Chakra Wizard
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Been waiting a long time to get to this one*_* This chapter should be pretty amusing, plus I got quite a few interesting revelations for the main trio. Anyways, hope you enjoy
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
Chapter 037: Place Your Bets
Several matches having already gone by in the blink in an eye, the higher-ups present in the arena decided on a brief recess, which the remaining participants were quick to agree with. While both the Kage and B discussed the remainder of the preliminaries on the opposite end of the large room, those still present quickly took up conversations with one another, while others – such as Airon and his two biggest two rivals – didn’t move an inch from their previous spots, merely carrying on with their own private discussion as they leaned against the railing and stared at the damaged floor below.
Airon: (It’s getting close to the end here, isn’t it?)
Nakama: (…Yeah. Hmhm, it is, actually.)
Manako: (Do either of you have a preferred opponent?)
Nakama: (She thought about her answer for a moment, eventually looking up at Airon with a smile as it came to her.) (Not really, so long as it isn’t Airon. …A fight like that deserves to be saved for the finals.)
Agreeing wholeheartedly with her notion, the very thought of it couldn’t help but make Airon chuckle aloud. The way he saw it, unless the brackets for the finals proved not to be in their favor, all three of them were destined for the semi-finals, with one of them getting the opportunity to square off against both of their rivals. A wicked grin stretched out across his face as the idea of him being that lucky someone entered his mind.
Manako: (And you, Airon?)
Airon: (The question would’ve normally brought a smile of amusement to his face, but seeing as these were merely the preliminaries, he had much more serious thoughts in mind for his next opponent.) (I think we both know my answer, Manako.)
The two exchanged glances to ensure one another this was indeed the case before Airon turned his eyes towards the opposite balcony and the now lone Asuka who, to his surprise, was also staring at him. Regardless, he met his gaze in kind, neither of them breaking it for a second until finally, a few faint chuckles in his left ear broke Airon’s focus and he turned his head to find Kei, Inase, Minto, and Taigen kneeling down in a circle on the floor, the former three holding a few ryō in their hands.
Airon: What the heck are you three doing?
Kei: (Looking up in surprise to find Airon now walking towards them, he answered him with a conniving smirk.) What’s it look like we’re doing? We got ourselves a pool going on here.
Nakama: (Overhearing this, as well, she walked beside Airon to see what they were doing.) On who’s going to win?
Inase: On how fast they’re going to win, actually.
Minto: You can bet on the person losing, too.
Kei: Hehe, genius, right?
Ingenious as he felt the idea was personally, Airon couldn’t help but find something about this situation morally wrong and proceeded to glare over at their primary role model, who was leaning against the wall as he conversed with Gaara.
Airon: You’re letting them gamble, Gramps?
Naruto: (He didn’t even bother to look at him as he answered.) I didn’t give them that money, Airon. I’ve got no say on how they spend it.
He shook his head in disapproval, but at the same time, couldn’t help but smirk as he turned back, eventually giving up and kneeling down beside his sister.
Airon: Alright, then. Might as well press my luck.
Kei: Yeah, NOW we’re talkin’!
Airon: (An almost dreadful sense of immaturity washed over him as he pulled out his wallet, prompting him to turn his head so he could see his rival.) Hey, Manako! You want in on their little scheme?
Manako: (Having been listening to this the entire time, he smirked in amusement before answering him.) Not when you put it that way.
Airon: (Expecting as much, he just shook his head and smiled before looking up at his second-favorite adversary.) How about you, Nakama?
Nakama: (She answered him with a playful smile before resting her arm on the railing, still intent on watching them even if she didn’t participate.) I’m fine. I’d rather save what little money I have.
As Airon smiled back, the short recess coincidentally reached its end as B returned to his usual spot on the arena floor. After giving the all-too frequent announcement, the large monitor was once again illuminated by two rows of flashing letters, which stopped after ten seconds on two previously unused names.
B: The next match-up iiissss…Kei Namikaze and Ramon!
Minto: Alright. Twenty ryō says Kei’ll win within four minutes.
Kei: Hmph, you insult me! I’ll match it for ten seconds!
Inase: I say he’ll lose.
Kei: Rrrgghh, INASE!!
Inase: Hmhmhmhm, just a joke. I’ll say one minute.
Airon: I’ll say within…seven seconds.
Kei: Jeez, care to flatter me even more.
Airon: Just get down there and make me some money.
Kei: Hmph, as if! That pool’s as good as mine!
While the others stood back up to watch the match, Kei took the opportunity to leap over the railing as so many had done before him, making sure to do as many elaborate somersaults as he could before reaching the ground, nearly missing his landing as a result. He was joined momentarily by his opponent while his siblings watched side-by-side from overhead.
Airon: (Kei can’t count seconds and fight at the same time, can he?)
Inase: (Hmhm, probably not. Why, you weren’t planning on cheating, were you?)
Airon: (He pretended to consider the idea for a second, eventually dropping the act and smiling at her before looking back down at Kei.) (Hmhmhmhm, of course not.)
B: Alright, if both y’all are ready, …begin!
As soon as his arm fell, Kei reached into his weapons pouch and pulled out two smoke bombs, throwing them down immediately to his opponent’s confusion. Hardly a second later, two kunai flew forth from the smoke, which Ramon deflected with one of his own. No sooner after he did this, though, the two pieces of metal now falling on either side of him vanished in a puff of smoke, revealing two clones of the genin who threw them.
Kei’s clones: Gotcha!!
Holding their arms out in front of them and maintaining their positions with the other, everyone looked on in shock as two long chains sprouted from what seemed to be their bare palms, wrapping around Ramon and bringing him to his knees.
Ramon: Huh!? What the-!?
Before he could say anymore, the real Kei finally emerged from the cloud of smoke before him, dashing forward with his fist at the ready and knocking his opponent unconscious with one swift blow to the chest, afterwhich both his clones and the chains vanished and Ramon fell flat onto the ground.
B: The winner is Kei Namikaze!!
Kei: (Thinking this swift victory had won him their bet, he threw his fists into the air and began cheering.) YEEEAAAHHH!!!
Airon: Don’t get so ahead of yourself, Kei! You finished that match in six seconds, which means I won the pool!
While Kei’s little celebration quickly turned into an all-out tantrum, Gaara turned to Naruto for questioning on his grandson’s abilities.
Gaara: That’s a bizarre technique. …I don’t suppose either you or Hinata is responsible for that.
Naruto: (Nostalgia overcame him as Gaara said this, smiling up at the heavens as he thought about the technique’s true originator.) Nope. …Actually, it’s something that my mother was known for.
Gaara: Hm?
Naruto: My mom, Kushina Uzumaki. She was pretty well-known for having a unique chakra that allowed her to make those chains. It’s the reason she was chosen to be Kurama’s jinchuuriki after the First Hokage’s wife died. When she was alive, she used it mainly just for sealing or binding things down, but…Kei’s put a more offensive spin on the way he uses it.
Gaara: (Having never met Kushina before, this information had yet to cross his ears, and it only made his next words that much more sincere.) …You never cease to amaze me, Naruto.
Naruto smiled gleefully at this compliment on Gaara’s part, meanwhile Kei slowly made his way back up the staircase, an obviously false air of depression hanging over him. When he finally returned to the group, he immediately began staring at his brother, who was counting the newly won money in his hand with a grin on his face.
Kei: You cheated. …I don’t know how…I don’t know why-
Airon: Hehehahahahaha, would you calm down, little brother? I just predicted how the match would carry out beforehand and turned out to be right. There’s nothing else to it. …If you’re gonna be so stuck up, then you shouldn’t have been gambling in the first place.
Not one to argue with reason – most of the time – Kei scoffed and walked over to stand beside Minto, while everyone else redirected their attention back to the arena floor as the seasoned proctor announced the next selection.
B: Alright then, let’s get on the next match!!
Airon: (As the large monitor began flashing again, he turned to his sister with a random, yet interesting question.) (You think history will repeat itself for our own trio?)
Inase: (Intrigued, she thought back to the first three matches of the preliminaries.) (Well, now that you’ve brought that possibility out into the open…)
Sure enough, just as Airon had predicted, a pattern began appearing once again as the next two names were announced, catching the attention of everyone else who managed to recall the earlier bouts.
B: The next match-up iiissss…Vito Agure and Inase Namikaze!
Minto: (His group getting over the initial surprise earlier than most, he quickly started the next pool.) Alright, ten ryō says Inase wins in two minutes.
Kei: I’ll say she loses!
Airon: (Almost in disbelief, he just barely suppressed what was sure to be a loud cackle.) She already used that joke, Kei. Just place your bet.
Kei: Rrrrrgghhh…fine. I’ll match you for one minute.
Airon: (Once again taking more time than the others, he evaluated the two combatants’ skills and mannerisms before giving his bet.) I’ll give it thirty seconds.
Inase: (A smile instantly found its way onto her face after Airon made his bet, passing him her ten ryō before taking off down the staircase.) I say he’ll withdraw before the match begins.
Everyone else was too astounded by her bizarre wager to comment, but Airon, knowing all too well what his sister was capable of, quickly protested her daringness.
Airon: (You sure he’s really that confident, Inase?)
Inase: (Hmhmhm, just get your money ready to hand over.)
Leaving it at that, Airon shifted his gaze towards the opposite balcony, setting his eyes on his sister’s mentally unstable opponent, who was tugging at Kagetsu’s shirt as he eyed Inase from afar.
Vito: Hehehh, ya hear that, Kagetsu? Hehehh, I’m next up, hehehh. It’s that girl, that girl over there, see? Hehehh, I’m gonna kill her. I’ll kill her good, just you watch, Kagetsu. Hehehh hehehh hehehh-
Kagetsu: DAMN IT, WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT, VITO!!? Jeez, I don’t give a crap! Just go kill her already, or her kill you, whatever!
Vito: Oh, I’ll kill her, hehehh hehehh, I’ll kill her good, just you watch. Kagetsu, I’m gonna-
Kagetsu: I SAID GO, YOU DAMN PSYCHOPATH!!! (Jeez, why couldn’t chill pills be real for just one day? The guy needs at least a bottle of them to calm his crazy ass down.)
Having reached his limit, Kagetsu quickly pushed Vito away, who proceeded to clumsily make his way down the staircase as he continued his psychotic rant.
Vito: I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her hehehh hehehh hehehh I’ll kill her!!
After several seconds of waiting, he finally made his way to his starting position in front of Inase, who was staring intensively at him as she rubbed her hand against the pouch around her waist. Airon, too, was staring at Vito from afar, evaluating his actions and behavior until finally, he lowered his head, recognizing that Inase had made a smart bet.
Airon: (Dang it.)
B: Alright, …if both y’all are ready, …be-!
Vito: OKAY OKAY, I GIVE I GIVE I GIVE I GIVE!!!
Every pair of eyes in the arena immediately turned towards Vito, whose unhinged behavior just moments prior had been replaced with mannerisms indicating extreme panic, including but not limited to trembling knees and extremely dilated pupils. After taking a moment to evaluate what just happened, B confusedly confirmed the “outcome” of this match.
B: Uhhhh, alright-y then. Vito Agure chose to withdraw from the match! So, by default, the winner is Inase Namikaze!
Hardly a second after her name was mentioned, Inase smiled and began walking away as Vito’s personality quickly reverted back to his original instability, prompting him to look around in confusion before heading back up to the balcony. Everyone else continued to gaze over at him from across the room, still wondering exactly what caused his sudden change in behavior.
Yatsuri: …Man, talk about anti-climatic.
Sabure: (A little more insightful than her cousin, she continued looking back and forth between Vito and Inase, who was still smiling mischievously.) Wait, did SHE make him do that?
Ryūza: (Recognizing this, as well, he turned his attention towards the victor’s brother, who was sure to have some answers.) …What the heck just happened?
Airon: (Still mildly depressed at having lost his bet, he attempted a smile and began walking closer to them to avoid having to yell across the balcony.) It’s a genjutsu…to an extent, at least.
Ryūza: What do you mean?
Airon: Genjutsu are typically used to disrupt a person’s chakra and affect any or all of their five senses, …but the one she just used affects a person’s mindset, rather than the mind itself.
Yatsuri: (The idea that such a bizarre jutsu existed intrigued him to no end, provoking him to gain more insight.) And how the heck did she manage that?
Airon: (At this, he finally managed a genuine smile as he gazed over at Inase, who was just now beginning to climb the stairs up to the balcony.) Hmhmhmhm, you tell me. …Inase’s a genius in her own right.
He looked back at the Sand trio to see their reactions, their silence but obvious interest prompting him to continue.
Airon: The technique affects the mind in a rather bizarre, but relatively simple way. In the simplest terms I can put it, it puts the level of confidence her opponent has going into battle on a scale and then flips it on itself. Therefore, an opponent whose only sixty percent positive that they can win will have their confidence reduced to only a forty percent certainty. Someone who thinks their victory’s virtually guaranteed will start running for the hills in the next second, like we just saw with Vito here. …Of course, it can also work in reverse. If a comrade isn’t feeling very sure about their chances of survival, she can boost their confidence for them in an instant.
Ryūza: (He continued listening to him with wide eyes, which disappeared once he took the time to evaluate all this information.) …Sounds almost too good to be true.
Airon: Hmhmhm, well, every jutsu does have its drawbacks. It’s still technically a genjutsu, so basic methods for dispelling them can be useful against it. Also, if a person has total confidence in their abilities, absolutely no doubt in their minds whatsoever that they can defeat her, …then it won’t work. Her opponent must have some level of uncertainty for her to alter, otherwise the technique is useless. So, in other words, it’s best used only against minor enemies she would prefer to avoid fighting altogether.
Ryūza: …I guess it leaves everything to chance, then, doesn’t it?
Airon: Hmhmhmhm, one would think so. Fortunately for her, she also has another technique that helps her determine just how confident her opponent is before she decides on using it.
Yatsuri: Huh? And what’s that?
Airon: (Finally stumbling upon a subject he preferred not to share with them, he glanced over at Yatsuri with a devious smile before walking back towards his group.) Hmhmhm, that awaits to be seen.
Upon taking his place beside Inase once again, his smile quickly disappeared while hers only grew bigger.
Airon: (Way to show off, little sister.)
Inase: (Hmhm, well, you should’ve known that I would use that technique and bet accordingly, big brother.)
Airon: (And I would’ve, had I known you’d get such a meager opponent.)
On the opposite side of the room, Vito had returned to Kagetsu’s side and was trying hard to explain exactly what happened, much to his teammate’s chagrin.
Vito: I don’t know what happened, Kagetsu. …Hehehh, I had it in my mind I was gonna kill her, hehehh. I had it clear as day, hehehh, then all of a sudden-
Kagetsu: Ooooohhh!! Proctor, you couldn’t have started the damn match, anyways!!? Let him get knocked out and carried out of here instead of sending him back up here with me!!
B: (Just about to announce the next match, the sudden interruption threw him off for a moment.) Uhhh, alright-y then! Let’s move on to the next match!
The large monitor was illuminated once again two rows of flashing letters as everyone in the room looked on. The pattern already seemingly in place once again, the identity of one of the upcoming combatants was already set in everyone’s mind, the only remaining question being whom his opponent would be. For Manako and a few others, a general assumption was already in the air.
Manako: (Do you think it’ll be him?)
Airon: (More anxious than ever before, he gripped the railing tightly as he glanced over at his preferred opponent.) (Oh, it will be. …It will be.)
After ten seconds, the answer finally answered, much to the surprise of nearly everyone in the room. Some were eager to see what the exciting match-up had in store, while others, particularly his peers and closest superiors, were worried of what Airon would be getting into.
Irezumi: Oh no… (Airon, I hope you know what you’re in for.)
Nakama: (Bearing more concern for what this match-up meant than anyone else, she looked over at her longtime friend to see his reaction to the revelation.) Airon…
Both to her surprise and what she had come to expect from him, Airon was not only unhindered by the news, but had adopted a wicked grin that far surpassed any he’d put on before this point in the Exams.
Airon: Hmhmhmhmhm… (Just what I was hoping for.)
B: The next match-up iiissss…Airon Namikaze and Asuka Nabi!!
Naruto’s legacy seems almost unstoppable, …but what are Airon’s chances against the genin that the others all fear!!?
The End
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
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Chapter 037: Place Your Bets
Several matches having already gone by in the blink in an eye, the higher-ups present in the arena decided on a brief recess, which the remaining participants were quick to agree with. While both the Kage and B discussed the remainder of the preliminaries on the opposite end of the large room, those still present quickly took up conversations with one another, while others – such as Airon and his two biggest two rivals – didn’t move an inch from their previous spots, merely carrying on with their own private discussion as they leaned against the railing and stared at the damaged floor below.
Airon: (It’s getting close to the end here, isn’t it?)
Nakama: (…Yeah. Hmhm, it is, actually.)
Manako: (Do either of you have a preferred opponent?)
Nakama: (She thought about her answer for a moment, eventually looking up at Airon with a smile as it came to her.) (Not really, so long as it isn’t Airon. …A fight like that deserves to be saved for the finals.)
Agreeing wholeheartedly with her notion, the very thought of it couldn’t help but make Airon chuckle aloud. The way he saw it, unless the brackets for the finals proved not to be in their favor, all three of them were destined for the semi-finals, with one of them getting the opportunity to square off against both of their rivals. A wicked grin stretched out across his face as the idea of him being that lucky someone entered his mind.
Manako: (And you, Airon?)
Airon: (The question would’ve normally brought a smile of amusement to his face, but seeing as these were merely the preliminaries, he had much more serious thoughts in mind for his next opponent.) (I think we both know my answer, Manako.)
The two exchanged glances to ensure one another this was indeed the case before Airon turned his eyes towards the opposite balcony and the now lone Asuka who, to his surprise, was also staring at him. Regardless, he met his gaze in kind, neither of them breaking it for a second until finally, a few faint chuckles in his left ear broke Airon’s focus and he turned his head to find Kei, Inase, Minto, and Taigen kneeling down in a circle on the floor, the former three holding a few ryō in their hands.
Airon: What the heck are you three doing?
Kei: (Looking up in surprise to find Airon now walking towards them, he answered him with a conniving smirk.) What’s it look like we’re doing? We got ourselves a pool going on here.
Nakama: (Overhearing this, as well, she walked beside Airon to see what they were doing.) On who’s going to win?
Inase: On how fast they’re going to win, actually.
Minto: You can bet on the person losing, too.
Kei: Hehe, genius, right?
Ingenious as he felt the idea was personally, Airon couldn’t help but find something about this situation morally wrong and proceeded to glare over at their primary role model, who was leaning against the wall as he conversed with Gaara.
Airon: You’re letting them gamble, Gramps?
Naruto: (He didn’t even bother to look at him as he answered.) I didn’t give them that money, Airon. I’ve got no say on how they spend it.
He shook his head in disapproval, but at the same time, couldn’t help but smirk as he turned back, eventually giving up and kneeling down beside his sister.
Airon: Alright, then. Might as well press my luck.
Kei: Yeah, NOW we’re talkin’!
Airon: (An almost dreadful sense of immaturity washed over him as he pulled out his wallet, prompting him to turn his head so he could see his rival.) Hey, Manako! You want in on their little scheme?
Manako: (Having been listening to this the entire time, he smirked in amusement before answering him.) Not when you put it that way.
Airon: (Expecting as much, he just shook his head and smiled before looking up at his second-favorite adversary.) How about you, Nakama?
Nakama: (She answered him with a playful smile before resting her arm on the railing, still intent on watching them even if she didn’t participate.) I’m fine. I’d rather save what little money I have.
As Airon smiled back, the short recess coincidentally reached its end as B returned to his usual spot on the arena floor. After giving the all-too frequent announcement, the large monitor was once again illuminated by two rows of flashing letters, which stopped after ten seconds on two previously unused names.
B: The next match-up iiissss…Kei Namikaze and Ramon!
Minto: Alright. Twenty ryō says Kei’ll win within four minutes.
Kei: Hmph, you insult me! I’ll match it for ten seconds!
Inase: I say he’ll lose.
Kei: Rrrgghh, INASE!!
Inase: Hmhmhmhm, just a joke. I’ll say one minute.
Airon: I’ll say within…seven seconds.
Kei: Jeez, care to flatter me even more.
Airon: Just get down there and make me some money.
Kei: Hmph, as if! That pool’s as good as mine!
While the others stood back up to watch the match, Kei took the opportunity to leap over the railing as so many had done before him, making sure to do as many elaborate somersaults as he could before reaching the ground, nearly missing his landing as a result. He was joined momentarily by his opponent while his siblings watched side-by-side from overhead.
Airon: (Kei can’t count seconds and fight at the same time, can he?)
Inase: (Hmhm, probably not. Why, you weren’t planning on cheating, were you?)
Airon: (He pretended to consider the idea for a second, eventually dropping the act and smiling at her before looking back down at Kei.) (Hmhmhmhm, of course not.)
B: Alright, if both y’all are ready, …begin!
As soon as his arm fell, Kei reached into his weapons pouch and pulled out two smoke bombs, throwing them down immediately to his opponent’s confusion. Hardly a second later, two kunai flew forth from the smoke, which Ramon deflected with one of his own. No sooner after he did this, though, the two pieces of metal now falling on either side of him vanished in a puff of smoke, revealing two clones of the genin who threw them.
Kei’s clones: Gotcha!!
Holding their arms out in front of them and maintaining their positions with the other, everyone looked on in shock as two long chains sprouted from what seemed to be their bare palms, wrapping around Ramon and bringing him to his knees.
Ramon: Huh!? What the-!?
Before he could say anymore, the real Kei finally emerged from the cloud of smoke before him, dashing forward with his fist at the ready and knocking his opponent unconscious with one swift blow to the chest, afterwhich both his clones and the chains vanished and Ramon fell flat onto the ground.
B: The winner is Kei Namikaze!!
Kei: (Thinking this swift victory had won him their bet, he threw his fists into the air and began cheering.) YEEEAAAHHH!!!
Airon: Don’t get so ahead of yourself, Kei! You finished that match in six seconds, which means I won the pool!
While Kei’s little celebration quickly turned into an all-out tantrum, Gaara turned to Naruto for questioning on his grandson’s abilities.
Gaara: That’s a bizarre technique. …I don’t suppose either you or Hinata is responsible for that.
Naruto: (Nostalgia overcame him as Gaara said this, smiling up at the heavens as he thought about the technique’s true originator.) Nope. …Actually, it’s something that my mother was known for.
Gaara: Hm?
Naruto: My mom, Kushina Uzumaki. She was pretty well-known for having a unique chakra that allowed her to make those chains. It’s the reason she was chosen to be Kurama’s jinchuuriki after the First Hokage’s wife died. When she was alive, she used it mainly just for sealing or binding things down, but…Kei’s put a more offensive spin on the way he uses it.
Gaara: (Having never met Kushina before, this information had yet to cross his ears, and it only made his next words that much more sincere.) …You never cease to amaze me, Naruto.
Naruto smiled gleefully at this compliment on Gaara’s part, meanwhile Kei slowly made his way back up the staircase, an obviously false air of depression hanging over him. When he finally returned to the group, he immediately began staring at his brother, who was counting the newly won money in his hand with a grin on his face.
Kei: You cheated. …I don’t know how…I don’t know why-
Airon: Hehehahahahaha, would you calm down, little brother? I just predicted how the match would carry out beforehand and turned out to be right. There’s nothing else to it. …If you’re gonna be so stuck up, then you shouldn’t have been gambling in the first place.
Not one to argue with reason – most of the time – Kei scoffed and walked over to stand beside Minto, while everyone else redirected their attention back to the arena floor as the seasoned proctor announced the next selection.
B: Alright then, let’s get on the next match!!
Airon: (As the large monitor began flashing again, he turned to his sister with a random, yet interesting question.) (You think history will repeat itself for our own trio?)
Inase: (Intrigued, she thought back to the first three matches of the preliminaries.) (Well, now that you’ve brought that possibility out into the open…)
Sure enough, just as Airon had predicted, a pattern began appearing once again as the next two names were announced, catching the attention of everyone else who managed to recall the earlier bouts.
B: The next match-up iiissss…Vito Agure and Inase Namikaze!
Minto: (His group getting over the initial surprise earlier than most, he quickly started the next pool.) Alright, ten ryō says Inase wins in two minutes.
Kei: I’ll say she loses!
Airon: (Almost in disbelief, he just barely suppressed what was sure to be a loud cackle.) She already used that joke, Kei. Just place your bet.
Kei: Rrrrrgghhh…fine. I’ll match you for one minute.
Airon: (Once again taking more time than the others, he evaluated the two combatants’ skills and mannerisms before giving his bet.) I’ll give it thirty seconds.
Inase: (A smile instantly found its way onto her face after Airon made his bet, passing him her ten ryō before taking off down the staircase.) I say he’ll withdraw before the match begins.
Everyone else was too astounded by her bizarre wager to comment, but Airon, knowing all too well what his sister was capable of, quickly protested her daringness.
Airon: (You sure he’s really that confident, Inase?)
Inase: (Hmhmhm, just get your money ready to hand over.)
Leaving it at that, Airon shifted his gaze towards the opposite balcony, setting his eyes on his sister’s mentally unstable opponent, who was tugging at Kagetsu’s shirt as he eyed Inase from afar.
Vito: Hehehh, ya hear that, Kagetsu? Hehehh, I’m next up, hehehh. It’s that girl, that girl over there, see? Hehehh, I’m gonna kill her. I’ll kill her good, just you watch, Kagetsu. Hehehh hehehh hehehh-
Kagetsu: DAMN IT, WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT, VITO!!? Jeez, I don’t give a crap! Just go kill her already, or her kill you, whatever!
Vito: Oh, I’ll kill her, hehehh hehehh, I’ll kill her good, just you watch. Kagetsu, I’m gonna-
Kagetsu: I SAID GO, YOU DAMN PSYCHOPATH!!! (Jeez, why couldn’t chill pills be real for just one day? The guy needs at least a bottle of them to calm his crazy ass down.)
Having reached his limit, Kagetsu quickly pushed Vito away, who proceeded to clumsily make his way down the staircase as he continued his psychotic rant.
Vito: I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her I’ll kill her hehehh hehehh hehehh I’ll kill her!!
After several seconds of waiting, he finally made his way to his starting position in front of Inase, who was staring intensively at him as she rubbed her hand against the pouch around her waist. Airon, too, was staring at Vito from afar, evaluating his actions and behavior until finally, he lowered his head, recognizing that Inase had made a smart bet.
Airon: (Dang it.)
B: Alright, …if both y’all are ready, …be-!
Vito: OKAY OKAY, I GIVE I GIVE I GIVE I GIVE!!!
Every pair of eyes in the arena immediately turned towards Vito, whose unhinged behavior just moments prior had been replaced with mannerisms indicating extreme panic, including but not limited to trembling knees and extremely dilated pupils. After taking a moment to evaluate what just happened, B confusedly confirmed the “outcome” of this match.
B: Uhhhh, alright-y then. Vito Agure chose to withdraw from the match! So, by default, the winner is Inase Namikaze!
Hardly a second after her name was mentioned, Inase smiled and began walking away as Vito’s personality quickly reverted back to his original instability, prompting him to look around in confusion before heading back up to the balcony. Everyone else continued to gaze over at him from across the room, still wondering exactly what caused his sudden change in behavior.
Yatsuri: …Man, talk about anti-climatic.
Sabure: (A little more insightful than her cousin, she continued looking back and forth between Vito and Inase, who was still smiling mischievously.) Wait, did SHE make him do that?
Ryūza: (Recognizing this, as well, he turned his attention towards the victor’s brother, who was sure to have some answers.) …What the heck just happened?
Airon: (Still mildly depressed at having lost his bet, he attempted a smile and began walking closer to them to avoid having to yell across the balcony.) It’s a genjutsu…to an extent, at least.
Ryūza: What do you mean?
Airon: Genjutsu are typically used to disrupt a person’s chakra and affect any or all of their five senses, …but the one she just used affects a person’s mindset, rather than the mind itself.
Yatsuri: (The idea that such a bizarre jutsu existed intrigued him to no end, provoking him to gain more insight.) And how the heck did she manage that?
Airon: (At this, he finally managed a genuine smile as he gazed over at Inase, who was just now beginning to climb the stairs up to the balcony.) Hmhmhmhm, you tell me. …Inase’s a genius in her own right.
He looked back at the Sand trio to see their reactions, their silence but obvious interest prompting him to continue.
Airon: The technique affects the mind in a rather bizarre, but relatively simple way. In the simplest terms I can put it, it puts the level of confidence her opponent has going into battle on a scale and then flips it on itself. Therefore, an opponent whose only sixty percent positive that they can win will have their confidence reduced to only a forty percent certainty. Someone who thinks their victory’s virtually guaranteed will start running for the hills in the next second, like we just saw with Vito here. …Of course, it can also work in reverse. If a comrade isn’t feeling very sure about their chances of survival, she can boost their confidence for them in an instant.
Ryūza: (He continued listening to him with wide eyes, which disappeared once he took the time to evaluate all this information.) …Sounds almost too good to be true.
Airon: Hmhmhm, well, every jutsu does have its drawbacks. It’s still technically a genjutsu, so basic methods for dispelling them can be useful against it. Also, if a person has total confidence in their abilities, absolutely no doubt in their minds whatsoever that they can defeat her, …then it won’t work. Her opponent must have some level of uncertainty for her to alter, otherwise the technique is useless. So, in other words, it’s best used only against minor enemies she would prefer to avoid fighting altogether.
Ryūza: …I guess it leaves everything to chance, then, doesn’t it?
Airon: Hmhmhmhm, one would think so. Fortunately for her, she also has another technique that helps her determine just how confident her opponent is before she decides on using it.
Yatsuri: Huh? And what’s that?
Airon: (Finally stumbling upon a subject he preferred not to share with them, he glanced over at Yatsuri with a devious smile before walking back towards his group.) Hmhmhm, that awaits to be seen.
Upon taking his place beside Inase once again, his smile quickly disappeared while hers only grew bigger.
Airon: (Way to show off, little sister.)
Inase: (Hmhm, well, you should’ve known that I would use that technique and bet accordingly, big brother.)
Airon: (And I would’ve, had I known you’d get such a meager opponent.)
On the opposite side of the room, Vito had returned to Kagetsu’s side and was trying hard to explain exactly what happened, much to his teammate’s chagrin.
Vito: I don’t know what happened, Kagetsu. …Hehehh, I had it in my mind I was gonna kill her, hehehh. I had it clear as day, hehehh, then all of a sudden-
Kagetsu: Ooooohhh!! Proctor, you couldn’t have started the damn match, anyways!!? Let him get knocked out and carried out of here instead of sending him back up here with me!!
B: (Just about to announce the next match, the sudden interruption threw him off for a moment.) Uhhh, alright-y then! Let’s move on to the next match!
The large monitor was illuminated once again two rows of flashing letters as everyone in the room looked on. The pattern already seemingly in place once again, the identity of one of the upcoming combatants was already set in everyone’s mind, the only remaining question being whom his opponent would be. For Manako and a few others, a general assumption was already in the air.
Manako: (Do you think it’ll be him?)
Airon: (More anxious than ever before, he gripped the railing tightly as he glanced over at his preferred opponent.) (Oh, it will be. …It will be.)
After ten seconds, the answer finally answered, much to the surprise of nearly everyone in the room. Some were eager to see what the exciting match-up had in store, while others, particularly his peers and closest superiors, were worried of what Airon would be getting into.
Irezumi: Oh no… (Airon, I hope you know what you’re in for.)
Nakama: (Bearing more concern for what this match-up meant than anyone else, she looked over at her longtime friend to see his reaction to the revelation.) Airon…
Both to her surprise and what she had come to expect from him, Airon was not only unhindered by the news, but had adopted a wicked grin that far surpassed any he’d put on before this point in the Exams.
Airon: Hmhmhmhmhm… (Just what I was hoping for.)
B: The next match-up iiissss…Airon Namikaze and Asuka Nabi!!
Naruto’s legacy seems almost unstoppable, …but what are Airon’s chances against the genin that the others all fear!!?
The End
