Chapter 9 - Ekyt vs. Sasuke

“Fine. Some Leaf loser isn’t going to stop me!”
Sasuke’s declaration earned the ire of the Leaf crowd.
Ekyt stared at Sasuke, but broke into a grin. “You weren’t good enough for the Leaf Village, that’s why you ran…ran like a scared little rodent…That might be an accurate description…”
The crowd cheered loudly, showing their support for the Leaf genin. Sasuke responded by activating his Sharingan.
“Begin!” Hayate called before stepping out of the way.

Ekyt and Sasuke charged, meeting each other in the middle of the arena. They both leapt high in the air, thwarting each other’s knife strikes and kicks. At the twenty foot mark, their kunai clashed, sending sparks flying onto the spectators.
With a thud, both landed. Both broke into a chakra-enhanced run, kunai at the ready.
SCHINNGGG!
Their blades glinted twice. The second time, Sasuke’s was stained with blood. Ekyt looked at his left shoulder dispassionately. The wound wasn’t deep, and not serious. He put his right hand on it, noticing that some blood had dripped onto his left hand as well.
“Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!”
Sasuke’s fire attack blasted a crater in the ground. Ekyt had leapt away, clinging to the guard rail on the catwalk with his legs.
“Dragon’s Ember jutsu: Clone instigation!”
Ekyt’s newly-formed clone used the Dragon’s ember jutsu. From the clone’s fist came a continuous stream of fire. Sasuke countered by stepping to the side.
“Dragon’s Path Jutsu!” Ekyt called. He leapt off the railing and “surfed” on the stream of fire. His right leg flew out in a Dynamic Entry attack. Sasuke pushed the leg aside and kicked at Ekyt’s temple. Ekyt leaned back and snapped a kick at Sasuke’s shin. It connected, but didn’t do any real damage.
“Sharingan!” Sasuke activated his kekkai genkai.
He and Ekyt both punched, parried each other’s punches, then aimed for sweep kicks. They both leapt over the strike.
“Give up, anything you can do, my Sharingan can copy…and I can do better!”
Ekyt gritted his teeth in frustration, but didn’t reply. He can’t keep that Sharingan activated forever…



Kakashi stood next to Sakura, Naruto, and Lee.
“Does Ekyt have a chance?” Sakura asked quietly.
“COME ON EKYT, BEAT HIS SORRY UCHIHA @$$!” Naruto was too busy shouting to hear Sakura’s question.
“Ekyt-san does indeed…do not count him out yet Sakura-san…I know, having sparred with him…he has more than one trick up his sleeve…”
Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder, but didn’t say anything. They focused on the match.

Ekyt sailed in with a dynamic entry. Halfway through, he changed that into a crescent kick. Sasuke raised his guard, leaving a small opening for Ekyt. Praying that Hinata’s help had taken, Ekyt’s open palm struck Sasuke near his kidneys. He had tried to memorize all the points of chakra, but it was impossible without Byakugan. He remembered the biggest ones, and he had struck one just now.
Sasuke grunted in pain. He kicked Ekyt in the stomach, forcing Ekyt to block low. He used a chakra-powered punch to send the Leaf genin flying. Ekyt recovered and slid in a crouching position. Maybe it was time to break out some of his new jutsus…The time was right. Ekyt made the hand signs. Sasuke could follow and copy, but he couldn’t do anything about the jutsu that happening. Sasuke also didn’t have Kakashi’s experience, so defending and copying at the same time would be difficult.
Ekyt drew his samurai katana, then his straight-blade ninja katana.
“Dance of the Sickle Moon!”
This jutsu was Ekyt’s version of Hayate Gekko’s “Dance of the Crescent Moon.” Whereas Hayate summoned three shadow clones, Ekyt summoned two. But he combined the attack with a second, more deadly jutsu:
“Drawing Blade’s Course!”
This jutsu elongated the weapon Ekyt (and his respective clones) were holding to any proportion. It used a negligible amount of chakra when done correctly.


Sasuke saw the attack, but he didn’t know what to do about it.
What the hell is it? I’ve never heard of these two jutsus! I don’t know how to defend against them!
Ekyt’s first clone missed on his first strike, but managed to graze Sasuke’s leg with it’s sword before it disappeared. The second clone cut Sasuke’s left arm, tearing his hakama and spilling his blood. Ekyt’s strikes cleaved Sasuke’s shoulders. Not horribly deep, but painful strikes.


“OH MY GOD!” That seemed to be the most common exclamation. It seemed appropriate. Sasuke Uchiha was still standing, despite the four slash wounds. Naruto and Lee were practically falling over the guard rail. Kakashi yanked them both back by their collars.


Sasuke threw a series of kunai. Ekyt dodged all the kunai, but immediately knew something was wrong.
Strings! Damnit, I knew this was coming! I’ve got counter this, or I’m dead!
Sasuke yanked the strings tight, tying Ekyt to a post.
“Renounce the Leaf Village and quit. Or you’re going to feel my flame…pick, now,” Sasuke’s warning sparked a cry of worry and hatred from the crowd.
Ekyt shook his head, one part of him he could move.
“Sasuke, you think you know me…if you did, you know that I would rather die than betray the village…all it’s done for me…the only place to accept me…the only people to take me seriously…I will defend them with the same intensity I defend my Shinobi way, and the code of Bushido.”
Ekyt’s mini-speech caused a few tears, as many believe those were the last words the boy would speak.
“I may not have powerful clan blood running through me, but I’m not a one-trick pony either. You thought you wounded me earlier…really, you just played right into my hands. I KNEW you were going to try your stupid string trick…so I planned ahead…You think this blood wound up on my hands by accident?”
Ekyt reached down with his mouth. He flipped open a makimono pouch and pulled out a scroll with his teeth.
“Enough of this! Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!” Sasuke shouted, inhaling deeply. He then sent a giant ball of flame at the tied-up Ekyt. He hadn’t gotten away…



Sakura finally sobbed out loud. She couldn’t take it. The unimaginable pain both boys must have been in…it was unbearable to her. She didn’t want either one to die. Now, it seemed too late…


“Twin Summoning Jutsu!” Ekyt called. He slapped his palms weakly backward against the pillar he was bound to.. BLAM! BLAM!
Umisu, Ekyt’s bearded dragon, and Holly, Ekyt’s keeshonden, appeared at his sides.
Umisu closed one black eye toward Ekyt in an unmistakable wink. The dragon leapt onto the string that had the rapidly approaching flame on it. Umisu began to swell, growing in size until it looked like the normally diminutive dragon would explode. Then the unthinkable happened- it did!
Umisu exploded, or appeared to. In reality, the dragon had used a jutsu by itself! Water Release: Water Encampment Wall! The fire struck the wall of water and was extinguished.
“DAMN IT!” Sasuke swore loudly, preparing to attack again. “That dragon might have saved you for now, but you’re still tied up, and still at my mercy without it!”
Holly, Ekyt’s dog, leapt up. Her sharp teeth destroyed the strings and freed Ekyt. Ekyt thanked her, then gave Umisu (Who was sitting on his shoulder) an affectionate pat. He put the scroll away and ended the jutsu.
“It’s not over yet Sasuke…not by a long shot.”


The match had lasted twenty minutes so far. Both combatants were near exhaustion. Their chakra was seemingly endless, but it couldn’t stay that way forever. They were in close quarters now. Sasuke had a sudden burst of energy.
“Lion’s Barrage!” he kicked Ekyt in the air, punishing him with a series of kicks.
“Chakra Scalpel!” Ekyt countered. His hand glowed an electric blue. (Like Kabuto’s when he fights Naruto) Using his hand like a knife, Ekyt cut into Sasuke’s calf muscle as he came down for the axe kick. The kick still landed, but it wasn’t anywhere near as powerful.
That didn’t stop Ekyt from hitting the ground at a high speed. He landed on his back, the stone floor adding to the pain he was already feeling. But there was no crater from the impact. Ekyt had done enough damage to keep himself alive.



This has to be over…no way he can come back from that… Hayate walked over to Ekyt. Since he was still conscious, he asked Ekyt “Do you want to quit?”
Ekyt pushed himself up to his knees, then to his feet. He looked wobbly, but he was up.



“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! THAT WAS THE DAMNDEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN! HOW THE HELL CAN HE STILL MOVE! YEAH! GO EKYT!” Naruto was beside himself with joy that Ekyt was still alive and even still fighting.
“Ekyt-san…is he a person? He should not be alive…I know how devastating that attack is…” Lee couldn’t help but smile. “WAY TO GO EKYT-SAN, YEAH!”



Sasuke rushed over and kicked Ekyt in the face, knocking the barely-conscious genin backward, hard.
“Die, damn you! You’re just a stepping stone to me.”
Sasuke looked for a second kick, but Ekyt’s hand slashed up and knocked it aside. His fist then nailed Sasuke in the groin. (This caused many cries of anguish from the men in the crowd) From there, Ekyt battled to his feet again, hitting an uppercut, then a spinning crescent kick, followed by a roundhouse, then a Konoha Hurricane, which launched Sasuke into the air.
Ekyt hooked Sasuke’s neck and leg.
“Backward Konoha Snapdragon!”
Sasuke knew this attack well enough to at least damage Ekyt on the way down. He stabbed a kunai into Ekyt’s arm, weakening his grip. The effect was still devastating.


Ekyt landed on his feet, while Sasuke crashed and burned on his back.

Hayate checked on Sasuke. A look of unmistakable fear appeared on the Tokubetsu Jonin’s face. It didn’t take long to see why.


Sasuke cracked Ekyt under the chin with an uppercut, knocking him into the air, then knocked him to the side with a back kick.
Sasuke’s cursed seal had been activated.

“I never thought YOU would be the one to force me to activate this…I guess I need to kill you really badly then…Good riddance! Cursed Seal: Second Level! Chidori!”
Sasuke began to gather chakra in his fist. Ekyt still hadn’t moved. His back was up against the wall. Blood was running from the corners of his mouth, a sure sign of internal injuries.
Sasuke began to gather speed. Ekyt still hadn’t moved, aside from shaking his head to Hayate’s “Do you want to quit?” query.
It’s now or never…NOW!
Ekyt used a quick jutsu to get himself out of the way. He landed on the other side of the stadium-styled arena, already breaking into a run. He felt his hate building in his chest…
“AGHHHHH!” Sasuke drove the Chidori home, right on target.
Ekyt’s hate grew…
The water clone Sasuke hit evaporated from the sheep power of the Chidori. Sasuke spun around.
Ekyt’s hate was now a physical manifestation. While running, he put a hand to his chest. It burst into a blue flame.
Sasuke groaned. Everyone heard it. Then he broke into a smile.
“I’ve seen what you can do with that…don’t think your Swallow Strike will save you this time…”
Ekyt hit his top speed. His hand signs became too rapid for even the Sharingan to follow.
“TRANSPARENT HAND CHAKRA: BLUE FLAME PROTECTION SEAL!”
Sasuke hadn’t counted on that.
Ekyt opened the first gate of chakra, increasing his speed even more. Sasuke lost sight of him. Then, he heard Ekyt. Behind him.
Near his neck.
Ekyt’s hand reached into Sasuke’s neck, his hand moving so fast his molecules vibrated to allow him to reach into Sasuke’s body.
Ekyt coughed up blood from the sheer agony. His hate had grown so strong…it hurt. It could tear him apart. No…I’m too close! Control it!
Sasuke’s curse mark receded, then faded. Finally, the mark on his neck disappeared all together.
Sasuke crumpled to the floor slowly, laying face down. Ekyt stood over him, the blue flame becoming smaller, then finally dying.
Ekyt folded to his knees. Then he fell forward, using a hand for support. He pulled himself to his feet.
Hayate checked on Sasuke.
It was over.

“Winner: Kaguya, Ekyt!”


The building, which had been in a stunned silence just seconds earlier, erupted. No one could believe it. They cheered, some people even cried.


Naruto, Lee, Sakura, and Kakashi leapt the barrier and landed at Ekyt’s side. Lee and Naruto each grabbed him with one arm propped on their shoulders. Ekyt coughed again, bright red blood staining the floor.
“You did it…” Sakura spoke with disbelief. Carefully, she wrapped her arms around Ekyt’s neck in a fond embrace. Then she disappeared, saying that she had to sit down.


Sasuke pushed himself up. He found a pair of soft hands helping him.
“Sakura?”
The pink-haired kunoichi nodded…



Ekyt stood up, under his own power. THWAP! A senbon struck him in the back. He yanked it out. He noticed there was a note attached. Ironically, the note was stained with his blood. Later, it would become stained with one single teardrop.


Sakura had gone with Sasuke.


“It is the council’s unanimous decisions that we have one new chunin right now. He has shown BEYOND chunin level skill. Let the records of Konohagakure show that Ekyt Kaguya has reached the rank of chunin on this day, 7 November 2007.”
The council understood Ekyt’s heart wasn’t in it. He took the green vest that he had worked so hard for. He shrugged it on to enormous cheers. He managed a smile, for the sake of those in the crowd who didn’t know what had happened.



“I want this mission Lady Tsunade,” Ekyt said immediately, handing her the note.
“Ekyt, that’s ridiculous! You damn near killed yourself two seconds ago!”
“I don’t care. Please, give me this mission. I want this mission.” Ekyt’s pleading eyes met Lady Tsunade’s.
She sighed. “Look, I know what she means to you…but what if she went with Sasuke by her own free will?”
“She wouldn’t…she would NEVER betray this village and it’s people…” Ekyt said it so firmly Tsunade didn’t even consider doubting him.
“You would just go anyway, wouldn’t you? With or without orders, wouldn’t you?”
Ekyt nodded. “I’d hate myself, but I would. It’s not in my nature to disobey orders…but…well, letting your teammates die makes you scum.”
Tsunade couldn’t help but give her newest chunin a smile.
“Alright. Consider it your second S-ranked mission. But you are to go as an ANBU agent…”
“Fine.”
“Good. I’ll inform you of my decisions of whether you have a team or not.”
“Lady Tsunade…Lee and Naruto both have their part in the exams. Let me go alone. As an ANBU agent…”
Tsuande shook her head. “Damnit, how do you do that? Twist my words around, make it seem like you’re agreeing with me, but somehow completely change my mind. Since I know how damn stubborn you are…you can go.”
“Thank you…And…thank you for making me a chunin. I know you really went to bat for me.”
Tsunade patted him on the head. “I wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t earned it. Now, go on kid. Bring her home…”


NEXT TIME: Ekyt's newest mission begins. His destination- the Land of Herbs. He is assigned the double mission of investigating kidnappings and murders, in addition to finding Sakura and Sasuke.

Lee squares off against Kabuto. After that, Naruto learns who his opponent is going to be...

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