Chapter 15
Just one more step and I'll have him.. however his insects were one step ahead of me, they only just managed to beat me to him in time to block my heavy punch.
The slight worry on Kin's face disappears and turns into a smirk. "You're out of luck. Don't underestimate the Aburame clan's insects.."
"I will not give up!" I exclaim, then jump backwards a few times, stopping beside my clone.
"Let's finish him." She says.
"Yes. Double Konoha Daisenpuu should do the trick." I mutter. She nods then together, we run toward him, and almost in perfect sync, we jump and swing a kick towards him.
"Double Konoha Daisenpuu!" We shout, however, he raises both hands, catching our ankles.
"This will now end it." Kin says. My clone became petrified and disappears, leaving me to try and escape.
Because he had hold of my ankle, I fell upside down, but I could touch the ground with my hands, now there's his mistake. I firmly plant my hands in the ground, and use the strength in my arms to swing my body, and because he still had hold of my ankle, I basically flung him in the air.
"Wh-aaahhhh!" He cries. I land in a crouching position.. now I just had to get my hands out of the ground..
I hear a thud a fair distance behind me, it would have been Kin hitting the ground. "Bōsui no Jin!" He shouts, suddenly a loud irritating buzzing noise appears. I look up seeing insects in a spindle formation about to attack me. I try my hardest to escape but I was too slow, they began pounding me ruthlessly, from every angle, every limb until eventually I was nothing but pain.
I manage to stand up again, though swaying slightly. I saw him coming at me, and I stammer backwards as he throws a punch. I felt his knuckles pass my cheek as I barely dodge.
'What.. is this? Why do I.. feel so.. heavy?' A brutal punch to my stomach interrupted my thoughts.
"Gaahh!" I cry, coughing a bit. The only emotion on Kin's face was a smirk. I squint my eyes in attempt to block out the pain and go to throw a punch which was effortlessly blocked by his insects. They began crawling all over my hands, stinging sensation filled my hands shortly afterwards. Are they, biting me?
"As I said earlier.. this is the end." Kin smugly says.
"Yeah.. you're right." I pant. He raises an eyebrow and suddenly I clench a fist. "STRONG FIST!" I punch right into his face all within a split second, even though I felt immense pain from the stinging of the insects. I felt something crack as I punch him, I wasn't sure if it was my knuckles.. or his nose.
Dirt rises up as he slides across the ground after landing. I look at my fist seeing blood. "Is this from the punch.. or his insects' bites?" I inquire quietly.
"OWW OWW OW OW OWW!" Kin cries loudly, both hands covering his blood-filled face and he rolls from side to side. I blink a few times. The proctor looks over at him and winces.
"Eugh..." The proctor grouses.
"OW OW OW OWW!" Kin continues crying rolling around even more.
"The winner is Kuromizu Setsuki.. someone hurry and get over here and take him to the infirmary." The proctor says, looking away from Kin who's hands and face was now covered in blood. Medic nins came quickly and carry him away on a stretcher.
"Woohoo! You did Ame-chan!" Naruto cheers. I grin and wave to him, then the crowd roars up again cheering. Now this wasn't something I was used to. I like it. I run around waving at everyone.
"I won! Yay!" I cheer.
"Setsuki hurry up and get back here!" Shikamaru calls. I frown, how dare he ruin my moment.
I run and jump back up over the railings to be greeted by Naruto's bear hug again.
"G-ahh! Too tight!" I gasp.
"We did it! We're gonna win this thing, believe it!" Naruto exclaims, letting go. I take in a deep breath.
"I think I should get my hands checked though.. they hurt." I say, looking at my bloody hands.
"Well hurry up, Sasuke's match is next!" Naruto exclaims. I nod and run down the corridor and down some stairs to the infirmary.
Inside were six beds. Neji was sitting on one deep in thought and Kin was being treated. "Hi Neji-kun." I say, expecting the usual huff or 'hn'.
"Huh? .. Hello." He replies. I blink and stare in awe at him. "... what?"
I blink and shake my head, then smile. "Nothing." I reply and walk over to one of the medical nins and get my hands healed.
"Setsuki..?" Neji asks. I face him after my hands are healed.
"Yeah?"
".. Did you win?" Neji asks. 'Why would he want to know that?'
"Well of course I did!" I exclaim then point to Kin in the other bed who had calmed down a bit. Whimpers could still be heard though.
"So that's Kin... looks like you got him good." Neji says.
"Sure did."
".. And what of Uchiha's match?"
"Well..! It should be starting about now!" I exclaim.
"N.. now? His match was supposed to be after mine.. was it not?" He inquires, seeming to be slightly confused.
"Well no, Sasuke didn't show up."
"So he was disqualified by default?"
"Nah, they put his match on delay and we went through all the other matches first."
".. And what outcomes?"
"Umm.. Well, Kankuro gave up before they even started, Shikamaru gave up even though he was about to win.. then I won!" I proudly exclaim.
"Seems a lot of people are giving up.." He mentions. "And do you know anything of the second round?"
"Well no.. but I'm hoping it's gonna be me verses Sasuke, and Naruto-kun verses Shino-kun, then in the finals it'll be me and Naruto-kun!" I say, getting fire in my eyes.
"How do you know Uchiha will win? I mean, if he hasn't shown up yet, he'll lose, and if you want Naruto to verse that Aburame, then you will be fighting that sand kid." Neji mentions. I felt a cold breeze suddenly and shiver.
"You're right... I don't think I want to verse Gaara.." I mumble.
"Even though, when you think about it.. your water jutsu would logically be very effective against him.. however I do not think that is enough." Neji says, folding his arms.
"So I should give up?" I inquire.
"... That is for you to decide." Neji says. I almost choke. The response I was expecting was "Only destiny will tell you that." then again, both responses are just as useless as each other.
"That.. doesn't really help me Neji." I say. "But if Sasuke does show up and I verse him in the second round, I can easily put out all his fire jutsu!"
"Really? … I heard Uchiha was being trained under Hatake Kakashi.. I think he would have taught Sasuke some electric type jutsu." Neji points out. I sweatdrop.
"I'm doomed." I whine, getting blue lines of despair over my head.
"Well don't waste your time in here, go out and see if he has turned up.." Neji says. I quickly salute.
"Yosh! I will see you around Neji-kun!" I say, then run off.
As I run through the corridor I hear two sets of footsteps running toward my direction, I look around. Then suddenly, from around the corner, Naruto and Shikamaru run toward me, then past me.
"Naruto-kun?" I ask. Naruto looks back and stops.
"Ame-chan. Come on!" Naruto says, beckoning with a swing of his arm. I run over to them, and they continue running.
"Where're we going?" I ask.
"To tell Kakashi-sensei to stop this match!" Naruto exclaims.
"What ma- Ohh you mean Sasuke showed up after all?" I ask.
"Yeah, like two seconds before he was gonna get disqualified. But we gotta stop the match right now!" Naruto exclaims.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto calls as we get into the audience and find him standing in the stairway. I notice Gai-sensei standing there too, and they both turn and face us.
"Naruto-kun!" Lee calls happily. I just noticed him standing in front of Gai-sensei. "Oh, and Setsuki-san!"
"What is it?" Kakashi asks, looking at the three of us panting.
"Sensei, please stop this match right now!" Naruto pleads. "He's... totally different from us. He's not normal!" He shouts.
"Naruto." Ino groans. "What are you talking about?"
"He lives to kill people. Anyway... at this rate, Sasuke's going to die!" Naruto exclaims. I look down at the stage seeing some sort of giant ball, and Sasuke standing there staring at it. "Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi turns back to look at the stage, and after a few seconds he replies, "Don't worry."
Gai-sensei gives Kakashi an interrogating look, whereas Lee seems annoyed about something. "We were late for a reason." Kakashi says.
Sasuke runs at the orb, throwing kunais which were almost immediately blocked, then he jumps to the other side of it, running and goes to punch it, however spikes shoot out from it at the same time. Sasuke jumps backwards but the spikes extend out after him. This continued over and over.
"What is that thing?" I ask.
"It seems to be that sand boy, Gaara's defense." Gai-sensei answers.
"Is it sand?" I ask.
"Yes. Very strong sand too." Lee says, not taking his eyes off Sasuke.
"So Gaara is in that ball?" I ask.
"Yeah, that's why Sasuke's attacking it." Naruto says.
Sasuke finally jumps back from it and stares at it as though he's in analyzing it. He then raises his left arm and unclips one of the black straps around his arm.
"Sensei?" Sakura asks.
"Mmhm?" Kakashi responds.
"What do you mean, you two were late for a reason?"
"Hmmm. Do you want to know?"
"We don't have time for that!" Naruto complains, stamping on the spot.
I walk down and stand beside Lee-san, his eyes were clearly focused on Sasuke like he's determining Sasuke's next moves.
"Shut up and watch him." Kakashi says, getting everyone's attention. ".. You'll wet your pants."
We watch as Sasuke flips backwards a few times, even sliding backwards up the wall. He stops near the top of the wall and begins doing hand signs then puts his hands down in front of him.
Electricity began forming in his hand and I blink. 'Neji was right..'
"Huh? Could that be..?" Gai-sensei inquires then looks at Kakashi.
"I supervised Sasuke's training... because he is similar to me." Kakashi replies.
Sasuke began running down the wall, the electricity in his hand destroyed the wall partly as he ran.
"Body activation.. I see." Gai-sensei says. "That's why you made him master taijutsu moves to dramatically increase his speed."
"Correct." Kakashi says, arching his eye which would mean he's smiling.
"That's amazing... I can see the chakra clearly with my eyes." Sakura says. "How is he doing it?"
"What is that?" Naruto questions.
"It's making a lot of noise, what is that move?" Sakura asks.
"Yeah Kakashi-sensei, please tell us!" I plead.
"Just a straight thrust." Gai-sensei says. "But it's Konoha's number one technique specialist... The Copy Ninja Kakashi's only original move."
"What?" Naruto asks.
"It's a secret move for assassination purposes." Gai-sensei says. "It's secret lies in the speed of the thrust, and the activation of the body to generate a large amount of chakra. Then he concentrates that large amount of chakra into the thrusting arm. And because of the incredible speed he moves at.. It emits a distinct chirping sound similar to a thousand birds chirping. That is why that move is called... Chidori." He explains.
Sasuke hit the ball of sand with this 'Chidori', and it looks like it actually went through, even though spikes came out and grazed him at the same time. Everyone gasps, all except for Kakashi of course who must have been expecting this.
Tension builds up in the crowd, I could feel it.
"Chidori.. Also called Lightning Edge." Gai says, even smiling.
"Lightning Edge?" Sakura asks.
"That's the alias it took because Kakashi once cut through lightning with that move." Gai says, turning his head to Kakashi.
"Cut lightning?" I question, staring with awe at Kakashi. Kakashi raises a hand modestly.
"Yes. It's true name is Chidori. And it's secret lies in the human body's fastest attainable speed; the speed of thrust and the chakra accumulated in one's arm." Gai-sensei explains. "The arm turns into a sword that can cut through anything. But you've taught him a reckless move."
"I don't want to hear that from you." Kakashi says to Gai, then crouches down to out height. "Right, Lee-kun?"
Lee just looks at Kakashi with a blank stare.
"I don't really understand the logic.." Sakura says. "But it's an incredible move!"
I look at Lee, he looks back at Sasuke with a slight frown. He was silent. I put a hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention.
"Are you alright Lee-san?" I ask, a concerned look on my face.
"O-oh I'm fine, thanks." He stutters then looks back at Sasuke. I may not be the brightest person in the world, but I could tell something was bothering him.
The silence filling the arena seemed to be getting to everyone because they seemed to be becoming restless.
"WAAAAHHH! BLOOD! MY BLOOD! AHHH!" Gaara screams. The entire crowd gasps, and Sasuke struggles to get his arm out of the orb.
More electricity appears in the hole and Sasuke tries even harder to get free. Slowly, Sasuke did manage to get out however some sort of weird form of sand was clinging onto his arm. It had small spikes sticking out and blue lines which look like veins as a pattern on it.
Sasuke, however, pulls his arm free and jumps backwards and this weird 'arm' thing retreats back into the sphere.
"What the hell.. is that..?" Gai-sensei asks.
"Th.. the monster.." I mutter, talking to myself.
"Monster?" Lee asks, snapping me out of my daze. I turn around and face Naruto.
"Naruto!" I call. He looks at me and seems to read my thoughts, and he nods in response.
"Kakashi-sensei, we have to call off this match!" Naruto exclaims. However Kakashi was too focused on what was happening to hear him.
I look back at the sphere and large cracks grow from the small hole. Then the sand collapses and Gaara stood there slouched over as the sand falls off him. He is holding his left shoulder which had blood pouring from it.
"Huh?" I notice white feathers fall from out of nowhere and stare curiously at them. "What are..these...?" My eyes began feeling heavy and I could barely keep them open. I fell over snoring.
I felt a small tap on my shoulder and suddenly I felt my energy return. I open my eyes seeing Sakura kneeling beside me, crouched down low.
"Saaakura-chan?" I ask, sitting up. "What's wrong?"
"I'll explain later. Just stay down for now.." She says, pushing my head down. I pout then hear repetitive 'cling' sounds.
"What's that sound?" I ask.
"Shh!" She gushes then crawls up the stairs to Naruto and Shikamaru who were sleeping. I blink a few times and follow, crawling of course. Suddenly, Gai-sensei's foot appears in front of my face. I blink from the sudden movement.
"Setsuki, I have a favour to ask of you." Gai-sensei says, looking around carefully.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Take Lee back to the hospital. This is an official mission."
"Eh?" I look around seeing many Sound ninjas attacking. "What the?"
"Go!" Gai-sensei orders. I tense up slightly from the yell then look back seeing Lee passed out on the step. "I'll cover you on your way out, but you must be extremely careful."
"Yes Gai-sensei." I reply and crawl to Lee and carefully slide him onto my back, trying not to upset his left side. I make eye contact with Gai-sensei and we nod to each other.
"Now!" We both say, then I stand up and bolt past Naruto and the other two and I hear multiple kunai flying my way.
"Konoha Daisenpuu!" Gai shouts, kicking them off target, allowing me to get to the door.
I run as fast as I can while carrying Lee down the stairs, after a while I could see the exit. However some mysterious cloaked figure jumps in the door way seconds before I reach it, and I turn my feet to the side, sliding a bit as I stop. I jump back.
"Who are you!" I inquire.
"Hm, going somewhere?" He speaks. The black cloak, and the ANBU mask.. 'Is he a Konoha ANBU?'
"Yes." I bluntly reply. "Please, get out of the way."
"Hm. No. I don't think so. The fewer who escape the better." He says. My eyes widen slightly.
"Tch.." 'An enemy.. great..' I realize my hands are full, and I cannot properly fight with Lee on my back.
"What's the matter?" He scoffs. "Would you rather hold on to your friend and die along with him, or ditch him and save yourself?"
"Never! I standby my friends no matter what!" I exclaim.
"Then how do you intend on beating me?" He sniggers. He had me there. I quickly examine the walls, noticing they're strong, but could be broken with the right amount of force.
"Don't underestimate me!" I say. I run and jump at the wall. "Konoha Daisenpuu!" I kick the wall, creating a large crack, but no hole.. that plan failed. The man laughs out of pity.
"How pathetic, now let me try." He says. He raises his hands flat in front of him, his finger tips pointing at each other. "Chakura no Mesu." He says, then his hands glow blue. "Get touched with this and it will result in a serious injury." He scoffs, then runs at me. His speed was something I didn't expect, and I lunge to the side, barely dodging. But now the door was empty. I bolt.
The person chased close behind me. "Running from battle is a foolish thing.. Setsuki." He says. Something clicked in my mind, my eyes widen and I gasp slightly.
"K... Kabuto-itoko?" I question. He sniggers in response, then suddenly jumps in front of me, forcing me to stop. He hits his mask off his face.
I couldn't believe it, he looks nothing like he did when we were children, he used to be so.. kind, friendly, gentle but now.. his eyes show he wants blood to be spilled. I couldn't believe it one bit. Even my body began to tremble slightly.
"You still look as innocent as all those years ago." He says, getting a cocky expression. I slide my foot back.. out of fear?
"W.. what do you mean? Why are you doing this!" I question.
"Orochimaru-sama's orders." He sniggers. I gasp again.
"Y-you follow.. him?" I stutter. I hear many footsteps around me, then look around at many Suna Jonins standing around me in a circle.
"Kabuto-san, let us handle this." One of them spoke. Kabuto nods and puts his mask back on.
"So long, Setsuki." Kabuto says as he jumps away. I look at all the Jonin and gulp.
"Hmph, one enemy this will be easy. The rest of you go on, I'll handle her." Says one. The others all nod and jump off.. except for one. I'm face to face with two enemies, Jonin level, foreign country, unknown skills, unable to fight properly... I'm doomed.
They both snigger and step forward with kunais at hand.
"Crap.." I curse and take two steps backwards, I felt something stop Lee which prevented me from going further. I look behind me noticing he is between me and a wall. "Shit..." I jerk him back up on my back properly and hold his legs firmer.
Both Jonin run at me, and suddenly my life flashed before my eyes, there was no escape for me...