Chapter 19
Fires of Youth: A Half-Breed Shines!
Amari felt completely out of the loop as she looked back and forth between Guy and Kakashi in head scratch worthy confusion. She tried to take a step back and piece together the puzzle she was left with, but regardless of which way she rotated and shifted the pieces, the puzzle came no closer to being solved.
Guy was straight forward in what he wanted: he was challenging her to a contest of some sort. The general meaning behind his words could be grasped quite easily; obviously as shinobi the only real kind of contest they took part in was battle. This was all meant to be a friendly spar…right?
Maybe not, Amari thought, bringing a hand back up to her cut bicep. The bleeding had stopped but warm pain thrummed from the fresh wound. Apparently he's Kakashi-sensei's eternal rival, whatever that means. She could barely understand normal rivalries—an eternal rivalry was out of her logical calculations. Seriously though, since when did her sensei take part in eternal rivalries? He wasn't as lazy as a Nara, but he wasn't someone who got fired up like…well, like Guy was with his beaming grin and what little she heard from her mother and Asuma about the man.
Had Kakashi even had a choice in the rivalry? Was Kakashi a consenting rival or being forced into this relationship? Why did he look so guilty? Was she being dragged into this because of Guy's exuberance?
So many questions!
Today was meant to be her day off, too. Prior to Kakashi setting up this meeting her plan consisted of reading one of the novels she picked up on her errands and teasing Asuma since he stopped by to take her mom out. Do they realize the golden opportunity I missed out on? They have never known the joy of teasing until they've seen Asuma-sensei all embarrassed.
Amari sighed internally in defeat. There would be other opportunities to tease the man. She'd just have to double up on the next one.
Anyway, it wasn't like she didn't appreciate the opportunity for a new challenge. This entire contest would only serve to give her new measuring sticks to match up to. But why the whole sneak attack? Couldn't they have warned her ahead of time so she could be prepared for the fight?
And why am I facing a four on one battle? Wasn't that a bit overkill? Sure she was skilled for her age, and it wasn't like she had been slacking off in training since they returned from the Land of Waves. She had doubled her effort and planned to show Kakashi her new technique at their original meeting. The possibility of showing it in live combat was slightly appealing, but she also wasn't sure if her success ratio was one hundred percent yet. To try it and fail in the middle of a spar would be mortifying.
Wouldn't it make more sense for his team to take on our team? Wouldn't that be more of a contest? It definitely would be fairer. Facing them four on one was like asking her to take on Zabuza alone again.
And I barely survived that.
Clones would be helpful, yet she had a feeling Guy's team or Guy himself scouted her abilities before this. They probably know everything except my eyes. She gripped her arm tightly in nerves. I mean…I think he wouldn't tell them. It's meant to be a secret, but the way they stayed just out of range of my eyes…
It made her gut twist in worry. She didn't want an entire team of strangers to know what power she wielded. What if one of them was power hungry and wanted to steal her eyes? What if they were stronger than her and could successfully take them? I…I'll have to ask to know the truth.
At the moment it didn't seem like she even had a choice to decline the fight. Guy was practically glowing with the brightness of the sun at the prospect of the contest while Kakashi appeared to be helpless to the entire situation. Her sensei's body language hinted to her untrained eye a past experience with this kind of crazy, and a continuous guilt gnawing at him.
No longer able to stay quiet, Amari directed her attention and confusion to Kakashi. "Sensei, is this some sort of punishment for what happened in the Land of Waves?"
Punishment for jumping in front of his Lightning Blade was the only possible conclusion she could think of. She couldn't blame him if that was the case. The kind of damage her action forced him to give her, the kind of mental trauma accidently killing her might have caused…No one could say she got away unscathed, but then, neither did Kakashi. But why set her up to be pummeled by an entire team? It seemed kind of extreme, at least to her. Surely there was a better way, like giving her large stacks of D-rank missions to complete on her own.
The thought alone made Amari shudder.
Kakashi sighed. "No, this was my fault actually."
Amari tilted her head to the side in further confusion. His fault? How could it be his fault?
"I lost in rock, paper, scissors," he finally admitted.
Is he joking? She fought to keep a smile down at first and opened her mouth to tell him he almost fooled her, but he continued to stare at the ground, refusing to meet her eye as he rubbed the back of his neck. Her smile fell. "Yo- you're serious?" He stilled for a moment but then nodded.
…No way. No way was he serious about this. Obviously he was dragging this on a little, trying to get her to lower her guard so he could spring the punchline on her. Amari waited a few seconds longer. Nothing about his demeanor changed. Amari tried again for the truth. "Seriously, Kakashi-sensei? You seriously got me into a fight with four people because you lost a game of rock, paper, scissors?" she asked again, a frown beginning to crease her lips.
"…Yeah. I didn't think I would lose," he offered in apology.
Amari slapped her hand to her forehead and quietly groaned. "Can I just point out that thinking you would win a game of chance doesn't even make sense?" Kakashi went to speak but she cut him off by raising her other hand in a stopping motion. "Don't even bother explaining the logic." Sighing, she let her hand fall from her face so she could level her sensei with a dissatisfied frown. "What would have happened if you had won?"
Maybe the reward was worth the risk.
"One of my students would have taken on your team," Guy replied, wearing a victorious grin she could only assume could ever be destroyed by a loss to Kakashi.
Or maybe not.
Not even a therapist could fix the issues these two have, Amari deadpanned to herself. Quite frankly, having a contest of luck to determine who had to submit a single student to the punishment of taking on an entire Genin squad was ridiculous. No, ridiculous was too plain to describe this situation. Insanity, their rivalry and this idea of fighting an entire team on her own was pure insanity.
And now I'm being dragged into it. What a pain.
Why did her sensei have to be so troublesome?
"It seems like a losing proposition for whoever ended up losing rock, paper, scissors," she pointed out in an attempt to get them to see how crazy the idea was. "One Genin fighting an entire squad? You might as well ask me to take on one of you at half your power."
She'd be lucky to land a single blow.
Guy's grin somehow managed to grow even wider than before; pearly white teeth sparkled in the sunlight as a chuckle of victory left him. "Kakashi, it appears your student doubts she can take on my team. Does this mean our score is fifty-one to forty-nine now?"
And they keep score? She'd be embarrassed for them if she wasn't so incensed by the silent insinuation she was about to address. "You're saying one of your students could beat my whole team?" Of course they were still mostly fresh-faced Genin, she wouldn't deny that, but his students could only be a year ahead of them. The gap of power between them couldn't be that much.
Guy, unwavering in his confidence, nodded without hesitation or sign of doubt. Others might have felt a hint of uncertainty at his response. If he believed a single student was strong enough to take on her team, logic dictated his team was far more powerful than one might expect of young Genin.
None of that logic came to mind for the Uchiha. Oh no, the only thing coming to her mind was the image of her standing on top of four students with her hand and head held high in victory. Nobody insulted her and her team without consequence. When the dust finally settled, Guy's team would only have their sensei to blame for the destruction of their egos and their bodies.
Amari the shy girl was gone, burned up in the fires of Amaririsu Yūhi the kunoichi's rage.
Guy would regret bringing this transformation out of her.
Amari turned to Kakashi with a fire in her eye and soul no Water Style Jutsu could put out. She would represent her team and prove that his decision in using her to take on Guy's team wasn't wrong. "Sensei, when I defeat these chumps, does that tie the score?" Startled by her change of attitude, Kakashi's eye widened a fraction as his head unconsciously nodded in answer. "Then I will fight and even out your score. No one insults Team Seven and gets away with it!" She turned to the bushy browed Jōnin, who was still grinning. "Bring them on so I can crush them into dust."
"All right!" Guy pumped his fist into the air. "The fires of youth will burn today in this glorious contest!"
Right on cue his team showed up, a group of four divided into two boys and two girls, plus the ninken of the Inuzuka. The other girl of the group wore her brown hair in two tight buns with a few short bangs hanging over her forehead protector. Her clothes consisted of a pink sleeveless qipao-style blouse with red sleeve trimmings and yellow fastening buttons as well as dark green pants and blue ninja sandals.
Her eyes were brown and her skin fair, and on her hips were two medium sized storage scrolls. Obviously she's the ninja tool thrower, Amari examined with a critical eye. Those scrolls undoubtedly contained more weapons than she had the patience to count. She must be a weapon specialist. She glanced to her cut arm. And one with really precise aim at that.
From what she could tell, this kunoichi was likely their long range attacker with the ability to fight close range using weapons of some kind. Could be kunais, could be weapons she never fought against before. Either way, she was not to be underestimated.
The two boys' talents were also obvious by looking at them. First was the mini-Guy in the same green spandex, with the same bowl cut, same orange leg warmers and red forehead protector worn around his waist as a belt. Why a belt, she couldn't say. Not like their spandex jumpsuits needed them. What was different, however, was the white bandages wrapped around his hands and wrists.
No doubt because of training in taijutsu, she analyzed. Based on what Mom has told me of Guy, he's a master of taijutsu. If this kid is modeling himself after him, I have to assume his peak physical shape comes from intense taijutsu based training.
Her eye flicked between the first three students she examined. One purely taijutsu user, one mix of taijutsu and ninjutsu and a ninja tool specialist. I guess I can't be surprised by the taijutsu focus here considering who their sensei is.
Amari brought her gaze to the final member of the team, another obvious taijutsu focused shinobi. He was a Hyūga without a doubt, the lavender eyes were a dead giveaway to his heritage. To see another boy with lavender eyes, her heart tightened in her chest as the air felt suddenly devoid of oxygen.
Ryu…
Damn it. She needed to calm her heart down fast. No matter how many times her mind tried to shift this Hyūga's features to match Ryu's, this boy wasn't her fallen friend. Small things were different, the shape of his nose, the shade of his hair color, height and style of clothing…but his eyes, his eyes were almost identical to Ryu's.
No, his eyes are different, she quickly corrected herself. Ryu's eyes were kind. He didn't carry hidden anger or carry an air of smugness like this kid does.
He was quite the opposite of both Ryu and Hinata in that sense. Ryu and Hinata looked at her with fondness, their smiles and their presence comforted her. This boy didn't. His lips remained in a neutral scowl, his lavender eyes looked down on her, like he saw her as a lesser being. But…even though the emotions in his eyes were different, the lavender eyes alone were enough to tug at her heart for a time long passed.
He's gone. Stay focused on moving forward for Ryu.
Trying to focus elsewhere, she took in his outfit. He wore a khaki shirt, dark brown shorts, a black forehead protector and blue ninja sandals. Bandages were wrapped around his right arm and right leg, indicating to Amari what side he was more prominent in using when he fought.
He must use the Hyūga Gentle Fist fighting style like Hinata, which means cutting off my chakra network if he gets close enough.
This was going to be difficult for certain, near on impossible if she let her guard down in the slightest. What a drag. Sensei, if I could kick your butt I would leave a permanent imprint of my sandal on it.
"So, you're the half-breed," the Hyūga of the group said in a condescending manor.
Something about that word stirred a dark feeling within her heart, a feeling that made her want to feed him his own teeth. Definitely not Ryu. Remaining undistracted, though, provided further Intel to the young kunoichi. Mimi tensed up at the word and clenched her hands into fists; her lip curled up in a snarl she struggled to suppress while Aoko's vicious growl was far more audible.
Huh, seems he isn't popular with those two. She'd have to try to use that against them. But first…
"And you must be…oh wait, that's right! I know you!" she feigned excitement and let a venomous smirk pull onto her lips. "You're a nobody. Just a fledgling punk unworthy of my time and energy."
His smug look twisted into a snarl. "What did you say?"
Amari ignored him, for now. The action only furthered the boy's anger. Good. She wasn't sure why that word set fire to her heart, but it felt like a fresh scab being torn off. A lingering old pain reopened without remorse or care for the knife behind the insult affected her. That damn insult again, a foreign part of her mind growled. It screamed to make him pay, and she planned to listen to it when the time was right.
Nobody would ever call her that again.
"Mistake number one: insulting Amari, her heritage or her team. Guy you and your student may have signed the ticket of failure," Kakashi tagged on in an amused voice.
Seems you don't like his attitude either, Sensei, Amari thought. She assumed he might scold her for being so rude or arrogant, but he didn't seem to care, though it could be argued it was because he wanted to get a rise out of his eternal rival. His comment alone set a fire in Guy's eyes over the possibility of losing.
"Class, this is Amari." Kakashi sounded as if he was talking to a bunch of idiots as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Appearances can be deceiving, so please watch your steps when you make preconceived opinions on her abilities. She's not liable for paying for your broken pride."
A smug smirk found itself tugging onto the Shadow user's face. This group is strong, but they're overconfident in their numbers and abilities. Overconfidence could end any shinobi regardless of strength or skill. It'd lead these four to not fight her as a real threat; a disastrous mistake because Amari wouldn't hold back. She didn't have that luxury when she was alone. They'll hold back and treat this as a nothing fight, thus leaving themselves open to defeat. As long as I keep a clear mind, I can outsmart them and win this.
"Amari, this is Team Guy," Kakashi introduced in his normal voice, a hint of seriousness that implored her to pay attention. "You've met Mimi and Aoko, and I believe Tenten gave her own introduction judging on that new scratch you have."
"Yes, her kunai and I have met." She nodded to the kunoichi in praise. "Nice throw by the way. Caught me before I could Body Flicker."
Tenten smiled and gave a sharp nod. "Thanks."
"The two you haven't met are Rock Lee and Neji Hyūga. Lee there has become a ninja only using taijutsu, quite the feat I might add," Kakashi explained.
Only taijutsu? Hm. That was certainly a feat to be impressed by. The fact that he had become a ninja without any ninjutsu or genjutsu when graduation required them to use ninjutsu meant he had to be better than good. He had to be a genius in the art of taijutsu, strong and skilled enough for the Academy teachers to overlook his lack of ninjutsu and genjutsu.
I'll need to be careful around him. I can hold my own in a fight, but taijutsu like his might be too much for me to handle. She could take a punch and deal out her damage in taijutsu, but Lee's spandex outfit allowed her to see the muscles beneath the material. His strength would be troublesome, possibly enough to overpower her, and his skill in taijutsu had to be incredible. With Sasuke she had the advantage of speed, flexibility and faster tactical analysis against his strength and skill. But here against Lee she probably couldn't rely on that same advantage to beat him.
Best to keep him at a distance and try to hit him with genjutsu or ninjutsu. Thanks for the warning, Sensei.
"Greetings." Amari bowed her head to the bowl cut boy.
He gave her a smile and bowed his head. "To you as well, Amaririsu. I have heard impressive stories of your skills and can't wait to see them for myself."
"I uh-…" Unprepared for his compliment and kindness, Amari cleared her throat and fought off the blush trying to come on. "I appreciate the compliment, Lee. I hope the stories weren't too exaggerated. I wouldn't want to disappoint." And she was going to start rambling any second now if she continued talking. "I look forward to seeing your skills in taijutsu."
"Neji is also skilled in the Gentle Fist style of taijutsu. I'd explain his Byakugan, but you obviously don't need that with all the knowledge you have on the Hyūga fighting style," Kakashi said airily like it was no big deal.
Fake him out by telling him I know more than he thinks on his fighting style while really telling me to use my knowledge of the Byakugan to my advantage. Amari smiled at the frown on Neji's face. Well played, Kakashi-sensei, well played.
If he was as skilled as Kakashi was silently implying, a straight up fight wouldn't be wise. Unfortunately it was four against one. Even with clones she couldn't keep the three taijutsu users at a distance forever. They'd close in on her and take her down with overwhelming numbers if she spread herself too thin in her attempt to keep them separated.
Divide and conquer may not be plausible here. I may have to figure something else out if I stand a chance at winning.
That left one final matter to take care of.
"Can I just ask one question before we start?" Amari asked. Both Jōnin nodded for her to go ahead and ask. "How much do they know about me? Are there any restrictions on my abilities?" She looked to her Sensei in hopes of transmitting her thoughts. Do they know about the Sharingan and Byakugan I hold?
Kakashi caught onto her silent questions then looked to his eternal rival. "Guy?"
"They know she is of Nara and Uchiha blood, and that she wields the Sharingan. I have also warned them she wields another secret power, but they are all sworn to secrecy. If they speak of it to anyone outside of our team I have threatened to strip them of their ninja status. So Amaririsu." Guy shoved his fist out in a thumbs up and grinned. "You are free to use your full strength!"
At first she was a bit hurt by Guy telling his team of her secret heritage, but the consequence he gave them for speaking of it…It humbled her immediately. "You didn't have to threaten something so important…but thank you." Amari bowed her head respectfully. Ninja status was sacred to those who earned it. To tell his beloved students he'd strip them of it for breathing a word of her secret was appreciated.
"What exactly are the rules here? I know killing is obviously out, so should I restrain myself from using Fire Jutsus?" She didn't really want to hurt anyone…well, maybe Neji, but she planned to destroy his pride, not his body.
"Nonsense!" Guy waved her question off like it was ridiculous to even consider it. "Use all of your skills. If they cannot dodge a Fire Jutsu in practice then they need to train harder." He brought his hand to his chin. "Though, now that you mention it, I should prepare losing conditions for my team in case they are unable to secure victory. You are my eternal rival's protégé after all."
"Surely that is not needed," Neji stated. "This girl barely dodged Tenten's attack. She won't be able to beat me."
Amari frowned at him. Definitely not like Ryu or Hinata. Overconfidence like that needed to be snuffed out before it got his team killed.
"She did have to grab Lord Hokage's grandson. If she was alone I believe her speed would have been sufficient to dodge the attack," Lee pointed out
"Should have seen her moving through that forest, Sir Superiority. For someone carrying a child, she was pretty damn fast and nimble," Mimi informed. Aoko barked in what Amari assumed was agreement.
Do I sense tension between these three? The kunoichi watched as Neji scoffed at their agreement on her speed but offered no retort. He has a bigger ego than Sasuke, and I didn't think that was possible.
"I've got it!" Guy suddenly shouted, grinning at the idea on his mind. "If you four lose against Amaririsu, you will do sixty laps around the village and one hundred pushups, no breaks. Sound good?" Before his team could voice their obvious despair to his idea—minus Lee who looked ready for it—he slapped Lee and Mimi on the back since they were the closest to him. "Great! Kakashi, you can have the honors of starting this contest of youth."
Her Sensei let out a sigh and stepped between both groups. "Ready." He brought his hand up and looked between the two groups as Guy's students took on battle ready positions and Amari shifted her feet in preparation to dodge. As his eye fell upon her, he gave her a look that told her to be smart and safe. She smiled at him and dipped her head in a small nod of confidence.
Trust me.
He nodded back.
I do.
Fighting these four would prove to be a hard fight, but she was ready for it. She'd make them fight for every inch in this battle.
"Begin."
Amari disappeared before the group could even react. Instead of hiding somewhere, Amari reappeared next to the riverbank and knelt down onto one knee. Hiding is pointless with Mimi's and Aoko's noses and Neji's Byakugan. She lifted her hands up to create the Clone Seal. They have the numbers in their favor, and I don't have the ability to create Shadow Clones over and over again without consequence. Three clones appeared next to her. Good news is they don't seem to have any mid-range or long range ninjutsu users, only Tenten's ninja tools. I can use that to my advantage by using my Fire Style jutsus when they will be most effective.
If the four of us split between them, as long as my clones are careful I'll be able to focus on one opponent at a time. Her eye flitted between her four enemies. And as soon as the first one is done, I'll work on the next in a two on one fight, lowering their numbers one by one until it's a one on one battle between myself and whoever I target last.
By the time they realized they needed to take her seriously, it'd be too late. But who to attack first and who to attack last? She knew very little of their individual skills, only the few spoken and unspoken warnings she received from Kakashi. That information alone, however, wasn't enough to devise the correct plan on who was best to take out first and take out last. I'll save Mimi or Tenten for last, she decided. I can use my clones as reconnaissance with them, judge their skills and decide after I'm done with Neji and Lee.
From where she was standing, the two boys posed the largest threats. Their strength in taijutsu and skill with the Gentle Fist were too dangerous for her to combat last or alone. She needed to single one of them out first and then double team the other. They would likely require the greatest amount of strength to take down, not that she was underestimating her fellow kunoichi's. She just didn't have enough information to judge their overall skill yet.
It was possible by the time she got to them she'd regret picking them last, but for now she was focused on the two boys. The best way to do this is taking down Neji first. If he is half as good as he thinks he is then he'll be my toughest opponent in terms of strategy. Her eye flicked over to Lee. I can't deny that I'm severely worried about my chances in a fight with him. To graduate on taijutsu alone?
Amari hummed, unnerved by the prospect. Might be best to attack him with a genjutsu when I get to him. Lock him down in one and then focus on his other two teammates. Once the boys were dealt with she'd calculate a plan for Mimi and Tenten.
My best chance against Neji is to get him to lose his cool. It'll make him unfocused and blind to my real intentions.
Nodding to herself, she activated her Byakugan to keep her enemies in sight. So far they seemed to be waiting patiently to see if she would make the first move. That was their second mistake: giving her room to think without the stress of combat. Overconfidence will be their downfall. I just have to stay focused and I can win this.
They wouldn't fight her like a real enemy. She would. It was the only way to win, and it showed she respected the challenge they presented as fellow Leaf shinobi. To give anything less than her best would be an insult.
"Girls, team huddle!" Amari announced, pumping her fist to go along with her deception. The four Amari's formed a huddle and locked their arms. As expected, Guy's team let out sounds of confusion. "Listen up, I've got a plan," she whispered, flashing her Sharingan to signal them to activate theirs.
As soon as three red eyes stared back at her, she immediately began mouthing her commands. "Their Inuzuka partner will hear anything I say so ignore verbal commands." The trio nodded. "You and you," she pointed to two of her clones, "I want you to go all out on Lee and Tenten. Destroy them!"
"Yes ma'am!" the pair saluted as they giggled madly at their ingenious leader.
"Be careful and don't push yourselves. If you can take them on, go ahead, but focus more on discovering their techniques and level of ability to give us an edge." She pointed to her third clone. "You, I want you to take down Mimi and Aoko as quick as you can."
"Numbers will be troublesome, but nothing I can't handle."
"Once again be careful. We don't know anything about her skills other than her cooperation ninjutsu. She may be more dangerous than the others."
"And you?" she asked in return.
"I'm going to feed that Hyūga his teeth. I've heard it's rich in calcium." Using her Byakugan, she glanced over to Team Guy and saw Mimi reiterating her plan to her teammates. Good, they think they know my plan and that's mistake number three: Thinking you know what I'm thinking. "And, break!"
Her clones left the huddle and dashed after their respective opponents, assaulting them hard enough to give them no choice but to be separated from their other teammates. Amari walked to meet her own opponent, who had left his team to meet her halfway with his arrogance back in full force. "You know, you remind me a lot of how Sasuke was when my team was formed. He was arrogant and believed the team was so far beneath him. It led to his downfall against my Sensei and against me in a spar," she said as soon as they were in speaking distance.
Neji snorted and aimed a smug sneer at her. "What is this? A warning?"
"No." Amari slid her feet into position to prepare for combat. "A warning would imply that I will defeat you and you won't learn anything." Her onyx eye shifted red. "This will be a lesson you will never forget."
"Tough words for someone who has no idea what they're up against." He took up the Gentle Fist fighting stance. "I usually don't care for our Sensei's ridiculous rivalry or his idiotic challenges, but proving that a half-breed like you will never change will be worthwhile."
Neji activated his Byakugan as Amari let out an angered growl and charged him. The gall of this boy to think he was so far above everyone. I'll enjoy destroying him, the vengeful portion of her mind declared.
Amari threw a flurry of punches, hoping to give the boy little to no breathing room to use the Gentle Fist style of attack. If he landed even a single blow to her chakra network, this entire fight could be over within seconds. She refused to let him win. She didn't care if she lost to Lee, Mimi or Tenten. That wouldn't bother her. But to lose to this arrogant punk who dared to call her a half-breed was unacceptable.
Even if it cost her all of her strength, she would stand tall over him.
Neji's skill in taijutsu became apparent with each new block and dodge he performed. Far more talented than she was, but that wouldn't stop her. No way. She hadn't let the enormous gap of skill ward her off from fighting Haku or Zabuza; she wouldn't let it stop her here!
The Shadow user went for an uppercut but found her hand firmly caught by her enemy. In her Sharingan vision she saw his free hand launch at her in slow motion, chakra emanating from his palm as he planned to finish the fight in one blow. Underestimating me? Amari's brow furrowed as she channeled chakra to her feet. You'll pay for that!
All at once she released the chakra and launched into the air, breaking Neji's grip on her before he could land his attack. Corkscrewing her body, she used the momentum to send her leg on a one way ticket to knock his head off his shoulders, figuratively speaking of course. My foot will be right in his blind spot. A fiery glare took over her red eye. Take this, you arrogant bastard!
Neji spun around quickly and blocked her foot just in the nick of time. The power of the kick, however, was enough to force him back. Never one to miss out on an opportunity, Amari sent the chakra throughout her body in preparation for her next attack. The moment her right foot hit the ground she disappeared in a blur of speed, reappearing behind him with another hard kick swinging for his head.
Air was all she found as Neji ducked, but she was on him again throwing another set of strikes he dodged away from with grace and ease. He retreated a few steps and retook his stance, his features calm among the storm of attacks she just unleashed.
And not a single attack did any significant damage.
This kid was good, no doubt about that. Amari inhaled controlled breaths as warm blood pumped through her weighed down muscles. Frontal assault isn't going to work like this. I need to get him to lose his focus and capitalize on his blind emotion rather than blind myself in anger.
"You can't escape my eyes," said Neji. "The Byakugan grants me the sight to see everything from the indecision in your posture to your weak attacks. Your destiny is one of constant uncertainty. It troubles you. It weighs down on your weak heart yet you try to fight against it, and in doing so only cause yourself more pain. You pretend you can become stronger when it is not in your power to decide this. Your destiny has already been chosen. You are sealed to the fate of being a simple half-breed who will never be as strong as a true blooded Uchiha."
A true blooded Uchiha? Just like half-breed, those words immediately incensed her, but Amari reined her feelings in. Anger solved nothing. Its biting venom would only destroy her from the inside and cause her to lose this battle. The best way to prove this punk wrong was by defeating him.
Weighed down, huh? Amari snorted, amused by the words. In an instant, she Body Flickered a foot away from where she had once stood, dodging his fast attack at the last moment so she could grab his forearm. He got that part right. I am literally weighed down thanks to the seals.
"You stupid fool. 'The Byakugan grants me the sight to see everything.'" Such arrogance, it disgusted her. Arrogance like that got people killed. Such blind belief in destiny kept people from surpassing themselves. Her hand closed tighter around his arm. "Well my Sharingan can see through your illusions. That's why." Amari kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him stumbling away from her. "I can say with one hundred percent certainty that you stand no chance against me, you pathetic weakling."
You may be more skilled than me, you may be physically stronger than me, but you lack real strength. Her red eye remained hardened. Your idea of destiny weakens you; it chains you in a cage you'll never escape. That's why I'll win this. She kept her thoughts to herself. He wouldn't understand through words. The only way he'd understand would be through defeating him, by proving to him without a shadow of a doubt that her ideals made her stronger than him.
Her intentions were to get in his head, anyways, not debate philosophy.
"What did you say?" Neji growled.
Venom poured into the Uchiha's words and eye as she stared down her enemy. "Too bad your ears aren't as flawless as your eyes. I said you stand no chance against me, because you're weak. Take away your Byakugan and you're nothing. A one trick pony that I'm growing rather bored with. You think you're tough? Tch, you're not even on my radar. The Hyūga should be ashamed."
Something noticeable snapped in her opponent's eyes. Found a raw nerve, have I? With a roar of anger, Neji charged at her with bad intentions. A smirk formed on her lips. Those with the most arrogance usually have the most fragile egos. Let's see what you got!
Amari dodged his attacks instead of trying to block them. If he even grazed her she'd be screwed. First step was to get in his mind, a successful endeavor if she said so herself. Now it was on to the next step: keep him angry, keep him chasing after her so he expended energy while she reserved her chakra and energy for the opportune moment to take him down.
"So much bold talk about your Byakugan. You've come to depend solely on it, haven't you? Fool," she taunted. "Just like my Sharingan, your Byakugan has limitations. Limitations in how far you can see. Limitations in how long you can keep it active, and from what my Hyūga friend told me you even have a limitation in how far around it can see."
Neji dashed in again, intent on striking her down because he believed he found an opening. He didn't. She baited him right into her trap and caught him with her Shadow Possession Jutsu, paralyzing him so she could put the finishing touches on her mental attack.
"Ah yes, the legendary blind spot of the Hyūga. Isn't it so sad that perfect eyes like yours are hindered at birth." Neji growled and struggled to fight his way out of her Shadow Possession. With their toes nearly touching, he'd have to try a lot harder than he was to succeed. "Can't surpass it, right? It just is. So really when you say that I will never change due to some crap about destiny, guess what?" She leaned forward so her mouth was next to his ear. "Neither will you," she whispered sadistically.
"Neji is done," Kakashi stated confidently. The physical fight continued, but Amari had won the mental battle with a decisive blow. A perfect kill shot no amount of Medical Ninjutsu could save Neji from. He was bleeding out, and depending on how merciful Amari was, his end might be swift or long and painful.
Guy looked over to him, a pensive look on his face at the suddenness of his statement. Kakashi didn't remove his eyes from the fight between his student and Neji. In a short time frame she picked up on his greatest insecurities and used them against him. A smile formed behind his mask, pride filling him at his student's wise decision. She'll continue to toy with him, waiting for the opportune moment to spring her real attack.
Sharpening his student's already katana sharp mind and observation skills worked perfectly. She could clearly see the strengths and weaknesses of her enemy and now she could shift her plan of attack to succeed. Kakashi nodded to himself. Good work, Amari. You knew you wouldn't be able to win by normal means so you figured out a way to win by any means necessary. You have Neji now in the palm of your hands, but don't let it go to your head and drop your guard. He's still a dangerous opponent and there are three other enemies on the field you need to worry about.
Her clones were doing good work in keeping them from reinforcing their teammates. As long as they kept it up, she wouldn't be outnumbered.
"How so?" Guy asked.
The Copy Ninja lifted his chin up at to the two kids. "Amari's attacking his mind now, letting him waste his energy by striking wildly at her while she expends as little chakra as possible."
Truthfully, the moment Neji called her a half-breed he had sealed his fate. Kakashi had seen the change in Amari's demeanor as soon as that word was thrown at her. So far it didn't seem she would go off the rails like she did in the Land of Waves, but he had no doubt she was planning something big to make Neji pay for it.
Kakashi unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck. Knowing Amari, it'll hit his ego hard. Possibly even destroy it. He almost felt bad for the kid. Almost, but not quite.
"So all of her taunting and the harsh words she has spoken are all a part of her attack?" Guy asked, looking back to the kids thoughtfully.
At the moment Amari was dodging around, still passing barbed taunts here and there at the infuriated young Hyūga. Her clones, on the other hand, were taking on different tactics with their respective enemies. To his trained eye, they were performing reconnaissance, learning more about their skills so, when the time came, she could dispel them and come up with a strategy for her other opponents.
Out of all of the clones, the one fighting Lee was taking the worst beating. His skill in Guy's style of taijutsu clearly surpassed her own skill in the art of taijutsu; her usual advantage of nimble speed wasn't as effective against someone who was as naturally fast as Lee was. By continually pressing the assault, there was no time for her clone to think of a strategy beyond dodging.
"Amari doesn't callously seek to hurt anyone, but Neji calling her a half-breed hit a very raw nerve. Something he seems to have done with Mimi as well." Guy hummed in acknowledgement of his point. "Still, even though she might be angry, she hasn't let it blind her to one single truth: a head-on assault against Neji and Lee in taijutsu would lead to failure." He looked over to Guy. "Unlike your team, she knew nothing of her opponents' abilities. So, instead of attacking blindly, she's using her skills of observation to acquire intelligence and find your students weaknesses."
If Guy was worried about the changing odds, he didn't show it. He beamed, clearly impressed by Amari's current strategy. "I see. I must apologize, Kakashi, for I have underestimated you're protégé completely!" His fist shot out to give Kakashi a thumbs up as he grinned. "You've trained her well, but I'd expect nothing less from my eternal rival!"
"Against Amari, underestimation is the worst mistake anyone could make." Zabuza learned that the hard way. The cut she dealt to their enemy turned ally would be a reminder of the fierce young kunoichi he underestimated for the rest of his years.
The two seasoned shinobi fell silent again, watching intently as the real Amari dodged under a wild strike from Neji. Seeing an opening, Amari fired off two hard blows to his stomach. "Are you done playing around yet?" she jeered as she dodged back. "Or should I never expect the need to take you seriously?"
Neji came back in faster, his strikes unfocused but still full of dangerous strength. Easy, Amari. Don't push him too far. He's still an allied shinobi. Rivalries were fine, but making a real enemy out of a fellow Leaf shinobi was not acceptable.
"Everyone stop!" Mimi shouted.
Kakashi lazily looked over to the Inuzuka. Mimi had a knee pinned into the center of the clone's prone body and her arms pinned awkwardly behind her back. Gears were spinning in her mind; blue eyes darted between every single group as she put together the pieces of Amari's grander scheme. Hopefully Amari hasn't underestimated her, he thought. Out of all of these kids, she's the one Amari needs to worry about the most.
Lee and Neji were dangerous in close quarters, and Tenten's skill with ninja tools was unparalleled for a kid her age, but Mimi Inuzuka was Amari's biggest threat. Just as Guy scouted Amari, Kakashi scouted Mimi specifically. Although in taijutsu alone she had yet to beat Neji, Mimi's overall skillset topped her teammates. Intellect, reasoning, chakra control, ninjutsu, each of her skills were amazing, far beyond that of her class and that of Amari's.
Movement from the real Amari snapped Kakashi's eye back over to the original battle. Amari reappeared out of a Body Flicker, collapsing onto her side as she all but threw herself away from Neji. Slowly she sat up, her right hand gripping her left arm as her features contorted in agony. She let her guard down for one second because of Mimi's shout and Neji capitalized. If she wasn't so fast, she'd have been done for.
He may not have liked the kid's attitude, but Neji's skill was undeniable.
"Looks like Neji may not be out of this yet," Guy stated.
Amari dispelled all of her clones and quietly shut her right eye as she moved her right hand into Tiger Seal. Guy's team regrouped; Neji seemed to be slowly calming himself down, refocusing after losing sight of the fight. Mimi took the time to explain exactly what the Nara had been up to.
"She was studying us?" Tenten asked.
"Exactly. She was assessing our strengths, looking for weaknesses and in Neji's case picking apart his mind to get him to lower his guard. We just gave her a cheat sheet to study thanks to her Shadow Clones."
"I'll give her credit, she caught on quicker than I expected," Kakashi complimented. None of her other teammates even noticed it. "But in the end your team gave her too much Intel to work off of." All except Mimi, he added silently. Out of the entire team, Mimi kept herself the most restrained, revealing very little of her true power as she fought Amari's clone. I hope Amari can see that.
Looking back to his student, he saw that she was still in her thinking pose. As long as Team Guy didn't interrupt her Amari would have enough peace of mind to sift through all of her strategies and pick the one she needed to win this fight.
Amari's eye snapped open, the Sharingan blazing across the field through all of her opponents. She's figured out a plan.
"Sensei," Amari called to Kakashi. She looked over to him at the posts where he and Guy were standing. "Can I take off the seals?"
"Seals?" Guy and his students questioned in unison.
Kakashi smiled underneath his mask, curiosity piqued at what kind of plan his student cooked up. "Yes, but only take one from each arm and leg."
A smile tugged at Amari's face. "One from each is all I need." She bowed her head. "Thank you, Sensei." Obviously the whole point of using the seals was to help her become stronger and faster, but to stand a chance at beating these guys she needed to take at least two from each set of limbs. The Shadow user wasted no time in unwinding the tape on her right forearm first. Kakashi showed up next to her and disengaged the seal before stuffing it into his pocket. They did the same for her other forearm and her calves, reducing the extra weight from forty pounds to twenty.
Honestly it felt great to feel a bit lighter again.
After hopping up and down a few times to get used to the lack of weight and stretching out her limbs a little, Amari prepared to fight again. "Okay, shall we continue?"
Her opponents took on aggressive stances. "Try not to let her in your head this time, Sir Superiority," Mimi chastised as she moved onto all-fours.
"Worry about yourself," came his curt response.
I've got one shot at pulling this off, Amari thought, slowly moving her hands up in front of her. Once I begin, there's no slowing down. I have to attack with all of my strength and a level of ferocity they have no hope of recovering from.
For the name of Team Seven, for her sensei's win-loss record and her pride as a kunoichi, she would not fail!
Time to go full blast!
Amari's hands sped through the Fire Ball Jutsu handseals, inhaling a large breath before her opponents realized what she was doing. They're bunched up. With this large attack they'll have no choice but to scatter or get burned.
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
A large fire ball launched from Amari's lips; the flames seared the grassy terrain it its wake as it sped towards her opponents.
"Damn!" Mimi complimented, a grin on her face as she and her teammates scattered.
Just as I planned. Time to move! Chakra already flooding through her body, the Nara bolted from her position, following the trail of her fireball towards her enemies. None of Team Guy had touched the ground yet, all four of them floating helplessly as she appeared and disappeared in a zig-zag formation.
"Tenten, she's coming to you!" Mimi called out.
"Got it!"
Tenten unrolled one of her storage scrolls around her body and unsealed several kunai and shuriken from it. Her sleight of hand was incredible. Her hands captured and threw each bladed weapon in quick succession, yet none of her attacks were thoughtless. Every throw was aimed precisely based on the location Amari would appear at. The Nara was impressed; this kunoichi could measure distances and trajectories even for a high-speed opponent without a dōjutsu. Tenten's accuracy actually forced her enough to pull out her own kunai to deflect the blades as she dashed.
Using her Byakugan, she could see the others were about to touch the ground just as Tenten was landing. Based on my clones' experiences, she can wield pretty much any weapon from staffs to thrown weapons. But she'll likely retreat back to continue providing long ranged support.
When her foot touched, she would jump again and continue producing ninja tools, buying time for her three taijutsu teammates to close the distance. Even at her current speed, Amari knew she wouldn't catch her fast enough, but she had already prepared for that.
As expected, Tenten landed and jumped again, throwing a series of ninja tools Amari had to dodge and deflect to avoid injury. One grazed her forearm as it slipped through her defenses. In her Byakugan sight she could see Mimi closing the distance on all-fours with Lee right behind her. You've overestimated your chances and underestimated my abilities. I'll make you all regret that!
Amari tossed her kunai at Tenten, bouncing her blade off of the set of five her opponent had just thrown to simultaneously deflect them and free her hands for her immediate attack. Her blade cut past Tenten's arm to draw blood just as the Uchiha cartwheeled between two shuriken. Channeling her chakra to her hands, she launched herself forward and up into the air, spinning her body so she was upside down and facing Mimi, Aoko and Lee, her hands already in Tiger.
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
A wide continuous flame expelled from Amari and swept across the grass to create a barrier of fire between her and her pursuers. Now's my chance to take down Tenten. Twisting her body, she landed on her feet and rolled forward. When her feet were back under her again she channeled the chakra through her body to flash forward and appear right in front of Tenten as she landed. Blade met blade, but the power of Amari's strike was too much for the unprepared kunoichi to handle.
Tenten's eyes widened as she felt her blade leave her hand and fly away harmlessly. As she scrambled to retreat and equip a different weapon, Amari jolted forward, kicking her square in the gut with a hard strike that sent her tumbling backwards across the grass. When she tried to roll out of her tumble she was halted by Amari pinning her to the ground, a blade pressed to her throat.
"Yield," she ordered.
"Darn it." Tenten sighed. "I yield."
Amari removed her knife and placed it back into her pouch. Not a second later, a hard force collided into her cheek and sent her for her own tumble across the grass. Gah! She rolled back onto her feet and slid back on the grass, red eye meeting her bowl cut wearing assailant. Didn't hold back on that hit, she thought, rubbing her cheek where his foot had landed.
"Tenten, are you all right?" Lee asked his teammate, his eyes looking in the Uchiha's direction but not in her eye.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Tenten sat up with a huff of annoyance at losing. "Careful, Lee. She's fast."
He smirked. "I am prepared for the challenge."
He's not meeting my eye, Amari analyzed, which must mean he's aware of the Sharingan's genjutsu limitation. As long as he didn't meet her eye, she wouldn't be able to cast a Sharingan genjutsu on him and eliminate him. She had expected the possibility, but she wasn't pleased by it happening.
I didn't expect him to be on me so fast either. Completely slowed me down and took away my momentum. Amari closed her right hand into a fist. And now it's my toughest opponents all together and ready for my new speed. Damn it.
Shooting pains shot through her left arm, making her wince and grab at the invisible wound. Argh, my arm!
"Neji's one hit did a number on you, didn't it?" a jeering voice echoed from behind her.
Damn it. Amari channeled chakra to her feet and jumped backwards, backflipping over the Fang Over Fang from Mimi and Aoko just in the nick of time. Don't have time to catch my breath or think anymore. She landed on a tree branch and leaned back. Air swept past her face as she narrowly avoided a hard kick from Lee. On instinct she kept walking backwards with chakra channeled to her feet, swiftly moving onto the underside of the branch to avoid his continued assault.
Mimi met her on the bottom of the branch and immediately started attacking. A grin split her lips at the irritated look Amari shot her. They're working together to overwhelm me. Grunting in annoyance, Amari blocked a punch with a kick and used the attack to also push herself backwards, simultaneously stopping the flow of chakra to her feet long enough to lose traction on the tree, flip and push off the trunk of it away from her two skilled opponents.
Neji's attack must have hit a chakra point for it to be hurting this much. She winced again and stumbled out of the way of a fast attack from Lee, still holding her left arm as she remained on evasive defense. Every time I channel my chakra through my body, it makes my arm burn even more.
Two hard kicks landed—one from Mimi and the other from Lee—and sent her sliding backwards on her heels. I can't keep this up much longer. I need a plan!
"Don't tell me you're done! We're just starting to have fun!" Mimi grinned, going back onto all-fours as Lee took up his stance next to her.
"Come, Amaririsu, show us your full strength!"
"You two are such a pain." She lowered her hand from her arm and stared at her opponents. Neither of them are meeting my eye. They're watching my feet and predicting my moves from there. Glancing in her Byakugan to Neji, she found him patiently moving in as his teammates wore her down. I don't have time to mess around, but I can't think of any way out of this.
Amari looked down at the ground in frustration. Come on, this isn't your limit. You've got so much more to show. So stop thinking so hard about failure…Her red eye snapped up to her two opponents. And show them you're power!
Chakra flowed through her a second before she launched head-on at Mimi, Aoko and Lee. Amari landed between them and started throwing precise kicks and punches all the while using her Sharingan and Byakugan to predict her enemies' movements and strikes. A few strikes passed her defenses, the skill of opponents being far greater than hers, but she didn't let them stop her. She threw herself deeper into her fighting spirit, refusing to give either of them any breathing room or satisfaction in landing more than a handful of strikes on her.
Both of her opponents grinned in excitement, and soon she found a grin on her face as all three of them lost themselves to the thrill of the battle. Only the Nara of the trio never lost sight of planning ahead. I just need one moment. Amari blocked a fast set of punches from Mimi and kicked her away just in time to bring her arms up to block a flying kick from Lee.
"Impressive. But try to block this!" He disappeared in a flash of speed only her Byakugan could track as he became a blur in her Sharingan. "Leaf Hurricane!"
So fast! She barely had enough time to block. When his foot connected, Mimi leaped over Lee and spun into another Fang over Fang. Defeat seemed inevitable. How could she alone match these two proficient taijutsu users plus their soon to arrive teammate? Then it happened. In a brief instant in the moments before Mimi's attack landed, her moment appeared.
Lee's eyes wide in excitement met hers, shining with believed victory and pride for her apparent defeat. Now! Her mind screamed as she pooled chakra into her right eye. Sharingan!
Lee's leg went limp along with his body. Just as Mimi's strike was about to land, Amari threw herself out of the way, rolling across the grass as the Inuzuka drilled the empty space she had been standing in. Move, Amari! You have to keep moving!
Her body ached. Every muscle fiber thrummed from exertion due to the weight she was still carrying. But she had to keep moving. She had to keep fighting. For her sensei's win-loss record, for her pride as a kunoichi, for Team Seven, she had to win.
Keep fighting, damn it! Chakra surged through her body and she disappeared from the ground. When she reappeared she was sitting on Lee's back, a blade placed to his unconscious body's throat as he snored. Mimi recovered from her missed attack and frowned when she saw her teammate snoring soundly with a smile on his face.
"Lee!" she whined. "You got cocky and looked her in the eye, didn't you?!"
A loud snore was her answer.
"Yield…for him," Amari panted.
Mimi sighed. "Lee's done. Leave him be."
Two down, two to go.
Exhaling a deep breath and groan, Amari put her kunai back. "Why did I agree to this insanity?"
The Inuzuka grinned. "Hehehe, hope you're not out of steam yet. I'm still having fun."
"Dynamic Entry!" Mimi's face met a clone Amari's foot.
The real Amari smirked through her beginnings of exhaustion. "Not done ye—"
"Kaaakaashiiiiiiiii!" a shout cut her off. Both Amari's looked over to the adults in confusion. Guy was practically on fire. Huffs and puffs of anger came out of him as he glared at Kakashi, hands clenched into fists as if he was ready to lay her sensei out.
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kakashi questioned in feigned confusion.
"Did I…miss something?"
"Hehehe," Mimi chuckled as she sat up and rubbed her cheek. "That technique is his."
"Oh," was all she could think of to say. No wonder you thought it was so funny when I learned it. Now she just felt plain goofy for using it. Of course it wouldn't stop her, but still. Why couldn't he have picked something cooler to use? Obviously Guy had a huge arsenal of taijutsu attacks, why did he have to—
A hard strike full of chakra landed against her back. "So easily distracted, aren't you?"
Amari coughed and tasted warm blood. Not…good.
"What the hell, Neji?! Are you trying to kill her?!" Mimi shouted in sudden fury.
He ignored her. Amari glanced over her shoulder, blood trailing down her lips as she tried not to go into a panic attack. Everything hurt. And she felt tired, so tired. Darkness crept into her vision as the world around her began to muffle. "You're finished, pathetic half-breed." The clone that attacked Mimi popped. Amari felt her body beginning to fall to the side…and then she popped into smoke. "What?"
A mesh covered arm shot out from the ground beneath Neji, grabbing his leg tightly. "Didn't see this coming, did you? Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu."
Amari proceeded to pull Neji down into the ground all the way up to his neck. Once done, she crouched down in front of him, a severe red glare searing through him. He could have killed me with that strike. She could feel the burning phantom pain in her back, a wound she consciously knew wasn't there but felt too damn real. Just like the Lightning Blade.
The thought awakened warm aches in her left arm and shoulder. Her scars began to burn, but she did her best to shut it out and focus on Neji. The Hyūga boy growled and tried to move his body to no avail. "This half-breed just outplayed you. Remember that."
She stood up and walked away without sparing another glance to him. That took more chakra to do than I thought it would. In the heat of battle she hadn't regulated her chakra properly. Too much chakra had been wasted in that one attack, the result of her desperation to even the odds. Her effort to do so, however, left her with less strength than she hoped for. I don't think I have enough left in the tank to win this, but at least I showed up that jerk.
It was a small victory, but a win she needed.
"…That went well," Mimi deadpanned to herself. Aoko let off a series of barks. She sighed and shook her head. "True enough. He might have killed her if she wasn't a clone, so I guess this is the better alternative." Another series of barks. "Wish it were so simple. Don't forget, she took out Lee on one mistake. She's a lot more dangerous than we thought." Mimi stood up and exhaled a deep breath. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us, Aoko."
"Or you could give up," Amari offered.
Her fellow kunoichi grinned at her and shook her head. "Not a chance. You may be dangerous, but I know you're almost out of steam."
Amari couldn't help but smile guiltily. "Caught me."
"How about we spice things up and go all out in one last clash." She dipped her head towards the nearby river. "I know you can stand on water, but can you walk on it as well?"
"Yes," she answered, nodding once. But not as well as I'd like. I'm better than I was in the Land of Waves, but in my state it'll be harder than usual.
"Come on," Mimi waved her to follow her towards the river. "We'll make this final act a blast!"
The Nara jogged to catch up to her, a sense of dread filling her. I'm so going to regret going along with this.
As they walked, she decided to ask a question that had been on her mind since she met the team. "…You're what Neji would call a half-breed like me, aren't you?"
Mimi turned her grin to her, no pain or anger lingering in her blue eyes at her use of the word. "You're pretty sharp. Not only have you taken down three of my teammates, but you caught onto the rift between myself and Neji from a short encounter." She nodded. "I am what Sir Superiority calls a half-breed, too. You and I have his destiny rambles in common."
Amari giggled at the nickname Mimi had for her teammate. She'd have to ask her later if she had any others for Lee, Tenten or her sensei. "So if I had to hazard a guess based on what I know of the Inuzuka in my class, then you and your ninken's combination ninjutsu's are only half of what you can do. Seeing as you want to fight on water I have to assume your other specialty is Water Nature, maybe even Lightning if I wanted to be really pessimistic on my chances."
Being electrocuted would be a drag.
"There are some perks to being a half-breed, right?" the Inuzuka stated as they stepped onto the water.
"True."
If you didn't include the murder of her clan, she hit the jackpot in Leaf bloodlines thanks to her kekkei genkai, inner warrior spirit and innate intelligence.
Pain erupted from Amari's left arm again; the muscles in her body tensed in response and she struggled to suppress her grunt of pain. It's not letting up at all. Not playing it smart, Amari. Mimi obviously wanted to put the odds into her favor by bringing them onto the water. Going along with it was a bad move if she intended to win.
I'm really tired, though. A nap sounded good right about now. If she just forfeited now, she could head home and pass out in her bed. Soft pillows called to her, coaxing her to concede and be done with this insanity. Yet the fires of her inner warrior refused to die out. They demanded her to keep fighting until she captured victory or passed out from exhaustion.
I still have a bad habit of overestimating my strength. She exhaled deeply from her nose. Oh well. I'll give it my all regardless, but even losing is an experience. One to learn from and get better because of.
"All right, let's do this. Just for fun, how about we start big," Mimi said.
"Go big or go home they say," Amari said, chuckling nervously.
This was not an ideal situation at all. Her disadvantages were clear to her opponent. Mimi hadn't expended nearly as much chakra as she had, in fact it seemed she had been holding back for the most part, possibly to force the Nara to reveal more techniques and weaken herself to gain an advantage.
If that was her plan, Amari applauded her intelligence, and simultaneously groaned internally at how troublesome this kunoichi was.
"Water Clone Jutsu!"
Ah, crap.
Ten clones of Mimi formed out of the water around her and charged in without restraint. "Let's go, Aoko!" Amari didn't even get a chance to see what her opponent was doing, too caught up in dodging and attacking the horde of weaker copies. "Man Beast Clone!"
Argh, this is such a pain! Amari dispelled one of Mimi's clones with a hard kick to the face and pulled out two kunais. One red eye and a hidden lavender eye darted around to scout nearby enemies. They had her surrounded; the numbers advantage once again was against her, but these clones weren't as strong as the real thing. Just keep fighting. It's the only way you'll ever surpass your limitations!
Then she was moving again, slashing one clone to destroy it, kicking another away and piercing it with a kunai before backflipping out of the way of double team attack from two clones.
Her right foot landed first, but as her left went to stand on the surface her foot faltered and dipped into the water. A surge of panic hit her and shot her heart into her throat. Damn! Another clone was on her, too fast for her to have any hope of counterattack as gravity tugged her down towards the blue depths. They may be weaker, but they're still fierce. Amari's eyes shone with determination as her left foot moved forward in the water. But I'm not done yet!
Swinging her left foot out of the river as she fell backwards led to a large splash of water being flung right into her opponents eyes. Chakra to my hands and right foot, she commanded. A hue of chakra formed around her hands as she landed on the surface of the water, balanced on three limbs. Now jump and spin! She used her chakra to push off the surface and into the air, corkscrewing through the air to land two hard kicks to the clones about to ambush her.
Water splashed across her legs as the two clones dispelled. That's half of them down. She landed and blocked a series of punches from another clone before chakra dropkicking it. The attack catapulted her away and dispelled the clone. Her body skipped across the water once before she was back on her feet, eyes searching for the next attack. She created more clones, she noted at the sight of ten clones.
That was the perk of the Water Clone Jutsu, especially with all this water around them. It wasn't as chakra intensive as the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which meant Mimi wouldn't expend too much chakra creating more and more clones to replace the ones she already defeated.
I have to take down the real—
A hand latched onto Amari's ankle. Snapping to the source in shock, she found Mimi floating in the water with her hand steadily pulling her foot down into the water, a victorious grin plastered on her face. "Aoko, now!"
Amari's eyes launched up to see not only the Clones charging in, but a giant vortex of water spiraling towards her. "What the hell?" she awed. That isn't Giant Vortex Jutsu, that's Fang over Fang! Her ninken's spinning fast enough to create a giant vortex of water!
Mimi had her foot firmly grasped in her hands. No chance of breaking free in time. Jumping was pointless, Aoko would follow her up into the air and then she'd be truly helpless. And going into the water could be exactly what she wants.
This was not good.
Her only choices were take the Fang over Fang head-on, jump into the air where she was vulnerable or fall into the water where she was vulnerable. Oh man, how troublesome! It's going to take me forever to get through my hair!
Amari disengaged her chakra and fell into the water, narrowly dodging the Fang over Fang from Aoko. And she regretted it. She regretted it so much. The moment she hit the water she could feel how denser it was in comparison to normal. She knows Water Prison Jutsu?! Through her Byakugan she could see Mimi already on the surface of the water, weaving a familiar set of handseals. Crap!
With no other plan coming to mind, the Shadow user dove down into the water.
What the hell am I going to do?
"This match is over," Guy stated, grinning brightly.
Kakashi couldn't help but feel a knot of worry build in his chest for Amari's sake. His student had put up a valiant fight to be sure, but her exhaustion had caught up to her and slowed her down significantly. He didn't just mean in physical speed. Normally Amari would have noticed her real opponent's movements, but between the need to focus chakra to her feet and the fierce attacks from Mimi's clones, she lost track of her.
In the end it led to her falling right into Mimi's plans. And Mimi hasn't even shown her full power yet. He had to hope some part of the Inuzuka was still underestimating Amari. It was the only chance she had now at finding an opening.
Neji, Lee and Tenten now sat on the ground next to the Jōnin watching the battle intently. They had all accepted their defeat, not that it hadn't been clear in the first place. No hard feelings were held by Tenten or Lee, the former amazed by Amari's talent and the latter already planning on training even harder for a one on one rematch.
Then there was Neji. Kakashi would've liked to say he was humbled by his loss and could see the error of his way, but he'd be lying if he did. Neji in particular was seething with held back rage at being beaten by someone he saw as lesser. He needed to cool off and, in Kakashi's humble opinion, get over it.
His student had beaten him using her mind. That was fair game in the shinobi world.
Amari came bolting out of the water, likely catapulted off of a clone through chakra, only to be caught in a Water Prison the same as they had against Zabuza. "Not again!" Amari groaned from inside the sphere.
"Forfeit or I'll make you forfeit," the Inuzuka challenged, her ninken jumping back on her head in its normal form.
Amari huffed, crossed her arms and turned her back to her opponent. Be careful, Amari. You're at her mercy right now. Being tough when the cards were so obviously stacked against you was a good way to get yourself hurt. Amari was a tough and stubborn ninja, but she knew this jutsu well enough to know she had no way of defending herself.
"Aoko, don't blow out her eardrums. Just give her a taste."
Kakashi's eye bulged at her words. That can only mean—
Aoko climbed across the arm she had holding the Water Prison and howled into the sphere. Amari immediately started wailing in pain in response to the high pitched screech. Her hands flew to her ears in a futile attempt to stop the pain cutting through her ears. Doing so did nothing. Even earplugs wouldn't spare her ears at this point.
Guy was right: this match was indeed over.
There was no way for her to escape the Water Prison from the inside, and if Mimi wanted to she could blow Amari's eardrums out easily. Forfeiting was her only option. The only choice in her hands now was how much pain she would endure before it.
"Sound and water make a brutal combination," Guy started to explain, a proud smile on his face at his student's accomplishment. "Mimi figured out how to make the best of both of her specialties by combining her natural ability with Water Nature Transformation and her Inuzuka Clan techniques."
The Copy Ninja hissed out a breath as he could do nothing except watch his student continue to convulse in pain even after the howling stopped. She was visibly shaking inside of the sphere, hands still over her ears to protect herself from another onslaught. Come on Amari, use your head. Forfeit. You know this fight is over. Don't cause yourself anymore pain.
"Give up. You know you can't escape and I don't want to hurt you any more than I have to," Mimi pleaded, a look of compassion on her face as she looked at the shaking Amari.
"Ne- Never. I- I won't give up."
What the hell is she thinking? This fight was over the moment she got caught in the Water Prison.
"Amari, stop being stubborn!" Kakashi called to his student, who visibly flinched at his voice. He wasn't sure if it was his scolding tone or her sensitive ears that caused her to, but he wasn't going to stand here and watch his student get herself hurt over a stupid challenge or what pride she had. "You've proven enough that you can hold your own and that Team Seven is strong. I'm proud of you."
In truth he really was. Against four stronger Genin's a year older than her, she had taken down three of them without any backup. She even performed the Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu. Sasuke wouldn't have been able to get as far as she had in this battle. He believed having the Sharingan would easily grant him victories, but if he wasn't careful he would find out it wasn't that simple against someone like Lee or Neji.
Naruto had his clones, but against Lee, Neji, Mimi and Tenten he would have simply wasted his chakra until being defeated. Sakura still had a lot of work to do before being put into a situation like this on her own, but Kakashi couldn't deny his pink-haired student had a lot of heart. Training with Amari will really help to improve her skills. All she needs is some confidence behind her attacks and Sakura can one day be a very strong ninja.
Victory in this fight would have only been found through teamwork for his squad or, in this case of how things turned out, through Amari using her tactician mind and fighting spirit. Unfortunately for her, her opponents had pushed her to her limits.
"This contest isn't worth losing your hearing. There is no shame in losing this fight."
She shook her head to his surprise. "Thank you, Sensei, but don't you dare throw in the towel for me! I can still win this." Amari clapped her hands together. "Wind Style."
Kakashi's eye bulged. She can't have already learned Wind Style: Gale Palm. If she tries to pull it off in her condition…"Amari don't!" Kakashi yelled.
"Is she insane?!" Tenten wailed.
"Mimi, disengage the jutsu!" Guy panicked.
Suddenly the Amari inside the sphere poofed into smoke. Mimi brought Aoko into her chest and chakra jumped into the air just as a large explosion of water came flying up under her. Despite nearly being taken down by the paper bombs, Mimi's grin remained on her face.
Aoko was placed back on top of her head, and with her hands free Mimi began going through the Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu handseals. Several meters away from the explosion, the real Amari climbed onto the surface of the water, bracing herself on her hands and knees as she desperately inhaled air.
Kakashi sighed in relief. If I'm still sane when I'm done teaching her, I'll be lucky. "Looks like this fight isn't done yet. Mimi won't get Amari with that move again." He did his best to sound confident, but deep down he knew his student was at the end of her rope. If she had a plan to win, she'd need to execute it soon.
"I don't know, Amaririsu looks pretty winded. Mimi still hasn't used nearly half of her chakra," Tenten observed.
She was right. Mimi had the distinct advantages here. He wouldn't deny that whatsoever and wouldn't be ashamed if Amari did actually lose here at the end. But something Kakashi had learned about Amari from her days at the Academy to now was counting her out, even when she was in this state, was a costly mistake.
"Maybe, but remember Tenten, Amari may not have the chakra for a large jutsu like Mimi does, but she still has her mind and her Sharingan. Those two combined or alone are powerful enough to turn this around," Guy reminded.
Lee turned to his Sensei with a quizzical look on his face. "There is something I do not understand, Guy-sensei. You said the Sharingan can turn this around, but Amaririsu could have used her Sharingan many times through our fight, even before she hit me with her genjutsu. Did she choose not to use its full power on us?"
"That is a question I will have to direct to Kakashi for I do not know, Lee."
Mimi's Water Dragon took form but instead of being behind it like Zabuza, she stood effortlessly on top of its head. This girl's chakra control is far above her age group. No doubt the result of her training with Medical Ninjutsu. And now Amari is going to push herself to get better. He smiled. I guess I have to thank you for motivating my student more than she normally is.
"Show off!" Amari shouted through her winded breaths.
"Kakashi?"
Guy's voice returned him back to the current conversation. "Sorry. Amari doesn't use its full power, but it's not out of thinking you are unworthy." Lee and Tenten nodded in understanding. "Simply put: Amari has not unlocked its full potential or her own. For example, while Amari can analyze and understand the Water Dragon Jutsu, she doesn't have the ability to create one because she personally doesn't know the Water Nature. Another example would be her clone using the Sharingan to watch your taijutsu, Lee, but as you saw she was unable to keep up even though she could see your moves."
"So the Sharingan is not an invincible weapon?" Lee questioned.
Kakashi let out a humored chuckle. "No, not invincible. As Amari said, even her Sharingan has its flaws the same as Neji's Byakugan. Even my Sharingan isn't invincible. While having it has helped Amari since becoming a ninja, her hard work and refusal to give up in the face of stacked odds helped her to become the ninja she is."
Time would tell how much stronger she would become now that her mind was focused.
Amari stood straighter and created a clone. This is going to be her final move. She doesn't have much chakra left to stay in this fight.
"You really don't know when to give up, do you?"
"I…can't give up. I have…a promise to keep!" Both Amari's Body Flickered into action, one appearing above Mimi and the other not reappearing in visual sight.
As the Amari in the air took an inhale, Mimi's Water Dragon charged her. Fire met water and battled for supremacy. Steam formed at the epicenter of the battling attacks, but unfortunately for Amari her Fire wasn't strong enough to battle against Mimi's Water. The dragon pushed through the Fire Jutsu until the mouth swallowed his student whole, who at the last second brought her arms and legs up in a futile attempt to guard against the dragon.
Seconds passed and no other Amari struck.
"Did Mimi just win?" Tenten asked to no one in particular.
Kakashi stared at the dragon and the surrounding area carefully in an attempt to find where his student might be. Mimi looked around in confusion and concern, noticeably sniffing the air for her scent.
It was then a smug smirk tugged under Kakashi's mask.
His student was truly too smart for her own good sometimes.
The shadow of a body appeared inside the Water Dragon directly under Mimi. Sensing danger, the Inuzuka looked down just as Amari came flying out. Her fist landed square under her opponent's jaw in a huge uppercut that she followed up with unrelenting taijutsu kicks that sent her opponent sailing hard back down into the water. Amari's exhausted body followed after her, no fight left in it as she fell back first into the water.
"How?" Guy questioned, appearing quite astonished as the Water Dragon dissipated.
The laugh Kakashi gave was a smug one, but it was mostly due to how proud he was of his student. Against the odds, she overcame the challenge and outplayed her opponent even in a tired state. "The Amari in the air was the real Amari. She dispelled her clone as soon as she jumped into the air—out of sight, of course."
"But she got swallowed by the dragon. She shouldn't have been able to do what she did…unless…" Tenten stopped.
"The Fire Jutsu," Guy and his team realized in unison.
A nod was all they received from Kakashi. She used her Fire Ball to weaken the mouth of the dragon, putting every last scrap of her strength into her attack to soften the blow. When it hit her, she had weakened it enough to avoid the harm it normally would have done. Once inside she probably focused her chakra to her hands and feet in an attempt to stop the current within the dragon from taking her. It would have been a huge struggle, her body undoubtedly took a hard beating, but once she positioned herself under Mimi she launched her attack.
Mimi's mistake was thinking it was just a clone, but Amari used that presumption to her advantage, proving once again that underestimating her was a grave error. Of course it needed to be said that Mimi, just like the rest of her team, didn't fight Amari as seriously as they should have. Had they actually taken her serious as an opponent from the start, his student wouldn't have lasted nearly as long.
Their underestimation was key to her victory, though that did not make her victory any less valuable. After all, she tied his score, a fact he was grateful for.
Amari came afloat bearing the weight of the unconscious Mimi on her back and Aoko on her head. She visibly struggled to swim them all back to the shore, but she made it there just as Kakashi and Guy arrived to help. Amari dragged herself onto her feet after helping Aoko off her head, earning a friendly lick to the face for her effort. Then she braced herself on her shaky legs and did her best to look up at Kakashi.
"Di- di- did I wi- win?" Amari asked, panting from lack of energy.
Kakashi patted her head and offered a closed eyed smile. "Yep. You did good, Amari."
She smiled back. "Don't…say I never…helped you."
Then she fell unceremoniously backwards in exhaustion. She was out cold before she even hit the ground.
"Well Guy, I guess that means we're tied again…" He looked down at the two unconscious kunoichi's. "And by the looks of it we're both going to be facing down the mother and aunt of our students when they hear their kids are in the hospital because of us."
Kurenai Yūhi and Tsume Inuzuka were surely going to give them hell for this.