Disclaimer: See previous chapters

-0-

Kakashi looked seriously pissed…

True, it was only for a moment, but it wasn't often that Kakashi ever lost his composure. In fact, short of reading the newest issue of Icha Icha, the copy-nin rarely, if any, ever lost his cool (a fact Guy constantly rags him about), even in the face of danger and death. So it was something to for Sakura to see Kakashi's face morph (which was doubly impressive considering its masked) into one of deep irritation.

"Do you realize how reckless your action was?"

Naruto's eyes were low, but he didn't reply. Beside him, Sakura watched the exchange as quietly as Naruto, more or less. Internally, she was fuming as much as Kakashi (Inner Sakura was on the verge bashing Naruto clear out of the island), but as upset with him at what he had done, she really couldn't blame him for it.

She was about to do the same thing herself…

-(Back, one hour ago)-

Silently leaving the camp, Sakura spared a glance to look at her team who were currently sleeping. Naruto, in particular, was sprawled out on his sleeping bag. With a rueful smile, medic-nin turned and rushed away from the camp. She knew what she was planning was borderline crazy, but she had to do this.

She would challenge Goro…

Even though she suffered a defeat in Mortal Kombat, she still had a chance to face the champion. With her strength and abilities, there was a good chance she could match the brute strength Goro possessed. But she knew that brute strength alone wouldn't be enough; she witnessed that firsthand. But that's why her sensei drilled into her evasion and quick analysis.

And if worse came to worse, she had her trump card…

She just hoped she wouldn't have to use it…

Swiftly and silently, Sakura made her way toward the palace grounds. Since no one has yet to make the challenge, she shouldn't have any problems in asking. The downside would be facing Shang Tsung himself to do so, something that she is not looking forward to. That guy is as creepy to her as Orochimaru.

Maybe even more so…

Steeling herself for this confrontation, Sakura finally made her way to the palace and toward the doorway. But as she did, she was surprised to see the sorcerer already standing there outside. 'Was he expecting me to show up?' But that thought was quickly dispelled when she saw that Shang Tsung was not alone.

"Naruto?"

True enough, Sakura found the orange-clad shinobi standing in front of the sorcerer. Naruto turned her head to her, but didn't face her fully. Meanwhile, Shang Tsung watched the display with seeming disinterest, but his mind was already taking in the details as she rushed up toward Naruto.

"Naruto, what are you doing here?"

Her question was answered by Shang Tsung, who seemed amused by her confusion "This boy has just issued a challenge to face Goro."

'He did what?!' Immediately, she grabbed Naruto by the cuff of his jacket and pulled him up. "What are you doing? Are you insane?!"

"I'm sorry, but I had to do this."

Sakura blinked in surprise, not merely by his response, but by the somber tone and expression he used. By that alone, she realized that he was dead serious. Her eyes began to shine with tears, but that was pushed aside by aggravation.

"But you can't do that! I won't let you!"

"Alas, he can." Shang Tsung intervened, taking a step closer to the two. "He is bound by the rules of Mortal Kombat and has earned the right to do so; more so than you, little girl."

Sakura glared at him, but knew that the sorcerer was right. Naruto hasn't lost any of his matches of the tournament. His bout against Raiden was the closest thing that could have counted, but the thunder god forfeited the match in Naruto's favor, keeping his record as Flawless Victory.

"However…I have yet to accept his challenge."

Frowning, Naruto turned to him, breaking out of Sakura's hold in the process. "Why not?"

"Honestly, I find the thought absurd. To have the champion contending with a…child is for all accounts, ridiculous." A sardonic smile lifted up from his wrinkled lips. "Are you really that eager to die?"

"I'm not the one who's going to die." Naruto bravely replied.

The smile of the sorcerer's face deepened. "I see. How noble of you to want to protect your friends. I would expect such heroic foolishness. But know this…" The smile disappeared and was replaced with sinister sneer. "Goro WILL crush you, just like your other friend."

Sakura felt herself stiffen on hearing those words. The horror that came from the first match with the champion was still in her mind. She turned to Naruto, worried about how he would take it, but to her surprise and awe, Naruto remained steadfast, with a look on his eyes that she had seen many times before; that look of unwavering determination. It was so clear that she practically knew what his next words were going to be.

"I won't back down. I'll never give up."

"This is unexpected."

In an undisclosed location, Kisame and Itachi conversed on the recent news. Word of Naruto's challenge to Goro quickly spread throughout the island. It was interestingly enough that it came up so quickly. Before this, no one seemed eager to take up the challenge themselves, revealing that no one would do so, at least not yet. At best, someone would have made the challenge near the time limit either out of desperation or ignorance. So for someone to do so early on was a surprise.

Even more so given that the challenge came from a certain knucklehead ninja…

"Quite. To think that brat would pick a fight with Goro."

That much at least, Itachi found less surprising. His few encounters with Naruto indicated that the Nine-Tails jinchuuriki was somewhat of a braggart, especially recalling his proclamation at the beginning of the tournament. -He barks louder than he bites…- Still, that 'bite' could be considerate seeming as how he earned the right to face Goro. But the Akatsuki couldn't afford to take chances.

"Interference during the match will be impossible. We will have to improvise."

Kisame rubbed his chin in thought "It would be best to deal with this after the match then, when the brat loses."

"It will be a risk, but that will be our option" Itachi agreed. The decision could possibly bring grave consequences. There could be rule violation in their plan, but there wasn't anything specific against it, so they would have to take that chance. If Naruto fails to defeat Goro, then he would be at the mercy of the sorcerer, and the Akatsuki could not let that happen.

"Shang Tsung must be eliminated."

-This will be the moment.-

Elsewhere on the island, Sub-Zero had learned about the upcoming battle against Goro. While the fight itself was of no consequence to him, the fact that it seems to be generating a great deal of interest was both an opportunity and a hint of curiosity. To think that the second championship match would take place so quickly and that the opponent was a whelp of a ninja…

It's almost laughable.

Still, he could sense the unusual power in the kid. If he was distraction enough, it will give the Lin Kuei enough time to set up for his mission. In fact, with all of the interest in this match, it seemed that Shang Tsung has a personal stake in it, meaning that his attention will be more focused on it and less focused on anything else.

The perfect time for an assassin…

With this in mind, Sub-Zero prepared himself for the coming battle, his legs crossed and hands held upright, with a thick mist of cold flowing up from them as he concentrated. He had to make sure his first attack was quick and final, but he couldn't take the chance should the sorcerer prove more resistant. Surprise will have to be on his side and he had to make sure Shang Tsung doesn't have time to recover if that is the case. He will only have one shot at this and he will have to make it count.

His mission is clear; has always been was from the start…

Shang Tsung is to be eliminated…

"You honestly think that kid's gonna win?"

Grouped together, the Black Dragons contemplated their next move. After hearing about the next championship match, Kano decided that this would be the right time to move on their target, Liu Kang. Typically, they would have carried on the deed right away. Murdering another person, innocent or otherwise, is common with them if the pay is good (it is a criminal organization after all). However, their 'request' from Shang Tsung hinders them from doing so. They had to wait for a certain time before they can do that.

So until then, there was a fight to entertain them.

"I doubt it" Kano replied. "But either way, it will be quite the show."

"Is that before or after that kid becomes roadkill?"

The Black Dragon leader grinned "That's what I'm looking to see."

Entering his balcony, Shang Tsung strode smugly into the night sky. His plans were coming through more smoothly, albeit quickly than he anticipated. Setting up the match between Goro and Tobias was nothing short of brilliance, but the fact that the jinnchuriki delivered himself to him so early was an unexpected treat. Of course, once the boy was defeated, Shang Tsung would have to deliver the final opponent to Goro, who will finish the poor victim and retain his title.

…Thus putting in the final nail of the coffin in the hopes of Earthrealm…

A rumble of thunder and a flash of light illuminated behind him brought a smug smirk to the sorcerer's wrinkled face. Turning around, he faced the thunder god and folded his arms behind his back, a posture of assurance.

"The mere fact that you have appeared before me at all betrays you, Raiden" he started as he took in Raiden's pensive face. "You're worried, and you have every reason to be and more. When this tournament is over, my master will claim this realm. And you will not be able to stop it."

"As if you have any care for your master" Raiden retorted. "We both know what you really want."

A dark chuckle came from the sorcerer "Yes. And you have graciously given it to me, on a silver platter no less." His eyes lifted in mock thought. "Actually to be fair, he practically and willingly gave himself to me, with you unable to stop it in any way. Just like your previous Chosen. Just like Kung Lao." His smirk soon turned into a sadistic grin "A helpless god with no power to save the very realm he has been entrusted to."

Despite the (obvious) barbs, Raiden's voice remained even. "You will not win."

"You're in no position to stop me" Shang Tsung egged on. "And we both know it. "

"We'll see about that" was the last word of the conversation before Raiden disappeared in a bolt of lightning.