There is currently a bug on this site where people aren't about to see my latest 4 chapters. If that is you, I ask that you either download the FFN app, or go over to AO3 where this story is also posted in full. Sorry for the inconvenience and hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 53
"I think I'm starting to see the appeal of watching two blades cross in the heat of passion and glory. Two fearless warriors, battling for bragging rights and the thrill of your lives constantly being at the edge. There's a sort of beauty to it. If we eliminated the critical aspect of another losing their life, I think I'd be more open to the idea of allowing such a barbaric sport to thrive."
Naruto listened to Sothis's musings halfheartedly while keeping his eyes focused on the Iwagakure girl walking away from the beaten and bloodied form of Ino.
It wasn't the longest match, but it was readily apparent who the superior fighter was. The Iwa girl had dominated from start to finish, her strikes precise and relentless, leaving Ino struggling to mount any meaningful resistance.
Naruto clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. It wasn't just about the loss—losses happened, especially in the Chunin Exams. But the sheer disparity in skill and the way Ino had been dismissed like an afterthought, as if her training with him in the academy was for nothing…that stung.
"Perhaps if there were a way to measure one's strength without the need for such brutal consequences, it would be ideal. But would warriors truly push themselves to their limits without stakes?"
Naruto finally turned his thoughts inward at her latest comment. "Is this really the time to be pondering over the ethics of blood sports?"
"What? I'm genuinely curious." Sothis said indignantly. "I'm simply correlating the nature of these battles to the philosophy of combat as a whole. Remove the aspect of competition, and you kill the drive of the sport."
"And that's important why?"
She shrugged. "It's not. I was just making an observation. What? I'm bored. If I can't actively participate, then the least I can do is commentate."
"You could always spend time with Seiros in Fodlan if you're so bored."
"The last time I did that, I returned to you strapped to a table."
"That was one time."
"One time is too many when it comes to our lives. Thank you, but I think I feel safer being around than hoping you aren't scatterbrained enough to get drugged by a pretty face again."
Naruto did not have a reply to that.
His mind returned to the ring where Ino was being stretchered. Kurotsuchi had returned to her side of the arena, where his eyes just so happened to meet Katsuo. A smirk split the bandage guy's face, followed by a middle finger.
"What a child." Sothis scoffed. "I stand by the opinion that you should have ended him."
"I thought crippling him would teach him a lesson." Naruto argued.
"And look what good that did. How many children do you think he has likely killed in this exam alone?"
"We don't know that."
There was a brief moment of incredulous silence.
"Child, there is stupidity, and then there is willful ignorance. I do not believe you to be either, so please do not insult my intelligence by pretending otherwise."
Naruto exhaled through his nose, resisting the urge to argue further.
Despite the lesson he'd learned with Mizuki and Tayuya, he still wanted to believe the best in people—to keep that stupid promise he made years ago.
At this point, it wasn't just about keeping a promise anymore. It had been so ingrained in him that the concept was almost an extension of his morals, something he couldn't just remove and discard without it impacting him personally. It was simply him. His personality—his morals. It was him, and it was hard to change that.
"Something troubling you, Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen's voice cut him out of his musings, and the Uzumaki immediately put his mask back on, turning to look at the Third, who was watching him intently.
"It's nothing, Hokage-sama." He replied, not missing a beat. "Just thinking about the match."
"Hmm," Hiruzen hummed, his expression thoughtful. "It is unfortunate to see a student fail, but I believe you had an adequate training regimen. Regardless of the outcome, she fought well, and you should take pride in that."
"...Right," was all the blonde said as the next match was called.
"Next match: Haruno Sakura versus Karui."
"About damn time!" The redheaded Kumo-nin shouted as she leapt over the railing to the arena. Sakura followed suit, though at a more sedated pace, and soon both girls stood across from each other, waiting for the signal to begin.
Karui looked confident, her smirk sharp and her arms crossed.
Sakura, on the other hand, was stone-faced.
It wasn't difficult to understand why. Though she and Ino were barely on speaking terms nowadays, they had known each other since their first year at the academy. They may not be considered friends anymore, but any animosity they had as adolescent children wasn't present in their careers as Shinobi. In fact, it was all but dropped, a sort of silent agreement they had since taking their careers more seriously.
Watching her be so thoroughly demolished in front of everyone like that... it had to have rubbed her the wrong way. Sakura might not have shown it outwardly, but Naruto could see the tension in her posture, the stiffness in her stance.
"She's trying to keep it together," Sothis noted.
"Not necessarily for Ino's sake, but for herself." Naruto responded, his eyes remained fixed on Sakura, watching for any sign of hesitation. The match had yet to start, but Karui was already exuding confidence—too much confidence. The Kumo-nin thought this was going to be easy. He couldn't speak on her skills, but he also knew Sakura was anything but a pushover.
The broken blade of Kubikiribōchō was in Sakura's hand before Hayate even lifted his hand. That act alone made Karui's grin widen.
"Are you seriously gonna try and take me on with a broken blade?" She mocked, yet got no reaction from the pinkette. Not letting her silence
bother her, Karui rolled her shoulders, her smirk never fading.
"Alright then, your funeral, princess."
Hayate raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Karui dashed forward, her blade a red blur as it sliced through the air toward Sakura's unguarded side. The Kumo-nin was fast—faster than Ino had been against Kurotsuchi. She was already closing the distance before Sakura even raised her weapon.
But then, Sakura moved.
It was subtle, a shift in weight, a twist of the wrist—and suddenly the broken Kubikiribōchō was exactly where it needed to be. The clang of steel on steel echoed through the arena as Sakura deflected the strike with ease, her stance barely shifting.
Karui's eyes widened for a split second before she pushed forward, launching a rapid flurry of slashes. Each one aimed for a vital spot—each one fast and precise.
One particular overhead strike gave Karui a chance for a counter. Swiftly, she slashed her blade down in an arc across her opponent's exposed torso. Her effort was rewarded with not blood, but strands of hair. Sakura had immediately ducked her slash low, one leg sliding wide while the other bent, her body practically against the ground.
Karui had no time to be shocked as she suddenly found her feet removed from underneath her. In the same motion, she felt a sharp pain go across her chest before a kick sent her skidding across the ground.
Righting herself to a knee, Karui quickly raised her sword up horizontally for an attack that never came. Across the arena, Karui's opponent didn't even have her eyes on her, but on the broken blade in her hand. The blade that was currently...regenerating? The red that coated the blade looked to be getting consumed by the metal, each drop repairing its surface and lengthening its form.
When there was no blood left to consume, the phenomenon stopped, and the pinkette was still left with a broken blade, but it was noticeably lengthier—at least by 4 inches.
"The fuck?" was Karui's reaction to the odd spectacle, only to immediately curse herself for the lapse in her concentration.
In only two large leaps, her opponent was in front of her. She managed to raise her sword, but her parry was not enough to stop the force behind Sakura's swing. The sheer force of the attack sent her stumbling back, and she quickly righted herself before the next blow came.
"Shit!" The blow blew straight through her defenses and left yet another gash from torso to hip, not deep enough to reach organs but deep enough for her blood to spill and pain to register. Karui gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus. The last thing she needed was to get distracted by whatever the hell was happening with that broken sword.
She needed a new approach.
With a sharp exhale, Karui leapt back, putting distance between them. Sakura didn't chase. She simply stood there, Kubikiribōchō held loosely in her grip, her expression unreadable. That pissed Karui off more than she cared to admit.
"Alright, fine," she muttered, adjusting her stance. "If we're playing the long game, let's see how you handle this!"
She flicked through hand signs in rapid succession.
"Lightning Release: Thunderclap Arc!"
A surge of electricity crackled through the air as Karui swung her blade, sending an arc of lightning straight toward Sakura.
The attack was faster than any kunai Sakura had ever seen. It was on her in an instant, the crackling energy illuminating the battlefield in an eerie glow.
She leapt over it, spinning her body midair to dodge a second arc aimed for her legs. Before her feet even touched the ground, Karui had already launched three more consecutive strikes. She dodged, but Karui smirked as with a bit of manipulation, they circled back around. Seemingly unaware, Sakura charged her, while Karui slashed two more to box her in.
By the time Sakura had noticed the pincer maneuver, the blades of electricity was already too close to leap free.
There was a blur, and a cloud of smoke enveloped the pinkette, Karui creating more distance for precaution. When the cloud settled, an audible click of her tongue left her as she saw a barrier of rock blocking her view of her opponent. It fell soon after, revealing her unharmed opponent to everyone.
"Guess you're more than just your looks, tree-hugger." Karui complimented mockingly, trying to distract herself from the failure and the sting on her chest.
Sakura's expression shifted slightly. "And you're a disappointment."
A vein appeared above Karui's brow as she snarled out, "What was that?"
"I've only been learning to swing a sword for three months now, while you've no doubt been doing it for years. And yet, I delivered the first blow, and you're running. Either your skills as a swordsman are lacking, or your sensei is a failure."
Karui's hands began turning pale from how hard she was now gripping her sword. "Why you-!"
She darted forward, blade slashing. Sakura sidestepped the first strike, parried the second, and dodged the third. Karui didn't let up, launching another flurry of attacks, each one more furious than the last. Her swings were wilder, her steps less calculated.
To her credit, Sakura was holding her own. She weaved between each strike, parrying when necessary and dodging when the opening presented itself. But it was obvious who had the advantage. Even in her rage, Karui was faster and stronger, and every swing put Sakura on the back foot.
"Die! Die! Die you pink bitch!"
Sakura twisted, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. But it left her open. Karui's blade already moving. From shoulder to hip, Sakura was cut open, similarly to the wound she had inflicted, but far, far deeper. Karui was only allowed a brief moment of satisfaction before the pinkette disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"A clone?!"
Before she could react, the real Sakura appeared behind her, her body twisted into a flying kick.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
The full force of Sakura's kick connected squarely with Karui's back, sending her flying across the arena while an enigmatic Rock Lee yelled in support of the expertly performed maneuver.
Righting herself, she went back on the defensive, her sword crackling with electricity as she sent a new barrage of crescent slashes.
Each attack was fast and powerful, forcing Sakura to stay on her toes, weaving around the lightning with graceful movements and speed that did not seem possible with the massive sword she was lashing around.
The impossibility made Karui snarl, her attacks becoming more wild as she forced more chakra into her technique.
"Stay still, damn it!"
Sakura did not oblige.
Instead, she darted forward mid-dodge, using the momentum of her evasion to close the gap between them. The broken Kubikiribōchō gleamed ominously in her grip as she swung it in a downward arc. Karui barely managed to get her blade up in time, but the moment their swords clashed, she felt it—the weight.
Their previous clashes strained her, but not like this. It felt like she was trying to block a train, and seeing as she didn't have the muscle mass to stop a freaking train, it was obvious how she fared.
Her sword shattered, and hot agony seared through her shoulder.
Shock replaced her arrogance instantly. The blow was so strong that it knocked her to her knees. It was the only way she could explain why she was suddenly looking up at her opponent.
Red was the first thing she was able to identify next to white and pink across Sakura's face. Her green eyes were wide, mouth agape, and looking far from menacing. She almost looked...
Why was she the one in shock?
Karui had been the one cut. She was the one bleeding, and now that she thought about it, she should be fighting.
But for some reason, she couldn't move her arms. They felt like lead, and the more she tried, the more exhausted she felt.
Why was she suddenly so tired?
Why was she suddenly looking at the ceiling?
Why were the edges of her vision suddenly getting...dark...
Why couldn't...she...
...
Light suddenly blinded Karui as the world around her came into focus. She could see the bright lights of the arena, hear the faint crackle of electricity, and finally the sound of footsteps.
She realized a few seconds too late that someone was charging at her, sword raised high.
As ashamed as she was to admit it, she stumbled back onto her ass. Her momentary confusion at just what had happened to her played a major role in her stumble, not that anyone would believe her. It must have been some kind of Genjutsu. It was the only explanation she could come to.
A Genjutsu that was set to become very real as her opponent raised her sword high, the blade now the size of the one wielding it, sure to cleave her in two if it came down.
"SAKURA!"
Her name stopped her from completing the swing.
The pinkette blinked, her eyes coming back into focus as she looked down at her fallen opponent.
Karui wasn't the only one confused. The entirety of the audience stared at the scene with bated breath, uncertain and waiting.
Her calm was visible. Her face relaxed partially, remaining stern but not so bloodthirsty as she leveled the nearly regenerated sword at Karui's neck as if it weighed nothing.
"Give up, or lose your head."
...
Naruto watched Sakura silently return to her team, Hinata congratulating her while Sasuke was more reserved in his praise.
"I take it something happened?" Hiruzen's voice was calm and inquisitive.
As expected, he noticed.
"She did something she would have regretted." Naruto replied before turning to the Hokage. "How did you know?"
"The ending. I felt no signs of a Genjutsu from young Haruno despite her opponent's sudden stumble. You calling out to her drew my suspicion, but you just confirmed it."
"Quite the conservative old man." Sothis idly commented.
"He's the Hokage for a reason." Naruto responded inwardly.
"Do you think it wise to let the girl keep her memories of events?" She asked next, referring to the blonde's decision to allow Karui to remember her death.
"I thought it would help Sakura, and it did." He said, not at all mentioning the mental gymnastics Karui was likely going through from experiencing death for the first time—or just wondering if it had all been just a Genjutsu that made her freeze.
"Next match: Kankuro versus Misuni Tsurugi."
Yet another match that was heavily one-sided.
Misuni, an older Konoha Genin on the same team as Kabuto, had the unique ability to stretch his body at unnatural angles—like a snake. His limbs wrapped around every limb of the Suna-nin and began to squeeze, Kankuro seemingly caught off guard as his bones audibly creaked throughout the arena.
To the surprise of most, Kankuro's face fell apart.
The crowd was silent for a moment as the realization that his body had been a puppet dawned on them, but none more than Misuni, who was unable to escape as two extra arms escaped the puppet's side to wrap fully around his body. The real Kankuro burst from the bandaged sack on the puppet's back, chakra thread connected from his fingers to the construct. With a simple pull of his finger, saw blades appeared on the puppet's arms, and everyone was given front-row seats to a human-sized blender as the blades spun and the arms holding Misuni began to rotate.
Misuni's screams were just as horrible as what remained of him after. His corpse hit the ground, staining the floor red, Hayate calling the bout not too long after.
"Quite the lethal technique." Hiruzen mused.
Naruto did not have a response for the comment. His eyes followed the back of Kankuro as he effortlessly rewrapped his puppet in seconds before returning to his side of the arena. He then went to what was left of Misuni, currently being stretchered out, before landing back on the now shuffling names.
There were only four left.
Sasuke, Chōji, Akatsuchi, and Katsuo. Seeing as there were two Iwa-nin from the same team, it was more likely they would be fighting either Chōji or Sasuke.
Whoever fought Akatsuchi would be safe. Of the three Iwa-nin, he wasn't particularly bloodthirsty, at least that's what Naruto had gathered from their brief interaction in the past.
The problem was his teammate.
He had faith Sasuke could handle the Tamahagane. Of his own team, he was significantly more talented. His Sharingan gave him an advantage little had, and even Naruto would go as far as to say he was in league with Neji at graduation, if not slightly better.
He didn't have the same faith in Chōji.
He was not blind to his friend's skill or his dedication to being better than before. But the Akimichi's greatest strength was also his greatest weakness. He was a great tank with his clan Jutsu, but that alone would not be enough to tackle the bloodthirsty Iwa-nin.
It was something Naruto was painfully aware of as the next match was called.
"Akatsuchi versus Uchiha Sasuke."
...
Sasuke met his much opponent in the ring, neither of them saying anything as the proctor inspected them. Both boys were tense, the crowd waiting for the match to begin.
His arm raised.
"Begin!"
Akatsuchi was the first to move, his hand becoming coated with rock from the surrounding debris as he charged.
Too slow.
Sasuke sidestepped with ease, his movements sharp and precise. Akatsuchi's stone-covered hand slammed into the arena floor, sending cracks through the surface. The Iwa-nin wasted no time, twisting his body and swinging his other fist. But Sasuke was already moving, ducking low and delivering a sharp kick to Akatsuchi's side.
The hit landed, but it was like kicking solid rock. Akatsuchi barely flinched.
Of course. Sasuke clicked his tongue, leaping back just as another stone-coated punch came for his head, forcing him to leap back. As he did, his hands flashed through signs before he landed gracefully on the ground. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Small fireballs shot forward in rapid succession, aiming for Akatsuchi's exposed areas. The Iwa-nin responded immediately, bringing his stone-covered arms up to shield himself. The fireballs collided, sending embers scattering across the arena, but they barely made a dent in his rocky defenses.
Sasuke didn't hesitate. He used the cover of his own attack to close the distance again, weaving through the smoke and embers like a shadow.
The Iwa-nin swung a heavy fist downward, aiming to crush him in one blow. Sasuke sidestepped at the last second, the sheer force of the attack creating another crater in the ground. Before Akatsuchi could recover, Sasuke was already behind him.
'Chidori Stream!'
A sudden burst of crackling blue energy exploded from Sasuke's hands, arcing toward Akatsuchi's unprotected back. The Iwa-nin barely had time to turn before the electricity surged through his body. He grunted, his muscles locking up for a split second—just enough time for Sasuke to follow up.
With a burst of speed, Sasuke twisted his body, bringing his leg up high before slamming it down onto Akatsuchi's shoulder. The force of the blow sent the Iwa-nin to a knee. Soon after, his head shot back as a knee met his nose, followed closely by a foot that slammed into his cheek and nearly sent his to his arse.
Swinging where the Uchiha had struck was only reward with his arm going through air, the boy already gone. He looked up, only to see a sandal descending. It crashed into his face, the force snapping his head down.
Sasuke pressed his advantage, not letting up. He darted forward, his movements a blur as he unleashed a relentless flurry of blows. Each one aimed for a different vital spot—neck, temple, gut, ribs, solar plexus, kidneys, and more. His attacks were fast, powerful, and precise. He had the momentum, and Akatsuchi was clearly struggling to keep up.
It was also clear that Sasuke wasn't doing nearly as much damage to the Iwa-nin as the Uchiha would have liked. His strikes were causing pain, but that was it. Each strike was doing little more than chipping away at Akatsuchi's defense, his lightning attacks doing little more than stunning the natural rock type. Despite his stamina, Sasuke knew he would be the one to burn out first. A perfect offense didn't mean much against an and penetrable defense.
A surprise haymaker had Sasuke leaping back to avoid it, creating much needed distance between the two that he was sure the Iwa-nin appreciated. Despite the punishment delivered to his body, Akatsuchi didn't even look winded, a testament to both his strength of body for not accelerating into adrenaline, and his defense. More than likely, he was no stranger to this amount of abuse.
"Are you not going to use your eyes?" The question from the Iwa-nin wasn't malicious, but curious, his expression neutral.
"Why would waste the chakra on someone who is obviously weaker than me?" Sasuke stated not unkindly.
Akatsuchi's brow twitched, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as the stone on his arms crumbled away, falling in chunks to the battered arena floor. Sasuke tensed slightly at the motion, but Akatsuchi merely flexed his fingers, letting the loose dust fall from his palms.
"Then I guess I'll just have to change your mind," Akatsuchi said simply.
Sasuke barely had time to react before the Iwa-nin stomped the ground with a force that sent shockwaves through the arena. The fractured stone beneath them split apart, jagged chunks of earth jutting upward in an instant. Sasuke's Sharingan—because yes, now he was forced to activate them—whirled to life as he flipped backward, avoiding the rising spikes. His feet barely touched down before he had to move again, dodging as the debris Akatsuchi had just summoned was suddenly flung at him with startling force.
So, he's not just a brute.
Sasuke weaved through the hail of stone, ducking, sidestepping, and flipping between the projectiles with a grace that left the audience breathless. But Akatsuchi was already moving again, his hands slamming together in a blur of seals before they embedded themselves into the ground.
"Earth Style: Rock Wave!"
The ground beneath him cracked and crumbled as he lifted upwards, releasing a wave of rock toward the Uchiha. He clicked his tongue, darting forward rather than away—straight toward Akatsuchi and the incoming wave. His opponent barely had time to widen his eyes before Sasuke vanished in a burst of speed, his body flickering like a phantom.
A split second later, Akatsuchi grunted as a knee met his chin, knocking his head back with brutal efficiency. Sasuke spun around him, using his own momentum to flip onto the Iwa-nin's shoulders before dropping a kunai straight down. Akatsuchi barely moved in time, but the blade still nicked his shoulder, drawing first blood.
Sasuke smirked. "Slow."
A grunt of frustration left Akatsuchi as he staggered back, yet his opponent continued to press forward, unrelenting.
Sasuke blurred forward, feinting left before pivoting at the last second. His elbow slammed into Akatsuchi's ribs, followed by a sharp kick to the knee, forcing the larger boy to stumble. In that brief moment of imbalance, Sasuke struck again—his palm slamming against Akatsuchi's chest, discharging a concentrated burst of lightning chakra.
Akatsuchi gritted his teeth as the electricity coursed through him, his limbs locking up for a split second. Sasuke saw his chance.
With a sharp inhale, he leapt into the air, flipping over Akatsuchi's hunched form. Mid-flip, his hands blurred through hand signs. The moment his feet touched the ground, he thrust his palm forward.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A roaring sphere of flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth, engulfing Akatsuchi in a swirling inferno. The crowd gasped as the flames consumed the Iwa-nin, the sheer heat distorting the air around him.
But then—
A massive chunk of rock flew from the flames, forcing Sasuke to leap aside. As the fire cleared, Akatsuchi emerged, smoke rising from his now-reinforced body that he was now desperately shaking off of his arms and torso. From the one arm that wasn't covered by a sleeve, blisters were forming—as well as on the right side of his face and neck. His breaths were now also heavier, but his brow had grown a noticable crease.
"That armor my be sturdy, but it doesn't do anything to prevent heat from reaching the inside."
"I'm aware," Akatsuchi grunted.
"Last chance. Give up." Sasuke urged, which sounded more like a warning. Akatsuchi's responded by lifting his arms in a fighting position, a clear sign as ever that he wasn't ready to stop fighting. Sasuke could respect that.
In a swift motion, he grabbed at thin air before he pulled. Akatsuchi felt something on his skin move before he found his entire body bounded at what seemed to be an invisible force as well as a sharp sting of pain from both his blisters and added heat. Looking down, he saw multiple thin white wire connected from his torso to Sasuke's hand, the wire almost invisible until he pulled on it again, drawing the wire taunt.
"You were so focused on my attacks that you never saw the wires. That was a mistake." The Uchiha explained, bringing the end of the wire to his teeth before going through hand-signs. He stopped on one and exhaled. Akatsuchi attempted to break his bindings but found the ninja wire not easily broken. The reason was not only 'by design', but the multiple kunai embedded into rocks around him, something he was just now taking note of.
Flames were coming his way—streaming straight through the wire and right at him.
He wouldn't break out in time.
It was a fate everyone in the stadium knew.
Red and brown blurring in front of him was the first thing he registered, followed by a familiar voice yelling something. The flames in front of them slammed into a wall, sending the flames skyward and to the sides as Jonin and Genin alike leapt free of the backlash.
When it settled, Akatsuchi peaked an eye open.
His sensei stood in front of him, his rock hardened hands on the ground and a wall of melting rock in front of them.
"Sensei..." Akatsuchi said hoarsely.
"Stay down, Akatsuchi. This fight is over."
...
"Just what I'd expect from our most prized student."
Naruto turned to stare blankly at the floating Goddess. "When did Duckhead become our most prized?"
"Well, he is by far our most talented—not to mention the fact he absorbs knowledge like a sponge. He's no Fū in terms of entertainment, but his dedication is a welcome change to the hotheads we're used to." Her brow furrows as the Uchiha smirks at being declared the victor before turning and walking back to their corner, hands in his pocket and a clear air of superiority about him. "...If only his personality was more tolerable."
Asking for an Uchiha to be tolerable was like asking an irritated dog not to bite. In most cases, it couldn't be done.
"Will the final two contestants please make their way to the arena."
In unison, their heads turned to Chōji.
He looked nervous, even to Sothis.
He was sweating, and he had the same look on his face he did whenever Ino got on him for eating too much. The same one he had whenever they were doing the exercises, and he knew he was going to get his ass kicked.
"That guy is definitely toast." Fū, who had rejoined the blonde after pulling herself from the brink of what she called 'post-battle-depression,' stated casually upon noticing the look of dread on Chōji's face.
Naruto did not respond, watching the way Chōji's shoulders hunched forward, how he seemed to draw into himself, how his expression grew more fearful.
"He's nervous." Sothis noted, allowing her voice to be heard by both the Hokage and Fū. "You'd think anger would be more prevalent after witnessing his comrade's defeat by the same team."
"Chōji is a nice guy." Naruto replied, sounding slightly defensive.
"The only thing worse than a hot-blooded Shinobi is a pacifist." Hiruzen commented idly. "They have the drive and the skills but are usually too nice to utilize it. A shame, but the world has always needed the latter, no matter how rare they may be."
"Yet people like him are also needed to implement change." Naruto argued.
"Change doesn't often come without getting your hands dirty, Naruto-kun."
"...I know that. But I also believe it's that exact line of thinking why true peace is not obtainable."
There was no reply to that.
Katsuo stepped forward, his gait slow and deliberate, his sharp, predatory gaze never leaving Chōji. He rolled his shoulders, allowing a bloodthirsty grin to appear on his face, one that only grew as he saw his new prey shrink.
Chōji took a deep breath, his fingers twitching at his sides. His eyes darted to Shikamaru, who gave him a subtle nod—one of reassurance. It wasn't just about his own survival. It was about proving himself, standing his ground. But fear was a stubborn thing, clinging to his ribs like lead.
It didn't help that his opponent was scary. He was taller than him, walked with confidence, looked to be in excellent shape, and the bandages clinging to his form oddly didn't look as if they were due to an injury. It was an observation he'd noted since the start of the second phase, which meant there was something he was hiding that Chōji was likely about to find out.
Why him...
He would have preferred Sasuke over him. He would definitely lose to the Uchiha prodigy, but at least he'd live to see tomorrow. Even the other Iwa-nin was preferable. He at least didn't seem like the type of guy to drag out a fight for his own amusement—even if he was by far the tallest Genin in the room.
But he wasn't here, and Chōji wasn't allowed the time to think any longer. The proctor was checking them, making sure they were ready to go—and regardless of whether he was or wasn't, it was time to fight.
"What's wrong, fat ass? Don't tell me you're scared?"
Like a switch had been flipped, Chōji's expression shifted.
"Too scared to speak, fatass? Eh, not like it matters. I'm sure you'll be burnin' lots of calories from getting yer ass kicked." Katsuo continued to egg on. Meanwhile, Chōji was shaking, but it was no longer out of fear. His anger was growing, a volcano ready to erupt at even the slightest push.
"Getting pissed? Good. Keep that same energy, fatass. I wanna see it change once I break your-"
"ORAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Chōji suddenly erupted. Flames burned bright in his eyes as he clenched a shaking fist in front of him. "ALRIGHT YOU ROCKY BASTARD! YOU WANT A FIGHT? YOU GODDAMN GOT ONE! THIS FATSO IS GONNA PUT YOU STRAIGHT IN THE GODDAMN GROOOOOOOOOUND!"
The moment Hayate called for the match to begin, Chōji wasted no time. His hands blurred together in a practiced motion.
"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
His right arm ballooned in size, muscles and flesh stretching unnaturally before he launched his massive fist toward Katsuo like a wrecking ball. The Iwa-nin barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as Chōji's fist crashed into the ground, sending debris flying and leaving a deep crater where his opponent had once stood.
But Katsuo didn't look fazed. In fact, he was grinning.
"That all you got, fatass?" he taunted, shaking dust from his bandages. "That trick is neat, but do you really think raw strength is enough to—"
Chōji twisted his body and swung his enlarged arm sideways, nearly catching Katsuo mid-sentence. The Iwa-nin ducked in time, but the sheer force of the wind left by the strike sent a sharp gust through his hair.
"Guess I was wrong. You're not all-" he was cut off yet again as Chōji spun, swinging his other now enlarged arm. He jumped back, feeling a small gust of wind against his face as Chōji's enlarged hand sailed a mere inch in front of him.
He was surprised at first, but quickly his smile returned. "Not bad. I see you're more than a big belly, fatass." He taunted again.
"He's trying to provoke you, Chōji-kun." Shikamaru warned, watching his friend's rage build at every insult.
The words fell on deaf ears, however. Chōji had tunnel vision, the fire in his eyes blazing, his fists clenched.
He'd had enough.
Retracting his arm, he sought another Jutsu in his arsenal. His fingers flew through the seals at an impressive speed, his face twisted in rage as he glared daggers into his opponent.
Katsuo watched Chōji's entire body expand like a balloon before his arms, legs, and even head disappeared into his clothes. He was now twice his original size, the very ground cracking under him as chakra shot from the openings his limbs left.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Katsuo's laugh broke through the noise, it for once not being manic but genuine. "This has to be a fucking joke! You're like a goddamn puffer fish, fatass! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Chōji's response was to begin spinning in place, his body growing faster and faster with each rotation. Soon, his clothes were a blur, and the ground below him began to crumble.
"HHRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The ball shot forward, moving faster than what most in the arena thought capable. Katsuo's laughter halted almost immediately as the human boulder shot towards. "GET SMASHED, ROCK BASTAAAAAAAAARD!"
Katsuo did not run this time. Instead of dodging the attack, he planted his feet, reeled his arm back, and waited. The moment Chōji was in range, he struck. His fist collided with the human boulder, hard yet somehow soft.
Despite the speed and power behind the boulder attack, the uppercut that was delivered sent the boulder flying upward. Chōji's body first crashed into the roof, then bounced back to the ground, wall, ceiling, and ground again, becoming a real-life cannonball that both proctor and spectators had to avoid lest they be crushed.
Chōji's momentum slowed as he crashed into the ground, groaning as his body returned to normal size. He was disoriented, his head spinning from the repeated impacts. His entire body ached, and for the first time, the anger that had fueled him started to wane, replaced by dizziness.
Katsuo stood where he had punched Chōji, shaking his hand as if to shake off the lingering force. His grin was back, eyes alight with thrill. "Damn, fatass, that technique packs one helluva punch, I'll give ya that. Thought I'd break my own arm for a second there." He rolled his shoulders before cracking his knuckles. "But I guess that's the difference between me and you—I can take the hit and still be standing."
Chōji gritted his teeth, pushing himself up onto shaky legs. Katsuo met him halfway, swinging a hard right across his face. The impact sent Chōji skidding across the ground. He tried to get up, but another kick sent him rolling.
Katsuo kept close, refusing to give his opponent any reprieve. His next kick forced the air from Chōji's lungs. He gasped for breath, eyes widening as Katsuo's foot came down on his chest.
It felt as if he were getting hit by a ton of bricks. He wheezed, pain shooting through his body as the latest kick made him feel as if something inside had cracked. It was hard to tell what happened afterwards, as the next stomp to his face made him black out.
"The fight is over!" Hayate's voice fell on deaf ears as Katsuo drove his heel down again and again, laughing wildly.
"Gonna crush me my ass! You're worthless, fatass! Gonna turn you into mush! Gonna-"
Katsuo suddenly found himself unable to move. His gaze fell to his moving shadow, it constantly warping around his ankles. At the same time, there was something wrapped around his neck. The familiar feeling of his chakra being sealed off told him who was responsible.
There was also someone now standing in front of him, tall, broad, imposing, and wearing the Jonin uniform of his enemy. Peering his eyes up, they met with cold brown.
"That's enough." The bearded Jonin spoke, his tone low but laced with steel.
A vein bulged on Katsuo's forehead at yet another interruption of his fun, the second in recent days.
"I'm really gettin' sick of people stopping my fun." Katsuo coldly stated, his eyes defiant despite his chakra being sealed and the Jonin standing before him.
"This isn't a fight you want, kid. Trust me." Asuma responded, his own eyes hardening.
"How about your toys let me go, and we see for ourselves." The Genin pushed, his mind hazy and no longer caring about the consequences.
"That is enough."
Hiruzen's voice carried through the arena like a hammer striking stone, commanding instant silence. Even Katsuo, as defiant as he was, found himself hesitating at the weight behind the Third Hokage's words.
Now in the arena, he walked towards Katsuo, his gaze neutral yet his chakra flaring.
"Young Katsuo, do you understand why rules are enforced in these exams? And why is it imperative that every Genin, no matter their origins, must follow them to the letter?"
Katsuo wanted to scoff at the question, yet he didn't think this was one that he was meant to answer verbally.
"The rules are not just meant to keep order, but to exude discipline. That is the purpose of the exams: a test for the mind, body, and will of the Shinobi who seek the title of Chunin and above. The exam is an examination. For you—for your peers. We are testing the skills and character of the future generation. Of that, we are all equally a part of. Breaking those rules shows not only a lack of respect but also a lack of discipline. And do you know what happens to rule breakers?"
Katsuo suddenly felt a chill, one that ran down his spine and settled like ice in his gut. The old man's presence seemed to have tripled in a single instant, and all around him, the world grew cold. He could feel everyone's gaze burning into him, but none more than the Kage behind him.
The message was clear.
"Let this be a warning, Genin. Actions have consequences, so I highly suggest you do not test the boundaries again."
Katsuo's gaze never faltered, even as he was released. His blood was cold, but his pride and hate had yet to be quelled. His rational side knew when he was beat, and he would not make the same mistake twice.
With a smile, he stood tall, his hands held up in surrender. "Sure, sure, it won't happen again, Hokage-dono." Feeling as if slurring the Kage's title was all the leeway he would get, Katsuo turned on his heels and began his walk back to his side.
Despite the lecture, despite the warning, he couldn't stop his eyes from meeting the Yellow Flash's son—sword in hand, and looking as devoid of human emotion as his demon of a father.
Soon, very soon, everything would come to an end.
Walking up the stairs, he met his team, smiling cockily as all but Kurotsuchi glared his way. The fact she wasn't looking at him should have been a sign he shouldn't have ignored. Not using his head, he drew close.
He barely got within two feet before Kurotsuchi turned, and a rock-covered fist slammed into his face.
The blow was so powerful that it sent him careening back down the stairs and crashing onto the floor. Before he could even sit up, a rock-coated hand grabbed his face, covering his mouth and nearly preventing him from breathing. Kurotsuchi kneeled on his chest, her pink eyes showing a level of cold fury he'd never seen from the girl.
"I don't care who in your family the Yellow Flash killed or whatever screw you have loose. We are not here for you to please whatever problems you have going on in your sick, demented skull." She growled out, her grip on his face tightening as she leaned in closer to his ear to avoid anyone hearing or reading her lips. "Put my grandfather's plans in jeopardy again, and I swear I'll kill you before they can."
Her threat was accompanied by her hand slowly closing over his face. They both knew she did not have the strength to crush his face. However, that did not mean she didn't have other ways of getting the job done.
"Are. We. Clear?"
30 minutes later, the winners of their bout were all lined up in front of the Hokage, the rest of the crowd looking down at them from above.
After a brief word of congratulations and praise for those who had fought, proctor Hayate stepped forward, a piece of paper held out for the Genin to see. On the paper were their opponents for the finals, and while some were happy, others were eerily expressionless; specifically, Katsuo.
Hinata v Samui
Lee v Winner of Bracket 1
Yakumo v Temari
Gaara v Katsuo
Fū v Sasuke
Dosu v Kankuro
Kurotsuchi v Sakura
One month.
In one month, the finals would begin.
And out of the 13 on that piece of paper, only 4 would be alive when the greatest tragedy in Konohagakure no Sato, not seen since Kyuubi's rampage nearly 14 years ago, began.
A/N: Warning: things get very real in about 4 chapters. Before that though, characters people have had questions about in the past will FINALLY make an appearance. It was always meant to be this way, and they will fit in just perfectly for the conclusion.
Next chapter already halfway done and if I can get it out this Friday then you know for SURE I will! If not, then look out for next Monday!
As always, thanks for the reviews, follows, favs, and have a DAMN good day!