Third Person POV
The crowd was still cheering fervently, even minutes after the fight between the Uchiha and the Hatake had ended. It had been quite a fight, especially considering they were just genins. Even with Shisui's victory over Kakashi, right then it seemed like both had won, given the audience's excited chatter.
The two boys had already returned to the waiting area. And of course, Amaya immediately bombarded Shisui with questions about what he had done with his Sharingan at the end of his fight with Kakashi.
Though he wouldn't admit it, the Hatake was also curious about that. When he had hesitated in his attack and said he was forfeiting the match, he did it with conviction and genuinely thought he wanted to do it. But when the Uchiha deactivated his Sharingan, that desire had vanished.
Since they had a few minutes before the final round, Shisui ate a food pill to replenish the chakra he'd spent in the previous fight and to be ready to combat his sister next.
– This is the power of my Mangekyou Sharingan – the Uchiha began to explain – I call it Kotoamatsukami. I'm far from mastering it completely, but I've trained with it a lot and learned what I can do with it – The brunette gave a weak smile – It's a kind of genjutsu that can indirectly control the target, making the victim believe they are thinking and acting of their own free will.
– That explains why you stopped your attack against Shisui and announced your forfeit out loud – The redhead pointed out, her attention turning to Kakashi.
– But if you had that up your sleeve, why did you only use it at the very end? – Hatake asked, slightly annoyed.
– Obviously, because I was saving it for Amaya – The Uchiha admitted cheerfully.
– But you can use it in your next fight, right? – The redhead questioned, and her brother shook his head.
– Like I said before, I'm far from mastering it, and I'm lucky if I can use it once a day – He clarified – So I won't be able to use it again today.
– So the fact you used your trump card on me means I actually had you cornered – Hatake teased with a smug little smile under his mask, making Shisui let out a weak laugh.
– Can't argue with that – The Uchiha said – But you should know I also went easy on you when I used Kotoamatsukami.
– Oh, really? – Kakashi asked, crossing his arms.
– Now that I think about it, it's true – Amaya commented, and both boys looked at her – If Kotoamatsukami can make someone act according to the user's will without them knowing, Shisui could have ended the fight the moment he caught you in his genjutsu – She explained, staring at Hatake – But instead, he made it seem like you forfeited to avoid a fatal blow.
– And why would you do that? – The platinum blonde asked, quieter and still skeptical that the Uchiha had actually done that.
– If you want to know, you need to think about why I thought of saving it for Amaya – Shisui said with an enigmatic, weak smile, leaving Kakashi momentarily confused – And by the way, you were watching with your Sharingan, weren't you? – The Uchiha quickly turned to his sister, and she nodded, making him smile proudly – That's why you figured it out so fast!
– Are you ready to start your match? – One of the jounins coordinating the event appeared in the waiting area, and the siblings looked at him.
– Yes – They announced in unison.
– Alright, then head to the field to begin – They both nodded.
Shisui was the first to get to his feet. Although he hadn't fully recovered from his fight with Kakashi, he was excited about dueling his sister in the final. I want to see how much she's improved these past few months..., he admitted to himself.
The Uzumaki stood up and picked up her wakizashi from the bench she had occupied with her teammates. Before she could move away to follow her brother to the arena field, Kakashi mustered the courage to speak.
– Amaya, one thing... – She stopped and turned her eyes to the platinum blonde.
– Yes?
– Let's continue our competition – He raised his closed fist, and the girl stared at him, not understanding.
– Rock-paper-scissors? Now? – The redhead asked, and he nodded – Kakashi, later...
– Just do it, come on – He insisted, and Amaya stared at him for a moment before letting out a weak laugh.
– And I'm the weird one, right? – Hatake gave a weak smile.
They played quickly, and the platinum blonde managed to win, luckily, on the first try as he'd hoped.
– That leaves us tied – The redhead pointed out.
– I told you I wouldn't let you win this competition – Kakashi commented with a smug smile, and the Uzumaki gave a weak laugh – And I'll tell you what you have to do for losing right now.
– Already? – He nodded and moved closer to her to speak quietly, since Shisui was watching them both.
– You need to win this match – He stepped back and stared at her, seeing her confused look.
A confusion that lasted only a moment, before the redhead started laughing, understanding his reason. She nodded and headed for the staircase leading to the arena field.
"If you want to know, you need to think about why I thought of saving it for Amaya," Hatake recalled Shisui's words as his two teammates headed for their match.
It's simple when you think about it, he affirmed to himself mentally. Amaya is a tough opponent. Kakashi smiled. And she'll probably give Shisui a hard time in this fight.
– Give that weasel-face a good beating, Venus – Hatake requested quietly.
__________________________________________________________________________
– It was a very balanced fight between the members of the Uchiha and Hatake clans – Danzo commented a few minutes before Amaya and Shisui entered the field for the final match of the Chunnin Exam – We can easily consider them both for promotion to chunnin level.
– Indeed – The Sandaime agreed calmly with the councilor's words – Besides both having a high combat level, their skills are refined, and they acted strategically against each other.
– And what about the Uzumaki girl? – Shimura asked – You said she could hold her own against either of them – Danzo looked at the Hokage – Are you still sure about that?
– I had the chance to see her power level for myself some time ago, and with all the reports from Shikaku and Minato regarding her development, everything confirms her abilities – Hiruzen expressed with a weak smile – She is also a strong candidate for chunnin. And I know we're in for a spectacle with this final match between siblings.
– What? – Danzo asked, surprised by the Sandaime's announcement.
The Uzumaki girl is Shisui Uchiha's sister? The councilor questioned internally. How is that possible? But he didn't have time to get an answer from the Hokage, as Ren, the sensor jounin, announced the start of the next match.
– And here we have the last match, the one everyone was waiting for – The jounin announced – Amaya Uzumaki vs. Shisui Uchiha!
The crowd was excited. It was a match almost as anticipated as the previous one. Everyone had expectations for Shisui; after all, the boy carried the Uchiha name.
But Amaya was like a revelation, since her own clan's name didn't frequently circulate in public gossip, given their near-total extinction – and also because people hadn't heard of such a skilled young kunoichi in Konoha before.
The siblings stopped near the sensor jounin, listening to the crowd's cheers and comments. Shisui laughed at the situation, as for him it was a moment to relax before he had to get serious during the fight.
The Uzumaki, however, was restless. So many eyes on her, her name being called out by the people watching... For someone who always tried to stay unnoticed, it made her completely uncomfortable.
– Hey... – The Uchiha called out to his sister, and she looked at him – It's okay – He spoke calmly to reassure her – Ignore them and just focus on our fight.
– I'll... try – The girl said and focused her gaze on her brother to avoid noticing the public's stare.
– Well, you know the rules – Ren said – Any objections? – The Uchiha promptly refused.
– Yes... – Amaya said, and both looked at her – Shisui, you didn't bring another tantō?
– I only had the one that scarecrow guy broke – The brunette scratched his head, messing up his hair a bit more.
– Well, I guess in that case it's better to give you this now...
She reached for the small pouch attached to her sword's sheath strap, taking out a scroll. Both the sensor jounin and Shisui looked at her, not understanding.
The redhead opened the scroll and with a half-ram seal released the sealing technique. A tantō appeared from the smoke that emerged from the scroll.
– I was saving it to give to you as a present for your promotion to chunnin, but I think you'll need it now – The girl explained quietly, but loud enough for her brother to hear.
And he couldn't help but smile at his adorable little sister. She was always like this, always had something prepared for any moment, surprising everyone with such things. She threw the sheathed tantō in his direction, and the boy caught it.
Unlike normal tantō, this one had a slightly flatter hilt instead of a circular one, and it was wrapped in bandages. This makes it more comfortable to grip..., the Uchiha thought.
He unsheathed the tantō and ran his eyes over the blade. It was very well-crafted and seemed much more resilient than his previous one. She really knows how to pick them, he admitted and smiled.
– Thank you! – Shisui thanked as he turned his eyes back to Amaya.
– Okay... – The sensor jounin resumed, understanding that the two youngsters were now ready – When you're both ready – The siblings looked at each other – Begin!
But unlike what everyone expected, neither of them moved immediately. They both smiled slightly.
Near the Sandaime, Danzo and Orochimaru had their attention focused on the two genins in the arena field. Their expressions were impassive, but internally, both were astonished by what they saw.
It can't be..., was what the councilor thought as he kept his gaze on the small Uzumaki. It's impossible, but...
Red hair like the Uzumakis, but with a black streak like the Uchihas..., the Sannin noted the particular details. Plus being blood-related to Kagami Uchiha's son... Without a doubt, it's her.
He and Danzo exchanged a discreet look, understanding that they had both concluded the same thing about the little redhead: One of their experiments had survived and was alive before their eyes.
Amaya raised her left arm and Shisui his right, both forming the Seal of Confrontation.
Few of those watching could understand the real meaning behind why they were doing that. Normally, the seal was used in sparring matches between Academy students, and when the match ended, it would be accompanied by the Seal of Reconciliation, indicating that they were still comrades despite the previous confrontation.
But for the two involved at that moment, the meaning went beyond that: It was a fight between siblings, family. With the Seal of Confrontation, they were setting that aside to fight solely as ninja of Konoha. Because only then did they know they would fight seriously.
Their expressions softened and took on a more serious air, different from just moments before. Seconds later, they both brought their dominant hands to the hilts of their respective swords, gripping them.
When their eyes took on the same vibrant red color, they advanced toward each other with their swords in hand. The metallic clang hit the hearing of everyone in the arena hard. Heavy blows were exchanged, but no one was truly hit, only their blades.
Through the use of the Sharingan, both could anticipate part of the movements and attacks the other would make, thus keeping the fight between them balanced. Their movements were almost identical, as if they were fighting before a mirror, given their synchrony.
Knowing they wouldn't get anywhere if they continued fighting like that, Amaya tried to land a kick at Shisui's head level. The boy, understanding what she was about to do, ducked to avoid the blow and took the opportunity to try and sweep the redhead's legs.
The Uzumaki jumped before her brother's leg could touch her shins and created distance from him, just as he did from her. The Uchiha joined his hands to start using jutsus against Amaya.
– Wind Style: Breakthrough!
A large amount of wind was directed at the redhead, who was already finishing the hand seals for a jutsu to counter the one coming at her.
– Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
A wave of heat formed when the jutsus collided. Fire was strong against wind, which caused Shisui's jutsu to be dispelled he knew that, regardless of what he used, his sister could block it with a dominant nature jutsu.
Because of this, before the fire dissipated completely, he threw several shuriken through the flames.
The redhead only noticed the weapons coming at her through the fire when they were inches away. She dodged the ones she could and blocked the others with her wakizashi, retreating a few steps and ending up with one knee on the ground.
Shisui used the time Amaya was defending against the ninja tools to advance behind her to attack, along with a Shadow Clone. And as he imagined, the girl sensed him approaching.
From the waiting area, Kakashi was restless watching the fight unfolding in the arena field. And he was surprised by the apparent ease with which Amaya dealt with the Uchiha's varied attacks.
The Hatake had fought both of them and knew how good they were, but he never imagined a fight between them could be like this. And he also didn't imagine that Amaya had such mastery over the Sharingan as the Uchihas..., he thought.
Before Shisui and his clone could reach her, the girl slammed her hands on the ground.
– Earth Style: Earth Wave!
The ground under the Uchiha's feet became unstable, preventing him and his clone from running. In the meantime, Amaya quickly alternated her gaze between Shisui and his clone, trying to identify which was the real one.
Her brother thought faster than his own clone and threw his tantō at Amaya, to make her lose control over the earth style jutsu. And because of this, the redhead was able to figure out who the real one was.
She leaped away before Shisui's tantō could hit her, but also threw her own, hitting the brother's clone and making it disappear in a puff of smoke. The Uchiha smiled mentally at the redhead's quick perception.
But he had already prepared for the possibility of Amaya getting rid of his first clone so quickly. The second clone prepared by Shisui advanced from behind the girl as she was landing from dodging the brother's thrown tantō.
The Uzumaki noticed the clone coming at her and laughed mentally, remembering that what her brother was doing resembled their training session the day before her genin graduation exam, where he had left a clone hidden.
She landed softly on the ground and immediately raised her arms to block the blow the brother's clone was about to inflict. The real Shisui approached them to also attack Amaya.
Two against one. It was a difficult situation for anyone to handle, especially against a skilled opponent. But the Uzumaki had already planned how to reverse the situation.
When Shisui's real body briefly moved away to strike her, the redhead dodged the clone's attack and crouched, joining her hands and quickly forming a few seals.
From the stands, Kushina couldn't keep still. The redhead knew what the little Uzumaki was doing at that moment.
– That is... – Minato began to speak and looked at the redhead beside him, who nodded excitedly.
– The Uzumaki Sealing Technique – Kushina said proudly.
– She mastered it in these last few months? – The blonde asked, and the Uzumaki nodded, making him smile – Incredible...
And you haven't even seen the best part of what she's mastered..., the redhead thought, turning her gaze back to the unfolding battle.
When she slapped one hand against the ground, dark inscriptions emerged and advanced toward Shisui's real body, about to envelop him. The Uchiha wouldn't be able to dodge that.
But thanks to his clone, which pushed him aside and took his place, Shisui escaped being caught by his sister's sealing jutsu. The Uzumaki Sealing Technique allowed anything to be trapped within the seal's formula, unable to escape on their own.
The Uchiha retreated a bit from his sister, quickly studying what she had done. I have to be careful with this, he warned himself. I was lucky to escape that time.
Shisui dispelled his clone trapped in the sealing jutsu, and it disappeared. Because of this, Amaya also dispelled her technique and stood up again.
Serious expressions were on the siblings' faces, but internally, both were comfortable at that moment. They had trained together many times, and this was the best way for them to let off steam.
They were slightly out of breath. Besides the intense fight from both sides, they were also spending a lot of chakra to keep up with each other.
They both still had a few techniques up their sleeves and knew this was the moment to use them. This time, Shisui took the initiative to act. He joined his hands, quickly forming the seals.
– Body Flicker Technique!
From where the brunette was standing, two versions of him ran in opposite directions, right and left, toward the Uzumaki. From these two, two more appeared, making three on each side.
Shadow Clones? The redhead wondered, going on guard. Or are they Afterimage Clones? Whichever they are, I can find out if I can locate the real one's chakra. However, she soon realized that all the clones had chakra.
Reaching the girl, the clones' attacks were divided between ninja tools and taijutsu. Noticing the disadvantage she was in, Amaya concentrated her chakra and used a jutsu to try and dispel all those clones.
– Water Style: Wild Water Wave!
The redhead spun on her feet to hit all the clones surrounding her, but unlike what she expected, they didn't disappear.
What is this? She wondered. They're not Afterimage Clones because they have chakra, but they're not Shadow Clones either because they don't disappear when hit. She blocked a blow coming her way. They don't seem to have mass, but they can still materialize to attack like a Shadow Clone...
That's when she thought of something.
What if this technique is like the Hiraishin? It's a teleportation jutsu, but this one doesn't seem to need seals to transport the user. So that means... All the clones are actually Shisui's afterimages!
She smiled mentally. It has to be that. The redhead jumped away from the afterimages the Uchiha produced as he moved, understanding another point about the technique. And it seems the person can only move to where the clones are. So in that case...
She grabbed several kunai at once, throwing some toward the afterimages produced by her brother's technique, and others to distant spots in the arena field.
Up in the stands, Minato leaned forward on the railing, disbelieving what he imagined the little Uzumaki was about to do. It can't be..., he thought. She...
– Kushina, is that...! – He asked, without taking his eyes off the fight.
– It was the surprise she wanted to show you when you got back – The redhead commented, smiling.
– This is going to be interesting... – Jiraiya said with an amused smile at Namikaze's surprised expression toward what that child was doing.
Amaya stopped far from her brother and his afterimages. I have very little chakra left... I can use the Hiraishin, at most, four times if I use that technique simultaneously... She took a deep breath. Here goes.
Shisui wasn't much different from his sister in terms of fatigue and lack of chakra. I can't use the Body Flicker Technique and my Sharingan at the same time anymore, he decided. I'll have to stick with just one...
And with that, the Uchiha dispelled the Body Flicker Technique – the Sharingan was the better choice at that moment to prevent any attack from the redhead.
Before using the Flying Thunder God Technique, the girl deactivated her Sharingan and began to quickly concentrate her remaining chakra.
As Shisui approached Amaya, the girl used the first of four teleports she had available. The Uchiha looked at the spot where his sister had been, slightly stunned. What did she do...? He wondered internally.
Since his Sharingan was still active, he could see the redhead advancing toward him from behind. How did she get there?! The brunette searched for an explanation but didn't have time to think about it.
The Uchiha tried to strike Amaya, but the girl used the Hiraishin again, appearing deliberately to his right. She threw a marked kunai to where her brother's left side would be, and he turned toward her.
Shisui, trying to understand what his sister was doing, threw his last shuriken at her.
But the girl didn't dodge the weapons.
Wounds opened, and trickles of blood slowly dripped down her pale skin. Amaya let herself fall to her knees, and the Uchiha couldn't help but worry.
All the people close to her at that moment couldn't help but worry too. Why didn't she dodge?! They thought nervously.
It was at the exact moment her knees hit the ground that the girl released all her concentrated chakra at once, materializing a single chain of chakra behind her back.
Then, she used the Hiraishin for the third time, teleporting not herself, but her own materialized chakra chain. From the marked kunai beside Shisui, that chain emerged and quickly wrapped around the boy.
– I can't believe it, dattebane! – Kushina shouted, surprised – That... That is..! – She couldn't even speak properly, so great was the shock overwhelming her.
The chakra concentrated in the form of a chain kept the Uchiha bound. The boy tried to move or even use his chakra, but nothing worked. What is this?! He asked himself nervously and turned his eyes to where his sister had been, but the girl had disappeared again.
All he could perceive next was the cold metal of a kunai against his neck and Amaya's labored breathing behind him.
– Sorry, nii-san, but it's over... – She whispered low enough for only him to hear at that moment.
The brunette was still surprised by the recent events, but he couldn't help but smile slightly.
– Yeah, it's over – He agreed.
The sensor jounin, understanding that the Uchiha could no longer escape, raised his hand.
– The winner is Amaya Uzumaki! – He announced the end of the match.