Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the Naruko vs Gaara fight, along with some of the reactions and thoughts of the spectators watching and what they think is gonna happen. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Everyone watched with baited breath, as Naruko and Gaara stared each other down, both surrounded ice and sand respectively. Though so far, neither have made a move or attacked, both waiting to see who would make the first move.
It was surprising for Temari and Kankuro, given they knew their brother was never one to hesitate in killing anyone. Even more so, if it was a person he really wanted to kill, and yet here he was, waiting and watching.
"It's strange, Gaara would have usually turned her into a stain by now. Instead, it's like he's actually waiting for her to make the first move." Temari commented, with Kankuro nodding in agreement.
"Yeah. I'm not sure which is more unnerving, Gaara simply killing someone as easy as breathing, or watching and waiting for his moment to strike." Said Kankuro, with Temari leaning against the railing, looking between her little brother and Naruko, before shaking her head.
"It doesn't matter. That Uzumaki might seem to have gotten stronger in the last month, and even awakened the Hyōton Kekkei Genkai, somehow, but she's still going to die." Temari stated, knowing no matter how strong Naruko has gotten, she still didn't stand a chance against Gaara.
"And what happens if Gaara uses, you know." Said Kankuro, lowly, with Temari giving him a warning look, but could understand his worry of Gaara unleashing Shukaku early.
"I doubt she could push Gaara that far. But if by some chance she does, then we'll make sure to keep our distance, and wait until Gaara wakes up." Temari whispered, before turning her attention to the match.
Meanwhile, Team Eight looked on nervously at the match, remembering what Gaara did to the Amegakure Team and how close they were to being killed, as well.
"That idiot. She should have just forfeited, if she's facing that guy!" Kiba muttered, knowing if Naruko fought Gaara, she will die.
"Hey, come on, Naruko did get stronger after whatever happened in the Forest of Death." Said Sakura, in defense of her teammate, thinking he meant Naruko wasn't going to win.
"You misunderstand, Sakura. What Kiba means, is for Naruko to fight Gaara is certain death, given what we witnessed in the Forest of Death." Shino said, while pushing up his glasses.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, not knowing what happened.
"We saw that Gaara guy kill an Ame Team. Even after they handed over their scroll, he still killed them, trapping them in his sand and then crushing them. He would have killed us too, if his siblings didn't stop him." Kiba said, with Sakura paling at hearing this, before looking down at the arena, now worried for her teammate.
Sure, she might be able to control ice like that Hunter-Nin they encountered in the Land of Waves, but Sakura wasn't sure if that'd be enough. She just hoped if things got out of hand, Naruko would see sense and forfeit, before she was killed.
'N-Naruko.' Hinata thought, worried and concerned that she could potentially see Naruko die.
Kabuto and Yoroi remained off to the side and watched on neutrally. Neither having any intention to voice their opinions but doubted that Naruko would walk away from the match alive.
*Stands*
"I can't believe that double-crossing loser! We jump in to save her and her teammates, and she pays us back by freezing us, then stealing our scrolls! It should us in the Finals, not her!" Ino shouted, still upset at Naruko's double-cross them, along with stealing their scrolls and supplies.
Though Shikamaru and Chōji didn't share their teammate's annoyance. In fact, they were thankful that Naruko took them out of the Exams, when she did. Given Shikamaru found the entire thing too troublesome to do, and only entered the Chūnin Exams at insistence of Ino and his mother. While Chōji wasn't sure that he had what it takes and didn't want to risk hurting one of his friends.
They just wished that she didn't do it by freezing them.
"Oh relax Ino, getting angry won't change anything. Besides, the other teams that managed to pass are probably way stronger than us. And frankly, I'd rather not risk the chance of fighting Naruko as she is now. Whatever happened to her, it just made her way more troublesome. What a drag, why are girls so troublesome, especially blonde ones at that." Shikamaru muttered under his breath.
"Stop saying that!" Ino shouted, while smacking her teammates upside the head.
Nearby, Team Nine were also resentful of Naruko for the betrayal and getting them disqualified from the Exams.
"It was most unyouthful of Naruko to do that. After we came to their aid." Lee said, while frowning.
"Oh be quiet, Lee! You're just as much to blame for what happened!" Tenten exclaimed, while glaring at Naruko for taking all her weapons, and was now using one of her katanas.
"What did I do?" Asked Lee, upset that his teammate was blaming him.
"Before the First Exam, you were so eager to fight the Uchiha, and when Uzumaki stepped in, you dismissed her and took her out with one hit." Neji reminded.
"But-"
"Lee." Gai said, putting a hand on his student's shoulder, getting Lee's attention.
"Take this as a lesson, Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman's Scorn. There will be times a woman shall simply strike you in a fit of feminine fury. But there will also be other times, where they will hold a grudge and bide their time; waiting for the exact moment to strike. You humiliated Naruko, so she humiliated you and your teammates, as revenge." Gai said, with Lee falling silent at hearing this, and lowered his head, realizing they were right.
He had been so eager to face Sasuke, that he had just immediately dismissed Naruko. Just like how he had been dismissed as being unable to become a Ninja, because he couldn't use Chakra to perform Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. This just made Lee feel even more ashamed at realizing this.
"You're right Tenten, Neji, Gai-sensei. I have brought shame on myself for my unyouthful actions. I swear that after the Finals, I will apologize to Naruko and request a proper sparring match!" Lee declared, wanting to make up for his previous actions.
"She's not going to accept the apology. Maybe if it was before whatever happened in the forest, but now I'm pretty sure you already blew first impressions straight to Hell and back." Tenten stated, figuring this new Naruko wouldn't be as forgiving as the old one.
Neji nodded in agreement, doubting Naruko would even give Lee the chance to apologize.
"Kurenai, how do you think the kid's gonna do?" Asuma asked, looking at the rookie Jōnin, and his "secret" girlfriend.
He personally wasn't that upset that Naruko took out his students, he made sure they were aware of how tough the Exams were, and of the chance that they'd end up fighting their comrades. It'll serve as a learning experience for the next time they enter.
"She's going to die." Stated Kurenai immediately, with Asuma frowning at her answer.
"Seriously? That's a little cold, don't you think? She could end up surprising us." Asuma said, with Kurenai shrugging.
"Maybe, but I won't hold my breath. Given she's the deadlast, and what my team told that Gaara kid did, in the forest. So, yeah even with Hyōton, she's going to die, no matter what." Kurenai said, knowing from what her students told her about Gaara, and from Naruko's track record, Kurenai knew the blonde was going to die.
"Wow Nai-chan, be careful thinking like that. Closed-mindedness isn't very befitting of a Ninja." Said Anko from behind them, as she leaned forward on her arms.
This made Kurenai blush in embarrassment, knowing she did have a problem about being closed-minded regarding certain things. But all the facts point to Naruko dying a gruesome death against Gaara.
"Maybe. But don't forget, you also called her a loudmouth during the Second Exam, and even through a kunai at her to prove a point." Kurenai stated, with Anko shrugging, knowing it was true.
"True, but of course, that was a month ago. Now, she's not the same brat I threw a kunai at." Said Anko, smirking.
"And what makes you say that?" Asuma asked, wondering how Anko knew this.
"Let's just say, a little trip I took to the Forest of Death helped enlighten me." Anko replied, as her mind drifted to when she encountered Naruko again, in the Forest of Death.
*Flashback*
Anko growled angrily as she jumped through the Forest of Death.
Ever since she had encountered her former sensei, Orochimaru, during the Second Exam, she had been searching every inch of the village looking for his ugly face, so she could finish what she started.
But he was nowhere to be found!
With each failed search only serving to make Anko even angrier. And it didn't help that her Curse Mark kept pulsing in response to his close proximity. She could practically see his mocking smile, taunting her for being so close, and yet she couldn't find him.
'I fucking hate him!' Anko mentally raged.
Even worse, the Hokage had ordered her to stop her search, and rest. How could she rest, knowing that snake bastard was slithering around, planning who knows what. But the Hokage had forced her to take a break, which Anko reluctantly did.
But rather than head home, or spend time with her friends, she went to her playground, AKA the Forest of Death, wanting to kill something and imagine her ex-sensei's face, while doing it.
Though suddenly, Anko paused when she heard the familiar sound of someone training, making her grin savagely.
'Even better, I get a target that can fight back.' Anko thought, knowing she'll be able to knock around whoever was stupid enough to enter her forest.
Traveling to where she could hear the person was, Anko's smirk widened when she saw it was that loudmouth Uzumaki brat.
'This just gets better and better.' Thought Anko, pulling out a kunai, wanting to give the brat a good scare.
Waiting for the girl to hold still, Anko threw the kunai at her cheek. Though Anko was surprised, when Naruko suddenly vanished in a cloud of smoke.
'A Shadow Clone?!' Anko thought, before suddenly feeling a shiver run up her spine.
Looking, Anko saw that her legs were in cased up to her knees in ice, before she stiffened, as a sharp icicle was placed against her neck.
"Oh, what's this? A lost little snake, trying to sneak up on the cunning fox." Naruko said from behind Anko, with the Tokubetsu Jōnin gulping nervously, when she saw the malicious smile on Naruko's face.
"You're the woman that threw a kunai at me, and then licked my blood. And here we are again, positions flipped. Funny how that works." Naruko said, with Anko chuckling nervously.
"Ehehehe, uh, would it help if I said sorry?" Anko asked sheepishly.
"No, but this would." Said Naruko, smiling wickedly.
Anko yelped, when Naruko suddenly left a small scratch on her cheek. Though she was then confused, when Naruko stepped away and smirked, while the ice on her legs shattered.
"There, now we're even." Naruko stated, as Anko touched her cheek.
"Seriously that's it?" Anko asked, having expected something worse, given from what she heard the brat did to that Oto Team.
"Yep, but if you want~." Naruko said, with a foxy smirk.
*SLURP*
"Eh?" Was all the now red faced Anko could say, as Naruko licked her cheek cut, before jumping back to her training, with a giggle.
"Now, please leave, I'm in the middle of training." Naruto said, as she created some new Shadow Clones to resume her training, with.
"Hey brat! You want some help?" Anko offered, her interest having been piqued, and wanted to get to know this new version of the brat.
*End Flashback*
Ironic, how a prank backfiring on her could lead to such a wonderful friendship.
'Now let's see what you've got, brat.' Anko thought, eager to see what Naruko will do to win.
Mostly because Anko just bet a lot of money on Naruko winning this match and wanted to collect.
*Arena*
Meanwhile, down in the arena, Naruko and Gaara have yet to make a move against each other.
"What're you waiting for?! Crush that damn Tanuki!" Demanded the Kyūbi, from within Naruko's mind.
'Patience fox. I can't just rush in against an unknown and bloodthirsty opponent. I need to get a feel for what he's capable of.' Naruko thought.
"What he's capable of? You already know what he can do! And that's only because I told you, now attack!" Kyūbi said, eager to see Shukaku's host taken down, even better if the runt, himself, comes out.
'Yes, I know what he could do, not what he can do. I want to get a feel for his actual abilities first.' Thought Naruko, with the Kyūbi grumbling, before going silent and simply watched the fight.
It made Naruko shake her head in amusement, remembering when she first approached the Kyūbi during the month break.
*Flashback*
Naruko walked through her mindscape, which had been changed from the frozen wasteland that Esdeath had created, and the sewer it originally was. Now it was a palace, made entirely out of ice, with Naruko currently standing in front of the seal, keeping the Kyūbi at bay, with the fox itself laying down inside the gates.
Though Kyūbi's eyes soon snapped open and glared at Naruko.
"What do you want, girl? Come to beg for my power, demand that I help you, force me to obey?" Kyūbi growled out, only for Naruko to shake her head.
"No. I came to say, keep your power to yourself." Said Naruko, with the Kyūbi's eyes widening slightly in surprise, not expecting this.
"You don't want my power?" Asked the Kyūbi.
"No, I don't. If I'm going to fight, it'll be with my own strength. The only times I would ask for your help is as a Trump Card, and against an opponent I cannot defeat on my own. Otherwise, no, I don't want to use your power." Said Naruko, while crossing her arms.
"Then why are you here?" Kyūbi said, doubting the girl came here just to say that.
"Information. Gaara, from what I heard, he's like me, he's a Jinchūriki." Naruko stated, now knowing that Gaara was a Jinchūriki like her, having overheard some Suna Ninja talking about how he contained the Ichibi, Shukaku, from one of her more recent trips back into the village.
"What of it." Said the Kyūbi, wanting her to get to just get to the point.
"What abilities does Shukaku have? What abilities can his Jinchūriki use?" Naruko asked, knowing this would be useful information in the event she goes up against Gaara in the Finals.
"And why exactly would I tell you anything about Shukaku?" Kyūbi said, amused that she'd think it would tell her anything.
Only to frown when Naruko smirked at it.
"Oh, you don't have to tell me anything. But you will, and you wanna know why?" Naruko asked, not giving the Kyūbi time to respond, before speaking again.
"It's because, while you may not like it, I'm your host, therefore I represent you, just like Gaara represents Shukaku. And while I'm confident I can defeat him, there's still the small chance he could defeat me, possibly even kill me. And well, if that happens…" Naruko said, only to stop when the Kyūbi roared, as its claws shot out of the bars, glaring down at her.
"Finish that sentence, and no seal will stop me from killing you!" The Kyūbi growled, knowing what Naruko was implying.
If she lost against Gaara, that would mean Shukaku had the stronger host, and the Kyūbi refused to hear anyone say that damn Tanuki was stronger than it, in any way!
Naruko didn't react to the anger, and merely smirked. Having figured that she would get what she wanted, if she played on the Bijū's pride.
"So, what exactly are Shukaku's abilities, then?" Naruko asked, with the Kyūbi growling again, as it glared down at its host.
The Kyūbi knew it has been played by its Jinchūriki. But it refused to give Shukaku the satisfaction of claiming that it was stronger.
*End Flashback*
Kyūbi had then told Naruko what Shukaku was capable of.
Having absolute control over sand, being able to use it as both a weapon and shield; being able to use Earth Style and Wind Style Ninjutsu; possessing natural Curse Marks which can be used to seal away opponents; being able to use Magnet Style; and of course the standard Tailed Beast Bomb; as well as possessing massive strength. Shukaku could also possess its hosts, should they fall asleep, and given what Naruko's heard of Gaara, he's able to unleash Shukaku fully by forcing himself to fall asleep.
Knowing all this allowed Naruko to come up with a strategy to defeat Gaara, and to test just how far his abilities go. Though if he gets to the point, where he unleashes Shukaku, Naruko knows it'll get that much harder to beat him
And that's exactly what she wants.
Naruko had also met with the Kyūbi a few other times, wanting to at least develop a courteous relationship with her tenant, rather than being at each other's throats. And while Kyūbi wouldn't admit, it was interested in seeing how its Jinchūriki will turn out, after merging with her past-life.
It helped that the girl didn't treat Kyūbi like a mindless beast, like Mito and her mother did, or chain it to a giant boulder with metal rods impaling it. That didn't mean the fox liked Naruko, just that she was better than its previous Jinchūriki.
'Now then, enough thinking. It's time for the fun to begin!' Naruko thought.
Instantly, Naruko created six Shadow Clones that charged towards Gaara, allowing Naruko to get a feel for what he can do.
Gaara didn't react as the Clones charged with their swords drawn, swinging at him from various angles. Though all the attacks were stopped by his Sand Shield, just before they could hit Gaara. Deciding to change their tactics, the Clones vanished in bursts of speed, attacking much faster, and from Gaara's blind spots, from behind and above.
Though this resulted in the attacks still being blocked, with Naruko frowning at seeing this.
'Interesting, he's able to block attacks that he doesn't see coming. Or perhaps, the sand functions as an automatic defense, allowing it to react to any and all threats. Though does it attack anyone who gets close, or can it sense when someone intends to harm Gaara, and react accordingly? I'll have to test it.' Esdeath thought, before going through some handseals.
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Naruko said, before a thick mist covered the arena, making it impossible for anyone to see what was happening
'Now to see just how that Sand Shield works.' Naruko thought, creating three more Shadow Clones, which ran into the mist.
*Kage Booth*
"Quite the interesting match so far, Hokage-dono. This is the longest I've seen someone last against my son." Said the Kazekage, looking at the mist covered arena.
"Yes, Naruko has been full of surprises as of late." Sarutobi replied, looking into the mist in worry, hoping to see or hear something to indicate what's happening.
But he didn't see or hear anything, worrying the Hokage that he didn't know how Naruko was doing against the unstable Jinchūriki. It's also surprising to see Naruko use the Hidden Mist Jutsu, and apparently could perform the Silent Killing Technique, as well.
'Then again, her team did encounter Zabuza, a master of both, perhaps she picked it up. But to be able to perform at this level already.' Hiruzen thought, not sure if he should be proud or worried at this, given Naruko's new personality.
Meanwhile, the Kazekage, really Orochimaru, looked on in disinterest. He'll admit it's slightly impressive that the Uzumaki brat had the Hyōton Kekkei Genkai and could perform the Silent Killing Technique. But besides that, she's still a deadlast, even worse without the Kyūbi to help her, with Orochimaru still believing the Five Pronged Seal was on her.
He was just waiting for Gaara to finally kill the girl, and then they could move on.
Just then, they saw the mist vanish from the arena, revealing Naruko and Gaara still in the same spots.
*Arena*
'So, his sand is able to sense when someone with ill intent approaches, whether they're visible or not, along with moving silently. However, when someone approaches with no intent to harm Gaara, they can walk right past the sand.' Naruko thought smirking, as one of her clones was able to get passed the sand, while possessing no intent of harming Gaara.
Of course, after the clone went to try and strike Gaara, it was immediately impaled by the sand.
After learning this, Naruko dispelled the rest of her clones and the mist, knowing it wouldn't give her an advantage. With what she learned about the Sand Shield, there were three ways she could get past it.
The first was having numerous simultaneous attacks from a single or multiple angles, then striking at the one spot the sand wasn't protecting. The second was being able to move faster than the sand to get past it. And the final way, was making the sand slow enough that her attacks could get through.
'The first option isn't ideal, as there's a chance the sand would still be able to react fast enough to stop the attack. The second one is possible if I deactivate my Gravity Seals, but I'd prefer saving those for later. That leaves the third option, and I have the perfect way to weigh it down.' Naruko thought, smirking, before creating six more clones that charged towards Gaara.
Though rather than attack Gaara, all the clones began going through handsigns.
"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!" All the clones shouted, before releasing powerful torrents of water at Gaara from all sides.
Once again, Gaara's Sand Shield rose up and blocked the attacks. Though Gaara frowned when he saw that his sand was starting to move more slowly and darken. Only for his eyes to widened, when the Water Bullets eventually broke through, and sent him down to his knees from the pressure.
After the torrents of water finally stopped, everyone saw Gaara's sand had now been reduced to mud, with even his Sand Armor starting to fall off in clumps of mud. Before Gaara could try and stand up, Naruko went through handsigns.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Fang!" Naruko said, unleashing a blast of lightning from her palms at Gaara.
The Suna Jinchūriki cried out as his now wet sand acted as a conductor, sending the electricity shooting through his entire body.
*Competitors Booth*
"I don't believe it." Temari said, her eyes wide in shock.
"She…she actually managed to attack Gaara." Muttered Kankuro, not believing what he just saw.
*Arena*
Naruko smirked as she saw Gaara on his knees, panting from her attack. Though her smirk vanished, when Gaara started laughing and looked up, showing his manic grin, only made more unnerving by the Sand Armor peeling off him.
"Uzumaki! Your death, will truly prove my existence!" Gaara shouted, as a wave of sand shot out of the ground, surprising Naruko, before she cursed, realizing Gaara had been breaking down minerals in the ground to make more sand.
"DIE!" Roared Gaara, launching dozens of Sand Tendrils at Naruko, intent to rip her to shreds.
"Weissschnabel!" Naruko said, holding her hands together as they emitted a pale blue glow, before dozens of icicles formed around her which she launched them forward to meet the Sand Tendrils.
'I'll give him this, he's a stubborn bastard.' Naruko thought, seeing Gaara create more Sand Tendrils, and she in turn created more ice shards.
This continued for several minutes, with both Gaara's Sand Tendrils and Naruko's ice shards increasing in number, along with speed and strength. It got to the point where all anyone could see were shockwaves being emitted in the air, with only a few Jōnin and the Kage being able to still make out what was happening.
Everyone began holding onto their seats, as the shockwaves grew in number and ferocity with each passing moment, with them being felt throughout the stadium. All while Naruko and Gaara stared each other down, with Gaara having resumed is regular pose, while Naruko now had a bored look on her face.
~Kill La Kill OST: Blumenkranz~
Finally, Naruko sighed, before conjuring another ice shard above her hand.
"This is now boring me." Naruko muttered, before with a flick of her wrist, the ice shard went flying at blinding speed towards Gaara
*CRACK*
Immediately, the entire stadium fell silent, while everyone looked on in shock, disbelief, fear, and horror, mostly those from Suna. Temari and Kankuro more so at what they just saw, unable to believe that they just saw what they thought was impossible happen.
Even Gaara had a shocked expression on his face, before he slowly reached up and touched his cheek, as pieces of his Sand Armor broke off, feeling something warm and sticky on his fingers.
"What…what is this?" Gaara muttered, pulling his hand back and his eyes widened, when they saw they were stained red.
"Blood…is this blood?" Said Gaara as his body started shaking, before he let out a horrifying scream.
"BLOOD! BLOOD! IT'S MY BLOOD!" Gaara screamed with a demented look on his face, as he looked at Naruko, who smirked as she twirled an icicle in her hand.
"It seems my training has paid off. That my ice's power, strength, and speed is high enough to break through an "Ultimate Defense", such as yours Gaara, this satisfies me greatly. And with that, I believe this warmup has come to an end." Naruko stated, pleased to have gotten the first blood, while shocking everyone further that she considers this a warmup.
"You…You…I WILL KILL YOU UZUMAKI!" Gaara shouted, before clasping his hands together as his sand began surrounding him in a sphere, as he prepared to unleash Shukaku.
Unfortunately for Gaara, before the Sand Shield could fully form around him, Naruko held out her hand, that contained a glowing blue light.
"Freeze." Muttered Naruko
The next thing anyone knew, a massive block of ice shot out of the ground, taking up nearly the entire arena, and forcing several to lean back in their seats in shock at how close the ice was to them.
No one could utter a single sound, to lost in their shock and disbelief at what they just witnessed. All of Naruko's former classmates were unable to comprehend what the so-called deadlast just did. The Jōnin were, likewise, unable to say anything, merely looking at the gigantic piece of ice covering half the arena.
The Hokage and Orochimaru were stunned into silence, with Orochimaru's dismissive personality changing to one of worry at seeing just what Naruko had done. Wondering how this could affect the invasion.
Meanwhile, down in the arena, Naruko released a puff of frost, while looking at Gaara, who had been the main target of her attack. Gaara was now frozen up to his neck and completely immobile, shaking from the intense cold, but still managed to glare at Naruko with a mad glint in his eyes.
"So, will you forfeit Gaara, or shall I embarrass you further?" Naruko asked, smirking, with Gaara now shaking from both the cold and his rage he was feeling.
"Y-Y-You…Fe-Feign-Feigning Sl-Sl-Sleep Jutsu!" Gaara shouted, before he slumped forward, while everyone from Suna paled in dread at what Gaara just did, while Orochimaru cursed at Gaara transforming now, of all times.
Everyone watched in fear, horror, and dread as a massive amount of sand began swirling around Gaara, freeing him from the ice and lifting him into the air. The amount of sand grew, before it started taking shape, until finally, standing in the arena was the fully formed and released Ichibi no Shukaku.
"I'M FREEEEEEEEEEEE!" Shukaku roared, shaking the entire stadium, as people started panicking and screaming in fear, until they were all silenced by someone laughing
That someone being Naruko, herself, as she looked up at Shukaku with unbridled glee.
"OH, BRING. IT. ON!" Naruko said, smiling madly at the chance of fighting a Tailed Beast, while everyone looked at her, like she was insane.
Naruko's shout also got the attention of Shukaku, who looked down at her and growled.
"You, I can sense that damn bastard you! I'll kill you first, before turning this place into a giant crater! Wind Style: Drilling Air Bullet!" Shukaku shouted, slamming its hand into its stomach, unleashing multiple pressurized blasts of air.
In response, Naruko made a handsign deactivated her Gravity Seals, allowing her to move at her true speed. Immediately, she vanished in a burst of speed, just at the Air Bullets hit, destroying the surrounding area.
Naruko then reappeared on the arena wall, before starting running up, while dodging Shukaku's Air Bullets, as she did.
"Hold still, damn it! Wind Style: Sand Buckshot!" Said Shukaku, swinging its arm, releasing hundreds of tiny Sand Bullets that shot through the wall, as Naruko dodged them.
Finally, Naruko reached the top of the stadium wall, before jumping as high as she could into the air.
"Got you now! Wind Style: Dri-AH!" Shukaku shouted, when Naruko swung her sword, unleashing a large wave of ice that sliced off its arm, with the Ichibi actually feeling pain, as the ice began spreading where its arm was cut off, preventing it from regenerating.
Naruko then created rings of ice around her wrists and ankles, allowing her to stay flying in the air.
"I must say, I'm pleased you were able to make an appearance, Shukaku, because now I get to see just how strong I really am, by defeating you!" Naruko said, grinning wickedly, while Shukaku growled in anger.
"Little brat! I'll kill you!" Roared Shukaku, opening its maw wide, and began charging up a dark purple ball of Chakra, one that made everyone who knew what it was pale in absolute fear.
Seeing this, Naruko flew high into the sky and clasped her hands together, drawing on all of her power, as a pale blue glow began surround her, while dark clouds began appearing overhead.
"Tailed Beast Bomb!" Shukaku shouted, launching the attack straight at Naruko.
"Ice Storm Commander-In-Chief!" Naruko declared, spreading her arms out, while flying out of the way of the Tailed Beast Bomb.
Immediately a snowstorm began covering all of Konoha, as Naruko used of her Trump Cards, Ice Storm Commander-In-Chief, allowing her to create a "Russian winter", strong enough to cover an entire continent in snow and ice. Unfortunately, Naruko wasn't at that level of power just yet, and it was taking all of her strength just to create a storm large enough to cover the village.
"You think a little snow is going to stop me! It won't!" Shukaku shouted, as it started charging up another Tailed Beast Bomb, only to stop in shock and horror, when ice starting to cover its sand-made body.
"Maybe! But this will!" Said Naruko, as she began manipulating all the snow and ice to take the desired shape, forming a gigantic serpentine dragon, with glowing red eyes, that surpassed even Shukaku in size.
"Ice Dragon, descend!" Naruko commanded.
The dragon roared, before flying straight down towards Shukaku, stabbing straight through Shukaku and coiling around its body, making the Ichibi cry out.
"Da-Damn yo-you!" Shukaku cursed as its entire body became in cased in ice, holding it place.
Seeing this, Naruko smirked, before drawing in the power she used to summon the Ice Dragon and Ice Storm Commander-In-Chief, causing both Trump Cards to fade away. With the only patch of snow remaining, being the interior of the arena.
Floating down, Naruko saw the only part of Shukaku not frozen, was Gaara sleeping atop his head.
"Time to wake up." Naruko stated, crossing her arms, before allowing herself to fall straight towards Gaara.
The result was both her feet smashing into Gaara's head, effectively waking him up and breaking him out of Shukaku's frozen body. Both Naruko and Gaara fell to the ground, with Naruko landing in a crouching, while Gaara crashed into the snow.
Looking up at the still frozen statue of Shukaku, Naruko cupped her chin, before nodding.
'It really ties the whole place together.' Naruko thought, admiring her frozen creation.
Plus, it'll serve as a reminder of just what she is capable of.
'Now, just one thing left to do.' Thought Naruko, turning to Gaara and approaching the downed Jinchūriki, who looked at her in fear.
"No…stay away…I will not…let you erase my…existence." Gaara said, desperately trying to escape, as Naruko walked towards him.
Though her approach was halted, when Temari and Kankuro suddenly jumped between her and Gaara.
"Stay away from our brother!" Temari said, glaring at Naruko, believing she intended to kill Gaara.
Naruko raised a brow at this, before smirking.
"And what makes you think you can stop me? In fact, why do either of you even care? From what I saw you were both terrified of Gaara, so why would you care if I killed him?" Naruko asking, putting a hand on her hip.
"Because he's our brother! And if you wanna get to him, you have to go through us!" Said Kankuro, ready to pull Crow out, while Temari held her fan.
Gaara looked at his sibling in surprise to hear this and see them defending him. Even after everything he's done, all the times he's threatened to kill them, they were still willing to protect him.
Why?
Naruko, meanwhile, looked between the two.
"You'd really stand in my away, even knowing I could kill you, just to protect your brother?" Naruko asked, with Temari and Kankuro not even flinching at the fact she could in fact kill them.
"Yes." The two said, refusing to just stand aside and let Gaara be killed.
"Well…then I guess it's a good thing I never intended to kill him, then is it." Stated Naruko, surprising the two, before she walked passed them towards Gaara.
Approaching Gaara, Naruko knelt down and smiled at him.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Gaara." Said Naruko, before holding out her hand for Gaara to take, surprising the Suna Jinchūriki.
"Why?" Gaara asked, not knowing what else to say.
"I know that pain, that loneliness, that darkness. It can be unbearable, with it sometimes being easier to just give in, and just lash out at those who hurt you. I learned to accept my darkness Gaara, but I didn't let it consume, I found a reason to embrace the light. And I can help you do the same, if you'll let me." Said Naruko, making Gaara look at her with wide eyes, before turning to her offered hand.
"As…friends?" Asked Gaara, slowly reaching for Naruko's hand, before taking it.
"I was thinking more along the lines of…a sister." Naruko said, once again surprising Gaara.
"A sister?" Gaara said, with Naruko nodding as she held Gaara's hand, and pulled him up.
"Yeah, we share the same burden, and know what it's like to be alone. But not anymore, now you'll always have family as long as I'm around, the same with them." Naruko said, while motioning to Temari and Kankuro, who stepped forward and helped support their brother.
Gaara looked between the three in amazement, not knowing what to say. He had accepted to always be alone and care only about himself, that no one could ever care about a demon like him. And yet here were his brother and sister, defending him from someone they thought would kill him, and Naruko, someone he tried to kill and experienced the same pain as him, offering to be his family.
"I forfeit the match!" Gaara said, lowering his head.
Genma jumped down after hearing this, looking around in sheer amazement, before turning to Naruko with a smirk.
"You don't do things half-assed, do ya kid?" Genma said.
"What can I say? I never turn down putting on a show." Replied Naruko, smirking, with Genma chuckling at this.
"Winner! Naruko Uzumaki!" Declared Genma.
So, what did you think, good. Yep most everyone agreed that Naruko was going to die, with only a few actually having faith in her winning. We also got to see a flashback of how she met Anko in the Forest of Death, before moving onto the fight with another flashback showing Naruko's first meeting with Kyūbi. We then go onto the actual fight, with Naruko first sending Shadow Clones to get a feel for Gaara's abilities along with learning how his Sand Shield works, before moving onto a clash between Sand and Ice. Naruko though eventually gets bored before slicing open Gaara's cheek, being the first one to both injure Gaara and draw blood, shocking everyone and sending Gaara into a frenzy. Gaara then got ready to unleash Shukaku, only for Naruko to unleash a massive block of ice trapping him, only for Gaara to still force himself asleep and let Shukaku take control. It's then Naruto vs Shukaku, With Naruko with Naruko using a downscaled version of Ice Storm Commander-In-Chief and creating a giant Ice Dragon to freeze Shukaku. Naruko then used a Footdive that'd make Dr. Doom proud (if you don't understand the reference it's from Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3) to wake Gaara up. Finally Naruko approaches Gaara, with Temari and Kankuro believing she intended to kill him and intervened, only for Naruko to instead offer Gaara to be his new sister and help him, before being declared the winner of the match. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out