AN: Writer's block is the worse. Either that or I'm just being lazy (which I hate). I am going to complete this fanfic if I have to beat my brain into submission to do it (unless something terrible happens to me in which, I apologize in advance). Now that that's been said…

Disclaimer: See previous chapters

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On the rim of the audience watching the match, Kakashi felt himself mentally shaking his head at Naruto's recklessness while at the same time surprised that Goro was able to detect Naruto through his clones. He should be used to Naruto's idiosyncrasies by now, but seeing the young jinchuuriki rushing into toward Goro was just borderline crazy. 'But it is Naruto after all'. His approach was quite different from the young fighter who fought Goro in the previous match (obviously), but perhaps that is a good thing. Naruto will not make the same mistake. He just hoped it will not result in the same result.

Wait…

It was at this moment that Kakashi realized that Naruto did have a slight, but significant advantage. From his interrogation from one of the shadow priests, Kakashi knew that Naruto was the main target of Shang Tsung; a mention of the soul of the Nine-Tails. That means that Shang Tsung must need Naruto alive to serve his purposes, just as the Akatsuki is targeting him for their purposes. In this case, that means that Goro may show some restraint, wanting to defeat Naruto, but not kill him. Of course, how much restraint is entirely up to Goro and also whether or not Naruto can even be able to deal with the champion's strength is a factor as well. In any event, only one possibility is what the copy-nin really hopes for.

Naruto has to win…

With a snort, Naruto straightened up and fully got back up to his feet. The assault Goro unleashed on him was hard to counter with his substitution jutsu. More startling, somehow the champion was able to detect Naruto through his shadow clones. 'Does he have a Byakugan as well?' But even if that was true, visual jutsu would still have trouble trying to determine who the real Naruto is. Could it be that Goro's eyesight was even greater?

"Submit, whelp. Your puny tricks won't work against me."

Naruto blinked in surprise. This was the first time the half human-dragon has spoken, openly to the public audience. Since his first appearance in the tournament, Goro had been silent, short of growls and roars. Perhaps due his monstrous appearance, one would forget that Goro was much more than that. In either event, Naruto stood defiant against the champion (as Naruto usually does).

"No way. I'll never back down."

"You will" Goro rumbled. "I'll make sure of that."

In a single bound, the champion suddenly lunged in at Naruto. The young shinobi barely had time to react, but fortunately, his instincts kicked in enough for him to somersault away as Goro nearly brought him down with twin hammerfists, decimating the ground upon impact. Naruto recovered, but Goro pressed on the aggression, quickly rushing in and attacking again. Once more, Naruto dodged, but not as nimbly as before, a hint Goro noticed and capitalized on by rushing in again with twin backfists. Although the hit was indirect, that and the sudden rush of air that came from it after threw Naruto off-balance and he was hurled to the ground.

Hitting the dirt, Naruto forced himself to roll and land on his feet. His teeth grit together, both from the impact to the ground as the glancing blow from the champion. That hurt a bit more than he thought; a lot more. Needless to say, taking a direct hit would be really, really bad. The image of Tobias and the carnage of that match came to mind, rekindling that rage and anger that he felt and for a moment, his eyes became slits and the usual blue turned to fiery red.

-"It's not about control... It's about accepting."-

Breathing calmly, Naruto settled the violent intent, but not completely; just enough to focus his mind on the fight. Using kage-bushins had little to no effect, especially considering that he can detect him through them. No matter; it just means he'll have to try harder. Crossing his hands and fingers, Naruto focused his chakra, adding the Nine-Tails chakra into the jutsu.

'Tajuu Kage Bushin No Jutsu!' ('Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!')

'Baka…' ('Idiot…')

Despite his earlier comment and initial thoughts, he couldn't help but watch the match between Naruto and Goro. Watching the champion effortlessly demolishing Naruto's shadow clones was impressive (and mildly amusing), but he was someone disturbed on seeing Goro's detection through the clones to Naruto. Clearly his visual prowess was incredibly sharp, without any aid of a kekkei-genkai, as far as Sasuke could see. So it was outright foolishness in his mind to see his former teammate use that same technique again when it clearly didn't work against Goro the first time. It didn't matter if Naruto used a hundred clones to fight.

-'Zero times zero is still zero!'-

Of course, he also knew that Naruto had more than useless copies under his belt. He had that feral power that Sasuke had the un-fortune of contending with first-hand. What is unusual is the fact that Naruto has yet to use that power. It's clear that Goro has him outmatched, so why is he holding back? Of course, it is possible that that power was still not enough to deal with the champion and his fearsome strength. He wasn't there during the first match, but there was enough talk to know that Goro was not a creature to trifle with.

The Uchiha scowled mentally. He should be focused on finding his despised elder brother, not his idiotic former teammate. But it can't be helped. If what Karin said is true, then finding Itachi during this battle would be more than difficult, especially the longer the fight lasts. There was no choice, but to wait for it to end.

It didn't help his shortening patience any though…

Snorting in derision, Goro glared at the multiple copies of Naruto that practically covered his entire front line of vision. Surely, the brat must understand that his cheap parlor-trick of a technique won't work on him. His master had already informed him of the supposing fearsome power that was inside him, but to think that it was given a weak use hurt his pride somewhat.

And pride is important to the prince of the Shokan…

As the horde of the young shinobi charged in, Goro once again readied his stance. He already knew how to deal with this barrage. It was only a matter of detecting the real from the others amid the group, which if perceptive enough, can be accomplished quite easily based on their tells and their motions. The first group was easily dispatched through use of his earlier technique, combining both defensive block and offensive blows in a succession so quick it appeared as though he had done both at the same time. As they became puffs of smoke, the next batch charged in from both above and below.

'A two-pronged attack…'

Seeing this, Goro went in on the offensive and practically stomped through the next set of clones, his attacks smoothly and methodically demolishing each and every clone in his path with relatively ease. As Goro finished off the second and third wave of clones, he soon noticed that the fourth wave seemed to consolidate together, making a literal wall of orange and black that he couldn't see pass. Not only that, but it seemed that they weren't charging in recklessly as before, but rather in formation. Those two factors hinted the Shokan toward one obvious conclusion.

The true one was concealed behind them…

Deflecting two clones at came at him from behind at the same time, Goro rushed in toward the wall. The duplicates appeared surprised, but nevertheless they crossed their arms in defense. That proved pointless as Goro broke through the defense of clones, with many of them becoming puffs of smoke in a very violent manner. Behind them was as expected, the sole Naruto, his hands crossed in order to use his technique once again.

Goro decided not give him the opportunity…

With a quick breath, Goro let loose a concussive fireball. Amazingly, Naruto quickly flipped toward the projectile and in mid-roll and just a foot over Goro, the shinobi dropped down an axe-kick on the champion's head. Or at least, it should have hit hadn't Goro managed to raise one of his arms and block the blow. Then with one of his lower arms, he delivered a powerful blow into the stomach of the jinchuuriki, forcing him to gasp.

And then disappear in a puff of smoke…

Goro snarled as he realized that he had been tricked and turned about to find two Naruto's closing in at him, both looking feral and holding together a massive ball of intense energy. Goro was too close to evade or escape and the ball of energy hit him right at his core, all the while the Naruto and his clone let out a raging yell as the ball exploded, enveloping the champion in a sphere of blinding light.

'Wow! Never seen that kind of Rasengan before…'

To her honesty though, the only time Sakura had seen it was during the first fight between Naruto and Sasuke, and she had barely took notice of it as she was too busy rushing in to stop them from colliding into each other. Still, it doesn't change the awe she had at watching Naruto outright blast Goro with his jutsu. And judging from the gasps she heard from the others in the crowd around her, she wasn't alone in that awe.

So what happened next was even more shocking…

A rush of air and a loud howl suddenly dispelled the light and energy of the jutsu. Naruto and his clone were equally shocked as Goro powered through the jutsu, grabbed both of them, and smacked them together before hurling them heavily to the ground. The force from both attacks was enough to disperse the clone, while the real Naruto gasped in pain. Identifying the real Naruto, Goro quickly lifted his leg and stomped down, putting the shinobi into a crater.

"Naruto!"

Unconsciously, Sakura stepped toward the arena, only to be stopped by Kakashi who placed a hand on her shoulder, all the while his face remained tense, but his eyes focused as he watched the match continue on. Miraculously, Naruto was still alive when Goro lifted his foot away, but to say he was in trouble was an understatement. Indeed, as Goro picked up the fallen jinchuuriki by the cuff of his jacket, she could see his battered body and pained expression.

'Come on, Naruto! Get up!'

Naruto's body stirred, giving relief and hope to the young kunoichi. However, that soon changed into worry when an aura of orange chakra formed around Naruto like a cloak, with the end of it forming behind him in the form of a tail. Kaksahi's hand tightened on her, but what had her attention more was the sudden rise of violent intent and menace that brimmed from Naruto's form. The now clawed hands of the jinchuuriki reached up and grabbed hold of Goro's arm, with Naruto roaring in rage.

…Only to be silenced by a merciless head-butt…