Author's Note: Two more weeks till December sixth. Read, Review, Favorite and enjoy!
After Inoue had been knocked out Atsuko managed to cry herself to sleep on a bench, with Masunu just finishing putting a wool blanket he found in storage over her.
"There's only three of us left." Shikai noted watching the digital wheel go round and round on the randomizer. "You, me and Atsuko."
"I know, we came into this fight with the largest numbers and now we're down to less than half of our members." Masunu stated a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Not even just that. These fights are suppose to be random, but every competitor so far has used the same kind of technique as their opponents." Shikai stated as she put her hand on her chin in thought.
"Bug vs Bug, Animal vs Animal, Legendary Weapon vs Legendary Weapon and Ink vs Ink. It does seem like someone planned this. In addition to that, even though we're almost half way through the third exam, not a single one of the Fake Tails have been knocked out." Masunu stated eyeing the waiting areas for the other competitor's, which it should be noted consisted almost entirely of Fake Tails. "I say that, but the way the round is stacked to consist mostly of Fake Tail's, it's inevitable that at least one Fake Tail be knocked out of the fight. Ignoring that fact, it's only natural that they all have high level specs as well."
"The Fake Tails themselves are someone's experiment." Shikai narrowed her eyes to a glare. "Maybe whoever started didn't stop."
"However there is something else that makes me uneasy." Masunu turned his attention to the sleeping Atsuko, concern rooted deep in his eyes. "Because of the way that the line up is set up: A Fake Tail Vs Fake Tail fight is also inevitable."
"You think that something might happen to Atsuko?" Shikai asked glaring across the arena at their competition.
"If it was me, and I was stacking the fights to push the Fake Tails to their limits, I'd top that off with a battle of the two strongest Fake Tails. Anyone who thinks that Atsuko isn't one of the strongest is either a fool or insane." Masunu turned his attention away from Atsuko and narrowed a glare at their competition. "So the question becomes, whom among them is the strongest?"
On that note the board let out a ding ding signaling that it was done, only what appeared instead of names was two sets of question marks.
"We will announce the participants of the next fight after a short intermission! For now it's the recommendation of this announcer that everyone, especially our competitors, get something to eat!" Masaharu announced, prompting the audience members to all boo throw popcorn at the announcer's booth.
"Oi Atsuko." Masunu stated shaking Atsuko out of her sleep.
"Is it my turn?" The sleepy Atsuko asked in a low voice.
"No, lunch time." Masunu responded pulling Atsuko to her feet. "Come on. Food's just the thing you need to get your mind off of this rotten morning."
On that note the trio consisting of Atsuko, Shikai and Masunu all arrived at a restaurant that was near the arena, Hinata, Atsuko's mother, had taken the liberty of booking a private room in the back for the group. The trio entered through the front door and was met by a woman in a suit with a clipboard in hand.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Masunu Uchia, Shikai Nara and Atsuko Hyuga of the Hyuga party." Masunu stated indicating his two companions.
"Your table is this way." The woman stated double checking the clip board.
Being led through the restaurant Atsuko and the others noticed that the restaurant was quite popular, having the prime real estate of being right next to the stadium full of people who were tired of eating empty calories would have that effect on people. More importantly than that however the group noticed that all of their competition was there as well, as well as several of the genin that didn't make it into the third round.
"Hey that's them."
"The Konoha Team?"
"Yah. Suppose to be a bunch of big shots or something."
"Not according to what I heard, haven't won a single match during the whole thing."
"Man what a bunch of losers."
Masunu noted the dangerous sound of knuckles cracking coming from behind him, and saw that Shikai already had a firm grip on Atsuko's arm. Suddenly the sound of a explosion rocked the space behind them! Spinning around everyone saw one of the Genin that was taking about them was the victim of a small explosion. No serious injuries other than burnt hair standing on end and his skin being a shade darker.
"Must have had a fly in his soup." Laxus stated while he slurped a spoonful of noodles.
"Someone remind me to thank that guy for being such a glorified butt pain." Masunu stated as he and his two friends ducked underneath a curtain into the back room.
"I'll be back with some menus in a second." While the attendant went to get the Menus the trio look around the room and spotted a woman sitting at the table elegantly sipping tea.
"Mom?" Unable to hold her tears in any longer Atsuko collapsed into her mother's arms whom just patted her on her back as she cried into her robes. "They all got hurt so badly! Why did they fight for so long? They could've just given up before they got hurt!?"
"Shh. Shh. It's alright Atsuko." Hinata stated while she rubbed circles into Atsuko's back.
"She needed this." Shikai stated in a whisper to Masunu. "Fake Tails plus severe over anxiety disorder. Not a good combination." Masunu noted while he nodded his head.
"Crying for now is good Atsuko. But remember..." Atsuko wiped her tears from her face and looked at her mother in the eye. "After the hardship that your friends went through, you are not aloud to shed tears on the same ground that their blood was shed. So no going back to the arena until you're ready. Okay?" Hinata playfully scolded while she poked Atsuko on the nose.
"Yes Mother. Snuff. I understand." Atsuko stated some of the light back in her eyes now.
After that the group had a platter of Tofu dumplings and Miso soup before traveling back to the arena.
When they got back to the waiting area they all heard the ever pompous voice of Masaharu.
"And now for the moment you've all been waiting for! Let's hear it for...!" The question marks on the screen were replaced by the pictures and names of the next two competitors. "Miyako Terumi and Kong! Oh a home town favorite!" Masaharu stated excitedly, the audience appeared to share his excitement as they all got into a cheer with Masaharu's words.
Quotes like 'Give em Hell Miyako!' 'Turn em to Ashes!' echoed throughout the arena as the girl herself walked into the arena.
"They must really like Miyako." Atsuko noted while the red head in question walked into the arena with Kong.
"Pretty, powerful, daughter of a notable Hokage class figure. Atsuko, she's Kirigakure's version of you." Masunu stated in a obvious tone of voice.
On that note the Judge, Miyako and Kong all gathered together in the center of the arena.
"Mei since she's your daughter is there anything you'd like to share with the audience." Masaharu asked before Mei snatched his microphone out of his hand.
"KICK HIS BUTT MIYAKO! GIVE HIM A BEATING HE'LL NEVER FORGET!" Mei screamed cheerfully into the microphone, her daughter waving at her in response.
"Yeowza! Well looks like it's up to me this time. Kong is the young leader of the so-called flying monkey tribe of Iwagakure. On top of that he is also the Fake Tailed host of the Four Tails Son Goku." Masaharu stated shuffling the papers. "As for Miyako... lets just say for now she's inherited her mother's talents... and her temper."
"The ground rules, the first no Fake Tails or Sage mode. Secondly no attacking me, indirectly and accidents included. Thirdly if either participant doesn't want to participate any longer then they may choose to forfeit the match, or if I determine that the match should no longer continue I may end it and choose a winner. Now are you ready?" The judge asked eyeing both combatants suspiciously.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Miyako stated resting the tip of her weapon in the dirt.
"Feeling cocky today eh? In any case I'm ready!" Kong stated as he limbered up in anticipation.
"Ready? FIGHT!"
Once the Judge jumped out of the way Kong sucked in some air and spewed out a huge stream of Molten lava at Miyako. Miyako didn't even have time to dodge the attack as she was hit full on with a pressurized stream of lava, the entire arena covered in a thick layer of steam.
"What the? She didn't even dodge that attack?" Suddenly the entire audience burst out into laughter, finding Kong's confusion at the situation amusing.
As if to explain what was going Miyako sucked up the steam that she had produced through her mouth, she was unharmed, but her outer layer of clothing was scorched off leaving behind a black scale patterned leotard that covered her from her shoulders to her knees.
"Looks like Kong just fell for the oldest trick in Miyako's play book. She sprayed out a thick layer of water to turn the fire chakra into steam, then she ate it up to restore her chakra reserves!" Masaharu stated with literal 'on the edge of his seat' excitement.
"You're boring me." Suddenly Miyako plunged her weapon deep into the ground so that only the handle was sticking up now. "You should disappear."
"Uh oh! Miyako just shoved Hiramekarei into the ground! You know what that means!" Suddenly several men from Kirigakure evacuated the stands closest to the arena, all of the native villagers scampering to get away.
"Atsuko, we need to get a wall up! The arena is no longer safe to be around!" Granted, Masunu had no idea what was going on, but he got the impression that he should be preparing for the worst, so he and Atsuko brought up a wall of solid stone to block out whatever Miyako was planning.
Immediately the sound of explosion shook the entire arena as the stone wall collapsed, those within were shocked at what they saw.
"Steam Release: Seven Dragon circle."
From the earth at the edge of the arena seven steam geysers that had taken the form of giant dragons had erupted. The Giant dragons had destroyed the walls of the arena as well as most of the seats that were up next to them and were now menacingly glaring down on Kong.
"Two minuets thirty six seconds into the match before Miyako destroyed the arena! A new personal record!" Masaharu stated prompting the audience members to laugh.
"She... destroyed the arena..." Atsuko stated looking dumb struck shock.
"Again... apparently..." Shikai stated looking equally shocked.
"Looks like I'm going to have to change the rules again." The judge stated while he hid away in a corner of the arena.
Given how Miyako trains this might have been the expected result, but that was the middle of the woods, and this was in the middle of Kirigakure. Miyako looked in the direction of the Konoha resting area, and immediately noticed dried tear marks going down Atsuko's face.
"Atsuko?" At once Miyako began the process of trudging over to the Konoha section, dragging her foot that was attached to the Hiramekarei and in the process carving a trench into the ground as she went until she was standing next to the Konoha area. "Oi Atsuko what's wrong?"
"Ah... well..." Admittedly, Atsuko didn't really know what to make of this situation. She was still on giant steam dragons.
"Hey you!" Miyako turned around to see Kong who was still being chased after by the steam dragons. "We're having a fight here!" Kong shouted while he dodged another steam dragon.
"And I'm having a civilized conversation! Go play with the dragons if you're bored!" Miyako shouted back she sat down next to the blade.
"LAVA STYLE: ROAR!" Suddenly Kong fire another lava stream at Miyako.
Miyako, without even looking it should be noted, slammed her elbow into the on coming stream of lava and fired out a huge stream of water that cooled the lava, chopped the stone to bits, and shot them back at with incredible pressure and speed slamming Kong into one of the few remaining walls of the arena.
"Now sit down, shut up and don't bother me!" Miyako growled before she turned her attention back to the conversation at hand.
"Atsuko's not feeling well today. As someone who cares deep and profoundly for her comrades she is taking their defeats and their injuries hard." Masunu explained while he calmly sized up Miyako.
"Snake skin from a fire serpent, complete and totally heat proof. The perfect armor for a fire release user." Moving past Miyako Shikai recognized the same look of recognition on Masunu's face as well. "So he knows."
"There's this herbal tea joint on the other end of town that's suppose to have a blend that works great for depression and anxiety." Miyako stated attempting to sound supportive.
"You've tried it yourself?" Masunu asked of curiosity more than anything else.
"Haven't had the chance." Miyako explained while she shrugged her shoulders.
"Seems like you." Masunu stated returning the shrug.
"HEY!" Miyako only rolled her eyes as she observed Kong duck and weave through the Steam dragons to come after her. "I'm not done with you yet! LAVA STYLE...!"
"Lava Style: Shackle!" Before Kong could get another word several chains made out of Lava popped out of the the ground and wrapped around his mouth and his hands, binding his fingers so that he couldn't make any more hand seals. "Lava Style: Volcano."
"What did she just say?" Atsuko asked looking a little worried.
Suddenly the ground beneath Kong turned bright red before suddenly exploding, shooting a huge pillar of lava into the air with Kong as a unwilling passenger before throwing him across the entire city.
"Not quite a knockout. But I'll work with it anyway. I declare Miyako Terumi the Winner!" The judge stated hoisting Miyako's arm into the air, sending the entire crown into a uproar.
"Can I go now then?" Miyako asked in a tone of voice one might use to inquire about the weather.
"Really I don't think the arena would survive if you stayed." Just to make the Judge's point a section of wall fell off and landed next to the duo. "However much of it is left that is."
"Oi Atsuko!" In response to Miyako's harsh use of her name Atsuko just froze up. "I'm gonna go get a change of clothes and pick you up something for your nerves. Don't get the daylights kicked out of you until I get back okay?" Miyako stated as she left the arena.
"What just happened here?" Atsuko asked in a slightly scared tone of voice.
"Atsuko." On that note Shikai just gave Atsuko a pity filled pat on her back. "For what it's worth: it's better you then me."
Review Section:
Man With A Plan: I thought so.
Guest: Thank you for Saying so.
