The day of the Chunnin Finals had come. Or more appropriately, the night. Due to security reasons (the Hokage, Kazekage AND Raikage were present), the combat usually taking place during the day was shifted to after the sunset, when the crowds had been dispersed. A skilled nin could hide in the darkness, but any fool could blend in with a crowd. Not that it was a worry; for the moon was full and shone brightly, illuminating the arena.
Dozens of daimyo had arrived in the village and were watching the clash of nin taking place in the Chunnin arena. Okuri was watching too, but not in the same seats of course.
On this night, he wore his combat outfit instead of his civilian clothes. It consisted of a black (but not quite ‘jet black’) jacket and matching jeans. The jacket hung open, showing the thick white cloth shirt he wore beneath it. His headband was tied onto his forehead, shining brighter than usual because of last night’s polishing efforts.
“Okuri?”
Okuri turned his head to Zenkutsu Hyuuga. The elder brother of Chika, he was one of the more well established members of the lower branch. His brown hair grew to the back of his neck and was cut clean there. He wore the traditional Hyuuga robe, paired with a pair of pants coloured a dark brown. His headband hid the cursemark bestowed upon all members of the lower branch.
“Make this quick. Itachi’s match is up next.”
The Hyuuga boy sighed. “I was looking at your chakra network in the Forest of Death, and….it’s very strange. You’ve got 2 of them.”
“What?”
“One’s the normal chakra system which can be found in every human….which, I might add, is just a bit large for your size…..”
“Yeah, but what about the second one you mentioned?”
Zenkutsu activated his bloodline ability, and the near invisible blood vessels began to show in his eyes. “It seems more…bound to your body. More physically integrated…..I’ve something like it before in the family tomes…..we keep records of people with unusual chakra networks….the last guy with a chakra system like yours had wicked physical attributes.”
Okuri focused his eyes on the arena below him. “Strength, speed, stamina, agility and the what not?”
“Plus he healed pretty fast.” The Hyuuga said as he studied Okuri’s arm with great exertion. “It seems to have branched out and dug into your muscles since the last time I saw it…..”
Okuri’s eyes widened. So THAT was what the voice in his head had done. That’s how it had prevented him from growing weaker, by expanding his secondary chakra network. But….had he been the one to place this secondary system of chakra in his body? And if so, when? And if not, how did it get there? And how long had it been there? How much control over his body did this mysterious voice truly have?
“Well, just wanted to let you know that it’s there and that I saw it.” Zenkutsu said before turning back to the arena.
Somehow, Okuri didn’t enjoy the match as much as he should have. He did not appreciate the sight of Itachi cutting up his opponent’s defensive jutsus and deftly dodging his offensive ones. Too much weighed on his mind to enjoy the effects of Itachi’s genjutsu on his opponent. He was not even excited when he was called down to the arena after Itachi’s imminent victory. The thought that he did not fully control himself disturbed him so.
It was right before he stepped into the arena that the voice spoke again.
”Nice work, kid, for making it this far. NOW, don’t screw up.”
