All characters and story belong to Kohei Horikoshi and Masashi Kishimoto
"I told you to stop ignoring me, weirdo!" Bakugo demanded, raising his voice as he saw Hinata staring at the ground. The blond grabbed Hinata's face and forced her to look at him.
Feeling the blond man's hand on her face was the last straw. Hinata couldn't take it anymore and fainted.
Despite the blond man's surprise, he was quick-witted enough to catch her by the waist when she was about to fall to the ground.
"What the hell...?" Bakugo thought, perplexed because he didn't understand anything that had just happened.
Neji Hyuga also didn't understand anything, but he displayed an expression of infinite hatred towards the blond.
"I'm going to kill Katsuki Bakugo," Neji vowed, clenching his fists tightly.
"Hey! Hey! Wake up already, weird eyes!" Bakugo said, shaking the Hyuga clan genin.
Hinata slowly opened her eyes, regaining consciousness.
"What the hell is wrong with you, weird eyes? We're in the middle of an exam! This isn't the time to be taking a nap!" Bakugo said, annoyed by the girl's attitude.
—Bakugo-kun... Bakugo-kun is in front of me... naked...—Hinata thought as she fainted again, her cheeks flushed red.
"But what...? This has to be a fucking joke!" Bakugo exclaimed in disbelief as he watched Hinata lose consciousness again.
"You'd better put some clothes on if you want to talk to Hinata, Bakugo," said Kurenai, who had stopped watching the fight between Choji and Kankuro. Now she watched the scene between the two genin with amusement.
"What the hell are you talking about, old lady?" Bakugo said, frowning.
"Old woman?" Kurenai's good humor vanished in an instant, and a gigantic vein popped out on the jonin's forehead. "For your information, I'm only 27 years old, brat! This generation has no respect for anyone!"
"Hmm. Sometimes I forget I must be about 24 years old. I wouldn't like being called old either. One of the worst things about not being able to return to my world is that I won't be able to get revenge on that redheaded bitch and her stupid quirk," Bakugo thought wistfully.
"Since that weird-eyed girl just keeps sleeping, maybe you can clear up a doubt for me, vie... er... young lady," Bakugo said, the last part sarcastically.
"I'm so lucky I wasn't your teacher," Kurenai said, practically threatening to murder the ash-blond boy. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. Have some manners and address people by their names."
"It's nothing personal. It's just that I don't like remembering the names of all the extras who appear in my life. It takes up space in my mind to remember what's truly important," Bakugo commented sincerely, gently setting Hinata down on the ground.
"Anyway," Kurenai sighed, deeply tired of arguing with a child. "What was your question, Bakugo?"
"I don't know if you can help me. But every time I try to ask the weird-eyed girl, she ends up fainting. You're her sensei, so maybe you know why Neji hates her." Bakugo said, glancing at Neji, who glared back at him with hatred.
—Wait a minute... Didn't you just say a second ago that you didn't like remembering names? Why do you remember Neji's name?—Kurenai asked.
"I said I didn't like remembering the names of the extras. There are a few who deserve to be remembered." The names Orochimaru, Itachi, Kabuto, Kakashi, Gaara, and Minato flashed through his mind. "And that bastard is one of them."
—And my name doesn't deserve to be remembered?—Kurenai questioned, raising an eyebrow.
—Mmm. No —the blond man replied honestly.
"Grrr," Kurenai growled angrily. But then she calmed down. "I'm not going to answer you, Bakugo."
"Don't act offended now and just tell me." Bakugo frowned and squinted at the jonin, annoyed.
"It's not that I don't want to answer because you made me angry. It's because it's not a story you should hear from me. It's not up to me to tell you, but Hinata if she wants to. So when she wakes up, ask her," Kurenai declared.
"I just told you that when I try, she faints!" Bakugo protested.
"And I told you to put some clothes on," Kurenai retorted. She took off her jonin vest and threw it at Bakugo. "When you're done talking to her, give it back to me."
(A/N: I know that Kurenai doesn't wear it during the Chunin Exams, but she does wear it when she goes to talk to Hiashi about taking Hinata to her team. So she wears it in my story too.)
"And what the hell does putting on this damn vest have to do with the weird-eyed girl not fainting?" Bakugo thought, but he did what Kurenai suggested and put the jonin vest on his torso.
Meanwhile, in the fight between Choji and Kankuro, the genin from Suna continued to joke about the fight, dodging Choji's giant wheel without even using his strange object that he carried on his back.
"Tsk," Bakugo muttered. "I complained about that idiot Sasuke, but in the end, that sand bastard is going to bore us all to death."
Hinata woke up again. She glanced to her left and saw Bakugo, wearing his sensei's chest protector, sitting on the railing, watching the fight. On one hand, she was relieved that his torso was no longer bare; on the other, she was saddened for the same reason.
—Bakugo-kun...—Hinata whispered.
"Huh?" Bakugo turned his face toward the sound the girl made. "Finally awake..." He approached the Hyuga clan genin, who blushed again. "And don't you dare faint again, weirdo!" she threatened, pointing her index finger at him just inches from his face.
—Bakugo-kun... I'm sorry...— said Hinata, fidgeting with her fingers out of shyness.
"You'll feel it even more if you faint again. So keep your apologies to yourself and tell me why that bastard hates you so much," Bakugo said, pointing at Neji.
Hinata followed the direction of the blond boy's finger with her eyes and was startled to see Neji's somber face as he stared intently at her. The intensity was so great, it seemed as if he were observing her with his Byakugan.
—Neji... He's my cousin...—Hinata replied, looking sadly at the ground.
"Hmm. Something told me you two were related. You both have the same weird eyes," Bakugo remarked, stroking his chin. "But that doesn't explain why I hate you so much. You don't seem like the kind of person who would piss people off."
"It's... complicated... I don't want to bore you with a long story, Bakugo-kun," Hinata said sadly.
"So there are family dramas in this world too," Bakugo thought. Then his fight against Todoroki came to mind. "I just hope that if I face that bastard Neji, he fights seriously and doesn't pull the same stunt as Icy-Hot."
Bakugo didn't dwell on the subject any longer and gazed at the sky, nostalgically recalling events from his world's past. His mental journey was abruptly interrupted by Hinata clearing her throat.
—Bakugo-kun...—Hinata held out a small brown container to hand it to the blond boy.
"What the hell is that, weird eyes?" Bakugo asked, tilting his head.
"It's... it's... a... healing ointment," Hinata stammered.
"Tsk," Bakugo muttered. "Get that thing away from my face."
"But..." Hinata was confused. She only wanted to help Bakugo with his injuries and didn't understand why he had taken it so badly.
"I don't need help. Especially not from a potential rival. In case you'd forgotten, we might have to face each other," Bakugo said irritably.
Hinata took a step back, realizing that she would still have to face Bakugo. She wasn't sure she could fight him.
"Tsk. Why are you here, weird eyes?" Bakugo asked.
"Huh?" Hinata didn't understand this abrupt change of subject. "I... don't understand..."
"Why are you here? Don't make me repeat myself, I know you're not deaf," Bakugo said.
"To... to... to prove to others that they are wrong about me," Hinata replied, hesitant as she didn't know if she was answering the question.
"Well, if that's your reason, I'd be better off quitting like that four-eyed bastard," Bakugo said seriously.
Hinata was startled by the blond boy's words and looked sadly at the ground.
"Look... I don't know why your cousin hates you or what kind of shitty drama you have in your family, and I don't care to know. I asked you earlier because it was a distraction from my own problems. All I know is that you shouldn't give a damn what your cousin, your family, your sensei, the Hokage, or I think of you," Bakugo said, sitting up. "The only thing that should matter to you is what you think of yourself. So if your reason for being here is still to prove to others what you're capable of, then leave."
Hinata stared intently at the blond man, unsure what to say.
"Earlier, when I told you that you might be my rival, your face changed. You looked like someone who didn't want to fight. So if you want to run away, run now. You still have time. But I warn you, the day will come when you'll have to stop running." Bakugo looked seriously at Hinata. "And one last thing, if we face each other and you don't give it your all, I'll never forgive you."
Something very strange happened. Almost anyone would be frightened by Bakugo's ferocity and harsh words. Even more so someone as timid and easily frightened as Hinata. However, Hinata's timidity and fear vanished for a few moments.
"I will not run away," Hinata replied with conviction.
"Heh." Bakugo grinned, flashing his teeth. "Who are you, and what have you done with those weird eyes? Oh, by the way." He took the ointment she'd offered him earlier. "My advice isn't free."
A smile spread across Hinata's face.
At that very moment, the fight between Choji and Kankuro had ended with a victory for the genin from Suna.
"First the girl, and now this weirdo. The Sand Village guys are really strong. Don't you think so, Hinata?" Kiba remarked, turning to face his teammate. He was surprised not to see her beside him, and even more surprised to see her with Bakugo. But what shocked him most of all was seeing Bakugo wearing his sensei's chest protector. "What the...? Hey, Bakugo!" Kiba shouted angrily, rushing over to where Hinata and Bakugo were standing.
"What do you want now, dog face?" said Bakugo, bored and crossing his arms.
"What are you doing with Kurenai-sensei's breastplate, you little brat?" Kiba said angrily. "Give it back to her right now, you thief!"
"Woof! Woof!" barked Akamaru, nodding his head.
"Little thief? It was your sensei who gave it to me so I could talk with weird eyes!" the blond boy said indignantly. He took off his vest and threw it to the ground, revealing his bare, scarred torso once more. Hinata's shyness and blush returned as if by magic. "Look here, you fucking bastard! I've had enough of your nonsense! I'm going to smash your stupid dog face to bits!"
"Come on, come on. Calm down, guys. We need to save this energy for the fights. Dattebayo." Naruto said, feeling a little embarrassed as he sensed his father watching them.
"Hehehe. Forgive Bakago," Sakura said, her face contorted with annoyance at having to intervene for the blond boy again. Then she pushed Bakago away. "He's such a dimwit, poor thing."
"What the hell is wrong with you, big forehead?" the blond man asked indignantly at his classmate's insult.
"I'm the one who should be asking you that question! How many times are you going to make a scene?" Sakura retorted angrily. "I'm fed up with trying to calm things down!"
"Tsk," Bakugo muttered, rolling his eyes. "You're so annoying. At least stop pushing me, I can walk on my own."
"Well, it doesn't look like it!" said the pink-haired girl. Finally, Bakugo and Sakura returned to where their sensei was.
Elsewhere, Kankuro was going up the stairs with his brothers.
"Why did it take you so long to finish off the fat guy?" Temari asked her brother.
"Hehe. I was just playing with it. I didn't even have to bring out Karasu," Kankuro replied, touching the strange object on his back.
"Idiot..." Gaara thought, arms crossed.
The screen lit up again, and two names appeared: Kiba Inuzuka and Katsuki Bakugo.
—Katsuki Bakugo. The time has come to see if you are worthy of being killed by me.—Gaara thought, who was going to pay more attention to the fourth fight than even to the previous fights of his brothers.
After Choji's defeat against Kankuro, the screen in the room lit up again to announce who would fight in the fourth fight.
"Bakugo, pay attention, they're going to announce who's been assigned to fight in the next match," Sakura told her teammate after pulling him away from yet another verbal altercation with Kiba.
"Tsk," muttered Bakugo, still glancing sideways at Kiba, Hinata, and Naruto's group. "With my lousy luck, I'm sure I'll get last. And not only that, I'll have to face Yawns (A/N: Shikamaru), who'll quit because he finds it boring. " He said the last part mimicking Shikamaru's tone of voice.
"And what's wrong with advancing to the next round due to the opponent's withdrawal? It would be good for you; you haven't fully recovered from your injuries. You're still a mess," Sakura retorted.
"I'm not the one who had to cut my hair to survive, forehead girl!" Bakugo retorted, offended. "I'm perfectly fine!" she lied, but with a confident tone that made it seem like she was telling the truth.
"Yes, of course. Perfectly fine..." Sakura said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "And why have you left your sword on the ground all this time?" she asked accusingly.
"Tsk," the blond muttered again, unable to come up with a believable excuse. "Shut your mouth, I want to see who's going to fight now." The blond changed the subject, diverting attention.
Sakura sighed in resignation, but mirrored Bakugo's gaze at the panel. Her nerves were mounting. When the screen displayed the names of Katsuki Bakugo and Kiba Inuzuka, she felt both relief and worry. Relief that she wasn't the one scheduled to fight, and worry for her teammate.
Unlike the blond boy, she hoped Bakugo would be the last to fight so he could recover some energy. Sasuke had won by the skin of his teeth and almost given her a heart attack. She feared Bakugo wouldn't have it easy either, especially in his current state.
"Damn, finally some luck after all the shit I've had to go through!" Bakugo shouted with a huge grin.
Everyone in the room heard Bakugo's celebratory shouts, including his rival, Kiba Inuzuka, who was with his teammates from Team 8.
"Luck?" Kiba said, also smiling. "Lucky us, we got the easiest opponent! Right, Akamaru?"
"Woof!" barked Akamaru, nodding at Kiba's words.
"Are Bakugo and Kiba going to fight?" Hinata thought sadly. "I don't know who I should support... Kiba is my teammate, but Bakugo..." The genin brought her hands to her face, hiding the burning in her cheeks.
"Don't get cocky, Kiba," Kurenai said seriously, placing her hand on her student's shoulder.
"Ha." Kiba smirked. "You have nothing to worry about, sensei. Even the academy kids could take down that braggart. Akamaru and I hit the jackpot."
"Kiba!" Naruto called to him. "Kurenia-sensei is right. It would be a mistake to underestimate Bakugo." He turned his head to study Bakugo, who was stretching as he headed for the stairs. Then he glanced sideways at the Fourth Hokage. "My father speaks very highly of him."
"I can't understand how he's fooled you all so much!" Kiba exclaimed indignantly at the praise he was hearing for Bakugo. "He's useless! This deception has gone too far. I'll prove that that useless idiot should never have graduated from the academy," he said with conviction in his eyes. "Let's go, Akamaru!"
"Woof, woof!" the dog landed on his owner's head.
With a leap, Kiba landed on the floor below.
"Come down here already, blondie!" Kiba shouted from below to the area where Bakugo was standing.
—God, I really want to punch that damn dog-faced bastard in the face...—Bakugo thought, with a vein bulging on his forehead.
The ash-blond man's thoughts were interrupted when he felt the touch of another person with his hand.
"Huh?" Bakugo turned his head to see who was touching his hand. It was Ino, who looked contrite. "What do you want, flower freak?"
—I... This... Uhh.—Ino didn't quite know what to say to him.
"If you're not going to say anything, at least let go of my hand," Bakugo said, annoyed, looking down at his hand.
"Huh?" Ino was taken aback. Her face turned crimson, mirroring the ash-blond's eyes, as she realized she was holding his hand. She immediately let go. "It was an accident!"
"You're as red as a tomato, Ino," Sakura said playfully.
"Shut up, forehead girl! I wasn't talking to you!" Ino shouted at her old friend.
"At least I don't look like a pig, Ino-pig!" Sakura retorted.
The argument between them continued with verbal attacks. Bakugo rolled his eyes and scuttled off towards the stairs. Seeing Bakugo leave, Ino remembered why she was there and stopped arguing with Sakura to approach the ash-blond boy.
"Wait, Bakugo!" Ino called out to him.
—I'm in a fight right now with the dog-faced one, so stop...—
"Just be careful, please," Ino interrupted, giving him a pleading look.
Bakugo remained silent for a few seconds and then showed his teeth in a smile.
"You should worry about that dog-faced bastard. He's going on a sightseeing tour of the hospital today," Bakugo said, maintaining his arrogant smile.
Bakugo went down the stairs but stopped when he saw Kakashi in his path, who had teleported away in a puff of smoke.
"Move aside, Cyclops," Bakugo said rudely. He didn't like people who were late, and because of all these interruptions, he was the one who had become late.
"What kind of sensei would I be if I didn't give my student advice before their fight?" Kakashi said.
—How many times will I have to say that I don't need anyone's help?—
"As you wish," Kakashi sighed, seeing that his pupil's pride hadn't diminished in the slightest since they first met. "Then I'll give you a warning. If I see things getting out of hand, I'll stop the fight."
"You can't do that..." Bakugo frowned angrily.
"Of course I can," Kakashi replied seriously. "In fact, only Hayate and the fighters' senseis have that authority. I don't know Hayate very well, so I don't know to what extent he'll allow the fight to continue. But rest assured, I won't hesitate to order it to end."
—...—Bakugo had a twitch in his eye due to the fury he was experiencing towards his sensei.
"So I recommend you finish the fight as soon as possible." Kakashi took his Icha Icha Paradise book out of his pocket and went upstairs while reading. "Good luck, Bakugo," he said without turning around.
"Damn cyclops..." Bakugo thought irritably. "But the bastard's right about one thing, I have to finish this fight as soon as possible."
"Hey, one-eyed!" Bakugo called out before he went back upstairs. Kakashi turned around, interested in what his student had to say. "Here!" The ash-blond threw Deku into the air, and Kakashi caught the sword mid-air with difficulty.
"Why are you giving me this, Bakugo?" Kakashi asked, confused.
"I'll finish off that dog-face faster if I don't have to carry Deku around. You can give him back to me when I'm done with him," Bakugo explained.
—…—Kakashi looked at him intently. —His injuries must be worse than I thought. I wasn't serious about stopping the fight. I just wanted to encourage him with my words, but I might have to stop the fight after all.
Bakugo took the position Hayate indicated and looked at Kiba, who was smiling confidently.
"It's about time! Akamaru and I were getting impatient. We thought you were going to give up," Kiba said, as the dog got off his owner and stood to his right.
"What kind of extra duty have you taken me on for? I never quit," Bakugo remarked, doing his final stretches.
"Never say never, Bakugo," Kiba said confidently.
From the upper stands, the anticipation grew.
"Good luck, Bakugo-kun!" Lee shouted, gesturing from upstairs.
"I don't need that! Luck is the excuse losers use!" Bakugo shouted angrily to the stands.
"Ha!" Kiba laughed. "Can't you hear yourself when you talk? You're the biggest loser here!"
"And what will he turn you into when you lose to this loser, dog-face?" Bakugo took an attack stance, waiting for Hayate's signal.
"Grrrr," Kiba growled. Then he noticed that Bakugo wasn't carrying Deku. "By the way, where's your sword?"
"I left it with the one-eyed man. It would be too easy to finish you off with it," Bakugo lied, unable to admit to his rival the current weakness of his strength.
"Who do you think you are, you useless fool?" Kiba was starting to lose his patience. "You have no right to underestimate me! I'm far superior to you, not the other way around! And I'll prove it to you! Akamaru, stay out of this! I can take this idiot on perfectly well."
Under normal circumstances, this would infuriate Bakugo. He hated winning without his opponent giving it their all. But he hated losing even more. And in this world, he'd already lost more than enough against Itachi, Kakashi, and Orochimaru. If he lost again, his mind wouldn't be able to bear it. Besides, there was the fact that the blond considered Kiba an extra. That would only increase the humiliation of losing.
"Don't come crying to me about not using the dog when I sent you to the hospital, you dog-faced bastard," Bakugo warned Kiba.
"Today I'll make you regret the day you decided to become a ninja, Bakugo." Kiba got down on all fours, in his wild beast attack pose.
—Kiba's on my team... —Hinata thought, her nerves on edge. —I should support him. But the one I really want to support is Bakugo.—
—Now, the fourth match...cough, cough, cough.—Hayate coughed. —Kiba Inuzuka and Katsuki Bakugo. BEGIN!—