Chapter 29: Clash Part II

                                    

                                          
Naruto was surrounded and filled with the toxic chakra. He could feel it like fire on his skin and while it did hurt he could feel power pulsing throughout his body. With a growl he flashed forward toward the rival jinchuuriki. Naruto's blade struck with thunderous force against Han's armored forearm. The blade slashed through the armor itself but was blunted by the steam that circulated within the armor. The steam was solid chakra and it prevented Naruto's attack from slicing off Han's arm.
                          
The steam however did not stop momentum and since it would not be sliced through the momentum pushed the seemingly immovable Han off his feet. The blow sent him careening back fifty feet. The Iwa shinobi were stunned as they watched their jinchuuriki go flying. Naruto wasted no time in blazing forward and killing one with a slice through the torso and another with a bone shattering kick.
                          
Sasuke had 1st and 2nd degree burns on his face from the steam but he also ruthlessly sprang into action striking at the surprised Iwa shinobi. He managed to kill one before the others began to defend themselves appropriately.
                          
The sudden reversal in the battle was only a brief respite as Han returned to the scene. Naruto felt hatred well up in him and he had to force it down lest he lose control of the fox's chakra. Taking a few moments to find his center again let Han close the distance once more.
                          
Despite the seemingly bulky armor Han was viciously fast. His first assault on Naruto was only dodged by inches. Naruto kicked out and knocked the other jinchuuriki away. Steam billowed all around Han as he clashed again with Naruto. The chakra cloak that surrounded Naruto prevented the steam from harming him as the two clashed.
                          
Sasuke waited for his opportunity to strike and jumped in on the first opportunity. Naruto had driven Han backwards with cross slash and Han tottered backward before regaining his balance. In that split second Sasuke slammed his Chidori into Han's back. Han was hurled forward from the piercing strike but like Naruto's wind infused katana it did not pierce the steam.
                          
Han's armor was starting to become shredded. The steam no longer contained within the armor was fast becoming depleted. Soon it would be completely depleted and he would be vulnerable. However Han was a jinchuuriki, the container of a tailed beast. His power was not just his armor, his strength, stamina or jutsu. It was the raging fury of the Gobi.
                          
Raw chakra emanated from him. Han's armor cracked and with little warning exploded outward. Pure force pushed Naruto and Sasuke away. Sasuke was blown off his feet but quickly used Kawarimi to get back safely to the ground. The ground beneath Han resembled a crater. Han emerged covered in red and black chakra looking bestial. The only thing that still identified the creature as Han was his kasa (hat) and the five tails that had risen from his backside.
                          
Naruto wasted no time and immediately tried to decapitate his opponent. Han raised his hand and caught the blade despite the cutting power of the wind chakra that coated it. Han let out a roar and slashed Naruto with his other clawed hand. Naruto's eyes could barely see the quick swipe, in an instant he let go of his katana and leapt backwards. The claw missed Naruto but the massive power behind the blow actually ripped the air around him and shoved him back even further.
                          
Immediately the chakra monster pounced toward Naruto who shoved a Rasengan upward as his opponent descended on him. The kyubi infused Rasengan met the demonic chakra and forced it back. Han let out another roar as he was slammed backwards and way from his prey. Naruto panted heavily the chakra around him fluctuated wildly, the 2nd tail of kyubi chakra was on the verge of dissipating.
                          
Another score of Iwa shinobi had now caught up and more were arriving rapidly. Doton jutsu started being launched towards team seven. Sakura had a flash of insight and weaved a Genjutsu over Han. Han had been seemingly impervious to Genjutsu previously but now he was much more bestial and far less in control of his chakra. Sakura kept things simple. She simply changed where Naruto appeared to be. As Han rose the Naruto he had been fighting disappeared and reappeared behind him. Han let a roar and charged at the illusionary Naruto.