Phase 10: Combat Theatrics

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

I'm also occasionally chilling in JaxWolf4's (Author of Nah, I'd Adapt and Zenin Days) Discord Server. It's a chaotic lobotomy mess. Not for the faint of heart.

Here's the link:

Disc: HrPrTeam

(Credit to quilltedbear for the Beta Reading Labor!)

-Story Start-

-Third Person POV-

[Match 3 - Haruno Sakura VS Uchiha Sasuke]

It is an innocent match-up from the foreign villages' perspective.

However, those more keenly aware of Konoha's assets and recent tragedies know of Uchiha Sasuke's miserable identity.

Talks from the foreign Shinobi continued as normal, the Genin expressing little curiosity whilst their Jonin teachers only anticipated a short display of the only remnant of Uchiha might in the world.

But...

From the Leaf's perspective, it was pin-drop silence.

Looks of sympathy were sent Sakura's way as she walked alongside Sasuke down the stairs.

A brief look of resolute defiance from Sakura's eyes was met with the flaring of the Sharingan in Sasuke's, a small smirk crossing his lips.

Eventually, the two stood apart from each other, only separated by the uneasy Hayate that was more than aware of Sasuke's identity and the poor hand Sakura was dealt with.

Once again, pin-drop silence as the two opponents met each other's gazes.

Sakura's smile twisted into a thin, concentrated line, her green eyes glaring hard into Sasuke's stoic sharingan.

Flattered he hadn't dismissed it against her.

'...He's not going to hold back, is he?' She had mixed feelings.

She would have preferred he underestimate her, but not doing so was a gesture of respect that she couldn't help but have her warm feelings for the thoughtful boy be intensified even further by.

Kiba exclaimed what was already on everybody's mind, "There's no way it's that serious, right?"

Kurenai who stood beside him shook her head with a smile, "A girl is making her stand against the odds... for her, it means the world."

Hinata frowned, "I-It's not about winning, is it?" She herself recognized the odds Sakura held for victory.

"No... but the boy is thankfully recognizing it." Kurenai smiled broadly.

...

Born to a happy family in the Village Hidden In The Leaves.

Educated in the Shinobi Academy.

Caring more for her looks than her skills in the Ninja Arts.

No tragedy or grandiose purpose to fuel her motivation to improve.

Quite the contrary, some may call her prior motivation for improvement - shallow, self-centered, even pathetic.

Untapped talent that had only begun to be sharpened by Anko.

Regardless...

Haruno Sakura is an ordinary Kunoichi.

Her opponent...

Born to a Clan of Geniuses.

Trained from childhood.

Experienced a tragedy none would covet for any price.

A purpose, a goal that fuelled his motivation for growth, for power.

Uchiha Sasuke is not an ordinary Shinobi.

...Can she win?

Probably not.

Can she reach him?

Well, she's planning on finding out.

"MY BEAUTIFUL PINK ANGEL! I BELIEVE IN YOU!" Lee cheered in youthful enthusiasm.

"BUT WHY IS AKIRA DOWN THERE IF THEY CALLED FOR SASUKE?!" Lee roared out in a note of perplexion.

"Pipe it down, you idiot, you're embarrassing us." Tenten gritted her teeth.

"Embarrassment is just a part of youth." Guy nodded sagely, proud of Lee's youthful infatuation.

Sakura couldn't help but snort, muttering under her breath, "Thanks."

""Good luck Sakura!"" Ino, Shikamaru, Akira, and many more cheered for her as well, which only fuelled her determination.

As for Sasuke?

He felt ever so slightly singled out.

Hayate's hand cut through the air, and his voice rang out as he proclaimed the start of the 3rd match with an enthusiastic shout, empathetic to Sakura's struggles, "MATCH! START!" The cough had not bothered him at that moment.

Sakura reacted instantly, her right hand flew to her pouch drawing out a handful of shuriken that she immediately threw at Sasuke.

As they whizzed through the air at a manageable speed, Sasuke's eyes traced their movements as he drew out his own kunai and ran towards Sakura, attempting to close the distance.

Dodging and repelling the shuriken with ease, Sasuke bridged the gap in nearly an instant.

Meanwhile, Sakura's free left hand bent to form a certain hand sign.

As Sasuke reached arm's length, his left hand shot towards Sakura in a speedy fist.

Only for him to draw it back as a snake shot from Sakura's left wrist towards him.

Pausing his charge, Sasuke met the snake with his kunai as it attempted to bite him, decapitating it in an instant.

Sweating from her brow, Sakura backflipped sending more shuriken to create some distance towards Sasuke.

But he was relentless, repelling them once again and charging towards the pink-haired kunoichi whose back was nearly against the wall.

"He's giving her no breathing room, no space." Akira casually commented beside Kakashi.

"She'll run out of shuriken to continue delaying him, he's yet to use any jutsu as well," Kakashi mentioned sympathetically.

For a good thirty seconds, they were running circles around the small arena, Sakura making sure not to get cornered with keen spatial awareness, no time to pick up any shuriken she dropped lest Sasuke catches her.

Though Sasuke didn't seem impressed in the slightest, the two of them had yet to engage in any Taijutsu.

However, he had yet to lower his guard, much to Sakura's dismay.

Then, with her shuriken supply predictably running out, Sasuke closed in on her.

However...

'What?' Sasuke's mind boggled as he noted Sakura's hands speedily forming unfamiliar hand signs.

His Sharingan sensed no chakra being molded, no known jutsu being cast.

...He must stop her.

A blurred kick flew toward her hands, attempting to stop her jutsu...

A jutsu she never intended to cast.

Sakura suddenly grinned broadly, pridefully.

Sasuke's eyes widened, 'She faked hand signs!' As he missed her hands, the two limbs backed away in predicting his kick.

Grabbing his leg with her hands she retaliated with a kick to his face, a single hand behind her back.

He went with her momentum and deflected her kick with a powerful punch.

Biting her lip from the pain, Sakura continued her trickery, as Sasuke suddenly felt an invasive Chakra in his system.

'She hid her hand behind her back to trick the Sharingan.' Sasuke noted impressed, as he rolled back from the pink-haired girl.

He was not aware of the Genjutsu cast upon him.

No change in reality was noted nor did his Sharingan notice any discrepancies.

So he answered with an unpredictable move of his own instead of dismissing the possible danger.

His hands blurred as he heaved a deep breath, Sakura's eyes widening in shock at him deciding to let an unknown Genjutsu take effect on him.

"Fire Style - Great Fireball Jutsu!" The fireball was big in comparison to the arena.

Sakura ceased any other action she had plotted and focused on evading the blast.

With a thunderous explosion of smoke and flame, the fireball missed the Kunoichi by a hair's breadth and impacted the reinforced wall, scorching it.

In the explosion of debris and smoke, Sakura's eyes darted through the arena in search of Sasuke, her leg still in dull pain from Sasuke's punch.

Yet... What she failed to notice was that she had scurried to the corner of the arena.

No shuriken to delay the faster and stronger Uchiha from reaching her.

And that he did.

Her hands and feet flew in attempts to block and retaliate from the concentrated Uchiha's whose Three Tomoed gaze fixated on her.

"GAH!" A fist hit her gut, and she gasped in pain.

Then, a punch that made her spit out a tooth.

"Sasuke stop! You're overdoing it!" Ino roared out in worry.

Her protest fell on deaf ears as everyone silently observed the onslaught Sasuke was incurring upon her.

Hayate's eyes firmly set on Sakura, ready to call it at any moment.

Gritting her teeth, her plan was almost fumbled, Sasuke clutched her tied pink hair to slam her to the ground.

Her final gamble finally came into play.

Sasuke's eyes widened as Sakura's belly contracted and her mouth opened.

Suddenly, out of her mouth, something speedy and invisible flew through the air, aiming for his head.

Weaving his head to the side at the last moment, a thin cut on his cheek right cheek appeared, blood trickling down his face as he held the helpless Sakura in his hands.

A drop of blood fell on the floor, mixing with the little blood that Sakura had spat out.

And the audible thud of a kunai hitting the ground further away from them.

Lifting her to his eye level, Sakura couldn't help but slump her shoulders in defeat in front of Sasuke.

While she still held some strength in her.

'No matter what I do from here... It's lost.'

'A punch, a kick... He'll block, deflect, and hit me with much worse.' Her mind blurred with only the conclusion of defeat.

"I surrender." Sakura's voice rang out loudly, deciding against continuing the battle, satisfied that she managed... Something.

Hayate nodded, "Winner by resignation. Uchiha Sasuke."

...

Silence only broken by awed mutters enveloped the arena.

"YOU DID WELL! NEXT TIME DO NOT GIVE UP!" Lee roared out.

Sakura shook her head, her body shivering from the pain coursing through her, no longer running on adrenaline.

But she was used to worse.

This was nothing in comparison to what she went through with Anko.

...Or recently with Orochimaru.

Her attention suddenly shifted to Sasuke at his call out.

He praised genuinely, "The Genjutsu you cast on me... You knew that I'd see through anything powerful with my eyes... So you used a subtle Genjtusu to hide the kunai in your throat and to make it invisible for my eyes, assuming the Sharingan can't isolate your Genjutsu from the Chakra coursing through your body..."

A small smirk appeared on his face as his voice rang out, "Impressive."

Letting her go, she looked at him with shock, her mouth hanging loose.

His voice echoed throughout the enclosed arena.

"Stand proud, Sakura. You are Strong." He extended his hand towards her, as she barely stood on her feet.

Her eyes teared up a bit, as a red tint and warmth enveloped her face, and her lips curved into a broad smile, "T-Thank you." She took his hand to get up.

She smirked, "Next time... We'll beat him." She whispered gently; admiration, determination, and a much more tender emotion clear in her tone.

Sasuke's smirk lowered for a moment into a worried frown.

Only for an instant, that is.

With a nod, his smirk returned, "We'll beat him."

Hayate approached, "Not to ruin your moment, but she needs treatment. You as well, that kunai had poison." He admitted.

Sasuke blinked, "It did?"

Sakura looked sheepish, "...Yes." She whispered apologetically.

...

A tender, heartfelt moment.

Haruno Sakura hadn't won, that was for certain.

But managing to reach Sasuke?

That was a triumph of its own caliber for her.

...

As the two of them were taken away for treatment on a stretcher, though Sasuke would probably only need an antidote, conversations ensued after the battle.

Particularly from the teammate and sensei of the match-up:

Akira appeared incredibly distraught, "Did he just say what I think he said?"

Kakashi lifted an eyebrow, "Hmm?" He hummed in inquiry.

Blinking, Akira shook it off, "Nah... I must've just been hearing things." He waved it off with a sweatdrop.

-------------------------------

With Sakura's defeat yet resolute stand against Sasuke, the Genin, and Jonin from Konohagakure couldn't help but exclaim their surprise at her performance.

Ino was particularly emotional, "I can't believe it... She actually reached him." She seemed happy for her dear friend.

Sasuke's performance was a matter of fact for Konohagakure.

Not for the foreign Genin though...

"He was... Monsterous. That's not a speed or strength a Genin should have. Oh... I hope I don't have to face him if I get to the tournament!" A girl from sand exclaimed with a shiver.

"I take it he's not the one responsible for what happened in the forest, Haruto?" A genin from Rain questioned his teammate.

Haruto shook his head, "That would be that monster..." He pointed at the unassuming figure of Akira without gazing at him.

The curious rain genin turned to look at Akira, to which Haruto hastily whispered, "DON'T LOO-"

Akira immediately turned to look at the frozen pair of Rain Genin, his poker face twisted into a knowing smirk, much to the hidden worry of the masked Jonin beside him who turned his head to look at them alongside the creepy Akira.

"Oh! They're looking this way! Hey hey~!" Their bubbly teammate waved at the pair of Leaf Genin and Jonin without a care in the world, contrasting the unfriendly atmosphere the Hidden Rain Shinobi usually held.

Before anyone could react or chastise the ditzy girl, the next match shortly appeared on the screen, garnering the attention of everyone once more.

[Match 4 - Emi Yukino VS Yoroi Akado]

A girl from Otogakure against Kabuto's teammate.

Akira's face noticeably cringed upon registering the match-up, one of the names seemingly sparking unpleasant memories.

Nevertheless, the match concluded fairly quickly with Yoroi's victory upon dodging the weak wind-style jutsu and getting in close range to...

Absorb her Chakra and knock her out.

Akira's eyes narrowed greedily at that demonstration.

-------------------------------

With the fourth match settled, Yoroi was heading up back to his team and Emi was carried out on a stretcher, the fifth match flashing on the screen:

[Match 5 - Nara Shikamaru VS Itsuki Riku]

The Nara heir against a Genin from Sunagakure.

The aforementioned heir scratched his spiky hair in slight irritation, "My turn, huh..." He sighed.

He huffed, "Guess it's better to be done with it quickly, just hope this guy's not a problem." He eyed the motivated Sand Genin making his way down to the arena.

"Break a leg, Shikamaru!" Ino pumped a fist for him.

"I'd prefer not doing that." He sighed.

Choji simply gave a knowing and acknowledging nod to his friend and fellow clan heir.

There was no need for an exchange for words, Choji knew well Shikamaru would win against anyone but Akira.

And well... Sasuke was already done with his match.

Shikamaru paused at Asuma's sudden call out, "If all three of you win your matches... Yakiniku's on me." Asuma smirked.

Choji's eyes gained a fiery edge to them, "You must win, Shikamaru." He ordered.

"As long as he doesn't poison our food, then fine." He shrugged, heading down the arena.

Ino cringed, "That was pretty cruel of you, Sensei." She recalled.

"It's your fault for being so gullible, you should be thankful I'm not as uptight as Hatake is with his 'Bell Test'." He chuckled, pointing a thumb at the masked Jonin who stood beside his student.

-------------------------------

The two opponents stood apart from each other as tradition dictated; Hayate's stern gaze gravitated from one shinobi to the other.

Noting they were ready, he approached.

His hand cut through the air as he announced the start of the match, "MATCH! START!"

With his announcement, Hayate jumped back in blinding speed to allow the opponents to engage one another.

Itsuki wasted no time, drawing out a strange pair of spiky brass knuckles and dashing to engage Shikamaru in Taijutsu.

Shikamaru's lazy expression morphed into one of concentration, as he immediately brought his hands to make a Rat sign.

He announced, "Ninja Art - Shadow Cobweb Jutsu."

From his shadow, many lines of shadows as thin as a tree branch extended from him at a manageable speed.

Itsuki's eyes widened as he immediately ceased his approach at the interweaving shadows narrowing down on him.

Backflipping swiftly in the opposite direction, since going left or right would have resulted in him being captured.

"Tch, Nara Clan." He clicked his tongue as he backflipped, stopping short of the wall of the arena to draw out a few shuriken.

His eyes narrowed, noticing that the cobweb of shadows could only manage to extend roughly 18 feet.

The arena measured roughly 150 feet across.

'A lot of room to move.'

With a neutral expression, the shadows retracted back towards Shikamaru, as he ducked under a barrage of shuriken.

Two of whom he had caught and thrown back at Itsuki.

Itsuki slapped them away with a resonating clang with his brass knuckles.

His eye twitched as he thought of countermeasures, 'I have no long-range jutsu to take advantage of this weakness... I've got to overwhelm his chakra reserves then.'

The plan was relatively simple - Avoiding the shadows is simple enough, and Nara's renownedly low chakra reserves would be easy to deplete when using such a taxing jutsu.

If he's lucky, he can force him into his territory with skillful shuriken usage.

Thus, the second offensive began.

Almost reaching Shikamaru who stood disturbingly still, a sense of unease trickled down Itsuki's spine.

He couldn't help but gaze in slight nervousness at the eerie calmness the Nara radiated, the unreadable expression he held.

Shaking it off, he almost reached the Nara, only to be met once again with Shikamaru raising his hands to form the Rat sign.

This time, Itsuki was even more prepared.

He backed away preemptively...

Only for no shadows to extend towards him; the Rat sign still being held in place.

...His shadows twitched imperceptively 

"Clever bastard." He spat out noting Shikamaru's small smirk.

Picking up the shuriken in front of him with a blurry slide, he continued his momentum to reach Shikamaru, a speedy strike perhaps.

Though, internally, Itsuki was plotting to bluff Shikamaru and back away yet again.

The bluff...

Worked?

Wordlessly, Shikamaru sent two thick lines of shadows racing toward Itsuki.

Thicker and much faster, they were far more dangerous for Itsuki's plan than the strange shadow cobweb he had met with previously.

Reading the situation skillfully, Itsuki's muscles bulged and he outsped the dual shadows, not allowing them to encircle him.

'30 feet.' He read the range of the two shadows once again as he stood on the opposite end of the arena once again.

Back to square one, but Itsuki still seemingly held the advantage.

Yet, Shikamaru's calm persisted.

'Why is he still so confident? He'll lose at this rate.' Irritation, anxiety, and worry laced his inner voice.

Clenching his fists, Itsuki continued his offensive at Shikamaru's shadows retracting once more, confident a few more of these and victory is assured.

Yet...

The Rat sign hadn't waned.

Shikamaru's shadow twitched violently.

"Wha-" Itsuki noted the oddity of the matter.

...But it was too late.

Shikamaru's violently convulsing shadow formed a thick shadow block as he formed another sign.

His voice resonated as the shadow was ready to be launched.

"Ninja Art - Shadow Cannon."

The blob of condensed shadow thinned out into a tiny string-like shadow and shot toward Itsuki at a speed no Genin could ever react to.

Grabbing his shadow before he could even blink.

And with it, Shikamaru announced with a triumphant and tired smile, "Shadow Possession Complete."

Itsuki's body shivered in distraught and perplexion, as he struggled to move - To no avail.

"W-What?!" He gritted his teeth, attempting to resist the Jutsu's controlling nature.

"Your plan was pretty predictable, you failing to notice me building up my chakra was what led to your loss." Shikamaru lazily lectured, grabbing a kunai from an opposing pocket.

Itsuki mirrored the movement as the jutsu that stole control from his body dictated, "So what now?"

"You surrender." Shikamaru snorted.

Itsuki's eyes gravitated to the kunai, noting his hand hadn't grabbed a kunai from his pocket at the mirrored movement.

With gritted teeth and a vengeful glare, Itsuki admitted defeat, "It's my... Loss." 

Nodding, Hayate directed his hand towards Shikamaru, "Winner by resignation. Nara Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru released his hold on Itsuki; the shadow that held Itsuki returning to the Nara.

Itsuki couldn't help but grit his teeth in frustration, 'I lost... Without getting injured, my chakra's full... How...'

The fact that the lazy Nara beat him so cleanly made him lose his nerve.

His brass knuckles gained a particular glint in Itsuki's eye.

Raising his head, Itsuki glared bloody murder at Shikamaru's back who turned around with naught an exchange of acknowledgement.

Only further infuriating the Genin.

The cheers were muffled.

"Nice job Shikamaru!" Ino waved frantically.

"Hn." Sasuke seemed to have returned, giving the heir a thumbs-up beside his teammate and sensei.

"That was some cool jutsu shadowy jutsu Pineapple Leaf bo-" A bubbly girl from hidden rain chimed in only for her mouth to be blocked by her mentally exhausted teammates.

...

Suddenly, Itsuki shot into motion, aiming for a sucker punch towards Shikamaru's head.

Hearing the heavy footsteps, Shikamaru hastily turned around to deal with the sudden offensive - Meeting Itsuki's scowl with his own troubled frown.

Only for a loud strike to reverberate throughout the arena.

"GAAAAAAH!" The pommel of a blade caved into Itsuki's abdomen, dropping the Genin to his knees.

The perpetrator of the strike is none other than the authority of judgment of these Preliminaries.

Hayate's expression showed little change, yet his tone showcased a great deal of sternness and loathing, "I did not believe stating this out loud was necessary but..."

He looked at all the young Genin, "With the exception of an active match whom I decide when it. Ends. There shall be no violence on these grounds on my watch, not in front of the Hokage."

Drawing back his blade, he looked at Itsuki with a pitying gaze, "Take him away. I hope you remember you have shamed your Village and peers for such an act." He waved for the medical team to take Itsuki away.

Much to the glares and looks of disappointment from his fellow Sand Shinobi and Sensei.

-------------------------------

"I don't recall you being able to use those," Sasuke mentioned the Jutsu that Shikamaru had used to both pressure, trick, and defeat Itsuki.

Akira replied with folded arms, "Regrettably, our Clan's signature Jutsu is the only thing besides brains that he's better at than me."

He turned then to look at Shikamaru who was being praised by Asuma and his teammates, "Though that 'Shadow Cannon' is a new one..."

Kakashi hummed, "Well, you learn something new every day... I would have expected you to be the best at the Hiden given you are the Nara's prized genius." He stated nonchalantly.

An awkward frown formed on Akira's face, "Yeah, well... I'd say I'm just a little above average. Shikamaru's so good at it, that there's expectations within the Clan that he could one day use 'Shadow Armor'."

Stroking his chin, Kakashi hummed, "I see... Your elders appear overenthusiastic ever since you were discovered." He huffed in slight sympathy.

Akira nodded, "Tell me about it." 

Sasuke could only frown slightly at the unknown terms being thrown around, "Shadow Armor?" He repeated with an arched eyebrow.

"As you know, at least every major clan has had at least ONE S - Rank Shinobi in their history, right?" He began explaining.

With an accusing finger he paused to point at Sasuke, "But your clan of freaks, may their souls rest in peace in the Pure Land, is an exception. You Uchiha print out S - Ranks in batches every generation. It's quite unsettling."

"Hmph. Hypocrite." Sasuke grunted with a tiny smirk.

Rolling his eyes, Akira continued, "Anyway the last proper S - Rank we had was a Nara whose name was lost to history, but his technique remained: 'Shadow Armor'. We're talking about a man from before the formation of the Hidden Villages."

Shrugging, Akira finished his explanation, "As for why no one has managed to replicate it yet? It's close to impossible to form it since it's an absurd feat of Chakra Control. And even if you could... The Nara's Chakra Reserve wouldn't allow it to last very long."

Sasuke snorted, "And they expect Shikamaru to wield it?"

"If he put in the effort... Maybe? But given who he is... He'd probably avoid trying to learn it anyway." Akira nodded in agreement, pointing at the sloth not too far from them.

-------------------------------

"Kiba-kun, why are you so nervous?" Hinata inquired, worry lacing her tone.

It was rather odd, she thought she was the most nervous and anxious about these matches...

"ARF!" Akamaru barked nervously in response.

"Don't you get it, Hinata?!" Kiba was biting his nails.

Kurenai had a knowing look on her face, though she didn't know how to placate Kiba's worries without lowering his confidence.

"I-I don't?" Hinata admitted.

So, Shino chimed in with his two cents.

"The longer this goes on and a match with Akira isn't drawn... The higher the likelihood Kiba has to actually be matched against him."

Blinking, Hinata admitted, "He won't kill you even after what you said, Kiba-kun!" She tried to cheer him up.

"THAT'S NOT HELPING!" He retorted with an accusing finger.

Shino shook his head, "I find your shift in attitude ironic. Why? Because your arrogance flipped in the face of Akira."

"Could you have done what he had? I sure as hell couldn't! I ain't fighting no sadistic freak, friend or not! I'm certain he likes to hold grudges!" He shook his head in great distress.

...

Then, the screen blurred to showcase the 6th match.

And, what a relief it was for the poor Inuzuka.

"OH THANK GOODNESS!" He exclaimed tearfully.

"ARF!" Akamaru readily agreed.

But a shocker to those familiar with both opponents.

One of which, was rather famous even outside of Konohagakure for his status:

[Match 6 - Rock Lee VS Nara Akira]

Once again... disturbing silence.

All eyes of those familiar with the identity of [The Nara Prodigy] and [Wielder Of The Eight Shadows Kekkei Genkai] turned towards Akira.

Internally, he couldn't help but have mixed feelings about this specific match.

Nevertheless, his lips curled upwards to form an excited grin.

"Wish him luck." He waved at Sasuke and Kakashi.

In a shift in atmosphere and attitude, their expressions hardened at Akira's announcement, observing his easygoing stroll downstairs with uncertain looks.

Was he simply excited for a possibly tough match?

Mayhaps.

But his latest actions have called to attention his every move in their eyes.

"ALRIGHT! I couldn't have hoped for a better match!" Lee's eyes shot out literal flames, as his spirit and figure burned with... YOUTH.

"Incredible spirit, my youthful disciple! Show them what you've got!" Guy grinned, a signature thumbs-up sent in Lee's way.

Tenten cringed and died a little more on the inside, "Can't you just... Be normal once in a while?"

Neji's expression gained a rare smile, "This should be interesting..."

Tenten couldn't help but wonder how her Hyuga teammate wasn't losing his mind with the two walking embarrassments.

...Probably because he's a professional at ignoring.

-------------------------------

"So that's him... The Nara's Kekkei Genkai Prodigy?" A Sand Genin whispered.

"His Chakra isn't all too noteworthy... I wonder what his 'Eight Shadows' feel like." A blindfolded Sand Genin added.

"He looks dirty... Waste of time." Ayano took a look at him and immediately lost interest.

The reactions from the Rain Village Genin was a note more severe:

"Wait...that monster's identity was Nara Akira?"

His fellow Genin nodded, "That actually makes a lot of sense, no normal Genin could have been the origin of those screams."

"That's stretching it, thinking he alone was responsible." The other Genin shook his head in dismissal.

"I saw what I saw, dude."

Their bubbly teammate stroked her chin, "Hoho... SUMMON THOSE SHADOW PUPPIES!" She brought attention back to them amid the collective silence that was mixed with whispers from multiple sides.

Akira seemed to ignore her as he arrived at the arena.

Rock Lee doing the same, standing in front of the Nara Prodigy.

...

Uzumaki Karin of the Hidden Grass couldn't help but pity the boy who stood in front of Akira, 'Poor boy. I hope he'll go easy on him.' She judged immediately, also making sure she was blending in with her ostracizing teammates.

...

However.

She had assumed wrong.

This boy needed not a shred of pity.

Not from her.

Or anyone.

For the Shinobi Who Forged His Headband With His Fists... Needs no pity.

With a smirk of confidence in his skills, Rock Lee took a ready stance in front of Akira, as Hayate stood unaffected in between them amid the pressure.

An electrifying tense atmosphere enveloped the arena, as all observed with keen anticipation.

Some expecting a quick match.

Some expected a long one.

But an exciting fight was about to commence, that is for certain.

Akira's grin persisted as well, as he took up a stance himself.

...

[The Nara Prodigy, wielder of the novel 'Eight Shadows' Versus The Shinobi Who Forged His Headband With Fists.]

"I see! So you are not Sasuke. You fooled me!" Lee acknowledged with begrudged respect and dismay.

"He'd wish he was me." Akira waved his hand at himself.

Lee nodded, "As rumors dictate... Many would." He agreed.

"BUT I AM MORE HANDSOME!" He pointed a thumb at himself.

"Sure." Akira snorted.

Then, Hayate's hand cut through the air as it had done many times, with it, his announcement for the beginning of the match was shouted with enthusiasm, "MATCH! START!"

...

If one were to slow down time, one would notice as Hayate was announcing the match's start, Akira's grin lowering into a frown, his eyes gaining a cold glint to them.

...

Lee shot out towards Akira, his speed surprising most of the spectators.

He was about to display the usage of the Strong Fist Taijutsu Style at its be-

"GAAAAAAH" Lee's rapid approach was put to an immediate stop, he roared out as he was being choked.

The crowd gasped in shock at what just occurred.

Akira had moved faster than Lee, grabbing him by the throat.

His grip on Lee's throat tightened as his forearm muscles bulged and were reinforced with chakra.

Lifting him, Akira met Lee's struggling expression with a growl that reverberated across the entire arena.

"Don't fuck with me. Drop the weights." He demanded.

With that stern warning sent, Akira released his grip on Lee by throwing him across the arena.

The Taijutsu specialist immediately recovered and rolled skillfully to mitigate any damage, landing softly a decent distance away.

The confident smirk on his face shifted into a frown as well; he rubbed the drool from his mouth at being choked as he eyed Akira with a new light.

An excited smile found its way onto Lee's face despite nearly being choked unconcious, "I see... I apologize for disrespecting you! I shall defeat you with my entire might! FORGIVE ME GUY-SENSEI!"

"ALL IS FORGIVEN! IT IS THE PRICE FOR YOUR PRIOR BLUNDER, MY FOOLISH STUDENT!"

Lee cried a little but gestured at his weights, innocently looking at Akira, "May I?"

Akira nodded, "That's one... but, go on." He gestured politely in return.

Lee proceeded to untie the weights on his arms and legs, lifting them nonchalantly, "I feel as light as a feather!" He declared with a satisfied nod.

"Just a little weight? How is that suppo-" Ino's voice reverberated across the arena, amid the similarly curious and tense audience.

Her words were cut short by what followed, and everyone was similarly dumbfounded.

Lee dropped them unceremoniously onto the ground beneath him, caving it in with a loud metallic clang.

Sasuke took the opportunity to look at Kakashi's astonished expression for a moment, "We all had the same reaction."

Kakashi's lone eye blinked, "You knew of Guy's little... Handiwork?" He struggled with finding a term for Guy's mini-me.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted his affirmation.

Lee's grin returned in full force, as he jumped onto his feet and got back into a proper stance, "I'm ready!"

Akira's thin line rose back up to a gleeful smirk, "Have at thee~" He got into a stance, gesturing for Lee to come at him.

At Akira's prompt, Lee shot forward like a bullet.

His launch shook the ground beneath him as appeared above Akira in an instant, his muscles tensed and his leg bent to launch a kick.

"LEAF HURRICANE!" He roared as he spun and kicked with his right foot at Akira's head at blinding speed.

"The weirdo's that fast?!" Kiba roared out in shock.

With narrowed eyes, Akira's right palm caught Lee's accelerating leg, the impact of both limbs resonating across the shocked audience who was still surprised at Lee's insane speed.

Akira's smirk persisted as he held the pleasantly surprised Lee in the air, "You've got some power in those kicks." He noted the dull pain coursing through his palm at the arrogant decision actually to catch instead of dodging or blocking.

Lee was unfazed, mirroring Akira's expression as he bent his body to retaliate with a palm strike to the face with his left arm.

Akira let go of Lee's leg, letting gravity do its job as he lowered himself to evade the palm strike, tensing his muscles and sending a powerful kick of his own toward Lee's abdomen.

In a skillful movement, Lee used the same leg Akira had let go to block the kick.

Akira's smirk broadened as he concentrated his chakra and grabbed the ground beneath him with his left hand.

With a powerful launch forward, his kick was met with Lee's own.

Lee's eyes widened at the feeling of a sudden, second impact from the very same kick, pushing his leg away.

Using the ground, Akira pushed himself forward with greater momentum, managing to reach Lee's abdomen and hitting him solidly.

"GAAAH!" Lee spat out as he was sent flying.

He rolled a few times before managing to stop himself, quickly rising up to meet with Akira's sudden own aggression, who reached him in no time.

"That's two," Akira noted to no one in particular as he went on an onslaught of punches and kicks at the now disoriented Lee, giving him no room to breathe.

Punch after punch, kick after kick - It was a flurry of blows that were faster and stronger than any normal Genin could have withstood.

All of whom Lee managed to block and avoid with a smile on his face.

Some of the punches and kicks Akira had missed would crack the ground beneath them, yet Lee managed to block them all the same.

"He's actually standing his ground in Taijutsu with Akira," Choji exclaimed in wonder.

"Standing his ground is the most he can manage right now, though... he can't turn the tables." Shikamaru shook his head.

Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, Akira's fists aimed at Lee's head fell short, and his fists were about to crack the ground once more with their chakra-reinforced strength and momentum.

However...

As Lee was about to attempt to seize the opportunity once more, the resonating explosive impact hadn't let out a sound.

Nay...

There was no impact.

Lee's instincts flared and his eyes shot downwards, too late to notice that he felt something grab his leg as he backed away from Akira.

A hand that appeared from beneath his shadow.

With a strong pull, Lee's planned trajectory took a drastic turn, and sweat trickled down his face.

He found himself before Akira, who hopped above him with a smirk.

Lee was cornered, he had to take this blow... Or so he wanted Akira to believe.

Gritting his teeth, he crossed his arms in an X to block the kick aimed at his chest.

Trying his best to untie the tough bandages wrapped around his fists subtly.

A glint in Akira's eyes formed as time slowed to a crawl.

With a swift movement, Lee threw the bandages in the air toward Akira, planning to turn the tables.

Akira's expression was dead serious, as his eyes traced the bandages grabbing them with his own free hands.

Lee's eyes widened as he tried to pull them back in that split second.

Instead, Akira had used it against him pulling Lee towards him into the air.

The strategy was a bust, nay, it was an utter failure - But Lee hadn't given up.

Bringing his arms back in an X to block as best he could, his muscles tensed up to absorb as much as he could.

The crowd was dead silent as Akira's kick impacted the crossguard, launching Lee into the ground at blinding speed.

A slight crack echoed as Lee's body caved into the floor, a loud explosion and a cloud of dust ensuing with it.

Landing not too far from the dust cloud, Akira's expression was neutral as he eyed his handiwork with narrowed eyes.

The crowd went wild with that swift yet impactful exchange.

The foreign shinobi's eyes boggled at that display of might from both seemingly freakish Taijutsu from mere Genin.

"Yeah, no... I'm not dealing with that in the tournament." One exclaimed.

"The rumors are true... The Nara's Prodigy is as powerful as they claim." One of the Sand Jonin noted aloud.

A blindfolded sand boy hummed, "I believe you are focusing on the wrong individual. The other Leaf Genin stood his ground impressively against such a rumored adversary. I wonder who he actually is."

"I DON'T CARE! HE HASN'T YET USED HIS KEKKEI GENKAI! I WANT SHADOW PUPPIES!" The bubbly hidden rain girl protested, pointing at Akira whose eyes were transfixed at the dissipating dust cloud.

Folding his arms, Guy smiled, "If they believe it is over... Then they do not know Lee at all!"

Neji's eyes narrowed in concentration, "Better than Lee in Taijutsu. The rumors are not farfetched it seems."

Tenten frowned, "Do you believe he has a chance, Guy-sensei? He's actually stronger than Lee in Taijutsu! That's all he can do!"

Guy grinned, "He's yet to put his entire being into it!"

...

The cloud of dust cleared to reveal a standing Lee, a little blood came out of his mouth.

Akira thought, 'That must have cracked a rib or two... he's tenacious that's for certain.'

Blinking, Akira tilted his head, "That's three by the way." He noted to himself more than others, raising three fingers.

Ino tried her best not to appear curious as she subtly questioned Shikamaru, "What is he counting for?"

Shikamaru shrugged, not planning on putting effort into thinking about something so trivial, so he hazarded a guess, "Times he's been close to beating him? Or having the upper hand I guess?"

She huffed, "Some genius you are..."

"Tch, troublesome." He clicked his tongue.

However, what Shikamaru had neglected to mention was that Akira wasn't fighting like his usual self.

Much more... theatrical.

He couldn't deny the fact that his performance in this match as well was part of his little act.

Lee flashed a bloody smile of pure grit and determination, "You are much better than I had expected-" He praised only to be ruthlessly cut off by Akira.

Akira scoffed, "Of course I am."

Lee frowned at that admission.

He started, "You've trained long and hard. Anyone could tell, and I'm not taking that away from you. Your skills in Taijutsu are outstanding."

"But... I've trained for much longer and harder than you." He declared with finality, pointing a thumb at himself.

Lee's frown deepened.

Akira inquired, "I'm faster, stronger, and more skilled than you in Taijutsu."

He tilted his head once more, asking with a knowing edge, "So tell me, how do you, a Taijutsu Specialist plan on defeating me?"

His smirk turned sinister, "But do struggle, it'll make this more fun and exciting for me~" His voice sent shivers down the spines of most of those present.

'I need to see it, the very thing that might win us the upcoming conflict.' Akira's eyes gained an excited glint.

However, he was curious himself if he could withstand the might of that Forbidden Technique used properly.

The crowd as well as Lee went silent at Akira's cold and sadistic inquiry.

While it may have been ruthless, it was the unfiltered truth.

Indeed, they had seen the proof with their own very eyes.

While Rock Lee managed to stand his ground with just Pure Taijutsu, Akira's was superior by a noticeable margin.

...

Ninjutsu?

Genjutsu?

That was the thought process of those unfamiliar with Lee.

Those familiar with him, however - knew of the truth.

Neji shook his head, arms folded, "It is not his destiny to win. Struggling any further would be fruitless."

Tenten shook her head with a worried frown, "I don't want him to lose... he's worked so hard." Her tone softened in slight admiration and acknowledgment of Lee's efforts.

Out of everyone in the arena, however...

Might Guy hadn't doubted Lee for a second.

"The Leaf's Lotus Blooms Twice! Lee, let your youth... EXPLODE!" Might Guy suddenly announced aloud, giving his permission to use... that technique.

Lee's frown suddenly turned upside down as a determined and resolute smile appeared on him once more, rising up to stand tall against his adversary.

Kakashi's head turned to look at Guy in shock, "Did you...?"

Guy turned to look at Kakashi from afar, their conversation audible for all, "That's right my eternal rival! Lee's managed to learn the forbidden technique!"

"How many?" Kakashi questioned in utter exasperation.

"Five."

"..." He could only keep his silence, turning to look at Akira in slight worry.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw Kakashi's genuinely worried look, "Is it seriously such a risk for Akira?"

Kakashi nodded, "That depends on whether Akira utilizes his Kekkei Genkai or not."

Sasuke's sharingan gaze narrowed down on Lee in shock, "He's that strong...?"

Sasuke was confident he's the 2nd Strongest.

No Genin could ever hope to defeat Akira, yet... Here was Kakashi worrying about that being an actual possibility.

Lee was strong, but...

A single technique can turn the tables when Akira has yet to unleash his shadows.

Sasuke and many others determined to keep their eyes peeled for what was about to come.

...

Akira's guard was up, and his determined grin stayed in place, however, a slight sweat trickled down his face.

His sharpened instincts and teachings all warned him not to let Lee do this.

To finish him off, to bring him down - to not let him utilize such a dangerous technique.

Akira ignored those warnings with a smile on his face.

The air was tense, as Lee's body bent and his expression was tight in concentration.

The air shook as chakra leaked out of Lee's body, and the ground beneath him trembled.

And... The first announcement came:

"First Gate - Gate Of Opening. OPEN!" 

Then the second:

"Second Gate - Gate Of Healing. OPEN!"

His muscles bulged, at that announcement, but the most drastic change came with the third announcement:

"THIRD GATE - GATE OF LIFE. OPEN!!!!" He roared like a battle cry.

Just then...

He moved.

The second round had begun - Lee's Counterattack.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

Nothing much to say this chapter.

Except being a lil evil and giving you this nice lil cliffhanger (It's what I do best).

Hope you've enjoyed the chapter and as always, thank you for reading!

See you all in 1-2 weeks!

Love ya!

Bu Bye!

-Down here is the copy paste stuff-

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Also, all comments, reviews, constructive criticism and so on Are much appreciated! I especially love Constructive criticism because it allows me to improve the story in real time! I try my best to follow your advice!

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I love turtles. Here's this week's random fun fact.

-Author's Note End-