79 Checkmate

Hello Drinor here, If you'd like to become a patron and get access to these chapters earlier, just head on over to Patreon and search 'Drinor' Write 'www.Patreon.com/Drinor' in the WebsearchThe Following 11 Chapters are already Available for Patrons.Chapter 80 (A Burned Flower), Chapter 81 (Hinata's Despair), Chapter 82 (Naruto's First Move), Chapter 83 (Sharingan Vs Sharingan), Chapter 84 (Naruto, The Conqueror), Chapter 85 (Naruto, The Enemy of Shinobi), Chapter 86 (This World is Hell), Chapter 87 (No Way Out), Chapter 88 (The Devil of Humanity), Chapter 89 (A Corpse Should be Left Well Alone), and Chapter 90 (True Horror) are already available for Patrons."The Winner of the First Match: Rock Lee."The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying as the excited audience erupted into a deafening cheer. The name of Lee echoed through the air, resonating like a chant usually reserved for revered celebrities. Amongst the uproar, the ones who had placed their bets on Lee's triumph screamed and vociferously supported him, their voices rising above the rest. It seemed as though their unwavering faith fueled their enthusiasm, causing them to cheer louder than anyone else in the stadium. However, despite Lee's hard-fought victory, an inexplicable hush fell upon the Genin Podium.Naruto watched as Neji's body was being carried away with a stretcher; if Naruto didn't have his Sharingan, he would have assumed that Neji was dead, but somehow, Neji was still alive, but if his wounds weren't treated right away, Naruto knew Neji would die from blood lost and the many wounds he had in his body, as his Sharingan checked his body carefully, he quickly noticed something.Ohh, I don't think Hizashi will leave this slide, Naruto thought, knowing that Neji's father would be very displeased by what transpired, and if he somehow learned the whole truth, then Naruto wouldn't be surprised if Hizashi demanded that Neji no longer be in Team 9, even worse, if the Hokage learned the truth, then he was within his right to punish Guy's neglect towards his two other students.Neglecting of students was very frowned upon everywhere. Naruto instinctively took a hesitant step back, creating some distance between himself and Hinata. His heart sank as he witnessed Hinata's sorrowful cry escape her trembling lips, the sound echoing through the air. As she hastily darted past him, her teardrops glistened in the sunlight. Meanwhile, the group of Konoha Genins stood silently, their gazes fixated on Hinata's retreating figure, empathetically understanding the weight of her despair. Deep within them, a sense of pity engulfed their hearts, knowing none of them could do anything to help her."Jeez, I heard that you from Konoha were hardcore, but I never thought you despised each other so much," Omoi commented casually with a lollipop between his lips, his eyes focused mainly on Naruto. Karui nodded alongside him; she didn't really understand why Lee went so far; if it wasn't for Jonin's interference, then Neji would be in a body bag right now, while she herself found Omoi quite annoying sometimes; she would never do anything that causes him any actual harm."We usually aren't, we are just like everyone else, we might get annoyed by our fellow Genins, who doesn't after all, but Lee was never supposed to go this far," Naruto commented, letting out a sigh of disappointment, Shikamaru nodded in agreement as did Shino, who was still looking at the direction where Hinata had ran too.Naruto wondered how Guy was taking all this; he was their Sensei, after all; it was his job to teach them and make sure they got along with one another."It's the Jonin's fault," Samui suddenly said with her emotionless voice, eliciting a curious gaze from those gathered around her. Her words resonated within the air, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Amidst the ambient chatter, Choji, engrossed in his bag of chips, couldn't help but unleash a disgruntled grumble, perturbed by the blame being assigned. Meanwhile, Ino swiftly averted her gaze, unable to hide an unimpressed expression that danced upon her features."Do you know everything or what? Guy Sensei is a respectful Jonin in Konoha; he's the best Taijutsu user in Konoha." Ino quickly pointed out, defending Guy, glaring at Samui for talking as if she knew everything. While the man wasn't Ino's Jonin, Ino still felt the need to defend him, even if Samui was right in a way; after all, if two Genins that are on the same team try to kill each other, then the Jonin should have done something to prevent it from ever happening."I don't know how it is done here in Konoha, but in Kumo, every Jonin reports about his team every month, their improvement, or lack of it, and most importantly, if they are going well with each other. Jonins always makes sure their genins are friendly and cooperative with one another; a team that can't do that much is worthless. In Kumo, if Genins are at each other's throats, they are unable to do missions until they are more cooperative with one another; if not, then the team is dissembled, they will be put in new teams with other Genins, or they can decide to do Solo missions. Nonetheless, The Jonin should have seen the signs and acted accordingly instead of praying that everything would fix itself." Samui explained her point, her blue eyes as cold as ever, looking straight at Ino without a hint of fear; Ino glared at her even more furiously and looked ready to hit her.Ino tried to think of saying something, to defend Guy, when the announcer spoke again, his voice booming throughout the stadium."Round 2: Choji Akimichi Vs Shikamaru Nara."Team 9"Keep pumping more blood, and don't stop healing his wounds!!" In the bustling, large medical room, where urgent orders were shouted, the atmosphere brimmed with heightened tension. Neji's motionless body lay on a hospital bed. Focused doctors darted around, their tireless efforts aimed at harnessing their chakra to mend the extensive wounds that marred Neji's once unblemished skin. Each pump of his heart echoed through the room, desperately striving to replenish the rapidly depleting blood supply. As his life force diminished, the white sheets beneath him transformed into a haunting display of crimson. Drops of scarlet liquid silently fell onto the polished floor.TenTen was sitting outside, her body consumed by deep anguish and despair. Tears streamed relentlessly down her cheeks, tracing invisible rivers of sorrow. As she tightly embraced herself, seeking solace from the misery within, she couldn't help but notice an inexplicable chill in the air. Despite the lack of any discernible cold, it felt as if icy tendrils were encircling her, permeating her very being. The trepidation intensified, causing her body to shudder uncontrollably as if she had been thrust into the midst of a bone-chilling blizzard. Each beat of her heart echoed loudly in her throat.Whenever she mustered the courage to shut her eyes, the haunting image of Neji's wounded form pierced through her thoughts.Neji, please, you are strong; you can come back from this; I know you can," TenTen fervently prayed, her voice filled with desperation, as she tightly hugged her legs. She found herself sitting in a cold, metallic chair situated in the dimly lit corridor of the hospital. The hustle and bustle surrounding her was chaotic - the urgent shouts of doctors resonated through the hallway while a myriad of nurses rushed by, their arms laden with pillows and jars filled with various medicines. TenTen, although unfamiliar with the purpose of each medication, could sense the gravity of the situation from the deeply concerned expressions adorning their faces. Clearly, Neji's condition was critical, and this realization only fueled her determination to hope for his recovery.TenTen knew Hizashi was sitting beside her, waiting for the news just like her; he, too, was quiet as he simply stared at the floor below, his hands going through his long dark hair in frustration.TenTen thought that she should say something to the man, but her head throbbed intensely as though it were on the brink of shattering. The weight of concern consumed her, rendering her incapable of generating coherent words or taking any decisive action. Helpless and emotionally drained, she sought solace in simply remaining seated, tears streaming down her face in a torrent of despair. Fervently, she offered up fervent prayers to the powers above, desperately pleading for the swift and complete recovery of Neji. Every fiber of her being clung to the hope that as the doctor emerged from the confines of the room, his countenance would radiate with unadulterated positivity, bringing news of Neji's gradual recuperation. Her deepest wish was for Neji to swiftly regain his physical health.TenTen suddenly became aware of the unmistakable sound of hurried footsteps growing increasingly louder, resonating ominously along the desolate corridor. In spite of this, she steadfastly kept her focus directed downward, avoiding any eye contact with the outside world. Just as the echoes of footsteps reached their climax. TenTen's ears discerned the distinct sound of knuckles rapping patiently against the door, the gentle tap-tap resonating within her consciousness."How is Neji?"Hinata, huh? TenTen thought a little taken aback that she had completely forgotten about her, but TenTen didn't look up at the Hyuga heiress. Instead, she kept looking down the floor as she heard more footsteps approaching."Hinata-Sama, please sit with your uncle; the doctor will tell us when Neji is well; you won't help anyone by knocking on the door; you might even bother them." TenTen quickly lifted her face upwards upon hearing Guy-Sensei's voice; her eyes briefly flickered at Lee, who stood behind their sensei, keeping his head down. TenTen anticipated a chance to address her sensei. With a swift movement, TenTen stood up, her body lithe and ready to engage in conversation with Guy-Sensei. Her mouth opened slightly, prepared to articulate her question. However, before she could utter a single word, another person in the corridor interjected without hesitation."Guy-san, might I have a word with you in private?" Hizashi questioned, his voice calm and collected despite what happened to his son. He almost seemed like he didn't care, but TenTen was certain that he cared; Hizashi was simply very good at hiding it."Of course," Guy said right away with a voice that seemed somehow hushed, his tone filled with a hint of defeat. However, before he could make a move to leave alongside Hizashi, TenTen unexpectedly intervened. She stepped confidently in front of her sensei."Sensei, Neji will be alright, right?" TenTen asked, her voice trembling with anxiety as she turned to face Guy-sensei. Her brown eyes glistened with desperation, wet trails of tears evident on her flushed cheeks, which were now puffier than usual due to the traces of dried saltwater."I-I don't know," Guy answered, his voice barely audible as he avoided making eye contact with TenTen. It was evident that fatigue had taken a toll on him, as his usually vibrant and energetic voice had now grown weary, devoid of any semblance of its usual liveliness.TenTen's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes widening in shock as she let out a low gasp. However, despite her curiosity, she decided not to ask any more questions. With each step she took backward, a heavy silence surrounded her, amplifying the hollowness she felt within. The corridor of the hospital seemed to grow eerily quiet as if the air itself held its breath. The only sounds that pierced the stillness were the muffled noises of dedicated doctors tirelessly working within the nearby room.In the distance, TenTen could make out faint whispers emanating from Hizashi's mouth as he engaged in a conversation with Guy, their voices so softly spoken that she strained to decipher their words. She tilted her head down, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.TenTen, feeling the weight of the somber atmosphere, reluctantly approached the cold, metallic, uncomfortable chair nearby. As she lowered herself onto its surface, she couldn't help but notice Hinata's presence, sitting alone just a few feet away. The silence between them was deafening, and TenTen struggled to find the right words to say to her, who seemed lost in her own world of sadness.Overwhelmed by the heaviness of the situation, TenTen's only response was to lower her gaze and retreat into her own thoughts. She remained silent, not wanting to disturb Hinata's fragile state any further. However, the melancholic sound of Hinata's quiet sobs occasionally pierced the air.Hearing footsteps approaching once again, TenTen didn't look upward. Instead, she kept looking down at the floor. "Hinata, you don't have to stay here; you should go out there and watch them fight and learn how they fight and their techniques," Hiashi's assertive voice resonated throughout the corridor as he towered above his daughter. Gazing upon her tear-stained face, Hinata turned her gaze away, unable to meet her father's eye. The streams of tears continued to cascade down her cheeks."But, Neji-" "You are not helping him by being here; Neji is being treated by the best healers in Konoha right now. You being here won't make him feel better, either. Now Go." TenTen kept her head down as she heard Hinata let out a sob before standing up quietly, her footsteps getting further and further away as she walked away.TenTen looked upwards again; she saw Lee leaning against the wall, his eyes as wide as plates, his face showing shock, almost like he couldn't understand what was happening anymore, but from the redness in his eyes, TenTen knew he had cried.TenTen was tempted to ask him who taught him how to open the Inner Gates; TenTen knew the only ones capable in Konoha right now to open any of the Inner Gates were Kakashi Hatake, The Hokage, the Eternal Genin, a few others, and of course their own Sensei, but TenTen quickly dropped the thought of their Sensei being the one.Was it Kakashi, perhaps, but he only knows how to open the first two gates? TenTen thought deeply; she remembered once their Sensei boasting that Kakashi wasn't faster than him even with two gates opened.TenTen could do nothing but wait; she had been so deep in her thoughts that she didn't even hear Guy walking towards her until he tapped her shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts, almost scaring her."TenTen, you don't have to stay here. I will tell you news as soon as we have them." Guy suggested with warmth and a forced smile on his head, but TenTen quickly shook her head. She didn't understand why her sensei didn't want her to stay, but Neji was a teammate and a good friend."No. I want to be here; my team is right here. I don't have anyone else that I want to see right now," TenTen said with an almost pleading voice. Guy's eyes showed sympathy; he said nothing; instead, he sat beside her, his arm around her shoulder, giving her a side-supporting hug.TenTen enjoyed the silence; she didn't want anyone to say anything; she knew Neji would survive; he was the best of them, after all; she knew he would make it out alive; he could endure even worse than that.Suddenly, TenTen remembered, she turned her head slightly towards Guy before speaking with a hushed tone. "Guy-Sensei, who do you think taught Lee to open his inner gates? I mean, it could have been Kakashi, but he has his own team to worry about, and he knows how to open only the first two," TenTen questioned; she knew she could ask Lee, but she didn't want to talk to him right now, not after what he did to Neji, and only because of spite and jealousy, because Neji had defeated him so many times before. Lee had seen an opportunity to return the humiliation he must have felt and almost killed his own friend because of his wounded ego."I-" Guy stopped mid-sentence, his words abruptly cut off by the resonating sound of a door swinging open, captivating the attention of everyone present in the corridor. Reacting swiftly, each person rose from their seats; eyes transfixed on the figure that emerged through the entrance. It was the main doctor.As TenTen's gaze followed the doctor's stoic expression, she couldn't discern the emotions hiding behind that face. His countenance resembled the emptiness of a vast void, unfathomable and mysterious. Clutched firmly in his hand was a clipboard.Breaking the silence with his intense stare, the doctor's focused gaze locked directly onto Hizashi."How is my son?" Hizashi asked right away, his voice sounding calm."Neji Hyuga is suffering from multiple fractions on his body; he has lost too much blood, but we gave him enough blood to survive. We are concerned that he might have damage on his frontal lobe in the brain, but I'm afraid until he wakes up, we can't know for sure." The doctor answered; Hizashi took a step forward, still keeping it together somehow."Can't you use chakra to see if his brain is injured?""I'm afraid not, the brain is very delicate, unlike the rest of the body, when using chakra on the brain, the amount needed to be uses changes constantly, depending which part of the brain we are focused, and it changes from people to people, using too much or too little chakra might cause even more damage, but I'm afraid there's something else," the doctor's words, abruptly caused TenTen's heart to skip a beat, creating an overwhelming sense of unease within her. Simultaneously, a creepy sensation started to crawl beneath her skin, making her shudder involuntarily. To compound her distress, her head began to throb, each pulse matching the rhythm of her racing thoughts. Lost in the whirlwind of emotions, she hardly even noticed the cold sweat that formed and draped across her face. She held her breath, anxiously awaiting the continuation of the doctor's words.The Doctor didn't answer right away. Instead, he whispered something to Hizashi before taking a step back. "They can hear it too, Hiashi is my brother, and Guy is my son's sensei." Hizashi quickly said, and the doctor simply nodded in understanding."I'm afraid his optic nerves of his eyes had been destroyed during the fight, I'm really sorry, but Neji has lost the ability to see with his eyes."TenTen's heart stopped beating. She gasped after hearing the doctor's words; she could hear her Sensei calling out her name, but TenTen could hardly feel anything anymore as she lay on the ground, her forehead bleeding.When did I fall? TenTen found herself asking as she reached out her trembling hand and felt the freezing coldness of the floor against her cheek. The throbbing pain emanating from her forehead intensified as she sensed the sticky warmth of her own blood slowly trickling down, making a path from her forehead to her eye, tinting her vision red as darkness engulfed her vision.Genin Podium"Who do you think will win?" Temari asked, sounding genuinely curious, her hands resting on the iron railings around their podium; she and her team had decided to get closer to the other genins after having a private talk."This Shikamaru doesn't seem much and neither does the fat one, so I think the fat one will win. This will be a boring fight," Karui moaned in annoyance, her back leaning against the chair while her fellow teammates were looking down at the fight."I wouldn't underestimate Shikamaru. He might not look much, and he might appear lazy, but he has proven many times that he's capable. I will be honest: from all the Genins, Shikamaru is one of the most dangerous ones." Naruto quickly defended his friend with a smirk on his face. His words caught Karui by surprise, but she still seemed skeptical, while Omoi seemed to be deep in his thoughts as he looked down at the Arena.Shikamaru Shikamaru never imagined he would have to fight Choji of all people; he figured, knowing his stupid luck, he would have to fight Naruto, but not Choji; Shikamaru wasn't sure which one was worse.Now, facing one another, Choji seemed very insecure. Still, before walking into the stadium, Naruto had promised Choji that if he won the fight, they would go to his favorite restaurant, and he could eat everything he wanted. Naruto would pay all; the deal was more than enough for Choji to set aside his personal friendship and face Shikamaru like he was an enemy.When Shikamaru asked what his reward would be if he won against Choji, Naruto simply said."Naruto Uzumaki is your friend, that's more than enough of a reward." Shikamaru had rolled his eyes but still found it amusing."Start!!"The Arena fell silent, and despite the fight officially starting, Shikamaru stood there looking at Choji with a growing smirk on his face. "Give it your best, Choji.""Same for you Shikamaru."Shikamaru narrowed his gaze upon Choji standing before him, studying his movements with a sharp eye and a calm demeanor. With his mind focused and his heart racing, Shikamaru threw a smoke bomb on the ground. Choji narrowed his eyes as Shurikens flew through the smoke towards him. Choji easily dodged them as Shikamaru charged forward, coming out of the smoke, his kunai gleaming in the sunlight as it was raised high above his head. Choji attempted to evade the swift and deadly strike, but his efforts were in vain as the razor-sharp blade sliced through his flesh with the ease of a hot knife through butter, leaving a trail of crimson behind.As Choji leaped away from his opponent's kunai, he could feel the searing pain coursing through his arm. Though the wound was not deep, it was still enough to cause him to clench his teeth in agony. Crimson blood began to trickle down his arm, staining his shirt and leaving a trail of red droplets behind him. Despite the pain, Choji knew he could not afford to show any weakness in front of his opponent. He gritted his teeth and ignored the throbbing pain, knowing that it was only a temporary setback. With a fierce determination in his eyes, Choji readied himself for the next attack, determined to emerge victorious no matter the cost.With a fierce determination in his eyes, Choji shouted the words "Body Alteration" as he leaped into the air towards Shikamaru. Suddenly, his arm began to transform, growing five times its original size, bulging with muscle and raw power. The ground shook beneath them as Choji charged toward Shikamaru, his massive fist aimed straight at his opponent.But Shikamaru quickly reacted, jumping above just as Choji's fist collided with the ground, sending rocks flying in every direction.Shikamaru swiftly and gracefully moved towards Choji as he raised his kunai, ready to strike. The metallic blade glinted in the sunlight as it sliced through the air, aiming straight for Choji's shoulder. However, to Shikamaru's surprise, his kunai only met empty air, as Choji managed to evade the attack with surprising agility.Choji knew he had to act fast to avoid being struck by Shikamaru's deadly kunai attack. With a quick and calculated move, he drew upon his ninja training. He summoned some of his chakras to execute a powerful jutsu that expelled a massive amount of air from his mouth with tremendous force aimed right at his opponent.The gust of wind hit Shikamaru with such force that his kunai attack slowed down considerably. Meanwhile, Choji's own body was propelled backward by the sheer force of the jutsu, causing him to fly several feet away from the epicenter of the attack.He landed gracefully on the ground with grass. Shikamaru was confident that he could exploit his weak point - his body. Without hesitation, Shikamaru charged toward Choji, his heart racing with adrenaline as he gripped his kunai tightly.The wind whipped past his face as he moved like water, his eyes never leaving his target. As he reached Choji, his kunai raised high, Shikamaru knew this was his moment. He swung his kunai with all his might, aiming for the weak point he had identified.With a swift movement, he aimed his blade at Choji's limb. But Choji, quick on his feet, had anticipated the attack. In a split second, he called upon his earth-style jutsu, causing his skin to harden and become more durable. However, even with his enhanced defense, the blade managed to pierce through his skin, causing a sharp pain to surge through his arm. Blood began to seep from the wound, staining the ground beneath them with crimson drops.Shikamaru couldn't help himself but comment on Choji's weight, "Not bad, fat boy," he spoke with a smirk.Choji's reaction was expected as he turned to face Shikamaru furiously; his face turned red with anger, and his eyes seemed to have turned red from anger. "No one calls me Fat!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the arena. Choji had always been sensitive about his weight, and Shikamaru's comment had struck a nerve.With a fierce determination, he focused his chakra and began performing the complex hand signs required for the jutsu. "Jutsu: Body Change," Sweat dripped down his forehead as he uttered the incantation under his breath, feeling the power beginning to pulse within him.Suddenly, he let out a thunderous roar as he completed the final hand sign, and his entire body began to grow at an alarming rate. His clothes strained and tore as his muscles bulged, and his skin stretched taut over his expanding frame. In mere moments, Choji had become a towering behemoth, a giant ball with two massive arms jutting out like tree trunks. The ground shook beneath his feet as he flexed his newfound power, a fierce glint in his eye as he prepared to unleash his devastating attack.Suddenly, Choji began to swing his massive fists in every direction, aiming to strike Shikamaru with all his might. The sheer force of the blows sent shockwaves through the air, causing the ground to break with each impact. Shikamaru quickly leaped out of the way, narrowly avoiding the devastating punches that could easily shatter bones.With lightning-fast reflexes, Shikamaru nimbly leaped out of harm's way, dodging Choji's relentless attacks. Despite the size and weight of Choji's gargantuan fists, each time they made contact with the ground, they left a trail of destruction in their wake, shattering the ground like it was glass. As Shikamaru scurried away, his footsteps echoed throughout the arena, taunting Choji with his elusiveness. Despite his heightened senses and determination, Choji struggled to keep up with Shikamaru's deft movements, failing to pinpoint his exact location.Shikamaru's heart was racing as he kept jumping away from Choji's massive punches, each one sending shockwaves through the arena. He knew that Choji couldn't maintain his hulking form forever, but he also knew he couldn't let his guard down for even a moment. For five long minutes, Choji relentlessly pursued Shikamaru, his sweat dripping onto the ground as his massive body slowly began to shrink back to its original size.Despite the intense pressure, Shikamaru remained calm and focused. As Choji leaped high into the air, Shikamaru prepared to unleash his powerful technique.Choji, which still looked like a giant ball in the air. Suddenly, with a burst of incredible speed, Choji began to spin and roll at a dizzying pace, hurtling himself toward Shikamaru like a meteor descending from the heavens."Shit," Shikamaru's heart skipped a beat as he cursed under his breath, quickly leaping away from the impact zone as Choji landed on the ground with a loud thud, sending debris flying in every direction. Shikamaru thought he was safe from harm, but little did he know that Choji was just getting started. In the blink of an eye, Choji's massive fists came rushing at him with an unstoppable force while he was still mid-air, leaving Shikamaru with no time to react.The hapless Shikamaru could do nothing but brace himself for the impact, but the force of the blow was too much to bear. The sound of arms being broken echoed through the air.Choji thought he won the fight. However, his elation was short-lived as a sudden realization dawned on him when Shikamaru's body began to change form and slowly turn into a giant puff of smoke that cast a large shadow in the arena.As Choji's body reverted to its usual form, he tried to stand up, only to find that he couldn't move a muscle."You did a good job, Choji; I'm glad you actually tried to win instead of surrounding," As the billowing smoke gradually dissipated into thin air, the distinct and unmistakable voice of Shikamaru, resonating with confidence and triumph, reached Choji's ears. The dissipating haze unveiled the figure of Shikamaru, who stood with an air of quiet satisfaction beside a towering tree, his visage adorned with a mischievous smirk that hinted at a triumphantly executed plan. Intriguingly, his shadow elegantly melded with Choji's shadow."Wait, were you there this whole time?" Choji shouted, feeling a little stupid for not realizing sooner that Shikamarui was a clone."Duh, yes I was there." Shikamaru answered with a little shrug."What were you doing there?""Watching the clouds," Shikamaru answered, letting out a loud yawn in the process; his words caused many in the audience and the Genin Podium to burst out laughing.Shikamaru pulled out a kunai from his left hostler, while Choji didn't pick up anything since he didn't have a left hostler."Usually, I would probably surrender at this point, this whole Chunin Exams is really troublesome, but I promised someone that I wouldn't surrender," Shikamaru said with a smile, looking up at Naruto, who gave him a thumbs up. Shikamaru looked back at Choji, walking up to him and pointing his kunai near his neck."The Winner of Round Two: Shikamaru Nara." Once that was announced, the entire stadium cheered.