NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: 8. Ryusei Cant Escape Himself!
We were all walking together, Sakura and Sasuke hand in hand. Now, it's just me, and the tunnel is growing brighter as I approach the exit. Once I step through, the light assaults my senses, but I quickly coat my eyes in chakra and ki, sharpening my perception.
As my vision adjusts, I realize I'm standing in a vast, cavernous room. It's unlike anything I've ever seen—divided into four distinct sections, each depicting a different season. To my left, winter stretches out with snow-covered landscapes and icy rivers. To my right, spring blooms with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. Directly ahead, summer blazes with golden sunlight and fields of tall grass swaying in the breeze. And behind me, autumn paints the scene with fiery leaves falling from colorful trees.
The transitions between these seasonal areas are seamless, as if time itself shifts within this chamber. The air carries hints of each season's essence—cool crispness in winter, the scent of blossoms in spring, the warmth of sunlight in summer, and the earthy aroma of fallen leaves in autumn.
Awestruck by the beauty and mystique of this place, I take cautious steps forward, my senses alert to any potential danger or hidden clues. The ground beneath my feet feels solid and real, yet I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this room than meets the eye. Each season's area seems alive, as if it could shift or react to my presence.
I glance back, half-expecting to see Sakura and Sasuke at my side, but the tunnel entrance is gone, replaced by an impassable wall of shimmering energy. It's just me in this extraordinary chamber, faced with the task of navigating its secrets and challenges alone.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for whatever lies ahead. This room holds answers, I'm sure of it. Answers that could impact not just the Chunin Exams, but the very fabric of our world.
I heard an audible boom from the winter area, and as soon as I turned to investigate, my face was met with a powerful punch—a blend of blue chakra and pink ki. The impact sent me flying through the summer area, crashing through foliage until I slammed into a wall, creating a sizable crater.
Confusion swirled in my mind. Who could have hit me with both chakra and ki? I'm the only one here who can manipulate both energies. Then it dawned on me with a sinking feeling—it was me. My clone, the one I had left behind, had somehow gained consciousness and turned against me.
Before I could react, my clone materialized in front of me with a menacing grin. Without hesitation, it launched another devastating punch aimed squarely at my chest. The force sent me sprawling backward, gasping for air as pain shot through me.
Staggering to my feet, I focused on suppressing the pain and regaining my composure. This wasn't just an attack—it was a test of my own abilities and awareness. I couldn't afford to underestimate even my own creations.
Gritting my teeth, I steadied myself and prepared to face my clone head-on. This unexpected challenge would test not only my combat skills but also my resolve and quick thinking.
The clone said, "Three days you must fight me for, Ryusei!!" It gathered an immense amount of ki and chakra, the air crackling with the sheer power it emitted. Before I could fully register the challenge, it teleported again, reappearing right in front of me and launching a flurry of punches at peak speed.
I quickly powered up, my own aura flaring with vibrant energy. With a swift motion, I countered with a powerful kick, sending my clone flying across the room. It crashed into the winter section, sending a flurry of snow and ice into the air.
We clashed repeatedly, our fists and feet moving faster than the eye could follow. Each impact sent shockwaves through the room, demolishing everything around us. Ki blasts flew in every direction, scorching the landscapes of winter, fall, summer, and spring.
The first day was a blur of intense combat. My clone matched me blow for blow, each of us pushing our limits. I could feel the strain on my body, but I knew I couldn't let up. This was a battle for my very survival and growth.
As the sun set outside the chamber, we continued to fight relentlessly. My clone was relentless, its attacks precise and calculated. I focused on maintaining my energy, using every ounce of my training and experience to keep up.
In a moment of reprieve, I caught my breath and assessed the damage. The once-beautiful room was now a battlefield, the seasonal landscapes in ruins. My clone stood opposite me, its eyes gleaming with determination.
"Is this all you've got, Ryusei?" it taunted, its voice a mirror of my own.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and grinned, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Not even close," I replied.
With a roar, we charged at each other again, the sound of our clash echoing through the chamber. The battle raged on, each of us pushing the other to the brink. As the hours passed, I felt myself growing stronger, my control over ki and chakra becoming more refined.
By the time the first day ended, we were both exhausted but determined. I knew that this fight was far from over, and the next two days would test every limit I had. But I was ready. I would face my clone, overcome this challenge, and emerge stronger than ever.
### Other Ryusei's POV
Midnight, 3 AM, the second day. The room was shrouded in darkness, but the flickering remnants of our earlier battle illuminated the destruction around us. The once beautiful seasonal landscapes were now a chaotic mix of scorched earth, frozen shards, and shattered trees. I knew this room was designed to train shinobi to overcome themselves, to push their limits and face their inner demons. But right now, I wasn't thinking about growth or enlightenment. I just wanted to have fun with my power.
I glanced at the real Ryusei, who was catching his breath on the opposite side of the room. His eyes burned with determination, but I could see the fatigue setting in. A grin spread across my face. This was the perfect opportunity to test the full extent of my abilities.
"Hey, Ryusei!" I called out, my voice echoing through the chamber. "Having fun yet?"
He looked up, his eyes narrowing. "What are you planning now?"
I chuckled, the sound almost sinister in the stillness of the night. "Nothing much. Just thinking it's time to turn things up a notch."
I gathered my ki and chakra, feeling the raw energy surge through me. The power was intoxicating, and I relished the sensation. With a swift motion, I teleported behind him, my fist aimed at his back. He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side and coming up in a defensive stance.
"You're getting predictable," I taunted, launching a series of rapid punches and kicks. He blocked and countered, but I could see the strain in his movements. He was getting tired, and I was just getting started.
As we fought, I decided to mix things up. With a burst of chakra, I summoned a hailstorm in the winter section, icy shards raining down on us. Simultaneously, I sent a wave of fire through the summer section, the intense heat clashing with the cold.
Ryusei struggled to maintain his balance, dodging between the extremes of temperature and elemental fury. But I was in my element, using the chaos to my advantage. I teleported again, reappearing above him and sending a blast of ki downwards. He barely had time to react, raising a shield of chakra to deflect the attack.
"This room is supposed to help us grow," he shouted over the din. "Not destroy each other!"
I laughed, the sound harsh and wild. "Who said anything about destroying? This is just a game, Ryusei. A test of our limits. And I intend to enjoy every second of it."
With that, I unleashed a flurry of attacks, my movements a blur of speed and power. Ryusei fought back valiantly, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. He was reaching his breaking point, and I reveled in the thrill of the battle.
As the night wore on, I continued to push him, testing his limits and my own. The room was a battlefield, a testament to our strength and determination. But for me, it was more than that. It was a playground, a place where I could let loose and truly experience the extent of my power.
And I intended to make the most of it.