Arc IV Chapter 2


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    <strong>Arc IV Chapter 2


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    “Let’s go, Lee! It''stime for you to shine!”Guy shouteddown from the stands, “Give everything you have!You won’t lose!”


    “Yes, Guy-sensei!” Lee returneda thumb up and smiled.


    “...” Kakashi, meanwhile,wasless convinced. Heknew more than Guy. He knew Asami. The matchwasn’t the fairest one, the murderous princess of Konoha''s ANBU against ... Lee.“Are you sure, Guy?”


    Guy turned his head,“What do you mean,Kakashi?”


    Kakashi repeated, “Are you sure that Leewill win, Guy?”


    “Sure? I am notjustsure, Kakashi, I know it. Lee is strong, stronger than you can imagine, Kakashi, and I believe in him.”Guy grinned.


    “...”Kakashi fell silent. “Do you think that will suffice, Guy?Sometimes, believing is not enough.”Certainly not against Asami.


    Guy furrowed an eyebrow. “Exin, Kakashi?What do you mean?”


    Kakashi remained silent, making him wait. “Do you see the girl down there?”


    Guy nodded.“Yes.”


    “Do you know her, Guy?”


    Guyshook his head. Of course, he didn''t. “No, not really.”


    “Thought so ... Ido, Guy. Few know the name Asami, but some do.”


    “And you are one of them, Kakashi, aren’t you?”


    ...


    ...


    ...


    “Possibly.”Kakashi remained secretive.


    “Possibly?” Guy reacted confused.


    Kakashi borated, “I shouldn’tshare this information, but her name carries weight, a lot of weight, Guy.”


    Guy narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to imply, Kakashi?”


    Kakashiignored him, seemingly changingtopic. “Guy, have you ever heard of Konoha’s ck Princess?”


    Guy nodded. “Yes, I have, or rather who hasn’t? But why does it matter?What does she have to do with this?”


    “Do you know her identity, Guy?”


    “Of course, not. Her identity is closely guarded, but it is well know thatthe girl...” Guy blinked afterstudying the girl Leewas facing.His eyes went widein realisation. Everything made sense now. Everything fell into ce.


    “Kakashi, ... it can''t be?She isn''t, right?” Guy paled, his worries tangible.“Why isshe here, Kakashi? What isshe doing here?


    “I have no idea.”Kakashi observed the arena. His words confirmedGuy''sfears. “All that I can say is that Asami is strong, incredibly strong. But don’t worry, Lee, should be fine. It''s unlikely that she has ordersto kill.The Hokage would never allow such.”


    Guy sighed in relief. ”I see. Thank you, Kakashi.”


    Kakashi nodded. “No problem, Guy ...”


    “Kakashi-sensei, what do you mean by her being strong, incredibly strong?” A brash voice interrupted Kakashi, and it didn''t take him long to identify the culprit.


    Kakashi deplyoed a smile. “Oh, Naruto, didnobodyever tell you that it''s impoliteto eavesdrop on other people’s conversations?How much did you hear. Naruto?” Asami''s identity wasdelicate information, very delicate information in fact that had to be handled with care.Even a former ANBU Captain like he was not allowed to divulge just like this.


    Naruto crossed his arms. “Not that much.Only that sheis incredibly strong.”


    “...”Kakashi was relieved. Everything was fine. Nodamage was done. What he didn’t expect, however, was Narutoacting like ... Naruto.


    “But is it true, Kakashi-sensei? Is she really that strong!? I can''t believe it”,Narutoyelled, loud enough to gainthe attention of everyone nearby. Sakura, Sasuke, everyone turned their attention tohim, which was,of course,fantastic. Thank you, Naruto.


    “Yes, she is.” Kakashilearned the hard way that you couldn’t trust Naruto with anything that required even remotely some degree of discretion.


    “And how do you know that, Kakashi-sensei? As far as I can remember, Asami was always fairly inconspicuous back at the academydespite her attitude”, Sakuramused,joiningthe discussion.


    Naruto agreed, “Yes, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura is right.She was fairly weak. She couldn''t even beat me.Not that I ever fought her. But I doubt that she would have stood a chance again me!”


    “...”He doubted so. Kakashi scratched his head. He had to be creative now, very creative. “How do I know?Well, let’s say,I met her once in the past.”


    “In the past? And how, Kakashi-sensei?” Sakura was curious.


    “Yes, how? How do you know Asami, Kakashi? I am also interested”, Kurenai joined the conversation.


    KakashigaveKurenaian annoyed look. This had be a surprisinglyplicated affair, hadn’t it?“It was a mission.I met her on a mission, Kurenai”


    Kurenai raised an eyebrow. “On amission?”


    “Yes, on a mission. But why are you so interested, Kurenai?” Kakashi diverted, and with sess. He was spared from further questions.


    Kurenai crossed her arms. “Well, that is only natural that I am interested, considering that I was her tutor when she was a child.”


    “Her tutor?”


    “Yes, her tutor.I trained her when she was younger, soI know her quite well.That is why I was curious, Kakashi.”


    “So, it''sindeed her?” Asuma lit another cigarette, inhaling avitalizing streamof tobo.So this is the fabledAsami you have told me about?”


    “She is.” Kurenai confirmed.


    “...”Asuma exhaleda cloud of smoke andughed.“I see, and I thought her name was just a coincidence. I have the feeling...this is going to beaninterestingmatch. Guy’s most precious student against the legendary littleprincess. Iwonder who will win.”


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    “Are you both ready?” Hayateasked. Asami and Lee both nodded. Thus, the match started.


    Asami analysedher opponent. Lee''schakra level wasaverage, not to say mediocre. Furthermore, he appeared to bea taijustu user.


    Her lipssmirked. In summary, he was easy prey.She already pitied him. Poor boy.


    Lee readied himself and took abat stance. He was eager to fight, but he didn’t realise that the match was already over. “We are opponents now. So, let us both give our best!”


    His wordsamused, eliciting a giggle from her. “My best?Isincerely doubt that will be necessary.”


    Lee focused his eyes, challenging her. “How so?”


    “You will see, Lee, you will see.” Asami smiled, but her smile was cold, icy, without a trace of friendliness.“Don''t take thingspersonally. It''s really not your fault that you will lose.”


    Lee countered, “How can you be so sure that you will win, Asami-chan?”


    Asami shook her head, disappointed. “Lee, you are gravely mistaken. It''s not a matter of whether I win, but merely how long it will take.So do me a favour, Lee, and justsurrender. Spare yourself the fate awaitingyou. Forfeit for your own good, Lee.”Her intimidation failedto seed. Leeremained strong, his resolve firm.Hedidn''t waver. Instead, He chose to stand his ground.


    “Sorry,Asami-chan,I can’t. I can''t give up”, Lee rejected her offer.


    Asamitiltedher head. “You can’t? Why? Tell me, Lee, why do you not choose the mostsensible option and simply surrender?”


    “As said, I can’t, Asami-chan. I have to prove something to myself and the world.” Lee’s spirit burned bright. He wouldn’t budge.


    “You want to prove yourself? I see. Yet, I hope that you are aware of the consequences your decision brings, Lee. From here on, there is only victory or defeat.” Asami produced two kunai from her pouches andmenced her attack. She was swift, relentless, fast. She pressed her assault with a natural speed that was uncanny for a genin.


    Lee''s eyes went wide, and he wasn''t the only one.


    “...” Guy gritted his teeth. “Do you see this, Kakashi?”


    “...”Kakashi nodded, observingthe match in silence.


    Guy clenched his fist.“The girl is ... fast.


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