To Become A Chunin

Chapter 11

Konohamaru and Moegi's Fights

The names on the scoreboard flashed and finally came to a rest. Anko announced, "The next battle in the preliminaries: Shimagi versus Konohamaru."

Naruto grabbed Konohamaru by the arm and whispered urgently, "Stay away from that axe. If he does use earth jutsu it will be strength on strength. If he is stronger, keep your wits. Use your brain and other jutsu. Deep within, you can always find some way to win."

Down on the field, Konohamaru had to look way up to lock eyes with his opponent. Shimagi sneered, "Well, the punk kid. I waited all week for a chance to smash you. Run home to yer mama before I beat ya to a pulp."

Konohamaru was red faced. "I'm going to make you regret ever coming to the Leaf Village, Konoha. My name means I will defeat anyone who won't come to Konoha in friendship."

Seeing that a fight was about to start without her permission, Anko just yelled "Begin," and withdrew. Konohamaru tossed two shuriken and jumped back to gain some distance. The Sand's axe struck the ground and sent a large fissure through the earth at the Leaf. Konohamaru jumped sideways, slapped the ground with his hands and rocks and paving stones jumped up that he formed into shuriken and fired continuously. The rock stars struck a rock wall and shattered.

Shimagi charged from behind the wall and again struck the earth. This time fissure and earthquake knocked the Leaf to the ground. He somersaulted away from a murderous axe swing and slapped the ground again, but he didn't have time to form shuriken, so he sent the rocks arcing slowly toward Shimagi. They hit another stone wall. The third fissure sent Konohamaru spinning into the arena wall.

Konohamaru slipped into the earth and disappeared. Shimagi laughed, "Bad move!" When the axe struck the ground, a bruised and battered Konohamaru was tossed out of the crack. Shimagi swung his axe around and around, above his head. A scarf whip yanked the axe away and sent it bouncing across the arena. The scarf whipped out again, but the big man blocked it with his arm, pulled it out of the boy's hands, and tossed it away.

Shimagi advanced on him. "I don't need no axe to pound you back into that hole."

Suddenly Shimagi was standing two feet away from a beautiful, naked brunette. "Ohh, please don't hurt me." His mouth was wide open when the unseen five pound rock struck him in the chin.

All the boys cheered and the girls looked disgusted. Anko shook her head and tried not to laugh. "The winner is Konohamaru. We will now take a short break while the arena is repaired."

Konohamaru fainted. Naruto, Moegi and Ebisu were immediately at his side. Two stretchers were brought out and they followed them out of the arena. Inside the doorway they stopped. The doctor checked each stretcher briefly. "They are both fine. The one boy has a mild concussion. We are letting him sleep while he is healed. Honored Grandson has mainly strains, sprains, and deep bruises."

Ebisu spoke softly. "You are mistaken, Doctor. That is not Honored Grandson. Tell your grandchildren you had the honor of attending to the Leaf Shinobi, Konohamaru."

Moegi spoke up. "I think they are announcing the next match." She checked the scoreboard. "It's OK, not one of us."

Konohamaru stirred. "Hey Boss. I did what you said. I didn't give up when I couldn't match him... And I used the very last jutsu I could think of. Believe it!"

The doors slammed open and everyone was nearly blown down by a mighty rush of air. With the doors open they could hear Anko. "The winner is Fu-Ai of the Sand." Another stretcher was rushed out the open doors.

Naruto looked out. "We need to watch these other guys. Congratulations, you are going to the finals." As they walked back into the arena, a young Leaf-nin was carried out with blood oozing from a hundred shallow cuts. "Oh, poor kid. But I really wish I coulda watched her fight."

As they reached the stairs, Anko announced, "Moegi versus Umimaru."

Naruto looked up the stairs. "Uh-oh. Smart kid. He's carrying his own water skin with him. I bet that is Sharinmizu's idea. You know how he fights. Stay away from his water whip. If you use your jutsu too soon and run out of chakra, you have no backup. You are strong, Moegi. Go get him." He turned. "Good luck Umimaru."

When Anko started the match, the two youngsters stood looking at each other. Moegi finally said, "I heard they took Tsurizao to the main hospital. I hope he is doing better."

"Yeah, thanks. They promise me he can go and watch me when I am in the finals."

She grinned wickedly and drew her kunai, "Well I don't think it will be this year, Waterboy."

He set the water skin down and grinned back. "Tsurizao will be so jealous I got to fight you. Don't think I plan to go easy on a girl, Salad head."

"Bring it on." She threw a kunai, which stuck in the water skin. He immediately turned the leak into flying shurikens. Umimaru stretched the water out into a water sword and charged. She blocked the first pass with a kunai and tried to get between him and the water bag. Umimaru was too fast and cut her off.

Moegi saw her chance and completed the hand signs to cast a Genjutsu at close range. "Got you." Umimaru was caught, but he fought back. He slashed the sword back and forth savagely. The sword paused, then went limp and lengthened. Now a whip circled his body. Each time it went behind it struck the water skin and gathered a little more water. Moegi was forced further and further back as the whip lengthened. Finally water started splattering from the tip and it stopped growing.

At the extreme distance, the strain showed on Moegi's face. Umimaru was lost in his own private fantasy, but somehow the whip kept snapping, minute by minute. In the quiet balcony Oboro became impatient as the contestants stood motionless, only the whip moving. "Get on with it, you wimps. Let some real bloody ninjas have their turn."

Hanabi announced, loud enough for all to hear, "The fool thinks a ninja is blood and destruction. Idiot! A ninja is will. These two, as weak and unskilled as they are, are putting on a battle to rival Konohamaru and the axe guy's. The winner can only be the one whose will is strongest."

The whip was getting shorter and moving slower. Veins stood out and sweat ran down both foreheads. Moegi began to take the first tentative steps forward. Closer and closer. Umimaru was holding his right arm up with his left hand. The whip faltered, the water splattered on the ground. Moegi stumbled behind him. The genjutsu failed, he shook his head, and tried to jump. A small hand touched his shoulder and he fell asleep. Moegi collapsed on top of him.

Anko walked over and checked the pile. Moegi looked up dazedly. "Since one contestant cannot continue, and the other is technically at least not unconscious, I declare the winner, Moegi."

Ebisu and a Waterfall sensei were there. They gently carried two exhausted warriors up the steps while the balcony applauded.

Next: Chapter 12

Naruto and Hanabi's Fights