Article 34 - Chapter 30 - Inhuman Achievement
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.
-Also, still accepting Beta readers/ Editors! Hit me up with a PM-
A/N: WOW 500 FOLLOWERS - I LOVE YOU GUYS. So you all might have thought i died or something the way I fell off the grid for so long, which I'm sorry for. Truthfully I've left my job in search of something different. I've been trying to find alternate money making methods and slaving to build something to feed my passion. I wish I could write stories like this full time for you readers, but I can't think of a reasonable way to monetize it and doubt I have enough of a following to do it regardless. As soon as I can find a stable revenue stream you all can expect more consistent updates. Without further ado, here is the latest chapter!
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(Last Chapter: Excerpt)
(Mina POV)
"No trick. I want you to tell me who you like the least, and I will make sure they will not have a fun time - only exception is you can't say the leader of your clan."
"3rd in command - Lieutenant General - Mooshmoosh."
I nodded to Fellkar acknowledging his response.
"Good," I said turning to the eagle in mention. " Lieutenant General Mooshmoosh, I'll make you my mount."
A reddened glow glinted back from his sharp eyes - the connection established unlocking his motor functions at my command.
┬┴┬┴┤ Chapter 30 ├┬┴┬┴
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(Mina POV)
Mooshmoosh followed my cognitive command bowing his head to me.
Heh!
I sensed the bodies around me tighten. Anxiety radiating in the air seeing an established Highflier with a role of leadership bow their head before me.
The sagely elder bird's eyes were locked on me indefinitely. I could feel the radiating bloodlust in the surrounding air. An intensifying pressure looking to crush me or at least make me collapse to the ground.
My knee's wobbled and buckled but I refused to allow myself to display my weakness, I strained to remain upright in defiance of the elders attempt.
The tidal wave of pressure kept increasing, trying to coerce me to fall. I enhanced the density of my skeletal system more than 10-fold just to remain standing, and I'm honestly unsure whether it would be enough if he continued persisting.
"You told me I'm allowed to use a mount did you not? Are you actually afraid of being usurped?"
"..."
The other birds in our vicinity were unable to hold their posture besides the highest ranking Highflier officials. Even Fellkar, whose unrestrained, had their face buried into the ground.
"Elder, are you not a competitor? Don't you wish for a worthy challenger or do you wish to passively hold your role of leadership?"
"... You still claim to be a legendary spirit trapped in the body of a human? Then fine. We will test your mettle and see how long your outrageous claims can persist."
The pressure subsided releasing a great weight from my body.
"Spirit or no spirit, you will learn your place. You might be something special landjocky, but the title 'King of the Sky' will forever be out of your reach even riding a seasoned flier such as Mooshmoosh."
A silent sigh of relief escaped my lips.
The tides have changed.
He wouldn't look to outright obliterate me with his power, but instead give me a fair chance at his contest. It wouldn't come down to crude violence but of strategy and skill in the sky.
"-But If you use anymore of your genjutsu tricks on anyone else of my clan when unwarranted, I will end you immediately. It infringes on our collective belief of freedom, so count yourself blessed I've spared you so far after your repeated blatant disrespect."
BLESSED?!
"Yes, Well-errr, thank you Elder." I said with a nod of my head.
You're wrong. I'm not 'blessed' at all, but how could you even begin to understand my circumstances?
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After needing to show appropriate respect to the clan and it's master, I was allowed to finally start with my training.
Retrieving my stopwatch from my belongings, I was again reminded of its dysfunctional state.
I desperately wanted someone I could confide my deepest darkest secrets hidden in the corner recesses of my brain. Someone who wouldn't judge me based solely on my decisions, but only listen.
It would be glorious to have someone like that...
A forceful nudge at my hip broke my focus allowing me to remember what was more important. Training to complete the challenge before Hiashi-sama returns from his latest excursion to find me missing.
My personal anxiety has been building ever since my arrival in the summoning realm. I've been put on the clock, and the results had better come or else there will be no way to return within my allotted time.
Fellkar's wing kept being shoved into me with his boisterous laughter overpowering my thoughts.
"Again, Again! Please one more time!" He cheered.
I squeezed the rubber tubing squirting a stream of water into the face of the bird once again.
"HAW-HAW-HAWWW! THIS IS THE FUCKIN' BEST. I COULD WATCH THIS ALL DAY!"
I didn't really get the birds infatuation with me hosing down my mount, but I surmised his genuine joy of the spectacle came from some sick sense of vengeance - and I understood vengeance.
"Okay, you've had your fun. I need to actually train." I said becoming more stern as I finished. "Think you can you give me the basics of flight and aerial maneuvers?"
The bird giddily hopped around stretching out his wings.
"First things first, you must understand how to land. Landing takes practice."
"Landing? How can I practice landing if I barely understand flight?" I asked.
"Easy, find a platform to jump off. We got different training platforms the hatchlings use you could borrow. Pretty sure the lowest is a 5 meter, then a 10 meter, and finally a 25 meter." He said contently.
Wow… He's become a lot more open with me ever since I've made a mockery of his enemy at his request. Bonding over mutual dislikes can be more effective than bonding over interests given the individual i suppose.
We journeyed over to the training platforms which were fairly vacant besides a mother with her hatchlings leaving immediately after spotting us approaching, ushering her young infront of her while peering back at us.
I hopped onto the back of Mooshmoosh and reined in my focus. I felt my commands being obeyed by the muscles of my mount in responsive harmony.
"The 5 meter is too small for someone of 'HIS' size, so might as well start on the 10 meter platform."
With a nod of acceptance, I commanded Mooshmoosh to make the climb up the platform with relative ease. Once at the top, I looked at the puny drop distance and wondered if I really needed the figurative 'training wheels', but only by this trial could I discover that.
My mount leapt off the platform, and with a faulty flap of his giant wings, the decent slowed. The landing impact displaced me as I gripped the many feathers affixed to the beast's back for stability.
"Eh… not so good. You didn't absorb any of the impact. Bend the knees as you land, and perhaps walk out of it for now."
I felt hot shame at my novice display, but I'll correct it quickly - especially with guided instruction. I wasn't so prideful I wouldn't accept advice, but I was prideful enough that requiring the advice still hurt.
I repeated the jump over and over, ironing out as many unnecessary movements as possible while emphasizing the important ones. It became easier to remain stable atop my mount with deliberate practice.
In no time at all, I stood atop the 25 meter platform looking to better test my fundamentals.
The first jump ended in me being launched off my mount on landing. The cackling laughter of Fellkar eroded my patience. It coaxed my anger to the forefront of my mind, but the anger wouldn't be any good for improvement, so I sourly buried it with the mental note that I'd return the favor to the audacious bird at my next opportunity.
For the time being, I needed to find a way to be certain I wouldn't fall off, so stripping my footwear off my feet by kicking them to the ground, I then binded my feet together with calcified bone so I couldn't be flung from my mount any longer.
I also ensured my handholds were more secure in my grasp before taking the plunge once again.
The gust of upward air and the sinking feeling in my stomach from falling was entirely intoxicating. I understood it as proof that I belonged in the sky. My soul needed the freedom to be carried away. To be taken far far away to broad new horizons. To experience new things without being bogged down with monotonous rules.
This is a small taste of the liberating freedom that is flight!
Mooshmoosh's talons met the earth and my momentum canceled more gracefully than before, however I was jarred around nearly being ejected from my mount had I not locked my feet together.
The basics of landing were finally becoming ingrained in me. My focus wouldn't be swapping between all the fundamental executions, but instead on being comfortable on my mount, which was the bare necessity if I had true hope of becoming the next 'King of the Sky.'
This will be a long road of improvement.
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After numerous hours of adjustments, I finally had enough experience to give flight a real shot.
From the 25 meter platform, I tried to climb over and over. Straining to whip the wings downward to propel myself up in a vicious clumsy cycle. In all honesty, controlling appendages I myself didn't own made it hard to accurately gauge the commands that needed to be sent to my mind slave.
Quickly, I found myself disturbed by my clumsy flight and the difficulty of giving percise commands.
Landing practice was in true the best call, because otherwise I'm sure I'd be dead.
Imagine being defeated by something as insignificant as gravity. What is gravity in the face of a god? What is gravity compared to my truest hurdle I need to conquer? Being-X.
I hurtled towards the ground but managed to land with enough grace to make up for my terrible entry.
Dismounting, I hopped to the ground and ferociously slammed my fists into the platform's base.
"URGGHH!"
"Woah kid, you look like your about to kill something."
"Not now!" I barked.
The progress is too fucking slow! This will never work! I won't be able to return at this rate… sealing my fate.
"FUCKKKKKK!"
"Why are you so angry you suck? You just started." the bird reprimanded.
I glared at the bird who dared to speak down to me. Had he forgotten the treatment I'd given him earlier? Perhaps he needed a reminder?
"Individuals of my species die fairly regularly trying to master the basics of flight. You don't have to rush into it so hard, It'll come with time."
"I don't have time! I just can't visualize how it is to have wings, so my control over his wings-" I said pointing to Mooshmoosh "-Is-is dumpster tier! I'm legit trash!"
The bird eyed me warily, taking his sweet time with his response.
"Hmm… Your a Shinobi are you not? Why not transform into an eagle to feel the difference?"
My jaw dropped as I gaped indignantly at the bird in shock.
It was… It was actually brilliant!? Why hadn't I thought of such a simple solution… Wait do I even need a mount if I use the transformation Jutsu?
In a flash my hands clenched together. Transform!
I was nowhere near the size of the two nearby eagles, but my proportions seemed correct in retrospect.
I flexed the muscles along my back and shoulders expecting to flap my wings with strength, but they merely twitched around.
Fellkar burst into mocking laughter yet again watching me struggle. Apparently my failures were quite entertaining.
If he hadn't come up with such a useful idea, I'd have wrung his neck by now.
"What are you doing? You don't flap wings from there, you use your chest muscles to flap the wings."
Im...actually retarded. It makes so much more sense after thinking about muscle distribution on birds. The breasts are always more pronounced. I've never been so embarrassed…
I couldn't believe how naive I was. It would have been obvious if the birds I watched had enhanced their muscles with chakra so I could see their flow, but common sense should have been enough for me to figure it out.
I'm overthinking it is all. I made it out to be incredibly harder than it was in actuality.
With only that new tidbit of knowledge, I untransformed and hopped back onto my mount determined to take to the sky. Daring to defy gravity as but another hurdle to clear on my path to victory.
I succinctly sent my commands neurally to the beast, their wings tearing through the air with monsterous force. A tempest of wind blew down on the land stirring dust into the air as the reverse feeling of falling welcomed me. The glorious long awaited ascent into the sky I had been dreaming about ever since I'd been trapped in the walls of Konoha was even better than I imagined .
"In this brief moment - I am free."
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Dusk fell like a curtain blocking out the sun. Night was not long off, and I felt massively overexerted from my prolonged consistent use of Leon's Mangekyo Sharingan. My brain was mush merely stored in my skull at this point.
My chakra pathways tingled and itched nonstop, but it was impossible to relieve them with any of the methods I attempted.
I lied on a bale of straw staring into the star encrusted sky contemplating my decisions I had made thus far.
Is this really what I want? Am I so stubborn I couldn't ever accept the current's flow? Was it in my nature to fight the current with everything I had? Could I ever truly be happy or do I love torturing myself?
My brain refused to turn off. No matter what abuse I put it through, it is even more resilient than my resolve.
The crunch of grass played in my ears alerting me of a visitor. A visitor which I hadn't detected? I couldn't feel their chakra at all.
Turning to look, I saw an eagle approaching, but even as I stared at him, I couldn't sense any chakra.
My skin crawled at the presence he gave off. It was tasteless, odorless, and colorless. Even weak chakra had distinguishing factors, but this eagle gave off none of those things. It is as if he had no chakra whatsoever.
"We finally meet young Shinobi." He announced boldly.
Nervously off-put by my senses' failures, I jolted to my feet while retrieving Leon from the void.
"Woah - Woah there." The white eagle encrusted in ceremonial warpaint exclaimed. "I'm here just to make small talk, no need for all this hostility."
Unconvinced, I remained on guard. I could tell there was something different about this one than the rest. Something special.
"What are your true intentions?" I asked.
"Well, I'm actually your biggest fan."
"You're- what?!" I shrieked.
"Excuse my manners. I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm called Hyboren - 2nd in command of the Highflier clan."
My hand tightened together into a death squeeze. "2nd in command? Why would you possibly be a fan of mine?"
"I've seen something magnificent! I watched your battle at Verthoalian Plains. I've seen your power and I want your power for the clan. I want you to win. I want to see the face of that old hag as you ground him unlike anyone else can. It's time for the Highfliers to enter a new age, and from the looks of things, you might be my last hope."
I couldn't believe my ears. No I wouldn't. This has to be some sort of trick.
"I have no idea what your talking about."
"You called yourself the legendary Izuna, did you not? The Talonspears summoner went to battle against the Uchiha's some time ago, and there were only two ever from the Uchiha's who were revered as shinobi gods. Their power capable of obliterating entire civilizations. Tell me I'm wrong, Tell me your not the spirit of Izuna Uchiha."
"Unbelievable. It seems my reputation precedes me even now." The words spilled out of my mouth without thinking about them. "I can't tell if your a genius or an idiot… You've left yourself exposed… I've seen your hand."
This is unthinkable. What am I saying?
"It wouldn't work trying to deceive you. I've heard all about the sharingan and your prowess with it. There would be no point in lying to you, so instead transparency is my remaining approach."
Looking at the bird, I would guess he was telling the truth. It's fortunate he doesn't know not all the sharingan's abilities are unlocked to me as someone who wields their powers through a puppet. But things are becoming interesting. Perhaps this is where my legend begins. The resurgence of Izuna Uchiha who came back to slay the false god. It's a story they could tell for millenia.
"...I see… Perhaps your not an idiot after all."
"Tell me how I can help, I want to assure your victory."
I clamped my lips shut to be sure Izuna couldn't speak out of turn before I had my chance to think. This one was all me.
"My flight is still a bit clumsy, but a training partner to measure and compare myself to will expedite the process."
"-Say no more. You may measure yourself against me whenever you need, and I'll gladly reveal all of Elder Willyzakk's secrets and strategies for the contest. I couldn't make full use of them in order to pull out a win, but if anyone can I trust you can."
"I see, that's wonderful news Hyboren. You've placed your faith in the right place. It appears I can't afford to fail now that my name is on the line."
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Twilight's arrival signaled a new dawn.
I remembered a quote from a previous teacher from my last life "Seize the day" which roughly translates to "Each new day must be lived to the fullest."
The fresh dew coating the ground stunk of the essence of earth. The wet hey I found myself laying in was but a temporary lodging. I would achieve greatness and command respect, it's all I've ever strived for, and all I've ever needed.
Groggily I yawned thinking of my odd dream. It was fantastical but ended in tragedy. I dreamt of my future, and I witnessed my demise.
Even in my dying breaths, my words inside my dream were carved deeply into my memory. Etched into my brain so they couldn't be easily forgotten.
"I need for success like I need for Oxygen. I yearn for achievement like I yearn for nourishment. I expect excellence because without it I would be another leaf blown about by the whims of destiny...
I must become the author of my own fate. My pen will determine my destiny. My effort will yield results or I'll die... reaching for my dreams like anyone smart enough to take charge of their fate."
It was odd… Chilling…
It was me… It felt like me… but it wasn't. Maybe I had transcended into something else. I would never willingly forfeit my life after all… So why? Why do I feel like this vision was something more than a dream. Why do I believe I'm capable of self-sacrifice when all evidence contradicts it…
"I'm beginning to think i'm the greatest hazard to myself. I'm terrified… of what I might become. I'm terrified that everything I've ever worked for will just be meaningless in the end. It's my greatest fear; my darkest terror..." I whispered clutching at my burning head.
Gradually, my headache dissipated, blending into normality.
The more I learned, the more I came to understand how little I knew. How little I truly comprehended.
"David Dunning would be scolding me for my impertinence. My cognitive bias needed this amending. It's so easy to fall into the Dunning–Kruger effect when you lack wisdom, which is why gaining knowledge should be my top priority, not power alone. Knowledge that is applicable is power all the same."
I'd had enough laying about. Lying still made my skin crawl, It was time for me to make progress toward my goals.
I dragged my aching body over to the bluffs, the sun reflecting off the Micca embedded down the cliffside shining like gemstones.
Taking a deep breath, the oxygen filling my lungs gave me strength to persevere.
It was the first time I'd be ballsy enough to dive from the cliff. To put it all on the line.
Straddling my mount and peering down into the valley, the hairs on my neck stood at attention. The blood in my veins coarsed in energized excitement. My stomach couldn't settle, I was sure it's impatience would cause it to fly out of my mouth. Like myself, it couldn't wait to take the plunge.
"Here goes something!" I shrieked.
With a single flap of Mooshmoosh's mighty wings, I was propelled off the edge of the embankment into the vast space known as the open sky.
...Thousands of feet below separates me from the earth.
"This is it! This is what I've been waiting for!"
I couldn't help it. My innocent girlish laughter escaped, but I didn't care. I was having way too great of a time to restrain myself.
Leaning forward, The bird went into a nosedive rapidly accelerating. My gut sunk and felt heavy. The wind harassing me the entire way, but my grin widened through all of it.
Pulling back up with strong flaps, We went back into ascension. The mix of rising and falling, of traveling so freely was the single greatest feeling of any of my lifes. It felt better than accumulating power, It felt better than feeding my bloodlust, and it felt better than being recognized for my achievements.
When I was up here, nothing else mattered. I was in my own world with only me, myself, and I. It was wholesomely therapeutic.
My loose articles of clothing where whipped around in a frenzy, the chilling air lowering my body temperature, but I wouldn't be stopped by anything so trivial. I wanted to keep going… faster… Higher…
I hope I don't end up like Icarus, the man grounded for reaching too high. My goals may be lofty, but I'll try my best to mind my arrogance…
"I say that, but how could challenging a god be anything but arrogance. Oh well, I guess you can say humanity will never know its place. We were born to hope, and I'm no different no matter how much I wish it wasn't true."
The air screeched in my ears, sonic shockwaves booming past.
Turning, I saw none other than the bird who visited me the previous night, Hyboren.
His body folded and muscled himself through the sky alongside me at a blinding speed.
"Seems your getting the hang of things. Are you ready for some competition?"
"I was born ready to compete!" I screamed, the air sweeping away my vocals into the backdraft.
"Wonderful, let's dive to the bottom of the tree, avoid the canopy this time till later though."
I didn't need to be told twice, I pulled my mount into another nosedive. I didn't want to play it safe, I had a need for speed. A desire to test the limits of my ability.
I could die at anytime, which means I need to live free with no regrets! NO CONSTRAINTS!
I was feeling like an idiotic daredevil, but it felt so good to let go. So I did - Figuratively and literally.
My restrained feet locked together kept me from flying off my mount even as my hands let go. I held my arms up as if I was still a thrill seeking teen at an amusement park.
The rollercoaster that is life should be enjoyed!
I bellowed into the sky without fear. My mask was nowhere to be found, for a brief moment, I could be everything I was unabashedly.
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Over the passing days, I evaluated the differences between my technique and Hyboren's. I learned a lot from mere deducement, but his personalized evaluations and tips only served to escalate my progress into unthinkable margins.
Where I had once been upset for my lack of progression, I was genuinely amazed at how proficient I was becoming.
I learned an incredible amount in such little time, and before I knew it, the time for the contest was upon me.
The "King of the Sky" Contest was evidently the most anticipated spectator event for these birds, as the crowd turnout was actually insane, and each of the birds wore headbands in a display of support for Elder Willzyakk.
The claps of wings and dust being stirred up by the spectators seated both in the stands along the bluffs, and the stands deep along the valley floor helped me realize the gravity of this contest. I knew this little competition meant alot, but being able to experience it was an entirely different beast. My respect for their culture grew several magnitudes in this brief moment.
3 officials greeted me as I entered the painted circle was the waiting area in breathing distance of the gray stone birdbath filled to the brim with black sludge. I looked around, but I theorized it was the Elder's right as the challenged to make his appearance last.
I waited in the circle, eyes all upon me. I could tell by their glances that none of them believed I could win. Their clan pride and firm trust in their leaders might was self-evident.
To them, it wasn't a contest, but a display. They expect to see their leader in earnest while having the chance to laugh and mock me. I bet they believe it's arrogance for me to think I could win.
But I would have to fervently disagree, because where they saw arrogance, I saw confidence. They were looking down on me because of their ignorance. My game plan was in my opinion unprecedented. It was tailored to my strengths, and I couldn't find a reason to distrust my belief in myself.
This was something I rehearsed over a thousand times. This was just another repetition to add to my belt. A checkpoint on my road to success.
Shrill cries of the spectators began to run rampant. Turning to the building, I saw the familiar figure exit, strolling casually down the pathway all while his people cheered his name shouting for his victory.
The earth trembled and pebbles rolled from the rampaging supporters.
"THE TRUE KING OF THE SKY!" I heard from the crowd.
"EASY CLAP."
EASY CLAP?! I think your in for a rude awakening.
I couldn't help but adopting a cocky smile in such a situation.
This will be the making of a true underdog story! I gotta' win... No! ~ I'll win for sure!
Watching the elder casually walk down the pathway made my teeth clench together.
He looks so frickin' regal. Like a king, but I'll strip it away from him! I can't be intimidated, victory is all I can afford!
The sagely bird arrived at my side, stepping into his own encircled area.
"The 118th 'King of the Sky' contest is set to begin! Put your wings together for our champion! Elder Willzyakk!" One of the officials bellowed into a cone amplifying their voice for all around to hear.
"Are you prepared to fail Landjocky?" The sage mocked.
"Are you ready to kneel before me after I win?"
Annoyance flashed on the elders face but was quickly replaced with calm apathy.
"You are the cockiest little shit I've had the pleasure of destroying publicly. Thank you for making this enjoyable." He said dipping his wing into the stone sludge basin.
Watching this, I quickly mimicked his action with Mooshmoosh's left wing's tip.
Two of the three officials overseeing the event kicked up and dove from the summit.
Byakugan!
My eyes trace them ride the current all the way to the base of the tree. Their flight mechanics where wholesomely unimpressive.
"The champion is given the decision of picking who will go first." The remaining official bellowed into the amplification cone.
"Lets see what the monkey has in store for us!" He said nudging me forward.
He… wants me to go first? Fine, I'll crush all your hopes right here, right now!
"You may begin when you are ready challenger!"
Jeers rose from the crowd paired with hearty laughter.
Taking a deep breath and gaining my bearings, I squeezed my legs around my mount harder while he stepped forward edging to the bluff's end.
My sharp vision cut deep into the valley marking my target - the gap in the tree's canopy.
I formed calcified bone along my mounts wings. Making them both heavier and more resilient for the upcoming trial.
I was deadly calm. I couldn't feel my heartbeat. My blood froze in place. Every movement of Mooshmoosh's felt accentuated and refined. No doubt my control was at an all-time peak performance.
Leaning forward, I heard the talons rake the ground and I toppled forward off the edge. The wind sailing past my face whipping at me in a frenzy. I made myself smaller on the back of the mount to improve aerodynamics.
The violent whistling of air passing my ears stirred my heart. It finally kicked it into motion.
Thump - Thump - Thump
I commanded Mooshmoosh to open his wings slightly, the action causing us to spin and spiral downward like a shooting bullet.
Chakra flowed through chakra strings into Leon still mounted on my back.
"I've got one shot, gotta make this count!"
My surroundings sparked with black and white static. The blitzing spinning surroundings slowed to a halting crawl. Leafs and branches past me as I avoided them with refined ease.
This is clockwork.
My reactions to dodge and weave through the tree's obstacles were supercharged making short work of them.
Halfway… I was halfway through the tree.
Time passed slower and slower. Far slower than I intended to my surprise.
Perhaps my power even exceeds my own expectations!
I slowed… and slowed… until I was only inching forward.
I felt the depletion of my chakra and it worried me. If this pace was maintained, I might run out before I even reach the tree's base!
Desperately I tried accelerating time faster. Again and again I sent the command to Leon without success.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?! OBEY ME LEON!
Over and over I sent the command, but I still merely inched downward at a snail's pace.
The Branches around me sprung to life, snapping like ferocious whips, ensnaring me, and impaling through my appendages.
I watched in horrified shock at the wood speared through my hands, arms, and even my mount. My mounts wings were punctured full of holes.
"Your disrespect WAS your end!" I heard.
The voice was unmistakable.
"URRRRRRRRGGHGHGHH!" I screamed calling upon my susanoo.
Being-X will never get the better of me again! NEVER!
The surroundings grayed being robbed of color, but a golden hue ignited from around me radiating the shimmering glow. It painted everything around me, which had all been robbed of color, a glorious gold.
Magnificent skeletal bones wrapped around me severing the wood hold entombing me. The divine coffin intended to be my final resting place was shattered instead by the susanoo manifested in full around me.
With time still in the severe slow mode, the tree bent and splintered jarring to life. The branches fought to penetrate my susanoo's weakpoint - from below.
All my focus was spent on the singular goal of survival. My effort poured into building my susanoo into an impenetrable shield. The only place in this world that can be my safe haven from the monstrous deity Being-X.
A shimmering Golden relic phased into the hands of my susanoo in manifestation of my hopes and dreams.
A brilliantly conceived Kiteshield capable of repelling even heaven's rage.
With all the strength I could muster, I challenged the demonic tree's might in earnest, blocking the barrage of lively branches from invading my defensive shell. Limbs were severed from the tree quickly robbed of their animation and lost their tremendous speed within the hacked space-time I was being subjected to, being pulled to the ground by gravity at a snail's pace.
I myself could barely move, and would be defenseless if not for my Susanoo moving without any limitations. The one limitation for how fast it could move it was how fast my brain could command it. As such, It was a magnificent tool to combat the shitty god.
"STOP RESISTING ALREADY - I AM INEVITABLE!"
"NEVER! I'll oppose you with every second of my life you shitty false god! I WILL BE THE VICTOR!"
"NONSENSE - YOU WILL DIE!"
My Byakugan could see the chakra inhabiting the tree; traveling through every branch as it continued its aggressive assault.
A silver twine phased into reality digging into the tree giving me access to it's chakra bolstering the Susanoo into an even greater threat. The size more than quintupled in a flash, the arms wrapping around the tree, bark splintering and being ripped from the humongous organism all the while.
My necklace around my neck began glowing a bright blinding blue. Chakra was being sucked out of all the surroundings - The tree, my susanoo, and even me.
"MY GLORIOUS MIRACLE WILL BE THE END OF YOU! THIS IS DIVINE JUDGEMENT!"
Orbs of chakra flew into it as if it were a black hole trying to swallow all energy in existence.
NO! It can't end like this! WHAT CAN I DO?!
Unable to act, my body froze, my mind was blank, everything ceased to function, I was paralysed by my building fear.
"NOT YET!" Izuna screamed. "NOT FUCKING YET!"
The glowing pendant which encircled my neck vanished into the void. My seal swallowing it into a different dimension.
The Chakra all around me stopped being funneled into the missing pendant. It would seem everything around me returned to normal despite the chakra which had already gone missing.
I merged my chakra with that of the tree, giving it the command to turn to bone.
White calcium spikes ripped through the tree giving it a new hellish appearance.
"IMPOSSIBLE!?"
"I WON'T LOSE TO YOU BEING-X! YOU LET ME BECOME TOO STRONG. YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO BULLY ME AGAIN!"
"HUMANITY WILL NOT LOOK DOWN ON A GOD!"
The bone protrusions from the tree were stripped from my control, extending and encasing my susanoo.
My chakra pathways screamed with agony, but it wasn't the time to throw in the towel. Now was the time to mount a counterattack with everything I had.
Burrowing to the core of the tree, Heavens twine reached the well of chakra. With all of my strength, I pulled the chakra into Heavens twine and funneled it into my system.
My body couldn't handle the sea of chakra. My capillaries began rupturing and spilling chakra out of me. I created as much Heaven's Twine as I could even as raw chakra continued to pour out of my body.
I needed to use all of it! I couldn't let any Chakra remain or it would be used against me!
Heavens twine encased the entire tree growing like a parasitic plant over the tree until every last drop of chakra was exhausted, and the tree turned a deathly black.
Time began moving faster and faster as my mount sped towards the ground.
my Susanoo dispelled itself because of low chakra reserves, as well as my control of Mooshmoosh vanished.
The bird convulsed trying to jar me from his back, but I held on for dear life.
"Mooshmoosh, We are competing in the "King of the Sky~"
The bird bent and folded awkwardly trying to fling me from him, until his talons raked over my legs cutting them clean off.
The pain was unimaginable.
I had been effectively removed from the bird as I approached the ground face-first.
Izuna brought my hands together without a moment to even think.
"TRANSFORM!"
Adopting the form of Hyboren,but with smaller proportions, all while still under the influence of time distortion but I felt it quickly fading, so I extended my wings.
I have to mark… no how can I possibly mark the tree?!
In an absolute panic, I improvised my lack of black sludge instead with my dripping squirting blood applying it with a wing as I turned, narrowly avoiding the ground and marking the tree with a crimson line.
I can't touch the ground… I have to make it back to the cliff…
I flapped my wings ferociously climbing further into the air, but the entire world started spinning. I felt faint and nauseous. My vision blurred.
Just… gotta… make it back…
But i couldn't hold it any-longer… My eyes shut and I fell into unconsciousness.
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(Hyboren POV)
"Your trying to rob her of her achievement on some technicality?!"
The officials crowded together in a hushed murmur before separating and glancing back to me.
"The rules state that she needed to mark the tree with cerimonial ink, yet instead she used blood. This alone disqualifies her attempt."
This was unbelievable. In the wake of what everyone just witnessed, they were more adhered to the rules than the works?
"What about the foundation our clan strives for? Eyesight - Speed - Arial mastery - and Bravery, she's shown all these traits in abundance! It's unthinkable you would disqualify her after considering this!"
The squeak of the rusted door hinge played in my ears forcing me to acknowledge the new visitor.
The master of the clan, Elder Willzyaak entered the dormitory with pained eyes.
"Elder, surely you can't call that your victory! Even in spite of whatever the hell happened, she managed a new record surpassing any of our best attempts in our clan's history. 19 centimeters is certainly unprecedented!"
"Even if we accept her method of marking the tree, she didn't finish, you caught her and interfered with the sacred contest Hyboren."
"You can't even be honest with yourself. Admit it! Your terrified of her! So what if she's a spirit of one of the shinobi god's who ravaged our clan. The past slaughter had more to do with our old allegiances than anything else! The Talonspear's mistake wasn't accepting a Summoner, it was accepting a summoner at odds with the Uchiha's"
"Terrified? Elder?! Ridiculous, besides a groundling is unfit to be 'King of the Sky'" The official said.
"No… Heathcliff, Hyborne is correct. I am terrified of her. We all should be, it's a testament of intelligence to fear such a being. We should let 'it' perrish and cover up the entire thing."
My eyesight shook, my inner turmoil couldn't be underplayed any longer.
"COWARD! You've aged into a complacent fool! We as a clan are declining. We don't receive the same respect or hold the influence we had in past years. We are falling behind because of our stubbornness and once we finally have someone who is worthy to be our summoner, you'd rather do nothing and let them die?!"
The insides of my mouth began salivating, and I spit it into the face of the elder without hesitation.
The Elder bolted forward with their beak open - headed directly for my neck. With a swipe of my wings, I gained enough space to avoid imminent death, but a talon carved open my flesh.
"Shut your trap half-blood! It's no shock you'd be willing to forsake our traditions so easily, your treacherous origins must be the cause of this!" He squawked.
"I won't let you run our clan into the ground because your brain has spoiled faster than your body!"
A burst of ferocious attacks were exchanged in the elders favor, but It wouldn't stop my honest evaluations.
"We need a Summoner, and we will not find one who is more worthy. Please Reconsider!"
"You suggest we treat someone who is not our own at our clans sacred geyser, AND that I forfeit my role as master of the clan to some uncultured landjocky? It's clear you were never a real Highflier. Your Talonspear blood makes it easy to discard our principals at the first chance. I'll see that your exiled! You hear me!?"
"Fine! But before you can finalize my Exile, I challenge you to one last bout. Let's see if you can hold your undefeated record after being bested by a landjockey! Everyone knows she won, and I'll make sure your disgraced for trying to bury it after I win."
"The tree is in no shape for another contest yet, I-"
"-Your a disgrace. Did you shit out all your Courage Willzyakk? You don't have any left do you?"
"SILENCE! - Fine, you want one last bout? I'll give it to you. We'll schedule it in two days at daybreak."
"No - It has to be now. If not, Izuna will die and the bout will be meaningless. The landjocky represents the hope of our clan, and you won't have your way! She won't die without you beating me first."
"I should have eaten you when you first hatched. I knew what you were and hid it from the rest of the clan ~ finally I see, it's my greatest mistake."
"Your greatest mistake was expecting to win off a technicality. There is no pride in such an undeserved win, and I'll make sure of it you old fogey."
"You've never beaten me before, and you will never beat me in the future now either. After your exiled, you won't even get the chance when I am decrepit. You'll be a loser for the rest of your pitiful life ~ just like your father."
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
"Who's the loser now?!" I screeched in victory.
"Im-Impossible…" The elder gasped.
The official nodded in affirmation.
"Hyboren is the new 'King of the Sky,' Everyone acknowledge our new clan master - Champion Hyboren."
"As your new master, I declare Izuna as our new summoner, and grant them access to our sacred holy geyser."
The birds around me were silent, unsure what to make of the new pecking order and my judgment.
"Lilac and Mariel, please bring the summoner to the geyser to be treated."
I watched my big tittied concubines carry away the summoner to our clans most hallowed area.
I wiped the imaginary sweat from my head, relieved I wouldn't be exiled anymore, and that I wouldn't be separated from my flock - The most beautiful harem of the land. It was unthinkable I would put it all at risk over a land jockey, but someone had to do something or nothing would ever change.
I ushered over the judgement official quickly, whispering to them to inform them of my 2nd decree as the clan master.
"WHAT? ARE YOU SURE?" He replied.
"Absolutely ~ no question."
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
(Mina POV)
Am I… dead again?
I wasn't sure, all I knew was the black abyss around me was familiar.
I...lost… Being-X is no doubt celebrating… Life is the worst. We're written into existence to tapdance at the command of some pretentious child with a god complex. My only regret is... I wish I could have made a bigger dent… I wanted to see 'god' bleed after all.
"Not yet…" I heard.
The voice was sweet and feminine. Unlike the shitty god i had come to know.
A warm sensation spread over me. It woke me to my humanity. The sensations told me I was still alive in some sense; that my fight wasn't quite over.
With all my might, I struggled to call upon my strength, but nothing happened.
"She seems to be conscious!"
What? Of Course I'm conscious, but where was I? Is this the Afterlife of Naruto's world? Did that shitty god actually leave me alone after all it's sickening despicable interference?
"The body is recovering. It seems it can even hold chakra again! Quick we need a medic-nin!"
Am I… alive after all? Can I be sure this isn't some joke? A last chance to shatter my hope? A final parting profane middle finger to me to prove the difference between humanity and divinity?
"Don't let her die damnit!" A masculine voice shouted.
It was a voice I recognized… The eagle who was 2nd in command, Vice General Hyboren.
The warmth enveloping around me was be channeled inside my body, and for the first time I could feel it. I could feel my body.
A bright white light blinded me as I opened my eyes, and water shot into my lungs as I struggled to sit up.
"Careful! Stay still Summoner, We are healing you."
Choking on the liquid which found its way into my lungs, my body reflexively coughed trying to rid the irritant and clenched my eyes shut again.
Summoner? I won? After all that, I still won!?
I couldn't believe it. It was too good to be true. This must be a dream. A figment of my imagination before death.
I waited for death, waited to be informed of the joke. Expected to be greeted with Being-X's voice because he loved to show up when he was least wanted.
But it never came…
After some time, I tried opening my eyes again, to be greeted by the vision of several female eagles who were hovering over me in curiosity.
"She's awake Hyboren!"
"Wonderful." I heard the familiar voice reply.
Sitting up, I noticed the bandages covering my entire body.
I look like a corpse preparing to be mummified.
Quickly, I flexed where my feet should be, and I was relieved to see wiggling toes and swaying feet.
"Izuna, pleased to see you up and about."
"Wha? What happened?" I questioned.
"You completed the challenge. You are our clan's new Master, and hold the title of 'King of the Sky.'"
"ofcourse?" I responded unsure.
The females in the room flashed looks of secrecy to each other confusing me further.
"Indeed you did. Congratulations on your victory, but that being said… what happened to you out there? It was like... the tree tried to destroy you."
I guess now's the only time I could reasonably get this off my chest. I could finally share the truth with somebody.
"I am at war with a divine entity. It knows no honor, only prejudice. It wants to destroy me and watch all humans suffer for nothing but its own amusement, but I can't stand the thought of it continuing to succeed."
A flash of surprise and worry spread across Hyboren's face at my statement.
"The god of death feels cheated by your return huh? Since you're our master, it seems we need to best Death together?"
"You… believe me?" I asked in shocked sincerity.
"It makes sense. How else would you return back to life? You must have triumphed over death at least once, so we just have to keep winning right?"
With a weak smile, I nodded my head.
"Death is a mere toddler with great power. Continued victory over him will become easier everyday. In time I will slay 'it' and replace 'it' as a new god."
"-so that's what you meant when you told the Elder you would become a god?"
"Exactly." I agreed.
"... Remarkable, truly remarkable. HEHEHEHEHE! Ahh, I knew trusting in you was the right decision. I knew it!"
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
Reviewer Question: - What is your favorite Naruto Fanfiction, and what about it makes it your favorite? (Mine? I have a lot of favorites, but the most standout would probably be "A World Full of Monsters" because it has great character development while also indulging my dark power fantasy.)
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