Episode 5.30: New Age of Heroes - A Grand Beginning (Naruto v. Sasuke)
FortePlus
The THRILL from Green Hill
- Location
- Toronto
- Pronouns
- He/Him
>>> The Illuminators
Episode 5.30: New Age of Heroes - A Grand Beginning
Grand Final Match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Before the sun rose, the Hidden Leaf was busy.Grand Final Match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Many people went to work unfurling banners to put at the front of the stadium. In the background, maintenance of all kinds was happening in the stands and on the battlefield, making sure that everything was as close to perfect as possible.
And in the rest of the village, businesses opened early. The people arrived shortly after, trying to get ahead of the inevitable rush so they could make all of their purchases. The streams of people grew with each hour, and by the top of the morning, the streets were nearly at capacity as people went to and fro. Bars and restaurants prepared to open near midday, an hour before the scheduled battle.
"So it's really set to be packed today, huh."
Joshua mused over a hot cup of tea after getting ready for the day. Everyone was skipping breakfast at the hotel, as Haru had promised to get something hearty from one of the food places near the stadium.
"It's going to be a half day for all non-essential businesses. So any place that serves food and drink will be open. The Hokage has also provided economic packages so that local businesses can upgrade their entertainment systems as necessary."
"So that means televisions?" Ritsu asked from her seat.
"Not necessarily. Many places will take advantage, but there will be a dedicated radio call by shinobi. Asuma will be doing the play-by-play, as they call it, while Guy will be doing the colour commentary."
"He would know about colours...perhaps not coordinating them properly, unfortunately..."
"Easy, Princess."
"An affront to fashion and form. His skill in taijutsu is irrelevant," Hannah protested to Joshua. He chuckled and shook his head, taking another sip of his tea.
"It's going to be a busy day from what I've already seen. That's why we'll be going ahead to the stadium early to grab our seats. The proceedings won't be any shorter today, even with the one fight. Many announcements and gestures of thanks before the main event begins," Haru explained.
"It sounds like a lot," Ritsu said with a frown.
"It might be, ma'am," Hikari answered, "but I think that's because it is a very rare event in all of shinobi history. The Five Kage, all gathered in one place, and the advent of new generational talents. Many things are happening in a way and at a speed that were previously unheard of."
"Hm."
"Though I understand your sentiments, ma'am. It's not something that every shinobi grasps fully either. The days will pass after this like most others. It is the legacy of this gathering that will echo through history, I think. Ma'am."
"That all makes sense. I've only just started my journey in the shinobi world, and as a civilian, the weight of all these things were lost on me, for various reasons..."
"The shinobi culture of the Hot Springs takes on a different tone, ma'am."
"So I've noticed. My father never taught me much, and my mother...she was ignorant of a lot going on around her. By choice, anyways." Ritsu shrugged. "It's in the past. I'm learning everything there is to know now, and the meaning of these gatherings are becoming apparent."
"You've come a very long way in a short time, ma'am. Please continue to believe in your skill."
"Hmhm. I will," Ritsu said with a smile. "Thank you, Hikari."
"Ma'am."
"Shall we be on our way, then?" Haru asked the group. After getting nods in reply, she opened the door for everyone and secured it behind them afterwards.
The streets of the Leaf were filled with people, many of them streaming towards the stadium where the final match of the tournament, and the final scenes of the Chuunin Exams would take place. Joshua's group weaved through the growing crowds, past the already filled bars and restaurants, and towards their destination. Children ran outside of the front entrance, selling candies and other treats. Food carts and vendors made their money hand over fist, and those reselling tickets left as quickly as they came, their pockets filled to bursting with their takes.
Within the stadium itself, ceremonial events took place one after the other as the crowds started to file in. The Hokage made his way up to his seat after seeing to the tournament's final two participants, who were resting in their own rooms before the main event began. Sasuke meditating his room, and Naruto eating in his.
"Hey. Everything okay?"
"Hm?" Sasuke raised his head to see Sakura entering the green room. "Ah, yeah. Just doing some meditation before the fight. Trying to win, and all that. Don't worry too much about it. Something you needed?"
"No, I just came to see you. Kind of a big event." Sakura took a seat in the chair next to Sasuke.
"Probably the biggest in a while, yeah. Just two kids, in front of the whole world. No pressure."
"It's pretty crazy."
"That's the kind of world we live in," Sasuke said. "Better this than war, at any rate. Mom and Itachi keep reminding me."
"Yeah. Sensei says it, too. She was in the middle of a war, back when she was younger. Around our age...I don't know if I could handle watching people die like that. I didn't exactly get used to it during these exams, I know that much."
"It's different when the pain's happening to you, I guess."
"Yeah, sort of. Hey, we shouldn't be talking so much about me. This is your day, Sasuke."
"It is, but talking about other things is always nice."
"..." Sakura nodded and went quiet for a while. "Sasuke?"
"Yeah."
"I want you to know that no matter what happens, you've done really well to get this far. I love you."
"..."
"I know...it's a lot."
"It is. But it's good, Sakura." He looked over at her and smiled. "Thank you. I promise to do my best for you, like I will for everyone else."
"I know you're a bit nervous. And maybe worried," she said as she brushed back some of her hair. "You're up against Naruto, after all."
"Yeah. Real strong. Unpredictable. Big dork."
"That's the Hokage's son, you know."
"Right. Dork."
Sakura rolled her eyes at him, smiling. "You seem fine now. As long as you don't do too much, since...a lot can happen. I know you're going to go all out for this one."
"Yeah."
"Then...I should give you this gift now. For luck. And for everything else."
Sakura let out a breath as she stood up, walking over to where Sasuke sat. He looked up at her slowly, raising an eyebrow.
"Heck of a time to get aggressive."
"It is, isn't it..." She blushed as she leaned downwards, her nose touching his. Sakura closed her eyes and moved forward, parting her lips gently.
And though he thought it too much for a day like this, Sasuke closed his eyes, letting her lips touch his for the first time.
---
"Good afternoon, Naruto."
"Mm! Afternoon, Hinata!"
Naruto slurped up the last of his ramen and drained the bowl, letting out a breath before wiping his mouth with a cloth. A few other bowls were already stacked up in front of him on the table.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, just settling in."
"I see...this is more than the usual before a match. I assume there are at least some nerves."
"Sure. It's Sasuke, after all. This is pretty much everything I've wanted since the tournament started, or...before that, really. To fight him on the biggest stage ever." He grinned. "I'm all about winning, though! Gotta rub it in somehow, ya know?"
"It's just like you," Hinata said, smiling back. "I know that no matter what happens, you'll make everyone proud. Me, especially."
"Ah, yeah...Hinata, I should thank you. For being around, and putting up with me, all of that junk."
"It's hardly 'putting up' with you, Naruto." She took a seat beside him. "Do you remember the day we met, in the snow?"
"Yeah."
"I'll never forget it. And I'll never forget watching you forge ahead, through each and every obstacle. Our genetics are no guarantee of success. I've experienced that myself...but it was you that inspired me. Our friendship, and now...something more," Hinata said with a soft blush. "Watching you, and walking beside you has helped make me strong. Each time you shine brighter, I do too."
"Hinata..."
"All I ever want is for you to keep true to who you are. It's what made me fall in love with you...and why your nindo is now mine as well."
"...right. Do my best. Never give up. Never go back on my words."
"Yes."
Naruto gave Hinata a thumb up. "No problem. I can't be anyone other than me, ya know?"
"I know. Fight hard, Naruto. And be safe."
They shared a long, warm hug, to which Hinata closed her eyes, smiling.
---
"Attention, everyone. The day's main event is set to begin in fifteen minutes. If you are not already seated, please do so before the main event begins, as movement will be restricted for the tournament's duration. We do hope you enjoy yourselves today. We repeat, the main event will begin in fifteen minutes from now. Please make your way to your seats if you are not already in them."
The final call went out. Spectators finished buying and eating their food, went to the washrooms, and made their way up to their seats in relatively neat fashions. Those around the stadium gathered near the giant television screens mounted on the outside walls. Above the front entrance, giant banners with portraits of Naruto and Sasuke rippled gently in the breeze.
Every radio was tuned to the designated community frequency, as people still at home gathered around their sets to listen. Life slowed down, and a select few worked on to keep the village safe, minding the barrier around the village and going on patrols.
Fifteen minutes passed, but the Hokage decided to wait a bit longer before he would have the final round begin. Mikoto and Kushina were having a friendly argument in the row of seats below him, while the Kage near him were all settling in.
"You must be very proud, Lord Hokage. Hosting the exams and having the final match between two shinobi from your village. And one of them is your son, to boot. Very fortunate, no?" Mei said with a friendly smile.
"Definitely. It's been an amazing series all around, couldn't have asked for a better result than this. You know, those two have wanted to go at it for real for a long time, now. Doing it on the world's biggest stage is something else entirely."
"I agree. It must be nerve-wracking and exciting all at the same time. But I know those boys are all for it."
"Always have been. Alright...we'll let those two get down to business."
The Hokage made his way down to the railing as people in coloured uniforms streamed out through the stadium tunnels. On one side, the representatives of the Uchiha Clan. On the other, those descended from the Senju Clan along with a host of other Leaf clans, standing in solidarity with the Uzumaki Clan. Flags were raised high, waving through the air as the sounds of drumming flew up towards the spectators. All sound then stopped as the Fourth Hokage raised his hand.
"Welcome to the final event of the Chuunin Selection Exams. On behalf of the Five Kage, I would like to thank everyone for attending this afternoon, and for all of the support you've shown us. Today is the culmination of years of training, weeks of effort, and days of intense combat. I am very proud to have both grand finalists as representatives of the Hidden Leaf Village. From the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke walked through the crowd as it parted for him, making his way to the front where Hayate stood waiting.
"From the Uzumaki Clan, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto confidently walked ahead as the crowd on his side parted for him, and met Sasuke in the middle. Their eyes met, filled with intensity and carrying focus.
"Everything has come down to this last battle. The two warriors standing before you have overcome many trials, and battled many opponents to get to the final round. And then, as you all witnessed, went even further to defeat powerful rivals. This fight is about the meaning of the exams, about what it means to be a shinobi. Today is the day that you bear witness to a new age. Time might pass, but what a shinobi is will never change.
And so, after everything that has brought us to this point...let this final match, a new chapter in history, begin!"
"Fighters ready. Rules are the same as always...you can go all out, but try not to obliterate each other. Only so much that Lady Tsunade can do. Listen to my commands as much as possible. Both sides acknowledge," Hayate instructed.
"Sasuke Uchiha, acknowledged."
"Naruto Uzumaki, acknowledged."
"Both sides affirm. Take your positions, and we'll get started on my signal. Good luck."
The field emptied until only three people remained. Guy excitedly started his radio commentary as the volume of the crowd inside the stadium rose. Competing chants for the two fighters clashed in walls of noise, and rumblings could be heard outside.
"Guess you're ready to lose, then," Sasuke said.
"That's more your style," Naruto responded.
"I see. Hopefully you'll eat dirt with some dignity this time."
"Yeah? Try saying that while you're flat on your back."
"Ready!" Hayate said, interrupting them. He raised his arm and the boys tensed in preparation.
"Begin!"
As soon as Hayate made his move backwards, a three pronged kunai was stuck into the ground at Sasuke's feet. He never glanced at it, his eyes turning crimson and rotating as he saw Naruto appear in front of him, a spiraling sphere of chakra in his right hand.
Game on.
The earth exploded upwards as Sasuke dodged and skipped away. Copies of Naruto sped out of the dust, leaving ribbons of it streaming behind them as they surrounded Sasuke. He braced himself and slid to a stop, letting the ten clones catch up and engage. With a swift elbow, he dispatched the clone ahead of him, making it pop into smoke before he spun and took out another clone with kick to the head. He ducked and weaved the attacks of three clones at once as they moved across the battlefield.
I guess the real one's mixed in with the rest, right in front of me. Figures he'd exploit that part.
Luckily, there was enough weight to the copies he hit. He could keep his focus that way, and use it to his advantage. Sasuke watched as more clones were generated; some were clearly of the basic variety and he drove a fist through one to get to the solid clone behind it, impacting it and making it puff into smoke. The clones were increasing in number and moving at faster speeds, starting to become little more than orange streaks of light to the general audience.
"Guess we can escalate now."
Sasuke quickly made seals and activated Chidori in his left hand, then accelerated through the wave of clones in front of him and dispatched them in a stream of lightning.
"Starting early? I can work with that!" Naruto yelled back as he charged Sasuke with two clones at his side. He spun up a Rasengan in his right hand and jumped into the air before disappearing, then landing next to one of his wrapped kunai and attacking from Sasuke's right.
"Is that all?"
Sasuke clenched his fist and Chidori exploded outwards, sending violent blasts of lightning all around him that popped the remaining clones and sent Naruto sliding on his back. Sasuke quickly drew a set of shuriken and made handseals before breathing in.
"Phoenix Flower!"
Naruto arrested his slide and popped back onto his feet, looking up to see the mass of fireballs descending on his head. He made a familiar seal.
"Mass Shadow Clone!"
A wave of clones appeared in front of Naruto and braced themselves as the fireballs slammed into them, popping several with the shuriken hidden in them. A few remained as the smoke cleared, along with the real Naruto standing behind them.
"Pretty tense so far," Mei commented as she looked on. "They're trying to test each other..."
"I would assume so. Quite a different set of affairs when you're fighting someone you know," Oonoki said. "But there's not much hesitation on either side."
"It's a heated rivalry, from what Lord Hokage has told me."
"Heh. It is something ironic, thinking about it...the spirits of the Uchiha and Senju clans, coming together in battle once more. But this time, for a positive cause."
"Perhaps one day, in a more peaceful time...I could hear stories about those days," Mei said.
"Perhaps." Oonoki stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn't be opposed to such a thing, if this strife comes to a proper end. I'm sure that you'll do what you can on that end, Mizukage."
"Yes. Count on it."
Naruto and Sasuke sped forward towards each other again, with Naruto reducing his side down to three as Sasuke reached him. They met in blurs of colour, Sasuke defending himself and swiftly parrying attacks from the three Narutos in his face. They layered punches and kicks over and under and around each other rapidly, Sasuke reading each movement with his Sharingan and adjusting accordingly. He suddenly dropped to the ground on his hands before rotating his body and sweeping the area in front of him with his legs, knocking his opponents off their feet. The three Narutos rotated in the air and landed properly, but not before Sasuke popped up and breathed out a fireball, swallowing all of them up at once.
Sasuke's head tilted to the left, avoiding a punch from Naruto who had appeared behind him. He grabbed the extended arm and used it to slam Naruto to the ground; the blonde turned in Sasuke's grip and went for a sweep of the legs, which missed as Sasuke released his grip and jumped into the air. Naruto continued spinning while making handseals, whirling to his feet and sending a burst of wind pressure right into Sasuke. Sasuke flew backwards after guarding with his arms, and his eyes scanned the ground below as multiple Narutos appeared again, chasing him down.
"Four. Trying to cover the angles...trying to make me waste energy."
Sasuke frowned and made seals while he was in the air, bringing Chidori back to life in his left hand. He sailed towards the ground, and two clones were there to meet him with wind techniques. The world flowed through his exceptional set of eyes, and he made a subtle movement before landing, causing himself to slide backwards, crouched low to the ground while the wind bursts passed over his head, ruffling his hair slightly. He sprung forward and swung his left arm out like a blade.
"Chidori Sharp Spear!"
The lightning extended outwards and sliced through the two clones on the ground, plus the one in the middle descending with a Rasengan in hand. As they puffed into smoke, the real Naruto charged ahead with his Rasengan spinning rapidly in his right hand. This moment was the one he had been waiting for, one where Sasuke would be in between attacks and unable to launch another in time. Chidori fizzled out as expected, and Sasuke was out of position after his earlier swing.
At the least...he would land a blow! Even if he could do something else, Chidori was a left handed attack...
Naruto used a body flicker and accelerated, pushing his arm forward.
He's coming in pretty fast. This won't be anything good...
Sparks jumped from Sasuke's right hand.
...but it's necessary.
He had a split second, and made great use of it with his Sharingan; the explosive energy redirected from the attack that was in his left hand was moving towards his right, and he slammed his electrified palm into the spiraling sphere of chakra as it reached him. Naruto's eyes widened, and both boys grit their teeth as the two attacks clashed before throwing up an explosion of chakra.
They flew in different directions, rolling along the ground before getting to their feet. Smoke streamed from their damaged outfits before they charged each other again.
Can't believe he got me like that! It was a desperation move, but still...! This guy's too much sometimes!
Naruto growled and made the tiger seal, calling forth clones of himself that shot forward through the sky and towards Sasuke. The boy with black hair whipped out shuriken and launched them with expert precision, dispatching clones that got close to him with his feet while spinning in the air to launch attacks at ones further away. Naruto held his ground and called more clones, while at the same time preparing the special kunai he had tucked away. He tossed them in a wide spread around Sasuke, who slid to a stop as he realized the new plan.
"Really going for it, yeah?"
"What do you think?"
"I think you're desperate!" Sasuke taunted.
"You realize I'm a sensor type, yeah?"
"Like I said, desperate! But don't worry, I'm looking to wrap this up, too."
"Worried I'll tire you out?" Naruto called back, placing one of the three-pronged kunai between his teeth.
"More than a small concern, yeah." Sasuke fired up Chidori once more, then split it between both of his hands.
"Didn't know he could do that...hrm. Neat trick. Can't lie and say I'm not impressed," Naruto muttered to himself. He concentrated and formed a Rasengan in each hand, then took a stance, facing down Sasuke.
"Hoh...he picked up enough control to use two at once like that. Means he's free to use both hands at any time. They look pretty sturdy, too. Good for him," Sasuke said with a nod. "Well, here we go..."
Naruto tensed a moment before disappearing from sight.
"You know, I'm still more than a little surprised that Naruto picked that one up so quickly," Mikoto said to Kushina.
"Hey, you and me both. He's better than me at school, and on top of that takes to jutsu like his dad."
"Drawback's still there, I imagine?"
"Yep. Chews through chakra like a demon. Even people with big reserves like us would have trouble using it for too long, and Naruto hasn't mastered it yet. So he's got a limit, one that Sasuke could exploit. I think he's realized that he needs to take control of the momentum."
"Looks like it," Mikoto said, watching as Naruto zipped between kunai and Sasuke followed him patiently. "Though...my kid's realized it himself, that if he loses initiative, it's all over in a moment."
Naruto continued to move, creating extra clones in the moments he had and making them teleport along with him, creating flashes of orange that surrounded Sasuke.
The first one moved, and was promptly run through by Sasuke, popping out of existence as another descended from the air and was kicked into oblivion easily. Another dropped down with a Rasengan, landing short and slamming it into the ground in front of Sasuke.
"Shoot...!"
It wasn't the visibility, it was the positioning; the ground was loose and Sasuke knew he had to move...
...which was the time Naruto burst ahead in a flash of light. He feinted with one Rasengan to the face, then got his other just below Sasuke's other hand to hit him in the hip. The sphere of chakra ground into him before shooting outward, taking Sasuke towards the far wall of the stadium and right into it before exploding in a wave of energy.
"That's one..."
"Guh...this isn't good." Sasuke still had it in him to chuckle as he got back to his feet. He knew his mobility was almost shot, and he would definitely be slower for the rest of the match. There needed to be enough chakra for the final trump, since it would definitely come down to that.
"Tch. Stubborn." Naruto focused on maintaining the remaining Rasengan in his hand, and waited for Sasuke to move again. It wasn't likely he would do anything rash, though - he was outside the immediate range of the net created by the Hiraishin kunai, and he had to know it.
Sasuke, understanding his rival's thought process, pulled up another low powered Chidori and stretched two fingers outwards.
"You have to know by now, right?" He raised an eyebrow as Naruto failed to move. In a moment, he directed more chakra into Chidori and got ready to fire. Naruto felt the flare of energy and focused on the kunai behind him, back and to the left. He warped to it, and Sasuke, aware of the lag in time, had already picked that spot as the first target.
"From me to you, buddy. Chidori Driver!"
Naruto moved to twist his body away, but didn't realize that Sasuke was aiming away from his center of mass...and towards the target in his left hand. The bolt of lightning ripped through the Rasengan, destablizing it and forcing it to detonate. A whirlwind of chakra briefly formed, throwing Naruto to the ground. The blonde's head pounded fiercely as he got to his feet and jumped out of the shallow crater.
Typical. I think I have him figured out, and then stuff like this happens.
Naruto grumbled and hit the side of his head a few times to try and clear it. His left hand was shaking slightly, which he knew wasn't good. Sasuke wasn't terribly low on chakra yet, and his was decent...but both sides had their combat ability lowered by now.
"Hey, lame brain! I've still got my other arm! What've you got?" Naruto yelled.
"Lame as it might be, an actual brain."
"Tch. Let's get this over with. You've earned this ass-kicking now!"
Naruto charged ahead with a smile, and Sasuke let out a breath before running ahead, smiling back at the same time. They met in the middle of the field, Naruto taking the opportunity to move between his kunai for an attack from behind Sasuke. Sasuke ducked and kicked upwards, hitting Naruto's guard and popping him higher into the air before he disappeared again, charging from the left side as he came back into being. Sasuke quickly engaged, skillfully hitting Naruto with a punch combination that sent him sliding backwards. He followed with a hard straight that Naruto leaned into, blunting some of the impact as he drove his good right hand into Sasuke's side. Sasuke winced and stumbled before rocking forward, landing an uppercut that lifted Naruto off his feet, and following with a dropkick that sent the blonde flying away.
"What the hell are you made of, Naruto...Auntie Kushina has to be feeding you well outside of your ramen habit," Sasuke muttered as he shook out his hand. "If this goes down to a slugfest, I'm done for." He knew that he wouldn't manage any better with the damage from the Rasengan, even if it was just a blow to the side. His mind went to Shiori. "And she took three of those to the body...forget Naruto, what does she have for breakfast...?"
Naruto spit out dirt and wiped his mouth as he stood up. "Ugh. I'm not gonna last if I have to eat ten punches just to get one in. Gotta take advantage of him slowing down some...but I can't stand still too long, either." There wasn't anywhere to hide or catch his breath, not with the Sharingan still active.
Sasuke forced through another Chidori and aimed at Naruto, who immediately took evasive action; the burst of lightning ended up at his feet, causing minimal damage but throwing him backwards some distance and making his ears ring. Sasuke took the opportunity to gather his chakra for an attack that would, hopefully, decide the fight.
"Something like this...haven't done it before, but now's a good a time as any to test it."
The sounds of a thousand birds shifted into something else entirely, a sustained crackling as the chakra around Sasuke's hand burst out violently before shifting from blue to a blue-white colour and stabilizing.
"You've got a lot of goddamn nerve, Sasuke!"
"Nothing new, right?"
"What's that one called?"
"Keeping it simple...Super Chidori."
"I can see how that one would work. Well...guess I gotta ante up, yeah?"
"Go ahead," Sasuke said with a nod. For the first time since the fight started, he became aware of the crowd. Of the cheering and excitement, of everything that was going on outside of the world that he and Naruto were sharing. Naruto saw his expression change, and took a bit of time to absorb the atmosphere himself.
"Good times."
"The best, even," Sasuke replied. "This has been a heck of a fight."
"We won't get to do this for a while."
"Kill each other? Ah, Kakashi-sensei will let us go at it like usual."
"That's true. Alright...unfortunately, I'm not as good at nature transformation as you yet - that'll change, count on it - but we can go with this for now."
Naruto focused and brought his hands together, one above the other as chakra started to spiral in his palms. Two Rasengan, one over the other, started to form, but were also caught up in each other, rotating at the same speed. They went faster, becoming one entity as Naruto's hands moved slightly apart, and the pure white chakra was changing colour.
"I'll show you...my ultimate technique!"
A whirling red sphere compressed itself between Naruto's hands, and he grinned proudly as it stabilized.
"Burning Rasengan!"
"Heh. Hell of a name. Came up with it yourself?"
"Sure did!"
"Well, it's no 'Whirlpool Doom Sphere Barrage', I can tell you that."
"Dude, shut up! It was one time, okay? Not everyone has to hear about it!"
"You spent three weeks coming up with...that...so you deserve all the ridicule you can get. Besides, you won't land that thing."
"Says you. The Sharingan isn't a guarantee, ya know," Naruto said as he transferred the technique to his right hand.
"Doesn't need to be. Come on, bring all you have...neither of us have much in the tank at this point."
"You were hoping for this all along."
"Hmph." Sasuke braced himself. "And what if I was?"
"Not like you to get all sentimental in public."
"It isn't, no."
Naruto and Sasuke retreated to opposite ends of the battlefield, charging their techniques further. They stared at each other, understanding, expecting, and satisfied that it had come down to this moment. Every young shinobi's dream.
The Hokage rose to his feet, and so did his wife, and everyone else in the press box. The crowd was loud, more excited than ever before and cheering at near-deafening levels. People were yelling at their radios, the stadium walls were trembling, and suddenly, the entirety of history compressed itself around this one moment, this single event.
This duel between brothers, who had been together since before they were born.
Naruto and Sasuke took off, in whirling clouds of dust and dirt. They sped towards each other; Naruto using his bad left hand to support his good right arm as streaks of red light streamed from his Rasengan, Sasuke supporting his trembling left arm with his right as the ambient energy from his Chidori raked the ground beneath it.
Both moving at high speed.
No diversions.
No new tactics.
No hesitation.
"Narutooooooooooooooooo!"
"Sasukeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
And with reckless abandon, left and right arms met, attacks slamming into each other and struggling heavily, raking the ground with wind and lightning and carving it out in a circle with pure pressure. The light was dazzling. The force was intense, washing over the crowd and pushing some back into their seats.
The two boys stared at each other, even as the world started to fade from sight.
---
"..."
"..."
A white void.
Naruto put his hands behind his head casually. "Here again, huh."
"So it seems." Sasuke sighed. "Can't believe it."
"Yeah. It was close, though."
"It was. Hey."
"Yeah?"
"You know...how I get. Talking about sensitive things."
"I do, I think?"
"I'm not that great at expressing my emotions, still. What I'm trying to say is...hm." He had his head down, thinking.
"Well, this is good a place as any, ya know."
"...I just wanted to say that I'm thankful for you. For being my friend, and all that. It means a lot. It also does a lot, in a lot of ways."
"That all you wanted to say?"
"No." Sasuke raised his head. "I wanted to say that I'm thankful that...you're my brother. Even if we're from other families, I've...always thought of you that way. And I love you for it."
"Yeah? That's...really good of you to say, Sasuke. You didn't have to, but you chose to. I appreciate that. Sasuke, I love you too. And I've always seen you as my brother, even if you're a weirdo sometimes."
"Hah. I'm guessing that was supposed to be ironic?"
"Nah."
"Right, you're an idiot."
Naruto blew him a raspberry before grinning.
"Well...I'm pretty happy that it all went well. I guess things need to come to an end."
"Yep."
The two approached each other and gripped hands warmly.
"Don't make me regret saying this with your dumb gloating."
Sasuke smiled brightly.
"It's your win...Naruto."
---
Naruto opened his eyes, finding himself at the bottom of a newly formed crater on one knee.
In front of him was Sasuke, face down and unmoving. Hayate rushed over from the edge of the battlefield and checked on Sasuke.
"I'm calling it. Sasuke Uchiha is unable to continue. Winner, and grand champion...Naruto Uzumaki of the Hidden Leaf Village!"
The roar of the crowd somehow became louder than before, creating a minor earthquake that rippled through the village itself. Asuma did his best to calm Guy down during the radio call, and the Five Kage all politely clapped at the result.
"That's game! Looks like you're cooking me dinner for the next month, Mikoto! Ohohohohoho!" Kushina put a hand beside her mouth as she laughed obnoxiously.
Mikoto groaned. "Oi..."
Minato chuckled to himself as he clapped for the two competitors.
Naruto...Sasuke. You've both done well. For this, and everything else, I'm very proud of you. And that's why I'll do good by you, and by everyone else. It's time to build a future where everyone can truly be happy.
Sasuke opened his eyes, and found himself being propped up by someone. He turned his head slowly to see Naruto smiling at him, and then nodding to the crowd.
"Soak it in, yeah?"
"Yeah," Sasuke said quietly. "Soak it in."
Tsunade waited in the wings, looking at the boys with their damaged arms, slung over the other's shoulders. Supporting each other.
Grandfather...I know you'd be happy to see this. We're finally all together. Watch over me, won't you? I want to make the most of this chance. Maybe not your ideal world...but the peace you wanted is in reach.
Flowers and confetti rained down onto the battlefield, surrounding the two young men who had fought their hardest. History had already changed. Time had moved forward.
Naruto and Sasuke.
The ones who had opened up a great new legacy.
For the end of this battle...was the beginning of the future.
---
"Well, ossan. You've helped change history's flow."
...
"The rest is up to that grandson of yours. The one chosen of heaven. Madara might be my ancestor, but...it won't be me that puts an end to it. I became a phantom a long time ago."
...
"I won't simply pray for your success...I'll put my cursed strength into action. All you have to do is reach me, Joshua West."
---
Sorry for the delay, a lot of things were going on and I wanted to do some proper work on this before putting it out. I hope you all enjoy the read.
No voting for now. Next update is scheduled for . Thank you for your support.