Chapter 69 : Breath of Life (2)

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Naruto wanted to laugh. Not only did Shikamaru win his match, which was something he didn't really want to do, he did so in a way that was so brilliantly simple it hid the fact that it was planned out before his name was called out.

Tsuchi Kin had a big mouth, even after getting her ass handed to her by Sasuke a few days before. She was cocky, incredibly so, and she was the kind of person Shikamaru had no interest in fighting, a woman.

He honestly felt like forfeiting before it started, but thought that his mother's nagging would be too 'troublesome'. So when he was finally able to catch the Oto Kunoichi in his shadow once again, he promptly shut her up, which involved her head meeting the arena wall, hard.

Both Naruto and Anko found the way he won humorous, for different reasons. Anko just thought the way he made her bend back and hit her head was funny looking. Naruto found the fact that it was simple, yet calculated to be hilarious. He really was the laziest genius he had ever met.

"Will Gaara and Kazuki please enter the arena?" Naruto wanted to watch this fight. Kazuki was one of the Genin from Kiri. He had croppy brown hair and tanned skin. A small tanto was strapped to his back. He never promised anything, but this boy was one of Mei's Shinobi, so he wanted to make sure he stayed safe, and that went for all of the Genin from the Mist.

The red-haired boy disappeared in a Sand Shunshin (Body Flicker), and reappeared next to Hayate. When Kazuki finally joined them with a confident smirk, Hayate started the fight. Right away, the Kiri-nin unsheathed his blade and took off after his opponent.

Before he could even get close enough to the Suna Shinobi, sand came rushing out of the gourd that was strapped to his back, blocking the boy's sword and pushing him back. Kazuki got his balance back and threw a kunai from his weapons holster at Gaara. Once again, the sand blocked for him.

"Nice trick, creep." He smirked. "But you'll need to do more than just def-" Whatever he was going to say was cut off when Gaara's sand slammed into the Kiri Genin. When the sand subsided, Kazuki was out cold. Gaara looked at Sasuke and gave him a bloodthirsty grin.

"Winner, Gaara." Hayate announced, but the Jinchuuriki didn't care. He brought his sands up again, intent on smashing his prey once again. When the sands were just about to slam into the unconscious boy, they were stopped by the Kamikage. All he did was flick his wrist and the sand was pushed back.

"The Proctor has announced your victory. You will respect him." The blond stated. He turned and leapt back to his place next to the Hokage. Anko smirked and went back to her cozy spot on his back. Gaara glared at the intruding Shinobi before he made his way back to his sibling. Temari sighed in relief. She had thought her younger brother was going to unleash… that thing right here and now.

There was something about that blond with the woman wrapped around him that made Gaara listen to orders. She didn't know what it was, but even she could feel it. He just radiated with raw power. Temari blushed at the perverted thought that invaded her innocent enough mind.

Damn cute blond boys with blue eyes…

The next two fights were less than exciting.

The first had Aburame Shino vs Abumi Zaku. That Zaku still had the use of his arms after Sasuke had burned them badly was somewhat surprising, but ultimately it didn't matter. Shino was very clever, and used his kikaichu effectively.

Before the Oto-nin even knew it, Shino's bugs had entered the air tubes in his hands that he used his sound techniques with. The Aburame heir had tried to warn him not to continue, but like all arrogant fools, he didn't listen to reason. In return, he blew his own arms to bloody pieces.

The second match had Sai up against a Kiri Kunoichi named Kasumi, which was a little ironic. The fight was actually interesting, for the first ten seconds. Kasumi was sufficient in water techniques, and blew through Sai's ink creations with ease. After he got some water on him he forfeited, stating that he couldn't compete with someone like her.

It was such a load of crap. Sai was easily Chunin-level already, and he could have at the very least fought her off much longer. Naruto knew why he forfeited. It was another order from Danzo. He didn't know what was going on, but Danzo was just letting Orochimaru do as he pleased, and the blond wasn't very pleased with that fact.

"Will Akimichi Choji and Kinuta Dosu please enter the arena?" Hayate called out the next two names on the screen.

Asuma sighed and looked at his student. He was about to bribe him into fighting with barbeque as a reward, but instead held his tongue when he saw the determination in Choji's eyes. He didn't want to fight, but he knew that it was important to show the strength of not only Konoha, but the Akimichi clan as well.

He had took Naruto's words to heart, and now worked hard to be a worthy friend to the Bringer of Hope. He wasn't all that much stronger than he was a couple of weeks ago, but he was at least willing to go out there and fight, no matter what the odds.

When the young Akimichi glanced at Naruto, the blond had nothing but a content smile on his face. He nodded to his gentle friend. "A true Akimichi warrior." He whispered. Choji was able to read lips, something he was very proud of, so he caught Naruto's words. He jumped from the balcony he was standing on, ready to prove his strength.

"Why do I have to fight the fatty?" Dosu groaned. He felt as though Choji was too weak to give him a good fight.

His first mistake was calling the 'pleasantly plump' boy fatty, because now he had a confident, angry Akimichi on his hands. When the fight started, Choji was eager to smash.

"Bubun Baika no Jutsu (Partial Multi-Sized Technique)!" he called out, his right fist swelling. He took off at the Oto-nin with surprising speed for someone his size. Dosu was able to dodge the enlarged fist, the ground that it struck cracking a little under the pressure of Choji's strength.

The Akimichi didn't let up though and dashed at him once again, intent on landing at least one blow. Instead of the giant fist hitting him like Dosu thought it would, Choji undid his transformation, his normal fist making contact with the man's bandaged jaw.

Naruto smirked. He had reached his goal. Now, no matter the outcome, he had done his best, and that was enough.

Dosu was sent skidding. When he stopped, he rubbed his jaw. The kid was a lot better than he thought he'd be. "Alright, Choji." Dosu used his name, a sign of respect. "You're not as useless as I claimed you'd be. For that, I apologize." He dragged his sleeve up, revealing his Melody Arm. "So I'm going to go all out, too!"

Choji smirked. "Sounds good." It was time to use his favorite Jutsu. "Nikudan Sensha (Human Bullet Tank)!" He called out, his body changing into a giant, spinning ball-like bullet. He charged at his opponent, ready to slam his entire body into him. When he made it to the Oto-nin however, he was met by his Melody Arm.

"Kyomeisen (Resonating Echo Drill)!" Dosu shouted, having to put his all into this blast. His porous metal gauntlet used his chakra to use sound waves as a weapon, which was incredibly draining. He had to use almost all of his chakra to stop the Akimichi's blitz.

He didn't know why, but the kid didn't stop until he absolutely had to. These were the people Orochimaru-sama wanted to take on? He was beginning to understand Uchiha Sasuke's logic. They really didn't have to prove themselves. They were so strong, in more ways than one.

The 'bullet' finally stopped to reveal an unconscious Choji. Dosu's eyes widened. Even with blood leaking from his ears he had a smile on his face.

"Winner, Kinuta Dosu." Hayate announced. Naruto smirked. Of course he could hear him.

As Choji was rotating, trying to push past Dosu, he knew he would lose this battle.

Can you hear me, Naruto-san?

His ears began to bleed, but he kept pushing.

Thank you. I know what it means to be a Shinobi now.

As the Medic-nin rushed Choji away, Naruto decided to speak his mind. "Kinuta Dosu!" He shouted, getting the Oto-nin's attention. "You just witnessed the Will of Fire." He smiled. "Don't ever forget it."

Dosu was silent for a moment before he sighed. "You know what… I won't." He smirked. "He was a strong opponent. A true Shinobi." Naruto nodded his thanks for the kind words said about the gentle cho.

Choji finally had his wings.

It was only a matter of time before he spread them.

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