Naruto: Heir To The Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 8

The air at Training Ground 3 was still, the post-race cooldown giving way to the next challenge. Naruto observed silently, his cold, composed gaze fixed on the sparring ring where Tenten and Lee prepared to face off. His stance was relaxed, arms crossed over his chest, but his focus was razor-sharp, like a hawk surveying its prey. 

Guy stood on the sidelines, brimming with enthusiasm. "Tenten! Lee! Show us the fruits of your training! Remember, this is a spar to sharpen your skills, so no holding back, but also no unnecessary injuries!" 

Lee nodded firmly, bowing to Tenten. "Tenten, I look forward to this match! Your mastery of weapons is truly awe-inspiring!" 

Tenten smirked, rolling her shoulders as she unsealed a bō staff from her scroll. "And your taijutsu is great, Lee. But don't think I'll go easy on you." 

Naruto's expression remained unreadable, his focus on the upcoming spar.

Lee wasted no time, dashing toward Tenten with great speed. His opening move was the Leaf Gale, a sweeping low kick aimed at knocking her off her feet. 

Tenten anticipated the attack, stepping back with practiced ease. She countered by lunging forward with a sharp thrust of her staff, aiming for Lee's side. 

Lee twisted his body, narrowly evading the strike. "Impressive reaction, Tenten!" he said, his voice filled with admiration. 

"Flattery won't save you, Lee," she retorted, spinning her staff and transitioning into a series of rapid strikes. 

Lee ducked and weaved. He saw an opening and lunged in close, delivering a swift Leaf Drop kick. Tenten barely managed to sidestep, the force of the attack creating a small indent in the ground where she had stood. 

Naruto tilted his head slightly, his tone cool and analytical. "Lee's speed is impressive. But Tenten's precision is keeping him at bay, for now." 

Realizing she couldn't match Lee in close combat, Tenten leaped backward, creating distance. She reached into her scroll, pulling out a manriki-gusari. With a practiced flick, she sent the weighted chain hurtling toward Lee. 

Lee dodged the chain with ease, but Tenten wasn't done. She guided the chain with wire strings, using it to limit Lee's movement. 

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched. Smart. She's using the environment and her weapons to control the fight. But Lee won't be trapped for long.

Lee moved with astonishing speed, dodging the chain's strikes as he closed the gap. He suddenly leapt into the air, flipping over Tenten and landing behind her. 

"Dynamic Entry!" he shouted, delivering a flying kick aimed at her back. 

Tenten pivoted at the last second, using her weapon to block the kick. The force of the impact sent her skidding backward, but she maintained her balance. 

"I am not done yet" Tenten

Lee grinned, his enthusiasm unwavering. "Then I will step it up!" He charged forward, unleashing a series of rapid kicks, the Leaf Hurricane.

Tenten deflected the first kick with her staff but struggled to keep up as Lee's attacks became faster and more unpredictable. A high kick broke through her defense, grazing her shoulder and forcing her to retreat. 

Tenten took a deep breath, calming her mind. She reached into her scroll and retrieved several kunai, attached with explosive tags to them. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them flying toward Lee in a carefully orchestrated pattern. 

Lee's sharp eyes tracked the kunai as he weaved through the explosions, his agility on full display. "Your aim is as perfect as ever, Tenten!" 

Tenten smirked. "And you're still talking too much." She used the distraction to close the distance, her staff striking out in a flurry of precise attacks. 

Lee blocked and dodged. A strike to his thigh caused him to falter momentarily, giving Tenten the chance to launch a spinning attack aimed at his torso. 

Lee gritted his teeth, recovering just in time to block the strike with his forearm. "You're incredible, Tenten! But I won't let you win so easily!" 

Deciding it was time to end the fight, Lee shifted into a more aggressive stance. He executed the Leaf Great Whirlwind, a series of spinning kicks that targeted Tenten from multiple angles. 

Tenten struggled to defend against the barrage, her movements growing slower with each attack. Finally, a high kick struck her staff, disarming her and sending the weapon flying. 

Lee followed up with a Leaf Rising Wind* his kick grazing her chin and sending her stumbling backward. Before she could recover, Lee landed in front of her, his foot poised just inches from her torso. 

"I yield," Tenten said, raising her hands in surrender. Her voice was calm, though her breathing was heavy. 

Lee immediately stepped back, bowing deeply. "Thank you for the match, Tenten! Your skills are truly inspiring!" 

Tenten smiled faintly, brushing dirt from her clothes. "You've gotten even faster, Lee. I'll have to work harder to keep up." 

Naruto's Thoughts

Naruto uncrossed his arms, his expression as cold and composed as ever. "Tenten is skilled, but Lee's endurance and raw power are overwhelming. Still, she held her ground longer than most would have." 

Lee turned to Naruto, his eyes alight with excitement. "Naruto-sama! You must spar with me next! I believe you would make an incredible rival!" 

Naruto's gaze remained steady, his tone icy. "Sure, but know this. You will lose.

---

Guy clapped his hands together with a booming laugh. "Ah, the springtime of youth is upon us! A spar between Rock Lee and the Hyūga prodigy, Naruto! This will be a tale of legends!"

Naruto's cold gaze flickered to Tenten. "Do you have a sword in your scroll?"

Tenten blinked, taken aback by the request. "A sword? Yes, I do." She unsealed a finely crafted katana and handed it to him.

Naruto examined the blade, his grip firm yet gentle, and gave her a small nod. "Thank you.

Neji, standing to the side, stiffened as a memory surfaced; Naruto, bowing before Hiashi and the elders, his voice steady as he requested permission to learn kenjutsu. Their refusal had been swift and absolute, citing tradition and the Hyūga Clan's dedication to the Gentle Fist.

And yet, Neji thought, his jaw tightening, this prodigy will likely master it effortlessly, as he does with everything.

Meanwhile, Lee frowned. "Naruto-sama, I had hoped to test my Gōken against your Gentle Fist."

Naruto allowed a rare smirk to grace his lips. "Next time, Lee. I'll indulge you in a pure taijutsu match then."

Lee's disappointment evaporated, replaced by renewed enthusiasm. "I will hold you to that, Naruto-sama!"

Tenten turned to Neji, curiosity etched on her face. "How good is Naruto with a sword?"

Neji's voice was clipped. "He hasn't wielded a sword in his life."

Tenten blinked. "Then why would he ask for one?"

Before Neji could respond, Guy interjected, his tone full of passion. "Ah, the curiosity of youth! Naruto's prodigious talents in taijutsu are not enough for his fiery spirit, he yearns to master more! Truly a symbol of youthful determination!"

Neji sighed. "Guy-sensei is right. Naruto wants to learn kenjutsu, but the Hyūga elders have always dismissed the idea."

Chapter 9:

The air was heavy with tension as Naruto stood across from Lee, the borrowed katana in his hand. His cold, composed demeanor clashed starkly with Lee's fiery determination, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation. Guy stood to the side, practically trembling with excitement, while Tenten and Neji observed with keen interest. 

Naruto adjusted his grip on the katana, his gaze steady and unyielding. Lee's fists clenched tightly, a grin spreading across his face. "Naruto-sama, I've been waiting for this opportunity to test myself against you!" 

Naruto remained silent, offering only a slight nod. 

"Begin!" Guy's voice boomed, signaling the start of the match. 

Lee moved first, his speed impressive even with his weights on. He closed the gap in an instant, leading with a spinning Leaf Hurricane. Naruto responded with a quick step back, the katana slicing upward in a precise arc to deflect the incoming kicks. 

Lee didn't relent, pivoting into a low Leaf Gale sweep kick aimed to unbalance Naruto. Anticipating the move, Naruto sidestepped, vanishing with Shunpo and reappearing behind Lee. He swung the katana horizontally, aiming to force Lee to disengage. 

Lee ducked under the blade and countered with a rapid punch to Naruto's side. Naruto twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, and retaliated with a quick palm strike to Lee's chest. The impact forced Lee to skid back a few steps, his grin undiminished. 

"You're incredible, Naruto-sama! But I'm just getting started!" 

Naruto's response was a flicker of a smirk before he vanished again, this time leaving behind a faint afterimage with Utsusemi. Lee spun around just in time to block a downward slash from the katana, the force of the impact causing the ground beneath him to crack slightly. 

The two combatants became blurs of motion, their movements almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. Tenten struggled to keep up, her gaze darting around the battlefield. "I can barely see them…" 

Neji, his Byakugan active, watched intently. "Naruto's speed is exceptional, but he's relying on instinct to wield that sword." 

Lee launched into Shadow of the Dancing Leaf, matching Naruto's movements perfectly as he pursued him. Naruto weaved through the attacks, the katana moving in smooth arcs to deflect strikes while his free hand delivered quick, powerful counters. 

Despite his initial confidence, Lee began to feel the pressure. Naruto's speed with Shunpo was relentless, and his unorthodox mix of swordplay and hakuda strikes made him unpredictable. 

Lee skidded to a halt, breathing heavily but still grinning. "You're faster than I expected, Naruto-sama. But let's see how you handle this!" 

With a dramatic flourish, Lee removed his ankle weights and dropped them to the ground. The resulting crash sent a plume of dust into the air, leaving craters where they landed. 

In the blink of an eye, Lee was on Naruto, his speed now matching the Hyūga prodigy's Shunpo. The battlefield became a chaotic whirlwind of movement as Lee unleashed a flurry of attacks; spinning kicks, rapid punches, and feints that kept Naruto on the defensive. 

Naruto's movements grew sharper as he adapted to Lee's increased speed. He used Utsusemi strategically, creating afterimages to confuse Lee, but the taijutsu specialist's reflexes allowed him to keep up. 

Lee spun into a powerful Leaf Great Whirlwind, the series of kicks forcing Naruto to retreat. Despite his superior speed, Naruto found himself struggling to create openings. 

Lee stepped back, his breathing labored but his determination unwavering. "I can't hold back against you, Naruto-sama. I must show you the strength of my youth!" 

He clenched his fists, and a surge of chakra erupted around him. "Gate of Opening… release!" 

As Lee opened the gates, his power and speed skyrocketed. He moved faster than before, his strikes becoming almost impossible to evade. Naruto's Shunpo became sluggish under the relentless assault, his afterimages fading before they could serve their purpose. 

Lee launched into the Reverse Lotus, kicking Naruto high into the air before following up with a series of devastating blows. The final kick sent Naruto hurtling toward the ground, creating a massive crater on impact. 

Dust and debris filled the air as the spectators watched in stunned silence. But as the dust settled, Naruto emerged from the crater, battered but standing tall. His cold gaze locked onto Lee as he placed a hand on the katana's hilt. 

"I suppose it's time to try something new," Naruto said quietly. 

He stabbed the katana into the ground and closed his eyes. A sudden wave of reiatsu burst from him, pinning everyone to the ground with its intensity. 

"What… what is this?" Tenten gasped, struggling to breathe under the pressure. 

Neji's Byakugan flared as he tried to comprehend the energy. "It's… it's unlike anything I've seen before. This is beyond chakra."

The katana began to glow, its form shifting as Naruto poured his essence into it. The air around the blade shimmered, and intricate designs appeared along its surface. 

Tenten stared in awe. "It's transforming…"

Naruto gripped the newly transformed sword and lifted it. Its appearance had changed: the hilt was ornate, resembling a four-pane window, with lavender wrapping and a pristine white sheath. 

"It worked," Naruto murmured, his voice filled with quiet triumph. He turned to Lee, the blade gleaming in his hand. "Let's finish this." 

Naruto whispered, "Scatter, Senbonzakura." 

But the moment he spoke, the blade cracked. The reiatsu dissipated, leaving Naruto holding only the broken hilt. 

Lee, though shocked, didn't hesitate. "Naruto-sama, I will end this now!" 

He charged forward, his fists glowing with chakra as he prepared to deliver a finishing blow. But before he could strike, glowing bands of light materialized around him, freezing him in place. 

"Rikujōkōrō," Naruto said coldly, his voice steady. The six rods of light pinned Lee's movements, rendering him immobile. 

Everyone stared in disbelief. "What… what technique is that?" Tenten whispered. 

Naruto raised his free hand, a crackle of energy forming at his fingertips. "Byakurai." 

A bolt of lightning shot from his hand, striking the ground inches from Lee's feet. The force shattered the light restraints and sent Lee tumbling back, but the fight was clearly over. 

Naruto picked up the broken blade and turned away, his expression unreadable. "You fought well, Lee. Next time, we'll settle this with pure taijutsu." 

Lee, though exhausted, grinned. "Thank you, Naruto-sama. Your strength inspires me to grow even stronger!" 

As the group dispersed, Neji lingered, his thoughts racing." Naruto-Sama's strength is beyond anything I've seen. He's no ordinary prodigy… he's something else entirely."