It's been a while, but we're back!
Naruto was the victor, advancing to the next round.
Naruto sat alone outside of Dormitoy Two. He was behind the building, wanting the solitude of his presence. Sasuke and Sakura were eliminated from the Championship, Sasuke by Naruto's own hand.
He felt guilt and regret boil through him. Why did he get so angry? Why didn't he control it?
Uraya and Uneo were gone too, but now he had to worry about Yamamoto.
Naruto sighed, defeated.
Perhaps it would be wiser if he just pulled out of the competition and surrendered…
"I had a feeling I'd find you here."
Naruto jumped, "Kakashi Sensei?"
Kakashi was leaning against a tree trunk a few feet from Naruto. He wore his usual neutral expression, his novel tucked under his arm.
Naruto sat back down again, shoulders sagging, disappointment in himself clearly visible.
"You don't seem too happy considering you won, Naruto."
"Happy? How could I be happy? Sakura and Sasuke are out of the competition, all because of me."
"Your teammates entered this contest knowing the risks, as did you."
"But they didn't know Uraya and Uneo would be conspiring with Yamamoto against me for my chakra! That's not fair!"
"And you didn't know that either. None of you did. And it is unfair, I agree with you," Naruto dipped his head, eyes to the floor. Kakashi took a breath, "but your teammates chose to help you, they chose to remain a team."
Naruto looked up. Kakashi stood in front of him, an assuring presence, "I know I shouldn't be near the participant dormitories as a Jonin, but I had a feeling you needed to hear this, Naruto. You did not make Sasuke and Sakura protect you, they wanted to. I'm sure if roles were reversed, you would help your teammates the same way, wouldn't you?"
"Well, yeah…," Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "of course I would."
"Then I don't see why Sasuke and Sakura should be any different. I understand you feel bad, Naruto, but they will be fine. They're being cared for by the competition medics and will make a full recovery in no time. Meanwhile, you should be focused on how you're going to defeat Yamamoto and win this Championship."
"I can't win the Championship," Naruto shook his head, "not against Yamamoto and his lightning!"
"You have your chakra. Use it."
"But look what happened last time-"
"You won the Fearsome Fight. Sasuke was going to be defeated by you or Uneo and Uneo would've killed him. There was nothing else you could've done."
Naruto, "I guess…"
"You have only a few more competitors left to beat, Naruto. You can do this, you can be victor of the Skills Championship. I believe in you."
Kakashi was startled by a hug from the young shinobi. Naruto tightly wrapped his arms around his sensei's waist, "Thank you, sensei."
He quickly let go and ran off, "I'm gonna win this thing!"
Kakashi smirked as he watched him sprint away.
Naruto skirted around the building, pumped up, full of a newly found energy.
I'm going to win this! He encouraged himself fiercely.
As he rounded the corner, a force struck him from the side. Naruto hit the ground hard, seeing stars. He looked up, disoriented. Naruto didn't have a chance to retaliate before a bolt of lightning blasted before him. The impact sent him flying backwards, clothes smoking.
Yamamoto emerged from the shadows with an evil grin, "There you are. I've been waiting for you, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto struggled to his feet, senses on high alert. Yamamoto had sparks between his fingers, waiting for his chakra to conjure another blow. He took a step closer.
"This competition has gone on long enough wouldn't you say? I was waiting for the right moment to advance, hoping to rid of Uraya and Uneo sooner rather than later. I should thank you, you helped me with my task."
Naruto growled, gearing himself up for a fight.
"And your little teammates too. I guess I have you to thank for that as well," he chuckled.
"Leave them out of this. They were only trying to protect me."
"Big mistake," Yamamoto hissed and lunged forward. Naruto dodged the hit, turning and delivering a kick to his adversary's back. Yamamoto fell forward.
Naruto seized the opportunity, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Fifteen of his clones appeared before him, all piling on top of the fallen Yamamoto.
Naruto himself did not join the pile, knowing Yamamoto's next move. As his clones continued to fall upon the young shinobi, larger blue sparks emanated from beneath the pile. Naruto hid behind a tree, watching and waiting.
An enormous lightning blast sent his clones flying backwards, all of them disintegrating in mid-air as Yamamoto emerged, enraged.
He scanned his vicinity, not seeing Naruto among the fallen clones.
"Neat trick," Yamamoto grunted, "but you're going to have to do better than that."
Naruto remained hidden in the trees, watching Yamamoto stalk the grounds a few yards in front of him. He had to find the right opportunity, but now was not the time…
"My masters are waiting, Naruto, waiting to harness the power within you. You don't know what blessing you hold. You don't know how to use it, that much was clear at the Fearsome Fight. Give Kurama to me and my masters. We will utilize the demon's chakra to its full potential!"
"Never," Naruto snarled under his breath, "We will fight again, Yamamoto, but not here and not now."
Naruto turned and tore through the trees.