AN: I do not own original Naruto characters and jutsu. They all belong to the main man, Masashi Kishimoto. But Saphiro Kimza and other created characters and jutsu do belong to me. Please enjoy my fic.
Naruto: Kimza Chronicles:
Chapter 11: Saphiro Stands Tall: Part 2:
Saphiro and Genzo were finally showing their true powers in this battle. They finally saw the full extent of each other's strengths. Genzo was especially surprised. He never saw Saphiro this strong before. Or, at least since 8 years earlier. At first he thought Saphiro was just a loser. But when he went into full power mode, Genzo knew he found a worthy opponent for him. He just had to see who was stronger.
"Are you ready Kimza?" he asked, "I'm finally going to show you that you'll never be able to beat me!"
Saphiro smiled at Genzo's statement, "I guess we'll have to see," he said, "I never thought I'll become this much stronger!" Saphiro knew he had hidden energy inside of him. But, he never thought the energy was this intense. He smiled at Genzo, ready to rush at him full speed.
"I can't believe that Saphiro would come this far in so little time," said Tagaranon, "Before I talked to Naruto all those days ago, I thought he was going to be an obstacle in the team's path."
A few hours after he met Saphiro for the first time…
Tagaranon entered the Hokage's manor after he met Team 22 for the first time. He was going to Naruto to talk about Saphiro's evaluation. He got to the door of the Hokage's room and knocked on it.
"Come on in," said a voice.
When Tagaranon came inside, he saw that Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage, was signing sheets on a table. He looked up briefly at Tagaranon and lowered his head again.
"Lord Hokage sir," said Tagaranon.
"How many times do I have to tell you," Naruto said, standing up and looking at Tagaranon, "You and I were friends since the defeat of Orochimaru. You don't have to call me Lord Hokage. Just call me Naruto." Naruto had changed a lot in all those years of peace. He wasn't an obnoxious boy anymore. He was a 30 year old man who was now the serious type. He wore the traditional Hokage's clothing. And his voice was gruff yet calm.
"Naruto," Tagaranon explained, "why did you put Saphiro Kimza in Squad 22? He is an absolute disgrace to the entire ninja academy. He may have had good written test scores; but during the physical he was the worst of all the students. You know I'm the Fireworks Ninja! One of the best Jonin in the village! I need to work with absolute geniuses. You could've given me Genzo Nekiogama with Art Uzuba and Kaede Meitochi. But, you put….him in my squad."
Naruto stifled a chuckle when he heard Tagaranon's complaint, "You don't know, do you?" he laughed.
"Know what?" Tagaranon asked.
"I was once like that too," Naruto chuckled, sitting back into his chair, "I was the worst student in the academy. I was the laughingstock of not only the academy, but all of Konoha. Everyone shunned me. The only friend I had was Iruka-sensei. But slowly over time, I was loved by many for who I was. You can be a friend for Saphiro. His only friend for now is Kaede. But, in time, because of you, he'll be loved by all."
Tagaranon stared at Naruto in disbelief. He knew that Naruto had once lived a hard life, but he never knew about that. He stared at Naruto with new eyes. He wasn't the Hokage for no reason. He stared to the ground and nodded.
"I bet you he has a dream," Naruto explained.
"Who?" Tagaranon asked.
"Saphiro."
Tagaranon sighed, "He does. His dream is to defeat Genzo Nekiogama and prove to him that he is a good shinobi."
Naruto smiled at Tagaranon's statement. He pulled out a file of Saphiro and looked at it in admiration, "You know he's a Kimza right?" he asked, "The Kimza were a very powerful people. You know, I wanted to have a power like that. I had a dream too. When I was young, I wanted to be Hokage. And through hard work, 7 years ago, I achieved my dream. Help Saphiro achieve his. I'm sure you'll learn to like him."
Tagaranon nodded, "I'll try my best," he turned away from Naruto and stared out of a window, "He won't be able to beat Genzo tomorrow," he said, "but, I'll make sure that next time Saphiro and Genzo duke it out, Saphiro's the victor."
"Make sure you do," Naruto approved.
"Naruto!" yelled Hinata from the distance, "Neji and Lee have come to see you about their team formations!"
"I'll talk to you later okay?" Naruto said smiling, "More problems to solve."
"Okay," Tagaranon said smiling, "Later," As he left the room; Tagaranon had a newfound respect for Naruto. He also knew that Saphiro needed a friend. And he was a person that could be one. He didn't that in the future; Naruto's speech would be the right one.
Present day…..
You can do it Saphiro, Tagaranon cheered on internally, Show Genzo that you are a good shinobi.
"Come on, Kimza," Genzo laughed, "Let's play! Jojetsu Style: Multiple Sword Jutsu!" He used some of the metal on his left arm to create a sword. He pointed it towards Saphiro, "Get ready," he laughed.
"No more talking!" Saphiro yelled, rushing towards Genzo. He jumped above Genzo's head and prepared for an axe kick, I got him! he thought, He's finished!
Suddenly, Genzo pointed his sword and yelled, "Extend!" Then, the blade of the sword stretched towards Saphiro. It rushed towards Saphiro at a high speed.
Saphiro quickly made 2 hand signs, "Clone Jutsu!" he yelled. Then he created 4 clones and sent them into different places in the air.
He thinks he can escape from me using those clones, Genzo thought, Well, he's as wrong as ever! Without saying anything, he made a hand sign which made the blade split into 5 and rush towards a different Saphiro.
I wasn't counting on that! Saphiro thought.
Quickly, the blades destroyed the clones and fused back into one blade. The blade rushed towards Saphiro and pierced through his body.
"AHHHH!" Saphiro yelled.
"Saphiro!" Kaede screamed.
"Kimmy!" Art yelled, "Are you okay! The rules said not to attack your opponent with lethal force!"
Genzo didn't say anything. He just stood in the place where he was when the second half of the fight started. He stared upward at Saphiro.
"G--g—gotcha," Saphiro coughed. He smiled and then turned into a ball of smoke and disappeared. Everyone was shocked by this.
"He used the Shadow Clone Jutsu," Tagaranon gasped, "But only Chunin can master such a jutsu."
"Where are you Kimza!?" Genzo shouted, "Show yourself!"
"You asked for it!" Saphiro yelled, jumping out of a tree. He grabbed Genzo by the arm and threw into a pole.
Genzo touched the pole and used his chakra to transfer its metal into his Jojetsu. He landed on his feet and smiled, "You're good," he said, "You're not a loser anymore. You're promoted to a weak opponent."
Saphiro growled when he heard that, "I'll show you weak!" he rushed towards Genzo and kicked him. Genzo spun into a wall. It cracked on impact. Genzo fell to the ground and stayed there.
"Not so bad now are you?" Saphiro laughed, walking towards Genzo. He stopped to see that Genzo was smiling. The smile slowly turned into a grin. Then Genzo started laughing.
"What's so funny?" asked Saphiro.
"You," Genzo laughed, "You are one of the dumbest shinobi in the Leaf Village! You fell into my trap!" He stood up and made 20 hand signs, "Metal Style: Nekiogama Entrapment Jutsu!" suddenly, the metal from Genzo's arms came under Saphiro's feet and created shackles. Because of that, Saphiro wasn't able to move his legs.
"What the!?" Saphiro grunted, "I can't move!"
But it wasn't over yet. The remaining metal expanded and grabbed Saphiro's arms. The metal entrapping Saphiro's arms became poles and rose up. Now, Saphiro was unable to move at all.
"Let me go now!" Saphiro yelled enraged.
"Now," Genzo said smiling, "Get ready for my most powerful taijutsu technique! Ninja Art: Metal Fist Barrage!" Genzo's arms were soon covered by the Jojetsu metal. He rushed to Saphiro and gave him a series of strong blows. There seemed to be no stop to Genzo's unrelenting attack.
Saphiro couldn't take anymore blows to any part of his body. He was very sore from the barrage attack. Every time one of Genzo's fists made impact with his stomach; Saphiro could feel his energy quickly drain. In fact, that was what Genzo's attack was doing. Every blow from the Metal Fist Barrage took chakra from Saphiro. Unfortunately, since there was nothing he could do, all Saphiro could do was take the hits.
Finally, Genzo had enough of beating Saphiro like a dirty rug. He brought the metal holding Saphiro back to his arms. Saphiro dropped to the ground without attempting to stand up. Everyone in the crowd was silent. Especially Kaede.
"Saphiro," Kaede said in shock, "You lost. After all the help I gave you. I—I—I--I failed you!" She started sobbing when Tagaranon gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"He did his best," he beamed, "And I'm sure Genzo knows that. You did your best too. I'm sure Saphiro thanks you."
Kaede wiped her tears and nodded, "Thank you sensei," she said.
"You did it Genzo!" Rosetta cheered, "I knew that you would teach that loser a lesson! He wasn't anything compared to you!"
Genzo didn't say anything to her. He just walked to Saphiro and just stood there. He knew this time, this win wasn't certain. This time, the battle was long and difficult. He knew this victory was a better one than last time. He stood there and talked to Saphiro in a sincere mood.
"I really thought you were a loser," he said, "But, I figured out today that you are a great shinobi. Rosetta is just excited that I won. Even though they think I won; I think you won today. And if you are still able to fight, come on. I'm waiting." He turned around and started to walk away.
"Well then, let's finish it," said a voice from behind Genzo.
Genzo turned around to see that Saphiro was standing. He had minor wounds and a bruised body; but he smiled. He got into a fighting stance and stood there. He gave Genzo a provoking tease with his hands.
"Come on Genzo," he laughed, "let's finish this!"
Genzo got into a fighting stance as well, "Let's go!" he shouted, rushing towards Saphiro.
Saphiro rushed towards Genzo as well. As they got closer, they cocked their right fists back, ready to strike. Then, at only 2 feet from each other, they threw their punches. The two fists dodged each other and slammed into their targets' faces'. Genzo and Saphiro slid across the battlefield and stood there.
"Nice one Kimza," Genzo laughed, "I'm starting to think I'm going to lose this time!" He wiped his bloody mouth and got into his fighting stance.
Neji stared at Genzo with his Byakugan activated, Hm, he pondered, it looks like Saphiro's punch did Genzo some damage. Even though it looked like those two punches had the same amount of damage; Saphiro's punch was clearly the he heavier one. It seems to me that Genzo's speech gave Saphiro the step he needed to fight at his best. Saphiro and Genzo remind me of the fight I had with Naruto at the Chunin Exams.
"Come at me full speed!" Saphiro battle cried.
"Let's fight to the very end!" encouraged Genzo. The two Genin rushed to each other and attacked. Every attack one threw, the other blocked. They matched each other blow for blow. Finally, Saphiro and Genzo threw a punch to each other and grabbed it. They threw another punch and it was also blocked and held. Now, they were in a battle of wits. Only the combatant with the most desire to win could overpower his opponent.
"I'm—not—going—down--without a---fight!" Genzo grunted in an effort to pin Saphiro down.
"I can't continue this!" Saphiro shouted, "I'm too tired to go on!" Just when he thought all hope of winning was gone, he heard his teammates from the distance.
"You can do it, Saphiro!" Kaede cheered, "We believe in you!"
"Yeah!" included Art, "You came too far to lose now! Make Genzo proud he was your opponent!"
They're right! Saphiro thought, I just can't give up so easily! I am Saphiro of the legendary Kimza Clan! Suddenly, he started pushing Genzo away.
What the hell!? Genzo thought.
Then the crowd started to cheer for Saphiro. "Saphiro! Saphiro! Saphiro! Saphiro!" they chanted. Probably the ones that were the loudest were Kaede and Art.
"I'm not losing this time!" Saphiro shouted, all charged up from the cheers from the onlookers. He broke from Genzo's grasp and kicked him into the air. Genzo landed on the ground and stayed there.
"Kimza is way stronger that I ever thought he could be," he said in shock.
"I'm going to try this again!" Saphiro said, ready to attack. He made 7 hand signs and shouted, "Ninja Art: Vortex Jutsu!" Once again, he rushed out this hand, hoping the vortex would appear.
"You can do it," Kaede whispered, "I'm in love with you. And my love for you will help you!"
"NOW!" Saphiro shouted, opening his hand. This time, a chakra ball appeared then expanded into a blue, purple and, white hole. The chakra ball became a vortex. Saphiro then jumped into it and disappeared along with it.
"Where did he go?" Genzo asked. He looked around frantically for Saphiro.
"Right under you!" shouted a voice.
Then, the vortex appeared under Genzo and Saphiro came out of it, right foot first. Saphiro then launched his foot under Genzo's chin. Genzo was launched high into the air. When Genzo looked down, he found out that Saphiro was gone.
Saphiro appeared from another vortex over Genzo, "It's over Genzo!" he shouted, stomping Genzo in his gut. Genzo fell to the ground and slammed into it so hard that a 10 feet radius around him was cracked.
Tagaranon walked to Genzo and stared at him. He scanned Genzo with a very careful eye. He smiled afterwards. He saw that Genzo was knocked out cold. He raised his hand in a proud mood. "The winner," he announced, "is Saphiro Kimza!!!"
The crowd exploded with cheers. Art and Kaede ran into the battlefield to congratulate Saphiro. They gave him pats on the head, shoulder pats, and other pats.
"You did it Saphiro!" Kaede cheered, "You did it! You defeated Genzo Nekiogama!"
Saphiro smiled at his friends and comrades, "It was because of you two," he said, "You gave me the encouragement I needed to go on."
"You showed Genzo a thing or two, Kimmy," Art laughed. He continued to laugh until he saw Saphiro glare at him.
"Don't call me Kimmy," Saphiro said with a growl.
"Why not," Art moaned, "It's could a nickname in the making!"
"How was it inside the vortex," Kaede asked.
Saphiro scratched his head, "Um, well, it was like a blue tunnel. Wherever I wanted to go, the vortex would take me there. I think I have a pretty good original jutsu."
Tagaranon walked to Saphiro and smiled, "You did really well out there," he said, "You finally defeated Genzo. And he proved that you're a good ninja. Now what is your dream?"
"I really don't know," Saphiro sighed, "Now that I finally beat Genzo, I have no dream to fulfill." He looked towards the ground to see a ninja headband. It must belong to Genzo, he thought. He picked up the headband and took it to Genzo.
Genzo was sitting with Rosetta on the large swing at the park nearby. They were cuddling when Saphiro came to give Genzo his headband.
"Here's your headband Genzo," Saphiro said, holding out his hand with the headband in it, "You dropped it after the fight."
Genzo didn't respond. He just looked up at Saphiro with a neutral face. He sighed and looked down again, "You really showed me that you were not a loser out there. That victory was fair in square. Well done, Kimza."
"Thanks," Saphiro said staring at Genzo. He turned his attention to Rosetta, "Are you okay with me winning?" he asked.
"I'm okay," Rosetta sighed, "You fought Genzo and won. And Genzo admits it. And if that's so, I'm okay with you winning. You're not a loser to me anymore either."
Saphiro nodded his head, "Thanks," he said, "Here's your handband Genzo." He held out his hand again.
Genzo looked at the headband and took it from Saphiro. He tied it on his arm and smiled at Saphiro. He held out his hand.
"Huh?" Saphiro asked.
"You don't know how to shake hands Kimza?" Genzo asked, "If we shake hands, we won't be enemies anymore. You and I will still be rivals, but not adversaries. We'll be friends."
Saphiro couldn't believe his ears. Genzo wanted to be friends with him. No longer would they have to fight because they hated each other. He wanted that more than anything. He held out his and as well.
"Friends?" he asked.
Genzo chuckled, "Friends. Saphiro." The two former enemies gave each other a high five. Their war with one another was over. Soon, Kaede, Art, and Oro came with Tagaranon and Neji.
"You guys okay?" Tagaranon asked.
"We're cool," said Saphiro, "What's up?"
Tagaranon smiled, "The Hokage needs us for a mission. This time, both Squads 22 and 26 do this mission together."
Saphiro jumped up, "What are we waiting for!?" he shouted, "Let's go!" Saphiro, Kaede, Art, Genzo, Rosetta, and Oro ran ahead of their sensei on their way to their mission destination. Finally, Saphiro Kimza's dream came true. He had finally proved to Genzo what a loser can do. Also, he and Genzo's 4-year feud finally came to an end. Art became his friend and he was a very important part of a team. Saphiro also knew that he hailed from a powerful clan and he had a cool jutsu. Little did he know, his journey was just starting. That victory against Genzo was just the start of many adventures to come.
AN: That marks the end of the Beginnings Arc. The first of many arcs on Kimza Chronicles. I have a poll. Should the second arc begin a few months after Saphiro's victory against Genzo or after a 4 year time skip? You can vote on my profile page. Poll ends on 2/26/08! Be on the lookout for Chapter 12 and the beginning of a new arc on Kimza Chronicles! See you around!