To Take A City By Storm II
Chapter 50 To Take A City By Storm II
Sakura stood before the chest holding the scrolls left for her and handed down through Shou’s family line. Taking a deep breath, she opened it and felt the pull of chakra urging her towards a scroll marked Chunin Exams. Sakura hid her nerves and unfurled the scroll, smearing her blood on the seal drawn within. A sharp jerk behind her navel was her only warning before the world spun and she landed gracelessly upon the floor of Inari’s temple.
“Good morning Sakura-chan,” Inari greeted, a chuckle slipping past her lips as she sat on the engawa overlooking the forest that surrounded her temple. Sakura walked over and sat beside her, soaking in the view before looking up at Inari curiously. “Sakura-chan,” Inari’s expression became tempered, her smile fading as she looked out over the mountains and valleys of her domain. “You understand death far too well for a child your age and I do not wish to give you false hope.”
Sakura swallowed as a painful lump formed in her throat. Inari’s eyes were narrowed and no doubt remembering the countless wars and deaths she’d seen in her centuries of life. Sakura took a deep breath to fortify herself against whatever ill omen the godly kitsune was about to deliver.
“This will not happen again. This is the exception, the standout chance. Tajima has passed on to the pure lands, your comrades from the past, with the exception of the Chinoike, have succumb to the ravages of time. Do not demand the impossible.” Inari’s voice was stern and she met Sakura’s eyes with a commanding gaze. There was love in the kitsune’s chakra, along with a desire to impart understanding. Sakura nodded, unsure of what exactly was happening. “Understand that the gods are not all powerful. We have our limits and we have long been sealed away from the lands of the living, only able to influence through contracts and prophecies. I would spirit you away from war and suffering if I did not know it would break your heart so do not think I withhold my aid.”
“I understand.” Sakura could feel her heart hammering in her chest, her mind already spinning through possibilities. Anticipation and fear danced within her, a gathering storm threatening to overflow as her chakra burned with the force of her emotions. Sharingan spun in her eyes and because of that, Sakura caught sight of motion, too fast for her eyes to follow but not to notice.
“Hello Sakura-chan.” Warm arms encircled Sakura as a voice she longed to hear entered her ears. Brilliant chakra, bright and warm danced across her senses. It felt like an inviting campfire amid a dark and friendly forest, the smell of smoke mingling with pine and a light breeze shot through with playful mischief. Sakura couldn’t find her voice, words lost to her as she looked into two onyx eyes she’d thought lost forever. “It’s good to see you again to imouto.”
“Shisui!” Sakura choked out the words, turning around and finding Shisui looking down at her. He looked the same as ever, with the notable exception of a pair of fox ears peeking out from his wild hair and four black tails swaying behind him.
“That’s right, fastest kitsune in the world.” Shisui winked playfully, laughing as Sakura cried and let out a disbelieving laugh. Her hands harmlessly batted against his chest as she completely lost her hold on her emotions, her mangekyo blossoming in her eyes. Shisui let out a sigh, though it was painfully fond and leaned down so he could pull the girl into a tight hug. “I’m sorry.”
“You better be.” Sakura burbled, tears rolling down her cheeks as she sobbed into his shoulder. Shisui’s death had been a turning point in her life. She’d gone from knowing she needed to gain strength to understanding viscerally exactly what not being strong enough meant. She’d seen death before, had killed years before and saw comrades fall but Shisui was her brother and he had died because she hadn’t known how to save him. “I got stronger, to protect my loved ones.”
“I know, I’ve been watching. All this time.” Shisui murmured, stroking Sakura’s head to calm her down as the girl fought back a few sobs and hiccups. “Easy there, I’m fine, just got a few additions is all.” Shirui’s eyes remained onyx despite the emotions raging through his chakra and Sakura knew he had lost for all he’d gained. He wasn’t human, his body was that of a Kitsune, his chakra as well. He no longer carried the flames of the Uchiha within him, his soul free from the curse and blessing both.
“I missed you.” Sakura sobbed into Shisui’s shoulder, unable to find her breath as she let him carry her weight. Strong hands held her up and slowly Sakura released her brother, taking a step back so she could really get a good look at him. He was dressed in a dark kimono and there were no visible weapons on his person, though Sakura knew better. A weak smile spread over her lips as she took him in and noticed the tear streaks on his own cheeks. “Why didn’t you show up sooner?”
“I was unable.” Shisui’s chakra twisted and Sakura’s mangekyo felt the truth flowing through his chakra. Inari Okami had stopped him and though the divine Kitsune’s chakra was saddened, she hadn’t wanted to keep them apart, but she felt it necessary. Both Shisui’s anger and Inari’s reasoning stemmed from love, Sakura could feel their hearts flowing through her. Shisui hissed as he sucked in a breath of air, his eyes widening as he looked down at Sakura. “You’re far too mature for your age Sakura-chan. So much like ‘Tachi-kun.”
“I willingly carry the burdens of our clan Shisui. I have to be.” Sakura did not regret the loss of her childhood. The life she would have lived as a Haruno wouldn’t have been any kinder nor would it have had anymore freedom. Civilians were fully capable of suffering trauma and pain, the wounds far less dramatic and often discounted by shinobi who saw death on the daily but they were real all the same.
“I know and you’re a wonderful warrior Sakura-chan and I’m glad to see you’re still able to smile.” Shisui’s smile was bitter for he knew the girl’s mind saw war as normal. Sakura could not understand that her life was a tragedy, in fact she was happily unaware.
Sakura was raised to view killing and combat as routine. Inari had sung songs of war and its gory glories into the girl’s mind. The Uchiha of the past knew no better, raising their young for the war that had consumed their clan since its founding. Konohagakure would not tolerate wasted talent and viewed its citizens as tools for profit so that it could fund the lavish lifestyle of the clan heads, nobles and Daimyo’s court. Perhaps if she’d been lucky, Sakura’s pink hair and foreign blood would have kept her talents from being noticed until she was older and her strength was undeniable, but that wasn’t this reality and her childhood was gone, mourned only by a single soul.
“I have lost a lot, you, Itachi, Tajima, most of the modern clan and many comrades in arms have fallen fighting the Senju but I will not let pain and anger rule my heart. I owe it, not just to the people who have helped me and believe in me but to myself to tend my flames carefully and share them with as many people as I can.” Sakura felt tears sting her eyes once more and an odd anxiety bubble up within her chest. She knew she rarely spoke about her ambitions in the modern age, after all she didn’t know her future and imagining life beyond her eighteenth birthday terrified her.
“You are very brave, Sakura-nee.” Shisui said softly and leaned forward to rest his forehead against Sakura’s. “I’m glad to see you again and I have years to make up for missing, so call upon me today.” Shisui gave Sakura a look and the rosette nodded, wiping her eyes clean. Her mangekyo remained undimmed in her eyes, eternal, Shisui’s final act as an Uchiha ensuring her light would never fade. His eyes were different now, a blue so dark they appeared black except when the light caught them and Sakura thought it suited him. His hair was much the same, as was the fur on his four tails.
“I know you died.” Sakura was surprised her voice remained level as she met Shisui’s eyes. She had felt his chakra vanish without the distinctive flare of a reverse summons. Uchiha Shisui was dead and the being standing before her shared the same soul, but a different body and chakra. “And I made my peace with that but I’m glad I was wrong. Inari-okaa, thank you for this but I have to return to Konoha.”
“Of course and do not forget to call us on this day of days. This is your chance to have the stigma overlooked.” Inari’s eyes were sharp and Sakura gave the fox a nod. The rosette’s sharingan faded, her eyes returning to their usual emerald hue and Sakura gave the divine kitsune one last look before pulsing her chakra and sending herself back to Konohagakure no Sato.
***
Naruto woke up, got dressed and darted out from his apartment, taking to the rooftops as he made his way across town. Almost immediately he felt a gust of air slam into him and then Tora was at his side, her mischievous grin on full display. She was dressed in armored black cargo pants and a skin tight sleeveless turtle neck.
“Hey, good luck.” Tora or rather Sakura gave him a wink and Naruto smiled back. Now, knowing it was Sakura he could see the similarities. Her face was older but identical, her voice much the same. Mannerisms and expressions were all instantly recognizable and proof that Sakura hadn’t been pretending to be his friend even if she had hidden her identity. “I’ll be watching, but you know, playing hide and seek.”
“Thanks Tora-chan.” Naruto flashed his friend a wide smile before his face fell into a frown. Today he’d be facing Hyuga Neji and the entire situation rested heavy upon his mind. Sakura’s words and explanation still rang in his ears and Naruto couldn’t imagine anyone being so cold. The Hyuga had taken the bonds of family and twisted them into chains of slavery but Hinata was innocent of any crimes. Neji was wrong and Sakura’s dismissal of that fact stung, proof that no matter how much he looked up to her, she wasn’t perfect. “I’m going to win, just you watch!”
“I’m sure you will Naru-chan.” Sakura answered, her voice lined with false cheer and Naruto caught the smell of fresh tears and grief in her scent. He had no idea what had upset her, but something had shaken her badly and Naruto finally noticed the red rims around her eyes. “Kick ass alright?”
Naruto nodded, unsure of what to say. ‘Do I ask?’ The blond had no idea what was on Sakura’s mind. She’d been beyond furious the morning of the first exam and now she was sad. Naruto knew that for all she was his first, best friend, there were large chunks of Sakura’s life he was completely unaware of. For example, her apparent hatred of the Senju. ‘I should ask.’
“Hey Tora-chan? Everything alright?” Naruto met his friends eyes, her fake electric blue gaze flinching away from his face. Sakura let out a breath and shook her head.
“No, but it’s complicated and I think everything will be fine. I just need to see today and tomorrow through.” Sakura’s words had the ring of truth to them, though it was obvious that was all she’d share with him. Naruto swallowed the need to know more. Tora always danced around hard answers, which made sense because she was undercover but as Sakura, his friend had always been open with him so it hurt to hear her dodging his questions. “Sorry Naru-chan, maybe next time.”
“Oh, alright.” Naruto pouted slightly before brightening back up as Sakura reached over and ruffled his hair.
“Kick ass for me my little minion. Show the Hyuga kid that nobody messes with Konoha’s top pranksters.” Tora’s sharp grin was so much like Sakura’s, but her teeth were feline rather then shark like. Naruto felt the last dregs of his bad move flee before his friend’s smile and he held up his fist, the two bumping knuckles before Sakura gave him a salute and vanished with a seal-less flicker.
‘Show off.’ Naruto thought fondly, reaching the stadium and dropping down to street level. Walking through the tunnel that lead to the arena, Naruto saw most of the other contestants waiting in the shade. The proctor hadn’t called them out yet and Naruto sidled up to Shikamaru who looked half asleep. The Nara raised an eyebrow at Naruto’s presence and Naruto flashed him a small grin.
“Ready for today sleepy head?” Naruto teased lightly and Shikamaru rolled his eyes and stifled a yawn with his hand. The Nara didn’t look the least bit excited despite the crowd already gathering above them and Shikamaru knew his parents would be watching. Naruto would have been annoyed by the attitude if it was anyone else.
“Troublesome, my mom’s watching so I have to actually try.” Shikamaru complained and Naruto cackled at the raven’s annoyance. Shikamaru responded with a glare and Naruto just smirked back playfully. “I’d be more worried about myself if I was fighting Hyuga Neji.”
“Eh, I can take him.” Naruto swatted the air, dismissing the Hyuga who was near enough to listen in on the conversation. Baleful pearlescent eyes turned to the blond and Naruto answered the glare with a foxy grin. “You’re going to lose.”
“Hmph, impossible.” Neji sneered, earning an eye roll from the blond who was seemingly impervious to the Hyuga’s scorn. Naruto shifted his attention back to Shikamaru who was still feigning exhaustion despite the keen glint in his eyes. Cheers erupted from the audience, sweeping into the tunnel and echoing off the concrete walls.
“Would the contestants please enter the arena?” An unfamiliar voice called out and the group began to walk down the tunnel. Idly, Naruto realized Satsuki was missing, though considering she was training with Kakashi perhaps that was to be expected. Gaara, Satsuki’s opponent, was radiating low levels of killing intent, his green eyes bloodshot and wild though his expression was flat as ever.
‘That’s a lot of people.’ Was the first thing that entered Naruto’s mind as he stood in the center of the arena. ‘There’s somebody missing besides Satsuki.’ Naruto realized, looking over to Ino who was grinding her teeth, her blue eyes filled with fire. For a brief moment, Naruto thought the Yamanaka was surrounded by literal flames of rage as the kunoichi realized her opponent was another no show.
“Dammit, I’ll show all of you.” Ino growled quietly as a new proctor stepped out in front of them. The man introduced himself quickly as Shiranui Genma before calling out the names of the contestants and then sending them up to a viewing box overlooking the arena.
“Would Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji please remain here for the first match?” Genma asked, glossing over the fact that two contestants weren’t even present. He’d introduced Satsuki but hadn’t mentioned Dosu, which probably meant something. Naruto quickly put thoughts of his wayward teammate from his mind and turned to face Neji who was looking as dismissive as ever.
“You should forfeit, petty tricks and luck won’t help you against me.” Neji declared as if this was about winning rather then earning a promotion. Naruto chuckled and scratched at the back of his head, his smile stretching his lips while his eyes crinkled and sparkled with mischief.
“But what if I’m just better then you?” Naruto asked innocently, putting false cheer into his voice. In truth, the blond knew that Neji was probably more talented then he was but Naruto had a few advantages. For one, he’d been taught by Sakura for several months and nobody was as terrifying a sensei as a serious Sakura-chan. Second, he’d spent the entire month being trained by Jiraiya and sparring against Uchiha Izumi. Compared to them, Neji was a joke. Finally, Naruto had enough chakra to spam out shadow clones and just swarm the other genin.
“You’re not and you never will be. You were the dead last, you were fated to be nothing but a failure and you cannot change fate.” Neji answered and Naruto let out a tired sigh. He’d been hoping that Neji wasn’t as bad as he thought but apparently the Hyuga was so buried in his own fatalism he was unable to think rationally.
Instead of answering, Naruto brought his fingers together and created a quartet of shadow clones. The clones pulled out their kunai, faces grim as Neji slid into the opening stance of the juken. The two stared each other down for a painfully long second before the Naruto clones charged, all of them letting out a raucous battle cry.
A wave of kunai flew towards Neji and he dodged two blades before snatching a third from the air. Sparks flew off steel as the Hyuga deflected another pair of knives before blocking a final blade with the ring of his stolen kunai before he flicked it towards a Naruto clone. The clone dodged but Neji flowed behind the blade, immediately jamming a pair of fingers into the clone’s throat dispelling it. Dodging a punch, Neji spun around, a palm dispelling a second clone when a third Naruto closed in on him.
“You know it wasn’t fate that created the branch house or put that seal on you. It was Hyuga Hiashi.” Naruto’s words stunned Neji and the blond delivered a powerful cross to the Huga’s cheek. Neji staggered backwards, eyes wild as he processed the pain of Naruto’s blow.
“What did you say?” Neji asked, wiping the blood from his lips as the three remaining Narutos looked at him. He couldn’t tell the difference between them, their chakra split identically but he wasn’t worried, not yet anyways. Naruto knew however that Neji was in for quite the rude awakening, after all he had the chance to shattered the other boy’s annoying beliefs and take a very public shot at a group of slave traders.
“What do you think I said Hyuga?” Naruto asked, anger bubbling away in his stomach. He hated the idea of slavery, the very thought made him so angry he felt sick. In Sakura’s eyes slavers deserved nothing more and nothing less then a swift death. Naruto didn’t want to kill anyone, but he could understand her sentiment.
“And fate put him in that position. Everyone is born with limits. The weak are weak because they were born that way. The strong and strong because that is what they are.” Neji returned to his stance and looked at Naruto with obvious ire. Naruto returned the look seriously for once, dropping his clown act. “Who you are born as, your potential, all of it is determined at birth, by fate and fate alone. You cannot change fate, nobody can and it is time you learned that lesson. You cannot fight your fate, no matter how hard you try. You are a failure and I am a genius, you are fated to lose.”
“What a sad way of seeing the world.” Naruto could see the twisted logic in Neji’s words but he would never accept them.
He knew that people existed who could defy their fates. Izumi had minimal chakra reserves and ordinary chakra control but she worked at her control until it was perfect, a match for Sakura’s who had been born with that talent. Uchiha Naori was of the Isles and an Uchiha, chaos, blood lust and violence were her nature and yet she was serene and calm, her heart and mind at peace through dedicated meditation and effort. Mitarashi Anko had overcome being an orphan with nothing to her name and had risen to be the apprentice of the most powerful shinobi in Konohagakure before his desertion and then she had overcome most of the poor reputation that achievement had earned her.
“It is realism.” Neji declared and charged forward. Five new shadow clones joined the two remaining and the eight Narutos wove between each other as they matched Neji’s advance. The Hyuga was quickly surrounded as two peeled off to his right and another pair moved to his left.
“Fate is only as absolute as your acceptance of it. You might not succeed in your rebellion but you’ll never know until you try.” Naruto met Neji’s eyes, stormy blue clashing with mother of pearl as eight fists rocketed for the Hyuga. Neji knew he couldn’t dodge all of them and pivoted into a sharp spin, his chakra bubbling to the surface and forming a solid wall around him as he spun. Eight punches slammed into the chakra sphere which ground through skin and bone, eight bursts of smoke erupting around the dome as it tore into the ground and glowed even under the morning sun.
“That was the Hakkeshou kaiten, the ultimate defense of the Hyuga.” Neji stated tersely as Naruto walked out from the shade of the trees. The blond wore a slight frown as he came to a stop well out of Neji’s range. “You cannot hide from my eyes, you cannot defeat my ultimate defense, you cannot win. Face it, you are fated to lose.”
“Your defense thing, is it easy?” Naruto asked and internally chuckled as Neji’s brow drew together in annoyance. The Hyuga’s pretty face twisted into a scowl and his eyes narrowed with anger.
“No, of course not. It is a secret technique taught only to the main branch.” Neji declared and Naruto nodded along, his seriousness finally cracking as he showed a foxy grin. “What?”
“You defied fate, you a branch member learned a main family technique.” Naruto pointed out and Neji’s lips twisted downwards. The constant ribbing and contradiction had finally been too much for Neji’s fragile ego to bear and he snarled as he reached up and pulled his hitai-ate off.
“You want to talk about fate like you understand it?” Neji asked, voice dangerously low as he bared the cursed seal to the entire arena. “This is fate. My father was born mere minutes after his older brother. That chance of fate, only a few minutes difference damned him to being sealed and relegated to the branch family.” Neji’s chest heaved with the force of his emotions and his words carried up to the stands, the audience silent as two genin aired the dirty laundry of Konoha’s greatest surviving clan.
“This seal gives the main family absolute power over those of the branch house. They can kill us with a thought, inflict harm as they see fit and disable us. We die so they may prosper. My father was born second and because of that he was murdered by his own brother, dying in his stead so that Hyuga Hiashi could live. My fate was sealed from the moment I was born and only in death will I be free of it.” Neji tied his headband back on and glared at Naruto. The blond could see the genuine rage burning within the other genin. Neji was an orphan burdened by a seal he had never asked for. He was Naruto’s twisted mirror and though they weren’t identical only a fool would fail to see the similarities.
“You know, seems to me that fate has nothing to do with this. The gods didn’t brand you with that seal, fate didn’t burden you with a prophesy. You weren’t born with that mark upon your head. The Hyuga did this, not fate and last I checked, they weren’t all powerful.” Naruto brought his hands together and summoned up eight shadow clones. The clones dipped into their pouches, all pulling out shuriken with ninja wire already attached. Neji tensed and then broke into a sprint, realizing Naruto’s plan and intent on stopping him.
“The way I see it, you’re too afraid to challenge those who have wronged you. You could stand up to the main house but you’re scared of dying so you blame it all on fate. That’s fine because when I become Hokage, I’m going to put an end to this nonsense.” Naruto declared as steel stars flew from nine pairs of hands. Razor wire glittered in the sunlight, dozens of shuriken arching around and towards Neji who dove through them only for the clones to unleash a second volley of wired shuriken, their paths interlocking and creating a net of rapidly closing steel.
“Kaiten!” Neji declared, spinning on a heel. Chakra ground down the earth, disintegrating the steel wire even as the wider arcs survived, the shuriken burying themselves in the stadium wall and creating a lane down which Neji now sprinted. Naruto brought his fingers together, flowing through the seals he had practiced constantly with Izumi’s oversight. They both shared wind affinities and Izumi had been more then happy to pass on a jutsu for him to use in the exams.
“Futon, daitoppa!” Naruto called out, using the words to further concentrate his unruly chakra. A blast of wind left his mouth, the shock wave ripping up the ground and flying towards Neji who had nearly closed in on him. The Hyuga immediately spun, the chakra rich shock wave crashing into the rotating dome of force. The two techniques clashed and then exploded, wind ripping through the arena and throwing up massive walls of dust and debris.
‘And that’s match.’ Naruto thought, flicking eight smoke bombs into the mess where he knew Neji was standing. The Hyuga’s rotation came to an end as the spheres detonated, creating a haze of smoke filled with peppers.
“Got ya! Good luck fighting blind!” Naruto crowed, more then happy to play the fool for victory. He could hear Neji advancing, the Hyuga’s lungs heaving as he ran through the poisoned smoke, unaware that would only make things worse. The Hyuga burst from the cloud, smelling of peppers, nose dripping slightly from the spice and eyes closed.
“You’re within the range of my divination.” Neji declared, shifting into the distinctive stance of the Hyuga’s most powerful offensive taijutsu technique. Naruto took a step back, bringing his hands together for a substitution but was far too slow. Neji shot forward, the first two hits landing before Naruto had finished his first seal. Pain burned through the blond’s chakra network as chakra enhanced blows rained down upon him, tenketsu after tenketsu sealed.
“It’s over!” Neji declared as he delivered the final blow and sent Naruto tumbling backwards. Agony burned through Naruto’s body and he couldn’t feel his chakra as he crashed into the ground. His head struck the dirt and stars danced before his eyes even as he rolled onto his side and pushed himself upright, blood running from his mouth and his breath coming in shuddering gasps.
“You know, you’re right.” Naruto chuckled and spat out a glob of bloody saliva. “But probably not how you expected.” Naruto grinned as his clones shot forwards. Neji spun, taking out four clones only to be forced to spin a second time. His lungs heaved, his heart thundered and the Hyuga’s every move accelerated the poison now coursing through him. “You know, the thing about being a prankster is nobody takes you seriously, which is really funny when you consider I prank shinobi.”
Neji staggered, his limbs going numb and his mouth suddenly dry. His head spun and he blinked as his vision began to lag. Two clones charged him and his lagging reactions forced him to rely on another kaiten, chakra escaping his coils like water through a sieve. The last two clones put their hands together, moving through the seals for the same wind jutsu Naruto had used previous.
“I might have been dead last and I’m certainly not a prodigy but you know what? I don’t care. I’ll work hard, never accept my limits and when I’m not enough, my team will be there for me.” Naruto’s clones finished their signs and two shock waves crashed into Neji, carrying him across the arena. The Hyuga skipped off the hard packed sandy soil before tumbling to a stop in a mess of limbs. One of Naruto’s clones walked over to Neji who was clearly in no condition to fight. The proctor loomed behind the clone, silently menacing but otherwise taking no actions.
“You’re strong.” Neji slurred and Naruto gave him a small but genuine smile. Those words, coming from Neji meant a lot.
“Only because I refused to accept the fate others would have decided for me. Everyone always said I was an idiot, talent-less, hopeless, the dead last but I never gave up. I overcame that fate and if I can do it, surely a genius like you can to.” Naruto shrugged and flashed a megawatt smile down at Neji. “And I was serious. When I become hokage, I’m fixing this.” Neji let out a tired sigh, the sedative slowly stealing his consciousness as his eyes drifted shut.
“The Hyuga would never vote for you.” Neji whispered but smiled despite himself. Somehow he knew that wouldn’t deter the blond. If anything it would be seen as a challenge, to become Hokage despite the Hyuga’s opposition and if Neji was a betting man, well Naruto had already defeated the odds once.
“Winner Uzumaki Naruto!” Genma called out a smile on his face. He hadn’t been sure what to expect from Naruto’s match but he certainly wasn’t disappointed. The blond was clever, perhaps not brilliant like his father but combined with his massive chakra reserves and hard work, nobody could doubt he’d grow to become a powerhouse in time.
“See that Tora-chan! I kicked ass!” Naruto called out, spotting a familiar tiger masked ANBU with white and black hair. She flashed him a victory sign as he ran back towards the box seats, eager to see the next match. Reaching the private venue, Naruto could see the other contestants reevaluating him and grinned at them.
“That was pretty awesome.” Ino said, approaching Naruto and giving him a look over. Her blue eyes were focused on him as if she was seeing him for the first time. “You know, if you weren’t so…” Ino gestured wildly before letting out a sigh. “Orange, we’d probably get along.”
“You mean loud Ino. He’s loud personified.” Shikamaru drawled, earning a barking laugh from Naruto while Ino heaved a sigh at the sheer volume of the noise. The blond haired kunoichi nodded in agreement before dropping her faux aggravation and smiling at Naruto.
“I’m still going to win our match. Just you see, I’ve been training day and night. In fact I bet my opponent isn’t here because he got cold feet. Knew he couldn’t win.” Ino stated haughtily and Naruto chuckled, easily slipping into the comfortable rapport with the other blond despite never getting along with her during their academy years.
“Oh yeah? Well I’ve been training day and night as well and I haven’t even shown off all of my new techniques. Besides to fight me you’re going to have to beat Satsuki-chan and that’s just not happening.” Naruto teased back, enjoying the idle smack talk. Ino’s eyes filled with amusement, competitive fire burning within their blue depths even as she smiled back.
“Only one problem, Satsuki promised me a date if I win, so I’m not losing. Her mistake. Nobody gets between Yamanaka Ino and what she wants.” Ino declared as if it was a foregone conclusion and Naruto couldn’t help himself and burst out laughing. Ino’s cheeks colored lightly but she weathered the laughs with good humor, shaking her head and smiling despite herself. “Laugh it up, you’ll see.”
“Kankurou, Aburame Shino, please come down to the arena.” The proctor called out after a few moments and Naruto turned to see Shino walk towards the stars while Kankurou’s fingers tightened around the railing.
“I forfeit!” Kankurou called out, earning a wave of boos from the audience. The boy’s hands tightened around the steel and Naruto could smell the scent of anxiety and adrenaline wafting off him. Blue eyes narrowed because even though he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the draw, he knew suspicious when he saw it.
“Alright, well in that case Nara Shikamaru and Temari.” Genma called out and Temari vaulted over the arena railing, sliding down the wall before landing on the sandy dirt. Her fan was already hung across her back while Shikamaru stifled a yawn with his left hand.
“Can I forfeit?” He asked before Ino’s sandal connected with his rear, sending him tumbling out of the box towards the arena floor. “Troublesome.” Shikamaru grumbled as he landed in a heap on the ground. The Nara let out a put upon sigh and pushed himself upright, dusting himself off before ambling over to the protector, his shoulders slouched and back hunched forward. “Fine, I’m here.”
“Good, begin!” Genma called out and the match was on.
***
“We’re late.” Satsuki drawled, glaring at Kakashi who simply gave her an unapologetic smile with his one exposed eye. The insincere gesture only managed to further annoy the young Uchiha and she closed her eyes, heaving an annoyed sigh through her lips. Kakashi took that moment to put his hand on her shoulder and flicker, the world remaining in perfect focus thanks to the sharingan suddenly spinning in Satsuki’s eyes.
Arriving within the arena, Satsuki stood back to back with her sensei. She was dressed in a sleeveless haori that was red down the center of the front and black on the sides. The Uchiwa was proudly displayed on her back and the shirt hid high quality chakra conductive kikko armor underneath that was more protective then kusari gusoku and more flexible then a solid breastplate, though admittedly far less sturdy. A large golden obi held the haori shut and the ends fell to her mid thigh and partially hid her shorts which ended at the same spot. Black leg warmers hid more armor, going from an inch below where her haori ended to flaring out around her sandals, the fabric stopping just an inch above the ground.
“Sorry we’re late, we got lost in the mountains and had to ask a hermit for directions.” Kakashi’s excuse was as fake as ever and the proctor just shook his head. ‘Kakashi’s antics must be well known.’ Satsuki thought at the sheer familiarity radiating off the man who motioned for her to take her place. A burst of chakra alerted Satsuki to an incoming shunshin and she saw Gaara fly from the contestant’s box, appearing in a burst of sand.
‘So that’s why shunshins are suicidal against sensors and doujutsu.’ Satsuki noted as her hands fell to rest on her newly acquired tanto. She had two of the knives which were only about twice the length of a kunai and certainly didn’t deserve to be called a sword. Still they were lethal against most shinobi who preferred taijutsu and kunai.
“Alright, for the final match of the first round, Uchiha Satsuki!” Genma called out, apparently aware of Satsuki’s new name. The man gave the young girl a small nod, eyes softening momentarily before he switched his attention to Gaara. “And Sabaku no Gaara!” The two teens glared at each other, Satsuki’s sharingan spinning idly while Gaara radiated manic blood lust. “Begin!”
Sand exploded from Gaara’s gourd and Satsuki took off like a shot. She’d been training with two of the fastest shinobi in Konohagakure and their focus had been mainly on upping her speed. Reaction time was useless if your body couldn’t keep up with your mind after all. Satsuki’s tanto slipped free from their sheathes, blades flashing in the sunlight as she swung them towards Gaara’s neck. Sand wrapped around the tender flesh, steel grating against quartz before Satsuki flickered away, coming back with a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at Gaara’s chest.
Sand and wind exploded across Gaara’s chest, harmless but startling and the redhead’s eyes widened as Satsuki vanished a third time, her blades catching sunlight before they slammed into a wall of sand an inch away from Gaara’s forehead. In truth, Satsuki wasn’t aiming to kill and likely couldn’t easily cut with her tanto anymore. The blades were thoroughly sandblasted at this point, dulled into little more then metal clubs with sharpened tips but that was fine, she didn’t plan to kill anyone today.
Gripping a handful of kunai, Satsuki launched the blades around Gaara, the sand ignoring them even as they pinned him in and the Uchiha’s fingers flew through the signs for one of her signature jutsu.
“Katon, ryuka no jutsu!” Satsuki needed the extra focus as she pushed her flames into an orange white heat and sent them racing along eight wires. Gaara’s sand rose to protect him and Satsuki poured more fire into the attack. Her eyes watched as Gaara slipped into the dirt and she cut off her chakra immediately, flickering into the trees and leaving behind an insubstantial bunshin before snuffing her chakra and relocating.
The clone dropped down into the center of the arena, narrowly avoiding a lance of sand that erupted from the ground as Gaara rose from the dirt behind her. Satsuki could see Gaara’s chakra the entire time he’d been underground and knew she was looking at her target. ‘Monkey, dragon, rat, bird, ox snake, dog, tiger, monkey.’ Satsuki felt her chakra gather in her palm and fill her limbs.
“Raiton, chidori.” Satsuki growled as she flickered forward. The chirping of birds filled the arena as lightning blazed in her palm. Sharingan eyes captured the moment Gaara registered the new threat. Sand rose in slow motion to defend the Suna shinobi but it wouldn’t be in time. Satsuki shifted the blade in her palm, transforming most of its impact into potential as she slammed it through the thin web of sand and straight into Gaara’s shoulder. Because of the last minute adjustment, she didn’t bore a whole through the other boy and instead a blast of lightning ripped through him, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air as Gaara staggered backwards and screamed as electricity plucked at his neurons.
Satsuki took a step backwards and glanced at the proctor. The man raised an eyebrow but nodded, plucking his senbon from his lips.
“The match is-” Genma was cut off by the sudden presence of chakra in the air. Satsuki could feel the genjutsu trying to claw its way into her network and immediately released a burst of chakra, as did the proctor. Gaara fell to his knees, blood pouring through his wounded shoulder as tremors wracked his body. Without a medic nin, his coordination would be shot through for weeks and would never fully recover naturally.
“Gaara!” Temari’s shout of concern and burst of two incoming chakra had Satsuki on guard and lightning spilled down the edges of her ruined tanto. She’d brought the swords to show she knew how to wield them and hadn’t been expecting to need them beyond the demonstration. Now she regretted that decision as the other two Suna siblings landed in front of Gaara along with Baki, their jounin sensei.
“Hey kid, consider this an A rank mission.” Genma said as he eyed Baki. “Eliminate or capture those three if you can and if you can’t, delay them until you have to flee or reinforcements arrive.” Genma glanced at Satsuki, providing a false opening for Baki who immediately launched a pair of wind blades his way. Genma easily dodged, his counter attack of poisoned needles forcing the Suna jounin back and giving Satsuki an opening to pursue her targets. She only hesitated briefly, glancing back to the audience where her teammates were before she charged forward. She’d spared Gaara the first time, a promotion tournament wasn’t worth a life but war was a different matter entirely.