The Strength of the Weak {A Naruto Fanfiction}

The Strength of the Weak - Chapter 29

"You are very much like him..."

He meant Shisui-sensei. I nod wistfully, holding back the tears threatening to fall.

"Ne, sensei, why do you never show your left eye? I've never seen it uncovered before..." I ask, changing the subject.

"I use my left eye to cast genjutsu. Whenever I'm in a real battle, if someone makes eye contact with my left eye they fall to my attack. My right eye can release it if I want to, and I also just see normally from this eye."

I hum in acknowledgment, watching the stars pierce through the night sky as dusk falls.

We stayed there all night... my sensei and I.

::

"Time to head back. We should reach Konoha in about a day and a half if we body flicker," Ryouichi-sensei says, implying that he wanted me to work on my technique even though training for the month was over.

How cruel.

"Yes, sensei," I reply, holding my hands in a tiger sign. Taking a deep breath, I body flicker as far forward as I could, continuing that pattern in order to increase both my range of body flickering and the speed at which I could go.

Ryouichi-sensei easily keeps up with my speed, having far more training and experience than I. It was almost insulting. Almost.

Together, we traveled that way until we reached about a mile in front of Konoha's gates. Panting in exhaustion, I keel over and heave deep breaths, sweat dripping down my face.

"I didn't expect you to be able to keep that up for so long. You've surprised me yet again..." Ryouichi-sensei praises, raising an eyebrow at me. I gave him a weary thumbs up, standing up all the way and beginning the short walk to Konoha.

With Ryouichi-sensei by my side, we walk through Konoha's gates, the familiar sight of our home greeting us with open arms.

"Ne, sensei, would you mind going out to dinner with me? I think a good friend of mine may be at the restaurant I want to go to," I offer. Ryouichi-sensei sighs, but ends up agreeing, so I take him to Ichiraku Ramen.

Pushing aside the flag, I spot a familiar head of blonde hair with an accompanying orange jumpsuit.

"Hey, Naruto-kun. Long time no see," I greet, catching Naruto's attention. He grins brightly, nudging the man beside him.

"Satomi-chan! I've missed you! This is the guy I was talking about, the pervert who beat up the other pervert!" Naruto introduces the man beside him. The man, however, was staring at Ryouichi-sensei incredibly.

"Ryouichi? Is that really you?!" the man exclaims. Glancing at Ryouichi-sensei, he was smiling at the man, as if he were an old friend.

"It's been a while, Jiraiya. How have you been these days?" Ryouichi-sensei says, sitting down next to the man, Jiraiya. My jaw drops as I realize that two of the four Legendary Sannin were sitting right next to us.

And they were mine and Naruto's senseis.

"Naruto-kun... our senseis are from the same genin team," I explain to Naruto, as he stares at Jiraiya and Ryouichi-sensei in confusion.

"That's so cool, Satomi-chan! Someday I bet we'll be old friends just like them!" Naruto cheers in awe. I blush at his comment, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. Jiraiya and Ryouichi-sensei watch us from their seats, fond smiles on their faces.

"Yeah... I'd like that, too."

::

I keep a straight face as I gaze into the crowd before me, a roar of cheers erupting from all sides of the arena. It was finally here...

The final stage of the chunin exams.

Although... two people were missing. Two people who I would never expect to skip something like this. It just wasn't like them...

Naruto and Sasuke are nowhere to be found.

"You keep looking back. Are you expecting someone?" Neji asks from beside me, not sparing a glance. I hum in acknowledgment, deciding to turn back around to face everyone.

"Neither Naruto or Sasuke are here. I can't help but worry about them... one is my best friend and the other is my twin brother," I explain softly.

"Hopefully that fool Naruto won't come. It's insulting to me to have to fight someone as weak as him," Neji scoffs, although there is a playful tone in his voice. I chuckle, the sun glinting in my eyes as I tilt my head upwards. Neji glances over at me, a smirk on his lips which confirms my previous thoughts.

"As much as I'd like you to win... I believe that Naruto will beat you. Call it whatever you like, but he is unpredictable. Unpredictable enough to pull a fast one on you," I state confidently. Neji shakes his head, gazing at me with an emotion I couldn't define.

"No way. Especially when I'm fighting for someone important to me... It's my destiny to win."

I tilt my head in surprise, a smile gracing my lips. So Neji has someone to fight for, too. That strength would take him far... but not far enough to beat a knucklehead who doesn't know when to give up.

"There is no way that blond brat will win. Besides... I think you should be a little more concerned about your own match," a sinister voice intrudes. Neji scoffs and glares behind me at Dosu, who was the one who had spoken.

"Why don't you mind your own business?" Neji retorts irritatedly. Dosu clicks his tongue, his visible eye narrowing dangerously.

"Cocky brat... you're going to pay for that, ya hear? And Satomi..." Dosu hisses, staring into my eyes unflinchingly, "I wouldn't act so casual. I can see the fear in your eyes... the fear that he will come once again."

My body tenses at this statement, although I don't allow my face to give off any emotion. Neji narrows his eyes at Dosu, not appreciating his vague statement.

"Run for your lives! It's a horde of bulls!" a panicked voice calls. Glancing behind me, I see Naruto running frantically into the arena, tripping and skidding to a stop next to the rest of the participants. I sigh warily, turning my attention back towards the front. Way to make a scene, Naruto...

"I don't think I'll lose to him," Neji informs, having seen Naruto's dramatic entrance. I sweatdrop, a small smile playing on my lips.

"Perhaps."

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final stage of the chunin selections exam! The 10 genin before you are this year's participants! Without further ado... let's get on with the matches! Will the first two opponents please proceed to the middle of the arena!" Lord Hokage announces, causing an uproar in the stadium.

Everyone but Naruto and Neji begin their descent to the waiting area, however before I leave I decide to give Naruto a few words of encouragement.

"Listen, Naruto-kun... Neji is unlike anyone you've faced before. His byakugan is extremely powerful, and he's also naturally talented," I begin, watching as Naruto's anger starts to peak, "He's like the Sasuke of his generation. However... I know you can beat him. Don't let me down, Naruto-kun."

Naruto nods determinedly, a familiar glint present in his cerulean eyes. Seeing this look, I knew for a fact Naruto would win.

He doesn't give up... not with that look.

Walking away, I pass by Neji, who glances at me from the corner of his eyes. I stop my walking, turning my head to look at him.

"Don't you dare try to kill him."

He smirks, but says nothing, causing me to shake my head and sigh, heading towards the waiting area once more.

"I won't... Satomi."

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