This is a great what if... well for me to think about anyways considering how much this would affect Kiro. It would have a major impact even if Taiyo doesn’t kill Azumi. Like then what if Kiro and Taiyo tie along with Zaku and Katsuo? Who wins then?
If we go the Kiro beats Taiyo route, then he wins the whole thing. That right there prevents him from being humiliated and destroyed mentally. He does not go to the hospital room to think about Sagisō’s wirds. In fact, Sagisō doesn’t even go to Kai for his help. I think that’s also where she let him know about being half-Xeno. Oh and Raiku doesn’t offer a therapy session.
Taiyo keeping his arms intact should also be taken into consideration since presumably he doesn’t blow them out, unless for some reason against Kiro.
Anyways, during the invasion, Kiro would go with Kai and try to stay out of it. I have two reasons. First, when Azumi won and the invasion started, she chose to go for the scroll. Presumably, Kiro would be in the same postition as her. When the invasion starts, Kiro would also be able to get away.
The second reasoning would be he wouldn’t try to join the Sound yet. With him winning, Kiro would see no reason to offer himself to Orochimaru for more power. In fact, with Dosu and Zaku in the medical wing, they would not find a weakened Kiro. Most likely, Kiro would find his way to Kai or the other way around (since Kai did come back for him) and Kiro would probably be in the Mist right now, having betrayed no one.
As for the battle underground, that still happens except Sagisō does not go rescue Kiro. In fact, there’s a high probability she doesn’t join the fight against Reaver. Actually, scatch that, does Reaver even appear if Kiro wasn’t knocked out. For this, I’ll say he did. I’ll also say Sagisō joins the fight. Since Kiro is not there, when the flood comes, Sagisō does not have to use her flickering wind shadow to rescue him. She escapes without having to use it. However, Furījia still nearly drowns. When Sagisō sees Raiku performing CPR, rather than being completely drained, she still has a substantial amount of chakra left.
Basically meaning Raiku and perhaps Taiyo would be killed.
The Sound chase arc also happens but Kiro and Kai aren’t there. But an even bigger point is Tayuya does not get captured. The factors that led to her capture were in fact Kiro and Kai. Without those two their, there is absolutely no reason she goes to Zaku.
In the Mist, Kiro now gets to bond with Kai and the others while everyone else chills on the Leaf until this mission.
I think that’s about it. I like ‘what ifs’ and this was a pretty good one to think about.
That is probably a more expansive what if talk for the scenario than I ever expected. Props there.
Finally got a response up. Still feel like garbage but least I got things rolling.
Though I see my concern of Pakura's team being undermanned went ignored XD