Article 8 - Chapter 6 - Sociopathic Tendencies
Warnings: I do not own Naruto, it's intellectual property is owned by none other than Masashi Kishimoto. I own the OC's that I've added to the story and nothing more.
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(6 Months after I was officially named "Prodigy of Prodigies." - Age: 4 Years, 4 Months. )
Things have finally started turning around for me. I was worried that my training wouldn't improve me fast enough but It would seem that my game plan and approach was brilliant.
In my past life, I had known myself to be intelligent, but never had I considered that I could have actually fallen under the category of genius. It wasn't something that concerned me, I just wanted to learn and better myself. You are only allocated so much time in life, correct? Why spend your it complaining instead of just working to improve your situation?
I never liked it when I felt like something was out of my control.
But in this world, I hold vast quantities of knowledge above these dogs. They chase their own tails and exhaust themselves without ever thinking to progress. The methods used to teach and tutor seem to be more aimed at gaining respect for the power you acquire more than actually learning how to cultivate that power.
Clans are more apt to bestow power to their youth to fast-track them, but even then they drill us with vague instruction and let us seek for answers of our own, then chastise us for arriving at those answers.
Hiashi-sama had been looking at me with greed in his eyes as of late. He likely sees me as an ultimate weapon he can sharpen for the clan. I would let him sharpen my blade until it was sharp enough that I could cut myself loose.
Neji has been refusing to spar with me for the past 3 months. We have grown apart ever since he felt that I would overtake him. I wanted him to revert back into the boy that would accept my races and drill me with instruction, but he was now too consumed in his own pursuit for power.
I doubted things could go back to the way they were.
"There has been an official request for a spar with you in front of our clan. Neji-kun wishes to reclaim his pride and I believe the spectacle will be a good showing of power. I instead offered to stage a public exhibition. When the other clans see's the talent in this younger generation it will lead to favor in political proceedings, not to mention bring us much honor." Hiashi-sama spoke to me while seated.
His eyes peered into mine and he smiled.
This is exactly what I wanted! My legacy will start here and I will be able to fast-track my route to becoming a ninja before the catastrophes from canon unfold. I'm sure that afterwards I could gain a sensei to personally train me once I prove myself worthy.
The only downside to this plan is that if I beat Neji-kun too badly it may break his spirit.I didn't want that, and even more I wanted him as my ally. Neji would be a great assistance to my continued survival especially if he managed to become even more powerful than he had become in canon.
I nodded my head in acceptance and let my lip curl into a mischievous grin. Hiashi also seemed excited as his eyes glistened with pride and greed. Surely he couldn't wait for me to raise the standing of the clan and set a new precedence for the youth of our clan and village.
I've learned to use my bones to restrain and confine my opponent. The genius of Neji Hyuga had not been able to negate the advantages Shikotsumyaku granted me over him in close range. My attack power and utility it gave to me paired with the Byakugan and Gentle Fist that were nearly on par with him didn't give him many options to claim a decisive victory.
I wonder what he has managed to learn or practice on since the 3 months he's been training…
I can't stay focused on Hiashi-sama and my conversation, but like normal he was the one doing most of the talking. I explored the idea that I didn't have fully worked out in my head while nodding and hardly half-listening.
It was like my life was actually starting right now, that I finally have enough things lining up that my plans are getting closer… YES!
Hiashi-sama finally let me leave and I made my way to the kitchen. Itomi was one of the chef's that was on duty per usual in the evenings. He would make me custom dishes in exchange for telling him stories about my day.
He had been a civilian who tried to become a shinobi, but after failing the graduation exam several times he took on culinary arts to provide for himself and his family. He always listened to my training and spar stories with special attention as he likely enjoyed them the most.
He was whipping up an egg white omelette filled with shrimp and chicken over rice, broccoli and soy sauce. I was becoming less picky over time thanks in part because of my obsession with spicy foods. I partially believed my taste buds were deteriorating but that wouldn't be all bad, with a less refined palate I could stomach my food easier If it were something I didn't enjoy as much.
The life of a shinobi is tough and I had to start acclimating myself to it as soon as possible.
I remembered to thank Itomi before taking my plate outside and sitting on the dock of our pond.
The sun had not yet fully set, but the moon was already high and visible in the sky.
The moon's reflection beamed off the ponds surface melding with the red colors of the sunset. The moon looked like it was stained by blood and I felt entranced.
I felt a familiar chakra approaching me and I didn't even need to look behind me to acknowledge who it was.
"Hey Neji-kun, do you think you can beat me now?" I asked curiously.
"Neji-senpai." He corrected in a rough arrogant tone.
I didn't even bother to look at him, He had chose to oppose me and I would not show mercy, It's what I'm sure he would want.
"What brings you here?" I asked picking up a stick and began poking around at the sand.
"You will not be victorious. I have devised a way to fight you. You will remember your place Kohai!"
He was always so serious. He couldn't stand that I didn't call him Neji-senpai anymore after I surpassed him. Why is it so difficult that he can't see ourselves at least as equals now… Everyone else seems to recognize that I'm better even, what more does he have to teach me?
I looked at him and stuck my tongue out.
He clenched his fist while gritting his teeth. It looked like he wanted to say something else but he left without saying it.
...That will be fine. I need to focus on my progress first and foremost anyways.
I finished my dinner and sat in meditation on the dock until the frogs began croaking.
These days I like to stay out of my home as much as possible. Ayasha-san makes it difficult for me to leave without excuses saying she wants to spend time bonding with me. I'm sure a younger version of myself would have been thrilled at the offer, but I had killed that weakness in myself with practice.
A warrior needied to be capable of distancing themselves from their emotions to do their job. I needed to hollow myself so that nothing weighed me down when I was presented the opportunity to slay the demon Being-X.
My cause was a holy crusade, so I had to use whatever the means.
I will survive without the pity or blessings of god. I'm fully capable of being able to carve out my own path without resorting to groveling at the mercy of some sadistic being with a "God" complex.
I decided that it was getting late so I would return home. These days I often sneak in through my window to avoid needing to travel through my home. It also helped keep confrontations with Ayasha-san to a minimum. If I gave her less opportunities to complain, then I would get complained to less often. It was only sensible.
I laid on my bed and reached for my pack of marbles, opening it and grabbing two out.
I set them on my palm and began pushing them over my skin using chakra emitted from various tenketsu. This was simple compared to the control exercises I implemented during my physical training now. I would run my self-manufactured obstacle course with 3 leaves being held on each finger. I would use the gentle fist to deflect kunai launching traps while still maintaining the leafs on my fingers.
Apparently this training method was similar to that of the legendary 4th hokage when he was still at the academy.
I couldn't help but be satisfied with all the progress I've made so far. By comparing myself to legendary ninja of the past I can evaluate where my strengths and weaknesses lie. I want to enhance my strengths while being able to fix or mask my weaknesses to exude the confidence required to truly be an elite. I don't care to be an elite in name persay... I want the skills and nothing more, anyway to get me there is acceptable.
Still… My heart feels squeamish and turbulent lately. I wonder If I can really follow through with my plan.
Trying to rationalize it is simple. If someone was going to die, and they could be of help to you, shouldn't you exploit them before they died?
Ofcourse! Their sacrifice will be more noble and significant if they can become of something bigger… To be able to contribute before their effort and gifts perish alongside them. To become immortalized in legends, even if they would be my legends. It only made sense…
So why does it feel like my heart protests… Can my heart not reason? Does logic mean nothing or perhaps am I overlooking something that would make my logic faulty…
I racked my brain but I couldn't come to an answer.
If dead men are certain dead men, then surely using that to my advantage doesn't make me a monster… only logically opportunistic.
Correct?
The question burned inside my head.
After drawing up my plan to gain power, It was becoming necessary to have these morality debates with myself. Immoral actions done with good intentions can usually either be seen as heroic or evil depending on where your reference point is.
Ultimately I would need to make a more concrete decision or I would waste all of the time I have in hesitation rather than action.
The strong plot action, the weak hesitate and are overtaken. Did I even have a choice?
…
A week came and passed wholefully uneventful. I remained diligent in my training and allowed myself the delicacy of Fiction reading. Normally there is entirely too much that either needs to be done or is on my mind to be able to indulge myself.
I can feel my sanity slowly slipping away and have made more of an effort recently to force myself to do things I enjoy rather than what I need or want. I'm afraid of the possibility of losing my mind and never finding it again. My sleep deprivation has finally began to subside and I found myself in a more enjoyable and relaxed state since indulging myself.
Today was the day of Neji-kun and my fated match in front of the public. I'm expected to show the might of the Hyuga to all without fail. Hiashi-sama would not tolerate a soft display when he decided to allocate a good amount of his resources for this moment in anticipation.
Deep down somewhere inside me, I didn't want to beat Neji, but losing wouldn't be an option.
With a lack of options I can only go in and respect my opponent as best as I can before I monopolize the victory.
I walked the streets painted in the dawns orange glow and took notice of all the fliers that were posted throughout the village. They were promotions for the match, and had Neji and my own pictures respectively on them. They were well taken photos which emphasized our childish features likely meant to emphasize the Prodigal nature of the match. The local gambling house was taking bets for the fight and I could see the odd's and projected payouts posted.
They had me as the favorite as It was known that I was a dual Kekkei Genkai owner. My odds to win were set at 68% to Neji's 29% and the rest was bet on a draw. I'm sure he had either already or would see the projected probability of the fight. It likely wouldn't serve to soothe Neji's ego.
A fire burned inside of me that longed for the combat, for the showmanship of the event. Something about it was intoxicating… addictive.
I was hoping I wasn't becoming a battle maniac, but at the very least I'm grounded in logic. My need to rationalize and strategize were my finest tools in my arsonal. Even If I had been born without any Kekkei Genkai I'm sure I would have still been among the most elite.
The work ethic instilled in these children was too lax, did they not realize that their time would be called on and only their skills could deter them from being returned to nature as dust? Perhaps I could create my own group of shinobi and inspire them to reach for greater heights. It would make sense to involve the young team 7 since they would eventually be expected to end the 4th great shinibi war. Most of the power they gained was right before the fights and each time they barely managed to get by. If they are started sooner they will have a greater chance of surviving any unforeseen events or changes in the timeline.
I had already seen things that disturbed me about this world and how reality was drifting away from the story I remembered. Several of the changes were from me, but it was unlikely I was the cause for all of them.
A butterfly effect was either rippling and disturbing the path of the future, or this universe isn't identical to the one I remembered. It was so close to it so it was difficult to identify which scenario I found myself in.
As I walked through the streets in thought, a round of applause erupted and I noticed some people and leaf shinobi cheering for me.
They had faces of excitement and pride, Like I was a treasure of the village… pshht, With this seal I'm more like to be their guard dog than any type of treasure, did they not know that or were they deluding themselves?
I arrived at the back entrance of the area for contestants and a wave of spectators were already camped out in wait to greet the challengers. A sea of deafening shouts and stomps were projected into the air. The hype behind this match is certainly living up to Hiashi-sama's expectations… It likely even surpassed them. How was it possible that all of these people were so excited to see two children duke it out in a battle.
I waved to the adoring crowd lifting my index finger into the air… I'm not sure why but something cheesy inside myself felt like striking a pose. The audience ate it up as they only cheered louder.
I ducked into the doors of the arena's back entrance and navigated through the corridors to arrive at the warm up area. I needed to get myself into deep focus and push everything out of mind.
I needed to be confident. I needed to be clutch. So much is riding on this challenge and I could not afford to squander it. This is the cultivation of all my effort and planning sofar and would help cement my legacy. People would tell stories of the 4 year old favorite who dominated her rival prodigy more than 2 years her senior.
It would start by word of mouth and become a lavish story handed down through generations.
I had already written the future in my head. I had already visualized the possibilities and outcomes of the fight. I had already built and trained my body and mind to be an effective weapon. All that was left was to go out and claim it for myself. To win and to keep on winning in this world of violence.
My hands began trembling and I could not steady them. My skin felt cold and clammy. I was sweating more than I should be for just warm ups. Cold chills were being sent up and down my body.
'What is this?' I asked myself.
Goosebumps spread out over my body.
My throat was getting dry, I need to get some water…
I stumbled over to the water fountain with wobbly legs. I drank and drank but didn't feel any different. I splashed water in my face and could see my reflection that stared back at me from the metal plating on the water fountain.
"I need to win…" I told myself.
I looked at my face expecting to see a more confident stare than before, but I still looked helpless.
"I WILL WIN!" I shouted as if to convince myself.
"I HAVE TO WIN AND KEEP ON WINNING!" I yelled as tears began forming in my eyes.
"NO! NO! NO! NO! Confidence!" I shouted as I slapped my face about.
"I killed you weakness, why have you shown yourself?!" I asked internally.
… Silence.
"You will be the best! You have to be!~" I said staring into my reflection.
The figured that stared back looked more ready, more determined. Anxious even.
My hands began to steady.
Color returned to my face.
The biggest smile I could plaster on my face I did… It looked sadistic and violent. I had induced the combat mode I had trained for.
The state that let me fight without reservation, without hesitation.
A warm sensation spread through me which almost made me think the entire breakdown I almost suffered was just a dream. I had won over myself and now I would Win over Neji-kun.
"CONTESTANTS ARE PREPARING TO ENTER THE ARENA! THE FIGHT WILL COMMENCE IN 15 MINUTES IF SPECTATORS WOULD TAKE THEIR SEATS!" the announces voice boomed through the sound system of the arena.
It was time. I left all doubt behind and I was ready.
After 15 minutes I entered the arena...
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Authors Notes: Zemptai-sama again, I threw this chapter together for you guys to hype up the tremendous rivalry between Mina and Neji. Neji, the true genius Vs. Mina the cheater. Yes, a bright mind not without talent, but mainly just a opportunistic hard worker. Who will prevail in a battle of wills? Find out next chapter!
Enjoy the story and I earnestly ask anyone who is willing to, to write me a review. I will cherish each and every one of them and respond as best as I can. I write so I can share with you guys, and it warms my heart to hear your opinions and interact with the readers.