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-------------------------------------------Shattered Illusion : Copy Of a Ninja : Chapter 04
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Once more Naruto experienced the curious sensation of the ninetails taking control of his chakra. It was a particularly complex weave this time, even with his unique sight it was undecipherable. This matter only distracted the boy for a moment though, as he soon found himself enmeshed within a foreign chakra construct.

Quickly, he made a comprehensive scan of the area, taking in every detail. The Uchiha survivor lay sprawled haphazardly on the rough surface of the bridge, sprinkled liberally with the deadly needles of his opponent, for all the world appearing dead. Unlikely that, Naruto doubted that one such as he would meet his end in a place like this. Hanging perhaps halfway up within the chakra construct was his opponent, seemingly unconcerned with Naruto, his full attention remained focused on the defeated Uchiha.

This was a mistake.

Taking note of his icy prisons dimensions, Naruto calculated a rough estimate.

It was perhaps ten feet in diameter, well within range. The vapour given off by the slowly melting ice was just an added bonus, allowing the jutsu to be performed with little effort. Reaching out with his spirit, Naruto gathered the hundreds of thousands of vapour molecules within his aura. Carefully bonding each of them in just the right fashion. Finally, satisfied with the volume, the boy unleashed one of his most potent jutsu. Huge invisible blades lashed out in every direction from his body, pulverising everything in their path.

The hardened ice of the mirrors was shattered as so much glass, and his opponent was flung with such force that he slid back a further ten feet after hitting the ground. Naruto reached down to his hip holster, taking out his kunai and prepared to finish off the still insensate ninja.

Unfortunately, Naruto was unable to capitalise on the opportunity. It was at that moment that he was bombarded with the memories of the now dismissed clone. The battle between Iruka and the rogue Chuunin, Iruka's acknowledgement, his clones instatement as a genin, Konohamaru and his friends, being allocated to team 7, the innumerable Class D missions.

The stream of memories, seemed to go on forever, but in reality was only momentary. When he finally came back to himself, Naruto found the young ninja, Haku from the new memories, pulling himself to his feet.

Grinning in anticipation, Naruto slowly walked out from within the rapidly melting chunks of ice. This was what he had been waiting for, a true battle, strength against strength. It was the true beginning for the young ninja, the final proof that he had changed.

"Get up, that was only the beginning."

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His body still protesting the abuse, Haku struggled to stay on his feet. He made himself keep eye contact with the slowly approaching boy, in the hopes to extend this brief period of respite. It could not last though; even now Haku could hear the sounds of battle from within the encroaching mist.

He had to hurry.

Forcing himself to ignore the pain, Haku tore the mask from his face, searching for every advantage. There was little doubt in his mind that his opponent could easily overpower him, so he would have to rely on speed. To this day the only one to yet match him was the Uchiha heir, surely he would not meet two such people on the same day. Hoping to fool the boy in front of him, Haku quickly created a water clone, and within the same heartbeat sprang forward.

Naruto wasn't fooled, the clone was easily detected with the unique eyesight he had gained. Nonetheless, he was unprepared for the shear speed of the other boy, and caught a direct blow to the temple. The power behind the blow was not enough though and even as he began to fly back, Naruto used the momentum to perform a full crescent kick in mid-air, catching Haku a glancing blow on the left ribcage.

The ninja was knocked sideways, across the floor toward the side of the bridge. Naruto, his right shoulder lowered, ran lightly after the spinning body, his kunai held before him in preparation to strike.

Haku, tumbled head over heels, came up to his feet facing Naruto. He withdrew a needle with his left hand, and made a flickering movement with his right.

Naruto ducked and leapt at the same time. Something no more than the size of a pea arced high into the air. Luckily, Haku had been slightly off balance when he had tossed it and, instead of landing at Narutos feet, the object landed two feet behind him. Nevertheless, the resulting mini-blast blew Narutos kunai from his grasp, as it tore away a foot square section of concrete.

Immediately Haku hurled himself toward Naruto, who was still scrambling away from the percussion of the explosion.

In the periphery of his vision, Naruto saw Haku coming. He was vulnerable and he knew it. No textbook defence was possible from his position, not against someone as skilled as Haku. His decision was made in a split second. He propelled his body obliquely upwards, using his palms, arms and shoulders for power, and, twisting, his soles caught Hakus fingers as they curled around the hilt of the needle. The sheer force of the blow forcing the hand open, the weapon spun out of his grip and away.

Haku knew that he was at the extreme end of his time limit. A new factor had been added that he had not counted on. Zabusa had been defeated; even now the concealing mist was fading. Naruto needed nothing more than a stalemate, while he on the other hand-

He attacked high with a rapid series of strikes aimed for Narutos throat, but he was balked and he began to sweat hard. He let a pair of blows in, cushioning them with chakra, and doubled over, feigning more pain than he felt. His right hand, in cover, darted within his belt, palming another tiny sphere.

This time he must make no error of judgement in his throw.

He turned his head fractionally to get a fix on his opponents position, and that was when Naruto knew. He threw himself from his opponent at the same time as Haku launched the sphere, diving back, desperately seeking distance. Suddenly, he heard a tiny popping sound behind him.

He hit the floor just as the explosion came.

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-------------------------------------------Done. Comments Welcome.