CHAPTER 43 BETS

CHAPTER 43 BETS

The participants arrived around dawn. The fights started around 9AM, and they wanted to get the fight order out so that people could start placing bets and increase the hype of the fights. I planned to place my own bets. I needed ryo for some scrolls.

On the Konoha side there was me, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru, and Naruto Uzumaki. From the sand there were the siblings Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. There had been a sound ninja, but he wasn’t there and I was pretty sure he died after the preliminary match. Orochimaru killed him or something. Sasuke Uchiha was on our side as well, but he wasn’t waiting. I knew he wouldn’t show up until later anyway.

In the waiting area of the fighting ring people nervously stood around. Keeping to themselves we would have to fight one another, and no one wanted to act like friends. At least everyone but Naruto. The blonde energetic ninja talked a mile a minute. I pulled up my status screen as he did.

Name

Weston Watanabe

Current Quest:

Chunin Exam

World 1:

High School of the Dead

World 1 Quest:

Save Takagi

World 2:

Gantz

World 2 Quest:

Bring Kei to Life

World 3:

Naruto

World 3 Quest:

Chunin Exam

World 4:

One Piece

World 4 Quest:

Kuja Pirates

Passive Skills:

Memory Meld

World Lasting Physique +

Protagonist Path

Usable Abilities:

Status Screen

World Escape

Chakra

Chikyugi

World Store

Shop

Bonuses

Increased Intellect

Items

Chikyugi Necklace

Stored

“Why are the forfeit odds so high?” He asked.

“Because it’s rare. There are a lot of people brought in for this. Would be stupid for someone to forfeit before giving all these people a show.”

“Oh,” Naruto said. He began marking his betting sheet. Of course he marked he was going to win them all. “Think you can win against your foe?”

“I do,” I admitted. I’d trained an extra few weeks in preparation. I didn’t have to rely on Genjutsu anymore.

“Why are you betting Kankuro will forfeit?” He asked.

“A hunch,” I said. He changed his to reflect mine. I put down Kankuro would forfeit like he did in the manga. He was supposed to go against Shino but didn’t want to waste his strength.That was when he wasn’t fighting Naruto. The sand might change their plan to wear down the Jinchuriki. Temari would win of course since Shikamaru didn’t have much chakra. And I did plan to win my fight. I wasn’t sure what to bet on for Sasuke and Gaara. I decided on tie.

We submitted the sheets. If all went to plan I’d only triple my money. But it was better than nothing. We were out the door and happened to run into Sakura.

“Sakura, how’s it going?” Naruto asked excitedly. He was still naive enough to have a crush on the pink haired team member.

“Hey, Naruto,” she said sadly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I just heard Sasuke wasn’t there for the drawing,” she whined. “What will happen if he doesn’t show up?”

“Weston says he will,” Naruto said confidently. “He was right about the Chunin exam. I’m sure he will be right about this.”

“You really think he will make it in time?” Sakura asked. A little hope in her voice.

“Yeah,” I said. “He’s learning a new chakra element. That takes time. He’s training with Kakashi. Is your trainer known for getting places on time?”

“No, that guy is always showing up late to meetings,” Naruto grumbled.

“Exactly. Sasuke will show up at the last minute.” We began walking back to the arena.

“I guess,” she said.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said quickly.

“What?” I asked, more sternly.

“Nothing...it’s just he hasn’t been himself since the Chunin exam,” she admitted. Practically in tears.

“Don’t worry about it. He’s working through some stuff,” I said. “He is on a path of vengeance. Try not to take it to heart. In fact, I’d let him do his own thing for a while.”

“What do you know about it?!” She asked angrily.

I gave her an annoyed look. Not responding to the anger. “A hell of a lot more than you,” I said. She ground her teeth as we locked eyes.

We were quiet for a time as we walked. Naruto trying to calm her down. I walked leisurely beside them. Looking for my own team members.

“Weston, I’m sorry,” Sakura eventually said.

“It’s alright,” I said, making sure to keep a bored expression on. I knew she had anger issues.

“Can you tell me? What he’s going through?” She asked slowly.

“What do you know?”

“I know his clan was killed by his brother,” she said.

“That’s about all there is to it,” I said. She gave me another angry glare. “What? He’s basically Batman, alright? His parents were killed in front of him. And his only focus has been on getting revenge since then. But imagine that your family was killed by the Hokage.” That quieted them. “Not just the Hokage. The Hokage is the strongest in the village. His foe is one of the strongest ninjas in history. I doubt Sarutobi could hold much of a candle to Itachi Uchiha.”

“No way. That strong?” Naruto asked.

“Stronger,” I admitted. “And Sasuke got his butt kicked in the Chunin exam by that Orochimaru guy during the exam, didn't he? His brother is stronger than that guy. So if he wants to get revenge. He will have to become way stronger. Stronger than he could through conventional methods.”

“What does that mean?” Sakura asked.

“It means, don’t hold your breath on him reciprocating your feelings until he has his own revenge,” I said.

Sakura blushed. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes.

The 2 were quiet as we walked into the arena. I noticed my team ahead. “Have fun. Do your best Naruto. Cus I’m kicking your ass when we fight.”

“Good luck with that,” Naruto said. Sakura didn’t appear to notice me leaving. Lost in her own thoughts I wondered if there was a way to knock her out of her obsession, but I doubted it. Right then I didn’t care. I had fights to win.