Konoha: Gu Master

"The third match: Hinata Hyuga versus Kiba Inuzuka!" Genma Shiranui announced, calling the competitors down to the arena floor.

"You think you can beat me that easily?" Kiba said, gripping Akamaru tightly. 

His shout wasn't just bravado; he'd trained intensively over the past month and felt his skills had improved significantly.

"I still think it might be better to just…" Shino adjusted his sunglasses as he spoke.

"When did you get here, Shino?" Kiba cut him off, looking shocked.

"..."

"I've been here the whole time," Shino replied, expressionless.

"Well, good luck to both of you," Shinho said, smiling.

Hinata nodded with determination, her eyes intense.

Kiba glanced at her, pulling his lips into a worried smile. If Hinata's taking this so seriously, she might actually flatten me.

"Woof! Woof!" barked Akamaru as Kiba placed him on the ground. 

Together, man and dog trotted to the arena.

Hinata took her position opposite Kiba, activating her Byakugan. She was up against her teammate, but in front of Shinho, she couldn't afford to lose.

She assumed the Gentle Fist stance, a look of fierce focus on her face.

"Whoa, okay…" Kiba muttered. 

It was the first time he'd seen Hinata look so intense—she usually came off as shy and gentle. 

What a troublemaker you are, Shinho.

Kiba started forming hand signs, his fingers a blur. 

With a puff of smoke, Akamaru transformed to look just like him.

Together, they lowered themselves to all fours, and Akamaru clambered onto Kiba's back, balancing perfectly as they readied for their signature combo.

Kiba didn't waste time, wanting to end things as quickly as possible. Let's just see if you can handle this, Hinata.

"Fang Over Fang!" Kiba and Akamaru spun into twin drills, hurtling toward Hinata with intense speed.

Hinata raised her hands, gathering chakra until two large, lion-shaped fists formed around them—an advanced form of the Gentle Fist technique known as Twin Lion Fists, a skill she'd been honing over the past month. 

She hadn't yet learned Rotation, but the Lion Fists were her own family's high-level Taijutsu technique.

Kiba and Akamaru's twin drills bore down on her, but she remained calm, grounding herself. The lions of chakra solidified around her hands as she met their attack head-on with a series of fist strikes.

The force of Kiba's attack whipped her hair and clothing back, but she stood firm.

Akamaru couldn't maintain the form under the pressure and reverted back to his original self, dazed as he collapsed on the ground, eyes spinning.

Hinata didn't let the opening go to waste, swiftly striking Kiba, dissipating the remaining chakra from his Fang Over Fang attack.

"I... I give up," Kiba said, breathing hard. 

He knew Hinata had held back in her final strike, sparing him from the dizziness that had felled Akamaru.

Hinata let out a breath of relief, her heart soaring with quiet joy. 

She had managed this win through her own abilities.

"The winner: Hinata Hyuga!" Genma Shiranui announced with a nod of approval.

"This is more like a real genin match," he muttered.

"Well done, big sister!" cheered Hanabi Hyuga, clapping her hands enthusiastically.

"Learning Twin Lion Fists at her age is impressive," said Hiashi, Hinata's father, watching with satisfaction. 

Since her change in attitude, Hinata had started showing potential as a respectable Hyuga heir. 

Although not as gifted as Neji, her current progress was more than acceptable.

"Congratulations," Shinho said, suppressing the urge to ruffle Hinata's hair. 

She looked so happy, so much like the gentle person he knew. But in front of this many people, he refrained, not wanting to embarrass her.

They'd reached a point where, when alone, he could occasionally pat her head or hold her hand. But around others, her shyness was still overpowering.

"Th-thank you," Hinata stammered, her cheeks pink with happiness.

"The next match is Shinho Aburame versus Gaara," Genma announced, looking down at his clipboard.

"Be careful with that guy, Shinho," Ino called, her face full of concern. "He looks seriously dangerous!"

"Yeah," agreed Shikamaru. "That guy reeks of blood—he's definitely taken out a few people."

Hinata's eyes turned to Shinho, worry apparent in her face. She wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"Where's your faith in Shinho?" Kiba barked. "Remember who took top honors in the academy!"

"Woof!" Akamaru added enthusiastically.

"Good point," Shikamaru said, nodding slowly. "With how strong Sasuke and Naruto have gotten, Shinho should be even stronger."

"Good luck, Shinho," Ino added, her head bobbing up and down with frevor. "Go ahead and knock him down a peg or two!"

Hinata also nodded in support, though her fierceness only came off as adorable.

"I will," Shinho said with a smile, giving them a small wave before making his way toward the center of the arena.

"Don't forget the plan, Gaara," Temari murmured. "And…be careful."

"His only strength is speed," Kankuro sneered, bitter over the destruction of his puppet Crow. "Show him who's boss!"

"Kankuro!" Temari scolded, narrowing her eyes. 

The last thing Gaara needed was more provocation.

But the damage was done. Kankuro's words had already triggered a manic gleam in Gaara's eyes.

The scent of blood filled the air around him.

"Shinho Aburame!" Gaara took slow, measured steps forward, his face twisted with excitement. "You will die by my hands."

Shinho didn't waste time on words.

Summoning his Frost Moon Gu, he cast an icy crescent of blue light forward.

As the crescent flew, the temperature around it plummeted, a fine mist of frost trailing in its wake.

Gaara stayed motionless as sand surged up to form a protective wall before him. The Frost Moon's crescent bit into the barrier, cracking it but not fully piercing through.

Then, with a hiss, frost spread rapidly over the surface of the sand.

Gaara stared in shock as his barrier froze solid. He took a step back.

"Impressive," murmured Orochimaru, watching from the VIP box. "But, Tsunade, isn't it unusual for Shinho to not use your techniques?"

Tsunade dismissed him with a casual wave. "Aburame clan secret arts. My techniques are mostly for healing, not combat."

"But I'm familiar with Aburame techniques, and I've never seen anything like this," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Surely there's a better explanation?"

"Kasekage," Tsunade countered smoothly, "did you know that certain insects also have bloodline traits?"

"Bloodline traits? You mean a mutation?" Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue, seeing a whole new field of potential research.

In the arena, Gaara's rage had reached a fever pitch.

"Aburame Shinho! I'll kill you!" Gaara shouted, his voice wild.

Shinho answered calmly with a second icy crescent.

In the stands; 

Tsunade noticed the subtle change in Orochimaru's gaze and spoke in a low, steady tone, clearly conveying the underlying threat in her words. 

Orochimaru responded with a faint, enigmatic smile, fully aware of the warning. But he wasn't Rasa, and he was hardly fazed.

While the two exchanged veiled words, the situation in the arena shifted dramatically. A massive hand of sand formed in midair, stretching toward Shinho.

Golden Crescent Slash!

Combining the powers of the Golden Moon Gu and frost moon Gu, Shinho conjured a brilliant golden crescent, which shot through the sand hand, piercing it completely before continuing on.

Gaara's expression shifted as he raised a defensive sand shield just in time, blocking the remaining energy of the golden blade.

But Gaara's reaction turned into a chilling grin as he sized up Shinho, still standing composed and unwavering. 

While the Golden Crescent Slash had impressive power, Gaara's enormous sand construct was largely unaffected.

Thunder Wings Gu!

Shinho took to the air, and gasps echoed throughout the audience.

"Another insect technique?" Orochimaru asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Yes," Tsunade replied smoothly, without a hint of hesitation.

"Interesting..." Orochimaru muttered to himself, much interested by Shinho's power. 

An insect technique allowing flight wasn't only unorthodox—it seemed impossible from a purely scientific standpoint. 

But Orochimaru found it fascinating. Between Shinho, Yamato, and Sasuke, even taking one would make this trip to Konoha worthwhile.

"Kakashi, I've got to hand it to you. Your Team Seven is beyond impressive," Asuma remarked, shaking his head in amazement.

"Nah, I'm just lucky," Kakashi said with a modest shrug. "I haven't directly taught Shinho much, and Naruto is technically one of Gai's students."

Gai beamed, clearly satisfied. "Team Seven's success owes at least a third of its credit to me!"

"Honestly, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Team Seven taking the title at this point," Kurenai admitted, though there was a touch of disappointment in her voice. Her own Team Eight had Sakura, Torune Aburame, and Yakumo. 

Sakura's focus on medical ninjutsu limited her combat effectiveness, but she had high hopes for Torune Aburame and Yakumo, who possessed their unique talents. 

Yet after watching Team Seven's matches, she realized they'd be fortunate to make it to the top five.

Gai nodded, sharing Kurenai's sentiment. 

Team Seven's overwhelming strength left him worried for both Neji and Lee, but he quickly shook off his concern. 

Victory isn't everything; it's about putting forth one's best and leaving with no regrets, he thought.

"I'll be stepping out for a moment," Yamato said suddenly, getting up and leaving before anyone could question him.

In the arena below, Gaara's fleeting surprise gave way to a determined calm. 

What good is flight? he thought coldly.

Sand Coffin!

Gaara raised his hand, clenching it into a fist. Sand surged upward, swirling and wrapping around Shinho with swift, suffocating pressure.

In an instant, just as the sand was set to crush him, Shinho shattered it with a single punch. The force of his blow sent waves of sand scattering outward, a powerful shockwave breaking through.

"Impressive…" Gaara's lips curled into a maniacal grin. "I will kill you!"

The thrill of facing a truly worthy opponent fueled his bloodlust, affirming his existence and justifying his purpose: to kill, over and over again.

Gaara raised both arms, sand spiraling and twisting, converging on Shinho. Soon the entire sky above the arena was shrouded in sand, blocking out the sunlight. 

Gaara's eyes glinted with excitement. As soon as the sand touched Shinho, he would use Sand Waterfall Funeral, crushing him into pulp.

Rainbow Light Gu!

With a burst of speed, Shinho's form vanished.

Instead of panic, Gaara's eyes lit with anticipation. He recalled Shinho's previous bout with Kankuro. 

Perfect… Gaara thought. His ultimate defense could serve as bait for his next move.

Suddenly, with a thunderous crash, Shinho struck Gaara. 

Moving at a blinding speed, even Gaara's sand couldn't keep up.

Shinho hadn't relied on brute force but rather on the combined defenses of Heavenly Mugwort Gu and Iron Bone Gu, becoming a human projectile aimed squarely at Gaara.

"It hurts! It hurts so much!!!"Gaara screamed as his body was wracked with the new, foreign sensation of physical agony.

So this… is pain? 

Blood oozed from his lips, the taste of it unfamiliar. 

His flesh, protected by his impenetrable Sand Armor, had never felt pain. 

But now, his two layers of defense, the Sand Armor and the Sand Shield, both of which used the sand on his gourd, which contained the will of mother, had been shattered by Shinho's assault.

Gaara glanced at the blood on his lips, an unrestrained excitement filling him as his bloodlust reached a fever pitch.

"Is Gaara… actually hurt?" Kankuro stammered, horror-stricken. 

Though he had witnessed Shinho's Rainbow Gu attack firsthand, it had only wrecked his puppet, Crow. 

Gaara's defense was supposed to be leagues beyond that. 

At least it wasn't me, he thought with a shiver, realizing he'd have been killed instantly had he been on the receiving end.

"This is bad…" Temari whispered, clutching her fists tightly. "If Gaara goes berserk now…"

"What about the plan?" Kankuro asked, dread setting in. 

The Leaf Destruction Plan relied heavily on Gaara. According to 'Rasa's' scheme, Gaara would crush the competition and trigger a surprise assault when Tsunade greeted the victor. 

The ensuing rampage of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, would overwhelm even a Kage. But if Gaara were to lose control here, everything could go to shit.

"Are his insects really capable of something like this?" Orochimaru's mind lingered on the white elephant shadow Shinho had summoned. 

Gaara's only remaining edge was the wild, untamed power of the One-Tail.

"This is the world of shinobi, after all, and miracles do happen," Tsunade said with a satisfied smile.

"A miracle…" Orochimaru mused aloud. "But miracles rarely happen twice."

Tsunade frowned. 

She was about to retort when an ANBU operative appeared.

"Antelope?" she asked, a bit surprised.

"Lady Hokage," Antelope said, glancing warily at Orochimaru before leaning in close. 

"We've found Shimura Danzo. He's taken Yamato with him."

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