THE BATTLE FOR THE EARTH – NARUTO VS CLYDE
Naruto and Clyde's Starting Point
Clyde looks on in disbelief. For that exchange, had represented the will of the heavens in this fight. Of course, he can still rely upon facts to determine who will win this fight, he still believes that he will. He is a superstitious man though, that was a sign of the momentum if nothing else. Despite the terrible feeling that clings to Sarada's body, despite him trying everything he can to finish her off, she has survived. Not only that, but all the others have gotten away too, with only Hashirama suffering any sort of damage.
The General is shaking, such is his rage but Naruto is perfectly calm. The 7th Hokage has come so close to losing this fight on many occasions, his teammates have had to come near-insurmountable odds. Yet he is calm and the General is not. Any logical mind would label this impossible, how could such a set of events occur without divine intervention.
"How did you save her?" Clyde finally asks.
"It was strength. I could sense death all over her" Naruto explains, looking out the corner of his eyes towards his pupil, "It wasn't like normal. It was so dense. It was as if she was already dead".
Clyde finally calms down, analysing the situation he comes to a conclusion. 'So, he was able to sense that too'. The fact that Naruto can feel this is a testament to his ability to use the invaders' power. It is a sensation that can only be felt using their power, and only one captain-level warrior other than himself was able to feel it. That man was Captain Dred, the strongest of the Captains.
"But" Naruto smiles, "Life energy was good enough. I flooded her insides with it, chasing the death away".
The General experiences an emotion that is quickly becoming too familiar to him. Denial. He feels denial upon hearing Naruto's explanation. These circumstances lining up, it's inconceivable. Throughout all of history, only one person other than Naruto has comprehended the element of life. To do so is near impossible, for a second person to achieve it was thought impossible.
"I've already told you" Clyde clenches his fist as he shouts, "It's impossible for someone like you to have life as their element".
"Why… why of all people would you..." he continues.
A memory comes to Clyde, of when he and his men first arrived in this world. They had overrun the first village easily, they had no chance, the fight they put up was very poor. Evidently, this had spurred on the rest of the world. That day the hidden leaf village had sent two mighty warriors to battle Clyde. One dark-haired man with a single arm and strange eyes, the other with an ability to cloud himself in orange chakra, to take chakra from the surroundings.
"You were a hero who already died at my hands" Clyde starts, "That was you wasn't it. That was the you of this time who I killed. Yes, I have already beaten you before, haven't I, Uzumaki Naruto?".
"It's true" the 7th Hokage concedes with a depressed expression, "A General killed the me from this time. I guess that General could only have been you".
It had been perhaps the darkest day in the history of the village. The day that the most celebrated Hokage and the first shadow Hokage had left to fight Clyde. That day they had both used their full power and failed to win. That day Lee had taken on a Colonel with every gate unlocked and he had failed to win. That was the day which the hidden leaf village was thrown into a pit of darkness, a pit that they have come so close to escaping.
"Then, why" Clyde shakes his head, his voice changes slightly as Naruto spots a new emotion. A trace of sadness. "Why does this you understand the element of life?".
"Why did this you understand it and not that you" Clyde barks at Naruto, "How could a mere mortal like you understand it".
Despite constant exposure to the invaders' powers nobody had been able to understand their powers. Even the most prodigious of shinobi like Boruto and Sarada had no luck in comprehending it, not even simple elements like water. Of all people, it is Naruto who had so little exposure, and with just that he was able to gain critical insights into their power. Perhaps it is because he is the first one who fought toe to toe with a Colonel and survived. Perhaps it is because he is a genius sent by the heavens.
Or perhaps he has the reason himself.
"Tell me, truthfully" the General says, slightly out of breath from his previous shouting, "Who are you?".
Naruto looks away, he looks to the people who have accompanied him here, who have defined him. Lord 1st who defined his ninja way. Kakashi who has taught him and nurtured him. Boruto who placed his faith in him. Sarada who admired him. Elsewhere, there are others too. Hinata, Himawari, his mother, his father.
"I don't really get it either" Naruto admits. His latent ability to use their power is something that he cannot possibly understand. "But, as for who I am, I can only answer that in one way really".
Their eyes meet.
Naruto points to his headband with his thumb, grinning like a child.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto".
Clyde shakes his head. 'What's with that dumb answer?'.
"You are the one who has kept pushing me harder. And harder. And harder!" he steps forward, letting his stress flow out with his words. "You are not the only one you know. I told you that I am fighting for something important to me".
The General's entire golden darkness cloak seems to increase in intensity. An audible roar can be heard emanating from his body as he raises his power output to the highest level he can.
"Don't blame me if I don't hold back".
Naruto puts one leg back and bends his knees slightly.
"Here I come" the General shouts as he charges at Naruto.
The 7th Hokage makes sure to note every little thing that his opponent is doing, at this point the last thing he wants is to fall victim to any tricks. To lose a fight of intelligence, as a shinobi against a warrior, would be stupid. He notes how the enemy's fists are densely coated in the golden darkness energy that he has been using until now. It is clear that he is preparing to attack with some variety of punch or slap.
Of course, Naruto is ready to play that game. Not only does he coat his fists in life energy, he also coats his foot in it too. With a kick to the ground, the shinobi launches himself forward, approaching the already fast enemy with an even greater speed in the opposite direction. Only a few onlookers, Sarada, Boruto and Kakashi are able to follow this speed. However, everyone knows what is inevitably coming. All of those watching from afar will feel every hit rumbling through the ground. This will be it.
Naruto is the first to throw a punch, bound straight for Clyde's head. This punch is nothing to laugh at, if it connects it would be game over.
The punch doesn't connect though, the General had been expecting it. He is ready with several punches that he is assured are going to hit. Tens of hits turn into hundreds of hits, again and again he buries his fists into Naruto's chest and abdomen. Finally, he ceases his punches, concluding that to be enough.
Naruto's head hangs, his body doesn't move as he stands opposite Clyde. It would seem that he cannot even raise a fist. If he has died standing, he needs to be put on his back to win. To this end, the General takes a step towards Naruto, intent on pushing him over. He stretches his hand out slowly but is interrupted.
Life energy refocuses on Naruto's hands. "Do you… think that… is enough" the Hokage breathes out.
Awe.
Complete Awe.
That is all Clyde feels in this moment. He strengthens his resolve and focuses his energy onto his right hand. This is the first time in the fight he has focused so much power onto one point. His aura physically shrinks as he amplifies the golden darkness energy.
'This is my full power' Clyde screams in his head, 'TAKE THIS!'.
His hand moves through the air, creating a screeching noise as it make for Naruto's head.
ZOOM!
The full power attack…
…missed.
Naruto has ducked beneath this full power attack. Dropping his left shoulder and stepping forward, he closes the distance between himself and the now defenceless Clyde.
The General knows now. There is no way he is going to dodge these upcoming punches. Both of Naruto's fists are covered in life energy, just as his had been covered in golden darkness energy a moment ago.
'Uzumaki Naru…'.
BANG!
Naruto hits Clyde with a punch. He doesn't hold anything back. This is his full power.
BANG! Another.
'I'll get back up' Clyde tells himself.
BANG!
'I'll use my full power again'.
BANG!
'And I'll definitely'.
BANG!
'Definitely…'.
Naruto bends his knees, putting himself well below Clyde for his next punch. A near feral look can be seen in his eye as he unleashes everything he has upon the enemy. This is the man who has made this world hell for years. This is the man responsible for Mito's death. He unbends his knees and raises his fist up from below. He slams it into the underside of Clyde's chin.
An uppercut, sending Clyde flying into the air. Naruto quickly amplifies his speed by focusing life energy on his legs, he uses his maximum speed to arrive in Clyde's upward path. He has no time to switch the focus of his power back to his fists, after all he is only at the Captain level. He doesn't need to though. He concentrates his power in his legs and kicks Clyde downwards as hard as he can.
Sarada smiles.
Boruto gasps.
Tobirama grins.
Kakashi starts.
A small crater is formed but the General still manages to struggle to his feet after a few seconds.
When he struggles to his feet, Naruto is there waiting.
Clyde has no way to defend himself, he has no time to recover his energy reserves. He can but one thing, stand and take the upcoming hit.
A small whirl can be heard as Naruto creates a rasengan in his hand. Next after adding a slight spin to the blue chakra ball, life energy comes next. A three-layered attack, chakra, spin and the invader's power, all into one ball.
The two lock eyes in this fateful moment. Both know what is about to happen. Both know what is inevitably. But, they are fighters, fighters with honour. When you have honour, you look into your opponent's eyes until the very last second.
Then Naruto speaks.
"Get away... from our world…" he growls as he slams the energy ball into Clyde's chest.
"RASENGAN!".
Disbelief. Complete disbelief. Those watching from nearby. Those watching on the hill. The shinobi. The invaders. Everyone. As this attack connects with Clyde's chest, there is no way to defend against it, but this turn of events is still incredible.
Despite using his full power.
Despite the golden elemental cloak.
He hits the floor.
Clyde is down!
The Hidden Leaf Hill
"I… I… I can't believe it" Tenten mutters, "That General, he is down".
Choji nods. "Yeah, he really is".
"Naruto" Hinata smiles.
"Don't get too happy yet" Mitsuki shouts to his fellow shinobi, drawing their stunned gazes. "He may still get up".
This is of course true, but at this point seems highly unlikely. Even if the General were to get up what could he do, Naruto is in far better condition, when the two of them had used their full power, it was the Hokage who had come out on top. For now at least, this seems to be their victory.
Naruto and Clyde's Starting Point
"You did it" Kurama cheers to Naruto.
The jinchuriki falls to one knee, placing his fist on the ground to steady himself. He takes several deep breaths as he tries to refocus his mind. Still, for now, the nine tails is right, he has done enough.
'That's it' he tells himself, 'That should be enough'.
1…2…3…4….5…
"Now we can go home" Naruto smiles as he speaks back to Kurama, "We can attend Himawari's Birthday".
6…7…8…
"And we can…".
9…
Naruto looks up to be absolutely horrified.
Clyde is on his feet.
The General has stood up!
"Did you" the General begins before spitting out a mouthful of blood, "Did you think we were finished, Naruto?".
Naruto cannot move for a moment. To think Clyde could stand up from such an attack. It's a feat that shows of his monstrous strength. However, it does more than that to resonate with the young Hokage. To get up in such a situation requires a tremendous amount of willpower. To get up when there is almost no hope left, when you are all alone, when you are cold, when you are frightened. That is something only a hero would do. Something Clyde is doing for his comrades.
Naruto resolves himself, creating another rasengan in his hand.
"Hey" Clyde calls gently to his opponent, "I didn't want to hurt this world you know. I'm not a bad person".
"I just, I just wanted to protect my subordinates". There is a smile on Clyde's face, a smile that warms Naruto's heart. Previously when Clyde has smiled, Naruto has felt that the General has not been looking at him. That it was a knowing, taunting smile. This is a true smile though, a warm smile, one perhaps not of happiness but instead of great relief.
"I know" Naruto returns the smile, "I'm just the same".
"I see".
"I know that it's more than I'm entitled to" the General begins, "But, if you win… will you… spare them?".
Naruto lowers his head, obscuring his eyes to Clyde. "Let them go? After all they have done?".
"I thought not".
"Of course, I will" Naruto answers, shocking Clyde. To have suffered so much and be merciful at this point is unthinkable. "I don't believe that you are a bad person. These terrible things you have done, there must have been a reason".
The smile returns to Clyde's face. "I see, you truly do deserve that power, Naruto".
"Now then" he continues, the smile not leaving his face, "Let's finish this, shall we?".
The rasengan is already in Naruto's hand. He begins to add spin to it, a small gust of wind emanating from the pure source of chakra as he does so. Next is the life energy. Strands of white flow from his arm, slowing clinging on to the rotating blue mass, enhancing its power, getting ready for one final blow.
Then Clyde stuns Naruto.
"I give up" he says with a smile on his face.
Naruto dissipates his rasengan with wide eyes.
A forfeit.
The Hidden Leaf Hill
Himawari is watching the screen at close distance, leaning in as close as she can despite having the Byakugan activated. As an expert lip-reader she believes that Clyde just forfeited, as do many of the others. Her mouth is agape as she waits for some sort of reaction, some sort of declaration. Some confirmation of the victory.
Three words appear on all of the TVs.
Team Uzumaki Wins.
Tears fill Himawari's eyes as she hugs her mother tightly.
"He won" Shikadai says quietly, as he finally snaps from his moment of stupor.
The young Nara clansmen falls to his knees and shouts to the heavens. "HE WON DAMMIT".
A thunderous cheer can be heard from the hill as everyone reacts to their victory. Family members, old friends, new friends, they all embrace. Many are reduced to tears by the happiness they feel. Many go back to the TV screen, checking again to see that the words are still there.
Team Uzumaki wins.
There is no doubt about it.
Naruto has won.
Naruto and Clyde's Starting Point
Naruto smiles as his rasengan disappears. He walks closer to his opponent with a smile still on his face.
"You really are something, General Clyde".
The 7th Hokage begins to stretch his fist out, offering it to Clyde as a mark of respect.
The respect cannot be reciprocated though, Clyde begins to fall backwards.
PUTT!
The other Colonels have arrived. It is Burns, Kakashi's opponent in this contest, who catches her leader. Despite being bruised and battered, Grace and Sisto have arrived with her. None of them are in any condition to fight but they are able to walk, which is far more than can be said for the General. His condition is a testament to their morale, it shows just how hard he fought for them. They may be the enemy of the hidden leaf but there is no denying their spirit, their love for one another.
Soon Peterson and Sheer arrive, limping up to the other Colonels they all huddle around Clyde in a big group.
"Don't worry, we will keep the General's word" Burns promises.
"We concede this match to you, Uzumaki Naruto".