Samurai Showdown With Kakashi

- Chakra slash! - 30 samurai shouted as they launched a barrage of attacks against my position.

I jumped up, and grabbed hold of my two sworda in their scabbards.

- Double Laidõ Explosion! - I lunged forwards at a speed too high for any regular samurai to see, as slashed through four of them, who fell on the ground in a stream of blood.

The nearest ones seemed frightened, however they were samurai, and they are willing to give away their life before getting their pride broken. Their swords shone in a striking blue, as the one in front ordered:

- Everyone, strike on him! - A few voices in the distance answered.

- We can't, sir. - A good dozen of them were now dealing with a raging inked dog, who mauled them three at a time.

They tried fighting him, but their swords would always hit his form changing teeth. They couldn't let their guard down, because even if they were capable of dodging the beast's strikes, someone else was there to strike.

- Wha... What is this? - One of the samurai exclaimed as he felt someone touch his back. The voice of a beautiful green eyed woman answered, in a playful tone.

- Have fun, with that. - She quickly leapt away, as the desperate samurai tried to reach his back, before being blown up by the explosive scroll there attached.

On every side of the forest, it seemed as if the samurai forces were at a loss, as many tried to strike the Worst Kind with their chakra blades, but with the third Inner Gate open, it was simple to avoid them. Two blades tried to strike me horizontally, as I flipped between them, kicking both the attackers, who were thrown away like ragdolls. Another tried to charge his sword with an extra dose of chakra, but was the same as an ant facing the weight of my power, as I broke through his sword, and struck across his c.h.e.s.t. They were ina hopeless situation and as such, their commander had to take action:

- Men, disperse! - Lai shouted as he painfully got up from the tree I had thrown him against. - I'll take care of the brat. - As I saw the samurai around me move away, I looked back, confronting Lai.

- I'm impressed you didn't go for a surprise attack, while I was busy with your men.

- I'm not someone who needs a low blow to gain the advantage like you. I already broke you phisically once, now, once you see the disparity of our powers, your will will be next. - I could feel the magnitude of his strenght in the air, but I wasn't scared. I just had to answer it equally.

- Double Laidõ Explosion! - I proppelled myself at him, but just like before he bounced me back with a simple Laidõ.

Before I struck against him with my clone, without the use of any gates. To think that he would still be able to block it with the same ease. I just need to strike faster than he can sheath his sword again.

- Laídõ Explosion! - I adavanced towards him once more, as he struck me back. - Again! - I went once more, and I looked attentively.

In the tenth of a second before I could strike him, I saw his movements, as he elegantly sheathed his sword, with no pointless movements, no loss of traction, and then enveloped the blade in highly concentrated chakra, and took it out. Not even the general, Mifune, was capable of such prowess. This wasn't someone I could beat in sword skills.

I stopped Laidõ Exploding and stood in the soil before him, as I thought of my next plan of action, but Lai wasn't just going to wait.

- 100 Heavenly Slashes!

I tried hitting the slashes and counter them, however the quantity was too much. I could hear behind me the screams of samurai as they were hit. A couple shots got through my defense, leaving cuts on my c.h.e.s.t and shoulders, so I jumped up to avoid them. Lai kept manouvering his blade in unreasonable speeds, as he shouted:

- 200! - A second stream of chakra chased me on the air, but if it was an air fight he wanted, then it was time to fly.

- Samunashi Style: Air Skip. - With short burst of chakra inside my scabbards I was capable of faking flight, allowing me to evade his strikes. He shouted once more:

- 300! - In a tornado of slices, I hit some of his strikes while trying to evade the rest, however quite a few hit. The third hundred of his strikes were weaker than the first ones, but with how tired I was from igniting my chakra over and over, I knew the air was no longer an option.

Lai was exhausted as well, at least. He sheathed his sword as he tried to catch his breath. Once I saw his moment of weakness I knew I had to move, so I decided to let myself fall, and aimed myself at him. He exclaimed:

- If you try to strike me again, I'll kill you.

- Not if you don't have your sword with you. - If I couldn't beat him with blades, then fists would have to do.

- Laidõ Explosion! - I shot out one of my swords, without grabbing it, launching it towards Lai. He deflected the first shot, but once he blocked the second, I was already too close for him to slice.

I readied my fist with all my third inner gate might.

- AAAGHH! - I shouted my warcry, as I felt my fist impact with something as hard as bone.

I hoped it was his jaw, but it was merely his hand.

- Don't think you're the only one who can get physically stronger. - On his forehead, I saw a black mark with the shape of a diamond appear. He pushed me aside, as I asked.

- What the hell is that?

- Something I learned in my short time in the Leaf Village. I have tried to master both my sword skills, as well as my healing proficiency, but I always thought the healing part would only serve to close cuts and reinvigorate the body. I never thought of using it as a greater avenue to strenght. Tsunade showed me how to use it, and after a month of gathering chakra, I'm ready to let it all out.

A moment ago it seemed like he was about to fall to the ground from exhaustion, and now a diamond appeared on his head, and he seems fully powered up. What kind of bullshit is this?... I suppose my gates work in a similar manner, but...

- Ughh! - Lai's foot hit my stomach sending me straight upwards. He laughed.

- This must be how you feel when you open your gates! I must admit, it feels great! - He jumped upwards and positioned his blade above himself to cut me in half.

Without my blades, and in the middle of the air I had no way to block or dodge.

- Now, DIE! - Lai struck downwards. He expected to see two halfs of me, but I was nowhere to be found. - What? Where did you...? - I knew I did well to train my finger strenght.

I couldn't dodge or block, so I caught his sword from the sides and held on to it for dear life. He started swinging it wildly.

- Get off my sword!

- Aahh, it's slipping, IT'S SLIPPING! - With my face only a few inches from his blade, I pushed myself outward, launching my body towards the ground.

I fell on my feet as I saw Lai slowly descend. It was clear that he wasn't used to combat from so high up, it's my chance to strike. I may only have chakra left for maybe two more explosions. Let's make them count.

- Full Power! - I proppelled myself upwards once more, getting deflected once more by his laidõ.

- When will you learn you stupid b... - Lai looked at me as he saw my veins stretch.

- Gate of Pain: Open! - With the added power, I struck and the minimal increase in speed was enough to throw Lai off guard.

With one of my swords pointed forward, I ignited the second one and impaled Lai, all the way into the ground, as he and my blade struck against a tree.

I let go off the blade, and closed the gates, as Lai was now stuck to a tree by a sword in his abdomen. I fell on the ground, exhausted and chakraless. As I struggled to get my air, and with my veins boiling in strain, a smile came across my face. One of relief, one of victory. But he wasn't dead yet, it still wasn't over.

I got up on my a.s.s with some difficulty, to finish the job, however I could see a blade centimeters away from my face, but that wasn't the only thing there. A kunai with a scroll attached hit the side of Lai's body, exploding him some distance away, as well as me back. I was caught by gentle hands, which I quickly saw to be Lin's. She asked:

- Sorry for throwing an explosive so close to you, but it seemed like you were about to die.

- You did well. What about the samurai?

- Inky is taking care of them, he...

- You seem oddly distracted Samunashi. - I looked to the side to see a bleeding Lai standing up, with my blade penetrated through his body.

That's right, how did he survive that? Don't tell me this has something to do with that healing techniques he was talking about before?

Lai ripped off the sword from his torso, throwing it at me, as I caught it midair. I got up, but wasn't in good enough condition to open any more than two gates, which would not be enough to face him. I could try my Iron Style jutsu, and make use of my dense chakra reserves in my legs, but I can't use that with the gates open, and without them I'm too slow and weak to dodge any attacks. There is one option left.

- Lin, get out of here.

- What are you talking about? Let me help you beat this guy.

- In the state that I'm in I'll be merely an hindrance, and you're too slow to keep up with him. Just leave. I got this. - Lin was truly worried but the determination in my eyes was enough to move her.

- I'll be back to get you then. - Lin leapt away, as Lai could only laugh.

- That was smart. I wonder why you didn't try the same.

- Because I give up, Lai. - I got on my knees, with my hands behind my head. - Take me to one of your jails. - Lai seemed to get angrier.

- Are you mocking me? I'm here to kill you, not keep you captive! Do you truly think I want you alive?

- Maybe not you, but I' sure Mifune would.

- Oh, I get it. You think that just because you taught some things to our general, that he doesn't share the same hatred I do for you. Everyone despises you, Samunashi, no one wants to see you alive. - Lai seemed ready to cut my head off, but it wasn't over.

- I was wondering Lai. Did you really not know I was alive until today?

- I was sure I had killed you, or better yet, I did. But I would never expect you to come back alive.

- That's odd. I met with Mifune a few days ago. - Lai was shocked. - Did he not tell you?

- What... What do you... - He was confused.

- I went to warn him of the coming invasion. Why do you think he didn't tell you of me being alive? Maybe he doesn't trust your judgement.

- That's not it. He...

- After all, he demoted you. He really doesn't trust you. - Lai got his blade on my neck.

- I'll kill you right here.

- You may think that's the right decision, but what would Mifune think? - Lai stopped his murderous intent. - Bring me to him, and you'll find out. - Lai moved back. He didn't know what to do. I could see his own world crumbling, as one thing was sure.

- You're not lying. I can see it in your eyes. Why would Mifune want you alive?

- The bonds we share along others, aren't weak enough to be broken like that. But if you're doubting me, take me to him. - Lai looked at the forest, in an internal battle between d.e.s.i.r.e and duty. He saw as Lin called Inky and ran away, as the samurai went after her, but he stopped them.

- Men, bind Samunashi. We're taking him to the Land of Iron.