[fieldbox='Hayate Hyuzu, Silver']
Konoha Chuunin, Team 2
Day 4 of the Timeskip
Zodiac Operation
Hayate's Battle
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As the group split off into several directions, Hayate took one last look back at Kiyomi. A part of him wanted to stay and fight with her, but he knew she could take care of herself. Clenching his fists, Hayate disappeared below the earth, making his way towards his own target.
He could sense his opponent standing alone in the distance. From what Hayate could tell, his opponent was making no attempt to hide himself. That meant he was either very confident, or Hayate could be heading into a trap. Proceeding with caution, he made his way towards the solitary figure.
Stopping a short distance away, Hayate rose from the earth, a kunai already in each hand. Surprise hit him as his opponent finally came into view.
"K...Kenta? Why...?
"Hello Hayate-san." Kenta said, his powerful voice making the words clear, despite how tenderly the man spoke.
"It is a pity that you were the one who wound up here. I'd rather not have had to kill you." Kenta's words came out oddly sincere, and the man made no move to approach.
"You... so this is what happened to you after you went missing. You turned traitor." Anger filled Hayate as he realized his old comrade had switched sides.
"What could possibly have made you fight for that... that bitch!?"
Shaking his head, the large man smiled sadly.
"Simple. She can help me bring them back." Letting out a loud sigh, Kenta took his first step towards Hayate, still not appearing hostile.
"What the hell are you talking about? Bring who back?" Raising his kunai slightly, Hayate didn't move back, not yet.
"She showed me... the girl, the girl with the black eyes. She can bring them back." Kenta sounded hollow, unsure...
"She told me... I just have to help her."
"Kenta..."
"You shouldn't have come Hayate. It didn't have to be like this."
"Shaking his head furiously, Hayate began shouting.
"It still doesn't! You can still come back with us Kenta!" Throwing his kunai into the ground at his feet, Hayate stood to his full height.
"We don't have to fight."
Shaking his head sadly, Kenta continued moving closer.
"If she can bring them back then I have to try Hayate. Wouldn't you do the same?"
His eyes narrowing, Hayate tried to push aside the thoughts that flashed through his mind.
"If it's going to be a fight, then let's make this a real fight. No weapons, no ninjutsu. Just you and me."
Slowly pulling off his jacket, Hayate let it drop to the ground.
Kenta stopped briefly, staring at the boy for a long moment. Finally, a warm smile came to his face.
"Ahh, a challenge of honour. I'm afraid you may be a little outmatched in that field, Hayate-san, but I like your spirit! I would be happy to grant you a warrior's death." Kenta stood still, forming the seal of confrontation and waiting for Hayate to do the same.
Nodding his head, a little relieved, Hayate took off his tool pouch and placed it on the ground beside his jacket. As he removed the last of his tools, Hayate also took off his Guardian Flak Vest, needing as much maneuverability as he could get. Kenta had him beat in every aspect when it came to pure strength and endurance, but Hayate knew he was faster. Perhaps that would give him enough of an edge.
Hopefully...
Forming the seal of confrontation as well, Hayate shifted into a readied stance.
Here goes.
Lowering both of their seals, Hayate and Kenta began to circle each other, neither making a move. Hayate could feel a bead of sweat gathering at his temple as he kept his eyes locked on his opponent. He was going to need to use everything that he had been taught about taijutsu if he were to have a hope against a beast like Kenta. Hayate only hoped he hadn't just signed his own death warrant.
As the two of them circled, a silence seemed to gather around the field.
The calm before the storm, Hayate thought. Keeping his hands at his sides, he didn't want to make any sudden movements, in case it set the other man off. The grim smile never left Kenta's face and it was clear that he was looking forward to the fight.
Despite the immediate threat of what lay ahead, Hayate found his thoughts racing back to his teammates. He trusted that they could take care of themselves, but there was no way of knowing what kind of enemies they were going to face. They were all people he could trust, people he could very well call friends. If he were to lose them here...
A single thought stuck in his mind as he realized that he had once again let Kiyomi go alone to face her sister. Clenching his fists, Hayate stopped moving, seeing Kenta follow suit. The last time Kiyomi and Selia had clashed, he had almost lost her. He wouldn't let that happen again.
The two opponents locked eyes across the field, the intensity all but tangible in the air.
He was going to have to finish this quickly...
The silence that gathered between them was broken all at once as Kenta leapt forwards, closing the distance between them in three massive strides. Shifting to the side, Hayate spun out of the way as Kenta brought his heel down in a vicious arc that left a small crater in the earth where he had just been standing.
Cursing inwardly, Hayate used his momentum to launch a kick towards the back of Kenta's knee, hoping to use the weakpoint to cause the larger man to stumble. The blow succeeded in causing Kenta to drop slightly, but the man recovered quickly. Whipping his hand around, Kenta caught Hayate with a vicious backhand that sent the boy flying.
Getting to his feet quickly, Hayate wiped a hand across his mouth. Seeing the blood on his hand from where he had bit his lip, Hayate's mouth twisted in a humourless grin.
Kenta charged again and this time Hayate leapt high into the air. Twisting himself as he narrowly avoided Kenta's tackle, Hayate kicked downwards, catching the man at the back of his neck and sending him sprawling to the dirt.
Kenta sprung up with a swiftness that belied his size, and turned back to Hayate. His smile had somehow grown even larger and he nodded.
"Not bad boy."
This time it was Hayate's turn to charge. The surprise was evident on Kenta's face, but the large man redied himself for the incoming assault. Feinting a leap, Hayate dropped quickly and slid between Kenta's legs as the man went to block an attack from above.
Swiveling, Hayate launched two swift kicks towards the inside of Kenta's knees, hoping once again to force the behemoth off balance. His kicks connected and Hayate leapt to his feet, not giving Kenta time to recuperate this time. As the man stumbled forwards, Hayate brought his knee around in a vicious arc, aiming for Kenta's kidneys.
As his knee dug into Kenta's side, Hayate pushed himself off the ground with his other leg, raising his arm and bringing his elbow smashing down towards the back of Kenta's head.
Howling in rage and pain as the knee connected with his side, Kenta pushed himself backwards with tremendous force, catching Hayate by surprise. The boy fell backwards, managing to land on his feet.Just as he landed however, Hayate felt himself being lifted off his feet as Kenta's brutal kick connected with his chest.
Flipping over backwards, Hayate landed on his feet once again, but stumbled as he felt a spasming pain in his chest. Wincing, Hayate barely had time to react as he saw a massive fist swinging towards his head. Ducking and rolling under the punch, Hayate launched a flurry of his own punches towards Kenta's side, hoping to strike his kidneys again and disorient the man. The blows only served to anger Kenta and he fired an elbow backwards, catching Hayate on the shoulder and sending the boy reeling.
Recovering, Hayate had to once again go on the defensive as Kenta launched a series of his kicks and punches. Dodging what he could and parrying the rest, Hayate saw a brief opening and ducked inside Kenta's guard. Aiming his blows for weak points, Hayate used his elbows to cause as much damage as possible.
Kenta took a few shaky steps backwards as the boy managed to land his hits. Using the opening, Hayate landed an elbow against Kenta's sternum and then his diaphragm, causing the man to double over coughing. Grabbing the back of Kenta's head, Hayate leapt upwards and slammed his knee into the large man's nose. As Kenta reeled backwards, swinging his arms wildly, he managed to make contact and pushed Hayate back.
Regaining his footing, Hayate paused for a single moment to catch his breath. Kenta raised his head, his nose clearly broken. Spitting out a mixture of blood and what appeared to be chunks of broken teeth, Kenta smiled widely.
Yep, definitely broken teeth...
Kenta showed no sign of feeling any sort of debilitating pain, and Hayate cursed again. He could feel his own injuries screaming at him, but he couldn't give in, not now.
Sprinting forwards again, Hayate made a move to feint to the side but was caught by a vicious kick. Kenta had moved far faster than expected and Hayate was sent spinning. As he pushed himself up to his knees, Hayate saw a shadow come over him and looked up just in time to see Kenta looming over him.
Hayate felt himself being lifted off the ground and Kenta turned, preparing to throw the boy. Twisting his body, Hayate managed to force Kenta's grip to loosen. He launched a quick kick towards Kenta's elbow forcing the larger man to drop him. As he landed, Hayate leapt back up, throwing a punch towards Kenta's already broken nose. Hearing the pained grunt, Hayate continued his offensive, sending an elbow that connected with Kenta's temple, and launching another punch towards the man's throat.
He felt a his left hand stop inches away from its target as Kenta wrapped his own massive hand around it. Trying to pull free, Hayate attempted to spin away, but Kenta shifted his bulk into the way, blocking Hayate's movement. In one gut wrenching moment, Kenta brought his other hand around and slammed it into Hayate's outstretched arm, breaking it instantly. Howling in pain, Hayate fell to his knees. Rolling forwards, he managed to move away from Kenta, forcing himself backwards.
Clutching his arm to his chest, Hayate had just regained his footing when he saw the foot coming towards his face. He dove to the side, catching the blow on his shoulder instead. Using the momentum of the spin, Hayate brought one leg around, launching a swift kick towards the side of Kenta's knee. Putting everything he had into the blow, his effort was met with a satisfying 'Crack,' as he returned the favour to Kenta.
Falling on one knee, Kenta grunted and grabbed Hayate's leg. With a massive swing, Kenta pivoted and launched Hayate into the air, sending him flying towards a thin wall of rubble. Lifting his good arm to protect his head, Hayate felt the air being sucked out of him as he went crashing through the wall. A large cloud of dust and debris was kicked up as the boy landed in a heap.
Groaning, Kenta stood to his feet, his broken leg buckling under his weight. Cursing, he made his way towards where he had launched the boy. As he made his way past the now collapsed wall, Kenta could see Hayate laying on the ground, struggling to get up.
Picking up a large piece of rubble that had broken off when Hayate crashed through the wall, Kenta carried it over to the boy. Seeing the shadow looming over him, Hayate turned slowly to face Kenta. Coughing up a fresh spurt of blood, Hayate attempted to push himself backwards. The arm that Kenta had broken gave up on him and he fell to his back.
Standing above Hayate, Kenta raised the large chunk of rubble above his head.
"You were a worthy opponent Hayate-san. I will make sure that you get a warrior's burial." Coughing again, Hayate raised his good arm above his head in a weak attempt to block the inevitable.
"Do you have any last words Hayate?"
Another cough, followed by an indecipherable mumble. Straining to hear, Kenta leaned forwards.
"What did you say?"
"S-sorry..."
Confusion filled Kenta's face and he raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry? Sorry for what?"
"For cheating." The voice came from behind Kenta, and before the large man had a chance to turn, he felt both of his arms being split open. Howling as the pain became too much, Kenta's grip on the large chunk of rubble weakened and he felt it slip from his grasp.
The last thing Kenta saw before the rubble smashed into his head and knocked him into the sweet embrace of unconsciousness was Hayate disappearing in a puff of smoke in front of him.
Retracting his blades from Kenta's arms, the real Hayate collapsed to one knee. He had his broken arm encased in a metal cast, keeping it from growing worse. Taking a long moment to catch his breath, Hayate withdrew a little metal from his pouch and used it to secure Kenta to the ground.
Summoning the effort to stand, Hayate retreived his tools and his jacket. Glancing off into the distance, he thought he could hear the sound of explosions.
Kiyomi!
Without hesitating, Hayate sunk below the earth, speeding towards where he had left her.
Hurry...
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