Chapter 10: Izanami
Rain began to fall from the heavens as Naruto and Sasuke stared at each other. Naruto's arms were rigid and pointing to the floor, as he tried to control his burning rage. Meanwhile, Sasuke's arms were folded and he seemed completely at ease. His Sharingan was active, but he made no suggestion that he was going to attack any time soon.
"What are you waiting for?" Sasuke asked, not at all sounding like he was about to face a battle with destiny.
"Me!" Naruto roared, "what about you? You were the one who made the first move and you were the one who brought me here. Why don't you attack?"
"Because I'm not the one who has a time limit on his power" Sasuke replied, as he flashed Naruto a luck full of confidence.
He's right Kurama rumbled from deep within Naruto. This mode can only last about another 8 minutes. We have to finish him off within that time. The longer you wait, the better for him.
Naruto twitched as he feigned an intention to attack. Unexpectedly, Sasuke didn't summon his Susano'o. Instead, he switched to his Mangekyo Sharingan, but didn't use any jutsu.
Why isn't he doing anything? Naruto wondered. If he wants to beat me, he'll have to resort to his Susano'o, so why is he taking this chance?
Does it matter? Kurama asked if he's stupid enough to let his defenses down you should take advantage. Attack now, before he realizes his mistake.
With that, Naruto kicked off the ground and sent himself hurtling towards Sasuke. Naruto's speed in this form was far greater than what Sasuke had shown even in his Susano'o armor. Naruto reached Sasuke faster than any eye could see and he prepared to strike a finishing blow. However, just before the hit could land, Sasuke dodged and delivered a blow of his own. The hit was strong enough to force Naruto away, but it didn't deal that much damage.
What was that? Naruto asked in frustration. How could he possibly be that fast in his normal state?
Look out Naruto! Kurama cried, as Sasuke moved in with his palm set alight. Naruto was just about able to parry the effort and put a gap between himself and Sasuke.
"How could you have got this fast?" Naruto asked, trying to stall for time as he came up with a plan.
"Technically, I'm not obliged to answer" Sasuke replied, his gaze unwavering. "However, I'll tell you, seeing as you need all the help you can get. I'm employing a special jutsu that only those with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan can use, called Izanami."
I've never heard of that Kurama said, mirroring Naruto's confusion.
"The jutsu" Sasuke continued, "slows down time for the user, meaning that to me you move much slower. This allows me to gain a speed advantage, although, to your credit the advantage isn't as big as I thought it would be. Look's like that beast gives you an even bigger boost than I thought."
He can slow down time now? That's insane Naruto said to his partner inside of him. It's also a huge problem. No matter what I can do, he's going to hold the edge. With this jutsu, Sasuke is unstoppable.
Not necessarily Kurama responded have you forgotten what Itachi told you? Every jutsu has a weakness; we just have to find it. Naruto, attack again and I'll analyze this technique.
Naruto did as he was told and charged at Sasuke. The battle that followed was longer and Naruto was doing everything in his power to avoid Sasuke's strikes. Eventually, he couldn't hold off any longer and Sasuke's Chidori pierced his stomach, before he was kicked down in to the water below. Fortunately, Naruto was able to repair the wound, but it cost him chakra and reduced the time he could spend in the form.
You got anything? Naruto pleaded to Kurama.
It's not much, but there is something you should know the fox replied, trying to sound optimistic. This jutsu of his appears to be costing him a large amount of chakra while it's active. You'll just have to keep attacking and force him to use the jutsu and waste his chakra. This is a battle of chakra reserves now and I like our odds.
Are you crazy? Naruto exclaimed if he starts hitting us with his other Mangekyo techniques, your chakra will soon run low. It's not going to work.
Who are you calling crazy? Kurama roared, deafening Naruto's mortal ears. He can't use his other Sharingan techniques while this one is active. Any damage he could do to you will be minimal, such as that Chidori from earlier.
Naruto smiled as he realized that Kurama was right. He then prepared to attack again, but when he looked up he saw Sasuke standing with his arm pointing towards the skies. The thunderstorm above them had intensified over the course of the battle and lightning was clearly in the air. Naruto hadn't noticed, due to the sheer amount of concentration that he had to use.
"Maybe you should concentrate more on me and less on talking to your little friend" Sasuke spat, as he arm began to glow. "This next jutsu is unavoidable, even for you. Come!"
The lightning in the sky formed into the shape of a great beast, which snarled as it looked down at Naruto. As Sasuke dropped his arm forcefully, the beast followed and attacked Naruto, who didn't have time to react. In desperation, Kurama took over and released a shield of chakra, protecting both of them. After the jutsu ended and the shield receded, Kurama groaned.
That was a formidable technique he said, sounding very bitter. I had to use more chakra than I thought. We still have more than enough to outlast him, but we need to be careful that we don't get caught like that again.
It should be all right Naruto said, as he made sure to keep his eyes on Sasuke. The clouds are clearing, it appears that it's a one shot jutsu. He can't use any other technique that can produce damage on that scale, so we just have to wait him out now.
As Naruto finished speaking to Kurama, Sasuke withdrew his sword. He took a glance at it, and then it suddenly ignited with black flames.
"If that won't do the trick, then maybe these inextinguishable black flames will," Sasuke snarled, as another smile formed. He then jumped down and charged at Naruto, his speed advantage still as great as ever. Naruto panicked and began dodging the deadly blade, trying to ensure his survival. However, the inevitable happened and Sasuke caught Naruto's arm with his Amaterasu. Naruto howled in pain as the flames began to spread, consuming his entire body.
"Kurama!" Naruto screamed out loud, no longer trying to keep their conversation from Sasuke.
"Damn it" the beast roared, as he set to work. He used his chakra to contain the flames, before firing them away into the distance. That cost a lot more chakra than I thought it would. That damn Uchiha brat and that repugnant Sharingan, complete scum.
"You have an annoying habit of living when all the odds say that you're going to die, don't you Naruto?" Sasuke mocked. Despite the calmness in his voice, Sasuke's eyes were full of malice and hate. He was desperate to kill Naruto and was becoming very frustrated at his failure to do so.
Naruto Kurama began, you need to use the Tailed Beast Ball. It's the only way now, as I'm not so sure we can hold him off, now that he can still use Amaterasu.
There's no way he could survive that Naruto said, instantly regretting it.
Wake up Naruto! Kurama shouted, incensed at the young Hokage's words. I can't believe you still think, even now, that you can save him. You are Hokage; he will destroy your village if you don't finish him off here. You have to do it!
Naruto was shaking as he listened to Kurama's lecture, his inner conflict beginning to surface. How could he kill Sasuke?
"I was just thinking, Naruto, about what I'd do after I kill you" Sasuke smirked, as he looked at the man he once considered a friend. "Maybe, I'll finish off Kakashi, or Sakura, that's if the other Uchiha haven't already done so."
Naruto ignored the hurtful words. He wouldn't rise to it.
"I know" Sasuke continued, "I'll kill that wife of yours and that unborn brat. Can't have anymore Uzumaki's running around can I?"
Naruto's face changed at that moment. His eyes screwed up and he began to shake uncontrollably. He then screamed, releasing years of anger he'd built up and was surrounding by a shroud of chakra, resembling the fox spirit within him. Naruto then opened up his arms, and Kurama's mouth with it. An orb of black chakra soon formed in front of him, aimed at Sasuke. Naruto didn't say a word, his anger completely controlling him.
What a fool Sasuke thought, as he watched Naruto prepare to attack. I'll be able to dodge that easily, and then when he's all out of chakra I'll finish him off. Still, it's an exciting ending.
Sasuke blinked and activated his jutsu, trying to slow down time once more. However, he then came to a horrible realization.
Shit! I don't have enough chakra left to use Izanami. Guess I'll have to handle this a different way.
Sasuke then summoned his ethereal guardian, the Susano'o, in it's full form. He positioned the shield it held, the Yata Mirror, in front of himself for protection.
"Try it Naruto" he screamed, "let's see you destroy this!"
Without waiting to be asked again, Naruto launched the attack at Sasuke. The great ball of chakra and the shield clashed, with the sound echoing 100km in each direction. Both Naruto and Sasuke pushed back, desperately trying to win this battle.
The shield is cracking Sasuke thought, as he observed the small holes forming in front of him. I'm going to have to use more of my own chakra to maintain it.
Sasuke covered up the cracks, but struggled to keep it up. However, Naruto wasn't having an easy time either.
Kurama, I can't break through Naruto cried, I need to use as much of your chakra as I can.
Naruto increased the power of the attack, while Sasuke continued to suppress. The mountain around them began to crack under the sheer pressure of the exchange, before it was destroyed altogether, with pieces of rock falling all around them.
No, the shields about to break Sasuke screamed to himself as he watched his ultimate defense crumble. I'm going to have to release the all of my chakra to deflect this.
I need to put all of my own chakra into this if I'm going to overpower that shield Naruto thought, as he pushed back. Both Naruto and Sasuke screamed as their attacks collided and the famous Valley of the End was reduced to rubble.