Chapter Fifteen: The Preliminaries
Ren looked continuously at the screen to make sure he was reading right. Yep, it still read his name alongside Gaara's for the first match. Damn. It wasn't that Ren felt he couldn't beat the red-haired panda-boy. On the contrary, he knew all too well that he could beat Gaara. And that wasn't even counting his status as a jinchuriki, like Gaara. He had always figured he might have to deal with the one-tail jinchuriki in some manner. When the chunin exams came around, he just hadn't expected to be so soon. He had planned on it being during the finals. He honestly shouldn't have been so surprised. Since when did things ever go according to plan, how he wanted them to? Fun times indeed.
Ren couldn't help but notice that while Gaara was keeping a stoic look. The feeling of his killing intent was leaking out and directed on to him. Not that it really bothered him, after dealing with Orochimaru. Gaara really didn't seem all that threatening in comparison. To be fair, there weren't that many who could more threatening than what the snake sannin was. Ren kept his gaze locked on Gaara as everyone else filed up to the viewing area. Individuals having their thoughts on the first match-up of the preliminaries.
"Why did it have to be him, to fight Gaara?" Temari mused. "Ever since the encounter before the exams. Gaara and the demon within him have been wanting his blood. This could get out of hand real quick, Gaara doesn't listen that well. When his bloodlust is so dead set on someone."
Kankuro grunted in agreement. "Doesn't help that the other guy is like Gaara. Though he seems to have a much better grip on his demon than Gaara does."
"That boy is a demon vessel as well?" Cut in Pakura.
Temari nodded in response. "When he and Gaara first met. Both were able to sense what the other was."
Pakura said nothing in response, not out loud anyway. "Two jinchuriki fighting one another, interesting."
A little down the ways all the Konoha teams were gathered next to each other. With the one Mist team to their right and the Kusa team to their left.
"I'm worried about Ren in this match-up" Spoke Kiba with concern. "That Gaara guy is really bad news." Akamaru whimpered in agreement. A fact that didn't get past Tsume, Inuzuka nin hounds weren't easily frightened. Seeing Akamaru so visibly scared sent off red flags for her.
"What do you mean Kiba?" Tsume asked her son. All the other leaf ninja were also now focused on the conversation.
"Well, here's what happened…" Kiba, Hinata, and Shino all then explained what they had seen. Not leaving out any details about what Gaara had done to the unfortunate team from Rain. By the time the explanation was done, they all looked a little disturbed by the information.
"Kami, for anyone to kill in such a fashion. Especially a genin at that." Muttered Kurenai.
"I knew that guy was fucked in the head but still." Commented Tayuya.
"It is a disturbing revelation but if anyone can handle this Gaara. It will be Ren we must have faith." Haku stated from behind her mask.
"Exactly! No way my cousin is losing to this nut!" Exclaimed Ino.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that one Ino." Thought Shikamaru as he analyzed the situation. "If even half of what we were just told is true. This fight could honestly go either way. Ren has his work cut out for him with this guy." Similar thoughts were being shared by Kakashi.
"You've been given quite the opponent Ren. Just how will you go about handling this I wonder?" Kakashi thought in curiosity as he raised his headband to reveal his Sharingan. He had a feeling he would need it as he watched this fight.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru was in disguise as the jonin-sensei for the Oto team. Looked on with barely contained interest.
"Isobu, how much of a problem could my curse cause in this fight?" Ren thought to his tenant.
"With the snake's corruptive influence gone, it won't eat nearly as much out of you as it otherwise would of." Explained the Sanbi.
"Good, the last thing I need is for that damn thing to give me problems mid-fight with someone like Gaara. Panda-boy really wants to squish me with his sand from what I can tell. I know Shukaku is on our side now, but he can only control Gaara so much."
"Have faith in your skill and strength and all shall be well hatchling."
Ren simply smirked in response from behind his mask at Isobu's encouragement. As he watched Gaara takes his position about fifteen yards away from him. As the match was set to begin.
"Ren Yamanaka." Gaara called out in his gravelly voice. "Last we met you said that the strength you find in protecting others. Is greater than the strength I have by fighting only for myself. Now we shall see just how true that is."
"I spell it out for you letter by letter if I have to." Ren retorted.
"If both fighters are ready." Called out Hayate. "I hereby proclaim the first match of the preliminaries, to begin!" Hayate then jumped back to put plenty of space between himself and the fighters.
Ren immediately activated his Ketsuryūgan but didn't draw KubiKiribocho. With someone like Gaara, his sword could easily become more of a hindrance than a help. He would have to play his cards carefully with it, to make it useful in the fight.
He quickly went through hand signs. "Lightning Release: Feast of Lightning!" Ren yelled as Lightning chakra built up and launched in the form of three large lightning bolts at the redhead. Gaara's sand shield circled around him for protection as the attack struck. Causing a mass explosion of electricity and sand.
Gaara looked through a gap in his shield dome as the dust and debris settled around from the attack. It had caused him to lose sight of his target from behind the blast. Then something happened he wouldn't have expected. Through the gap, an arm suddenly shot its way into the inside of the sand shield dome. His sand however quickly clamped on the arm leaving only the hand exposed.
"A foolish move Ren Yamanaka." Gaara growled as he was about to command his sand to engulf the rest of his opponents being.
"Not exactly." Ren replied calmly. "Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang!" He suddenly yelled as lightning chakra built up in his hand and launched at Gaara, who had no hope of escaping or blocking it.
"AAAAHHHH!" A horrible pain-filled scream came from Gaara as the lightning jutsu connected. The sand dome suddenly exploded and Gaara's form was tossed back. As Gaara stood back up he felt pain course through his body, he felt something warm on his left shoulder. He looked and saw it stained red. "Blood! I'M BLEEDING!" He howled in panic.
The rest of the Suna team was left momentarily speechless. Never had they seen anyone land a hit on Gaara before. Let on actually hurt or make him bleed no less. However, that shock was quickly replaced with worry as they saw the redhead's state.
"This's bad I've never seen Gaara like this before." Spoke Temari in concern.
"He must not have had his sand armor up. No way he was expecting someone to do something as crazy as what that guy just did. Not that it probably would have done much against such an attack at that range." Kankuro replied.
"You don't think he'll go too far with things?"
"With how fast things are spiraling out of control, who knows?"
"I will kill you, Yamanaka!" Yelled Gaara as he commanded all his sand to surge forward at the mocha-skinned blond.
"Shit!" Ren exclaimed as he had to quickly dodge around the fast streams of sand. "This sand is a lot faster than one would think." Ren quickly jumped back and into the air and tossed multiple exploding kunai. At both the sand tendrils and Gaara. The sand quickly formed a defense around Gaara and successfully protected him. While the sand tendrils were blown away, giving Ren some breathing room. As Ren landed on the ground he quickly reached into his tool pouch and pulled out a hand full of smoke bombs. He threw them against the ground and he was quickly engulfed and hidden from view by the smokescreen.
"That won't help you, Yamanaka!" Gaara yelled as his sand shot forward once more. Plowing into the smoke, Ren quickly jumped out to the side to avoid the sand as it did.
"Interesting move Ren, I wonder what it is you're planning?" Kakashi wondered.
"What do you mean Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Things with Ren aren't quite as they appear. Just keep watching and I'm sure you'll see eventually."
The rest of the Konoha genin couldn't help but make a quick inquisitive glance at the silver-haired jonin. Though the other jonin kept their eyes on the fight, seemingly knowing what Kakashi was talking about.
Gaara kept launching his sand tendrils around but the Yamanaka kept dodging. His anger and frustration growing further the longer he failed to kill the one that made him bleed. "I will not lose to you!" Gaara yelled in a frenzied manner. "I will prove my strength is greater than yours! My existence will not be forgotten! I will validate my reason for existing! I will kill you and validate my reason to live!"
"Is that so Gaara!?" Ren called out as he continued to dodge the sand with all the speed and agility he could muster. The sand really was difficult to avoid. "You're doing a very poor job of doing so then! I thought you to be better than this!" Ren spoke egging on the jinchuriki of the one-tail.
"Don't you mock me! DON'T YOU DARE MOCK ME!" Gaara yelled as he began to lose the last of his restraints in his fury. Suddenly a painful expression etched itself on Gaara's face. He clutched his head and he seemed to be muttering to himself, then he ceased to do so. His arms hung limply at his side, a psychotic cheshire like grin spread across his face. As he then began to laugh in a disturbed manner. Then something happened that caused everyone in the room to look with worry.
Sand began to form around Gaara's right arm and partially around the right side of his head. When done his arm had transformed into a monstrous clawed sand arm. The side of his face had taken a monstrous appearance made of sand, his one eye having turned black with a sickly yellow.
"No, no, no! This's going extremely bad! There's no telling what will happen at this rate!" Temari thought with immense dread and fear.
"What the hell is happening down there!?" Naruto exclaimed. Though everyone else seemed too shocked, by this turn of events to reply.
"Oh fuckberries, he's starting to transform! I need to end this quickly before things get out of control!" Ren thought in worry as he pulled out another exploding kunai and threw it at Gaara as he charged forward.
Gaara brought up his transformed arm and blocked it as it exploded. The blast temporarily obscuring his view. Feeling a presence above him, Gaara turned his head. He saw the Yamanaka in the air above him with his sword drawn and ready to strike. Gaara smirked in predatory satisfaction as he quickly whipped his sand arm up. It moved faster than the mocha-skinned blond could react, the sand connected solidly. Halting Ren and suspending him in the air as it wrapped around him. As this happened, KubiKiribocho fell from Ren's grip and embedded into the ground, blade first only a few feet in front of Gaara.
"Sand Coffin!" Yelled Gaara as the sand finished encasing Ren leaving only his head showing. Everyone else could only seem to look on in horror at this turn of events.
"Stop the fight, for kami's sake! He's gonna kill him!" Roared Sasuke but it was too late.
"Sand Burial!" Yelled Gaara in sadistic glee.
"AAAAAAHHHH!" Ren yelled out as the sand crushed his entire being, in a sandy explosion. Time seemed to stand still for everyone as they saw him seemingly be crushed to death. Just as grief began to seemingly take hold of them.
The Ren inside the sand disappeared in a poof, to almost everyone's complete shock. Before Gaara or anyone else had time to fully register this, the KubiKiribocho in front of the redhead. Suddenly burst in a cloud of smoke, revealing the real Ren with his blade strapped to his back. The large scroll he had been carrying since the start of the exams. Was fully unrolled and facing away from Ren but towards Gaara. As the Yamanaka fed chakra into it.
Suddenly the scroll seemed to explode in a massive geyser of red water. That hit and engulfed Gaara completely, like a small tidal wave. It washed him away from Ren from the tremendous force of it. By the time the contents of the scroll emptied, it looked as though a small lake's worth of red water flooded the whole arena. Blanketing the battle floor in roughly an inch of red water. Ren stood on top of the water and made a quick cut on a finger and squeezed some of his blood into it. The water turned darker like crimson from it as he added chakra to the water.
Gaara began to stand back up but there was a problem, his entire body had been soaked to the bone. His sand that had formed onto his body was gone. The force of the water blast having knocked him out of his partially transformed state. He was also facing another problem with his sand. Normally he could always call upon more sand from the environment around for more. Being inside a building made that a non-viable option. The floor currently being flooded didn't help. However, that somehow wasn't the worst of it. When he tried to call upon his sand even with it being soaked he should have got some reaction out of it. It was barely responding to him, it seemed like some other force was keeping it down.
"Having trouble with your sand?" Questioned Ren. "Interesting thing about my dojutsu you see. It allows me to control substances that have a heavy enough iron content to them. You see this red water of mine has a high iron content in it and it has completely soaked all your sand. By mixing some of my blood into the water and chakra. It gives me an extreme amount of control of it all. There's still one final factor here, the sand itself. I noticed that your sand is heavily saturated in blood and in turn iron. However, that wouldn't be enough for me to have any kind of control of it with my Ketsuryūgan. Not with your unique connection and control of it. Though now that it is so completely soaked with red water, which raises its already heavy iron content even higher. Combine with your drop-in control of it with it being so wet. That gives me enough leeway to have enough influence on it to keep you from using it. Your sand is your greatest strength but also your greatest weakness. Once it's lost to you, your left completely helpless. This fight is over Gaara, you lost, surrender."
Gaara had a feral grin cross his face. "Never." He sneered.
"Have it your way then." Ren calmly spoke as he pulled out a three-pronged kunai with a seal written on it. Something that completely caught the attention of Kakashi much to his complete surprise.
"That kunai! That seal! How in the world!?" Exclaimed the copy-cat ninja.
"Kakashi." Spoke Gai with an uncharacteristically serious tone of voice. "Is that what I think it is?"
"As much I want to believe I'm seeing things, there's no denying it. How in the world did he get his hands on the technique, that made the Yondaime Hokage. The feared shinobi that he was?"
"Could it really be!?" Hiruzen thought to himself in surprise. "Has he truly learned how to perform that jutsu!?"
Ren threw the kunai with all the force he could. It sailed through the air and it sailed by Gaara's head and flew slightly behind him. Ren suddenly appeared, catching the kunai mid-air, and shoved his other hand right into Gaara's back.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang." Ren spoke calmly as the jutsu went off. Once more lightning jutsu went off and engulfed Gaara, this time being further amplified by how wet he was. Gaara howled in agony once more as the lightning ripped through him and tossed through the air. Once it all ceased, Gaara laid on the ground barely conscious and unable to move.
"The winner of the first match." Announced Hayate after breaking out of his surprise. "Is Ren Yamanaka!" There was no immediate applause as everyone was too in shock over what had just happened. Not that Ren really cared, he casually strode over to Gaara. As he neared, the redhead began to freak out.
"No, no, stay away from me!" He spoke hoarsely in a desperate tone.
Ren stopped right next to his fellow jinchuriki and took a knee next to him. "Relax Gaara, I'm not going to hurt you anymore." He spoke softly. "I know that you've probably lived a life of loneliness and mistreatment from being as different as you are. I understand that in a sense, people hate me simply for my heritage. I won't say I know the sort of loneliness you've had to endure. I know people who have and other pains of a similar scale. I've helped all of them and I'd like to help you as well. If you'll have me, I'd like to be your friend."
Gaara's eyes went wide at that notion. "A…friend…" Gaara spoke to himself in uncertainty.
"You can trust him Gaara." Spoke Shukaku to his host. "You can trust him, he's telling the truth."
Gaara said nothing for a few moments. "I…see…" He finally replied weakly. "I think…I think I wouldn't mind having a friend for once." Gaara remained after that as if a wave of massive realization rolled through his head.
Ren gave genuine smile from behind his mask, he looked to behind him and noticed the rest of the Suna team. He simply stood up and allowed them to tend to Gaara. Kankuro and Temari picked up Gaara together and carefully carried him towards the approaching medics.
"Temari…Kankuro…I'm sorry how I've been to you and everyone else." Gaara simply said, catching his older siblings by surprise.
"Don't worry too much about it Gaara. You just focus on getting better for now." Replied Temari.
"Yeah, we can have a talk amongst ourselves once you're better." Said Kankuro.
Ren looked at the scene for a bit before he turned to head up the viewing area.
"Ren Yamanaka."
The mocha-skinned blond turned to see Pakura looking at him with a small smirk. "What you just did to Gaara. You just changed him a lot and for the better too I think. Thank you."
"It was no problem at all." Ren replied as he headed up the viewing area to join the rest of the Konoha ninja up there. He was tackled to the ground by both his teammates.
"You fucking dumbass, you had us thinking you were killed for sure!" Hollered Tayuya.
"Regardless, we're glad to see you're alive and good job on winning your match." Replied Haku.
"What ice queen said."
"Good job Ren." Spoke Tsume with a knowing smirk on her face. Ren rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and pried himself from his teammate's grasp and stood up.
"Speaking of almost getting killed, how did you pull that off?" Sasuke questioned.
"I can explain that I think." Cut in Shikamaru. "When you hid inside that massive smokescreen. You made a clone and then disguised yourself as your sword. You had the clone attack while in disguise on it's back, and bid your time until the time was right to do as you did."
"Correct Shikamaru." Ren said. "Truth is, this fight was a lot harder than it looked for me. The whole fight was basically one giant game of dodge, duck, and weave for me. If that sand had ever actually caught me for real even in the smallest sense, I would have been screwed. That's why whenever I purposely got close to it, I had to make sure everything was in a position to make my out when needed."
"Also what was that last jutsu with that special kunai you did?" Questioned the Nara.
"Sorry, I'm not exactly at liberty to share that info." Ren said as he turned to face Kakashi. "Let it be known though that I was given permission to learn that jutsu." Kakashi nodded his head in understanding.
"I gotta ask, was it really necessary to flood the entire battle arena? That's gonna be so troublesome for the rest of us."
"Also." Cut in Kiba. "You were the very first match and you put on a spectacle like that. How the hell are the rest of us supposed to follow that up?"
"I'm sure you'll figure something out."
"Time for the next match." Called out Hayate causing everyone to quiet down and see who the fighters were.
Sakura Haruno vs Choji Akimichi
"Cha! Time to do this!" Proclaimed Sakura as she made her way to the arena floor.
"Oh, man." Grumbled Choji.
"Just give it your all Choji and I'll treat you to barbeque." Baited Asuma. Which seemed to light a fire in the Akimichi as he made his way to the battle arena.
"Baiting him like that was a bit cruel don't you think Asuma?" Questioned Kakashi.
"Had to motivate him somehow didn't I?"
"As much as I like Choji, you do realize he's going to get his shit knocked in something fierce right?" Chimed Ren.
"How're you so sure?" Retorted Asuma.
"Because I know what Sakura can do and that's not counting whatever she's learned since I was moved from team seven."
"You're not wrong." Kakashi mused. "Her chakra control has gotten good to the point she has started to be able to use it to enhance her physical blows. While it's not much still, it's still rather impressive for a genin at the very least."
"Choji you poor bastard." Muttered Ren as he watched the fight prepare to start.
Choji and Sakura stood across from one another, staring the other down.
"For what it's worth Choji good luck to you." Sakura stated.
"You as well Sakura." Replied the Akimichi.
"Let the second match of the preliminary round, begin!" Announced Hayate.
Choji went through hand signs and his body expanded into a giant-sized ball. And his arms, legs, and head retracted into it.
"Human boulder! Chubbies Rule!" He yelled as he rolled towards Sakura.
Sakura calmly watched as the boulder-sized Choji approached. She reared back her right arm and balled her hand into a fist. Focusing her chakra into it as much as she could. Ignoring the burning sensation in her neck as much as she could as she did. Just as Choji was on top of her she swung her fist with all the force she could muster.
"Shannaro!" She yelled as her fist connected squarely into the human boulder. Choji's momentum was immediately halted from the blow. Next thing anyone knew the boulder-sized Choji was launched backward through the air and crashed into the wall. Choji reverted to his normal self and was on the floor unconscious from the strike.
It took Hayate a moment to catch his bearings before speaking. "Winner of the second match, Sakura Haruno."
"Goddamn, he got knocked the fuck out." Ren muttered with a slight twinge of fear in his voice. "Well, I suppose that's why Naruto has avoided trying to get punched by Sakura lately. As much as possible."
"Damn straight!" Piped up Naruto.
"Damn, I mean I figured he wasn't gonna win but still…damn." Shikamaru spoke rather fearful of what the pink-hared girl was capable of.
Kakashi gave a chuckle of amusement, went down to the battle arena, and then disappeared with Sakura. No doubt to seal her curse mark. Unknown to everyone else the sound jonin disappeared as well.
After Choji was dragged away by the medics, it was time to see what the third match would be.
Hinata Hyuga vs Tenten
"You're up Hinata, show'em what you got!" Spoke Kiba.
"Good luck Hinata." Shino simply said.
"Just remember everything you learned as we trained together, and you'll be fine." Spoke Sasuke with a smirk.
Hinata returned the smirk with a smile. "I will Sasuke, Thank you." Hinata replied as she descended to the battle arena.
"Alright, Tenten you got this." Exclaimed Lee.
"Believe in and harness the power of your youth Tenten and it will carry you to victory!" Gai proclaimed with his trademark smile and a thumbs up.
"Uhhh thanks." Tenten replied with a sweat drop as she looked to Neji.
"Lady Hinata should not be underestimated, Tenten." Neji stated stoically. "She's far stronger than she looks."
Tenten nodded her head in understanding and made her way to the battle arena. Doing her best to ignore Lee and Gai's excessive cheering.
"Good luck to you Tenten."
"You too Hinata."
"Let the third match of the preliminary round, begin!" Announced Hayate.
Hinata immediately took a stance and activated her Byakugan. While Tenten made some distance and brought out some of her weapons. Having Neji as a teammate had Tenten aware of just how dangerous the Hyuga clans Byakugan and gentle fist style can be. She tossed weapon after weapon at Hinata using her expertise at throwing practically any weapon. And being able to do so accurately to her full advantage. Keeping her distance as much as she could, was key for her.
Hinata dodged and weaved around the thrown weapons. With all the speed and grace expected of a Hyuga. She closed the gap between her and Tenten and swung with her gentle fist. Tenten was barely able to dodge the strike as she hopped into the air and launched a volley of weapons, at the Hyuga heiress. Hinata continued to dodge with precise speed and grace as she closed in on Tenten's landing zone. As Tenten touched the ground, she immediately had to turn her body to the side. In an attempt to avoid Hinata's strike, moving backward as he did. This time however she wasn't fast enough and caught a hit in her right thigh. Causing her to stagger a bit, which gave Hinata an opening to follow up on. She landed a palm strike solidly on the left side of the older kunoichi's stomach. Using all the force she could muster at the moment. Tenten jumped a fair distance back, though it was obvious. Hinata's hits were already affecting her.
"She's good alright." Tenten thought to herself.
"Do you wish to concede?" Hinata asked.
"Not a chance Hinata." Tenten retorted as she pulled out two scrolls. She placed them on either side of her and went through hand seals. "Twin Rising Dragons!" she called out as both scrolls went poof in a burst of smoke that each took the form of a dragon. They shot into the air revealing the now opened scrolls and Tenten soon jumped into the air between them. She then tossed a good-sized armory's worth of weapons at Hinata, in a rather impressive display.
Hinata looked at the massive barrage of weapons coming towards her. With a look of calmness and confidence. Just as the wave of weapons was nearly upon her, Hinata pivoted her feet and twisted her body around quickly.
"Kaiten!" Hinata called out as she did, and she was encased in a spinning dome of chakra. The weapons hit the barrier and scattered everywhere across the whole arena. Once it ended, Hinata stood there un-harmed and ready to continue.
Tenten landed back down onto the ground in shock. That last attack had been her trump card and it had failed miserably. Plus the hits she had taken earlier from Hinata's gentle fist were beginning to affect her more and more. "Proctor I concede." Tenten announced with some disappointment lacing her voice. Even if giving up had been the wise thing to do.
"Very well then. The winner of this match by forfeit is Hinata Hyuga!" Hayate announced.
Tenten left with the medics to get looked at, while Hinata went back up to join the others. Everyone who had watched the match was stunned by what they had seen. Even Hinata's own team and especially Neji, no one had known she was able to use Kaiten. Well everyone except Sasuke that was, who had watched everything with a smug look. While Hinata had gotten the basics of the technique from her father. It was by training with him. Hinata had been able to develop her usage of the technique to its current level.
"Great job Hinata." Sasuke spoke as Hinata rejoined everyone.
"Thank you, Sasuke." Hinata replied with a tinge of pink on her cheeks.
Ren gave a quiet chuckle to himself at the sight. While Kurenai looked at the Uchiha and Hyuga with a knowing smile.
Kakashi then appeared back amongst the others. No one questioned where Sakura was. Figuring she was taken away to rest since her role in this phase was over with.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the selection board for the next match.
Kiba Inuzuka vs Haku Yuki
"Let's do this Akamaru wahoo!" Kiba yelled in excitement as he jumped down to the arena floor.
Tsume let out a sigh at her son's antics and looked at her student who was about to fight him.
"Apologize Tsume-sensei but it appears I must defeat your son in order to advance." Haku spoke.
"Don't worry about it Haku, my idiot son could stand to get knocked down a couple pegs. It'll do him some good, I think. So get down there and kick his ass for me."The Inuzuka head replied.
"As you wish."
"Teach the cocky bastard a lesson ice queen." Chimed Tayuya.
"Try to avoid neutering him with your needles if you can." Ren mused.
Haku chuckled at her teammate's comments. "Very well you two but I make no promises on the neutering part." She replied as she made her way to the battle arena. As Haku walked across the floor that was still covered in the red water from Ren's match. Haku smiled from behind her mask, whether Ren had meant to or not. He had in essence given Haku a home-field advantage of sorts. She honestly felt a little bad for her opponent as they stood across from one another. His overly boisterous personality aside. Kiba wasn't a bad ninja, far from it. He was better than most genin in all honesty, he just got un-lucky having to fight her is all.
"Don't worry, me and Akamaru will make this fast." Kiba boasted.
"Oh really?" Haku mused in slight annoyance from behind her mask, at the remark. On second thought, maybe she won't avoid the neutering after all.
"Let the fourth match of the preliminaries begin!"
Kiba and Akamaru charged forward together at Haku, the Yuki stood there unfazed. She then in a burst of speed, blitz right past the two catching them by surprise. Before Kiba knew what was happening, he heard a phrase that sent a chill down his spine.
"Ice Release: Crystal Ice Mirrors." Kiba heard an emotionless voice calmly call out. The whole area seemed to drop by a few dozen degrees instantly. As the Inuzuka and Akamaru found themselves completely surrounded by dozens of icy mirrors. With a reflection of the Yuki girl in each one of them.
"Do you yield?" Haku simply asked.
"Not..not a chance…I'm…I'm not intimidated." Kiba replied in a way that was fooling no one.
"Remember, I gave you the opportunity to surrender." Haku coldly replied and then she struck.
Thirty seconds, it only lasted thirty seconds but at the end of those thirty seconds. Kiba was left on the ground looking like a goddamn porcupine. Akamaru was untouched. Haku didn't feel the need to harm the dog for his master's stupidity. As the ice disappeared and the carnage was there for all to see, well….
"Oh, poor Kiba." Said Hinata seeing her now spiky teammate.
"A part of me is impressed by her skill. Another part of me however is upset she just did such a thing to one of my students." Spoke Kurenai looking at her now overly pointy pupil.
"That….that looks like it really hurts." Mused Shino looking at his pincushion of a teammate.
"It does." Ren, Naruto, and Sasuke deadpanned together. All three remembering all too well how much it sucked. To be on the receiving end of a senbon barrage, compliments of one Haku Yuki.
"Ummm, are we sure she didn't kill him?" Tayuya questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't worry Haku is a technical pacifist, she wouldn't have hit anywhere vital. Though it looks like she did hit every place that wasn't." Ren replied.
"Shit, I know I told her it was ok to knock him down a peg but….Shit." Tsume said equally proud and disappointed. Proud over how well Haku performed and disappointed on how easily her son had been beaten. Even if he had been technically doomed from the start.
"The winner of this match is Haku Yuki." Spoke Hayate.
Haku returned to the others as Kiba was taken away to be de-needled.
"You know Haku, you're so polite and kind most of the time. It's easy to forget just how terrifying you can be." The mocha-skinned blond stated.
"It's a good thing I reminded you then." Replied the ice user.
Everyone looked at the screen for the next match.
Zaku Abumi vs Shino Aburame
Shino made his way down to the arena as calmly as ever. Zaku made his way down with all the arrogance in the world. Ren wasn't all that interested in this fight, he already knew all too well who was going to win.
"So, we're getting some of the cannon fights after all then? Somethings really don't change it would seem." Ren thought.
"You don't seem all that invested in this Ren?" Sasuke inquired.
"You're right, it's pretty obvious Shino is going to win this one for a few reasons. One, Shino only shows his abilities as much as he needs to win a fight. Which makes figuring his full capabilities rather tricky. Secondly, while I don't know much about the Aburame and their bugs. What I do know, makes we want to keep away from that shit as much as possible. Lastly, that Zaku guy is too smug and arrogant for his own good. Especially with two broken arms."
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Chimed Shikamaru.
"Let the fifth match of the preliminaries begin!" Announced Hayate.
The fight only lasted a few minutes but it ended just like canon, Zaku on the ground, and his arms blown up. Ren couldn't help but cringe a little at the sight, while he didn't care for Zaku. He did feel a little sorry for him anyway. Having your arms blow up from the inside out was pretty brutal.
"The winner of this match is Shino Aburame!"
Shino made his way back up the others with cheers of congratulations. Attention was then put on the screen for the next fight.
Kankuro vs Yoroi Akado
"Good luck Yoroi-senpai!" Spoke Fū.
Yoroi chuckled a little at the green-haired kunoichi's antics. "I'll do my best." He remarked and made his way to the arena floor.
"I'll make this quick." Kankuro spoke as he made his way to the arena floor.
Both fighters stopped some distance in front of the other and stared one another down.
"Let the sixth match of the preliminaries begin!"
Yoroi didn't waste any time and launched himself at Kankuro, who was in the middle of pulling out his puppet. The sand genin made a quick move to the side and finished pulling out his puppet. Revealing the puppet in all its glory.
"What the hell!?" Yoroi exclaimed.
"Meet Karasu." Said Kankuro with a smirk. The puppet resembled a three-eyed, four-armed humanoid with jagged teeth and a spiky brown hairstyle protruding from the top of its head and framing the sides. "This is where things end for you, I'm afraid." Kankuro commanded his puppet and it launched at Yoroi with intense speed. Yoroi couldn't move out of the way in time and soon found himself ensnared by the puppet. Which kept an iron grip on Yoroi. With a tug of his chakra strings, Karasu squeezed even harder. A cracking sound was heard and Yoroi went limp. Kankuro commanded his puppet to release the beaten ninja and return to his side."
"The winner of the sixth match is Kankuro!"
Medics had already begun to carry Yoroi away as Hayate made the announcement. Kankuro made his way back to Teamari and Pakura. The screen then showed the next match.
Karin Uzumaki vs Hiroki
"Looks like I'm up." Karin mused.
"You're an Uzumaki!?" A voice cried out. Karin looked to see a blond boy with whisker marks on his face looking at her in shock.
"Yes, why do you ask?" She replied.
"I'm an Uzumaki too! My name is Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto replied.
"Really? But your hair isn't red."
"If I may?" Cut in Kakashi. "Despite the hair color Naruto is, in fact, an Uzumaki, I can attest to that. In fact, Naruto is technically head of the Uzumaki clan, that has an official presence here in Konoha."
Karin could only have her eyes widen in surprise at this, as did her fellow Kusa ninja's.
"Go win your match and then we can talk afterward, sound good?" Mused the whiskered blond.
Karin couldn't help but smile at the realization of finding another member of her clan. She made her way down to the arena where her opponent was waiting for her. Some plain-looking black-haired boy from Kiri.
Naruto was watching with avid excitement like he had just discovered a long lost sibling. Granted, one could say that in a sense he had.
"Let the Seventh match of the preliminaries begin!"
Karin's opponent drew some kunai and threw them at her, she dodged to the left and threw kunai of her own in return. He dodged the kunai and charged forward and looked to engage Karin in close combat.
Karin saw him trying to close the gap and decide to try and catch him before he could reach her. "Water Release: Water Whip!" Karin called out going through hand signs. A whip of water formed around her hand and she whipped it at her opponent. The whip caught the Kiri shinobi by the neck, Karin quickly thrust her arm to the side. Causing the water whip to harshly toss the Kiri boy to the side a well. He landed on the floor roughly, Karin then made a quick but forceful up and down motion.
This caused the water whip to lift up and then slam her opponent into the ground. A crunching sound could be heard as he was thrown into the floor. He didn't move.
"The winner of the seventh match is Karin Uzumaki!"
Karin smiled as she deactivated her whip and made her way back to the viewing area. She immediately went right up to Naruto and the two immediately began talking about being Uzumaki's and whatnot. The two were so caught up in their talk they didn't even notice when the next fight was announced.
Kin Tsuchi vs Shikamaru Nara
"I know how this's going to end." Ren mentally thought as he watched Shikamaru grumble as he made his way to the arena floor.
Sure enough, about five minutes later, the fight was all said and done. Shikamaru grumbled about things being troublesome as he made his way back up to the others. Leaving an unconscious Kin laying on the arena floor, after she was scooped up by the medics. The next match was announced.
Kasumi Hoshigaki vs Temari
Kasumi grinned showing off her shark-like teeth. She looked to see her opponent, the fan wielding kunoichi from Suna. Make her way to the arena floor. "This should be fun." She spoke with a slight chuckle before making her way down to the arena herself.
"I'll have to thank that Ren guy for giving me such a good battlefield to play on." Kasumi mused mentally to herself, looking at the soaked arena floor. Before staring at her opponent. "She's clearly a wind user and a long-range specialist if that huge fan is anything to go by. No problem, all I have to do is get up close and personal, to win this."
"Let the ninth match of the preliminaries begin!"
"Sure you want to do this?" Temari questioned somewhat smugly.
Kasumi grinned. "Save the cockiness for after the match, if you happen to win. Talking so smugly now and losing later only serves to make you look like a fool."
Temari scowled, Kasumi grinned even more. Temari grabbed her fan, opened it to its first moon. She swung it sending a gust of wind towards the Kiri kunoichi. Kasumi quickly dodged to the side avoiding the blast, she quickly formed hand signs and slammed her hands into the water.
"Water Release: Four Shark Shower!" Kasumi yelled out as four decent-sized sharks formed from the water and shot into the air and at Temari.
Temari smirked and opened her fan to its second moon. She swung unleashing another gust of wind. That slammed into the water sharks and caused them to break apart. Her smirk disappeared when the water reformed into a countless amount of shark-shaped water droplets. Temari tried to form a defense around her but she wasn't quick enough. Her body was pelted by the shark droplets, she could feel them cut, tear, and rip into her body. Like a mini rainstorm of razors. Once the assault ended, she was bleeding from all sorts of small wounds all over her body.
Kasumi kept up her grin and made a hand sign, soon enough the area was blanketed in a thick mist. That was colored red, thanks to the red water being used to make it.
Temari growled in frustration. "This won't keep you safe!" She angrily spoke as she opened her fan to its final moon. "Wind Release: Wind Scythe Jutsu!" she cried out unleashing a massive gust of wind. That worked to disperse most of the mist. However, Temari had a feeling of un-easiness settle in her gut as the mist simply returned almost immediately. Not to mention she couldn't help but notice her opponent had seemingly disappeared."What!?" She cried out in disbelief. All she got in return was the laughter of the Kiri kunoichi. That seemed to echo all around the mist.
"It's over for you." A voice whispered into Temari's ear.
To those watching the fight or rather trying to due to the thick mist. Were caught by surprise when they heard a sudden pain-filled scream. Then the unmistakable sound of metal meeting flesh. The mist began to dissipate, revealing Kasumi. With her sword in hand, that happened to have a fresh coat of blood on it. Standing over a defeated Temari, who was on the ground. A large gash going from the bottom left side of her back. Traveling all the way to the back of her right shoulder.
"The winner of the ninth match is Kasumi Hoshigaki!" Said Hayate as Kasumi put her blade back on her back and went back up to join her team.
"Temari!" Kankuro yelled in concern for his sister as the medics quickly took her away. He shot a glare at Kasumi. The Kiri kunoichi simply gave a toothy shark-like smile in return.
The next match was then shown.
Naruto Uzumaki vs Rock Lee
"Alright, it's my turn at last!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Lee's only knows taijutsu, use that to your advantage." Commented Ren.
"Don't disappoint Naruto." Sasuke chimed.
"You can do this." Encouraged Karin.
"Give it all you have and we'll go on a date to Ichiraku for all you can eat ramen!" Chirped Fū.
Naruto looked at this girlfriend like the sky just parted and the light of heaven was shining on her. "Dammit, I love you so much right now." The whiskered blond muttered as he then went to the arena floor.
"At last it's my time to show that one can be a splendid Ninja with only taijutsu!" Yelled Lee.
"Believe in the power of your youth Lee and you can't be stopped, my dear student!" Spoke Gai far more emotionally than the situation called for.
"I will make you proud Gai-sensei!" Lee replied before making his way to the arena floor.
"Well, Kakashi our pupils will be going against one another. I guess will see who the better teacher is eh?" Gai spoke to his self-appointed rival.
"Huh? I'm sorry did you say something Gai?" Kakashi simply replied.
"Once more Kakashi you and your 'cool guy' personality win again!" Spoke Gai dramatically with fake anime tears. At the arena floor, the match was getting ready to begin.
"Good luck to you Lee for what it's worth." Spoke Naruto.
"You as well Naruto, may we have a splendid match!"
"Let the tenth match of the preliminaries begin!" Shouted Hayate.
Naruto didn't waste any time and quickly performed a hand sign. "Shadow clone jutsu!" With a massive poof of smoke, there were suddenly a few dozen clones in the arena.
"So many clones!" Lee yelled in surprise as then suddenly had to defend himself from the massive assault of Naruto's. Lee ducked, dipped, and countered displaying an amazing skill in taijutsu. While it was obvious Lee was a stronger close combat fighter. For every clone Lee seemed to take out, two more replaced it. The real Naruto made sure to keep himself hidden amongst all his clones, as he worked to wear down Lee. The thing with the fight was simple. Anyone who knew Naruto well enough. Knew he could spam clones all day long, all year long non-stop. This was a fight of attrition at the moment. One that not even someone like Lee could hope to win. Gai seemed to recognize this.
"Lee! Take them off!" He called out to his student.
"But Gai-sensei you said only to do so to protect someone dear to me."
"I'm making an exception in this case Lee!"
"Yes, Gai-sensei!" Spoke Lee as he quickly retreated to the top of the hand sign statue. That was in the battle arena, he removed his leg warmers to reveal training weights. "Much better now I will be able to move more freely." Said Lee as he removed and dropped the weights. Which caused a mini earthquake throughout the whole area, much to everyone's surprise.
"What the hell!?" Exclaimed Naruto in shock.
"Gai you are too much." Kakashi and Ren both deadpanned together.
The next thing anyone knew, Lee just seemed to disappear and suddenly reappeared in the middle of the Naruto clones. In a display of speed, even Ren and Sasuke had a hard time tracking, even with their dojutsu's. Lee kept blitzing through the Naruto clones. Naruto quickly made a dozen clone's and they all channeled the same jutsu.
"Wind Release: Spiralling Wind Ball Jutsu!" All the clones roared together and tossed multiple balls of air at Lee. They flew at Lee much faster than Ren had ever seen Naruto toss the attack before. Lee only just managed to move back enough from the barrage. The wind balls slammed into the ground throwing dust, debris, and water everywhere. Lee had to cover his face with his arms for his own protection. Losing sight of all the Naruto's in front of him for a brief second. Once he dropped them as the blasts subsided, he was greeted by a barrage of shuriken and kunai. That had been thrown by Naruto and his clones. Lee quickly jumped high into the air, all the weapons landing into the ground as then landed in front of them.
"An excellent showing Naruto but I must now end this fight between us." Lee spoke.
"Funny you say that Lee I was gonna say something similar to you." Naruto replied with a grin. Lee looked at Naruto with an inquisitive expression. Then the Naruto's in front of Lee disappeared in a poof, catching him completely by surprise. One of the weapons behind Lee suddenly became Naruto. He then launched himself on to Lee and hugged him tightly with his arms and legs.
"Sorry about this Lee but hopefully it should only knock you out." Spoke Naruto.
"Shadow Clone Explosion!" Naruto yelled as he suddenly exploding in a blast that completely engulfed Lee, much to everyone's shock. Once the smoke cleared, Lee was seen on the ground. Not appearing seriously hurt but unconscious none the less. Then another one of the weapons thrown earlier went poof to have the real Naruto appear with a foxy grin on his face.
"The winner of the tenth match is Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Good job out there Naruto." Chimed Ren as his fellow blond approached. "Though can't help but think you stole a lot of that last bit from me."
"I might have been partially inspired by your fight, on that one." Naruto replied with a smile.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Addressed Gai after he had seen to Lee as he was taken by the medics. "That was an impressive display on your part. Also, thank you for not doing any serious damage to Lee. That jutsu could have easily been highly damaging but you only did enough to simply knock Lee out."
"No problem, I only wanted to beat him. Not do any kind of permanent damage to him."
The next match was then shown on the selection board.
Sasuke Uchiha vs Taro
"Looks like I'm up, about time." Stated Sasuke.
"Good luck Sasuke." Said Hinata.
Sasuke gave a smirk. "Thanks, Hinata I'll be sure to win." As he headed down to the arena.
Ren looked to see Sasuke's opponent for the match, it was Karin's remaining teammate from Kusa. He looked like a rather boring guy with shaggy brown hair. Ren knew right away this wasn't going to be much of a fight at all. Not even remotely.
"Let the eleventh match of the preliminaries begin!"
Ren knew the fight was going to be a one-sided beat down in favor of Sasuke. Even so, it was sad just how fast Sasuke wrecked the Kusa genin. The moment the match began, the Uchiha blasted off in a big burst of speed. The Kusa genin never had a chance as Sasuke connected a mean punch to his gut. The last loyal Uchiha then quickly twisted around and delivered a harsh elbow. To the Kusa genin's head and sent him flying. The poor guy slid and flopped across the ground like a rag-doll before finally stopping. It was obvious he wasn't getting up anytime soon.
"The winner of the eleventh match is Sasuke Uchiha!"
"Nice work Sasuke." Said Hinata as he returned to the others.
"A little too easy for my taste but I'll take it." Replied Sasuke as he stopped and stood next to Hinata. Looking up to the selection board for the next match.
Dosu Kinuta vs Fū
"Yay! I'm up finally!" Said the green-haired kunoichi with excitement.
"I know you'll win Fū." Said Naruto encouraging his girlfriend.
"Dosu's gauntlet is a sound amplifier that strengthens his attacks. He has to pretty much be right on top of you though to be effective. Keep your distance and you'll be just fine. You should have no problem with that considering some of your abilities." Ren stated.
"Thanks for the advice Ren, I'll remember it." Replied the Nanabi jinchuriki as she headed down to the arena floor. She found herself staring down Dosu.
"I don't feel like wasting time on you, so I'm gonna make this quick." Spoke Fū.
Dosu scoffed at that. "I highly doubt that." He sneered.
"We'll see about that."
"Let the twelfth match of the preliminaries begin!"
Fū immediately called upon her wings from her status as the jinchuriki of the Nanabi and took off high into the air. Much to the complete and utter disbelief and shock of Dosu. As well as most of the crowd watching for that matter. The green-haired kunoichi went through some hand seals.
"Secret Ninjutsu: Scaled Sneak Jutsu!" Fū spoke as she opened her mouth widely and a large amount of a fine powder substance shot out of it. It fell upon Dosu's location rapidly. It shined with extreme intensity causing the sound genin to be blinded by it and become disoriented.
Seeing her opening, Fū pulled out an exploding kunai. She threw it into the middle of the powdered zone. The kunai exploded causing a chain reaction as it ignited the powder. Which created a massive exploding fireball that shook the arena. Fū landed back onto the ground as the explosion ceased. To reveal a rather charred and very much unconscious Dosu on the ground.
"The winner of the twelfth match is Fū!"
"I knew you had it in the bag from the start." Naruto chimed as Fū rejoined the others.
"Not gonna lie, that was pretty badass." Ren said.
"Thanks, everyone." Fū replied as she and everyone else looked at the selection screen.
Tayuya vs Isamu
"About fucking time, I was starting to think I was gonna die of old age before my turn." Snarked the redhead.
"Well now it's your turn and I'd say you have it pretty easy." Mused Ren. "Kickass down there."
"Like you really have to remind me?"
"Good luck in your match Tayuya." Spoke Haku.
"Thanks, ice queen, I'm not losing this." Replied Tayuya.
"You'll do us proud I'm sure." Chimed Tsume.
"I'd never want to disappoint you Tsume-sensei." Tayuya retorted as she made her way to her match.
Tayuya's opponent was Kasumi's other teammate and well. He was a rather dull-looking guy with ash grey hair. Ren honestly felt bad for the guy, he was going to get utterly destroyed by Tayuya. Even if she did take it easy on him.
"Let the thirteenth match of the preliminaries begin!"
Tayuya did not go easy on the poor guy. The moment the go was given she charged forward. To then connect a hard knee to the guy's gut and then as the guy tried to quickly stand back up. To only to be greeted with a spin kick to the head before he could even stand up completely. He somehow was not knocked out from that hit. However, he was slow to get up, as he was doing that. Tayuya then threw two kunai. One to each of his shoulders. Somehow, he didn't fall down from that. The poor bastard barely had time to yell in pain before Tayuya hit him with a vicious uppercut to the jaw. Sending him to the floor where he stayed down for good.
"The winner of the thirteenth match is Tayuya!"
"A job well done eh?" Mused Tayuya as she rejoined the others.
"Brutal but efficient, good job Tayuya." Stated Ren as he and the others. Looked to the screen for the final match.
Ino Yamanaka vs Neji Hyuga
Neji looked at his would-be opponent and simply scoffed before heading down to the arena floor.
Ino scowled at the Hyuga. "I'm gonna enjoy kicking his ass." Ino growled.
"Ino try not to let his attitude get to you." Ren cut in as he approached his cousin. "Range will be your best friend in this fight. While I'm sure Neji can't perform the same trick Hinata did in her fight against Tenten. He's still proclaimed as a prodigy of his clan for good reason. Keep him as far away from you as you can manage."
"I understand Ren." Chirped the Yamanaka heiress. "I'll make my dad, your mom, you, and the rest of the clan proud! You can count on me!" She then made her way down for her match. Ren watched Ino as she walked away with a look of uncertainty in his eyes.
"You're nervous for her." Stated Shikamaru.
"Yes." Ren replied. "While I have faith that she has skills needed to win. This won't be an easy fight for her. Plus, with the current animosity the Hyuga, excluding Hinata of course. Have towards our clan, I fear this match. Could very well get out of hand in a way it doesn't need to."
"I know what you mean. That has me concerned as well." Replied the Nara, as he and everyone else focused on the impending match.
"You should just give up and save everyone the hassle." Said Neji as he looked at his opponent.
"Why the hell should I? Ino retorted.
"It is simply fated that you would lose the moment you were matched against me. To go against fate is pointless, hence why you should just give up. Just as it is pointless for me to go against my place as a branch member of my clan. It is pointless to go against the notion that you somehow will not lose this match. It is a useless venture."
"Do you ever shut up about fate? You're like a broken record for kami's sake." Stated Ino. Neji scowled in response but said nothing.
"Let the final match of the preliminaries begin!"
Neji activated his Byakugan and charged forward. Ino remembering her cousin's words was ready for this. She went through hand signs and released her attack.
"Water Release: Surface Slicer!" Said Ino as a blade of water propelled across the ground at Neji at high speed. Neji managed to dodge the attack by moving to the side, in time and continued his advance.
Ino was already prepared with her next jutsu. "Water Release: Water Shuriken!" Ino created multiple water shuriken and launched them rapidly. Ino moved backward trying to keep her distance as she did this. Neji saw the multitude of water projectiles coming his way. He dodged and weaved around them with even greater grace. Then Hinata had against Tenten.
Biting back a curse, Ino prepared her next jutsu. "Water Release: Wild Water Wave!" Ino said and then spewed a high powered torrent of water from her mouth at the still charging Hyuga. Neji noticing the attack was aiming a bit high, managed to duck underneath it as he continued forward. He pushed himself with a burst of speed. To close the gap between himself and Ino.
"You're within my eight -trigrams." Neji spoke coldly as he managed to get right in front of the Yamanaka girl. "Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!" In an impressive display of speed and accuracy. Neji landed all thirty-two hits in no time flat, causing Ino to stumble backward.
Ino was having a hard time standing after that attack. She could feel her chakra pathways have been close in the areas she was hit. Her body was also feeling the pain of being hit by the attack. Ino though grit her teeth and refused to give in and took a stance nonetheless.
"This is a pointless effort on your part, you cannot win this fight." Neji stated. "Your futility in this fight does you no good. Much like the futility of your clan trying to rise above its station. It is all simply fate, accept it."
Ino to Neji's surprise simply chuckled in response. He scowled at that. "What's so funny?" He spat.
"You are in a way." Ino replied looking Neji right in the eyes. "You talk so much about fate and how no one can change their fate no matter what. Yet, you're hailed as a prodigy of your clan. A branch member who can never rise above his station no matter how hard you work. Yet you work so hard regardless because deep down there's a part of you that wants to be able to break free of the restraints of your position. You're trying to go against your own apparent fate, which makes your insistence on saying what you do to everyone else. Quite the hypocrite I'd say. Another thing too, I think I know the real reason why you hate my cousin. My cousin is the nephew of the clan head. If he had that position in the Hyuga as you do, he'd be just another branch member like you are. No matter how skilled he is, forever trapped in his position. But Ren isn't since he's a Yamanaka, his talents and skills are fully recognized for what they are. He can actually take all he is and become something greater both for himself and the clan as a whole. He's free to fly about and do this, while you're nothing more but a caged bird in comparison. You know this and you're jealous of my cousin because of it. I pity you Neji Hyuga, what sad life you must live to be the way you are."
That was it, Neji had enough of the girl's ramblings. His anger was already steadily rising as she talked but that final comment was enough. To send him over his edge. He focused his chakra in the palms of his hands and charged forward. He closed the gap and thrust both hands forward and slammed them into the Yamanaka heiress chest.
Time seemed to completely freeze for a few seconds at that moment. When suddenly blood practically exploded from Ino's mouth. Staining the bandages on Neji's one arm red. Her eyes rolled fully into the back of her head and she crumpled to the floor on the spot.
Cries of shock and terror were heard by those who knew Ino, but none were louder or more frantic sounding than Ren.
"INOOOO!" Yelled Ren in the horror of what he had just seen. He seemed to move faster than he did when using Hiraishin to get to his fallen cousin. He quickly went to her side and looked her over ignoring everything else around him in his panic.
"She's barely breathing and her breaths are becoming more shallow by the second." He muttered to himself in fear. "The damage is probably keeping the blood from circulating properly where she was hit. Blood needs to be kept moving again to keep her alive." Suddenly an idea struck him. He activated his Ketsuryūgan and placed a hand on his cousin's chest. Taking control of the blood still in her body. He was able to move the blood through the needed pathway in her system despite the damage to keep her alive for the time being.
Soon enough the medics showed up and made a quick survey of the damage. One of them pulled out a special tag and placed it on Ino. "This tag will help keep the blood working in her system for up to six hours, despite the damage. Good work keeping her system running on your own. Considering the damage, it was the only thing keeping her from being dead already" The medics then put Ino on a stretcher and left to take her to the emergency room. Ren had to stay and could only watch in worry as he watched his cousin be carried away.
"She should have kept her mouth shut." Neji spat.
As soon as those words left Neji's mouth. A colossal wave of killing intent rolled over the whole area like a tsunami. Bearing down on everyone in the vicinity with a heavy force it seemed. Ren turned his head to stare directly at Neji. His eyes blood-red eyes practically oozing and glowing with murderous desire. That wasn't what truly made people worry. What did though was when a dark blue like aura began to appear all over Ren's body. The feeling of inhuman hate and malice, made the older shinobi realize it was the power of the Sanbi. Every last ounce of hate, rage, desire to kill coming from it. Was currently being directed at one Neji Hyuga.
Neji for a lack of better of words was scared completely and utterly shitless at the moment. He took a few steps backward out of fear unknowingly, as his survival instincts began to kick in.
The older shinobi realized something needed to be done and quickly. Or someone was going to be horribly, horribly killed within the next two minutes. There was a 99.9% chance that was going to be Neji Hyuga.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Ren growled, his voice and the Sanbi's inhuman one mixing together as he spoke. Just as he was about to move to rip Neji's head from his shoulders. A cloaked ANBU agent with a Neko mask suddenly appeared behind Ren and put his palms to the ground. Suddenly Ren found himself restrained by wood of all things. He could immediately feel his power drain due to it.
"Let me go!" Ren yelled his voice returning to normal but losing none of its fury.
"Not until you calm down Ren." Spoke Kakashi as he approached "I know you're angry, you have every right to be. Now is not the time or place though."
Ren hung his head as Kakashi's word sunk in. "He went too far." Ren said more subdued. "He went too far."
"I know he did, I know." Kakashi said trying to calm his former student. "Good thing we called Neko over here after the first match. Kami only knows what would have happened otherwise." The silver-haired jonin thought to himself.
It took another ten minutes but eventually, Ren calmed down enough to be set free from the wood. Kakashi and Tsume both keeping close to him for his and everyone else's safety Then began the discussion of the finals, not that he paid any attention for the most part. Lots were drawn for the finals matches right before they were all dismissed. They went as so.
Match One: Ren Yamanaka vs Neji Hyuga
Match Two: Kasumi Hoshigaki vs Hinata Hyuga
Match Three: Sakura Haruno vs Haku Yuki
Match Four: Naruto Uzumaki vs Karin Uzumaki
Match Five: Kankuro vs Shikamaru Nara
Match Six: Tayuya vs Fū
Match Seven: Sasuke Uchiha vs Shino Aburame.
What surprised and scared everyone the most about the results. Was the fact that the gods for whatever reason. Had seen fit to pair Ren and Neji against each other for the very first match. Considering what had just happened...
While Ren usually wasn't one for such things, like overly vicious revenge. He was willing to make an exception in this case. He smiled ever so slightly from behind his mask, invisible to everyone else. As he saw the match-ups for the finals. A single thought going through his head.
Neji Hyuga was a dead man walking.
A/N: Hello readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the story thus far. The preliminaries are over and we're about to hit the training period. hope you all enjoyed how I handled all the fights. I didn't want to go into too much detail for all of the fights, otherwise, the preliminaries would drag out for way too long. All in all, I think I managed it pretty well. We're nearing more and more to the time of the finals and the Konoha crush. I have some neat ideas in the work for that, once reached. Not much else to say, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime, please leave a review as they do help keep me motivated to write. Please like and fav if you have not already and stay safe, stay healthy. I'll see you next time. I'm out!