Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Road Less Travelled By ❯ Leap into Combat! Shishi Rendan is Born! ( Chapter 5 )

Leap into Combat! Shishi Rendan is Born!

 

By the time Team Seven were summoned for the ceremony concluding the second exam they were all feeling well rested. In the end, both Naruto and Sasuke had followed Sakura's lead, and taken the opportunity to get some sleep to make up for their night of hunting for a team carrying the heaven scroll. With both rest, and having fed on food they were confident would not give them food poisoning, Naruto felt confident that he could take whatever the examiners would throw at them, as long as it wasn't another written exam.

When another chuunin came for them, they all followed behind him silently, to a large hall with a long raised gantry either side, and a sculpture of a set of hands making the seal of the ram. There they were instructed to stand in formation with the other genin, one behind the other. While it came as no surprise to Sasuke to see both Gaara and Neji present along with their team-mates, the presence of three sound ninjas surprised him. He sensed Sakura shiver as she noticed them, the younger looking man having his arms resting bandaged in front of him in a sling.

My own handiwork. I don't know whether to be proud or sickened. The man met his gaze, and sneered at Sasuke. They must be good to claim two scrolls with one of their team so injured. I'll have to watch them closely. He looked away as another team entered and lined up, and was surprised to note that it was Team Eight from his year. When this was followed by Ino and Shikamaru's team, he almost let the surprise show on his face. So all the rookies made it, despite the odds. His eyes shifted to look to the right again. Five of the seven teams are from Konoha. This lays the odds in our favour, as we will know the techniques they might favour, but I can't remember a final with this many people. I don't have a good feeling about this.

Other ninjas now made their way in. Team leaders from Konoha, and what Sasuke took to be the jounin instructors for the sand and sound teams. The two examiners, Ibiki and Anko, along with their assistants. The last person to enter, the Hokage himself, stood in the centre of the podium that the genin all faced.

After a moment, Anko's voice rang out through the hall. “First off, congratulations for passing the second exam.” She paused to let the official notice gain weight before continuing. “We will now have an explanation of the third exam from Hokage-sama. Everyone, listen well.” She turned to the Hokage, and softened her tone. “Hokage-sama, please do the honours.”

Sasuke stood to attention, keenly listening as the Hokage explained the origins of the chuunin exams as a way to test the various hidden villages' strengths, and showcase their skills and power to potential clients, by demonstrating what the lower ranks could do, and leaving what the more experienced ninjas were capable of up to supposition. Like I thought, they're trying to simulate a war with these exams, even though we're at peace. We're just advertising to clients and a warning to our enemies.

A man in a combat vest appeared, kneeling in front of the Hokage. “Excuse me, Hokage-sama. I, Gekkou Hayate, the judge will explain.”

The Hokage nodded slowly. “Please do.”

Hayate stood, turning to face the assembled genin. “Everyone, it's nice to meet you.” He coughed slightly. “Everyone, before the third exam, there's something I'd like you to do.” He coughed again in the pause. “Fight in some preliminary matches to see who gets to advance to the third exam's main battle.”

Sasuke could almost sense the confusion spread through the room, and heard Sakura shift uncomfortably behind him. This is bad. We're all still worn out from the last exam, and there's been no opportunity to deal with this seal. She's going to want me to forfeit.

“Preliminary matches?” he heard her mutter slightly, clearly worried.

Shikamaru was much more vocal. “Preliminary matches? What do you mean?”

“Sensei, I don't understand what you mean by preliminary matches,” added Sakura in a louder voice. “Why can't we just start the third exam with the remaining examinees?”

Hayate sighed. “In this case it must have been because the first and second exams were too easy. I don't know why, but there are too many examinees left. According to chuunin exam regulations, we must decrease the number of participants before the next exam.”

“Oh no!” Sakura was panicking. If Sasuke-kun doesn't get a proper rest, and have that bruise dealt with, how will this preliminary round affect him? What if it takes him over again, and he kills someone? What will the examiners do to stop him? I can't let him fight!

Hayate continued his explanation, unaware of Sakura's crisis. “As previously mentioned by Hokage-sama, there are many guests for the third exam, so we cannot just have a lot of matches. We are limited on time as well, so those who aren't feeling well…” He trailed off into a bout of coughing for a few moments, before pausing to catch his breath. “Excuse me. If anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation, please let me know. The preliminary matches will begin immediately.”

A load of complaints broke out among the Konoha rookies at the unfairness of making them fight right away.

Hayate interrupted their complaints with another condition. “I forgot to mention this, but from here on you will have one on one matches, so please withdraw if you wish.”

Sasuke frowned. I'm not going to withdraw. He rubbed at the seal on his neck feeling warmth starting to spread from it as adrenaline started to enter his system. Damn, it's still reacting to me wanting to fight. At this rate I'll be spending more energy fighting it than my opponent.

His movement hadn't gone unnoticed by Sakura. “Sasuke-kun?” That bruise is trying something again, I'm sure of it. Why else would he be holding his neck like that? “Sasuke-kun, you should withdraw from the preliminary matches. You've been acting weird ever since that Orochimaru guy beat you.”

Sasuke flinched away from her scrutiny, and almost cursed out loud as Naruto turned slightly to watch them both argue. I told her before that I was going to keep going through with this exam, I'm not going to let some seal put on me by a crazed man stop me. He glanced at Naruto. He might still be on my side from earlier, but I only managed to calm Sakura by telling her that I'd get help and that we'd have time to fix this. Now with these prelims they're forcing her to act against me, to try to stop me competing!

Sakura moved to try to look round him, to examine his neck. “That bruise hurts even now, doesn't it? At this rate…” At this rate you'll turn into that demon again, Sasuke-kun. Maybe forever this time. I don't want to loose you to those black marks. “Please…” She clutched her hands together over her heart, sniffling. “Please… stop. I'm afraid.” She wiped at the tears forming at her eyes.

Sasuke winced. Those words. Those same words that she used to stop me last time. Would they even still work again? She's really frightened for me. Frightened of what the seal might make me do. He closed his eyes, and tried to will away the growing heat at his neck. Slowly it complied, much more slowly than the last time. Am I tired? Or is it growing stronger against me? He tried not to shiver.

Sakura could see his hesitation and worry, and tried to press further. “You're not in any condition to fight normally, Sasuke-kun.”

“Shut up,” muttered Sasuke, unhappy that she was voicing some of his own concerns.

“You've been bearing with the pain all this time! How can you want to keep going?”

“Just shut up,” replied Sasuke more forcefully. You're making it harder for me to follow my path. I know you mean well, and may even be talking sense, but I can't afford to do as you wish, Sakura. My path is already set.

Sakura looked into his eyes. I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. I have to do this. I care about you. “What ever you say, Sasuke-kun, I'm going to tell the instructors about that bruise. Then…” She started to raise her hand.

Naruto's eyes widened. Sakura-chan feels that strongly that she's going to ignore what Sasuke wants? What he told us and promised her? I want to fight him in the exams, but… What if that tadpole mark is still hurting him, and he's been hiding it from us so we don't interfere or pity him? I don't know who to agree with, and Sasuke's gonna be mad that she's getting him disqualified.

The tension between the three of them was finally broken by an outside influence.

“Um…” Kabuto raised a hand into the air with an embarrassed smile. “I'll quit.”

“Kabuto-san?” Naruto was confused. He doesn't look hurt at all. Just dirty. Why isn't he trying for the next exam? He can't want to go an eighth time.

Hayate coughed slightly and looked through his papers. “Let's see… you'd be Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto-kun?” He paused to allow correction. When none was forthcoming, he continued. “Then you may leave.”

Kabuto nodded. “Yes.” He turned and started to walk out the room.

“Kabuto-san? Why are you quitting?” demanded Naruto. “Why?”

Kabuto paused in his walk and turned to look at him. “I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, but my body is completely worn out already. I can't fight right away, especially if it's a life or death battle.” He muttered slightly to one of his team mates, then smiled and waved at Naruto before finishing walking out of the hall.

Naruto watched him go, confused. Kabuto-san doesn't seem hurt, walking like that. Why doesn't he want to try anyway? Everyone here is tired, no one is in really good condition. Why doesn't he try?

Hayate coughed, drawing the genins' attention back from the departing Kabuto. “May I assume that there are no more people who wish to retire?”

Sasuke sensed Sakura stiffen behind him, then move slowly to raise her hand. He spun round and slapped it down angrily, holding her by the wrist to prevent her trying again. “Be quiet about this bruise,” he growled softly at her. Even as he watched, her eyes started to fill with tears again, and she sniffled. Sakura, live your life, not mine. Let me choose my own path.

“Why are you acting so tough?” she asked. “I don't want to see you suffer any more! I…”

“It doesn't matter to you!” replied Sasuke, cutting her off. “This isn't your decision, Sakura.” He watched her for a moment, hoping his cold expression would make her drop it. After a few moments, he felt the resistance in the wrist he held weaken in acquiescence. I'm… sorry to make you worry, Sakura. This is just how it has to be. He felt Naruto's disapproving gaze on him, but stood firm. Making Sakura cry isn't what I wanted either, Naruto, but I should be allowed to control my own life.

Hayate waited to make sure the disturbance was finished before continuing. “Then let's begin the preliminary matches. It will be a one on one match. In other words, it will be like real combat. Now that we have exactly twenty people, we will have ten matches, and the winners will be able to advance to the third exam. There are no rules. You will fight until the other person dies, is knocked out, or admits defeat. If you do not want to die, please give up immediately. However if I judge that the match is over, I may stop you to prevent any unnecessary deaths. The thing that will hold your destiny…” He turned and looked up along the back wall where a panel was slowly rising to show a black display board. “… will be this. This electric bulletin board will randomly display the names of two fighters for each match. Without further ado, I shall now display the names for the first match.”

Everyone present turned their attention to the board as names started to scroll by. With a loud beep that filled the room, the board gave out its judgement.

Sasuke smirked a little. Right off the bat, eh? He frowned, annoyed as the seal started to heat up again with his anticipation. This seal is starting to make trouble quickly. I better make sure I end this quickly.

Hayate held his arms out slightly. “Will the two whose names where displayed, step up.”

Sasuke did as he was asked, noting that his opponent was one of Kabuto's team mates, the one that had seemed to argue with Kabuto just before he left. He stood, facing his opponent, in front of the examiner.

“The first match's fighters are Akadou Yoroi and Uchiha Sasuke,” announced Hayate. “Are there any objections?”

“No,” replied both Sasuke and Yoroi quickly and confidently. The seal twinged again, but Sasuke resisted the temptation to move his hand back to his neck. It would be showing weakness to an enemy, and make Sakura and Naruto worry more. I need to stop worrying about them and focus on this fight. I can make it up to them later, once I've cleared this match.

“We will now begin this match,” announced Hayate. He coughed slightly before continuing. “Everyone other than the two fighters, please move up there.”

Slowly the group of genin dissolved from neat lines into muttering groups, which climbed the stairs to the long gantry ways that ran the length of the hall. All except Naruto and Sakura, who watched anxiously as Kakashi approached them. He ignored Naruto's yelled greeting, and paused to stand behind Sasuke.

“Sasuke. Don't use your sharingan.”

Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise, then allowed a smirk to return. He's good. “So you know?”

Kakashi didn't react to Sasuke's question, but merely continued to speak. “If that cursed seal on your neck becomes uncontrollable, it may kill you.”

“That's what I figured.”

“Well, if that happens, the match will be cancelled. I'll stop you, so keep that in mind.” Kakashi walked off to join Naruto and Sakura on the walkway.

Cancelled? thought Sasuke. The examiners are watching me that closely that if the seal starts to take control, I'll loose the match? I won't let that happen. I know this cursed seal reacts to my chakra. If I try to mold chakra, it takes over my mind and produces chakra without a limit, and leaves me without any morals or compassion. In other words, not only can I not use my sharingan, but any other jutsu that use chakra are out. He smiled in anticipation. So, how should I fight?

Hayate stepped back. “Then, please begin.”

Yoroi put his hands together, forming the seal of the tiger. “Let's go!”

Sasuke shifted his weight to be balanced, and brought his hand over his holster. “Okay.”

Yoroi let his hands separate, flames of chakra surrounding his right hand. His left moved to the pouch on his back, obviously searching for something within its contents.

Sasuke drew his kunai as Yoroi threw the shuriken he'd been searching for, and drew chakra through himself to speed up his taijutsu to strike the shuriken away cleanly. He was rewarded with a stabbing pain in his neck, making him stumble in his already off-balance position, causing him fall over. “Shit.” Looking up he half sensed, half saw Yoroi move in a black blur towards him, striking down towards his head. Training took over, and Sasuke lunged to the side, jamming his kunai into the concrete floor for the leverage to turn. He struck out with his feet at Yoroi's ankle and knee, forcing the larger man to fall, neatly pinned down by a leg across his neck and another working with Sasuke's arms to pin his throwing arm.

“He did it!”

Sasuke tried not to smirk at Naruto's yell from the walkway, which echoed his own sentiments. See, Kakashi? Sakura? All your worries were for nothing. This Yoroi never was a match for me.

Yoroi laughed slightly at Sasuke's smirk, then the blue flames of chakra gathered around his hand again, latching firmly onto the front of Sasuke's shirt.

Something felt wrong to Sasuke almost immediately. Instead of his breathing evening out after his exertion, it was speeding up, like he was still in a fight. What is this? I feel… His limbs started to tremble, and the pain in his neck grew worse. What is he doing to me? How is he making the seal react? He was startled out of his thoughts by Yoroi tugging his arm free from Sasuke's now-trembling grip, and bringing it down hard against his chest, leaving his whole body curled over and trembling. What happened? My strength left me as he touched me. He heard Yoroi roar from some distance away, mixing with the noise from his team yelling. One voice cut through it all. Naruto's.

“Move, Sasuke!”

Sasuke rolled, trusting that Naruto was repaying his debt from the fight with the rain ninjas where Sasuke had been his eyes for the fight. He felt Yoroi's hand slamming into the ground where he'd been only a second before, and rolled to his feet. Come on, stop trembling and pull yourself together. If he touches you, you're as good as dead! Either by his hand, or by the seal finally breaking free.

Yoroi laughed again, and started towards him, reaching out with his hand, trying to connect. It took Sasuke a moment to realise that the punches and grabs he was only just dodging were mere taunts from the older genin. I can't move so well anymore, and he knows it. He's playing with me, letting me tire myself out so he can get his hand on me again, and return to doing whatever that was before.

Yoroi let him dodge away. “What's wrong? Are you done for already?”

Sasuke swung his leg around in a kick which Yoroi easily dodged back from, and watched Sasuke pant from a distance. Sasuke cursed himself for letting his temper get away from him at the taunting. I should know better. With his ability, he wants close combat. What should I do? At this rate, I'll loose.

“Sasuke!”

Sasuke's head jerked back up from his thoughts at Naruto's yell. Naruto? He turned slightly, dividing his attention between Yoroi, and where Naruto was hopping up and down and yelling.

“Call yourself Uchiha Sasuke with that pathetic attempt?” he yelled down. “Stop acting like an idiot! Get serious! You couldn't even beat Konohamaru with that pathetic attempt! Call yourself a ninja genius?”

Sasuke didn't know whether to be angry or mortified at Naruto's scolding. He's right. I'm putting in a pathetic performance. Time to get serious and start to fight like I mean it. Just going through the motions isn't going to be enough to get me through. His eyes drifted away as Naruto continued his rant, to where Lee stood next Naruto. He… An idea came to Sasuke, which he quickly tested for any fatal flaws, before finding none. I've got it. As long as the seal doesn't react before I finish the move, I can win this!

“You don't have time to look away,” called out Yoroi, running towards him again.

Sasuke returned his attention to the fight, dodging the blows Yoroi was giving out, slowly retreating back so that they stood almost face to face at the end of the hall, parallel to the podium. Almost in position… There!

Yoroi gasped. He disappeared. His jaw snapped shut as it was kicked from beneath, launching him into the air.

Sasuke lowered his leg from the kick and set himself on all fours, before leaping into the air, gathering chakra. It goes like this, the flow of chakra moving like that, and in this quantity. He felt himself move through the air, momentum preventing Yoroi from moving as he took his position beneath. He smirked. “From here on out, it's all original though.” He reached out to place his hand on the hollow of Yoroi's back. “This is the end.”

“Kage Konoha Buyou?(1)” asked Yoroi, confused.

Sasuke just let his smirk widen. “Eat this.” He had gathered chakra to his limbs in preparation to strike, when pain flared in his neck, forcing his head back in a moan of pain. The heat from his neck started to spread, along his arm, across his chest and back, and up across his face. Damn it. It responds when it doesn't need to. He could feel it spreading further, almost covering his face. Shit… Sakura isn't here to stop it this time.

As Naruto watched Sasuke and Yoroi sail through the air, he noticed red marks starting to spiral out from Sasuke's neck and up across his face. Naruto blinked. Is that what Sasuke meant by that mark taking him over? He doesn't seem to be doing anything anymore, and it sure seemed to hurt from that yell. If it's making him unable to move again, he's in real trouble. “Sasuke! You gonna let some freaked out bruise tell you what to do?” yelled Naruto. “You're way stronger than that creepy thing, so stop fooling around and beat the crap out of this guy already!” Come on, Sasuke! Don't let us down like this. I want to fight you in the finals, and you've got to make it out of this in one piece to get there.

Sasuke blinked at Naruto's voice. Damn it, I can't believe I've gotten them worried. I won't let this thing take over. He shoved back at the seal, trying to separate its influence from his chakra system, willing it to cool down and return to dormancy. At first it resisted, but he kept at it, using the stubbornness that had gotten him into trouble occasionally. This is my path. My future. I don't need you, and you're damn well going to stop interfering in my match. Slowly at first, and then faster the heat started to retract back to his neck where it finally calmed and cooled, until all that remained was the shadow of warmth that had been usual.

Sasuke let his expression of pain melt away into a smile. “Let's go.” He used a hand to spin Yoroi anticlockwise, striking out with his left leg at Yoroi's midsection.

Yoroi caught the kick in a forearm block. “Not good enough.”

Sasuke smirked and brought his hand round, using his momentum to twist and strike down with his other arm against Yoroi's chest, sending him towards the ground. A second blow accelerated him, and a well-timed kick finished off the rendan, impacting with Yoroi's stomach just below the ribs as he impacted with the ground, the full force of Sasuke's weight and chakra behind it.

The final blow sent Sasuke off-balance, and skidding across the hall's floor, trying to slow himself by gripping with his fingers. In the end his momentum caused him to flip head over heels and land in a panting heap on his stomach.

Hayate looked between the two bodies, before approaching Yoroi carefully. The man seemed totally unconscious. Looks like there's no need to confirm it. He looked over to where Sasuke was already struggling to his knees, panting heavily. “I will stop this match now. The first match winner is Uchiha Sasuke. This means that he passes the preliminary round.”

Sasuke smiled. I did it. He pulled himself into a sitting position, trying to catch his breath. Took a lot of work, but I'm through. One step closer to fighting who I really want to. He felt himself slipping backwards, only to be stopped by a careful knee to his back.

Kakashi raised his glance from his book slightly. “Well… you did okay.”

Sasuke looked up and smirked. I did more than okay. I won decisively in a battle with a severe handicap. But praise from you is rare, so I must've done really well.

“Sasuke!”

Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes. I could grow to hate that voice yelling my name, he thought wearily. Doesn't he ever shut up?

“You better get better at fighting before you go up against me. That was way too close to loosing to such a stupid guy! You're all worn out! Idiot!” Naruto was grinning as he yelled. Not about to tell him how worried I was when that tadpole mark started acting weird again. Everything's gonna be okay now. Kakashi-sensei will take care of him, I know it.

Sasuke smiled at Naruto's words. “Geez, that idiot.” He was really worried. He can call me idiot for now, but I'll show him that the opposite is true eventually. His gaze drifted to a relieved-looking Sakura, where he smiled at her a little. See? I'm okay. No harm done, no killing spree. Just let me catch my breath and we can do something about this mark now. It's too dangerous to be left after all. This fight showed me that. Sakura smiled back at him, and said something to Naruto. Naruto seemed to go off on some sort of happy rant to her, and Sasuke felt happy. Naruto will make sure she doesn't worry until I can speak to her. His eyes were caught by the movement of something green next to Naruto. Lee… Sasuke caught his eye, then nodded respectfully. Thanks to you, I was able to win. I won't forget that. If I didn't see your move up close, I would've been done for. He started to get up, but his ribs protested, sending pain through his chest. Seems like I can't use that move consecutively too much. If I've broken something, it would explain why I can't breathe so well. He looked up as a medical ninja approached.

“Uchiha Sasuke, we medics will give you the best treatment we can.”

Kakashi turned his attention to the medic. “This isn't your field. I'll take him.” He bent down, lowering his book and placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. “I'll take you into a back room and deal with that cursed seal.”

Now? worried Sasuke. Then I won't be able to see any of the other matches. How will I know how to fight them in the main matches? “Wait until the preliminary matches are over! I want to see the matches of the guys that will move on to the main event.”

Kakashi shook his head and stood. “No. Don't get so heated. If we leave it as it is, it might do something irreversible. I won't listen to your selfish requests twice. Now, come.”

Sasuke stood slowly, conceding defeat. He's right, even though I wish he wasn't. He started to walk to the exit slowly, Kakashi following behind. This… doesn't feel right somehow. He paused and turned to look up at the walkway, where Naruto and Sakura seemed to be arguing again. “Kakashi… What about a few minutes?”

Kakashi was surprised. Sasuke wants to talk with Naruto and Sakura? That's very unusual for him. It's unfortunate that he chooses now, when it isn't wise to pause. He may not realise that the eyes of all the Konoha jounin are on him for now. I wonder what happened in the exam to make him act like this? To Sasuke, he just put a hand back on his shoulder, guiding him forwards. “I'm sorry, Sasuke. This can't wait, even for a few minutes.”

Sasuke just mutely allowed Kakashi to guide him down the tower, into what he guessed to be the basement, where it seemed that some preparation had already been made. Two circles had been scratched into the stone, with kunais placed at regular intervals. They knew about this cursed seal before we even got here, probably. I wonder what Kakashi had to do to convince them not to take me here as soon as we arrived. “Kakashi…”

Kakashi started pulling a glove off. “Take your shirt off, Sasuke. You can talk while I work.” He pocketed the glove, then used a kunai to make a cut along his finger.

Sasuke did as he was asked, then sat in the centre of the two circles, with his hands spread. Many jutsu require blood in sacrifice. This must be an advanced sealing jutsu. “Kakashi, can you give some people some messages for me? This jutsu isn't one that will let me remain conscious afterwards, is it?”

Kakashi started to carefully write characters down Sasuke's back and across the floor. “In your current weakened state, probably not. Anything you want to tell Naruto or Sakura, I'll make sure they hear.”

Sasuke nodded. “Then… Tell Sakura that you did this... that I agreed to this. She won't have to worry any more, right?”

Kakashi nodded. “Right. I can tell her to stop worrying. And Naruto?”

Sasuke paused. What message can I give? Or say? I don't want Kakashi to twist my words into something else, something that they're not. “Tell him… that I'm disappointed that I won't be there to yell abuse and put him off when it's his turn to fight. And tell him, I'll meet him in the finals.”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, glad that his position relative to Sasuke meant that his expression couldn't be seen. For Sasuke, that's almost a `thank you for encouraging me'. What happened between them in the exam certainly brought their teamwork back into focus. Splitting them up after this may be a bad idea. I shall have to think carefully.

“Kakashi… Tell that Lee guy that next time we fight, I'll not make the same mistake as last time. And…” Sasuke trailed off, unsure of how to finish.

“I'll let him know how much you appreciate the bruises you got off him, don't worry.” He finished marking out the characters, then stood up. “Okay. Bear with this a little. It'll be done in no time.”

Sasuke nodded. Translation-this is going to hurt. Hope it doesn't knock me out for too long. He looked out into the darkness, bracing himself as best he could, while he sensed Kakashi going through a sequence of hand seals.

“Fuuja Houin!(2)”

Kakashi placed his hand over the cursed seal, and Sasuke braced himself. There was a surge of chakra, and then burning pain in his whole body, concentrated at his neck. He screamed in pain, screwing his eyes shut, trying to wait it out as the marks Kakashi has carefully written twisted and turned about his neck. After a few seconds that felt like forever to Sasuke, the burning stopped, even the slight warmth of the cursed seal disappearing. His body was still playing catch up to the shock of the pain, making him continue to scream for a moment, before flopping forwards to rest his weight on his hands. The world was spinning in and out of focus, and he couldn't seem to breathe enough. Every breath made his already abused ribs hurt.

Kakashi moved his hand away. “If that cursed seal tries to activate again, the power of the fuuja houin will hold it in.” Sasuke tried to focus on him, but his eyes refused to cooperate, and Kakashi's voice started to sound more and more far away. “However, Sasuke, this jutsu uses your will as the main source. If you lose faith in your power, and your will sways, the cursed seal will reactivate.”

The burning in Sasuke's ribs reached fever pitch, and the darkness of the room seemed to close in on him. How about that, he thought to himself. I managed to stay conscious for him to lecture me… Feels like I won't be hanging around for him to scold me though… Kakashi seemed to be nothing but a white blur in the darkness. Then there was nothing but the darkness, and the ground rushing up to meet him.

 

(1) Kage Konoha Buyou - Shadow Leaf Dance, the move where a ninja moves through the air with his opponent, like his shadow

(2) Fuuja Houin - Evil Suppressor