Naruto's / Gaara's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
"Oh Naruto…" Gaara said with a wild chuckle. "It's the only thing about you that matters…"
Naruto frowned at this and went to answer, but Gaara loudly continued. His odd tone made Naruto listen in morbid curiosity.
"Truthfully, do you think you're special?" Gaara asked as he merrily walked a loose circle around Naruto. Despite the Blonde having the edge to this point, he seemed confident and at ease. Seemingly unconcerned with the possibility of Naruto attacking. "You certainly have the potential, a jinchuriki of the strongest beast, a survivor of a clan famed for their ability to host such and the means to contain it, born into a strong village, the pieces are certainly there. By human and jinchuriki standards, you should be extraordinary. You are to be frank, but not nearly as much as you should be…" As Gaara finished, he seemed saddened, as if his perceived summarization of Naruto pained him.
"Good enough to be winning this fight, creep," Naruto replied frostily. Gaara seemed to have forgotten Naruto was much too fast and crafty now for him to keep up. "Besides, isn't talk cheap?" Naruto boomed as his Personal Atmosphere allowed him to shoot himself through the air at an absurd speed. But as he closed in, another Golden Orb rushed forward, matching his speed and attempting to snipe him out of the air. Naruto stopped his momentum, simultaneously flooding chakra into Riptide, and slashed away the orb. The force sent him back and sent painful vibrations tingling down his arm.
"Very true, Uzumaki, but I believe you should be frugal. You'll find action at this point to be rather costly." Gaara warned as several more orbs of gold formed. Naruto shifted into a stance, summoning two more clones to strengthen his defenses and joining them with two more surviving ones from earlier. "You hesitate." Gaara taunted. "Perhaps attempting to understand my new ability? No need to strain your mind, I need not take advantage of you being caught off guard. My sand control is linked to Shukaku. It allows me to easily control massive amounts of it. As well as defending me automatically. But my golden dust is different…"
Naruto flashed forward again, reinforced by his clones, as they attempted another sudden assault. "Don't care!"
The gold orb shot off seven, intercepting the clones and sending them flying back from the impact. Each orb boomed as it clashed with the clones, instantly countering the sudden assault. "You should, Uzumaki. At this point, I'm being sporting. You're more than strong enough to join, and I recognize I must shatter someone as strong-minded as you to ensure it. But I hope you prove even more power than I had ever hoped. As such, learn about my Golden Dust."
Naruto spat out some blood one of the orbs had, impacting his ribs and nearly breaking them. Stalling would ensue once he was healed, if Gaara wanted to monologue like a movie villain, Naruto would be foolish to stop him. Let him brag; Naruto would find the chink in his armor.
"My Golden Dust was born from a Kekkei Genkai relative to our family line for years. It is a bloodline unique to the Sand and rare even in our family. It is commonly referred to as Magnet Style. It allows us to either attract or repel various metals; it has many uses, though my father and I use it with gold. Using it masterfully, we can manipulate gold in various ways, though I use it much differently. Gold is much heavier than sand, meaning moving and using it as I do sand would be incredibly costly to chakra reserves. My father has the chakra efficiency and reserves to use it heedless of such, but even as a jinchuriki, I would struggle to do the same. Besides, gold is rather fragile; it makes for a poor defense by itself; even my golden armor is heavily reinforced with chakra to make it effective. So I decided to use it differently. I form it into simple shapes and repel and attract it all at once with great force. This leads to fast and powerful strikes, but often predictable and easy to counter. By themselves, it would be a decent trick but easy enough to bypass."
"So why bother Creep?" Naruto asked with a taunting smile. "Like to accessorize or something?"
Gaara chuckled ruefully at such. "Of course not brother. It's just that you struggled to deal with sand. Now, you must deal with both." Sand suddenly burst from the ground below Naruto and quickly formed into a net.
"Time to break you."
Naruto flinched before he lashed out with Riptide. As expected, it slashed through the sand with ease, but Naruto flinched as the sand parted around the blade, encompassing it and then anchoring it to the ground. Naruto planted both feet and attempted a tug to free Riptide. The ground cracked from the force, yet the blade did not emerge from the sand pillar. Naruto watched as his two remaining clones raced forward and, with a dance of Riptide and wind chakra, repelled the several golden orbs attempting to hammer the original Blonde. Naruto grits his teeth and pulls the blade free again but has to let go as two spikes shoot out from the pillar, attempting to pierce the Blonde. Naruto jumped into the air with a curse but smiled as one clone tanked the orbs, poofing from the mighty blows; the other slashed Riptide free and tossed it to the original as the orbs smashed him into oblivion. Naruto floated above Gaara, who smiled up at him as sand whipped around him in circled golden orbs, also whirling around him almost lazily.
"You don't cease to entertain Uzumaki." Gaara complimented him with a predatory smile. "You have proven your worth, yet I understand you will not join me. Tell me why not."
"I have things to do in my village, and I also don't hate humanity. They might hate us, but it's from a place of ignorance. Hating them back won't improve anything. It just makes you a hateful loser. Instead, I'll prove them wrong and earn their admiration regardless of how hard it may be," Naruto explained passionately.
"And you think that is a worthy cause? That is why you fight and risk your life for humans? You crave mere acceptance?" Gaara asks incredulously.
"I fight for myself." Naruto responded furiously. "I fight because I value the people around me and want them to do the same. I don't care if I'm human or jinchuriki or even some monster. I am Naruto Uzumaki, not the mere parts that make me."
"Yet you speak from a place of moral superiority? Because you work for your own tormentors, and I lash out? So much potential, and yet I cannot lie to you, Uzumaki. You disappoint me; I'll crush and remold you to meet the potential within. I find your foolishness slowly infuriating. I work to change the world that subjects us to such cruelness. To correct a mistake in the food chain, to make a world better for those cursed to live the life we lead. You merely wish to fit in."
"Oh, of course, the social recluse would have a problem trying to fit in." Naruto sniped back angrily. Gaara had barely spoken as much as he had now. His words seemed to reverb through Naruto's head. But he had never been the type to take disrespect lying down. "Have you ever considered that perhaps the world isn't "wrong" or "flawed," but maybe you were unlucky? Hell, you seem pretty dislikable to me so far, ya know? Perhaps it started out undeserved, but it's deserved for someone as monstrous as you, Gaara.
"Deserved?!" Gaara laughed manically. "I am the beast they created, I could've been born a regular child, but they needed to sacrifice yet another life for power. Then, they resented their own creation. I resent their ignorance; can they not see we are not cursed but blessed. We have such unique power and access to such unique creatures! How dare they not see us for our greatness. Instead, they demonize and isolate us. Slowly driving us insane, then blaming us for their own doing!"
"Just because we experience terrible things doesn't excuse our actions!" Naruto replied hotly. "Just because we're treated poorly doesn't give us the right to kill and maim as we please. It doesn't matter what we are, don't you see we're all the same?"
"You damn fool, we are anything but. You could be so much more if you only realized such!" Gaara roared. "We can survive wounds they could never hope to suffer; we have the power they can scarcely comprehend locked within, and we live years and years longer. We are objectively superior beings! One the humans have made clear is that they consider lesser and not the same."
Naruto tensed but stopped as he realized there were now more golden orbs. Sometime during their argument, Gaara had spawned more and had them surround him.
"It infuriates me, ya know?" Gaara mocked Naruto as the Blonde tensed and got ready to defend himself. "You should be the strongest of us. You could be more than any human or jinchuriki could hope to be. Yet you cling to your humanity. Even convince yourself it gives you strength. You naive fool… Golden Dust Manipulation: Golden Weasel Hunt." Gaara spoke. Suddenly, Naruto ducked an orb that sped through the space his head had occupied. He barely managed to raise Riptide to block another from his left. Though the force of the speeding orb made the Blonde's feet skid against the ground, the force nearly overwhelmed him. Naruto was left wide open; however, he slammed into his unprotected back for another orb. Naruto coughed up blood immediately after the blow, allowing the other orb to power through Riptide and smash into Naruto's chest. The two orbs forced the Blonde from his feet and to spiral through the air. The orbs, including the ones that had been orbiting Gaara, pursued the Blonde. Surrounding him the entire time. Naruto recovered in the air and, with a point of Riptide, repelled the orbs with a burst of wind. He flinched, however, when they immediately shot back towards him.
"That won't work," Gaara said as if he was sorry for the inconvenience. He looked as relaxed as earlier, calmly slowly circling the Blonde and orbs as they continued their desperate dance. Naruto was defending well, considering the absurd speed and power of the projectiles. He uses his blade and wind chakra to repel and dodge impressively. But it simply was impossible for Naruto to do such a thing perfectly. Several found holes in his defenses, crashing into his body and likely slowly breaking him down and killing him. His favorite technique was the one he had developed to defeat Baki sensei. "Golden Dust Manipulation: Golden Weasel Hunt is a cruel technique," Gaara explained. "Using my magnet style, I can magnetize you to the gold. I can attract or repel the gold to and from you by adjusting your polarity. This allows for a low-cost continuous technique; until I die or they are destroyed, they will pursue me. Either slowly battering you until you surrender or allowing my sand to capture you." Gaara explained.
Naruto would've loved to respond. But as he deflected an orb with one hand while jumping another and willing his Personal Atmosphere to deflect two more. Found himself struggling to stay in the game. How did this happen? Mere seconds ago, he had been faster than Gaara and faster than his sand. Now he struggled to keep up his gold, the heavy orb speed through the air little more than blurs. So far, he had managed to avoid a direct blow, but even blocking them shot pain and numbness down his limbs. Riptide seemed to be holding up, but the Blonde knew the sword wasn't meant to take such powerful attacks in succession.
Naruto had to repel this attack. It was going to overwhelm him-
Naruto felt a jarring and mind-breaking pain as his left leg was clipped by a golden orb. The force sent Naruto's body flying through the air. Even in his uncontrolled flight, the Blonde managed to deflect several more orbs with Riptide, but another found a hole in his defense, smashing into his ribs and robbing him of breath. This sent him skidding along the ground. Naruto rolled with momentum and managed to stop his flight. And with a yell of effort, sheathed and unsheathed Riptide "Uzumaki Style: Deflecting Draw!" The slash managed to send three golden orbs flying up into the air. Unfortunately, he left himself open to another three, which smashed into his body. Sending him careening through the field and crashing into the forest the impact of the Blonde smashing through a smaller tree. The orbs circled for a moment before shooting off towards the forest as well.
The momentum had changed in the battle…
----------------------------------------
Neji's POV (Audience Section of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Jealousy. It was a feeling every side branch eventually felt. It was only natural; after all, they were forced to serve their own family merely based on their parents. Jealousy came, gave way to despair, and for some, including Neji himself, it gave way to resentment.
With the man's aid, he watched the battle below; he had escaped such a cycle. Perhaps not entirely; Neji still resented Hiashi and the elders, but now he recognized wrath, and avoiding it would not be the solution. Instead, he must work towards improving it from within, finding comfort in the knowledge that one day he will not live enviously.
Yet again, the ugly feeling settled into his gut as he watched Naruto battle. Neji knew and thought he had accepted the possibility of losing to Sasuke, even more so that Naruto would likely go further, even defeat Neji if it came to that. But he had assumed the gap was a small one, perhaps furthered by Naruto's unique physiology. Neji had even accepted he was unlikely to be able to match Gaara. His mere presence had managed to shake Neji once or twice after all.
But never had Neji imagined the gap was as large as it was. It filled his gut with shame and disgust. When had Naruto so thoroughly surpassed him? Ino had always been slightly behind them, but Neji had always imagined himself the rival to Naruto. But he wasn't…
No!
Neji would not allow that darker side of personality to rear its ugly head again. He had grown from the hateful young man he had been at the creation of Team Seven. He had grown to enjoy his team- no - his friends and count on them. He was confident the fault lay within and would work hard to close the gap.
Neji wasn't entirely sure the ugly feeling would dissipate so quickly…
"That- that is Naruto?" Ino asked, utterly stunned. Neji wasn't surprised; his other Blonde teammate had seen most of his fights. But this one was much different than his performance before. It had been clear Naruto was holding back a considerable amount in his previous showings. But this match made it clear just how powerful he had become. "Kami, it's like he's a whole different person! How the hell did he get that strong?!"
"I'm not sure," Neji answered plainly, masking his own shock and amazement at the developments. "But it seems he might be the strongest Genin here… other than his opponent potentially."
"Course he is! He beat me after all!" Kurotsuchi chimed in from the left of Ino. "That being said, I could take either of them!"
"Quite the statement, considering he seemed to have held back a significant amount against you." Samui chimed in as she sat as well. She was covered in several bandages but looked otherwise fine. "That being said, I hope he has more to show. His effort so far is cool, but I feel there's much more to come."
"Of course there is!" Fuu chimed in grimly. It was only the second time Neji had noticed her lose her normal happy-go-lucky attitude. "It's a battle of jinchuriki; it never is a quick or easy thing, especially when two clash."
"Don't tell me that!" Ino cried out dramatically. "I was just closing the distance, and now the finish line seems incredibly far away! Surely, I'm not that useless!"
"You said it, not me." Kurotsuchi mocked with a shrug.
"But it is possible to put them down." Neji countered. "Sasuke managed to defeat Fuu after all, and he is no jinchuriki."
"It was more of a match-up thing. Sasuke had an advantage in speed that Naruto seems to lack. Not to mention, he tricked me into eating his hardest hit. Even then, had I been prepared for such, it likely wouldn't have worked." Fuu countered. "I wouldn't look into it too much. Who's winning now. I would be more concerned with who is winning ten minutes from now…"
Ino seemed to growl at this. She glared at Fuu and the others. Neji nearly flinched from the intense gaze of his teammate. "Naruto isn't done yet; Gaara is the one that has to be careful. Naruto is only starting."
"OF COURSE!" Fuu agreed with a cheeky shout. "Naruto is awesome. Besides, I think he might be just as lucky as I am."
"I don't know," Kurotsuchi added with a grin just measured too dark to be well intended. "Perhaps the Blonde bit off more than he can chew. Pale, short, and sandy over there, it seems he's well in control of the match. I can barely keep track of Naruto yet alone the orbs. I think our favorite knucklehead is about to lose this one…"
"Weren't you mere seconds ago confessing your belief in him?" Neji asked, confused. What was this woman's game?
"Yeah," Kurotsuchi admitted with a shrug. "It's Hard to be decisive in a win-win scenario. Either he wins, validating my own loss, or he gets beat, and I get second-hand revenge. I might like Blondie, but he ruined my shot. It won't hurt me to see him get beaten around."
"You basic bitch!" Ino snapped as she stood and marched towards the Iwa kunoichi. With a smile just short of ecstatic, Kurotsuchi rose as well.
Neji and Samui rose and held both back. Neji, his infuriated teammate, and Samui, the amused Kurotsuchi.
"Basic, aye?" Kurotsuchi asked, her smile thinning a bit as her anger grew.
"Sorry, forgot the Blonde friendzoning you is a no-go."
"Rich coming from the hag he beat. Didn't you mouth off about being better only to be proven wrong?" Ino countered as she reached for the woman. "Guess it stung to be shown as the unremarkable bitch you are!"
"He got lucky!" Kurotsuchi hotly countered. "Unfortunately, that luck is done!"
"Guys…" Fuu attempted to interrupt the tensions.
"Naruto may be in danger, but it would be unwise to count him out." Neji chimed in, his support calming Ino somewhat. Kurotsuchi, seeing the energy leaving Ino, stopped as well, rudely snorting at what Neji had said.
"Tch! You all are soft! Wanna believe your friend can somehow stand up to that monster! But news flash, he's just another jinchuriki that just met a better one. You can be biased all you like, but that idiot is fucked." Kurotsuchi snarled.
"Guys…" Fuu tried again.
"Unco-" Samui was interrupted when Kurotsuchi rudely shrugged her away.
"Don't care. Gonna find some real shinobi to watch this with." Kurotsuchi spat.
"Might wanna look at the field…" Fuu tried a third time.
"Go on then!" Ino yelled after her. "They wouldn't want a fake like you around anyway."
"GUYS!" Fuu screamed, cutting through the tension for a moment. She looked around as if to ensure the group was looking at her. Satisfied with their attention, she smiled widely and pointed at the field. "Things are heating up down there~!" Fuu sang happily.
The group of various shinobi all stood and leaned over the railing. The tension between them was momentarily forgotten as they watched the two strongest Genin clash.
----------------------------------------
Naruto's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Naruto's body ached as he flew through the forest. The orbs were frankly bullshit. They were faster than hell and nearly broke his bones with each impact. He barely managed to twirl around a tree; with only an instant to react, he managed to reflect another, but the force sent him smashing through the tree.
Knowing better than to remain still, Naruto shot wind against the ground, forcing him into the air and narrowly avoiding three more golden orbs that sought to finish him off. Four more shot off into the sky with him. Naruto groaned as he deflected two spun around one another. The last hit a glancing blow on his shoulder, making him spin through the air. Naruto, through instinct alone, continued his upward path. Seeking refuge in the sky, he suddenly stopped before he could get much higher. Feeling something coarse and dry wrap around his ankle. With a shocked glance down, he saw a long strand of sand emerging from the middle of the forest and connecting to his leg.
'He can control the sand and the gold at once!' Naruto thought, shocked.
The Blonde had little time to consider much else before his vision exploded with darkness. He blinked and regained vision, seeing an orb covered with blood shoot away from him. It must've hit him in the back of the head-
Once again, he was suddenly interrupted as the strand of sand reeled him in with speed and force. Naruto was initially surprised, but regaining his cool, he attempted to slash with Riptide and free himself. But suddenly, two more orbs smashed into him at once. Naruto cried out in pain before he was fully pulled into the forest. He crashed into the ground, shattering the rock below and bouncing from the force. Naruto hit the ground again bodily.
It took him several seconds to get to his feet as he blearily glanced around the surrounding forest. Fully in the middle of it, he could not see the crowd or even Gaara. He grunted as he lowered himself into a defensive stance. Naruto was confident he would not have to go looking for Gaara.
"You seem so determined to live your own way…" Gaara's voice echoed throughout the forest, making it nearly impossible for Naruto to determine where it was coming from. "Determined to live as if you are not what you so plainly are. How foolish of you," Gaara taunted.
"As if you're any better. You're nothing more than a sick brother! Years of abuse and hatred have made you blind. All you are is just some murderous little bitch! At least I fight for something I actually believe in! You claim to want to change the world but in truth you just want revenge. You want power to make people treat you better. That's something you earn!" Naruto roared.
As soon as he finished the sentence, another orb nearly removed his head. Another came low, and he jumped over; without missing a beat, Naruto called out, "Uzumaki Style: Slicing Wave." A slash of chakra raced forward, cutting down a tree. However, there was no reaction, and for leaving his guard open, another orb slammed into him. Naruto stumbled back painfully. Another attempted to follow up, but in a show of inhuman reaction and raw strength, Naruto caught it and whipped it towards another. The two smash into pieces, and neither survives the clash.
"Sick? Is that your way of accusing me of being insane?" Gaara continues, seemingly unbothered by Naruto's attempt to strike back. "I am quite sane, brother. Sane enough to recognize that humans and jinchuriki will never see eye to eye. They believe us to be monsters, ignorant but not entirely untrue. See, insanity is their reaction. Creating creatures such as us and using us as mere weapons? No, our creation wasn't a mistake. The use of us was. We were never meant to be mindless monsters! That suggests we are lesser! Oh, sure, we can be; a good example would be yourself…"
"I thought we were done talking! Come prove how "superior" you are already!" Naruto yelled out. Furious with Gaara treating the interaction like some sort of game.
"Let's not be too quick, brother." Gaara chided calmly. "Talking is preferable to what comes next. But I suppose I can do most of it while you handle the next step in my plan…"
"Which is!" Naruto said while glancing around his surroundings.
"Break you, of course." Gaara replied blandly.
Suddenly, Naruto flinched and barely managed to duck an orb. But another nearly took out his legs. He caught this one before the remaining seven smashed into him at once. Naruto spat out blood and stumbled before the golden orbs seemed to vibrate. Naruto managed to stomp a foot down and regain his sense and balance as the orbs froze.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Time to show you what this technique truly looks like." Gaara spat.
Naruto growled as he willed his personal atmosphere to repel as many orbs as possible. The orb now doubled in speed, them constantly flying in and out, and they began a cruel barrage of strikes. Naruto did not flinch as focus smothered panic and pain. Riptide became a mere streak through the air as it smacked aside orbs and attempted to split them. The wind howled as, in some cases, it managed to repel the balls. But mostly, it barely managed to slow them.
"As I was saying earlier," Gaara said as he floated within the vision of Naruto. He was standing on a platform of sand, mere feet away from Naruto. Yet, as he continued desperately to survive the seemingly endless assault, he was helpless to attempt to attack Gaara. "Jinchuriki can be rather unimpressive beasts, some simply too wild and others like you. Too weak…"
Naruto's eyes widened in fury, and his speed seemed to increase with such. He managed a better defense but was still slowly smashed by orbs over time. He had to counter this! But how could he? An orb snaked through his guard and nearly knocked him from his feet. But with grit, Naruto managed to stand his ground and continue his desperate stand.
"Oh, you certainly are powerful, by human standards anyway. But you are weak. You refuse to embrace a gift given to you. You are a fool through and through," Gaara mocked.
"I rather…" Naruto blasted five orbs away, deflected a sixth, and tanked the seventh. "Be a fool…" Three smashed into him at once. Naruto kept his stance up and defended follow-up attacks as the force made him slide across the ground. "But at least I'm not a monster."
"But what ARE you?" Gaara asked earnestly. "You refuse to embrace what it means to be a jinchuriki; the humans don't want you; what is there left to be?"
"NARUTO UZUMAKI SHITHEAD!" Naruto roared angrily. With this, he pushed Riptide and his palm out. Using the full power of Personal Atmosphere to blow away all the orbs. With this, he used it to shoot forward, attempting to blitz Gaara. He got within inches before sand once again snared him. It shot him out like a cannon towards the ground. Naruto forced the wind to right himself, but two more orbs suddenly took out his legs and, by proxy, his focus. Grounding Naruto again, the orbs continued their assault. Naruto quickly and desperately rises to defend himself. Gaara chuckles all the while.
"But who is that? Why is he so special to be different from Fuu and me, who live lives defined by their gift?" Gaara interrogates, and Naruto struggles against the orbs. "Is it your determination? I mean, surely not even a child can manage such. Perhaps your bravery? No, it strikes me more as ignorance and arrogance enabling your foolish behavior. Maybe then it's your tough can-do attitude? Admittedly amusing, but to be frank, brother, you are nothing close to what you could be. But fret not."
Naruto slowly was being hit more and more. The absurdly fast and powerful golden orbs beat him into submission over time.
"For I have a plan, not only for myself or you but all our brothers and sisters. A way to end the pain we feel and to ensure that future generations live lives worthy of our kind. First, I had to ensure you hadn't been weakened or tainted by the humans you've clung so desperately to. Second is where we are now; I'll shatter you and, with the pieces, reform you to see the world as I do. To recognize this "curse" they gave us is actually a gift. The power we wield can force this world to change. To force it to be better. Once you give in, we shall do this with each jinchuriki. Forcing their loyalty or sparing them a life of pain by slaying them. Once we gather all nine jinchuriki, we'll use our combined power to reforge this world." As Gaara finished, Naruto was sent flying by all seven remaining balls, hitting him at once and sending him flying out towards the center of the courtyard.
Gaara followed Naruto, his golden orbs orbiting him as they paused their assault. After thirty seconds, Naruto crawled to his feet, holding a cup in hand and glaring at Gaara.
"You think you can force the world to change? Can we make people do whatever we like because we're a little stronger? Don't make me laugh. They would fight us till the bitter end. They would probably win, too, ya know? All because one entitled, antisocial, murderous little brat refuses to learn some social skills." Naruto taunted with a bloody smile.
Gaara frowned but did not answer, merely shoving all seven orbs. Slowly, several strands of sand (in comparison to the gold and Naruto anyway) followed. It seemed Gaara did not like his jab back. Naruto's shit talk always seemed to lead to violence, didn't it?
Naruto merely smiled, glad to finally have a chance. The gold was so fast and dangerous that the sand kept him from gaining distance or attacking Gaara. He had been struggling to gain any ground back. But Gaara's technique had made one thing clear. Personal Atmosphere Level One wasn't going to be enough. But first, to create an opening…
As the orbs closed in, Naruto allowed the chakra to flood the cup again, thrusting it toward the approaching golden orbs and sand. Crying out proudly as he called out his counter. "Wind Style: Implosive Rejection!" The wind howled again, and the cup seemed to warble and warp as the storm formed inside. The air could be visibly seen sucking into and out of the cup at the same time. Gaara's eyes widened as he realized Naruto had goaded him.
Gaara raised both hands as his sand submerged him into a growing orb. The redhead recognized the technique and its power.
"Won't matter!" Naruto assures as the power of the storm within the cup begins to suck in violently, somehow managing to suck several orbs and some sand inside as the cup continues to grow and warp. With a boom, the contained calamity was freed. Gold, sand, and air boomed as it was spat out. A destructive wave of wind and debris smashed into Gaara's last-minute fortress. Naruto's entire arm holding the cup suddenly burst with blood as the sleeve of his jacket was shredded off, revealing the arm covered in a multitude of cups. Naruto wasted no time, however, as his will forced him through the pain.
Naruto lowered his stance and flexed his chakra as his eyes scanned the wrecked forest. Gold, sand, trees, and debris were all that was left of the forest. His scarf seemed to flow as if alive; before, with a poof, a small raccoon was visible on his neck. Unlike most raccoons, it had a golden coat and an intelligent gleam in its eye.
"You ready, Muri!" Naruto yells as he raises his hands in a hand sign, chakra flooding the area around him. The raccoon chuckles wildly as he does, seemingly amused by the powerful winds that blow around them.
"It's about time, bossman!" Muri yelled out happily. "I was worried you'd lose before we'd get to try! Time for the Okama clan to make their grand return!"
"Oh, shut it. I got the chakra and wind nature chakra! It's time for level two!" Naruto yelled as the turbulent area around them grew even wilder.
"As you say, bossman!" Muri answered cheerfully. "Just excited to finally fight with our newest summoner!"
The two cried out in tandem as the sand parted, revealing a mostly healed Gaara. As he marched toward the two, they finally activated their jutsu.
"Collaboration Jutsu: Personal Atmosphere Level Two!"
"Collaboration Jutsu: Personal Atmosphere Level Two!"
----------------------------------------
Jiraiya's POV (Kage Box of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
Jiraiya subtly eyed his long-time teammate, friend, and one-sided love interest. As busy as the man was, he had always kept an eye on his ever-burning flame. Partly out of a desire to keep her close but also at the behest of Hiruzen to ensure her loyalty. The situation had been confusing and alarming as most ended up between the two of them.
The point was Jiraiya knew Tsunade better than anyone. He understood her reactions, impulses, and limits. She knew she was hurting; the loss of Dan and Kawaki and even their treacherous third Orochimaru Tsunade had been suffering. Her previous proclivity for gambling grew into a full-blown addiction. Her fiery temper often reigned in by her intense intelligence. Grew uncontrolled and usually displayed. Jiraiya had watched as Tsunade distanced herself from their home. Took over a local mob and made them into her lackeys.
It had been straightforward to Jiraiya that Tsunade had given up. Living merely for her coping mechanism instead of any happiness or drive. Tsunade had become a shell of herself. Until recently…
Jiraiya, having grown accustomed to keeping an eye on his often troublesome teammate, realized she had yet to visit the local red light district, which held a rather considerable casino. There had been relatively few cases of Tsunade causing property damage or assaulting people, the few instances present all being almost universally involved with Jiraiya himself. The old habit of teasing his teammate had never left Jiraiya. Tsunade seemed, for all intents and purposes, to be making an unknowing recovery.
Jiraiya, being both the spymaster and caring teammate he was, had investigated such and had made an exciting discovery…
Tsunade's recent improved behavior coincided with the meeting of one Naruto Uzumaki. The odds seemed abysmal and unlikely, and random Jiriaya had initially dismissed it. But as he pondered the idea, it seemed increasingly likely.
Tsunade had moved to defend Leaf's interest, something she had likely done merely because she knew such was expected. It was not the first time such had happened, yet her reaction was peculiar. Jiraiya had seen her save others in similar circumstances. Usually, she'd crush or drive the opposition away, heal the allies so they were safe, and leave as soon as possible. Yet Tsunade had personally escorted them and even allowed Hiruzen to keep her there.
Oh, Jiraiya knew Hiruzen had intended it to be an order. But Tsunade was never one to take such lightly. If ever given one she found disagreeable, Tsunade was the type to voice such. And if need be, she would debate it at length, settling when fed up or convinced. Yet she had agreed readily, even making her little crew the new Police Force. A decent choice considering the relatively low workload, but a peculiar one.
At least until Jiraiya looked into it further. The Police Force had recently taken on a civil and shinobi dispute case, even calling for a controversial council meeting. All of which was focused on one Naruto Uzumaki. As if to further this idea, the ones who had headed such besides Kakashi himself had been Dez and Shizune…
Tsunade had returned to the Leaf upon meeting him, involved herself in affairs to his benefit, and now had confirmed it. Tsunade had almost intervened in the conversation among Kage. Unthinkable for most bodyguards. Even the two of them, as Sanin, were expected to respect and act politely toward Kage. As little as the opinionated Tsunade would care for such, she wouldn't stir up a situation that could be dangerous lightly. Yet an insult to Naruto Uzumaki, if only for a moment, made her consider such.
A shame this wasn't one of Jiraiya's works of art. If Tsunade was younger, or perhaps Naruto was older, this would've made for quite a great setup! An older, scorned woman who had lost faith in love, inspired by a courageous young man who awakens that old flame in her. Perhaps Jiraiya should write that down… later… Besides, this wasn't the case; Tsunade had sworn off such, and it seemed almost more… maternal?
Jiraiya refocused on Tsunade. The woman must've seen him daydreaming and lowered her own guard, openly watching the battle with rapt attention. It was clear now that Naruto Uzumaki had gained her attention, perhaps even impressed her to some degree.
It wouldn't surprise Jiraiya, given that, in a few years, Naruto would be quite the man. And if Jiraiya was honest… he was sure Naruto was… familiar to Tsunade. He figured being noisy could be forgiven. Besides, if Naruto had managed to bring Tsunade back to life, it would only have been suitable for Jiraiya to nurture it.
"Enjoying the fight?" Jiraiya asked nonchalantly. Intentionally, he lowered his gaze into the valleys of Tsunade. Who caught such and merely sighed, annoyed.
"I can't say I am. Are you? The bastard is your student," Tsunade answered hotly. Jiraiya didn't mind. However, he had learned by now, irritation made Tsunade more honest and loose-tongued. "Figured it would bother you to see him get thrashed like this. And they call me heartless." The two were whispering so as not to interrupt the others. Doubtless, Hiruzen could hear them, but he would not give them up. They had earned the right to speak freely as long as they were not interruptive.
"Of course it does, but because he's my student, I know this isn't over yet." Jiraiya countered with a shrug. "Besides, I learned with Minato that you have to let them learn in whatever way they choose to. Kakashi won't let him die, and I have confidence Naruto will find his way out of this. Though I admit I am infuriated, he hid so much of his abilities from me, though it makes me feel more confident in his chances."
"Chances? The brat is lucky to be alive down there. In mere minutes, he'll probably pass out." Tsunade snidely responded. "Seconds later, he might die."
"See, Naruto is odd, though…" Jiraiya responded. "We spared often, and now I see he held much of what he can do from me. But that cements my confidence in him. See, we had this one spar. I pushed him harder than I ever pushed a student. Even Minato likely would've struggled to power through it. Naruto did, too, the first time I ever saw him close to giving up. But he steeled himself and came at me one last time."
"Another can't give up type huh?" Tsunade asked with a raised brow, obviously unimpressed. "Sounds like every foolish shinobi or kunoichi ever."
"That's not what impressed me. If you're unskilled and uninformed, never giving up simply isn't enough." Jiraiya said grimly. "Guts are important, but there needs to be substance to it. In that final push, I saw a side to Naruto that I never would've guessed existed. Naruto became a machine, eyes unblinking and focused, movements precise and efficient. Enough to where, for a mere moment, I took him seriously. And I think It's happening again." Jiraiya pointed down to the arena below.
----------------------------------------
Kushina's / Rasa's POV (Courtyard / Kage Box of Iron Arena - Land of Iron )
Kushina was shocked as she watched her son face down the monster below. Naruto had spoken to her about Gaara, but seeing him fight made it clear just how massive the task was. Gaara was no mere Genin; even Chunin would've fallen to this beast. Kushina was sure that even if she did as all mothers wished to do and fought her so, she would struggle with this beast.
Yet Kushina had helped Naruto train, allowed Jiraiya to aid as well, and allowed Kakashi to enter them in the first place. Was this what Minato had given his life for? For Kushina to allow their son to face death again and again? Indeed, he was ashamed of her performance thus far as a mother.
Despite the shame, it was drowned out by a feeling of pride as she watched her son. Kushina had whooped at each victory, cried out at each close call, and been blown away by how far her son had come. Naruto had shown his strengths on occasions during her visits to him in the Forest of Death. But never had she realized Naruto had grown into a powerful young shinobi—one that she wouldn't have to coddle or worry over incessantly.
Somehow, even now, in the fight , Gaara was playing with Naruto. Kushina felt a certainty that kept her from losing her cool and saving her baby herself. Naruto had not shown any great fear, effort, frustration, or even momentarily panic, but never fear. Kushina's son clearly thought this was somehow still within his control. Kushina would be a good mother and would believe in such a thing.
Rasa's POV
When was the last time Rasa felt such unrestrained joy?! It must've been when the Third was slain all those years ago. It cemented his rise and weakened the political opposition of those who had sided with them. Yet this felt much greater, much more intense. Perhaps it was because it was his own spawn doing it for him?
Yes, it felt good to watch his son battle his own fight. Sowing a bright future for Suna with his own blood pleased Rasa. Furthermore, it couldn't have happened in a more satisfying way.
It was a poorly kept secret among the Five Great Villages that the Leaf had access to the strongest of the Tailed Beast. The Nine Tails had wreaked the most havoc by far of the beast before the First Hokage had captured them. Ironically, their closest allies, Suna, had received the weakest. And now, hehe, and Hiruzen had forged an alliance, yet there was still a grim thrill. Something about watching the Leaf, often heralded as the "strongest" of the Five Great Villages, lose his Sand, often heralded as the weakest.
But that would change after these exams. Rasa would make certain of such. He would take advantage of the boon of missions request for Gaara, leverage for his homeland as he did everything else. Yes, the Sand would grow more vital than ever. Their stable economy and soon mission boon would ensure a smooth period for Suna.
To think Rasa had been foolish enough to attempt to have Gaara killed. It had built him into a killer, but now that it was clear he would be useful, Rasa feared it made him a flight risk or potential future overthrower—a meager price to pay to ensure the future of his homeland.
Rasa would have to work to change such a situation. Gaara would be needed for the future. Rasa would have to ensure his son became fully loyal. This monster needed a leash…
Rasa focused his attention outward once again toward the Kage. A and Yagura both seemed deeply troubled by the information. He imagined A worried about a powerful jinchuriki residing anyway but the Cloud. Yagura was more a toss up. Rasa found it shocking the man even became a Kage. For all intents and purposes he seemed insane. Rasa wasted no time trying to guess what went on in the sick man's head. Besides, it was time to leverage things as he planned.
Hiruzen and Onoki glanced at each other. Onoki nodded toward the Hokage making it clear he intended to watch how it went for him. Logical considering Rasa was feeling particularly creative at the moment.
"Rasa." Hiruzen spoke politely. Knowing better than to hastily trade words with either men, Rasa merely nodded to show he was listening. "I'd like to request to send an official political envoy to the Sand after the exams. With our new alliance such seems wise."
Rasa barely stopped himself from smirking. Hiruzen was a sly fox of a politician. Mentioning their alliance in such a scene strengthened the Leaf even with the Sand making such a showing. It made it seem they were on the same side, which while more or less true, was a manipulation all the same. The envoy was also a wise ask, instead of asking from something from him, he offered. Making the Leaf seem strong even as they strengthened their bond. Rasa admittedly wanted to reject such, it was always enjoyable to disappoint Hiruzen. But it would be needless. His offer was mutually beneficial.
"That only would make sense old friend, would you like for me to choose one as well?" Rasa offered with his most accurate impression of a kind smile. This also kept the Sand from looking weak, besides they both were likely sending "envoys" who would just so happen to keep an eye on things. Better to play along, especially with the promise of Leaf support.
There was a tense silence in the room for a moment. Rasa knew such would be the case. With five large nations present and always ready for war. It could be mere friendliness to another nation that launched it off. A from the look of him seemed primed to make an issue of it. But with Onoki seeming interested in talking business next, and Yagura seemingly out of it. It would be more risky to do so then it was worth.
"And if I ever would inquire for Gaara's services in the future?" Onoki chimed in sensing Rasa was feeling amicable. Old fool.
"I would refuse." Rasa answered plainly with a more honest smile. Onoki's offer seemed good but was simply too risky. Onoki would have a lot to gain from ensuring Gaara never made it back but too little to lose for such. Even war would be unlikely due to the other villages. Onoki was no idiot and likely had considered such. But perhaps thought Rasa was merely too merry to catch on. Unlikely.
----------------------------------------
Gaara's / Naruto's POV (Courtyard of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)
"Collaboration Jutsu: Personal Atmosphere Level Two!"
"Collaboration Jutsu: Personal Atmosphere Level Two!"
Gaara couldn't help the wide smile that broke out as he saw Naruto reveal his summon and unleash his chakra. The blonde's wind technique had been troublesome before, but he would be even more formidable now.
Was it possible Naruto Uzumaki was not only worthy but even more? Gaara was nothing short of ecstatic to find out. Besides, now he could start to cut loose. With a flex of his chakra, gold sand whirled through the air around him, taking moments to form into large golden spikes. Unlike before, however, Gaara allowed his sand to move in tandem. Two growing spires spiraled through the air. It forms into two large Dust Devil-looking funnels.
"Golden Dust Manipulation: Headstone Golden Volley, Sand Devils." Gaara said with a smirk as he glared at Naruto and his newest ally, the small raccoon.
"So this redheaded human is the one you told me of? Gata was it?" Muri asked as he held up his palms, aiding Naruto in maintaining the technique. Focused even as he began chatting with his summoner.
"It's the one; remember how we do this technique, right, Muri?" Naruto asks as he starts to lightly stretch and test out his new technique and the power it seems to fill him with.
"Of course, the Okami clan takes our duty seriously, ya know? There's little time to waste anyway, Naruto. You need to remember the limit." Muri answered dutifully.
"Don't need the mockery," Gaara interrupted. "You forget who you face, the arrogance. I will humble you, brother!" With a chop of his hand, Gaara commanded the Sand Devils to spin even faster, the trunk-sized golden spikes cycling them quicker and faster. Gaara smirked as he released his volley.
Gaara was surprised, however, as Naruto merely walked to meet the speeding projectiles. For one, he could tell the blonde was tracking their movements easily, whereas, as before, he had struggled. To walk towards it so confidently suggested a defense, a counter, but it would matter little. This attack would make Golden Weasel Hunt look tame. The piercing golden attacks would not be deflected or blasted away. They could not be tanked as Naruto had the orbs.
Naruto seemed to disagree with Gaara, however. The wind seemed to move independently as the attacks drew close, similar to Gaara's defenses. Somehow, a wall was seemingly formed that each spike collided with and was destroyed. Somehow, the mere wind repelled one of his stronger attacks. No matter! Gaara had planned for him to survive anyway.
"Let's see you deal with this foolish brother!" Gaara mocked as the living storm that was Naruto Uzumaki continued his march. Gaara whipped the Sand Devils towards Naruto, who stopped his march and raised both hands. Similarly to the spikes, the sand twisters met the invisible wall. Unlike them, however, it was not repelled or destroyed; instead, it attempted to grind through the wall. All the while whipping small bits of zone and debris into it. Gaara smiled at the standstill and, with a hand sign, willed the golden dust into it. There was a shrill sound, sand and gold ground against condensed wind and chakra. "So much power wasted on y-" Gaara was shocked into silence as Naruto slowly sheathed Riptide and crossed his arms. He seemed to grip the air as even more chakra filled the Courtyard. Naruto ripped his hands back to their original sides with a silent grunt as if tearing something in two. Gaara felt confused until the two Sand Devils suddenly split in two. The sand and gold flowed back to Gaara as Naruto completely negated them.
"It's not wise to use a twister against a powerful wind nature user," Naruto mocked with a smile as he crouched, prepared to leap.
"You are nothing to me!" Gaara roared. Never before had anyone dared to not fear him or crumble before him. His joy was slowly being replaced with Rage.
"Prove it," Naruto answered simply as they suddenly released a hand chop. Gaara rose a brow before suddenly flying back, his face aching as if there had been an impact. Had he been at Another painful blow hit his legs, making Gaara's head point to the ground and his legs the sky? Overcoming the sudden pain, Gaara buried himself in a massive amount of sand. Gold forms into several smaller spikes before shooting off to kill Uzumaki. "Gold Seeking Slivers, Living Sand Pyramid!"
Naruto knew not what he was doing… Gaara would have to try to remember his plan…
Naruto's POV
Naruto frowned as a massive form of sand completely buried Gaara, which formed a giant pyramid that filled half the field.
"Get your head in the game, lazy bastard!" Muri complained. He handled the defensive part of the Personal Atmosphere and constantly repelled the hastily formed golden blades that badgered Naruto as he observed the large, smooth pyramid of sand. "Hey! Seriously, this isn't nearly as easy as it looks!"
"Sorry, Muri." Naruto apologized, rubbing his head. "I hadn't expected him to retreat like that, especially considering my track record of punching through his defenses, ya know?" Suddenly, the pyramid writhed as dozens of massive tentacles of sand formed and surged towards them. Their massive size and number cast a shadow over both Muri and Naruto. "I'll help out here. Are you ready for a boost?"
Naruto did not wait for an answer as he drew Riptide, which shined with chakra before a tornado seemed to form around the blade. All the while, Muri worked tirelessly to deflect the constant barrage of gold from all angles. Naruto then began slashing slowly and with power. Each slash unleashed a massive howling line of wind, slicing through each tentacle of sand easily. Naruto marched forward, calling out the technique and preparing the final blow.
"Personal Atmosphere: Slicing Wind Currents!" Naruto called as he finished with a two-handed slash. This ended with a massive, thick line of twirling wind that slashed through each tentacle and collided with the pyramid. There was an enormous screech and boom as the two powerful techniques matched. So much sand was thrown up, and it momentarily blocked the sight of all present. An instant later, Naruto's wind cleared reve, leaving Naruto holding another iron cup, and he flew towards the pyramid. Now revealed there was a massive groove in it. Nearly reaching the center where Gaara was sure to be hiding. Naruto aimed for the groove even as it slowly sealed itself. Once again, the familiar sound of wind and iron slowly shattering filled the arena, and Naruto trusted his uninjured arm to use that powerful and destructive technique.
"Wind Style: Implosive Rejection!" Naruto called as the cup was once again overwhelmed by the captured wind and shattered, unleashing the storm upon the pyramid. Luckily, due to the weakened structure due to his previous attack, it drills through with ease. Gaara's screams could be heard as the wind tore down the pyramid from within. The redhead eventually shot out of the remnants of the pyramid, covered in cuts, bruises, and blood as he smashed into the ground. The force embedded him slightly into it.
Naruto, focused and unwilling to take chances, zoomed toward where Gaara landed. Feeling Muri enhancing his speed with wind making him even faster than before. He appears before Gaara with a raised foot prepared for a kick. Gaara had just managed to crawl out of the hole Naruto had left him. A small amount of sand and gold attempted to shield him. But Naruto empowered his blows with chakra and wind manipulation, and Naruto quickly smashed through them. Hearing a painful crack as his foot impacted Gaara's face. Gaara went flying up into the air. More sand and gold desperately attempting to catch up to aid him. Naruto watched as it did before he lowered himself to jump. He did so and, with Muri's aid and his own physical strength, shot off like a cannon. His speed was so great he surpassed the sand and gold with ease. Smashing his fist into Gaara's ribs and watched as the redhead spat out spit and blood in equal measure. Naruto knows better than to lower the pressure now. Gripped his arms around the waist of Gaara.
"I always wanted to pull this off in a fight," Naruto said cheekily as Personal Atmosphere forced him and Gaara to spin through the air as they fell back to the Courtyard. The spin increased the force of the hold, making the blonde smile as he prepared to finally break through to Gaara. "Here comes the tough love, brother! Naruto Powerbomb!"
"What in the universe is a powerbomb!" Muri asked as Gaara screamed out.
"Watch and learn!" Naruto yelled as the two impacted into the ground.
Naruto was on top, using the spin and fall to land a massive slam. Driving Gaara's upper body into the ground. The impact of such shook the entire arena. Even Naruto, from his relatively safe position up top, felt each of his bones vibrate with pain from the effects. Naruto had never done this to someone before; it was mostly just a daydream he often had. Naruto had never met anyone he was sure could survive, and he seemed cruel. Against Gaara, however, it would be the perfect nonlethal finisher.
Naruto eyed Gaara suspiciously. The redhead's eyes were seemingly empty. His skin was covered in bruises and cuts, and unlike before, it didn't seem to be healing. Even his sand seemed still.
"That's a powerbomb! What a barbaric technique! Never pull that again, you bastard!" Muri commented exasperatedly. "Couldn't you have just slashed or punched him?"
"Oh, come on, it wouldn't have worked!" Naruto complained. "Besides, tell me that didn't look badass!"
"I suppose it was rather novel." Muri said with a shake of his head. "And he is breathing, well done su-"
"To be fair, that didn't work either…" Gaara interrupted the two. Gaara's stance was weak and loose, his eyes bleary and unfocused. Yet his smile was sharp and broad, as if he had no reason to be fearful. "Naruto Uzumaki… you more than I ever could've hoped. I was wrong about you… But before accepting such a request, I must insist on one more battle. A more honest one…"
"I'm pretty sure this is over. You look half dead, ya know?" Naruto said cautiously. He was confident the fight was over but knew better than to lower his guard.
"Like I said, let's begin in earnest," Gaara continued. "Let's fight as we truly are; consider it a favor from you, brother." Suddenly, chakra exploded from Gaara in an insane amount, the pure force of which cracked the ground and threw dust and small stones.
Naruto flinched but faced Gaara down grimly, determined to end this here.
Gaara started to laugh as his incredibly killing intent grew even more robust. Naruto could see those of weaker constitution in the crowd faint from it alone. Before, it felt as if Gaara may kill anyone who bothered him and enjoy it. Now, it felt like he would kill anyone and would be thrilled.
"IT'S TIME UZUMAKI!" Gaara bellowed. "TIME TO SHOW THEM OUR GLORY AND BATTLE WITH THE GIFTS WE WERE BLESSED WITH!"
"No way, brother." Naruto replied with ease. "I intend to beat you with my own strength."
"You won't have a choice, my dear brother… it begins now!" Gaara's laugh turned pained as a startling transformation began to take place. His skin became coarse and dry looking like patches of sand in constant motions. Lines of blue shined and hummed with pure chakra. The new skin seemed to even grow over his face and clothes. The whites of his eyes darkened as his irises became golden, and his daze became even more crazed.
"SHUKAKU NOW THE TIME HAS COME!" Gaara cried, his voice shrill and wild. The calm facade he had maintained was discarded in his elevated state. With a powerful pulse of chakra, a pale yellow barrier wrapped itself around the Courtyard, seemingly cutting off everyone, even Kakashi, who had been standing outside of it to avoid debris. "THE FINAL TEST BEGINS NOW, BROTHER!"