Sequel to Rogue

Mad Man

Narrator POV

The atmosphere felt tense and uncomfortable as the Akimichi family stepped back to the sidelines. Choji and Karui seemed eager to talk to Chocho about something, but she quickly walked past them and chose to sit next to Shikadai, avoiding eye contact. Noticing the tension, the others also opted not to engage in conversation, giving everyone the space to process their feelings and gather their thoughts. Instead, they all turned their attention towards the next match.

Inojin felt stiff, like his body couldn't believe what his mind was telling him, that today he would have an actual fight against his parents, not the playful spars or training sessions, an actual fight. The thought was exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time. On one hand, he couldn't wait to get the battle started and on the other hand tension of losing and of all those comment about never being better than his parents being true of all the hardwork that he put behind and creating and perfecting his jutsus going to waste was strong enough to make him want to curl into a ball and hide somewhere never to come out.

Shikadai and Chocho stood on the side with grim expressions. They were aware of Inojin's skills; they had faced off against them, so they were terrified of them. They knew that Inojin's mental state had taken the worst hit out of the three of them in the recent few years, they knew that when pushed, their friend turned into something else altogether, something unrecognisable, scary and unhinged. His issue was almost dangerous enough to need medication, standing on the brink of a mental disorder, right on the border. They feared that this fight might end up becoming the final push, but they couldn't intervene, for he was aware of his situation and yet chose to come; they could only stand to the side, respect his choice and be his support later on.

KAKASHI: Well, without any further delay.......BEGIN!!!!!!!

It was on, but unlike the previous fight, no one leapt into immediate action; both parties dipped into their stances and waited for the other one to crack, move first, lose their patience and calm first. Ino and Sai had enough experience to know the art of waiting, and Inojin was stubborn enough not to crack first. Both parties knew why they were waiting, to end things quickly. For he who moved first will be he who lost his calm, losing calm meant making a mistake and making a mistake meant giving an opening. An opening that, if exploited properly, will ensure victory. Thus began the stare down, neither backing, each taunting, daring the other to look away, to give up.

KAKASHI: Well, a smart strategy, one designed for a long game.

BOLT: But a gamble, not to mention a time waste if both refuse to crack.

SHIKAMARU: Especially unsuitable when you are on an infiltration mission with your cover blown. 

NARUTO: True in an undercover mission, when faced with identity exposure, primary action should be to neutralise or eliminate the witnesses and escape immediately. 

TSUNADE: The more a spy stalls, the more disadvantageous his position gets.

SAKURA: Does he even have a plan of action? 

KAKASHI: Only he knows. But if they don't move soon, I'd better intervene now itself.

SHIKADAI: Are you even sure that he isn't moving right now?

Everyone heard.

HINATA: What do you mean?

CHOCHO: Just watch.

Ino felt it before she even heard or saw it, a cold blade on her right waist, aimed for the liver. Vital point. Instincts kicked in, she jumped back and avoided the stab, still getting a cut. Inojin didn't falter, stepping forward, switching targets. His tanto now aimed at his father's kidney, another vital point. Sai dodges, Inojin pursues via a shuriken throw.