Arc VI Chapter 7

    VI

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    Arc VI Chapter 7

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    “Do you need any help, Shikamaru?” Asami offered her hand even when her mind demanded revenge, retribution, when he should have answered for his crimes like a man. “Take my hand, Shikamaru. Don’t make things complicated for both of us. We no longer need to fight. You no longer need to fight.”

    He only had to accept his defeat and surrender.

    ...

    ...

    ...

    Yet his reaction surprised her. His lips curled up and formed a smirk. Shikamaru laughed, but his laughter didn’t make any sense. He lost. He was defeated, beaten, finished. Maybe he suffered from shock and blood loss got the better of him.

    Asami narrowed her eyes. “Tell me, Shikamaru, why are you laughing? What''s so funny?”

    Shikamaru grinned with confidence. “Because it''s over. I win.”

    The bullying didn''t stop. Asami tortured her poor victim once again. Her heel pushed his chest down to the ground. “Do you know why I dislike this tournament?”

    Asami applied more force to his sternum. Her heart relished in dark delight. Shikamaru''s breathing grew erratic. Her heel squeezed the air out of his lungs. “This tournament is terribly annoying. My opponents proved utterly disappointing so far. You provide little entertainment, but I won’t blame you.”

    Asami added more weight. Stinging pain pierced his lungs. Her foot was crushing him alive like an ant, and he could do nothing. “You are nothing but mere genin. Unfortunately, there can only be one victor. The moment we entered this arena, we were cursed to win, or to lose.”

    Shikamaru struggled for air, but he still had some time before he suffocated.

    “But defeat was never an option.” Asami loosened her grip and removed her heel from his chest.

    Shikamaru was again free, and he enjoyed his new-found freedom breathing. His chest rose and fell. Her point was made. Her hand drew her sword and struck the ground. Her blade caressed Shikamaru''s face. He got a lovely view of her polished steel. Life was fragile. Life was dangerous.

    “...” His eyes widened in fear. Shikamaru maintained his poker face, but deep within his heart, his resolve wavered. Shikamaru disappointed her. She had expected more of a talent of his calibre.

    “So, tell me, Shikamaru, what should I do with stubborn people like you? People who don’t understand when they have lost. Deluded by their false sense of pride and delusions of victory. You are annoying because you leave me no other choice ... But you are lucky, that this is just a tournament and not the real battlefield.” Asami sheathed her blade and left. The match was over ...

    A strong gust blew through the arena, sparking her curiosity. The latecomers had finally arrived. Sasuke had finally arrived.

    Inside a stream of leafs, stood Kakashi scratching his head. “Sorry for being late. We had some things to do.”

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