Chapter 6 .2:
....
There was something about important days you couldn't sense or notice in the air, nor in the light, or not even the scorching temperature of Sunagakure. It was more like a different kind of silence. A moment when or a way in which people's footsteps paused for just an extra second... a second longer. A faint, subtle vibration that moved through the space like a wordless whisper.
Kiba felt it ever since morning.
Today officially marked the end of his third year at the academy.
And, like Rasa the previous year, he wasn't there for the sensei's final sermon, speech or to scribble rushed notes. Instead, he was on one of the old training platforms… the ones the Second Kazekage built years ago, copying(or stealing) the idea from his counterpart in Konoha.
A rough stone platform, hot to the touch, with cracks left to flourish by time and neglect, and obviously covered in sand.
Sunagakure didn't have many of these. The few that existed were built by the Second Kazekage, who founded the ninja academy here…
But then most of the village's budget went to the research sector. Even the former second Kazekage himself stepped down to join the village's research department, handing his role to the Third Kazekage.
And the Third Kazekage was also more interested in research and, therefore, spent most of his time improving his magnetic element... his iconic iron sand.
Since the village leadership prioritized research, everything else took a back seat.... which is why the academy wasn't exactly in peak condition, but it still had what it needed to train young ninjas.
Thanks to his efforts and accomplishments this year.... as the top of his class and the entire academy once Rasa graduated.... Kiba had become the main reference point in the academy. At a young age, he'd earned respect and attention.
He'd even managed to finally caught the eye of the Third Kazekage himself, who took the time to summon him for a personal talk. He acknowledged Kiba's talent and potential, offering him two damn B-rank ninjutsu scrolls... one Earth Release, one Wind Release.
Accepting these was almost akin to willing to work more under his command than that of the leader of his own clan, though of course this was a sneaky way of stating this.
And Kiba, well... of course he accepted immediately. He didn't care if it got him even closer to the Kazekage.... and in a way to agree ing to his evident offer to operate more under him than the leader of the Jiki clan.
No! In fact, it aligned perfectly with his long-term plan.
After all, that had been his plan all along, so no, he didn't have the same problem as other members of clans or prominent families who couldn't afford to accept such things since it could be interpreted as aligning with the Kazekage over their respective families.
yep. Unlike other members of prominent families who might shy away from such recognition, Kiba saw it differently: it wasn't a reward, it was a helping hand that one chooses whether to take or not. Something he was free to accept.
Why? Cause he didn't really intend to resitring himself to just the Jiki clan nor to be under the command of the clan leader... no, he would be free and that would only be achieved by being on the side of the Kazekage himself.
…
"Three minutes," the council member had said slowly, stretching out the syllables, as if wanting to making make them ceremonial. "You just have to last three minutes in front of the chunin assigned. Then you'll be a genin."
Simple… yet daunting, depending on the chunin.
Kiba took a deep breath. Heat was already soaking his forehead, and the floating dust lightly scratched at his throat... not out of annoyance, but habit. In Suna, everything tasted like sand, even important days.
He'd trained and worked the hell out of him... like a fucking crazy man... for this. Day by day, night after night, with only four to five hours of sleep(and he love sleep!).... every strike repeated a thousand times. The fight against Kobashi had cemented his status as strongest in the academy.... but that had been a simpler match... a simple fight, a very simple one.
This… this was different. Yea, this was something else.
This was about winning. Impressing. And proving he was ready to move on.
For multiple purposes at once…
Kiba wanted to complete his system quests and finally earn the Third Kazekage's support.... a place beside him
Today was the day part of his truth would surface... and come to light for the Suna people. He'd prove Rasa wasn't the only one with the magnet element… and he'd show everyone his control was similar to the Kazekage's… at least that's what they'd be made to see - what he would make everyone believe.
His true potential.... his kinda "trump card".... would remain his secret. Something only he'd knew and well… maybe in the future, the souls of those he killed using it, but never... no one alive... would know abaut his truly potential, oh and he surely would make sure of that.
But that wasn't important now, because just the fact of showing and displaying his magnet release and a control similar to the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand would generate euphoria and expectations in the village.... though also risk chaos and envy, as well as countless other complications and possible problems that were impossible to fully predict.
Oh yeah.... Kiba knew some wouldn't be pleased.... especially folks in the Jiki clan, maybe even Rasa himself and his father de clan leader..... yea many would look at him with murderous eyes.
They would probably just see him as mere competition to Rasa himself…
So he even might become a pariah and an outcast among his own clan… but with the Kazekage's backing, none of that would matter; since no one could touch him. Not even the leaders of the other familias or the Jiki clan head.
So yea.... Kiba aspired to that.
That was the whole plan. To gain the right and necessary support to act without holding back.
There was no better way than this.
And Kiba was so close to making his plans come true… yes, he felt that his plan was being fulfilled.
And this was the final step.
He was close enough to taste success. It set in motion exactly as he planned. Today was the culmination.
And no. Nothing was left to chance.
Behind him, sand crackled under multiple footsteps.
"Kiba!" shouted a voice that was already too familiar. "Don't start without us!"
It was Karura.
The quick rhythm of her hurried steps gave her away.
Beside her, Pakura came grumbling something.... probably complaining about having to run under the sun to see him of all the damn people in the shinobi world.. and Yashamaru matched her pace with calm composure.
Kiba didn't turn, just smiled.
"How was your last day of class without me?" he asked. It was the first time the two hadn't gone to the academy together; after all, Karura always came to get him, but this time he simply didn't have to go.
"Boring! But this more than makes up for it," Karura replied, laughter dancing in the air. "Wow. Look at all the people here."
"Wow, Kiba, look at all your fans," she teased, knowing he was never comfortable being the center of attention... the spotlight.
"Not fans. Curious eyes. Or hoping I'll fall," he answered, more amused than annoyed.
"I'd be one of those," Pakura said, arms crossed, though her tone was softer than usual. Maybe Kiba just wasn't worth the bile anymore.
"Yeah, Sister of the Year," Karura scoffed sarcastically. "But everyone knows all Suna wants him to win. It's not every day you see a puppeteer fighting up close, you know?"
"Oh, and maybe after today Chiyo will take you on as a student. Wouldn't that be awesome, Kiba?" she added, more excited by the idea than he could be.
"Hmm... I heard from a friend that you'll definitely get that offer—even if you're from the Jiki clan. Everyone in the Chikamatsu family is impressed by your talent and well... your unique style and skill." coment Yashamaru.
"Yep. They really respects and value any talented puppeteer" Karura added. "Whether or not they're part of the Chikamatsu family"
"Ehh? Chiyo? Kiba's sensei?" said Pakura with a mocking tone. "Ha, yea.... Sure, sure…"
"Heh. You'd be surprised, Pakura, how much they appreciate Kiba—even our family admits he's a prodigy," Karura said proudly, as if she were the reason behind it or somthing like that... who knows.
"You're exaggerating," said Kiba, slightly amused as he felt through his mental map how Pakura's face twisted in disgust at her siblings praising him so much.
Yashamaru nodded behind him.
"Not at all. Even the Kazekage gave you those scrolls for a reason. No one hands out B-rank ninjutsu lightly." he added, like someone stating the obvious that the other tried to ignore out of modesty.
Kiba lowered his head, silent. He knew they were right.
After all, he had planned everything to turn out the way it was now…
Everything had been orchestrated for this day. Being Chiyo's student would be amazing, sure… but he had a higher goal.
That's why he accepted those scrolls... Fūton and Dōton.... without hesitation. Not out of greed… well, maybe a little. But also because each step closer to the Kazekage was a step toward his plan's success.
Yes… everything was part of the plan. And today would be its ultimate triumph... a total success.
It wasn't arrogance or overconfidence.... no, he left nothing to luck or chance. That's why he knew success was bound to happen.
After a few more words with Karura, Yashamaru, and Pakura, the moment of truth arrived. The confrontation finally came.
Kiba stepped onto the platform where his graduation match would take place.
...