Disclaimer: I do not own FullMetal Alchemist, Yu Yu Hakusho, or Naruto.
Ch. 7 "Breaking the Speed Limit"
"Well, it sure took you long enough," Edward told the red-head, as he set Sakura against the wall to continue sleeping soundly. "What were you waiting for, an invitation?"
"I simply desired a good fight, Edward. Believe it or not, some of us might want to enjoy these matches."
Ed just looked to the other direction, a little angry. "Yeah, right. I don't know why you insist on drawing out fights like that, anyway. Do you have any idea how much danger it can put us in against a real enemy?"
"Will you both just shut up?.." Naruto growled to the two of them. "What right do you have to just toy around with someone like that, you red-haired freak?"
"I'm sorry, Naruto, but I had no other choice."
"Don't give me that crap!" Naruto ran up to Kurama and grabbed him by the collar. "Do you know what kind of damage that could have done to her?!"
"Naruto, that's enough!" Kakashi said sternly from behind him, making him flinch. "It was a fair fight. Kurama did nothing dishonorable. Like it or not, Sakura lost, and you have to accept it."
"But..." Naruto started, trying to think of something. "What he did to her..."
"I promise you, Naruto," Kurama stated calmly. "Her injuries are minor. The impact was only enough to incapacitate her. She will be awake shortly, and will fully recover quickly."
"Wha..?" Naruto loosened his grip, surprised. "Are you serious?"
"Well, I guess it doesn't really matter, now," Ed said flatly, as he stepped forward to grab the rail to hold his weight, staring at Alphonse, who still didn't seem to be paying attention. "You won, without killing. That's what matters."
"Now, please watch the screen for the sixth match (cough)," Hayate got everyone's attention.
"I hope the fight is more interesting this time," Hiei said with a slight attitude.
"Well, maybe something good will work out," Greed said from behind him. "I thought the fight between Yusuke and Shino was pretty interesting."
"Heh. That was nothing compared to the things I've seen him do."
"I hope that I am the one to fight next," Rock Lee said from the other end of the balcony. "I would like nothing more than to prove how strong I have become."
"Yeah, Lee, I know," Guy told his pupil. "But you may just have to wait."
"(Sigh...) I think I'd rather just go ahead and fight," Shikamaru stated, to everyone's surprise, "just to get it done with and out of the way."
"I wish this stupid round would just end, already," Neji stated impatiently. "None of these guys are even worth my time!"
"I hope I don't have to fight anyone too dangerous," Hinata said timidly. "Kiba looked like he got hurt pretty bad."
"You think?" Shino responded sarcastically.
"Please, let me fight next." Naruto was one of the most enthusiastic of all. However,..
"Come on," Ed said quietly. "I have to talk to him, and find out what he's doing here."
Finally, the screen came to a stop: "Jaganshi Hiei vs. Rock Lee."
"Ya hoo!! It's my turn! Yes!" Rock Lee seemed pleased to be picked.
"Oh, great. Just my luck. I have to go up against that kid?" Hiei said with the look of biting into a sour lemon. "I almost wish I could kill myself."
"Hey," Al said to him. "At least you can end it quickly."
"(Sigh...) I guess you're right." As Lee jumped straight down from the balcony in excitement, Hiei vanished from the spot where he stood, and reappeared in front of the spot where Lee landed. "So, do you want the first move, or should I just end it quickly?"
"Please, I would like you to go first. I want to show what a splinded ninja I have become."
"If you're both ready," Hayate said between them, "then let the sixth match begin."
"Fine. If that makes you happy." Hiei took the sword strapped over his shoulders on his back, and removed it. "I shouldn't need this," he said as he tossed it back up onto the balcony with his right hand, landing heavily with his teammates. As they cursed him for throwing it so haphazardly, he continued, "I don't need a weapon for any of you." He still had the bandages sealing the dark tattoo on his right arm.
"If that is true," Lee said as he lowered his stance, "then why don't you go ahead and attack?"
"Alright, I will!" He ran like lightning towards the bushy-browed boy, readying a punch.
Wow, he's fast! Lee said as he barely managed to jump out of the way of the devistating punch, which left a crater even bigger than Kurama's in the ground. However, the danger wasn't over. Hiei immediately jumped up to meet Lee in mid-air. "What--?" Hiei attacked again with a spin-kick, knocking Lee into the side of the building.
"WHOA!! What the hell was that?!" Naruto looked on in utter amazement at the strength of this fighter.
"Well," Kurama stated calmly, "Hiei seems rather aggressive today."
"You call that 'aggressive?!'" Edward said, dumfounded over the attack. "I need solid boulders to do something like that!"
"Well," Hiei said as he landed effortlessly, "I guess you're pretty quick. Most people don't have the reflexes to dodge my attacks."
After a few seconds, Lee rose up from the small chunks of debris. "Yes, you should not underestimate me." He stood straight up and dusted himself off, as other ninja just stared in disbelief. "However, I now know not to underestimate you, either. I am lucky that I managed to block the impact of your kick." He then looked at Hiei. "Now, it is my turn!" He said as he ran just as quickly towards Hiei, ready to land a hard punch on him. However, Hiei moved to the side at the last moment, catching Lee off guard, making him stumble, and fall on his face.
"(Sigh), pitiful," he said as he closed his eyes in disappointment. "You're no better than that fool detective, Yusuke. Huh?" Then, Hiei was caught off guard, and got a powerful kick across his jaw, tossing him into the side of the arena, leaving a mark on the wall only feet from where Lee was kicked.
"Now, do you still think that I am so pitiful?"
Hiei rose up from the rubble, wiping a drop of blood from his cheek. "No, I suppose I should take you more seriously. You're a bit faster that I thought possible for any human."
"Any... human? What on earth are you talking about?"
"Don't worry about it. What's important is that I beat you and get this over with." Hiei raised up his hand, holding it in front of his face. "And since I don't really feel like running around anymore, I'm going to try something different."
Ino looked on, curious about what was happening now. "Hey, anyone else feel that? That guy's gathering chakra in his hand just like Yusuke did earlier." Then, she noticed something else. The bandage around his arm was releasing smoke from the pressure of the technique. "Ahh! His arm is smoking!"
"What is he up to?" Neji asked with his normal sour look.
"I wonder..." Gaara said quietly, catching his siblings' attention. "What might he be planning?"
"Hey," Kankuro said carefully, "you've been quiet lately. I thought you might actually be napping."
"Shut up..."
"Okay."
"No, Hiei, don't you dare," Kurama said alarmingly. "You can't..."
"Hey," Naruto asked immediately. "What are you so worried about? What's he about to do to Bushy-Brow?"
"I can't exactly say."
"Well then why the heck are you so worried?!"
"I can only say what I hope he isn't going to do."
Ed looked at him from the side. "Is that the dark dragon move you told me about?"
"Yes, Edward. It is." Kurama looked at the two blondes. "It's called the 'Dragon of the Darkness Flame,' and it is a dangerous attack, to say the least." He turned his attention back to the arena. "The first time he attempted to summon the dragon, he nearly lost his right arm in the sacrafice."
"I suggest you not insult the Jagan Eye," Hiei said as he held out his right hand. "You see, it has a mind of its own, and doesn't appreciate being mocked." His arm then began to burn with a black flame.
"Is that the..."
"That's right... This is what happens when you insult the Jagan Eye."
Zeru stepped back, shocked at what his opponent was attempting. "The Dragon of the Darkness Flame, summoned from the farthest depths of Spirit World. It leaves nothing but cinder in it's wake. God, help me..."
"You know," Hiei told him, with his right hand submersed in the black fire, "once it's released, I no longer have any control over the dragon!"
"Dragon... Of the Darkness Flame!!"
"That was the first time Hiei ever attempted to harness the dragon, and he nearly lost his entire right arm. However, he is the only one who has ever summoned the dragon, and lived. Suffice to say, it is a game of Russian Roulette, at best; and at worst,the ultimate sacrifice." Then, he saw a light fire coming from Hiei's fist. "(Sigh) Thank goodness." He held his hand up to his chest in relief. Edward, Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, Izumi, Kakashi, Guy, Tenten, and Neji all looked down to see the flame. "This is not the technique I was afraid of. Though it is still dangerous, it shouldn't be fatal."
"I hope you like the heat, kid. Fist of the Mortal Flame!" Hiei punched with a fist full of fire, releasing a massive blaze in Lee's direction.
"Whaa!!" Lee jumped over-head, missing the outside of the flame by inches. He intended to land on the other side of the short demon, unknown to him, while the flame continued on, heading for the wall in Naruto and Edward's direction.
"Whoa!! Everyone, move!!" Izumi said as she, Kurama, and Guy's team jumped to one side, while Kakashi grabbed Naruto and, along with Shikamaru and the rest of his group, jumped in the other direction, toward's Kurenai's group.
Edward, however, simply stood in place, with the flame approaching.
"Edward! Uh, what is he thinking?" Kakashi thought out loud, thinking the kid was simply arragent. Then, he noticed that someone else was missing. "No, Sakura!!" Ed started to move his hands, apparently trying to form a hand sign, when he was inveloped by the fire.
"Do you think he was quick enough?" Izumi asked Kurama, worried that Ed would do something so dangerous. Everyone looked on in anticipation as the flame stopped. What they saw surprised nearly all of them. The flame clearly blasted towards the wall, supposedly leaving a giant scorch mark, and burning all that it hit. However, Edward stood there, hands in front of him, completely unharmed, as was the young pink-haired girl lying behind him. Not a single hair, or stitch of clothing, was singed. The only evidence of the fire that was shot towards them was a large, black ring on the wall, and the edge of the balcony.
"Unbelievable..." For once, Kakashi was in awe of one of the genin. "He doesn't have a single mark on him. How did he do that? Was it some kind of jutsu?"
"It appears he can handle nearly anything," Kurama said with slight surprise.
"Heh, that's our Edward." Izumi said, relieved.
Ed stood in place, lowering his hands back to his sides. Boy, that was close... If I hadn't seen that flame when I did, we'd be toast right now, he thought, looking back to Sakura. Everyone soon returned to the spots where they stood.
Hiei turned around, finding Lee about to launch a full assault on him. However, Hiei managed to dodge each attack with ease. "You know," he said as Lee continued attacking, "if this the best you can do, you should save yourself the pain and embarrassment, and forfeit now."
"No!" Lee said as he launched a hard kick aiming right for Hiei's head. However, this time, Hiei caught Lee's kick, blocking it with one arm, and delivered a hard, damaging punch, landing square on Lee's chest, knocking the breath out of him, and causing him to hit the wall even harder than earlier, leaving large cracks and a small crater. As he got up, more slowly this time, he thought to himself, How can I beat this guy? He is clearly faster than I am right now. He even caught my kick, and with one hand. It would be impossible for me to win like this. However, I am forbidden from using my secret technique unless the requirements have been met. Lee then looked up to face his sensei. So, Guy-Sensei, have I met the requirements?
"Lee," Guy said out loud, "It's time. Take 'em off."
"You... really mean it?" Lee seemed slightly surprised. "Very well." Lee jumped up, landing on the statue at the head of the arena. "Now, Hiei, you will see what I can really do." With that, Lee pulled up the cloth on his legs, revealing a set of wieghts on his ankles. He then proceeded to remove the weights.
"So," Hiei said, "you think removing a little weight will help you win against me?"
"That kid must be nuts," Greed said as he watched. "No matter how heavy those weights are, he still won't be fast enough to beat Hiei." Then, as Lee held out his arms, weight in hand, he dropped them to the ground, creating a loud crash and two puffs of smoke. Greed looked on with a bewildered face. "Okay... Maybe I was wrong..."
"Alright, so you use heavy weights. You still can't beat me." Hiei seemed unimpressed.
Suddenly, Lee disappeared, reappearing behind Hiei. "Now, try and dodge this!" Lee then proceeded to launch another barrage of punches and kickes, which gave Hiei more trouble than earlier. However, he still evaded the hits. I do not believe it, Lee thought. He is still able to dodge my every move. How can this be possible? Suddenly, Lee stopped, getting Hiei's attention. "Very well. I still cannot beat you like this." Lee proceeded to remove the bandages around his hands. "I suppose I will simply have to use my special technique."
"Special Technique? What the heck is he talking about?" Naruto asked, confused. "And why doesn't he start using some genjutsu or something?"
"Well, Naruto," Guy said before Kakashi got a chance to answer, "Lee isn't able to use his chakra like you or me. He can't perform genjutsu or ninjutsu. He never could. He can only use taijutsu." He looked back at the fight. "So, he and I decided to sharpen his taijutsu techniques, making him a great physical fighter. Lee has become a taijutsu master." I just hope he has what it takes to win without going too far...
"Now, Hiei," Lee said as he brought his hands back down to his sides. "Get ready for my best attack." He then started to run circles around Hiei, who stood poised, waiting for a change in movement. "Even you cannot guard yourself from this attack," Lee said from all directions, as he continued runing. "It is beyond human capability to do so." Then, Lee seemlessly ran straight for Hiei.
Wha-- Hiei didn't even have time to formulate a thought as the young menace ran towards him. He barely had time to raise his arms in front of him to absorb most of the impact of the kick, which sent him up into the air. I don't believe this... Yusuke is the only human who's ever matched my speed. Lee delivered a second kick, tossing Hiei to the cieling. How can this little punk be this fast?!
"Now," Lee threw his arms around Hiei, spinning his bandages around his body. "Witness the power of my Primary Lotus!" The two bodies started spinning in mid-air, and the speed grew exponentially as they headed for the ground, quickly creating a loud crash, and a small explosion.
"Do you think Hiei is alright after that kind of attack?" Al asked with almost no concern for his teammate.
"If not, then he's obviously no good to us," was the simple, heartless answer that Greed gave him.
"Ow... That's gotta hurt," Edward said with a slight laugh.
"Yeah, Lee! You did it!!" Tenten yelled with joy at seeing her teammate use such an attack.
Everyone in the building waited with anticipation as the smoke cleared from the explosion...
"Oh, man... I wouldn't want to be the one wrapped up in that move," Shikamaru said with a bit of concern.
"Did Lee win, Kurenai-Sensei?" Hinata asked timidly.
"I can't tell from here, Hinata."
"Wow... That was amazing," Naruto understated. "I don't think he would be up for at least a week after that." He thought for another moment. "Hey!! Wait a minute! I knew that move looked familiar!" Naruto turned and pointed to Kurama. "You used the same kind of move on Sakura as Bushy-Brow did just now."
"Yes, it seems we both appreciate the strength of a high-impact attack."
As the smoke slowly cleared, everyone finally got a chance to see the results of the attack. Lee was on one knee and one hand, breathing heavily, watching as Hiei seemed to be out.
"I did it, Guy-Sensei," Lee said breathlessly. "I won."
Did you really think the fight would end that quickly? Continue reading. I have ideas that could make this story run like a series, so don't be surprised if it runs to many, many chapters. If I can get more readers. Please, review this story already. I know you're reading this, I see the numbers.
Hey, tell your friends about this story, too.