Chapter 28: Wildflower (Third Exams: Round 3, Uchiha Sasuke vs Gaara of the Sand)
For the longest time, they lingered in the dimly lit hallway. Naruto's fists were clenched tightly, trembling with barely contained anger as he glared at the spot where Gaara had disappeared. Even Kimiko felt a deep unease. Her thoughts churned with concern—not just for Sasuke but also for the ripple effects of her actions. She had used her future knowledge to empower herself, Naruto, and even Sasuke, pushing them far beyond their original potential. But if Temari had become this formidable, how much stronger had Gaara grown in response?
"Damn it," Naruto snarled suddenly, punching the metal wall beside him. The impact left a dent, his knuckles pressing into the warped steel. He turned to Kimiko, his expression a volatile mix of fury and worry. "We can't let Sasuke face that monster," he said, his voice shaking with intensity. "You felt it too. Gaara wants to kill him. If we let this happen…"
"I know," Kimiko replied quietly, trying to steady her own nerves. "But we need to trust Sasuke. We can't just interfere in his match. You know how he is—he'll never forgive us if we—"
"To hell with how he feels!" Naruto cut her off sharply, his voice echoing through the corridor. Kimiko frowned, but he pressed on. "Don't you get it? What kind of teammates would we be if we let him fight that thing alone? Gaara might be like me, but he's different. If we don't stop this and Sasuke gets killed—what then? I'd rather have Sasuke pissed off at us than dead because we didn't want to hurt his pride!"
Kimiko sighed deeply, a part of her agreeing with Naruto. No way in hell would she willingly let Sasuke face something as dangerous as Gaara alone—not without her and Naruto there to back him up. But another part of her hesitated. She knew the risks of interfering, how it could derail Konoha's plans and potentially escalate the situation. If they stepped in now, Gaara might transform right in the middle of the arena. They needed Sasuke to wound Gaara long enough that he wouldn't get the capability to transform, not until he's out of the Village's walls, at least.
"Okay, okay," Kimiko said, biting her lip. "What about this? Let's go to Kakashi-sensei and tell him everything we know about Gaara. Let him decide. He's the one who knows Sasuke's abilities best, anyway—he's been training him the most."
Naruto hesitated, his jaw tight as he wrestled with his emotions. Finally, he exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine. Let's go."
They hurried through the winding corridors, emerging into the crowded general viewing area. Kimiko weaved through the throng of spectators, Naruto following close behind with determined strides. They pushed toward Kakashi, who was standing near Ino, Choji, and Lee's seats, with Guy beside him.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto called out, his voice cutting through the noise as he stopped at the top of the steps leading down. "You need to stop this match!"
"Naruto!" Lee turned toward him, his expression excited but curious.
Ino blinked, glancing at Naruto, while Choji paused mid-bite, a chip halfway to his mouth.
"Hm?" Kakashi responded lazily, his visible eye narrowing slightly as he shifted his gaze to the approaching duo.
"He's not normal!" Naruto blurted out, his voice rising in urgency. "He lives to kill people—he's a... a Jinchuu—"
"Naruto," Kimiko interrupted sharply, her tone low but firm. She noticed heads beginning to turn, curious eyes focusing on them. The last thing they needed was to draw attention.
Kakashi exchanged a quick glance with Guy before sighing. "Alright, calm down, Naruto," he said, his tone steady but serious. "Kimiko, Naruto—come here."
He gestured for them to join him, and they hurried down the steps to his side. Kakashi regarded the two of them, his gaze lingering briefly on Kimiko before he spoke.
"...Regardless of what he is or isn't—and I can imagine where you learned that, Naruto," Kakashi said, a faint edge of admonishment in his voice as he eyed Kimiko. "This isn't the time to panic."
"But, Kakashi-sensei—" Naruto began, his words cut short as Kakashi raised a hand.
"Sasuke has shown immense growth this past month," Kakashi said evenly. "You need to trust him. He's more than capable of handling this."
"But—" Naruto tried again, his worry palpable.
"Naruto," Kakashi interrupted, his voice softening. "Trust him. Trust your rival. He's not the same person he was a month ago. He's stronger, faster, and more prepared than you realize. And if things do get dangerous..." Kakashi's gaze shifted toward the arena, where Sasuke and Gaara were now standing face-to-face. "I'll step in myself."
Kimiko glanced at Naruto, who was staring down at the arena with a furrowed brow. He sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging in quiet frustration.
"Now," Kakashi said, breaking the silence, "I know the two of you told me you won your matches. Asuma and Kurenai gave me a full accounting about them—they were impressed. Seems the two of you are operating well beyond genin level, at least when it comes to strategy and battle prowess."
"Thank you, sensei," Kimiko replied, bowing her head politely. Beside her, Naruto gave Kakashi a noncommittal nod, his gaze still fixed on the scene below. Sensing his focus, Kimiko followed suit, stepping up to the railing beside him for a clearer view of the match.
Reaching out with her sensory abilities, Kimiko focused on Sasuke's chakra signature. To her surprise, the foul, oppressive aura of Orochimaru's chakra—emanating from the cursed mark—was faint, almost fully suppressed.
Hm. That's good, she thought. Maybe Sasuke put in more effort to suppress it, just in case.
"Naruto," Kimiko said softly, her tone kind. "Come on. Stop worrying. Sasuke's got this, okay? And if Gaara tries anything… well, sensei will step in before it gets that far."
"Yeah, yeah…" Naruto muttered, still frowning. "I just can't help it. But, whatever—better to just watch the match."
The arena was still, the tension thick in the air as the crowd seemed to hold its collective breath. All eyes were fixed on the two figures below: Sasuke, standing calm and poised, and Gaara, unnervingly still, his face void of emotion.
Genma shifted his gaze between the two fighters, then glanced up toward the Hokage's viewing platform. With a subtle nod from above, he raised his hand and announced, "BEGIN!"
Immediately, sand began pouring from Gaara's gourd, swirling ominously above his head. Sasuke instinctively jumped back, his expression betraying a flicker of surprise.
Ah, crap. Right. He doesn't know about Gaara's Sand, Kimiko thought grimly. Should've told him when I had the chance.
But instead of attacking, Gaara suddenly winced, clutching his right eye.
"Urgh… please, I beg you… don't get so mad at me," he muttered, his voice trembling.
Then, he opened his exposed eye—wild, crazed, and unfocused. "Mother."
Sasuke's confusion deepened as he watched Gaara's strange behavior. More sand rose into the air, hovering and coiling around Gaara as he continued muttering to himself.
"I gave you… awful-tasting blood earlier, didn't I?" Gaara murmured, his tone almost apologetic. "I'm really sorry… but now…" His gaze snapped toward Sasuke, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "But this time… I'm sure it'll taste so very good. And after that…" His grin widened as his eyes flicked briefly toward the stands. "I'll take those two delicious prey we encountered, too."
Kimiko narrowed her eyes. Beside her, Naruto's grip on the railing tightened. He means us.
Gaara winced again, and the sand hovering above him collapsed to the ground in an eerie cascade. When he raised his eyes once more, a strange calm seemed to settle over him.
"Come on," he muttered to Sasuke, his voice low and chilling.
"Here goes," Sasuke said quietly, reaching for the pouch strapped to his thigh. In one swift motion, he drew two shurikens and hurled them toward Gaara.
The sand beneath Gaara surged upward, forming a wall that effortlessly intercepted the shurikens. As they clattered harmlessly against the barrier, the sand began to shift, reshaping itself into an identical replica of Gaara.
"A sand shield turning into a sand clone," Kimiko murmured.
Sasuke bent low and sprinted forward. Without so much as a gesture, the sand clone extended its arms wide, puffing out its chest before unleashing a torrent of sand from its center. The blast honed in on Sasuke, whose eyes widened before he leaped into the air to evade it.
From midair, Sasuke hurled two more shurikens, but the clone retaliated with shurikens of its own. The projectiles collided, clattering away harmlessly. Sasuke, however, wasn't done. As he descended, he twisted his body, rearing his leg back for a kick aimed at the clone's torso.
The sand clone raised its arm to block, but Sasuke's kick smashed through the sand, scattering its arm in a spray of golden grains. Landing lightly on his hands, Sasuke flipped to his feet and spun, delivering a backfist strike to the clone's neck.
The clone's eyes widened briefly before the sand around its neck began to constrict, attempting to trap Sasuke's arm. But Sasuke was faster. Stepping back, he cocked his free hand and delivered a straight palm strike that obliterated the clone's head, scattering it into a formless heap of sand on the ground.
"That's that," Naruto muttered, leaning forward as the clone dissolved completely.
Sasuke didn't relent. Bending his knee, he lunged toward Gaara, his cocked fist aimed for a devastating straight punch.
But a wall of sand erupted from the ground in front of Gaara, obscuring his face.
Even from a distance, Kimiko caught Sasuke's smirk as he twisted his foot. In a blur, he vanished, reappearing behind Gaara in the blink of an eye.
Gaara's eyes widened in shock as he began to turn, but it was too late. Sasuke bent low, cocking his fist like a spring before releasing it in a rocket-like strike that connected cleanly with Gaara's face, sending him flying backward.
"What?!" Naruto exclaimed. "That was—"
"Fast, yes," Kimiko interjected calmly. "As fast as Lee's speed without his weights."
"Yes, but did you see how he punched?" Naruto pressed.
"Mm." Kimiko's eyes narrowed as she analyzed Sasuke's movements. "A picture-perfect copy of Lee's taijutsu."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. That Sharingan of his… It's not just reading movement. He's replicating patterns. How did he do that?
The dust began to settle, revealing Gaara sprawled on the ground, glaring at Sasuke. The Uchiha stood tall, holding the back of his four fingers toward Gaara in a confident gesture.
"So that's your Sand Armor, huh?" Sasuke said, his voice calm yet cutting. With a flick of his fingers, he made a taunting gesture. "Come on."
Gaara's glare intensified, his face cracking as pieces of the Sand Armor began to shatter and fall away. Still, he made no move to get up.
Impatience flickered across Sasuke's face. "Hn. If you won't come to me… then I'll come to you!"
With that, he charged forward, a blur of motion, lightning-fast. Gaara's eyes widened in alarm as the sand in front of him surged upward, forming a defensive wall. But before it could fully solidify, Sasuke flickered out of sight.
Reappearing behind Gaara, Sasuke's sudden proximity sent a ripple of panic through him. Gaara's head snapped back, and the sand wall he'd formed split into two streams, snaking around to strike Sasuke from both sides.
The torrents of sand lashed out, but Sasuke was already a step ahead. He shifted to the left, dodging the first strike, then darted back, seamlessly avoiding the second. His speed was relentless, too fast for the sand to keep up.
Closing the gap, Sasuke curved his path, sprinting in a tight arc to Gaara's right. At the last moment, he skidded to a halt, using the momentum to pivot sharply. With a fluid spin, he swung his leg around in a powerful front kick.
The blow connected cleanly with Gaara's torso, sending him flying backward. Sand swirled frantically around Gaara's body, cushioning his impact as he slammed into the arena wall.
Sasuke held his position, his leg still extended mid-kick. He smirked, his taunt biting. "What's the matter, Gaara? Is that all you've got?"
Sasuke lowered his foot, his gaze locked on Gaara. He raised his hand again, a confident smirk curling his lips. "That Sand Armor of yours… I'll tear it off you!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke charged toward Gaara, whose sand began to rise, forming a protective ring around him. Sasuke didn't falter. Instead, he ran in a wide circle, keeping his speed up and forcing Gaara to turn his head frantically, trying to track him. Judging by Gaara's darting eyes and tense expression, it was working.
Then Sasuke struck.
In an instant, he broke his circular pattern, ducking low and slipping beneath the rising ring of sand. Before Gaara could react, Sasuke was already inside his guard, crouched and poised to attack.
Using the ground for momentum, Sasuke launched upward with a powerful front kick that connected squarely with Gaara's jaw. The force of the blow snapped Gaara's head and upper body back violently.
But Sasuke didn't stop there.
As Gaara's body reeled from the kick, Sasuke brought his foot down and stood upright in one fluid motion. He grabbed the front of Gaara's shirt, yanking him close. Before Gaara could recover, Sasuke drove his knee hard into Gaara's stomach.
The impact left Gaara doubled over, gasping. Sasuke didn't miss a beat—he released his grip, jumped into the air, and twisted mid-spin to deliver a devastating back kick to Gaara's face.
The kick landed cleanly, sending Gaara flying backward, flipping through the air. He hit the ground hard, landing on one knee. His Sand Armor cracked further, large pieces shattering and falling away, revealing his face—half of it now exposed and vulnerable.
Sasuke stood motionless, smirking, his breathing steady and controlled, as though the exertion hadn't affected him at all.
"...His training," Gai began, his gaze fixed on the arena, not even looking at Sasuke. "Just what did you do with him?"
Kakashi turned toward Gai, his expression calm but thoughtful. "Hm?"
"To reach such a level in just a month…" Gai continued, his tone tinged with curiosity and begrudging respect.
Kakashi nodded slightly, as if considering his answer. "Sasuke has the Sharingan, which allowed him to copy Lee's taijutsu during their earlier encounters. During our training, I focused on helping him refine it." He paused, letting the words sink in. "I had Sasuke visualize Lee's movements—every stance, every technique—and then replicate them."
The others turned to Kakashi, surprised by the simplicity of his explanation.
"Of course," Kakashi added, his tone more serious, "copying Lee's taijutsu with the Sharingan gave Sasuke a blueprint, but mastering it required a lot of effort on his part. Even with his Sharingan, it wasn't something he could just instantly do. He had to work for it—and work hard."
"Wait," came Lee's voice from the stands, his tone incredulous. "I know Sasuke is a genius. Copying my taijutsu and reaching my speed in just a month is incredible enough. But… no exertion at all?"
"Yup," Kakashi replied, his tone light yet filled with pride. "We focused a lot on endurance and stamina training throughout the month, too. Sasuke pushed himself hard." Kakashi paused, his eye narrowing as he watched the arena. "He can maintain that speed indefinitely."
Interesting, Kimiko thought . In the original timeline, it took a lot of stamina for him to stay at that speed. But… here, he woke up two weeks earlier than he did in canon. That extra time for training was enough to give him the stamina to keep that speed up indefinitely…
Her gaze flickered back to Sasuke, who was still focused on Gaara, his stance poised for another attack. Just how much stronger did he get?
Below, Kimiko watched as Gaara formed a hand sign, and the sand beneath his feet began to coalesce, swirling upward in thick layers. Slowly, the sand encased him, forming a dense, spherical shield. Layer upon layer stacked around his body, creating an impenetrable cocoon of protection.
Sasuke, recognizing the danger of allowing Gaara to complete such a defense, blurred into motion. His fist cocked, he charged at Gaara, aiming to strike before the sphere fully formed.
But he was too late. By the time Sasuke reached him, Gaara was completely encased. His punch landed with a dull thud against the unyielding surface of the sand sphere, ineffective. In response, jagged spikes of sand erupted from the surface like stalagmites, grazing Sasuke's arm and forcing him back.
"Ultimate defense," Kimiko murmured, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed the situation.
To her surprise, Sasuke smirked. He brought up his free hand, weaving a series of seals with practiced precision.
"Lightning Style: Static Storm."
Kimiko's eyes widened in shock. Wait... that wasn't in the anime—
Lightning chakra erupted around Sasuke, crackling violently in the air. His entire body seemed to shimmer with raw energy as arcs of electricity danced along his frame. Without hesitation, he stomped on the ground.
The charge released in an instant.
A massive surge of lightning exploded outward, spreading across the ground in jagged, branching patterns. The earth cratered beneath Sasuke's feet, and the roaring static current expanded in all directions. Arcs of electricity leapt into the air, creating a crackling storm that enveloped the arena.
The crowd gasped and yelped, some shielding their eyes as a blinding flash accompanied the sonic boom. Loose debris scattered, and the electrified wave roared outward with unstoppable force.
The sphere of sand bore the brunt of the attack. The stalagmites crumbled and collapsed as electricity coursed through them. Dozens of bolts struck the surface of the sphere, their energy seeping into its structure. The sand vibrated and hissed, its form destabilizing as parts of it began to collapse and melt.
Inside, Gaara's eyes widened in alarm. His sand armor—his ultimate defense—was failing. The sand refused to respond to his commands, rendered inert by the overwhelming lightning energy.
With no other choice, Gaara leapt back, escaping the collapsing sphere and retreating beyond Sasuke's range. He landed unsteadily, his wide eyes fixed on the electrified storm that raged around his opponent.
"What?!" Gai exclaimed, leaning forward in astonishment. "What is that jutsu?!"
Kakashi, unfazed, responded dryly, "Go and ask him yourself. It's a jutsu Sasuke developed based on the Static Surge jutsu he found in the Konoha Archives with Naruto and Kimiko. He refined it, learned to harness more chakra, and turned it into a full-scale lightning storm that strikes everything in a wide radius."
Kimiko, still watching intently, added, "And since Gaara's sand is partially composed of earth, the lightning ionizes it, disrupting its cohesion. The particles lose their responsiveness to chakra, making the sand useless for manipulation."
"Yup, very clever," Kakashi said with a hint of amusement. "But… that's not everything."
Kimiko's head snapped toward Kakashi. "Sensei, what do you mean—"
Her words were cut off as Sasuke's voice echoed through the arena.
"Lightning Style: Lightning God's Vessel!"
The crackling lightning chakra surrounding Sasuke suddenly dissipated—no, it wasn't gone. It was being absorbed back into his body. The air grew still as Sasuke stepped back, his expression calm, almost calculated.
Then, in a flash, electricity radiated from his entire body, encasing him in an aura of heavenly energy. The crackling mist of lightning swirled around him, sizzling the air and distorting the space near his frame.
Sasuke's head rose, and his Sharingan gleamed with fierce intensity. A vicious grin spread across his face as he flexed his arms downward, letting out a powerful scream. The sheer force of the lightning coursing through him cratered the ground beneath his feet, deepening the already fractured arena floor.
"What powerful chakra…" Gai murmured, his eyes widening in awe.
"What kind of jutsu is this?!" Lee exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. Even Naruto was slack-jawed, unable to hide his astonishment.
Kakashi's voice was steady as he explained. "After mastering the ability to release large amounts of lightning chakra outward with Static Storm, Sasuke wanted to push the concept further. He wondered what would happen if he reabsorbed all that energy into his body instead of expelling it." Kakashi gestured to the electrified figure in the arena. "That's the result."
Below, Sasuke shifted into a combat stance, his body taut with energy. Without warning, he moved—charging forward with the speed of a lightning bolt.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared in front of Gaara, his fist already inches from Gaara's face. Previously, his speed had been enough to maneuver around Gaara's sand defenses. This time, the sand didn't even have a chance to react.
Sasuke's fist struck Gaara square in the face. The lightning surrounding Sasuke's body flowed into Gaara, crackling and surging through him. The Sand Armor that covered Gaara disintegrated instantly, rendered completely inert.
Before anyone could react, Sasuke flickered back to his original position. A split second later, he dashed forward again, striking Gaara with another momentum-fueled punch—this time in the stomach.
Electricity exploded outward from the impact, coursing through Gaara's body. He let out a guttural scream as his muscles seized up, paralyzed by the static energy. Sasuke didn't stop there. This time, he stayed close, unleashing a relentless barrage of lightning-infused punches. His fists blurred as they struck Gaara's body from every direction, each blow accompanied by flashes of actinic light.
"FAST!" Naruto yelled from the stands. "He's way faster than Lee now—he's even faster than Kimiko!"
Below, Sasuke ended the vicious one-hundred-punch assault with a devastating roundhouse kick to Gaara's stomach. A bolt of lightning surged from Sasuke's foot, sending Gaara rocketing through the air like a rag doll.
Gaara's trajectory seemed to lead straight for the arena wall, but he never reached it.
In another burst of speed, Sasuke dashed behind him, delivering a crushing kick to Gaara's back. The force sent Gaara flying in the opposite direction, only for Sasuke to intercept him again with another electrified strike to the chest.
The arena turned into a battlefield of motion as Sasuke zigzagged across the space, hitting Gaara from every angle. Gaara's body was little more than a helpless projectile, ricocheting across the arena as Sasuke relentlessly pummeled him.
Finally, Sasuke reappeared in front of Gaara, his leg already swinging mid-kick. The brutal strike connected with Gaara's stomach, the force sending him hurtling through the air like a rag doll.
Not wasting a second, Sasuke bent his knee and leapt after him, shooting upward like a lightning bolt. In a flash, he reappeared behind Gaara's limp, paralyzed form, suspended midair.
Sasuke placed both hands firmly on Gaara's back, his palms crackling with residual lightning chakra. His Sharingan gleamed with determination as he channeled every last ounce of his lightning veil into the strike.
With a deafening crack, twin bolts of lightning erupted from his hands, surging through Gaara's body. The energy tore through his back and burst out of his abdomen, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. Blood spurted from Gaara's mouth as his lifeless body plummeted toward the ground.
Sasuke landed gracefully on the other side of the arena, smoke rising from his body as he stood, panting heavily.
Hm. It takes too much out of him, Kimiko thought, her eyes fixed on Sasuke as he stood panting, electricity still crackling across his body. No matter. We'll iron out the details later.
For a moment, the arena was silent. Then, an eruption of applause and cheers filled the air, the crowd roaring as they leapt to their feet, celebrating the young Uchiha's apparent victory.
"Sasuke won!" Naruto shouted, his voice brimming with excitement. "He won! He actually won!" He jumped up and down beside the railing, nearly knocking it over in his enthusiasm.
"Amazing," murmured Gai, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "He's at Chuunin level… no, even beyond that. To create two powerful jutsu of this caliber in just a month…" Gai crossed his arms, nodding to himself. "He truly embodies the great genius of the Uchiha clan."
"Hm," Kakashi said, his tone measured yet proud. "And he didn't even have to resort to using that jutsu."
Kimiko, however, wasn't celebrating. Her sensory senses flared, and she knew something was wrong.
And then she felt it.
A suffocating, malevolent chakra began to stir, enveloping Gaara's broken body like a suffocating cloak.
"No," she whispered, leaning forward as dread filled her chest. "No, he's not out yet."
Before anyone could react, Gaara twitched. Then, with a sudden jolt, he sat upright, a maniacal grin splitting his bloodied face. His wounds were severe—nearly bisected, a hole torn through his stomach—but he didn't seem to care.
"It… hurts," Gaara rasped, his voice low and trembling. Then his eyes widened with wild glee. "IT HURTS SO MUCH! I LOVE IT!"
His scream pierced the air, loud and unhinged. He clawed at his cheeks, raking his nails across his skin until blood and sand oozed from the wounds.
"...What's wrong with him?" Ino whispered, her voice shaky, barely audible over the rising tension in the stands.
Kimiko's glare was fixed on Gaara, but she glanced briefly toward the contestants' viewing platform. Kankuro was pale, visibly shaken, while Shino and Shikamaru pretended not to notice the unfolding chaos.
Gaara laughed, his voice ragged and deranged. "I WILL KILL YOU! I WANT YOUR BLOOD! I HAVE NEVER FELT SO ALIVE! MY BLOOOOOOD!"
Suddenly, the sand beneath him shifted violently. It rose and swirled around him, forming deadly sand shurikens that hovered ominously in the air before locking onto Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes widened in alarm as the shurikens shot toward him at incredible speed. He leapt back, narrowly dodging, but the sand projectiles struck the ground with explosive force. Dust and debris filled the air as the arena was gouged even further, leaving Sasuke no choice but to retreat, desperately jumping back, his Sharingan spinning furiously as he tried to anticipate the next attack.
Another barrage of sand shurikens slammed onto Sasuke's position, but he jumped in the air, and while suspended, he flickered toward Gaara again, reappearing right in front of him.
But this time, sand spikes erupted violently from Gaara's open stomach, forcing Sasuke to retreat mid-strike. He landed in a crouch, Sharingan still spinning as the jagged stalactites of sand shifted unnaturally.
The sand twisted and coiled, wrapping around Gaara's broken, smoldering form like a living cocoon. It grew rapidly, layers upon layers of dense sand expanding and taking shape. The crowd gasped as the structure transformed before their eyes, becoming massive and monstrous.
The sand molded into the figure of a bloated feline, its thick arms extended outward and its rounded, cat-like face fixed in a disturbing, gleeful grin. Its mouth hung open, and Gaara's voice echoed from within the gaping maw.
Above the hulking structure, grains of sand coalesced into a single enormous eyeball, swiveling to give Gaara an unbroken view of the battlefield.
"What the hell is that?!" Naruto shouted, his eyes bulging in disbelief. "It's even bigger than that weird shield he used to make!"
Kimiko's expression darkened as she watched the hulking sand monstrosity take form. She didn't need to guess what it was.
"It's his ultimate defense's… ultimate defense," she said simply, her voice low but resolute.
The others turned to her, but she sighed and gestured toward the arena. "Naruto already said it anyway. I felt it with my sensory abilities—Sasuke's last attack would've killed him, or at least grievously injured him. This… this is the beast inside him, lending Gaara its power to fight back. But…"
Kimiko turned her gaze back to the massive structure. Beneath its bloated, sand-covered exterior, she could feel the surge of chaotic chakra stirring, threatening to spill over.
Shield of Shukaku… He shouldn't even know this jutsu yet. But I need to stop being surprised at how much stronger everyone is this time around.
"I feel it," Kimiko muttered, her tone grim. "The beast—it wants to break free."
As if on cue, two figures appeared behind Kakashi and Gai in a flicker of motion: Shino and Shikamaru. Both were panting, their expressions strained.
"Gai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei," Shikamaru started, his hand resting on his knee as he caught his breath. "That Kankuro guy—he's panicking. He keeps muttering about some plan going completely off the rails."
"Yes," Shino added calmly, though there was a tension in his voice. "We decided to report it to you. Why? Because his behavior is highly suspicious. He seems… nervous."
Kimiko's eyes met Kakashi's and Gai's. Kakashi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, he still has that jutsu to rely on. So… we'll just have to wait and see. It seems like things are coming to a head soon."
"What's coming to a head?" Naruto blurted, his words rushing together.
Kimiko sighed, her gaze fixed on the arena. "You'll find out soon. Just keep your eyes on the fight."
Below, Sasuke was in constant motion, dodging the relentless barrage of sand pellets fired from the massive feline structure's belly. He backflipped, landing near one of the few remaining trees in the arena, but was forced to dash again as the seemingly endless projectiles obliterated the area around him.
"Enough," growled Sasuke, his frustration evident. "If you plan on staying inside that sand cocoon of yours, I'll just force you to come out!"
He lunged, flipping through the air before landing on the arena wall. His foot clung to the vertical surface as he channeled chakra into it, anchoring himself in place. Running through a series of hand seals, he grasped his wrist, and Kimiko could feel the surge of chakra building in his fingertips.
"Wait," Gai said suddenly, his eyes widening in recognition. "Is this the jutsu you were talking about? The one you were happy he didn't use before?"
"Uh-huh," Kakashi replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "If you ever wondered why I insisted on training Sasuke myself… now you know." He paused, his tone turning somber. "It's because he's like me."
Kimiko's attention snapped back to the fight. Electricity crackled along Sasuke's arm, lighting up his fingers and hand with a heavenly, brilliant blue glow. The lightning danced and sparked, obscuring his hand in a bright, crackling aura. The wall beneath him crumbled slightly, cratered by the sheer force of the chakra. But she sensedsomething else in his arms.
Without hesitation, Sasuke launched himself forward, head-on toward Gaara.
"I see," Gai murmured, watching intently. "That's what you've been doing all along—you've been building his speed to the level required for this technique!"
"Exactly," Kakashi said, his tone light but tinged with pride.
Sasuke descended from the wall, a massive dust cloud exploding upon his landing. When it cleared, he was already sprinting toward Gaara's Shield of Shukaku, the distinctive sound of crackling lightning filling the arena like a thousand chirping birds.
Kimiko leaned forward, her eyes glued to the scene. Would this be enough? In the canon timeline, Chidori could pierce Gaara's normal defenses. But this wasn't just his sand armor—this was his ultimate defense. How could even a Chidori break through that?
"Whoa, I've never seen Sasuke do this before!" Naruto exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "What kind of technique is this?"
"It's a jab," Gai explained, his tone steady but reverent. "But this jab is unlike any other. It's the only weapon in Kakashi's arsenal he didn't copy from someone else."
"Huh?!" Naruto gawked, his expression confused. Even Shikamaru glanced at Kakashi with mild curiosity.
Gai continued, "It's a weapon of assassination. The secret lies in the speed with which it's delivered and the ninja's ability to focus their chakra at the point of impact. Once both elements—speed and focus—reach a certain threshold, the chakra becomes visible and produces the sound you hear, like birds chirping."
As Sasuke drew closer, his form a blur of speed, Gai's voice rose slightly. "That sound is what gives this technique its name… Chidori: One Thousand Birds!"
Kimiko's gaze flickered to the arena wall where Sasuke had been perched moments ago. Her brow furrowed. Why is the wall partially melted?
Her eyes shifted to the ground along Sasuke's path. It was cratered, but… Why is the ground scorched? And why are there trails of embers?
Finally, she focused on Sasuke's hand. The lightning chakra was brilliant, but there was something more. Something unusual.
"...No," Kimiko murmured, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't just a Chidori."
Gai turned to her, startled. "What do you mean?"
Ignoring him, Kimiko turned to Kakashi. "Sensei, how did he modify it?"
Kakashi chuckled softly, reaching out to pat her head. "Perceptive as always," he said with a hint of pride.
Kimiko turned to Gai, pointing to Sasuke's arm. "Look closer. It's not just electricity. His arm is radiating heat. That's superheated fire chakra mixing with the lightning."
Gai's jaw dropped as realization dawned. "He infused Chidori… with fire?!"
"Yes, he did," Kimiko replied, her lips curving into a smirk. "He turned an already complicated technique into something entirely his own. He really is the best genius of our generation."
Her gaze shifted back to the arena. The blue and white-hot flames roared beneath the crackling lightning enveloping Sasuke's arm. The air around him shimmered with heat and electricity, and as he charged toward the center of Gaara's Shield of Shukaku, his voice echoed powerfully:
"Power wrought from the skies themselves: HEAVENLY LANCE!"
The moment Sasuke's hand struck the shield, it began to collapse inward. Lightning and fire fused into a devastating force, and Sasuke drove his arm deeper into the shield's core. Suddenly, a blinding explosion of white light and searing heat erupted, forcing Kimiko to shield her eyes and turn away.
When the light faded and the heat began to subside, the aftermath was nothing short of catastrophic. The arena was left in ruins, even more devastated than after her match and Naruto's.
The Shield of Shukaku was half-destroyed, its upper portion reduced to molten, glass-like fragments that glittered ominously in the arena's light. The remaining lower half of the construct still stood, a jagged and unstable shell of sand that barely held together. Meanwhile, the fragments of the upper half's once-malleable sand wasn't just dissipated—it had been transformed into gleaming glass by the sheer heat and energy of the attack, similar to what little remained of the upper half.
Sasuke had retreated to his original position, his shoulders heaving as he fought to catch his breath. Smoke rose from his hand and arm, and his Sharingan glared fiercely at the fractured shield.
Inside the remnants of the shield, Gaara's form was still obscured, shrouded in the shadows of the remaining sand.
"So…" Gai murmured, his voice quiet with awe. "This kid… he's likely just as good, if not better, than his brother was at that age."
"Mm," Kakashi hummed, his lone visible eye fixed on Sasuke.
"But," Kimiko interjected, her curiosity piqued, "how did he come up with the idea for this technique?"
"Simple," Kakashi said, his voice laced with subtle pride. "He heard the story of my Lightning Cutter and wanted something similar."
"Lightning Cutter?" Ino's voice cut in, filled with confusion.
"Yes," Gai explained, picking up the thread. "It's Kakashi's evolved version of the Chidori. It got its name after Kakashi used it to cut a bolt of lightning in midair before it struck the ground."
Ino blinked, clearly skeptical, but Gai pressed on. "Regardless, it's a jutsu of unimaginable power. It requires near-inhuman levels of speed and chakra. Once perfected, it transforms a ninja's arm into an indestructible, invincible sword. A technique that's as dangerous to teach as it is to use."
"Yeah?" Kakashi said dryly, tilting his head toward Gai. "You're one to talk." He squatted slightly, glancing at Lee. "Right, Lee?"
Kimiko crossed her arms, her gaze contemplative. "But that jutsu of his isn't for assassination," she said slowly. "Sasuke's arm didn't become a sword. It became… a spear. A weapon meant to completely obliterate someone without leaving a trace. It's as powerful as the Lightning Cutter, but its purpose is entirely different."
Naruto however, was quiet, his eyes, once filled with desire to see Sasuke safe from harm, was now replaced with something else.
Kimiko giggled, bumping his shoulders with his. "I thought you wanted him safe? Are you jealou—"
A surge of chakra pulsed through the arena.
Kimiko's head snapped back to the battlefield. Her gaze locked onto the remnants of the Shield of Shukaku. The air around it shimmered ominously as sand particles began to rise, trembling in response to the overwhelming energy within.
"...No," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The jagged lower half of the shield began to shift and quake. The sand compacted tightly, glowing faintly as malevolent chakra poured into it. Slowly, the bottom half of the shield sealed itself, forming a grotesque dome.
From a small hole in its surface, Kimiko could still see it—and feel it.
The chakra within made her stomach churn.
And then it happened.
A pair of eyes opened within the shadows of the shield.
But the eyes…
They weren't Gaara's.
"Heads up," Kimiko warned, her voice low.
Gaara's voice erupted, a guttural scream filled with nothing but pain and anguish.
"BLOOOOOOOOD! IT'S MY BLOOD! YOU. ALMOST. KILLED. ME! I NEARLY DIEEEEED!"
From the side of the shield, a massive, sandy arm shot out. Jagged nails extended from its clawed fingers, and thick curse marks ran across its surface.
"Crap," Kimiko muttered. "It's happening."
The arm snaked towards Sasuke, but Sasuke slid back, away from its range, if only barely, the palm inches from his face. She Saw Genma squint at the sand dome, as if suspicious of what was within.
The arm collapsed into grains of sand that poured from the remnants of the shield, cascading to the ground until the structure dissolved completely into a formless pile.
Gaara's body crumpled to the arena floor, knees first. His glassy eyes stared ahead, his breathing ragged. The entire right side of his body was burned, his right arm completely ireduced to ashes, and the hole in his stomach leaked sand in a continuous, slow flow onto the floor.
"Fuck," Kimiko said aloud, not even caring who heard her. "Shit, Gaara's too hurt. Sasuke injured him before the One Tail could fully emerge, but it's going to transform soon!"
"WHAT?!" Naruto demanded, spinning toward her.
She could feel Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji glaring at her from behind. Heads turned from the crowd, all focusing on her now, but Kimiko ignored them.
Kakashi placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.
And then chaos erupted.
Sluggishness seized her body like a cold wave, and white feathers began to fall softly in front of her eyes. Kimiko's sharp instincts kicked in immediately, and she formed a hand seal, flaring her chakra outward as she countered.
"KAI!"
The genjutsu shattered instantly. The falling feathers disappeared, leaving her vision clear as day yet again. Kakashi and Gai turned to her, but Kimiko didn't stop. She extended her sensory abilities, tracking the lingering traces of the genjutsu before they could fade.
And then she felt it.
To her right, more than two dozen seats away, she sensed the presence of a cloaked figure wearing a mask.
"THAT'S HIM!" Kimiko yelled, pointing sharply. "That's Kabuto! Sunagakure's about to launch their attack with Orochimaru!"
As her words rang out, her gaze met Hiruzen's across the arena. But before anything else could happen, a massive smokescreen exploded around the Hokage's viewing platform, obscuring him completely.
In the distance, Kimiko heard her sister's commanding voice ring out.
"KAI!"
Half the arena stirred awake, broken free of the genjutsu by her sister's intervention. She didn't fail to note that most of those who woke up were shinobi, judging by their signature.
Kimiko didn't waste a second. She drew three senbon from her pouch, flaring her chakra into them. Black water spiraled along their path as she hurled them toward Kabuto, who was rushing toward her.
Kabuto parried the senbon with a single hand, his palm wreathed in chakra. Instead of attacking her directly, he veered sharply toward an obscured area, diving away.
"DON'T LET HIM GET AWA—"
Kimiko's shout was cut short as a massive, overwhelming surge of chakra erupted far from the arena.
Everyone turned, their eyes widening in shock.
Beyond the smoke, in the direction of the village walls, a gigantic three-headed snake materialized from a cloud of white smoke. Its towering form writhed as it slithered ominously toward Konoha, its sheer size casting a shadow over the battlefield.
"Kimiko!" Kakashi's voice snapped her out of her trance. "Wake Naruto and defend the others! Gai and I need to assist the Hokage—"
He was abruptly cut off as more figures poured into the arena.
Dozens of shadows emerged from hidden corners Kimiko didn't even know existed. Masked ANBU units began flooding into the area, heading toward the roof where Hiruzen was.
Her gaze shot upward. Orochimaru, still disguised as Rasa, had Hiruzen by the neck, holding him in a vice-like grip at the peak of the viewing platform. Raido and a handful of Konoha ANBU surrounded them, weapons drawn, but it was clear the Hokage was already in dire straits. Four individuals with dark, malevolent chakra surrounded Orochimaru, their presence sending shivers down her spine.
The ANBU lunged at them, but the four individuals moved in unison, clasping their hands together. Acting as corners of a formation, they erected a dark indigo barrier. The energy rippled and solidified into a dome around Hiruzen and Orochimaru, separating them completely.
The first ANBU who hit the barrier screamed as their bodies were engulfed in flames, reduced to ash in moments.
"What's happening?!" Naruto's voice broke through suddenly, still groggy but apparently capable of breaking out of his own from the earlier genjutsu.
"They outwitted the ANBU," Gai said, his voice grim as he watched the scene unfold. "They erected a barrier ninjutsu. It's meant to isolate the Hokage so no one can assist him. We need to act now!"
Gai and Kakashi shoved past Kimiko, descending the steps to aid the Hokage. But before they could make it far, Kabuto, now unmasked, lunged into their path. Four more ninjas dressed in Sound-nin attire emerged from the shadows, flanking Kabuto.
"What a nuisance," Kakashi muttered, narrowing his eye.
"You're one to talk," Kabuto sneered. "You and that little kunoichi of yours have been quite the thorn in our side. Too bad I'll kill you both now."
Dread clawed at Kimiko's chest. Fuck. Orochimaru's managed to isolate Hokage-sama. It's playing out exactly like the anime. What the hell was the point of warning them if they didn't have a counterplan—
Her thoughts froze as she felt it.
A massive surge of chakra rippled through the area, potent and sudden. Judging by the way Kabuto's smug expression twisted into surprise, he hadn't expected it either.
"You really didn't think," Kakashi said, his voice razor-sharp, "that we were completely unaware of your little plan, did you?"
More ANBU flooded the arena, but something about them was different. Their movements were deliberate, their presence unsettling. Kimiko furrowed her brow. Their chakra signatures felt muted—so faint they were nearly nonexistent.
And then, she felt a new chakra, one she didn't recognize. It was raw, stormy, and unrelenting. It felt like howling winds that scoured flesh, beating against the scarred trees whose roots dug deep into the ground. The sheer power of it made her skin crawl.
"You fools," came a hoarse, venomous voice from behind her.
Kimiko turned sharply, and her eyes widened.
An old, scarred man stepped into view. His body was heavily bandaged, including his right eye, and he leaned on a wooden staff. Beside him stood an orange-haired man with long hair and a calm, calculating expression. On his other side was a distinctively shinobi-looking man with a cold demeanor. In front of them stood a younger figure—his midriff exposed, his face eerily reminiscent of Sasuke.
The old man stepped forward, "You dare spit in the face of Konoha after we extended our hospitality?"
As he advanced, the bandages around his right eye shifted slightly. He took another step, his presence radiating tyrannical authority.
"We will make sure you regret ever setting foot in our village!" roared Danzo Shimura.