INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to Seven Sins. As always I like to begin by stating that I do not own Naruto.
THANK YOU
A Special thanks to those who reviewed my last chapter: Ben Vilhaven; mrgirmjaw; RembrantOtaku; Nefertieh; sasori521 & Blackmoon124.
RESPONCES
Ben Vilhaven - I wish I could answer your comment properly but to do so would give away too much I think. So you'll just have to trust that I will make sure Naruto has his moment...eventually.
mrgirmjaw - Sorry, now I really can't tell you that now can I? Just keep reading. All will be revealed.
RembrantOtaku - Thank you for reading R.O. I'm really trying to flesh out this alternate universe and I think you'll really enjoy some of the cahnges I make to this world and characters that exist here.
Nefertieh - I really want to do something different with these characters and I think you'll find this to be a little different from your standard post apocalypic Naruto fic. At least I hope so anyway. As for the grammar suggestion I'll try to keep that in mind going forward.
sasori521 - Thank you.
blackmoon124 - Aww, will you really drop it if this doesn't shape out as you like regarding the pairings? Oh well, I can respect that. I hope you stick with it but I warn you I tend not to rush pairings so don't expect immediate pay off from my story. Hope you keep reading.
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Please remember to leave a little review when your done.
The Seven Sins
Chapter Three
Kimimaro stood stoically as he observed his opponent. Despite his seemingly wild nature Kimimaro could tell that this boy had been classically trained in the arts of swordsmanship and hand to hand combat. His every move had been perfectly timed. There was no doubt in Kimimaro's mind that his opponent was likely a genius in the art of fighting. Not someone who should be taken lightly. Kimimaro smiled. It had been a long time since he'd fought someone who could test him. This was going to be fun.
Kimimaro began to side step slowly to the right as Sasuke began to move to the left. As the two circled around they quickly analyzed each other for any weakness they could find. After a brief moment they stopped and Kimimaro immediately sprinted towards Sasuke with both of his bone blades at the ready. As he closed in, he swung one sword at Sasuke but he blocked the attack. Kimimaro followed it up with his other sword and slashed Sasuke in the side.
Sasuke grimaced but remained in his defensive stance. He swung his sword about wildly, forcing Kimimaro out of range. Sasuke then felt his wound. It was deep but not a hindrance. Damn it! He thought. What a time to be caught without my body armor!
Kimimaro charged, deciding to press his advantage. One after another he sliced at Sasuke as Sasuke was forced to defend every blow. With every blow that Sasuke blocked he felt as though he was being bludgeoned by a hammer. His bone swords are incredibly dense. Sasuke thought as he fought to block each blow. And despite how skinny he looks this guy is incredibly strong and just as fast!
Sasuke quickly found himself overwhelmed as his arms grew ever more tired as he desperately fought off Kimimaro who continued his relentless attack. He had been pushed back to the other side of the street and was quickly running out of space. With a surge of speed Sasuke blocked both of Kimimaro's blades and swung at his chest. But Kimimaro was ready and sidestepped the blow. He then aimed his right index finger at Sasuke and to Sasuke's amazement Kimimaro fired a small bone out of his flesh like bullet, striking him in the stomach.
The bone cut clean through his body causing Sasuke to pause momentarily to fight off the sudden pain. Using that opening Kimimaro slashed Sasuke across his right arm spinning him around. He followed it up with a downward slice along Sasuke's back and then kicked him. The blow caused Sasuke to lurch forward and fall along a tree that was in front of him.
Sasuke winced in pain from the wounds he'd suffered and as he opened his eyes he saw one of a bone blade hurtling towards him, aimed squarely at his neck. Sasuke ducked under the blow and rolled forward on the ground and spun back up to his feet with his sword at the ready. He was shocked to see that Kimimaro's attack had so much force that he had sliced the tree in half and it was now falling back to the ground.
"Is this it?" Kimimaro asked. "Is this the best I can expect from the last of the Uchiha and the wielder of the fabled ChōmeiSaiken?" Sasuke remained silent as he quickly tried to assess his situation. Kimimaro chuckled. "They say the power of a Sin is beyond compare. Sins are said to have the ability to reshape the world. Clearly, as most myths are, reality is far less spectacular."
"Sorry to disappoint you," Sasuke said sarcastically.
"Disappointment?" Kimimaro asked. "I must admit that is not really what I feel. Most of all I'm a bit confused. The Uchiha were said to be one of the most powerful clans in existence. And you, as a teenager were able to kill the entire lot of them."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and clenched his fist around his blade. "What are you suggesting?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kimimaro asked. "That just like the nature of the Sins, the Uchiha myth is equally far less spectacular. Because if someone of your caliber could kill your entire clan then, in reality, your clan must have been rather…pathetic."
Sasuke's eyes widened as he heard those words. His body stiffened as he slowly stood straight up. What's this? Kimimaro thought as he observed Sasuke. He's standing as though he's not in pain. Suddenly steam began to rise from Sasuke's body and the tattoo on his arm began to glow red. Kimimaro watched in rapt attention as Sasuke's body seemed to pulsate with new found energy and the three tomoe in Sasuke's eyes spun slightly as he glared at Kimimaro.
Sasuke looked at his blade and slowly held it up to his face. "Did you know that only a master swordsman is capable of using ChōmeiSaiken in this form? I've been forcing myself to use it like this in order to gain the skill necessary. But right now, killing you just became more important than learning how to use this weapon."
To Kimimaro's amazement Sasuke separated the two blades. He looked to his left hand which held the shorter black blade that now looked like a tanto and then he looked to his right which held the longer white sword. Sasuke then looked up and glared at Kimimaro. Again the tomoe in his eyes spun briefly and stopped. "Hmm," Sasuke said. "Now this…" Sasuke suddenly moved so fast Kimimaro couldn't even react. Within a split second Sasuke went from standing several feet in front of him to being a foot behind him. "…is much better." Sasuke continued.
Kimimaro felt a jolt of pain from his side and looked down to see blood spurting like a geyser from a wound on his side. He quickly used his hand to cover the wound as he turned to face Sasuke who glared to him silently. "I'm surprised you're not dead." Sasuke said. "Most rarely survive that attack."
"It's my bones," Kimimaro said with a wry smile. "They're so dense that it makes it almost impossible to cut through. Even with a one of the legendary great swords."
Kimimaro removed his hand from his wound and Sasuke was shocked to see a long white bone covering the wound. He used a bone to patch his wound?! Sasuke thought.
"That was an impressive attack, Uchiha Sasuke," Kimimaro said as he readied himself. "Let's see if you can impress me even more!"
-Meanwhile-
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled as the two ninja closed in on Sakura and Ino. What do I do? What do? Naruto looked around and saw a fork from the nearby table. Aha! Naruto remembered seeing Sasuke effortlessly throw the knife across the room. If he can do it so can I! And the great thing is this won't kill anyone! And I can prove to Sakura-chan that I'm just as manly as Sasuke!
Naruto quickly aimed his weapon and let it fly. The fork hurtled across the room towards its intended target and bounced off the man's back. The two ninja's stopped and looked back at the nervous young boy standing there with an awkward smile. Hmm, that…didn't go as planned.
"Kill that kid!" One of the ninja's yelled with a sinister smile.
"My pleasure," the other answered as he began to walk towards Naruto with his sword raised.
Using that brief distraction Naruto had caused Ino grabbed Sakura by the hand and pulled her. "C'mon Sakura, let's get out of here!" Ino said.
As the ninja stood smiling as his comrade closed in on Naruto he looked to see the girls trying to sneak away. With a burst of speed he leapt in front of them and cut them off. He then grabbed both girls by their hair and forced them to their knees. "Tsk tsk!" He said. "Trying to run!? Just when things were getting interesting? Why not wait to watch my comrades kill your granny and boyfriend!" Bending down so that only they could hear the ninja whispered. "And maybe the three of us can have some fun once everything's done. Who knows, maybe I can convince my Captain to spare your life if you treat me well."
"Get away from them asshole!" Naruto yelled at the ninja. He was about to run over when the other ninja stepped into his path.
The ninja laughed as he looked at the young, unarmed boy. "Hey! You should pay more attention to your opponent, don't you think?!" He yelled.
Naruto began to step back as the ninja advanced on him. "C-Can't we talk this over?" Naruto said nervously as he waived his hands.
"Sure, we can talk." The ninja said with a smile. "After I cut off that hand for throwing that fork at me."
"Ah!" Naruto yelled in fear as he continued to back up. The ninja then raised his sword and ran at Naruto, intent on finishing him off. Naruto took a step back and stepped into a puddle of water from a cup that had been knocked over by Sasuke in the commotion. Naruto suddenly slipped back and fell while at the same time the ninja's foot hooked under Naruto's flailing leg and he tripped falling forward.
The ninja's head came crashing down on the edge of the table with such force that he chipped it and he collapsed, unconscious onto Naruto. Naruto nervously moved the fallen man off of him and got to his feet. "You little bastard!" The other ninja yelled as he stepped past the girls and raised his blade towards Naruto. "I'll make you pay for that!" He yelled angrily.
"Eep!" Naruto yelled as the burly man advanced towards him with a murderous look on his face.
-Meanwhile-
Sasuke sprinted at Kimimaro and swung his blade. Kimimaro blocked the attack with one sword and tried to counter with the other but Sasuke was able to recover and block the attack. The two began to go back and forth as parried each other's attacks in a desperate attempt to find any opening. Sparks flew as steel clashed against bone as the two swordsmen fought for dominance.
Sasuke gritted his teeth as one of Kimimaro's blades cut him across his arm and again in his side. But despite the pain he continued to fight as he blocked as many attacks as he could wile dodging others. Shit, he thought. This guy is blocking every attack! I guess I'll have to use that combo.
Sasuke quickly took a step back out of Kimimaro's range and immediately moved in. As Kimimaro raised his bone swords Sasuke crouched and used a sweep kick to take Kimimaro off his feet. As he planned, Kimimaro had no choice but to jump to avoid the attack and Sasuke immediately sprang into the air and using his short blade, simulated an uppercut towards Kimimaro.
Kimimaro placed both of his swords in front of him to block the attack. He could feel his muscles tighten as he fought to stop the incredible force of Sasuke's move. "Damn!" He yelled as he was completely surprised by Sasuke's strength. He wasn't this strong before! What the hell is going on?
As Kimimaro blocked Sasuke's short sword, Sasuke suddenly spun and sliced Kimimaro across the chest with his long kitana. Kimimaro yelled in pain as he fell back and collapsed to one knee. He looked up at Sasuke who remained glaring at him. I don't get it, Kimimaro thought. His strength and speed keep increasing. What's going on!?
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he stared at the man before him. And though he was staring at this pale man, in his mind he could hear the screams. He could feel the heat of the flames. And he could see that sick smile as everything around him burned.
Kimimaro looked on in shock as more steam seemed to rise from Sasuke's skin. "Hmm," he said as he got to his feet and readied his swords.
Sasuke dug his feet into the ground within a flash, sprinted towards his target with both blades at the ready. So fast! Kimimaro thought as he tried to raise his swords in time. I'll never make it. Sasuke quickly moved in and swung both swords at Kimimaro, intent of cutting him in half. As the last second he saw several white bones shoot out of Kimimaro's chest. Sasuke was able to stop just in time as several of the sharp bones were less than inch from his eye and throat.
Sasuke quickly leapt back and out of range and stared at the ten long and impossibly sharp bones that stuck out of Kimimaro's chest. Blood dripped from the tip of a few of them as Kimimaro stared at Sasuke. "Is this the power of a Sin?" He asked. "How is it that you seem to be getting stronger and faster as this fight goes on?"
"Maybe it's my sunny disposition," Sasuke said as he glared at Kimimaro.
Kimamaro looked at the blood that dripped from one of the bones that protruded from his chest. He then looked at the deep puncture hole on the upper left side of Sasuke's chest. Hmm, a wound that significant should at least slow him down. He's using the short blade in his left hand for speed attacks and the long katana in his right hand for powerful attacks. With that wound his attacks with his left hand will be slowed. "Give up Uchiha," Kimimaro said. "I'd prefer to avoid needless, excessive fighting. You're skills have no chance against my Kekkei Genkai."
"Shut up!" Sasuke said. "I am going to carve the flesh from your stinking carcass!"
"Can't you see this fight is over," Kimimaro said. "I've seen the extent of your warrior's spirit. And it is lacking. Is this really the pinnacle of the Uchiha? Tch! To think that the Uchiha name was once regarded as above the Kaguya. Pathetic!"
Sasuke gave a low almost bestial growl. "There's that word again." Sasuke lowered himself to a crouch and then launched himself at Kimimaro. "I'll show you pathetic!"
-Meanwhile-
"Krraaagh!" The ninja yelled as he swung his sword at Naruto who just barely was able to lean back and out of the weapons path.
"C-Can't we talk this out!" Naruto asked as he fell back to the floor. The ninja raised his sword and screamed as he prepared to attack.
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled.
"Watch out!" Ino screamed.
Naruto rolled to his left to avoid the attack as the ninja's sword hit the ground. The ninja immediately raised his blade and swung down again and Naruto this time rolled to his right. The ninja continued to attack as Naruto kept rolling to his left and right to avoid each strike. "Stay still you little cockroach!"
"Why would I do that?!" Naruto yelled as he continued to avoid every thrust of the ninja's blade.
"That's it!" The ninja yelled as he stopped. He then swung his blade towards Naruto's neck. "Dodge this!" He yelled as the sword hurtled towards Naruto's neck.
Naruto quickly dropped and laid flat on the ground as stiff as a wooden plank as the sword swung by harmlessly overhead. He then scrambled towards a nearby booth and crawled under the table. "Get back here you little punk!" The ninja yelled as he turned the point of the sword down and buried it into table.
Naruto curled up under the table waited when suddenly the ninja's sword cut into the table and into the ground in front of Naruto. "Ahh!" Naruto yelled. The ninja pulled the sword up and buried into the table again. This time Naruto moved to the right as the sword just missed him. The ninja quickly pulled it out and drove it back into the table and Naruto moved back as the blade just missed the side of his face and only cut a few strands of hair from his head.
The ninja gritted his teeth and pulled his sword out and raised it above his head. "Enough of this!" He yelled as he swung his sword down and cut the table in half.
At the same time Nauto leapt clear and out of the booth. "Uzumaki-style escape!" he yelled with a devilish grin as he landed behind the ninja and ran towards the bar.
"Get back here! Don't run away!" The ninja yelled as he gave chase.
Naruto jumped over the bar to the other side as the ninja swung his sword and missed. "I'm not running! This is The Uzumaki-style Tactical Retreat!" Naruto yelled as he ran through the back door and into the kitchen. Naruto made a left, and through another door thinking it was the exit to the back yard. But when he ran through the door he came face to face to a wall of shelves, fully stocked with large containers of food. Shit! Naruto said as he looked around the small room. I just ran into the pantry!
He then heard laughter behind him and when he turned he saw the ninja standing at the door with a wide grin plastered on his face. "No where to run now you little shit!" The ninja said.
The two girls ran into the kitchen and gasped when they realized that Naruto had cornered himself. "Naruto!" Sakura yelled.
The ninja looked at the two horrified girls and licked his lips with anticipation. "I want you to watch his death closely," he said.
-Meanwhile-
Sasuke closed in on Kimimaro within a blink of an eye. So fast! Kimimaro thought as Sasuke moved in and sliced him across the arm. Kimimaro yelled in pain as he clutched his wound. Shit! If not for my dense bones he would have cut my arm clean off! Kimimaro turned to look at Sasuke who had his back turned to him. He could see more and more steam rising from his body. And what the hell is that energy emanating from his body?! Kimimaro wondered.
Sasuke looked at Kimimaro out of the corner of his eye and then swung his long sword back at him. Kimimaro instinctively raised his two swords up to block the attack that hit with such force it pushed Kimimaro back. Kimimaro was then shocked to see that Sasuke's attack had chipped both his bone swords.
Sasuke immediately turned and began attacking Kimimaro like a wild animal, swinging his swords wildly. Kimimaro found himself unable to keep up with Sasuke's speed as his continuously forced back and cut across his arms, leg and chest. Pressured and severely wounded, Kimimaro suddenly dropped both of his bone swords as bone spears began to grow all around his arms.
As Sasuke swung his right sword down, Kimimaro used this left arm spears to block the attack. He then twisted his arm slightly to lock Sasuke's sword in place to prevent him from pulling away. He then swung his right arm at Sasuke's stomach, hoping to disembowel him. Sasuke used his short sword to block the attack.
Kimimaro smiled as the two men were locked in a death grip. Bones slowly began to grow out of his chest and Kimimaro suddenly pulled Sasuke towards him, intent on impaling him. "You're mine!" He said as he pulled Sasuke to certain death.
Sasuke pulled himself back as hard as he could as some of the bones cut deep into his chest. He grunted in pain as he twisted his body and swords to free himself from Kimimaro's grasp. He quickly jumped back to put distance between himself and Kimimaro.
Sasuke's legs shook as he fought to stay on his feet. His head was throbbing and he knew he was losing too much blood. "I will give you this one last chance to face justice," Kimimaro said as he began to walk towards Sasuke. "Give yourself up."
Sasuke opened his eyes and glared at Kimimaro with a smile. Suddenly his body began crackle and sizzle with electrical energy. Kimimaro's eyes widened in shock as he saw the electricity pulsate throughout Sasuke's body and heard what sounded like the chirping of birds, before finally reaching his swords that began to glow with electrical energy. "I-Is that…what I think it is?" He asked.
"Chidori: The Lightning Cutter," Sasuke said as he stood up straight. "I didn't think someone like you would be worth using this technique."
"That technique," Kimimaro said. "I'd heard that it was the special technique of one of the most powerful ninja in the modern world. How did you acquire it?"
Sasuke smiled. "Yeah, I'm not the creator of this technique and it's not perfected. But…I think it's good enough to kill you." With what seemed to be the speed of a flash of lightning, Sasuke cleared the distance between himself and Kimimaro and sliced him across the chest. Kimimaro was launched back into the air as he screamed in pain. He hit the ground several yards back and tumbled to a stop.
Kimimaro gritted his teeth as he slowly forced his body to move. His breathing was ragged and his legs felt like leaden weights. Shit! He thought. My body…it feels so numb. That attack of his. The electricity must attack the muscles.
Kimimaro fought through the pain as he rose to his feet Glaring at Sasuke he slowly began to laugh. "What's so damned funny?" Sasuke asked.
"It's been too long since I've been pushed like this!" Kimimaro said as he finished laughing. "It seems this level isn't enough to kill someone like you." The bones slowly sunk back into Kimimaro's arms. Once they were gone he then bent forward as a bone slowly grew out of the back of his neck. He then reached behind his neck and grabbed the bone and began to pull a long column of bones out of his neck.
What the fuck!? Sasuke thought. I-Is that his…that's his…spine!? He just pulled out his entire spinal column!? What the fuck is this son of a bitch!?
"Tessenka no Mai: Tsuru," Kimimaro said as he held up his spine like a sword. "Don't look so horrified," Kimimaro said as he looked at Sasuke's face. "I've already grown a replacement spine."
Sasuke calmed himself and immediately took the time to analyze Kimimaro's weapon. It was about five feet in length with what appeared to be incredibly sharp protrusions along the side of the vertebrae. And Sasuke had no doubt that the bone it was made from was incredibly strong. But what about this sword is so special? Sasuke had already proven he was faster than Kimimaro. The sword was longer and not as thick. This could help improve his speed but not enough to match Sasuke.
"Shall we continue?" Kimimaro asked with a smile.
-Meanwhile-
"Hey! Can't we talk this out!?" Naruto yelled nervously as he waived his hands in front of him.
"Shut up and die!" The ninja said as he swung his sword down. Naruto quickly side stepped the attack. The ninja swung again and again he side stepped. "Stay still damn you!" The ninja yelled as he swung again and again as Naruto continued to dodge.
Naruto then grabbed a large cast iron pot and held it like a sword. "Don't make me use this!" He yelled. With a lightning fast swing the ninja sliced the pot in half. "Ah!" Naruto yelled as he threwh the other half at the ninja's head and closed his eyes. He then heard a loud crash. When he opened his eyes he saw Sakura and Ino standing some distance away through the door. When he looked down he saw the ninja laying unconscious, surrounded by a pile of large broken plates and pots. It was then Naruto had realized what happened. The ninja must have dodged the pot he'd thrown. But the pot then hit the two shelves on the wall above the door that had several iron pots and plates. The shelf gave way and everything crashed down on the unsuspecting ninja.
Naruto laughed at his good fortune and then stood triumphantly over the fallen man. "How was that!?" He said to the girls.
"Lame," They both said as they held up an 'L' over their foreheads.
Naruto grabbed his face as he cried. "I get no respect!" He said as he shook his clenched fist.
-Meanwhile-
Sasuke flooded more electricity into his swords and crouched, prepared to attack. He took off towards Kimimaro, lightning flashed from his body as he moved. I'll cut his throat before he can even swing that sword! Sasuke thought.
With incredible speed Kimimaro swung his sword and to Sasuke's amazement the sword extended out and bent towards him and slashed him in the arm. Shit! Sasuke thought. That's no sword! It's a whip! Sasuke jumped up and over the weapon before it cut through him.
Sasuke leapt back and immediately clutched the deep wound on his arm. "Fuck!" He yelled before he glared at Kimimaro. He could feel the pressure building in his head and his heart racing. It had been a long time since he'd felt such rage.
"Heh!" Kimimaro said as he watched his opponent. "I have to admit that you're better than I thought. With your speed and power I have to avoid close combat. I'll use this to rip the flesh off of your body!"
Sasuke growled and leapt towards Kimimaro. "Fuck you!" He yelled.
Again Kimimaro used his whip, swinging it with incredible speed and precision and slashed Sasuke across the chest, cutting away a large chunk of flesh. Sasuke fell back and landed hard on the ground. As he opened his eyes he saw Kimimaro's whip slicing its way towards him, about to wrap around his neck. Sasuke immediately flipped back and out of the whip's way and jumped back. Satisfied that he was out of the weapons range he fell to one knee and clutched his wounded chest.
Sasuke's breathing was ragged and he felt close to losing consciousness. "Is it finally over?" Kimimaro asked. "Have you finally seen the difference between you and I?"
Sasuke gave a little laugh. "I knew the difference between us when we first met."
Kimimaro was shocked to see Sasuke stand up and his body seem to pulsate with electrical power. "What?" He said. How can he be standing? How can he have this much power?!
"The difference is…" Sasuke said. "…five minutes from now…you won't be breathing anymore!" Sasuke suddenly took of sprinting towards Kimimaro with increased speed.
Kimimaro began to swing his whip but Sasuke would dodge every attack as he made his way closer and closer. No! Kimimaro thought. How can he be getting faster! How can his chakra be increasing!?
As Sasuke dodged another attack he raised his sword to attack. Shit! Kimimaro thought as his left arm began to transform. Sasuke was about to strike when he felt a great piercing pain in his stomach. When he looked down he was shocked to see that Kimimaro's left arm and transformed into a large bone drill that was buried into his stomach. "Tessenka no Mai: Hana," Kimimaro said with a blank expression.
Kimimaro raised his left arm, lifting Sasuke in the air and then threw him to the ground like a piece of discarded trash. Sasuke hit the ground and rolled to stop and remained motionless. Kimimaro watched for a moment to see if Sasuke would move but he didn't. Hmm, he thought as he turned and walked towards Tsunade's restaurant. He also began to absorb his bone weapons back into his body. I should go check on the others. Those people inside will have to be dealt with to.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" Sasuke yelled.
Kimimaro turned and was amazed to see Sasuke slowly getting to his feet. Blood was pouring from the large wound in his stomach and electricity emanated from his body. "Impossible," Kimimaro said. "Impossible! What are you!? How can you still..?" It was then Kimimaro noticed the tattoo on Sasuke's shoulder was glowing and seemed to be almost throbbing. And his wounds appeared to be healing so fast that Kimimaro could actually see it.
Kimimaro unexpectedly began to laugh to himself as a realization finally dawned on him. "So that's it," Kimimaro said. "So that's your ability." Sasuke just stared at him in furious silence. "That number isn't just random is it? You're number two and it coincides with who you are as a Sin. It seems I am in the presence of the Second Sin…
~~~~~~WRATH~~~~~~
"Let me guess," Kimimaro said. "The angrier you get, the stronger you become. Am I right?" Sasuke remained silent as he glared at Kimimaro. He then lunged towards him with has swords at the ready. Kimimaro swung his whip but Sasuke dodged each and every attack. I am right, Kimimaro thought as he desperately fought to defend himself from Sasuke's uncontrollable onslaught. He's even faster now. Sasuke dodged Kimimaro's whip again and moved into range with his sword. Kimimaro lunged with his large bone drill but Sasuke suddenly jumped and landed on top of the drill. "What!?" He said in disbelief. Sasuke then swung his sword and sliced Kimimato across the chest with such force that Kimimaro's body was thrown back several yards before crashing and tumbling across the ground.
Wincing in pain Kimimaro looked up to see Sasuke in the air above him, hurtling towards him. Instinctively Kimimaro raised his drill arm up the block Sasuke's attack as Sasuke landed on top of him and began slashing at him wildly.
With every blow Kimimaro could feel his own body being pushed into the earth as a crater was being formed beneath him. Shit! Kimimaro yelled as Sasuke continued to pummel him. Looking into Sasuke's eyes, Kimimaro could only see the vacant eyes of a beast. It's just as I thought. As his rage increases so does his physical abilities. But at the same time his self control decreases. He truly is the living embodiment of Wrath!
As Sasuke continued the slash wildly at Kimimaro's arm it began to chip. Shit! Kimimaro said. I have to end this fight now! If his powers continue to increase he'll kill me for sure! I have to use that technique!
Suddenly several dozen long spear-like bones jutted out of Kimimaro's chest that forced Sasuke to jump back. The bones then receded back into Kimimaro's chest as he slowly got to his feet and faced Sasuke. "I didn't think you could force me into using my ultimate technique," Kimimaro said. "Perhaps the Uchiha aren't as pathetic as I assumed." Sasuke grunted as he raised his electrified blades and sprinted towards Kimimaro. "Mai!" Kimimaro yelled. "Sawarabi no Mai!"
Sasuke came to an immediate halt as thousands upon thousands of bone spears began to grow out of every part of Kimimaro's body in all directions. And more bone spears grew out of other spears. Kimimaro suddenly seemed to be like a seed from which grew an endless, intertwined vine that covered and obliterated everything in its path.
Sasuke was forced to keep leaping back as he avoided the razor sharp bones as they continued to grow and extend towards him. Unable to outrun them he began to slice at them and dodge desperately but they would not break and they would not stop. Finally one bone punctured him in his side and another in his right shoulder. Another buried itself into his left bicep and before he knew it he'd been skewered by a dozen bone spears that pushed him back and slammed him against an old brick wall.
Sasuke spat up blood as he found himself suspended in the air with bone spears buried in his legs, stomach, arms and shoulder. Slowly all the other spears began to recede, leaving only the spears that kept Sasuke pinned to the wall. Kimimaro smiled as the bones that kept Sasuke pinned jutted out of his left hand. "This was an entertaining fight Uchiha Sasuke," Kimimaro said as he walked up to Sasuke. Another bone spear slowly grew out of his left hand and crept its way towards Sasuke's face and stopped less than an inch from his left eye. "But even if you are from the gifted Uchiha and even if you are a Sin you were destined to lose to me. Because despite all you're power you are still only flesh and blood, while my bones are indestructible."
Sasuke smiled at Kimimaro through his blood stained teeth. His face covered in dirt, grime and his own blood. "Really?" He said. "Let's…put that…to…the…test then…shall we!"
Kimimaro's eyes widened as Sasuke's body suddenly began to glow. "No!" It was all he could manage to whisper in disbelief before he was bathed in light.
-Meanwhile-
"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto yelled has he burst back into the restaurant followed by Sakura and Ino.
Tsunade remained seated with the ninja standing behind her, holding his sword to her neck. "Naruto!" She yelled.
"What the hell!?" The ninja said. "Did you actually beat both of them?!"
"Of course!" Naruto said triumphantly. "Those two losers are nothing compared to someone as great as me!"
Both Ino and Sakura looked at sarcastically. "I wonder if looking like you're about to pee yourself is part of his fighting style," Ino whispered to Sakura with a smile which caused Sakura to stifle her laughter.
Naruto's ears twitched as he heard what Ino had said. "Hey!" He yelled at them. "Me looking like that was all part of my plan! I wanted to lull him into a false sense of security!"
"Was running like a chicken and cornering yourself in the storage room part of your plan!?" Ino yelled.
"I wasn't running!" Naruto yelled as he swung his arms in the air. "It's called a tactical retreat! Tactical retreat!"
"Hey!" the Ninja yelled, clearly having little patience. "Shut the hell up all of you! I don't care what the hell happened! Right now I'm calling the shots!" The ninja then pulled Tsunade up by the hair and put the blade of his sword by her neck and drew a bit of blood. "Now I want all of you to lie face down on the ground with your hands behind your head or I swear I will cut this old bitch's throat!"
A vein popped up in Tsunade's forehead and flames appeared in her eyes. "OLD!?" She screamed as she grabbed the ninja's wrist with her left and his hand with her right. She moved so quickly than the ninja was taken by surprise. With a twist of her hands she quickly disarmed the ninja and she pulled him down while at the same time she rolled back and using both her feet she kicked the man directly in the face. "Who are you calling old!?" As he fell back Tsunade flipped up and back and landed on the fallen man's chest with enough force to break several of his ribs.
"M-Mom?" Sakura said in shock.
"How did you..?" Ino asked.
"Sorry about that girls," Tsunade said. "But I didn't want to make a move until I was sure you two were safe."
"How are you so sure that we'd be ok?" Sakura asked.
Without the two girls noticing Tsunade glanced at Naruto as he turned and looked out the window at the street. "Call it a hunch." Tsunade said.
"We should go and check on Sasuke," Naruto said. "He might be in trouble out there."
"You're right!" Tsunade said. "Let's go!" Everyone made their way to the exit and as Naruto grabbed the door knob a massive explosion from outside knocked them off their feet. The exit door was blown off its hinges as the large glass windows that lined the front wall shattered and glass showered the diner. Many chairs and tables were thrown about and destroyed.
As the chaos died away Naruto slowly emerged from the rubble. He grunted as he pushed the door that was thrown on top of him off as he coughed. What the hell was that? He wondered as he looked around the restaurant that was in ruin. A few feet away he heard moaning and he scrambled to his feet and removed a table that had fallen nearby. Underneath was Sakura. "Sakura-chan, are you alright!?"
"Yeah," She said as Naruto helped her up. She was dazed but mostly unharmed. Naruto quickly found Ino and Tsunade who were also uninjured.
They all sat in the rubble as they took a moment to gather themselves. "Naruto, you're hurt!" Tsunade said as she noticed the blood running down his forehead.
"This is nothing Granny," Naruto said with a smile.
"Nonsense," Tsunade replied as she ripped her sleeve away and inspected the wound. Satisfied that it was a small gash she used the cloth to cover the wound.
"What the hell was that?" Sakura asked. "Explosive tag?"
"Never seen one with that level of explosive power before," Ino said.
"Well, whatever it was it was sure strange," Naruto said. "I'm not sure…but…I could almost swear that just as the explosion hit I could see…black flames."
Tsunade looked at the three teens but said nothing as they tried to make sense of what had just happened. "Well, sitting around here won't help matters!" Naruto said as he got to his feet. "Sasuke and that other guy were out there. We need to see what happened!"
"Oh my! You're right!" Sakura said as she leapt to her feet. Everyone quickly got up and made their way through the restaurant and out into the street. Ash and dirt clogged the air around them making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. As they walked they passed by a fallen, charred tree as well as broken bricks and glass.
"Has anyone noticed how odd this is?" Sakura asked.
"What?" Ino asked.
"It feels as hot as a furnace and everything around us looks burnt," Sakura said as she walked cautiously through the fog. "Even the ground looks like it was struck by incredible flames. But, do any of you see any signs of fire? No actual fire anywhere."
"You're right," Naruto said as he continued to walk. "Everything's burnt but there's no fire. What kind of flames extinguishes themselves?"
As the group continued to walk they finally saw something ahead. As they got closer they could make out the silhouette of someone standing. "There!" Naruto yelled as he began to run ahead.
"Naruto be careful!" Tsunade yelled. "That could be Kimimaro!"
As Naruto and the others got closer and the cloud of dirt and ash began to settle they saw that it was Sasuke standing at the foot of a large crater. He was looking down in the crater with a blank expression. "Oh my god! Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled as they saw how badly wounded Sasuke was.
"Hmm," said to himself. "The son of a bitch was right."
Sakura ran up to him and began to look him over. "Sasuke-kun, are you ok? Let me take a look at you!"
Sasuke brushed her off and began to walk away. As he walked passed the group, Naruto asked. "What the hell happened here Sasuke?"
"Just performing a little experiment," Sasuke said with a smile. "And that bastard was right after all."
"Oh my god!" Ino yelled as she looked into the crater with a disgusted and horrified look on her face. Tsunade, Sakura and Naruto looked to see what was in there and they recoiled in horror at the charred and burnt skeleton lying in the blackened crater. Most of the flesh had been burnt off the skeleton and the blackened remnants of skin hung off the bones loosely. They could tell by the few tattered pieces of cloth and the few strands of long white hair barely hanging on to the skull that this was all that was left of Kaguya Kimimaro.
As Sasuke walked off he gave a quick laugh and said, "His bones are indestructible."
-To Be Continued…-