Takimura genins spent a few hours resting. During that time, Kaoru checked the belongings of the fallen Kiri genins for anything useful. He collected 50k ryo, several explosive tags, kunai, shuriken, and an empty scroll.
The group argued extensively about what to do with the shark-toothed Kiri genin who was still unconscious. Most of them leaned towards killing him outright, while a few, like Akane, wanted to spare his life. Kaoru had been stalling, hoping the genin would wake up and provide some valuable information, but it became clear he wouldn’t regain consciousness anytime soon. In the end, the decision was made to eliminate him as well. Akane argued passionately against it, but Kaoru firmly stated, “We can’t leave loose ends behind. Even if Kiri suspects us later, it’s a completely different situation if there’s a surviving witness.”
Once their rest period ended, the group quickly resumed their journey to the tower at the center of the forest. Akane carried Sugeru on her back since she was the strongest physically and her larger stature made it easier. Mizuki and Kaoru took the lead while Yuji and Akito flanked them on the sides, forming a protective formation.
Kaoru kept his Suijingan activated, carefully navigating the group through safe routes to avoid any potential encounters. Their priority was ensuring Sugeru's safety, and any distractions would jeopardize that goal.
As they moved, Kaoru broke the silence after making sure that no one would be able to listen to their conversation. “Mizuki, what happened back there?” There was a clear undertone of concern in his voice.
“What do you mean?” Mizuki asked. It wasn’t clear whether she was feigning ignorance or genuinely unsure of what Kaoru was referring to.
“You lost control. You were consumed by anger and hatred,” Kaoru pressed, pausing to give her space to explain.
After a brief silence, Mizuki finally responded. “They hurt my friends. I’ll never forgive anyone who threatens what’s important to me,” she said firmly. After a moment, she added, “I know you’re level-headed, Kaoru. You can think clearly no matter the situation. But when something—or someone—I love is in danger, I lose that ability. I just… can’t think straight.”
Kaoru glanced at her but didn’t relent. “Mizuki, losing control like that is dangerous—not just for you but for the entire team. You ignored my instructions back there, and we lost a valuable chance to gain information. We could’ve found out where the remaining two Kiri genin were.”
Mizuki exhaled sharply, clearly agitated. “I know,” she admitted after a pause. “But what do you want me to say? I’m sorry? Because I’m not. I’ll always protect the people I care about, and I’ll be ruthless to anyone who deserves it. That’s just who I am.” She quickened her pace, signaling the conversation was over.
Kaoru sighed, watching her retreat ahead. [This isn’t over, Mizuki. You can’t keep letting your emotions rule you, or one day it’ll cost us more than just lost information.] He didn’t say it aloud, though. For now, their priority was reaching the tower.
<<<>>>
Maki was exploring Konoha on her own. Shin had refused to join her despite her persistent begging.
“I’d rather wait here for news about the kids,” he’d said, his tone as flat as ever.
“There’s no way anything will go wrong in a fight where Kaoru can use his full power. We both know he’s above chunin level,” Maki had snorted dismissively.
Shin, however, had given her a pointed look. “There are many kids in that forest who are also above chunin level. I’ve seen at least three myself.”
Still, Maki didn’t relent. If Shin wasn’t going to come along, she’d explore Konoha on her own.
She spent hours strolling through the bustling streets, browsing shops that sold scrolls, clothes, beauty products, and even books. The books held her attention the longest—specifically those that approached topics from a scientific perspective. She knew Kaoru benefited far more from analytical material than from traditional shinobi manuals.
After a while, she decided to stretch her muscles and keep herself sharp. She headed toward one of the training grounds on the outskirts of the village. Once there, she began her warmup—a series of exercises so intense that it would have been a hellish training session for most people. Maki was so absorbed in her routine that she didn’t notice when someone approached her.
“Excuse me, miss,” a polite voice interrupted. She stopped mid-punch and turned to see a guy around her age standing at the edge of the training ground. He was wearing plain, unassuming clothes, but his demeanor was anything but ordinary. His bushy black eyebrows arched dramatically over his sharp, determined eyes, and his wide, almost theatrical smile radiated a peculiar sort of energy. His jet-black bowl-cut hair added to his unusual appearance. What stood out most, however, was his posture—straight as an arrow, exuding confidence and strength that was impossible to miss.
“I’ve reserved this training ground,” he explained, his tone was courteous and he was avoiding direct eye contact with Maki. “You must be from another village. In Konoha, you need to book a training ground in advance if you want to train.”
Maki blinked at him for a moment, sizing him up. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know that,” she said casually, brushing some hair out of her face. Then her lips curled into a mischievous grin. “But since you’re here… how about we spar? It’ll be a good workout for both of us.”
The boy’s thick brows arched in surprise. “You wish to spar with me?” he asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Very well! I am Might Guy, Konoha’s master of taijutsu. It would be my honor to face a worthy opponent!”
Maki’s grin widened. [Master of taijutsu, huh? This should be interesting.]
The two squared off in the training ground, and the spar began. Maki moved first, disappearing in a blur of speed and reappearing right next to Guy, her fist already in motion. Guy, unfazed, raised his arm to block it with ease. The sound of her punch meeting his forearm echoed like a sharp clap, but neither flinched.
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Maki twisted her body, transitioning seamlessly into a low kick aimed at Guy’s legs. He hopped lightly, avoiding it, and countered with a spinning back kick aimed at her ribs. Maki raised her arm just in time to block, her feet sliding slightly on the ground from the force.
"Not bad," Maki muttered, smirking as she darted forward again. She unleashed a flurry of punches, each strike precise and relentless. Guy matched her pace, weaving through her attacks with smooth movements, his hands deflecting her blows with a precision that spoke of his mastery.
"Impressive speed!" Guy exclaimed mid-dodge, his wide grin never faltering. He retaliated with a straight punch aimed at Maki's chest. She sidestepped and retaliated with an elbow strike aimed at his jaw, but Guy ducked beneath it, his body twisting like a coiled spring as he launched an upward kick.
Maki barely leaned back in time, the force of the kick grazing her nose. She used the momentum to flip backward, landing lightly on her feet. Guy didn’t let her rest, closing the distance with a flying knee strike. Maki planted her feet firmly and caught his knee with both hands, pushing it aside before spinning to deliver a roundhouse kick of her own.
Guy ducked, the kick grazing the tips of his hair, and he launched himself into a handstand. Using his legs like whips, he spun rapidly, forcing Maki to take a step back to avoid the flurry of kicks. She found an opening and lunged forward, aiming to sweep his supporting arm, but Guy anticipated the move and flipped backward onto his feet, landing gracefully.
The two stood facing each other again, breathing a bit heavier now but grinning.
"You’re fast and relentless," Guy said, his voice filled with excitement. "I can see your training is no joke!"
"And you’re the real deal," Maki replied, her eyes gleaming with exhilaration.
[This guy is fast,] Maki thought, dodging a high kick very narrowly as it grazed her hair. [And he’s holding back.]
Guy, meanwhile, was equally impressed. [She’s no ordinary kunoichi. Her movements are flawless—no wasted energy.]
After a few minutes of intense back-and-forth, Maki stepped back, her cyan eyes narrowing. “Time to step it up,” she muttered.
She activated Predator’s Pact. Her eyes, glowing cyan, began to morph, the irises sharpening into predatory vertical slits. Her chakra flared violently, enveloping her in an almost tangible aura of power. Her movements became faster and more feral, and even her breathing seemed to synchronize with the primal energy coursing through her.
Guy’s eyes widened, his heart pounding with excitement. “Such incredible chakra! Very well! I shall rise to meet your challenge!”
He stepped back and soon a surge of energy enveloped him. His muscles tensed and veins bulged as he activated the Fourth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates. The air around him vibrated with raw power as his green chakra aura flared to life.
[What is this power?] Maki thought, her instincts flaring as her body prepared for the incoming storm. [He’s holding nothing back now?!]
The two warriors faced each other, their heightened auras clashing in the air, creating an almost physical pressure that crackled like a storm about to break. Neither moved for a heartbeat, but then they vanished.
A shockwave erupted as their fists collided mid-air, the impact sending ripples through the ground and nearby trees. Maki twisted mid-strike, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to pivot and strike from a low angle. Guy blocked it with his forearm and retaliated with a spinning kick, his enhanced speed almost too fast to follow.
Maki ducked under the kick and darted forward, her movements more feral now, like a predator stalking its prey. Her claws—fingertips sharpened with chakra—sliced through the air, forcing Guy to leap back. He landed effortlessly but immediately surged forward again, launching a barrage of strikes.
Each blow was parried or dodged, the two of them moving so fast that their figures seemed to blur. The training ground trembled with the force of their exchanges, neither giving an inch. Guy aimed a devastating punch at her side, but Maki twisted unnaturally, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to avoid the attack by a hair’s breadth. She retaliated with a clawed swipe, her chakra lashing out like a blade.
Guy ducked under the strike, flipping backward to create distance. He grinned despite the sweat dripping down his face. "This is incredible! Your technique is… animalistic. Raw, but refined at the same time."
Maki smirked, her breathing steady despite the intensity of their clash. "You’re not too bad yourself."
The two warriors exchanged one last flurry of attacks, each blow landing with a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves rippling through the training ground. They leaped back simultaneously, their auras still flaring but their faces reflecting mutual respect.
"Let’s call it a day," Guy said, his grin returning as he let his chakra aura fade. "If we keep going, this training ground might not survive."
Maki chuckled, deactivating Predator’s Pact as the silvery markings on her skin slowly receded. "Agreed. Besides, I don’t think either of us wants to explain to the Hokage why we leveled his training ground."
They both laughed, sharing a brief moment of camaraderie. Guy scratched the back of his head sheepishly before realizing something. "You’re strong… but I don’t think I caught your name."
"I’m Takime Maki, from Takimura," Maki said with a smile. She admired Guy’s strength, thinking to herself, [I can’t believe someone this strong is just casually walking around Konoha.]
Guy’s own grin widened as he gave her his signature thumbs-up, his respect for her clear. [She’s amazing! Her strength rivals the toughest opponents I’ve ever faced!] "Well, Maki, it’s been a long time since I’ve had such an invigorating workout."
Maki smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. “You’re not so bad yourself, Master of Taijutsu. Let’s do this again sometime.”
Guy’s grin grew impossibly wider. “I’d be honored! You’ve got the spirit of youth burning bright, Maki! Let’s make it happen!”
“I’ll be here for at least two more weeks, until the chunin exams are over,” Maki said, tossing her hair back casually. “If you’re up for it, we could keep sparring.”
“I’d be glad to,” Guy replied warmly. [What a formidable woman!] He extended his hand, which Maki shook firmly, both of them radiating mutual respect.
As they parted ways, Maki couldn’t help but glance back with a small grin. [That guy is on a whole different level. Sparring with him might be just what I need to push my limits.]
Guy, on the other hand, walked away with fire in his eyes. [Such power, such drive! The spirit of Takimura is truly magnificent!]
**
A/N -
To clarify, Maki is 17, almost 18, during the chunin exams. Guy (and Kakashi too) is roughly 8 years older than Itachi, who is 7 at this point. That makes Guy and Kakashi around 15-16 years old. This is why Maki and Guy were able to speak so casually with one another, as their ages aren’t too far apart.
Character Notes:
Maki - Competitive - “I can’t believe someone in this village is actually stronger than me in taijutsu! I need to spar with him more.”
Might Guy - Impressed - “Maki’s youth burns brightly! Such passion, such energy! But why does she make me feel like I’ve got something to prove?”
**