I quickly had to dodge a set of shurikens that flew in my direction, followed by a huge fireball.
Tch, he's not holding anything back
I threw one of the shurikens I had managed to catch in my hand and then did a kawarimi with it. As I switched places with the throwing weapon, I was greeted by a strong punch to the face, followed by a kick to the ribs which I was sure was reinforced with chakra.
I was sent flying to one side of the arena with severe pain in my face and ribs.
Hugh, that hurt... Who would believe that a person who hides behind his minions all day could hit so hard?
- What's the matter, did you run out of intelligent comments?! - exclaimed number 8 with clear arrogance in his tone.
- Heh, you give me two hits and you already think you're a big deal, dog - I replied, as I got up from the floor.
- I told you not to call me that! I'm nobody's damn dog! - he shouted.
- Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, dog.
A great deal of killer instinct exploded from the furious teenager, as he charged at high speed towards me.
Hmm... I think he finally reached his limit....
I tried to dodge as many of the blows thrown at me as possible, though the pain in my ribs made it difficult to move fast and slowed me down enough to take at least one or two hits.
This idiot has turned into some kind of berserker blinded by rage, I need to get away from him and engage him with ranged attacks.
I ducked under one of his punches and delivered a chakra-charged uppercut to his chin, followed by a spinning kick to the abdomen, then performed a kawarimi with one of the shurikens he had thrown at me earlier to get a little further away.
Well, think... this idiot is obviously better than me in taijutsu, he seems to know a fire jutsu, but that doesn't help me to know if he can do more, he also has a pretty big strength if those few hits that managed to reach me are anything to go by... I think it's a good time to try one of the jutsus I've been practicing in secret, although I would have liked to try it in a quieter place and where no one could see me.
I made a single hand signal and muttered; Kokuangyo no Jutsu.
It was amusing and interesting to see how the berserker that was my opponent quickly became disoriented and started shouting.
- What the hell, why can't I see, what did you do to me?!
- It would be pretty stupid if I told you what I did, wouldn't it? - I scoffed.
Well, it looks like locking myself in the showers to read Aoki's jutsu scroll served a purpose in the end.
I channeled chakra into my legs and quickly approached him.
I'm sure after this the genjutsu will be undone, so I must make it worth his while.
I pulled out my seal knives in my hand and prepared to slice my enemy to bits.
Once I was close enough, I threw a slash with my right hand, but it never reached my enemy's body, as a wall of earth had risen in front of him. I looked with confusion at the wall and then had to jump backwards as several spears of earth came out of the ground and tried to pierce me.
Damn it, how the hell did this happen? He's supposed to be under a very high level genjutsu, he couldn't get out of it that easily let alone do it in time to raise a wall in front of him.
Once the spears stopped coming out I looked back at the spot where my opponent was standing, I could see a figure standing in front of him. It was a clone.
- When did he make a fucking clone? - I growled.
I could see the clone pull the dog out of the genjutsu and then melt into mud.
- Heh, did you seriously think I would fight you without having a solution to your damn genjutsus? I've seen you fight on several occasions you damn brat, you can't do anything without me having a plan to counter it - he mocked.
- Funny you should say that after you've been screaming like a little girl because you couldn't see.
- Tch, I'm going to have to teach you respect before I kill you - he growled.
- I don't respect someone who obviously doesn't deserve it, dog.
- I'VE HAD IT WITH THAT DAMN NICKNAME!
- Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, dog.
I watched in fascination as my opponent went through several hand seals at a great speed.
Hum... I feel that this is bad...
I prepared to throw a kawarimi with the shurikens that were still on the ground, but I was fascinated to see #8's attack.
- Yōton: Shaku Garyūgan no Jutsu - he shouted, while huge balls of rock and lava came out of his mouth.
Great...
Realizing that I had stood still, I made several hand signals and formed a wall of water to cover myself from some of the spheres.
Okay, looks like this was the guy Futsu mentioned, the one in charge of killing Kakuzu's fighters... I think I'll take longer than expected with this match.
I managed to perform a kawarimi with one of the far shurikens before my wall of water came apart and I was caught by the rock and lava spheres. Once I was somewhat away from the attack, I made a single hand signal and used de Teppōdama to attack my opponent, or so it would have been, had another stone wall not risen right next to him, protecting him from my attack.
- Oh, come on, how many damn clones does he have! - I complained.
- More than you'd expect," muttered a voice beside me.
I turned and launched a slash with my trench knife, but it was parried by a hand. Looking closer, I realized it was another clone.
This is going to hurt...
I took a powerful blow to the middle of my face and was sent flying into the rock wall. Before I could impact against the latter, an earth dragon formed and flew in my direction.
- Damn it - I muttered.
I made the ram sign and disappeared from the spot, leaving a cloud of smoke behind.
- Looks like learning the Shunshin was a good choice - I said, while trying to get my bearings.
- Tch, stand still so I can kill you - growled my opponent.
- Did you learn that from your master, dog? - I asked.
- Argh! I told you to stop calling me that! - he shouted, as he threw more lava spheres.
I'm not sure if continuing to tease him is the best idea, but at least it's fun to do.
I did another shunshin and appeared at his side. Before he could react, I delivered a strong chakra-charged punch to his face, then made a hand signal and threw several water spheres at him as I performed a second shunshin and waited where he was flying to, waiting for him with another chakra-charged fist. Unfortunately, I had to jump out of my spot, as another one of the damn earth clones had come out of the ground trying to catch me.
- Seriously, how many of those things are in here? - I complained, as I watched the clone catch the original in mid-air and move it out of the way of the water spheres.
As I thought of a way to get all the clones out before attacking the original, I felt something slip through my fingers. I looked down at my hand to realize it was blood, blood which was all over my knife and fingers.
Oh, right, I forgot I was wearing them when I punched him... I don't think he's very fel....
My thoughts were interrupted by a loud scream coming from my opponent.
- AHHH! MY FACE! MY BEAUTIFUL FACE! - he shouted, covering his bleeding face.
I think we can differ on that last part.....
- YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! - he exclaimed angrily, as he pointed his bloody hand at me.
- Hey, if it makes you feel better, I think you look better like this - I shrugged my shoulders.
- Yōton: Gōremu!" he shouted, as he finished a set of hand signals and then put them on the ground.
I watched in awe as a huge golem of rock and lava formed from the ground.
Yeah... at times like this it bothers me that I haven't reincarnated as a Yōton user, it would be great to be able to do something like that....
I had to put my astonishment aside, as the huge lava monster lunged at me with its gigantic fist.
The scariest thing isn't that this idiot can do something like this, but that he's number 8, I mean, technically he's one of the weakest, so I don't want to imagine what it would be like to face Haku in a death match... I'd probably be dead before I realized what hit me.
- Okay, think Hideki, what the hell can you do against that thing... - I muttered.
- Ha, you can't do...
The clone's speech behind me was interrupted by a slash from my trench knife.
- I've had enough of these damn clones - I complained, while dodging another blow from the golem.
Well, this idiot must have spent an insane amount of chakra between lava jutsus and stupid clones that seem to have no end. Sooner rather than later it should run out of chakra, which means this thing will fall apart, but I doubt it will sit still while I wait for it to run out.
My thoughts were correct, as I could feel something catch my leg. As I looked down I realized there was a hole in the ground from which protruded a head and two arms holding my leg. It was my opponent, the real one, if the huge gash from his chin to his eye was anything to go by.
- Hey, hello... - I said, while looking for something to kawarimi.
- No "Hey, hi." I'll never let you make a damn kawarimi with my shurikens again, let alone make a shunshin.
- So, how about I do this?
I made three hand signals and said; Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu. Then I threw a large amount of water from my mouth into the hole where the number 8 was. Since I had to do it fast, as the lava golem was getting too close, I couldn't channel much chakra, so it wasn't a deadly attack, to my misfortune.
Once my opponent's hands let go of my leg, I was able to perform a hasty shunshin, moving a bit away from the huge monster.
God... that was close... what a beautiful jutsu that shunshin is, bless whoever invented it.
*Meanwhile in the courtyard*
- Come on Hideki! You can do it! Kick his arrogant ass! - Kaori exclaimed as she watched her friend's match through a screen in the courtyard.
- Heh, you say that as if that brat could beat number 8," sneered a voice beside her.
Looking over, Kaori realized it was number 3.
- Oh, hello mister 3, it's been a while, you're not going to try to kill me like you've been trying to kill number 10, are you? - Kaori asked, as she looked at the teenager next to her.
- I don't see why I would have to, after all, my problem is with that brat, not you, Kaori - answered Akiro with a soft voice.
- If you have a problem with him, then you have a problem with me too, Akiro," said Kaori, with a somber voice that didn't match her cheerful smile.
- Tch, I don't know what's so special about him, he's just an idiot who thinks he's a big deal - she complained.
- At least he doesn't hide behind his thugs and his master's money - Kaori replied.
- What did you say! - growled number 3 - I'd choose my next words wisely if I were you - he warned.
- Oh, what will you do, send thugs to my cell at 3 o'clock in the morning to try to kill me like you did Hideki? Or maybe you'd rather they try to kill me while I'm taking a shower? Or do it while I'm in the courtyard? Or while I'm eating? Tell me Akiro, what will you do?
With each word, a little more of Kaori's killer instinct was released, making everyone around her tense up in case a fight broke out.
- Could you tell me a little more about all this? - asked a teenage boy, as he approached them both.
- Oh, number 1, it's good to see you! - Kaori exclaimed, letting her killer instinct disappear.
- Ha... Haku-san, what are you doing here? - Akiro stammered.
- I haven't talked to you, number 3, I'm talking to Kaori - replied Haku with an icy tone - Now, Kaori-san, could you tell me more about these assassination attempts you talked about? - Haku asked.
- Sure - replied number 4 with her ever-present cheerful smile.
- Haku-san, I don't think those things are of your interest, after all, they are just simple games between me and number 10, it's nothing to worry about - said Akiro quickly.
- Are you telling number 1 what's of his interest and what's not? - asked another teenager appearing behind Akiro.
- Sui... Suigetsu-san, it's good to see you, it's been a while....
- You haven't answered my question - Suigetsu murmured in his ear.
- No, I would never say something like that, it's just that....
- It's just that...?
- It's nothing, I'll retire for the moment, it was good to see you again - said Akiro, as he quickly retreated.
- Heh, you idiot.
- You shouldn't talk to him like that number 2 - said Kaori.
- Meh, you know it's true too, right? - asked Suigetsu, looking at Haku.
- Maybe, but it's rude to say it out loud - replied number 1 - Now, Kaori-san, could we talk about these assassination attempts against number 10?
- Sure, but first I want to see how their fight ends - replied Kaori, returning her gaze to the big screen.
- That's okay, I can wait.
Haku sat down next to Kaori to watch the fight, meanwhile Suigetsu stood still.
*With Hideki*
I'm getting tired of dodging the damn lava spheres while having to worry about the stupid golem at the same time. I need a plan to end this as soon as possible... what would Aoki do at a time like this?
- Hmm... surely the first stupid thing that comes to his head... - I muttered, as a plan started to form in my mind.
Meh, let's give it a try.
I did a shunshin and stayed behind my opponent, then I tried to hit him, but before it hit I did another shunshin, staying in front of him and thus hitting his face, then I did a third shunshin and moved away from him.
- Wow... it actually worked - I said with surprise, looking at the dog holding his cut face again.
- Damn it, stop ruining my beautiful face - he whined.
- In my defense... well... nothing... I just wanted to do it - I shrugged.
I was about to do another shunshin, but....
Oh... I think I ran out of chakra....
By the art of good plot beneficence, the lava golem fell apart, meaning that number 8 had also run out of chakra.
- I guess it's going to be a knife fight to the death - I muttered, wiping the blood on my trench knives.
- Damn it, you can't possibly have forced me to this point - snarled number 8, pulling out two kunais and holding them in a reverse grip in each hand.
Hum... at times like this there should be a leaf, or a drop of water, or something else that indicates the moment where we should start fighting.
We looked at each other uncomfortably until I decided to throw a rock into the air and then we waited for it to fall. Once the rock was back on the ground, we launched ourselves at high speed at each other.
When I was at just the right range, I threw an upward slash at his face, but it was blocked by one of his kunais, then he tried to stab me with the other, but it was blocked by my remaining knife. We applied pressure for a few seconds, but neither would budge from their place, then I decided to end this contest of strength with a kick to his abdomen, which made him bend downwards, I took advantage of the opening and kneed him hard in the face, making him raise his head. As I was about to cut his neck with my knife, my opponent bent down and stabbed one of the kunais into my leg, causing me to grunt in pain, and then tried to stab the last one into my heart, but was interrupted by a cut in his eye.
- Argh! Son of a bitch! - he screamed, as he staggered backwards.
I took advantage of the fact that he was busy holding his wounded eye to remove the kunai from my leg and throw it at his face. Unfortunately he moved in time to dodge it.
Damn, I want to run and hit him, but that damn kunai caused enough damage to my leg and moving will only make the wound worse....
I tried to channel chakra to see if I had already recovered, even enough to get a little shunshin, but it was empty, if I spent what I had I would pass out and possibly die from chakra depletion.
Before I could react, my opponent had quickly approached and delivered a powerful right to my jaw causing me to stagger backwards, then threw his remaining kunai towards my healthy leg with intentions of it embedding itself in it. Luckily I managed to move in time to dodge the weapon, but the sudden movement and my dizziness from the blow caused me to fall sitting down to the ground, leaving a large opening for my opponent to attack, an opening which #8 would not let pass, as he ran in my direction, grabbing the previously thrown kunai in the process and then lunged at me, trying to stab me while I was on the ground.
- Let yourself be killed you fucking brat! - he shouted in my face, as he tried and failed to stab me with the kunai.
- Never! - I replied, while holding his hand with the weapon.
I'm sure Aoki would spit in his remaining eye in a situation like this... which come to think of it isn't a bad idea....
I gathered saliva in my mouth and spat the remaining eye at the dog that kept trying to stab me.
- Argh! You bastard! - it whined as it closed its eye, but it wouldn't let up the pressure.
I couldn't have seriously believed that something like that would work....
I took advantage of my opponent having his eyes closed and headbutted him in the face. I could feel his nose break after that punch, which made him back up, which I used to kick him off me with my good leg.
It's my moment!
I stood up and then lunged at my opponent and tried to drive one of my knives into his throat, but his hands were holding mine and wouldn't let my weapons reach his neck.
Okay, difficult situations need even more difficult solutions. Or low, in this case.
I lifted my damaged leg and kneed number 8 hard in his privates. I could see his eyes widen in surprise and hear most of the male spectators gasp at such a move.
- AHHH!
Sorry, if it makes you feel any better, it hurt me to do it too.
I used the moment of weakness my low act had provoked and brought the knives closer and closer to his throat.
- DIE AT THE FUCKING DEATH! - I screamed as I made one last effort.
I slowly lowered my knives and could feel them touch his skin, I used some of the small amount of chakra I had left and channeled it into my knives, making them sharper.
- I can't think of a sentence before I kill you, so I'll just say this; good fight.
After that I brought my knives all the way down on his neck and made a deep X-shaped cut across my opponent's throat. I could hear him choke on his own blood and try to say something, I felt his last attempt at a fight before his body went limp and let the cold claws of death take him.
A moment later, his arms had fallen and his eyes had been drained of any life. He was dead.
For a few seconds everything was silent, I was sure that if someone dropped a pin it would have been heard all over the place.
- Heh, too easy... - I muttered, as I fell backwards to the side of the body.
I was completely tired physically and mentally, I had no chakra and there was a hole in my leg. I was sure that, if Akiro wanted to kill me now, he would succeed.
Suddenly throughout the coliseum the announcer's voice could be heard.
- The WINNER AND FIRST FIGHTER TO GO TO THE NEXT ROUND! NUMBER 10! HIIIDEEEKIII!
Spectators exploded in celebratory cheers, while others were upset that they had lost money in this fight. On the other hand, a renegade ninja from Takigakure was happy as he counted the money in the briefcases brought to him.
I guess I will enjoy my victory with a much deserved unconsciousness.
The last thing I saw before I fell asleep was a group of medics entering the arena and hoisting me on top of a stretcher, they also took the body of number 8, I assumed they were taking me to the infirmary, so I didn't pay too much attention to it.
*Elsewhere*
- OF COURSE I DAMN WELL THAT'S MY FRIEND!" exclaimed Kaori, jumping up and down with joy as she hugged Haku.
- Kaori-san please let go of me," said Haku trying to break free from the girl's powerful grip.
Kaori just ignored the teenager's requests and kept throwing him back and forth. The rest of the people in the courtyard just watched the scene with amusement clear on their faces, after all, it wasn't every day you could see the mighty number 1 being crushed in the arms of a girl while she moves him around like a rag doll.
- Hey, how about releasing my friend here and we'll go with you to see number 10? - asked a voice next to the girl.
Looking in her direction, she realized it was Suigetsu and then realized what she had said.
- Oh, yeah, you're right let's go see him - said the girl, dropping Haku and running in the direction of the infirmary.
- Heh, looks like you owe me big time - Suigetsu teased.
- Don't mention it - muttered Haku, as he stood up and smoothed his clothes.
- Do you think we should go?
- I don't see why not. It would be good to talk to number 10 and ask him if everything Kaori-san told me is correct.
Suigetsu's expression suddenly became serious.
- What do you plan to do if what that girl said turns out to be true?
- I don't know... Akiro is a good friend, but lately he's been acting incredibly cruel?
- Too much, I'd say.
- It's possible that the arrogance of being one of the top 3 has finally gone to his head.
- Talking about it won't help at all, for now let's go see that Hideki guy, I might even be able to set up a little exhibition match with him for when he recovers - Suigetsu said with a smile on his face.
- Remember Zabuza-sama's plan. Don't get yourself killed until it's completed - Haku reprimanded.
- Yes, yes, don't get carried away by the excitement of the battle and wait for your master to come to our rescue. You don't seriously think he can get us out of here, do you? This place is a freaking gold-lined fortress, I couldn't get in here even with all the renegade ninjas money can pay for, and to top it off the walls are covered in chakra-absorbing seals, and don't even get me started on Oyashiro's guards.
- Just stick to the plan and don't do stupid things - said Haku, as he started walking in the direction of the infirmary.
*sigh* - Okay - he muttered.
*with Kaori*
After leaving the courtyard, the girl ran in the direction of the infirmary in order to see her friend and congratulate him for being victorious in his first match of the tournament.
Hmm... maybe she should bring him a sweet as a reward? Although I could also give him a little caress on the head, he seems to like my caresses, although he never returns them to me, that's bad, I should demand a caress from him sometime - thought Kaori.
- Stop!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a group of what she recognized as Mr. 10's friends. They were standing in front of the infirmary doors blocking her way.
- What's going on? - Kaori asked.
Generic Thug 1 - You can't go through.
- Why?
Generic Thug 2 - Mr. 3 has ordered us not to let anyone through unless he asked us to, so go away.
- But I have to see my friend Hideki, he just finished his fight and I want to see how he is - said Kaori.
Generic bully 3 - We told you that you can't pass, what damn part don't you understand girl?
- Hey, I'm asking you nicely, don't talk to me like that - complained the girl.
Generic bully 4 - Whatever, now go away or else....
- Or else... What? - Kaori said, with an icy voice that contrasted with her sweet smile.
Generic Thug 5 - Ha, the brat thinks she can bully us.
Generic Thug 4 - Maybe we should teach her a lesson just like the boss will do to that number 10 brat.
- Oh, so this is another one of Akiro's stupid assassination attempts... - Kaori muttered.
Generic bully 2 - Damn brat, will you speak respectfully of the se....
The thug's words were interrupted by a stone spear coming out of the wall and piercing his skull.
- Does anyone else want to say anything? - asked the girl, with her ever-present smile.
The bullies looked at each other in shock for a few moments and then pounced on the girl. None of them had noticed her jacket that had the number 4 stamped on it.
*With Hideki
When I woke up the first thing I saw was a group of doctors treating my wounds. I tried to get up because I felt uncomfortable, but one of them put a gentle hand on my chest and asked me to lie down so he could heal my wounds faster, I just nodded and lay there looking at the ceiling. The fight I had had a few moments ago had been pretty rough. I would never admit it in front of anyone, but fighting the dog was quite exciting, I had never felt so much adrenaline coursing through my body before.
It was wonderful...
My mental reflections interrupted by the doctors who stopped healing me and quickly left the infirmary.
- Hey, I'm not completely healed, what the hell are you doing? - I complained.
- I would say it's good to see you again, but that would be a vile lie - said a voice I recognized well.
- Akiro - I growled.
- Himself - he answered, coming out from behind a curtain.
From what I could see in the shadows of the curtain covering my bed, he wasn't alone, there were at least 3 other thugs together with the idiot.
- What the hell do you want? - I asked.
- Oh, nothing important, just your heart - he said, with a devious smile on his face.
- I don't swing that way, but I'm sure the dog... oh, right, I killed him, too bad - I scoffed.
I could see the annoyance in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
- Ha, very funny, you know - he squeezed my ribs hard making me grunt in pain - I think this is the first time I see you so weak, so I asked myself, why not take advantage and give a nice visit to my dear friend Hideki? - he squeezed my ribs again.
- Get your hands off me you dirty scum - I growled, trying to channel chakra, but failing.
- Oh, easy, don't try to do that, it won't do any good, after all, you used up all your chakra in the fight with number 8, right? And even if that wasn't the case, this bed has chakra seals so the fighters won't wake up and attack the nurses thinking they're enemies.
- Tch, once I get out of here I'll break both your arms and legs and make you crawl for your life - I growled - You may have saved yourself by hiding from me these past few months, but now that I have you here don't expect me to do nothing.
- Hiding from me? No, no... no dear, you're wrong. I wasn't hiding, why would I have to get my hands dirty having so many men at my disposal? People like me, powerful people, people with influence, we don't get our hands dirty with people like you, we just stand on the sidelines watching while we command the manpower to do the heavy lifting for us.
- Bottom line: you send the idiots at your disposal to try to kill me while you hide somewhere.
- Call it what you will, the words of a dead man mean nothing to me.
- You say it like you killed me - I scoffed.
- Not yet, I'm just... how do you say...? Savoring the moment - he said, as he punched me in the ribs.
I held back a scream and just let out a little grunt.
- Oh, come on, it's no fun if you don't scream - he complained.
Then he gave me another punch in the same place as before. I could hear something crack inside me, possibly a rib.
- Heh, you hit like a girl.
- Oh, easy, I'm just getting started.
He snapped his fingers and two of his henchmen pulled out the curtains and used it to tie my hands. Then they lifted me off the bed and held me in the air.
- Hum... you know... Jiro was a good friend of mine... and you killed him - he growled while punching my abdomen.
- Heh... so... wha... that... that dog had a name - I said in between heavy touches.
- Hmph, I didn't give you permission to speak - he said, as he stuck a scalpel into my newly healed leg.
I bit my lip to keep from letting out the scream I was holding back.
- As if I needed a coward's permission to speak - I said, while spitting blood in his face.
- Oh, and why am I a coward? - he asked.
- Are you seriously asking?
- Is that what you mean? I wouldn't call it cowardice, it would be more like... teamwork.
- Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.
- Hum... you know, I'm still kind of upset about what you did to my brother... I think he deserves to be avenged by his loving older brother.
After that he pulled out the scalpel on my leg and stuck it deep into the other one. This time I couldn't hold back the scream and let it out.
- Oh, yes, that's what I meant, please go on - he said, with an expression of sadistic joy on his face.
He was about to continue, but was interrupted by a loud scream coming from the other side of the doors.
- What the hell is going on out there? - he complained.
- I don't know, sir," replied the thug near the door.
- Then go look, and tell those idiots not to interrupt my fun - he ordered.
- Sure sir.
*sigh* - It's getting harder and harder to find competent people - he muttered.
As the thug opened the door, his head was pierced by a stone spear sticking out of the ground. Slowly the spear retracted backwards and let the body fall backwards, making room for a smiling Kaori who was covered in blood and prancing into the infirmary.
- K... Kaori..." stammered Akiro.
- Hey, teacher...
The girl's words were stopped as she saw my condition, the thugs holding me in the air and Akiro's hand still on the scalpel stuck in my leg.
I could swear that for a few seconds I saw a spectral demon-like form rise up behind him, overshadowing the whole place and terrifying Akiro and his thugs.
- Lord 3, could you explain to me what you are doing to my friend? - Kaori asked.
The tone she used was so cold that I couldn't help but shiver.
- Eeh... well... you see... - said Akiro, trying to find a way out.
It seemed that the situation couldn't get any worse. Or at least it did until Haku and Suigetsu arrived and saw the same thing Kaori did when they entered. My body held in the air by Akiro's men while he held a scalpel to my leg.
- Wow, looks like we're a little late," Suigetsu muttered.
- Ha... Haku... I can explain...
Akiro's words were interrupted by a powerful killer instinct coming from Kaori and Haku. It was interesting to see how the floor and walls cracked and started to freeze little by little, meanwhile Suigetsu left the room with the excuse of cleaning the hallway.
On the other hand, Akiro's men and himself fell to their knees on the floor, dropping me in the process and getting the scalpel embedded a bit more. I couldn't help but let out a grunt as I felt the damn thing dig even deeper into my leg, and it was even worse as I tried to pull it out.
- Akiro, I asked you a question - Kaori said, all trace of her ever-present smile was gone.
- It's... it's his... it's his fault... - she managed to say.
- How is it Hideki's fault that you came to attack him while he was recovering in the infirmary? - Haku asked.
- If... if... he hadn't killed Futsu and Jiro, I wouldn't have done this.
- Damn it Akiro! Those were fucking fights to the death! How the hell do you expect him to let himself be beaten! - Kaori shouted.
- Besides, everyone in the courtyard saw how Oyashiro used his kekkei genkai to force number 10 to kill your brother, so you can't blame him for anything," said Haku.
- Shut up! Oyashiro-sama would never do something like that! He fulfilled my request to take care of Futsu, he would never break his word by making this scum kill him! I'm sure it must have been another one of his damned genjutsus! - He shouted as he pointed at me.
*sigh* - Listen to yourself Akiro, you're only saying that because you don't want to believe that man really is evil - said Haku, shaking his head.
- I don't care if your brother's stupid death is Hideki's or Oyashiro's fault, all I care about is that you didn't stop attacking my only friend in this damn hole even when he was injured in the infirmary - Kaori growled as a golem started to form from the ground.
- I don't know what the hell you see in this idiot! I'm better! I have men to command, I have a master who gives me money to bribe the guards, I'm number 3 damn it! Why do you prefer him and not me! - Akiro shouted.
- Because he's not such a coward that he needs to send thugs to kill someone because he knows if he fights head on he'll die, because he doesn't treat me like a prize, because he didn't come up with a stupid plan to get everyone to stay away from me and then come and make me think he's a good person, because he wants to be my friend and not get in my damn pants! I prefer him because he's so much better than you! - Kaori shouted as she made her golem catch Akiro with her hand.
Oops, that must have hurt....
- Kaori, that's enough," said Haku placing his hand on the annoyed girl's shoulder, "You don't need to dirty your hands with trash like this.
- Tch, whatever you say - she spat while throwing Akiro against a wall and undoing the golem.
- You two leave if you don't want to die and take that scum with you - said Haku to the two surviving thugs.
The thugs didn't think twice and got up to pick up the unconscious body of their leader and run away.
Once the thugs left the infirmary, Suigetsu came in with an amused smile on his face and looked at me still on the floor.
- You look comfortable - he said to me.
- I can't complain, at least I wasn't thrown against a wall by a giant golem made of rock - I replied.
- Oh, Hideki, I'm sorry, I forgot about you - said Kaori, approaching me and helping me up.
- Never mind, I'm sure if I hadn't arrived right now I'd be just another corpse.
- Let me help you, I know something about healing - said Haku, helping Kaori to put me on a bed.
- Number 2, could you go get a nurse? - asked the girl.
- Sure.
Suigetsu walked out of the infirmary closing the doors behind him.
- Okay Hideki-san, can you tell me what you have? - Haku asked.
- Other than pain all over my body and legs? I don't think so.
- Hmm... it looks like several of your ribs on the right side are broken and the scalpel didn't do much - said the teenager while passing his hand wrapped in a green colored aura over my body.
- Good to know I only have a few broken bones and a hole in each leg," I joked.
- It could have been worse if I hadn't come to your rescue - said Kaori while puffing out her chest with pride.
- Heh, I guess I should thank you.
I reached out my hand and stroked her messy red hair.
- Thank you Kaori, if it wasn't for you right now I would look like a cheese grater - I gave her a small smile, trying to hide the blood in my mouth.
- Oh, yes, make me more - she replied.
It was interesting to see how she blushed to almost the same color as her hair.
Wow, I thought that only happened in anime?
I heard a small giggle next to me and turned to look at Haku.
- Funny? - I asked, stopping stroking Kaori's head.
- Something - she shrugged her shoulders.
- Hey!" the girl exclaimed.
- What's the matter? - I asked.
- Don't stop petting my head - she pouted.
- It's okay - I said, as I stroked her head again.
Seeing the look of satisfaction on the face of the girl I called friend as I stroked her head reminded me a lot of when I stroked my little sister's head in my other life... it filled my heart with something akin to joy. This little girl was a fusion of my father from this life and my little sister from my other life, a sisterly feeling ran through my body and I couldn't help a small smile forming on my face.
I think I could get used to this.
Kokuangyo no Jutsu: Jutsu of the Darkness Bearer.
Yōton: Shaku Garyūgan no Jutsu: Lava Element: Scorching Rock Stream Jutsu
Shunshin: Flashing Body Jutsu
Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu: Water Element: Water Bullet Jutsu
Yōton: Gōremu: This one I made up, it's supposed to mean: Lava Element: Golem