[GUtW]—❈—60:: Round of Eight [I]

“Remember,” Kakashi tells us that morning before we leave for the arena, “there are only eight contestants left, so there’s actually a chance that you might be matched up against each other now—”

And hadn’t it been a surprise to learn that they don’t match teammates against each other in the tournament until the third round.

I mean, it makes sense when you think about it, so much so that I’m a little disappointed in myself for not realizing it before now, but all the same…

I shake away the fruitless thought, tuning back in to what Kakashi is saying. Though, to be honest, he’s told us all of this before, and is mostly just repeating what he’d said last night.

“—facing each other out there, remember what I said; do your best, hold nothing back, and, win or lose, do it with dignity. Okay?”

We nod.

“Man, I hope we don’t fight each other in this round,” Naruto says. “That way, we can all go to the semifinals and totally dominate the exam. It will be so much cooler that way.”

‘Cool’ isn’t exactly the word I would use, but I do agree with Naruto, it would be much better that way.

Not just because it would definitely go a long way to cement our reputations, or at least the beginning of it, as future icons on the ninja scene (which is our whole purpose for coming here to begin with), but also because, it would prevent any potential feelings of ill will that might arise as a result of being ‘kicked out of the spotlight’.

That said though…

“Naruto,” I say, “while I like the attitude, remember, this is the quarter-final, the cream of the crop. Everyone who didn’t have what it took has been eliminated.

“Confidence is good, but don’t forget why no rookies have ever made it to this point before.”

I can tell from Naruto’s expression that he takes my words seriously, but even so, the boy just can’t help himself.

“Meh,” he says, shrugging carelessly, “we’re not like those rookies, we’re strong. And besides it’s not like we’re the only ones; there’s still Sand-guy and Stone-jerk.”

“Yeah, and Sand-guy, as you call him, can control his own personal desert, while Stone-jerk, who you’ve picked a fight with, is a walking volcano,” Sakura not-so-calmly points out.

“Don’t worry, my cute little Sannin,” Kakashi says, pulling us into a group hug that quickly becomes a noogie for Naruto. “Whatever happens, I’m sure you’ll all be just fine.”

—❈—

“Shit,” Sakura says with deep feeling barely an hour later, as the roster of today’s matches comes up and, in the first slot, is her name.

‘The Skywalker’ Sakura Haruno (Leaf)  vs. ‘The Tyrant’ Kurotsuchi (Stone)

As expected, of course, Naruto reacts with disappointment. “Aw, man, I wanted to be the one to beat her up. And why are they calling her ‘The Tyrant’? She’s not even that impressive.”

The look Sakura gives the boy should, by all rights, knock him dead.

See, of all the potential opponents Sakura could have faced in this round, the two she least wanted to, were Kurotsuchi, and Gaara. In that order.

For Gaara it’s because his ability gave him range and speed, and Sakura wasn’t fully confident in her ability to evade him.

For Kurotsuchi though… well it’s also because the Stone-nin’s ability gave her range and speed, but mostly because the girl had already crippled one opponent already.

Understandably, Sakura did not want to risk being number two.

Kakashi pats her on the shoulder.

“It’s okay,” our sensei says. “Just remember what we discussed. You can do this.”

Slowly, and with a deep breath, Sakura forces herself to calm.

While Kakashi calms my teammate, I take in the rest of the roster.

Gaara of the Sand (Sand) vs. ‘Carapace’ Kankuro (Sand)

Akatsuchi ‘The Mountain’ (Stone) vs. Sasuke ‘God Hands’ Uchiha (Leaf)

‘Whirlwind’ Temari (Sand) vs. Naruto ‘Hurricane’ Uzumaki (Leaf)

I stare at my name.

“’God Hands’ Uchiha?” I mutter to myself, testing out the name and finding that yes, I do like it. I like it a lot.

“You’re welcome,” Kakashi says.

I stare at him in confusion.

What is he— realization hits me like a lightning jutsu.

No. No way.

He did this? How?

You know what? I don’t care. I’ll take it.

“Thank you,” I say softly and Kakashi-sensei smiles, messing up my hair affectionately.

“Like I said, you’re welcome. And, by the way,” he pulls a scroll from one of the pockets of his flak jacket, “you’ll be needing this.”

I take the scroll and stow it one of the pockets of my own flak jacket, not needing to check or ask to know it contains a katana.

Last night, much like we’d also done the night before the second round, we’d gone through a plan of attack for every potential opponent we could face in the exam, including ourselves, and my plan of attack for if I face Akatsuchi, is a sword.

The reasoning for the choice is pretty straightforward; see, Akatsuchi is bigger than me, stronger than me, tougher than me, faster than his frame might suggest, and is neither stupid nor bull-headed enough to try to use ninjutsu against me.

All of this essentially means that, in a fight against him, since I lack any ranged attacks he hasn’t already proven to have a counter to, the only way to take him on would be in close quarters. And since trying to take on that… well, mountain, with a kunai would likely spell the (embarrassing) end to my fledgling career, Kakashi has advised me to use a sword. Despite my limited practice with one.

A sharp blade with some range; coated with some lightning and backed by the sharingan, it should be enough to handle whatever Akatsuchi throws at me.

And if it isn’t, then well, improvisation has never really been my strong suit, but I’ve always been a quick study.

The announcer calls the fighters for the first match down to the arena, and Sakura rises, steeling herself.

She heads over to the railing, about to make her usual entry by air-walking over the heads of the audience, but Kurotsuchi beats her to it.

To everyone’s surprise, Kurotsuchi runs and launches herself off the loge.

She dives down like a meteor, landing explosively in a corona of fire on the sandy arena.

A startled hush befalls the audience. And why shouldn’t it?

Everyone had been expecting ‘The Skywalker’ to come strolling in, instead here was the aptly named Tyrant smashing in, not only stealing her thunder, but doing it in a more impressive (to civilian eyes at least) way than Sakura herself.

“That bastard!” Naruto screams. “Boo, stop trying to make Sakura look bad. She rocks. You stink.”

Sakura looks astonished at Kurotsuchi’s actions for a moment, then, surprisingly, she laughs and throws herself over the railing too.

Almost like the air is water around her, Sakura swims down to the arena below, her laughter ringing our across the amphitheater when she enters the range of the fuinjutsu microphones.

“Whoa,” Naruto gapes as the arena stares in amazement at Sakura’s beautiful display of nigh unmatchable control. “How is she doing that?”

“Lots of natural talent and the obsessive drive to impress a boy,” Kakashi answers, and I damn near go red with embarrassment.

Down at the arena, Sakura’s laughter dies out as she comes to a stop about a dozen meters away from Kurotsuchi, her feet, as usual, feet away from the ground.

Kurotsuchi scowls at my teammate.

“What’s so funny?” she asks.

“What else?” Sakura asks casually in return. “You. You’re amusing.”

“Amusing, huh? Hmm.” The Stone-nin holds out her right hand, and a ball of lava forms over it. “I wonder if you’ll still think that when I burn your face off,” she ponders conversationally.

Sakura laughs again. “And that’s why you’re funny, Kurotsuchi,” she says. “You think you’re special.”

Sakura holds out a hand, and with a sound like the jet turbines of Caleb’s world turning on, a ball of controlled chaos bigger than her head forms over it.

“You’re not.”

—❈—

And that's the chap.

I'm thinking next chapter from Sakura's POV.

Thanks for reading. ❤️ ya.