The Shadow Wars
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A/N: The conflict between when I said that Sasuke was missing and when I said he was watching Naruto and Yokure's fight doesn't technically conflict since I said that the Konoha shinobi couldn't find him. But Sasuke could probably hide on the top of the stadium without being noticed, since everyone's focused on the fight. Plus I needed Sasuke to see the fight, as it'll set up the next arc.
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Chapter 23
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Naruto and Yokure charged at each other. Behind Naruto went all his Bunshins, while Yokure's scalpel hand glowed slightly in the shadow of the overhang. Suddenly, Naruto leaped into the air, three of the clones behind him. Silently, the real Naruto offered his hand so as to perform his Rasengan. Although he knew how to perform it without clones, he needed to make sure that he could use one hand to direct his phalanx to attack. Of course, the clones weren't doing well against Yokure's dissection technique. None of them could get within range of Yokure. But that didn't matter.
Naruto only needed enough time to get a full-strength Rasengan. He intended to use it to destroy Yokure quickly.
Yokure spotted Naruto's feint, and slashed all the clones into clouds of smoke. Suddenly, he jumped up, and his blade hand began glowing. Then, he slashed, sending a wave of chakra at Naruto.
Naruto was hit full force with the wave, and ended up flying into the ground full force. "Kuso... I can't let Yokure win like this..." he muttered, and was immediately surrounded by red chakra.
"So, the boy is using Kyuubi... This could get interesting." Yokure thought. "But, if the seal breaks, I'm done for."
Immediately, Naruto ran at Yokure, who entered a defensive stance. Yokure dropped his dissection technique, favoring a more natural fighting style. Upon contact, Naruto began throwing punches and kicks, which Yokure blocked with all the skill expected from a Chuunin of such skill. But Naruto attacked with all the fury he had built up over the years, as he went from humiliation to humiliation back in his Academy days.
Suddenly, Yokure jumped back, and began charging a powerful jutsu. His hand began glowing, like a red-hot spike. Then he rushed forward, and tapped Naruto in the face.
"Gah!" Naruto yelled. When Yokure removed his hand, a large burn was on his face. "You'll pay for that!" With that, Naruto put his hands together. "Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Immediately, the ring was filled with clones of Naruto. They all rushed in, and Yokure was forced to block attacks from all sides. One of the clones hit Yokure full-force, sending the latter into a wall.
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"Wow... Where'd Naruto-kun get this much power?" Sakura thought, amazed at Naruto's fight.
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"Chikshoo... How is this possible? Dead-last... Fighting like this? IMPOSSIBLE!" Sasuke thought angrily. Suddenly, he saw the huge, red eye, and knew what it was to him. It was the way to surpass Naruto and kill Itachi. The secret variant of Sharingan. Satisfied with his discovery, he jumped away.
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Yokure and Naruto began dueling with their kunai. Darting rapidly, the two began a fierce battle that stained the arena red with their blood. Their kunai clanged together with every block, and whizzed with every cut. Every time they broke apart, the audience got a glimpse at the progress of this immense battle. Both had gashes so deep that they would've been admitted to a hospital on the spot.
"Just give up, Uzumaki Naruto!" Yokure yelled, malice ringing in every syllable.
"Only if you do first, Hanara Yokure!" Naruto replied, rushing in again with his kunai. Yokure parried and drew a second kunai out of his holster. He then ducked low and stabbed Naruto in the stomach.
"Hah. As if you could defeat me, Naruto!" Yokure taunted, kicking the wounded Naruto in the chest. Naruto flew into the wall, leaving a tremendous dent in it.
Naruto threw his kunai, which Yokure dodged, smirking. Naruto staggered weakly toward Yokure, who began throwing kunai at Naruto until there were none left.
Yokure then ran at Naruto, and began beating his opponent senseless. With each hit, Sakura flinched, watching in horror. When Yokure stopped, Naruto was on the ground, battered and bloody.
But he wasn't broken yet.
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A/N: Sorry for the delay and the cliffhanger, but this seemed like it would be a rather dramatic spot to end this chapter. Next chapter will focus more on Sasuke and the Sharingan that he had been seeing throughout his paralysis.
Also, credit goes to SuPeRfReAk for the character of Yashida Iki. He was the only one who provided a claim to the contest back in the first arc.