The Center of the Maze: The Ninja Duelist!

Meanwhile...

Tsachi is charging through the maze as fast as his feet allow him. Eventually the walls start to move, to try and crush him, attack him, stop him anyway possible.

Earth Style: Boulder Barrier Jutsu!

As he runs, Tsachi kicks up dirt. He continues moving, dodging the jagged pillars & spikes that erupt from the wall in an effort to stop him. All the while, being covered more & more by the earth around him until finally he's completely covered in what is a hollowed out boulder. Tsachi charges through the labyrinth, using his Rinnegan to see where he is going. Finally, he comes to a stop & the boulder collapses onto him, covering Tsachi in dirt.

"Impressive, I never thought anyone would get through my labyrinth so easily. Of course if anyone would accomplish such a feat it would be the great Tsachi Shiruba, former Head Ninja of the Village Hidden in the Clouds.", the young man states as he stands in front of a very dirty Tsachi. He looks at the Cloud Ninja, carefully scanning him. He notices all the small scars on his hands, arms & face; the fact that his headband's cloth had been cut through a few too many times, & most notably that he couldn't have been older than Tsachi but maybe the same age & that he carried a long-sword on his back.

The young ninja runs his hand through his short, brown hair & says, "I'm glad you find me attractive Tsachi, but I don't like guys undressing my with their eyes, especially when they have your eyes.". Tsachi charges him, kunai in hand, when the Cloud Ninja snaps his fingers & a rack of swords appears between them. Tsachi stops & the opposing ninja states, "I am Meikyuu Kagakabe, the Duelist of the Cloud Village. You made it through my labyrinth, so I know you have exceptional skills, & that is without your reputation preceeding you. I assumed Lord Arashi taught you how to use swords, did he?".

Tsachi looks at him, slightly confused, before answering, "He did. I knew you were 1 of the Kagakabe clan, this is your family's jutsu. So, since I'm here we're going to be sword fighting?". He scans the swords, checking to make sure they haven't been tampered with as Meikyuu responds, "It's either that or I use my advantage of you being in my jutsu & just crush you, & the rest of your team of course.". He glares at the Cloud Ninja angrily & grabs a sword, quickly swinging for Meikyuu's neck. He blocks it with his own sword & stares back at Tsachi, "Nice attack, too bad it'll be your last.".

Meikyuu Kagakabe jumps back & leaps into the air, his sword pointing down at Tsachi's head.

Duel Art: Sword of Revealing Light!

Light flows out of Meikyuu's sword, & Tsachi jumps back, dodging the blow. The swordsman smirks as light pours out of his weapon, blinding Tsachi. "This is it!", he cries as he swings for Tsachi's neck, only to hear the clash of metal on metal. "That's all you've got, trying to blind me with a cheap trick?", Tsachi inquires as thrusts downward, going for Meikyuu's knee. He jumps back & twirls his sword around in a flashy display.

Duel Art: Sword of Sparkles!

Suddenly, Tsachi starts to notice specks of light floating off the sword. He charges Meikyuu, but he smirks again & as he does a hand-sign, the specks erupt in a series of blinding flashes of light. It's like a million cameras going off all at once as the swordsman of the Cloud Village thrusts forcefully at Tsachi. The light fades & Meikyuu finds that Tsachi isn't there. He feels metal sticking into his back, "Looks like you aren't so great after all, & I managed to get another attack in.", Tsachi states as he presses the tip of his sword into Meikyuu's back. The young "duelist" sticks his sword in the ground & kneels submissively. "You've got me, but just 1 thing...", he grabs his sword

Duel Art: Sword of Concealing Light!

A great flash of light shines from Meikyuu's sword for a moment before both of them are shrouded in pitch black darkness. "If I can't beat you with light, I know I can beat you in the dark.", Meikyuu says confidently. Tsachi stays silent as he listens for his opponent, not letting himself get distracted for a single moment. "Fine then, don't respond, JUST TASTE MY BLADE!", the Cloud Ninja cries out.

Duel Art: Sword of Dark Destruction!

A wave of chakra rushes right by Tsachi, & an explosion occurs far off as it hits 1 of the walls of the maze. "I thought this was supposed to be a fair fight, a duel between men. You aren't a man though, you're just a little boy!", Tsachi yells before moving, another Dark Destruction wave almost hits him. Tsachi realizes the irony in what he said, because he can't be that much older than Meikyuu himself. "Fairness, what a completely idiotic concept. The world isn't fair, life isn't fair, being a ninja isn't fair so why should I fight fair?! I don't! I DO WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN!".

DUEL ART: SWORD OF DARK RITES!

Underneath Tsachi's feet, a seal begins glowing dark purple & chains shoot out from beneath him, trapping him. An alter raises out of the ground, & Meikyuu steps toward him, smirking wickedly in the dark glow of the seal. "Any last words before I kill you?", the sword wielding ninja asks cockily. Tsachi glares down at him, & then smiles, responding, "Yes, in fact I know the perfect thing to say. 'I hope you love the taste of your own medicine.". Meikyuu looks up at him in confusion.

Inner Path: Samsara of Endless Pain

Meikyuu's body goes limp, & the darkness is gone. The labyrinth starts to disappear back into the earth & the landscape goes back to normal. After a moment, the other rush over to him & Ino latches onto Tsachi like a parasite. "OH THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!", she screams out in relief. Sakura walks over & punches Ino in the head again & pulls her off the jonin. Deva walks to Tsachi & disappears, Tsachi's eyes return to normal & he perks back up instantly. "Now let's move on, I'll tell you all about what happened.", he says with a smile.

It's that time again! You know what time I'm talking about, time for more Naruto Trivia!

Akatsuki is full of a bunch of freaks! How many are seemingly immortal?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 5

Now you know the rules.......

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NO CHEATING!

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Time's almost up.......

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The answer is D. 5!

Orochimaru had his "Immortality Jutsu", which allowed him to change bodies every 3 years & even regenerate. Sasori changed his body into a human puppet, granting himself eternal youth. Hidan had the Jashin's secret jutsu, which allows him to live as long as he can kill. Kakuzu used "Earth Grudge Fear" to rip out the hearts of his opponents to keep living. Last, but certainly not least, Madara/Tobi posseses the "Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan", which allows the user immortality, or so it seems.

Did you know that? If so, good for you! If not, it's ok. Make sure you come on back for more soon!