Bully Lord In the Chunin Exam (NarutoVerse)

Before anyone could so much as twitch, Xero was a whirlwind of motion. The air itself seemed to distort around him as he moved, a blur of speed that defied the limitations of the human eye. His hand, a steel vice, gripped the hilt of his blade, a silent promise of violence. In a single, impossibly fluid motion, the katana was drawn, a sliver of moonlight reflecting off its polished surface. It descended in a roaring arc, not a clean slice, but a brutal, unrestrained cleave that tore through the air with a deafening WHOOSH. The sound alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of onlookers.

The Sound ninja, his eyes widening in terror, barely managed to leap back, his body contorting in a desperate attempt to escape the path of the deadly steel. He stumbled, landing awkwardly, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Xero's attack, a mere graze by the width of a hair, was enough to split the ninja's sleeve from shoulder to cuff, the fabric fluttering to the ground like a discarded butterfly wing. A thin red line appeared on the ninja's arm where the blade had kissed his skin.

Xero's face, previously neutral, was now contorted into a wide, predatory grin. It wasn't a smile of amusement or joy, but a savage, bloodthirsty expression that mirrored the raw power radiating from him. His eyes, usually a calm, dark grey, burned with an almost manic intensity, pupils dilated, reflecting the flickering torchlight like twin embers. They held the same unhinged glee, the same insatiable hunger for battle, that defined the legendary Kenpachi Zaraki. "Finally…" he rumbled, his voice a low growl that resonated deep in his chest, each word laced with a palpable bloodlust. "…Something… interesting." The words were drawn out, savored, as if the very act of speaking them was a delicious indulgence. He spun the katana once, the blade whistling through the air, catching the light and throwing off flashes that danced across the faces of those watching. The motion wasn't practiced or elegant; it was a raw display of power, a casual flick of the wrist that spoke volumes about the lethal potential of the weapon in his hand. "You've got guts… charging in like that…" he continued, his gaze fixed on the trembling ninja. "…Let's see if you've got the skill to match…" The last word was spat out like venom, a challenge, a taunt, a promise of pain.

The Sound ninja, his face pale and slick with cold sweat, his eyes darting between Xero's face and the gleaming blade, narrowed his eyes, trying to mask his fear with a veneer of composure. His stance shifted, his hands forming quick seals, preparing some ninjutsu. "I… I don't need to waste words on someone who won't survive this exam…" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly, betraying his inner turmoil.

As the tension in the air thickened to a suffocating degree, Kuro straightened, his posture radiating an almost regal air of detachment. His eyes, however, were locked on Xero, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. It wasn't a cruel or mocking smirk, but one of quiet satisfaction, of a master observing his prized student. "As expected…" he murmured, his voice barely audible, a low rumble that only Reika, standing beside him, could hear. "…From someone who has inherited the very spirit of Kenpachi Zaraki…" His tone was a mixture of amusement, pride, and a hint of something darker, something that hinted at the terrifying potential that lay dormant within Xero.

Reika, her brow furrowed with concern, glanced at Kuro, then back at Xero, whose eyes were now narrowed, his gaze fixed on his opponent like a predator stalking its prey. "You're just going to… let him go all out in here?" she whispered, her voice laced with worry. "He could tear this whole place apart! He could kill someone!"

Kuro didn't even glance at her. His eyes remained fixed on the unfolding confrontation, a strange light flickering in their depths. "Let them have their… moment," he replied, his voice low and steady, as if he were watching a play unfold. "Besides…" he added, a hint of dark amusement creeping into his voice. "…It's not every day you get to see Xero… play with his food…"

Xero darted forward, his sword arcing with lethal precision. The motion was a blur of speed, almost too fast for the eye to follow, but the Sound ninja was ready. He raised his wrist contraption to block the strike, and sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. The force of the blow reverberated through the air, but the ninja held his ground, his muscles straining against the pressure.

Xero's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He didn't back off, his body a blur as he shifted his weight, twisting and turning with fluid, wild abandon. He was fighting like a man who had no care for his own safety, throwing everything into every strike, just to see how far he could push himself.

The room was captivated, all eyes locked on the two combatants. Even Sasuke, who rarely showed interest in others, watched with a faint glimmer of intrigue. Xero's chaotic and unpredictable style was something Sasuke couldn't ignore—it was the raw, untamed power that left a trail of destruction wherever it went.

"You've got decent reflexes," Xero said, his voice low but dripping with a mixture of amusement and challenge. His blade pressed against the Sound ninja's contraption, the metal scraping loudly as he put more weight behind it. "But that toy won't save you."

The Sound ninja growled, the sound deep and frustrated. He pushed back, creating space between them with a swift movement, his feet sliding against the floor as he recovered. He quickly formed a series of seals, his hands moving with precision as he prepared his jutsu. "Let's see how cocky you are after this!"

A high-pitched sound filled the room, grating on the ears like nails on a chalkboard. The sharp, ear-splitting noise reverberated through the walls, and several competitors winced, their faces contorting in discomfort as they covered their ears. It was the kind of sound that felt like it was drilling into the very core of your mind, trying to break you from the inside out.

Reika frowned, her lips curling in irritation. "A sound-based jutsu? Annoying," she muttered under her breath, her brow furrowing as she endured the attack. She could sense the effects it was having on those around her, and it made her uncomfortable to think what it could do to someone less prepared.