The air crackled with tension as Naruto's gaze locked onto Neji, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. The sun cast a golden glow, illuminating the arena's electric atmosphere.
Shanan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why does Naruto look so angry?" she asked. "We've all trained together a few times. They got along fine."
Lee hesitated before explaining, "Well, Naruto was really angry at Neji for going too far with Hinata and not acknowledging her persistence and bravery. He told Neji that people can overcome anything, but Neji just called him a failure and said that he would never succeed either."
"What the hell, Neji?..." she said softly.
"I think that he was just in a bad mood," he said. "I do not think that he would have said that to Naruto if Naruto had not tried to lecture him right after the fight."
Her gaze drifted back to Naruto. "I wonder why the boys didn't mention it to me..."
Lee offered a sly grin. "Oh, Shanan… It is because we are men. I would not tell my big sister either if I had one. He has his honor to think about and he wants to be the one to defend it."
Her face scrunched up, but she remained silent, instead turning her attention back to the tense scene unfolding before them.
The proctor's voice echoed through the arena, "Begin!" and the fight commenced.
Naruto sprang into action, hurling a kunai at Neji with lightning speed. Without hesitation, he charged forward.
Neji, however, remained composed as he dodged the kunai with ease. His fists flew through the air, aiming for Naruto with precision.
Naruto attempted to land a blow, but Neji's agility allowed him to evade each strike with minimal effort.
In a flash of insight, Neji spotted an opening and aimed a direct strike at one of Naruto's chakra points. However, Naruto's instincts kicked in, and he dodged out of the way just in time, avoiding the potentially debilitating blow.
Lee's eyes widened in awe. "Wow, that was close!"
Shanan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think the fight might've been done if Neji landed that hit..."
Naruto suddenly summoned four clones, each one charging at Neji with a fierce determination, attacking him from all angles. He dodged and countered with his trademark elegance, but the sheer number of clones soon had him on the defensive. Just as Neji seemed to be gaining the upper hand, the real Naruto burst through the chaos, his leg cocked back for a powerful kick. However, Neji was too quick, and backflipped out of the way just in time. Seizing the opportunity, he launched a swift counterattack, his fists flying in a blur of motion as he targeted each of Naruto's clones. The clones dissipated into nothingness, one by one, under Neji's relentless assault.
Naruto's face twisted in growing rage as he summoned even more clones. The clones swarmed around Neji, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Undaunted, Neji remained calm and focused. With swift, precise movements, he took down the clones one by one, his Byakugan guiding his strikes. As the last clone fell, Neji pinpointed the real Naruto – or so he thought.
With a direct strike, Neji hit a chakra point, aiming to incapacitate him and end the fight. The clones disappeared instantly, and Neji turned to face the Naruto he had struck, expecting victory. But instead, the Naruto he had hit merely smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. A burst of laughter escaped his lips, and then, in an instant, he vanished into thin air. Neji's eyes widened in shock.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, sensing the shift in momentum.
Lee's eyes narrowed, "Wait, did Neji think that he had the real Naruto pinpointed?"
Shanan lifted her head from Lee's shoulder, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "Oh my god... he's actually surprised!" She felt a surge of pride, impressed by Naruto's strategic thinking.
Meanwhile, back in the arena, the fight raged on with two Narutos – one clone and one the actual Naruto – attacking Neji from behind. However, Neji was no longer caught off guard, his Byakugan alerting him to the deception. With a swift motion, he unleashed the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation, striking both Narutos. The clone dissipated instantly, while the real Naruto stumbled back, momentarily stunned.
Undeterred, Naruto summoned more clones, attempting to overwhelm Neji once more. However, Neji was prepared, and with another application of the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation, he sent all the clones flying and disappearing as they hit the ground.
The crowd's cheers and applause continued to echo through the arena, but Shanan and Lee remained calm, their eyes fixed intently on the battle unfolding before them.
"He is not going to fall for that again," Lee commented, impressed by Neji's adaptability.
Shanan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Naruto hasn't seen Neji use this one." She whispered under her breath, "It doesn't matter how many clones you summon..."
They watched intently as Neji assumed the Eight Trigrams 64 Palms stance and unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one landing with pinpoint accuracy. Naruto flew across the arena before crashing to the ground.
Shanan's eyes widened in concern as Naruto trembled, struggling to rise. She covered her mouth, whispering urgently, "Get up, Naruto, you're okay, my little sweetie."
Lee offered a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder, his eyes fixed on Naruto's determined face.
Finally, he stumbled to his feet, his resilience evident despite his battered state.
Neji's expression darkened, surprise and anger flashing across his face. "How...?" he muttered, taken aback by Naruto's refusal to yield.
Shanan's face lit up with a warm smile, her eyes shining with pride.
Lee beamed at her, his voice filled with admiration. "He does not quit!"
"Stop this madness, Uzumaki," Neji said. "I have nothing against you personally."
Naruto's eyes flashed with anger. "Yeah? Well, I've got plenty against you."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh yeah?" Naruto said. "And here I thought you were Mr. Know-It-All. You don't remember what you did to Hinata? Tearing her apart with your mind games?"
Neji's brow furrowed. "Never mind that. It doesn't concern you."
Naruto's voice rose. "You mocked Hinata! All that stuff about your great clan and the different branches. What a bunch of crap!"
Neji's face twisted in anger. "Very well," he spat. "Since you're so interested, I'll tell you about it. The Hyuga clan's heritage... of hatred." He paused, his chest heaving with emotion. "For generations, our clan's main household has practiced a secret ninjutsu known as the Curse Mark Jutsu. It's the mark of those bound to a destiny they cannot escape." His eyes flashed with a mix of determination and resentment as he reached up and removed his headband, revealing the Curse Mark on his forehead.
"I was five years old," he began. "It was Lady Hinata's third birthday. That's when I was given this... gift. By my own uncle, no less." Neji's gaze seemed to drift into the past, his eyes clouding over with memories. "From that day on, my destiny was sealed. I was bound to protect Lady Hinata, to preserve the power of the main household... no matter the cost."
His voice dropped to a whisper. "And I live in fear," he continued, "that if I step out of line, my Curse Mark will be used to destroy my mind, leaving me a shell of my former self. A constant reminder of the main household's control over me. Only in death are those of us with this mark truly free," Neji said. "But it is the duty of the branch family to defend the secret of our dojutsu, so that nobody else may come to possess it." Neji's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke. "That is the destiny of the branch family, for all eternity." He paused, his eyes flashing with anger. "Or... was, until they murdered my father!"
Shanan and Lee grabbed for each other's hands as their eyes welled up simultaneously.
"The Land of Lightning called for the death of the person who had slain one of their ninjas... and my father was sacrificed to appease them. He was offered up as a substitute for the true killer, Lord Hiashi, in order to avoid war. They were so much alike, twin brothers, but their destinies were determined merely by their time of birth." Neji's gaze locked onto Naruto. "And this match is no different. Your destiny was decided the moment I was chosen as your opponent," he said. "I will not lose, Naruto."
The emotional weight of Neji's story crushed the air out of the atmosphere. Shanan and Lee couldn't help but feel the depth of his pain and the burden he carried. Their tears flowed freely, hearts aching for their beloved teammate's loss.
Shanan had researched the Hyuga clan's history after meeting Hinata, but she had no idea about the painful details of Neji's personal experience. The depth of his resentment towards his own clan was heartbreaking. She felt a pang of sadness, imagining him growing up alongside the people who had sacrificed his father. The constant fear he lived with, the threat of suffering the same fate, was a heavy burden to bear. His grumpy demeanor made sense now; it was a shield to protect himself from the pain.
"Lee," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crowd's murmurs. "Let's stop calling him our grumpy older brother."
He nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on Neji. "He is our sad older brother," he said softly, "but we will not call him that either. We will simply call him Neji, and we will be there for him, always."
Neji charged forward, his movements swift and deadly. He landed a solid blow, sending Naruto flying across the arena. He turned to walk away, but his eyes snapped back to Naruto as the young ninja struggled to his feet once more.
"Hey, don't walk away from me," Naruto called out. "I'm not done."
Neji's expression twisted in disdain. "Why are you still trying? You've failed!"
Naruto's eyes flashed with determination. "Because I never go back on my word. All this destiny crap... If you really believe that, then why aren't you the one walking away?"
"Why waste my breath?" Neji said. "You wouldn't understand. You can't comprehend what it's like to be branded with a mark you can never escape!"
Naruto's gaze locked onto Neji's, a hint of frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface. "I understand more than you think," he said. "I do know what that's like, but who cares? You think you've got troubles? You're not the only special one around here." His words were cut short as he began coughing, his body strained from the intense exchange.
"I've blocked all 64 of your chakra points." Neji told him. "How will you keep fighting if you can't access your chakra?" He turned to the proctor. "He's out of chakra, I suggest you stop the match."
The proctor looked at Naruto and nodded before raising his hand, about to declare Neji the winner, but Naruto refused to yield. With a focused gaze, he called upon the Nine-Tails' chakra. Wind and chakra swirled around him.
Neji's eyes widened in alarm as he stumbled backward, his eyes fixed on Naruto in shock. "Impossible..."
Naruto's speed increased exponentially, his movements barely visible as he darted across the arena. He launched a flurry of shuriken, but Neji's Byakugan allowed him to anticipate and deflect with his Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation. Their kunai clashed, sparks flying as they exchanged blow for blow. Metal scraped metal, the sound echoing through the arena like a symphony of steel.
Then, Naruto charged towards Neji, his fists clenched and his eyes blazing. "I'll change the way of the Hyuga clan!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the arena.
Neji, anticipating the attack, began to rotate, preparing to block with the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation. But Naruto's speed and power caught him off guard. Instead of blocking, their fists met in a crushing impact, sending shockwaves through the ground. Naruto finished his statement, his voice ringing out across the arena:
"After I become Hokage!"
The force of the collision created a massive dust cloud, obscuring the two ninja from view. The crowd held their collective breath, their hearts racing with anticipation. Minutes ticked by, the tension building. Finally, the dust settled, revealing two gaping holes in the ground, testimony to the incredible force of their clash. The crowd sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the craters.
Shanan and Lee exchanged awestruck glances, their faces pale with concern.
Finally, Neji emerged from one hole, coughing and breathing heavily as he stood there, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His eyes scanned the area, locking onto the second hole.
Naruto, however, lay motionless on his side in the other hole, seemingly knocked out. His body was still, his eyes closed, and his chest rose and fell with shallow breaths.
The crowd gasped in shock, murmuring among themselves as they realized that Naruto might be out of the fight
Shanan's eyes were wide with worry as she watched Naruto's motionless form.
Lee squeezed her shoulder, trying to ease her worries. "He fought really hard, Shanan," he said, shaking his head. "I am sure that with some recovery time, he will be okay!"
Just then, the crowd's eyes widened as the real Naruto suddenly emerged from the hole in front of Neji, delivering a perfectly aimed uppercut to Neji's chin. Neji flew backward, landing hard on the ground, where he trembled, unable to move. The clone, which had been lying motionless in the other hole, dissipated into nothingness, revealing the clever trick Naruto had used to deceive Neji.
Shanan leapt to her feet, screaming and cheering at the top of her lungs, her earlier headache forgotten in the excitement. "Naruto, you little genius! Oh my god, that was amazing!"
Naruto approached Neji, his expression softening. "You can still change your destiny, Neji. Because you're not a failure. You're strong, and you can change your own path."
The proctor's voice boomed through the arena. "And the winner is... Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting Naruto's name.
Shanan cried, overcome with emotion as she watched the outpouring of love and support for her baby.
Lee turned to her, grinning from ear to ear. "Wow, he really beat Neji! I did not think that anyone could ever do that!"
As Neji was carted off by medical ninja to be examined, Shanan's expression turned sympathetic. "Aww, Neji... Lee, we should try to give him another group hug soon."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I still have not recovered from the first one, but I would love to do another group hug with our best big brother! He will always be a winner to us."
Shanan smiled, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely."
Naruto bounded over to the stands, his face alight with excitement. "Shanan, did you see that? Did you see how strategic I was?"
Shanan's eyes sparkled as she wrapped him in a tight hug. "Yeah, I did," she whispered softly. "You did such a good job... I'm so proud of you."
Naruto beamed, his grin widening as he basked in her praise.
As they pulled away, Naruto's gaze shifted to Hinata, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "That win was for you, Hinata! You're the main reason I refused to give up!"
Hinata's cheeks flushed a deep pink, her heart racing with excitement. Shanan watched the exchange, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She glanced at Hinata, who was struggling to contain her blush.
Naruto, oblivious to Hinata's reaction, plopped down beside Lee, his attention already focused on the next match.
Lee chuckled, shaking his head good-naturedly. "You were amazing, Naruto! Neji is a formidable opponent, but your skill and determination overpowered him."
Shanan gently squeezed Hinata's hand, a silent show of support and solidarity. Hinata's blush deepened, but she couldn't help smiling, her heart soaring with joy.
Just then, Kiba called out from a short distance away, "Hey, Hinata! Come sit with me and watch Shino's fight! He's up after this one!"
Hinata smiled, looking relieved at the distraction. She turned to Shanan and said, "I should go and sit with him so we can cheer Shino on together."
Shanan smiled warmly and nodded. "Bye, Hinata! Good luck to Shino!"
Hinata nodded and walked over to Kiba, taking a seat beside him to watch Shino's fight.
The attention shifted back to the arena, and Shanan's gaze followed, her expression turning serious. "Sasuke's fight with Gaara is next, right?" she asked Naruto.
Naruto nodded, his eyes locked on the entrance. "Yeah... oh no... there he is."
Gaara walked out into the arena, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd. Shanan's grip on Lee's hand tightened in support.
Lee whispered reassuringly, "I am okay, Shanan."
But as Gaara's gaze landed on Lee, he squeezed Shanan's hand back, a subtle sign of his own unease.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. "What's that jerk's problem?" he muttered.
Gaara's gaze lingered on Lee for a moment before shifting away.
The minutes ticked by, and the crowd grew restless, murmuring among themselves as they waited for Sasuke to appear. But as the minutes turned into what felt like an eternity, the crowd's impatience boiled over into loud complaints.
Just as it seemed like they were on the verge of rioting, the proctor's voice boomed through the arena once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances, the match between Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara has been postponed."
Disappointed groans and boos erupted from the crowd.
The proctor raised his hands, attempting to placate the audience. "Instead, we will proceed with the next match. Shino Aburame versus Kankuro!"
Just as the proctor finished announcing the match, Kankuro's voice echoed from the stands, "I withdraw!"
The crowd's attention shifted to Kankuro, who stood in the spectator area, his voice carrying clearly across the arena.
"Move on to the next match!"
The crowd's discontent turned to shock and confusion.
The proctor sighed, his expression resigned. "Fine... Due to Kankuro's withdrawal, Shino Aburame is the winner by default."
The boos and jeers intensified, directed at Kankuro for his sudden withdrawal.
Without warning, Temari jumped down into the arena, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination.
The proctor's voice boomed through the arena once more, "Hey, you up there! Time for your fight. Get down here, Shikamaru Nara!"
Shanan's gaze followed the proctor's directive, her eyes scanning the stands until they landed on Shikamaru. She murmured to herself, "He looks familiar..." Turning to Naruto, she asked, "Hey, was he one of your classmates?"
"Yeah," Naruto said. "He's the one who was always sleeping."
Her eyes glazed over for a moment before snapping back into focus. "Oh, that's Choji's friend!"
"That's right."
Her gaze returned to Shikamaru, who was slowly making his way to the arena, his expression resigned.
Lee leaned over, whispering, "I think that he would rather be sleeping than fighting."
"Yeah," she replied. "He doesn't look too thrilled."
Naruto chuckled. "Probably because he hates fighting against girls... or fighting at all... or doing anything at all."
Shanan laughed. "Well, at least he knows what he likes, I guess."
"Some people never have any hobbies," Lee said. "But I suppose sleeping counts as a hobby if you enjoy it."
"Yeah, right!" Naruto said. "All he ever does is waste his time sleeping or complaining."
"Naruto," Shanan said softly. "If you enjoy wasting your time, then who is anyone else to tell you that you've wasted it?"
Naruto grumbled, looking away. "Yeah, yeah... everything's a lesson with you, sis."
Lee chuckled, clapping Naruto on the back. "You should appreciate the insight, Naruto."
Shanan smiled appreciatively, her attention focusing on the match as Shikamaru stopped in the center of the arena.
The proctor's voice boomed through the arena, "Begin!"
Temari sprang into action, her massive iron fan at the ready. With a swift swing, she sent a powerful gust of wind hurtling towards Shikamaru. But the lazy ninja proved to be more agile than he looked, dodging the attack with ease. Temari didn't hesitate, launching a second attack with her fan. Shikamaru, anticipating the move, swiftly hid behind a nearby tree. The wind attack slammed into the tree, sending leaves and branches flying everywhere.
The two opponents waited, their eyes locked in a silent stare-down. The air was thick with tension as they sized each other up, neither willing to make the next move. Shikamaru's gaze drifted upward, his eyes scanning the sky with a look of utter boredom. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Temari, seizing the opportunity, charged forward, her fan flashing in the sunlight. She swung it in a wide arc, unleashing a powerful gust of wind toward Shikamaru. His eyes snapped back into focus, his expression unchanging. With a subtle hand gesture, he activated his Shadow Possession Jutsu. A dark, tendril-like shadow stretched out from beneath his body, thinning out as it extended. Temari dodged backward, avoiding the shadow's grasp by mere inches. As she landed, she swiftly drew a line on the ground with the tip of her fan, marking the distance between herself and Shikamaru.
Shanan's eyes widened slightly as she watched Shikamaru's shadow stretch out. "Shadows?" She turned to Naruto again. "He uses shadow jutsus?"
"Yeah." He nodded, his expression puzzled. "Why?"
She chuckled, a playful glint in her eye. "That's why I could never find him!"
"Oh," Naruto said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "With your creepy people-watching?" he teased.
She playfully defended herself. "It's not creepy if I'm doing research!"
"Ha! Shanan," Lee said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You and Neji are very much alike whenever it comes to researching strangers. It can be very useful at times, but in this case, it would appear that Shikamaru's skills have left you... overshadowed."
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to him with a mock-offended expression. "LEE!"
He chuckled, looking pleased with himself. "That is another clever joke from me! I am on a roll today."
Shanan couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. She refocused on the match, her eyes sparkling with interest. Temari and Shikamaru were still locked in a stalemate, each waiting for the other to make the next move.
Shikamaru squatted down, his eyes drifting upwards to gaze at the sky once more. He closed his eyes, pressing the tips of his fingers together in a contemplative gesture as he seemed to focus his thoughts.
Shanan's attention was drawn to Asuma Sensei conversing with Kurenai Sensei in hushed tones. "...whenever he's thinking strategically," Asuma said, nodding toward Shikamaru. "He always does that when he's planning his next move."
Kurenai raised an eyebrow. "And it's effective, I presume?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Asuma chuckled. "He's beaten me at Shogi every time we've played. His IQ is over 200, you know."
Shanan's ears perked up at this revelation. She turned to Lee and whispered, "That's higher than mine!"
"Wow!" he said. "That is impressive."
Shikamaru's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Temari as she charged toward him once more. Her fan sliced through the air, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that knocked him back this time. He stumbled, using the tree as cover while he struggled to catch his breath. As he regained his composure, he removed his jacket, his movements calm and deliberate. He reached for a kunai, casually tossing it into the air in Temari's direction. As the kunai flew toward her, he sent out his Shadow Possession Jutsu once more, the dark tendril stretching out far and thin. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the shadow as she realized it had reached further this time. She swiftly drew another line on the ground with her fan, marking the new distance between herself and Shikamaru.
Shanan watched with interest, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to read his expression. "You know, I'm not sure what's more impressive - the fact that he's making this look so effortless, or the fact that I have no idea if his boredom is due to disinterest or just a lack of challenge."
Naruto chuckled, grinning at Shanan. "That's just Shikamaru being Shikamaru. He's always like that."
"I think that he is really cool!" Lee said.
"That dork?!" Naruto asked, eyes wide as he looked at Lee. "I've literally heard him talk about how uncool he is and say that he prefers it that way so he doesn't have to keep up appearances."
Shanan's eyes widened in surprise, and she leaned forward, her voice softer. "Oh... so he has imposter syndrome. Yeah... I can see it."
"I think it is cool that he is so laid-back and does not care what other people think," Lee said.
"Actually," Shanan replied, "His laid-back demeanor could be a coping mechanism. People with impostor syndrome often try to downplay their abilities or pretend they're not trying, even when they're incredibly skilled."
"Lemme guess," Naruto said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You've researched it?"
"Shut up, son."
"Bro," he corrected, chuckling.
The tension was electric as Temari and Shikamaru locked eyes once more, their faces set in determined expressions.
But then, a kunai knife suddenly appeared, floating gently over the arena, Shikamaru's jacket billowing out behind it like a makeshift parachute. The crowd gasped in surprise as the jacket drifted lazily downwards, creating a perfect anchor point for Shikamaru's shadow.
With a swift motion, he sent his shadow stretching out towards the shadow of the jacket, the dark tendril snaking across the ground with eerie speed. Temari's eyes widened as she realized what was happening, and she dodged to the side just in time to avoid the shadow's grasp. But Shikamaru was relentless, chasing her around the arena with his shadow as she leapt and weaved to avoid its grasp. The shadow wound around the arena, stretching thin as it pursued her, stopping short once again.
Temari hid behind her fan, poised and ready to strike, while Shikamaru stood calmly, his eyes narrowed in concentration. But just as it seemed like Temari had a plan, she suddenly froze, her eyes widening in shock. Shikamaru had caught her off guard, using his shadow to sneak up behind her and immobilize her through the hole that had been left behind from Naruto and Neji's fight. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps as Temari was trapped, unable to move or escape.
"Wait…" Shanan's eyes widened in amazement as she realized the truth. "He wasn't staring up at the sky out of boredom!" she exclaimed, turning to Naruto and Lee.
They turned to her, curious. "What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
Her gaze shifted back to Shikamaru. "He was waiting for the shadows to get longer as the sun got lower. He was always two steps ahead..."
Lee's eyes shone with admiration. "Shikamaru is amazing!"
With Temari firmly in his shadowy grasp, Shikamaru began to walk towards the center of the arena, her movements mirroring his as if she were a puppet on strings. He raised their hands, a triumphant smile spreading across his face... but then, his expression suddenly changed. "To hell with it," he said. "I give up."
The crowd erupted into outraged cries and boos, stunned by his abrupt surrender. Temari, still trapped in his shadow, looked equally shocked.
He shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "My chakra was about to run out anyway."
Shanan's laughter bubbled over as everyone else continued to boo.
Naruto and Lee stared at her, confused, before bursting out laughing as well. The absurdity of Shikamaru's sudden surrender was too much for them to handle.
Shanan's expression turned thoughtful, a hint of admiration in her voice. "Despite his choice to give up, that was great! I can tell he's a genius."
Lee nodded enthusiastically. "Me too!"
Naruto grinned, impressed. "Yeah, he's better than I realized." But then his eyes narrowed, concern etched on his face. "Damn... where the hell is Sasuke? He's gonna get disqualified."
"Well..." she said. "He's with Kakashi, so I expected them to be late, but not this late!"
As the clock ticked down, Sasuke and Kakashi burst into the arena within a swirling vortex. The crowd's attention was immediately drawn to the dramatic entrance, and a murmur of excitement rippled through the stands.
Kakashi, looking utterly nonchalant, tucked his hands into his pockets and quipped, "Sorry we're late, traffic was terrible!"
Sasuke turned to Naruto and offered a brief, sincere congratulations on his win. Naruto grinned, pleased with the acknowledgement.
His gaze briefly met Shanan's, and she smiled softly at him. "Good luck," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. His expression remained stoic, but a faint glimmer of warmth appeared in his eyes before he looked away, his focus returning to the upcoming fight.
Lee felt a pang of sadness wash over him. Shanan, sensing his disappointment, reached out and gently squeezed his hand.
"Don't worry, Lee," she said softly. "We'll both get to fight in the next Chunin exams and we'll be Chunin in no time!" his face brightened at her words, and he managed a small smile, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
Kakashi strolled over to join the group, a casual smile on his face. "Hey, guys," he said. Guy, who had also just arrived, beamed with enthusiasm, his eyes shining with excitement.
Together, they stood on the steps, watching as the next match was about to begin. Kakashi turned to Lee and asked, "So, Lee, how are you feeling?"
Lee, still looking a bit down but trying to put on a brave face, gave him a thumbs up.
His gaze then shifted to Shanan. "And how are your headaches, Shanan?" he asked gently.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, a wry smile twisting her lips. "Getting worse every day, thanks for reminding me!" she teased.
He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"That was an impressive entrance, by the way!" she said.
"Well," he said. "How often does one have the opportunity to look so cool?"
"Actually, you just missed a pretty interesting fight between Shikamaru and the Sand girl."
Guy, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly piped up. "Oh yeah, I've seen that Nara kid in action – he does look super cool!"
"Right, Sensei!" Lee's eyes lit up with excitement, and he turned to Guy. "Maybe we should dress like him."
Guy's expression turned thoughtful. "Let's track him down later and find out who his stylist is."
The group erupted into laughter at Guy's ridiculous suggestion.
Kakashi's gaze quickly swept the arena, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced air. "Hmm... only eight ANBU black ops in the arena?" he murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.
Guy followed his gaze. "Maybe there are more elsewhere." He clapped Kakashi on the back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Anyway, we need to watch this match. I'll be keeping a close eye on your pupil – I want to see just how good of a trainer you are… since you're still my rival!"
Kakashi's expression remained neutral as he looked up from the arena to Guy. "Hmm? What was that?"
Shanan burst out laughing at Kakashi's blatant disregard for Guy's comment.
Guy's face turned bright red as he realized he'd been ignored. "Dammit, Kakashi!" he exploded, throwing up his hands in frustration. "Why do you always have to be so cool?!"
"Sensei!" Shanan chimed in, a teasing glint in her eye. "Don't feed his ego like that!" she said, shaking her head. "That's why he thinks he's so cool..."
"Hey..." Kakashi said, his voice laced with mock offense.
But Shanan just smiled mischievously and said, "Shh... I'm watching Sasuke," effectively shutting him down with the same playful dismissiveness he'd used on Guy.
Still grumbling in the background, Guy couldn't help but laugh at the exchange. His earlier frustration forgotten, he grinned at Shanan's quick wit. She caught his eye and winked at him, a playful smile still dancing on her lips. His face lit up with delight, and he gave her a thumbs-up, beaming with approval.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Sasuke and Gaara faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.
The proctor's voice rang out, "Begin!" and the two genin sprang into action.
Gaara's eyes flashed with a malevolent intensity as he raised his hands, unleashing a swirling vortex of sand that hurtled towards Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his body tense as he jumped back, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth.
As the sand dissipated, Gaara's eyes took on a crazed glint, and he began to mutter to himself in a low, ominous tone. The words were indistinguishable, but the energy emanating from him was unsettling, like a dark and malevolent presence lurking just beneath the surface.
Sasuke sent a flurry of shuriken flying towards Gaara. But Gaara was ready, summoning a sand clone that caught the shuriken with ease.
Undeterred, Sasuke charged forward, his feet pounding the ground as he closed the distance between himself and Gaara. He landed a swift kick, followed by a sharp punch, but the sand clone caught his arm, holding him in place. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in effort as he punched the clone, shattering it and freeing his arm. He threw a punch, but Gaara was prepared, summoning a massive sand wall that blocked the attack.
Sasuke smirked as he seemed to vanish into thin air, only to reappear behind Gaara in a flash, his movements so fast they seemed almost impossible.
Lee's eyes widened in surprise as he watched Sasuke's incredible display of speed and agility. "That is just like what I did!" he exclaimed.
Gaara, meanwhile, was sent flying across the arena with a single, powerful punch, his body crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Sasuke stood tall, his eyes blazing with confidence as he taunted Gaara. "Bring it on!" he sneered. The two genin stared each other down once again, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze.
Then, in a flash of speed, Sasuke charged forward, his feet a blur of movement.
"Wow, he is so fast!" Lee said.
Sasuke's kick connected with Gaara's chest, sending the Sand genin flying backward once again. Gaara's eyes flashed with anger as he struggled to get back to his feet, his gaze fixed intently on Sasuke.
Sasuke's speed became almost blinding as he began to run circles around Gaara, his feet pounding the ground in a dizzying blur. He launched into a series of impressive flips and spins, his body twisting and turning with incredible agility. Gaara's eyes struggled to keep up with Sasuke's movements, his face twisted in a mixture of frustration and exhaustion.
Sasuke quickly closed the distance between them, grabbing Gaara and slamming his knee into the Sand ninja's chest with incredible force. The impact sent Gaara crashing to the ground, gasping for breath.
"It took me years to achieve that kind of speed," Lee whispered to himself, "and Sasuke just... does it. He is remarkable!"
Gaara, meanwhile, was struggling to catch his breath, his chest heaving with exertion as he glared at Sasuke with a mixture of anger and frustration.
Guy's eyes were wide with excitement as he turned to Kakashi. "What kind of training did you put him through, Kakashi?!" he asked.
Kakashi's expression was calm and collected as he replied, "Actually, Sasuke copied Lee's Taijutsu using his Sharingan."
"He did?" Shanan asked quietly.
Kakashi continued, "Of course, simply copying the movements wasn't enough. It still took him a lot of time and practice to get it right…"
Gaara shielded himself in a thick sand cocoon, protecting himself from Sasuke's attacks. Sasuke, undeterred, charged forward, his fists flying as he punched the cocoon with incredible force. The cocoon held strong, but Sasuke's relentless assault triggered a defensive response from Gaara. Sharp, jagged spikes emerged from the cocoon, mere inches from Sasuke's face. The young Uchiha dodged and weaved, avoiding the worst of the spikes, but a few scratches appeared on his cheeks and forehead.
The two opponents were at a short impasse, the only movement the soft spinning of a small sphere that hovered above the cocoon. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he continued to try and penetrate the cocoon.
Guy, Lee, Naruto, and Shanan exchanged anxious glances, but Kakashi's calm voice cut through the tension. "Keep your eyes on Sasuke. This is far from over."
Sasuke's eyes flashed as he activated his Chidori, the air around him seeming to distort with the buildup of energy. With a fierce cry, he launched himself at Gaara, running at full speed as he struck out with his Chidori-enhanced fist.
Guy's eyes widened in shock as he watched Sasuke's speed increase exponentially, his body a blur as he hurtled towards Gaara. Shanan's face lit up with pride, her eyes shining with admiration for Sasuke's incredible skill.
The sand cocoon surrounding Gaara proved no match for Sasuke's Chidori-enhanced strength. With a swift and deadly punch, Sasuke broke through and struck Gaara with incredible force, sending the Sand genin flying backward inside of his cocoon. Gaara's eyes widened in pain as he stumbled, his chest heaving with exertion, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Lee's eyes were wide with awe, but also a hint of despair. "I will never be that powerful, no matter how hard I try."
Shanan placed a reassuring hand on Lee's shoulder, her expression warm and encouraging. "You can't compare yourself to an Uchiha, Lee," she reminded him gently. "Nobody can, really. They're just... different. Besides," she added. "Sasuke got his Taijutsu from you, Lee. Who knows how well he'd be doing without your influence!"
Sasuke's eyes flashed with a hint of panic as he realized his arm was now stuck in the sand cocoon. But he quickly regained his composure, focusing his chakra to activate the Chidori once more. With a swift motion, he freed his arm. As he withdrew his arm, Gaara seized the opportunity to counterattack. A monstrous, sand-covered limb swung towards Sasuke with incredible force. Suddenly, the rest of the sand surrounding Gaara began to fall to the ground. His eyes were wild and unfocused.
Shanan's eyes narrowed in concern as she watched Gaara's behavior. She could see the madness taking over, and worried for Sasuke's safety. "Sasuke, be careful..." she whispered.
The cheers and chants grew louder as the fight between Sasuke and Gaara intensified. Shanan's gaze darted back and forth, her senses on high alert.
And then, without warning, dizziness swept in, darkness creeping across their vision like a shroud. The world around them began to blur, and feathers drifted lazily downward over the arena, delicate as snowflakes. Shanan, Lee, and Naruto swayed, their bodies trembling as they struggled to maintain their balance.
"Gen-ju-tsu..." Shanan slurred.
Kakashi's swift reflexes saved her from falling forward out of her seat, his firm grip wrapping around her arm. "Don't try and fight it, Shanan," he advised, his soothing voice calming her racing mind. "You can't help now, conserve your strength."
Naruto's eyes drooped, his consciousness slipping away.
Lee nearly fell out of his seat, but Guy Sensei rushed to his side, supporting him with a look of deep concern etched on his face.
Kakashi and Guy exchanged a swift glance, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. "Release!" they shouted in unison, the command echoing through the arena as they broke themselves free from the genjutsu's grasp.
Shanan's grip on Lee loosened, her fingers slipping from his as she felt Kakashi's grip on her arm relax, allowing her to slump forward, her head in her hands. He would let her sleep, safely out of harm's way. Her vision began to fade, the world around her disappearing into darkness.
Everything went black...