Cap 102: Mortal Combat!
Cap 102: Mortal Combat!
The people of Konoha were excited because the Chunin Examinations were about to begin and the Hokage had turned the test into a public spectacle.
* * * [Amegakure no Sato, Unknown Location] * * *
"The Invasion of Konoha, is about to begin..." - Tobi murmured as he closed his visible eye - "I wonder how things will end"
"You can always go and see it first hand," answered a neutral voice.
"Leader... you shouldn't scare Tobi like that because Tobi has a weak heart" - said the masked man.
"No one is present, you can act normally" - said Akatsuki's leader.
"Right... it's the custom..." - Anyway, I think I'll take your idea of going to see how things will be... Do you want me to bring you a present?"
". . ." - Pein only looked at him coolly as he disappeared from the room.
"How boring..." - snorted the man in the mask - "I feel that things will be much more interesting than I think. . ."
Having said that, Tobi disappeared from the scene and reappeared on one of the heads of the Hokage Monument - "Now... dance for me... dance this beautiful tango of destruction..."
* * * * *
"Hello, guys" - said Kurama as he appeared where the other Konoha Genins was - "You know about that?"
"Yes... my troublesome father informed the other leaders to ensure that we have a much quicker response," Shikamaru replied in annoyance.
"Okay, that saves me a little time" - said Kurama while nodding - "If you are going to fight, remember not to use techniques that use a lot of Chakra"
"Hinata-chan and I, decided to fight with only Taijutsu" - said Ino seriously - "I know that an invasion is about to start but this is something we need to do"
Hinata only nodded at the words of her friend, although it could be seen that she was serious about this.
"I am going to give up," Choji said as he looked around, "I know I can put up a bit of a fight with Sasuke, but that will only leave us completely exhausted, especially me"
"I'm going to surrender too" - said Shikamaru.
"Relax, Temari is out of the picture" - said Kurama - "That one you see there, is just a clone I created so that Baki doesn't realize that Temari is no longer in the hotel. Her brother Kankuro put her in my custody"
Shikamaru only sighed ruefully as he nodded.
"As for me..." - continued the red-haired boy - "My battle will be the signal for the invasion to begin, not to mention that I have some scores to settle with Gaara, or rather the Bijuu he keeps locked up"
The boys nodded when they heard this because they knew he was the only one who could contain that beast.
* * * * *
"It's a pity Gaara won't be facing Sasuke Uchiha" - said Orochimaru, who was disguised as Rasa. He was completely recovered but at the same time, upset that he wouldn't be able to analyze the potential of his new body.
"I find the battle between two Jinchuriki much more exciting," replied Hiruzen with a smile. " They both have the same advantages"
"If you put it that way, I think you are right," Orochimaru nodded.
* * * * *
"Let's start the first fight of the second part of the third exam!" - exclaimed one man - "My name is Genma Shiranui and I will be the examiner for this test! Hinata Hyuga and Ino Yamanaka, please come to the center of the arena"
"Are you ready, Ino-chan?" - Hinata asked seriously.
"I should be asking that, Hinata-chan," replied Ino as she got into a fighting stance.
"Begin!" - exclaimed Genma as he backed away at great speed.
"Ha!" - The two girls threw themselves at each other the moment they heard the signal to start.
Ino started with a shoulder strike but Hinata dodged it with great ease thanks to her fast and fluid movements.
The princess of the Byakugan quickly made a counterattack on the blonde girl, but Ino was already used to fighting with her friend, so she read the movement of the pearl-eyed girl and quickly retreated.
". . ." - The two girls looked at each other for a few seconds and then threw themselves at each other again, not noticing how the spectators watched them with emotion.
Ino continued to attack as best she could, punch, kick, jump to be able to retreat, every one of her movements was fast, at least for a Genin, on the other hand, Hinata remained firm, deflecting all the attacks from her friend while waiting for the right moment to start her counterattack.
"You have improved, Ino-chan," Hinata said seriously as she changed her stance.
"Yes... but I can't compare myself to you," replied Ino as a great deal of sweat ran down her forehead. She had to admit that Hinata was a monster in physical appearance, at least for an ordinary Genin.
"That's because Taijutsu is my specialty" - said Hinata seriously - "We'd better get going"
Ino narrows her eyes because she knows that when Hinata takes that stance, it is because things are about to get serious, after all, she is about to perform her [Hebi no Ken].
"Here I come!" - exclaimed the blonde girl as she threw herself back at Hinata, only to feel her body stop for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry, Ino-chan... but I've been using Hebi no Ken since we started the fight" - said Hinata seriously - "You may be my friend but that doesn't mean I'm going to have any mercy"
"I'm sorry about this, Ino-chan..." - murmured Hinata as she appeared in front of the paralyzed girl - "Hebi no Ken: Gorgon"
Hinata quickly patted her on the center of her friend's chest.
Ino opened her eyes when she felt her body become paralyzed and at the same time, she felt heavy as a rock. His chakra was stuck without being able to move a single millimeter.
"That's my new technique, Gorgon," said Hinata as she looked at her friend. "It allows me to connect all the points that I 'poisoned' to create a petrifying effect"
lno opened her eyes suddenly when she heard this but quickly calmed down.
"Do you give up?" - Hinata asked as she looked at her friend who was slowly closing her eyes. With a quick movement, she struck the girl's chest again, and she felt her body regain control.
"I surrender," said Ino as she looked at the examiner.
"Ok" - Genma nodded - "Winner, Hinata Hyuga!"
Ino fell backward from exhaustion as she looked at her friend - "Next time... I won't lose..."
Hinata only smiled at her as she held her hand to help her get up.
"Thank you..." - smiled the blonde.
"Sasuke Uchiha and Choji Akimichi, you have 5 minutes to get ready!" - Ganma exclaimed.
"I surrender," said Choji as he listened to the booing of those present.
"Are you sure? - Genma asked with a scowl.
"More than sure," the wide-boned boy nodded.
"Sabaku no Temari and Shikamaru Nara, you have five minutes. - Ganma said again.
"I'm sorry but I give up too" - said Temari as people got even more upset - "I got hurt while training"
". . ." - the Examiner sighed with regret as he looked at the girl - "Well... that leaves the last two contestants"
"Kurama Uzumaki and Sabaku no Gaara! You have 5 minutes to prepare!" - Genma exclaimed as he looked at the two redheads, hoping neither would give up
* * * * *
5 minutes later, Gaara and Kurama walked to the center of the Battle Arena.
"The last fight of the quarterfinals... is about to begin!" - said Ganma as he looked at the two participants - "Sabaku no Gaara vs Kurama Uzumaki!"
"I've waited so long for this moment..." - said Gaara in a cold and distorted voice.
"I love you too, Otouto~" - smiled the blond as he watched Gaara's aura grow darker and darker - "What's wrong? Don't you want to hug your big brother?"
"SILENCE!" - shouted Gaara angrily as the sand began to come out of the gourd on his back.
"You should control your emotions better" - said Kurama calmly - "That was always one of your faults"
"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!" - exclaimed Gaara again - "ORE-SAMA DOESN'T NEED YOUR FUCKING ADVICE!"
"I guess this is it for trying to mend family ties" - denied the ginger as his eyes changed to foxy ones - "Now it's time to punish a certain little brother who can't control himself"
"Human... you'd better give the signal to start or I swear I'll tear your body into a thousand pieces" - said Gaara coldly.
"Just do it and step back as far as you can," the Uzumaki nodded.
"Ok..." - Genma nodded in fear at the sight of the Suna boy - "Kurama Uzumaki vs Sabaku no Gaara! Begin!"
The sand quickly surrounded Gaara as Kurama watched him silently.
* * * * *
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened as he saw the fight begin, and he sent a signal to his right hand Kabuto, who was hiding among the crowd for him to inform the troops to prepare to attack when Gaara got out of control.
"Is something wrong, Kazekage-dono?" - Hiruzen asked when he noticed the change in his partner.
"It's nothing," Orochimaru replied as he hid his smile. "I'm just excited about the combat"