"You seem awfully confident in a guy whose only had one whole month of training." Kakashi commented, watching as Assassin twirled his swords between his fingers. Shikamaru and Kiba were grouped up, more than likely coming up with a plan.
"Hahaha, of course I am! Assassin has shown some potential over the last month. Why, I even think he could keep you four on your toes." Sarutobi grinned.
"Ok, you remember the plan right?"
"C'mon Shikamaru, I'm not an idiot. You immobilize while Akamaru and I attack from both sides. This fight will be over in no time, right Akamaru?" Kiba grinned, looking down at the white puppy. He barked in agreement with his friend while Shikamaru sighed.
"Whatever. Just get ready, cause as soon as this starts I'm using my Shadow Possession."
"Are the three of you ready?" The Hokage questioned, receiving nods from the three. "Begin the fight."
Assassin wasted no time in creating nine clones. They surrounded the three, making things a tad more difficult for Shikamaru.
"Sorry, but that little shadow bullshit won't work on us." One of the clones(or the true Assassin) said from behind them.
"I remember that blonde chick saying something about you controlling the ninjas at the compound. And Sarutobi said that you use a lot of chakra when you possess more than one person." One of the clones(?) to the front shrugged.
"So even if you manage to possess all of us, it'll only be for a limited amount of time." Another clone(?) from behind commented.
"Great, he knows about my move...Kiba, you and Akamaru keep him busy while I come up with a plan."
"Ok, just try to hurry up." Kiba commented. "Akamaru, it's time to go on the offensive."
Akamaru barked before jumping out of Kiba's sweater and landed in front of the two, growling.
"That's supposed to scare us?" One of the clones(?) snorted.
"Don't get cocky number six. You know the rule, don't get cocky unless we are, or I am, the last one standing." Another one commented.
"Oh please, it's just a cute little dog. I'll kebab him in no time." Number six stated as he unsheathed both of his swords. He rushed the puppy, the sharp sides of his swords digging into the ground and kicking a dust trail into the air. He jumped into the air, and brought his swords crashing down onto the earth. More dust was kicked up into the air, covering the two from everyone's view.
While the students watched in worry and the adults in curiosity, the real Assassin(who was 8th in the circle if you counted counter-clockwise) only shook his head in disappointment. The dust started to clear, and number six was surprised by the lack of chopped dog under his blades.
"What the hell?" He asked, before freezing at the sound of gnawing. He looked behind, and realized the little ankle biter was, literally, biting his ankle. "Oh shit." He disappeared in a cloud of smoke, causing Akamaru to drop onto the ground.
"Six is down, repeat six is down. Everyone back up, keep them at a distance and attack." One of them ordered, and attempted to jump back. When he found out he couldn't move, he looked down and growled, realizing they were all caught.
"What the hell?!"
"Gotcha." Shikamaru smirked.
"It's the kids shadow trick. We got distracted by number six's dumbass-ness and got caught." The real one informed, before two more clouds of smoke popped up from the front.
"Number's three and five are down!" Four shouted, before Kiba himself slashed through the clone.
"I'm not getting taken out by some runt and his dog!" Number one shouted, before committing seppuku(stabbing himself in the stomach with his sword) and turning into smoke.
"You're all useless." Number eight(The true Assassin) growled as numbers two and seven were destroyed simultaneously by Kiba and Akamaru.
"It appears your students clones aren't fit for combat." Kurenai commented. Sarutobi just chuckled.
"Relax Kurenai, it's all apart of Assassins plan."
"Plan? What plan? Honestly we were just going to play it by ear." 10 informed, before Akamaru chomped on his leg, destroying him. This, of course, left the Hokage gasping.
"Heh, only two left. Oh I wonder which one's the real one." Kiba teased as Assassin and his clone eyed each other.
"You got an idea, right?" Nine asked.
"Of course I do. 10 was just blowing some smoke outta his ass."
"Is that an actual saying?"
"Who knows or cares?" Assassin asked, before clenching his hand, causing six new clones to appear.
"New clones won't help you." Shikamaru stated, before new shadow trails darted towards the clones.
"No, but some smoke bombs will!" The new number three shouted, before he and the others threw the smoke bombs onto the ground. The smoke covered the eight of them rather quickly, hiding them from their opponents views.
"Hmm, no matter. As soon as the smoke clears they're good as caught." Kiba grinned.
"Don't get cocky Kiba. I want you and Akamaru on your guard until we know for sure they were all caught." Shikamaru ordered.
The smoke began to settle, and soon everyone could see that only seven of the Assassins were caught.
"What? Where'd the eighth one go?" Shikamaru questioned, before he felt the ground below him begin to shake. Stunned, he looked down below and saw the dirt begin to crack, until a hand shot up and grabbed onto his ankle. Everyone watched in shock as he was forcefully pulled down in the ground, leaving only his head above the ground as the rest of his body was trapped. "What the? What's this?!"
"Earth style: Double Suicide Decapitation technique." Assassin informed, now able to freely move since Shikamaru could no longer keep his stance or hand seal. "My clones used the smoke bombs as a distraction so one of them could jump behind the bushes and get underground. Since you were stationary, it only made sense to use the technique on you, especially since you were the biggest threat."
"Hey! What about us?! Did you forget that we were the ones that destroyed all of your clones?" Kiba exclaimed as Akamaru barked in agreement .
"Please, you got number six because he was cocky, one killed himself, and the rest were trapped thanks to your little buddy. If it wasn't for him, this battle would've been over minutes ago." Assassin said, causing the two to growl.
"You gotta admit, that was impressive. Causing a distraction so his clone could dig underneath ground and not only catch, but trap Shikamaru was pretty brilliant." Asuma stated.
"Hahaha, what did I tell ya?! Assassin's a chip off the old Hokage." Sarutobi grinned.
"Remember when Kakashi-sensei got you with that technique Sasuke?" Naruto teased, but the black haired genin chose to ignore the blonde for the sake of his sanity and self-respect.
"Please don't remind me of that." Sakura begged, shivering at the memory. She needed therapy for two months just to get over it.
"Well now, seems you're on ally short. Think you can still win?"
"Of course we can! Right Akamaru?" The white puppy yipped in agreement.
"Cockiness, I like that. Your head will make a fine trophy for my wall!" Assassin exclaimed as several of his clones jumped towards Kiba and Akamaru, their swords held high above their heads, ready to attack.
The two jumped out of their way, dodging most of the swords in the process. Most of the swords. The new number five got lucky and was able to give Kiba's right arm a small cut. Kiba grimaced as the cut burned for a few seconds.
"Good work boys, just need a little more speed. But remember, go for the legs instead. An immobilized enemy is the best kind."
"Why don't you start fighting you coward?! Stop having your clones fight your battle!" Kiba growled as Akamaru distracted the new two. Doing this allowed Kiba to sneak behind and slash him, destroying the clone.
"Where's the fun in that? Sometimes it's more fun just to watch." He and Nine shrugged, before realization hit Assassin. "Why aren't you in there fighting?!"
"What? I thought I was your co-captain."
"Uh, no?"
"Oh, wow. Now I feel like an idiot."
"Now you feel like an idiot?"
"Don't get snippy with me."
"I will get snippy with you, since I'm the original."
"Will you two shut up?! You're arguing like an old married couple!" Kiba growled, now distracting the new one so Akamaru could go from behind and chomp his leg, destroying him.
"Well I do have a thing for brunettes." Nine stated, crossing his arms. The real Assassin rolled his eyes, before taking his sword and slashing Nine, destroying him.
"Numbers three, four, five, and six, come to me." He ordered. The clones nodded and jumped to his side, with six being the luckiest since Akamaru was about to scratch him. Assassin stepped up, cracking his knuckles. "Ok, you want the real thing? Well, here I am."
"Finally, a challenge." Kiba sighed, relieved. He cracked his neck before reaching into the bag on his side, and pulling out two small black pills. Assassin, under his mask, cocked an eyebrow as Kiba and Akamaru ate the pills.
"What are those things?" Ino asked no one in particular.
"Those are food pills." Choji began to explain. "It's something the military developed. An energy booster so powerful, the troops that took it could fight for three and nights without a break. But after extended battling, it can result in high levels of anxiety and almost total exhaustion. Right now, Kiba and Akamaru's chakras are now doubled in strength."
The new number four, who paid close attention to their conversation, grew worried at the information.
"Dude, you might wanna end this quick! Things are about to get ugly!"
"Oh please, how bad can things-" He stopped himself as Akamaru's once snow white fur started turning to red. As for Kiba, his nails turned into claws and his teeth sharpened, a wild and feral look appeared in both of their eyes. "-get. Oh fuck me." He whispered under his breath.
"You ready Akamaru?" Kiba questioned, and the now feral puppy growled in acknowledgement.
"You gonna end this or what?!" Number six exclaimed.
"Hold your arse, I wanna see where this is going."
"You'll regret it." Kiba grinned, before crouching down on all fours, allowing Akamaru to jump onto his back.
"I've heard of doggy style, but this is just ridiculous." Assassin joked, causing all of his clones and Naruto to laugh. Even Hinata let out a small giggle.
"Beast mimicry! Mad beast clones!" Smoke surrounded the two, hiding whatever was happening from everyone's view.
"Clones...I don't like the sound of that." Three stated, concerned.
"Oh relax, I'm sure it's nothing." Assassin shrugged, before something fast came out of the smoke and smashed into his chest. He was sent flying back and into one of the trees. The four clones winced at that, and turned to see what had happened.
There were now two Kibas!
"Uh, how hard did I get hit? Cause I'm seeing double." Assassin asked.
"You're not seeing anything dude! There really are two of them!"
"And they have crazy looks in their eyes." Four pointed out. The two Kibas growled, before charging the clones. As quickly as they could, the four did a backflip and jumped into the trees above them.
"You're on your own dude!" Six exclaimed.
"Cowards!" Assassin shouted, shaking his fist angrily at them. They merely gave a thumbs up through the leaves before pulling their arms back. "No matter. I'll still wi-" Assassin cut himself off as they rushed him. Jumping out of the way, he was surprised when one swipe of their claws had cut a tree in half. "Ok...we may have a problem."
"Wanna call it quits?" Kiba growled with a smirk.
"Oh please, I've faced worse. Give me all you got!" He exclaimed, pounding on his suits chest like an ape.
"Your loss." Kiba smirked. "Lets finish this! On all fours!"
Kiba and Akamaru rushed at Assassin at top speed. Eyes widening, Assassin side-stepped one of them, only to hit from behind by another. His feet skidded across the ground, but was digging his heels into the dirt he stopped himself from hitting a tree.
Hearing running, Assassin jumped out of the way and dodged as one of them charged him. The one he dodged ended up going through the tree and split it in half.
"What are you doing dude?!" Six shouted.
"I honestly don't know! I'm just playing this by ear!" The others sighed and shook their heads.
The two rushed his again, slashing and clawing, trying to hit him. But Assassin was fast and was able to manage dodging each attack, even if it was just barley. They tried rushing him from both sides, so Assassin jumped into a tree to avoid it. He traveled from tree to tree, until he picked one and hid in it.
"Ok, they don't know where I'm at. Should give me a minute or two to come up with an actual plan." Assassin sighed.
"Man beast! Ultimate taijutsu!"
Feeling an increase in the wind and hearing a cracking sound, Assassin jumped to another tree just as the one he used to sit one got knocked down.
"Fang over fang!"
Assassin was forced to jump to another tree, and another, and another as each previous tree was knocked to the ground.
'I need to think of something fast.' Assassin thought, before jumping a few trees ahead in order to buy himself sometime. 'Immobilizing them should be the first thing I do.' With that in mind, he removed the bottom half of his helmet.
"Earth Style: Regurgitating Mud Trap!" He whispered, before a steady stream of mud came from his mouth. He shot it all around the battlefield, and it became invisible before anyone, besides the Hokage and the sensei's, could notice. When he was done he reattached the bottom of his helmet. "Come to me, my little prey." Assassin stated, before jumping into the middle of the field.
"Eh? Why's he out in the open?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe he's giving up?" Sakura guessed.
Kiba and Akamaru stopped their attack and stood feet away from Assassin. Each smirking in victory.
"So, you've finally given up?" Kiba questioned. Assassin shook his head.
"Ha, of course not. A hunter never gives up."
"Hmm, some hunter. What kind of hunter lets his prey corner him?"
"The kind that sets up a trap." Assassin grinned under his helmet. "Go ahead Akamaru, try to move."
Cocking his head, the Kiba clone attempted to move his foot. Only to realize he was stuck. The dog clone growled at Kiba.
"Stuck? What do you mean you're stuck?!"
"Earth Style: Regurgitating Mud Trap technique. While the two of you were playing and chopping down trees, I sprayed the field with invisible mud. With you guys attacking, neither you or the others noticed it."
"No one besides us anyway." The Hokage butted in, with the sensei's nodding in agreement.
"And that's not even the best part." Assassin informed, before putting his hands together. "Earth Style: Strong Servant Warrior!"
The ground below them began to rumble and shake, with cracks forming under Kiba's feet. Kiba jumped out of the way as a giant rock monster came bursting from the ground.
"W-What the hell is that?" Choji asked.
"A golem made out of rocks, also known as the Golem Technique. Able to form from nearby sources, and there's plenty of rock under us." Assassin informed. "Rock golem, take care of the pest for me."
The golem nodded before rushing Kiba, swinging it's gigantic arms at him as he dodged.
"Number's Three, Four, and Five to me." Jumping out of the trees, with all three landing on either side of Assassins flank. "Four and Five, grab onto Akamaru's arms and hold them tight. Three, you come with me."
"Right." They nodded before jumping behind Akamaru, who was still trying to move his legs. They grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back, preventing him from attacking.
"Lets make this quick." Assassin said before moving in front of Akamaru with Three. Assassin placed one hand on Akamaru's chest and the other on Three's chest.
"Hey! Get off of him!" Kiba shouted as he took a swing at the golems left arm. He managed to knock some rocks off, only for them to reattach.
"Never on your life dog breath." Assassin stated as his hands began glowing blue.
"Hey, that's my insult! And why are his hands blue?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"I...actually have no idea." Sasuke stated.
"His hands...he's using chakra absorption." Kakashi whispered to the others.
"You actually taught him that Sir Hokage?" Gai asked.
"No, no I didn't. I never even told him that's a thing." Sarutobi informed, shocking them.
Akamaru began struggling less and less as his eyes started to blink shut. The Kiba clone even began to shrink and shrink, until there was a puff of smoke. When it cleared Akamaru was a dog once again, and was sleeping on the ground.
"Good work you three. Now, back to the trees. Keep Three safe at all cost." His own clones nodded before jumping back into the trees.
While this was happening, Kiba was still dealing with the rick golem. He tried everything against the monstrosity, even 'Fang over Fang' and still the thing rebuilt itself.
"Why...can't I...destroy you?!" Kiba panted, feeling exhausted from fighting this stupid creature. Said creature just stood, cocking its head to the side.
"Hey Kiba!" Assassin called.
"What?!"
"Look behind you idiot."
Sighing, he turned around to see what he wanted. Only for his eyes widened as Assassin charged him, his fist covered in rocks.
"Earth Style: Fist Rock technique!"
And suddenly, everything was black.