A.N: Hello guys! I'm here! Thanks for your reviews! I really appreciate all of it! Okay then, I do realize that the timing that I need to submit another chapter has been gradually decreasing. Actually, this one comes very late. This is pretty bad. It's not that I have a writer block or something like that. But it's just that I simply don't have the time to write one. Taking double degree really spent most of my time. Not mentioning the 'welcoming party' for the new student. That one is really an annoying event. Useless, tiring, and pretty much a pain in the ass. Moreover, I'm repeating it. How's that even possible? I think that shit is not compulsory?! Anyway, don't worry; I don't intend to drop this story. At least as long as I live and not until this story finished. But I just want to say this; I might update this story quite slow. So please be patient with me. But if you want to drop it from your reading list, then its fine with me. I mean, it's your right to read what you want. I just write this, and hopefully, there'll be nice person who will read it and give me a feedback.
Anyway, enough for my vent. You read this not for my story of life, but for Naruto's right? So, before you lost your patience, I'll present to you... Chapter 6!
"Character speaking"
'Character thinking'
THIS IS PURELY FANFICTION, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, THEN DON'T READ IT!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Koihime Musou, Naruto belongs to Masahi Kishimoto and Koihime Musou belongs to BaseSon. And I also don't own any other part from any Animes that show in this story. All of them are belongs to their respectively creators.
Chapter 6: Calm Before Storm
The sound of the gong being hit repeatedly echoes at the stadium. Two girls are standing face to face at the stadium. The dusk illuminated both of them in the golden ray.
"Kishuu's Number One Martial Arts Tournament almost reached its final moment! These two girls defeated all their strong opponents and advanced to the semi-finals!" The commentator girl gives the audience the pre-match introduction.
"First, the amazing small whirlwind, Chouhi! Her opponent is Seiryou's restive horse, Bachou! The match that will decide who will advance to finals in this tournament is finally here!"
And as the commentator girl ended her speech, the gong being hit. The match has begun.
"I didn't really expect you to advance all the way to the finals." Bachou said while twirling her spear, "Bring it on!"
"I'll defeat you and get the prize money." Lin-lin also twirling her spear and get into her stance. She let out a small breath and then jumped at Bachou, who also did the same.
Both of them jumped quite high, and when both of them are still in the air, they strike each other so fast that most people can only see a blur. Amazingly, they continue striking each other until they are landing. Their attacks are very fiercely, that dust start to blowing from their match.
Both of them get back for a moment to get some space, "You're pretty good." Lin-lin praised.
"You too." Bachou said back.
The commentator girl also feeling the excitement, "Amazing, this is amazing! This fierce fight is not in the level for a semi-final! It's just look like we already watch the final match!"
On the other hand, 'Whirlpool' looks at the match emotionless. Well, at least that's what he's showing beneath his mask, not that other people can see his face. He thought, 'This... will be a long and endless match.'
Back to the match, Bachou and Lin-lin locked in a move that both of them start pushing each other with their spear. Bachou have to say that this little girl that she fighting with, is very formidable opponent.
'What's with her? She's small, yet why is she so strong?' Bachou thought, 'But the strongest one is...' She suddenly jumped and yelled, "Me!"
She prepared to strike Lin-lin with her spear. But before she could do that, RUMBLE... a sound came from Lin-lin stomach. A sound that she least expect to hear in the match. A sound that make Lin-lin blushed and Bachou to drop her spear. A sound that only come from an empty stomach.
Bachou deadpanned while the crowd that watch the fight roared with laughter. Lin-lin just scratches her stomach while blushing and giggled, "Ehehehe"
'Whirlpool' just sweat-dropped at the scene, 'Scratch that. This fight ended ridiculously.'
Bachou on the other hand annoyed with Lin-lin's behaviour, "Don't laugh. Fight me seriously!"
"I'm sorry." Lin-lin said while still smiling.
"Geez, you're feeling so little stress, your stomach started growling in the middle of the match..." But before Bachou could finish her sentences, the same voice that stopped the match also erupted from hers. Nonetheless, this makes her blushed. The crowd however, find this very amusing and hilarious. Their laughter just becomes louder. Bachou only could twitch her eyebrow on a mix of embarrassment and irritating.
Suddenly, Enshou stand up and cut off the fight, "Both of you, stop right there." Lin-lin and Bachou look at Enshou.
"This match is a tie. Therefore, both of you win. Both of you will advance to the finals and fight with the winner from the other group. Thus the finals will be a battle royal!"
The crowd gawked at her sudden announcement. Bachou and Lin-lin look disappointed. They are fighters, and no fighters in the world that like to accept such kind of result. They really want to end it right here and right now. But then again, maybe the result will be different in the finals. And of course, the crowd also didn't like that. A lot of peoples make a bet in every match, this one is no exception. But unfortunately, there's no one betting for a tie end. Still, when Toshi and Iishe raised the 'instructions' to the crowd, they all cheer and applause.
'It's my turn at last. Besides, I can't wait anymore for those two to continue fighting. I mean, I need to see that man's fight.' Enshou thought while waving at the crowd with I-am-a-noble-woman face.
"I-I see, then the next fight will be begin soon. To both competitors please proceed to the arena." The commentator girl said, still confused at Enshou's announcement.
"This is the last match before the finals begin! These two men has advance to the semi-finals with relatively easy. The first one is a mysterious man that manages to make a new record! No one knows where he's coming from or his real name. But we all know his alias, WHIRLPOOL!" The commentator girl shouted when Nar- I mean 'Whirl- oh to hell with this, you guys know it already, Naruto entered the arena.
"His opponent is a representative from Black Cicada! This group always sent in their representative for this tournament. And as always, they manage to advance to finals! Will 'Whirlpool' manage to stop their record, or will he succumb to their representative?" After that being said, a man jumped at the stage. He has long tied back red hair. He also wears traditional red Chinese clothing. The sleeves are black, the same goes for his pants.
The commentator girl continued her introductions of the contestant, "His name is Li Shuwen from Yanshan. He is well-known as 'Assassin' because he always kills his opponent in his fight. A master of Bājíquán, and also one of finalist from the last year tournament! Defeated by the representative from 'Death Wind', he come back to avenge his lost. I'm sorry to say that 'Death Wind' did not send their representative this year for some reason."
'More like they CAN'T' Naruto thought, 'Anyway, this man is my target. But if he's truly like she said, a master of Bājíquán, then I must be careful of his fist.'
It is said that only a master of Bājíquán, and TRULLY a REAL master, can snatch away the life of his opponents during matches just by touching them, no matter how light of the touch.
The gong had been hit, the match has begun. But the two of them just standing each other without doing anything. Naruto standing firm expressionless... or whatever the audience could see on his fox-mask. Li Shuwen just smiling at Naruto, but he's also didn't do anything, until he walks casually to Naruto. He stopped right next to him and extending his right arm, a gesture that many people will think that he's intended to give Naruto a handshake. But Naruto stay still. Both of his arms are dangling on his side, ready to do anything that commanded by the brain or their owner's instinct.
"Ah, don't be so stiff will you?" Li Shuwen said, still extending his arm, "My name is Li Shuwen as you can hear from that commentator girl. Will you tell me your name? I'm sure 'Whirlpool' isn't your true name."
Naruto stay silent.
"A silent type huh? You know, if you don't start to speak soon, I'll think that you'll be mute." Li Shuwen giving up to has a handshake with Naruto, but not yet with making him talk, "Hey, will you give up from this match? I don't want to waste a talent that you have. Your aura is suppressed, not in a way that you 'purposely' to, but more like naturally suppressed. That's something one can only achieve when they reached a true peace..."
"...or kill people enough until one can't feel anything." Naruto interrupted.
Li Shuwen's smile getting bigger, "Finally, I know that you'll talking sooner or later. Anyway, I hate to kill you. You're a true fighter, not like those bunches of idiots that I met every time in the tournament."
Li letting out a small sigh, "But you're different. The way you fight is an art. Every single move that you make is flawless, no matter how fast they are, that I hardly catch it, they are perfect. A perfect move from a fighter. So, will you surrender? Because if we fight, then I have no choice but to kill you." He ended with a glare. His smile has gone.
Naruto stared at him long enough before answering, "I refuse."
Li stares at Naruto for a whole minute before he starts to walks away, "I see. Well, if that's your-"
"I refuse to surrender to a fool like you. Your existence is a joke." Naruto cut off.
Li stopped at his track. He's slowly turned back and glared at Naruto, "What do you mean?"
"You're a fool because you can't understand who you truly are. You are the whole definition of a hypocrite. You said that you hate to kill me because I'm a talented one. That's bullshit. Every single person here in this tournament is talented. Including the representative from Death Wind that you purposely give an 'accident'. The only reason that you ask me to surrender is because you realize that you can't win against me. You're a fool because you can't see that I'm not perfect. I'm far from perfect. If I'm perfect, then I will not fighting in this tournament. You're a fool because you think that those people that you killed are idiots. Well, you are wrong! They are not idiots. They are not idiots because they want to prove their strengths here. They are not idiots because they know what the consequences of this tournament are. They just meet the wrong person. You make me sick. Your way of thinking disgusts me!"
Li Shuwen is furious. VERY furious. No one dare speak to him like that. Even the leader of Black Cicada never talks to him like this. Every people he met always give him a respect! True that he's the one who sent people to ambush that bastard. He can't lose again in this tournament! He's the strongest! Yet this man, this man boldly denies EVERYTHING from him! HOW DARE HE?!
Li get into fighting stance, "Very well. It seems that you're right about me being a fool. I'm certainly a fool for thinking a moment that you are worthy to be spared! You will die here today! AND I WILL BE THE ONE WHO KILL YOU!" He roared and lunged towards Naruto, who still standing in the same spot from the beginning of the match.
Naruto closed his eyes, 'You really are a fool, Li Shuwen.'
Li's right hand strikes towards Naruto, only for Naruto dodge his strike. Using the momentum, Li's right elbow bend to hit Naruto, a very typical move of Bājíquán, but that's also being dodged by Naruto.
Not missing a beat, Li runs to Naruto and try to strike him again, this time using his knee. But no matter what kind of moves he uses, Naruto always manage to dodge him. Never counter his attacks, always move away from him, almost like... taunting him.
"Stop running like a dog will you?!" Li's anger starts to control his moves. They became more aggressive and brutal. I mean, who in the world won't be when they are fighting an opponent that ALWAYS dodging and successfully doing it? And furthermore, that opponent has been doing it since the beginning of the fight.
"Why should I? I know Bājíquán. The main principal of Bājíquán is to attack opponent in CLOSE range with knees, elbows, shoulders, or hip. I prefer not to being hit by something that's hurt, thank you very much." Naruto said while continue dodging every Li's attack.
"Then fight back!" Li's barking to him.
"... Very well, that's your wish." Naruto then suddenly stopped dodging and standing about 5 meters from Li Shuwen.
Li see this as an opportunity to strike Naruto, his rage has blinded him from any traps that Naruto has made for him.
Naruto pull back his right arm, ready to punch Li when he's close enough. While Li brashly running to him directly, confident that he can deflect, catch, or dodging the punch.
Then, Naruto whispered, "Ikkotsu".
Imagine how surprised Li was when Naruto already lash out the punch when the range between them is still too far for the punch to hit him. And imagine how much surprise he had when the punch ACTUALLY hit him. Hit him and leaving a big hole on his stomachs. His heart and half of his organ has been blown away. The diameter of the hole actually big enough that it's chipped away his left waist, and severed his left arm from his body.
But the blood and the organs didn't disappear. It's just being blown away. To the crowds. Some people are being splattered by the blood. They are very shocked of what they have watched that they can't recognise it immediately. Then a shriek came out. Followed by many others. And so the ruckus fills out that place.
The force behind the punch was extremely massive until the rest of Li's body still standing and not blown away. His eyes are wide open, still cannot recognize the punch. Then, slowly but sure, he's falling. Li was dead before he hit the ground. That day, a fool died. That day will be remembered as a bloody day when a man 'mutilated' his opponent in front of a lot people. That day, the name 'Whirlpool' will surely being written in the history.
-(this is page break)xxx(this is page break)-
Naruto was sitting on a bench inside a dark room. His hands are holding each other that make him looks like he's praying. The soldiers had brought him to this room after what he has done in the tournament. They said that Enshou will come to see him. Clearly to interrogate him. They left two guards in front of the room. But those two 'guards' are actually two followers of Shuhei. Back to inside the room, Shuhei stand alone in front of Naruto. His hands are in his pocket, and there's a grin plastered on his face, "You really like to make ruckus don't you?"
Naruto's face didn't change, "You never mentioned in our deal about how I should done it."
Shuhei nodded, "True, but I never thought you could be so... brazen. I thought people like you would like to deal with it silently."
Naruto chuckled, "True, that's not my style. It WAS my style, but I've changed. Then again, you are not in the position to criticize me. Because if you want to finish it quietly, then you won't asking me to enter the tournament. You are not simply wanted to beat that man. You want to humiliate your enemy. And remember, you are the one who is asking me. So deal with it."
"That's what I liked about you." Shuhei walked to Naruto and sit next to him, "Anyway, the deals still on. You've finished your part, now it's my part to pay you. What do you want?"
At this question, Naruto didn't immediately answer. In fact, he keeps silent for about a full minute. Shuhei asked him again, "Well? What do you want?"
Slowly, Naruto turn his head until his eyes locked at Shuhei's, "What I want is not something that you could give to me right now. I also cannot tell you about what is it. But one day, I'll take it. My payment."
Shuhei stares back at Naruto, "I don't like to be in debt."
Naruto stand up, "Then don't think of it as a debt. Think of it as a... deposit."
After that, Naruto walks away to the door. When he reached the handle, Shuhei called him, "And where are you going?"
Naruto look back at him and smiled, "I believe it's time for me to go away. My job's here is done. I've made a lot of attention more than I want. You said it yourself right? I can take the price. Well, I'm not interested at that, so I'll give it to those girls."
And with that, he's leaving. Leaving Shuhei alone with full of thoughts.
-(this is page break)xxx(this is page break)-
"That man is ridiculously strong." Bachou said.
Bachou and Lin-lin are walking stand side by side each other. They had been called by Enshou to meet her. The tournament has been stopped. Just now, a soldier brings them news that both of them are the winners since the tournament cannot be continued. The other contestant, 'Whirlpool' has been reported left the tournament. And so he's being disqualified. The last fight had left a massive chaos in the crowd. They know what has happened. They have watched the fight. From the beginning to the end.
Bachou let out a sigh, "Hah, I'm glad I didn't have to fight him. But I'm also curious, who is he behind that mask?"
Lin-lin just keeps silent. She had a strong feeling about who that man is. She had seen that cloak. Only one person she knew wore that cloak. Naruto-onii-san.
Bachou noticed that Lin-lin has stopped at her tracks. Bachou also stopped, look at her, "Hey? What's wrong?"
Lin-lin look at her, "I think I know who he is."
Bachou's eyes went wide, "Really?! Who is he?"
"It's... Naruto-onii-san... I think." Lin-lin slowly said.
Bachou seems confused at her statement, "You think? But it's your brother right? Shouldn't you recognize him if that's the case?"
"That's the problem, I'm not sure." Lin-lin looks gloomy.
Bachou sighed and smiled, "Hah, then don't think too hard about it. If it's really your brother, then you can just ask him yourself when you met him."
Lin-lin gives her a small nod. However, she can't help it. She's sure that man is Naruto-onii-san. It's just, she didn't want to accept the fact that her new-to-be-brother just killing people so ruthlessly.
-(this is page break)xxx(this is page break)-
In the main hall of Enshou's palace, Lin-lin and Bachou are being served by a banquette. In front of them served a lot of food. Both of them are eating very fast. Their hunger makes them forget about what had happened that day. Which is good for Lin-lin.
"It's so delicious!"
"What a feast."
Normal people will surprised by how they haven't being choked to death with their eating pace. But what's more amazing is how they haven't emptied the kitchen's stock by now. Speaking of gluttony.
However, their spirits to give the kitchen's staff a headache are very contrast compared to Enshou's right now. Don't worry, she's not sick, at least not literally, she just feels... uncertain. She's shocked when she saw the battle between 'Whirlpool' and 'Assassin'. Theoretically, she can't show favouritism towards any of them. But she can't help to be captivated by 'Whirlpool'. His strength and his mysterious aura... it's just too much for her to handle it. She's fall in love.
And that's where things went wrong. There's no doubt again that right now he's a criminal. True, there's no rule said that the competitors can't killed their opponents in the tournament. It's pretty much legal. And no, there's also no rules said that you can't blow up your opponent to pieces. Why? Because when the rules established, she didn't think that there's someone who actually COULD do it. But then, he IS made a riot, a ruckus, anarchy to the crowds. And to make the situations became worse, he disappears. When the soldiers sent to his waiting room, he had already left. No one knows how he did it. One thing for sure though, the soldiers that guard the waiting room also disappears.
Actually, she could let him go off the charge. She planned to question him for his actions, maybe some scolding and that's it. In fact, she's planning to make him one of hers general. But with his disappearance, everything changed. She has no choice but to put him on the bounty list for public disturbance.
And there's she is, sitting alone with full of thoughts. Torn apart between her love and her duty. Oh, what a tragedy it is. She's so sullen that she forgot that she have two guest with her right now. But that doesn't matter because her guests seem to be lost in their own world.
Some hours later, after Lin-lin and Bachou emptied the kitchen, and the kitchen's staff finally lost their patience and BEGGING for them to stop eating, Lin-lin and Bachou finally remember that they're not alone.
Bachou and Lin-lin bowed down a little to Enshou, which is being ignored by Enshou.
They both stand up straight again after realized that they have been ignored by Enshou. They wait patiently for Enshou to say something. Sadly, that's not something that Lin-lin has.
"Hey! Do you have something else to do with us?!" Lin-lin asked Enshou with a little yell.
That yell seems to bring Enshou back to the reality. She seems so unfocused and looks at them, "Huh? Who are you? Why are you two here?"
Lin-lin and Bachou sweet dropped at her question. Then Bachou try to remind her, "Umm... Both of us are the victors of the tournament, and some soldiers said that you want to see us. You give us a banquette, which we already eat it by now. So, do you have anything else to do with us?"
Enshou try to remember for a moment, then a realize look came upon her, "Ah, yes, now I remember. Actually, there's supposed to be a ceremony to give the victor the prize money. But since the tournament ended... badly, the ceremony had been cancelled. But don't worries, you two still get the money. "
Then she reached two bags of coins next to her, "Here's the money, since you two are the victor, we have to divide it. Now take it and leave."
Bachou walked to her to receive the money, "Thank you very much."
But Lin-lin just stands still at her spot. She didn't follow Bachou to take her money. She just looks down and feels sad. Bachou noticed it and asked her, "Hey, Lin-lin, what's wrong?"
Lin-lin just shocked her head, "It's nothing."
That's a lie. Bachou know it. She knew that Lin-lin remembers about the tournament. And that's makes her feels depressed, for what reason, she isn't sure though.
Enshou look at her suspiciously but says nothing about it, "Well then, hurry up and take it."
Lin-lin nodded and walks up to take her part. Then she walked down and bowed once more with Bachou then leave. Leaving Enshou alone in her throne, 'There's one more thing actually, I planned to make them my guest generals, but somehow that prospect just didn't seems that interesting anymore.'
Enshou stand up and walk to a window, 'Maybe it's because I hope too much for the victor to be 'Whirlpool'.'
-(this is page break)xxx(this is page break)-
The sun has set down. The sky is black without star, the cloud is so thick until the moonlight can't break through it. The wind is blowing quite strong. There's a storm coming up. In the inn near the river, Aisha and Sei had been waiting for Naruto returns. They also have been worried about Lin-lin, especially Aisha. She worried because Lin-lin hasn't come back and the storm can come up anytime. Then a yell came from the outside of the room.
"I'm back." Lin-lin shouted.
"Hey!" Aisha yelled back, with much more anger and much more powerful, "Where on earth have you been up till now? Didn't I tell you to stay at the inn? First you disappeared somewhere, and on top of that, you didn't come back until tonight! Do you know how much I worried about you today?"
Aisha's ramblings have been stopped when Bachou choose to come in, "And who are you?" Aisha asked to Bachou.
"Wh, umm, hi. My name is Bachou." Bachou said while scratching her back head.
Lin-lin now smiling at her, "Bachou is... my new friend!"
Lin-lin look around the room, "Is Naruto-onii-san have come back?"
Hearing this, Sei look at her surprised, "Huh? He's not with you?"
"Of course not. Why would he be?" Lin-lin noticed that Aisha and Sei's face changes to worries, "What's wrong?" Lin-lin asked again.
"Lin-lin, today we met Naruto at the restaurant where we worked. We explain to him about you and he said that he'll look for you." Aisha explained.
"But I didn't meet him at all." Lin-lin start to worries "Could it be that..."
Sei looks at her suspiciously, "Could it be what?"
Lin-lin look at her then Bachou, who gives her an it's-up-to-you look, before answered her, "You see, today..."
-(this is page break)xxx(this is page break)-
In the street, Naruto walked alone. The wind blows quite strongly, the storm is coming. The street is empty, it's already evening. Many people have already gone back to their home, but he hasn't. He needs to make a decision quickly. He's a criminal now. His action in the tournament seems to be too much for the government, not that they know it's him, but it's only a matter of time.
Here's the problem, the girls. He knows that Lin-lin enters that tournament. And that's bad. Lin-lin might recognize his cloak. His cloak does stand up too much. But that's not the main problem. If Lin-lin recognizes it, there'll be a big chance that Aisha and Sei will know about it too, since Lin-lin will tell them about it. And that's the main problem.
He doesn't want to involve the girls in his problem. He can't let the girls to travel with him anymore, which will make them criminals too. But will they accept it easily? Will they let him to go away alone? Will they stop travelling with him? Or maybe, they will capture him and turn him to the government? There's too much scenario that could be happening with his absence. There's a probability that they'll search for him. And will they be okay without him? Naruto pretty sure that Sei will be okay without him, they haven't know that long. But what about Aisha? What about Lin-lin? The two of them already attached to him close enough. Not close enough to know each other very well, but still a close one.
Drip, drip, drip. The rain has start to pouring down. Add the wind with it and the storm really is coming. Yet Naruto seem doesn't care about it. He continues to walk. His hood is on, protecting his head from the rain, but soon it would be useless against the storm.
There are so many problems, but only a little solution. And every solution he could think has its own drawback. And none of them sit well with him. He can just leave them be right here and right now. But he's sure that it'll be too hard for Lin-lin.
There's another way, he can leave a message to them about what he has done, and told them not to looking for him. But that could have a reverse effect and make them searching him.
Then, there's this solution, he can erase their memories. Memories about him, making them forget about him. But that technique is still new for him. He just learnt it recently, and he never had the time to master it. The risk is too high. Besides, he has made a promise not to use it again. He may have change, but that aspect of him never changed.
The storm has come. The wind blows the rain everywhere. The rains pouring down heavily. There's no one in the street except him, or so he thought.
In the middle of the now-empty-street, a dozen men standing blocking the street.
'I almost thought they would never appear.' Naruto thought.
One of them steps forward and bows at him, "Whirlpool-san, if you may, please follows us. There's someone who wants to talk with you."
A.N: Okay, there's the chapter! Yes, I know that I skip the 'fan service' part. The reason for it is just it's doesn't mix well with my plan for this story. Yes I like it. I like fan service as the same as any other normal man. But that doesn't mean I should have put it in my story. It's just doesn't feel right when I try to put it in.
For the next chapter, I think it'll come pretty late again. Or maybe it'll come faster. I don't know. All of it depends on how well I do in my universities. And how much work I have. So... it's very hectic here.
Anyway, don't forget to review this and don't bother flaming, because I'll ignore it.