:C (realizes he's been gone for way too long)

:O (quickly inserts new chapter)

:) (runs)

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"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Ggh, not again! How much chakra does Naruto have?"

This wasn't easy in the least bit, and with every passing second, the battle was slowly getting harder. Not only was the goofball armed with unstop amounts of chakra, a multitude of shadow clones, and the amazing reserves of stamina he had, but now he had the training with Jiraiya and to top it all of, he was a Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox. He was a lot stronger than before now that all his lies and fake stories were out of the way; he was really determined to put him down. He grunted as a clone shoved his foot into him, causing him to skid back along the water.

"Nagh! Darn it..."

Sasuke had nearly tried every move he could to stop Naruto's hand signs, but the stubborn Genin became more wiser and steadfast in his approaches to him. Instead of just rushing in complete fury, he stayed back and letting the clones do all the work. But the attacks had started to grow more lethal. Clones were beginning to aim in spots where even a simple kick or punch could paralyze him enough for a fatal mistake. More kunai knives were being swung at him. And to make up for each individual's sluggish and predictable strikes, another would cover for him and force Sasuke to focus on dodging, erasing a counter-attack possibility. He remembered Kakashi lecturing him for always doing everything on his own, but there was no mistaking it; by himself, Naruto had developed his clones into the perfect coordinated team he had seen so far. Ducking from a haymaker, he shot a glance at the real Naruto, who was in the back of the group, smirking.

"Urgh... he's trying to wear me out with his clones, while he stays back and waits for his chance. That's it; I know this is going to leave me open, but I have to do it...!"

With that, Sasuke took a giant leap into the air as a clone missed, trying to clothesline him. All the clones shot their gaze up instantly and with a collective yell, threw their knives up after them. Normally, this would've immediately hit a normal ninja trying to escape, as it's nearly impossible to dodge in mid-air. However, this played to the Uchiha's advantage as he quickly made a few hands signs and took a deep breath.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"

With a sudden exhale and guiding it with his hand, a gigantic ball of fire came from the lungs of Sasuke just as the rain of kunai were thrown upwards. Still in the motion of throwing, the clones all realized it was too late to escape their hellish demise and let out blood-curdling screams as the fire scorched them into one of its residue gases. A brief moment of relief swept over Sasuke, knowing he would get some rest fina-

"!"

Suddenly, he felt something cling onto his leg tightly. Shifting his eyes to his shin, he saw a tiny bit of thread wrap at least four or five times around it. Suddenly, it glistened because of the sunshine.

"Wire..?!"

Thanks to the sun, he traced it back to the source; the hands of Naruto. The boy grinned with an evil glare as he yanked down with all his might. Sasuke was sent flying down in a diagonal angle towards his opponent. He shielded his face as he rapidly was forced down by gravity and Naruto's might.

"No way...! This entire time he wanted me to jump into the air, so he could catch me off guard!"

Widening his eyes, Naruto revealed a kunai in his other hand. Flipping it so its point was venturing towards, he jerked his arm back and let momentum carry his thrust. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw the intent shining all over his eyes; it was that same intent to kill when he rashly charged Kakashi back when they took his survival test or when he fought Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams. No... It was more deadlier... more deadlier than back on the rooftop... and what shouted worse was there was no Kyuubi influence in this glare... it was purely...

"YOU'RE FINALLY MINE! SAAAAASUUUUKKEEEEE!"

The vile and hollow hatred bellowed out of Naruto's mouth, throwing his arm violently at him for the fatal stabbing. The tiny tip looked like the biggest, unstoppable way of death of he didn't move fast. He slightly panicked, realizing he needed to move now. He grunted and yanked his head carelessly sudden to the right, causing a giant sudden pain in his left shoulder... as the kunai barely touched him and proceeded to miss pass his hand. Taking the advantage of Naruto's complete horror and disbelief, he grabbed his wrist and smashed his hand into his, knocking the kunai into the air. Suddenly, the Jinchuuriki looked up in complete dread as he quickly made a hand sign for a clone jutsu. Not letting this tiny detail go out of notice, Sasuke watched a clone being summoned; it jumped up and grabbed the kunai before it was lost in the water. He forwarded his attention to Naruto, who still was looking up. Normally, people would call it cheap, but he took the chance and slugged him a good one across the face. A strangled grunt was heard as he watched him bounce back along the water, letting go of the wire. Taking the opportunity, he bent down and quickly untangled the wire, to make sure this wasn't used against him again. Hearing a growl of frustration, he looked up to see Naruto with his clone, creating his Rasengan.

"How on earth does he recover so fast!? Darn it, I really don't want to do this, but it's the only thing that will counter that...!"

Staying in his crouch, Sasuke quickly made the hand signs and performed his Chidori. As the lightning cracked and shot all across the top of the water from his hand, he slowly stood up, looking up at him. He was regretting this decision, but right now, it was all he could do in such limited time to counter him. Naruto gritted his teeth to the point of damaging them as his clone finished helping him form the Rasengan. With it poofing into smoke, Naruto left behind the clouds and began to charge head-on. Instinct took over his friend's body and soon ran course to intercept. Both rushing, but each with different intentions. One to destroy and the other...

"I can't believe how much stronger he's become... just only a few months ago, he was just some loud-mouth loser who charged in recklessly, bragging about being the best... He's using well coordinated attacks with his clones... using tools to catch me off guard... and..."

The sound of approaching power stomped above the water as both took a step into the other and smashed their jutsu against each other. The giant collision shattered throughout the whole valley, pure chakra and lightning fighting to power through the other. Both boys grunted, struggling to withstand the power pushing each back. In turn, the power was so evenly match, it raged out of control. It created a gap of pure power that forced both their hands back. Too much chakra built into it, it caused a mini explosion, sending both boys back splashing into the ocean below them. The water struggled to maintain its quiet-like state while the noise died out. It seems that all was lost and that things would be fading away... until an arm in orange sleeves raised from under the ripples and pulled the main body up. Naruto panted and growled as he held his right arm.

"Rrrrgh... Freakin' Sasuke! That Chidori is equal to power with my Rasengan... No matter what I do, he finds a way out of it... I've had enough."

Slowly, a tiny glow of red started to slither and gently outline his body.

"All right, you stupid fox... I'll let you in on this fight. I'm done playing nice with my clones..."

Looking forward and seeing the silhouette of his opponent reaching the surface, he slowly smirked.

"Sasuke might be better than me at taijutsu and he might have more jutsus under his arsenal... but none of that matters, not even his Sharingan... I have better stamina and this curse I hate can aid me for now... I'll just summon a non-stop slaughter of my clones, beat him within an inch of his life, then kill him with a Nine-Tailed powered Rasengan... then I can finally kiss this wretched village and their hatred good-bye..."

Meanwhile, the water was cold and dark, yet it raised him towards the living light. He held his breath while he let the current carry him to the surface, giving him a good chance to rest his body. His eyes gently looked up and broke through the water. Coming above water, Sasuke's sadness took control over the emotion of his face, his body not even moving an inch.

"I... I can't believe this... You... I can see it in your eyes. You really mean it."

Slowly taking a short glance at Naruto before he channeled his chakra into his body to crouch above the surface, he closed his eyes and sighed. Gently raising his head to meet Naruto's glare, he viewed on with sadness.

"If I get in your way... you really are going to try to kill me. Naruto..."

Across from him, Naruto grinned with sharpened teeth, widened face-marks, and red animalistic eyes as the crimson-orange chakra slowly wrapped around him. It wasn't like in previous times, but he had let the Fox have some chakra control. He almost would've starting laughing, had he not watched Sasuke speak.

"...You know, Naruto," he heard him say, "There's this apparent truth in the spirit of shinobi... when two ninjas of equal strength face off against each other, they are able to read the other's mind and know exactly what he's thinking."

"Heh, you still trying to kiss up to me and convert me from the 'error of my ways'?" Naruto laughed, "I think it's a little too late for that, don't ya think?"

Sasuke closed his eyes, lowering his head in a sigh. Was it really too late...?

"You've always been naïve, Sasuke," he kept speaking, "Face it; only one thing has ever mattered to you and it's the only think you'll ever care about: Itachi."

He wanted to retort, but there was no arguing with the truth. Looking up, Sasuke knew that his revenge of his clan came first for so long, but...

"But, okay, let's play by your rules... and, hahaha... says we're 'equals'," Naruto grinned, slowly giggling a bit, "Tell me, Sasuke. Are you able to read my thoughts?"

Suddenly, he rose to his feet, yelling with a maniacal grin, "CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT'S ON MY MIND!?"

Quickly, he was rapidly fast at making a hand sign; a giant hurricane of smoke surrounded Sasuke, causing a huge wind current. Closing his eyes, he shielded his face and grunted, struggling to stay on his feet when he stood up. As the smoke and wind died out, the Uchiha opened his eyes... to the horror of over a hundred Naruto clones surrounding him. A sudden gasp escaped his lungs, his head looking all around him.

"W-What the... how the hell did he make so many clones!?"

"It's over, Sasuke! I'M TAKING YOU OUT RIGHT NOW! GET HIM!" Naruto bellowed from behind his clones, the gigantic swarm of orange closing in on Sasuke.

The Uchiha gritted his teeth, readying for the assault about to be launched on him...

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Hello, once again, audience (I know; I stole from Tobuscus)! ^^ Good to see you again, and hope you enjoy this new chapter; I spent a long time on it. :D