(Hi, guys. Welcome to my next installment where Naruto will be taking on number five of the tailed beasts team.)
One Friday at the end of school hours, Naruto and Sasuke were leaving the building, as Naruto spoke, "How do you think you did on Iruka-sensei's test?"
"I actually think I did pretty good. How about you?"
"I'd rather not think about it." Naruto answered, wanting to put it behind him so he could relax for a weekend.
"Well, Kisa's going with her friends to Avaron's, so that leaves us." Sasuke said.
"Yeah, wanna grab a slice?" Naruto offered.
"You buying?"
"We'll split it."
Sasuke sighed knowing that's as far as he'll go, "Deal." they headed off.
Soon they were outside their favorite pizza parlor having a slice, "So, Naruto, what do you think we should do for this weekend?"
"We could invite Shikamaru, Chouji, and Kiba for a guys night out?" Naruto suggested.
"Possibly," Sasuke admitted, "Though what would we actually do?"
Naruto pondered before answering, "I don't know." Sasuke face faulted.
"Is this seat taken?" a voice asked.
The two looked up and saw the towering figure of Han look down on them, "Uh, no." Naruto answered.
Han sat down, as Sasuke spoke, "Who're you?"
"My name is Han, and I've been waiting to meet you, Naruto Namikaze." he greeted him.
"Me? Why would you want to... Wait a minute, you're a tailed beast member, aren't ya?"
"Correct, number five to be exact."
"Well, nice to meetcha," Naruto greeted him back, "And this is my pal, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Sup?" Sasuke greeted.
"A pleasure." Han replied.
"So, number five..."
"Call me Han."
"Han, I can assume you came looking for me because it's time for me to be tested against you?"
"You assume correctly, Naruto."
"Well, better to get another one out of the way so I can get closer to fighting Kami."
Han raised a brow, "You seem very sure of yourself. Not overconfident I hope?"
"Not at all," he answered, "I mean the first four members I've fought were my toughest opponents yet, and I can already tell for sure you're gonna be twice as hard. Which means I'll really put more overtime into my training."
"Quite so." Han nodded.
"So where would you like to meet for our match?" Naruto inquired.
"Tomorrow at 5:00 P.M, Iwa High's gymnasium. The same place you fought Roshi."
"I'll be there." he answered.
"See that you do, and be prepared for what's in store for you." Han got up and took his leave.
Later on, Naruto was back at home relaxing in his bedroom, until Kisa walked in, "Hey, bro."
"Sup, sis?" Naruto asked, as he rested the back of his head on his hands while lying down.
"I just got back, so how was your day?" she asked, before plopping onto his bed.
"Well, I went to have a slice with Sasuke. Then the five tailed member of the Tailed beasts challenged me to a match tomorrow." he answered casually.
Kisa turned to him looking shocked, "WHAT?!"
"That's right." he nodded.
"When is this match?" she asked.
"Tomorrow at the Iwa High gym at five."
"And you're taking it easy now?!" she asked incredulously.
"Don't worry I was just about to wrap up my relaxation. If you need me I'll be down in the gym." he said, before leaving his room, as his sister watched him go.
Down in his basement, Naruto was working out by practicing his martial arts moves, while thinking, 'Han's the biggest member of the tailed beasts I've seen yet. I would assume he'd use brute strength just like Roushi does, but the way he told me to be prepared for what's in store means he's got a trick up his sleeve to use against me. Whatever he's got planned I need to be ready for.' he did a tornado kick.
When he stopped to take a breather he heard his cell beep. He opened it and saw a text from Tenten reading, 'Naruto, you're facing the five tailed member tomorrow?'
Naruto texted her back, 'How'd you know?'
Her next message was, 'Kisa texted me and the other girls about this.'
He sent her another message, 'Typical of her not wanting to keep a secret like this.'
'Well, me and the rest of the girls are going to be there, so I hope you don't mind.'
'Since when have I ever not wanted you or Samui to be there?'
'Point. Though I hope you don't mind having Kisa and her friends there either.'
'Not at all.'
'Good, hope you'll be ready.'
'Always.' their texting ended.
So Naruto joined his family for dinner, and he turned in early so he would be able to get up good and early for some morning practice before meeting up with Han.
When tomorrow came, Naruto got in some morning training, and some relaxation before it was time to head out. He left his room seeing Kisa was all set, "Ready?" Kisa asked.
"Ready." he confirmed.
And so the siblings took off and Naruto drove them both to Iwa high, where they saw Sasuke, Tenten, Samui, and Kisa's entourage waiting. When the two parked and got out the group came over, "Hey, guys." Tenten greeted them.
"Hi." Kisa greeted back.
"Are you ready, Naruto?" Samui asked.
"You bet I am." he nodded.
"Oh, this is gonna be so awesome!" Ayako cheered.
"I know, we're actually going to see Naruto pound a street fighter into the ground!" Akira jumped up and down excitedly.
"Easy, Akira." Avaron stopped her from jumping.
"I just hope no one gets hurt too badly." Chiyo said hopefully.
"Don't worry, Chiyo, I've never gotten so hurt it takes forever to recover from." Naruto chuckled.
"Well, that's good," Hiromi said, "Though if you get your clothes messed up please allow me to mend them."
"I'll keep that in mind." Naruto said.
"Well, let's go in." Sasuke said, as they all went into the gymnasium.
When they entered they saw Han sitting on the bleachers, while they saw some kind of small machine on the area of the court where the two fighters were to have their match.
Han seeing them enter, got off the bleachers and approached, "Welcome, Naruto. Glad you made it. And I see you brought friends."
"Yes, this is my sister Kisa. Tenten and Samui. You know Sasuke already. And this is Avaron, Chiyo, Ayako, Hiromi, and Akira."
"A pleasure ladies." Han greeted them.
"Please, the pleasure's ours, sir." Hiromi replied, being respectful.
"Now if you'll kindly take a seat here, Naruto and I can begin our match." Han instructed, as they went to sit on the bleachers.
"Ok, I'm ready." Naruto began, as he drummed his fingers.
"Not so fast, Naruto," Han interrupted him, "We're going to be fighting with a little twist."
"A twist?" he asked, as the group looked confused.
"Yes. We're going to fight in concealment, with the help of this fog machine I brought with." he motioned to the device.
"Concealment with a fog machine?" Naruto gasped, realizing what Han was going for.
"A blind battle." Sasuke realized.
"Clever." Tenten admitted.
"Oh, man!" Ayako whined, "So we're not going to even be able to see what happens?"
"I guess not a full view." Kisa answered.
"Well, this just ruins the fun of watching." Ayako grumbled, while crossing her arms.
"What can ya do?" Avaron asked, as the girls shrugged.
Han turned on the fog machine that started generating fog around the area where the two would fight. He approached Naruto, "Shall we?"
"Let's." Naruto answered, while hiding his sense of worry of fighting blind.
They entered the area with the group unable to see them in the fog. As the two stood inside the blanket of fog, Han's voice spoke, "For this match you will be forced to not rely on your eyes. Trust your other senses and they will guide you, but remember..." Naruto felt Han knock him from behind, and he landed on the ground, "Knowing where I am going to strike will not completely protect you."
'This seriously complicates things.' Naruto thought, as he looked around seeing the fog was so thick he couldn't even see his hand right in front of his face. And if Han was good at fighting without vision, then he would be in for it unless he came up with a plan.
(And there you go. Naruto's about to go up against Han, but with his vision useless in this fight will he be able to defeat the Five Tailed member? Tune in next time.)