LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 12: 12
Dance of Blades and Sand
Killer Bee assumed his stance, all seven of his swords positioned in various parts of his body. His peculiar Acrobat style made him look more like a contorted dancer than a warrior, but the raw power radiating from him was undeniable. Gaara stood across the valley, his sand swirling protectively around him, eyes narrowed in calculated focus. Naruto lounged comfortably in a floating chair above the scene, sipping a drink with one hand and munching on dango with the other. A bowl of popcorn sat on the armrest.
"Well, this promises to be a spectacle," Naruto quipped, crossing one leg over the other. "Sand meets swagger. Chaos meets, well... whatever this is." He smirked, watching Bee spin a blade lazily in his hand.
Bee made the first move, darting forward with startling speed, his swords spinning in a deadly whirlwind. He twirled, each blade striking at odd angles, aiming for Gaara's blind spots. Gaara's sand reacted instantly, forming a protective dome around him. The clang of metal meeting sand echoed across the valley.
"Spinning steel can't crack the shield, oh what a thrill!" Bee rapped mid-attack, seamlessly flowing from one strike to another.
Gaara's voice was calm yet cold. "Your blades are fast, but my sand is absolute." With a motion of his hand, the sand lashed out like a serpent, aiming to bind Bee.
Bee flipped backward, his swords deflecting the tendrils of sand. "Nice try, kid, but you're too slow!" He infused his blades with lightning chakra, the energy crackling and sparking as it tore through the sand. The sand hissed and collapsed, unable to withstand the chakra's high frequency.
From his vantage point, Naruto laughed. "Oh, now this is getting spicy! Bee's lightning definitely has the edge. Poor sand-boy didn't see that coming."
---
Gaara extended his arms, summoning more sand from the ground. The air grew heavy as the sand surrounded Bee, attempting to crush him with the Sand Binding Coffin. The pressure was immense, forcing Bee to react quickly. With a roar, he activated a Version 1 chakra cloak, the red-orange energy forming a protective barrier around him. The sand shattered against the cloak, unable to contain Bee's raw power.
"Sand's just a fan, but I'm the real man!" Bee rapped, his voice echoing through the landscape. He charged forward, his chakra-enhanced strength leaving deep craters in the ground with each step.
Gaara remained composed, his Shield of Sand blocking Bee's relentless attacks. The sand shifted and twisted, forming sharp spikes aimed at Bee's vital points. Bee dodged effortlessly, his Acrobat style unpredictable and fluid. His swords moved like extensions of his body, striking with precision.
"Is that all you've got?" Gaara taunted, a rare smirk appearing on his face. He raised his hand, and the sand surged upward, creating a massive Sand Tsunami. The wave loomed over Bee, threatening to bury him.
Bee planted his feet firmly and thrust his lightning-charged swords forward. The combined force of his strength and chakra split the wave in two, the sand scattering harmlessly to the sides.
---
Shukaku's voice growled in Gaara's mind. "He's strong, brat. Let me out, and I'll tear him apart."
"Not yet," Gaara muttered. He layered sand over his body, transforming his arms and legs into monstrous, Shukaku-like limbs. His strength and speed increased, allowing him to match Bee's pace. He lunged at Bee, their clash sending shockwaves through the valley.
Gyūki chuckled in Bee's mind. "The kid's got guts. You better not get sloppy."
"Sloppy? Me? Nah, I'm a masterpiece!" Bee replied mentally, grinning. He weaved around Gaara's attacks, countering with swift, precise strikes. Lightning-infused blades clashed with hardened sand, each blow creating bursts of energy.
Naruto leaned forward in his chair, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now this is what I'm talking about! Sand monster versus blade ballerina. This is chaos in its purest form."
---
Gaara's sand formed a massive claw, slamming down on Bee with incredible force. Bee crossed two swords above his head, blocking the attack, but the ground beneath him cracked from the impact. Gaara pressed his advantage, sending tendrils of sand to ensnare Bee's limbs.
Bee gritted his teeth, his chakra cloak flaring brighter. With a burst of power, he broke free, the lightning surging through his body incinerating the sand. He spun, his swords becoming a blur, and unleashed a flurry of slashes that forced Gaara onto the defensive.
"Time for the encore!" Bee declared, throwing one of his swords like a spear. Gaara dodged, but the blade arced back, guided by Bee's chakra. It struck Gaara's sand armor, cracking it slightly.
Gaara scowled, his patience wearing thin. "Enough." He raised his hands, and the ground shook as a massive Sand Burial formed, threatening to crush Bee completely.
Bee smirked, unfazed. "You ain't got the moves to take me out!" He transformed partially, his arms turning into Gyūki's tentacles. The tentacles whipped through the sand, shattering the burial technique with raw power.
---
Naruto clapped slowly, a wide grin on his face. "Bravo! Bravo! This is the kind of chaos that makes life worth living." He sipped his drink, savoring the moment. "Gaara's outmatched, but he's not giving up. And Bee? Oh, he's just having the time of his life."
Kurama growled in Naruto's mind. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Oh, come on, fuzzball," Naruto replied mentally. "This is pure art. Let the chaos flow."
---
Bee and Gaara charged at each other one last time, their attacks colliding in a spectacular explosion of sand and lightning. The force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the valley, shaking even Naruto's floating chair.
When the dust settled, Bee stood over a kneeling Gaara, one of his swords pointed at the latter's throat. Gaara's sand armor was cracked, and his breathing was labored, but his eyes still burned with defiance.
"Not bad, sandman," Bee said, pulling back his blade. "But you're still too stiff. Loosen up, and maybe you'll hit me next time."
Naruto floated down, clapping enthusiastically. "Magnificent! Truly a show for the ages. Now, Gaara, ready for round two?"
Gaara glared at him but said nothing, his fists clenched in frustration.
Naruto chuckled, placing a hand on Gaara's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get stronger. And Bee? You've earned your dango."
Bee grinned, sheathing his swords. "Yo, let's feast, at least! I'm the beast from the east!"
The chapter ended with Naruto, Bee, and a begrudging Gaara sitting under the frozen stars, the tension lingering in the air as plans for the future brewed in Naruto's mind.