Chakra Wizard
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…Okay, it seems I’m terrible at writing short chapters, so I’ll go ahead and disregard that previous promise I madexd I seem to be getting some decent reception from most of you guys, anyways, so I guess it’s no big deal=D Alright, so this one and the next one will go ahead and switch over to Manako and his cousin’s current actions, just as a heads-up. This is also my first chapter containing mostly “action text” up to this point, so please give feedback on how well you think I did with the descriptions. Thanks to everyone who has been leaving comments, by the way. I greatly appreciate the reception, good or bad=D Enjoy
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
Chapter 016: Sharingan vs. Byakugan
Nearly two miles away from Team Naruto and Team Suzaku’s location, Manako, Akame, and Katsuto were leaping through the forest trees, also progressing towards the central tower while keeping an eye out for any teams from whom to harvest a much-needed earth scroll. Having previously persuaded his cousins to save their chakra for now, only Manako’s Sharingan was activated for the time being, making him the only one to notice the team of familiar faces just up ahead.
Manako: There’s someone close by, …about seven hundred feet away.
Akame and Katsuto: Hm?
Curious as to whom their cousin had seen up ahead, Akame and Katsuto activated their own Sharingan and began scanning the terrain until they found them, at which point the former let out a devious chuckle in surprise at whom she saw.
Akame: Hmhmhmhm, well, would you look at that? …What are the odds of this?
Manako: (Preferring not to fight anyone that he knew, he urged the two to put the idea out of their minds.) …Keep moving.
Katsuto: For what!? This is easy picking right here! Let’s head over and rough ‘em up real quick!
Although his judgment was severely off, Manako couldn’t help but share a fraction of Katsuto’s enthusiasm, seeing as this was one of their village’s strongest genin…and he felt he could use the warm-up before taking on Airon.
Manako: Fine. …Let’s make this quick.
Picking up their pace just slightly, the trio passed through a few more trees before heading to the forest floor, …where awaited Team Lee, the leader of whom had already sensed their approach with the help of his own dōjutsu.
Hitomi: …Pleasure seeing you here, Manako.
Manako: …Hitomi.
The two spoke not another word to each other, though the side conversations taking place between their teammates were more than enough to keep the surrounding area sounding lively.
Akame: Heh, I’ll admit that Hitomi’s not half-bad, but him aside, I gotta admit that we couldn’t have cornered more easy prey.
Miyuki: (Having always detested Manako’s cousins for the egotism which they both shared, it didn’t take long for her to come up with a retort, …however easy a one to rebound.) Hmph, cocky as always, aren’t we, Akame? You think that you looking down on us is justified just by the eyes you’re using to do it?
Akame: Uhhh, …yes?
Chan: (Sharing Miyuki’s annoyance for Akame’s attitude, he addressed the oldest of the three Uchiha himself, while shifting into his battle-ready stance.) Huh, well smugness will only get you so far, Akame! You have not even begun to see just how strong we have become since our days in the Academy!
Katsuto: Hehehe, you say that as if your appearance alone doesn’t give us a good estimation. Your sensei earned the title, “The World’s Greatest Taijutsu Master”, I’ll give him that, but how much do you honestly think you can learn from a guy who can only use one of the three different types of techniques?
Obviously convinced that he had them cornered, Katsuto was visibly surprised when none of the three began showing signs of stress or anger, but instead, smiled amusingly in light of his ignorance to their sensei’s teaching methods.
Hitomi: Lee-sensei has given all three of us more than our fair share during our time under his tutelage. …And since you’re here, why don’t we show you just what that entails?
Manako: (Appreciative of his confident tone, he couldn’t help but smirk as he gave Hitomi his answer.) …Our pleasure. Akame, you take Chan. Katsuto, you go up against Miyuki.
Katsuto: (Already having anticipated that he’d be fighting against Chan, Manako’s orders were more than enough to catch him off guard, as well as leave him vastly frustrated.) What the-!? How come I gotta fight her!?
Having always had a low boiling point when it came to Katsuto, this riled remark was just enough to poke at Manako’s restraint, causing him to turn around and snap at his cousin, his Sharingan flashing as he told him off.
Manako: Would you care for me to be blunt, specific, or silent!? Whichever one you choose, I’ve got a feasible answer for you.
Knowing that each path would end with the same outcome, Katsuto chose the latter and followed Manako’s orders without further question. All six genin quickly began placing distance between themselves and their teammates as they lined up across from their designated opponents, eager to commence this battle. Akame, Katsuto, Chan, and Miyuki each assumed their starting poses, while Manako and Hitomi continued conversing as though they hadn’t noticed.
Hitomi: Hmhmhmhm, so what were your blunt and specific answers?
Manako: (Smirking at Hitomi’s curiosity, he saw no reason not to give him the answers he sought and proceeded to do so.) Hm…specifically, because Chan’s stronger than Miyuki and Akame’s stronger than Katsuto, so it’s only natural to pair them together. …Bluntly, because Chan would’ve beaten the living daylights out of Katsuto.
Hitomi: Hmhmhm, sounds about right.
The vicinity around them remained silent over the course of the next few seconds, until finally, Chan charged forward with blinding speed, intent on dealing Akame a quick defeat in close quarters combat.
Chan: Leaf Hurricane!
To his great surprise, however, the powerful kick failed to connect, as did the large array of attacks which he used next, much to Akame’s amusement, as well as his own increasing frustration.
Akame: Heh he, you’ll have to be quicker than that, if you want to get past these eyes.
Chan: Hrrrmm…. (Darn it! She is using her Sharingan to predict all my movements in order to avoid them. …This does not look so good for me.)
As Akame continued to mock Chan’s abilities, her brother was just now beginning to learn Miyuki’s own. Reaching into the pouches resting against the back of her waist, she quickly revealed eight small shuriken and launched them at Katsuto with pinpoint accuracy, though the latter was able to effortlessly fend off each one with a kunai.
Katsuto: Hmph, weapon specialist, huh?
Intrigued by the makeshift challenge which Miyuki’s specialties presented him, he reached into the pack resting upon his back and pulled out a large, folded fūma shuriken.
Katsuto: Well then, take THIS!!
Quickly unfolding the large blades which made up the weapon, he took one big step forward and lunged the giant shuriken at his opponent with all the strength he could muster. Cunning as she was, though, Miyuki took three kunai into her hand and tossed them at the oncoming weapon, striking it with such accuracy that she not only managed to steer it off its current path, but also decreased its speed significantly. Not stopping there, however, she leaped forward and grabbed it as it began veering into the ground, much to Katsuto’s surprise and minor confusion.
Katsuto: What the-!?
Returning to the ground without losing any momentum, Miyuki wasted no time in tossing the shuriken back to its owner, the force of her throw increased even further by the speed the weapon had already accumulated previously. It was only thanks to Katsuto’s dōjutsu that he ducked in time to successfully evade it, now greatly irritated by the fact that he was forced to dodge his own shuriken, a sight which prompted Miyuki to smile in satisfaction.
Katsuto: Hn, guess I’ll have to take it up a notch, after all.
In spite of the fact that the battles occurring on either side of them were quickly becoming heated, the leaders of the two teams had yet to take even one step toward each other. …They almost appeared as though they were waiting for something special to happen, until finally, Hitomi entered the stance traditionally used by members of his clan.
Hitomi: I’ve gotta admit, I didn’t expect that I’d get to have a piece of you before Airon.
Manako: (Having been waiting for Hitomi to make the first move, his actions prompted him to assume his own stance.) You won’t. …This fight will be over before you get even a taste of my power.
Greatly looking forward to proving him wrong, Hitomi waited just a moment longer before charging forward to attack.
Hitomi: (Byakugan!)
Hoping, though not expecting, to deliver a decisive blow early on, Hitomi reached forward to strike Manako’s most vulnerable chakra point. However, despite the tremendous speed at which he was moving, his opponent was more than capable of evading this seemingly careless attempt at a direct attack, as well as the countless others which followed it, each faster than the last. …In all honesty, their little dance was quickly beginning to frustrate him, as well as worry his teammates.
Chan: Rrrrgghh… (Come on, Hitomi. Just one direct hit should decide the match for all three of us.)
Miyuki: (Man, this isn’t looking good at all. It’s as if he’s just toying with him right now. …If Manako decides to attack-)
Akame and Katsuto: Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
Chan and Miyuki: Huh!?
In the midst of the distraction which their teammate’s struggle presented, the other two members of Team Lee had diverted their attention away from their own battles, giving Akame and Katsuto an opportunity to utilize their talents in ninjutsu. Not sharing in the speed which her two teammates were capable of, Miyuki was forced to counter with her own array of ninjutsu, …though fortunately, the one she was in need of at the moment just so happened to be her specialty.
Miyuki: Water Style: Raging Waves!
Within seconds, an enormous stream of water began gushing from between her lips, diminishing every last flame that Katsuto had thrown her way. Becoming increasingly frustrated by Miyuki’s unfailing ability to counter all of his attacks, Katsuto pulled out a kunai and rushed her without thinking. Only fifty feet away, Chan was just now beginning to deal Akame the same levels of annoyance, his attacks coming closer to connecting with each attempt.
Akame: (Dang, this guy just doesn’t know when to quit. …Hmm, I wonder if…)
Gazing off in her brother’s direction for a brief moment, she took notice of his current actions before looking back at her opponent, a smirk growing across her face as she set a feasible plan into motion.
Akame: (Hmhm. Yeah, that’ll work.)
Noticing her sudden change in expression, Chan halted his next attack, curious as to what reasoning she had to renew her confidence. Just moments later, he glanced to his left…to find Miyuki collapsing to the ground with Katsuto’s kunai lodged in her chest.
Chan: MIYUKI!!
No sooner after he yelled her name did he begin to feel intense pain coursing through his own chest, causing him to double over in agony, looking back over at Akame as he did. To his surprise, though, she hadn’t moved a muscle once during this time, leading him to realize what was really going on.
Chan: Grrch… (She is using a genjutsu. …Darn…)
Succumbing to the pain of the blow, he continued holding his chest as he fell to the ground, just as Akame’s illusion began to fade away. His teammates noticed his defeat almost immediately, but Hitomi knew all too well that he couldn’t afford to take his attention off Manako for a second, …an impulse that Miyuki apparently didn’t share.
Miyuki: Chan, no!
Katsuto: (Seeing where her true concerns lied in that moment, he took full advantage of it and charged forward to deliver a right hook to her chin.) You’re gonna get it now!
His speed, combined with Miyuki’s unawareness of his intentions, allowed the attack to easily connect, sending her roughly six feet into the air before falling back to the ground, the intense pain having robbed her of her ability to move. At this point, there was nothing to keep Hitomi’s attention fixed on his own fight, since it was now the only one still in progress.
Hitomi: (No! Chan. Miyuki. …I guess I don’t have a choice now.)
Assuming an all-too familiar stance, he took a deep breath before activating his Byakugan once again.
Hitomi: (I hope this works.) …Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!
With his opponent fully within his range, the only thing left to do was deliver the attack, …but when that opponent is Manako, even that was a huge gamble.
Hitomi: (Even if he avoids the first few sets of attacks, …he can’t possibly dodge them all.) Eight Trigrams Two Palms!
As Hitomi had expected, even at his current speed, Manako had no trouble avoiding the first two blows, …but there were still sixty-two more to come.
Hitomi: (And with my speed increasing each time I attack, eventually, even he won’t be quick enough to evade them.) Eight Trigrams Four Palms!
Despite doubling his number of attacks, the outcome remained the same.
Hitomi: (Alright, …then try THIS!) Eight Palms!
Still, every attack launched failed to connect.
Hitomi: Sixteen Palms!
Once again, Manako effortlessly dodged his attack, much to Hitomi’s shock and dismay.
Hitomi: (What!? …Even at sixteen palms, how is that…well, he won’t escape the last two sets.) Thirty-two Palms!
…Once again, no payoff. Taking one last huge step forward, he brought the number of attacks all the way up to sixty-four, certain that at least one of them would connect at his current speed.
Hitomi: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!
All thirty-two strikes took hardly three seconds to pass by…and yet, as if by magic, Manako successfully evaded them all, causing Hitomi to step back in astonishment, almost in fear.
Hitomi: …No…no, that’s not…Manako…how could you possibly dodge my Eight Trigrams?
Manako: (He smirked in amusement before responding, although he wasn’t exactly addressing Hitomi’s question.) That’s a very impressive technique, Hitomi.
His Sharingan blazing, he recalled the stance that Hitomi assumed before attacking and duplicated it, down to the last detail.
Manako: I hope you don’t mind if I try it out for myself.
Before Hitomi’s eyes could even finish expanding, Manako rushed forward and copied every last attack that he had just finished using, …only this time, every single one of them connected, sending Hitomi crashing to the ground several feet away, barely hanging onto his consciousness. His teammates, hardly able to move themselves, could only watch in horror as this spectacle played out.
Chan: But, that is…that technique cannot be dodged. …That is impossible.
Miyuki: That’s Hitomi’s jutsu. …Only the Hyūga should be able to use it, yet he…he copied it almost perfectly.
Finding amusement in their ignorance to their cousin’s abilities, Akame and Katsuto smirked with content before addressing their confusion…in their typical snobbish manner.
Akame: Hmph, and you’re surprised? Manako’s Sharingan is one of the most powerful the Uchiha clan has ever produced. There aren’t too many techniques he CAN’T copy with those eyes of his.
Katsuto: And as far as dodging his attack goes, Manako’s reflexes have always been on par with the world’s best, and with his Sharingan activated, …heh he, believe me when I say that even that Namikaze kid has trouble landing a hit on him most of the time.
Manako: (Though their statements weren’t exactly exaggerated, he wasn’t very fond of appraisal, either, and turned his attention towards a more urgent matter instead.) Katsuto, stop disrespecting Airon and start searching for their scroll. …We’re all done here, anyways.
Katsuto followed the order well enough, though not without mumbling under his breath as he did. He searched Miyuki’s credentials after going through Hitomi’s and Chan’s, only to find that they had gone through this entire ordeal to obtain a heaven scroll, which they already had in their possession.
Katsuto: What the-!? Oh, come on!
Akame: (Trying desperately to keep better self-control than her brother, she rubbed her eyes irritably for a brief moment before voicing her own frustration.) Huhhh, unbelievable. We went through all of this just to find out they have the same type of scroll as us?
Manako: (He wasn’t above feeling aggravation as they did, but he was also disappointed that he had to defeat Hitomi and his team in order to discover this, a sentiment seen in his face as he addressed his cousin.) Stop complaining, Akame. Perhaps, next time, you should take that into consideration before the two of you decide to fight.
Spending another moment looking over the barely conscious trio, he finally turned away in dismay and addressed his cousins, seeing no point in the three of them staying there a minute longer.
Manako: Now, come on. Let’s start moving again.
The two quickly followed Manako’s command and took off into the tree line, while their cousin turned back to look at Team Lee’s defeated leader a brief moment longer.
Manako: (I’m sorry, Hitomi. …I hope this hasn’t depleted your team’s chances of completing the stage.)
With that, Manako sped off after his cousins, catching up with them within seconds, at which point Katsuto turned to him to address an accusation he had previously made about him.
Katsuto: Oh, and for the record, Manako, …
Manako: Hm?
Katsuto: I would not have gotten the daylights beat outta me if I fought Chan.
Already disheartened as it was, Manako didn’t address the remark aloud and simply continued moving at his current pace.
Manako: Huhhhh… (Whether you realize it or not, Katsuto, I just did you a huge favor and helped you keep that pointless egotism of yours intact. …I’m quickly starting to regret it, though.)
Hoping to relieve his present uneasiness, Manako closed his eyes in an effort to clear his restless mind, picking up speed once he believed he had successfully done so.
Sasuke’s grandchildren make short work of Team Lee!!!
The End
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
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Chapter 016: Sharingan vs. Byakugan
Nearly two miles away from Team Naruto and Team Suzaku’s location, Manako, Akame, and Katsuto were leaping through the forest trees, also progressing towards the central tower while keeping an eye out for any teams from whom to harvest a much-needed earth scroll. Having previously persuaded his cousins to save their chakra for now, only Manako’s Sharingan was activated for the time being, making him the only one to notice the team of familiar faces just up ahead.
Manako: There’s someone close by, …about seven hundred feet away.
Akame and Katsuto: Hm?
Curious as to whom their cousin had seen up ahead, Akame and Katsuto activated their own Sharingan and began scanning the terrain until they found them, at which point the former let out a devious chuckle in surprise at whom she saw.
Akame: Hmhmhmhm, well, would you look at that? …What are the odds of this?
Manako: (Preferring not to fight anyone that he knew, he urged the two to put the idea out of their minds.) …Keep moving.
Katsuto: For what!? This is easy picking right here! Let’s head over and rough ‘em up real quick!
Although his judgment was severely off, Manako couldn’t help but share a fraction of Katsuto’s enthusiasm, seeing as this was one of their village’s strongest genin…and he felt he could use the warm-up before taking on Airon.
Manako: Fine. …Let’s make this quick.
Picking up their pace just slightly, the trio passed through a few more trees before heading to the forest floor, …where awaited Team Lee, the leader of whom had already sensed their approach with the help of his own dōjutsu.
Hitomi: …Pleasure seeing you here, Manako.
Manako: …Hitomi.
The two spoke not another word to each other, though the side conversations taking place between their teammates were more than enough to keep the surrounding area sounding lively.
Akame: Heh, I’ll admit that Hitomi’s not half-bad, but him aside, I gotta admit that we couldn’t have cornered more easy prey.
Miyuki: (Having always detested Manako’s cousins for the egotism which they both shared, it didn’t take long for her to come up with a retort, …however easy a one to rebound.) Hmph, cocky as always, aren’t we, Akame? You think that you looking down on us is justified just by the eyes you’re using to do it?
Akame: Uhhh, …yes?
Chan: (Sharing Miyuki’s annoyance for Akame’s attitude, he addressed the oldest of the three Uchiha himself, while shifting into his battle-ready stance.) Huh, well smugness will only get you so far, Akame! You have not even begun to see just how strong we have become since our days in the Academy!
Katsuto: Hehehe, you say that as if your appearance alone doesn’t give us a good estimation. Your sensei earned the title, “The World’s Greatest Taijutsu Master”, I’ll give him that, but how much do you honestly think you can learn from a guy who can only use one of the three different types of techniques?
Obviously convinced that he had them cornered, Katsuto was visibly surprised when none of the three began showing signs of stress or anger, but instead, smiled amusingly in light of his ignorance to their sensei’s teaching methods.
Hitomi: Lee-sensei has given all three of us more than our fair share during our time under his tutelage. …And since you’re here, why don’t we show you just what that entails?
Manako: (Appreciative of his confident tone, he couldn’t help but smirk as he gave Hitomi his answer.) …Our pleasure. Akame, you take Chan. Katsuto, you go up against Miyuki.
Katsuto: (Already having anticipated that he’d be fighting against Chan, Manako’s orders were more than enough to catch him off guard, as well as leave him vastly frustrated.) What the-!? How come I gotta fight her!?
Having always had a low boiling point when it came to Katsuto, this riled remark was just enough to poke at Manako’s restraint, causing him to turn around and snap at his cousin, his Sharingan flashing as he told him off.
Manako: Would you care for me to be blunt, specific, or silent!? Whichever one you choose, I’ve got a feasible answer for you.
Knowing that each path would end with the same outcome, Katsuto chose the latter and followed Manako’s orders without further question. All six genin quickly began placing distance between themselves and their teammates as they lined up across from their designated opponents, eager to commence this battle. Akame, Katsuto, Chan, and Miyuki each assumed their starting poses, while Manako and Hitomi continued conversing as though they hadn’t noticed.
Hitomi: Hmhmhmhm, so what were your blunt and specific answers?
Manako: (Smirking at Hitomi’s curiosity, he saw no reason not to give him the answers he sought and proceeded to do so.) Hm…specifically, because Chan’s stronger than Miyuki and Akame’s stronger than Katsuto, so it’s only natural to pair them together. …Bluntly, because Chan would’ve beaten the living daylights out of Katsuto.
Hitomi: Hmhmhm, sounds about right.
The vicinity around them remained silent over the course of the next few seconds, until finally, Chan charged forward with blinding speed, intent on dealing Akame a quick defeat in close quarters combat.
Chan: Leaf Hurricane!
To his great surprise, however, the powerful kick failed to connect, as did the large array of attacks which he used next, much to Akame’s amusement, as well as his own increasing frustration.
Akame: Heh he, you’ll have to be quicker than that, if you want to get past these eyes.
Chan: Hrrrmm…. (Darn it! She is using her Sharingan to predict all my movements in order to avoid them. …This does not look so good for me.)
As Akame continued to mock Chan’s abilities, her brother was just now beginning to learn Miyuki’s own. Reaching into the pouches resting against the back of her waist, she quickly revealed eight small shuriken and launched them at Katsuto with pinpoint accuracy, though the latter was able to effortlessly fend off each one with a kunai.
Katsuto: Hmph, weapon specialist, huh?
Intrigued by the makeshift challenge which Miyuki’s specialties presented him, he reached into the pack resting upon his back and pulled out a large, folded fūma shuriken.
Katsuto: Well then, take THIS!!
Quickly unfolding the large blades which made up the weapon, he took one big step forward and lunged the giant shuriken at his opponent with all the strength he could muster. Cunning as she was, though, Miyuki took three kunai into her hand and tossed them at the oncoming weapon, striking it with such accuracy that she not only managed to steer it off its current path, but also decreased its speed significantly. Not stopping there, however, she leaped forward and grabbed it as it began veering into the ground, much to Katsuto’s surprise and minor confusion.
Katsuto: What the-!?
Returning to the ground without losing any momentum, Miyuki wasted no time in tossing the shuriken back to its owner, the force of her throw increased even further by the speed the weapon had already accumulated previously. It was only thanks to Katsuto’s dōjutsu that he ducked in time to successfully evade it, now greatly irritated by the fact that he was forced to dodge his own shuriken, a sight which prompted Miyuki to smile in satisfaction.
Katsuto: Hn, guess I’ll have to take it up a notch, after all.
In spite of the fact that the battles occurring on either side of them were quickly becoming heated, the leaders of the two teams had yet to take even one step toward each other. …They almost appeared as though they were waiting for something special to happen, until finally, Hitomi entered the stance traditionally used by members of his clan.
Hitomi: I’ve gotta admit, I didn’t expect that I’d get to have a piece of you before Airon.
Manako: (Having been waiting for Hitomi to make the first move, his actions prompted him to assume his own stance.) You won’t. …This fight will be over before you get even a taste of my power.
Greatly looking forward to proving him wrong, Hitomi waited just a moment longer before charging forward to attack.
Hitomi: (Byakugan!)
Hoping, though not expecting, to deliver a decisive blow early on, Hitomi reached forward to strike Manako’s most vulnerable chakra point. However, despite the tremendous speed at which he was moving, his opponent was more than capable of evading this seemingly careless attempt at a direct attack, as well as the countless others which followed it, each faster than the last. …In all honesty, their little dance was quickly beginning to frustrate him, as well as worry his teammates.
Chan: Rrrrgghh… (Come on, Hitomi. Just one direct hit should decide the match for all three of us.)
Miyuki: (Man, this isn’t looking good at all. It’s as if he’s just toying with him right now. …If Manako decides to attack-)
Akame and Katsuto: Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
Chan and Miyuki: Huh!?
In the midst of the distraction which their teammate’s struggle presented, the other two members of Team Lee had diverted their attention away from their own battles, giving Akame and Katsuto an opportunity to utilize their talents in ninjutsu. Not sharing in the speed which her two teammates were capable of, Miyuki was forced to counter with her own array of ninjutsu, …though fortunately, the one she was in need of at the moment just so happened to be her specialty.
Miyuki: Water Style: Raging Waves!
Within seconds, an enormous stream of water began gushing from between her lips, diminishing every last flame that Katsuto had thrown her way. Becoming increasingly frustrated by Miyuki’s unfailing ability to counter all of his attacks, Katsuto pulled out a kunai and rushed her without thinking. Only fifty feet away, Chan was just now beginning to deal Akame the same levels of annoyance, his attacks coming closer to connecting with each attempt.
Akame: (Dang, this guy just doesn’t know when to quit. …Hmm, I wonder if…)
Gazing off in her brother’s direction for a brief moment, she took notice of his current actions before looking back at her opponent, a smirk growing across her face as she set a feasible plan into motion.
Akame: (Hmhm. Yeah, that’ll work.)
Noticing her sudden change in expression, Chan halted his next attack, curious as to what reasoning she had to renew her confidence. Just moments later, he glanced to his left…to find Miyuki collapsing to the ground with Katsuto’s kunai lodged in her chest.
Chan: MIYUKI!!
No sooner after he yelled her name did he begin to feel intense pain coursing through his own chest, causing him to double over in agony, looking back over at Akame as he did. To his surprise, though, she hadn’t moved a muscle once during this time, leading him to realize what was really going on.
Chan: Grrch… (She is using a genjutsu. …Darn…)
Succumbing to the pain of the blow, he continued holding his chest as he fell to the ground, just as Akame’s illusion began to fade away. His teammates noticed his defeat almost immediately, but Hitomi knew all too well that he couldn’t afford to take his attention off Manako for a second, …an impulse that Miyuki apparently didn’t share.
Miyuki: Chan, no!
Katsuto: (Seeing where her true concerns lied in that moment, he took full advantage of it and charged forward to deliver a right hook to her chin.) You’re gonna get it now!
His speed, combined with Miyuki’s unawareness of his intentions, allowed the attack to easily connect, sending her roughly six feet into the air before falling back to the ground, the intense pain having robbed her of her ability to move. At this point, there was nothing to keep Hitomi’s attention fixed on his own fight, since it was now the only one still in progress.
Hitomi: (No! Chan. Miyuki. …I guess I don’t have a choice now.)
Assuming an all-too familiar stance, he took a deep breath before activating his Byakugan once again.
Hitomi: (I hope this works.) …Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!
With his opponent fully within his range, the only thing left to do was deliver the attack, …but when that opponent is Manako, even that was a huge gamble.
Hitomi: (Even if he avoids the first few sets of attacks, …he can’t possibly dodge them all.) Eight Trigrams Two Palms!
As Hitomi had expected, even at his current speed, Manako had no trouble avoiding the first two blows, …but there were still sixty-two more to come.
Hitomi: (And with my speed increasing each time I attack, eventually, even he won’t be quick enough to evade them.) Eight Trigrams Four Palms!
Despite doubling his number of attacks, the outcome remained the same.
Hitomi: (Alright, …then try THIS!) Eight Palms!
Still, every attack launched failed to connect.
Hitomi: Sixteen Palms!
Once again, Manako effortlessly dodged his attack, much to Hitomi’s shock and dismay.
Hitomi: (What!? …Even at sixteen palms, how is that…well, he won’t escape the last two sets.) Thirty-two Palms!
…Once again, no payoff. Taking one last huge step forward, he brought the number of attacks all the way up to sixty-four, certain that at least one of them would connect at his current speed.
Hitomi: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!
All thirty-two strikes took hardly three seconds to pass by…and yet, as if by magic, Manako successfully evaded them all, causing Hitomi to step back in astonishment, almost in fear.
Hitomi: …No…no, that’s not…Manako…how could you possibly dodge my Eight Trigrams?
Manako: (He smirked in amusement before responding, although he wasn’t exactly addressing Hitomi’s question.) That’s a very impressive technique, Hitomi.
His Sharingan blazing, he recalled the stance that Hitomi assumed before attacking and duplicated it, down to the last detail.
Manako: I hope you don’t mind if I try it out for myself.
Before Hitomi’s eyes could even finish expanding, Manako rushed forward and copied every last attack that he had just finished using, …only this time, every single one of them connected, sending Hitomi crashing to the ground several feet away, barely hanging onto his consciousness. His teammates, hardly able to move themselves, could only watch in horror as this spectacle played out.
Chan: But, that is…that technique cannot be dodged. …That is impossible.
Miyuki: That’s Hitomi’s jutsu. …Only the Hyūga should be able to use it, yet he…he copied it almost perfectly.
Finding amusement in their ignorance to their cousin’s abilities, Akame and Katsuto smirked with content before addressing their confusion…in their typical snobbish manner.
Akame: Hmph, and you’re surprised? Manako’s Sharingan is one of the most powerful the Uchiha clan has ever produced. There aren’t too many techniques he CAN’T copy with those eyes of his.
Katsuto: And as far as dodging his attack goes, Manako’s reflexes have always been on par with the world’s best, and with his Sharingan activated, …heh he, believe me when I say that even that Namikaze kid has trouble landing a hit on him most of the time.
Manako: (Though their statements weren’t exactly exaggerated, he wasn’t very fond of appraisal, either, and turned his attention towards a more urgent matter instead.) Katsuto, stop disrespecting Airon and start searching for their scroll. …We’re all done here, anyways.
Katsuto followed the order well enough, though not without mumbling under his breath as he did. He searched Miyuki’s credentials after going through Hitomi’s and Chan’s, only to find that they had gone through this entire ordeal to obtain a heaven scroll, which they already had in their possession.
Katsuto: What the-!? Oh, come on!
Akame: (Trying desperately to keep better self-control than her brother, she rubbed her eyes irritably for a brief moment before voicing her own frustration.) Huhhh, unbelievable. We went through all of this just to find out they have the same type of scroll as us?
Manako: (He wasn’t above feeling aggravation as they did, but he was also disappointed that he had to defeat Hitomi and his team in order to discover this, a sentiment seen in his face as he addressed his cousin.) Stop complaining, Akame. Perhaps, next time, you should take that into consideration before the two of you decide to fight.
Spending another moment looking over the barely conscious trio, he finally turned away in dismay and addressed his cousins, seeing no point in the three of them staying there a minute longer.
Manako: Now, come on. Let’s start moving again.
The two quickly followed Manako’s command and took off into the tree line, while their cousin turned back to look at Team Lee’s defeated leader a brief moment longer.
Manako: (I’m sorry, Hitomi. …I hope this hasn’t depleted your team’s chances of completing the stage.)
With that, Manako sped off after his cousins, catching up with them within seconds, at which point Katsuto turned to him to address an accusation he had previously made about him.
Katsuto: Oh, and for the record, Manako, …
Manako: Hm?
Katsuto: I would not have gotten the daylights beat outta me if I fought Chan.
Already disheartened as it was, Manako didn’t address the remark aloud and simply continued moving at his current pace.
Manako: Huhhhh… (Whether you realize it or not, Katsuto, I just did you a huge favor and helped you keep that pointless egotism of yours intact. …I’m quickly starting to regret it, though.)
Hoping to relieve his present uneasiness, Manako closed his eyes in an effort to clear his restless mind, picking up speed once he believed he had successfully done so.
Sasuke’s grandchildren make short work of Team Lee!!!
The End
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