Obeying at once, Shadow Deer Tube hurled its enormous pipe. Extreme speed whipped up a violent wind that punched through the sand shield in front of Gaara, grazed the sand skin on his cheek, blasted the gourd on his back, and embedded itself in the wall behind.
"So this is the ancient secret jutsu the Nara Clan recently unearthed?"
Even the Third Hokage felt the technique was absurd; that single strike had surpassed the output of most Jonin.
A mere Genin, Kano had delivered a Jonin-level blow. If the entire Nara Clan mastered it, their combat power would be staggering. The question was the cost—if it was high, fine; if not… That one hit had dazed Gaara; he dared not imagine what would've happened had it struck his head—he'd be dead for sure!
"At least let me play a tune."
To douse Gaara's rage—and her own—Kano drew a jade flute.
"A lullaby for everyone, for myself, and especially for you, unruly child."
This was her last idea; strictly speaking it wasn't reform anymore, just making the opponent concede.
A gentle, soporific melody drifted across the arena; even spectators in the stands felt their hearts calm as they listened.
"Little sis's tune is incredible," Shikamaru murmured, soothed and sleepy. Ino, surprised, wondered how her best friend knew such a piece without telling her.
"My student's performance isn't bad, eh?" Kakashi said.
"Would be better if she played something hotter, more youthful!" Guy replied.
Kakashi knew the effect—he'd heard it plenty. Guy, a hot-blooded fool, wasn't affected by something as mild as a lullaby.
"Is this genjutsu?" Asuma asked.
"No, just ordinary music," Kurenai answered, slightly affected herself.
Even the Third Hokage praised the piece.
Gaara's Jonin supervisor, Baki, however, looked grim. Seeing Gaara's odd state, he leapt down to snatch Kano's flute.
Before he touched it, the kubikiribōchō rested against his neck and the giant pipe pressed to his forehead.
Baki broke into a cold sweat; one more move and he'd die.
"Please stop—we concede."
Kano wisely lowered her flute.
She knew if she kept playing, Gaara would grow drowsy and fail to suppress Shukaku, triggering a rampage. Baki had considered unleashing Shukaku on Konoha, but not now.
Konoha's Jonin swarmed in and escorted Baki off the field. This was Konoha Village—an outsider Jonin dared act arrogant? Did he think Konoha had no one?
Gaara was led away as well.
Gekkō Hayate seized the moment to announce: "Winner: Nara Kano!"
Meanwhile, inside Kano's head, the System spoke.
[Mission reward: Virtual Idol Skin.]
"So that counts as reforming Gaara?"
Completing the mission put her in a great mood—she'd been clever, winning without violence in such an odd way.
[Nope. Gaara wasn't reformed; he still wants to kill you (ー_ー)!! What you reformed was Shukaku inside him. Shukaku finds you interesting; let you talk a bit more and he might break the seal. He kinda likes you ╮(︶﹏︶)╭]
"What? You mean I reformed Shukaku? Are you kidding me?"
Kano returned to the stands to wait for the next match. Naruto bounded over, stars in his eyes.
"Kano, you were amazing! I won't lose either!"
Only Naruto was that excited; everyone else found the fight baffling—even Kano thought it had been surreal.
One side did nothing but run, landed one decent attack and missed; the other listened to half a lullaby before the supervising Jonin surrendered.
No one dwelt on it, though—the next match began at once.
Combatants: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Akimichi Choji
"Wait, the whole order's messed up!"
Kano realized she'd probably eliminated all three Otogakure Genin, leaving only eighteen contestants this round, so the random pairings had reshuffled.
Damn—no Gaara vs. Rock Lee showdown. How boring.
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