Yo, okay, sorry for being so late on this update, but I have had a lot of work these past few weeks since school has started. I'm not even kidding. I've had around 5 projects already, and don't get me started on homework. T.V. may or may not have had a hand in it, but I'm not telling. Anyways, despite all of the hurdles, here is the newest chapter that I hope you all will appreciate. I hope you are not disappointed too bad in this chapter or in me for not updating sooner. Anyways, that's all I have to say for now. Let's get into the chapter, shall we?
Speech-"I can't believe you did that."
Thoughts- I can't believe he did that
Kyuubi Speech- "Pfft, show off."
Ch.5 Show Em' What You Can Do
Night had fallen, but today no one was sleep. The night air buzzed with fireflies sporadically whizzing to and fro. One could literally taste the excitement in the air. Be it the Gods' will for it to be, or not, tonight was going to be remembered for years to come.
He could feel it.
Naruto shook his head rapidly side to side blowing out a nervous breath. No, he couldn't get nervous now even though it would be utterly understandable. He was Naruto Uzumaki, and he backed down from nothing.
"Stop thinking so rapidly. You're causing me to get a headache, and I didn't even think that was possible," The Kyuubi told him from within the recesses of his mind.
Naruto forced himself to calm down, and viciously stamped out the butterflies that were forming in his stomach.
"That is better. Now, we both know why you're nervous. You do not want to fail those 'friends' of yours today hmm?" The Kyuubi questioned.
Yeah. You know that these are my first friends since like forever, and I don't want to disappoint them. I saw how they looked. So full of life and hope. I don't want to be the cause of that hope to be shattered.
The Kyuubi scoffed at the very human feelings his host was excreting. It made him sick, but he did have a few words of advice," Then do as I would've done and crush all who stand in your way and watch as their life, their very soul, fades from their eyes as you stand victorious over their cooling corpse! HAHAHAHA!"
Naruto felt a sweat drop coming down his face as he heard the advice he was given. Honestly, I want to win, not look like some crazed murderous kid who everyone avoided like their life depended on it. In a very sand abundant place, a red haired boy sneezed.
Naruto felt the mental shrug the Kyuubi gave him," Eh, I'm just throwing out ideas here. I could care less about the outcome of this little event," the Kyuubi lied back down with his head on top of his crossed hand…paw…things in a very familiar position. He gave one last look into the darkness that was his prison and said,"Just do not embarrass yourself here. The gods will be watching, and I would hate for them to think that you, and by extension me, were weak and couldn't fight yourself out of a wet paper bag with a pair of scissors."
Naruto was about to respond to the Kyuubi's comment, but was stopped short by the snores he was hearing. He rolled his eyes at the usual lazy behavior the Bijuu displayed, but reasoned it was better than him constantly trying to take over his body or something.
"Hey, Naruto!"
Naruto was jarred from his thoughts on the lazy occupant inside of his body by someone trying to gain his attention. His eyes snapped to the voice and saw that it was Jason. When he saw Jason, Naruto could feel his father's side of things kick in immediately. With sharp eyes he analyzed the signature Roman armor his friend was wearing. Since he wasn't a Centurion, he did not have the cool plume of horse hair on the top of his helmet.
Currently Jason had his smooth silver helmet cradled under his armpit, displaying his golden blonde hair. The Roman armor clinked with each movement he made as the shiny silver metal chest piece that was more like a shirt than anything shifted around. Naruto reasoned that it must've either been fitted for him or had some sort of enchantments for it to fit the wearer, as he could tell that it fit like a glove. He had a Roman red battle skirt with leather tassels that hung down and around his waist. The Romans, back in ancient times, used to not wear greaves and only leather sandals, but they soon realized that was seriously stupid. So, as a result, they now wore metal shin guards that came down over the sandals they wore.
Naruto quirked a lopsided smile. He was impressed with how Jason cleaned up. If all Romans looked like this, he could only imagine the intimidating image they must've cast when they numbered in the hundreds or thousands.
Naruto whistled as his friend stepped up to give him a manly hand shake," Well, I can say that you look the part. Now we gotta see if you can perform it as well."
Jason smiled and rolled his eyes," Yeah, yeah, anyways I came to get you and my shield. You know since you are the only one still in the barracks after everyone left to the field. The game starts in a few minutes, and I don't want to be late and miss out on being able to join. We're facing the First and Second Cohorts," He informed.
This was surprising," What do you mean First and Second Cohorts? I though the First was the only one defending," He asked in a curious tone.
Jason sighed and ran a hand through his hair," It surprised the rest of us too. The Praetors said something about wanting to try something new. Apparently, the last few years have seen an influx of new kids into all of the cohorts except for the First and Second, since they are so 'selective'," He said with air quotes," Because of that, all of the cohorts besides the First and Second have around an extra fifty kids each."
Naruto picked up on what he was explaining and finished it," So they let them two join forces as to make it a little more even," He finished and began focusing on tightening his armor. His chest piece was done, so he bent down to tighten his shin guards and sandals," Well I'm going to assume that made it even harder for us, hmm?"
Jason nodded a nod that was unseen to Naruto as he was focused on his shoe wear," Got it in one. Those two have the reputation of being the best in the camp, and attacking them both in a fortified position is just going to make it harder," He finished
Naruto straightened up and flexed his fists in his gloves to make sure they were comfortably tightened, and looked at Jason with a quirked eyebrow," Are you trying to make me quit? Because that's how it's sounding to me right now,"
Jason sent him a confident smile," Nope, just making sure you come in prepared. Those guys from the First and Second may be pricks, but they aren't pushovers. Not by a long shot."
Naruto shrugged a shoulder," Fine by me. It just makes it all that much sweeter when we're the ones hoisting that flag above our heads," He told him and pointed over to the corner Jason's shield was. Jason looked and saw that Naruto was pointing towards his shield and walked over to it. He grabbed it and strapped it onto his left forearm securely. After finishing with his shield he placed his helmet on top of his head and turned towards Naruto.
Naruto looked at his blonde haired friend and gave him a look that asked him if he was ready. Jason nodded back confidently and the two began their way to the Fields of Mars. As they walked Naruto kept looking at his gloves, clenching and unclenching his fists. This action sparked a question in Jason's mind.
"Hey Naruto," He started. Naruto looked at his armored companion and dropped his fists to his side. Seeing he got his attention Jason continued," Where is your sword at?"
Naruto in response brought his two gloved hands up," These are my weapons," Naruto told him. He was the confused look on Jason's face and elaborated," These hold my weapons, in a sense," Jason shot him a look and Naruto added," I don't really know how to explain it in words that won't confuse your brain. My dad told me how they worked and everything, but it was in a way that was very over the top technical, and I don't want to fry your brain before the fight."
Jason laughed at the joke, and took a closer look at the gloves as the two continued to walk and talk. With his sharp eyes he could see nothing weird about the gloves that would tell him that they held something within. Wait a minute. Jason's eyes widened as he realized what the gloves must've been.
"Those gloves are like my coin!" He exclaimed in realization.
Naruto looked at Jason confusedly and asked," Coin?"
Jason opened up the small pouch he had strapped to his left hip and pulled out a gold coin. He held it out in between his thumb and index fingers, turning it around and back to let Naruto get a good look at it. One side held the face of what Naruto was guessing Julius Caesar and the held the image of something Naruto just couldn't make out exactly.
Finishing his analysis, Naruto spoke up," Ah, I can see what you mean. I can literally feel the magic and power your coin holds just like my gloves do. How do you activate yours? I have to bang my fists together, and then mine come out," He explained.
Jason decided to show rather than explain, and flipped his coin with his thumb. A golden flash later, and a golden gladius was now in Jason's grip. The blade's two foot length gleamed in the moonlight, and Naruto had to resist the urge to snatch it out of Jason's hands and give it the classic child of Vulcan once over. From where he stood Naruto could tell that the sword had a godly influence on it like his own weapon. The sword was, from hilt to tip, around 27 inches and He could tell it was the perfect length for Jason.
"…ruto? Naruto? Naruto!?"
Naruto gave a mild jolt of surprise and his gaze was tore away from the gladius," Wha? What?"
Jason looked at Naruto amusedly," Yup, definitely a child of Vulcan," He chuckled lightly," Only one of them could get lost looking at a weapon. I can't tell you just how many did the same thing you did when they saw mine," He chuckled a little more at Naruto's sheepish look," You're reaction was rather tame compared to some of the others I have met. One almost tried to tackle me to get a closer look!"
That tidbit sent the two into a fit of laughter with one remembering the day and the other imagining just how it went down. Their laughter lasted until they made it to the field. The laughter and smiles died once they made their way into the organized groups that held cohorts 3-5. The two weaved their ways through the collection of the meticulously lined up pre-teens and teens. On the way Naruto caught a glimpse of an elephant, and was so caught up on staring at its armored form, he bumped into Jason's armored back. This stumbled the two boys, and broke Naruto's stare on the exotic armored animal.
Jason set his feet and stopped his tumbling and looked back at Naruto with a slightly agitated look," What was that for, man?"
Naruto looked at Jason and pointed to the lumbering elephant wordlessly. Jason looked over to the subject of Naruto's carelessness, and his mouth formed into an oooh.
Jason turned away from the elephant and dragged Naruto's astonished form with him. As he did this he explained to Naruto about the elephant," That's our newest edition to the games, Hannibal. Named after the famous Carthaginian general who was close to knocking down the gates of Rome," He explained. Naruto was listening raptly as his father barely ever talked about history during their lessons," We named him that because of the intimidating and unorthodox mounts that Hannibal's personal army rode into battle and devastated the unprepared Roman army. So," He said pointing back to Hannibal," they decided to name him that out of respect and it seems to fit him."
Naruto absorbed the small history lesson with wide open ears, and imagined just how it would feel to go up against an elephant of that size.
"The funny thing is, he's not even fully grown yet. Our veterinarians say that he will continue to grow until we're close to adulthood," Jason added with a wide smile.
This fact almost made Naruto stumble in incredulity. The elephant was already bigger than 2 grown men, and he was going to get bigger? That was ridiculous! Naruto took his thoughts off of Hannibal when rapid and heated speech reached his ears. He looked at Jason to see if he was hearing what he did, and got a nod of confirmation. They both began moving towards it, wondering what was happening.
As they got closer the disruption was made clearer. In front of the three lined up cohorts there was a heated argument going on between the Centurions, if their headgear was any indication of their rank, and it looked to be split down the middle. There were three centurions, two male and one female judging by the voices, and three more on the other side, all male according to the voices that speaking.
Naruto walked towards the three teens and listened in to what they were arguing about.
"What do you mean you won't help in the main assault team?!" Naruto heard one of the guys on the left side asked incredulously. Naruto gazed at the tall teen and could only make out the sharp angular nose, pointed chin, and light green eyes he had due to him having the full set of Centurion armor on.
Naruto saw one of the males from the other side of the other side of the argument, about 5 foot 10 with a round nose and fierce brown eyes and a body type that reminded Naruto of a bulldog, step forward and answer the fierce question with aggressively," Because Brian! I know that you intend to use our Cohort as nothing more than cannon fodder!"
The accusation was met with a series of small gasps from the Cohort in question, Cohort 4 according to the banner that was held in the air, and murmurs broke out amongst them. Brian stepped forward aggressively, but was held back from doing anything rash by the Centurion on his side. The male, about the same height as Brian, with broad shoulders and same facial features as Brian had and Naruto guessed he was his brother. Naruto watched him give Brian a silent look that lowered Brian's hackles immediately, and caused him to take a step back.
He turned his head toward the guy Naruto was sure Brian was about to deck in the face and spoke calmly but sharply," You know as well as I do, Antonio, that anyone assaulting the front will be subjected to the heaviest of the fire. We learned that when we were young, and that isn't going to change. We all agreed to send in the Forth with of Hannibal and then the Fifth to help with the push. While we," He said indicating to Brian and him," take our Cohort around the sides and attack from their rear while they are occupied in trying to stop you guys."
Naruto remembered being debriefed on the plan in the Barracks and thought it was a good plan if a little on the simple side. He had no qualms against and even if he did he was not in any position to voice them. He had just only got here like a day ago, and he barely even knew anybody. Plus he was from the "Failure Fifth", and he doubted anyone would listen to the suggestion he would have.
"Look, I'm just saying," Antonio said and then leaned in towards Brian and the other boy," Why don't we send in the Fifth Cohort first and then us with Hannibal. That way, once they get done exhausting their ammo on the Failure Fifths, we can just storm in there with Hannibal, break through that gate and show those stuck up pricks what defeat tastes like!" He finished boldly and with emphasis. His changes of the plan were met with a round of cheers from the Fourth Cohort and scattered murmurs of agreement by the Third.
Naruto clenched his fists so hard his knuckles popped and frowned deeply. What he just heard was almost criminal. Not only was he throwing them to the wolves, but he had no strategic value to it whatsoever. He was using everybody's want to beat the Second and First Cohort and mixed it with what they thought of them. They all thought they were nothing better than a distraction. That they were worthless!
From the frontlines where Jason and Naruto stood came the Fifth Cohort Centurion, Tyler. Naruto met him briefly when they were being told of the plan and saw that the lanky kid was more than his appearance let on. Naruto watched him clang his sword onto his shield to get everyone's attention.
CLANG CLANG CLANG
He stood up straight and tall as his brown eyed freckled face locked eyes with Antonio's similar ones. He glared strongly at him, but tore his gaze away to address Brian and what Naruto still thought was his brother," Julius," He started breaking the whispered conversation the two were having," you know we will get slaughtered down there if you were to send us in first like that. The Forth," here he paused as if the next words were hard to say," have better fighters than us and will be more effective at making a hole that we can take advantage of."
Antonio immediately picked up as Tyler finished," And as the better fighter that makes us a more valuable asset that shouldn't be the first to get put down," He stated," Besides, you make it seem like the Fifth Cohort is good at anything other than that." He insulted. He pointed a hand towards Tyler and continued," You know your Cohort's reputation and I personally believe that you guys cannot be trusted with anything else. We all know what happened the last time one of you had an important job, hmm?" He jabbed towards Tyler. By now Tyler looked downright furious. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the end of his Gladius handle in anger. Naruto saw his jaw clench and unclench and the scowl on his face turned even colder than before. Naruto could tell that he wanted to say something desperately, but held his tongue due to the stinging truth that Antonio's words held.
Everyone knew that the truth was that the last time someone from the Fifth Cohort did have something important, they lost it. It didn't help that it was the Golden Eagle, the symbol of pride and strength for the Romans, which was lost. And just like how it was lost, everyone knew the complete downturn the Fifth Cohort took afterwards.
But Naruto wouldn't go over that right now. Now he had a guy to punch in the face. He huffed and started to step forward, but was stopped by a sharp pain in his skull.
"You will not be doing something so foolish in front of so many people," The Kyuubi said in his deep menacing voice. The sharp stab of pain disappeared, but it got Naruto's attention.
Why did you stop me? That guy is just asking to be decked in the face for what he was just saying.
"Yes, I know he was speaking disrespectfully towards you and your own, and if he were speaking like that towards me I would've ripped his measly soul out of still cooling carcass," The Kyuubi sighed, "But as it were, you wouldn't let me do such a thing."
You're got that right, Naruto replied back as he tried to calm himself down.
The Kyuubi continued on as if he had not heard Naruto," But the reason I stopped you was because I didn't want you to interrupt your blonde haired friend," he explained to his container.
Confused, Naruto was ready to ask the Kyuubi about what he meant. Before he could, he got his answer in the shape of an irate Jason.
Jason had it. He was sick and tired of being discriminated against and looked down upon like they weren't better that mud that would accumulate on the bottom of their sandals. He had only been there for about two years, and he was already fed up with. Now, they were trying to treat them as nothing more than a walking meat shield?!
That. Was. It.
He was done. Throughout the entire exchange his anger slowly bubbled forth towards the surface with each dig that was thrown at the Fifth Cohort. Dark, dangerous clouds rolled across the sky and obscured the once starry night. His hands turned to fists and his knuckles turned white. The teens that were once standing around him noticed his increasing fury, and wisely took a good ten steps back. The only one that still stood by him was Naruto, who looked just as furious.
Jason didn't notice any of it. He was too deep in a veil of outrage to even care at the moment. The hairs on his arms rose up slightly from his fair skin and miniature storms brewed within his blue eyes. His lips were pulled back in a miniature snarl of fury. It was this livid image of a 12 year old boy that seared itself into everyone-who-was-present's memory.
Jason stepped forward resolutely, and made the four senior Centurions acknowledge him by slamming his shield onto the ground. Dirt was displaced and the shield made an indention into the ground due to the force behind it. The dull THUMB that followed halted all scattered discussions, and brought the attention to the infuriated Son of Jupiter.
No words were said as Jason dragged his electric blue eyes across the faces of the three Centurions who were more than likely going to decide to make the Fifth Cohort the proverbial 'bullet sponges'. He stepped up next to Tyler, who in turn looked down at his subordinate with an impressed and slightly curious look. He did this with a small smirk, as he knew what he was going to do. He was ready to do the same thing, but he reasoned that the kid with the glowing blue eyes would have a better impact than him. He stepped back with a sly smirk, and allowed all of the attention to be put on Jason. This kid was going places.
Jason noticed that Tyler stepped back, but didn't dwell on it for the moment. No, all of his focus was pointed at the three Centurions in front of him. He huffed through his nose, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"The amount of disrespect we as a Cohort have received has gone on for long enough. I've only been here for two years, and I say enough is Enough," He did not yell, but they were still somehow louder than any voice could make them. His frigid tone cut a path through ear drums and left no prisoners, as it forced people to pay attention and listen," For too long have you looked at us like we were nothing more than garbage that didn't deserve to be called Roman," he spat. His intense blue eyes did not stray from Antonio's frozen brown ones, but his words were directed at them all," but today you would dare to label and try to use us as nothing more than walking-talking meat shields to be used at your own benefit?" he asked in an incredulous manner because he truly did not believe that they could stoop so low. Lupa told him all about how the kids at the camp would treat him like family, but apparently she forgot to include what would happen if he joined the Fifth Cohort.
He looked over his shoulder, and the first person's eyes he met were the violet ones of Naruto. He looked into the oddly colored eyes and saw the nod of respect he got from him. He moved past Naruto and looked into the eyes of each and every member of the Fifth Cohort, trying to convey what he was about to do through his eyes. To his surprise he got several nods of acknowledgement back when he locked eyes with said person.
In all reality though, Tyler just told someone, and then told him to pass it on to the rest of them.
Jason looked back towards the Centurions," Then go ahead. We'll let you, no," He paused," we want to be the first at that gate. We'll show you what the Fifth Cohort can do," He turned around and fell in line with his Cohort, no, his family. He lined up next to Naruto and motioned for Tyler to get things going.
Tyler smiled widely, his freckles stretching across his face, and unsheathed his gladius," Fifth Cohort," He bellowed and pointed his sword forward," let us show them what it means to be Roman!"
That ignited the fire within the bellies of the Fifth Cohort teens, and they marched in unison towards the fort that was erected in the middle of the field. Slowly, as they were still shocked by the exclamation of the, "Failure Fifths". In spite of their state of mind, they would not be shown up by the Fifth. The two Cohorts followed after the example of the Fifth, and caught up to the Fifth Cohort's fired up members.
In unison, the three Cohorts marched their way towards the fort that would be the setting of the War Game. The fort came into view, and was it should've been called a castle.
The walls stood planted into the ground in the shape of a rough circle. The thick walls towered above the attackers, and flattened out once they reached their apex. The tops of the walls had a scattered assortment of siege guns, pressurized water cannons and scorpion ballistae with teens manning them, ready to blast at anybody they deemed a target. Up there with them were the teens who preferred the bow rather than the sword, ready to let loose blunted arrows down onto the attackers. Aiding them was a ginormous iron gate, bolted to the walls, and intimidating to anyone with the intentions of trying to get through its cold unforgiving iron body. Behind that gate sat the two most skilled Cohorts, albeit admitted reluctantly, in the camp.
Naruto took all of this in once he set eyes on the fort. In all the thing was sound and could was built well. It was probably built by his step brothers and sisters, as such carpentry and construction had a familiar feeling to it. Because of that he could tell where its weak spots were.
He marched with the Fifth Cohort and knew that this was going to be tough.
He smiled wildly as felt his heart begin to beat in his chest with purpose. His blood flowed through his veins, filling them with warmth and excitement. He smiled wildly and his violet eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He was ready to show what he was made of. The Fifth Cohort got closer and closer to the iron gate, and as they did to their surprise a trumpet like noise sounded off behind them. They looked at to their surprise it was Hannibal the elephant bringing up the rear. His rider atop of him gave them a 'come on' motion with his arm and urged Hannibal forward. The Fifth Cohort took this invitation gladly and pushed forward with the giant elephant.
The ground shook beneath his feet with each lumbering stomp Hannibal took forward. The Fifth had a fire in their eyes, and looked as if nothing would stop them from getting into that fort and getting that flag. This was their moment and they were going to take it.
These thoughts circulated through their heads, as they got closer and closer to the gates that stood in their way.
"Raise shields!" Tyler screamed above the pounding footsteps and the blood pumping through his ears. As one they raised their shields above their heads, but as a result had to slow their run down to an average march. Raising their shield was the right thing to do as they were in range to be fired upon.
And fired upon they were.
Unleashed upon them was the combined might of the defenses that were stored in the fort. High pressurized water was the first thing to hit, and it struck the frontline of shields like a sledgehammer. The water rocketed out and impacted against the shields and slowed the frontline, whilst wetting the ground beneath their feet making it mucky and sloshy.
Naruto, not having a shield, moved behind Hannibal, grabbing onto the straps on his side and hanging off of them. With his elevated position he was able to see the incoming ballista fire," Incoming ballista!" He cried out to his comrades over the sound of rushing water.
Apparently he was heard as immediately he heard a cry," Shields halt!"
The line of Romans stopped hard, and planted their feet waiting for the inevitable impact.
WHISH WHISH WHISH WHISH
The sounds of the scorpions releasing their ammunition filled the cool night air. Naruto grimaced as they impacted over the top of the shields. For some teens it proved too much and they were blasted back by the impact and fell to the floor groaning in pain with broken bones and bruises. Despite this, the lines were hardly fazed, and soldiers moved in to fill in the spaces of their fallen comrades.
They moved like a machine, and were meticulous with their approach. Their steps moving in synchronization creating a war melody that fit the setting perfectly. Fortunately for them, the pressurized water cannon were set with a limit to where one could not fire them as long as the scorpions were being reloaded.
They took advantage the best way any Roman would.
"Romans, pilla!" was the cry the activated the constantly practiced action. The lines dropped their shields and pulled out their pilla. In a second they were lined up, and the call was given.
"LOOSE!"
Hundreds of pilla filled the sky and rained down upon the defenders of the fort with merciless fury. They took cover the best they could, but Naruto witnessed several teens be struck by the pilla. Some in the chest, arms, and legs knocking them from their perches. The Fifth took advantage of this and pushed forward faster, getting a few dozen feet from the gates themselves. Despite their flawless use of pilla, they did not get all they could. The archers that lied in wait were now able to fire upon the approaching Cohort as they pleased.
Blunted arrowheads raced from fingers in hordes of 10s and 20s. Some found their mark while others were harmlessly bounced off shields. Hannibal himself was targeted with a great deal of them, but thanks to his thick hide and armor, he was hardly effected by the blunted arrows.
This gave Naruto an idea.
Naruto looked up at Hannibal's rider and called up to him," Hey!"
The rider looked down at Naruto with amber eyes and a button nose with surprise. Apparently he didn't know he was there, but that didn't matter," What are you doing down there kid!?" He yelled over the sounds of pain, commands, and arrows.
Naruto shook his head," That doesn't matter! Can you get me to that gate!?" He asked while pointing to the epicenter of the hail of arrows, and the recuperating teens who were re-manning the water cannons.
He looked at the quickly recuperating teens at the top of the wall, and growled as his hair whipped around with each movement Hannibal made. He needed answer. He looked back to the contemplating rider and got his attention once again," Hey! Well can you or can you not?!" He grew a mischievous smirk on his face," Or can your elephant not handle a little arrow fire?"
Naruto grew an even wider smirk when he saw the outrage in the teen's eyes. The teen snapped the reins that he gripped to control Hannibal, and the elephant began moving faster forward. The teen looked down at Naruto," I hope you have a plan kid!" He said before turning back forward and focusing on controlling Hannibal and not getting hit by a stray arrow.
Naruto looked at the rapidly getting closer gate and muttered under his breath," Oh, I got a plan, don't you worry."
Hannibal drew closer to the gate, and as a result, arrow fire was relocated onto him. Naruto gripped the strap he was hanging on to with tightly, and let his other hand be free to smack away any stray arrows that he caught coming his way. Hannibal trumpeted loudly and Naruto flinched at the loud noise.
"Come on buddy! You can do it Hannibal. We need to get to that gate!" Naruto heard the rider holler.
With Hannibal being focused on, it allowed for the Fifth Cohort to move forward unimpeded. They ate up the distance between them and the gate methodically until they were a few feet away from the gate. Their luck ran dry though, as the water cannons were re-manned. The pressurized water once again slowed the Cohort to a crawl due to its dangerous pressure that it fired down upon them.
This slowed their movement to a crawl, and Naruto reasoned they weren't going to get that much further if something wasn't done about those cannons.
That's good enough I suppose.
"Hey kid!" Naruto looked up at Hannibal's rider and saw that his eyes were alternating between focusing on what was in front of him and Naruto himself. Naruto saw him look out of the corner of his eyes and catch that he was looking at him," We're getting closer to the gate kid! You're going to need to get off sooner rather than later. This arrow fire is getting to Hannibal, and I'm doing all I can to keep on the right," he suddenly jerked at his reins," path!"
Naruto looked forwards, and saw that he was the right distance away from the approaching Cohort and the gate at the same time. He readied his legs, gave a thumbs up to Hannibal's rider, and leaped off of the elephant. He had to quickly roll with the impact, and tumbled onto his knees. He looked up and immediately sped towards the gate.
He flat out hoofed it towards the iron gates that protected the entrance of the fort, weaving through arrow shots with more than few barely missing by a hairs breadth. With each step he took, dirt and rocks were displaced and kicked up into the air.
With the speed he was going at, it left everybody speechless, and everyone was caught up in watching this new kid blow their mind with his speed. Due to this, Naruto made it to the iron gate, and the second and final phase of his plan was put into action.
His eyes began to glow and the muscles in his arms tensed in anticipation. He reached out and gripped the gate with his fingers, and began to pull.
His unorthodox action actually made a lull in the action of the War Game, and caused everyone to watch what he was doing. Pure curiosity urged them to figure out what he was trying to do. Archers lowered their bows, and the Fifth Cohort lowered their shields and looked on.
Jason looked over his raised shield and looked at his friend as he pulled on the gate. What is he doing?
Naruto gritted his teeth and huffed through his nose. This gate was proving harder than what he assumed. His fingers were wrapped around the cold biting metal as he pulled with untold amounts of strength. His veins bulged in his forearms, as they ran up his arms. His biceps bulged and the air around him swayed. His feet were planted hard enough into the ground to leave permanent imprints into the earth itself. His heart beat as loud as a drum in his ears, and his eyes flashed with power.
Slowly, the bolts that kept the gate locked in its place to the wall, began to groan in exertion. This unhuman amount of strain that was being put on them. Naruto's arms shook as his strength slowly began to beat out the resilience that was held within the crafted metal. Suddenly something gave…
…and it wasn't Naruto's arms.
The bolts sped out of the place they were once at, and scattered across the ground and into the air. With the strength that Naruto was pulling, the iron gate was flung backwards into the air. It flipped end over end, tumbling through the night air and landed with a dull thump and a resounding clang.
Naruto turned towards the Fifth Cohort with a cheeky grin on his face," Door's open."
He swore he heard someone drop their sword and shield onto the floor.
