The whole arena watched Sakura throw herself at Akadō without pausing to test him with kunai or to probe his abilities. She simply charged, fists flying—utterly direct and seemingly reckless.
What was Sakura doing?
Naruto had at least used Shadow Clone to test the enemy's reactions; Sasuke had used a fire jutsu as a feint. But Sakura—she'd just clenched her fists and charged. From her movement speed it was obvious she wasn't a taijutsu prodigy; on paper, this was suicide.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Ino Yamanaka frowned. She knew Sakura's taijutsu level—there wasn't much difference between them. Ino worried: why would Sakura start an all-out punch fight when her speed and physical skill weren't exceptional?
Might Guy narrowed his brow and glanced up at Ayato. "Is this part of Ayato's plan?"
He didn't understand Ayato's methods, but he wouldn't be surprised if there was one. Guy folded his arms, eager to see.
Kurenai scolded Ayato from the stands. "You didn't teach Sakura that, did you? She's basically throwing herself away!"
"Shut up, you sulky woman," Ayato replied, unfazed.
Perfect. Exactly the effect he wanted.
Make them doubt. Let the crowd whisper. Let them underestimate. Then have the students surprise them. The more people doubted, the more glorious the reveal would be. Ever the showman, Ayato fed on that tension.
Mei Terumi watched from above with a tilted head. "Ayato didn't teach Sakura?" she murmured. Sasuke and Naruto had obvious improvements, yet Sakura seemed to open foolishly. Had Ayato only focused on the two boys?
Lord Hiruzen smoked quietly, puzzled. "Sakura's clever. There has to be a reason. Or perhaps Ayato is planning something."
From the field, Akadō sidestepped and reached out to coil his arm around Sakura—his technique was to absorb chakra by contact. "Now that I have you, you can't break free," he smirked, preparing to feed on Sakura's chakra.
But Sakura seized his collar and planted both hands on his throat. Her face was furious, eyes burning. "Die—for Ayato!" she snarled, and with a brutal, unreserved strike she smashed her fist into Akadō's midsection.
A thunderous crash—stone fractured, earth split, and Akadō was hurled into a crater, his body collapsing. He spat blood and his bones shattered with a sickening sound before he went limp.
"I… I'm Akadō," the man coughed, then blacked out.
Sakura blinked and mouthed an apology at the wrecked opponent. "Sorry. Blame Ayato for this," she said, then slipped her forehead protector back on with a tiny, triumphant curl of her lips.
The arena froze. Sakura stood unscathed while the giant man lay broken in the pit.
What had looked like reckless bravado was not recklessness at all—Sakura had unleashed a strength beyond expectation.
Gasp after gasp swept the crowd. That single punch had the force to rival several rasengans. Everyone stared up at Ayato with new eyes: the man had taught Sakura the legendary monster-strength of the Sannin — Tsunade's superhuman strength.
That explained everything. Sakura hadn't been foolish; she'd been confident enough in her power to force close combat. The crowd's earlier scorn dissolved into stunned admiration.
"The strength of Tsunade!" Hiruzen rose in his chair, stunned. Could Ayato really have taught such a technique? The thought of another shinobi wielding that kind of power sent shivers through him—both admiration and a peculiar, old sorrow.
Mei Terumi's brows drew together. "This… looks familiar." She frowned and exchanged a glance with her aide, who whispered that Tsunade's hallmark was indeed monstrous strength.
Ayato lounged, popping a chip into his mouth. He watched Kurenai and the Water Shadow exchange glances, aware of idle rumors buzzing around: had he, Ayato, ever been close to Tsunade? The gossip thread tangled further. Ayato allowed a faint smile—if it provoked Mei, all the better.
On the viewing stand, Kurenai cleared her throat. "I thought you hadn't trained Sakura," she admitted, sheepish.
"No harm done," Ayato shrugged. "Doubt is the seasoning. An audience that doubts is a better audience."
Kurenai shot him a look that mixed exasperation and gratitude. The way he coaxed strength from his students was unsettling, but effective.
Nearby, Hinata had been watching shyly; when she heard talk of collars and teasing, her face turned brilliant with embarrassment. The world pivoted oddly for the soft-spoken Hyūga, and she fainted, overwhelmed. Kurenai snapped to her feet.
"Hinata!" Kurenai called, already reaching.
A moment later, a system pinged inside Ayato's mind, a voice offering a new, covert objective:
[Ding]
[Hidden Mission Activated.]
[Objective: Protect the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki. Prevent Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki from capturing him.]
[Deadline: Until Hidan and Kakuzu are repelled or eliminated.]
[Reward: Choose one ability from a selection of three multiversal powers.]
Ayato's expression shifted, intrigued. A hidden mission? A three-way choice from the Multiverse? The reward alone made his pulse quicken.
If one of the three choices was a Zanpakutō, that would be glorious. Imagine striking a victory pose with a bankai—instant flex. Ayato mentally cataloged possibilities—ice blade, flame blade—anything that would make him look even more unstoppable.
And the mission confirmed Ayato's suspicion: Akatsuki were indeed planning an incursion to snatch Naruto. Hidan and Kakuzu had already taken Hinata's blood—evidence Ayato's quick thinking had flagged earlier. How quaint. Ayato's mouth curled into a dangerous grin.
Perfect. He'd be able to swing the outcome and, more importantly, claim one of those multiversal abilities for himself.
Below, Moonlight Gales croaked and coughed his announcement: "Lee versus Gaara—begin!"
Might Guy beamed. "This is youth! Lee—show them what effort can do!"
Lee returned his teacher's energy, determined. "Sensei, watch me! I will prove my way!"
Ayato watched Gaara on the battlefield with a calculating look. Gaara was a trigger—if pushed, he would lose control and summon Shukaku. If that happened, the chaos would sweep the arena, and Hidan and Kakuzu, lurking in the shadows, would be tempted to strike. Ayato decided, then and there, to be the catalyst for that chain of events—if it would draw out the Akatsuki and let him complete the hidden mission.
"Sorry, Gaara," he murmured, grinning. "You'll be useful."
Gaara stood expressionless, Sahara of sand collected. The bell rang. The match began.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/MugiwaraTL