The Path to New Babylon

[Sasuke Uchiha]

Pungent smells of ignited gunpowder engulfed the confines of the palace courtyard, as the clashing sounds of battle befell the, once, peaceful city of Nippur.

Swift, nimble, and fluid, the thief’s movements were but a series of elegantly executed evasions, allowing him solace, even in close quarters and with multiple adversaries. Void of wasted energy, his body was a reflection of his dedicated craft, narrowly avoiding blow after blow, and all the while purchasing precious minutes more for his associate, Daxter, to flee the scene. Albeit foolhardy and suicidal, no one could deny the cunning demonstrated by one, Demetri Malius.

….Which was perfectly fine for Sasuke Uchiha. Having only become the King’s Hand as a means to help ascertain his vengeance, he had no intention of sitting idling by, playing politics while his strength waned. In truth, he longed, with an aching in his heart, to refine his ninja art; to quench his blood thirsty agenda.

Slowly, the inevitable happened. Whether it was error or fatigue, it mattered not, Demetri lost his footing and took a direct hit—and many more after, causing blood to spill from wounds, and soaking the courtyard sands crimson. Victor stood, his blade wet with blood as he taunted the thief, a smug expression overtaking his visage.

The thief gave a groan and limped, exposing his injury to the trio of primes, and like shark tasting blood in water, Sasuke became alive with intent, as his hands began to speak the language of the shinobi.

He then abandoned the technique, on account of Demetri’s deception, and the chase was on! Rounding a corner the youth came screeching to a halt in bewilderment. He had expected some sort of grand... cat and mouse game, but there standing at the end of the passageway, awaited one Demetri Malius.

“What is the meaning of this? Are you just now realizing you don’t have a chance?” questioned a curious ninja, his movements like a spider stalking its latest catch.

“So, you’re the champ? I Got to say, I didn’t expect to cross you. This really all kind of… just… blew way out of proportion...” Demetri stammered as he took a hesitant step back.

“Are you telling me that you didn’t intentionally assault our guards... Recklessly thrash our kingdom... injure our people? And... I suppose, now, you're probably looking for mercy as a way out of this whole mess, huh?” Sasuke spoke, stepping forward, but halting immediately, his eyes wide as canyons; Demetri grinned.

*Whoosh!*

A sudden feeling of shame overcame the youth, as he was too late, Demetri had already gotten the drop on him. Vertigo enveloped Sasuke; he felt his neck become effected by whiplash, and his head collided with the ground, jarring his senses, before being viciously hauled up to the sky by his own foot, snared in an iron coil.

“Not exactly,” the thief cooed as he circled the incapacitated, Dante’s Abyss Champion, “I was just leaving.” Demetri said as he looked out over his shoulder, over the skyline of Nippur, as though he were anticipating something.

“It’s not going to work out for you. That I am certain of. ” the shinobi spat with disdain.

The intruder continued to watch the city streets, paying no mind to his captive. Whatever he was looking for, it appeared as though he expected its coming any minute now.

“Why don’t you just lay your weapons down and surrender, here and now? Don’t make this any harder than it has to be. You’ve only been lucky up until now.” Sasuke smirked, asserting his dominance even through his iron restraints.

“I’ll take my chances.” Demetri replied, barely aware of Sasuke, his eyes glued to the bustling market place that had been engrossed in a sea of New Babylon guards.

Laughter sounded from within the young shinobi, causing Demetri to give his undivided attention to Sasuke, who, in turn, responded with, “That’s just it. You never had a chance!”

Thunder erupted as a flash of hot, white energy flared to life as a defiant crackle resonated throughout Nippur. Smoldering bits of iron lay sprawled out, all around a, no longer restrained, Sasuke Uchiha. In his right hand he wielded the legendary, the devastating, Sword of Kusanagi, a blade that had been anointed in the blood of nearly a half dozen primes already.

Demetri, startled, took a step back, slipped, and found himself on his backside. Sasuke towered over his prey, “Lucky for you, this blade's bite isn’t meant for you.”

In a flash the immense power dissipated and the blade found itself back in its sheath, back on Sasuke’s back, “You don’t need a hammer to take out the trash, no, for that, you just use your own two hands!” and like that, the shinobi closed the distance between them and fired a barrage of punches and kicks at his opponent. Unlike previously in the fight, Demetri had some wear and tear on him now. His breathing was just a little harder, his movements just a little slower, and that’s all it took. Sasuke finally connected with something, sending his knuckles into his opponent’s tonsils.

Demetri hit the sand like a rock skiping across water, flailing about and taking collateral damage before finally colliding into a marketplace stand; a foul smelling fisherman’s stand, at that.

“Had enough?” Sasuke taunted as he took his stance, then prepared for more exchanges.

I Used my Artifact Chidori Blade- Tier 3 Super move. However, I didn't hit anyone with it. xD
I can no longer use it for this particular fight.