A/N: Welcome back to the story followers, and welcome to any new faces reaching this point! Be sure to check out the author's note at the end to see how to get an earlier update if you're game! Son Goku has retained his lead over Kokuo for the week, please continue to vote as you can!
The Wolf and the Fox
Chapter 14 – Kunoichi Battle!
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Mei sighed as she looked over the scroll Ao had sent to report the status of the village in her leave, everything seemingly the same as when she had left. The economy was still recovering, the council still argued more than academy students and she still had no chance of announcing her choice for Rokudaime any earlier. It may have been selfish of her, but a big part of her just wanted to be done with the politics of her position; even if it would land her in a new political realm within Konoha, the first wife of a clan head. She just couldn't deny how happy the idea of staying by that handful of a blonde's side made her, sometimes she could easily compare herself to the likes of a schoolgirl enraptured by her first love. It was oddly intoxicating, she thought with a small smile gracing her lips.
Her green eyes moved from the scroll, focusing on the trees that surrounded the backyard of the house she would one day share with him. It was picturesque, and so was the small thought at the back of her mind. The image of a young boy with hair as spiky as his fathers, auburn in color like her own and those piercing blue-eyes she had fallen for all in one little person, happily riding on his father's strong shoulders as she fretted over the two not rough housing. It was an entirely simple dream, and it didn't involve her prowess as a kunoichi, but part of her knew that's what made her love the thought even more. It was the dream of what she would always be first, a woman that had met the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and raise a family with.
Her thought process broke before she could allow herself to sour the happy idea with thoughts of other women, the back door sliding open bringing her focus back. A smile came to her face when she found a pair of calm black eyes meeting her green, "Katsumi-chan, I was wondering when you'd be arriving, Tsunade-baa-chan didn't give you any trouble, did she?"
The Uchiha seemed a little nervous at the mention of the blonde Sannin, "She is unnaturally frightening when you surprise her or she is not expecting you, thankfully Mikoto-sama seems well versed in calming her," she sighed, very thankful for the older Uchiha preoccupying the Sannin, all it took was a cry of "Sensei!" Then, the two had happily embraced and went about their way, leaving her to sense out Mei's presence.
"You get used to those two, or so I keep telling myself," Mei giggled, earning a small smile from Katsumi. "If I don't call her baa-chan I get much of the same, she means nothing by it really or so Naruto tells me," she continued thoughtfully, though she had taken the opportunity to mention her future husband on purpose. A knowing look coming to her face when she saw the restrained mood of the Uchiha seem to immediately brighten.
"How do you think the Chuunin exams are going?" the black haired young woman asked, taking a seat next to her on the edge of the back porch.
"Naru-kun has most likely been roped into doing even more than he originally agreed to, I'm beginning to see that Sandaime-sama does have a way of giving him things he can't simply turn down," Mei chuckled, basically just repeating one of Naruto's own suspicions from one of his 'Dirty Old Monkey Rants,' she had been witness to. "But, if I was a betting woman, I'd say the team I brought along made it through the second stage, Naru-kun's students as well."
"He does talk rather fondly of his students, and Sasuke-kun has been showing some improvement when I've had the time to help with his training," Katsumi offered, earning a small smile from Mei.
"Why don't we have a spar of our own, I am rather curious to find out how strong you are," she smiled, earning a confused look from the Uchiha.
"Don't you think Tsunade-sama will be mad if we let things get out of hand and destroy her yard?" Katsumi asked with a tinge of worry, apparently Tsunade had given her a lasting impression.
"Don't worry, anything I can't fix I'll convince Naru-kun to when he gets home tonight," she smiled, earning a small nod from Katsumi, even if she still seemed unsure. "How about this, just to liven things up, we can make a bet of sorts."
"A bet?"
"Exactly," Mei smiled, practically hearing Naruto calling her a troublesome minx right now. "If I win, you have to agree to train with me while I'm here in Konoha, and if you win," she paused taking on a mock thinking pose, Katsumi seemingly raising a brow at the theatrics. "I'll have Naru-kun take you out on a fancy date!" she smiled, the expression becoming almost predatory when she saw Katsumi's face become as red as a tomato.
"A-are you sure, wo-wouldn't that bo-bother you being h-his f-fiancée and all?" she stammered, her embarrassment making Mei want to squeal at how adorable she was.
She gave the black haired woman an innocently confused look, "Katsumi-chan, it's just a simple date, and besides he is expected to take on multiple wives," yeah, Naruto had pegged it right on the head, she really was a troublesome minx. The Mizukage had said this walking out into the backyard that was mostly used for training, even if the Senju compound actually had several facilities specifically designed for training needs.
Katsumi followed her out, now standing across from the busty auburn haired woman with a calm look in her eyes, "I accept your terms, any rules you'd like to implement?" The question was asked while she activated her Eternal Mangekyo, the unique pattern analyzing her opponent with no small amount of scrutiny.
"No killing blows, everything else goes," Mei smirked challengingly, her eyes focusing on the woman's midsection instead of her eyes; this wasn't her first time sparring against a sharingan after all.
"Very well," Katsumi gave a small smile, the space around her arm actually swirling and contorting before a katana appeared from a wormhole of sorts. Not even a second later she was the first to charge in, Mei answering with her own. Both seemingly unaware or uncaring of the older woman now watching them from the porch.
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"Winner, Chojuro of Kirigakure," Naruto announced, the usually timid boy already walking away from the downed Kankuro. The Suna Shinobi had been caught completely off guard by how quickly Chojuro's personality had changed, like a switch being flipped. His puppets had lasted against the boy's Suiton and Kenjutsu style about as long as that Oto Shinobi, Zaku, had lasted against Shino's hive.
The puppet user flinched slightly at the nearly unnoticeable glare sent his way, it had been a part of the plan for him to actually win this match. His sensei looked anything but happy as he finally made his way to the balcony, his sister giving him a sympathetic look while Gaara just continued to glare at the blonde proctor. Just as he had since before the Hokage had chosen to begin his speech when every team had been gathered and lined up.
"The next match will be Kurosaki Buntan of Kirigakure versus, Haruno Sakura of Konohagakure," said blonde announced after the randomizer had finished.
Sakura felt her eyes widen as she looked to the adjacent balcony, Buntan offering her a small challenging smirk. The last time she and Buntan had met, the girl's unique speed had absolutely outclassed her strength in every way possible. She forced herself from jumping when she felt a hand land on her shoulder, looking to find Menma giving her that foxy grin of his.
"You're a lot stronger than the last time we fought her, you've got this," he said, that grin becoming a cheesy smile full of the confidence she had in him. Looking past him she caught sight of Sasuke nodding his head and Kakashi giving her that infamous eye smile.
"Haruno Sakura, join us on the field," she actually did jump at the stern order from her other sensei, looking down to find Buntan and him waiting expectantly. Not wanting to delay any longer, and risk pissing Naruto-sensei off, she quickly vaulted over the railing landing gracefully.
"Good luck, Sakura-san, you'll need it more than the first time we met," Buntan smirked, pulling her katana and showing off those shark-like teeth of hers.
Sakura said nothing in response, only pulling a single kunai in preparation, she knew for all she had trained and learned Buntan was right. Any shinobi of civilian background would be hard pressed against someone with a Kekkei Genkai like the blonde haired girl's.
"You may begin," Naruto called, once more vanishing from the field.
Buntan was the first to move, for some reason not using that strange kekkei genkai of hers to close the distance quicker. But, nonetheless, Sakura answered the same way she had back on the Bridge of Seven, "Doton: Iwa no Yoroi!" The call was quick and the manifestation of the technique far quicker than the last time Buntan had seen it, the concrete floor quickly wrapping around the pinkette in an armor.
Sakura then charged in to meet Buntan after the blonde had run more than half the distance, bringing up a single forearm to stop the girl's sword. When the blonde realized it wasn't going to work, her Swift Release came into play, her leg blurring out before landing straight across Sakura's shoulder. Her eyes widened however, seeing the Konoha kunoichi tank her speed enhanced kick; just now seeing how not only had the earthen armor moved up to defend, but Sakura had channeled chakra to her feet to keep her anchored.
"Shannaro!" Sakura yelled, responding with a front kick that found Buntan's chest.
The blonde was shot back, rolling across the ground with her sword falling from her grasp. Some, while surprised by the strength behind Sakura's attack, thought that was the match. But, Buntan had surprised them by picking herself up, holding her side for a moment before releasing it to wipe the small trail of blood on her chin. Her blue eyes glaring defiantly into the green of Sakura's.
It was the pinkette's turn to be caught by surprise, her eyes widening as Buntan disappeared from her spot and reappeared in nearly the same second, a solid kick connecting with Sakura's head and sending her sailing to the left. But, unlike when she had struck Buntan, she found her bearings midair and flipped to land on her feet, already dodging to avoid the axe kick aimed at her head. She had never been more thankful to have been trained by Tsunade, who was not only strong, but far faster than most people would ever give her credit for; Naruto not holding back his speed a great deal when he led team training had also helped develop her danger senses.
Before the blonde could get off another strike, Sakura took the chance to move back with several flips, throwing two kunai to force Buntan from her own position. When she landed, her eyes widen only a fraction at seeing a suiton jutsu coming her way. Thinking fast, her hands moved through the seals before she crouched and slammed her hands to the ground.
"Doton: Doryuheki!"
Buntan growled at seeing her technique stopped so easily, but smirked as she ran through four more hand seals. "Raikyu!" she called, at least fifteen balls of lightning appearing around her before shooting off towards Sakura.
In the same moment, after seeing the water attack stopped in its tracks, Sakura moved in a way that reminded Hiruzen of his female student. She took her chakra enhanced strength and punched the wall she had created, launching the shrapnel straight for Buntan, or rather her Raikyu. The bits of earth didn't stand a chance, forcing Sakura to jump high into the air and away, less those balls hit the water around her and seriously harm her.
She realized her mistake when Buntan once more fazed from her position, reappearing in the air with her, axe kick finally connecting as it rocketed the pinkette into her own personal crater.
"She's gotten much stronger since you all faced Raiga, but she won't be enough to match Buntan," Zabuza smirked, once more speaking to the blonde as their students faced off.
Naruto chuckled, "All Buntan-chan has done this entire time is piss Sakura off, maybe you should ask Menma what happens when you piss her off?" The feared swordsman looked at the blonde with a nonexistent raised brow, wondering what a mood shift would do to help the pinkette against his student's speed.
Across the way, Yuhi Kurenai was looking at the two young kunoichi with pride in her eyes, it was always wonderful to see two young girls taking their career this seriously. "You've trained her well Kakashi, and she seems to just absorb any damage," she noted, watching as Sakura picked herself up and the two girls were off once more.
"I'd like to take credit for that, but I've mostly just taught her teamwork and a few Doton, Katon and Gen jutsu, Tsunade-sama has had the largest effect on her growth," The scarecrow admitted, nonetheless watching with pride as Sakura fought tooth and nail. It hadn't been a change he thought capable when reading her file all those months ago when the teams had been formed.
"Yosh! I can see Naruto-kun's youth in her movements and the way she responds, he must've had a hand involved!" Gai proclaimed, immediately souring Kurenai's mood.
"Hm, did you say something Gai?" Kakashi immediately popped his bubble, earning a laugh from Anko who stood not far away, next to the Hokage.
Back in the combatant's field, Sakura and Buntan were once more standing across from each other, panting heavily; the surrounding area destroyed as Sakura had resorted to more of her taijutsu strength with Buntan's sword still laying forgotten. "You're a lot stronger than the last time we met, I guess a little more than a month does that," the blonde smirked, still trying to catch her breath.
"You've gotten stronger yourself, but not enough to beat me," Sakura strongly replied, shocking Buntan when she ran through a new set of hand seals. "Katon: Endan (Fire Release: Flame Bomb)!" the second element being revealed slightly surprising Buntan, along with its larger than average size.
But, being quick to respond, the blonde formed her own set of hand seals. "Suiton: Mizurappa!" she called before her cheeks puffed and she exhaled her technique.
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"Katon: Goukyakyu no Jutsu!"
"Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!"
Mei and Katsumi exclaimed at nearly the same moment, both attacks exploding forward to collide and form steam that now shrouded the backyard. Their fight had escalated nearly from the very beginning, both women proving to be extremely competitive in nature.
Mei had quickly disarmed Katsumi of her weapon, forcing the Uchiha woman to use pure taijutsu against her and while Mei preferred it to fighting a sword unarmed; she wasn't on the same level as Katsumi when it came to taijutsu. The black haired woman excelled in her uniquely different interpretation of the infamous Geigeki Ken (interceptor fist) and, if not for Mei's years of battle experience, would've easily overwhelmed her. They had essentially fought on every aspect of shinobi combat, even branching into their own versions of Genjutsu and using their different Kekkei Genkai.
The Godaime Mizukage had even managed to temporarily trap the Uchiha within a Genjutsu that had made the Nidaime Mizukage quite feared, at least her own weaker form; after all she didn't have the Clam contract to use as he did. But, she had tweaked it in such a way that the mist she created did indeed induce an illusion. Once Katsumi had been caught in it, she had barely broken it and gotten away from the mist before Mei could manipulate its properties thanks to her Futton (Boil Release). Anything that was still touching the mist had been melted, for a moment making Katsumi wonder two things about her opponent.
The first, of course being to question if the Mizukage remembered that this indeed was a spar and not an actual battle.
The second, was wondering if the Godaime was some sort of sadist. The predatory smirk on her face when the mist had cleared certainly made Katsumi think so.
But, Katsumi had also pulled several stunts that left Mei shocked and surprised as well. Namely, when the woman had used the second ability of her Kamui, as she called it, to avoid any physical attacks Mei sent her way. The auburn haired Kage had nearly lost her mind when her fist actually just went through the Uchiha, only for the woman to send a haymaker in response. Certainly wiping out any suspicion she had at the moment of the Uchiha using a simple Bunshin to evade her attack.
While not only adding that surprise factor, it was the unique component that set her taijutsu apart from that of Itachi, Shishui or even Izumi that she had sparred with in the past. Not to mention, the woman a year younger had a monstrous affinity for Katon, matching her own affinity for Suiton, maybe even nearing the league of Naruto's natural ability with Suiton.
Needless to say, the backyard was in complete and utter disrepair; Naruto was sure to be annoyed by this when he did finally come home in the evening. But, Tsunade hadn't said a word about the destruction from where she and Mikoto sat on the porch watching, liberally enjoying their Sake and conversing.
"My cute little Gennin surely does attract powerful and interesting women," Mikoto giggled, watching as the two woman once more met in the center; both still trying to feel for any weakness or give in the other's defense.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes unnoticeably in a knowing way, "Katsumi-chan seems more proficient with her sharingan than you are, Mikoto, why is that?" She chose to ask rather than pointing out a suspicion she had recently come to involving her old student.
"While the Mangekyo is powerful, it has its drawbacks," Mikoto began, pausing to down the saucer of sake she had. "However, those drawbacks are completely void when you come into possession of the Eternal Mangekyo. Not only that, but if the immediate relative you get the eyes from has different traits to your own, you can now use those traits. If not, the traits or rather techniques are just marginally increased in power," she explained with a smile as she poured herself some more of the rice wine.
Tsunade nodded in acceptance, there was still a great deal she didn't and in all honesty wouldn't know about the techniques and abilities of the Uchiha. Even Naruto had completely hidden what he knew of it from her and Jiraiya, out of respect for any secret or forbidden technique Mikoto or Itachi had taken the liberty of teaching him. Her attention was broken from her musings as she cringed when Mei finally managed to connect with a punch to Katsumi's jaw, and while not as strong or chakra enhanced as her own, it was a punch that sent the Uchiha woman flying.
Katsumi groaned as she sat up, rubbing her jaw as her exhaustion finally caught up to her, the aches in her body making themselves known. Mei apparently felt it too as her hands went to her knees, propping herself up as she breathed heavily.
"Maybe, that's enough for today," Katsumi offered, moving herself to sit on her knees as she caught her breath.
"Agreed, we have been at this long enough for those two to finish six bottles each after all," Mei laughed as she took the opportunity to sit down. "Since there was no clear winner, how about we train when we can and I still convince Naru-kun to take you out to dinner," she offered with a small wink, bringing a blush to Katsumi's face
The Uchiha huffed slightly, turning her head away to where her wild mane of carefully braided black hair would hide her deepening blush. "D-Deal," she finally muttered, having most likely taken a few moments to calm her nerves. She still didn't entirely understand why Naruto, or just the mention of going on a date with him had this effect on her. But, when she was face to face with him none of this even happened, no blushing or stuttering to be had; she believed it was the Nara Clan that would call this troublesome.
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"Winner, Haruno Sakura of Konohagakure!" Naruto announced, his pink haired student a moment later falling to her knee and then completely unconscious, joining Buntan in the state. In the blonde's opinion, his student had gotten hold of what he rationalized as the fifty percent chance victory; her combination of wit, brawn and durability managing to outlast Buntan's combination of speed and strength.
Regardless, the match had become a nail bitter with how equally worn the girls had become towards the end. Buntan having the misfortune of letting her guard down at the last moment as she attacked a simple bunshin of Sakura, allowing the pink haired girl to burst from the ground and connect with a devastating uppercut.
After watching his female student fall out, he quickly signaled a second medical team to transport her to the medical wing of the tower, right alongside Buntan. Then his mismatched eyes looked over the destroyed grounds before regarding the remaining contestants, "We'll take a twenty-minute break to fix up the grounds for the next match, after which we will continue the preliminary matches," he called, signaling the team of chuunin designated for this job to get to work.
Kakashi pushed himself from the wall, looking over to his two male students, "I'm going to check on Sakura's condition, you two be sure to stay out of trouble," he eye smiled before disappearing in a shunshin.
Menma sighed as he folded his arms and leaned against the railing, slowly becoming more and more impatient for his own match. But, just as he was about to actually voice his annoyance to Sasuke, he looked past the Uchiha to see Ino looking towards the field with a downcast look. Raising a crimson brow, he told Sasuke he'd be back in a moment and moved over to the kunoichi, who was standing a short distance from her team.
"Ino-chan, you okay?" he voiced his concern, startling the girl who had apparently been too lost in her thoughts to notice him. A frown came to his face when he noticed a forced smile come to her face, whatever was bothering her clearly eating at her.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Menma-kun," she said, flinching slightly when she noticed his frown, he clearly wasn't buying it. "Actually, no, I'm not," she relented, whispering in an attempt to not draw attention to them. "Seeing Sakura fight so hard, and actually win, it's just hard to accept how far I've fallen behind her in terms of strength," she frowned, Menma mirroring the expression.
"You shouldn't measure yourself against others, you're a different shinobi compared to Sakura-chan, so there's going to be a gap," he started, not liking it when her frown deepened. "But, that doesn't mean you can't change that with some hard work and training, I can even help you if you want!"
Ino looked up to see him punctuating his offer with that foxy grin of his, turning her frown into a very small smile. "I'd appreciate that, Menma-kun, but it doesn't really change how tough it really is to see it," she said.
Menma's foxy grin faded, to be replaced by possibly the sincerest smile she had ever seen. "You may not see it yet, Ino-chan, but keep your head up and work hard, I believe in you more than you know," she couldn't help the blush that came to her face at his words.
Not many aside from her family had proclaimed their belief in her, even fewer so persistently because they didn't like seeing her sad. Shock gave way, and Menma blushed at the beautiful smile that graced her lips, the look of appreciation and something else in her eyes making him oddly nervous. He nearly jumped when she moved to hug him, not really used to this warm feeling from one of his peers. But, he returned it just before she pulled away, her own cheeks stained scarlet. "Thank you, Menma-kun," he laughed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, that cheesy grin splitting his face.
Neither of them noticed Asuma watching with a small smile on his face, Menma probably didn't have the first clue just how important what he said would always be to Ino. Giving his student and the crimson haired boy their space, he turned his black eyes towards Kurenai, a smile of his own coming to his face when she looked back to him. The knowing smile on her face was all it took for him to know she was onto him, but honestly he couldn't have cared less.
Sasuke for his part, had also been watching the happening between his two peers, a small smile coming to his face for his best friend. The crimson haired boy had finally told him what he had done on their last day in the forest, something for the life of him he couldn't even remember. His hand subconsciously went to the mark on his shoulder, the dull ache beginning to heighten, contorting his face ever so slightly. It did this when he began to dwell on something, especially his guilt over having not only attacked Menma and Sakura, but Ino as well. The pain subsided as he forced the thoughts from his mind, nearly jumping when he caught a set of pale eyes watching him, a nervous smile worn by the bearer. He was quick to turn his gaze away, trying and failing, to hide the light dusting that went across his cheeks.
"Thank you all for waiting," Naruto's voice resounded from the ground below them. "Will Sabaku no Temari and Tenten of Konohagakure please join me on the field, your match will be next."
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"We've caught word from our benefactor that something very interesting will be happening within Konohagakure in the coming month, brought on by our stray no less," A deep, entirely emotionless voice droned. His only response being several serious looks from various sets of glowing eyes from the silhouettes within the room. His violet ringed eyes looked over them for a moment before continuing, "Orochimaru plans to attack the leaf, at the end of the Chuunin exams in an attempt to catch them off guard and eliminate the village from the picture," at this, a scoff interrupted him, causing his violet eyes to look unflinchingly into a pair of crimson sharingan across from him.
"The snake has grown foolish with the years, to attempt something so near sighted when his former teammates, Senso no Okami and two separate kage will be present," the sharingan reflected nothing, not even a sense of worry at the ominous gaze bearing down on them.
"At least you have been doing your work and keeping up with their status, however have you and your partner managed to find any leads on the Sanbi?" the eyes asked, choosing to not reprimand the man across from him.
"No sign of the beast, but the stick in the mud apparently has his suspicions," a pair of shark-like eyes, next to the sharingan, answered with an eye roll. Apparently, the sharingan wielder would not be taking the bait of name calling, not that he ever did.
"Regardless, it will not be time for us to move for several more years," the owner of the rippled violet eyes spoke, choosing to ignore his subordinates. "But, I would like you two, Fugaku and Kisame, to probe the village while they take a month to prepare for the various dignitaries that will attend the exams they're holding; I'm sure you have some unfinished business you'd like to attend to, Fugaku-san?"
The reaction was immediate, the glare intensified by the man's Eternal Mangekyo activating at the mention of his business. But, the leader didn't even blink, brushing off the killing intent like Fugaku was no more than a housefly to him. "You have your mission, you two may leave and I want a detailed report on the happenings," he ordered, the Uchiha fazing from existence before he could even finish. "Keep your eyes on him, Kisame," he ordered, the owner of the shark-like eyes nodding before vanishing as well.
"Meishu-sama, was it wise allowing Fugaku to be the one to probe the leaf, Senso no Okami would stop at nothing to end that man," a hunched form questioned respectfully, bloodshot beady eyes looking up to him.
"It was a directive given directly from our benefactor, he seems to have some sort of plan for Uchiha Fugaku. However, I'll still be sending Zetsu to record any data of interest, I expect Fugaku-san will run into Senso no Okami early on," he said, before continuing to order his two man teams out on their separate missions, waiting to call Zetsu to him.
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Naruto watched from the statue of the ram seal, as everything Tenten sent at the daughter of the Kazekage was completely blown away. The blonde haired kunoichi hadn't even moved from the spot she had started in nearly five minutes ago, a look of superiority gracing her as Tenten braced herself for another gale of wind. "With Tenten choosing to keep this distance, she's basically handing the victory to Temari, as if she couldn't level the playing field out by simply moving in," he thought to himself.
Temari had boldly claimed, after revealing the first star of her fan, that when the third appeared this match would be over. Considering Tenten had just unleashed her supposed ultimate technique, and Temari was still only on the second, he had no issues believing her claim. But, he still felt as if this wasn't so much a bad match up as it was one kunoichi not utilizing her prowess with weapons and giving into the other's strengths. He wanted to cringe when Tenten fell from the air and collided with the ground, having trouble in forcing herself up.
"I'm done with this," Temari called with a frown, flicking her fan open to its full size before calling forth a surprisingly powerful gale. Even Naruto, in his current position, was forced to partially shield his eyes as the attack ripped across the field. When it hit, the attack didn't stop, taking Tenten back into the air in a twister of sharp winds, cutting and slicing her in various places. The onslaught lasted a full minute before Tenten was finally released from it, Temari giving the girl a cruel look before flicking her fan shut and positioning it to where Tenten could land on it. A move that seriously could've injured the weapons specialist.
So, taking his duty into his hands, Naruto blurred in a burst of speed appearing midair to catch the unconscious Gennin. Temari looked at him surprised when he landed in a standing positon atop her fan, with all the grace of a cat as he effortlessly stood on the thin surface.
"That's the end of the match, winner Sabaku no Temari," he called out, flipping off of the girl's fan a moment later. "I will remind you Gennin one more time, to refrain from any disfiguring or debilitating strikes, especially when the match is clearly over," it was punctuated with an icy stare, Temari looking away with a blush and shameful look.
"My apologies, Proctor-kun," she spoke, finally meeting his eyes after a moment, making him relax his stance.
"Very well," he honestly hated being so limited in what he could say or do, having to cut most of his nature and personality out was a real pain. A moment later, a medic came to take Tenten from his arms, Temari already making her way back to her team. The girl not even receiving a single congratulatory compliment from any of them. The blonde shook the thought from his head as he turned his eyes to the randomizer as it worked, a groan immediately following its decision and a smile came to his face knowing exactly who it was.
"The next match with be between, Tsuchi Kin of Otogakure and Nara Shikamaru of Konohagakure!"
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A/N: Whelp, that's all I've got for the week, we're currently sitting at 185 reviews and 896 followers. If we reach 200 reviews or 1000 followers before next week's update, I'll be dropping a chapter the moment we reach either, two if both goals are reached. Regardless, I hope you all enjoyed this update where I decided to namely focus on our cast of Kunoichi, because let's be honest guys, we wouldn't be anywhere without the women in our lives, lol. Y'all have a good week and I'll be looking forward to updating next week or sooner if our goals are met!