Ben-10: The One True Monster
Chapter 6: The Dangerous One
"Professor Paradox."
A tall British man who seemed to be in his 40s, wearing a white lab coat, stood before me with an air of enigmatic wisdom. This man is Professor Paradox, the time walker who looks after the multiversal timestream back in my world. There was a sense of timelessness about him, as if he were a living connection between past, present, and future. The wrinkles etched on his forehead seemed not so much the result of age, but rather the imprints of countless timelines he had witnessed.
"... Long time no see," I extended a greeting to him.
"Right," he said with a genuine smile. "I've been looking for you for the past two years. Hmm, is that your new body? How old are you now?"
"I am twelve, not counting my past life."
In my past life, I was ten when I I stumbled upon the Omnitrix and started my superhero career. So I am in no place to judge this world where children are molded into fighters, battling for survival.
He nodded. "And your name is?"
"Benji Tenzaki."
He raised his brows and mused. "Oh, that sounds a lot like…"
"I know…"
All of a sudden, the winds had calmed down and everything went silent.
"Just in case," he said. "I stopped time."
"Good idea. How did you even recognize me?"
"I don't," he answered, pointing at the Omnitrix. "But I recognized your soul."
"My soul?"
How is my soul connected to the Omnitrix?
"Young master, do you remember that time when you died to that magicster, Charmcaster?"
"I do…"
"That's when I went ahead and left me mark on your soul, you see. Eon is the one even I can't rightly predict, but that was just a bit of luck, I reckon."
"You made it so my reincarnation would get the Omnitrix, too?"
"Technically," he said. "But Omnitrix traveled through dimensions to reach you. This world is outside our multiverse, which was why I had a difficult time finding you."
"I see, good job."
Is it just me or is Paradox acting weird? Something's off…
"Uh, worry not, it's that," he averted his eyes. "You've got a Japanese accent when you speak English."
I was at a loss of words for a moment.
"Are you making fun of me, Professor? Not that I'm mad."
"I know you're not."
"So, forget it. Why are you here?"
Paradox swallowed his urge to laugh, which should be easy for him.
"Is this the first time you've encountered me in this universe, am I correct?"
"Yes?"
"This world is… Please give me a second… Or two."
"Go on."
He walked into a doorway and walked out of another doorway after a second.
"Okay, I think now I have enough knowledge regarding this universe," he looked up at the moon with a curious expression.
"What's it, Paradox?" I asked.
"... You'll eventually know. For now, I am glad I reached you before he did."
Paradox usually keeps spoilers about future away from me.
"Is he still looking for me?"
"I reckon it would take much longer for him to reach you," his smile vanished. "Time is relative. Therefore, you better be prepared, Young Master."
"I'm always ready, Paradox," I replied. "But why is he doing that?"
"... I'm afraid I don't know."
"Could you please inform me when you find him?"
"Sure. I take it you're taking a rest. I shouldn't bother you anymore."
"No, that's okay."
He gazed at the forest. "Also, I'm sorry that I couldn't keep you alive."
"No need for you to apologize, Professor. It never was your fault."
"Then…" he took a glance at his pocket watch before putting it back into his coat. "Time's up. I shall take my leave. Good luck with your new life… Tenzaki Benji. Oh, before I leave, I should relay Azmuth message to you."
I flinched upon hearing the name. Not that I have a bad relationship with him. But since the Omnitrix is here and it's not really serving its purpose…
"What did he say?"
"He allows you to use the Omnitrix as you wish."
There was a wordless pause.
"Is that all?"
"Yes. He doesn't want you to worry about serving Omnitrix's purpose and such. Also, he said he's found a new user."
"Oh… wait, what? That's quick. Who is it?"
"Albedo," Paradox answered.
Albedo is Azmuth's assistant and he's also pretty much a genius second to Azmuth to be honest. He'd probably be a much better user than me, which was why Azmuth didn't want me to worry.
"Then I shall take my leave."
"... oh, okay, thanks for the information, Professor. I will be counting on you."
He gave me a nod as a goodbye and walked into a doorway.
"Benji… Kun."
"Hinata?"
It was Hinata and her bunch who came out of another doorway.
"So you got here before us," Kiba said with an irritated expression. "What are you doing here?"
What can I do on a veranda? Can't just tell them about Paradox, after all.
"Thinking shinobi are not superheroes."
"What does that even mean?"
That moment, we heard a loud cry. "AHHHHH!"
"Many of them might be in trouble," I said, gazing in the direction the scream came from. "But we can't really help them out."
"Yeah, but at least we are safe."
"If we helped them out, they wouldn't become Chuunins on their own. And that's technically cheating, right?"
I noticed Akamaru hiding in Kiba's jacket.
"What's with him?" I asked.
Hinata went pale. Shino didn't really respond.
"Sh-should we tell him, Kiba-kun?" Hyuga girl stuttered.
"You know that squirt and his gang from Hidden Sand?" said Kiba.
"Not on a personal level," I said, leaning against the railing. "I met him about a week before this exam. He introduced himself as Gaara of the Desert. Pretty cool name…"
"No time to be astonished by a name, Benji," Kiba pointed out.
"True, I'm sorry. But what's about him?"
Kiba and Shino cautiously looked around before Kiba answering.
"We saw him kill a three-man team."
"So…" I directed my gaze at his dog again. "Akamaru got scared because of that?"
Killing is allowed in this exam. Who knows how many participants are bloodthirsty…
"No, he didn't just kill them," Kiba stated. "We witnessed his power. He was absolutely ruthless when he took their lives in a cruel way."
"How cruel was it? This is a game of death so killing isn't outlawed."
A part of me thought Kiba was exaggerating it, but Hinata's expression kind of aligned with the scene.
"... He crushed them into pieces," he whispered.
If even someone like Kiba was this shaken.
"I see. I knew he was a dangerous fellow."
It was close. I tried to talk to them when they came into the tower. How ignorant of me.
"Who finished the test first?" Shino questioned. "You or them?"
"I did," I grinned. "They were about thirty minutes later than me."
The three speechlessly stared at me with puzzled looks in their eyes.
"Come on, I am telling the truth."
"Well, you finished it before us, too," Kiba said. "When did you become so awesome?"
"... I was just lucky."
If those Dragon Brothers didn't have an Earth scroll, it would probably take me forever to find another team.
"At any rate, don't worry," I said. "Just don't pick a fight with them."
"Of course, we won't."
That moment, a wooden mask dropped from the inside of Benji's jacket.
"What is this? A mask?" Kiba asked, picking it up.
Benji took it back. "Wow, good find. I've been looking for this…"
"Have you opened the scrolls, by the way?"
"... no, I haven't. I will do that tomorrow."
Meanwhile in an office somewhere in the tower…
Anko Mitarashi, the proctor of the exam, was watching a CCTV recording.
"Here look at the time. It had only been 55 minutes since the exam began," the assistant said, pointing at the corner of the monitor where the time was displayed.
Anko gasped in astonishment. "This is… But how?"
The video showed the exhausted Benji Tenzaki walking into the tower with two scrolls in his hands.
"Now you've understood why I recommended him, I take it?" Hiruzen suddenly arrived.
"Hokage-sama…" "Yondaime-sama…"
The old man Hiruzen walked into the office, still smoking on his pipe. He took another look at the monitor with a grin.
"He's the best we can get this time," he said.
"Uh, we still have another video tape, Yondaime-sama."
"Go on." "Hai."
The assistant replaced the tape in the player with another one. This time, the recording showed the arrival of Gaara and his Hidden Sand team at the tower.
"They finished the exam half an hour later, but it's still impressive…" Anko noted. "This is almost scary."
"I see we've got many interesting kids in this exam," said Hiruzen, staring into Gaara's eyes that looked back at the monitor.
"Scary, indeed," he admitted. "These kids are going to surpass us one day."
Meanwhile deep in the forest…
Sakura Haruno had been left with both her teammates, Sasuke and Naruto injured and unconscious. She somehow managed to take the two boys into a hidden spot she found underneath a big tree. But it was certainly not a good experience. She had taken measures to defend her hiding spot, and tonight as the two boys had protected her before, now it was her turn to protect them with all she got.
It makes sense that she was on edge, throwing a kunai at a squirrel and all. But little did she know, the squirrel in question carried misfortune for her. But she had scared it off, and the squirrel was found by Rock Lee of the Leaf who then removed and deactivated the paper bomb on the animal.
"Phew, made it in time," said Lee, inspecting the squirrel. "This is a paper explosive, it blows up after a certain time. Who would do such a horrible thing?"
Back with Sakura and her knocked-out gang.
"Heh, up all night?"
A mischievous male voice had disrupted Sakura's peace of mind. She looked back at where the voice came from, and it was the three ninjas from Otogakure (the Village Hidden in the Sound).
"But it's no longer necessary," said the straw-raincoat ninja who seemed to be the gang's leader. "Wake up Sasuke-kun. We want to fight him."
Sakura herself wasn't exactly in a condition to fight three ninjas whose abilities she didn't know of.
"Wha— what are you talking about!?" She yelled back at the three. "I know that someone named Orochimaru is pulling the strings from the shadows! What's his purpose!?"
The sound ninjas looked surprised.
"What is this weird mark on Sasuke's neck?! You did this to him! And you want to fight him?!"
"Hmm, I wonder what the man is thinking," the straw-raincoat said.
"But hearing that, we can't let you go," said the ninja with "death" written on his attire. "I'll kill this girl. And I'll also kill this Sasuke guy."
"Wait, Zaku," the straw-raincoat crouched on the ground. "You're not very good. Here, a recently overturned stone, and different-colored dirt. Grass doesn't grow here. A booby trap is pointless unless it goes unnoticed."
He pushed the dirt with his hands, revealing a glimpse of the trap.
"Pfft, stupid," said Zaku, the "death" guy mocked, despite him being unable to notice the trap without the straw-guy's attention to details.
"So that kunai was to prevent the squirrel from setting off the trap," remarked the sound ninja girl.
"Well, since we have no use for the girl," the straw-raincoat commanded. "Kill her!"
They attempted to jump into the air to reach the other side of the trap, but all of a sudden, their feet were encased in ice blocks that pulled them down to the ground.
"What!?" Zaku and the sound girl exclaimed in unison.
"Sorry but…" a creepy eerie voice whispered into their ears. "You three. You are not killing anyone."
They quickly looked back behind their shoulders to see the owner of the voice.
It was a semi-transparent double-winged humanoid that towered over them. That was Big Chill.
"... What the heck is this!?" Zaku exclaimed.
Sakura had the same, frightened expression.
The intangible necrofriggian flew over to the cave and took a look at the injured kids, before transforming back to human form. Benji had now put on his mask, taking on his Ben-Ten persona.
"Who the hell are you?! Don't interfere with—"
"Shut it," Benji said, almost calmly. "Or else I can shut you up by freezing your throat."
"... Ben-Ten?" Sakura murmured.
"Yeah, that's who I am. Ben-Ten of the Omnitrix…"
The three sound ninjas remembered that boy they met a week before the exam.
"That brat…" Zaku cursed.
"I won't normally get myself involved in this battle," said Benji. "But I've heard enough. Someone named Orochimaru injured them. And you guys must be related to him. This is a team-based exam and I assume you people allied yourselves with another team…"
"..."
"... that's why I'm gonna team up with her temporarily to kick your butts—"
Another element of surprise arrived.
"Konoha Senpū!" (木ノ葉旋風 )
Leaf Hurricane.
With such a vigorous cry, a bowl-cut boy in a green jumpsuit appeared and spun himself, delivering a kick that knocked away Benji.
"Ouch!" Benji acted on instinct, transformed into an alien mid-air and landed on the ground to see who the heck kicked his butt.
"What… what did you just do?" Sakura said.
"I will…" replied Rock Lee, the bowl-cut boy, glaring at the creature Ben-Ten became. "... always appear when you're in trouble."
That was an awkward moment, after kicking someone who protected someone that's you're supposed to protect. The three sound ninjas chuckled to mock at the bowl-cut.
"Thanks, but…" Sakura said. "He actually protected me."
"Him?" Rock Lee still had his fist out. "That monster?"
"Yeah, I saved her," the creature said with a deadpan face. "What's your problem?!"
Benji now had a seven-foot-tall, bulky body with dark gray skin and four fingers on each hand, donning two large tower-shaped, conductor coil-like generators sticking out from his upper back and flathead screws on his upper body. He wore black metal fingerless gloves and black metal boots, and while his upper body was naked, he still wore dark, shiny pants. The Omnitrix symbol sat on his belt. This form is named Frankenstrike, one of Ben's electric-based aliens.
"... my sincerest apologies!" Rock Lee now bow low, his head almost touching the ground, his arms outstretched in a gesture of sincere regret, his voice soft and apologetic, seeking forgiveness.
"Dude, stop doing that."
"Interesting…" the straw-raincoated cast a hand seal and revealed his metal-encased forearm, punching the ice blocks to free himself and his teammates. "Now isn't it a fair three on three battle?"
"They won't fight you," Frankenstrike walked up to Rock Lee, his large body standing before the two genins. "I will."
Rock Lee stood up on the ground and immediately got in his battle stance. It was his chance to show off to Sakura and he wasn't going to let that go.
"What are you saying, Monster-san?" He took position next to the creature. "I'll protect Sakura-chan until I die. Please don't count me out."
Ah, what is he talking about after coming outta nowhere? Benji was puzzled. Whatever, that should make things easier.
"You're stubborn," Frankenstein grinned as he clenched his fist. "Then can't help it, huh… don't fall behind."
"Understood, I won't."
This is my opportunity to show off. Lee took a breath that cleared his mind. But now I'll have to work with this guy. No, let's make up my mind. Protecting Sakura takes priority.
"You look bizarre and disgusting," the straw-raincoat said, clenching his metal-encased fists. "It doesn't matter. I will clear you filth off the world."
Disgusting? It's like a compliment to Transylians. Frankenstrike grinned.
"I hate that grin," said Zaku. "Don't get overconfident, you monster!"
This is kind of amazing. Lee mentally noted, attentively watching Benji and the thugs. He can piss off enemies just by existing.
The straw-raincoat was the first to charge toward Frankenstrike and Lee. Lee fiercely thrust his fist into the ground as the sound ninja swiped his fist at the two. The fist didn't reach them, but it did have a secret effect— but Lee immediately pulled a tree root out of the ground, blocking the attack.
Strange. What's with that attack? Benji wondered, seeing Lee's tree defense being ripped apart by the Sound ninja's attack despite the fist not reaching it.
"There's some trick to your attack, right?" Rock Lee said. "I'm not going to just simply dodge it. I've seen your—"
"Bīmu Sutoraiku!" (ビームストライク)
Beam Strikes.
Impatient, Frankenstrike unleashed green beams of light filled with electrical energy, firing them at the straw-raincoat who was still mid-air.
"Nani!" Lee was surprised that the monster didn't let him finish his dialogue.
"Dosu!" Zaku alerted the straw-raincoat.
Being a ninja, Dosu the straw-raincoat somehow managed to dodge the first round of beams.
"Not yet!" Frankenstrike growled and fired more beams at a rapid rate, forcing the enemy to dodge mid-air. "Now, taste this!"
A green beam of electricity struck Dosu from a blind spot, sending him crashing into a tree.
"... Awesome," Lee said in awe.
"That's not lethal," the transylian said, redirecting his gaze at the remaining two. "But should be enough to knock him out—"
"Interesting…" Dosu recovered from the impact, leaving the Transylian surprised.
His metal-encased right forearm was smoking.
"Dosu," Zaku said with a grin.
"I knew you wouldn't go down that easily," the sound ninja girl said.
"While you are strong," Dosu said. "You might not be very fast, am I right?"
"Monster-san," Rock Lee said, undoing some part of bandages on his knuckles.
"Call me Frankenstrike," the transylian replied, staring at the scars and bruises on Lee's hands.
"Leave him to me. I can't let you do everything."
"Be my guest," the transylian replied and gave Lee some space.
Lee cast a jutsu to unleash a secret technique and moved at a speed so fast he practically disappeared. He then arrived in front of Dosu and kicked him in the chin, launching him into the air, before he had a chance to counteract.
Lee delivered a few more kicks until he moved behind Dosu and wrapped his bandages around the target.
What a battle. Frankenstrike was astonished. I can't see anything clearly.
"It's not over," Lee cried out. "Take this!"
Along with Dosu, he dropped himself, in order to slam the sound ninja with the ground, while he himself escaped just before reaching it. A cloud of dust whirled around at the spot.
"Phew," groaned Zaku, with his hands in the ground. "Looks like I made it in time."
The dust finally dispersed to reveal Dosu who was almost uninjured.
!
"Haaa…" he got up from the ground. "What a terrifying technique. This much damage on a sponge of dirt…"
I see, that guy Zaku used the dust to save him. Benji noted.
"Now it's my turn," Dosu said.
"This is bad!" Frankenstrike positioned himself in front of Lee who was barely able to stand.
Dosu charged at the transylian and swung his fist, which the latter tried to block with his forearms.
"Grr, this hurts," he groaned.
"Doesn't it? I'll show you a wall no amount of hardwork can surpass!"
This guy is fast! Transylian thought. But he wasn't going to let him reach Lee and Sakura.
"Grr!" He stomped on the ground, releasing a wave of electric shocks, forcing Dosu to jump back. "I have yet to show my power!"
"Then let's see that power of yours, monster!"
Dosu launched another round of attacks at the creature again, but he couldn't afford to receive a direct hit. Due to speed difference, Frankenstrike was constantly on the defensive side.
This is getting annoying… Frankenstrike stomped the ground. "Gotta finish this fast!"
Dosu dodged the electric waves that became more intensive. Zaku realized it was something else that the monster was going after.
"Dosu, look out!"
"Wha—" (Dosu)
"Bīmu Sutoraiku! Bājon Tsū!"
Beam Strikes: Second Version.
The double generators on Frankenstrike's back started creating more powerful electric sparks and webs as Frankenstrike's gauntlets as well as his eyes glowed with a green light.
"Grrr!"
He started firing an extra large number of green electric beams at a rapid rate in a short time.
"We gotta take cover!" The ninja girl grabbed Zaku and hid themselves behind a tree.
Unable to dodge, Dosu was struck by multiple beams and slammed with a tree, knocking him out.
"Ha… Seems like it's over," said Frankenstrike, panting, as the generators on his back were overheating and smoking.
"Are you… Okay?" Lee asked.
"With a little rest, I should be fine. Now for those who are hiding!"
The two sound ninjas flinched.
"Come out and take your boss with you. And never come back here. Just letting you know, I have a million more ways to kick your pathetic butts."
The transylian struck his metal gauntlets together to intimidate them.
With little choice left, Zaku and the girl came out and picked the unconscious Dosu.
"Tsk…"
They felt humiliated, but now one of them was down. They wouldn't have survived that one jutsu if they were in the same position as their leader. That's why it's wisest to retreat this time.
"And I don't want to see you anywhere around them," the transylian said, pointing back at the kids and Lee. "Remember that."
"Damn it, that bastard…" "Please don't piss him off anymore. Let's go, Zaku."
And so the sound ninjas left without a sound made.
Hearing a beeping sound from the Omnitrix symbol that was glowing red, Frankenstrike let out a sigh of relief as he transformed back to human.
"Thank you…" Sakura said. "Both of you."
She shed tears, which were just a sign of relief.
"I won't protect you guys all the time," Benji said. "Like this time, when your teammates are injured. You must grow stronger to protect them."
"I want to, but things don't always go my way. I'm trying my best."
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan…" Lee said. "I'll protect you!"
Man, you are all beat up yourself. Benji wanted to facepalm. Rock Lee looked like a passionate airhead to him. But it's not necessarily a bad thing.
"Well, that's it. You'll manage it yourself," Benji said, tapping the Omnitrix. "I seriously need to sleep so see you."
"Hai…"
And so Ben-Ten of the Omnitrix vanished from their sight in a red blur.
That monster kid. Rock Lee took a mental note. He's strong. And fast. So fast I could barely see him leaving just now. But it seems he's not showing all his power. I want to spar with him some day if I have a chance to—
"Lee, what's going on here?"
Neji and Tenten, Lee's teammates, arrived on the scene.
"Looks like he's pretty worn out," Tenten observed. "Wonder what happened."
Their gaze shifted to the unconscious forms of Naruto and Sasuke.
"You didn't defeat them, did you?"
Lee shook his head. "Nah, I got tangled up with some Oto-nin."
Neji's intuition kicked in. "We should go," he said to Sakura.
"Isn't it amazing, though?" Tenten chimed in with a grin. "Lee, taking on a bunch of them?"
With their support, Lee rose to his feet.
"Not exactly," he admitted. "There was this masked kid. He could transform into all sorts of monsters. He helped me out, especially with protecting Sakura. He was the one."
Neji scanned the burnt trees in the vicinity, smoke still wisping from the scorched marks.
"He did this too?" "Yep, all at once."
Lee's team made their exit, disappearing into the distance.
Hiding behind the bushes in silence was the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"We've been running into that guy today…" Ino grumbled. "Also, what's with that monster?"
"Now we've got monsters among us, too?" Shikamaru groaned. "But it seems Naruto's team took a hit. And it looks like their scroll is gone."
"We've got no luck," said Ino. "And if we attack them, that monster guy will swoop in again and mess us up."
The trio moved on with stealth, searching for another target.
"What a drag."
- (Transition) -
After a good night's sleep, I recovered 100% of my energy, ready to start a good morning. Whistling, I roamed in the tower to see what I could do while waiting for the end of the exam. Thankfully, I didn't come across that Gaara of the Desert anywhere. I don't think I want to be anywhere near him.
Hmm, I should open the scrolls after having breakfast, then. But look at what I found. A kitchen. A kitchen with potatoes and other fryables, along with enough oil and excellent-quality cooking utensils. Let's see…
"Wh-what are you doing!?" A guy dressed up like a chef made an appearance at the kitchen. "Don't touch the sacred utensils!"
"Don't worry, I am a qualified cook," I replied, dipping the potatoes into water in a steel bowl.
"I-I don't trust you!" He said, pulling out a knife. "I am entrusted with cooking delicious and nutritious ninja meals for the ones who pass the exam!"
What's his deal? But I foresaw this and came prepared.
"Just let me borrow the kitchen for a while," I put down the bowl and wiped the water off my hand so I could pull a sheet of paper out of my jacket. "See?"
I launched my attack at the chef.
"Cooo-cooking certificate!?" The chef grabbed the paper and inspected it. "You qualify to use a ninja kitchen!"
"Right," I said, peeling the potatoes with an efficient knife technique, making his jaw drop.
"I-I am sending a complaint!" The chef gave up and left with a furious face.
"As you wish. Ah, have a good trip."
As I mentioned, I foresaw this and took a one-month cooking training course. Due to my weapon skills, I could easily use the utensils like knives and ladles well enough.
"... I can't make smoothies."
Whatever, at least I could make some fries.
Chopping veggies with ninja precision, adding flavor with stealthy decision. Cooking up a storm, like a culinary ninja form!
Team Kiba made a lively entrance into the kitchen.
"Hey, can you smell that?" Kiba said. "Trust me. We'll find it in this room.
"Smell?" Shino asked. Maybe it was just a Kiba thing. He's… kinda a dog.
"This is a kitchen," Hinata pointed out.
"Lucky," said Kiba.
I remained out of their sight, hidden behind a wall, until...
"Benji-kun?" Hinata's voice held a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Kiba questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"Let me cook," I flashed a grin and kept my hands busy frying up everything I had prepared earlier. "I took over the kitchen for this morning."
Kiba's eyes widened dramatically. "You took over a kitchen? How?"
Akamaru was still holing up in his jacket.
"I made the cook in-charge run away."
The Hyuga girl picked up my certificate on the floor and showed it to her friends.
"... I don't complain," Shino mused, settling into a chair at the table. Hinata and Kiba followed suit, though Kiba appeared somewhat hesitant.
Secret technique: Omelette of the Omnitrix. Along with the special sauce I made on my own, according to the cooking academy's secret recipe, this omelette is going to be irresistible when combined with the fries. This is what a one-month trainee can do!
"Done!" I announced, presenting the final creation with a flourish.
The fries lay on the plate, their golden exteriors glistening under the light. Steam curled upward, a tantalizing invitation to their crispy embrace.
"..." The three were speechless as the plates containing the fries were placed on the table.
"And here's the omelette," I put down the three plates from the tray onto the table.
The omelette rested on the plates like a masterpiece, its surface a flawless blend of gold and ivory, expertly cooked to perfection. A whisper of steam danced above it, carrying with it the tantalizing aroma of secret herbs and spices.
The secret recipe was a big help. The kids aren't visually drooling over it though.
"Help yourself," I said, walking over to the kitchen to serve myself.
"You didn't put poison in these, right?" Kiba said. "We are enemies after all."
"Only on the battlefield…" I pointed it out. "We all have passed the exam. No need to get so tense, man."
He and Akamaru sniffed the meal one last time until they gave in.
"Ja, Itadakimasu!" "I-Itadakimasu."
There is no more ecstatic view for a cook than your customers enjoying the food you've made. Alright, now it's time to help myself, too.
The texture is soft and nice. Attractive, makes you want to take more bites. The taste is also an easy pass. The Omelette of the Omnitrix is an overall 10/10, along with the sauce. Wait, I'm judging my own cooking…
"Oh, you guys are already having breakfast, huh?"
I looked back at the guests that just entered the dining room.
This is bad.
It was Gaara and his gang. Gaara had his gourd, and the other two also had their stuff on their backs. I thought this was supposed to be a "safe house."
Kiba's gang were now quietly and shakily having their meal.
No. This is wrong. I can't let my customers have their food in fear. I must protect them.
"If it's not Gaara and… associates, care to have a taste?"
Okay, that wasn't a very good start but it shouldn't call a war on them.
"Are you sure you don't want to know our names?" The sand-blonde girl said with an irritated expression.
I am pretty sure that woman is older than my biological age.
"If you are willing to tell me," I said.
"Hmph," she grinned. "I am Temari. And he is Kankuro."
"So you are making us breakfast?" Kankuro questioned.
"If you want to have it, I can make you a meal," I answered, spinning a ladle like a cooking-nin. "Nothing fancy though. Just omelette and vegetable fries."
Temari and Kankuro looked back at Gaara. Now that I noticed it, he was the shortest of three. Probably the youngest, too.
"I will have it," Gaara said without hesitation.
"Then we've got no choice, huh…" (Temari)
The three sat down at another table with chairs that didn't have backrests, since they had stuff on their backs. I was grateful that there were a few sets of tables in the dining room.
Thankfully, there were enough fried vegetables and potatoes for Gaara's gang. I only had to make three servings of omelettes.
"Oh, you guys done with it?" I said, seeing Kiba's gang trying to sneak out from the room without being suspicious. "You wanna help me wash dishes?"
"No, uh, we've got things to do," said Kiba. "See ya."
"Sorry, Benji-kun," said Hinata in a low voice.
And so the three quickly took their leave.
Understandable, have a nice day.
"Alright, here's your omelette," I said, putting down the plates on the table.
"You really didn't put poison in these, brat!?" Kankuro said, trying to pull my collar.
Foreseeing that, I managed to dodge it, leaving him in an awkward pose.
"Of course not, I take pride in my cooking as a cook."
"Kankuro," Gaara silenced him. "Have some manners."
The youngest is babysitting the older member, huh? Not so bad. Kankuro sat down as Gaara cruelly stabbed the poor golden omelette with his spoon.
"... Also since you finished the exam first, you must be very strong," Temari said.
"Let's not talk about that during breakfast," I responded with a smile instead of an answer.
"..."
But well then, the meals I prepared shut them up for good anyway.
"Your cooking is good," Gaara said and quickly left the table.
Temari and Kankuro stared at him as if they'd seen a ghost.
"That's a compliment," Kankuro commented.
"... A big compliment, I'd say," Temari remarked.
Without any complaints, they also promptly finished the meal and finally left me alone in the kitchen.
"Gotta wash the dishes—"
"That's him!"
Oh, he's back. The chef responsible for cooking meals for the participants. He also brought someone who apparently was a proctor, judging from his uniform.
"He's the evil chef that took over my kitchen."
The proctor walked up to me with a serious face.
"Can I get a serving of everything you made?"
I blinked. He didn't seem to care about the chef.
"Yeah, of course," I took a glance at the ingredients. "You gotta wait a bit though."
- (Transition) -
What happened in the Proctor office…
"So he can cook, too," muttered Anko Mitarashi, watching the monitor that showed what was going on in the kitchen and the dining room.
"Ma'am, we have someone who wants to see you," the assistant interrupted her.
"What's it? I am busy."
"It's the chef from the tower kitchen."
Anko paused before answering. "Let 'im in."
The chef came into the office, looking quite mad.
"Proctor-san, one of your examinees—"
"Was using your kitchen without permission?" Anko got up from her seat and slid her hands into her coat pockets.
"Y-yes."
"Sadly, I didn't make a rule to prevent them from using the tower kitchen. So what he does isn't against the rules. But… oh, my assistant will accompany you, show him the way to the kitchen."
"Hai!" The chef felt relieved and exit the room to wait for the assistant in question.
"So what do I do, ma'am?" The assistant said.
"Please do me a favor," Anko said with an innocent smile and a thumbs-up. "Haven't had breakfast so grab a set for me."
"..."
A few minutes later…
The assistant returned to Anko's office with a few bento boxes.
"Sorry that you had to run errands for me," Anko said, excitedly grabbing the boxes from him.
"It's not a big deal, ma'am."
"Wow, already looking delicious," she said, beaming at the sight of steam emerging from the bento box she opened.
The taste. The scent. She hoped this breakfast could help her forget some of her negative memories.
Anko delicately picked up a pair of chopsticks and twirled a mouthful of food onto them. She raised it to her lips and took a bite, savoring the blend of flavors. A satisfied hum escaped her as she closed her eyes momentarily. The warmth of the freshly cooked meal combined with the familiar taste was like a comforting embrace.
As she continued to eat, memories of her time as a young ninja under Orochimaru's tutelage began to fade into the background. The hardships, the trials, the betrayals – they all seemed a bit distant now, replaced by the simple pleasure of good food and a moment of respite.
Anko leaned back in her chair, her bento box now half-empty.
"This reminds me of Cooking Academy's Flavorweaving Jutsu," she gazed down at the bento box. "A meal so good it can bend your emotions, huh…"
- (Transition) -
According to the proctors, I was escorted to a large hall room where I was left all on my own with the scrolls. There was just a sheet of notice placed on the wall, where something was written in Japanese.
"If you lack "Heaven", enrich your knowledge and prepare for the chance. If you lack "Earth", run the fields in search of an advantage. Open the series of Heaven and Earth, and the perilous way shall be redressed. These rules will guide a ?'s extremes."
Hmm, what does that mean? Heaven… Ten. Do you have any idea, Omnitrix?
For the time being… I placed the scrolls on the floor and opened them. It wasn't that hard. Inside it was, I thought, some kind of seal, until I realized it was a summoning jutsu.
"Something's happening… " I took a few steps back as the jutsu seemed to activate upon opening the scroll.
Since it was a summoning seal, I assumed it was going to be a person… Or an animal? If an animal comes out of it, do I have to fight it? Is this the final stage of the exam?
But no. After the fogs of smokes, summoned by the seal was someone familiar. Iruka-sensei.
"Oh, Benji, that's surprising. You finished the exam this early?"
He appeared with a proud smile.
"I actually got here yesterday," I said, still in confusion. "I wanted to take a rest first. But hold on, what are you doing here, sensei?"
"As you can see, I have been summoned by the scrolls, because by the end of the exam, we Chunins are supposed to welcome the test takers. So, well, you can say I've been assigned to be your messenger."
He looked down at the scrolls. "But, Benji, you really should've opened the scroll yesterday. We are supposed to congratulate you."
"Sorry…"
"Well, it can't be helped. Did you have a tough time?"
"Kinda, but I somehow managed it."
"I see, I see. No matter how powerful you are, acting alone all on your own is difficult. But Masato-senpai will be proud of you. Congratulations on passing the second part of the Chuunin Selection Exam, Tenzaki Benji!"
"Hai, Arigatou, sensei."
"Then, let's proceed with this. It's also part of my duty to explain to you the meaning of the motto on the wall…"
"Motto?"
Iruka-sensei picked up one of the scrolls and then pointed at the notice on the wall.
"It's the motto of the Chuunin written by Hokage-sama."
Okay, I was half-expecting something like that.
"The "Heaven" in this paragraph refers to the human mind," he explained. "And the "Earth" refers to the human body. If you lack heaven, which means if you lack thoughtfulness, you need to seek wisdom, gain knowledge, and prepare yourself for the missions."
"Wow… that's amazing."
"If you lack "Earth", that is toughness and capability of your physical body…"
"Train hard to become stronger?"
"Correct. If you have both "Heaven" and "Earth", you can succeed in even the most dangerous missions. So basically, with wisdom and physical strength, all missions become safe and easy for you."
"Hmm…"
"Also, you see a missing letter up there?"
"Yeah?"
He raised the scroll he picked up on display.
"The "person" word from the scrolls goes there…"
Okay, now it's blank in the center of the scroll where something used to be. I didn't even notice that.
"... so the last sentence is these rules will guide a person's extremes."
"I see…"
"This 5-day survival exam tests the exam taker's basic abilities. Well, you finished it in a day's time."
"Heh."
"A Chuunin is at the rank of a military captain, having the responsibility of guiding a team. Knowledge, Stamina, and the inner wisdom, all are needed for your duties."
"..."
"I want you to challenge the next step with the motto in mind. That's all that I have to pass on to you."
"What's the next step?"
Iruka-sensei fell silent for a moment, taking time to think.
"... I guess this step won't be that hard for you. So don't worry. You don't need to push yourself."
"Roger."
- (Sneak Scene) -
"Come on! He is doing it again!"
"Who's doing what?"
Anko Mitarashi felt a little pissed as the chef in-charge of the tower kitchen started bugging her for some reason. It was during her breakfast time, too.
It was the fifth morning of the second exam, meaning it was going to end some time in the evening.
"Wait, what you are eating…" the chef widened his eyes in shock upon seeing Anko's bento box. "You are totally bribed off, right!?"
"Mister, today is the fifth day. Don't worry. They're going to leave after the preliminary stage this evening. Just let him cook, will you?"
"So then after this the tower is going to be abandoned until the area is used…" the chef's voice deflated.
The assistant couldn't help but be worried, watching the chef leave.
"Um, ma'am?"
"What is it?" Anko stabbed the omelette with her fork.
"Should we be giving him such privilege?"
"No, it's not a privilege," Anko answered, bringing the spoon toward her face. "No other examinee can cook like him anyway."
"If you put it like that…"
"Do you wanna taste a bite too?"
"No, thanks."
Today's Omelette was a bit different. Did he change the ingredients? Still tasty, though?
"... I am really looking forward to the next stage," she looked back at the assistant. "What do you think?"
"Hmm, about what?"
"Never mind."
"Ah, so we gotta hold a preliminary stage first?"
"Right," Anko bit the fried chip into halves. "We've got quite a number left, it seems. Could you please check up on Kotetsu and Izumo? I heard they would handle the preparations."
"Roger."
- (Transition) -
With the team Naruto and team Kabuto arriving at the finish line, it reached the second exam's time limit. After preparations, the participants who had passed the second stage were assembled in a hall of the tower. Before them stood the jonin leaders of their respective teams, the proctors, and the Third Hokage.
In the middle of the crowd, Benji was alone without a team, standing close to the Rookie Nine and Lee's team. He was somewhat interested in Lee's team, not because he wanted to challenge them. Lee's team and Kabuto's team undoubtedly stood out among the Leaf's passing participants who were mostly rookies fresh out of academy.
Rookie nine + Benji = Rookie Ten, though.
Heh, Naruto seemed to be excited to see the teachers assembled for some reason.
At that moment, his eyes caught on a team among the passing examinees.
"Wait, that is…"
It was Hanzo's team. Dragon Brothers and associate Kiriko also passed the exam. It wasn't surprising considering how powerful that dragon jutsu was. Benji totally thought it was still lacking speed though.
Benji's eyes met Kiriko, the latter totally glaring daggers at him. They never ran into each other in the last few days, so Benji assumed her team finished the test on the last day. He could only hope they wouldn't hold it against him.
Hanzo and Genji didn't look like bad guys though. On the contrary, Kiriko's glare was much more fierce than the other two's. From their interactions, it was almost like the girl was bossing the boys around.
Benji cast those thoughts aside and gazed at the instructors and the Hokage in front of them.
The instructors and proctors seemed to be monitoring the bunch, but the way they were keeping him in suspense and dragging it out was really getting to him.
"Heh," Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage quietly chuckled, seeing the passing rookies– especially Naruto and Benji. They didn't disappoint him. Also, most of these passing examinees were rookies…
Oi, it's 24 examinees that passed. Proctor Anko sweatdropped. I went and mocked Ibiki thinking his test was easy. I guess there are indeed dependable genins this year.
"Your team isn't too bad," said Might Guy to Kakashi. "Maybe they were lucky. But with my team around, getting any farther is impossible."
Guy was a jonin with a bowl-cut hairstyle wearing a green jumpsuit, similar to Rock Lee's hairstyle and fashion. Well, make a guess, he's totally Lee's Jonin leader.
"From now on, it's all about real ability," he said. "Well, with youth, there are sweet times as well as sour times, huh, Kakashi—"
Kakashi the oblivious scarecrow looked back at him. "Did you just say something?"
Masato held back his laughter as he didn't want to make fun of his fellow instructor. He was glad his kid, Benji, passed the exam but again it was worrying if Benji would have to fight against Guy's or Kakashi's team.
Guy and Kakashi themselves were astonishingly skilled ninjas of their generation, which Masato agreed without a doubt. But they were about a decade later than Masato in this "instructor" career.
Masato grinned at the thought, wondering how good of a job his kouhai jonins did. Rookie nine…
Haha, sadly you won't surpass my Benji!
Despite the fact that Masato was one who protested against Benji's participation, he had then become his top fan anyway.
That grin didn't go unnoticed by Benji. He felt slightly annoyed, getting a hunch of what the older Tenzaki was thinking. After all, he was the boy's instructor for only a week!
"Hokage-sama will now explain the third part of the exam!" Proctor Anko announced. "Pay attention, everyone!"
The proctors including Anko took position in front of the stage, as the jonins responsible for the examinees remained behind Hiruzen.
"Before explaining the third test," Hiruzen spoke. "I'd like you to know something concerning the true reason for this exam."
This was when the commotion started among students. Benji didn't understand why. He was one to pay attention in class but he felt like he agreed to terms and conditions without reading them.
"Why do we have all the allied countries taking the exam together?" Hiruzen said. "To promote friendship among the countries as well as to raise the shinobi level. I don't want you to be confused about the true reason."
Benji felt uncomfortable in that atmosphere. We have foreigners here, right? 9 ninjas from Suna, Oto, and… a village whose symbol I don't recognize…
"This exam is…" the old man decided to pause to leave the young shinobi in suspense. "... a replacement for war among the allied countries."
"What does that mean?" Tenten asked.
"The current allies used to be enemies in the past," Hirizen explained. "In order to prevent wasteful fighting, the stage that these countries chose for battle is the origin of the Chuunin Exams."
Benji had little interest in how people would try to use him. He wouldn't complain if he's used for a good, wise purpose.
"The hidden side of this exam is where each country's shinobi risk their own life to protect their land prestige. Watching the third exam will be leaders and influential individuals from many countries who make up the clients of the shinobi, as well as the leaders of those countries. If the strength of a country is clearly seen, that country will receive more clients. And conversely if seen as weak, they will lose clients."
It makes sense.
"And this will signal to potential enemy countries that our village has this much power. It will send a political message to outsiders."
Benji quietly listened to the Hokage's speech.
At that moment, a Leaf shinobi with a bandanna-styled headband arrived in front of Hiruzen and interrupted his speech, seemingly taking over the job of explaining the test to the participants.
It was Hayate Gekko, the special Jonin as well as the proctor in-charge of the third stage of the exam.
"… coughs, before the third test," Hayate announced. "We will hold preliminary matches to decide the participants in the main event."
Benji scanned around. There were 23 examinees besides him.
Hayate explained a few more things until he asked who was going to quit the exam before the third stage for reasons. This is an individual exam so one's choice doesn't affect others on their team.
Is it just me or is Sakura crying? The commotion between Naruto's teammates caught Benji's attention.
"Please… quit," Sakura begged, knowing Sasuke's bruise. "I'm scared. You're in no condition to fight properly."
"Shut up. Be quiet," Sasuke barked back.
What is going on? Benji was curious. Hmm, probably that Orochimaru guy did it.
"Excuse me, I'm going to quit," someone suddenly raised their hand.
A leaf ninja with ash-gray hair… Hayate took a look at his documents. "Kabuto Yakushi of Konohagakure no Sato, correct? Then you may step back."
"Kabuto-san!" Naruto called out as Kabuto walked away. "Why're you quitting?!"
After the exchange between Naruto and Kabuto, Hayate announced. "Now then, are there any others who will quit?"
Benji was a little pissed seeing the exchange between Sasuke and Sakura, but it wasn't really his business.
Even not knowing about the curse mark or whatever Orochimaru had done to Sasuke, Naruto stood by Sakura, attempting to stop the black-haired boy, but he fell silent when Sasuke mentioned he wanted to fight Naruto, too.
With no one quitting the exam anymore, Hayate announced. "Now, we'll begin the preliminary matches. They will be one on one individual battles. In other words, actual battle format. There are now exactly twenty-four people, so we will conduct twelve battles. The winners will be able to advance to the third exam. There are no rules: you'll fight until someone dies, collapses or admits defeat."
Pretty wild, huh… Benji gulped, looking down at his hands.
"And please admit defeat right away if you don't want to die. However, in case I judge that a match is over, since I don't want to needlessly increase dead bodies, so I will intervene and stop the match or something to that effect."
It was revealed two participants would be randomly selected and displayed on an electronic monitor on the wall.
"Now let;s get down to it and announce the two names for the first battle," Hayate declared.
Decided according to the random generator, the first match became a duel between Sasuke and a guy named Yoroi Akado from Kabuto's team. The two participants stepped forward and prepared to fight.
"Looks pretty intense," Benji commented. "Is Sasuke alright?"
He had already known something was wrong with Sasuke, given he heard Sakura mention someone named Orochimaru attacking the boys. It's been four days since then.
Sakura didn't reply.
Meanwhile somewhere behind our protagonist's back stood three shady one-year senior rookies.
"That kid…" Neji muttered.
"Benji-kun, right?" Lee also gazed at the brunet.
"... he makes delicious meals," Tenten commented.
"I must agree," said Lee. "But I'd say his sauce lacks in spiciness."
"I thought it was perfect— stop, we are not going to talk about it," said Neji.
"But it is indeed a miracle he survived alone," Lee noted. "Ahead of us, too."
"Maybe he's a super talented, cool guy?" Tenten said.
"Don't worry," Lee reassured Tenten. "There are two types of genius."
The girl internally sighed as she remembered how intense and ambitious Lee was. His green jumpsuit was indirect proof of it.
"Now we'll be starting the first match," Hayate announced. "Everyone except the two participants will be moving to the upper level for your safety."
And so the preliminary matches had begun.
"Hey! Kakashi-sensei!"
Due to Naruto's excited voice, Benji accidentally witnessed the jonin whispering to Sasuke, maybe giving a tip or a piece of advice. But well, it's not his concern either.
"Tch," Kiriko grumbled as she moved along with her teammates. "I wish I could fight him."
"Who, that monster kid?" Genji said. "Cut it out, we are no match for him. I am already thinking of forfeiting…"
"You are right," Hanzo chimmed in. "But don't worry. If we are lucky and can avoid him in preliminary rounds… we can still become chuunins. It's not just about winning."
"I know," Kiriko said. "I still wish I had a chance to smack him."
Their jonin leader sweatdropped hearing that exchange.
On the other side, Masato and Benji took place near Lee's team.
"What do you think?" Masato said. "Since you seem to have worked with him before."
"I didn't really get a chance to know the extents of his strength," the brunet replied. "But he's my former classmate so…"
"You are rooting for him?"
"Yeah. Uh, can I sit down?"
"You can, but don't you want to see the match?"
Benji swallowed a yawn. "I'm only interested in the outcome."
At first, it seemed to be in Yoroi's favor, seemingly draining Sasuke's Chakra.
"Hmm, that's interesting," the younger Tenzaki immediately stood up and started paying attention.
"You know what it is?" the older Tenzaki quizzed with a smirk.
"I faced something similar in the second test," Benji remarked. "A jutsu that absorbs chakra…"
"So you changed your mind?" Masato was excited to prove Benji wrong. "How is that Uchiha kid going to win?"
Benji silently watched the match.
Due to Chakra loss, Sasuke was unable to keep up with Yoroi, the latter being much faster. Not that Sasuke was slow. He didn't have stamina to keep up.
"Sasuke!" Naruto called out. "You call yourself an Uchiha with that? Don't be looking so lame!"
Looking back at Naruto, beside whom was Lee, Sasuke seemed to have got an idea.
"You can't afford to look away!" Yoroi charged his hand with jutsu as he ran up to Sasuke. "I'll finish you with this!"
"Wait and see…" Benji said to Masato with a grin.
"If you say so…"
The two Tenzakis were talking as if they put bets on the combatants.
Sasuke suddenly recovered his stamina a bit and dodged every single attack Yoroi launched, before vanishing in a blur.
Catching Yoroi off-guard, Sasuke kicked him in the chin and sent him flying high into the air, leaving the spectators surprised.
"He's not half-bad," Masato commented. "Also, your analysis skills are growing."
"I guess," Benji chuckled.
Sasuke appeared behind the airborne, helpless Yoroi and attempted to cast a jutsu but failed.
"Wait, what is that?" Benji said, seeing the unexpected. "Another jutsu?"
Flame-like symbols materialized across Sasuke's body, only to vanish in mere moments.
Sasuke sported a confident smirk as he propelled Yoroi upwards, executing a swift spinning kick that Yoroi managed to deflect with his forearm. But then Sasuke spun himself again and dropped the back of his fist on Yoroi's face, causing him to fall down at a rapid speed. The Uchiha boy then dropped another kicked just before Yoroi reached the ground, adding to the damage.
"Lion Barrage!"
Hayate walked up to the now-unconscious Yoroi.
"... therefore with his opponent incapacitated, the winner of this battle, Sasuke Uchiha… passes the preliminaries!"
Then the medic-nins took away Yoroi on a stretcher for treatments while Kakashi took away Sasuke.
"Now you see that?" Benji said with a proud grin.
"I guess you know well about that Uchiha boy," Masato remarked.
"Now then," Hayate announced. "We will immediately proceed to the second match."
The monitor showed the names: Dosu Kinuta and Benji Tenzaki.
"Uh, so these partipants please come down here," Hayate announced.
"Heh, who is Benji?" Dosu questioned.
"... That Konoha kid who took the exam alone," Zaku answered.
The instructor in charge of the three oto-nins, who was Orochimaru in disguise, smirked, looking at Benji's side.
"Interesting."
"If possible, I would want to fight that monster again," said Dosu as he walked away to take position on the first floor. "But this is fine, too."
"We don't even know which one is the monster…" said Kin, the sound ninja girl.
On the other side.
Masato reminded the brunet. "Hey, don't destroy the tower, okay? Not that it's against the rules but you gotta hold back."
"I know, I know," the boy replied as he walked away.
"I hope he won't make a mess."
"I wonder how strong Benji has become…" Naruto said.
Sakura felt anxious. "He survived the exam alone, too. But that sound ninja guy is really something."
Let's see your strength, Benji-kun. Lee was enthusiastic to see the match. That would be tough to fight that sound shinobi though.
His chakra is weird… Neji mentally noted.
And so the overconfident Dosu took his place facing Benji as instructed by Hayate. The sound ninja was ready to obliterate the kid.
Oblivious of the fact that Benji was actually the very monster who had knocked him out a few days ago.
"Let's begin…" Hayate declared as he stepped back.
Benji took something out of his jacket and threw it onto the ground.
Without a second wasted, Dosu charged at the brunet with his bio-engineered arm outward.
"Sorry, kid, but I am winning this one!"
What Benji threw on the floor was a mask: the one he used to assume Ben-Ten persona.
"He's done," said Zaku with a grin.
"What are you going to do, Benji-kun…" Lee and his team were also attentively watching it.
As Dosu seemingly made contact with Benji, a smoke bomb exploded right at his feet and both were enveloped in the fogs. And a flash of green light.
Transformation Version 2.
Let me explain. Using the smoke bomb as he transforms, Benji's transformation becomes more ninja-like.
"Huh?" Dosu was left confused, as there was no one in the fog.
"That… That is…" Naruto and Sakura had their jaws dropped.
Seeing the creature hovering above the fogs of smoke.
"This guy has no chills…" said Benji, now as Big Chill, as he unfolded his wings, resembling a moth turning into a butterfly.
Hayate raised a brow, seemingly astonished by the transformation.
"Hello, are you the participant, Tenzaki Benji? Please confirm," he inquired, since he couldn't know whether the kid really assumed this form or someone else assumed his place.
"Yes, I am Benji," the creature confirmed.
Masato couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety, wondering how others would react to Benji's unconventional transformations.
But Hayate had already gotten an explanation regarding Benji's transformation jutsu from the Third Hokage himself, along with a list of his known forms. But now seeing it with his eyes…
"Oi, oi, what's that thing?" Kiba exclaimed. "It looks creepy."
Is it a large insect? Shino pondered. Benji's summon?
"Isn't that Omunitorikkusu no Ben-Ten?" Sakura said, shaking Naruto by his shoulders.
Naruto stammered, "I-I think so. How can Benji be Ben-Ten? Ahhhh, I don't get it!"
I have no reason to hide behind a mask anymore. Benji thought, observing the dispersing cloud of smoke below him.
Dosu, emerging from the dissipating smoke, wore an expression of surprise.
"It's that monster," Kin said.
"That was unexpected," Zaku replied.
"You bastard…" Dosu growled, leaping toward Big Chill with a punch. However, Big Chill simply turned intangible, allowing Dosu's fist to pass through his body.
The shock among the spectators was palpable.
"Brother," Genji began, "Isn't that the same form that trapped you?"
"Right," Hanzo acknowledged. "It's the same trick..."
"Phasing through physical matter…" Kiriko observed. "It's almost like your dragons."
"What kind of power is this?" Baki, the jonin leading Gaara's team, wondered aloud. "Is it a Genjutsu?"
Lee, seeking answers, asked Neji, "What's happening, Neji?"
Neji performed a series of hand seals and activated his kekkei genkai.
"... Byakugan!"
Veins appeared on the sides of his eyes, and his pupils underwent a subtle transformation. He used the Byakugan's power to investigate whether this was a Genjutsu or some form of illusion.
"No, it's not a genjutsu," Neji reported. "His chakra is dispersed around him... and if I'm not mistaken, his body is in an intangible state."
"... Wouldn't that cancel out all the physical attacks!?" Tenten pointed out.
"It should, especially when used defensively," Neji agreed. "I've never heard of such a jutsu."
"This makes it creepier," Kiba remarked.
"Damn," Dosu landed on the ground, visibly frustrated.
This time, it was Big Chill who floated toward him, phasing through his body, and trapping him in a large ice block.
"Has Benji... always been this incredible?" Ino marveled.
Shikamaru wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and remarked, "This sucks… So, the creature we saw that day was Benji, huh?"
"That was really unexpected," Choji said.
Jonins, except Kakashi who wasn't there, were also attentively watching the scene.
An ice-style Kekkei Genkai? Asuma, the jonin leader of Shikamaru's team, squinted thoughtfully. Did we always have someone like this?
"... S-so, if Dosu Kinuta can't break free from Benji Tenzaki's trap, it will be Tenzaki's win," Hayate declared, his voice firm and resolute. "I wouldn't like any unnecessary death."
It was fast. Masato said. But this form will inevitably scare people, even the shinobi here. His defense is absolute.
"Heh," Zaku chuckled confidently. "I doubt Dosu will go down that easily."
"Boooomm."
With a punch carrying a sonic force, Dosu instantly shattered the ice around him and freed himself.
"This is not over…"
"You should've stayed there and chilled," Big Chill said, turning tangible. "If you don't want to have frostbite."
"Heh?" Dosu pulled back his fist. "An opening!"
The necrofriggian suddenly exhaled a cloud of heat-absorbing ice breath, forcing the sound ninja to stop and defend himself with his forearms, until he had to fall back.
"I don't just create ice," the necrofriggian said, flying up. "I have Kōri no ibuki (Ice Breath), too."
"Tch…" Dosu noticed ice structures formed on his resonating echo speaker on his hand, covering the pore. He unleashed a low level sonic wave to remove the ice and shot a glare at Big Chill.
"I won't get beaten by you again," Dosu declared. "No matter what fancy trick you used!"
"Great…" Big Chill descended and lunged toward him.
"Kyōmeisen!" Dosu cried out, swiping his arm that had the sonic device. It unleashed a powerful sound wave before Big Chill could enter the range, impacting him and blowing him away.
"He didn't dodge it!" Hanzo exclaimed.
"Heh, taste this!" Dosu ran up to the necrofriggian and launched a few more sound waves using his resonating echo drill technique — Kyōmeisen.
"Is Benji getting pushed back?" Naruto said. "Why isn't he dodging it?"
Rather, I can't. Benji thought as he took the blows. It physically hurts but sound waves are my weakness. Even if I turn intangible. I didn't expect this type of attack was possible. But they are from the Village Hidden in the Sound…
Eventually, Big Chill was slammed into a wall helplessly. Then in a flash of green light, he was seemingly automatically reverted to human form, falling on all four on the floor.
"Hmm, he isn't that impressive…" Kankuro commented.
What is he doing? Masato thought.
"Get back on your feet, Benji!" Naruto quietly cheered.
"Ha… You are not so bad," he said, looking up at Dosu.
"I will finish it with this!"
Watching Dosu lunge toward him, Benji chuckled and tapped the Omnitrix, giving it a mental command.
"Again!?" Dosu exclaimed as he charged into a fog of smoke.
"Honoo no Tsuru!" (炎の蔓)
The Flaming Vines.
"This is—" Dosu jumped back to a distance, smelling the methane released from Benji. Then he was forced to do a backflip when the methane ignited, creating a fiery wave.
Dosu unleashed a sound wave to repel the flames just before they could reach him.
"What the heck is this smell? Another form—?"
Standing in the fog of smoke was a green humanoid plant creature with a fiery-styled head— namely Swampfire.
Dosu was caught off-guard by the Methanosapien's punch, striking him in the face. Stumbling back, he swiftly attempted to regain his balance and retaliated with a punch of his own, activating his Resonant Echo Drill technique.
A forcefield formed from sound waves sliced through the Methanosapien's body, reducing it to fragments.
"What just…" Hayate widened his eyes in fear.
Swampfire's head dropped among his body parts onto the ground.
Everything was silent for a moment. Some assumed it must be some kind of substitution technique but regardless it was a grotesque sight to behold a participant turning his enemy into mincemeat.
"Uh, is it not a substitution technique?" Might Guy questioned, turning toward Masato. "Or did your kid just die?"
Masato had already been briefed on this by Benji earlier; otherwise, he might have been in a state of panic to see his child apparently dismembered.
"Hold on," Masato grinned. "You'll see."
"Heh, you hiding somewhere?" Dosu cautiously scanned the area, weapon at the ready.
"Nope, not exactly hiding..." Swampfire's disembodied head replied.
Several onlookers, including Hayate, observed as Swampfire's disassembled body parts began to rapidly reassemble.
Dosu glanced downward, his focus on Swampfire's talking head.
"Huh—"
Out of nowhere, an enormous fist emerged from the disarrayed limbs, extending unnaturally to deliver a punch straight to Dosu's face.
"Ouch, what the heck…"
The scattered pieces of Swampfire's methanosapien form merged back together, forming his complete body. He then picked up his talking head and reattached it to his neck.
"Even his regeneration is eerie…" Kiba commented.
"What's happening, Neji?" Lee inquired.
"Don't ask me every time! Hold on," the Hyuga boy activated Byakugan again to take a peek at Swampfire's body. "His body is being rebuilt."
Oi, that kind of participant on the exam… is he even human? Asuma couldn't help but suspect. I even got chills just watching him regenerate.
"It's not an illusion?" Lee was shocked.
"No, this seems like an extremely advanced jutsu," Neji admitted, still puzzled.
"Heh, we are doomed," Hanzo said with a smile. "No way we can…"
"Where's your optimism now?!" Kiriko grabbed his collar.
"Calm down, folks," Genji stepped between them.
"Secret move…" Swampfire announced, producing seeds in his palms. "Viny Binding!"
As the seeds made contact with the floor, they rapidly sprouted into large vine plants that began creeping across the ground.
"What's this?!" Dosu exclaimed, leaping away from the encroaching vines, delivering sonic punches to destroy a few. Yet, the vines relentlessly regenerated and continued their advance.
"Oh, this is new," Masato commented. "I didn't hear about this."
"Do I need to get out of the way?" Hayate asked Swampfire with concern.
"No, it's fine," the latter replied, folding his arms. "Though I don't have complete control over them, I can give them vague directions."
"A jutsu that manipulates vines…" Kurenai, the Jonin leader of Kiba's team, pondered aloud. "But they aren't that strong."
Yeah, the vines themselves aren't tough and will only regenerate so much. Benji thought, staring at Dosu who were now overwhelmed by the vines. But this is a good way to tire out your enemy.
Benji watched as Dosu struggled against the relentless growth. For Dosu, it was a lose-lose situation. Even if he focused on Benji, he couldn't afford to eliminate him, given the circumstances. But not with these vines.
Once he let his guard down, he would be buried in the ground.
Dosu isn't a smart kind. He was trained since young to master echolocation and other sound-based abilities. But fighting Benji… was like punching a wall he couldn't destroy.
"Feels like giving up, huh, buddy?" Swampfire said, throwing some more seeds onto the floor.
Dosu blew up the vines binding him. "No… I will definitely kick your ass."
"Try me," Swampfire was unfazed, observing Dosu as the latter destroyed his vine plants one after another.
Boooomm!
Dosu destroyed all the vines before him by unleashing a more powerful sound wave. But that move had drained much more chakra from him.
"Damn it…"
The fight had been going on with Benji still unstathed.
Dragging it on though the winner is already decided, is indeed quite evil. Benji should really kick his back and knock him out or force him to surrender fast.
Otherwise, he'd look like someone bullying on the weak by tiring them out.
Swampfire made more seeds and dropped onto the floor. But this time, Dosu leaped over the vines and launched himself to land a direct attack on his enemy.
Swampfire smirked, before dodging Dosu's attack, whose after-effect blowing off part of his face. The methanosapien quickly healed his face and threw punches, which were slow enough for a tired Dosu to dodge. But constant blows from the sound ninja weren't making a difference on Benji.
"He's unscathed…" Might Guy noted, observing their fight.
"True," Masato replied. "But…"
"But?"
"He's not taking it seriously," Masato sighed. "This is going to take the entire evening if that oto-nin doesn't give up."
"Why isn't he taking it seriously?" Lee asked.
"..." Masato didn't answer.
"That's selfish if he lets his opponent continue to fight him like that," Neji commented. "But we can't judge him."
I know, Neji-san. Swampfire weaved a Tora hand seal and released methane gas before igniting it, creating an even bigger sea of flames than before.
Dosu leaped into the air and extinguished the fire using sound he produced. However, when he landed on the ground, he was yet again surrounded by flames.
"Damn, he's really struggling against that monster…" Zaku commented.
"At least he's not been one-shotted," Kin noted.
Orochimaru couldn't take his eyes off the view. Of course, that wasn't an exciting match. Just a one-sided battle. But as someone that knowledgeable about jutsu and chakra natures, he couldn't help but be intrigued by that power— which he suspected wasn't as jutsu.
Transforming into forms with their own sets of abilities.
Swampfire yet again dropped even more seeds, binding a fleeing Dosu in place.
"Sorry, Dosu-san, don't hold it against me," Benji reverted to human form as Dosu struggled in the vines.
As Dosu started blowing up the plants, Benji tapped the Omnitrix and crossed his wrists.
"Let me show you… My version of sound, Oto no Ōkami the Sound Wolf!"
"Booomm."
The sound ninja freed himself up, panting, as he witnessed another fog of smoke and green light covering his opponent. Amidst the smoke, a wolf-like humanoid with silver and black fur stood at eight feet.
"Is that a dog?" said Kiba. "No, a wolf. It's a… werewolf?"
"The one from fairy tales or something…" Asuma noted.
At this point, Shikamaru was already thinking Benji had all kinds of transformations that resembled creatures from fairy tales and bedroom stories.
The smokes dispersed to reveal a graceful Blitzwolfer, Benji's transformation equivalent of a Loboan from the Anur Transyl system back in Ben's world.
"I will do it quick so don't hold it against me," the Loboan said. "Also, everyone, you would want to cover your ears."
With a determined purpose, Dosu Kinuta refused to back down, ready to grasp at any straw...
But Benji had already realized that.
"What in the world…" Shikamaru gasped upon witnessing Benji's next move.
It wasn't just Shikamaru; shock rippled through the entire crowd.
"... that looks painful," Kiba muttered in disbelief.
Blitzwolfer's nozzle split into four segments, revealing a predominantly green interior. It was a gruesome sight, catching everyone off guard, even Masato.
Not really painful for Benji though.
Dosu didn't hesitate and made his move, charging at Blitzwolfer. However, the loboan responded with a powerful sonic howl from his quad-hinged muzzle, sending Dosu hurtling into a nearby wall. Despite his attempts to resist, cracks spidered across the wall as Dosu succumbed to unconsciousness. The Loboan ceased his sonic onslaught and reformed his mouth, before transforming back to Benji.
People lowered their hands from their ears and looked down at what had become of the battlefield.
"... coughs, since his opponent is now incapacitated," Hayate Gekko announced, "Tenzaki Benji is the victor of this match."
"So he could have defeated him with a single move from the start..." Ino observed.
"What a pain," Shikamaru groaned.
"Do you think you can survive that one?" Genji asked his brother.
"I don't think so," Hanzo said. "I'd go deaf."
That attack is strong for sure. Rock Lee mentally noted. But it's lacking in speed.
Neji had a different issue. He had found out each of Benji's transformations had a different chakra anatomy.
At any rate, Benji Tenzaki had been chosen to compete in the final part of the Chuunin Selection Exams.
I thought our Gaara was the only scary one here. Kankuro mused. Benji Tenzaki… that brat isn't one to be underestimated.
Orochimaru in disguise realized that he had a semi-medical condition where he couldn't get that freaking grin off his face.
"What do you think?" Benji asked Masato for his opinion on the match.
"I knew you would win so there wasn't any thrill," the older Tenzaki was honest. "But you sure took your sweet time. You know what, that's not compassion or sympathy. That's torture."
"… I will keep that in mind."
"But well, you needed to show off your transformation jutsu, too, so it wasn't a problem, I guess."
Medic-nins carried the unconscious Dosu on a stretcher out of the hall.
Any story has an inevitable end.
At least, on paper anyway.
And thus, the sixth chapter has come to the end.
Next chapter PREview! Kakashi and the two kids are going to confront Benji regarding his Ben-Ten persona! That's all for the preview.
A commenter mentioned Benji hadn't changed any of Naruto's canon continuity so from the following chapters, I will consider a rougher, broader changes.
Though no one has pointed this out, I'm gonna make a meme out of it.
Benji: Green eyes, brown hair, black jacket.
Ben-Ten: Green eyes, brown hair, wears exactly the same uniform as Benji but wears a mask. No one knows who he is.
So the trick here is I don't know how to explain. This is almost entirely psychological. This is also kinda similar to Henry Cavill's experiment. No one expected Benji to be Ben-Ten, which was why he wasn't included in the possible candidates when they thought of Ben-Ten's identity. So a simple mask does all the work.
Regarding this story, I'll have an announcement here.
Due to my personal matter, the update on this story will take longer than normal or will not happen at all until September 29. But I will try my best to update on Sep 29 so I can immediately return to work.
With that, I will consider updating other fanfics, too. Some of them have been on a hiatus for over a year. According to requests, I will rework on "The Unidentified Lifeform" and "The One Who Defies Gods," first as they take priority. Both will receive a rewritten version but only the latter will have distinct changes in the story because I want to make the story edgier so I won't have to write an Edgy Ben in other stories.
So that's all for the announcement. Thanks for reading and writing reviews, everyone.
Chris Chronos.