ALL NOVEL Chapter 57: Fight Starts
"First battle commences", Gekko announced.
Shikamaru Nara vs Ino Yamanaka
The battle between teammates is always a bit unsettling, but I know that Ino is far more formidable than Shikamaru. She's a fully trained kunoichi, skilled in taijutsu, genjutsu, and her clan's signature Mind Transfer Jutsu. Shikamaru, on the other hand, is known for his laid-back attitude, only putting his intellect to use when absolutely necessary.
As expected, when they faced off, Shikamaru simply raised his hand and declared, "I forfeit, Sensei."
Hayate Gekko, the proctor, looked at him in surprise and asked, "Why are you forfeiting before the match has even started?"
Shikamaru shrugged, his tone as nonchalant as ever. "Ino is strong. As her teammate, I know her abilities and her strength. There's no point in a pointless fight when the outcome is clear."
Ino's expression fell slightly; disappointment was evident in her eyes. She had wanted to prove herself and demonstrate her skills in front of everyone.
Without further delay, Hayate announced, "The winner is Ino Yamanaka."
As Shikamaru's surprising decision to forfeit the match sunk in, I noticed the look of disappointment on Ino's face. She had been ready to showcase her abilities and prove how far she had come, especially in front of everyone. Still, Shikamaru's choice wasn't entirely unexpected, given his usual laid-back attitude and his tendency to avoid pointless conflicts.
Shikamaru's reasoning made sense, though; he knew how strong Ino was and understood that it would be a difficult fight. It seemed like he didn't see the point in pushing himself when he could recognize the outcome from the start. However, for Ino, it felt like a missed opportunity to display her growth and skills in the Chunin Exams.
With the first match concluded, the atmosphere shifted as we prepared for the next fight: Zaku versus Kiba. This one promised to be a more intense and action-packed encounter, with two fierce competitors ready to give their all. As Ino stepped back to join the other spectators, she shot me a glance, as if to say she still had more to show later on.
I gave her a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, Ino. You'll have your chance soon enough."
Zaku Abumi vs Kiba Inazuka
Zaku, a shinobi from Otogakure, specializes in manipulating sound, a skill that can be particularly dangerous to his opponents, as it has the potential to disorient or even damage their hearing. Opposite him stood Kiba, known for his taijutsu skills and seamless teamwork with his loyal companion, Akamaru.
As the two faced off in the arena, Kiba crouched low, his hand resting on Akamaru's back, ready to spring into action. Meanwhile, Zaku stood tall, his arms extended slightly forward, with his bandaged hands hinting at the destructive power hidden beneath.
Hayate Gekko glanced at both competitors, then raised his hand. "Begin!" he declared, signaling the start of the match.
The moment Gekko signaled the start of the match, Kiba lunged forward with impressive speed, Akamaru by his side. "Let's go, Akamaru!" he shouted. The pair worked seamlessly, using their coordinated attacks to close the distance between them and Zaku.
However, Zaku remained unfazed. He raised his hands, revealing the modified air tubes embedded in his palms, which had been covered by the bandages. "You think you can get close to me that easily?" he taunted. "Take this—Decapitating Airwaves!"
With a powerful blast of sound and air pressure, Zaku unleashed a shockwave towards Kiba and Akamaru. The force of the attack was strong enough to send the pair skidding backward, disrupting their approach. The intense vibrations from the sound attack also made Kiba cover his ears in pain.
"That's just a taste of what I can do!" Zaku sneered, already preparing for his next move.
Kiba quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing as he sized up Zaku's ability. "Not bad, but we're just getting started. Akamaru, let's show him our real strength!" He tossed a soldier pill to Akamaru, causing the dog's fur to turn red and his energy to surge.
"Fang Over Fang!" Kiba yelled, as he and Akamaru spun rapidly toward Zaku in a spiraling double attack.
Zaku responded by unleashing another blast, aiming to knock them out of the air, but the sheer force and unpredictability of Kiba and Akamaru's technique made it difficult for him to accurately target them. One of the spinning attacks managed to connect, hitting Zaku in the chest and sending him crashing into the ground.
The crowd watched with bated breath, waiting to see who would come out on top in this clash of speed, power, and sound.
Zaku emerged from the rubble, battered but still able to fight. His eyes burned with determination as he raised his bandaged arms again, shouting, "Decapitating Airwaves!" The sonic blast rippled through the air, a destructive force that was difficult to avoid entirely. Kiba and Akamaru attempted to evade, but the sheer speed of the attack left them grazed and wounded.
Yet, this match was far from over. Despite their injuries, Kiba and Akamaru launched themselves at Zaku with renewed vigor, unleashing a relentless assault. The clash became a test of resilience and willpower, as the combatants exchanged blows in a struggle for dominance.
After nearly five minutes of intense fighting, it became clear that Kiba and Akamaru's coordinated efforts were wearing Zaku down. With a final strike, Zaku collapsed to the ground, unable to continue.
Hayate Gekko raised his hand and declared, "The winner is Kiba Inuzuka."
After enduring a grueling back-and-forth battle, Kiba and Akamaru emerged victorious. Both fighters had taken considerable damage, but Kiba's resilience and determination, coupled with Akamaru's loyalty, gave them the edge.
Kiba breathed heavily as he helped Akamaru onto his shoulder. "You did great, Akamaru. We really pulled through," he said, patting the little dog affectionately. Although it was a tough battle, the win boosted his morale for the upcoming challenges.
Meanwhile, Zaku, lying on the ground in defeat, clenched his fist in frustration. He had underestimated Kiba and paid the price for it, but the loss only fueled his resolve to get stronger.
With the match over, the next two contestants prepared themselves for the third fight, as the atmosphere remained tense and eager for more action.