Yay, I'm back! Sorry for the very long wait. As some of you might know (from my review replies) my PC broke down quite recently, taking everything I've written for this chapter with it, thus forcing me to start over, which I was not too pleased about to say the least, coz in the first version, I really liked the way this chappie turned out and now… well, it's not bad but there's always this feeling "I could've done better".
I, at the very least, hope that you'll find this installment worth waiting for. It's best that I not write more, you'll read and you'll find out what awaits within this update. Also, I'm still sacrificing quite much of my time for the original works on FictionPress (check them out, if you feel like it and I won't mind a review either XD), so I'm trying to separate the time somewhat evenly (granted, on FP I have five tales, soon six, and here it's basically only NNG).
A word from DHO: Greetings, once again, to one and all. I don't have anything else to say for the current moment. Update speed for Birth of a Legend: The Fox Druid will be slowing down a bit due to college (quite obviously). With that said, I'll now turn it over to Shang.
In the words of some band that I don't recall the name of: "Let's get it started in here."
Chapter #123: For the Sake of…
Title Page: team 7 is gathered at the campfire: Kumiko is telling a scary story, making Kai and Kusari embrace each other, shivering, Ibuki is preparing herself a marshmallow, while Takaru sharpens a stick to put his on it
A sharp bone grew out of Takai's palm as he slowly walked towards the blond. Kai laid still without a sound, his eyes settling on the spike the sand-nin just created. The two suddenly froze for a moment and then the calcium weapon shot out from the artificial shinobi's hand, while the crimson-eyed boy grabbed it.
In a flash the bone vanished into thin air, like it was never there. The Leaf genin remained silent even now, still carefully observing the scythe user, who spoke up in a calm voice, yet there was a note of something more in it.
"In actuality, am I not fragile? I do not have a skeleton… well, not a real one at least. My bones are only real as long as they're connected with my body. I never thought about it much before, but now I find it quite ironic, really. Many times I have been told that I'm a monster… a perfect weapon… someone who cannot be beaten, regardless to the opponent. I believed that. But looking objectively, aren't I just a person devoured by illness? Having your own skeleton shatter due to weak bones… isn't that a sickness named somehow in the world? And I cannot be cured from it. Not anymore at least, since there are no bones in my body left to save. Isn't being sick an equivalent for being weakened?"
Kai said nothing and only watched as the speaker went to the window, gazing out through it. "What is strength, really? At one time I must admit I agreed with Tarakudo; that it's all about the power one possesses. I once talked to Touba about it and I must say that his answer surprised me to no end. You wanna know what his reply to that question was? He literally said that strength was nothing more than illusion. He stated that, in actuality, we're all equally strong; the only difference is that some learned to use their strength more effectively than others. Back then I had no idea what he meant by that, but now I think I understand it a bit better… thanks to you…" and at this point he glanced over at the blond, for the first time smiling, making the other boy's eyes widen in surprise.
"Now I know that strength isn't just physical or the amount of chakra," the sand-nin continued, once more settling his gaze on the outside world. "The stronger isn't always the one who knocked the other out. What really decides the difference is the reason. Why one took the fight in the first place. If it was to protect something precious to him, then his strength can become countless times greater than it normally is. Because when you're fighting for something important, you're much more determinate than when you have no reason to fight at all. And the very thought of losing that 'something' pushes you over any limits you thought you had, just for the sake to protect it…"
"Naruto-sensei once said that people can become truly strong only protecting what's important to them," Kai suddenly announced, gaining Takai's attention. "Some boy told him that. Whether it's someone, something or just a goal one finds as valuable, it's possible to dig out power the user had no idea existed within him. But even so, what's the use of such strength? It's easy to fight for oneself or some selfish reasons. But, if you battle for someone else… I think that's real strength…"
"I think you made that quite clear," the scythe user announced with a smirk.
"I still can't decide if Touba was right or not, but if we're not equal in strength, then I have no doubt about it: you exceed me," he added, his face turning serious.
The two stared at each other for a while longer and then the blonde smiled widely, before speaking up again. "You're giving me way too much credit. All I had was a better reason to fight. Once you'll find one for yourself… you'll wipe the floor with me. Well, more than you did this time around, that is…"
"Should I take it you're willing for a rematch?"
"Just choose the date and place!" And with that they exchanged smiles. Silence fell between them again and finally, Takai spun on his foot, heading towards the door. As he opened them, his body froze, while he allowed himself to speak over his shoulder:
"I should go… one of my teammates is fighting soon and it'd be quite inappropriate for me to not watch it. He's going against your companion, if I recall right. I'll let you know how that ended, so try to recover fast."
He exited the room, shutting the door. He stopped again, gathering his attention on the closed entrance. Not moving an inch, he stayed like that for a few more moments.
"You were listening, Kazekage-sama?" he asked with a calm voice, eyeing the Suna leader a little suspiciously, who was standing close by. The redhead only nodded, remaining still.
"You thought… I wanted to kill him, didn't you, Gaara-sama? I have considered it, to be perfectly honest," he added, gazing at the ceiling. "But once I've walked into the room, I found myself incapable of doing that. Not in terms of abilities… it was something else, like…"
"I know," the Wind Shadow assured him with a tiny smirk appearing on his face. "And I'm incredibly pleased to hear it. That really makes it easier for me to decide. I haven't told you this before, Takai, simply because I saw no point in doing that at the time, but I believe now you're ready to hear me out… that now it may really matter. Takai, I wish to tell you the full story of that day," he announced, now turning towards the young genin with a serious tone. "The truth about the day Touba died…"
--Back to the Arena--
"BEGIN!" Lee called out, instantly getting out of the way as both genin went for their weapons while charging at one another. As the distance between them disappeared, Reiji cut horizontally in an attempt to chop his opponent's head off. Hizoku managed to see that maneuver and ducked under, putting his body in a spin with a sweeping motion, going for the metal-nin's legs.
Acting on instinct, the bald shinobi jumped into the air, bringing his axe down. In a flash the redhead struck his weapon into the ground and lifting himself on it, avoided the assault, which left a cut on the surface, again initiating a spin. Unable to dodge in mid-air, Reiji took a kick to his chest head-on, thus getting sent back a few meters, coming to a sliding stop.
Without a second to waste, the metal-nin swung parallel to the ground once more, forcing Hizoku to jump up, somersaulting over the chakra bullet that ripped the air. As his back turned towards the axeman, the redhead reached for his shuriken, tossing them at his adversary the instant his body made a full spin.
Reiji managed to deflect all the shinobi stars that came at him with ease, however a moment later the Grass genin was already inches before him, his spear put into action. As the blade came from the bald ninja's lower left, he dropped his axe, pinning Hizoku's weapon to the ground, while his knee launched at his adversary's face.
Acting on instinct, the redhead blocked the assault with his palm and used the momentum to bounce off the knee, somersaulting again over his opponent, throwing a kick back, aimed at the back of Reiji's head. Sensing danger, the bald genin ducked, making the attack go over its target.
In a fraction of a second, Reiji threw his hand back, again unleashing the chakra cut at Hizoku, who was still in mid-air, with his back turned to his opponent. Noticing the metal-nin's maneuver, the redhead instantly reached for his kunai in an attempt to block the assault, yet the knife did not stop the attack, leaving a slash on the boy's back, making him collapse to the ground.
Seeing this as his chance, Reiji spun on his foot, swinging his axe, but Hizoku was quick to react and rolled out of the slash's way, allowing it to scourge the surface. With his eyes set on retrieving his weapon, the grass-nin reached for his holster, a moment later creating a cloud of smoke that covered the area.
"A smoke bomb?" Reiji asked in his mind with a smirk. "That is some idea, but a pointless one, if your enemy knows what you're after…"
He turned over his shoulder, once more putting his axe into action.
A yell could be heard echoing through the stadium, making Tobane shiver: "Just now… that was Hizoku-kun's voice!" she noted, while Tokame narrowed his eyes. And as the smoke cleared, it revealed the panting redhead, standing few meters away from the bald genin, his grip on the spear tight and a large slash going across his chest.
"What the hell are you doing, you asshole?" Taka cursed in his mind at the sight, his eye twitching from annoyance. "To fall for such a simple tactic, this isn't like you at all! At this rate, you're gonna lose. Unless… no, this can't be right. Regardless as to what you do, the body still can't take the strain. Don't even think about using that…"
"I must admit I'm rather disappointed," Reiji announced with a smirk, seeing his opponent huff. "I was really expecting something more from you, based on what you've shown during eliminations. Is that really your limit? Because, if 'yes', then you're not amusing anymore…"
"That baldy monster," Ibuki twisted her face with anger, tightening her fists. Hanamaru noticed that and only gave the young assassin a worried look as he recalled his skirmish with the metal-nin. Even Rei had one of her eyes open now.
"He can't beat Reiji," Futatsu stated, speaking to no one in particular. "This fight will be over in less than a moment." None of his teammates reacted to his prediction. Hogosha merely ignored it, while Naginata narrowed her eyes, settling them on the grass-nin who seemed to be barely standing on his feet.
In a flash the bald genin charged forward, swinging his axe in an attempt to rid his adversary of his head. Immediately Hizoku bent back, making the assault go right before his face, as he launched a kick to Reiji's chin with his left leg. The metal-nin managed to dodge the attack and grabbed the redhead's leg, stopping him in place.
With a smirk appearing on his face again, the Kane shinobi brought his weapon down, aiming to smash the spearman's chest, yet to his surprise, Hizoku used his other leg to bounce off the ground and threw a kick to his cheek. As the attack connected, Reiji's head went to the side, dragging the rest of the body soon after.
Seeing an opening, the redhead pushed his blade forward in a piercing maneuver, however the metal-nin managed to block the assault, placing the flat side of his axe in its way, purely on instinct. The two jumped away from each other, extending the distance, the bald genin now somewhat annoyed as his gaze rested on his adversary.
"I'm fighting that scythe guy in the next match. I cannot waste my energy and chakra on you, because otherwise I won't have enough in stock for him," Hizoku suddenly announced, sticking his thumb onto the newly inflicted wound and writing a familiar symbol on his weapon with the blood. "You have until I finish the seals to surrender," he added, quickly performing the right hand gestures.
"That weird thing you beat the gorilla with, eh?" Reiji responded with a confident smirk, tightening his grip on the axe. "Can't wait to see what all the fuss is about."
The redhead only narrowed his eyes at this as the last seal was done and then he prepared his spear, a wild battle cry escaping his mouth, reaching the furthest corner of the arena…
"Ekibyougami no Mai!"
--The battle heats up--
And this concludes this chapter. Hope you had fun reading it and that you'll leave a review before leaving. It'd mean a lot. In case you've forgotten, Ekibyougami no Mai is the technique Hizoku used on Yamazaru, translated (roughly) as "Angel of Death Dance".
KONOHA: Kumiko Murasakki, Ibuki Tanken, Takaru Gekido, Kusari Hagane
KONOHA: Mikka Igaku, Tsume Inuzuka, Kokoro Benda, Senkou Hatake, Galu Kobushi
KONOHA: Rei Konpaku, Kogane Rikoteki, Toku Amagasa, Kitsune Debano, Hanamaru Gusoku
KONOHA: Taki Hamano, Hitomi Hyuuga, Akira Manako, Funbo Tanken, Horohoro
SUNA: Aoru, Torune, Honemaru, Takai, Tarakudo
SUNA: Hari, Sabaku no Sabure, Dekai, Horamaru, Karame
KUSA: Tobane Hokku, Nezumi Kanraku, Taka Kuchibashi, Tokame Kyohaku, Hizoku Wanabi (in progress)
AME: Youji Kasano, Karei Nokogiri, Ryo Eshaku, Tsuino Furikuzu, Nazaa Hebereke
BAKUFU/TAKI: Kawa Azarashi, Miaka Tora, Tetsu Abura, Shita Makko
TSUKI: Teela Juusei, Tenka, Kumo Chishio, Nobu Chishio, Tasuki Kihako
KANE: Naginata, Reiji Ono (in progress), Futatsu, Hogosha
Fight 2: Ono Reiji (3) vs. Wanabi Hizoku (4)
Fight 3: Abura Tetsu (5) vs. Tanken Funbo (6)
Fight 4: Honemaru (7) vs. Gekido Takaru (8)
Fight 5: Benda Kokoro (9)vs. Horamaru (10)
Fight 6: Furikuzu Tsuino (11) vs. Tarakudo (12)
Fight 7: Manako Akira (13) vs. Dekai (14)
Fight 8: Hyuuga Hitomi (15) vs. Tenka (16)
Fight 9: Hokku Tobane (17) vs. Sabaku no Sabure (18)
Fight 10: Murasakki Kumiko (19) vs. Debano Kitsune (20)
Fight 11: Junsei Teela (21) vs. Kanraku Nezumi (22)
Fight 12: Horohoro (23) vs. Hagane Kusari (24)
Fight 13: Aoru (25) vs. Hamano Taki (26)
Fight 14: Torune (27) vs. Hari (28)
Fight 15: Amagasa Toku (29) vs. Kyohaku Tokame (30)
Fight 16: Kobushi Galu (31) vs. Karame (32)
Fight 17: Takai vs.??
And that's that for the time being. Thanks for reading and until next time. May the Kage Bunshin be with you!