❝No matter how much pain you've been through, you can always find something to smile about.❞ ㅡ Naruto Uzumaki
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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE:
CHAOS
The stadium fell silent the second Neji Hyūga collapsed on the dirty ground, leaving none other but the boy so many had bullied for years standing in all his glory. The biggest of smiles could be seen on his beaten-up face as the spectators assimilated the fact that, against all odds, Naruto had defeated the prodigy. And when they did, everyone started cheering and clapping — as if never in their lives had they doubted him, or humiliated him.
There was only one man who remained still, apparently disinterested in whatever miracle had just taken place some feet below. His sharp eyes were hidden under a hat over which the symbol of Iwagakure shone proudly, and they surveyed the people sitting on the harrows; distaste dripped from his glare — he truly loathed the grins on their faces, the carefree glint in their gazes.
"When is the... Koizumi girl fighting?" he ventured to ask the Hokage, who merely glanced at his tense form from the corner of his eye.
Hiruzen could not believe his luck, for not only was the Kazekage sitting on his right, but someone just as demanding occupied the seat on his left.
"As I have told you, my Lords," —he gazed back at the blond boy, smiled at his happiness as he was acclaimed by everyone nearby— "I have no idea as to when the participants will be battling. I'm afraid you have chosen the wrong man to sit close to."
The man said nothing, apparently caring little about what the Hokage had to say.
"We must be patient," the Hokage added, then looked over at the Kazekage. "I am certain some of these fights will hold an interest of their own. If I do recall correctly, your children are competing as well."
Said man tensed noticeably, as if uncomfortable with the conversation — or with the wise man. "A-And they will not be defeated by any Konoha ninja!"
At that, the Lord who was sitting at the Hokage's left laughed, surprising both men. There was a sinister grin formed on his lips, and he seemed amused by his words.
"Optimism is sometimes the offspring of ignorance."
The Kazekage gritted his teeth.
"You do seem to have a lot of faith in shinobi who are not from your village, Tsuchikage," he commented. "Perhaps it's due to the lack of presence of representatives from Iwagakure."
"Ah, I couldn't care less about that," the Tsuchikage muttered under his breath.
The Hokage cleared his throat as to break the tension. "If I may, what is the reason behind your interest in Rei?"
Silence fell upon the three powerful men, and then he replied, "There have been quite the rumours surrounding her — especially her peculiar abilities. One cannot help but be intrigued by her."
No words were spoken after his confession, but the wise eyes of the Hokage became alert. He glanced up at the sky, already fearing the worst; he could only wish for his conjectures to be mistaken.
Some feet away from where the Kages conversed, a blond woman was fuming. She paced around the small balcony, hands clenched into fists and eyes glaring at every soul who dared to step in her way. No matter her brother's attempts to calm her down, Temari was on the verge of killing someone; her fight would be taking place within the following minutes and her opponent had yet to show up.
YOU ARE READING
Solitude
Fanfiction"He's not that boy anymore; now he's a bloodthirsty monster. And you're not his friend either; you're his main target." An uncovered secret. A mysterious clan. A girl who has the power to change the ninja world as it's known. Between dealing with a...
