[A bit of a extra AN just to make sure we're all on the same page. Firstly in case you didn't read the author not discussing such please be aware that Despite it All once completed with the exams will be going through a two month break. This is for me two plan out and organize Volume/Season 2 of Despite it all. Due to the daily release style of this sight this will happen every now and then until we eventually finish Despite it All]
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Naruto's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Naruto had been excited about the fight but had yet to determine how it would go. He had not expected Samui to launch a surprise attack! Naruto grabbed the tanto on his back and tensed as he prepared his counter. Right when Samui drew close, he moved. Time to see who the better kenjutsu user was!
"Uzumaki Style: Deflecting Draw!" Naruto called. He quickly drew and slashed with his tanto. Drawing and slashing away Samui's attack in one fluid motion. Naruto's strength sent Samui flying back a short distance. He smirked at the also smiling Samui as he prepared to follow this up.
"Uzumaki Style: Seafoam Slashing Net!" With several slashes, Naruto sent a gridlike grouping of chakra blades flying forth.
Samui did not flinch as lightning sparked from her blades and unleashed her technique. "Cool Flashing Beheading!" Lightning burst forth from her own blade, forming into a cutting bolt. This sliced through Naruto's own attack before racing towards Naruto. Without hesitation, Naruto charged forward, dodging the attack by merely leaning his head. He closed the distance absurdly quickly. His raw speed allowed him to do so in a mere second. Samui raised her blade to block a thrust of Naruto's tanto, but it was a feint. Naruto instead attempted to sweep her legs. Impressively, Samui back-flipped over, aiming a finger at Naruto.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at such but flinched when Samui called out. "Lightning Style: Jumping Arc!" Samui called as a lightning bolt surged on her finger and arced toward Naruto. Only given a second to react, Naruto raised Riptide to block out but gasped in pain when the electricity was blocked but bounced off his blade and into him. The electricity made his muscles tense, and he froze in pain. It only lasted for an instant, but it was all Samui needed to do to close the distance. Naruto managed to raise his guard as Samui slammed into it with a flying knee. The power of the blow made him slide back and fall to one knee. Samui followed this up with a two-handed downward thrust of her blade. Naruto caught such, and the two engaged in a blade clash.
"You seem to be losing your cool, Naruto." Samui said as she looked down at Naruto. She gave a small teasing smile intended to tempt his competitive side.
"Didn't expect you to be this strong," Naruto admitted readily. His grin grew as the fight was slowly building. But it was better Samui was strong, this fight would be fun! It would probably be painful, Naruto did hate being shocked. "But it's better this way anyway! Let's cut loose!" He finished his thought out loud as he prepared to continue.
Samui POV
"Let's cut loose!" Naruto cried. Samui did not flinch at the next part, she expected him to attempt to overpower her again. He was the physically stronger opponent, it only made sense. Instead of allowing him to do so, Samui kept her cool and spun to allow his force to unbalance him. Samui felt her mind and body focus in the moment as he did so.
As conflicted and disorganized as her mind had been, it finally achieved peace. There was no need to think as much now. Samui knew what to do, how, and the best way to achieve such. She would think over the ramifications and her feelings later. Samui had to do as she had done for years and protect what little she had.
What was Samui's mission? What had her leader commanded of her? She was to win over Naruto Uzumaki to the Cloud. Samui was also to perform well enough to not harm the Cloud's reputation. A and Mabui had insisted she could achieve both in this match. So her goal wasn't to win but to do well and build rapport with Naruto. Easy enough, Samui supposed, she would do whatever was needed for Atsui.
Naruto impressively reacted to such a counter and attempted to grab her arm. Samui was too slow to dodge such a thing, but that was fine. Instead, she leaned slightly, making him miss the arm but brush something softer. It sent a small chill down her spine and Samui felt embarrassed but was focused, and it barely registered. Instead, she watched hawk-like as Naruto's face grew red, he stumbled back, and he attempted to apologize. She ignored such and instead. As Mabui had suggested, watched his eyes. She noticed Naruto's gaze dip lower than her eyes before shooting back up shamefully. Mabui was right, this was surprisingly easy. It even felt good to make Naruto lose his cool. Samui smiled sweetly as she used the opening to kick Naruto in his chest with a back kick. While Samui wasn't the physically strongest, she could crack stones with that kick. Yet Naruto flew back but landed on his feet albeit a bit wobbly. As if it was something of a minor inconvenience. "Something wrong, Blondie?" Samui asked innocently.
Naruto seemed to hesitate before shaking his head and seeming to refocus. Once again, Samui took advantage of this as she prepared her attack with a taunting smile. "Cloud Style: Crescent Moon Beheading!" She called. Naruto ducked under the slash but was unprepared and unbalanced, which allowed Samui to crash bodily into him.
The two became a ball of limbs as they rolled through before they settled with Samui straddling over him. Naruto instinctively bucked to free himself, but this merely made both freeze for an instant as their position became apparent to both. The contact was innocent and yet loaded with tension. Awkward looks were given to each other. Even with it being her intention Samui felt somewhat embarrassed by such but also enthralled to get this reaction. But she allowed the adrenaline to fuel her as she attempted to put her tanto to his throat, ending the match before Naruto called out his counter. Apparently annoyed and decidedly done with her odd tactics.
"Personal Atmosphere: Level One!" Naruto called. The air around Samui seemed to swell around her before it lifted her away from Naruto. Naruto rolled to his feet and propelled himself up to her.
Samui felt a sliver of panic fill her as Naruto's gaze intensified. Despite the overwhelming power he showed and her being vulnerable in the air. She felt no fear of him hurting her. No, somehow, it only made her want to fight with him more. Test her limits, Samui had never been the type to lose herself in combat before. She had always been told when to fight for real. Yet, something was thrilling about fighting Naruto. This was fun, hell, it was cool!
Samui was helpless as Naruto grabbed her and whipped her to the ground. Samui slammed into it with a booming thud and felt stunning pain fill her body. She rolled on instinct, narrowly avoiding a fight-ender of a double stomp attempted by Naruto.
"Alright, Samui, explain yourself," Naruto said with a slight frown. "You're not fighting properly, you're being all weird. Plus, stop being so damn touchy! I can't focus when you do that."
Samui felt the shame grow but continued her ploy regardless. Besides, a small part of her was enjoying this. She liked having Naruto focused on her and making such an unflappable man squirm. His struggle to maintain focus and not leer at her was appreciated. Yet she felt some accomplishment when she made him break. "Why am I distracting~?" She sang mockingly asking as if she was confused. She also lowered herself into a sprinting stance, allowing Naruto a view she was sure would throw him off.
Naruto flinched at such. "See, what the hell is the deal with that?!"
"With what?"
"I'm not stupid, I know what you're doing!" Naruto bluffed obviously.
"Preparing to charge?" Samui asked.
Naruto growled. "You keep making us touch, and now you're well…"
"Hm?" Samui hummed in false consideration as she looked at her stance. She gasped in pretend realization. "Oh, I see, you find my... looks distracting."
"Yes! No! Stop that!" Naruto roared indignantly.
Samui felt vindication and shame in equal measure. She liked having Naruto's attention and enjoyed the easy comradery of the two. This mission may not be purely a negative thing. Besides, Naruto had been having a hard time at home, and they would treat him better… yet such thoughts caused an equal level of guilt. Samui nearly confessed her sins to her target. Before Atsui's face flashed through her mind.
She had to do this. Besides, she did enjoy it to a certain extent… the best for everyone involved…
"Seriously, Samui, what's going on?" Naruto asked grimly. His voice was as serious as his eyes now. Something about the plain concern in his eyes made her feel weak.
"N-nothing, I'm cooler than ever," Samui said. She nervously raced forward to keep him from prying, but to her dismay, Naruto seemed to handle her onset of taijutsu and kenjutsu. Each strike was dodged, caught, or blocked. Her blade never seemed to even come close to hitting the blonde. But most upsetting was his calm eyes, even as he slowly overwhelmed her.
"Usually, no doubt," Naruto agreed, blocking several more strikes from her. "But right now, I can tell you are conflicted and not being honest. If it's some strategy to distract me during this fight, it's certainly working, but I'm worried about it. I thought you wanted something from me, unless you give it your all, you won't get it!"
Samui grits her teeth as a rare frown appeared on her face. "You think I'm not trying?! You have no clue what this means to me!"
"Maybe," Naruto admitted with ease. "But whatever you're fighting for isn't something you believe in. Not truly, I can tell."
Samui felt anger towards him for the first time since she had met the blonde. Naruto had no clue why she was conflicted. He was not being made to choose between his morals and family. "I believe in it plenty!" Samui roared as she upped her speed and intensity.
"You were stronger when you fought Suigetsu." Naruto noted as he matched her increase in speed and power. "Does this have something to do with the bet?"
Samui's patience snapped at such. He wanted to know so badly? He insisted upon hearing the truth? Fine she'll expose it.
"YES!"
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Kabuto's POV (???)
Kabuto wished he was dead. He supposed such should be more concerning than it was. But Kabuto was much past the point of panic. Even utter despair and terror could grow old, it seemed. When he created his Perpetual Healing technique, he was ecstatic. It was a feat even his master had found impressive. Comparing it to his own survival technique. It had been the pride of Kabuto.
He may not have been as self-fulfilled as the average person. Kabuto may not even be that good of a person. But he had created a technique that would indeed ensure his legacy. It would ensure some level of meaning had been achieved in his life. Oh, Orochimaru, and he had theorized it the technique was truly perpetual that it would even pause his aging. If not for Orochimaru having a more fitting method for his needs, the Sannin would've surely taken it for his own. Kabuto was now sure of the power of his jutsu. He supposed it was fortunate Orochimaru had never realized just how strong it was.
Unfortunately, his pride and joy caused Kabuto's own personal hell. Despite the fact he could not breathe, he was still alive. There was no air in his prison, his mouth had been full of crystal. His body seemed to endlessly ache as he was forced to maintain his pose under the pressure of the earth. It was a painful and drawn-out death, or it should've been. Kabuto figured that his body must be creating cells due to jutsu at a rate faster than they were dying. His limbs would pulsate with numbness before he lost feeling in them entirely. His body was dying and being revived regardless.
At first, Kabuto had reveled in such. If he could not be crushed by the earth or suffocated to death, what could kill him? Could anything truly? He maintained the technique and was determined to find a way out of the tomb Guren had created for him. But after what felt like days, he gave up. The pain, the shock of dying repeatedly, the darkness, it all overwhelmed in time, and Kabuto had attempted to end the technique. Better to die than to be a victim of this endless suffering.
That was when the true terror set in. Kabuto had no control over the technique, he could not stop it. Just as he designed himself, his chakra automatically healed him and recycled itself. Indeed, it is impressive but shocking all the same. Then he realized what this meant. Guren hadn't known it, but she had subjected him to endless torture.
Being quite the adept interrogator, Kabuto was more than aware of the mental strain he was being put through. Keeping track of time was a great way to maintain sanity during such. But it was simply impossible, keeping count when awake was easy, but eventually, Kabuto passed out from exhaustion or lack of oxygen.
There were no dreams or hope for escape. Kabuto would awake from his latest death to find himself still trapped. And the time passed only made him more terrified. Kabuto had never believed in any god, yet he prayed to any would listen for death.
Once his emotions had run their course, it was either between death four hundred and fifty-one or four hundred fifty-six that the terror and despair had passed. Kabuto, from there, slowly worked. It was impossible to tell if he could escape, but if he was not allowed death, he might as well try.
Kabuto spent his time conscious, trying to move any body part. He desperately attempted any sort of movement from his fingers to his jaw. As far as he could tell, he made no progress…
Kabuto prayed he would die soon…
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Kurotsuchi's POV (Audience Section of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Kurotsuchi had initially intended to win the exams. This would make her a household name within the shinobi world, bring her homeland great acclaim, and prove to her grandfather that Kurotsuchi was ready as the front-runner of the next generation of Iwa ninjas. She supposed she had performed well, she had defeated Kankuro with relative ease. But her plans of domination had run into a roadblock. Naruto Uzumaki, oh, she was pissed at him for ruining her plan. But she had learned something.
As much as it had been embarrassing, it had been eye-opening. Both skill and attitude-wise, Kurotsuchi had a longer way to go than she knew. If someone as carefree and goofy as Naruto Uzumaki was closer to her goal than her, Kurotsuchi had a lot of hard work to do. Perhaps even some personal growth, now she was sounding like a Leaf hippie…
It was surprising to run into Ino during the festival. Kurotsuchi held no ill will towards her and had been bored. Perhaps that was why when she noticed the long face on Ino, she had offered company. A mere whim, Kurotsuchi had not seen the chance of friendship or comradery. Naruto may have been an exception, but Kurotsuchi was still not fond of Leaf shinobi. But Ino had shown a level of spine and attitude Kurotsuchi had not known she had. It turned out that Ino was much more interesting than she had thought.
So when Kurotsuchi saw her new friend sitting alone, she felt obligated to sit with her. The duo soon became a trio when a more rambunctious kunoichi joined them.
"Oh, you, Naruto's teammate! The sexy rope lady!" Fuu was just as oddball as Naruto. Something that Ino seemed to be annoyed by as much as she seemed to enjoy it. Seeing the potential for fun, Kurotsuchi insisted she sit with them. Then, before Kurotsuchi could even set up some fun, fate showed its hand.
"That absolute bitch!" Ino yelled as she gripped the railing that kept them from falling in. "She's totally trying to seduce him!"
"Hey, don't call Samui a bitch. She's awesome." Fuu chided with what looked like a glare from a puppy. Looked like she had grown close to the Cloud shinobi, only marginally better than the hippies. Though personally, Kurotsuchi wasn't picking a fight with her. Anyone who could walk away from Sasuke's finisher was someone Kurotsuchi had no intention of messing with. Apparently, Ino, despite her usual friendly and intelligent demeanor, seemed unbothered by the living tank she was talking to.
"She's a total man stealer!" Ino sniped back. Fuu seemed to hesitate at such.
"Feeling a bit territorial?" Kurotsuchi taunted. Fuu would likely need to think over such. It was the fair Kurotsuchi stalled for her. This would be funny.
"Oh, stuff it, she just doesn't get to seduce MY teammate." Ino explained.
"So threatened." Kurotsuchi baited further. She was not giving up on this so quickly.
"Threatened by her?" Ino said incredulously. "Naruto would never anyway. He never even seemed to have a crush in the academy."
"A late bloomer~! One presented with a woman puberty either blessed or cursed." Kurotsuchi tacked onto her fun with glee. "I'm sure it gets his attention, but I'm not a fan of back pain."
"Naruto isn't so shallow or easily wooed," Ino said confidentially.
"Shouldn't you be threatened by Samui-san anyway?" Fuu asked earnestly. Apparently she had found her train of thought.
Ino's head whipped around violently at such.
"Well, she did beat you."
"This time." Ino countered defensively. "That was before she tried to take my B- my teammate. Next time she's done!"
"HAHAHAHA" Kurotsuchi roared with glee.
"How is she stealing anyway?" Fuu asked.
Kurotsuchi would've loved to explain but couldn't breathe. Laughter was suffocating, they say.
"Samui being suggestive and being touchy and the things she's saying!" Ino explained angrily.
"What's wrong with that?" Fuu asked, confused.
Kurotsuchi, having regained her breath, chimed in. "Remember towards the start of the fight when Naruto accidentally touched her girl?" She asked bluntly. Ino growled at such while Fuu simply nodded her head. "How would you have reacted?"
"Kill him," Fuu answered with a nod before stopping. "Ohhhhh, she likes him, doesn't she?" Ino dropped her head into her palms as if utterly overwhelmed by the odd Fuu while Kurotsuchi continued her earlier fit of laughter.
"You see why this is bad now?!" Ino asked.
"No, it would be awesome if Naruto and Samui got together. I'd get to hang out with both of them at once. Conveniently lucky~!" Fuu decided with a satisfied nod to herself.
Kurotsuchi couldn't decide what was funnier. Fuu's reasoning or the face Ino made at her when she said such a thing.