UltimaShishigawa: Hey everyone! I'm honestly surprised that this story is going so well. I thought a lot of people wouldn't like it, but I'm glad so many have viewed it already. Anyway, hope ya enjoy!
Disclaimer: UltimaShishigawa doesn't own Naruto, or it's characters.
Chapter 3: Training for the Chunin Exams!
Upon revealing his name and his dojutsu, the Rinnegan, Akira watched as the council, or rather the civilian side of the council, went into an uproar.
'Ya know, at least the clan heads are more in control of themselves. How did any of those idiots on the civilian side get on the council?' thought Akira.
"ENOUGH!" shouted Sarutobi causing the civilian council to quiet down immediately. Seeing that the council was calm again (to an extent), Sarutobi spoke again in a calmer voice.
"Akira here has already signed an asylum document that gives him citizenship here in the Hidden Leaf. As such, he has agreed that, as long as we don't give him a reason to leave, he will stay in the Hidden Leaf as a Leaf ninja." said Sarutobi. Danzo looked at Sarutobi with a slight glare.
"Lord Third, don't you think that you should've consulted the council before making such a decision?" asked Danzo. Sarutobi shook his head.
"I thank you for bringing that to my attention, but you shouldn't talk about such things when you yourself have done the same thing." said Sarutobi with a slight glare of his own directed at Danzo.
'So he still suspects...' thought Danzo. Sarutobi then looked around the council room at the members of the council.
"I think we should make the Otsutsuki clan an official addition to the Leaf Village. All in favor?" said Sarutobi. Almost all of the ninja clan heads raised their hands save one (AN: You take a guess who).
"All opposed?" asked Sarutobi. All the civilian council members' hands went up and one hand on the ninja side. Sarutobi looked around and counted up the vote.
"Well, assuming my math is correct, plus my own vote of adding the Otsutsuki to the Leaf, I do believe that it has been decided." said Sarutobi before looking at Akira. "Akira Otsutsuki, I'm proud to say that your clan is welcome in the Village Hidden in the Leaves! Do you have anything to add?" Akira shook his head.
"Alright then. This meeting is adjourned!" said Sarutobi. "You're free to go." Akira nodded before throwing up the henge (AN: Sorry for calling it a genjutsu disguise. I forgot what it was called.) and leaving the room.
-Leaf Village-
Akira walked out of the Hokage tower and looked up at the sky which was a brilliant combination of red, yellow and orange due to the setting sun.
'Okay, now I need to swing by the Uchiha district to see what Sasuke wanted to ask me about.' thought Akira as he pulled out the map and looked at it. Looking over the map, Akira was surprised where he found the Uchiha district was located.
'Why is the Uchiha district located outside the Leaf Village?' thought Akira. Deciding to ask Sarutobi later, Akira pocketed the map and made his way to the Uchiha district.
-Uchiha District-
Akira walked into the Uchiha district and found the streets completely deserted. 'Odd. I know Lord Third said the Uchiha were wiped out save for Sasuke and the man responsible, but surely some people would be walking around here.' thought Akira.
"Akira!" said a voice. The Otsutsuki turned at the sound of his name to find Sasuke walking up to him.
"Hey, you wanted to talk to me?" asked Akira. Sasuke nodded his head before tilting his head in a silent motion to follow him. The two then started walking.
"What'd you want to talk to me about?" asked Akira.
"What are those eyes you have?" asked Sasuke as he got straight to the point. Akira scratched the back of his head. Since Sarutobi revealed who Akira was to the council, the Otsutsuki didn't see any problem in telling him.
"They're called Rinnegan according to Lord Third." said Akira. "I don't know much about it other than it's suppose to be one of the strongest dojutsu out there." Sasuke looked up at the sky.
"And what of the other eyes?" asked Sasuke. Akira gave the Uchiha a questioning look.
"What other eyes?" asked Akira. Sasuke turned his attention toward Akira.
"Your "Rinnegan" changed. It had six tomoe in them before you summoned that ribcage-like shield. What kinda eye dojutsu was that?" asked Sasuke. Akira silently cursed himself. He was able to activate Rinne Sharingan at will, but apparently it could activate on it's own.
"It's called Rinne Sharingan. Supposedly, it's the fused form of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan." said Akira causing Sasuke's eyes to widen in shock.
"Rinne Sharingan...?" asked Sasuke. Akira nodded his head.
"Yup. However, I have no idea what it can do. Though I guess that shield I used was one of it's techniques." said Akira. Sasuke looked back up at the sky and got a look of contemplation before looking back at Akira.
"I wanna show you something. Follow me." said Sasuke as he started walking faster. Shrugging his shoulders, Akira followed Sasuke's lead.
-Naka Shrine-
Sasuke brought Akira to a hidden shrine underneath the Uchiha district with a large stone tablet embedded in the wall. "This place is called the Naka Shrine. It's said that only an Uchiha with their Sharingan unlocked can decipher the tablet. Since your Rinne Sharingan is supposedly a fused version of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, then you should be able to read it clearly." said Sasuke. Akira looked at Sasuke before shrugging his shoulders. Releasing the henge, Akira shifted his Rinnegan into it's Rinne Sharingan form before walking over to the tablet. Studying it for a few seconds, Akira looked back at Sasuke.
"It seems to be a story about the Sage of the Six Paths' life. It's pretty worn, though. But I think I can make most of it out." said Akira before looking back at the tablet. "It tells about him defeating a monster and spreading around the teachings of ninshu. I'm guessing it's some sorta ancient version of ninjutsu. It then talks about him having two sons. The eldest son was given the Sage's eyes and spiritual chakra while the younger son was given the Sage's body and physical chakra. It also tells how he... WHOA!" Sasuke gave Akira a questioning look.
"What?" asked Sasuke. Akira looked back at Sasuke, his Rinne Sharingan eyes wide in shock.
"It says that the Sage was the one who created the Tailed Beasts." said Akira. "I definitely never wanna face that guy in a fight. Anyway..." Akira looked back at the tablet while Sasuke's eyes were now wide in shock as well.
"Uh oh." said Akira earning him Sasuke's attention.
"What "uh oh?"" asked Sasuke. Akira looked back at Sasuke.
"It says that on his deathbed, the Sage decided to choose an heir who would continue to spread around ninshu. He asked his sons what they thought the best way to attaining true peace was. The elder son answered that power was the way to gain true peace, but the younger son said that love and understanding was the way to gain true peace." said Akira. "Well, the Sage chose the younger son as his heir and because of this, the elder son declared war on his younger brother and tried to beat him to show their father that he was the better choice. They went to their graves fighting." Akira cut off the chakra flow to his eyes causing his Rinne Sharingan to deform back to the Rinnegan.
"That's all I can make out. The rest is too worn." said Akira as he looked back at Sasuke. He then thought of the silhouettes he had seen behind Naruto and Sasuke earlier that day and guessed that the silhouettes were the Sage of the Six Paths' sons.
'But if those silhouettes were the Sage's sons, then does that mean that... Naruto and Sasuke are the two sons' reincarnations?' thought Akira. He had also read that the elder son had a talent for learning things quickly while the younger son wasn't nearly as talented, but gained strength from others' aid. He also read that the elder son was a bit of a loner. He didn't like to accept help from anyone. The younger son wasn't afraid to ask for help though, and became stronger because of it.
"Hey Sasuke?" asked Akira earning him the Uchiha's attention. "Does Naruto have any friends aside from you and Sakura?" The question confused Sasuke.
"Why do you wanna know about that?" asked Sasuke.
"Humor me for a minute." said Akira. Sasuke quirked an eyebrow.
"Well, aside from Sakura and I guess myself, then no one really." said Sasuke. "Naruto has never really tried to make friends. Not like the villagers would give him a chance if he did."
'Probably because of the Nine-Tails.' thought Akira. Throwing up the henge, Akira walked past Sasuke.
"If that's all you wanted to talk to me about, then I gonna head out. But before I go," said Akira as he turned back toward Sasuke, "I don't know the kind of pain that you went through... with what happened to your clan and who caused it. And I can't even begin to hope to understand that pain, but... don't let revenge rule you. In the end, you'll make him pay, but it won't bring back those you lost." This caused Sasuke's eyes to widen in surprise. Akira stuck his hands in his pockets as he gave Sasuke a grin.
"I'm not telling you what to do. If you feel like you have to get revenge, then I won't stop ya. But I suggest that, instead of focusing on revenge, you just... enjoy your time as a ninja... with your friends." said Akira before turning and starting to walk up the steps back to the surface. "Who knows? Maybe you'll find that what you have now is better than what you can gain from revenge." With that, Akira left Sasuke in the Naka Shrine with a lot to think about.
-Hidden Leaf Village-
Akira yawned as he walked through the Hidden Leaf Village.
'Oh shit, I forgot to ask Lord Third about a place to stay. I wonder if there is a hotel nearby.' thought Akira.
"Ah, there you are, Akira." said a voice. Akira looked behind him to see Kakashi walking up to him with an orange book in his hand.
"Hey Kakashi, what's up?" asked Akira. Kakashi handed Akira a letter earning him a questioning look from the last Otsutsuki.
"Lord Third meant to give this to you before you left, but he accidently forgot about it. So he had me come give it to you." said Kakashi. "It contains the address of the new Otsutsuki compound."
"Otsutsuki... compound?" asked Akira.
-Otsutsuki compound-
"WHOA!" shouted Akira as he saw the new Otsutsuki compound building. It easily rivaled the size of the Hyuga compound building. On the gate was the crest of the Otsutsuki clan.
"Impressive, isn't it?" asked Kakashi who was standing next to Akira. "Truth be told, this compound was built during the First Hokage's time, but no one ever used it. All Lord Third had done to it was it be cleaned up and the Otsutsuki clan crest placed on the gate and front door. It already has furniture and you can pick any room you want. It also has a seal on the gate that will only react to your chakra and Lord Third's." Akira walked toward the gate before placing a hand on it. Pumping chakra to his hand, a seal appeared on the gate before it opened.
"Well, I'll leave you to get settled in." said Kakashi. "See ya." With that, Kakashi disappeared via a leaf body flicker.
-Early the next morning-
Akira awoke in his bed to the sound of knocking on the gate outside. Looking toward the clock on his nightstand with half-lidded eyes, he grumbled out a few curses as he saw that it was only 4:30 a.m. in the morning. Getting out of bed to reveal that he was only in boxers, Akira threw on some pants and trudged his way downstairs and outside before walking toward the gate. Upon reaching the gate and opening it, he was surprised to see Hinata Hyuga standing there.
"Hinata...? What are you doing here?" asked Akira. Hinata was about to reply before her face went beat red. Quirking an eyebrow, Akira was about to ask why she was blushing so hard until he looked down and realized he was only wearing pants and was currently shirtless.
"Heh heh, sorry about that. Didn't think to put a shirt on." said Akira. "C'mon inside." Akira stood off to the side allowing the Hyuga heiress to step inside the gate before shutting it and leading her inside.
-Kitchen-
"So what brings you here, Hinata?" asked Akira as he gave Hinata a cup of tea. The Hyuga heiress poked her index fingers together which showed Akira that she was nervous about whatever it was she wanted to tell him.
"W-well, I took your advice a-and told Naruto a-about how I f-felt..." Hinata trailed off.
"And...?" asked Akira. Hinata shook her head.
"He... didn't return them." said Hinata. "He apologized and s-said he couldn't because he couldn't give me h-his whole heart. He said it w-wouldn't be fair to me." It was this that caused Akira to notice that Hinata's eyes were a little red and puffy. Walking over to the Hyuga heiress' seat, he took a seat next to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Well, it showed that he did care about you, but not in the way you wanted him to." said Akira. "And like I said yesterday. There are other guys out there." Hinata nodded her head.
"Right." said Hinata with a depressed tone.
"And yet," said Akira gaining the Hyuga heiress attention, "I get the feeling that that isn't all you wanted to talk to me about." Hinata's eyes widened slightly before looking at the cup of tea.
"I... overheard my father talking with the elders... about making my younger sister Hanabi the next clan head instead." said Hinata. Akira quirked an eyebrow.
"Um, I'm not that well versed in clan customs, but I'm guessing that's not a good thing." said Akira. Hinata shook her head.
"W-when two children are born to the head of the Hyuga clan, the child who is born first is named the next head of the main house while the one who is born second is placed in the branch house." Hinata explained. Akira's questioning look slowly turned into a glare.
"So he wants to put you in the branch house?" asked Akira earning a nod from Hinata. 'If I ever get my hands on that guy, I'll...' "But why would he do that?"
"Because Hanabi i-is more talented than me." said Hinata. "And when you're placed in the branch family, a curse mark is placed on you called the "Caged Bird Seal." It's used as a means to keep the b-branch family in line and seals the Byakugan away upon the bearer's death." It was taking Akira everything he had not to jump up from his seat, march his way to the Hyuga compound, and kick Hiashi's stuck up ass. Reigning in his anger, Akira looked at Hinata who looked very afraid of being branded with the caged bird seal.
"Well, you can stay here if you're that worried about it." said Akira earning a surprised look from Hinata. "And don't say that you'd be a burden because you won't!" With that, Akira stood up and offered Hinata a hand up. Looking at it, she blushed as she took his hand and stood up. Akira then led her through the mansion-like house. As they walked through the compound, Hinata took notice of the scar on Akira's back from where he had shielded her from the Hidden Rock ninja's sword.
"D-does it hurt?" asked Hinata. Akira looked back at Hinata, his Rinnegan shining in the dark halls.
"Does what hurt?" asked Akira.
"Where the sword cut you. D-does it hurt?" asked Hinata. Akira struck a thinking pose before shaking his head.
"Nah, not really. It's still a little tender, but other than that, I'm fine." said Akira. "Besides, I would do it again if I had to." This caused Hinata's eyes to widen in surprise as she blushed.
"Here we are!" said Akira as he stopped in front of a door. Opening it, he and Hinata walked into the room to find a simple room with lilac colored walls, a dresser on the left side of the room, a bed on the right and a closet next to the dresser.
"This room is right next to mine so if ya need anything just let me know." said Akira. Hinata nodded her head.
"T-thank you, Akira." said Hinata. Akira nodded his head as he gave her a small smile.
"No problem. Night." said Akira before he left the room and closed the door.
-Later that day-
Akira arrived in the Hokage's office after receiving a message from one of the Hokage's personal ANBU telling him to meet with the Hokage.
"Good morning, Akira." said Sarutobi. Akira's response was a bow followed by a yawn.
"I'm guessing you didn't sleep well last night?" asked Sarutobi.
"Something like that." said Akira as he remembered a certain Hyuga heiress still asleep in her room at his place. "What did you want to see me about, Lord Third?" Sarutobi's expression turned into a serious look which told Akira that whatever it was, then it was serious.
"Hiashi Hyuga came to me this morning and told me that his daughter, Hinata, went to the Otsutsuki compound early this morning. Her guards had spotted you allowing her in. Care to tell me what this is about?" said Sarutobi.
'Oh boy...' thought Akira who felt that a long lecture was headed his way. "It's true. Hinata did come to me earlier this morning. While I can't disclose some of the conversation for her sake, I can say that she overheard a conversation between Lord Hiashi and the elders about having her sister, Hanabi, be made the next clan head instead of Hinata herself." Sarutobi quirked an eyebrow.
"Are you certain?" asked Sarutobi. Akira nodded his head.
"Hinata wouldn't lie to me about something like this. She also briefly explained to me about the two families in the Hyuga clan and about the caged bird seal that's placed on the branch members." said Akira. "She was terrified of being branded with that seal, so I told her she could stay at the Otsutsuki compound." Sarutobi sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"While your intentions were noble, I'm afraid that Ms. Hyuga will have to be taken back to the Hyuga compound, or this will cause problems." said Sarutobi. "Do you understand?" Akira hung his head as the bangs hid his eyes from sight.
"Yeah." said Akira. Sarutobi nodded his head as he stood up from his desk.
"But..." said Akira causing Sarutobi to halt his movement. "If Hiashi has a problem with it, then he can come to me. Not drag you into it, sir." Lifting his head, Akira revealed that he had dropped the henge and revealed his Rinnegan.
"A father shouldn't play favorites with his kids. A father should love his kids equally." said Akira. "I may not remember my past and I may not know a parent's love, but I know enough to tell what's right and what's wrong. And he is in the wrong with how he treats Hinata." Sarutobi slowly sat back down as he sighed.
"I see..." said Sarutobi. "I hope you understand that if Hiashi pushes to take Ms. Hyuga back, I won't be able to intervene due to it being a matter of clan related affairs." Akira nodded his head.
"That aside, I put forth your name for the chunin exams." said Sarutobi. Akira gave Sarutobi a confused look.
"Chunin exams, sir?" asked Akira.
"The chunin exams are a sort of contest to see if a genin, a ninja fresh from the academy, is ready to be promoted to chunin. The chunin exams are held in one of the five Hidden Villages each year and it just so happens that this year they're being held here in the Hidden Leaf." Sarutobi explained.
"But I haven't been a Hidden Leaf ninja for very long. I'm not sure that I'm ready for this." said Akira. Sarutobi nodded his head in understanding.
"I know, but the point of the chunin exams isn't to win, but to test one's self. In the exam, everyone could become a chunin, but then no one may become chunin." said Sarutobi. "I've decided that, for the duration of the exams, that you'll be going solo until I find a team to place you on." Akira looked at his hands before nodding his head.
"All right, I'll try." said Akira. "Sounds like this could be entertaining." Sarutobi nodded his head before reaching into his desk drawer and handing Akira a new map of the Leaf Village.
"What's this for?" asked Akira.
"I'm afraid that the map I gave you was a little outdated. I've circled the location where the second part of the chunin exams will be taking place. Due to my entering you this late, I'm afraid you won't be able to take part in the first part of the exam." said Sarutobi. Akira shook his head.
"It's fine, sir. Is that all you needed me for?" asked Akira. Sarutobi nodded his head before Akira replaced the henge, excused himself, and left. Sighing, Sarutobi leaned back in his seat.
"I'm getting too old for this. I think once this exam is over I'll choose a successor and retire." said Sarutobi.
-With Akira-
Akira looked at the map as he walked through the village. 'So the second part of the exams will be taking place in training ground forty-four.' thought Akira.
"Oh, hi Akira." said a voice causing the last of the Otsutsuki to look up from the map and see Sakura Haruno walking up to him.
"Hey Sakura! What's up?" asked Akira.
"I was just looking for Sasuke. Do you know where he is?" asked Sakura. Akira shook his head.
"Nope, sorry." said Akira. However, he then remembered what Hinata had told him about how Naruto had let her down gently when she confessed to him.
"Hey Sakura?" asked Akira. "Why exactly do you like Sasuke?" The question caught Sakura by surprise as she blushed slightly.
"W-well, he's strong, cool and he's just got this air about him." said Sakura. Akira nodded his head.
"Okay, now what do you like about Naruto?" asked Akira. Sakura quirked a pink eyebrow before both furrowed.
"I don't like anything about Naruto. He was always a troublemaker before he became a genin and he still is from time to time." said Sakura. "Why are you asking?" Akira struck a thinking pose as he processed this.
"Okay, now how much attention does Sasuke actually give you? You know, outside of training. Has he ever offered to take you out on a date, or anything like that?" asked Akira. Sakura's glare changed to confusion as she thought about it.
"Well, no. Not really, but he'll come around eventually." said Sakura. Akira crossed his arms as he continued thinking this over.
"And how much attention has Naruto given you? Has he offered to take you out on a date?" asked Akira.
"Ugh, way too many times, but I shoot him down because I know he'll take me to Ichiraku Ramen every time. Plus I don't even like him that way. He just does it to annoy me." said Sakura.
'Yup, just like I thought. Naruto does like Sakura, but she likes Sasuke and from what I can tell, he doesn't like her that way.' thought Akira.
"Why are you asking me this?" asked Sakura. Akira nodded his head as he came to a conclusion.
"You know, just because Naruto can be a little annoying from time to time doesn't exactly warrant that much hate. You're on the same team as him. Maybe the date offers are his way of trying to get to know you better. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I would suggest giving him a chance." said Akira. "Just try one date. It doesn't even have to be a date. Just an... outing as friends. Ya know, to get to know him better. Who knows? Maybe you'll actually like the real Naruto." Sakura sighed, evidently not liking the idea one bit.
"Okay, let's say I do this and I don't like the "real Naruto." What then?" said Sakura. Akira stroked his chin.
"Then..." said Akira before getting an idea that made him grin. "I'll set you up on a date with Sasuke. A real date. Candlelight dinner and everything. What do you say?" Sakura got a noticeable blush on her cheeks as she imagined the date scenario with Sasuke in her head.
"Fine, but you'd better be ready to pay up." said Sakura. Akira nodded his head.
"Well, I'll see ya later, Sakura." said Akira before he walked away and left a still blushing Sakura behind.
-Later-
Hinata was in the kitchen drinking some tea as she laminated over what happened yesterday and early that morning. She just couldn't understand why her father treated her like this and yet treated Hanabi like the favorite child. This didn't make her spiteful of her sister, or even hate her because she knew it wasn't Hanabi's fault. And as much as she wished she could, she couldn't bring herself to hate her father.
She hated how the main house treated the branch house like servants when she saw them as equals, but she also saw the reasoning behind why there was the necessity of the caged bird seal. However, it terrified her to no end at the thought of having that seal put on her. It wasn't so much the seal, but rather the knowledge of knowing that any member of the main house could basically kill her if they so chose that terrified her.
Her thoughts then drifted to Akira. She didn't understand why, but the boy made her heart beat in a way that only Naruto had ever done. He was kind and caring. He put others before himself and he even took the time to talk to her. The only people who ever did that were her teammates, her sensei and Hanabi.
'Maybe...' thought Hinata. 'The reason is because I...' As she thought about this, the Hyuga heiress' cheeks turned a shade of pink as she thought about Akira.
"Hey Hinata!" said a voice causing Hinata to let out a startled "eep" before she quickly turned around and spotted the last of the Otsutsuki standing behind her. Scratching his cheek sheepishly, Akira chuckled.
"Sorry about startling you, Hinata." said Akira. "Anyway, are you going to be in those chunin exams?" After calming down a little, Hinata nodded her head.
"Yeah. Kurenai-sensei told me and my team that she put our names up for the exams." said Hinata. Akira gave the Hyuga heiress a grin.
"Cool! Lord Third put me in the exam, too, but I'll have to go solo until he finds a team to put me in." said Akira. Hinata gave Akira a questioning look.
"Really?" asked Hinata. Akira nodded his head.
"Yeah, but since I'm such a late entry I'll only be able to take part in the second part and onward." said Akira. Hinata nodded her head in understanding before noticing the backpack in Akira's left hand.
"W-what's with the backpack, Akira?" asked Hinata. The last of the Otsutsuki gave the Hyuga heiress a questioning look before looking down at the backpack.
"Oh! I swung by the Hyuga compound and picked you up a few changes of clothes. However, I wasn't able to get everything because the pack can only hold so much. Plus I think that old b- I mean, your old man probably figured out I was there because guards were racing to your room. So I had to make a quick exit." Akira explained. He then blushed a light shade of red.
"I kept my eyes closed when I had to get your... unmentionables. I swear I didn't look!" said Akira as he handed the backpack to a now equally blushing Hinata.
"T-thank you." said Hinata. Akira scratched the back of his head and grinned.
"Sure." said Akira. "Since the chunin exams are coming up, how about I help ya train?" Hinata gave Akira a surprised look.
"A-are you sure? I don't w-want to be a b-burden anymore t-than I already a-am." said Hinata. Akira shook his head.
"Sure I am. And didn't I already say that you weren't a burden?" said Akira. "Let's go to the special training grounds here in the compound. It's not as spacious as the training grounds outside, but it's large enough." Turning away from the Hyuga heiress, Akira started walking.
"C'mon." said Akira. Hinata placed down her cup of tea before following the Otsutsuki. Making their way through the compound, they soon came up to a door. Akira slid the door open to reveal a large training room. It had targets on the wall for shuriken and kunai practice, training dummies for ninjutsu and taijutsu and seals on the walls for sealing jutsu practice as well as storage.
"Alright, let's see what you've got." said Akira as he walked to the middle of the room. Turning to face Hinata, Akira released the henge causing his Rinnegan to be revealed.
"Come at me with everything you've got!" said Akira. Hinata nodded her head as she took her Gentle Fist stance. Akira watched as the veins around Hinata's eyes bulged, signaling the activation of her Byakugan. The Hyuga heiress shot forward at Akira and thrusted an open palm strike at the Otsutsuki's head. Akira leaned back to avoid the strike before using his left hand to deflect another strike. Jumping back, Akira looked at Hinata to see the Hyuga heiress rushing at him. Thinking quickly, he copied the hand seal that Naruto had used to make shadow clones. Suddenly, four Akira shadow clones appeared. Hinata looked around at the shadow clones in surprise.
One of the clones rushed at Hinata and threw a right hook. The Hyuga heiress quickly moved left to avoid the punch before jumping back to avoid another attack from another clone. Thrusting her open right palm forward, Hinata struck the clone causing it to disappear in a cloud of smoke. Turning quickly, the Hyuga girl struck another clone with her left open palm. However, as Hinata made to strike the third clone, the fourth clone grabbed her arm and flipped her over his shoulder. Landing on her back, Hinata looked up in time to see the real Akira falling toward her with his right fist cocked back. Hinata closed her eyes as she awaited the pain, but when she didn't feel any she opened them to see Akira standing over her with his right hand outstretched toward her and grinning.
"Not bad." said Akira as Hinata grabbed his hand and the Otsutsuki pulled her to her feet. "You're stronger than you look. I guess the saying is true. "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Hinata blushed as she poked her index fingers together.
"B-but I'm still nowhere near as s-strong as y-you, Akira." said Hinata. Akira shook his head.
"Maybe not, but you're pretty close." said Akira. "If I had to put a ranking on it, I'd say that Naruto and Sasuke are pretty much even with me. But you're getting really close." He then turned and walked toward the other end of the room. Turning back to Hinata, he took his battle stance again.
"So let's go again!" said Akira. Hinata looked at Akira with a surprised look before smiling softly.
"O-okay." said Hinata as she slipped back into her gentle fist stance.
-To be continued-
UltimaShishigawa: That's a wrap! Sorry it took so long, but I had serious writer's block with this. Anyway, please read, review, comment, but don't flame! Merry Christmas!