Naruto: The Honored One(Discontinued)

15: Honored One's Dominance

As the Chunin Exams entered a short break, anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingling with the restless energy of the spectators gathered in the stadium. Temari and Shikamaru's impending match loomed on the horizon, but Sasuke's absence cast a shadow over the proceedings, sparking a flicker of anger within Gaara's heart.

Just as tension threatened to reach its peak, Naruto's voice cut through the silence like a beacon of light, offering a suggestion that promised to inject a newfound excitement into the tournament. His proposal for a tag team match garnered murmurs of interest from the crowd, their curiosity piqued by the prospect of an unconventional showdown.

"What a drag," Shikamaru muttered under his breath, his expression one of resigned acceptance as he weighed the implications of Naruto's proposal.

The Fire Daimyo, seizing upon the opportunity to add a thrilling twist to the competition, instructed the hidden Anbu to relay his approval to Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. With a nod of acknowledgment, the Anbu swiftly carried out his orders, delivering the message to Hiruzen.

Upon receiving the Fire Daimyo's directive, Hiruzen wasted no time in passing on the instructions to Genma, the proctor of the Chunin Exams. With a firm nod of understanding, Genma turned to address the assembled participants, his voice carrying across the arena with authority.

"The next match will be a tag team battle between the Leaf and the Sand Village. Three of you, come down," Genma Shiranui announced, his words met with a chorus of cheers from the excited crowd.

Gaara's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he eagerly awaited the opportunity to test his mettle. Meanwhile, Shikamaru turned to Shino, gesturing for him to join Naruto in the arena.

Orochimaru's mind churned with anticipation as he observed the upcoming tag team battle." It's almost time"

Kurenai's thoughts were consumed with concern for her student.

Before the tag team match, Naruto approached Shino, exchanging a quiet word with his teammate.

"I know I said this would be a tag team match..." Naruto started.

"You want me to stay out of your way," Shino interjected, his voice calm and measured.

Naruto nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You're quick on the uptake."

"If that's what you want," Shino nodded in agreement, though his mind was already racing with thoughts. "Why would you suggest a tag battle in the first place? You could have just asked for a free-for-all," Shino pondered silently.

Genma signals the start of the fight.

Temari, wielding her giant fan, conjured a massive whirlwind aimed directly at her adversaries. Without hesitation, Naruto used his mastery over the Limitless technique to distort the space around the whirlwind, causing it to dissipate harmlessly into the air.

Gaara, not one to be outdone, unleashed a torrent of sand, sending it swirling towards Naruto and Shino. In response, Naruto executed his technique, Lapse: Blue, capturing the sand in its gravitational pull. With a swift reversal of his technique, Naruto redirected the controlled sand back at Gaara and Temari.

Temari, quick on her feet, swung her fan with precision, sending a sharp wind that scattered the oncoming sand, neutralizing the immediate threat. During this intense exchange, Shino remained strategically reserved, biding his time. As the focus shifted between the manipulation of wind and sand, Shino's insects, unnoticed by Temari and Gaara, infiltrated their defenses.

The insects, small yet voracious, latched onto both Gaara and Temari, silently draining their chakra. It wasn't long before the siblings noticed the drain and reacted swiftly, crushing the insects and halting the chakra depletion. Despite their quick response, the damage had been done; a significant portion of their chakra was already lost.