Chapter 21: Black Eyes in the Mist
The mist swelled up around the ankles of the men as they walked the lengthy, stone bridge. For the average man, visibility was zero. The Hidden Mist Village was on it's guard, prepared for the Akatsuki, or so it thought.
I know this tactic. You've tried this against me before mulled the older man, lighting a cigarette. He placed his lighter back in the pocket of his red cloak, smiling. Normally, this would throw me off for quiet some time, but I've chosen my comrades wisely this time. His hand was placed on the shoulder of the other man, who led the way.
"Three ninjas about 100 meters ahead of us. We're close," spoke that other man. He scanned the horizon, veins showing on his white pupils and face.
"Get ready to dispel the mist. I'll do the rest."
A few more steps. Kuro Hyuga lowered his body and prepared to rotate.
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"Two ninjas about 100 meters away. They've stopped. They're planning to attack." The soft voice of the water Sage interrupted the serene atmosphere at the end of the thick mist. He sat on the ground, his legs folded under him, hands together in a sign. On one side was the Stone Village ANBU captain, crouched and ready to strike. The other saw the third in a line of bushy-browed Taijutsu masters.
"Anti-Akatsuki Team Four, prepare to engage enemy. Attempt to neutralize the enemy, avoid killing if it is at all possible," came the order from the ANBU captain. Her hand gripped the handle of her white kodachi, almost anxiously, despite her formal nature.
"Should I hold the mist?"
"Let them make the first move," came Azami's response.
"Arrrgh! I can't take the waiting!" grumbled Brock Lee, removing weights around his legs. Can't hold back… these are elite Rogue ninjas.
Almost as soon as he said it, the mist began to drift away from them, rapidly.
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"Keep rotating! It's almost clear!"
A massive radius of rotating chakra sucked in the mist and dispersed it. In the center, the rogue Hyuga spun, panting from all the effort required. As Tsunami watched, he couldn't help but throw back his head and let out his uncharacteristically high-pitched laugh. This was going to be all too easy. Three ninjas have never been significant enough of a threat to stop the Tsunami!
The air became completely clear just in time for Tsunami to catch a green blur overhead, before it came down and struck him across the face, sending his falling over the side of the bridge. Brock Lee landed in his place as the rotating ninja slowed to a stop. They exchanged hard glances at one another.
Kuro…What have you let yourself become involved with…?
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Ten years ago. Not a cloud in the sky over the Hidden Leaf Village. Wildlife was active. The deer frolicked through the trees and the butterflies decorated the tops of vivid wild flowers. The Taijutsu Dojo of the Hidden Leaf Village was now reopened, and it's excited proprietor, Rock Lee, stood before his three students.
"Alright! We now have the perfect place to perfect our ninja skills, especially Taijutsu!" the proud, older Bushy-Brow claimed. He performed his trademark 'nice guy' pose, to this irritation of two of his students.
"Ugh. Are we even going to have time to use it with all the missions we're getting," spoke Eri Tatami, the daughter of Iwashi Tatami and Hana Inuzuka. She already bore the traditional red fanged tattoos on each cheek, like most members of the House of Inuzuka. Beside her was her small wolf partner, Udo. He seemed to verbalize his agreement with a series of yaps.
"Either way, I think I'd prefer taking extra missions than training in this thing. Nothing prepares you better than field experience," added Tomoyuki Hagane, the son of Kotetsu Hagane. He sported his father's messy haircut, though sandy instead of black, and bright green eyes,
"No! Sensei has constructed this magnificent building to be an experience better than any mission ever could be! I want to try it out right now!" exclaimed the eager, adopted son of Rock Lee. He returned Lee's 'nice guy' pose. The two suddenly broke down into tears and embraced one another, to dismay of the rest of the team.
"Uhm…Lee…" The voice of Rock Lee's old teammate, Neji Hyuga, broke up the emotional moment. "I'm on an espionage mission with Kiba and Shino. Going to be gone all day. Think you can take care of my pupils?
This was the first time Brock Lee met his future rivals. From behind Neji stepped up the young ANBU member Takachi Uchiha, the prodigy Obito Hatake, and the Hyuga clan heir Kuro Uchiha. They were known to be Konoha's greatest youth team, with all member of the team being Chunins, rather than Genin's.
"Excellent! We will have six people to test out the new training course!" Rock Lee cried out, howling with pride.
"Err… right. Well, good luck, kids!" Neji said with a somewhat sadistic smile, leaping into the woods.
Brock Lee eagerly stepped up to the newcomers, "Hello! I am Brock Lee, Taijutsu specialist of Team 24!"
The newcomers broke out in laughter. "Brock Lee? Like the vegetable?"
"Hey, it is a perfectly respectable name! What are your names, then?"
Kuro smiled, holding out his hand, "My name is Kair. Kair Rut." More laughter ensued.
"Stop laughing! I'm a great ninja, going to be the best Taijutsu specialist in all the village!"
"You're going to have to go through me to get there, then. I'm the best Taijutsu fighter in our age group," Kuro responded, flexing his arm and patting his bicep. His teammates snickered gleefully.
"Fine! I challenge you, Kair Rut!" Brock Lee declared, taking several steps back before leaping forward in a swift drop kick. Kuro dodged the move with little trouble, but as Brock hit the ground, he swung his leg around, catching Kuro by the ankle and sending him to the ground. Kuro landed on his hands and feet, though, and pushed himself into the air, over Brock. As he rose over Brock, he struck Brock's chest once with two fingers. Brock remained on the ground.
"The name's Kuro Hyuga. And I'm still the best," Kuro added, walking past Brock into the dojo.
I'll just keep challenging you, Kuro Hyuga, until I am the one who is the best!
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"Kuro Hyuga, I challenge you!" cried out Brock Lee, pointing at the Hyuga.
"Brock… I don't believe it… What kind of Divine conspires for this to happen?" Kuro asked, amazed.
"I will defeat you, my friend! The title of the best belongs to me!" he yelled in response, taking up his fighting stance.
"Fine… I accept your challenge, old friend," announced the Hyuga clan member, taking his own stance.
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"Brock Lee's successfully neutralized the stronger enemy. He should have no trouble with the other," Toru Shigi announced, raising from his sitting stance. "I shall remain here. Go to the Mizukage and obtain any information on Mist Village Jinchuuriki."
"But what if the other one breaks past Brock Lee?" came Azami Ohba's response, rising up with him.
"The Jinchuuriki's safety is priority. By the time he finds the Jinchuuriki, he'll be worn down and you can execute him. Do not worry about us, just go!"
Azami nodded and entered the village in a flash. Toru Shigi held his staff infront of himself and began to chant. The water under the bridge rose up, forming a massive wall of water behind Toru. The roar of the oceanic structure drowned out the noise made by Tsunami as he rode a small wave of his own creation. The water Sage almost didn't notice it, narrowly abandoning the bridge. As he did, the wall of water collapsed overtop Tsunami.
Toru landed on calmer water, further away from the bridge. The Blue Moccasin had avoided the crushing water, though, appearing behind the Sage and sneering, "I'm the master of water jutsu. You can't kill me like that!" With that, he jammed both of the Lightning Rod blades into Toru's back, but the body dispersed into water.
Clone… Typical…The roar of water could be heard again. Tsunami spun around and cried out in shock. The water rose high, taking the shape of a body. From each hand, the liquid shaped itself in the form of spears, which then froze into solid form. More spears were made on the titan's back. The titan gradually formed into something of a massive gladiator. Damn it, he's a water Sage, and he's entered Sage mode. Looks like I'll already have to summon my pretty, which means I need my chakra invoked.
Tsunami retreated back to the bridge, the water titan following slowly.
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Next Chapter: Two Tails (bwahaha, cliff hanger!)