IV

━━━━━━┓༻❁༺┏━━━━━━

Arc IV Chapter 5

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━

Hayate’s look switched between Lee and a very persuasive girl. Technically, the match didn't end yet, but it was as good as over. Everyone knew that. He didn't need to prolong Lee’s agony. The boy required medical attention, and he required it immediately.

Hayate cleared his throat, ”Ahem, the winner of the match is …”

“No! Aargh, I haven’t lost! Aargh, the match isn’t over yet!” A weak voice interrupted Hayate. The voice of an unbroken iron will manifest. The voice of a boy not willing to give up cost no matter the cost.

Asami’s eyes went wide. Lee stood. With the force of sheer willpower alone, he stood. Her last attacked should have permanently disabled him, but that was not the case. He fought on.

But how? How was he still standing? Her lightning pierced his legs.

Asami clenched her fist. Stupid shinobi and their superhuman resilience. Terribly annoying.

Lee was the very definition of combat ineffective. He could barely stand, not to mention fight. She robbed him of his prized mobility. Running was difficult with two kunai struck through your legs.

She destroyed, outmanoeuvred Lee, which had to be expected considering the discrepancy in ability. Lee had already lost the moment he set foot in the arena.

Nevertheless, Lee refused to see reason. He refused to accept defeat until the bitter end.

Had she to kill him? A Genin, a problem. No Genin, no problem. A single kunai was everything she needed.

Killing him? Was that the solution?

Asami walked up to Lee, offering him a smile. She halted, stopping right in front of him.

Asami shook her head, amused by his nonsensical steadfastness. “Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee. You are wrong, Lee, the match is over.“

Asami tipped Lee's forehead, using a minuscule amount of force. Lee fell. His weakened body collapsed without resistance.

Asami smirked at Lee. Her black eyes suffocated any opposition, consuming his remaining strength. Deeper and deeper, his mind fell into the dark abyss of unconsciousness. Lifeless shadows devoured him.

A soft melodic voice whispered in his ears, urging Lee to sleep. He was tired. His body was tired. He had fought enough.

Asami leaned down. ”Sleep well and sweet dreams, Lee. I am merely here to take back what is mine. It shouldn’t hurt much.”

Asami removed the kunai, but Lee he didn't feel any pain. He felt nothing. All the pain just disappeared. Slowly, the world around him turned black.

”Lee, let me give you some last piece of advice. You have potential, but you lack experience. I hope this defeat will teach you a lesson.“

”Remember my words, because future enemies will know neither mercy nor will they hesitate. Good shinobi know when a battle is lost, Lee. They live and fight another day.“

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━

Gaara observed. Since his early childhood, he was confined to the role of the silent bystander without control over his own destiny. For most of his life, Gaara thus observed. He observed the people around him, honing this particular skill to perfection.

Gaara narrowed his eyes, never losing sight of his new nemesis. She got him once in the forest. She wouldn't get him again. “Kankuro, Temari, what do you think of her?“

Kankuro smirked, mildly surprised. He cracked a joke. “What I think? I didn't know you are interested in girls. That's a completely new side of yours. Seems to be a recent development ...“

Gaara cut him short. His soulless stare betrayed his annoyance. “Kankuro, do I need to repeat myself? What do you think of Asami.“

Kankuro stiffened, backing off. As usual, Gaara showed no sense of humour. What a shame. If he even had one, his humour would be drier than the arid deserts of Suna themselves.

Kankuro gulped, bothered by Garaa's emotionless stare. Maybe he had gone a bit too far this time.

He diverted, presenting his best smile to ease tensions. “Well, I advise against underestimating her. I can't gauge her real strength, but we can conclude she is ... dangerous, exceedingly dangerous.“

Gaara stayed clam. “Explain.“

“Always this threatening undertone“, Kankuro mumbled. He deserved better. But fate decided otherwise, and he was stuck with a little psychopathic brother.

He continued his analysis. “Her speed is above average. Her close combat skill refined. Her ninjutsu precise. The girl is strong, and I suspect she only showed a fraction of her strength. I recommend caution. She is not your normal genin.“

Temari nodded. “I agree, her presence is suspicious. We don't know what to expect.“

Gaara crossed his arms, his eyes focused on the mysterious girl called Asami. She left the arena. “Do you think she can defeat me?“

Kankuro and Temari fell silent.

Gaara repeated his question. “I asked, do you think she can defeat me?“

Kankuro hid behind a weak smile. “Difficult to say, but I doubt so.“

“Temari?“

“I second Kankuro. It's a matter between your defence and her offence who will prevail. What is your opinion, sensei?“

“Sensei?“

Baki brooded, contemplating. This girl ... Was he overthinking? “Did you see the colour of her fire? It was purple.“

“And?“ Kankuro raised his eyebrow.

Baki shook his head. “Nothing, forget it. Purple is just an ... uncommon colour. An uncommon colour for fire. An uncommon colour for a kunoichi from Konoha.“

It was just his paranoia, but who could fault him? The ghost of Shimabara haunted every hidden village. An incident that was never fully resolved except for rumours.

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━

Hidden among the audience, Orochimaru licked his lips. He found the girl entertaining. “Once again you prove to be an interesting specimen, Asami.“ A shame she wasn't his.

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━