Gaara watched the overwhelming barrage of water bullets and manipulated his sand to defend. However, he was still unaccustomed to the heavier sand, making his movements noticeably slower. Several water bullets struck him, the force of the impacts sending him flying backward.
Sakura, seeing Gaara thrown off balance, moved forward and delivered a swift kick, launching him into the air. She then formed hand seals, creating four water clones that simultaneously opened fire on the airborne Gaara.
Gaara was pinned in mid-air by the relentless volley of water bullets. Sand continuously rose to shield him, but he still took a significant number of hits.
When Sakura ceased her attack, Gaara plummeted to the ground. His Sand Armor had completely crumbled, yet he remained miraculously uninjured, only battered and disheveled.
"Looks like it still lacks a bit of power. To increase the firing rate, I had to sacrifice some individual bullet strength," Sakura mused. While her water bullets weren't as sharp as her water blades, they could still pierce stone. However, in prioritizing speed, the power of each individual projectile had diminished.
It didn't matter much. Her goal wasn't to win this match, only to push Gaara to the point where he'd start showing signs of the One-Tail.
"I'll kill you!!" Gaara roared, rising from the water with a twisted grin. Sand swirled around him, rapidly forming into shuriken-like shapes before launching towards Sakura.
"Sand Shuriken!"
Facing the incoming sand shuriken, Sakura quickly erected a Water Release: Water Encampment Wall, deflecting the attack. But when the water wall dissipated, a massive claw swiped at her.
Sakura channeled her monstrous strength into a punch, smashing the sand claw to pieces. Sand particles scattered in the air. Without giving Gaara a chance to react, Sakura closed the distance and unleashed another chakra-enhanced fist. Gaara was struck with such force that flesh and blood seemed to explode outward, but Sakura's keen eyes saw that he had transformed into sand.
"A Sand Clone, huh? Finally starting to crack, are we?" Sakura said, taking a defensive stance as Gaara reappeared behind her. The rain of sand from the shattered claw had provided cover for him to switch places with his clone.
"Heh... heh heh heh..." Gaara didn't answer, only responding with a crazed, unsettling laugh.
Seeing that Gaara wasn't interested in conversation, Sakura didn't press the issue. She raised her arms, gathering chakra for a powerful finishing move.
"Water Release: Water Bullet!" Cannonball-sized water bullets, propelled by Sakura's full chakra output, shot towards Gaara.
"..."
Sakura saw Gaara's right arm transform into the same claw that had attacked her earlier, blocking both water bullets. Mysterious runes surfaced on the arm; its substance was entirely different from the sand he'd used before.
Sakura felt she had completed her mission. Shukaku's claw had emerged.
If she continued fighting, Gaara would likely lose control completely. And she wasn't even sure she could win. The One-Tail was still a Tailed Beast, and her small frame wouldn't withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Without hesitation, Sakura raised her hand and addressed Hayate Gekko, the proctor. "I forfeit!"
The arena erupted in a wave of confused murmurs. No one understood why Sakura would surrender when she seemed to have the upper hand.
"Sakura-chan, why'd you give up?!" Naruto shouted, being the first to voice his confusion. He couldn't comprehend why she'd forfeit while seemingly in a dominant position.
Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly, fixated on Gaara's right arm. He clearly saw the difference in its composition.
The Third Hokage subtly gestured, and the Jonin in the stands immediately became alert. The atmosphere in the arena thickened, becoming heavy with tension. The Genin also sensed the shift, each of them becoming wary.
Whether or not the facade would be ripped away now depended on whether Gaara continued to lose control. Ideally, the Third Hokage hoped Gaara would go berserk, providing a legitimate reason to eliminate the threat. But at the same time, he didn't want Gaara to lose control. Even the One-Tail was still a Tailed Beast, not easily subdued.
The Third Hokage had contingency plans for both scenarios. Now, it was up to fate.
In the arena, Gaara completely ignored Sakura's surrender. "Your blood must be delicious," he hissed, his face contorted. "Killing you will prove my existence!!"
"Come! Let me feel it!" Gaara had acknowledged Sakura's strength. She was worthy of being the reason for Gaara's existence.
Sakura ignored Gaara's ravings and asked Hayate, "I forfeited, so I can leave the arena now, right?"
Hayate, impressed by Sakura's composure, couldn't help but admire her. Any ninja could feel the tension in the air, yet Sakura remained focused on such trivial matters.
His eyes locked on Gaara, he replied, "Yes, you can step down."
Sakura wasn't truly calm. She was only this composed because the Third Hokage had already made arrangements. Just as she warily prepared to leave, keeping a watchful eye on Gaara, he suddenly attacked.
Despite her apparent calmness, Sakura had been vigilant. Just as she was about to form hand seals for a Water Encampment Wall, a powerful gust of wind scattered the attacking sand.
A figure stood before her. It was Temari, Gaara's sister.
"I'm sorry for the trouble he's caused. I'll handle it from here," Temari said, her back to Sakura.
Sakura was surprised. Why was she stepping in? Shouldn't their Jonin sensei be the one to stop Gaara?
And Sakura detected a tremor in Temari's voice, a hint of fear. Temari had stepped forward to stop Gaara despite her terror.
The Third Hokage, seeing the Sand ninja intervene, signaled again, indicating that they should hold off for now and observe the situation.
Temari slowly approached Gaara, her heart pounding with dread. Although Gaara was her brother, his heart had been consumed by darkness after becoming a jinchuriki at such a young age.
Deep within Temari's heart lay a hidden sorrow, the foundation of her connection with her brother, Gaara. Both burdened by the early loss of their mother, Temari had to forgo the right to be pampered, taking Gaara's hand and leading him forward, step by step.
In caring for her brother, she was a gentle sister. As Gaara's sister, Temari understood his loneliness and isolation better than anyone. In a way, after Yashamaru's death, Temari was Gaara's link to the world.
While Temari couldn't command Gaara, deep down, he held a degree of affection for his sister.
Gaara never attacked Temari, yet he would ruthlessly beat his brother, Kankuro. It could be said that as long as Temari was present, Gaara's killing intent would diminish, at least somewhat.
This was why Temari had appeared, instead of the Sand's Jonin leader.
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