Chapter 37: The Battle Begins
The arena was buzzing with tension as the Genin gathered for the start of the third phase of the Chunin Exams. The spectators in the stands shifted in anticipation, eager to see what these young shinobi could do. Team 7 stood on the sidelines, the moment's pressure palpable between them.
Naruto paced back and forth, his energy boundless, while Sakura stood more composed, arms crossed and her eyes flickering with concern. As usual, Sasuke stood silent, focusing entirely on the arena floor below.
"First match: Sasuke Uchiha versus Yoroi Akadō," Hayate Gekkō's raspy voice called out, breaking the momentary silence.
Sasuke's expression remained stoic, but internally, the tension was mounting. Ever since Orochimaru marked him with the curse seal, there had been a lingering sense of dread that followed him. His body felt heavier, his chakra less cooperative. But now wasn't the time to show weakness. Not in front of everyone. Not in front of himself.
"Don't overthink it, Sasuke!" Naruto grinned, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Just smash that guy and be done with it!"
Sakura shot Naruto a look. "This isn't about smashing, Naruto. He needs to be smart."
Sasuke said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he walked toward the centre of the arena. Her words had merit, though. This wasn't just a battle; it was a test of control. A test of whether he could suppress the cursed mark and fight like himself, or if he'd fall victim to its dark pull.
Across from him, Yoroi adjusted his glasses, his eyes cold and detached. His confidence was apparent, and that irritated Sasuke. He was already being underestimated. That would change soon enough.
"Begin!" Hayate's voice signalled the start of the match.
Sasuke was immediately on the offensive, darting forward with the speed he was known for. He struck fast, aiming a series of punches and kicks, but Yoroi blocked them effortlessly, his hand glowing with chakra. The instant contact was made, Sasuke felt something—his chakra being siphoned away.
Yoroi smirked. "I drain chakra. You won't last long if you keep fighting me like this."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and leapt backwards, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to lose chakra so early in the fight, especially not with the cursed mark lingering beneath the surface, waiting for an opening. He needed to think strategically.
"Sasuke!" Sakura called from the sidelines, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "Don't let him get too close. You've got this!"
Her words brought a moment of clarity. Sasuke knew that fighting up close wasn't an option anymore. Yoroi would simply drain him dry if he continued this way. But still, something inside him itched—the curse mark flaring slightly as if mocking his hesitation. He had to be careful.
Yoroi charged at him, hands outstretched to grab and drain even more chakra. Sasuke dodged, his body feeling sluggish but his mind sharp. He retaliated with a swift kick to Yoroi's ribs, sending him skidding backwards, but the strain of suppressing the curse mark was already starting to wear him down.
Not now, he thought bitterly. I'm not losing to this guy.
Yoroi straightened up, a cocky grin on his face. "It's only a matter of time. The more you hit me, the weaker you get."
Sasuke ignored the taunt, though his frustration was mounting. He couldn't use ninjutsu—the chakra drain would be too much. And the curse mark was still waiting in the background, threatening to consume him if he let it. For a moment, he considered giving in, just a little, to the mark's power. He could feel it promising him strength and power beyond what he currently had. But...
No.
He wouldn't rely on that.
Yoroi lunged again, and this time, Sasuke pivoted sharply, driving his knee into Yoroi's gut with a force that sent him staggering. But before Sasuke could pull back, Yoroi's glowing hand latched onto his arm. The draining sensation was immediate and painful.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, suppressing the groan that wanted to escape. He could feel his chakra being ripped away, the mark on his neck burning in response. But as Yoroi's grip tightened, something inside Sasuke snapped.
"Sasuke, don't give up!" Sakura's voice rang out again, cutting through the pain.
Her voice anchored him. He couldn't let the mark win. Not now. Not here.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, Sasuke twisted out of Yoroi's grasp, his leg sweeping in a low arc to knock him off balance. Yoroi tumbled, surprised by the sudden shift. Sasuke didn't wait for him to recover. He rushed forward, using what little chakra he had left to leap into the air and deliver a crushing kick to Yoroi's chest.
Yoroi hit the ground with a thud, unconscious.
The arena was silent for a beat before Hayate raised his hand. "The winner is Sasuke Uchiha."
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Sasuke barely registered it. His body felt like it was on fire, the cursed mark pulsing angrily on his neck. He took slow, controlled breaths, trying to calm his racing heart and suppress the mark's influence.
On the sidelines, Naruto whooped loudly, punching the air. "That's how you do it, Sasuke!"
Sakura smiled softly, relief flooding through her. "Good job, Sasuke."
Sasuke, still catching his breath, glanced at them. Sakura's encouragement had helped him more than he wanted to admit. He gave her a small nod with a shadow of a smile, a silent acknowledgement of her support.
As he walked back to the waiting area, Kakashi's eye caught his. The subtle pride in his sensei's gaze was unmistakable. Kakashi said nothing, but that was all the validation Sasuke needed for now.
The following matches passed in a blur. Shino's calm and calculated victory over Zaku Abumi showed just how effective his insects could be. Kankuro's puppet easily dispatched Misumi Tsurugi. But now, Sakura and Ino stood face-to-face in the arena.
The tension between them was different from the other fights—it wasn't about life or death; it was personal.