The Will Of Fire

CHAPTER 18

Ch. 18 The Failed Experiments

"Light it up," Shikamaru ordered with a firm nod. He, Lee and Shino, with an unconscious Kiba on his back, stood outside of the base. A single explosive tag could be seen in the entrance, showing that part two of their plan had been accomplished, though there had been a setback since they didn't plan on being found.

"Understood," Shino calmly stated as he took out a kunai with an explosive tag wrapped around the handle. With a flick of his wrist he sent the kunai flying.

The kunai sailed through the air with a burning paper sound before crashing into the base's entrance.

'BOOM'

The explosive tag detonated in a large explosion that set off the rest of the tags around the base. Creating a massive explosion that kicked up dust that clouded the area. Rocks, walls and chunks of metal could be seen crumbling down and sailing through the air.

"Let's get out of here!" Shikamaru urgently said as he ran away from the massive explosion, standing next to an exploding base hadn't been his brightest idea. He was followed by his team into an area they deemed as secure and waited for the aftermath of the explosion to die down in order for them to make sure that not even a small part of the base stood.

"Looks like it's ov..." Shikamaru started but trailed off when he saw a small flicker of movement on the cloud of smoke.

"What's wrong?" Shino asked in slight concern.

Shikamaru frowned and took out a kunai. "Watch yourselves," he ordered. Before Shino could ask what was going on, a figure jumped out of the smoke.

"Damn YOU!" roared the figure as it landed in front of the team.

Lee gasped when he saw that it was the man they had been fighting, if he survived an explosion like that then they would be in trouble.

Shikamaru was having similar thoughts but didn't voice them. He took in the appearance of the man and knew that maybe he wouldn't be too dangerous. The man was badly cut all over his body, he bled from several places and his eye-patch had fallen off. He had his eye closed and black marks could be seen around it. 'Wait,' the lazy Chunin stopped himself when he realized something, 'Why was he wearing an eye-patch if his eye looks intact even though its closed? He must be hiding something, but what?'

"We can't fight here," Shino voiced, "Kiba and Lee are still hurt, it would be best if we put them somewhere safe."

Shikamaru nodded, without taking his eyes off the man. "Get them to safety, I'll hold him off as long as it takes. Just try to be back soon, it would be too troublesome to die here," he said with a serious look on his face.

"I'll be back soon," Shino affirmed with a nod as he took hold of Lee and fled the area.

"You won't be going anywhere!" the man roared before jumping after them.

'Oh no you don't,' Shikamaru thought as his shadow stretched beneath his feet and launched at the man. The shadow made contact with the man and held him in place, 'Shadow Possession success.'

"I'm really starting hate your damned jutsu," the man growled as he struggled to get free, forcing his body to move against the powerful hold.

'Damn it,' Shikamaru cursed as the hold on the man began to loosen. It was taking every ounce of his strength and concentration to keep the jutsu active. His eyes widened when the man began to turn towards him in a slow pace. Soon their faces met and the man gave a smirk before opening his closed eye.