Chakra Wizard
Active member
Awards
Here’s surprise technique number two. And I don’t even think this is Airon’s most impressive feat (just to pique your curiosity further*_* lol). Anyways, enjoy
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
Chapter 062: Faster Than Lightning
Airon and Z continued their standoff in the center of the arena for well over a minute, the augmented strength granted by the latter’s technique working greatly in his favor. Those in the stands watched in awe as Z tested his newfound power, most of them completely ignorant of the technique’s existence, including even some seasoned veterans from the previous generation.
Boruto: Is that…lightning?
Itachi: Lightning-enhanced chakra, actually. My father explained the technique to me once before during the Fourth Raikage’s funeral. The “armor” is used as an electrical stimulant to charge the body’s nervous system and cause it to react faster. This allows the user to push their speed and strength to its absolute limit, as we’ve just been shown. …According to Father, the technique is the reason the Fourth was known as the fastest shinobi alive at one point in his life, until he was surpassed by your father.
Boruto: (Now recognizing the technique by name, he looked back down at Z in wonder.) …So that’s Lightning Release Armor…a technique only the last two Raikage could do.
Itachi: (He nodded in agreement, his eyes also widened slightly.) And for this boy to have mastered it at his age…I can’t imagine what else he’ll be capable of when his power fully matures.
Down below, the pressure slowly began to fall on Airon, who took a step back to maintain his balance. He gently removed his hand from his sword in order to reach for the pouch around his waist, only to return it seconds later when Z’s strength proved too great for him to handle with a single hand.
Airon: (I can’t reach for that scroll while he’s pushing down on me like this…I gotta let go.)
Pouring as much chakra into his sword as he could manage without, he let it go and leapt back, but Z had already predicted this tactic.
Z: Yeah, like I’m gonna let ya pull THAT stunt again!!
He suddenly vanished from the spot, leaving Airon’s sword suspended in midair, which the latter quickly lunged for and grabbed in time to block Z’s next strike.
Airon: (Shoot!)
Z quickly disappeared again when his attack failed, but once again, Airon used his ability to read his movements to his advantage, blocking every attack that came his way. Those watching from above could easily tell that he was slowly becoming overwhelmed, but it was enough to catch the eye of the Kage sitting overhead.
Chōjūrō: I’m amazed that he can keep up with the Lightning Release Armor…I thought only Naruto Uzumaki could do that.
Konohamaru: Hmhm, well, keep in mind how powerful A was on his own, Chōjūrō. I’m sure Z still has a ways to go before he can match his speed, so I’m not too surprised Airon is still holding his own.
Darui: (He was also impressed, but being the only one truly rooting for Z’s victory, his expression displayed more frustration than admiration.) Give him some more time…he’ll eventually give in.
As Darui predicted, Airon managed to last for a few more minutes, but his continued attempts to reach into his weapons pouch eventually brought him into another standoff with Z, which the latter quickly took advantage by delivering a swift kick to the chest which sent him crashing into the wall roughly half the distance of the stadium away. As rubble went flying in every which direction, his friends and loved ones throughout the stands watched in angst as he didn’t emerge from the crater for several seconds.
Hinata, Boruto, and Minto: Airon!!
Nakama: (She clasped her hands over her mouth in worry.) (…Airon…)
Kei: COME ON, AIRON!!! GET BACK UP!!!
Naruto: (He gritted his teeth in frustration, tightening his grip on the railing.) (Damn it! Come on, Airon, get up.)
Manako: (Come on, Airon, get up…there’s no way you were knocked unconscious by that.)
Inase: (Her Byakugan active and peering into the crater, she noticed some small movements on his part and all worry quickly left her.) (…What the heck are you waiting for? Get back up already.)
Having gotten his hands on the scroll he was looking for at long last, he reached for the side of the small crater and slowly pulled himself out.
Airon: (Alright, fine. Don’t go rushing me, little sister. …Sheesh…)
Dropping back to the ground – the crater was roughly five feet above the arena floor – he started breathing heavily as he looked over at Z, who was evidently proud of this accomplishment. His short span of confidence was quickly disrupted, though, as small swirls of chakra began forming around Airon which, by the time they vanished, had taken with them every cut or deep bruise Z inflicted on him prior to this point in the match, astonishing everyone in the entire stadium.
Kurotsuchi: His wounds…they’re all…
Darui: …completely gone.
Gaara: …I haven’t seen prowess in medical ninjutsu like that since…
The other Kage also proceeded to look towards Sakura, the image of her late mentor flashing in their minds, just as it was in hers.
Sakura: …Well, it’s not exactly Mitotic Regeneration.
Naruto: (His relief from seeing Airon unharmed having already brought a smirk to his face, he couldn’t help but chuckle at this remark.) Hehehe, no it’s certainly not. …It’s just more credit to Airon’s amazing chakra control.
Their interest in Airon’s abilities sparked once again, they gazed back down at the arena floor where the aforementioned genin was cracking his neck as he returned his sword to his sheath. He had starting grinning ever since he got ahold of the scroll in his hand, and while he had no idea what was contained within it, Z’s confidence continued to brew as his armor began blazing around him.
Z: You got some fine moves, dog, but I’d call it a day if I was you! …It don’t matter how many times I gotta bang you up after you heal, just face facts…you ain’t got nuthin’ on me now!
The corner of Airon’s mouth started twitching as he heard him say this, a blend of his own amusement and his intense desire to reveal what was contained within his scroll.
Airon: Hehehehehe…well, we’ll see about that.
As he spoke, he gently snapped the band holding the scroll closed and rolled it out horizontally in front of him, forming a few hand signs before pressing his hand down on top of it.
Airon: Summoning Jutsu: Kunai Storm!
The small parchment was instantly covered in a thin layer of smoke, from which emerged dozens upon dozens of kunai, rocketing high into the air and scattering in various directions. With some of them inbound, Z quickly moved to avoid them, but with his speed still boosted by the Lightning Release Armor, doing so until the scroll had exhausted its stored kunai proved a menial task to him.
Z: All that and not one make! I think your aim’s a bit off, dog!
Airon: (He merely smirked at him as he stood back up and returned the scroll to his pouch.) Who said that was meant to be an attack!?
This remark left both Z and much of the audience watching him in confusion, including the Kage sitting overhead. One person who did recognize Airon’s intentions was Naruto, who had started laughing under his breath ever since he unveiled the contents of the scroll, much to the wonder of his colleagues standing behind him.
Gaara: Is something funny, Naruto?
Naruto: (His laughing slowly came to a stop before shaking his head.) No…nothing, Gaara.
Sasuke: (Recognizing Airon’s plan, as well, he turned to Naruto to confirm it.) He’s about to use it, isn’t he?
Naruto: (He grinned as he nodded his answer.) (…He won.)
Manako: (You had me worried for a moment, Airon.)
Airon: (Hmhmhm…have more faith in your rival, Manako.)
Kei: YOU GOT HIM NOW, AIRON!!! LAY HIM OUT!!!
Inase: (She smiled and shook her head at Kei before looking over at Minto.) (Go easy on him next round, okay? …His heart must be bursting out of his chest just thinking about it.)
Airon looked up at the balcony after she said this, smiling and turning to wink at Minto before looking back over at Z.
Airon: (Hmhm, only if he goes easy on me.) Ask your teammate up in the stands to give us a beat…something nice and flashy to flatten you out to!
The request was enough to raise one of Z’s eyebrows, but he still hesitated a moment out of confusion before nodding up at Sakebi, who hesitated to respond out of laziness, prompting a violent retort from their other teammate.
Tomoi: Don’t go “ugh”, jackass! Z asked for a beat, so give him a beat!
Sakebi: Alright alright, damn! …Jeez. Stupid bi-
She hit him a second time as he stood up, but he merely rubbed the spot where he was struck and shrugged it off before pulling out his microphone. Those surrounding them began staring at him as he held it up to his mouth, turning his face red as he curled his lips and let out the first beat, which echoed across the stadium before he began building on it further. Z quickly began bobbing his head as Sakebi found his rhythm, but to his surprise, Airon was doing the same on the other side of the arena.
Z: Diggin’ the beats, are ya!?
Airon: (He smiled at him as he unsheathed his sword.) Just tryin’ to get into the flow!
He quickly began twirling it around in his hands, its movements becoming faster and more complex as his smile slowly disappeared, entering his battle-ready persona yet again.
Airon: Now then, let’s get this show on the road. …Try not to blink!
As the twirling of his sword came to a stop, Airon instantly vanished from view, the suddenness of which immediately cued both Z and the audience that he was moving at speeds much faster than before, prompting the former’s eyes to nearly pop out of their sockets while his teammate’s beatboxing in the stands came to an abrupt halt.
Tomoi: What the hell was that!? He just disappeared!!
Ryūza: I couldn’t even see which direction he took off in…it’s like he just vanished into thin air.
Sabure: (She turned to Airon’s sister expecting answers.) What did he just use?
Inase: (She merely smiled as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed as she gazed down at her brother’s unlucky opponent.) It’s what you might call a…family secret.
Up above the stands, all the clues prior to this point in the match – including the three-pronged kunai scattered across the arena – finally began to make sense to the observing Kage, prompting nearly all of them to look down at the match in shock, the only exception being the smiling Hokage.
Konohamaru: I never thought I’d get the chance to see that jutsu in action.
Darui: (Almost as shocked as Z, he turned his head towards Naruto in disbelief.) …That’s impossible, though…I’m sorry, but that can’t possibly be…
Naruto’s grin had morphed into a nostalgic smile, recalling the shinobi who made Airon’s technique so famous in the first place.
Naruto: …Dad’s old jutsu.
With Airon nowhere in sight and no traces of his presence left behind, Z could only turn his head every which way and silently brace himself for his opponent’s first attack.
Z: (I can’t even see which way he went just now. …Did he…teleport?)
This thought had barely crossed his mind before Airon appeared directly in front of him, leaving him too stunned to react when he gripped his shoulder and plowed his chakra-coated knee into his chest, vanishing once again as Z tumbled to the ground.
Tomoi and Darui: Z!!
Sakebi: (Holy shit!) Hang in there, man!!
The sudden turn of events left many others in the stands astonished, as well, the attack itself leaving some in awe and even curious as to its inner workings, including Airon’s father.
Boruto: He hit him…wait a sec, how the hell did he even touch him?
Itachi: (Having caught just a brief glimpse of Airon with his Sharingan, he proceeded to explain it to him.) His hand and knee were coated in lightning-enhanced chakra, almost in the same way Z is completely coated with his own. …It canceled out any damage he might’ve incurred if he touched his armor with his bare hands.
Boruto: Ah, no kidding…heh, that’s a pretty smart move.
Itachi: (He stared at Boruto for a moment before looking away and smiling in amusement.) Hmhm, you know, it’s times like these when your son makes me question just how powerful mine is.
Boruto: Hehehehe, well, don’t give me too much credit…or take away too much of yours, for that matter. Manako’s still gonna give him hell later on, I can pretty much guarantee that.
Itachi smiled again at this before they both turned back to the arena floor, where Airon continued to belittle the worth of Z’s armor, which was now proving useless as both an attack and a defense.
Z: (Shit, he IS teleporting! Well, that’s freakin’ great! How am I supposed to dodge him now!?)
He had little time to think of an answer before tripped up once again by Airon. Hardly a second before he vanished again, though, Z noted that he was standing directly above one of his discarded kunai, prompting him to recall his actions prior to unleashing his technique.
Z: (Those kunai…that’s it!)
Activating his armor once more, Z quickly returned to his feet and shifted towards the other end of the arena, which remained untouched by kunai.
Z: (He can only appear wherever those kunai are, so I just gotta keep my distance and keep my eye out so I can rush him the next time he pops up. …That jutsu has to be pretty taxing. There’s no way he’s gonna outlast me at the rate he’s going.)
A surge of confidence shot through him once again, only to disappear moments later as Airon emerged over top of him, the speed with which he did so leaving no question as to whether or not it was through teleportation.
Z: What!!?
Airon: (He simply smiled down at him as he casually dropped three more marked kunai around him.) (…Now, what was that first part again?)
What followed was a brutal assault from every angle, which Z could only stand and take as he tried holding onto both his strength and consciousness. Having seen a small glimmer of hope when Z recognized the workings of Airon’s technique, the Kage watched in astonishment as it was suddenly taken away, leaving some of them curious as to how Airon managed it.
Kurotsuchi: He just appeared right over top of him…I didn’t see a kunai anywhere, though.
Naruto: (Having seen the technique in action before, he understood all too well and smiled as he explained it to them.) Hehe, that’s an old trick my dad used to use. While they weren’t looking, he’d apply the seal for the jutsu to the ground or put it on his opponent to catch them off guard later on, since they’d just be looking at the kunai. …Airon probably knew Z was gonna pick up on the kunai being important for the jutsu, so he didn’t even think twice when he stuck the seal on his shoulder.
Chōjūrō: (He stared blankly down at Airon after he said this.) That’s incredible…I never expected that he’d plan ahead like that. …Lord Raikage?
Darui: (He made no response, continuing to sit and watch in despair, his mouth slightly open, as his student was beaten swiftly into submission.) …Z…
Konohamaru: (Understanding his disappointment, he smiled and attempted to comfort him with some words of reassurance.) We all saw the match, Darui…don’t worry, I don’t think anyone here wasn’t impressed with Z’s abilities.
Again, Darui didn’t respond with words, but proceeded to close his mouth and nod in understanding as Z’s beating finally reached its end, his plummet to the ground coinciding with a snap of Airon’s fingers, which quickly dismissed all the kunai summoned from his scroll. Returning the three he dropped around Z to his weapons pouch, he proceeded to kneel down over top of him and wait for him to speak again.
Z: Nnnnggghhh…not cool, dog…not cool.
He was unsure whether he was referring to the slyness of his finishing tactic or how he broke his earlier promise not to read his mind, but regardless, he smiled down at him, both out of amusement and in respect.
Airon: Well…not illegal, either.
Seeing his fist hovering over him, Z stared at it for a moment before smiling and holding up his own, just barely connecting the fist bump before it fell back down and his consciousness left him.
Baiko: The winner is…Airon Namikaze!!
The entire audience quickly rose to his feet following Baiko’s announcement, greeting Airon’s victory with an applause matched only by that given in the aftermath of his rival’s victory. Smiling up at them and holding his hand up to wave, he walked back over to the center of the arena to retrieve his overcoat, removing his gloves before throwing it back on, then untying his forehead protector and wrapping it back around his waist. He decided to wait until Z had been taken away by the medical-nin before walking back over towards the balcony, this time choosing to take Nakama’s walkway as his grandfather looked on from above.
Naruto: His progress just never ceases to amaze me…even after all these years.
Sasuke: (He nodded in agreement and smiled before turning to face him.) He comes from a very powerful bloodline, Naruto…maybe someday, he could even surpass…
Naruto met his gaze for several seconds of silence, eventually breaking both as he looked back down at Airon.
Naruto: Maybe…only time’ll tell, though…only time’ll tell.
Airon unleashes his great-grandfather’s signature technique – the Flying Thunder God jutsu!!!
The End
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
Chapter 062: Faster Than Lightning
Airon and Z continued their standoff in the center of the arena for well over a minute, the augmented strength granted by the latter’s technique working greatly in his favor. Those in the stands watched in awe as Z tested his newfound power, most of them completely ignorant of the technique’s existence, including even some seasoned veterans from the previous generation.
Boruto: Is that…lightning?
Itachi: Lightning-enhanced chakra, actually. My father explained the technique to me once before during the Fourth Raikage’s funeral. The “armor” is used as an electrical stimulant to charge the body’s nervous system and cause it to react faster. This allows the user to push their speed and strength to its absolute limit, as we’ve just been shown. …According to Father, the technique is the reason the Fourth was known as the fastest shinobi alive at one point in his life, until he was surpassed by your father.
Boruto: (Now recognizing the technique by name, he looked back down at Z in wonder.) …So that’s Lightning Release Armor…a technique only the last two Raikage could do.
Itachi: (He nodded in agreement, his eyes also widened slightly.) And for this boy to have mastered it at his age…I can’t imagine what else he’ll be capable of when his power fully matures.
Down below, the pressure slowly began to fall on Airon, who took a step back to maintain his balance. He gently removed his hand from his sword in order to reach for the pouch around his waist, only to return it seconds later when Z’s strength proved too great for him to handle with a single hand.
Airon: (I can’t reach for that scroll while he’s pushing down on me like this…I gotta let go.)
Pouring as much chakra into his sword as he could manage without, he let it go and leapt back, but Z had already predicted this tactic.
Z: Yeah, like I’m gonna let ya pull THAT stunt again!!
He suddenly vanished from the spot, leaving Airon’s sword suspended in midair, which the latter quickly lunged for and grabbed in time to block Z’s next strike.
Airon: (Shoot!)
Z quickly disappeared again when his attack failed, but once again, Airon used his ability to read his movements to his advantage, blocking every attack that came his way. Those watching from above could easily tell that he was slowly becoming overwhelmed, but it was enough to catch the eye of the Kage sitting overhead.
Chōjūrō: I’m amazed that he can keep up with the Lightning Release Armor…I thought only Naruto Uzumaki could do that.
Konohamaru: Hmhm, well, keep in mind how powerful A was on his own, Chōjūrō. I’m sure Z still has a ways to go before he can match his speed, so I’m not too surprised Airon is still holding his own.
Darui: (He was also impressed, but being the only one truly rooting for Z’s victory, his expression displayed more frustration than admiration.) Give him some more time…he’ll eventually give in.
As Darui predicted, Airon managed to last for a few more minutes, but his continued attempts to reach into his weapons pouch eventually brought him into another standoff with Z, which the latter quickly took advantage by delivering a swift kick to the chest which sent him crashing into the wall roughly half the distance of the stadium away. As rubble went flying in every which direction, his friends and loved ones throughout the stands watched in angst as he didn’t emerge from the crater for several seconds.
Hinata, Boruto, and Minto: Airon!!
Nakama: (She clasped her hands over her mouth in worry.) (…Airon…)
Kei: COME ON, AIRON!!! GET BACK UP!!!
Naruto: (He gritted his teeth in frustration, tightening his grip on the railing.) (Damn it! Come on, Airon, get up.)
Manako: (Come on, Airon, get up…there’s no way you were knocked unconscious by that.)
Inase: (Her Byakugan active and peering into the crater, she noticed some small movements on his part and all worry quickly left her.) (…What the heck are you waiting for? Get back up already.)
Having gotten his hands on the scroll he was looking for at long last, he reached for the side of the small crater and slowly pulled himself out.
Airon: (Alright, fine. Don’t go rushing me, little sister. …Sheesh…)
Dropping back to the ground – the crater was roughly five feet above the arena floor – he started breathing heavily as he looked over at Z, who was evidently proud of this accomplishment. His short span of confidence was quickly disrupted, though, as small swirls of chakra began forming around Airon which, by the time they vanished, had taken with them every cut or deep bruise Z inflicted on him prior to this point in the match, astonishing everyone in the entire stadium.
Kurotsuchi: His wounds…they’re all…
Darui: …completely gone.
Gaara: …I haven’t seen prowess in medical ninjutsu like that since…
The other Kage also proceeded to look towards Sakura, the image of her late mentor flashing in their minds, just as it was in hers.
Sakura: …Well, it’s not exactly Mitotic Regeneration.
Naruto: (His relief from seeing Airon unharmed having already brought a smirk to his face, he couldn’t help but chuckle at this remark.) Hehehe, no it’s certainly not. …It’s just more credit to Airon’s amazing chakra control.
Their interest in Airon’s abilities sparked once again, they gazed back down at the arena floor where the aforementioned genin was cracking his neck as he returned his sword to his sheath. He had starting grinning ever since he got ahold of the scroll in his hand, and while he had no idea what was contained within it, Z’s confidence continued to brew as his armor began blazing around him.
Z: You got some fine moves, dog, but I’d call it a day if I was you! …It don’t matter how many times I gotta bang you up after you heal, just face facts…you ain’t got nuthin’ on me now!
The corner of Airon’s mouth started twitching as he heard him say this, a blend of his own amusement and his intense desire to reveal what was contained within his scroll.
Airon: Hehehehehe…well, we’ll see about that.
As he spoke, he gently snapped the band holding the scroll closed and rolled it out horizontally in front of him, forming a few hand signs before pressing his hand down on top of it.
Airon: Summoning Jutsu: Kunai Storm!
The small parchment was instantly covered in a thin layer of smoke, from which emerged dozens upon dozens of kunai, rocketing high into the air and scattering in various directions. With some of them inbound, Z quickly moved to avoid them, but with his speed still boosted by the Lightning Release Armor, doing so until the scroll had exhausted its stored kunai proved a menial task to him.
Z: All that and not one make! I think your aim’s a bit off, dog!
Airon: (He merely smirked at him as he stood back up and returned the scroll to his pouch.) Who said that was meant to be an attack!?
This remark left both Z and much of the audience watching him in confusion, including the Kage sitting overhead. One person who did recognize Airon’s intentions was Naruto, who had started laughing under his breath ever since he unveiled the contents of the scroll, much to the wonder of his colleagues standing behind him.
Gaara: Is something funny, Naruto?
Naruto: (His laughing slowly came to a stop before shaking his head.) No…nothing, Gaara.
Sasuke: (Recognizing Airon’s plan, as well, he turned to Naruto to confirm it.) He’s about to use it, isn’t he?
Naruto: (He grinned as he nodded his answer.) (…He won.)
Manako: (You had me worried for a moment, Airon.)
Airon: (Hmhmhm…have more faith in your rival, Manako.)
Kei: YOU GOT HIM NOW, AIRON!!! LAY HIM OUT!!!
Inase: (She smiled and shook her head at Kei before looking over at Minto.) (Go easy on him next round, okay? …His heart must be bursting out of his chest just thinking about it.)
Airon looked up at the balcony after she said this, smiling and turning to wink at Minto before looking back over at Z.
Airon: (Hmhm, only if he goes easy on me.) Ask your teammate up in the stands to give us a beat…something nice and flashy to flatten you out to!
The request was enough to raise one of Z’s eyebrows, but he still hesitated a moment out of confusion before nodding up at Sakebi, who hesitated to respond out of laziness, prompting a violent retort from their other teammate.
Tomoi: Don’t go “ugh”, jackass! Z asked for a beat, so give him a beat!
Sakebi: Alright alright, damn! …Jeez. Stupid bi-
She hit him a second time as he stood up, but he merely rubbed the spot where he was struck and shrugged it off before pulling out his microphone. Those surrounding them began staring at him as he held it up to his mouth, turning his face red as he curled his lips and let out the first beat, which echoed across the stadium before he began building on it further. Z quickly began bobbing his head as Sakebi found his rhythm, but to his surprise, Airon was doing the same on the other side of the arena.
Z: Diggin’ the beats, are ya!?
Airon: (He smiled at him as he unsheathed his sword.) Just tryin’ to get into the flow!
He quickly began twirling it around in his hands, its movements becoming faster and more complex as his smile slowly disappeared, entering his battle-ready persona yet again.
Airon: Now then, let’s get this show on the road. …Try not to blink!
As the twirling of his sword came to a stop, Airon instantly vanished from view, the suddenness of which immediately cued both Z and the audience that he was moving at speeds much faster than before, prompting the former’s eyes to nearly pop out of their sockets while his teammate’s beatboxing in the stands came to an abrupt halt.
Tomoi: What the hell was that!? He just disappeared!!
Ryūza: I couldn’t even see which direction he took off in…it’s like he just vanished into thin air.
Sabure: (She turned to Airon’s sister expecting answers.) What did he just use?
Inase: (She merely smiled as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed as she gazed down at her brother’s unlucky opponent.) It’s what you might call a…family secret.
Up above the stands, all the clues prior to this point in the match – including the three-pronged kunai scattered across the arena – finally began to make sense to the observing Kage, prompting nearly all of them to look down at the match in shock, the only exception being the smiling Hokage.
Konohamaru: I never thought I’d get the chance to see that jutsu in action.
Darui: (Almost as shocked as Z, he turned his head towards Naruto in disbelief.) …That’s impossible, though…I’m sorry, but that can’t possibly be…
Naruto’s grin had morphed into a nostalgic smile, recalling the shinobi who made Airon’s technique so famous in the first place.
Naruto: …Dad’s old jutsu.
With Airon nowhere in sight and no traces of his presence left behind, Z could only turn his head every which way and silently brace himself for his opponent’s first attack.
Z: (I can’t even see which way he went just now. …Did he…teleport?)
This thought had barely crossed his mind before Airon appeared directly in front of him, leaving him too stunned to react when he gripped his shoulder and plowed his chakra-coated knee into his chest, vanishing once again as Z tumbled to the ground.
Tomoi and Darui: Z!!
Sakebi: (Holy shit!) Hang in there, man!!
The sudden turn of events left many others in the stands astonished, as well, the attack itself leaving some in awe and even curious as to its inner workings, including Airon’s father.
Boruto: He hit him…wait a sec, how the hell did he even touch him?
Itachi: (Having caught just a brief glimpse of Airon with his Sharingan, he proceeded to explain it to him.) His hand and knee were coated in lightning-enhanced chakra, almost in the same way Z is completely coated with his own. …It canceled out any damage he might’ve incurred if he touched his armor with his bare hands.
Boruto: Ah, no kidding…heh, that’s a pretty smart move.
Itachi: (He stared at Boruto for a moment before looking away and smiling in amusement.) Hmhm, you know, it’s times like these when your son makes me question just how powerful mine is.
Boruto: Hehehehe, well, don’t give me too much credit…or take away too much of yours, for that matter. Manako’s still gonna give him hell later on, I can pretty much guarantee that.
Itachi smiled again at this before they both turned back to the arena floor, where Airon continued to belittle the worth of Z’s armor, which was now proving useless as both an attack and a defense.
Z: (Shit, he IS teleporting! Well, that’s freakin’ great! How am I supposed to dodge him now!?)
He had little time to think of an answer before tripped up once again by Airon. Hardly a second before he vanished again, though, Z noted that he was standing directly above one of his discarded kunai, prompting him to recall his actions prior to unleashing his technique.
Z: (Those kunai…that’s it!)
Activating his armor once more, Z quickly returned to his feet and shifted towards the other end of the arena, which remained untouched by kunai.
Z: (He can only appear wherever those kunai are, so I just gotta keep my distance and keep my eye out so I can rush him the next time he pops up. …That jutsu has to be pretty taxing. There’s no way he’s gonna outlast me at the rate he’s going.)
A surge of confidence shot through him once again, only to disappear moments later as Airon emerged over top of him, the speed with which he did so leaving no question as to whether or not it was through teleportation.
Z: What!!?
Airon: (He simply smiled down at him as he casually dropped three more marked kunai around him.) (…Now, what was that first part again?)
What followed was a brutal assault from every angle, which Z could only stand and take as he tried holding onto both his strength and consciousness. Having seen a small glimmer of hope when Z recognized the workings of Airon’s technique, the Kage watched in astonishment as it was suddenly taken away, leaving some of them curious as to how Airon managed it.
Kurotsuchi: He just appeared right over top of him…I didn’t see a kunai anywhere, though.
Naruto: (Having seen the technique in action before, he understood all too well and smiled as he explained it to them.) Hehe, that’s an old trick my dad used to use. While they weren’t looking, he’d apply the seal for the jutsu to the ground or put it on his opponent to catch them off guard later on, since they’d just be looking at the kunai. …Airon probably knew Z was gonna pick up on the kunai being important for the jutsu, so he didn’t even think twice when he stuck the seal on his shoulder.
Chōjūrō: (He stared blankly down at Airon after he said this.) That’s incredible…I never expected that he’d plan ahead like that. …Lord Raikage?
Darui: (He made no response, continuing to sit and watch in despair, his mouth slightly open, as his student was beaten swiftly into submission.) …Z…
Konohamaru: (Understanding his disappointment, he smiled and attempted to comfort him with some words of reassurance.) We all saw the match, Darui…don’t worry, I don’t think anyone here wasn’t impressed with Z’s abilities.
Again, Darui didn’t respond with words, but proceeded to close his mouth and nod in understanding as Z’s beating finally reached its end, his plummet to the ground coinciding with a snap of Airon’s fingers, which quickly dismissed all the kunai summoned from his scroll. Returning the three he dropped around Z to his weapons pouch, he proceeded to kneel down over top of him and wait for him to speak again.
Z: Nnnnggghhh…not cool, dog…not cool.
He was unsure whether he was referring to the slyness of his finishing tactic or how he broke his earlier promise not to read his mind, but regardless, he smiled down at him, both out of amusement and in respect.
Airon: Well…not illegal, either.
Seeing his fist hovering over him, Z stared at it for a moment before smiling and holding up his own, just barely connecting the fist bump before it fell back down and his consciousness left him.
Baiko: The winner is…Airon Namikaze!!
The entire audience quickly rose to his feet following Baiko’s announcement, greeting Airon’s victory with an applause matched only by that given in the aftermath of his rival’s victory. Smiling up at them and holding his hand up to wave, he walked back over to the center of the arena to retrieve his overcoat, removing his gloves before throwing it back on, then untying his forehead protector and wrapping it back around his waist. He decided to wait until Z had been taken away by the medical-nin before walking back over towards the balcony, this time choosing to take Nakama’s walkway as his grandfather looked on from above.
Naruto: His progress just never ceases to amaze me…even after all these years.
Sasuke: (He nodded in agreement and smiled before turning to face him.) He comes from a very powerful bloodline, Naruto…maybe someday, he could even surpass…
Naruto met his gaze for several seconds of silence, eventually breaking both as he looked back down at Airon.
Naruto: Maybe…only time’ll tell, though…only time’ll tell.
Airon unleashes his great-grandfather’s signature technique – the Flying Thunder God jutsu!!!
The End
