Finally I've managed to finish this one :) To be honest, I was anxiously awaiting this chapter since I began writing this fic, but actually writing the material in this update proven to be a bit of a bother to begin... once I started, it took me just two hours to complete it. Why I was anxious over this, particular chapter? Well, I'm not telling yet, but perhaps so of you will notice anyway. What's surprising is the fact that I'm really satisfied with how this installment turned out, which is very rare, so either it's really good... or it sucks so much I fear to admit it :D
With that said, I invite you to the newest chapter of "Those Who Inherit the Will of Fire"!
Chapter #18: Punchline
Title Page: Toramaru in his fighting stance and Byakugan activated is winking to the 'audience'
Toramaru swallowed another piece of sushi as most of his family sat at the table, enjoying their breakfast. Naruto was absent, as usual, but the young blond choose to ignore that fact. In stead he gazed at his older brother, who was calmly chewing his food, seemingly concentrated on the last, three pieces remaining on his plate.
Noticing his sibling's stare, he shifted his attention to the rookie gennin, rising his eyebrow: "You want something, short stuff?" he asked teasingly, surprised to see his brother remaining calm at his comment: "Yes, actually... you know, I've been nominated to take the upcoming, Chuunin Selection Exam by Teigo-sensei and I've been thinking..."
"Absolutely not" Iruka interrupted him immediately, taking another bite. As Toramaru looked at him shocked, the young chuunin continued, his eyes already traveling back to his breakfast: "I can't tell you what the tests will be, especially since they differ every year. Even if I were to inform you what challenges I had to take, there's no guarantee you'll have to face either of them. Besides, the purpose of the exam is also to test your ability to adapt; if you knew what the test will be, that can be considered cheating..."
"Oh come on, since when fair play is part of shinobi life?" Toramaru pushed.
"I said no" his brother shoot back sternly. "You gotta learn to face the unknown, coz that is also a part of shinobi life" he announced with an annoying smirk, making the other blond shift his attention to the eldest person in the room: "Mom!"
"You should listen to your nii-san, Toramaru" Hinata responded with a gentle smile, taking her eyes of her plate. "He speaks the truth" she proclaimed matter-of-factly, making the boy's face drop. "The only constant in the exam is its final stage."
"Then at least tell me what that is!" the youngster demanded.
"Please, as if, with your current level, you'll make it that far" Iruka laughed, forcing his brother's eye to twitch. Noticing this, the chuunin's face became serious as he straightened out: "I've seen some of the foreigners walking around the village. They'll be taking part in the exams as well, no doubt. To that end I can tell you straight, all jokes aside – they are strong... stronger then you."
"If you're talking about the sand-nins, then I've already had a run-in with those creeps" the other blond replied, waving his hand. "True, they're troublesome, but I don't really think it's anything I can't handle."
"You shouldn't underestimate the Suna shinobi" the head of the Hyuuga announced, taking their plates. "I know from experience they're hellishly strong. And it's not just Hidden Sand really; with the recent alliance between Konoha and Kumo, cloud-nins will be taking part in the exams as well... that's already three of the Great Villages right there and let me tell you – they're great for a reason, which is shinobi strength. Rest assured; that alone provides you with extremely powerful opponents."
"Yeah, not to mention there's also Ame, Kusa, Taki, Kane and Yuki" Iruka added with a nod. "I even heard some new village will be taking part as well, but since I'm not one of the proctors, the information I can gather is scarce..."
"Dad should know something" Toramaru whispered, lowering his head, which made Hinata miss the comment, yet his brother heard it all too well. Looking to the side, a worried expression crossed the young chuunin's face. "Either way" the rookie ninja spoke again, getting of his chair: "Since that's how things are, I suppose it won't hurt to ask Teigo-sensei for some, intensive training before the actual event, especially since we're meeting him this morning... which reminds me, I gotta go" and with that he dashed towards the door: "See ya!"
As the youngster was gone, Hinata turned to her eldest son, a note of dismal in her voice: "You shouldn't say such things in front of Toramaru. He is your brother, after all..."
"Yes" Iruka nodded simply, glancing at the door. "But you know just as well as I do, mother, that these exams carry a risk of losing your life. If he goes in unprepared, it may cost him dearly. Besides, no offense, but shouldn't your, primary concern be your own squad?" he asked, making the woman look away...
-That time, one of Konoha's training grounds-
Gaki delivered another blow to the punching bag, making it fly back towards the tree at high speed. As it began its descent, the muscular gennin threw another fist, repeating the effect. Once the bag came for the third time, he tossed his arm back for a greater speed and with a thrust hit his target again, literally ripping it to bits.
He gazed unfazed at his handiwork and then shifted his eyes to his arm as he began closing and opening his fist: "Seems that I'm still not quite there in regulating the force" he complained to himself. "But, at the very least, it doesn't burn anymore..." and with that thought, his head turned left as weak clapping reached his ears.
"You have quite a punch there" announced a boy few years older then him as he applaud the spectacle. The teen had short, spiky, violet hair and gray eyes, while his attire consisted of sleeveless, purple shirt and gray, baggy pants, held by a belt slightly tilted at the boy's hip. Both his arms were wrapped in bandages halfway to the elbows, while the rest of his hands was covered in black markings. His left ear sported seven, round, metallic earrings, but the most surprising feature was the lack of any weapons, especially since the arrival was clearly a ninja, as his hitae-ate, covering his forehead, indicated. The symbol on it was not a Leaf however; it represented an anvil with a hammer above it.
"Metal-nins?" Gaki narrowed his eyes as he noticed two, more figures standing behind the teen. The one on the violethead's left was definitely a girl, slightly younger then the boy, with medium-length, light-blue hair, clipped in two pigtails and eyes in the same color. A small bandaged, decorated her left cheek, while her outfit was made of white tank top hunging only on the right side, exposing her navel and cream, cargo pants with trouser legs ripped at the very top, leaving all of her legs uncovered. A black, knee-long sock on the right leg and a forehead protector tied around the neck completed the look, but the Leaf gennin also noticed a large, crescent-moon blade attached to the kunoichi's back.
The last member of the group was the hardest to figure out as his entire body was clad in golden armor, leaving only a small visor for the eyes uncovered. His mouth was hidden behind a solid plate, while his head donned a helmet with large spike going outwards on both sides and two, smaller ones growing from the center of the headgear. A large ruby with his village's symbol was placed at the bottom of the smaller pair, right in the middle. His full-body armor sported a large sapphire in the chest, along with heavy-looking shoulder protectors as well as cover for his arms and legs, each enforced with square domes. Gaki also took note of a halberd with a huge blade carried by the knight on his back.
"Who the hell are you guys?" the leaf-nin demanded with a stoic voice, making the teen in front stop the applause. The Kane gennin lowered his arms and with voice just as calm as his precedor, her responded: "We're actually looking for a training ground to hone our skills. We figured this one will do" he added, much to Gaki's annoyance.
"This one's already occupied. Buzz off" he replied in an ordering tone, narrowing his eyes further.
"Oh, but we don't know the village and it may take us a while before we find another spot" the gray-eyed boy countered. "Being a good host, you should move" he proclaimed, almost as if he was mocking the Leaf gennin. Frankly, it was highly possible that was preciously the case.
"I don't give a rat's ass about being a good host" Gaki shoot back, going into a fighting stance. "Get lost or I'll make you" he warned, yet the threat didn't seem to make any impression on the metal-nin as he merely glanced at his posture with mild interest.
"Really, you think you can take all three of us by yourself?" he rather stated then asked, a note of annoyance finally showing in his voice. "That's quite an insult. Honestly, I was considering letting you live, but with this, I guess I gotta teach about the world" he announced, placing his foot on the fence, ready to jump over it.
Before he managed to do so, the knight stopped him, putting his halberd in the gray-eyed teen's way. The boy gazed at his teammate, but the one to speak was the girl: "Kousotsu-kun is right, Toukai-san... there's no point for you to waste your strength on a nobody like him. Heck, even I'm unnecessary... Kou-chan alone can behead this one..."
"Oh?" Gaki raised an eyebrow, visibly angered. "Now who's underestimating who?" he questioned before dashing forward, his fist ready. As his punch flew through the air, the kunoichi and the violet-haired teen jumped away, allowing the attack to break through the fence and dig into the ground, digging a significant hole in it.
The armored ninja, Kousotsu, merely glanced down at the damage and then back at the leaf-nin. Without a word he spun the weapon in his grip, mesmerizing the muscular gennin and then, stopping suddenly, he swung horizontally at the latter's head, forcing Gaki to duck under the assault.
Without delay the taijutsu expert retaliated, delivering a punch to the knight's chest, yet the attack seemed to have no effect as the metal-nin quickly stopped his halberd in mid-swing and had it change direction, coming at his adversary again. Having no way to dodge, the Konoha gennin blocked with his arms, the impact sending him sliding to his enemy's side.
"Despite the weight of that thing, he sure is capable of operating it freely" Gaki concluded as Kousotsu charged at him, thrusting his weapon at his chest. The muscular boy side-stepped the assault and using his left hand to tap the halberd sideways, he went in for a counter, punching the chest again and then brought his left arm forward, smashing it against the front of the helmet.
Also this had no effect as the Kane gennin didn't even seem to move. In stead, he retreated his weapon and with the blade located before his opponent, he spun it, bringing the blade at the top of taijutsu master's head.
With no point in blocking, the leaf-nin rolled to the right, making the attack hit the ground, creating an even bigger hole then his punch from earlier, if only by little: "What the hell?" he wondered as he rose back to his feet and charged the enemy, ramming the latter's side with his elbow.
The force made Kousotsu take a step to the side, yet Gaki wasn't done as he instantly threw an uppercut, his fist slamming into the helmet from the left. A loud 'bong' echoed through the street while the young gennin's other arm went into motion, again punching the knight's chest. Using the momentum to put his body into a spin, the Konoha shinobi froze, his face in front of the armored fighter once more. Before the Kane ninja could react, the muscular youth threw his fist, attacking the chest.
As the assault connected, Gaki noted that aside for the first step, his adversary haven't moved at all. Even more displeasing was the fact his halberd was on the offensive again, cutting horizontally from the leaf-nin's right.
Again the taijutsu expert relocated himself and raised both hands in defense as he took a step to the right. The blade missed him by inches, yet the handle rammed right into his block, pushing the boy sideways, straight against the wall. Gaki felt his back aching slightly, while his eyes registered that the top of the weapon broke the wall, creating a spacious hole.
"Enough child's play" the muscular boy announced annoyed, throwing his arms apart, the momentum blasting the halberd back, leaving Kousotsu completely open. Using that, the leaf-nin spun on his foot, immediately throwing a punch to the chest. His hand retreated, while the second flew forward, hitting the exact same spot as the first, only twice as fast... and twice as hard.
The taijutsu expert improved the damaged with the third hit, still increasing both power and velocity. The forth strike was accompanied by a 'bang', loud enough to reach the end of the street, while the fifth gave an impression of a blast, the sound of impact thundering in the ears of those gathered.
The sixth punch finally pushed the knight a little back, all the while Gaki's right fist gathered chakra, which formed a spinning barrier around the arm. With a wild roar, the leaf-nin thrust his hand at the armored shinobi's mid-section, the impact sending the latter sliding back several meters, clearing having the most effect out of all the attacks thus far.
The taijustu expert didn't hid his disbelief, widening his eyes at the sight of the aftermath: "Not even a crack? That's not possible! Assai Genko is specifically designed to destroy solid barrier! That stinking, golden armor of his should break to pieces!" he clenched his teeth as Kousotsu jumped to the air, spinning his halberd above head.
Having the sun directly behind his back, the knight used the light to blind Gaki as he came down, his sapphire releasing a brief, blue flash. The leaf-nin could do no more then roll aside as the blade dropped, digging into the ground at the very spot he stood less then a second earlier.
His shock deepened as upon impact, the weapon made the ground shake, blasting rocks aside as it sunk lower, creating a crater that spread through the whole width of the street.
"Are you freakin kidding me with this?" the taijutsu expert's eyes narrowed at the sight. "How can he muster more force then Crushing Fist with a physical attack?" he had no time to analyze the question though as a whistling noise reach his ears.
Instinctually he bended forward, dodging a cut from the crescent-moon blade which the Metal kunoichi swung at the back of his head. More angered then surprised, Gaki spun on his foot to face the new opponent and threw a punch to her face, which the girl easily avoided, strafing right.
With a wide grin, the female reached for her hostel, unleashing a barrage of shuriken, yet the muscular gennin made little of it as he drilled his arm into the ground, only to rip it out a moment later, dragging a large rock along with it.
The shinobi stars bounced off the stone while the leaf-nin was already making use of his free hand, delivering a punch to his side of the rock. In a flash the massive boulder bolted forward, right at the kunoichi.
With no chance to block, the female jumped to the left just as the rock smashed into pieces upon landing. To her dismal however, her adversary was already behind her, throwing a downward punch to the back of her neck; a blow that, if as strong as the previous, would undoubtfully break her spine.
Fortunately for her, Gaki never managed to to connect the assault as the handle of Kousotsu's halberd smashed his stomach, sending him back, sliding on the ground. Stopping his trip with his left hand, he send the knight a furious glare, yet glanced over his shoulder as a familiar voice came from behind:
"As you said – enough child's play" Toukai announced, performing a quick set of seals. Before the last symbol could be completed though, a new figure appeared, grabbing him by the wrist. The metal-nin gave an annoyed look to his left where a very strange-looking boy stood, with a kunoichi with a cat supporting the latter from behind.
"Knowing Gaki, I'm sure that he does deserves a beating" admitted a boy with bowl-like haircut. "And there is a high possibility he's the one that started this fight" he added, glancing at the muscular teen. "However, I do dislike bullies and, ironically, in this situation, you guys classify, so how about we all just take a deep breath and calm our youthful spirits, before someone really gets hurt?"
"No-one asked you to interfere, Gai" Gaki responded, cracking his knuckles as he settled his sight on the armored warrior. "I can handle this myself" he proclaimed, visibly angry.
"Can you?" repeated a girl his age with short, red hair and a black cat sitting on her shoulder. "Coz by the look of things that may not be the case. Besides, haven't you started wondering why those guys are here, despite not being from Konoha?" she asked, much to the boy's annoyance. Obviously, he didn't bothered with trivial thoughts like that.
"You're here for the exams, aren't you?" the boy, Gai, asked rhetorically, releasing Toukai from his grip. "As far as I know, fighting outside the exams is forbidden as so, if you'll continue, we all may be disqualified. Who wants that?"
"Fine" the gray-eyed teen responded after a moment of hesitation. "We wasted enough time already; we weren't only looking for a training ground, but with this, little sparring, I suppose we can consider I morning workout done for. Lets go" he ordered his companions, making Kousotsu comply immediately.
The girl snarled at the predicament, yet followed as well, sending the muscular boy one, final glance, sticking out her tongue as their eyes meet. Once they left, the cat kunoichi walked over to her teammate, slightly worried: "Are you alright?"
"Don't ask stupid questions" Gaki responded rudely with a frown. "As if people of that level could really do any damage to my body..."
"Well, that armored guy seemed to be doing pretty good in that department" Gai stated, sending a quick glance after the trio. "Especially that last attack... it's like his strength was constantly growing. If that is the case, the longer you fought, the more powerful he becomes..."
"Please" the muscular boy spat, rolling his eyes. "No such technique exists..."
"Then how do you explain his strength?" the redhead demanded with a teasing voice. Gaki merely let out air through the nose at the question. Clearly, he had no answer. In stead, the one to speak was Gai: "Hinako-san is right; regardless to what the mechanics behind that was, that armor fellow is gonna be a problem..."
"What the hell, Toukai-san?" the girl demanded once they were out of hearing range. "Why do we leave? We could've rip the to shreds!"
"Possibly, but this was growing tiresome" the gray-eyed boy responded simply, his face as calm as always. The kunoichi let out a frown at the comment, looking away. After a short silence, she added, her voice once more cheerful: "Well, it's not like it was any fun anyway... that guy didn't even made a dent in Kou-kun's armor..."
"Obviously you paid no attention to the fight, Moroha" Toukai announced, making the female glance at him confused. "Didn't you noticed? He kept punching Kousotsu and while he was unable to break through the armor, his knuckles weren't even bruised. It's safe to assume it's not just his fists, but somehow he managed to reinforce his skin as well. Nothing special, granted, but he may be interesting to deal with" he added, a tiny smirk appearing on his face.
Little that none of them knew, three figures observed the whole scene from a nearby tree, their faces hid under the shadows of the leaves;
"So, any thoughts?" asked the first in a female voice, dressed in what appeared to be a kimono as she propped her hand against the trunk of the tree. The one to respond sat next to her with his legs swaying freely under him, his head hidden by a large headgear, while his back sported several umbrellas: "Well, nothing to be excited about" he replied calmly with an emotionless monotone. "I am curios over the trick behind that armor guy, but those leaf-nins are nothing special... at least not in comparison to that Suna guy from the other day... what was his name again?"
"Shikyo, I think" the female replied thoughtfully, glancing upwards. "And yeah, he was a scary kid. Eh, Shunsai-san?" she asked the third member of the group, who was currently sitting above them, his arm and chin resting on top of his knee.
"Obviously you two are easily impressed" he stated in a bored tone. "This is still nothing that we cannot handle. Also, what is worrying, is that violet-hair's ability..."
"What do you mean?" the headgear figure questioned, somewhat confused.
"Couldn't you feel it?" the other man, Shunsai, responded patiently. "I could feel his chakra flow just before he was stopped by that bowl-cut freak... it was... disturbing, to say the least. The other five are nothing, but that Metal guy... he could mean trouble..."
-even more enemies emerge... and the exam draws near-
TADAM! And so every, rookie gennin team from the Leaf got introduced :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter and that the slower pace allows you to keep track of all the new characters. The rooster is still lacking some teams, but on the plus side, after next chapter, the exams will be starting.
Konoha #1 (Teigo Kinuta): Buryaku Nara, Naraku Uchiha, Toramaru Uzumaki
Konoha #2 (Lee Rock): Hinako Nekko (the redhead girl with a black cat), Gaki Nayamasu (the muscular boy), Gai Rock (the boy with a bowl-like haircut)
Konoha #3 (Shikamaru Nara): Shunrai (the girl with a crush on Toramaru), Choumaru Akimichi (the chubby boy), Gitou Hisakata (the coughing boy)
Konoha #4 (Hinata Uzumaki): Gouka Uchiha (Naraku's twin sister), Kumo Aburame (the boy in green overcoat), Garou Inuzuka (the boy with the dog, Hanomaru)
Konoha #5 (Hasaki Kinzoku): Hitomi Hyuuga (white-eyed girl), Jun Hatake (the masked teen), Shimiru Abunage (the blond with piercings and a skateboard)
Konoha #6 (Hiyoko Shinku): Akemi Nekata (green-haired girl), Akai Kagami (the redhead), Akumo Megane (the boy with glasses)
Suna #1 (?): ? (girl with metal protectors), Kobura (the boy in black), Sabaku no Shikyo (the boy with the gourd)
Suna #2 (Kankuro):? (the girl with the gourd), ? (the boy with a headgear and scrolls), Fuugo (the masked pipsqueak)
Kumo (?): Juryoku Kakeme (the blue-haired girl), Fukaru Makaze (the blond boy), Aitou Mekakushi (the blind-fooled boy)
Ame (?): ? (the kimono wearing girl), Shunsai Irezumi (?), ? (the boy with a headgear)
Kane (?): Moroha Gengetsu (the girl with a crescent-moon blade), Toukai Kurogane (the violet-haired boy), Kousotsu (the armored boy)
Kusa (?): ? (girl in a yellow kimono), Kouba Ibara (the boy in worn-out clothes), Nekkei Utsuru (the sick boy)
Taki (?): Kitou (the girl with a praying stick), ? (the boy with a large scroll), Sayoku (the boy with bandaged mouth)
Assai Genko (Crushing Fist)
And this concludes the chapter. Once more I hoped you enjoyed it, please leave a review and until next time!