Because I Met You

Chapter 45: Inner Turmoil

The month went by so fast. Now I'm here again, in Konohagakure, standing in the arena for the final exam. Looking around, it's on a completely different scale than the previous tests. There are so many spectators all around, from different nations. Even more reason not to use any of the Kazekage's abilities during this fight.

I doubt I'll need to use anything too powerful against Hana. I already have the perfect plan in mind to humiliate her like she humiliated Maru. I put a hand on the katana resting at my waist that I brought especially for this fight. Did she think I'd let her get away with hurting my teammate's pride like that? I'll show her how serious I am about making her eat the dust.

Calming myself down, I look at all the other contestants. Everyone's here except for Naruto and Sasuke. What gives? Are they running late? The Hokage is already giving his welcoming speech. I look up and see someone sitting next to him. The Kazekage... Or more like the imposter posing as the Kazekage. I know this person is planning something. Maybe this whole attack on Konoha was his idea. Well, I won't go along with it. I'll protect Gaara.

Otokaze-sensei briefed us on how the invasion will go today. The signal will happen just before Gaara's fight begins, if everything goes as planned. The audience will be all put to sleep, and the "Kazekage" will attack the Hokage. Then, Gaara is supposed to unleash the Shukaku right in the middle of the arena.

I debated telling my teammates and Otokaze-sensei about the real Kazekage dying, but I feared for them. If they knew about it, they might not go with the plan, and then they'd be labelled as traitors. I don't want that to happen, no matter what. If anyone's going to take the fall for this, it should just be me. I owe it to them. I owe it to Gaara...

While deep in my thoughts, I hear galloping outside the arena. It's getting closer. It seems pretty frantic too. What's happening here? It seems like everyone else is now hearing it. Before anyone could react, the doors to the arena slam open and something comes flying in while screaming.

"Naruto...?!"

I hear someone exclaim. It turns out that that something was actually a someone... That's one flashy entrance, I must say.

The proctor sighs. It's a different proctor from the last one. This one is always munching on a toothpick. A metal toothpick. It's probably just a needle...

"Well, then, the contestants for the first match are here. Let us begin immediately."

All of us, except for Naruto and Neji, head up to the contestant area where we can watch the fight while being on standby. Naruto and Neji start fighting it out. However, I'm too preoccupied by what I'm planning to do later. This will be considered high treason. I might even be sentenced to death. Is this worth it...? What am I thinking? Of course it is. This is for Gaara's sake. I have to do something that won't count him as a traitor too, though. I need to remove him from the situation against his will. He might hate me for it, but there's no other choice.

Naruto emerges from the ground, delivering a decisive uppercut to Neji.

"The winner of the first match is Uzumaki Naruto!"

I start biting my lower lip. One match down. If I remember correctly, Gaara's match is the last one. The one before it is Yukari and Rock Lee. I need to act during that match. My hands are sweating. I need to calm my nerves. I'm so nervous about this.

"Kiu?"

Gaara's voice makes me jump a little. I turn my head towards him. He looks concerned.

"Is something wrong? You seem really agitated."

"Do I? Haha! Yeah, being in front of so many people is a bit stressful! I can't believe I have to fight with such an audience!"

I nervously laugh. I hope he bought it.

"Don't worry too much about it. You'll do great."

His encouraging words calm my heart a bit. Yeah. I have to succeed. This is for him. I won't let him get hurt.

"Looks like it's my turn."

I hear Yuto saying. Oh yeah, the next match is between Yuto and Jun. Jun once tried to bully Yuto, but was sent flying by Yuto's devastating kick. That always blew my mind, every time I think about it. Yuto looks so scrawny next to Jun, but he was just so much stronger. Something really strange about Yuto too is that he can use both water style and earth style jutsu. I wonder how he got so powerful.

"I'm gunna punch that guy into next year!"

Jun seems fired up. I'm not really too worried about this match's outcome. It's pretty obvious Yuto's going to be the winner in this one. Sure enough, Yuto is the first one to attack. He's also so much faster than Jun, that he ends up smashing him into the wall before his opponent could even react.

"Yuto is the winner!"

These matches are going by way too fast. On top of that, next one is Kankuro and Shino. Kankuro did tell us that he's planning on forfeiting to keep his new techniques under wraps for the surprise attack. The closer the crucial moment approaches, the more nervous I become.

Shino and Kankuro go down to the arena. Sure enough, Kankuro decides to forfeit. The audience is not pleased by that. That's not what matters, though. I glance at the fake Kazekage. He's sitting there like nothing's wrong. I clench my fists. I'll show him. I won't let him get away with his plan. I will save Gaara.

"Next match is Kiu vs Hana."

Without saying a word to anyone or even looking at anyone, I make my way down to the arena. Hana also gets there after me. She's just in the way at this point. She has a smug smile on her face. Her sword skills that she's so proud of are nothing compared to the ones I picked up. Even though it's not my preferred technique to use a sword, I'll do it to thoroughly and utterly crush her pride.