Naruto: The Beast Within

The moment the stone-covered boar emerges from the ground, a wave of unease washes over the crowd.

Everyone knew Raimu could create creatures. But it had been so long since they'd seen him use them that they almost forgot.

And now, standing atop his massive, rocky summon, his golden eyes burning with excitement, Raimu didn't look like the lazy, half-asleep kid everyone was used to.

It's been a long time since anyone saw him fight seriously. Some had even thought he got weaker. But now—seeing the massive stone boar standing at his side, its golden eyes burning like fire—there's no doubt.

Raimu was still him.

Takuma, across from him, tightens his stance, his muscles tense with adrenaline. He wasn't stupid—he knew Raimu was strong.

But he wasn't about to back down.

Some students in the crowd grin, nudging each other.

"I've never seen that one!"

"Damn, so he really was holding back."

"Hah, Takuma's screwed,"

"No! I bet on him!!"

Takuma ignores them. His focus is locked only on Raimu.

He tightens his fists. He's not angry, not frustrated—just determined.

Because he knew this was coming.

And he wasn't scared.

"So you're finally done playing around?" he asks, cracking his knuckles.

Raimu tilts his head, his golden eyes half-lidded, a lazy smirk on his lips.

"Mmm... not really."

The way he says it—so soft, so effortless—makes Takuma's eye twitch.

"Tch. You're really starting to piss me off, you know that?"

But Raimu just stretches his arms, sighing like he's about to take a nap.

Takuma shifts his weight, chakra pooling in his palms. "You're not unbeatable."

Raimu's lips curl slightly. A small, playful smile, but his eyes flicker with something sharp, focused.

"Then come prove it~." Raimu just stretches his arms, sighing like he's about to take a nap.

And that's the last straw.

Takuma's muscles tense.

Then—

He moves.

Fast.

Takuma explodes forward, his hands already forming signs.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"

A powerful burst of wind erupts from his hands, shooting toward the boar with enough force to shatter weaker stone.

But Raimu doesn't flinch.

BOOM!

The jutsu slams into the boar's chest—but instead of crumbling, the beast digs its hooves in, pushing forward through the force.

Takuma's eyes widen.

The boar charges forward, kicking up dirt as it barrels straight at Takuma, its stone-plated body moving far faster than something its size should.

Takuma curses, flipping backward as the boar's massive foot slams into the ground where he stood. A crater forms beneath the impact.

"He's controlling it so smoothly..." one student murmurs, watching as the massive beast moves like an extension of Raimu himself.

Takuma grits his teeth. He can't let himself be overwhelmed.

His hands flash through hand seals.

"Wind Release: Gale Surge!"

This time, the wind howls like a storm, spiraling into a concentrated burst that compresses into a blade-like edge.

He swings his palm—

The cutting wind slashes toward the boar!

But at the last second—

CRUNCH!

The boar stomps, causing a thick wall of stone to burst up from the earth, blocking the attack entirely.

Takuma clicks his tongue. He's countering me so easily—!

Then—

A shadow flickers to his left.

Raimu is already there.

Takuma barely has time to duck as Raimu's fist swings past his head, missing by mere inches.

The force behind it is terrifying.

Raimu chuckles, stepping forward with an easy, almost carefree grace—yet his movements are sharp, calculated.

Takuma retaliates.

He spins, aiming a kick for Raimi's ribs—

Raimu blocks with one arm, barely moving.

Takuma growls, pushing off and twisting into another spinning kick—this time, going for the head.

But Raimu bends backward, effortlessly dodging in a way that looks too relaxed.

Takuma's foot whooshes past his face, barely grazing the tips of his golden hair.

Then—

Raimu moves.

A swift palm strike to Takuma's stomach knocks him slightly off balance.

Takuma coughs—then forces himself through it. His hands flash through three quick seals.

"Wind Release—!"

WHAM!

He never finishes.

Raimu's knee slams into his gut, stealing his breath completely.

Takuma's vision blurs for half a second, the world tilting.

"Hmm... you're kinda sturdy~," Raimu says, almost admiringly.

Takuma grits his teeth, using the momentum to flip backward, creating distance.

But Raimu doesn't let him breathe.

The boar stomps the ground, and suddenly—

The earth beneath Takuma shatters.

Takuma's feet slip—and in that instant, Raimu is already moving.

Takuma regains his footing just in time to see the boar's snout slam into the ground.

A massive wall of stone erupts in front of him, completely cutting off his vision.

His stomach drops.

"No, no, no—!"

He knows he's in trouble.

This wasn't just a summon.

Raimu had set this up.

And before he can react—

"Gotcha~."

BAM!

A fist smashes into his ribs.

Takuma's body jerks violently to the side, his breath stolen.

And then—

He's flying.

Straight into the crowd.

Students scatter, some tripping over themselves as Takuma crashes into them.

Takuma groans, coughing as he struggles to push himself up, his limbs shaking.

Then—

Footsteps. Fast.

He barely has time to register the sound before—

Raimu is already there.

Charging.

His golden eyes alight with excitement, his stance low, arms pumping.

Takuma tries to move.

But he knows he can't make it in time.

Raimu pulls his arm back.

Ready to end it.

And then—

A firm hand catches Raimu's wrist.

The world stops.

Silence.

Iruka-sensei stands unmoving, his grip ironclad, effortlessly restraining Raimu's arm and twisting it behind his back.

The sudden power shift is suffocating.

It wasn't like fighting Takuma.

This was a real shinobi.

A real difference in level.

"That's enough."

Iruka's voice is calm but absolute.

And just like that—

The fight is over.

The weight of the battle lingers in the air.

Takuma, still breathing hard, stares at Raimu.

Raimu, despite being restrained, only chuckles breathlessly.

"Aw~… I almost got him."

Iruka sighs.

"You're done, Raimu."

And for once—

He doesn't argue.