asked as his students as they gasped remembering just how they meet the two ninja previously mentioned.
"I believe young Ameyuri down there is using the same thing. The floor is covered in water." Kakashi observed before chuckling. "He could be anywhere."
Saying nothing, the blond and pick haired girl turned back to the fight as Rei looked for the shark tooth boy. Getting agitated more and more. The mummy ninja and his teammate watched in amusement. Suzu, Flute, and Erhu glared at them before focusing on the match with worried expressions.
"Please, I said it before, didn't I? Or are you losing your hearing, bat brain!" Shachi's voice taunted in response to Rei's demands.
Whirling around and around, she couldn't locate him. Even checking the ceiling of the room proved futile.
So busy with her search, Rei failed to check below. The spectators above watched as Shachi's head slowly appeared, coming up from the shallow puddle. Water clinging to his hair as he smirked at the foot beside his head. Taking a quick glance over at the girl, Shachi saw his opening to attack as he open his maw wide and bit into her skin. The girl screaming in shock, pain, and fury as she hissed and seethed at him. Desperate to shake him off her leg. Only for Shachi to dig in deeper and adding yet another injury drawing more blood. Taking her knife she was about to bring it down on his head as he released the flesh just above her ankle.
His head disappearing into the water as she swung her arm down, uselessly splashing the water as she looked in vain for any sign of the boy that dared toy with her so.
"Aw! Is someone upset?" Shachi asked in a baby voice before becoming serious.
"Let that bite be the first of many for what you did to my sword. Do you have any idea how long it's going to take me to replace that one!? What you said earlier about the life of a sword, my guess is you'd been planning on shattering my sword from the beginning, huh? Seems like I'm not the only one who likes to play with their enemies." Shachi chuckled.
Sighing, Shachi continued. "It's times like this I wish I had Auntie's sword, Kiba. But that stupid Raiga Kurosuki took the darn thing with him when he deflected and left Kirigakure. But, I'll work with what I got, I guess." His voice seeming to come from all the puddles at once.
"Do you want to know how I'm able to do this? Allow me to explain. This is the Water Release: Hiding in Water Technique. A technique that allows the user to fuse with water, even in water as shallow as a puddle. By doing so, the user can take advantage of their hidden presence and launch a surprise attack on their target. The target being you. Snack time!" Shachi yelled as his head and torso popped up behind Rei and with his hands, grabbed one of Rei's arms and bit into it. Making the girl yell as she attacked again, trying to kick him only for Shachi to rise completely out of the puddle jump up and plant his feet on Rei's leg. Causing the girl to become unbalanced and fall forwards, towards him.
Shachi unclenched his jaw from around Rei's arm and then flipped over her. Pulling her arm behind her as he used his own weight and Rei own forward momentum to force her to the water covered ground. The girl unable to catch herself in time and would have only hurt it more if she had due to all the excess weight.
Screeching like a banchiee, Rei struggled to get the deep blue haired boy off of her to no avail. Leaving down, Shachi whispered in her ear. "It's painful, isn't it? This weight you feel... it's the weight of you own helplessness and uselessness."
Flipping her over, Shachi used one hand to pin both arms and his legs to pin hers. His free hand moved to his bag and pulled out what was let of the sword. Twirling the hilt, Shachi smirked. "It's funny, really. I'm about to kill you." Shachi said as if he was talking about the weather.
"I'm about to kill you with the remaining life that is within my blade. An eye for an eye and a life for a life. If you lived through this, then we would all have an easier way to tell you apart from your sisters. Goodbye, Rei Hinode." Shachi said cheerful as he swung down the blade.
Rei screaming as she closed her eyes. Bracing for the blow that would end her life. Her sisters and mother calling out her name. Only it never came at that moment. Opening her eyes she was relieved to see what spared her life. Hayate Gekko, the third proctor was holding Shachi's arm wielding the broken hilt of the blade. An inch above her left eye.
"Enough." The proctor said as he held Shachi's arm back from hitting Rei and killing her like he said he would. "This match is over. The winner is Shachi Ameyuri."
Shachi shrugged and once Hayate let him got, Shachi put away the remains of his sword with a sad expression on his face. Disappointed he couldn't avenge his sword or make Rei full pay for trying to tarnish his memories of his aunt. Getting up, he smirked at his team.
"Did you see that!? I did it! I did it! Third exam here I come. Mission complete! You guys better not slack off when it's your turn to fight!"
The mummy ninja cackled as he watched. Erhu, Flute, and Suzu glaring daggers at him.
"Well, well, well. This is quite the interesting development. Seems your daughter didn't quite live up to your expectations Erhu-sensei." The mummy ninja taunted.
Making Erhu grit her teeth and try to refrain from punching his lights out.
Walking away for the proctor and his former opponent, Shachi didn't see Rei shaking in fury.
"No... I can not accept this... I will NOT accept this ! NO! This isn't over!" Rei yelled as she tried to attack Shachi while his back was turned.
Many of the spectators gasping in shock.
"Look out!" Naruto yelled out.
Before Rei could do anything, Shachi whirled around and kicked Rei in the head, sending the girl flying as she bounced once and roll on the floor still covered in water. More blood mixing into it. The girl being knocked out cold.
Shachi huffed and smirked. "I just hate sore losers." Using a quick jutsu, Shachi gathered all the water, leaving the blood on the floor as the water returned to the small gourds. Seeing nothing else to do on the ground floor and Hayate let him go as the medic ninja came in, Shachi jumped up to the balcony and joined his team and sensei as they congratulated him and Ren took her gourd back.
"Good job, Shachi." Ren said.
"Thanks for the extra water." He replied.
"Show off. You could have ended that fight quicker if you didn't toy with her and just use silent killing techniques." Sakuya scolded him.
"She's right. Now you need a new sword in time for the third exam. You'll need time to get used to it and time might be against you." Ao scolded. "However, well done on moving to the next round. The Mizukage will be quite pleased with this development." Ao-sensei spoke.
"Yes, sensei. I'll figure something out about the third exam." Shachi assured him. His smirk from before gone as he answered seriously.
"Darn it." Kiba grumbled as he pinched his nose. "The smell of so much blood in the air sticks."
Hinata looked a little green as she spoke. "That...was rough..." Having seen the entire match until the others.
"Very impressive." Shino added.
Neji smirked where he stood by his team. "This year's batch certainly is promising."
"That Kabuto guy was right about keeping an eye on the ninja from the Mist. If the other two are as strong and sadistic as him, then we need to be carful." Lee added.
"It's too bad about his sword though. He'll have to do something about getting it replaced." Tenten spoke up.
"Woah!" Naruto said.
"Are all ninja from the Mist so blood thirsty?" Sakura asked as she gazed nervously at the remaining members who had yet to fight, wondering if she had to go up against one of them.
"That guy is creepy." Ino declared.
"Can they hurry up with this so we can go eat?" Choji asked as his stomach grumbled.
"Man what a drag. We didn't even see most of the fight." Shikamaru complained.
"Looks like that Shachi guy wasn't making an empty threat before." Temari spoke as the Sand siblings watched them.
"About himself, maybe. We still have yet to see about that girl, Ren."
Gaara said nothing as he watched them, deciding which he wanted to fight more, Shachi or Sasuke.