'Well… this is a predicament,' Sabuko thought, coughing as he pushed himself to his feet, eyes locked on Bolo.
Once again, his hand found the kunai with the handle-wrap around its hilt at his belt. He held it there for ten silent seconds.
'I didn't expect this mob of an instructor to be so intuitive… But I guess he is still a Jonin.'
He cleared his throat, straightening his back. His legs trembled, but he faced Bolo head-on.
-------------------------
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...
"Sir, Hokage—what're you looking at?" Kakashi asked, entering the room with his usual lazy gait, a report in hand.
"Oh, Kakashi," Hiruzen murmured without looking away. "I saw Naruto passed your test."
"Yeah, I came here to file the report about it…" Kakashi muttered, scratching the back of his head.
"Could've saved me some paperwork if I knew you were already watching…"
He stepped beside the Hokage and glanced at the crystal ball.
"Oh?" he blinked. "If it isn't Bolo-kun. Been a while. What's he up to?"
"Right now…" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, "…he's determining whether his Genin has sufficient Taijutsu skill to remain on his team."
"Huh. That's unlike him... Bolo-kun never singles out a student that way," Kakashi said, surprised.
"Well, according to him," Hiruzen replied, "this one—Sabuko—may have slipped through the cracks. He wants to know if it was a fluke."
"Hmmm…" Kakashi hummed, his lone eye narrowing with interest.
'The Hokage seems quite invested in this...' Kakashi noted.
Both men stared silently into the swirling crystal orb, with Kakahi's eyes narrowing on the Kunai that Sabuko rested his palm on.
'Oh?'
-----------------------------------
"Sabuko Kanto," Bolo began, "son of Meatball Kanto. Married to—"
"PFFT—" Sabuko stifled a laugh, only to break into a coughing fit.
'I dread to hear my mother's name next… It's a miracle I wasn't named Dango or something…'
"…I'll skip that part," Bolo sighed. "Point is, you hail from a wealthy business family with deep ties. When I kicked you earlier and that saw that kick connected, I wondered if maybe… your graduation was bought."
His tone hardened.
"But that's impossible. Iruka-sensei is incorruptible, and all-in-all, a man who has my respect."
"…"
"Still…" Bolo folded his arms. "The fact that I could land that hit makes me think he went easy on you—easier than I first assumed."
'Easier… than he first assumed?'
"Your grades were as abysmal as Naruto's. You barely tried during your entire time at the Academy. And the only reason you enrolled was your father—who, most likely, thought having a ninja in the family would boost his status in the corporate world. But, when you showed intent to actually become one beyond your graduation… he kicked you out."
Sabuko's hands curled into fists.
"And now, with that adopted child in the picture… I see his priorities have changed."
'So… they adopted…?' His eyes flicked up to Bolo with sharp disdain. 'This bastard father of mine's piece of shit-ness knows no limits, huh?'
Bolo paused, then spoke with gentleness.
"…Judging by your reaction, you didn't know... Or didn't make peace with that. I apologize, Sabuko. That wasn't meant to be cruel."
He exhaled, eyes narrowing.
"I've had my appendix removed. Pain's something I know more than you'd think."
He gave a slow nod.
"And it was thanks to you that your teammates are now full-fledged ninja. For that, you have my respect."
A pause.
"…But."
He cleared his throat, voice steady and cold.
"Mere respect isn't enough."
"Taijutsu is a requirement. Not just for your safety, but for theirs—Koko's, Takos', mine… and Konoha's."
"If you can't meet the bare minimum…"
He let the sentence hang.
"…Then I will disqualify you."
A breeze brushed between them. Sabuko gulped as his eyes narrowed.
'Don't be scared... I promised I'd try today. Come on, Sabuko..!'
"Bare minimum being… blocking or evading two hits of yours?" Sabuko asked, steadying his breath.
"Three," Bolo corrected. "The first one was the kick just now."
He looked up at the sky, arms behind his back.
"I follow a simple philosophy, Sabuko Kanto. Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. But the third time…? That's when luck becomes something more."
Then, suddenly—softly—
"…But I want you on my team."
Sabuko's eyes widened. His back straightened instinctively.
"Back during the written exam—your use of the Kage Bunshin was nothing short of brilliant."
'He noticed…?!' Sabuko's eyes narrowed.
"And when you calmed your teammates… when you fueled their resolve instead of folding—marvelous. I haven't seen a Genin this mature in a very long time."
Bolo exhaled slowly.
"So even if it is just a coincidence… even if it would be just an accident…"
"I still want you to block me. Just once. Avoid it, if you can."
"Whenever you're ready," he replied.
Birds chirped around them. The wind brushed lightly across the field.
"..." Sabuko took a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
'Look at him…!' Sabuko thought as he stared down Bolo.
'Sabuko Kanto DEFINITELY knew Taijutsu… I should have some leftover instincts… right?! Come on, body and brain… work with me here!'
He stepped into a stance.
Bolo narrowed his eyes.
'That stance… nothing like I've ever seen,' he thought, 'Openings more than the stars above... You could think he never threw a punch in his life.'
'I already know the outcome of this test.' Bolo sighed internally, 'Surpass it! My expectations!'
Without warning, he rushed forward—and threw a clean punch straight toward Sabuko's face.
Sabuko moved to defend, but his body barely responded. The blow landed flush.
He went tumbling backwards, once again.
But he stood. Silent. Breathing. He returned to his stance, resolve flashing in his eyes.
"…This is your final chance," Bolo said quietly. "Are you ready?"
"More than ever," Sabuko echoed, not missing a beat.
Just as earnestly—and just as directly—Bolo lunged forward.
Same punch. Same angle. Same target.
'Please… block it.' Bolo pleaded inwardly.
…But despite his hopes—
Once more, Sabuko failed to guard.
The strike connected.
Bolo closed his eyes as his fist made impact—he couldn't bear to watch.
Sabuko was thrown again, blood spurting from his nose as he tumbled through the air.
Only one thought crossed his mind as he hit the grass:
'Could it be... That Sabuko of this world... Just sucked balls in Taijutsu...?'
He exhaled, eyes fixed on the sky above.
For several long moments, there was only silence—Just the wind and the sound of distant birds.
Then, finally, Bolo spoke.
"…Unfortunate," he muttered, letting out a deep sigh.
'In the end, he didn't surpass my expectations... What a waste.'
"Very unfortunate. You are hereby disqualified, Sabuko. Good luck next time."
He turned and walked away, leaving Sabuko behind on the grassy field.
——— Back at the Hokage's Office ———
"Haah…" Hiruzen sighed as he closed his eyes. "How unfortunate. He was a good kid—and showed promise."
"..." Kakashi remained quiet for a long moment.
"Some people just aren't meant for this life," he said softly, placing the report on the desk. "Maybe it's for the best. A life of constant struggle… glory and all, it's blown out of proportion these days."
Hiruzen looked at him solemnly.
But then—from the crystal ball—
["Wait, Bolo."]
"…?" They both turned to look.
'Bolo, huh..?' Kakashi noted the informal speech.
-------------------------
Sabuko stood again, his voice halting Bolo mid-step.
"What? You already failed," Bolo replied. "It's not what I wanted, but life's rarely about what you want. It's about what you get." He paused.
"Same with my appendix—" He let out as he turned around to face Sabuko.
"..!!" His eyes widened as he saw...
[BACKGROUND MUSIC: Luffy's Fierce Attack]
Sabuko pulled out his kunai, pointing it at Bolo.
"Now…"
"I am going to hit you."
"With just one attack." Sabuko declared.
----------------------
"OOOH!" Hiruzen's eyes widened.
'He looks confident…' Kakashi noted, watching Sabuko's expression through the crystal ball.
'Like… he knows he'll land the hit.'
'Is this just arrogance?'
'Or...'
--------------------------
Bolo stared.
"…."
He didn't respond at first. He just stood there, studying Sabuko's eyes.
There was no bluff in them. Nor desperation. He appeared as though the hit had already occurred.
"Your little speech about stuff happening once, twice, thrice…?" Sabuko scoffed.
"Fuck that. I don't need more chances than this."
He smirked—just slightly.
"I know for a fact I'm landing this hit."
'I trained all night for this... A technique that no one in this world can dodge from. Especially a bastard like him.'
He looked Bolo dead in his unimpressed eyes.
'This kid shouldn't be able to touch me…' Bolo thought, gulping slightly, 'He was nothing but a punching bag throughout... So why am I uneasy?'
"And if I do, oh mighty Jonin…" Sabuko paused, wiping the blood off his nose.
"You pass me."
[TO BE CONTINUED]