Title: Loss
A/N: Sorry for the long wait had a lot of things to take care of this weekend. And thanks for the offer Proxy I appreciate it a lot, but I'm completely happy with the following this story already has haha. Thanks again though. This'll be the last chapter for the genin exams before moving on to the land of waves. See you at the end.
XxxxxX
Genin Exams Arc Finale, Chapter 8: Individualism vs Collectivism
Konohagakure Training Fields, 6:47AM
CRASHHHH!
BOOOOM!
A boy with dark raven hair, white shorts, and a blue shirt with an Uchiha clan crest on the back of it looked at the huge, gaping crater that was no one else's handiwork but his own. There's no way that got him. Where'd he go? Sasuke Uchiha looked around and scanned the area, trying to find his opponent who'd seemingly vanished after being struck directly by his blazing hot fireball jutsu.
To the uninformed, let me explain exactly what was going on around here.
Sasuke Uchiha - the last surviving member of the Uchiha Clan - was in the midst of taking his final genin exam. If he passed this test he'd be granted his Leaf Shinobi forehead protector, a headband denoting the Konohagakure emblem along with the elite shinobi status. In order to pass the test two out of the three genin in training would have to grab one of the two bells Kakashi had on him. If they couldn't they'd be sent back to the ninja academy. Of course, Kakashi would do everything he could to stop that from happening.
Naruto Uzumaki had rushed in to fight like a bumbling idiot when the test first began, but that worked in Sasuke's favor. Naruto allowed Sasuke the chance to analyze his prey safely. The Uchiha learned that his prey - Kakashi Hatake of the hidden leaf - was a formidable shinobi. He could use Lightning release and Water Release ninjutsu both, and was more than proficient in taijutsu, Chakra Flow, and strategy as well. All those things were indicated by his bout with Tama Jinsei and Naruto along with Kakashi's keen deconstruction of Naruto Uzumaki's shadow clone jutsu.
Sasuke Uchiha was in the perfect position to take Kakashi Hatake down. He had learned everything he possibly could've by just watching, and while it was preferable that Sasuke be the one to dictate the terms of the battle arrangement, Kakashi being the one to dictate things was more than ok.
Now it was time to take those bells and pass this silly exam, but first-
-Sasuke started looking around, on edge. It was a deduction set in stone that his fireball justu had landed on the jonin earlier, but when the smoke and dust cleared a crater was the only thing left and nothing less.
Kakashi Hatake was nowhere to be seen.
Staying here - confused and wondering where he is - is exactly what he wants. I need more cover. Sasuke made a tactical retreat and made a break for the forest overlooking the training field, climbing onto a tree branch and scoping out the area.
Crouching, Sasuke pulled out a kunai and began wondering his next move.
I'm sure that guy has been on dozens of life or death missions, and only sees us as stupid brats pretending to be ninja. He underestimates me because I'm lumped in with those kids. I have to use that to my advantage and catch him off guard in a moment where he thinks I'm done for. Him underestimating me is the only way I'll-
-"Hey Sasuke, what's up?"
Sasuke's pupils turned into pinpoints as a cold sweat ran down his neck and into his shirt.
On his right side Kakashi sat, twiddling his thumbs and wondering, "Found something interesting? Whatcha looking for out there?"
SLASSHHHHH!
Sasuke's kunai made a slashing sound as it sliced through the air so quickly a whistling sound rang out. HOW!? How'd he sneak up on me so easily?! He thought quickly, jumping backward onto a completely different tree branch as soon as Kakashi evaded his attack.
Still crouching on the tree branch Sasuke was just on, Kakashi-sensei said, sounding bored, "Whaaaaaat? I just wanted to hang out is all. C'mon, Sasuke, don't be a buzzkill. Let's be friends."
Sasuke was put even more on guard. "Friends? Yeah, right." He commented with a scoff.
At his comment, Kakashi's single eye narrowed and his laid back attitude faded a bit. He stood up, hands in his pockets, "You know, Sasuke," The man began with a shrug, "You and Naruto have gotta work on your sensory abilities if you wanna survive in this world. Doesn't matter how fancy your jutsu is if you get your neck sliced in your sleep. To be honest, kid. I'm really not even that quick when compared to actual geniuses in this world. If I can surprise you that much when I'm barely trying… then you really are... A weakling… I bet the Uchiha are rolling in their graves right now."
?!
Sasuke's blood began boiling at those words while Kakashi's expression was just blank.
"YOU BASTARD!" Cried Sasuke, rushing forward.
Flicking his right hand out, causing a kunai to roll out of his sleeve and into his hand, Kakashi held that kunai out and pointed it at Sasuke who flew at him, "Some ninja's use sense of smell, others have great eyesight, and some have well-rounded instincts some refer to as a 6th sense." When Sasuke got within melee range it was child's play to dodge or evade the kid's attacks. And as he did so the Jonin lectured, "Some ninja can even sense the chakra nestled inside other's bodies. None of these are skills limited to any one shinobi. Anyone can learn those skills, even you. Sasuke, you've gotta develop some sort of way to fight when your eyes don't work. Because some attacks are quicker than even the speed of light, and an attack that moves faster than the eye can see will always land unless you develop such extrasensory abilities."
?!
As soon as Kakashi said those things he vanished, becoming an afterimage that quickly faded away.
He disappeared again! I'll make him take those words back! Sasuke's eyes began darting everywhere, but he had no idea where the man went. Where… is he?! He mentally shouted, looking over his shoulders and every which way. He tried to cast his hearing out in order to listen but all he could hear was stupid crickets and cicadas He wasn't anywhere near this quick when he was fighting Tama and Naruto. Maybe running into the forest was the wrong move after all. He's using all this wind, leaf and bug noise to overload my hearing and using tree branches and falling leaves to get past my line of sight. I've gotta go somewhere with less distractions!
Switching his strategy on a dime, the Uchiha jumped off the branch he was on and sprinted for the empty fields once more. I'll be a sitting duck out here but that's ok. I might have more cover in the forest but he's using that against me. He thought, becoming more composed. Ok, gotta keep calm. I have paper bombs, metal wire, my fireball jutsu, and… my sharingan. But I'm an Uchiha and he knows it, he's just trying to rile me up. And he'll probably be expecting me to use my sharingan at any point! How do I use the limited tools I have to beat him?
Sasuke's brain was going into overdrive as he came to a stop from a full sprint, his sandals sliding across the ground and kicking up dirt. While waiting for any sign from the stronger ninja he thought, He only has Water Style and Lightning Style, so all I have to is watch out for-
-"Earth Style: Earth Tsunami!"
Earth Style!? How does he have so many elemental releases!? Sasuke's eyes widened like saucers when Kakashi Hatake jumped out of the forest with a fist ladened with glowing brown chakra! That fist crashed intothe ground, causing the dirt surrounding Kakashi to liquify and…
…shoot out at Sasuke like a tidal wave!
That wave of earth grew to 4 times the height of Sasuke!
There was no escape. If Sasuke rolled to the right the wave would still crash into him, and the same applied if he went left. Either way he'd get hit, so he was forced to jump over!
Bending his legs, Sasuke transmuted Chakra into his muscles and with one swift hop, he cleared the wave of earth over 20 feet tall-
?!
-unfortunately for him, Kakashi predicted that's what he would do! As soon as Sasuke cleared the earth wave attack by jumping over it Kakashi appeared from inside of the wave of dirt and rocks and grabbed Sasuke by one of his legs. With one great spin Kakashi spun and threw Sasuke to the ground!
"Expect the unexpected." Was all the jonin said as shock filled Sasuke's expression.
CRASHHH!
Falling to the ground from over 20 feet in the air was one thing.
Being launched to the ground from that height was another thing entirely!
Sasuke was hurled to the ground head first and when he landed it wasn't pretty in the list.
Kakashi, however, landed beautifully on his feet in the next moment, the environment surrounding him left a complete mess. When the dust and smoke cleared he looked dryly at the Uchiha who laid unmoving on the ground. Looks like he's down for the count. The man thought, Maybe I shouldn't have been so rough on him. I thought for sure he'd use his sharingan though. Maybe he doesn't have one yet.
Kakashi felt a little bad, sure, but the boy in front of was a cut above those other two since he knew nature release ninjutsu, so of course Kakashi had to use Ninjutsu as well so he could make Sasuke see how weak he was. He needed to knock the kid off his high horse or else the Uchiha would eventually-
One of Sasuke's fingers twitched, grabbed the ground, and then gripped it hard while his palms turned into a fist. "If I can't beat you…" the boy whispered, making Kakashi's one eye widen in shock a bit, "Then I'll never be able to kill him!" And then Sasuke stood up and spun around, yanking his hands back and curling in his fingers ominously!
That was when Kakashi saw it! A shimmer! A sparkle! A shine of light! Something wrapped around Sasuke's fingers was reflecting sunlight and whatever it was he was grasping onto with a dead lock grip!
Ninja Wire?! From a mere genin?! First there were fireball Jutsus and now this?! To say Kakashi Hatake was shocked was an understatement!
"Don't underestimate me!" Shouted Sasuke, manipulating his hands in just the right movement to control the wire. And then he yanked!
Jingle! Jingle!
Clang! Clang!
The bells were grabbed by ninja wire in an instant and started flying toward Sasuke at great speeds!
Kakashi Hatake grinned under his mask and rushed forward as Sasuke manipulated his left arm, causing wires to shoot for Kakashi's feet.
The white haired Jonin jumped over the wire and dove forward, grabbed the wire holding the bells after he rolled on the ground, and then he yanked on Sasuke's ninja wire HARD!
"Oh CRAP! AHHH!" Sasuke yelped and growled when the wrapped wire around his hands tightened painfully and yanked him forward. Sasuke flew to the air toward's Kakashi.
In one swift motion, Kakashi retrieved his bells, pulled on the wire Sasuke was holding, balled his fist, and then-!
BAM!
-clocked Sasuke Uchiha clean in the face!
Sasuke's whole body - not just his face - recoiled from the shock of Kakashi's blow, making the 12 year old start flipping in the air past Kakashi!
His daylights knocked out of him, combined with the light disappearing from his vision, plus the disorientation of being spun around equaled a bad time.
CRASH! BANG BANG!
CRASH!
When Sasuke was still flipping painfully in the air, trying to stop his momentum only made him start rolling on the ground instead.
BAM!
"GUH!" He couldn't stop his momentum in time and crashed right into a tree, causing his whole body to curve around the bark and make spit fly out his mouth.
"The thing about ninja wire is that your enemies can use it too." Wrapping the wire around his fists like a boxer wrapping cloth around their knuckles, Kakashi began stepping forward toward Sasuke, wrapping the wire around his arms too, "There's a reason puppeteers use chakra strings instead, kid."
Standing up on shaking feet and holding his hurt shoulder, Sasuke gasped out with staggering breaths, "You seriously thought I was brainless enough to think Ninja Wire would work on you? Heh." Sasuke gave a deep chuckle and then whispered, his voice full of hatred as he imagined another person standing in front of him with dark and red, sharingan eyes, "Release!" He stated loudly, forming the release hand sign.
Suddenly, the sound of a fuse going off entered the air.
"Huh?" Kakashi wondered, confused.
By the time the jonin realized what was going on there was only a single second left!
Wrapped around the metal in various places were dozens of paper bombs, and when Sasuke released the seals they started going off! WIth how much Kakashi wrapped the wire around him there was no way he could escape!
BOOOOOOOM!
BOOOM!
BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
As Sasuke watched the man in front of him blow up into a million pieces a dozen different times, he couldn't help but smile, and then, the hatred filled Uchiha started to…
"Haha. Hahahahahahahahaha…" He began laughing quietly, yet maniacally. Surely, if that was enough to kill the jonin then the man deserved to die. In fact, thought the Uchiha, his eyes bloodlusted and thoughts bloodcurdling, He himself said we had to fight to kill, right? It's his own damn fault for losing to a genin! If I can kill a Jonin, then I'm one step closer to being able to kill that person! Now I just have to keep practicing and training so I can-
-When the dust cleared Sasuke's thoughts came to a halt and his blood started thinning, making the color in his face start fading.
"No… way…" He mumbled…
There was no blood.
There were no body parts strewn about.
There were no bells for him to recover and no signs of death or… well… anything…
Only a poof of smoke dispersing into the air.
"Don't… tell me…" Sasuke gulped as dread filled him…
Clap.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
Someone started clapping slowly. "Nice job, Sasuke." The voice said dryly.
He froze when he realized that everything he did was for nothing. This…has to be a cruel joke. I played… every card I had…
Defeated, Sasuke spun to the voice only to see Kakashi standing on a tree branch above him clapping slowly. He tried to piece together exactly what had happened. "How did you get away, Kakashi-sensei? How did you-" And then Sasuke realized it!
There was something familiar about the poof of smoke Sasuke saw where Kakashi's dead body should've been. Dozens of memories of Naruto's shadow clones getting hit and then turning into smoke filled his mind. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock!
"The shadow clone Jutsu?!" Shouted Sasuke, his fists bared in anger.
Kakashi chuckled at the kid's anger, "Heh heh. Yeah, Naruto's not the only one who can use that Jutsu. Unlike him, though, I can only use one or two. I rarely use that Jutsu, but usually when I do it's so my clone can do something it would be too dangerous to do myself. D'you really think I'm stupid enough to equip an enemy's weapon myself in battle? You have no idea how many shinobi out there place curses on their weapons so that enemy ninja don't take them." Sasuke found himself stepping backward in shock when Kakashi hopped off of the tree branch and started walking forward towards him slowly. "I'll admit it, you're pretty talented kid, and I don't doubt for a second that you spend hours training everyday. Unfortunately for you, however-" Suddenly, Kakashi Hatake vanished!
I'm not gonna fall for it this time! Sasuke promised himself, closing his eyes and getting ready to move. Just like what he said earlier, I have to sense him somehow. What's my strongest sense?! Sight? No, if I use my Sharingan that's just me throwing my trump card away! There's such a huge gap between us! I have to save it until I know for sure I can win! Smell? No, I'm not a dog like that damn dog boy. Hearing? No, my hearing is pretty average so-
-Jingle jingle… clang clang…
When Sasuke focused on his hearing he heard it. No, he was hearing it this entire time!
Every time Kakashi Hatake moved, breathed, jumped, parried, or dodged they clangled and jingled. Those bells were his weakness!
Jingle Jingle! Clang Clang!
When Sasuke focused it was much easier to hear it!
Kakashi closed in but Sasuke was ready this time, spinning around and parrying the knife hand chop aimed for the back of his neck.
"I'm not like those two shitty genin!" Sasuke shouted, countering with a swift punch for Kakashi's solar plexus which was easily caught by the older man.
"Really, huh?" The man wondered, gripping Sasuke's fist hard. "Ok, then. Maybe I should take you seriously, then. Lightning Release. Electric Fury!"
"A Jutsu without a hand sign!? What are you- AHHHHHHHHH!"
?!
Sasuke's eyes widened as he began screaming in sheer pain, he tried to disengage and get away from Kakashi but it was already too late! In an instant, a low amperage, high voltage current blazed from Kakashi right through him! The electrics surged through Sasuke's body like lightning and made his muscles spasm in utter pain.
BzzzzzzzzT!
CRACKLE CRACKLE!
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!
Thud.
Sasuke's body fell to the ground a moment later, his eyes closing slowly and burn marks all over him, his body unmoving.
Kakashi looked at the unconscious boy in front of him who was just the victim of low amperage, high voltage electricity. Maybe… I overdid it a bit? The jonin sensei then looked up toward the sky. Who cares. It would be a pain to have to be these kid's sensei anyway. Sasuke is way too prideful and nihilistic. Naruto's thinks being ninja is some fun job and doesn't take any of this serious, and Tama… seems to not even care about his own future. They all have issues I don't want to deal with. There's no way I'll let them have these bells. But… I wonder what those two kids are up to antway…?
XxxxxX
Elsewhere in the Konohagakure Training Field.
Elsewhere in the Konohagakure training field in knee deep water, both Naruto Uzumaki and Tama Jinsei were shirtless. They both stood in the shallow stream that ran through the training field and they were far, far away from where Kakashi and Sasuke were.
"Haaaaaahhhh… hahhhhh,... Hahhhh…." Naruto was currently letting out haggard, tired breaths. He looked absolutely exhausted and a cloud of smoke was wafting off of the blond and into the air. Naruto's hands were on his knees for support and he was soaked in water. "How… was that? Did I nail that one?" He wondered, looking up at Tama who had his eyes closed.
Tama Jinsei opened his eyes and let go of his mental focus on Naruto's internal Chakra Flow. He gave a huge smile and said, "That was almost perfect. In fact, it pretty much was. There was a lot of chakra wasted but other than that you pulled it off perfectly. Good stuff bro!"
Tama held out his fist with a huge smirk, honored that someone knew and could pull off the first ever Jutsu he made.
Smirking, Naruto fist bumped his friend. "Hell yeah! Let's rest up a bit and go get that damn grey haired bastard when our Chakra comes back!"
Tama's stomach growled, and he held it in pain. "So… hungry… there's no way I'll get back all my chakra at this rate. I don't know how you recover chakra so quickly, Naruto."
"Oh, I uh… eat a lot I guess." Naruto said nervously. He didn't want anyone at the academy to know the truth about him. His stomach began growling next, though. A look of pain appeared on his face, "Damn this sucks…"
"It sure does. Let's take a little break, go beat that bastard up and get our bells so we can eat up."
"Yeah!" Shouted Naruto, "Ramen's on me tonight!"
"I don't mind splitting it… I've been saving up-"
"Shut up! Like I said, Ramen's on me tonight, y'know!"
"O-ok…""
XxxxxxX
Dang it… what's… going on…?
Sasuke of the Uchiha slowly came to, his eyes opening weakly and blinking back shut just as quick because of how bright everything was around him. When his eyes adjusted to the sunlight once more he realized something very, very important.
He was tied up to a wooden post with dozens of layers of rope surrounding him. Suffice it to say, this was not good. Not good at all.
Crap. Did that Jonin seriously beat me and tie me up? How'd he do that? The last thing Sasuke could remember was seeing a bright arc of lightning and then darkness. He must've used his nature release chakra at close range and got me. Damn it how could I fall for that?! And how does he have so many nature release Jutsu!? I thought shining could only have one, maybe two. And he didn't even use any hand signs either.
His nostrils flared in anger and he struggled in futility to break free.
"Grrrrah!" He growled as flexed all his muscles to no avail.
"That's ninja rope infused with Chakra, by the way." A voice said from above. Sasuke Uchiha looked up to see Kakashi Hatake sitting criss cross atop the wooden pole he was tied up on, reading a book. "Even using chakra flow to reinforce your body's muscles won't work unless you have massive chakra reserves. I'm sorry to say it, but the only way you're getting out is if someone cuts you out."
Sasuke's eyes turned into pinpoints as panic set in. "Damn you. I'll get out of this somehow and when I do, those bells are mine." Sasuke threatened before starting to struggle and wiggle tactically. Unfortunately for him, you can't just wiggle out of rope.
As Sasuke did everything he could to break free, Kakashi thought while reading his make out tactics book, I wonder what those other two are doing? If they think I'm gonna chase after them and fall into a trap or something, they're dead wrong. The truth of the matter was that Kakashi was the one with the hostage, so he was the one with all the power.
Would those two brats realize that before time was up?
It was 9:20am
Only 2 and a half hours left.
XxxxxxX
2 Hours Later
The Jonin, Kakashi Hatake, was dead wrong. Naruto Uzumaki and Tama Jinsei were not laying in wait aiming to set a trap. It was the opposite, actually. They were preparing to launch an assault.
As they jumped through the forest, knees bent and hopping from tree branch to tree branch, Naruto sniffed in through his nose, happy that the airway was clear now. It had finally healed completely after being broken earlier.
It's… the nine tails power… He thought, looking towards his stomach that was supposed to have a hole in it. The monster that killed so many people 12 years ago is inside me, y'know. Naruto clenched his fists as he jumped to another branch, Iruka said Lord 4th died sealing it inside me. They… put a monster inside me… a baby… Who would just put a monster in a baby like that and ruin their life?! Who… ruined my life…?! The 4th had ruined Naruto's life in every conceivable way!No wonder Iruka refused to tell Naruto Lord 4th's name. He'd totally grafiti the guys stone rock face with insults!
That person made him a target of hatred in the village. Naruto didn't have a family because they died when the nine tails was sealed and not only that, Naruto wasn't compensated in any way. Not even with a single cup of ramen.
Fangs bared, Naruto thought, Why was I the sacrifice?! A single tear threatened to fall but it didn't.
Instead, Naruto looked to his 6 o clock and saw Tama traveling through the trees behind him. "What do you think Sasuke's been doing this whole time?" I have more important things to worry, about, y'know. Like becoming Hokage! And I'll do it without ruining anyone's life!
Tama shuddered while quickening his pace so he was side by side with Naruto, "I reckon he tried to get those bells on his own."
"Think he did?"
"Haha. What do you think?"
Naruto laughed too, "Probably not, heh heh. Both of us together couldn't even get one."
"He's the best in our class, though. So maybe there's a chance."
Naruto pouted at that statement but he didn't flare in anger like he usually did.
"He might be the best for now," Naruto admitted in a very rare show of maturity, "But he won't be for long, believe it!"
Tama sweatdropped when Naruto went right back to his childish side. He couldn't help but smirk though as he and Naruto come to a stop up ahead. In the distance, the duo saw a peculiar sight. Under normal circumstances they would've laughed, but with a genin promotion on the line they remained serious.
Sasuke Uchiha - tied up to a wooden post - and Kakashi Hatake - reading a very 'interesting' looking book while sitting atop that wooden post crisscross applesauce - were in the middle of the training field.
Tama gazed seriously at the situation, "Looks like you were right, gobby. Kakashi-sensei was too strong for him."
"Gobby?" Snapped Naruto, a tick mark on his forehead, "Who the heck you calling Gobby?"
"You, cause you're always gobbling up the conversation."
Angry, Naruto clenched his fist but suddenly they both heard Sasuke yell out, "DAMN IT! LET ME OUTTA HERE! YOU CAN'T JUST KEEP ME TIED UP HERE UNTIL I FAIL! That's not fair!"
"Yes, yes I can." Was Kakashi's cool response. "Now be quiet. Can't you see I'm reading here?"
"Graahhhh!"
After hearing the whole thing and seeing Sasuke growl like a wild animal while trying to break out, Naruto crossed his arms, "Man it must suck to be him. Looks like he's going back to the Academy for sure. Hahaha." Naruto laughed quietly as he saw Sasuke struggling futilely.
As Naruto laughed at Sasuke's pathetic situation Tama had a foul taste in his mouth. Only two of us can pass. He thought, looking in Naruto's direction, This is the first time I thought about it, but, if me and Naruto get those bells we might as well be sending Sasuke back to the academy ourselves. Why couldn't Kakashi-sensei… just make a test where either all of us failed or all of us passed? This is gonna suck having to throw him under the bus. Tama then looked back towards Sasuke, He's the most talented in our class. If he can't be a ninja what gives me the right to? Do I even… deserve to be a ninja? Sasuke has someone he wants to kill, and Naruto… wants to be hokage. They have actual real reasons for wanting to be ninja. And me…? I just… want answers.
That day oh so long ago… it hadn't been just that guy Hidan there. There was a second person. Someone else. That second person had to know who or what Tama was? Who was… Jashin?
Either way what was important right now was the present, not the future. Even still, Tama had to do what he could to pass this test!
He stood up and performed a chakra infused hop right off of the tree branch he was standing on!
"WOAH! We're starting the plan now!?" Shouted Naruto as Tama landed right in front of Kakashi Sensei. A huge smirk quickly took over the worried expression when the idea of fighting made Naruto get excited. "Screw it! Let's just go for it, y'know!"
As soon as Tama landed in front of Kakashi-sensei he took up a martial arts stance, I've gotta get him to focus on me for the plan to work. If he attacks both of us with equal aggression it won't work. Before I was using chakra flow on my kunai. Now I have to use it on my body. As Tama began flaring his Chakra all throughout his body blue wisps of energy starting blowing in the wind all around him. This was a side effect of Chakra being summoned from one's core in large amounts.
"You're going all out right off the bat, huh?" Thought Kakashi-sensei aloud as the chakra surrounding Tama became visible to the naked eye. Getting serious, he put his book away and stood up, hands in his pockets.
"There wasn't any point trying to surprise you or anything." Replied Tama, his hair levitating a bit, "You sensed our Chakras as soon as we got within range didn't you?"
Kakashi's single eye narrowed a bit, "How does a genin like you know that I sensed you?"
"Cause I can use sensory ninjutsu too!" Shouted Tama, bursting forward with blue wisps of Chakra wisping off of his body.
(author's note: This story is gonna be pretty action oriented. Therefore, chakra sensing in this story is retconned from canon for balancing reasons. Sensory Ninjutsu works just like how bats' echolocation works. For example, if Sensory Ninja A senses Sensory Ninja B while Sensory Ninja B is paying attention to Sensory Ninja A, Sensory Ninja B would know that Sensory Ninja A located them. Therefore, Sensory Ninjutsu is a two bladed sword because it can reveal your location if you use it. That's how Tama knew Kakashi could use Sensory Ninjutsu as well)
Kakashi jumped off his wooden pole while Tama burst forward almost as quick as the eye can see! While he was in midair, Kakashi-sensei reached into his pouch and threw multiple Kunai, throwing them at Tama in quick succession which were all easily evaded with minute shoulder twists and sidesteps.
Sasuke Uchiha noticed something Tama Jinsei did not, however. Attached to the the thrown kunai were pieces of paper with kanji written on them. That handwriting.,. was his! "Those are my paper bombs!" Shouted Sasuke, "He took my paper bongs when he beat me; watch out!"
"Paper Bombs…?" Wondered Tama. He scanned the kunai he just evaded and saw burning, pieces of paper attached. "Oh shit, those are paper bombs?!"
"I just said that!" Shouted Sasuke, annoyed. "Get out the way or you'll be human confetti!"
"Right!"
Tama panicked. The bombs already had their fuse lit and would explode any second now. Not only that but they surrounded him in a triangle as well. There was no where to go without being caught in an explosion.
"Just Jump!" Yelled Sasuke.
Tana's eyes widened along with Kakashi-sensei's.
Tama didn't question Sasuke like last time, his body just moved on its own!
BOOOOOOM!
BOOOM! BOOOM!
3 explosions rang out in quick succession but its target had already leapt 2 stories into the air, a trail of blue chakra following Tama, indicating he utilized chakra to jump so high.
And then Tama landed in a huge cloud of smoke and dirt.
Kakashi's single eye narrowed onto Sasuke who was watching the two. Why's Sasuke helping him? He thought, but then shook his head, No matter.
Before the smoke and dust cleared Tama burst out of it, running at insane speeds.
Throwing shuriken, Kakashi jumped back to make some distance but Tama simply caught all of the thrown shuriken and threw it right back, which Kakashi-sensei caught as well with no trouble only to block a chakra laced punch moments afterward when Tama disappeared in a burst of speed and reappeared right in front of him!
Sasuke's eyes widened at how quickly Kakashi and Tama were both fighting each other!
Kakashi pocketed his shuriken and immediately retaliated with a round house kick to Tama's side, which Tama blocked with crossed arms only to-
-?!
Kakashi moved strangely, and then suddenly thin metal wire wrapped around Tama's left leg, making the kid's eyes widen.
My ninja wire too! Thought Sasuke, his fangs bared.
"It's not gearing up to be your lucky day, huh?" Wondered Kakashi before yanking his arm back!
The ninja wire connecting Tama's left leg to Kakashi's right arm went taut in an instant and then suddenly it yanked Tama's left leg out from under him painfully!
Landing on his back with an "Ouch!" Tama pulled out a shuriken as soon as possible from his ninja pouch (he ran out of kunai) to start cutting the wire but Kakashi-sensei had other plans in mind.
"Oh no you don't, kiddo." He said, flexing his muscles. He then threw Tama into the air using the wire! "Lightning Style: Lightning Arc Jutsu!"
BBZZZZZZZZzzzt!
Instantly, lightning began traveling through the metal wire towards Tama, but thinking fast Tama shouted, "Transformation Jutsu!" And then suddenly, Tama was a squirrel! Because the lightning was traveling up the wire towards Tama's leg only for Tama to transform into such a small animal, the wire loosened and slipped right off of Tama making the lighting fizz out safely.
Tama released the jutsu before he landed and he landed on one knee, breathing heavily with sweat going down his face. When a bead of sweat rolled into his eye he started rubbing his eye vigorously and when he opened them again he saw a bead of sweat going down Kakashi's face too.
"What?" Wondered Tama, confused.
Starstruck, Kakashi said, "You're literally the first person I've ever seen use the transformation Jutsu like that."
"And why a squirrel?" Wondered Sasuke, his eyes narrowed questioningly.
"Jeez, just shut up guys and give me those bells already sensei!" Shouted Tama indignantly, bursting forwards and launching into a taijutsu bout with Kakashi-sensei.
They're so… fast. Thought Sasuke, jealous and angry that he couldn't fight too. As the sun shined down it's afternoon rays, he watched as the two figures faced each other. Kakashi jumping a few steps back after a brief clash of punches and kicks with Tama doing the same as blue chakra wisped into the air from both fighters.
Fights between two fighters using chakra flow often ended in loud, quick clashes where even one mistake meant incapacitation or death for the lesser combatant.
Chakra utilization was a key component of fast paced taijutsu. It was massive strength, but also a massive weakness.
When running Chakra through the brain's neural pathways to bypass slower, chemical based reactions, one's reaction time was shortened by inhuman amounts, but this resulted in a massive strain on one's brain! So Tama knew he didn't have long!
Kakashi Hatake knew that as well and seeing how long Tama could last.
The tension was palpable, a silent storm brewing between them. On one side stood Tama Jinsei, his fists clenched, eyes locked on his opponent. Across from him, Kakashi held a dagger, its blade glinting menacingly.
Even though he was tied up Sasuke was focused, trying to find some sort of way to escape his confines so he could try and join the fight and nab the bells for himself before someone else could. That was when the Uchiha heard the sound of someone landing right next to him. It was Naruto, and he was pointing a finger at him and chuckling.
"Haha Kakashi-sensei must've gotten you good, huh? Look at you, all tied up to a piece of wood like a rotisserie chicken. If only I had some salt and pepper in my ninja gear I could grill you up real good, Sasuke."
"Awww shut up orange bird brained loser." Growled Sasuke in anger, "At least I don't have to resort to teaming cause I'm so weak. Teaming is the only way you'd ever stand a chance and you know it. I, on the other hand, don't need a team because I'm not weak like you.""
"Yo SHUT UP!" Shouted Naruto, annoyed, "And what's with the attitude, dude? This guy's been a ninja for like 2 decades or something y'know and you expect me to be able to beat him alone when I'm not even a ninja yet myself? And plus there's two bells too and sorry to be blunt with you man, but Tama's way less of a bastard then you are."
"The only bastard here is you."
"Oh yeah! When are you gonna realize the world doesn't revolve around you!?"
Naruto rolled up his sleeves as Sasuke glared at him but their attention was cut in half when they heard a kunai slashing and cutting the air, making a whisssing noise!
Sasuke and Naruto looked over to see Tama having just barely evaded a horizontal slash by ducking under it.
Ducking gave Kakashi Hatake the high ground which put Tama at a disadvantage, but that unfavorable position actually put Tama in a easier position to land a sideways roll which allowed him to quickly get out of the way of a well timed kick that hit nothing but empty air.
"Why aren't you gonna go help him if you are teaming like little rats?" Sasuke wondered, trying to break free of his restraints again but with not much resistance this time.
Naruto gave a toothy grin and said, weaving a few hand signs, "Oh believe me I will. He's just gonna distract him for a bit while I get our plan set up. Just sit there all tied up and watch while we pass and you don't, y'know! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Out of the corner of his eyes, Tama saw Naruto start putting the plan in action. About 3 dozen Naruto began appearing one after the other and they all starting crowding the training field themselves, running everywhere in seemingly random motions.
There was something strange about the situation, though-
-Why are none of Naruto's Shadow Clones trying to come fight me? Thought Kakashi as he fought Tama, Naruto's a pretty stupid, impulsive kid so why isn't he-
-Before Kakashi could finish that thought a fist was sent straight for his face, but since he was a lot taller then Tama it was easier for him to evade it. Let me go ahead and get rid of this annoying kid first. Thought the Jonin sensei, deciding to discard Naruto's strange actions in favor of something much more palpable. Getting rid of the immediate threat.
Equipping a second kunai so that he was duel wielding, Kakashi's began quickening his movement so that the two weren't on par anymore.
Narrowly avoiding blow after blow, slice after slice, slash after slash, Tama thought as small cuts and wounds began opening up all over him just like earlier that day, I know I'm at a disadvantage. Those kunai in sensei's hands can end the fight in an instant. I ran out of kunai myself so parrying isn't an option, and plus my left arm still hurts like hell from earlier too. But I have no choice; I have to hold on! You better pull through Naruto! Focusing, Tama Jinsei took a deep breath - steadying himself - and prepared for the inevitable clash.
Kakashi-sensei smirked, twirling the kunai in his hands with a casual confidence. "You should have stayed at the academy, kiddo," he taunted, taking a step forward. "Now, I'm gonna send you back along with Sasuke."
Without warning, Kakashi lunged at insane chakra infused speeds, the kunai in both his hands slicing through the air towards Tama's midsection. Tama sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as the blade missed him by inches. He countered with a quick jab to Kakashi's ribs, but Kakashi was too fast, twisting away from the jab easily and slashing at Tama's arm. The same arm that was injured. The blade grazed his skin, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Ahhh…." Tama yelped in pain as the kunai split his skin, but ignoring the rest of the pain, Tama pressed Kakashi-sensei, launching a flurry of punches and kicks. Kakashi-sensei parried with the kunai, each clash of metal and flesh echoing through the training field. Shadow Clone after Shadow Clone began enveloping that same exact training field for an unknown reason but the clones needed more time. Tama knew he had to disarm Kakashi-sensei somehow if he hoped to survive any longer, but the kunai were always there, a constant threat as he was currently unarmed.
Kakashi-sensei feinted to the left, then struck to the right, the kunai aimed at Tama's throat. Tama's raven colored eyes widened at the uncaring look in Kakashi-sense's single eye and his chakra flared massively, his glowing blue as he barely managed to block the attack, grabbing Kakashi-sensei's wrist and twisting it.
Kakashi-sensei's slashing movement was stopped, but he didn't let go of the kunai. Instead, he used his free hand to slash at Tama's gut, forcing the younger boy to release his grip and jump backward.
Even though Tama missed the slash, though, Kakashi-sensei still had two feet, and Tama hadn't noticed Kakashi-sensei throw a left roundhouse kick as well, which landed right on Tama's right side!
BAM!
Staggering back from the blow to his side ribs, Tama gasped for breath painfully. Kakashi-sensei pressed his advantage, his two kunai poised for a killing blow. Desperation fueled Tama's next move. He ducked under Kakashi-sensei's swing and tackled the older man to the ground.
Sasuke's eyes widened as Tama grabbed ahold of Kakashi and refused to let go. That idiot won't survive a battle of strength all alone! He thought, strategizing and trying to break out of his confines.
Kakashi and Tama rolled across the dirty training field ground, grappling each other for control.
But Kakashi was much stronger, quicker, and faster. In fact, it was almost like… he allowed Tama to land that grapple on purpose…
Kakashi's hands deliberately let go of his Kunai, and he swung a back hand fist it at Tama's head. The impact dazed Tama, and the younger boy's grip loosened. Seizing the opportunity, Kakashi-sensei pinned Tama down, his forearm pressing against his throat.
Tama struggled, but Kakashi-sensei held firm, his single eye blazing with uncaring determination to fail the runt. "This ends now," He growled, tightening his grip. Tama's struggles weakened, and finally, he went limp.
Or well, Tama would have went limp if something incredible hadn't happened!
"NINJA ART!" Dozens upon dozens of Naruto screamed out at the top of their lungs, "SHADOW BOMB JUTSU!"
CRASHHHHHHHH!
A massive explosion rang out from all directions with a loud crash!
In a single instant a massive plume of smoke enveloped the entire training field! It was as if hundreds of smoke bombs went off all at once!
The sound of explosions were so loud that Kakashi could barely hear a thing, and his sense of sight was absolutely erased from all the thick white smoke materializing in the area!
But despite all that he could still hear the voice of the boy he was pinning to the ground!
"Ninja Art, Shadow Bomb Jutsu!"
Kakashi's single eye widened as-
BOOOM!
-A point blank shockwave forced Kakashi Sensei off of Tama Jinsei, launching the jonin instructor dozens of feet into the air. It was when Kakashi was over two stories in the air did he see it.
The entire training field was filled with a thick white smoke.
I've.. never seen or heard of this jutsu before. Did Naruto learn it in the scroll of seals? He thought, as gravity began to take hold and make him plummet back down to the earth. When he landed Tama wasn't there anymore. The boy had vanished into the smoke somewhere. Everything was… strangely quiet. Not only that, but he couldn't see more than two feet in front of him because of all this white smoke.
He tried waiting for it to dissipate but it showed no signs of doing so. There's no jutsu like this in the hidden leaf village. Either it's a justu from another village, or-
Jingle Jingle. Clang Clang.
?!
Kakashi's single eye lowered to his waist at that loud noise that came from his bells. Because there was so much action before hand, it didn't matter that he was making so much noise with the bells, but now that the sense of sight was gone the only sense that remained was-
-?!
A dark image lunged for Kakashi inside the smoke. On pure instinct, Kakashi grappled his assailant to the ground and landed a devastating blow to their gut.
"AHH!" A familiar blond's voice cried in pain before-
-POOF!
A plume of even more smoke poofed in front of Kakashi. "A shadow clone, huh?" mumbled Kakashi, standing back up, "They must be reacting to the bells making noise on my waist whenever I move. Is that why none of them were attacking me before?"
It had to be in order to pull off that strange explosive type jutsu Tama executed earlier.
Either way, Kakashi Hatake found himself smiling under his mask. He took off his bells and held him out in his hand. Then, he began shaking his hand vigorously!
JINGLE! JINGLE! CLANG! CLANG!
Footsteps began ranging out in the smoke more and more. They started getting closer and closer before suddenly-
-a massive fight began taking place inside the smoke!
The sounds of rampant footsteps echoed with the sound of fists landing on flesh. Shadows danced in the smoke as the jonin sensei, Kakashi Hatake, became the center of it all. His eyes scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing to scan but thick smoke. If he was attacked he'd only have a split second to react, and because Kakashi was jingling the bells so crazy he might as well have been saying, 'Here I am! Come get me!'. Kakashi knew he was outnumbered, but he remained calm, his breathing steady.
Suddenly, a group of footsteps emerged from the shadows, surrounding him. The Narutos all smirked, confident in their numbers. Kakashi's expression remained unchanged. He shifted into a fighting stance and put the bells back on his waist, his movements fluid and precise.
The first clone lunged at him with a wild punch trying to be as quiet as possible but Kakashi still heard them. He sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing the attacker's arm and using his momentum to flip the clone onto the ground. With a swift kick, he knocked the clone unconscious.
POOF!
Two more rushed at him from opposite sides. Kakashi ducked under a clumsy swing, delivering a rapid series of strikes to the second clone's torso while kicking out at the first clone and nailing them in the gut. The clones crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath before poofing and adding to the smoke content in the air. Kakashi spun around, catching the third attacker with a powerful roundhouse kick that sent the clone flying into the smoke somewhere. Poof! It dematerialized before it even hit the ground.
Kakashi heard more footsteps advancing toward him but he realized something. Just as he couldn't see Naruto, none of the Naruto Clones could see him either. That's why their taijutsu was so sloppy and pathetic. Kakashi had a good grasp on his sense of hearing and he could sense chakra as well. He took advantage of this gap in sensory ability and, moving like a blur, he knocked out one of the advancing shadow clones. Grabbing another clone and using it's body to fend off another, Kakashi threw the Naruto!
That Naruto flew through the air and crashed into two more!
POOF! POOF POOF!
With a series of precise and devastating moves, Kakashi began incapacitating the rest, leaving them groaning on the ground before they dispersed into smoke.
But…they seemed to be never ending. No matter how many Kakashi took out they just kept coming. The jonin straightened up, his breathing still calm and controlled. Looks like they didn't think this through all that much. Even though that rascal has a lot of chakra he can't keep this up for long. There's no way.
As the sounds and noises of combat rang out throughout the smoky training field, Naruto Uzumaki crossed his arms. In his mind, the experiences of all of his dispersed shadow clones began entering his mind.
"Even when he can't see," Naruto began saying, "Kakashi-sensei is so quick."
Confused (and still tied up) Sasuke wondered, "How do you know that?"
"Every time he beats one of my shadow clones their memories pop into my head." Naruto said, sounding distracted and sorting through all of the new memories in his head. The blond then thought back to the plan, "Oh, I gotta find Tama for the next part." And then the boy took off!
"Hey! Where ya goin?! Can you let me outta-" Sasuke quickly stopped what he was saying and shut his mouth before he finished that request for freedom. He began biting his lips and gritting his teeth. His pride wouldn't let him ask Naruto for help. Not in a million years! He'd break out all on his own and get those bells for himself even if it killed him. He… couldn't ask for anything… because if he relied on others… he'd never get stronger.
He couldn't ever rely on others.
XxxxxX
Meanwhile in the smoke, Tama laid on his back, looking up into the sky. The only catch was that he couldn't see the sky because of all the smoke.
Naruto really pulled it off. He thought. He's so talented. He learned an S class jutsu and he pulled off and learned my shadow bomb jutsu quickly too. He… really is talented. Standing up, Tama wiped off the blood running down his lips and began recovering. He expended a lot of his remaining chakra during that extended bout with Kakashi-sensei trying to buy time for Naruto to set up this jutsu. Tama had a blistering headache too. He was flooding his brain and body with so much chakra that his chakra was escaping his body in blue wisps. It had only been for a few minutes but it was incredibly draining. Thankfully, Naruto pulled off the Shadow Bomb Jutsu just in time.
The Shadow Bomb Jutsu was a technique Tama Jinsei developed all on his own. It took him weeks to perfect and cultivate the theory, but once the jutsu's specifics were figured out it was a pretty easy one to perform. The basis behind it was simple. An intense explosion followed by a heavy outward shockwave of smoke, causing a white smoke to envelope the casting shinobi's nearby vicinity.
It doubled as a shockwave to ward off attackers and as a smoke bomb to get away.
On it's own the jutsu wasn't that powerful, but when combined with dozens upon dozens of shadow clones the jutsu could be performed over a wide radius. That's what caused the whole training field to fill with a blinding white smoke when all the Naruto's spread out performed it all at once.
"Who knew it could be this strong with so many people doing it at once." Thought Tama while holding his fist in front of him. He thought of the Jutsu when they were learning in class. The transformation jutsu they learned at the academy months ago. Everytime the transformation jutsu was performed a plume of smoke would explode outward from the user and then boom, a transformed version of someone else was present.
But what if someone performed the transformation jutsu… without transforming? In that case, only smoke would appear. And what if that smoke that appeared as a by-product of the transformation jutsu was amplified and turned into an intentional weapon?
That was the basis behind the Shadow Bomb Jutsu and that was why Naruto could learn it so quickly.
Where's that ball of orange, Gobby, anyway? Oh there he is. Sensing his friend (well, one of them since there were so many Naruto), Tama started jogging for Naruto's direction. In the distance, however, he heard Kakashi Hatake fighting numerous shadow clones. Damn. That monster can still keep going even when he can't see? A bead of sweat rolled down his face. He quickly shook his head as if he were shaking away his doubt. That doesn't mean anything. None of those clones can see either that's why they aren't doing so well. For now I just have to regroup with Naruto.
And that didn't take long because Naruto was everywhere. Eventually, Tama ran into a Naruto and grabbed him by his shoulder.
Shocked, the clone spun and threw a punch for Tama, thinking he was Kakashi but Tama easily ducked and elbowed the Naruto in the gut, "I'm gonna go for it soon, Naruto, get ready for the last part of the plan." He said before the Naruto vanished.
Elsewhere in the smoke, the real Naruto froze as a certain clone's memories entered his mind. Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but to smile.
Kakashi Hatake was going down!
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Shouted the original Naruto along with all the remaining Shadow Clones.
POOOF!
Pooof! Pooof! Poooooof! Pooof!
At least 2 dozen more Shadow Clones reappeared all over the training field to replace the ones lost in combat.
The original Naruto Uzumaki and at least 3 dozen more clones of Naruto Uzumaki all rushed forward toward Kakashi all at once!
"PILE ON!" They all shouted, fists clenched.
Suddenly, Kakashi Hatake was face to face with many more clones than before!
His single eye narrowed when 5-8more Naruto joined in on the 3 he was already fighting.
Whenever I defeat one, The man thought, The next one comes back stronger and smarter then before. Naruto's taijutsu was getting better and better with every clone that dispersed and relinquished iits memories and experiences to all the other Shadow Clones.
I better end this child's play. Thought Kakashi, lightning sparking around him. "Lightning Release: Arc Lightning!" Kakashi kneeled down and touched the ground!
BZZZZZzzzzzZZZZT!
In a twenty foot radius, lightning sparked out all around Kakashi Hatake!
"AHHH!"
"RAGHHH!
"MAAGHHH!"
The screams and cries of at least a dozen clones rang out in the smoke!
Memories of being electrocuted and snuffed out in an instant entered the original Naruto's mind, He's starting to use his lightning release! I can't touch the ground when I'm near him! He thought, bending his knees and allowing Chakra to flow through his legs!
BOOM!
Naruto rolled his sleeves up before launching off the ground in a fierce horizontal jump, fists bared. There's probably around 30 second left before all this smoke starts to clear. That means I have under 30 seconds to create an opening!
Naruto launched through the air towards the most recent memory of Kakashi Hatake's last known location! He barreled through the air like a bullet, his fist held outward in a superman punch!
?!
By the time Kakashi heard Naruto flying at him like a bullet it was already too late. The jonin was forced to cross his fists in front of him and dodge!
BAM!
Naruto's right fist landed on Kakashi-sensei, and even though Kakashi-sensei blocked the missile like punch he was still pushed back more than a few feet, his feet sliding across the ground.
The sheer amount of power shocked the man.
How does he have this much power and accuracy when he can't even see?! Kakashi-sensei thought, genuinely impressed and shocked. I'm not just fighting a bunch of clones. I'm fighting… a network of clones.
Whenever one clone was defeated every other one would obtain the location of Kakashi Hatake and was able to use that information to launch the next attack. Even despite all the smoke, every single Naruto here knew exactly where Kakashi was using memory mapping. This is pretty amazing combination. Thought Kakashi.
As soon as Naruto's fist landed the genin in training didn't stop there! Ears perking, Naruto relied on pure battle skill and sound cues to fight.
Naruto had the advantage here, however, because he didn't have bells attached to him like a certain someone.
Jingle Jingle! Clang Clang!
Naruto threw another punch that was easily blocked which was followed by a kick that hit nothing but air!
Jingle!
Behind me!
Normally the punch Kakashi-sensei just threw would've landed but Naruto heard the man coming from a mile away!
"Take this!" A random Naruto clone shouted, bursting forward and engaging with Kakashi-sensei before the original could get taken out.
The arena, foggy thanks to all the smoke finally began clearing up a bit. But only by about 20%. The smoke still made the entire training field become an impenetrable darkness that swallowed all light.
As Kakashi quickly dispatched the sacrificial clone along with 4 others that rushed in the original Naruto licked his lips and took a deep breath.
He weaved a handsign and then said one word. "Release."
In a single second, all the shadow clones in the entire field dispersed.
Kakashi was dreadfully,confused, "Why would you do that?" He wondered, "That's your ace jutsu."
"Said who?" Mocked Naruto, smiling, "They're cool and all, don't get me wrong, but they hold me back!"
?!
Suddenly, Kakashi felt a massive surge of chakra in front of him!
"Is this it, sensei?! Is this Chakra Flow?! The cool thing that makes you and Tama so fast!" Naruto felt chakra pumping through his body lightning quick! It felt warm and cozy, like hot chocolate running through his veins. He molded that hot chocolate into adrenaline. Closing his eyes, the blond took a deep breath, focusing on the subtle sounds around him.
JIngle Jingle!
The abundance of Chakra flowing through him thanks to letting go of all of his clones boosted his 5 senses immensely.
He could hear Kakashi's bells, the soft shuffle of his feet on the ground, the Jonin's breaths. Everything. Naruto then moved as silently and quickly as he could, his movements light and deliberate.
After getting his Chakra back from all his clones he's gotten quicker! Did he finally realize the major flaw in that jutsu! Equally attuned to his environment, Kakashi-sensei listened intently. He heard Naruto's faint movements and adjusted his stance, ready to react.
A sudden, sharp intake of breath from Naruto as he closed in was all the warning Kakashi needed. He pivoted just in time to avoid the blond's swift kick, the air whooshing past his ear and blowing smoke.
He's not as technical as Sasuke nor as quick as Tama, but I can tell his hits are way stronger then the both of those two. Naruto will definitely a powerhouse of a ninja in the future.
Kakashi Hatake countered Naruto's next punch with a quick jab, aiming for the source of the sound. Naruto Uzumaki ducked but the hit still landed anyway, the punch grazing his shoulder instead of his guts.
They circled each other in the smoke, their movements almost a dance. Every sound was a clue, every breath a signal. Naruto heard the faint rustle of Kakashi's bells once more and launched a series of rapid strikes. Kakashi blocked and parried, the sound of their blows echoing in the smoke.
Kakashi feinted to the left, then spun to the right, his foot sweeping low. Naruto heard the bells shift in his weight and jumped, avoiding the sweep. He landed softly, his ears straining to catch any hint of Kakashi's next move.
The fight continued, a symphony of sounds guiding their actions. The scrape of a shoe, the rustle of fabric, the sharp exhale of breath, the jingling of bells – each noise was a vital piece of information. They moved with precision and grace, their senses finely tuned to the auditory cues.
Finally, Kakashi heard a slight misstep from Naruto, a momentary lapse in the boy's rhythm.
"Ahh, my head…" Groaned Naruto, feeling the side effects of chakra flow brain swelling, a side effect of those with poor chakra control using chakra flow on their brain.
The jonin seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful kick that connected with Naruto's midsection!
"Ahhh!" Naruto gasped in pain, staggering back, the impact reverberating through the entire field.
Breathing heavily, they both paused, listening intently. The fight was far from over, but in the darkness, their reliance on hearing had turned the battle into a test of patience and perception-
-neither Naruto or Kakashi sensed it because of their focus, but in the distance, a shadow rushed forward at insane speeds!
Naruto and Kakashi rushed forward at each other too, Kakashi Hatake finally deciding to pump the training brakes and knock naruto out for real this time!
CRASH!
Naruto and Kakashi met in the middle!
Kakashi-sensei's punch landed cleanly on Naruto's face… but… Naruto didn't go flying! In fact, there was something astonishingly heavy on Kakashi's right hand all of the sudden!
"You damn kid," Kakashi grumbled as the smoke was half way cleared now and he could vaguely see the ball of orange holding onto his arm, "Let go, kid, and just give up and go back to the Academy. I'd never teach someone as childish as you how to be a ninja."
"NO! Never!" Yelled Naruto, hugging Kakashi's right arm with both his arms and legs, a huge bruise on his cheek. "You're gonna teach me no matter what! I wanna learn that cool lightning Jutsu! Just accept it already, sensei!"
He seriously took a punch straight to the face just so he could grab onto me? What an annoying kid! "Well, if you say so," The jonin shrugged. And then began shaking his arms really hard!
Stars started floating around Naruto's head but no matter what, he wouldn't give up and let go! "I won't give up! Believe it!" He shouted-
-and then Naruto began biting the jonin!
A bead of sweat rolled down Kakashi's face, This damn kid… He thought in annoyance. He then shrugged, and uttered, "Lightning Release: Lightning-"
?!
-But before the man could pull off the jutsu a shadow rushed out at him from his blind spot!
Kakashi tried to jump away but Naruto saw that shadow and kicked Kakashi in the face as the shadow rushed past them!
The kick didn't hurt at all and in fact annoyed Kakashi like hell! "Lightning Release: Palm Tesla." The white haired man uttered, shocking Naruto with electricity until the kid let go from spasming muscles!
But Naruto had already accomplished his mission.
In the next moment, the smoke cleared.
DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!
Everything froze.
…
Everything went quiet.
….
Everything was over.
DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!
The only sound left was the sound of a cheap alarm clock ringing out.
On the ground, Naruto spasmed with blue lightning crackling out of him every few seconds.
Disappointed, Kakashi stepped away from the brat toward the alarm clock. Naruto, electrocuted on the ground and shaking, and Tama, on his knees 20 feet away from Naruto, and Sasuke, tied up, watched as the man electrocuted the alarm clock in his hand.
BOOM!
It exploded.
"Looks like the three of you failed, huh?" The jonin wondered. He turned around to see Tama picking Naruto up and holding him up shoulder to shoulder.
Sasuke's eyes were wide as saucers when Kakashi said that.
We all… failed…? He thought.
Everything was silent as Kakashi glared at the three genin who failed his exam. Once again, the man thought, The genin in this village can't grasp what it truly means to be a ninja… Tiredly, Kakashi watched as Tama helped Naruto over to the pole where Sasuke was tied up at.
Defeated, Sasuke watched as Naruto and Tama got closer and closer. The two were dead silent as Sasuke yelled, "This test isn't fair! What the hell, Kakashi-sensei! How the hell can genin beat a jonin! It's not even possible!"
"OF COURSE IT'S NOT!" Kakashi-sensei yelled stomping towards the brats angrily, "IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE FAIR! YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO WIN! Don't you get it, kid!"
Sasuke's voice went cold. He tried to speak a response but no words came out. That had been the first Kakashi yelled and showed even a bit of emotion that wasn't sarcasm.
"The point of this test is teamwork, Sasuke. That's why the three of you failed. That's why we even bother making 3 MAN NINJA TEAMS. You saw an enemy that couldn't be defeated alone and what did you do? You tried to defeat me alone, Sasuke." Kakashi-sensei face palmed as he began walking forward toward the three shinobi. Meanwhile, Tama and Naruto slowly trudged toward Sasuke, "In the ninja world where survival hinges on collaboration, the importance of teamwork cannot be overstated. Teamwork is essential for survival. Each Shinobi is painstakingly put together for this exact reason. Each member's unique skills and contributions are crucial, and your ability to work together under pressure makes all the difference. In life-and-death situations, the collective strength, knowledge, and support of a team can significantly increase the chances of survival. Yet here the three of you are, fighting me all alone knowing that I'm so much strong then all of-"
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
Kakashi's sentence was stopped midway.
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
Sasuke's eyes widened.
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
Naruto's smile was huge.
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
Right next to the tied up Sasuke was Tama Jinsei with two bells in his left hand.
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
Naruto was being held up by Tama's shoulder with his right hand touching the bells, and Sasuke's right hand was right next to Tama's left hand, the hand holding the bells.
Jingle Jingle!
Clang Clang!
"Kakashi-sensei," Said the boy with a bang of white in his black hair, "In order to pass, you said we all have to touch a bell, right?" After saying that Tama helped Naruto down to the ground and then cut Sasuke down.
Naruto started giggling as Sasuke fell to his knees and looked at the ground with blank eyes, shellshocked that Naruto and Tama actually did it. But… how? Thought the Uchiha. How did they do it when i… couldn't?
Wh-when…? Kakashi was speechless. Wait, it must've been when Naruto started biting me and I was so shocked by him. That must've been it.
"C'mon, Sasuke, touch the bells." Urged Tama, "We couldn't have done it without you."
Naruto humphed, "Yes, huh. We totally could have. He was tied to that pole the whole time.
"No way, man." Objected Tama, "He helped me out when i froze around those paper bombs. I would've been eating dirt with the worms otherwise."
Naruto shrugged and said, a bit annoyed. "Fine, okay then. Go ahead and touch the stupid bells, Sasuke."
We… all have to be touching it…? Wondered Sasuke. One didn't have to be a genius to know what Tama and Naruto were alluding to. he reached his hand for the bells, then froze. He… felt like he didn't deserve it.
"Why are you hesitating, Sasuke?" Wondered Tama.
"Guess you don't hate that person all that much after all, y'know." Commented Naruto.
Sasuke gulped.
Tama and Naruto were sitting down right next to Sasuke who on his knees with Tama in the middle. Holding the bells out for all three of them to touch.
It didn't take a genius for Sasuke to realize what was happening here. Sasuke reached out and touched the bells with his hand. Naruto reached out and touched the bells too.
"This is a one time thing, you 2 teaming losers." Said Sasuke, looking annoyed, "You guys better not get in my way, ok?"
"Sure thing, boss man." Saluted Tama with his free hand.
Naruto yelled at Tama, "He better not get in our way. What do you mean by bossman?! I should be the bossman here!"
Tama only started laughing, making Naruto laugh too when the blond realized he was just joking.
Sasuke scoffed, wondering why he had to be paired with childish losers.
In front of Kakashi Hatake stood 3 genin touching two bells. The jonin's head fell down dejectedly… I did say they have to be touching the bells to pass. i should've worded things better.
"Fuck…" The white haired man let out sadly, to which Naruto yelled.
"LANGUAGE, Y'KNOW, SENSEI! SO ARE YOU GONNA TEACH ME THAT COOL LIGHTNING JUTSU OR WHAT, Y'KNOW!?"
Kakashi Hatake facepalmed.
There was absolutely no way this was happening… no fucking way…
Chapter End - Genin Exams Arc END:
XxxxxX
(A/N: And that's the Chapter. The next chapter begins the land of waves. Sorry for taking so long to post this one. I sell health insurance (ACA in particular) and CMS did some crazy updates on regulations for signing people up so I kinda almost lost my job. I'm still working there but job security isn't doing too well right now. Might have to switch to Medicare. Anyway, I'll try to resume my weekly schedule again. Thanks for reading and here's a bonus ending to the arc I'll be writing after the Land Of Waves ends.
Kerith)
XxxxxxX
BONUS ENDING:
In the heart of an ancient forest somewhere in the Land of Earth, two beginner shinobi underwent a test of their own, Aria and Thorne, faced off against a lone, aged Samurai named Kael. The air crackled with chakra as Aria summoned a storm of fire, "Fire Style: Blazing Inferno!" She cried.
Meanwhile, Thorne conjured a whirlwind of water. "Water Style: Blue Vortex!"
Kael, devoid of any chakra-like abilities, stood his ground with nothing but his wits and a simple sword as fire and water joined together in a furious onslaught.
Aria's firestorm roared towards Kael, but he swiftly rolled to the side, using the trees for cover. The blazing fire began incinerating the forest as Thorne's water storm followed, but Kael's agility kept him just out of reach. He knew he couldn't match their ninjutsu head-on; he needed to outthink them.
Kael noticed that every time Aria performed a jutsu, she had to weave at least a dozen handsigns. The more powerful a jutsu the more handsigns and skills were required to perform it (of course with extensive practice it was possible, in theory, to execute a jutsu without hand signs).
Timing his move perfectly, Kael threw a shuriken at her, hitting her hand and breaking her concentration as pain flooded her. The firestorm dissipated instantly. Thorne, seeing his partner falter, redirected his focus to protect her, giving the experienced old man Kael a brief window to escape.
Using his knowledge of the terrain, Kael led the inexperienced teen shinobi into a narrow ravine path close by to the forest. The confined space limited their ability to perform large Ninjutsu without getting themselves caught in it. Aria tried to summon another firestorm, but the close quarters combat made it difficult to control. Not only that, but she was still a beginner when it came to being a shinobi. She was blessed with massive chakra reserves and a fire nature release, but she had only recently started learning how to use everything. Her flames flickered and died out due to a lack of oxygen-chakra mix intake.
(A/N: Fire Nature Release is the most powerful nature release but it requires excellent chakra control because it requires using chakra to ignite oxygen molecules in the air. Due to this it's easy to mess up Fire Nature Release Ninjutsu)
Thorne, frustrated, attempted to freeze the ground beneath Kael's feet so that he would slip. But Kael anticipated the move and leaped onto a nearby rock wall, avoiding the ice. Using chakra to keep himself stuck to the wall he ran forward! "Chakra Flow!" The man yelled. With a swift slicing motion, he sliced a ginormous boulder above them all in half with a chakra infused blade slash, sending it crashing down towards Thorne. The young water release shinobi barely managed to shield himself and Aria with a dome of densely packed water, but the effort drained his chakra immensely
Seeing his chance, Kael closed the distance. He knew he had to act quickly before they could recover. With a single, tumultuous and unimpeded precise strike, he blitzed past Thorne, landing a clean blow to Thorne's neck with the blunt side of blade, knocking the teen out instantly. Aria, exhausted from her failed ninjutsu and running low on chakra, tried to muster one last attack, but Kael was already upon her, slicing the fireball in half. He gently but firmly placed his sword at her throat.
"It's over," Kael said, shaking his head. "Ninjutsu isn't everything."
Aria, realizing her defeat, nodded and lowered her hands. The forest grew silent once more, the echoes of the battle fading away.
"Yes, sensei."
"As promised, the two of you will train under me in the way of the sword. Then, and only then, will you be able to protect our village far better than I can in my old age."
