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-------------------------------------------Shattered Illusion : Copy Of a Ninja
: Chapter 03
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Pain. It lanced through him.
His body felt as though his very bones were trying to burst through his skin. It was unbearable, he couldn't think, couldn't breath, he could only scream out in torture.
It was unending. How long had it been, he did not know, when finally it stopped.
Even then, his body still throbbed.
His bones felt uncomfortable, out of place within the skin, straining against his muscles.
It was very disconcerting, but thankfully this to faded over time.
Only then was Naruto aware of the strange new world that his gaze revealed. Colour was everywhere. As though someone had taken a highlighter pen and added emphasis to everything.
Chakra.
He could see it!
Even around his own body, there was that previously unknown addition. Swirling chaotic red battling a startling icy blue, it was an uneven battle, but never-ending. So this was it, his spirit, this unnatural mixture of two fundamentally opposed forces. It was so strong, the inky red literally pulsed, clawing at all that came in contact. It was it's nature really, partially his own. To break all barriers, tear down what once was whole, glorious wanton destruction.
No.
That was his rage talking, he had been warned.
Mindless bestial rage laid down that path, he was better then that.
You must harness this rage; it is part of you now. Make it a focus, something to hone your concentration. I can show you the way, but it is you that must do it.
Panting with the effort of leashing such primitive emotion, Naruto agreed.
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It was almost a week before he returned to training, his concentration was initially that hard to maintain. But when he finally mastered the rage, his clarity of thought was unbelievable.
Armed with this new focus, Naruto once again turned to his chakra training.
With his new sight, the boy could carefully watch the intricate flows that each jutsu required. This experimentation lead to new discoveries for him, his particular favourite being a modification of the teleport jutsu.
Instead of moving his aura to the indicated point, Naruto created a bridge between the two points. The size of this bridge could be controlled, the size of a fist, or much larger, it was all the same. The possibilities this revealed were endless.
The bridge allowed any defence to be bypassed.
Taijutsu from long range!
The only problem was that it would be dangerous to perform in group-combat. As one experiment proved, the edges of the bridge were razor sharp. Passing a stick over the barrier cleanly separated it, one half falling at the entry the other at the exit. Another problem was that the direction could not be changed. If you opened the bridge facing an object it could only exit still facing the object.
Still it was a great jutsu.
The other modification he made was not nearly so great but he still liked it. It was only misdirection really; he mastered his control over the water vapour blades such that he could make it appear as though a weapon was required. His favourite application being via his katana, this created three long focused blades stretching 30 feet. Creating the illusion of claw marks, he could just imagine the reaction of the older generation back in the village.
He couldn't wait.
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A few days after this new discovery his life was changed once more.
Naruto was lying before the pond, basking in the sunshine. The fine mist generated by the falls keeping him cool and refreshed, when he was suddenly rocked with a strange feeling, as though chakra was flowing back to him from a great distance.
We must hurry; the clone is about to die. He has gotten in a fight far beyond his abilities. My link with the clone allows me to switch the two of you. We will no longer be able to stay here.
After this our subterfuge will be discovered. I think it is best if I dispel the clone after transit. You will need to maintain focus, as when the clone is dispelled you will suddenly gain all of his memories.
Naruto was startled, but nonetheless happy. Finally, a challenge to his abilities.
"I am fine with that, what is the situation"
He is entrapped within a bloodline limit ability. One of his companions is down, unconscious, and he is on his last legs.
Naruto thought on this a few moments, he had all of his main weapons on him, Kunai in its hip holster, Katana strapped to his back, shurikan in his belt pouch. He was ready as he would ever be.
"Fine, I am ready, let's go."
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Haku looked down upon his two opponents from within the ice fortress that his mirrors created. The young boy had been a true threat, gifted with a bloodline limit like himself. Able to track his movements within the ice fortress, something that even Zabusa could not do.
Still, Haku could not kill him, it would be such a waste of life, but he had to be stopped, so he once again applied his medicinal knowledge to take the boy out of the fight. He would be unconscious for around half an hour, his bloodflow restricted, recovery before that time was impossible.
The threat gone, Haku once more turned toward the blond haired boy that he met in the clearing. They were so similar, Haku himself had often dreamed of becoming a ninja. Even so, Zabusa was his precious person, and he was in trouble.
Sympathy went only so far.
Taking a needle in hand once more, he prepared to take this boy out of the equation.
Only to be blown back by a sudden explosion, his mirrors shattered into a thousand pieces.
The feeling of the place changed. There was an overwhelming bloodlust focussed upon him.
Where had it come from! Who was it! Damn it he couldn't lose here! He would not fail!
Gathering himself was an effort, but the young man finally pulled himself to his feet. He turned to confront the new threat.
It was the boy, the carefree one in the orange outfit. Only it wasn't. The boy before him looked the same at first glance, but was much more physically developed and had strangely slitted eyes that seemed to look through him. He had a gleeful expression on his face as well, not the scared wariness of the other boy. It couldn't be him. Suddenly the newcomer spoke.
"Get up, that was only the beginning."
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-------------------------------------------Done. Comments Welcome.