Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto Dragon Champion ❯ Fate and Destiny ( Chapter 13 )

Naruto - The Twin Swords

 

Disclaimer: I do not have ANY ownership to the Naruto series…I wish I did though, but you can only wish for so much. The only thing I do have ownership over is this story.

 

Chapter 13

 

Fate and Destiny

 

( ): Thoughts

 

((“ ”)): Holy Talon's Voice

 

\” “/: Kael's voice

 

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`Fate and Destiny…some said it was my destiny…my fate to be Dragon Champion…'

 

`I certainly never thought of it that way…I only wanted to use the sword to ask for forgiveness for the sins I committed…and if I couldn't wield it…I would never give up and find a way to redeem myself for all the pain and agony I placed on others blindly as a prisoner…no matter how hard it would be. There was no fate or destiny that guided me that day I took the journey to seek the sword…'

 

`No…it was my own decision, my desire, and my own choice to seek Holy Talon out…I was no hero…I was an ordinary man who needed a miracle. And I think that there is no fate or destiny that exists to guide the Holy Talon on who to choose…it was it's own decision to choose it's master…and it chose me…'

 

`Never forget…fate and destiny are not chains that bind us…no matter what others say…we make our own futures and destinies…because we are alive and most all…we have the ability to make ourselves who we want to be through our own hands, we can change fate and destiny as long as well stay true to our dreams and reach for it with hands wide open…'

 

Quote from Holy Dragon Champion Khalen's memoires…

 

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Konoha…

 

The entire stadium had gone silent at the sight of the blonde ninja…who was dressed in battle armor of an unknown design and was with a massive creature that they had never seen before…and the creature OBEYED him!

 

(Naruto-kun…how did you? What's going on here?)

 

Sakura was stunned at what was happening before her as she looked at how utterly relaxed Naruto was in the presence of the massive creature next to him. His new look was also amazing…whatever he was wearing was certainly unheard of…it seemed to be similar to body armor…like the ones worn by the ANBU…but quite different indeed, and from the sheen…resembles pure metal. Something seemed to stir in her as she looked at her team-mate…and naturally…he now released a very…unearthly quality…a very attractive unearthly quality at that.

 

Ino and Kin likewise were in the same boat as their pink haired companion as they gazed at the blonde ninja. Despite his somewhat strange clothes…they looked…right on him somehow…as if he was meant to wear them all his life. And he LOOKED good in them too.

 

“Wow…I don't know where Naruto got the clothes he has on…but he certainly looks good in them.”

 

Kin said as Ino nodded as well. Sakura had to agree as well as the audience were slowly recovering from the initial shock, but they certainly didn't say anything else for a few more minutes as they were still trying to see if what they were seeing in front of them was not some elaborate Genjutsu that the blonde had cooked up.

 

(N-N-Naruto-kun….he is not…in danger…it's as if Naruto is the creature's…master…When did Naruto-kun have that kind of power?)

 

Hinata asked herself as she looked at her long time crush in his armor and the sword…and the creature that seemed to be a long time friend of his…she had been afraid that Naruto would be injured or worse…but it seemed that the creature was Naruto's friend…and for some reason…she was not feeling fear at the sight of the creature at all.

 

“Man…what kind of creature is that?”

 

Kiba said as he and Akamaru looked on in shock and surprise, as did the rest of the assembled people from Konoha and the other people from different countries…all of them, from villagers, to ninja, feudal lords…officials and more were stunned dead at the sight…but the ones more affected were the people of Konoha as they were thinking that maybe the boy had somehow gained the power of the Kyuubi…but they could only watch at the moment.

 

Jiraiya was grinning like mad as Sarutobi could only look on and shake his head at what was happening before him, he had hoped that after the situation with Orochimaru was dealt with, he could inform the Council of what was the truth behind Naruto's sudden powers, skills, and naturally his sword…however he had prepared something for this occasion…though it still galled him a bit at this turn of events.

 

“He should have waited for a much better time to reveal that…but then again…that is Naruto before me…a stampede of angry bulls are more subtle than he is at this point.”

 

The Kazekage seemed very silent and then he turned and spoke to Sarutobi. The two had originally had a discussion about Sarutobi's age and that he should pick a Fifth Hokage in the coming future and he laughed it off that he had five more years left to him.

 

“May I ask just who that young man before us Hokage is?”

 

“That is Naruto Uzumaki…and as to what that creature is before us and behind him…that is a Dragon Summon.”

 

(I hate to lie before a fellow Kage…but until this mess is straightened out I can't do much right now.)

 

“A Dragon Summon? Strange that a Genin of his age…could have the power to summon such a creature before him, such high level summons are normally impossible for Genin to accomplish…with the exception of my daughter Temari of course, yet even she cannot summon a creature that massive, I had no idea that you had one with that same power here in Konoha as well.”

 

“Let's just say that Naruto is…gifted.”

 

“Very well then. I'll leave it at that as well.”

 

(Naruto-kun…you REALLY are becoming VERY interesting to me…maybe I really should consider to mark you with the seal like Sasuke-kun as well…but for now I watch. Besides with Jiraiya here…I can't make my move yet…)

 

Jiraiya smirked and looked on…

 

Naruto smiled as Kael retracted his wings and then the two lumbered towards the other Genin…and the other Genin were frozen stiff as the two walked towards them…even their Chuunin Proctor Genma had to keep his cool as the Sky Dragon Mount followed it's master, Naruto noted the looks being given to him by the other Genin…Gaara's eyes were a bit widened, Temari was in awe…Kankurou was obviously in shock…Shikamaru was more tense than a high strung mule, Shino, despite wearing his trademark clothes and shades looked rather surprised, and Neji was also in shock as he moved back a bit more as the Dragon and the Dragon Champion came to join them, he noted that Sasuke was not around and neither was that guy in Kin's former team…that one with the sound amplifier, the one named Dosu.

 

He looked at his fellow Genin and the proctor and replied.

 

“Will you all relax already? Kael isn't going to bite. Aren't you Kael?”

 

They thought that Naruto was mad to think that creature would talk back…however, the Dragon DID talk back.

 

\”The young Dragon Champion is correct young ones…you are not my enemies therefore I have no reason to attack any of you…unless you provoke me or threaten my master. Now come closer…it would be best we begin this Tournament…”/

 

The Dragon then turned to the stunned Genma who kept his cool despite the fact the Dragon was looking at him with it's eyes…he had not expected the Dragon to speak to him in a human tongue despite not moving it's mouth too much.

 

\”You may continue young one…is there anything else you needs from me young Dragon Champion?”/

 

Naruto smiled and shook his head and bowed before his Sky Dragon Mount to show his appreciation for his effort and aid. The Dragon seemed amused but didn't halt it's master in doing what he wanted to do.

 

“Thanks for your help Kael…you can go and rest now…”

 

\”You need not thank me young Dragon Champion, I do what is my duty, but you are welcome regardless….I bid you farewell.”?

 

With that, the Sky Dragon Mount was covered in light and faded before the eyes of everyone in the audience and the building. As soon as that happened, they visibly relaxed and Naruto faced the others and their questioning looks, only Shino and Shikamaru spoke to the blonde ninja.

 

“What the heck was that?”

 

“That was a Dragon, what's wrong with that?”

 

“You've got to be kidding….there are no such things as living, breathing Dragons…was that some sort of Jutsu you used?”

 

“You…might say that.”

 

“Well that clears that up for now….So what did that Dragon call you again? Dragon Champion, right?”

 

“Yeah…it's kind of a long story so we don't have the time for that sort of thing at the moment.”

 

The others were still not very sure of what had happened and they would glance at Naruto and his gear and wonder just what the heck had happened with the blonde ninja while he had been gone for a long time. Naruto however paid no attention and focused solely on what was going to happen here and now…he knew that this was a crucial day…not just for him to become Chuunin, and to beat Neji for insulting Hinata…but he knew that if there ever was a critical day for the soon to come attack…it was today…he had made plans with Holy Talon as well and should it come…he was going to be ready.

 

As soon as every person in the audience in the area were ready and so were the rest of the participants, the Hokage stepped forward from his seat and then spoke.

 

“Welcome to the third and final part of the Chuunin Exams…as you can see, this will determine who among you will be able to attain the rank of Chuunin, I, the Kazekage, and the feudal lords, along with selected Jonin will determine who among you will be given the rank of Chuunin. May you show us all of your talent and skill in combat as you fight to attain your dreams and gain the rank of Chuunin.”

 

Genma then turned to them and spoke as his role today was that of the proctor of the final stages of the Chuunin Exams.

 

“All right…the rules here in the Chuunin Exam finals are simple…the battles are one on one…and it can end with the death of another of the two fighters or the surrender of one of the fighters. However, I have the authority to stop the matches just in case things require that I do. Now then…for the first match, it will be Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuuga…the rest of the contestants must leave and head for the waiting areas until the next matches are called in.”

 

The others left the floor and made their way to the terraces and watched as the first match was about to start.

 

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At the floor…

 

Naruto noted Neji's position in the middle of the ring and he waited for the go signal…keeping his hands free of the location next to Holy Talon, he planned to use the sword when the chance presented itself, Neji likewise waited for the moment when they were going to get the go ahead from the Proctor and sure enough…Genma gave them the order to begin the match with a shout.

 

“Begin!!!”

 

Naruto quickly took out several kunai as he had strapped on his kunai pouch on his side and threw three of them at Neji to gauge the Hyuuga's skill…Neji caught one and blocked the others as Naruto leaped into the air with a powerful spinning heel kick, that in itself was surprising…considering the fact that Naruto was a fair distance from Neji…the Hyuuga moved aside and Naruto's kick smashed into the ground and a small but deep crater was seen.

 

Naruto then turned and launched a charging kick in leap and when Neji blocked it…he spun around in a different direction and lashed out with the other kick that Neji also blocked. Naruto then used his hands to land on and then launched another kick to the side of Neji's head…but that was a feint as he launched his other leg in a rising heel kick to Neji's chin.

 

The Hyuuga blocked it and moved back as Naruto flipped backwards and landed nimbly on his feet and with a sharp leap… and then launched a few punches at Neji…Neji dodged them and was planning to land a strike…but Naruto leaped over him and in mid flip lashed out with an upside down spinning side kick that Neji blocked…though the Hyuuga branch member winched in pain as the blow was much faster and stronger than the last ones he blocked. Naruto landed nimbly and Neji faced him…Naruto calmly stood up and Neji was looking at him.

 

(Interesting…Naruto can move AND attack with such speed even with that kind of armor on him…this isn't going to be an easy fight…however, fate is on my side…he has yet to defeat the Byakugan and since he is not blind…the Ryu Manako Jutsu won't work here.)

 

The crowd were also surprised…some of the moves Naruto pulled off were pretty good attacks…and were not easy to pull off...even more so with all that metal on him…but Naruto Uzumaki moved as if the armor was weightless. Jiraiya smiled at this and recalled some of the moves to be the ones Naruto had used in the two weeks of training.

 

The young Konoha ninja and novice Dragon Champion had two weeks to train with several of the previous Dragon Champions apart from Shana…one of them was named Khalen, a master of hand to hand combat…namely the style known as Boundless State…a style that he was quite adept in using in many battles and in conjunction with Holy Talon, Khalen was interested to see the Taijutsu skills first hand and as soon as he sensed it…he was interested indeed and taught the young Konoha ninja his style.

 

Neji then took his time and waited for Naruto to make his move…and Naruto did so as he charged Neji…the other Genin, namely Sakura were worried, as they knew that since Neji was more talented than Hinata in the Gentle Fist, he could attack the chakra pathways and block Naruto's chakra…

 

The two traded punches, Naruto's punches were fast…and Neji's Byakugan…while able to see them and allow Neji to intercept them…had some difficulty to see them all… Neji then decided to cut Naruto's chakra and used the same methods that he had used on Hinata…several hits did connect, however, Naruto's armor blocked the attacks quite well, along with his own defensive moves and Neji had not yet fought a person covered in armor that seemed to resist hand to hand combat attacks…the Gentle Fist Style of the Hyuuga Clan relied on contact with the flesh of their target to attack both the organs and the chakra gates…but the armor Naruto had on was far from ordinary…Neji knew that to be true as he was still surprised that Naruto could move as if the armor weighed nothing at all.

 

(There's no way for me to easily use the gentle Fist as long as that armor resist my attacks…I have to find a weakness soon…or else this situation will take too long.)

 

Naruto then pulled a fast one on Neji and he retracted his punch and then opened the fist and grabbed Neji's retreating hand and yanked Neji forward into a roll, catching the ninja off guard as Naruto and planted a kick right into Neji's stomach…making the Hyuuga clan member wince in pain from the hit…he flipped as soon as Naruto released him and was able to land and leap back as Naruto got up from his position with amazing quickness charged at him and slashed Holy Talon and sliced into his clothing…right in the stomach.

 

Neji moved away and was unharmed…but a gash was in his clothes…a clean and efficient cut…

 

The crowd gasped at that and they were amazed that Neji was still alive from a deadly looking slash such as that…they noted that while Neji's clothes were torn by the sword…there was no blood…not even on the sword itself. Naruto must have had exceptional control of the weapon to have struck at that range and bite deeply into Neji…yet not draw blood.

 

(Wow…I almost thought Neji would have had it there….)

 

Tenten thought with relief…she had been worried greatly at that and had gasped when the sword had cut into Neji…having used weapons for all her missions and knowing how lethal swords were at that range…Neji should have been sliced in half or cut very deeply.

 

(Naruto-kun must have pulled the sword back at the last moment…he must know that Neji-kun is deadly in close combat, and did that to tell Neji-kun that attacking him while he has that sword is a bad idea…)

 

Neji was calm and he fingered his clothes for a second and then looked at Naruto who had Holy Talon in a one handed grip. He felt fine and since there was no blood on his hands or his clothes, he was in the clear.

 

(That must have been a warning…I won't be able to unleash my full skills if he still has that sword with him. I need to disarm him…)

 

No one knew that since Holy Talon was a weapon forged by those who fought and sensed evil, along with protected life, it could not slay those who were not pure evil in mind, heart, body, and spirit, and would not draw blood from them…Naruto knew that as well though it did surprise him a little as he had thought for his cruel treatment of his own cousin…Neji would have been slain outright by the sword, this meant that there was more than what was going on here. He looked at Neji who remained calm and was now in a defensive position.

 

Naruto kept his focus and then decided to attack with Holy Talon…he quickly aimed the sword at Neji and then released the weapon…the sword didn't fall down to the ground as most would have thought…but remained in the air…several of the Jonin present…namely Kurenai and Asuma saw that and wondered what was going on and so did the other Genin…with the exception of Sakura…who had seen the move before.

 

Neji was surprised as the sword seemed to float before him…and then it spun fast…gathering speed and was now a spinning disk as Naruto made several gestured and with a move of his hands, he sends the spinning sword right at the Hyuuga clan member…forcing Hinata's cousin to evade the attack…he managed to flip aside from the weapon but quickly moved away to the other side as the weapon came right back at him like a boomerang…

 

Neji leaped backwards as Naruto came at him and amazingly…the blonde ninja in armor caught the weapon in the handle in mid spin without being hit by his sword's edge and he then gripped the handle in a two handed grip and spun himself forward and came down like a top…Holy Talon burying itself deep in the ground where Neji was one.

 

The senior Genin took this chance and attacked with his clan's style and hoped to disarm Naruto before he could use the sword once more. Naruto leaped back, leaving Holy Talon where it was and it seemed that the fight was now going to be decided in Taijutsu.

 

Tenten realized that now the situation would now be in Neji's court as Neji got ready, however Naruto seemed calm and composed as if he knew that he still was not out of this fight yet. The armored ninja then moved to a combat pose and showed that he was more than willing to engage Neji in close combat as well…and the moves he used before were very good as well…but Neji did have a trick up his sleeve as well.

 

“BYAKUGAN!!!”

 

Neji activated his Byakugan and began to try and locate a weak point in Naruto's armor and use it to his advantage…he knew that unless he found a weak point, this was not going to end well. Naruto quickly moved in and launched out several attacks with his Taijutsu…Neji then fought back with the Gentle Fist…managing to block, evade, and dodge some of Naruto's attacks as they attacked one another. Neji then moved back and watched as Naruto made several hand seals.

 

“KAGE BUSHIN!!!!”

 

Several clones of Naruto in armor now appeared before Neji and they all took out kunai at this point and time. Neji's Byakugan was able to see the clones and Naruto…but couldn't tell them apart at all.

 

(He's using the clones to make sure I can't tell who's who…he must know the Byakugan can't tell the difference between a clone and the real person since they have the same amount of chakra…clever…but this might work to my advantage. He is confident and deserves to have that confidence…this will be a good match.)

 

Naruto knew that it was time as he sent the clones in to attack Neji…he learned enough that charging in without a plan was a mistake and Holy Talon taught him that much…it was time to test himself as he then followed the attacking clones.

 

Neji quickly began to fight with the clones as he managed to evade their strikes as best he could…he managed to attack three of them and found that there were areas he could attack with the Gentle Fist but that was still not going to be enough…he would have to double his strength to hit Naruto's body despite the armor that the blonde ninja had on him.

 

The clones attacked Neji and he was now getting the hang of it and managed to take out two of the clones and realized that he had to attack at the right place in order to bypass the armor Naruto had on him…but attacking the armor plates was a bad idea…only precise strikes could hit the armor…namely the metal rings that made the inner coating…they seemed to be flexible and hitting with enough force in a stabbing motion will no doubt be more effective than punches or kicks.

 

The theory proved to be true as Neji's attacks were able to hit the clones and dispersed them but Naruto was right there and when Neji attacked him, the clone disappeared as well…that surprised Neji for a moment and Naruto appeared from the smoke as several of the clones also exploded…the result was Neji managing to block a kunai strike to his face with his own kunai, but getting a kick that made him wince…Naruto leaped back, but had to dodge another kunai thrown at him by Neji…the attack was not like the normal style used by Neji but it served it's purpose as though it wasn't able to cut Naruto's armor…it was enough for Neji to strike Naruto using the Gentle Fist style…but Naruto wasn't going to give up either as his training under the Dragon Champions and Holy Talon showed itself.

 

He made several odd gestures and spoke a quick word in the archaic language and in an instant the earth beneath their feet began to take a glassy sheen. Neji quickly slipped and therefore lost his footing for a moment and that was enough for Naruto to quickly launch out a powerful kick to Neji's head, and while Neji was able to block it and move the kick away, Naruto quickly responded with a powerful diagonal dropping heel kick that Neji blocked in time but Naruto then flipped back and unleashed several more kunai at Neji…Neji moved away from the glass like ground and got footing to catch the kunai and move them aside.

 

Naruto landed and quickly unleashed several more Kage Bushin clones and sent them ahead of Neji…the clones attacked with several kicks and punches…which Neji managed to block and evade…and he was able to dispatch the clones with several well placed strikes until Naruto worked a technique from his teacher Khalen and it was a skill that was used by his mentor in conjunction with a spell.

 

“DRAGON BREATH!!!!”

 

Naruto thrust out his two open hands and out from the hands came a golden burst of intense fire…stunning the audience and Neji as well as he moved out of the way…the flames incinerated the trees there in the ring in a heartbeat and the smell of burning wood filled the air as the flames came out of Naruto's hands like a long tongue of fire. Naruto turned it off and the crowds were surprised that Naruto was not burned at all as he moved his hands into a defensive position.

 

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Kabuto watched the whole thing and had to admit that Naruto was certainly not ordinary indeed, as far as he knew…there was no mention of Naruto having control of the Fire element…in fact, no one knew as of yet what Naruto's elemental affinity was…and the only known specialists with Fire based jutsu were the nearly wiped out Uchiha Clan…and a very small band of Konoha ninja, including the Hokage…but here before the skilled Sound spy was the boy he had met before using Fire as if it was a normal thing.

 

(Wow…I had no idea Naruto-kun could use Fire Jutsu! I thought only Sasuke-kun could do that.)

 

Sakura was stunned at the sight as she knew about her team-mates quite well, and she knew for a fact that Sasuke's clan were the most skilled with Fire jutsus and Naruto never used any elemental jutsu…let alone know his elemental affinity.

 

(Naruto-kun! That…that was…amazing! You are different now!)

 

Hinata was amazed utterly while Kiba and Akamaru were speechless…rather Kiba was speechless and Akamaru looked like he was going to throw out his lunch. Ino was surprised indeed as she looked at the whole thing, and so was Kin who looked on in utter surprise at her savior's new jutsu.

 

The rest of the audience were stunned at the move…they were not sure how the blonde ninja had just done that technique but it was certainly effective as Naruto and Neji faced one another. The Hokage and the Kazekage looked on with surprise…while Jiraiya was enjoying every second of this. The people of Konoha thought they had seen everything…they had no idea just what else was going to happen as this fight would progress.

 

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Naruto then unleashed another barrage of Kage Bushin and this time…sent only half the number towards Neji…the senior Genin managed to effectively dispatch the first band until Naruto decided to get into the act as he left the other half of the clones he made and charged right at Neji.

 

“FIRE CLAWS!!!!”

 

Deep golden fire suddenly erupted from Naruto's hands and created fiery gloves around his hands as he attacked Neji with several punch moves that Khalen taught him…the techniques resembled the claws of a beast slashing it's prey or enemy and Neji was able to evade the attacks and fought back…he managed to avoid the burning strikes and once more attacked Naruto with the Gentle Fist and this time he managed to attack Naruto and managed to hit Naruto back as well. Naruto however was not out of the fight just yet as he moved back, made more Kage Bushin, he and the Kage Bushing then surrounded Neji and then he and the rest of his Kage Bushin unleashed the same technique as before.

 

“COMBINED DRAGON BREATH BLAST!!!!”

 

Neji kept his cool and then revealed what he had been training on for the past month…he had hoped to keep this in reserve and take Naruto out quickly…but now he would have to use it…after all…he knew that a certain…relative of his was in the area of the arena…

 

“HAKKESHOU KAITEN!!!”

 

Neji then began to rotate himself at high speed and release several large amounts of chakra as he spun like a top while the flames came…soon enough…a dome of pure chakra that was rotating at high speed came to life around him…the flames engulfed Neji as the shield surrounded him…and it was only Hiashi…Neji's uncle…and Hinata's father recognized the move quickly.

 

(That's one of the Main Hyuuga Clan's Techniques! The Hakkeshou Kaiten…but how did Neji manage to use that technique? No one outside of the Main Family Clan can use the technique.)

 

A young girl with the same eyes as both Neji and Hinata looked on as well, her name was Hanabi and she was Hinata's youngest sister. She too was surprised to see the technique as such a technique was only known to the Main Family.

 

The battle raged on as Naruto and his Kage Bushin stopped their combined attack and Neji stood there before them in a crater while the ground around it was charred black by the fire from the technique. Neji wasted no time as he then spun around and fired several shuriken from his own pouch and used the Byakugan to take out the Kage Bushin…the clones were dealt with as they were hit by the shuriken. Neji then spotted the real Naruto coming right at him as he had dispersed the rest of the clones and the two got ready to fight once more.

 

The two fought with Taijutsu…or rather…Neji used the Gentle Fist while Naruto used the Boundless State as they traded blow for blow and block for block. Neji attempted to attack Naruto with several strikes…but Naruto leaned to the side and flipped over and as soon as he landed…Neji tried to sweep kick him…but Naruto leaped once more and unleashed both his heels in a dual spinning heel kick that Neji managed to avoid and moved back…

 

Naruto landed and was not able to block a powerful double open palm strike to his stomach…the blow hurt indeed…but Naruto's armor cushioned the blows very well and Naruto retaliated with a series of punches and when Neji blocked one blow…Naruto used the blocked punch to close in and grab Neji's arm and landed a powerful kick to Neji's stomach and tried to follow through with another strike…this time a knee to the stomach…but was blocked by Neji's forearm and the Hyuuga then managed to land several more blows on Naruto and with enough time he was able to finally locate the areas where he COULD use the full power of the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist…but he had to be careful…Naruto Uzumaki was a serious fighter…so he could ill afford to waste time with him.

 

The two continued to fight one another at full tilt…Neji remained in place in the center of the ring, but had to move when Naruto's techniques began to get more powerful but his move was about done as he was able to evade Naruto next barrages of punches and kicks…and as soon as Naruto and him were at the right distance…Neji attacked…revealing yet another attack that he knew would truly define this battle to be fated for him to be the winner.

 

As soon as he got the chance and opening he needed…Neji attacked with a combination strike.

 

“HAKKESHOU KAITEN!!!”

 

The technique was the same as before, but since it was in close range…Naruto was caught in the blast and was hit very hard by the Hyuuga Gentle Fist technique, the result was Naruto was knocked back hard and while he was still in the air…Neji stopped the first part of his attack and as Naruto got to his feet…he charged and unleashed another technique of the Hyuuga bloodline as soon as he was close enough to Naruto.

 

“HAKKO ROKUJUUYOSHOU!!!!”

 

Negi knew that he would have to use up a large amount of his charka in order to penetrate the armor Naruto had on him and did just that as he attacked the still reeling blonde ninja. The attacks hit dead center and Neji pushed in his chakra through the armor and noted that only a small amount of his chakra was getting through the armor Naruto wore…but he pushed on…knowing that it was going to be enough to slow Naruto down.

 

Hiashi looked on as he recognized yet another technique that normally only those of the Main Branch Family knew about. He saw the attacks as Naruto was forced back and he began to have thoughts about the two Hyuuga techniques that he had seen done by Neji.

 

(The Hakkeshou Kaiten relies greatly on exceptional levels of chakra control and also a good amount of chakra…along with aid from the Byakugan, even Jonin has difficulty combining both that level of chakra control and even the supposed sand shield of the Sand Genin Gaara can't match that…I had no idea Neji had that level of control…Hizashi, it seems it should have been you and Neji who were to be the successors…I only wish you were alive to witness this fight right now brother…Neji has grown.)

 

However…so did Naruto...instead of being knocked out completely by the assault…Naruto turned around his entire body…evading the last strike at the last possible moment and then landing a powerful back kick to Neji…who was hit hard…managed to stay on his feet and forced to turn around…and strike at the very same moment as Naruto launched a punch right at him…the two hit each other hard and both were knocked backwards from the power of each other's blows.

 

The crowds were stunned by what they had witnessed before them and saw the two ninja on the ground for a few moments and they then got to their feet. The fight was proving to be a very intense match…when they all had learned that it was going to be a match between Naruto and Neji…they thought that Naruto wouldn't stand a chance…but here he was now…fighting with a level of skill that seemed to near the level of a Jonin! Despite not having the sword that he had…the blonde boy was more than capable as a fighter. The other Genin who knew Naruto looked on in awe as the former dead last was proving to be at the top of his game…though now it seemed that both of them were at an even keel at this point and time.

 

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Back in the ring

 

Naruto got up and so did Neji…the punches they threw at one another were having effects as both of them were bleeding from the nose and a cut on the cheek on either side on them. The Hyuuga knew that he had the advantage…Naruto's chakra pathways were blocked and he had used up a lot of stamina…and he himself was tired…he had never thought this fight would be this intense for both of them, when he had disarmed Naruto of Holy Talon he thought he had a better chance without the weapon being there in his path…but the blood on his body told him that the assumption was wrong…

 

But now…Naruto no longer had enough chakra to use anymore jutsu, and though he was not able to completely seal off Naruto's chakra pathways due to the armor…it was enough to even the odds and also he had the advantage as Naruto was also tired…

 

Both looked at one another as Neji gave a stern look at Naruto.

 

“You should give up now Naruto…you may have fought your best today…but you can't change fate…even with that sword, that armor, and the dragon by your side…you can't change your fate that you will not win.”

 

“What do you know about me anyway?”

 

“I know you're the kind of person who never gives up no matter what the circumstances…but without your chakra and your sword…you can't beat me here…even that jutsu you used to beat that rain ninja will not work here…you can't change fate.”

 

“More talk of fate…you're wasting you're breath Neji.”

 

“You should just give up now Naruto…you have reached your limits now…”

 

“What makes you think you know my limits? I am not going to take back my promise to beat an apology out of you for what you did to Hinata and all that garbage you spouted about others being unable to achieve what they want because fate said otherwise.”

 

“I have no issue with you Naruto and no desire to kill you…and truth be told you have proven to be quite the fighter…more than I thought you would be when I disarmed you, but this is fate after all…no matter how hard you can fight it…fate determines everything.”

 

“That's nothing but garbage and you know it!!! I might not be able to properly use my chakra…but I am not out of this fight just yet…and I have something to prove here…and I made a promise to beat you for your words to Hinata and about other people…to me…you maybe a skilled Genin…but you're a bastard from treating Hinata the way you did and insulting people who dream and struggle to reach their goals and dreams.”

 

Neji looked on and replied with a bitter tone in his voice.

 

“You know nothing about me as well Naruto…you have no idea of the kind of mess I had to deal with ever since I was born.”

 

“Oh yeah? Well why don't you enlighten me then?”

 

“Gladly…”

 

Neji then removes the Konoha forehead protector and there on his forehead was a seal in the shape of an X. Naruto looked at it as Neji spoke.

 

“I had this disgusting mark on me when I was merely four years old and so did my father Hizashi since his own birth. My father was born after Hinata's own father Hiashi and as clan laws dictated…he was relegated to be a member of the branch family….The Hyuuga clan are of two parts…and the Branch Family's fate and destiny are to be the ones who would protect the main branch…I was unaware of it at first…until I saw how they treated my father and me…how we were always relegated to other tasks despite our own talents. This cursed seal was always used for those of the Branch Family who were always destined to be nothing more than shields for the Main Family. This seal was given to me by them on the day when Konoha and the Country of Lightning signed a valuable peace treaty after a war between them and an alliance, a celebration was held that day. The head ninja of the Hidden Village of the Cloud was Lightning Country's representative…the Hyuuga were the only clan not present since it was Hinata's third birthday…and the same day I was branded with this seal.”

 

“Both my father and Hiashi were twins and my father hated the Main Family and never respected them…on the day my uncle was training Hinata and he was able to best her…my father prepared to fight with Hinata to see how much she had grown…but Hiashi activated the seal on my father and my father suffered from it…the seal prevent members of the Branch Family from attacking the Main by limiting their Byakugan and injuring their minds and bodies. Hiashi then told him to never defy his fate as a Branch Family member. That seal protected the Byakugan Bloodline through death…for the seal only disappeared in death.”

 

“One night…Hinata was kidnapped and Hiashi was able to save her and kill the man responsible…and that man was the head ninja of Hidden Cloud…the Lightning Country then stated that Konoha violated the treaty and they demanded the lead of the Hyuuga Clan in exchange for the death of their head ninja…in time the relationship broke down and Konoha gave into the demand of Lighting…but the didn't give Hiashi…they gave my father Hizashi instead…they gave them my father because he was the second born and was fated to die in Hiashi's place…”

 

Neji then placed back on the forehead protector and then glared at Naruto who glared right back at him.

 

“The day my father died was the day I learned the truth of life Naruto and I know it to be true! The only truth is…there are those few who are predetermined to be great…I know you're dreams of being Hokage…but you are not going to make it…only those who are predestined can be Hokage…there's only true fate that binds all of us…and that's death…no one can escape that…and all because my father died as a member of the Branch family of the Hyuuga for the sake of the Head Family as it was his destiny and fate as a Branch Family member.”

 

“And now…you're fate has been decided since you became my foe in this match.”

 

----------

 

Hiashi heard everything…and he knew just what it was that Neji spoke of…in his heart Neji still cursed and hated the Main Family…and he knew why Neji hated them…after all, they did agree to having Hizashi killed in his place…but there was far more to that than even Neji realized…he wanted to tell him the truth…but he doubted Neji would ever listen to him…he had every reason to not listen after all.

 

The head of the Hyuuga clan held the scroll tightly and wondered just how things would turn out next.

 

----------

 

Neji wipes the blood from his face and replies to Naruto.

 

“It's your fate to lose this match…without your chakra…and your sword…not even that armor will save you.”

 

“Really now? Fate has nothing to do with one's future!”

 

Naruto and Neji once more traded blows and Naruto managed to evade several of Neji's blows until Neji managed to evade Naruto's own blows and strike Naruto hard in the chest…but the armor held and Naruto still stood defiantly before as he merely went back into combat stance and this reminded Neji of the times Hinata would get up no matter how many times he knocked her down.

 

“I made a promise and I will NOT take back what I said…I said I will beat you and that is what I intend to do!”

 

Neji looked on and recalled his father's words to him before found out his father was going to die for his uncle's sake as a Branch Family member…

 

Neji - Yes father?

 

Hizashi - Neji, I want you to live and train to be stronger, you are far more talented than anyone realizes…not even Hiashi or any other Hyuuga in either our side of the Main Family can match you. If only I had been born moments before…you would have been a Main Family member…but you should never stop living and training, will you do that for me?

 

Neji - I…I will…

 

Neji began to get angry at Naruto's will and defiance and he replied.

 

“You know nothing! No matter how hard you train and no matter how hard you dream for it, you can never gain it…because all people are born with an inescapable fate and destiny…only those chosen by fate and destiny can ever be Hokage. And you know nothing about how it feels to carry a mark like this one on me for the rest of your life!”

 

“And you're more in the dark than you think! How can you be so sure that a dream is unattainable if you don't even take the chance and go for it? Lee and Hinata in my eyes are far stronger than you…and you know why? Because they had the guts and will to reach for those dreams they have…instead of whining about fate…they did something to change their fates…unlike you!”

 

Naruto decided that now was the time to see just what else he could do with the training he had gained for the past two weeks. He then spoke in the same archaic language and then healed his wounds with the same green-silver flame…learning enough from Leena herself on how to heal his wounds. The crowd was surprised to see the silver-green flame engulf Naruto harmlessly and his wounds faded…only the Jonin and the Genin from the Preliminary matches knew what they had witnessed…though Sakura wondered why Naruto had not used it before in the match.

 

As soon as he was healed of his wounds…he focused his chakra…much to Neji's curiosity and surprise.

 

“What you going to do now?”

 

“You think I don't know anything about how it feels to want to be acknowledged and respected by others Neji? I know more about that than you ever possibly could, and I know that Hinata and Lee have always fought their fates as you put it. And I know now what Hinata said to you that made you nearly kill her…because you are fighting you're fate…and you don't even see it…”

 

Naruto then used the stance he knew would best suit him…and Jiraiya smiled at this.

 

(This is going to be good!)

 

“…well then…let me open you're eyes!”

 

In Naruto's mind the door to the Kyuubi's cage which had glowing bars was seen and the Dragon Statues that held the Kyuubi in an even harder prison glowed briefly and released the energy that came from them and covered the bars…and in a moment the Kyuubi's eyes appeared in the darkness behind the cage and a toothy grin appeared in the darkness and the Kyuubi roared out it's joy at being released…

 

Outside…to the utter shock of everyone in the arena…and even in the Kages…a massive blast of pure blood red chakra erupted from Naruto's body and surrounded him like a living entity and the chakra tendrils whipped about and the sir felt like it was on fire and stones began to rise from the ruined battle field.

 

Naruto relaxed his posture and faced Neji with a very calm and focused stare as the tendrils flowed and moved about him like a living shield…the tendrils moved about and seemed to flow back and forth and everyone saw it as clear as day break. Neji looked with his Byakugan and saw a massive firestorm of energy came from Naruto's inner chakra gateways and then it was filled with massive energy and then he saw it…a pair of blood red eyes and a toothy grin made from chakra staring right back at him…flanked by two Dragons

 

(What is going on here?! What kind of chakra is that?! Is it even chakra?!)

 

Neji thought as he shielded himself from the inferno of energy coming from Naruto's inner body and surrounding him.

 

“What is that?! No way!”

 

Tenten was surprised at the sight.

 

Hiashi however knew what it was…

 

“It can't be…that chakra…”

 

The other Genin were all in shock and most all was Gaara as he looked at Naruto, while the rest of the crowds were stunned as well, they had not expected this in the very least…

 

(There's no doubt about it…that chakra is that of the Kyuubi…but when did Naruto learn how to use that chakra of the Kyuubi at so short a time?)

 

The Hokage thought as he looked at Naruto…while Jiraiya was smiling.

 

Naruto waited and the chakra seemed to suddenly meld into his body and a powerful blood red haze covered his body…but his eyes and face remained unchanged. He had learned enough to control the amount of chakra he was getting and after all…this was only a donation of chakra from his resident. He then looked at Neji who was stunned at all he had just seen.

 

“Now let's see you try and take me out!”

 

Naruto took a step forward and suddenly vanished…Neji realized that he would have to be on the defensive as he kept his eyes open and used his Byakugan…and sure enough…he was going to be in for the fight of his life as Naruto suddenly appeared before him and Neji barely blocked several punches at him and then launched a pair of leaping kicks aimed at Neji's head…Neji managed to block them…but before he could retaliate…Naruto once more vanished before he could attack and Neji tried to track him…but he was stunned that even with the Byakugan couldn't find him.

 

(He's moving too fast for me to track…his speed's doubled…how is it even possible?!)

 

Neji quickly turned aside as Naruto suddenly appeared and slashed out with his fists in a deadly attack combination and then Naruto moved away and seemed to blur and appear all around Neji…for a moment he would appear…and then vanish again…in a matter of moments…Neji found himself surrounded with a number of fast moving after images of Naruto…but he couldn't see the real Naruto at all.

 

“What's the matter? Had enough yet?”

 

Neji then was suddenly attacked by a barrage of shuriken from all angles…forcing him to defend himself…

 

“HAKKOUSHOU KAITEN!!!”

 

The Hyuuga technique managed to block the shuriken as the weapons slammed into the chakra shield and Neji grabbed the shuriken and took out his own and focused at Naruto who was still dodging and moving about and he then fired the shuriken at Naruto…

 

`Take this!!!”

 

Naruto stopped and the shuriken got him right in the chest…everyone gasped at that and Hinata, Ino, Tenten, Sakura, Kin, and Temari gasped as Naruto fell down as the shuriken were imbedded in different places, one was in Naruto's neck, another in the lower torso in a crack in the stomach plate armor, and the other one on his forehead…above the forehead plate. Naruto fell down and was now down on the ground…Neji groaned as he was utterly exhausted as he had not expected Naruto to fight with that level of power…but he was right…it was fate that was on his side today and not Naruto's…but he had deep regret as he indeed didn't want to kill Naruto...

 

As soon as everything seemed to stop the other Genin looked on in shock…Sakura, Kin, Ino, and Hinata were nearly in tears as they saw that Naruto was not moving…Neji walked over to the slumped over ninja and spoke

 

“Now I've got you Naruto…I said I didn't want to kill you…but as you can see…it was your fate to lose this match…no matter how much power you have…you can't change fate, you were failure before and you are a failure now…that is your destiny…”

 

“Are you really sure about that?”

 

“What?!”

 

Neji had no time to react as several areas of the ground around him explode and out came several more clones of Naruto who exploded around him, blinding him for a moment and one of them who had not exploded kicked him in the stomach and he was then hit by a powerful left upper-cut in the chin…sending him into the air as the clone disappeared…and Naruto appeared out from the ground was well and then appeared next to Neji in mid flight and with a powerful 360 degree double spinning heel kick…sent Neji right to the ground and Naruto this time kicked the ground and Holy Talon flew away from it's previous area and landed right into his hands as he landed and was now next to Neji…standing before him with Holy Talon once more in his hands.

 

The crowd was silent as the Naruto had the shuriken in his body…in the areas suddenly vanished and the shuriken fell to the ground without a trace of blood on them…revealing that the Naruto Neji had `killed' was a Kage Bushin all along.

 

----------

 

Neji groaned as he looked up at Naruto who had his sword pointed right at his chest…had the fight been without rules…Naruto would be in the right position to kill him as the sword was aimed right at his heart…Naruto's hands were covered in dirt and rock fragments…showing that he had torn his way through the rock to get into position along with his Kage Bushin. He coughed out some blood and spoke.

 

“You…you used that trademark jutsu…to lure me into a trap…and I fell for it completely. I should have known you would use that favored move of yours in the end.”

 

Naruto gave several intakes of air as the technique he used was a tough skill to use as he had learned when he had figured it out. He looked at Neji and then took the sword away from him and placed the sword on his shoulder and gave the Hyuuga branch family member a look.

 

“Just so you know…I failed the Academy Graduation Exams three times in a row before I got to have this sword.”

 

Neji looked on at Naruto, while the rest of the crowd was silent as Naruto looked on at Neji.

 

“And you know what the jutsu that always did me in was, in those three years I was in the Academy before I made it here? That was the Bushin Jutsu…every time I tried to make a clone…they were all so pathetic even I got sick of looking at them.”

 

Neji was surprised at that…he could tell that Naruto was not kidding…and the other Genin, excluding Tenten, Neji, and Lee from Naruto's class knew that was the truth…back in the Academy, he was the worst of them with the Bushin Jutsu.

 

“That's right Neji…the jutsu that you called my trademark…was the one jutsu I was the worst with before I left the Academy…”

 

But Naruto was far from finished as he slid Holy Talon back the sheath and spoke.

 

“But you know what was even worse for me Neji? I was treated like garbage for my entire life…everywhere I went I was treated like I was the plague…or worse…for something I had no idea of…I was treated like scum and dirt…and no one ever showed me respect or acknowledgement, they don't even show me the decency of being a kid, I did nothing…absolutely nothing in my memory to deserve this treatment…but I was given that same treatment for years…”

 

No one said anything…not even the villagers who normally called Naruto a brat, freak, or worse…some of them were tempted…but they said nothing as Naruto was now showing a part of him that was different from the side they normally saw when he was not yet a ninja….

 

“You think you know what failure and rejection feels like? You KNOW NOTHING of how it feels…You have no idea how it feels to have everyone calling you a freak…a monster, a demon, and having no idea why they treat you that way. You have no idea how it feels to fail and everyone saying that it's what you deserve, like you're not even worth being looked at, let alone being given even some understanding, and when you fail…they laugh at you, they treat you like that was what you deserved and you're nothing but a mistake…you have no idea how it feels!”

 

The crowds listened in…and Sakura was sad as the words brought back memories on how she treated Naruto when they were in the team, she had no idea what Naruto was doing…but she could sense that this was something that was important to him.

 

“And do you know why you don't know Neji? Because you're a Hyuuga…Unlike me or Lee…you were born into greatness…you don't have to train because you have the talent and the ability to go with it. You have no idea how it feels for him or me to struggle against all the hardship and treatment because you never had to deal with it the way any of us had to in order to be here. You were treated with respect and awe by others, not like us…. To you…this Exam is merely something you do…for me or Lee…this Exam is far more than that…even more than being a Chuunin, this is the chance that we have dreamed of our entire lives…to finally stand up for ourselves and say that we are not what others call us to be and label us…but we are truly worthy to be ninja and to achieve our dreams! That is what this means to us all…”

 

Naruto finally finished by raising his open hand into the sky and held it there and made it into a fist in the sun…the light reflecting on his armor…just as a bird flying appeared next to Naruto's form in the sun.

 

“And here I am now…a failure…standing in this very arena and I have won…I have won the right to take my next step to be a worthy ninja of Konoha…no matter what others will say. I am here to prove that I am no failure!”

 

Naruto then lowered his fist…

 

“And if a failure like me can be here…in this very arena, when you say that my fate and destiny as a failure can't be changed…then I say you are wrong. You're not like me Neji…you were never born a failure…so don't you come to me and spout out any of that garbage about fate and destiny…because I don't believe it…I was taught a very valuable lesson by a friend…and he told me that fate and destiny are things you make for yourself, with your own two hands…and I have proven his words true…right here and right now that fate and destiny can be changed. So what are you going to do now Neji? Instead of complaining about that garbage of fate destiny, why don't you change your fate…because if I can do it, and so can Lee and your cousin Hinata…what the hell is stopping you from doing the same thing?”

 

Genma smiled at that…and gave his judgment.

 

“The winner is Naruto Uzumaki.”

 

The crowds of the people of Konoha then gave a wild cheer as many were utterly impressed by the display and the match…they had thought that the match was going to be an easy one for Neji Hyuuga, but Naruto truly proved them all wrong as he pulled out all the stops and won the battle without aid from his sword or that Dragon….and for the first time…they saw him as a true ninja of Konoha.

 

Sakura was elated…

 

“You did it Naruto-kun! I don't know how…but you did it!!!!”

 

(N-N-N-Naruto-kun!!! You…you beat Neji-kun!!! You were amazing!!!)

 

Hinata was awed as she wiped the tears from her eyes…not only did her crush keep fighting…but he won…he utterly won this match!!!

 

Kiba and Akamaru shook their heads at the sight…Temari couldn't help herself but smile…Gaara smiled a bit more at the battle…Kankurou shook his head…while Shikamaru and Shino looked

 

Jiraiya smiled and Sarutobi did so as well and nodded as he stared at Naruto who looked at the crowds who were shouting at him…and this time with praise and cheer, and smiled back at them and raised his sword in a victory salute.

 

(It seems that things are really shaping up for Naruto now.)

 

----------

 

To be continued…

 

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Author's notes:

 

Not the most perfect of fights I've made…but I wanted things to be of an even balance between Naruto and Neji…Neji does have the upper hand at some parts…but so does Naruto so it's fairly even…instead of the mostly one sided fight between Neji and Naruto in the series. I'll admit my way of making the fight might be kind of corny…but I had a lot to deal with…along with getting ready for graduation from college so forgive me if my mind's a bit rusty at the moment.

 

Now Naruto has no new jutsus as of yet…that is for the later chapters…but it is time to show just what sort of new techniques Naruto has developed with Holy Talon's help and who are the Dragon Champions mentioned today.

 

Khalen is the second mentioned Dragon Champion, hailing from the land of Dagern…Khalen was a normal young man…but carried the scars of many battles some personal, others with those who attacked him. He was a former slave from the lands under the control of the Chaos Dragons while still a child…his parents had been killed when he was taken from them and had been forced into hard manual labor…beaten and humiliated constantly by his overseers and subjected to random beatings growing up, the young man grew dark and bitter, until he began to lash out with ferocious anger at others…seeing this…his slave owners threw him into a gladiatorial pit and in time he became a crowd favorite for them…the pain he suffered had made him become hateful and dark minded and as such…he would fight without hesitation and had beaten others severely since that time. He would have become dark and twisted like his masters and would have been corrupted into their ranks…

 

Had it not been for the arrival of another slave to the gladiatorial pit…a simple old man who was soon paired to fight Khalen after he had vowed to rather die than help them achieve their plans. Like before, Khalen was chosen…and he wasted no time and savagely beat the old man…until at the last moment of his final strike…the old man spoke to him…asking him what had he become…in that moment when the old man's life was in his hands…he saw what he had become…he had become the very monsters he had vowed long ago to never become…and in that moment…he stopped fighting and refused to fight anymore. He would have normally been killed and left for the scavengers to feast on or be killed and his corpse mutilated in public for his defiance…but instead he was beaten badly and thrown out of the mines to die in the wilderness, along with the old man. But he endured…and managed to escape finally from his prison.

 

He managed to take the old man with him and soon, they were able to escape…but the old man was dying already before they would cross the boundaries and be in the lands of the Holy Dragons. Khalen looked at him in tears and begged unceasingly for forgiveness from him…the old man merely smiled and held him close…and told him that he was already forgiven the moment he was able to see himself for what he was becoming and turned away from it. Khalen took the man's body with him and after reaching safety…he found a quiet place to bury the dead man and vowed that he will never become a monster ever again.

 

During his years as a slave…he had perfected a fighting style that he named the Boundless State and it was very powerful style and to hand combat style that could kill with enough power and force, and after he had returned to his native lands…he vowed to never use it to harm those who were not his enemies. Years after his escape…Khalen sought out Holy Talon and vowed to atone in any way for his crimes and to give peace to those who were suffering because of the Chaos Dragons and their minions…and he would accept it if the sword would not choose him for his past crimes. However…Holy Talon did choose him and through his years as Dragon Champion he rarely used the sword in battle…but relied on the Boundless State once more…only this time…he vowed to use it to free those under the chains of the Chaos Dragons.

 

His use of the all hand to hand combat style and Dragon Magic allowed him to use a powerful array of combined techniques that gave him the title of the Dragon Warrior and when he had done much to free slaves held in the lands of the followers of the Chaos Dragons…he spent time helping them return to their former lives again. He was considered a true hero of those freed people and they mourned his death years later when he fell in battle…but they were proud of him for breaking free from the control of the enemy and in turn…freed their chains as well.

 

Boundless State - A fighting style developed by Khalen during his time as a slave…having been chained all his life on his hands, the former slave and Dragon Champion developed the style to show that while his body was bound…his will was not and over time the style was his trademark…because of his dark treatment and his near fall into being evil…his earliest use of the Boundless State was in brutal combat that resulted in death to those he faced…but ever since that day he saw himself becoming the monster he vowed never to be…he practiced a far less deadly form of the Boundless State…it was only during his time as Dragon Champion that Khalen returned to using the more brutal and original version of the Boundless State…but this time…he used it on his former jailors and never on those who were slaves or innocent.

 

It is a combination of real life martial arts such as Capoeria, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, and kung Fu….focusing on close acrobatic combat and kicking techniques and hand assisted maneuvers, along with hand to hand combat skills to even it out…it's close anime equivalent is none other than Elle Lang and Gau Ban's use of Shadow Skill from the anime of the same name.

 

Dragon Breath - It is a technique that is tied to Dragon Champion Khalen and is one of the trademark techniques that the past Dragon Champion had used in his past life. The technique combines control of fire spell and then directing the fire towards the target in a powerful attack motion…the technique can be used in close combat or long range, resembling the breath of a Dragon.

 

Combined Dragon Breath Blast - A variant technique Naruto developed using both the Dragon Breath and his own Kage Bushin. The technique is simple but quite effective to say the least…Naruto creates several Kage Bushin but divides them in hand and does not attack en masse, but allows on group to stay behind…if his initial attack fails, then he makes more Kage Bushin and sends them to surround his foe and then he and the clones unleash Dragon Breath simultaneously…and any foe caught in the center of the technique is incinerated in a mater of moments by the combined attack due to the combined intensity of the fire.

 

Fire Claws - This technique is Naruto focusing the spell of Fire into his hands and armor…allowing his claw-like finger-guards to be covered in an intense shell of flame…coupled with Naruto's enhanced strength, speed, and the armor's near indestructibility, this gives him the ability to rip into a foe like a beast.

 

The new technique Naruto used in the final stages was inspired by Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach, who used Flash Steps taught to him by Yoruichi Shihouin and he had =used this to fight Rukia's brother Byakuya. I saw the move and figured I could use that for the time being…not too original…I'll admit to that…but it works just fine for me. The Boundless State has a few other tricks to work out as well…so don't worry just yet,