Naruto: The Beast Within

The sun hangs low in the sky, bleeding warm shades of orange across the village as the school day finally ends.

Students pour out of the building, their conversations lively yet strangely measured, as if each of them is forcing themselves to act normal—to not give away the excitement bubbling underneath. After all, if a teacher noticed, this whole thing would be over before it even started.

It wasn't unusual for kids to hang around the academy after school, chatting in groups or playing harmless games. That's what it looked like from the outside.

No suspicion.

No red flags.

Just a normal gathering of students enjoying their time together.

But in reality?

The entire school was waiting.

As the last of the teachers strolled away, the students' murmurs swelled into an electric hum. Footsteps shifted with anticipation. The stage was set.

And then—

A new presence emerges from the school's doors.

Raimu.

Wrapped in his usual sleepy energy, his dark blue hair slightly tousled, his half-lidded golden eyes lazily scan the scene in front of him. He already knows.

Before he can even react, a small group of girls rush toward him, giggling, excitement laced in their voices as they eagerly grab his arm.

"C'mon, c'mon, Raimu—it's time!" one says, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

"You're late, you know that? Takuma's been waiting!" another added, tugging at him as well.

Raimu doesn't resist. He doesn't need to. With a soft, knowing sigh, he lets them pull him forward, his posture relaxed as ever.

His voice is quiet, playful. "So it's happening, huh?"

The girls don't answer directly—just exchange thrilled glances before guiding him through the crowd. Students part for him, like he's some kind of honored guest being escorted to an event just for him.

And then—

The circle opens.

In the very center, waiting with a confident smirk, is Takuma.

Raimu exhales slowly through his nose, eyes finally sharpening a little as he tilts his head at the boy standing before him.

Takuma meets his gaze, his hands already flexing at his sides. "Took you long enough," he says with a grin.

The air shifts.

The energy of the crowd builds, the quiet whispers turning into muffled excitement. Some students clutch each other's arms, some hold their breath, others are bouncing on their feet, unable to contain their eagerness.

Somewhere, a voice mutters, "If a teacher catches us, we're dead."

Another responds, "Then we better make it quick."

Raimu yawns, covering his mouth lazily. "You look way too excited for this, Takuma."

Takuma brings his fists together with a loud crack. His smile widens. "You should be too. Now, don't hold back."

That makes Raimu blink. "Mmm… I don't really do 'all-out' unless I have to."

The crowd erupts in laughter, some students clapping their hands while others tease Takuma.

"Ooooh, he said you're not worth it!"

"Raimu's not even taking this seriously!"

Takuma, to his credit, doesn't get mad. But his smirk twitches.

"You're getting too cocky," he warns.

Then, with zero hesitation—

He launches forward.

A blur of movement. The dirt beneath him kicks up as he closes the distance between them in a flash.

But—

Raimu steps aside.

It's so casual, so effortless—like he's simply drifting away instead of dodging. His body moves with the relaxed sway of someone caught in a dream, his golden eyes half-lidded and completely unimpressed.

Takuma stumbles, caught off guard by how little effort Raimu seems to be putting in. But before he can regain his footing—

A kick.

Raimu's foot shoots toward his stomach. Fast. Clean. Precise.

The crowd gasps—but right before impact, Takuma's arms cross into an X, blocking the strike just in time.

A quick counter. A punch aimed at Raimu's face.

But Raimu?

He bends down—his hands touching the ground.

Then—he spins.

A full-body rotation.

His legs whip through the air, one of them colliding against Takuma's side with a sharp crack.

The impact is real.

Takuma is knocked sideways, his body tilting dangerously before he catches himself, feet skidding against the ground.

The crowd erupts in cheers.

"He got him! He actually got him!"

"Is Raimu actually taking this seriously?"

Takuma, breathing slightly heavier, wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand before looking up. His grin is still there—but there's something different now.

Raimu tilts his head. "I thought I really got you there."

Takuma exhales sharply through his nose. "Not even close."

Then—he moves again.

Faster this time.

Raimu raises an eyebrow. Oh?

He's getting faster.

It's slight. But noticeable.

Raimu's smile grows, his golden eyes flickering with playful interest.

For the first time in the match—he leans forward. Just a little. His energy shifting from passive dodging to active engagement.

Takuma lunges. A flurry of attacks. Punches, kicks—each one sharper, more refined.

And Raimu?

He weaves through them all.

Effortless.

His movements are hypnotic—fluid, sleepy, but untouchable. It almost looks like he's moving by accident, dodging with the grace of someone who's not even trying.

The crowd is losing their minds.

Takuma, gritting his teeth, suddenly leaps back.

And then—

The air changes.

A sudden gust of wind explodes from Takuma's body, sending dust flying everywhere.

Wind Release.

Raimu's expression flickers with curiosity. He's pushed back, his body slightly tilting from the force of it.

The crowd gasps.

Takuma breathes heavily, his fists tightening.

Raimu exhales, brushing some dust off his hoodie. Then, he gives Takuma a small, slow smile.

"So we're using abilities now?"

Takuma doesn't answer. Just moves.

Raimu sighs dramatically. "I'll take that as a yes."

Then—he disappears.

One second he's in front of Takuma.

The next—he's behind him.

The crowd doesn't even see what happened.

Then—

A strike.

Raimu's fist slams into the back of Takuma's head.

And then—

The ground trembles.

A shape bursts forth from the earth.

A massive, stone-covered boar.

The crowd, once explosive with excitement, now watches in eager silence.

Because this…

This was the moment they'd all been waiting for.

Raimu finally used his Ninjutsu.