The order for the matches may not be exact, I'm well aware of this, but for my storyline purpose, I don't think switching 2 match will make people angry... I hope.

This one is quite longer...

Chapter 13: The Tsurugi Boy

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

-I want to fight!! Please!! Screamed Naruto, next to Syng who had gotten silent all of a sudden.

-Don't be so hasty, stopped him Syng. If you must fight Gaara or me, you may not make it out of here alive.

-Don't be so overconfident! Grinned Naruto.

The board went random again. Syng was breathing heavily, actually, Shikamaru who was beside him could hear him breathing. As well as feeling an intense heat coming from him... The young boy had noticed the same reaction from the other side. Gaara was burning with anger, wishing from all his hatred to face Syng and crush him. Time itself had stopped. What only mattered now was fighting... Syng finally closed his eyes and smiled.

-Unlocked Syng... started Hayate before coughing, against... He coughed again.

Gaara could not bear to watch the board as his attention was all directed at the Tsurugi boy.

-Uzumaki Naruto, ended Hayate.

-What!?! Screamed Tifa.

Tenten, Neji and Lee, as well as the whole team 8 and 10, looked at Tifa rather than at both opponents.

-We've done... so... sighed Tifa while getting on her knees.

Syng slowly walked in front of her, passing by without even looking at the girl. He walked down the stairs, leaving Naruto getting the attention from the other genins. He wasn't the Syng from a few minutes before. Misty walked up to Naruto and looked in his eyes, confusing the blond boy.

-Poor boy, she simply said. Sensei would've like you.

Tifa was on her knee looking at the ground, while Misty had her hands on the ramp, already looking for the upcoming match.

-You should go, simple said Kiba.

-Hai.

-N-N-Naruto-kun... tried Hinata. Please, b-b-be careful!

-Don't worry Hinata, I won't lose to that guy! Smiled Naruto, running down the stairs.

Syng was looking at the ground with an empty face.

"Juusan-sensei... I'll do it... just give me more time." Syng thought to himself. "Destiny can't be controlled, right?"

Naruto was now in front of him while Syng was lifting his eyes toward him.

-I'll beat you to crisp! Said Naruto with a smile, joking.

-Of course, answered Syng on an aggressive tone.

Hayate went near the Hokage who had just called him.

-This is the boy from Tsurugikure? Asked the Third.

-What's about him? Wondered Ibiki. Anko?

-Well... He is aged 14. He was the student of Juusan, the thirteenth sword. Nothing more is said... Tsurugikure haven't send much information about him. Only the strict necessary to fill the exam report.

-This could be an interesting match! Laughed Ibiki.

In the stairs, joy wasn't at his fullest.

-Why was Syng-san so serious? Asked Lee, on his knee in front of Tifa.

-Yeah, he seems like Naruto, always cheerful... Continued Tenten.

-What do you know we should? Simply said Neji, cutting off every other question.

After a minute of silence where everyone (except Misty) was looking at Tifa, she got back up and went near the border of the stage.

-There's one thing I know for sure... If Naruto survive, someone else will die.

Flashback

-Tifa, Syng, Misty. I will send you to the chuunins exam in Konoha. Said the elder of the village.

-Why? We don't really care about ninjas ranks... We do missions, that's all, said Syng on a serious and leadership tone. You should just pay us and give us time to heal a little bit.

-It won't be that easy, Unlocked. You remember... the three sand siblings?

The team gasped. Syng punched the wooden desk in rage.

-What about them!? They can go to hell! He shouted.

-Well they will be there... a perfect occasion for you to get revenge on Juusan. Laughed the cruel boss.

-How dare you say his name! Shouted Tifa.

Syng had already summoned his swords. One to stop Tifa, while the other one was on the old man's neck.

-We will go.

/Flashback

-Our sensei... died by the hands of Baktsusan Tsuyako. The former guy who taught me my seals jutsu. And the one who made Gaara of the desert... a demon.

Everyone was looking confused while listening to the girl. Oblivious to what she was saying. Rather than listening on useless story, they all shut and listened to the conversation downstair. The signal had already been given, but not a single movement was made by both ninjas.

-So, you won't attack with a sword now? Smiled Naruto.

"He... will... die"

-Kage bushin no jutsu! Shouted Naruto, making around 10 replica of himself.

The replica went on Syng to attack. The tanned boy summoned instantly his swords. Two... and by striking one in the neck, the other in the heart. By cutting two in half, he continued in around five second, before all the bushin were gone. Naruto was alone again.

-That won't do. Simply said Syng, without even looking at Naruto.

Naruto shouted again his jutsu, this time making around 20 replica. A third sword was making circle in Syng's back. As the bushin sent another assault, three or maybe four movements of sword juggling and all the replica were gone.

-That won't do, repeated Naruto.

The blond boy stepped back and threw kunai at Syng who haven't even dared to move.

Parried. The kunai went back flying all around, as they simply bounced in a metallic sound on the swords.

-Damn those swords...

-My turn. Katon, Tsuku Tsurugi! (Fire: Burning sword) Shouted Syng, forming seals as the swords were floating around him.

One of his three sword was set afire by the jutsu. In a single hand movement, the sword was thrown at Naruto like a fire arrow. The blond ninja jumped to barely escape the fast attack, but a small explosion was made from the fire, throwing him farther away.

-How can his swords "floats" around him? Asked Tenten.

-Maybe magic? Answered Chouji.

-No, stopped Neji looking with his Byakugan. His chakra is surrounding him, his chakra is not strong enough to be seen, just enough to lift his swords and throw them as he wish, explained the Hyuuga.

Hinata activated her eyes too. He was right... but Hinata gasped at the saw of his chakra system. (Neji ignored the girl).

-He actually have a lot more chakra vital points... I don't know why, tho. Said Neji, looking at Misty who was ignoring him.

Another round of flaming sword was sent at Naruto. This time, two sword went in an arc in front of Syng, nearly cutting Naruto in three.

-Kage bushin no jutsu!

-30? Not enough! Growled Syng.

The boy was getting uncontrollable. If only a few minutes ago he seemed like a pacifist joker, he was now a demon, with the same kind of aura Gaara had. That last one was breathing has heavily has Syng was not so long ago. He was shaking from anger, rage, and thirst... He would make the sword boy bleed! He had to...

Syng smiled for the first time in the match and looked at Naruto. The blonde shivered from that smile, as if a demon was looking at him.

-Four.

The tanned boy was holding a sword in each hand, but another sword was swirling on the top of each of his hands. He sent the two first flying toward Naruto, dispatching many replica while Syng himself ran to the boy, slaughtering every bushin in his way.

-That won't do! Said Syng for the third time.

He flip-kicked on Naruto chest, turning on himself in the air and slashing Naruto's Chest, cutting his orange flashy vest, but not touching his skin.

-Something's wrong. Said Misty, surprised.

Of course, that reaction coming from that kind of girl would be the same as expecting Shino to run off naked in Konoha's street. So everyone turned to her, no matter how captivating the fight was.

-He's able to control himself! Added the usually silent girl.

-Impossible, he's at four! Shot back Tifa, looking at the fight...

More bushin, more slaughtering. Yet, Syng had many occasion to hurt severely or even kill Naruto, but he wasn't.

-What do you mean, four? Asked Tenten.

-You'll see soon enough! Panicked Tifa.

Naruto had just barely escape that last sword hit. Syng jumped back. Besides his four swords, another one was turning around in his back. Blood was slowly dripping from the tanned boy arms.

"Gaara!" Thought Kankuro watching the fight.

The sand boy looked at his sister on the other side. She was shaking in fear, leaning on the wall behind Gaara. The boy was getting possessed as he watched the swords, the blood, the rage, the hatred...

-Each time Syng summon a sword, he lose control of himself... Each sword became a sentient being while Syng lose his consciousness... At three sword, he still can make the difference between friends or foes. At four sword, he set his victims and don't leave it alone until the fight is over. At five, he goes berserk and kill everything he see during a short rage... Explained Tifa.

-What a youthful fighter! Exclaimed Lee.

-Yeah, sure Lee-kun, tried to smile Tifa.

-And after five? Asked Tenten.

-The maximum he went was seven, at which twenty people died. Each from chuunins to jounnins rank. He was 12.

Naruto launched another wave of bushin at Syng. The tsurugi boy spun on himself, creating a sort of half-sphere with a swirl of swords. Dispatching every bushin coming closer.

-Let's end this, said Syng.

Syng turned on himself and threw a sword toward the boy not far away behind him. The sand stopped the sword like a shield. The blade had not stopped right in the sand, it has travelled to a few inches before Gaara's face. The sword was stronger than his sand!?

-What's happening, dattebayo?! Asked Naruto.

Syng was smiling just like Gaara. But now, Syng was smiling from joy rather than rage.

-Naruto, I'm sorry I can't finish this fight right now, I promise someday I'll let you fight me again! Said Syng.

Ibiki and Anko looked at the Hokage.

-Hokage-sama! Rushed Anko.

-Stop them! Said the Third.

Syng was now swinging his swords on Gaara's sang, scattering quite easily the sand as the sword was simply cutting the shield. Baki (Gaara's sensei), Hayate and Anko rushed in a flash near the two boys, while Naruto was left ignore. The blonde was watching the scene from not so far, feeling left away. The jounnins rushed to stop them, but another ninjas was already between them.

-Fuuin no Jutsu! Suna soshite Tsurugi! Shouted Tifa, in her "cat-like" state, directing her hand at both Syng and Gaara.

This time, the sword did not fell, nor the sand. But both lost control long enough to regain their sense.

-I'll kill you! Shouted Gaara.

But he was stopped by some jounnins.

-Wait your turn, seriously said Hayate before coughing.

In the stairs, everyone was breathless at the scene. Nobody had seen the feline girl jumping or anything! And she had been able to almost stop the fight!

-Such a strong girl! Said Lee seriously.

-Indeed, nodded Neji.

-Too troublesome! Grumbled Shikamaru.

Of course, everyone thought the same thing.

-Syng... go with the medic right now! Please! Asked Tifa to her leader.

Syng looked at his arms and his hands. Covered in blood. His vest was soaked red too. It was still a mystery on how could he fight while losing so much blood... The medic squad took him quickly to cure him away. Naruto was left there, as he kept saying he wasn't hurt. And he wasn't. Everyone had let Gaara be. The sand boy was panting, looking at his sand on the ground.

-Hokage-sama. We can't decide on the winner. Of course, the Tsurugi boy had the upper hand all along, but he was also the most hurt, even if it was with self-cutting. Explained Anko.

-Syng-san should win, said Ibiki. That was quite a fight! I expected nothing less.

-But Naruto haven't lost in any way, said Hayate, again before coughing.

-Well, they both won. Simply said the Hokage. That way, we will have an even number.

Hayate went in the center of the great room, between a still-angry Gaara and a confused Naruto.

-Winner... Unlocked Syng... and Uzumaki Naruto.

The blonde boy, even without understanding what just happened, shouted in joy happily running in circles. Tifa was already upstairs getting the attention of everyone. She could not bear to smile. Lee got to her.

-That was wonderful, Tiffany-chan! He said, showing his thumbs in an eccentric way.

-Thanks Lee-kun, answered the girl, taking the boy in her arms and starting to cry. I don't want to lose him.

Nobody, that day, understood what the girl meant by that. Misty got near Kiba, Hinata and Shino and looked at the bug boy. Nobody had said a word. The board went random again.

-Eum... Lee-san? Said Tenten.

Lee was still in the girl's arms, blushing like he never did before and fixing the wall in front of him.

-LEE!!! Shouted the girl.

Tenten got Lee out of Tifa's arm to show him the board.

Gaara vs Lee!

Of course, Baki had probably asked the Hokage to make Gaara fight right now rather than making him go into another burst of hatred against someone else. Lee went down the stairs leaving Tifa with everyone else.

Syng was in a white room, on a soft bed. He couldn't care less about his wounds. He pity the one who would fight Gaara... He was so near his revenge. The revenge of his sensei...

-Lee-kun! Screamed Tifa in the stages.

"This could look bad." Thought Neji.

Lee was opening another gate, tearing his muscles like mere sheets. He tried to hit Gaara a few other time, but again, the sand-nin had too much hatred to be defeated here and now.

-Just like Syng, I can be powerful! Shouted Lee, looking at Tifa, upstairs.

He opened the final gate he could...

Flashback, Syng aged 13

-Sometime... started Juusan.

-Sensei? Asked Tifa.

The team was peacefully eating in a green field, after a well-done mission. A little breeze was refreshing their tired body. Both was shirtless, Misty had removed her scarf and Tifa had her hair loose. A tanned teenager was with them, smiling at his students. The younger boy was on his back, his hands behind his head, taking a little bit of sun. Both the girl had stopped eating to listen to their sensei. A little wind blowed thought theirs hairs.

-Sometime... don't you find Tsurugi beautiful?

Syng opened his eyes.

-Never. We were trained in pain, this village is getting even poorer every day. There's around 15 ninjas only you bring money home... Tsurugikure is doomed. Said Syng, his heart in pain.

-Maybe you're right Syng... but I still love Tsurugi. Because money, ninjas, weapon, history... nothing like this really matters when you love your country and the people living in it. Don't you like Tifa and Misty? And me? What about your parents?

Tifa and Misty looked at their friend. Tifa and Misty still had their mother. Syng had both his parents, but he couldn't see them anymore, since he had become a genins, and both his parents weren't ninjas. Rules were quite strict with ninjas in Tsurugi.

-I'm gonna die on a stupid mission anyway, smiled Syng, looking at the sky.

-Wouldn't you like to die for someone? Asked Juusan.

/Flashback

The medic team rushed in. Syng was now sitting on his bed. He barely saw Lee passing near him on an emergency bed.

-The eyebrow boy? Whispered Syng.

He got off his bed, only a medical patient suit, and rushed to the room where five medics were working around the boy. Two other were trying to stop Gai from breaking in... Syng entered the room to see Lee in the critical situation.

-What are you doing here? Said a medic looking at Syng. This boy is in a much serious case than we thought! Some sands is actually flowing inside him! Not only his muscles were ripped apart, but now he may die or suffer severe injuries on his vitals organs!

Syng had his eyes full of tears. Tifa rushed behind Gai, only to be stopped by the medics too.

FB (Syng aged 14)

-He won't make it! He's supposed to be already dead, we should be happy he could endure that last attack, said a medic.

A soulless body was looking at Syng with a smile.

-Sensei... why?

/FB

-No!! Shouted Syng.

-Stop.

Misty had her dagger on Syng's neck. Shino was behind her.

-Dress and come in the battleground, another fight will start. Between Neji and Hinata.

Misty went alone in the room with Syng when the boy was changing. To talk with him. While he was dressing hastily.

-Can you give me my underwear? Said Syng as natural as anything.

Living with two girl hadn't change anything in him. Misty and Tifa didn't care much anymore of seeing Syng when he was, like, getting out of the bathroom. Anyway, Syng had now a black shirt instead of his blood-soaked vest. They rushed out to the arena with Shino to see the match starting.

-Oi, Naruto, what's with the big face?

-He confused about Neji and Hinata, said Tenten instead of Naruto.

-What about it? They are cousins, no? Answered Syng.

-How come you knew about it and I didn't? Said Naruto.

-They both use the Byakygan, but they aren't brother/sister. They had to be relative somehow... How course, I never saw Hinata using hers...

The fight was getting heavier... Naruto was cheering for Hinata while both opponents were mostly talking. Konoha was full of mystery, indeed...