Here's the second chapter everyone.

Enjoy the read, and please review.

Chapter 2: Know Your Enemy

"Hello everybody," Naruto said.

Nobody could believe what they were seeing. There was whispering among the shinobi present. "Is that the Yondaime?"

"It couldn't be."

"He's come back to save us!"

Their beliefs were proved wrong before long. "So, the dobe returns. I was beginning to think you were dead," Sasuke said.

"I don't know what could've given you that idea," Naruto said. "So you came back here after killing Itachi I see. I'm surprised."

"Why is that?"

"After you ran away with that snake pedophile I thought you had ended up a sex slave for life. That guy did freak me out a little." Some of the members from the rookie 9 couldn't help but snicker a little at that remark, while most of the female population seemed outraged.

"Well well, I think I know what my plans are for the night," Anko said.

"Cradle robber," Asuma said.

"What? He's old enough."

Sasuke's expression darkened. "I see you still keep your foot in your mouth dobe."

"Whatever uke."

Sasuke turned to Tsunade. "You don't mind if we go all out do you?"

"Naruto, is this fine with you?" the Godaime asked.

"Not a problem old lady. I haven't had a good fight in a while."

"Ok, Sasuke, it seems he doesn't care."

The Uchiha walked over to the tree and picked up Kusanagi which he had placed there during his short bout with Kakashi. "Very well, it will be his funeral."

The blonde made his way over to the black haired girl with Konohamaru's squad. She handed him his sword.

"Go stand over by Konohamaru," Naruto said in a voice only she could hear. "I'll try not to be too long."

"Ok Naruto."

"BRO! It's really you?" Konohamaru asked excitedly.

"Yep, it's me!" the blonde responded. "And I got a whole buncha new tricks too."

"AWESOME! You totally gotta teach me some new killer moves!"

"I will sometime during my stay; no worries."

"Quit wasting time dobe," Sasuke said. "Or are you starting to get scared?"

"Hold this for me," Naruto said removing his black robe, and handing it to the girl. Everybody examined him. He sported black sandals instead of the blue ones he was known for wearing when he was younger. He wore what used to be full length pants; they had been torn and stopped just below his knees resembling shorts and were black as well. He had his right leg bandaged from the knee and down. Instead of the traditional fingerless gloves most shinobi wore, he had his knuckles bandaged. His entire left arm was bandaged as well as his upper body from his chest up to his neck. The bandages extended to his right shoulder and down to his elbow. His right arm from about the middle of his forearm and down was bandaged. The tips and ends of numerous scars could be seen extending past some of the bandages. There were also other smaller ones across his mid section. His right hand had rope, a half inch in diameter wrapped around it in similar fashion to how one would wrap bandages. On his left hand he wore a black fingerless glove with a red steel plate across the fist. Around his waist was a 3-stranded sash consisting of two black strands and one red. The strands were tied together on his right hanging freely. Also hanging from his waist held up by the sash were the remains of an old red robe. It hung more to the left partly concealing his left leg.

Hanging across his back, upside down, from left to right was a Shikomizue. It was close in design to that of a katana. There were a few differences. One difference was that although the blade length was the same, it was straight instead of curved like the traditional Katana. The second difference was that there was no cross guard present. The third and final difference was that the hilt was a cylindrical shape. It was round instead of the normal design that was more rectangular.

"Jiraiya, he looks like he's been doing work as a mercenary," Tsunade said with a small hint of worry.

"Yes, but don't worry, he hasn't worked for any village or country in opposition to Konoha." The toad sage was careful to allow his words to reach only her ears.

"When did he start using a sword?"

"He picked it up during training with me, I had nothing to do with his kenjutsu training though," Jiraiya admitted.

"How did he learn?"

"He ran into the Kawakami Clan 2 years after he finished training with me," came the reply. "He learned their traditional style, Shiranui-ryu."

"That's an old style; I thought it had been forgotten."

"Depending on how Naruto choses to go about this battle, things might prove to be very interesting; just watch for now."

Ino looked at the black haired woman who had accompanied Naruto to the area. "Hey guys, who do you think that is?"

The other rookie 9 members examined her. In addition to being black, her hair was long, extending halfway down her back. She was about 5'7" about three inches shorter than Naruto. She had what would be considered good muscle tone. Although this was true, her body was filled in very well. Her legs appeared muscular, her hips were well rounded, and she had a bust which was size obviously bigger than average. As everyone watched her move over to the sidelines to join the group, it was evident that she had an air of confidence about her.

"Hey, Yumi-san, over here," Moegi called, motioning her over to where she, Konohamaru, and Udon were gathered.

The woman smiled, "Hello Moegi-chan, how are you guys doing?"

"We're good."

"Yea," Konohamaru agreed. "It's gonna be awesome watching bro kick Sasuke's ass!"

"I guess that's one way of putting it," Yumi said with a slight chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm. She eyed the Uchiha who was heading towards her fiancée. "So that's him…"

Sasuke strapped Kusanagi to his back as he proceeded to the center of the training ground to join Naruto. Upon reaching his desired position he spoke. "I hope you plan on taking this seriously, or your death here is certain.

Naruto simply grinned before replying, "Well I hope you plan on fighting as well as you make threats."

Back on the sidelines the present spectators could feel the bad blood between the two brewing. Members of the rookie 9 knew all too well that if the battle escalated too much that there was no telling which direction it could go in.

"Do you think they will try to kill each other Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked her former teacher. "I know they can't stand each other, but the tension must've died down a little at least over the last few years."

"Well Sakura," the silver-haired jounin began. "I honestly do not know what to tell you."

"Come on Kakashi," Anko cut in. "Those two? I've heard of the missions your squad went thru as genin. From what I understand they understood each other like a married couple."

"While that may be true Anko," the copy nin started. "Their relationship is better defined by a saying I once heard. 'If you know your enemy as you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.'"

"What's that mean," Kiba asked.

"What it means," Shikamaru cut in. "Is those two basically knew each other so well that in case there ever came a point where they would have to fight it would be to settle the dispute over which was stronger."

"I couldn't have said it better myself Shikamaru," Kakashi complemented. "You see, they worked together, but they were always trying to outdo each other. During the chuunin exams they wanted to fight but didn't get the opportunity. Also before Sasuke's defection, they almost destroyed each other, and Sakura who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, fighting on the hospital roof; fortunately I intervened."

"You think they'll try to kill each other, or will they stop after they realize the battle is pretty much over?" Neji asked.

"Well I guess we will just have to watch and find out because it seems they're about to begin." Gai informed. Everyone stared intently, and both Neji and Hinata activated their Byakugan.

Naruto and Sasuke, standing about ten yards from each other, stared intently into each other's eyes. Sasuke was busy formulating a plan. "I'll try and make this quick and save the dobe the embarrassment. No need to make him look bad his first day back. Not that he would prove to be that much of a challenge in the first place." Sasuke unsheathed Kusanagi as Naruto did likewise with his sword, still keeping eye contact. "Just focus…focus…NOW! Kasegui no Jutsu!" Sasuke's Sharingan immediately activated and he lunged forwards. Within a moment the gap was closed and Sasuke swung his sword at Naruto who was standing still with a look of shock on his face.

As the blade was about to connect with Naruto's side, a voice shouted, "Bunshin Bakuha!" An explosion followed kicking up dust in the area. Sasuke who managed to shunshin away at the last moment was watching intently for any sign of his opponent. Feeling a presence behind him he spun around to block an incoming blade with his sword. Both fighters leapt back out of the dust cloud creating distance between them. As they landed they stood there watching each other closely, calculating their next moves.

On the sidelines few were able to follow what had just transpired. "That much action already and they're just warming up; this is going to be interesting," Neji said with a slight smile.

"This is the perfect time for Naruto-san to show his new found youthfulness," Rock Lee said. Everyone looked at him and sweat dropped at his remark.

"Jiraiya, I know some do it," Tsunade started, "but is there a reason Naruto chose the unorthodox reverse grip, as opposed to a normal one on his sword?"

"Well," Jiraiya said. "The Shiranui-ryu style is speed based. Quick parrying which can be easily changed to a counter attack is important. So is being able to strike quickly and from unexpected angles."

"That still doesn't explain where the reversed grip comes in," Ino noted.

"I'm getting there," Jiraiya informed. "Naruto felt the need to make it adapt to himself. To give you a better understanding ask this, have you ever known him to be orthodox in anything?"

Everyone thought it over and realized that the number one most unpredictable shinobi did well to live up to his claim. "Well I guess that is true. He said during his fight with Kiba that he does his best work with a handicap," Shikamaru said. "To be honest, every time that he has fought at a disadvantage he has come out on top."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Chouji asked.

Jiraiya continued his explanation. "A reversed grip gives the user a disadvantage with attacks from above. And when it comes to backhand attacks to a certain extent. But coming from below or from the side attacks are stronger. Defensively it is easier to parry attacks due to being able to move the blade easier; being caught in a power struggle isn't common. Users are trained to be able to avoid it. If it happens, holding the sword with the hands side by side with both fists facing forward rather than the normal two handed grip is recommended."

"Makes sense," Ino said nodding.

"Hey, it looks like they're about to attack again," Kurenai said drawing attention to the two fighters.

Naruto formed a single seal with his left hand which was free. "Hien."

Sasuke noticed the wind based chakra form around the blade of Naruto's sword. "Wind manipulation huh? Unfortunately for him I can see it with the Sharingan." Sasuke decided to try and even up the playing field. "Kusanagi no Tsurugi." Kusanagi's blade became covered in lightning. He raised the sword pointing it at Naruto. "Chidori Eisou!"

Naruto was caught off guard, having never seen a jutsu such as this. He narrowly dodged the spear of lightning headed towards him, but not before it grazed his shoulder. He vanished from sight, appearing horizontally above Sasuke. He brought his sword up and spun rapidly as he came down. Sasuke leapt backwards gathering chakra in the form of electricity to his hands. Naruto landed causing the ground to crack creating a small crater just big enough for him to sit in. He then began forming hand seals. "Shito Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," he said hurling his sword which was accompanied by a large amount of replicas at Sasuke.

The Uchiha, seeing multiple blades flying his way, gathered electrical chakra to his hand, and launched an attack of his own. "Chidori Senbon!" Sasuke thrust his hand forward sending multiple lightning senbon at his nemesis. The needles destroyed the shadow clones of Naruto's sword and Sasuke leaned to the side dodging the real one as he flew past him. Naruto grinned. "What do you have to smile about dobe?" Sasuke inquired.

"This," Naruto said forming a single seal. "Suiranreppuu."

Sasuke spun around just in time to see Naruto's sword come flying back towards him; he jumped to the side. He turned towards Naruto to see the sword coming at him again and knocked it to the side with Kusanagi only to have it hurl back towards him once more. He dodged and turned around in time to be kicked in the chest, and then attacked from his sides and back by more kicks sending him airborne. Knowing what would follow after he prepared his counter. "Chidori Nagashi!" Sauske unleashed his jutsu creating a protective field of lightning around his body. Bolts flared out from it, some hitting the clones below and dispersing them. The Naruto coming from above dispersed in a cloud of smoke as well upon making contact, and the Uchiha landed safely.

Naruto looked at Sasuke. "He's better than I expected him to be. I wonder what other tricks he has." His sword had made its way back to his hand and he prepared it for another jutsu. "Kazekiri no Jutsu," Naruto said swinging his sword at his opponent and sending a large wind blade towards him.

The blade hit causing a large cloud of rubble-filled cloud of dirt to rise. Sasuke suddenly appeared in front of Naruto, aiming a side kick his way. Naruto spun out of the way with a backhand aimed for Sasuke's face. The Uchiha grabbed his aggressor's wrist. Yanking him forwards and sending a knee into his stomach, and followed up with a round house sending the blonde haired shinobi flying backwards. Naruto stabbed his sword into the ground to prevent his collision with the tree he was closing in on. Immediately he hit the ground he darted towards the Sharingan user.

The shinobi present were watching intently as Naruto recovered from the blows. "They look evenly matched," Yamato noted.

"With Sasuke in line to be the 6th, I am not surprised," Anko said.

"Not only that, but Naruto doesn't know that Sasuke has the Mangekyou," Yamato informed.

"Well," Neji spoke up. "Naruto somehow always finds a way to come out on top no matter what skills he or his opponent may have."

"Do you think Naruto-kun will win Neji?" Hinata asked.

"I am unsure, I do not know right now," the Hyuuga prodigy admitted. "But his chakra levels are surprising. They're tremendously low for the jutsu he's been using. His chakra is different though; I haven't seen anything like this before. Do you see it Hinata?" This caused a few heads to turn, and murmurs of disbelief here and there.

"Yes Neji, it is indeed different," the younger Hyuuga agreed.

"I think Naruto will win," the woman now known as Yumi said.

"Do you know what you are saying?" Sakura said. "Sasuke-kun is next in line to be the Hokage."

"I don't care. He is weak; Naruto will win."

Some people turned around gaping at her in shock.

Most people who knew Sakura knew that the number one taboo that could be committed in her presence was to insult Sasuke in any way, shape or form. "Do you want to repeat that?" Sakura asked.

"If you heard me the first time there's no reason to waste my breath," Yumi said not even turning to look at her."If you want proof that I am right then just keep watching."

"I like her Akamaru," Kiba said to his dog who voiced his approval with a bark.

"I do too," Chouji said. "Anybody who can diss Sasuke like that and not care is cool in my book."

"How troublesome," Shikamaru mentally groaned. "Now for weeks all we will hear is how Sakura wants to beat that chick's ass for insulting 'her Sauske'. Troublesome…just troublesome."

"There there, Sakura, deep breaths, don't pay any attention to her," Ino said trying to calm her friend down as they turned their attention back to the fight.

Naruto and Sasuke met with a clash. Sasuke caught Naruto's right fist which had the shikomizue gripped firmly; Naruto held Sasuke's wrist preventing the Sharingan user from bringing Kusanagi down upon him. Naruto kicked at Sasuke only to have it blocked by his shin, and be met with a strong head butt. Naruto stumbled back and was almost hit by an incoming slash from Sasuke's blade. He parried rolling to his left and aiming for Sasuke's head with a back elbow which was ducked under. Naruto, whose sword was now about level with his opponent's head, quickly performed a single-handed seal, extending the wind chakra around the blade towards Sasuke who rolled to the side avoiding it. Both shinobi spun around to face each other and wasted no time with a follow up. Their fists collided canceling each other's blows out and releasing a slight shockwave.

"Jiraiya," Tsunade said thinking about Neji's mention of different chakra. She then proceeded in a low voice only for him to hear. "Did you teach him Senjutsu?"

"Yes, Naruto is now a sage, and unlike me, he is able to achieve a complete sage mode," the sennin replied.

"But then wouldn't his eyes resemble that of a toad?" Tsunade pondered.

"Yes, but during traning as the seal weakened, he ended up having a chat with a part of my former apprentice."

"You mean-"

"Yes," Jiraiya said. "His father sealed a part of himself away with the Kyuubi as a safe guard in the event that the seal were to weaken too much."

"How does that affect his eyes?"

"When he reached eight tails after losing control on a mission we went on," the sage began. "Minato appeared to him and explained everything to him, as well as revealing to him the location of the scroll explaining his two most popular jutsu. After that he reinforced the seal in a way which allowed for Naruto to use his tenant's chakra in conjunction with sage mode to have the effect of the Ryōsei no Jutsu. This would eliminate his need to fuse with Shima and Fukasaku, as I need to, and his need to use shadow clones as an alternative to it."

"So you mean he can continuously gather sage chakra on his own and he knows the Hiraishin no Jutsu!?" Tsunade asked with her shock evident.

"Yes, that exactly," Jiraiya said grinning.

"Wait, the scroll was hidden here in the village that means..."

"Correct; he has been back here a few times over the past seven years."

Their attention was turned back to the battle upon hearing the loud ring of clashing steel. They looked on to witness Naruto and Sasuke in a struggle for power as their blades pressed together. Naruto removed his left hand from the handle of his sword using the pressure being applied from Sasuke's to overpower his sword and sending the bottom of the hilt into Sasuke's throat. He stomped on the Uchiha's foot following up with a knee to the stomach. He then shoved Sasuke to the side creating space and proceeded with a spinning back kick which was stopped as the Sharingan wielder grabbed his ankle.

Sasuke then kicked his opponents other leg out from under him causing him to fall to the ground and brought his sword above his head with both hands and stabbed down striking home in the center of Naruto's chest. Naruto changed into a log and Sasuke spun around swinging at the real one who closed in from behind. Naruto ducked and rolled to the side only to have lightning infused shards of wood fly at him as the log exploded due to a Chidori Nagashi sent through the sword's blade. He quickly twirled his sword deflecting the debris, and avoiding harm.

Sasuke hoping to catch his foe off guard completed the seals he was already forming. "Bakuhatsu En Shotto!" Sasuke extended his empty hand firing blasts of fire towards Naruto causing the blonde shinobi to revert to evasive maneuvers.

"Damn, if I keep having to run I'll end up tiring," Naruto thought while doing what he could to avoid each incoming ball of fire that headed towards him.

Sauske then fired a large barrage at his target leaving the blonde no option but to leap into the air. He immediate formed a quick string of hand seals. "Karyudan!"

Naruto's eyes widened as a large fire dragon shot into the sky and prepared to come down on top of him.

"There's no way he can dodge that," Chouji said as the jutsu closed in on Naruto.

"He better figure out something quick or he's toast," Asuma said joking partly.

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata thought.

"Naruto if you don't figure out a way to dodge that no ramen for three days!" the blonde's fiancée yelled from the sidelines. "I'm not joking this time!"

The members of the rookie 9 and those familiar with Naruto's love for the broth soaked succulent noodles stared at her. Trying to keep the number one hyperactive ninja from ramen was unheard of. It must've made Naruto feel threatened because he obliged to her command.

Naruto formed a single seal in front of his face and attempted a defensive technique, "Doryuheki!" as he neared the ground a large wall of earth erupted from the ground. It withstood the impact of the fire dragon for only a moment before crumbling. That was all the time the jinchuriki needed to escape.

"Seems you improved a little," Sasuke said not showing any emotion.

"Same could be said about you, but you still won't beat me," Naruto countered

"I plan to end this soon dobe."

"How do you intend to do that teme?" Naruto asked as he created a few shadow clones.

"With this!" Sasuke's eyes changed now resembling a six-pointed atom model.

Naruto began forming seals but lost concentration upon noticing Sasuke's eyes which had changed. "What's tha-oh shit!" Naruto realized to late what was happening and couldn't divert his gaze from Sasuke's soon enough to avoid what followed.

Inside the Genjutsu:

Naruto was struggled to free himself from the shackles he was in. "One of those clones better do something to get me outta here. If one of them would hurry and use the blasted Kai Release for crying out loud."

Back in the real world:

The bunshins were doing what they could to keep Sauske busy from completing his genjutsu. Eventually he lost focus and the genjutsu he had cast was broken. Naruto looked around and stood a little disoriented from the genjutsu. He finally recovered enough to see numerous clones closing in on his opponent. "Bunshin Bakuha!" The explosion engulfed Sasuke. He stood and re-sheathed his sword turning his back and heading back to the crowd.

"That was awesome bro!" Konohamaru shouted. "You kicked his ass!"

"I know huh, so much for him being the next Hokage," Naruto joked. "Looks like the council's gonna have to meet on finding a new successor for ya."

"It's not over yet," Neji said.

"Huh?"

Seeing what Neji meant Hinata shouted, "Naruto-kun behind you!"

Naruto whirled around just in time to see an overly large spectral arrow headed his way.

A/N: Mixed reviews I liked that. It's good to get both positive and negative ones. I plan on making the chapters a little longer, so expect that. Also feed me any ideas you feel would make the story better. I made Naruto use a few wind based kenjutsu attacks considering that's his affinity, and I'm trying to deviate from using familiar jutsu over and over again. So please review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Again, please bear with me as I am new to the whole story writing thing.

Kasegui no Jutsu – Shackling Stakes

Suiranreppuu – Jade Severe Gale Wind

Hien – Flying Swallow

Kazekiri no Jutsu – Wind Cutter Technique