Naruto Another

"Did he run away?" A voice asked.

The voices grew louder in confusion as everyone was talking about what was going on. Even Sejin himself seemed unsure of what to do.

Minori on the other hand was lost in thought. Noboru had gone through a lot this last year. Had he finally had enough? Did Sejin break him? Not only has he been abused, but he's been kept in the dark about Mikan's plans for him. He's supposed to marry a girl he doesn't know, and Sejin wants him to lead a clan he doesn't love. If Noboru did run away would Minori chase after him or would he let him go? In the end the young chunin shook his head.

'I made a promise to Mikan.'

He turned to leave the compound.

'He couldn't have gone far' Minori thought.

But just before he could make another move someone yelled.

"THERE HE IS!"

Someone in the audience pointed at the ceiling, and sure enough there he was. Noboru was standing upside down from the ceiling with his arms crossed looking down at his father with cold, calculating eyes.

And then like an angel - he fell.

Sejin had just caught onto what the audience was looking at, and raised his head up. With a smirk on his face, he started to wield hand signs. "Ninja Art, Wind Nature Rotation!"

The man extended both hands, and just above them were large concentrations of wind-style chakra energy. The man looked up at Noboru and leaned his left arm back, and then in an instant he launched one of the balls of energy from his hand straight up toward Noboru's face.

"He can't dodge in midair," Natsuki said. "The young master should've attacked sooner, he would've had the element of surprise."

Natsuki recalled when Mikan used a shadow clone to push her real body out of the air. In fact, Natsuki himself had done a similar move when he was in the process of awakening his Kiidogan. But still, looking at Noboru and the rate at which he's falling he wouldn't have the time to cast a jutsu like that even if he was castling it one-handed.

As Noboru fell his mind was racing through every possible scenario carefully trying to construct a win out of an equation designed to generate loss.

'These are smaller than the ones he used on Mikan. But considering their density they're probably worse.'

Noboru took a deep breath in the air.

"Well, here goes nothing."

The ball was inches from his face when with all the force he could muster Noboru flipped backwards causing the ball of force to sling passed his body, but Noboru wasn't done. As it torpedoed passed his torso the boy extended his legs, and then focusing all the chakra he could in that spot he slammed his legs shut capturing the ball of raw wind energy between them

A loud cry could be heard through the arena as Noboru screamed, and screamed. He was barely able to handle the pain, but all the adrenaline in his body pushed him onward; every cell in his body told him to keep fighting.

"How about another one?" Sejin leaned back, and then with all the power he's amassed over the many years of being a shinobi, he launched the second mass of energy at his son. It tore through the air like a missile crackling, and whirling as it traveled.

'W-What n-ow?'

Seeing no other options Noboru raised his hands, and grabbed onto the second mass of chakra. His screams were even worse than they were before - bloodcurdling, and maniacal. The young Kosutta could feel his body on the verge of exploding as his legs, and arms shook with the veracity of an earthquake. It felt as though he was melting from the inside out, as if he was being churned like butter, or emulsified into jello.

'Come on Noboru push through this!'

If any of the other Mock Exams candidates had attempted to do what Noboru just did they'd be on the floor, and in pieces. Minori knew that to be a fact. Due to the intense nature of the 'Air Current Dance' Kosutta shinobi have always demonstrated immaculate chakra control. The chakra control of a single Kosutta genin was often better than that of jonin level ninja, and that was the truth. However, while that was the case Noboru was no genin, and at this point he could hardly pass for a ninja.

As Noboru plummeted toward the ground in agony he couldn't help but think:

"I should just die."

Sejin simply stepped out of the way as Noboru crashed into the center of the sandy arena, the balls of chakra dissipating into the sand unable to detonate. Noboru was on his hands and knees staring at the ground. Wet tears of blood started to flow out his eyes, and into the sand beneath him.

'If Mikan was here t-this wouldn't have happened. If she was here I-I"

Sejin kicked his son in the mouth, cracking teeth, and bone, sending his body flying back and into the sand.

"Get up."

But Noboru did not move.

Sejin kicked his son again, but this time in his ribs.

Another cry for help as the boy wriggled in pain, and helplessness. He barely looked up seeing the exit to the compound. Extending his right arm he began to crawl toward it.

"GET UP!" Sejin yelled his voice booming throughout the arena.

But Noboru did not get up. Instead he continued to crawl toward the exit like a bug trying to escape the boot.

Sejin's face was red with fury, veins bulging, eyes popping. Everyone in the arena could hear his anger, could feel his frustration, could taste his fury. Sejin raised his foot, and began to slam it down on the boy's skull intending to turn it into mush.

But a hand had caught his leg before he could deal the fatal blow, before he could execute his son in front of the entire clan.

Sejin looked up at the man who'd stopped him.

"That's enough Sejin." Rubin said.

Sejin stopped, and looked around at the audience, their faces full of disgust, and anguish though others were smiling with anticipation. Without saying another word Sejin pulled his foot away, and left the arena.

"Such a shameful disgrace," Natsuki said, turning to follow him out.

"Noboru. You did well," Rubin said

But Noboru knew he was lying. He had to be. Why didn't he let Sejin finish him off? Why was he spared?

He had not shown resolve. He had not awoken the Kiidogan, and therefore he would not be participating in the Mock Exams, he would not get to marry Chocho. He'd live the rest of his life as a failure, and in seclusion. Mikan probably hated him, and that's why she didn't come to see him. It's because she knew he would've failed anyway.

Noboru closed his eyes allowing his consciousness to fade, and as he did he hoped to never wake up again.