Naruto: Ant King Reborn

Chapter 3: A Performance for the King

The Academy Exchange Event continued, the Konoha students watching eagerly as their strongest faced off against the visiting shinobi from Iwagakure and Kumogakure. The matches had already proven to be intense, but when the next fight was announced, an air of intrigue settled over the spectators. 

"Next match! Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure vs. S, of Konohagakure!"Iruka called out. 

The tall, well-groomed boy with elegant movements stepped forward from the Konoha side. His golden-blond hair fell just above his shoulders, his posture refined, his clothes unwrinkled, and his deep eyes glimmered with intelligence. There was something too perfect about the way he carried himself, as if every movement had been rehearsed a thousand times. 

Kurotsuchi smirked, rolling her shoulders as she stepped onto the battlefield. "So, you're my opponent? Try not to disappoint me." 

S, merely smiled, a confident, knowing smirk gracing his lips. He bowed gracefully, an unnecessary but deliberate gesture. "I assure you, dear lady, I would not dream of such a thing." 

Naruto sat cross-armed in the audience, watching closely. Beside him, two others also leaned forward unconsciously, the tall, muscular boy with a strong, silent presence M, Youpi's reincarnation) and the feral-looking girl with cat-like eyes, N, Pitou's reincarnation. None of them understood why this fight intrigued them so much. 

And yet, they could not look away 

The Match Begins

Kurotsuchi wasted no time, forming hand seals. "Earth Release: Rock Spear!" 

A jagged spike of rock burst from the ground, shooting toward S, at blinding speed. The refined blond boy did not dodge. 

Instead.

His body exploded.

Gasps rang through the crowd as Kurotsuchi's attack, shattered S's form into thousands of golden butterflies that fluttered into the air. 

"What?!" Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in shock. 

From behind her, a calm voice spoke. 

"That was rude." 

Kurotsuchi barely turned in time S was suddenly standing behind her, untouched. His body had completely reformed from the golden swarm. 

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he watched from the upper balcony. "Interesting… That technique… It's not a common ninjutsu." 

Iruka, standing beside him, swallowed nervously. "That was… unreal. He completely dissolved into insects?" 

Hiruzen did not reply. Instead, he studied, S more carefully. There was something unnatural about him. 

S smiled, relishing the stunned reactions. But his true thoughts were a whirlwind. 

Why am I enjoying this?

His entire being was consumed by the desire to put on a grand spectacle. To impress. To please.

His eyes flickered to Naruto, who remained silent, watching him with calculating, unreadable eyes

Him. It's for him.

S, didn't know why, but the idea of Naruto looking at him with anything less than admiration made his stomach turn. 

You must watch me, my king. I must be worthy of your gaze.

A slow, twisted smile spread across his lips. 

He would put on a show unlike any other

Kurotsuchi Counters

"You're fast," Kurotsuchi admitted, her hands already forming new seals. "But can you take the heat? Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!" 

A massive wave of fire erupted toward S, hot enough that even the spectators could feel the heat. 

S, chuckled. 

His body scattered again, the golden butterflies rising above the fire harmlessly. Kurotsuchi scowled, preparing another jutsu.

But something was wrong. 

She blinked, her vision blurring for a split second. The crowd, the battlefield, it wavered unnaturally. 

Hypnosis.

From the stands, Omoi and Karui tensed. "What the hell is that?" Karui muttered. 

Omoi's fingers clenched around his wooden sword. "Something… isn't right." 

Spiritual Message: The Power of Hypnosis

Unseen to all but the most observant, golden scales had floated through the air, carried by the natural wind currents. 

Kurotsuchi, having inhaled them, was now caught in S's influence. 

Her movements slowed. The fire behind her dissipated as her focus wavered. 

S, smiled.

"You seem… lost," he whispered, his golden butterflies surrounding her. "Let me show you the way." 

Naruto's fingers curled. This power… it was familiar.

Next to him, M, tensed, his muscles flexing involuntarily. 

N's cat-like pupils contracted to slits. Her ears twitched, as if hearing something that others could not. 

None of them understood why. 

But deep in their blood, in the very core of their souls

Something was stirring.

Kurotsuchi's body wobbled She stepped back, dazed, blinking furiously. "What… what did you do to me?" 

S, gave an elegant bow. "Merely guided your will to a more peaceful place." 

She gritted her teeth, attempting to form a hand seal, only to find her arms wouldn't respond. 

Her own mind was betraying her. 

She fought it, but… 

She sank to her knees 

Iruka gasped. "Kurotsuchi is down! Winner." 

"Wait!" one of the Iwa teachers shouted. He leapt forward, kneeling beside Kurotsuchi, checking her pulse. She was breathing, but completely unresponsive.

"What the hell did that kid do?" the Cloud teacher muttered. 

Hiruzen frowned deeply. "This is… dangerous." 

Naruto exhaled slowly, his purple eyes locked onto S, as he basked in the applause, soaking in the attention. 

For some reason, the sight unnerved him.

That power… I've seen it before. But where?

He didn't know. 

And that bothered him.

S, approached Kurotsuchi, kneeling beside her. He gently tapped her forehead. 

"Wake up, dear."

The moment his fingers touched her skin, the hypnosis broke instantly. Kurotsuchi gasped, her eyes darting around in confusion. 

S, smiled down at her, speaking softly. "You fought wonderfully, my dear lady." 

Then, he stood up, turning toward Naruto. 

"Did you enjoy my performance?"

Naruto did not respond. 

But for some reason

His heart pounded.