Arc XII Chapter 18

    XII

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    Arc XII Chapter 18

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    “Hah ... Huh ... Hah ...” Kakashi leaned on his knee, tired, exhausted, destroyed, his breathing heavy, yet triumphant. “This was ... a close call ...”

    Kakashi raised his chidori just in time to block her incoming kunai. They met once again, face to face. His blue chidori met her purple blade. The red of his mangekyou the bottomless abyss of her purple eyes. They stared into each other, into each other’s very souls. The sharingan was said to unveil what lay hidden. Though, certainly not all. Some secrets eluded even them, the all seeing eyes.

    Asami smirked with a glint of understanding. “I see. To think that you would not only possess a sharingan, but also a mangekyou. You are full of surprises. Tell me, Kakashi, how does it feel to wield such incredible power, power beyond the grasp of mere mortals?”

    “...” Kakashi gritted his teeth, both tight lipped and hard pressed at the same time. Interlocked, her chakra blade pressed against his chidori, forcing him to supply more and more chakra to counter her assault. He didn’t need to be told twice. Kakashi knew of the consequences otherwise. He saw what happened to Sakura. “...”

    “Taciturn as ever.” Asami retracted her kunai and they both clashed with renewed ferocious vigour. A fury of flashing chakra and sparks erupted. Blue against purple in an incessant storm, driving each other back and forth. The relentless pace accelerated. Faster and faster. Each movement a blur. Every strike raging like thunder. Thrust. Cut. Block. Slash. Chop. Evade. Dodge. Slice. Cleave.

    “Grgh.” Yet Kakashi stood his ground, resisting her assault even when put on the defensive and under heavy pressure. Their blades once again interlocked, her purple blade veritably grinding against the blue chirping lightning of his chidori, producing a ceaseless rain of sparks. Fragments, particles of luminescent chakra danced in the air.

    Armed with her kunai and her umbrella, Asami knew of her advantage, knew of her superiority. The tide of battle favoured her. Kakashi was gradually losing ground. He was losing his sharpness and focus. “Quite the pinch, you find yourself in, Kakashi?”

    “...” Kakashi refused to respond. “That remains to be seen.” The battle reignited, and their chakra clashed again. No quarter was given. No mercy. No respite.

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    “...” Sakura paled, and so did Chiyo and Temari. They were all left speechless. This aura ... It was the Kyuubi’s menacing chakra.

    Naruto raised his head and two slitted eyes greeted them. Two orbs of demonic red. “Who did it?”

    “...” Temari gulped. “It was her. It was Asami. She nearly killed her.”

    “Asami ...” Naruto repeated her name with venom, his blood boiling, his very chakra boiling. “She will pay for this, you will see!!!”

    “No.” Sakura realised the danger. “Naruto, don’t ...”

    “...” Naruto disappeared without a word spoken, rushing straight into battle.

    “Naruto!!!” Sakura shouted with a sense of panic. Her voice never reached him.

    “...” Chiyo began to sweat., aware of the imminent danger of a jinchuuriki out of control. This was the last thing they needed. “This is bad. His emotions got the better of him. If he loses control here and now ... I don’t want to think about what will happen. We can only hope for the best at this point. Temari!”

    “Yes, Lady Chiyo.” Temari straightened her back.

    Chiyo spoke, the concern in her voice apparent. “Go and support Naruto. He will need you. Asami ... This girl ... She is dangerous. To think that a demon like her still exists in this time and age.”

    “Understood.” Temari nodded and followed him.

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