Capítulo 17: T
Chapter 340:
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
Pulling off his veil, the ever stern Rasa looks down at his hard-hearted
son and wonders with a measure of innocent curiosity if Uzumaki could
be right. As the leader of their declining village, it's a measure of doubt
he shouldn't allow in his mind or his decisions. Even if he knows
Orochimaru tried to betray him, he always knew that risk was there and
it's not as if he wasn't planning on killing him later anyway. For the
moment, Suna cannot take Konoha without Oto, but after the Leaf's
destruction, Rasa will kill Orochimaru himself and claim Otogakure's
resources as well.
"Your youngest is quite strong," Hiruzen compliments.
"…He's his mother's son," Rasa sternly responds.
"I've been meaning to speak with you over your daughter's Omiai with
Naruto-kun," Hiruzen naturally brings up, though it causes him much
anxiety to think about. He didn't like the proposal from the beginning
however, he couldn't see any sensible reason to decline it, nor did
Naruto seem too opposed to the idea.
Retaking his seat, Rasa simply responds, "after, Hokage-dono."
"As you wish," Hiruzen concedes.
As Genma begins to announce the final candidate, Kurenai can feel
Asuma observing her for any reaction. Her mask has been up since
meeting Naruto at the gate and her ex-boyfriend has been eying her
intently ever since. If they weren't on duty, she's certain he'd be
demanding to know everything.
"His opponent," Genma continues. "From Konohagakure: Uzumaki
Naruto."
Sitting beside the alert Samui—in an ash-gray sweater with a low
neckline and short black skirt—and the abysmally dour Atsui, Mabui—
in her gray, double-slitted pencil skirt and long-sleeve, athletic-fit, high-
collar sweater—feels physically assured to finally hear his name called,
having waited for too long. Naruto rested for two nights before the
exam and Mabui has grown eager to see him. Two nights of having to
go without being brought to climax by him, without snuggling with him,
without being struck by his intelligence, left her feeling deeply anxious
and irritable.
Mabui had a long forty-eight hours with her memory-inspired fantasies,
but at the moment, she had to be careful. The memories of the past
two weeks could act like triggers now, beginning with the morning after
her first-ever threesome.
MABUI
After Samui returned from her morning training regiment, Mabui had
just walked out of the shower with a towel wrapped snug around her
firm bodice and feeling like she's twinkling in tingling satisfaction. Her
body felt sensitive, elated, and she couldn't help enjoying the
brightness of such an amazing day pouring through her small window.
In the morning light, Mabui didn't know what to think nor could she read
any expression on Samui's face as to what she's thinking but last night
was a deep mine of thoughts and revelations.
As Mabui began changing in the small room, Samui stated, "we should
return to base and debrief-"
"Sa-ch- …Samui-taichou," Mabui eventually said. Worried about the
captain's brother, she expressed, "I think perhaps it would be for the
best if we debrief here and then offer Atsui-kun a censored version of
last night's events… I mean, he really doesn't need to know more than
it worked."
Considering her words with a blank face, Samui proposed, "you wish to
spare his feelings because he has affection for you?"
"And you," Mabui added. "You're his sister. Naruto not only had sex
with the girl he has a crush on but his sister as well. That's not exactly
an easy thing for a man to accept. We should keep his mental state in
mind when we speak around him."
"…Thank you," Samui sweetly replied, making Mabui want to hold the
busty blond. "You… are knowledgeable."
Mabui felt a tenderness in the air she happily accepted and conveyed,
"of course, and… I'd always try to help you in any way I can Samui-
taichou. I've come to care about you very much." Samui simply nods
then Mabui asked, "how do you feel?"
"Quite content," Samui admitted, taking a deep breath and flexing her
fingers. She takes a seat on the tatami floor as she detailed, "medically
speaking, I seem to have an excessively positive disposition."
"That's likely the oxytocin that's released during the 'sex-floods' of your
post-coital body," Mabui diagnosed, very much feeling the waves of joy
swimming inside her. "The oxytocin then increases dopamine which is
what ultimately leads an individual to desire more permanent bonds
with another person."
"In your professional opinion, will this positive feeling hinder our
mission?"
"If we're feeling it, I guarantee you he's feeling it as well," Mabui stated,
taking a seat across from her captain once she changed. "So I'd say
this is to our benefit."
After a moment of thought, Mabui can't help but find Samui cute when
she asked, "what… is the appropriate operating procedure to see him
again? Must we wait until tonight? Is the afternoon too early?"
Even though Samui wasn't expressing any emotion on her face, the
way her light-blue eyes looked away, tilting her silky blond head as she
struggled to chart the difficult path of seduction, the elevated hormones
inside of Mabui wanted to kiss Samui right then and there. However,
Mabui hasn't forgotten for one second how Samui might react to
suddenly being kissed, so instead asked, "Samui-taichou, may I
reevaluate your kissing technique? …For the mission?"
Though Mabui would prefer not to drop the keywords on Samui, it's
worth it for the slow, nearly submissive, nod of Samui's blank consent.
The beautiful women lean forward and Mabui immediately takes her
supple pink lips. With the previous night still fresh and tingling in their
bodies' muscle memory, the pair of beauties make out for a long time.
Mabui dominates Samui's mouth, taking her tongue in her mouth and
rubbing it vigorously against her own. It was hot and wet, and Mabui
loved leading the willing Samui. They only pulled away when the need
for air became too demanding.
"V-very good," a winded Mabui complimented. "Your lips and tongue
taste… kissing is definitely another one of your advantages." Rather
than respond, Samui just nodded twice, making Mabui want to kiss her
again. However, she bites her lower tongue, holding herself back to
answer her earlier question. "We should wait until tonight. I'm sure I'll
see him at the library and I'll invite him over again. I have no doubt he'll
say yes."
"Understood."
"We should also create a cover story for our day together," Mabui
suggested.
"Understood," Samui responded before asking, "will you be okay
tonight?
Curious, Mabui asked, "how do you mean?"
As blunt as a punch to the face, Samui answered, "you passed out due
to excessive stimulation last night."
Painfully humbled by the accurate accusation, Mabui crossed her arms
as she tried to defend herself. "I- well, it's not like… who expected him
to be that good? He's sixteen! Plus, he knows my weak spots!"
"Precisely what I mean," Samui simply returned. "It's our task to
ensnare him with our minds as much as bodies and yours submitted to
his completely."
Jaw dropped, Mabui retorted, "I… Don't act like you didn't need to
rest!"
Nodding at the recollection of her own performance, Samui admitted,
"he did outperform all my previous partners and engagements. I was
unaware a man could ejaculate so many times."
Chapter 341:
Using her experience and medical education, Mabui assured her,
"they're not supposed to! That's what I'm saying, he's definitely
abnormal… Now that I think about it…" The night was so heavy and
eventful, Mabui only now realized, "I don't think he's a virgin." Then it
hits her as much as her hand smacking her forehead. "What am I
saying? OF COURSE HE'S NOT A VIRGIN! How could I've been so
stupid! There's no way someone who's never been with a girl could
ever be that good!"
"How could you have missed that?"
"…It's not so much a missed, per se," Mabui grumbled before quick-
thinking answered, "t-the lateral orbitofrontal cortex- yes, of course.
The lateral orbitofrontal, which is the part of the brain that governs your
reason and behavior, actually shuts down during an orgasm… of
which, I lost count how many I had. In other words, during a state of
post-coital bliss, you might feel emotions that aren't what you think
because your ability to reason has been dampened by the release of
oxytocin and increase in dopamine."
Nodding before thinking, Samui guessed, "by the night's end, the
orgasms I experienced seemed to erupt one after the other so it's
difficult to tally… I'd say north of twenty," Casually, she then pointed
out, "you, of course, passed out." A huffing Mabui rolled her eyes
before Samui asked, "does that suggest we're impaired?"
"Again, if we're feeling it, then he must be feeling it as well."
"This mission is quite a challenge," Samui commented—absent any
expression—and Mabui couldn't agree more. Naruto was everything
she could want in a man; unfathomably brilliant, strong, handsome,
ambitious, hard-working, and a masterful lover. He has everything she
could think to want in spades… 'except he lives in the wrong fucking
village!'
With a sigh, Mabui asked, "how long do we have?" She was suddenly
all too cognizant of her fleeting time with Naruto and wants to spend as
much of it with him as possible before their mission deadline.
Samui casually answered, "it wouldn't be smart to take him before the
Chūnin exam-"
Taken aback by her response, Mabui's widened as she asked, "take
him? What do you mean take him?"
With a blank face, Samui sighs before mumbling, "it seems I'm much
more impaired than I thought-"
"Samui-taichou," Mabui called. "Please, explain."
"When command learned the owner of Kubikiribōchō was an Uzumaki,"
Samui started. "Our team's directive was amended."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"As you were faltering in your progress with the target, I felt you
needed additional support I could not provide. It's why I messaged
Dodai-san and Darui-taichou."
For confirmation, Mabui asked, "and Darui told you why he thought I
might be hesitating?" With Samui's nod, Mabui then asked, "so why
kidnap him?"
"All I know is Uzumakis are high-value targets," Samui confessed. "I
sent Atsui to seduce Uzumaki Karin. Sadly, he failed immediately. We'll
have to settle with Naruto for the time being."
Curious for more details, Mabui heatedly asked, "that's it? They didn't
specify why else?"
"It's unnecessary," Samui assured her. "We have our orders."
"I…" At the time, Mabui wasn't sure how she felt, and after two weeks,
the dilemma within her was far worse. Her heart ached at how much
she's already lied to him, and continues to do so, but her mind feared
failing Samui and her village. Preferring to distract herself, she asked,
"how are we supposed to take him?"
"After his match—or matches—in the Chūnin Selection Exam would be
best," Samui explained. "Time-release poison was my initial strategy,
however, without knowing precisely when his match is to start—
whether before or after the others—he may become so hindered during
his fight with Sabaku no Gaara, he could die. That would be
unacceptable."
"If we want him to come with us, the easiest and most effective way of
doing that without alerting Konoha is by convincing him to join us. I've
seen the way this village treats him and I'm confident you and I are the
best thing that's ever happened to him. If we suggest leaving, he may
feel like following us."
"We would have to lure him out of the village—possibly with a vacation
stay of some sort to celebrate any achievement he makes in his
exam-"
"Or he could escort you 'home,'" Mabui suggested. Samui nodded
before Mabui continued. "We can hint at being together often and after
reaching a good distance, we can ask."
Both women mull over the plan in the minds before Samui eventually
noted, "I feel he's unlikely to support our betrayal,"
"You're right," Mabui easily agreed. "He's an honest man who takes his
word seriously and respects others who do so as well."
"What would you suggest?"
Without a good answer, Mabui admitted, "I'll have to give it some
serious thought. However, for any strategy we devise to succeed, the
three of us will have to be together often…" Mabui felt herself grow
warmer with anticipation as she happily added, "every night if need be."
"I'm fully committed," Samui blankly affirmed. "You mentioned he's
unlikely a virgin…"
Swallowing excessive saliva, Mabui asked, "you think another woman
might keep him from agreeing to come with us?"
"We'll have to learn who she is," Samui noted.
"She may not be in his life anymore," Mabui told her. "He doesn't fit the
profile of someone content with emotionless connections, physical or
otherwise. Essentially, if she were in his life, we wouldn't be in his. I
suggest we initiate a soft probe around pillow-talk. Men answer
anything then. If that leads nowhere, we can recon."
"Understood."
Mabui thought they had plenty of opportunities to get answers to their
questions but he would come over and it was like a switch was flipped;
like Samui and Mabui were starving all day and he brought dinner.
There was just little thought for much else. Mabui could be cooking
while Samui cleaned. Mabui would wear her boxer-shorts and tank top
camisole while Samui would wear a sleeveless tank-top dress with lace
trim. The moment he'd knock on the door, Mabui already felt her
womanhood begin to heat with buttery slickness.
"Come in," she'd call, and he'd enter.
He should be in their trap, at their mercy, and yet, when he'd walk up
behind her, grip her hips and pull her round rump into his semi-
hardness with a little teasing thrust, the arousing stimulation within her
loins would begin to rev up of its own accord, as if her fetish for
geniuses would not allow her any control of her dripping sex. He'd turn
her around, kiss her deeply, and her knees would buckle from the pure
bliss of their lip-lock. Samui would then walk over, press her large, soft
chest against them and wait patiently, obediently for her turn. As he
made out with her, all thoughts of cooking vanished from her mind and
she'd drop to her knees to take his thick manliness out of his pants.
Mabui would need him deep inside of her, regardless of orifice.
Chapter 342:
He'd take turns churning their insides but no one was left wanting. The
faster Mabui helped Samui cum, the faster he could go balls-deep in
her again. However, Mabui gained such a thrill from dominating Samui;
ruling over her sexual positions and teasing the woman by withholding
her orgasms until she commanded she can have them. At times, she'd
play with her captain while Naruto simply watched. It was fantastic to
her because when he couldn't take it anymore, he'd take out his insane
lust on their love tunnels repeatedly. This ensured that both women
were spent well before he was.
They'd both suck his thick nut-canon at the same time and quickly
learned to work together to make him erupt his milk in their mouths or
on their face. Mabui would, of course, lick his genius-juice off of
Samui's stunning face before sweetly washing her up. Though Mabui
couldn't deep-throat him like Samui effortlessly could, Mabui still felt
like her experience and emotional connection with him gave her an
edge.
That was until Naruto went from the perfect man to the perfect drug
when he created the Fūinjutsu tag he said he'd make. The constricted
tag with the Mirror-Touch Synesthesia array at its core took him eight
clones and half a day to properly write before receding the Fūin
characters into a photo-sized paper.
Mabui was lost climbing the wedded bliss of their heavenly organ
grinding when he slaps the tag hard across her honey-colored ass
cheek, producing a loud smacking sound and her guttural,
'MMaahhnn!' Her happy yelp was followed by absolute shock. She
suddenly felt an additional bundle of pleasure growing erect from her
clitoris, but looking down, her love-button is no more distended than
before. The influx of a new rippling pleasure network almost feels like
the shape of a long thick penis thrusting delectably into a tight, wet,
vagina. With her limited brain function, as Naruto kept pounding her
into submission, she couldn't understand why a phantom phallus
fucking a pussy felt physiologically connected to her own wet genitalia.
So close to a thunderous climax, the moment he voiced his Fūinjutsu
synced their physical sensations so she was feeling how amazing his
thick dick feels fucking her tight cunt, her pleasure-drowned mind
snapped. Mabui's green eyes rolled into the back of her head and her
entire body was rocked thunderously with a never-ending cascade of
mind-bending orgasms. She saw white as she melted with pure
euphoria.
Samui had to handle Naruto alone for the rest of the night and when
Mabui awoke the following morning, all her beautiful captain could say
was, "that was interesting."
'Which was ridicules,' Mabui's mind would always scream. How can her
stoic and strong taichou not realize how absolutely masterful his
Fūinjutsu is? How much of a genius Naruto is?
For the rest of the day, Mabui had what could possibly be considered a
long-running micro-orgasms. Miniature quakes would rupture from her
sensitive quim throughout her whole body whenever she realized
experiencing that insane Fūinjutsu sex-tech in combination with his
own sexual prowess again was only hours or minutes away. To think he
could literally fuck anyone or receive oral from the deep-throating
Samui and she would feel the physical pleasure of their sensation in
addition to her own! No, Mabui didn't think she could survive Naruto. It
scared her how soft and pliable she became by simply thinking about
him.
For one more night, she barely survived his Mirror-Touch Tag on her,
let alone the second tag that mirrored Samui's sensations. Mabui felt
her mind-blowing pleasure, the pleasure Naruto felt as his thick cock
fucked her, and Samui's pleasure from his vibration tag on her cushy
honeyed hot-hole as he fingered her ass. Mabui could feel it all and it
was too much for her sanity, and when she came to, she requested a
toned-down version. She was almost glad he explained his need for a
couple of nights off before the Chūnin exam.
Of course, the three of them talked, though, more in their second week
of hot sex than the first. The first week was like drowning in a small
room of hot rutting and mountains of toe-curling orgasms. The second
week was when the Kumo women learned he wasn't a virgin and that
this other, nameless, woman taught him everything he knows. They
also learned that they're not a couple and while he has strong feelings
for her, they can't be together. They, of course, took that opportunity to
double-team his mind-boggling meat show in an effort to make him feel
loved; with the Mirror-Touch Tags so they can feel his pleasure in
addition to their own.
They also learned that he wanted them to be on high alert for the
Chūnin Exams and he seemed serious enough that Samui authorized
arming themselves with daggers to be safe. He wouldn't say why he
felt something bad might happen but he was visibly worried about them
and that was touching for Mabui to see.
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
The crowd reacted with a mixture of boos and cheers to the
announcement of Naruto's name, however, the boos won the day and
Mabui couldn't accept it. She became angry to hear the man she
deeply fears she's in total love with being booed with downed-thumbs
all around her and she wasn't the only one. Kurenai, Ino, Sakura,
Hinata, Tenten, Samui, and Haku all felt a growing rage at the pit of
their stomachs. To do nothing when they wanted to yell and punch
back any villager who dares to boo and point their thumbs down at
their man was immediately frustrating. The boos did, however, begin to
die when the spectators didn't see anyone walking from the same
access point all the other candidates came from. A few of them
laughed that he was too scared, but the girls knew better and their
concern began to grow.
Hiruzen rotated his head a bit and his guard immediately explains no
one has seen Naruto. Rasa watches what he cannot hear out the
corner of his eye and wonders what the blond was up to and if he
should sound the signal to commence the invasion much earlier than
planned.
Clearing his throat, Genma repeats louder, "Uzumaki Naruto," and
what came next, no one expected.
Chapter 343:
NARUTO
Watching Nai-chan approach him, Naruto tucked his folded white
present under his arm all the while repressing his bubbling urge to
smile broadly. She stepped beside him and they watched the
Kazekage, bodyguards, and security detail leave for the stadium.
Despite watching in silence, Naruto couldn't help grinning like a loon,
wide and very loud to anyone who saw him. He couldn't help it;
knowing that this absolutely stunning woman next to him has feelings
for him. He had the biggest grin on his face; the kind of grin that could
only mean genuine feelings of love.
"Will you stop that," Kurenai demanded with a hushed voice.
Far too innocently, a pink-cheeked Naruto asked, "hmm? Stop what?"
"You're grinning," she huffed with annoyance.
"I can't help it," he cheerfully cried, pinching his cheeks and rocking
cutely from side-to-side.
Turning to him, Kurenai demanded to know, "you understand I said I
can't be with you, right? As in, can not."
"I heard you tell me about your tou-chan and that you love me," Naruto
recites happily. "I didn't hear anything about not being together."
Sulking her head so her beautiful raven hair falls forward, she wearily
muttered, "are you going to make me repeat this to you-"
"Sorry, Nai-chan," he happily interrupted. "But I can't stop loving you
based on that."
"That," she whirled on him to emphasize. "Isn't something so simple
either of us can just ignore. I'm always going to have this gnawing fear
that you or any man I love with all my heart is going to die and I'm
going to be left alone again. My father's death drove me to who I am
today, but in doing so, a part of me also broke and until I fix it, I don't
want that to happen again."
Naruto hummed, practically dancing in place and the corner of her red-
eye quirked angrily, peeved by his constant grinning. She yelled,
"you're still grin- Why the fuck are you still grinning?! I'm being serious
here!"
"I know," Naruto hopped back a step, raising his palms in submissive
peace and dropping his present from Jiraiya. "I know you are, I do,
really, but so am I. I'm super serious when I say I'm in love with you,
Nai-chan, and I'm not going anywhere, dying or otherwise, which pretty
much solves that problem."
Frustrated and conflicted, Kurenai wanted to say more but felt a
familiar shinobi's chakra approach. Instead, she exhaled to calm down
while picking up the folded white clothing and returned it to Naruto as
the blond called out, "hey Asuma-nii, thanks for watching out for Karin.
I really appreciate it."
"No sweat," Asuma responded, adding, "she's a heck a sensor; helped
us out back there." He eyes Naruto and Kurenai a moment before
asking the blond, "you want to explain what that conversation with the
Kazekage was?"
"Sure," Naruto responded, slapping away a bit of dust from his folded
gift as he casually explained, "we were mainly talking about Gaara and
how Konoha was going to win today. Tell Ji-chan I'll tell him everything
later tonight or tomorrow if he wants."
Kurenai wondered out loud, "you actually told the Kazekage that
Konoha was going to win today? Over his own children?"
Inspecting the white cloth to satisfaction, he casually answered, "of
course."
"It seemed a little more heated than that," Asuma probed aloud. The
gruff man watched the blond and Kurenai carefully as he asked, "you
sure it didn't involve Temari and the Omiai?"
"Positive," Naruto answered, sliding the white linen in his orange and
blue jacket before assuring Asuma, "she didn't come up."
With a single nod, he replied, "copy that." Before Naruto leaps away,
the broad-shouldered Jōnin called, "oh, and Naruto." Though hesitant,
he eventually asked, "…were you the one who gave Kurenai the Fire
Slipper Orchid?"
Though initially taken by the question, he nods, "sure did." Turning to
the beautiful genjutsu mistress, Naruto added, "which the Uzumaki clan
is still going to honor you for. Stay ready guys. Later!" Naruto leaped
away as Asuma turned to Kurenai's expressionless face.
After his talk with Hinata, being open and honest with Rasa, and talking
with Nai-chan, Naruto felt full of energy. He sprints from roof-top to
roof-top toward the arena until he finds a large water tank he can
change under. Snickering in delight, he unseals his new gear from a
scroll and quickly puts everything on. He still wore orange pants but the
new one isn't as baggy on him as his old one. His orange and blue
jacket with the high white collar was gleefully upgraded to an orange
and black form-fitting jacket with a black collar that kept his neck warm
and snug. The cloth for his forehead protector was also replaced with a
black and wider one, pushing his spiky bangs higher. His new sandals
were black and higher than his blue ones.
Looking himself over, Naruto was already squealing with overflowing
joy. Despite the girlish squeal, he felt more mature and loved how
comfortable easy to move in the fitted tactical gear was. He strapped
his shuriken holster on his right thigh and his chakra blades in the
holster Haku made for him at his lower back. Before slinging on the
large scroll for his reverse summoning over his shoulder however,
Naruto unfolds the white cloth. Jiraiya said he had it specially made
and to not tell Ma since she's making him a red coat.
He raised the sturdy and soft material with both hands gripping the
shoulders and it unfolded to reveal a medium-sleeved coat with a red
flame pattern at the hem. It looked so unbelievably cool, Naruto had
stars for eyes and drooled a little. However, he also felt the threat of
tears spilling down his face when he read the words on the back.
Chapter 344:
Out loud, he reads, "Fourth-" when all too abruptly, Naruto receives a
distressing cache of memories from a forcibly destroyed clone… the
clone that was escorting Karin to the coliseum.
Amongst the throng of festive villagers, the chatting cousins were
nearing the stadium when someone from behind them voiced, "excuse
me?"
Stopping beside an alleyway, both Naruto and Karin turn to see a frail-
looking old man with half his face bandaged, saggy black hair, an x-
shaped scar on his chin, and walking with a cane. The old man in a
white shirt under a black robe is flanked by two Anbu in white cloaks
and monkey masks creating a wall of men the crowd has to walk
around. Within the span of a heartbeat, an Anbu sprints from the space
between the buildings and knocks Karin out before pulling her into the
alleyway. Naruto hollers as he reaches for Karin but with the opening
created by his reaching out, the clone is popped in a puff of smoke.
Bubbling anger Naruto hasn't felt in years consumed him from his gut
and his mind quickly grasped the threat. Even though he never met the
man, he looked exactly like Naru-nii described; the scar, the bandages,
the cane are a dead give-away. 'That was Danzō,' his mind seethed.
Naruto knew how dangerous Root was—how dangerous Danzō is—
and now they have his only blood relative; 'Danzō has Karin…' Naruto
also knew he'd lose her if he didn't get her back right away.
Quick as stretching out each arm, the white robe similar to his father's
is on Naruto's form before he grabbed the large scroll. He originally
planned on using his clone in Mount Myōboku to feed him more natural
energy when he was in a pinch, but this was far more important.
Unrolling the scroll with the fūin seals for the reverse summoning jutsu,
he slapped a chakra-covered palm on the parchment and yelled,
"Gyaku Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
His sage-infused clone wearing his original orange and blue outfit pops
into existence before immediately dispelling. The natural energy
gathered and balanced by his clone suddenly permeates and
enhances his every infuriated cell. As explained by Pa, Sage Mode is
an empowered state and exponentially increases every attribute of his
base. His ninjutsu and fūinjutsu become more powerful. His strength,
speed, stamina, reflexes, durability, and at this very moment, the most
important, his sensory perception, are enhanced significantly.
He knows Karin's chakra signature and immediately he's scouring
every inch of Konoha for the feel of her spirit. He can feel the garrisons
outside the walls, the cacophony of energy at the stadium—his loved
ones among them—Jiraiya inside Konoha's wall near the garrison, and
finally, two signatures smoothly moving away from the coliseum, one of
which is Karin.
Rather than jumping from the building, he created a senjutsu enhanced
clone to grab his hand before launching him like a bolt out of a
crossbow. He launched himself nearly a mile in the air. The drag force
of the atmosphere deafening his ears did little to impede his ballistic
motion, however, when Naruto reached the peak, he created one more
clone mid-air to catch and launch him the rest of the distance toward
the target. With his heightened sight, he can see the pale-skinned boy
in an Anbu mask leaping from building to building carrying Karin over
his shoulder.
Though Naruto had never fallen at such a speed from such a height,
he was far too angry to consider any injury. In his mind, he felt powerful
enough to destroy whatever building he landed on, so by the time the
masked boy sensed Naruto, it was too late. Like a chucked war-spear
through fragile glass, Naruto landed on the building the kidnapper was
going to land on. The astounding force of his speed and mass
transferred powerfully from his feet into the building and it was more
energy than the concrete and wood could handle, loudly rupturing and
destroying most of the roof and floors as he speared through to the
street below.
The root kidnapper lost the stability in his run and he tucked Karin into
a protective hug before rolling on the fracturing stone and skidding to a
halt just before the crumbling edge of the destroyed section of the roof.
Heavy jagged concrete breaks easily against him, but he only has
attention for his cousin, now two-stories above him on the half-
destroyed roof. The masked boy had no sense of what would cause
such impactful damage, the noise of which left his ears ringing and the
dusty, heated air pressure baked his skin.
He laid the red-haired target down before he attempted to sense what
the object that destroyed half the roof was and the moment he turned
to peer over the edge, he saw a yellow flash before he's kicked in his
masked face. The force of the strike was hard enough to momentarily
knock him unconscious, shattering the mask as he skidded off the roof
and fell two floors to the alley below.
When the pale, dark-haired boy came to, he immediately felt fractured
bones throughout his body on top of pained breathing and an
agonizing headache. He was hoisted against the wall and made to look
up. Half of his vision is red and blurry, the other half is also blurry, but
observed an angered Uzumaki Naruto holding his unconscious cousin
against his chest. The dizzy and injured boy couldn't understand why
Naruto wore red make-up around his eyes, but he wouldn't have a
chance to.
Just before the pale boy passed out, Naruto practically growled, "tell
Danzō he just made the biggest mistake of his life."
Chapter 345:
Naruto sensed three people inside the building and quickly created
clones to make sure they're alright and test his accelerated healing
fūinjutsu if necessary. Naruto's fairly certain he's late to the arena, but
more than anything, he wanted to make sure Karin stayed safe. With
Jiraiya around the perimeter and his Sage Mode lasting no longer than
a few more minutes, Naruto shunshins to the building top before
sprinting to the packed arena. Along the way, Naruto struggled to
remain in control. Kurama certainly wanted him to cut loose and wreck,
but today wasn't the day to deal with Danzō.
'Soon,' he told Kurama.
Nearing the coliseum, he searches for the person he trusts the most
with the last few seconds of his sage chakra when he's struck with
relief. Karin regained consciousness.
"…N-NNNaruto?"
"It's okay," he told her. "You're safe now. Just relax. I won't let anyone
take you," he promised her and she wrapped her arms around his
trapezius, linking her hands at the back of his neck.
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
"Uzumaki Naruto," Genma called and no one expected what happened
next.
Bursting through one of the many guest entrances of Section A, a flash
of yellow and white stains the air over that section of the crowd. Faster
than anyone can react, Naruto lands on the railing next to Kurenai's
post, warping the railing from the pressure and heat of transferred
kinetic motion, and in that moment, the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha is
as confused as the rest of the ninjas old enough to remember that
attire, that hair, and that speed. There isn't enough time for their
lagging minds to settle with the idea of the Fourth Hokage being alive,
or even be stunned yet.
Kurenai has just enough time to read, 'Fourth-' before the Yondaime
lookalike turns around and she notices Karin in Naruto's arms.
Kurenai's eyes bulge as her melting mind curses, 'you're fucking
shitting me!'
Rather frantically, he tells a dazed Karin, "stay with Kurenai no matter
what. No matter what!" He turns to a flabbergasted Kurenai and she
can barely think about the red pigmentation around his eyes or the gold
irises with horizontal, oblong pupils before he tells her, "please take
care of Karin for me. Don't let her go with anyone that's not me or
Jiraiya." A beat passes, and Kurenai is embarrassed to be so stunned
by this revelation that he needs to repeat, "Kurenai, do you
understand?"
Snapping out of it, she takes Karin around the shoulders as she
answers, "yes, yes, I- I understand."
"She can fill you in on what happened," Naruto stated as he hops back
on the bent metal railing. "I mean it, no one but me or Jiraiya, and
definitely no Root or Anbu."
Though that shocked her to hear, nothing shocked her more than when
he turns to leap away. She manages to read the back of his coat. "The
Fourth Sun," she whispered. A warmth deep within her spreads to
every fiber of her being at the metaphorical thought of her sun burning
brightly once again. Kurenai felt a longing to cry as she watches Naruto
leap to the center of the stage next to his teammate. His landing
disperses more energy through the dirt floor than it can tolerate,
fracturing radially around him. Letting his coat flap along with his
motion, the blond exhales as the last bit of his sage chakra ebbs from
his network.
Naruto hopes he can get a clone to gather natural energy without
interruption as he calls out, "I'm here! I'm here!"
At the sight of Naruto in a white coat, Genma nearly breaks his
toothpick under clenched teeth. From Kurenai and Karin, Asuma,
Kakashi, Hiruzen, Rasa, Mei, Mabui, Samui, Atsui, to the other nine
Chūnin hopefuls around him and the entire arena at large; everyone is
staring at Naruto with a wide mixture of shock, disbelief, anger, fear,
longing, and hope. Despite his orange and black two-piece suit, the
spiky yellow hair and white coat with the red flames makes it
impossible for everyone old enough not to think of the Yellow Flash of
Konoha; one of the most feared shinobi in the world and the adored
Hokage who sacrificed his life to save the village. For the widely
despised orphan, Uzumaki Naruto, to somehow look exactly like their
fallen hero is the greatest shock of all.
The bleachers are so silent, Naruto can hear the cicadas clearly as his
retarded imagination wonders if he landed in the wrong arena despite
his teammate standing right next to him. Rotating around to inspect the
ghostly-silent audience gives Genma, the other nine contenders, and
anyone with enhanced vision a chance to read the back of Naruto's
long coat. Many hundreds of minds echo or whisper the 'Fourth Sun,'
written on his back as Naruto walks up to Hinata. Mei, in particular,
finds the proverbial significance of his coat extremely telling. Only
those versed in Land of Water myth and legend know of the Fourth
House of the Sun. To see the Fourth Sun on his back brought back
difficult memories of lost ones, making her crack her glass of
champagne from the tightened grip of her fingers.
"Ne, Hinata-chan," Naruto groans, looking around from the audience to
Temari, Gaara, and the other genin around. "I'm in the right place,
right?"
Before recalling the microphone, the entire stadium hears the proctor
interject, "you're late." For a moment, he's tempted to say, 'the son of
the Yondaime shouldn't be late,' however, he eventually reasons that
it's not his place to confirm his parentage so publicly. Still, he walks up
to Naruto and inspects the living likeness of Namikaze Minato. Taking
the liberty, the melancholy Jōnin latches the drawstring at sternum level
from one flap to the other, ensuring the coat remains closed. With a
satisfied nod, Genma turns about-face toward the village leaders in the
highest seats of the center tower.
"Ho, ho, ho," Hiruzen laughs his slow elderly laugh, enjoying
immensely Naruto's stunning entrance.
"Hokage-dono," Rasa gravely calls. "Who is this boy?"
With a smile, Hiruzen doesn't even turn to the Kazekage to answer,
"that, is the most surprising ninja you'll ever meet."
Chapter 346: Invasion
THE ENEMY
Soldiers young and old remained huddled together for warmth from the
early morning chill and vigilance for the signal. They couldn't start a fire
throughout the entire night for fear their army will be discovered before
the designated time. Come morning, hundreds of shinobi, from jōnin to
even genin, are low and quiet in the forests of Konoha ready to fight,
ready to invade. Huddled together as the cold slowly seeps from their
bones, they whisper to each other to distract themselves and pass the
time.
"What'll you do with your piece of land?"
"How will you spend your bonus?"
"They told us no looting but I heard the Sound guys are going to rape,
pillage, and plunder. I don't care for the raping but how would
command know if we took valuables?"
Many Sand shinobi whispered about the possibilities after the invasion
and the answers were the same.
"Get away from the heat and sand. Find a nice spot for my wife and
daughter… finally be a man who can support them."
"I'd love to invest in a new puppet. But I should really help the family
out. Kami knows I can't stand them half the times, but it's family. They'd
starve without me. What can you do, you know?"
"It wouldn't surprise me. Those Sound-nin have no honor; why would
they care? If you want to take something for your little girl, I don't see
how they could have a problem with that, but anything more might get
you in trouble with the brass. Look, we're getting the better part of this
alliance. After today, Sunagakure and Wind country will finally be able
to prosper. No more waiting outside HQ for scraps of work that's just
going to go to bills and feeding the family. Once Konoha is gone, we'll
get all the land and all the jobs."
Opposite the sore and vehement Sand-nin, the Sound-nin wanted to
expand their village and country to become one of the five dominant
nations; only they're willing to do so by any means necessary; taking
the land, wealth, and jobs by right of conquest. To that end, they will kill
the men and boys of Konoha and gift the corpses to their great leader,
Orochimaru, for his breakthrough experiments. They will rape the
women so they give birth to Sound citizens, and they will kill anyone
who stands in their way.
KURENAI
'Will this boy ever stop surprising me,' Kurenai can't help but ask
herself, smiling at the sight of Naruto in the arena below, his white coat
billowing in the wind along with his sunny blond hair. 'The Fourth Sun,'
the red characters on his back read and Kurenai wondered if, 'Sun,' is
intentional or not. Knowing Naruto as intimately as she does, she's
fairly certain it wasn't and would even expect him to groan about how it
should've read 'Son,' not, 'Sun.' She couldn't help but giggle as she
could see his mopey reaction so perfectly and it only endeared her to
him; after all, he wasn't a flashy sort of guy. Kurenai loved him better
this way.
She doesn't subscribe to astrology but she knows many girls who do
and recalls the Sign of the Fourth Sun means home. Looking at her
golden boy, like the world fell away and no one else existed, Kurenai's
whole body tingled with warmth, as if pleasantly thawing from the cold
in front of a comforting fire. It took her breath away when she realized
she never knew how cold she was until now, so much so, she could cry
if she weren't so focused.
'Fuck,' Kurenai mentally groans, feeling her dainty nose heat as her
heart sings,'yeah… I'm in love.' It's the last moment of indulgence she'll
allow from her pure heart, because in her charge, her love—'Kami, he
really has me… all of me'—left his cousin, his only family, in her care,
and it was pretty clear a delicate event had occurred.
Squeezing the redhead's shoulder, Kurenai gets Karin's attention to
ask, "what happened?"
Though Karin doesn't know Kurenai, it's clear to her Naruto trusts her,
which means she can as well, and begins to tell her everything she can
remember.
SAKURA & INO
The rest of the crowd is finally starting to openly doubt, mock, or
demand answers. The rumbling voices from hundreds of spectators
slowly increases in hazy volume, as if the mob didn't know what to
make of this image before them and that confusion annoyed them. The
Yondaime was too heroic and Naruto was just a loud, annoying,
hooligan with many horrid rumors surrounding him. What everyone
saw just didn't feel right.
Ino had long since learned the truth of Naruto's character, and to look
around, it surprised her how much she's fallen for him since then. His
status in the village had only mattered to how she thought her parents
might react, but after gaining their support, being the village's pariah
didn't factor in her love for him at all.
Looking at him now, looking so similar to the Yondaime, wondering if
he really is the son of the Fourth Hokage or not, Ino felt incredibly
aroused. She just stared at him, blushing at the possibility that
somehow, Naruto can be even more amazing than she previously
thought. It was enough that they could be great friends and lovers, but
seeing him in his new clothes, wondering if her first time was actually
with the, possible, son of a Hokage, Ino was so excited she was getting
wet at the thought of being with him again. Ino squeezed her legs
together, concentrated on her breathing, and tried not to get triggered.
Seated beside the quietly squirming Ino, Sakura observed and
questioned as much as everyone else around her. Though she is
curious about his lineage, as a budding healer, she also noticed an
injured and bleeding Karin. Though Sakura hasn't taken her oath yet,
she's already memorized it and knows it's about important ethical
interactions between doctors and patients. Aside from the oath
establishing that the practitioner of medicine gives deference to the
creators, senseis, and students of medicine, the oath serves as a
contract for doctors to work towards the benefit of the health of the
public.
To Sakura, it means the physician is accountable for their actions
should problems arise, so she takes Ino's hand—surprising a small
moan for her lips—and calls, "come on," before heading to a patient in
need. With Chōji tagging along, they reach them as Kakashi lands on
the railing beside Kurenai, and before he can ask one thing, a blushing
Ino asks to know, "is it true?"
Chapter 347:
As Asuma walks over to the gathering, Kakashi looks out to the field,
observing Naruto beside Sasuke, then side-steps the young
Yamanaka's question with, "mmn, I wonder." Ino groans at the evasion
as Kakashi simply turns his single eye to Karin and asks, "more
importantly, what happened?"
"I was knocked out," Karin repeats to the revered Sensei. "And when I
came to, Naruto-sama had already rescued me and was heading
here."
Kurenai adds, "she recalls seeing an older man; dark hair, half his face
covered in bandages and walking with a cane," certain that both
Kakashi and Asuma have noted the implication.
"I see," Kakashi hums looking around the stands. He can't be certain of
any suspicious patterns or irregularities but his intuition is telling him
everything is off, even if only by a little. Returning his attention to Karin,
he explains, "I'll take you to the Tower to debrief-"
"You can't," Kurenai asserts, mentally realizing she doesn't have the
authority to give Kakashi orders.
Kakashi raises a peaceful palm as he reassures Kurenai, "I won't let
anything happen to her."
"Naruto-" Kurenai cuts herself off to change tactics, stating, "Uzumaki-
dono gave strict instructions that she is to stay with me until he or
Jiraiya-sama retrieve her. As he is the Head of their clan, I can't let you
take her unless Hokage-sama expressly orders me to."
The moment of silence is the only indication that Kakashi was
surprised by Kurenai's response. Asuma was observing her as if
searching for any shred of evidence, all the while suspecting the truth
underneath and being unable to accept it. Sakura, Ino, and Karin give
each other side glances in that tense moment, though Ino is completely
thrilled by Kurenai's defiance. Kakashi reminds Kurenai, "I'm his
sensei." He didn't have to say, 'and your superior,' because she heard
it nonetheless.
"Uzumaki-dono trusts you, as we all do," Kurenai tries diplomacy. "He
knows she'll be fine with me because I'm certain he would rather speak
to you. If the man responsible for this is who we think it is, Hokage-
sama should be made aware." Kurenai hates Kakashi's poker face.
With his bored face, she rarely has any way of gauging where her
responses stand with him; whether positive or negative, but she
doesn't flinch either.
"I'll speak with Naruto," Kakashi asserts. "Asuma stay with Kurenai and
Karin. You three, back to your-"
"I just want to make sure Karin-chan's fine," Sakura declares, asking
for permission to check her.
"Understood," Kakashi responds, nodding his consent. "Then to your
seats… and everyone, stay alert."
Kakashi disappears as Sakura begins using her Iryō-ninjutsu to
monitor a grateful Karin's health. Though Karin feels fine, she feels
more comfortable with Sakura, Ino, and Kurenai by her side.
MABUI & SAMUI
Under the breezy shade of section D, Mabui, Samui, and Atsui subtly
observe the red-headed girl Naruto had carried in his arms moments
before and the group of ninjas around her, while all around them,
people groan and gossip about what they've just witnessed. To the
Kumo-nin, it was like being surround by disgruntled noise pollution and
a flurry of heated movements. Mabui and Atsui didn't understand the
uproar and the logic Samui's mind was proposing had no intelligence—
factual or otherwise—to back it up. Samui quietly confirms to her team
the red-headed girl is Naruto's cousin, Uzumaki Karin, before ordering
them to remain vigilant.
Two gambling men in front of the Kumo-nin are arguing loudly in half
sentences, and to clear the confusion, Mabui taps a shoulder before
calling, "excuse me." Ignoring their instantly lecherous eyes, Mabui
internally sighs as she asks, "can you tell me why everyone is making
a fuss about that contestant?"
"I'll tell you anything you want, Sweet Stuff," the spiky-haired one with
facial tattoos coos. He eyes her up and down as he slyly adding, "over
dinner."
With a tight and disingenuous smile, Mabui replies, "I have a
boyfriend."
"A girl as hot as you deserves two boyfriends," the spiky-haired man
replies with a grunting moan. "Not that you have to tell him about me if
you don't want."
"Excuse me, I meant to say no other man exists in my eyes unless I'm
beating them to within an inch of their life," Mabui returns, daring him
with stern green eyes to say more. Atsui groans as his body wilts like a
limp noodle.
"Alright, alright," the spiky one grumpily returns. "Can't a guy show a
little interest anymore?" Before Mabui threatens him again, he points to
Naruto in the sunny and spacious arena below and explains, "the way
the kid's dressed… it's just messing with peoples' heads, is all."
Drawing her brows together curiously, Mabui asks, "why?"
The man's eyes shamelessly travel down to the alluring roundness of
Mabui's supple chest as he slowly asks, "you're not from around here
are you?" It's almost as if he forgot she threatened his life.
"That ain't it," his heftier companion with round cheeks and small eyes
interjects. He also has a problem looking above her neck, of which
Mabui only tolerates so he can explain, "there are plenty of others who
don't get it either. I'm thinkin' maybe you're all too young to've been in
the last war."
The spiky-haired man continues, "those who remember are freakin' out
because he looks way too much like the Fourth Hokage."
"Shiiit," the heftier one calls out. "For a minute, I thought he was the
Fourth!"
All three of the Kumo ninjas visibly sit up straighter at the implication,
though it's more of a confirmation for Samui. Her mind begins making
alternate plans as she comments for further information, "I wasn't
aware the Fourth Hokage had any children."
It was a statement that had the potential to seriously complicate their
amended mission and made Samui's team instantly think about the
major political repercussions of taking Naruto. If what everyone seems
to be in denial of is true, then taking the son of the Fourth Hokage
would certainly lead to a diplomatic incident, and if enough authority
heads wanted it, war between Kumo and Konoha. This dilemma
instantly made Samui believe their simplest and best course of action
was for Naruto to voluntary desert Konoha, which meant they had to
truly make a concerted effort to seduce him. Samui follows up with,
"was he hidden from the public?"
Chapter 348:
Saucer-sized eyes zeroed in on Samui's terrifically large and ample
chest and the heftier man not-so-silently whispers to his friend, "fuck
me, will ya look at the rack on this one?"
Ignoring Atsui's angry growl, Samui apathetically returns, "I also have
the most amazing boyfriend who exceeds satisfying me in every way."
Atsui looked as if he wanted to throw up as Samui demands of them,
"answer my question."
The hefty blond man grumbles to his friend, "why are the hottest ones
always loyal," before glumly answering, "yeah, the Yondaime doesn't
have kids… or at least, that's the story, but…"
"But maybe it ain't so true," the spiky one debates.
"But it can't be," the fat one returns.
"But he's the spittin' image of the Fourth!"
"It's just another one of his pranks," the hefty one protests. "It's gotta
be!"
Looking around the chaotic stadium, the spiky one asks, "then why
aren't the Jōnin saying anything?"
The two continue arguing amongst themselves, as do the majority of
people around them while the Kumo-nin observe the behavior of
Konoha's shinobi. To Mabui and Samui, it appears as if the crowd can't
accept the sight of Naruto as the son of the Fourth. There's unease
and whispers of, 'it can't be,' or, 'he should be court-martialed,', or 'to
do something so disgraceful.' In the section next to theirs, a
disagreement about Naruto's appearance breaks out into a fight, and in
that moment, Samui and Mabui nod to each other. They realize the
crowd's hostile reaction is likely indicative of the village's attitude as a
whole and should aid them in convincing Naruto to defect. They also
know they must be extremely careful as it's only obvious Konoha's
leadership will not appreciate losing the son of a fallen Hokage to
Kumogakure. It's too much of an international slap in the face to allow.
THE KAGES
Patches of boos around the gossiping masses can be heard. They
don't last longer than a few moments before opposing voices holler for
them to shut up, creating a bit of pandemonium. Scratching his head,
Naruto simply chuckles at the mixed reaction all around him, thankful it
isn't all booing and heckling. Naruto looks up to the Kages, to Rasa
specifically, who's glaring at him and simply returns a broad smile.
Irritated by Uzumaki's aloof attitude, Rasa asks Hiruzen, "is he the son
of the Yondaime Hokage?"
"He is an orphan, Kazekage-dono," Hiruzen leisurely replies. "One
without inheritance or wealth to foster him. Like many orphans in our
village, he must rely on his own wit and strength if he ever wishes to
make a name for himself."
With thoughts of Iwa in his calculating mind, Rasa rhetorically asks, "I
imagine concealing his existence was for his own safety?"
"At one point, certainly," Hiruzen confirms, stroking his chin-beard with
a lazy hand.
"Uzumaki seems an ill-suited family name," Rasa coldly denotes. In a
calculated manner, Rasa probes the Hokage by saying, "I imagine he
will adopt his father's name after today."
"Hoh hoh hoh," Hiruzen laughs his slow elderly laugh, adding, "I highly
doubt that." Rasa turns his curious gaze on Hiruzen, who only returns a
lazy glance before answering, "while it's fairly evident Naruto has his
father's appearance, he's his mother's son through and through. He's
the type of young man who believes the name you call him doesn't
matter as he is the one who chooses what he answers to." Returning a
proud sight on the blond in the wide arena below, Hiruzen proclaims,
"and Adversity knows him intimately as Uzumaki Naruto."
Rasa didn't sense any deception or hidden awareness in Hiruzen's
responses, forcing the Kazekage to truly consider that Jiraiya and
Uzumaki are being truthful and hadn't informed their Hokage of the
attack on their village. Rasa stares down at the son of the Fourth who
is getting admonished by the proctor for not standing next to his Uchiha
teammate.
TEMARI
"Alright guys, this is the final test," Genma calls to the ten Chūnin
candidates before him. Genma's voice is still projected throughout the
spectating crowd, silencing the grumbling chatter as he explains, "the
arena is different but the rules are the same; there aren't any." The
crowd cheered to hear that through the PA system, then Genma eyes
Sasuke a moment before adding, "you fight until one of you dies or
concedes but if I determine the fight is over, I'll step in and stop it. Got
it?"
In the spacious arena under the warm sun, Temari glances at the other
candidates to catalog their response but her eyes immediately latch
onto Naruto. Her mind is a jumble of impatient curiosity and she just
stares at him, wondering more and more about him; his clothes, his
entrance, his power, his doom. Her heart felt torn by the excitement of
seeing him again and the terror of his demise today.
Proctor Genma cuts through her train of thought as he announces,
"everyone but Kankurō and Shino head up to the viewing gallery."
Before Temari steps away or anyone takes more than one step to
leave, Kankurō whispers to her, "waiting for Gaara's match is going to
take too long. He needs to be on the field by the target time."
"I know," she whispered back all the while observing Naruto in his new,
dashing, and respectable look; he even seemed taller to her. Despite
hearing her brother, she had the greatest urge to ask Naruto about his
outfit. She's seen pictures of all four Hokages but couldn't accept the
clear evidence that Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Naruto are related
since information like that couldn't be hidden so easily. More eager to
solve this mystery, Temari tells her brother, "we have time. Just finish
him quickly-"
"Examiner," Kankurō called, raising his hand. "I forfeit."
In an instant, Temari is fiercely upset. Even if it was a prudent move
toward their father's ultimate objective, Temari couldn't help but
mentally curse, 'fucking Kankurō!' Even inflating her chest with a deep
breath doesn't calm her glare.
Confused by his sister's reaction, Kankurō draws his brows together
curiously as he answers the proctor, "I'm sure."
Chapter 349:
The other Chūnin hopefuls observe Kankurō's unexpected withdrawal
with puzzlement. The ones reexamining their chances at reaching the
final match are Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, and Shino. Naruto and Temari know
none of this truly matters, Hinata is simply pleased her teammate is
advancing, and Shikamaru is only interested in the calm breeze
keeping him cool and the few fluffy clouds drifting in the big blue sky
above. Of all of them, Gaara is the only one who never stopped
walking to the gallery. Kankurō has never been anything more than a
meat-sack to the homicidal red-head, but in that one moment, he didn't
feel his usual urge to kill him. Even still, Gaara is all the more eager to
validate his existence in excessive blood and death. It's been too long
and he's shaking in anticipation of killing someone soon.
"Whatever," Genma's amplified voice grumbles louder than the boos of
the crowd. In his mundane way, Genma announces to all through the
speakers, "Shino, you advance. Go up with the others. Temari,
Shikamaru, you stay." Hinata skips over to her teammate and
congratulates him while Kiba whines about how lucky he is.
Neji, Shikamaru, and Team Kurenai walk toward the viewing gallery as
a smiling Naruto calls out, "good luck, Temari-chan, Shikamaru!"
Naruto then follows the others to the gallery.
Watching her chance to learn any secrets from Naruto slip away, an
annoyed Temari harshly whispers to Kankurō, "you didn't have to do
that!"
"It's fine," Kankurō waves aside her concern. "None of this is going to
matter after today." Eying their father before looking around for Baki,
the face-painted Sand-nin reiterates, "conserve your chakra and finish
him off quickly."
Kankurō rushes to Gaara's side before noting how transfixed he is on
Naruto. Though his vicious little brother appears to be in control,
Kankurō can tell it won't last. 'He's going to detonate soon,' Kankurō
estimates, observing Naruto walking beside his teammate with his
hands clasped behind his head.
"Yo, Sasuke, it's been a while," Naruto greets. Wearing a black one-
piece with white bandages around his forearms and shins, and a black
belt wrapped around his left arm, Sasuke looks at Naruto
dispassionately, as if noticing a fly buzzing annoyingly around him.
Without a response, Naruto goes on to say, "I bet you've gotten strong
too. I guess Team 7's been pretty busy, huh? Anyway, I wanted you to
know I haven't forgotten." A silent and annoyed Sasuke glances at the
blond, like the buzzing is entering his ear. "I said I'd help you out, and
after today, I'll have more time to do that."
"I don't need nor want your help, Dobe," Sasuke retorts. Walking ahead
and stuffing his hands in his pockets, he continues, "you're nothing but
a nuisance holding me back so stay out of my way or I will break you."
"What the hell," Naruto hotly returns. Turning around and walking
backward to have eye-to-eye contact with the self-proclaimed avenger,
Naruto explains, "I'm not in your way. If you weren't such a stubborn
ass, you'd see I'm actually trying to be a friend!"
"Then you really are the biggest idiot," Sasuke growls back. "I don't
need friends. Power and revenge are the only things I care about, and
after today, you'll only live on in fading memory."
"Yeesh, and you call me an idiot," Naruto groans in frustration. While
Naruto's concern is steadfastly focused on the future, talking to Sasuke
makes him see how focused on the past the avenger is, making him
think they really are like two sides of the same coin. "Whether you see
it or not, I get why you're like this," Naruto replies. "Power and revenge
aren't all you care about and I know for a damn fact, it isn't even what
matters most to you." Despite Sasuke glaring at him, Naruto sternly
tells him, "so sit tight, you prissy little drama queen cuz I'm helping you
whether you want it or not."
Watching Naruto walk ahead of him wearing an overcoat similar to the
Yondaime's—as if he's lording over his clan and life—threatening to
interfere with his life's goal. Sasuke grabs Naruto's shoulder, pulling
hard to turn the blond and maliciously tell him, "don't even think about
losing until you reach me." Squeezing his shoulder tight, Sasuke
practically spits, "this is the last time you'll ever get in my way." Onyx
eyes to clear blue ones, the challenge between them is clear; there
isn't another person in this tournament that Sasuke wants to fight more
than Naruto.
"Temari versus Shikamaru," Genma announces as soon as the
contestants were ready. "Begin!"
Watching from the observation gallery beside team Kurenai, Naruto
wasn't sure if the same result Naru-nii had explained to him would
happen this time, and if it did, how Shikamaru would trap Temari
without the hole Naru-nii dug when he beat Neji. Like many watching,
Naruto learned Shikamaru truly is a genius.
When he finally got moving, the pineapple-head unloaded all of his
shuriken and kunai, making it appear as if he was desperate to snipe
her from afar, however, he only wanted to distract her from an umbrella
kunai he launched in the air in order to extend his shadow-bind. She
saw through the tactic and maneuvered away… exactly where he
wanted her. From the shadow of the wall, Shikamaru used his shadow
jutsu to travel around the very edge of the perimeter of the arena to
attempt and capture her from behind. Temari saw through that as well.
The shadow nearly had her and she watched it on the floor struggling
to reach for her but unable to. It made her smile confidently until she
turned to finish the match and noticed the flash bomb he threw in the
air. It wasn't thrown high or ultra-bright, but it detonated before she can
react and the light from the explosion easily stretched her shadow
toward the one that nearly snagged her, ultimately capturing her.
Exhausted after using his jutsu for so long, Shikamaru walks to the
center, forcing Temari to walk there as well, raises his hand, forcing her
to do as much, and gives up. After getting over her shock of the
bewildering, intelligent, and lazy shinobi, Temari couldn't deny she was
impressed with his foresight. It made her wonder about Konoha men in
general and their ability to impress her.
Estado de energía semanal
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Poder 
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Poder