Wow, this chapter turned out easy to write :) Actually, from the beginning I figured it wouldn't take long, but considering how much time I spared for it, I'm shocked I'm done already. And that I'm actually quite pleased with the outcome, despite a weird feeling of repetition :D
Also, I wish to make a special announcement – true that vacation is still way of, but taking into the account the next, few updates may take me longer and summer is the time when anything can happen, in hope to allow everyone who'd be willing to take part in the endeavor, I've decided to open the Third Character Popularity Contest a bit earlier then planned ;) The rules are still the same as in the two, previous cases, but as always I'll post them up, along with with an updated list of characters you can cast your votes on. The results will be given with chapter 150!
THIRD CHARACTER POPULARITY CONTEST OPEN: just as the title states, I'd like to officially announce the beginning of NNG's third Character Popularity Contest! Everyone is welcomed to take part in it and rules, mostly as a reminder (I hope), are written down at the end of this chapter, along with the updated list of characters on which you can cast your votes on.
And with that, I invite everyone to the newest installment in NNG series and to cast their votes on their favorites ;) I wonder if Kai or Kusari will manage to score a second win... or maybe someone new will climb to the top? It's TOTALLY up to you guys!
Chapter #142: Tobane versus Sabure
Title page: Mikka is bending forward, aiming a thermometer at the 'audience'
Tenka slowly opened her eyes, lifting herself up; registering white walls and beds, she quickly realized she was in a medical wing of the stadium. Not surprising, considering the circumstances. What did shocked her a bit was the fact that most of her team stood next to the bedside, waiting in silence. The lighting master lowered her head, managing a logical statement: "I... lost..."
Neither of three said anything at first as they exchanged quick glances. Finally, the one to answer was Nobu: "Not quite... the match ended in a draw" he announced with a smirk, making the redhead gaze at him confused. "Apparently, that Hyuuga girl blacked out as well, so she got eliminated from the tournament as well..."
"Yeah" Kumo nodded, also smiling. "Going on par with a Hyuuga... not bad for someone with no, special skills, eh?" he added, rising his eyebrow. After a moment of hesitation, the kunoichi returned the smirk, but with another glance around the room, her face dropped once more: "Tasuki... didn't come?" she rated stated then asked, looking away.
"No" the green-haired twin nodded again, slightly discouraged. And as Tenka slowly fallen into sadness, he quickly continued, gaining her attention again: "He did ask to pass on a message for you" he announced, scratching his cheek and as the redhead send him an urging stare, he gazed to the side, avoiding eye contact, while his teammate's words sounded from his mouth: "You... did good."
To this Tenka smiled warmly, releasing her companion from the gaze. Silence fallen between them for a few moments, before Teela broke it, her voice as calm as usual: "So, you've beaten a kekkai genkai user... how do you feel?"
The redhead didn't reply instantly; she stared at her sheets for a few seconds, unsure of the feeling that filled her right now. Finally, taking a deep breath, she responded, looking the blue-haired girl right in the eyes: " Good... but not because I didn't lose... this proves nothing" she announced firmly with determination showing on her face. "Besides the fact that I need to work harder to catch up to you guys" she added with a smile, making all three of her teammates to widen their eyes at the statement.
Most remained in shock a while longer, despite a warm smile that was plastered on Tenka's face, yet Nobu managed to collect himself quickly, smirking under his nose as he glanced at the ceiling: "Well, regardless to how Teela's match will go... I guess this trip to Konoha wasn't a total loss..."
-Back to the Arena-
"Ninth match: Hokku Tobane of Kusa against Sabaku no Sabure from Suna" Lee announced as the two kunoichi stood in front of each other at the center. "EXPLODE!" he called out, making the blonde reach for her hooks as she lunged forward, swinging at the masked girl. As the blade came closer, sand blasted from the gourd on the latter's back though, blocking the weapon's way.
Tobane reacted immediately and landing on the ground, she spun on her foot, aiming at her opponent's legs with the other hook. Also this time the sandy wall rose before the assault, shooting a steam of sand at the grass-nin, forcing the weapon mistress to duck under the attack. As she did so however, the sand beneath her launched upwards, hitting the blonde right in the chin and sending her flying.
While she was still in mid-air, another wave of sand went after her, hitting her back and thus slamming the Kusa kunoichi into the ground hard. Tobane coughed out blood upon impact, but had no time to rest as a third attack came, sliding near the surface. Before she could dodge, the sandy river smashed her face, sending her rolling a few meters, straight at the stadium's wall.
As a loud 'thud' echoed through the battlefield, Sabure stared at her adversary who was slowly rising back to her feet, keeping her arms crossed. Standing in the very same spot she did when the match began, the Suna ninja spoke, her voice surprisingly calm: "You saw what I can do during eliminations. You should know such attacks will have no effect on me. If swinging those hooks is your only skill, I suggest surrendering... while you still can" she added in a slightly sinister voice.
"Don't be such a know-it-all" the hook user shoot back, sticking out her tongue teasingly. She gave a quick glance at the platform above and shifted her attention back to her opponent. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve" she stated, unleashing a barrage of shuriken, yet as the projectiles ripped through the air, another wall of sand rose, making the shinobi stars sink into it.
Meanwhile Tobane charged from Sabure's left, ducking under a whip of sand that flew horizontally at her head and beating the distance separating her from the target, the blonde swung her hook upwards in the attempt to split the masked kunoichi at the side. Also this time though the blade was easily stopped by the sandy barrier.
With the hook hitting the wall, the sand the latter was made of quickly wrapped around the grass-nin's arm, immobilizing it. Having her left hand trapped, Tobane set the other into motion, going for the redhead's face, yet another shield of sand stood in the way of the assault, repeating the pattern, now holding both of her weapons.
In a desperate attempt, Tobane jumped up, launching a knee to her adversary's head, but that too was blocked by the automatic defense of the masked kunoichi and a moment later a new wave of sand erupted from the barrier, tossing the hook user several meters back once more.
Flipping on the ground, the Kusa ninja came to a sliding stop and strafed right as several, sand senbon came flying at her, whistling in the air. Now it was her that had to go into the defensive as the sand dancing around the Suna gennin attacked her violently, giving no time to rest.
"That girl can't win" Kai stated, shaking his head as he observed the fight below. "Unless she breaks through that sand barrier, there's no way she can even inflict any damage..."
"Well, obviously the victor of this match will be Sabure" announced Dekai, joining the rest of his team as he regained consciousness. "Even my sword embodied in wind can barely make a dent in her's defense. Weapons are of little use against Sabure. That blonde girl should just give up."
"Well, that's not entirely true" Nezumi disagreed, making an angry face. "That Ibuki girl from the eliminations got a few shots in, despite being a weapon master. You can't be sure how the fight's gonna end until it actually ends..."
"Tobane isn't like the Tanken" Hizoku shoot back, visibly worried as he prepared himself to jump over the rail. "She may be stubborn, but this is one match she cannot possibly emerge victorious from. And that redhead is obviously unstable, which means this may end very badly for Tobane. If she won't surrender willing, I'll force her to do so!" he proclaimed, yet instantly felt a palm land on his chest. Glancing to his right, he noticed his teammate sending him a stern look; certainly not something Hizoku was used to.
"For you of all people to say that" Tokame began calmly, his face quickly returning to indifference. "You do not even realize how painful that statement would've been for Tobane. Do as Nezumi says... the match isn't over yet..."
"You can't hit me" Sabure noted simply as sand kept moving around her, while the blonde panted few meters in front of her. "You can barely keep up. Surrender" the masked kunoichi demanded in a voice that gave her adversary little choice in action.
Surprisingly, the grass-nin forced another smile as she bite her thumbs, quickly drawing symbols on the blades of her hooks. Hizoku's eyes widen at the sight, the kanji all too familiar to him: "When did she...?"
"Ekibyougami no Mai!" Tobane called out before dashing at her opponent, widening the latter's eyes as well. Lee gazed shocked at the development as the grass-nin's body became a blur while the girl charged at the redhead.
Ducking under another whip of sand, the hook user pressed forward, a moment later jumping over a wave that came through the ground. Somersaulting over the assault, she landed safely on her feet, immediately strafing left as a load of dirt dropped from above, not even slowing her down. Finally reaching her target, she swung her hook, but also this time the barrier did its job, though barely.
"She's even faster then me while using Fuuton!' Ibuki analyzed shocked, ignoring Senkou, who merely narrowed his eyes. At that instant a new steam blasted from the wall of sand, but Tobane was ready and quickly spun on her foot, dodging the attack. In a flash she jumped up and flying over Sabure, she aimed her hook at the top of the masked kunoichi's head, only to have the assault stopped no more then an inch before contact.
Upon landing, she bend her knees and spinning once more, went for her opponent's legs again, forcing the Suna shinobi to take a step back as her shield reacted too slow, rising just after the hook missed.
Still spinning, the blonde thrust her other weapon back, making Sabure bend to the left, avoiding the attack manually. With her body off balance, the redhead could only watch as Tobane suddenly changed direction and cut from above, ripping the masked kunoichi's shoulder before the sand could even ignite.
Pain surged through the Suna gennin's body; a sensation she wasn't familiar with. More surprised then actually hurt, she froze. Fortunately for her, the sand had a will of its own and realizing it couldn't protect its master, it too shifted, ramming Tobane at point-blank range.
Smashed against a nearby tree, the grass-nin let out a gasp, the trunk being the only thing that kept her standing. She could feel her skin burning from contact with the vicious wave, but she couldn't fall yet. She set her eyes on Sabure, who now held her wound, confused to no end.
"It seems I still need to improve" Tobane noted, forcing a smirk between huffs as she glanced at the redhead's shoulder. "I did managed to wound you though... for now... lets leave it at that" she purposed, turning towards Lee: "Excuse, but... I wish to forfeit" the hook user announced, sporting an apologetic smile while she collapsed to her knees.
Before her face hit the ground though, Hizoku appeared beside his teammate and grabbed her, breaking her fall: "Why in the world would you go this far? There was no way you could've won" he stated, but noting a victorious smile on the blonde's face, he merely allowed himself a sigh as he mumbled: "Idiot..."
The Leaf's Green Beast stared at two calmly for a few seconds before regaining his posture, making an announcement of his own: "Winner: Sabaku no Sabure!" At this the redhead kunoichi performed a quick seal and disappeared in a sandy whirlwind, teleporting back to the platform. Soon the two grass-nins followed, using the stairs.
"Nice work, Sabure" Karame complimented his teammate, yet Hari merely rolled her eyes at his behavior: "Please, like it could've ended any, other way" she announced, somewhat bored. Yet Aoru paid little attention to her companions as her grip on her tessen: "I must do my best too" she concluded, shifting her gaze at Takai.
"Great, that blonde actually got through the Sand chick's defense" Kai stated, slightly depressed. "It's unfair that everyone's so freakishly strong!"
"Well, these are the finals" Takaru replied with a shrug. "You should expect as much from those, that made it here. Besides, now's not the time to thinking about such things; we all should have a greater concern" he announced, instantly making his teammate realize what was coming. The blond quickly turned over his shoulder, yet he only managed to see Kusari sending the kunoichi off with an energetic wave of his hand: "Good luck, Kumiko-chn!"
Neither Kitsune nor the girl rushed into battle, calmly walking down the stairs to the arena. As the duo reached the center of their battlefield, Teela reappeared on the platform, curiously looking down at the two combatants. Toku narrowed his eyes at the premise as Lee joined the two, aiming to begin the match.
Kogane elbowed Rei slightly, making the other girl jump in her seat, snapped out of a sweet dream about the land of endless... well, sleep. The lazy kunoichi glanced questioningly at her teammate, who in turn send her an annoyed look: "Kitsune's turn..."
Surprisingly, Rei didn't comment and shifted her attention to the arena, more interested then the blonde ever remembered her to be. Hanamaru dived into his bag of chips, anxiously awaiting the signal as well. Even Naruto allowed his body to shake slightly as Lee raised his hand: "Tenth match: Murasakki Kumiko from Konoha against Debano Kitsune... also from Konoha" he proclaimed as everyone held their breaths... except the two fighters...
"BEGIN!"
-and what of Kumiko?-
A short fight, yes, but Tobane vs. Sabure was never planned to be a long duel... frankly, at her current level, there really wasn't any chance for Tobane to beat Sabure, especially with being mostly skilled in kinjutsu. But if there are any Tobane fans, rest assured that was not the last you saw of her ;)
Konoha #7 (Naruto): Murasakki Kumiko, Tanken Ibuki, Gekido Takaru, Hagane Kusari, Haisha Kai
Konoha #3 (Shikamaru): Konpaku Rei, Rikoteki Kogane, Amagasa Toku, Debano Kitsune, Gusoku Hanamaru
Konoha #4 (Hinata): Igaku Mikka, Inuzuka Tsume, Benda Kokoro, Hatake Senkou, Kobushi Galu
Konoha (Shino): Hamano Taki, Manako Akira, Tanken Funbo, Horohoro
Suna #1 (Temari): Aoru, Torune, Tarakudo, Takai
Suna #2 (Kankuro): Sabaku no Sabure, Hari, Dekai, Karame
Kusa (none): Hokku Tobane, Kanraku Nezumi, Kuchibashi Taka, Kyohaku Tokame, Wanabi Hizoku
Tsuki (Hinami Hoshiru): Junsei Teela, Chishio Nobu, Chishio Kumo, Kihako Tasuki
Kane (unknown): Futatsu
Kumori (Tategamaru): Saiken Tenma
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. Wanabi Hizoku
Fight 18: Tanken Funbo vs. Gekido Takaru
Fight 19: Benda Kokoro vs. Tarakudo
Fight 20: Manako Akira (automatic win)
Fight 21: Sabaku no Sabure vs. ?
Ekibyougami no Mai (Angel of Death Dance) – if the name sounds familiar, then I assure you; it should as originally this was Hizoku's technique and first of the "mysterious" Five Dances.
POPULARITY CONTEST DETAILS: okay, so for those who actually did decide to take part in the voting, the rules aren't that different from the previous two contests; you can vote for ANY character that appeared in the story so far, including the characters from the original manga, however I do wish that when picking those, you'll base your judgment mostly on how they're presented in this fic. With the official appearance of Gaara, the list of characters now include nearly all major ones from manga's Part I (Baki excluded)... Part II will have to wait...
Votes are only accepted through reviews. Sorry, but votes cast through Private Messages will not be counted into the result, so if you want your vote to count, this once I ask that you use an actual review button (this is mostly to allow everyone to verify these results). Just like before one person can give only one vote (in any review from now on until the upload of chapter 150... whenever that will happen :D), however in it you're allowed to cast your vote for five characters in the form of a list. The order in which you'll write the characters is important though, for if the same amount of people will cast their votes on two, different characters, the one who'll gain more "voting point" will take priority over the other. As an example:
Takai
the masked grass-nin
Kai Haisha
Hinata Hyuuga
In the example above, Takai would get 5 'voting points', Taka (the masked grass-nin) would receive 4, Kai – 3 and Hinata – 2. In this case the voter decided to vote on only four characters, although he/she still could choose one more, which would receive 1 voting point. Now, let's say there was another vote, which placed Kai first and Takai fifth and those two votes were the only ones these, two characters got. Now each of them received 2 votes, yet Kai gets a higher position in he ranking, coz the total of 'voting points' he collected equals 8, while Takai gets 6.
To make it easier, just like before, I'm placing a full list of characters (it should be around 130 :D) you may give your votes for (I don't think I left out anyone, but if I did, you can still cast your vote on him/her…):
KONOHA:
Kumiko Murasakki, Ibuki Tanken, Takaru Gekido, Kusari Hagane, Kai Haisha, Naruto Uzumaki;
Mikka Igaku (the medic-nin), Tsume Inuzuka (Kiba's daughter), Uramaru (Tsume's dog), Kokoro Benda (the telepath), Senkou Hatake (Kakashi & Anko's son), Galu Kobushi (the green-haired, taijutsu expert), Hinata Hyuuga;
Rei Konpaku (the lazy girl), Kogane Rikoteki (the alchemist), Toku Amagasa (the boy with the umbrella), Kitsune Debano (the blacksmith's son), Hanamaru Gusoku (the chubby boy), Shikamaru Nara;
Taki Hamano (the boomerang girl), Hitomi Hyuuga (Neji & Tenten's daughter), Akira Manako (the blind boy), Funbo Tanken (Ibuki's older brother), Horohoro (the boy using ice and water), Shino Aburame;
Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Uchiha, Kiba Inuzuka, Akamaru, Ino Yamanaka, Chouji Akimichi, Tenten Hyuuga, Neji Hyuuga, Lee Rock, Kakashi Hatake, Iruka Umino, Tsunade (appeared only in flashbacks), Satsu Tanken (Ibuki & Funbo's father), Chitose Haisha (Kai's mother, appeared only in flashbacks), Kenji Rikoteki (Kogane's father, appeared only in flashbacks), Yume Benda (Kokoro's older sister, appeared only in flashbacks), Yaiba Tanken (one of the Tanken guards), Surudoi Tanken (the second, tanken guard), Kajiba Debano (Kitsune's father), Hisaki Hyuuga (member of the Hyuuga former Main Family, appeared in flashback, trying to brand Hitomi), Hisomu Hyuuga (member of the former Hyuuga Main Family; he informed Hinata and Neji about Hisaki's attempt to brand Hitomi, appeared only in flashbacks);
SUNA:
Aoru (the girl with the iron fan, tessen), Torune (the wind using girl), Honemaru (the bone user), Takai (the scythe user), Tarakudo (the boy with bandages), Temari;
Sabaku no Sabure (Gaara's daughter), Hari (senbon user, Kankuro's daughter), Dekai (the swordsman), Horamaru (the string user), Karame (the mummy, paper user), Kankuro;
Uryuu (bully with a kanji for dragon on the back, appeared only in flashbacks), Mokuba (a boy wearing grey with brown skin, friend of Uryuu, appeared only in flashbacks), Shiba (brunette wearing a black and yellow jumpsuit, friend of Uryuu, appeared only in flashbacks), Kazuhiro (the creator of Honemaru, Takai and tarakudo, father to Horamaru and Tarakudo, appeared only in flashbacks), Sabaku no Touba (Gaara's son and Sabure's twin brother, appeared only in flashbacks), Sabaku no Gaara
KUSA:
Tobane Hokku (the girl with hooks), Nezumi Kanraku (the girl with a rat), Hamaru (Nezumi's rat), Taka Kuchibashi (the masked boy with a chain), Tokame Kyohaku (the boy that could become invisible), Hizoku Wanabi (the redhead);
Nakamoru Wanabi (Hizoku's father, appeared only in flashbacks), Kiro (Grass gennin, he fought Kumiko during the second exam);
AME:
Youji Kasano (girl with umbrellas), Karei Nokogiri (girl with a saw on a chain), Ryo Eshaku (the boy who could materialize chakra), Tsuino Furikuzu (the guy with scars on his face), Nazaa Hebereke (the redhead rain-nin);
Mushi Furikuzu (Tsuino's brother, he encounter Naruto's team and Hizoku during the third exam), Genmei Furikuzu (Ame's leader, father to Tsuino and Mushi)
TAKI:
Kawa Azarashi (the girl using water from bottles), Miaka Tora (the girl with the white tiger), Torabaku (Miaka's tiger), Tetsu Abura (the chubby boy with a hammer and pipes on his back), Shita Makko (the masked pipsqueak), Kasui Rein (senbon user, killed by Saiken);
TSUKI:
Teela Junsei (the blue-haired girl), Tenka (the redhead girl), Kumo Chishio (the green-haired twin), Nobu Chishio (the blond twin), Tasuki Kihako (the swordsman), Hinami Hoshiru (the jounin instructor of the cell);
Oujin Chishio (Kumo and Nobu's grandfather, appeared only in flashback), Satsuki Hoteru (Tsuki leader, who likes to flirt with other leaders and shows no respect);
KANE:
Naginata (the girl with a stick), Reiji Ono (the bald guy with an axe), Futatsu (the boy using two katanas), Hogosha (the boy with metal protectors), Sentou (the boy with metal arms);
Shinkou (Kane's leader, an elderly man)
YUKI:
Aisu Nadare (the girl using ice), Kuri Sutaru (the girl using crystals), Yari Sarumaru (the spearman), Kato Urufu (the guy with a bulldog), Urdo (Kato's bulldog), Yamazaru (the monkey);
KUMORI:
Raina (the girl with a metal glove), Saiken Tenma (the boy with a headgear), Bakara (the boy with a skull mask), Fuma (the boy who could transform), Kyuu (the boy that used bats and sound), Tategamaru (the mysterious, cell leader), Kumoshi (Tategamaru's mysterious partner);
OTHER:
Deji Hayama (Stone Country princess), Recca Ouritsu (Deji's husband), Takashi Hayama (Deji's father), Kataki Momochi (Zabuza's brother, missing-nin), Ryu Togatta (missing-nin, one of the Seven Swordsmen), Kouba (missing-nin that could use Mokuton), Fugou (missing-nin, kunoichi with tattoos), Karuto (card using missing-nin), Mabui Gusoku (Hanamaru's mother, appeared only in flashbacks), Gamabunta, Manda, Inosu (large boar, summoned by Hanamaru), Zassaouku (giant, living sundew, summoned by Kiro), Gamashi (small, battle toad, summoned by Kai during his match with Takai), Rubiko (mysterious figure, appearing at the end of the mission arc); Gusai (Rubiku's just as mysterious partner)
Even if the list above doesn't help, you can write a short description of a character (the village he/she is from, personality, who he/she looks, abilities). Considering I've created them all (besides the ones from the manga) I should be able to figure out who you meant.
If you have any questions considering the voting, do ask (be it through review, PM or e-mail) and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability.
And with all that said, I believe the only thing left to do is to wrap this up. Thanks for tuning in and hope to see you guys next time! Take care!