CHAPTER 12
The streets of Konoha bustled with energy, filled with villagers going about their daily routines. Naruto Uzumaki, now older and more seasoned after two years away, strolled through the familiar roads with a mix of nostalgia and awe. Things had changed—more than he'd expected. Buildings were taller, storefronts livelier, and the air carried a vibrant energy that was new but oddly comforting.
Beside him, Ino Yamanaka watched him with a sly smile, clearly amused by his reaction.
"It's only been two years, Naruto. You look like you've been gone for a decade."
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"I mean, I knew things would change, but… wow."
His steps slowed as they approached a building that made him stop entirely.
"Wait, no way…"
In front of him stood a far larger version of the humble stand he'd always loved: Ichiraku Ramen. The quaint little shop was now a full-fledged restaurant, complete with outdoor seating, a polished wooden sign, and cheerful decorations. But what really caught his attention was the bold text on the signboard above the entrance:
"Ichiraku Ramen – The Favorite Restaurant of the Hero of Konohagakure!"
Naruto blinked at the sign, then frowned, his lips twisting in confusion.
"What's this about? Who's this 'Hero of Konoha' guy claiming to be my favorite ramen shop? I mean, yeah, it is my favorite, but still!"
Ino burst out laughing, covering her mouth as she tried to regain composure.
"You're joking, right?"
Naruto turned to her, frowning.
"What's so funny? Who's this guy?"
Ino shook her head in disbelief. "You 're the Hero of Konoha, Naruto. Don't tell me you forgot!"
Naruto blinked, staring at her as if she'd just told him the sky was green.
"Huh? Me?!"
"Yes, you! The guy who defeated the One-Tail and stopped Orochimaru during the Chūnin Exams? Ring any bells?"
Naruto's face turned bright red.
"Oh… I guess that was me, huh?"
He scratched the back of his head, looking both embarrassed and a little proud.
"Still, calling me a 'hero' is a bit much."
"Not really. You saved the village, Naruto. The least we could do is name a ramen shop after you."
Before Naruto could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Well, well, look who's back in town."
Naruto and Ino turned to see Shikamaru approaching, hands in his pockets and his usual bored expression on his face. Beside him walked a blonde kunoichi with a fan strapped to her back.
"What's she doing here?" Naruto asked, pointing at Temari.
Temari stepped forward and bowed slightly, much to Naruto's surprise.
"Naruto Uzumaki, it's good to see you again."
"Uh, same here?" Naruto replied awkwardly, scratching his cheek.
Temari straightened, her expression softening.
"I've been meaning to thank you. Because of you, Gaara was able to change. He's… different now. Better. And he's become the Kazekage."
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Wait, Gaara's the Kazekage now? Seriously? Since when?"
Temari nodded, a small smile gracing her lips.
"It's been about a year. He's working hard to protect our village, thanks to you."
Naruto stood there, stunned.
"Huh. Good for him. I knew he had it in him."
Ino grabbed Naruto's arm, pulling him toward the restaurant.
"You can ask about Gaara later. Right now, we're here for ramen! Temari only has a week in Konoha, and it looks like she's got her hands full with Shikamaru."
Shikamaru sighed heavily, already predicting what was coming.
"What a drag…"
"Oh, come on. Don't try to deny it. You're always the one assigned to escort her. Isn't that a little suspicious?"
Temari's face turned red, and Shikamaru groaned, muttering something about troublesome women. Naruto, meanwhile, couldn't stop laughing.
"Alright, alright. Have fun on your not-a-date!"
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered again as he and Temari walked away, both of them visibly flustered.
Naruto and Ino stepped into the familiar restaurant, instantly greeted by the warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked ramen. The air inside carried the nostalgic blend of rich broth and freshly boiled noodles, a scent that immediately tugged at Naruto's heart.
The interior was just as he remembered, with the comforting charm of old memories mixed seamlessly with the slight upgrades the shop had undergone over the years.
"Welcome to Ichiraku! Who's this with you, Ino?" Ayame greeted, her voice cheerful as she glanced up from the counter.
Ayame had grown used to seeing Ino at the restaurant. The Yamanaka girl was a regular visitor, often stopping by on weekends, either with her family or a group of friends. Her presence had become a staple at the shop, and Ayame welcomed her like an old friend.
But when Ayame's eyes landed on the man sitting beside Ino, her expression shifted from casual familiarity to stunned surprise. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly as she recognized the familiar blond hair, bright blue eyes, and signature grin.
"Naruto. You're back."
Without hesitation, Ayame darted out from behind the counter and threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
"It's been so long! You didn't even send a letter to let us know you'd be coming back!"
Naruto laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, Ayame-neechan. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Well, it sure is!" Ayame replied, beaming. She released him and quickly turned on her heel, rushing toward the kitchen.
"Wait right here. Dad's going to want to see you!"
Naruto barely had time to settle into his seat when Ayame returned, accompanied by none other than Teuchi himself. The elderly man's face lit up the moment his eyes fell on Naruto, and in his hands, he carried two steaming bowls of ramen alongside Ayame.
"Naruto, my boy!"
Teuchi's voice boomed with delight.
"You're finally back! The restaurant hasn't been the same without you around. It's about time you showed up!"
Naruto grinned widely as Teuchi and Ayame set the bowls of ramen down in front of him and Ino. The scent wafting up from the broth made his mouth water, and his stomach growled in anticipation.
"This one's on the house. Your favorite, just the way you like it. Consider it a welcome-home gift."
Naruto looked down at the bowl of ramen in front of him, his chest swelling with gratitude and nostalgia. For a moment, the world seemed to blur, and the only thing that mattered was the familiar kindness of the people in front of him.
Setting the chopsticks aside for a moment, Naruto stood up and pulled Teuchi into a firm hug.
"Thanks, old man. I missed this place more than anything."
Teuchi chuckled, patting Naruto on the back.
"Don't get too sentimental on me, kid. I've got a business to run."
Releasing the hug, Teuchi gave Naruto a final pat on the shoulder before retreating back to the kitchen, leaving Naruto and Ino to enjoy their meal. Ayame lingered for a moment, watching with a warm smile before returning to her post.
Naruto picked up his chopsticks, breaking them apart with a satisfying snap.
"Time to dig in."
Ino chuckled as she watched him take the first bite.
"You really missed this place, didn't you?"
Naruto's eyes widened as the familiar flavor of the broth hit his tongue. He swallowed and nodded, his face breaking into a smile.
"It's still the same as ever. Perfect."
As they ate, Naruto felt a wave of emotions welling up inside him. The last two years had been filled with countless battles, grueling training, and experiences that had changed him in more ways than one. But sitting here, eating a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku, it was like nothing had changed at all.
A single tear escaped the corner of his eye, and he quickly wiped it away before Ino could notice.
"This place... it really does feel like home."
And for the first time in a long time, Naruto allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment, surrounded by the warmth of old friends and the taste of cherished memories.
Sometimes later…
"That hit the spot." Naruto said with a satisfied sigh as he and Ino began strolling through the village, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Their walk was interrupted when Naruto suddenly noticed a kunai flying straight toward him. He smirked, immediately recognizing the aura behind the attack.
Without flinching, Naruto prepared to catch the kunai mid-air, but it puffed into smoke just before it reached him, revealing a smirking Konohamaru. The young Sarutobi held another kunai in his hand, which he hurled toward Naruto with determination.
Naruto moved swiftly, appearing in front of Konohamaru in the blink of an eye. He grabbed the boy's wrist mid-throw and, with a controlled motion, slammed him to the ground.
"You should know better than to underestimate me, Konohamaru."
Konohamaru, still on the ground, smirked.
"Who said I was alone? Do it, Hanabi!"
Suddenly, Hanabi Hyuuga emerged from the shadows, moving with incredible speed.
"Hakke Jūroku Shō!" she called out as she launched her attack at Naruto.
Naruto reacted instantly, jumping back just in time to avoid the strikes. As he retreated, he grabbed Konohamaru and threw him toward Hanabi, causing the boy to inadvertently take the brunt of her attack.
Konohamaru hit the ground with a groan, while Hanabi froze in shock at what had just happened.
Moments later, Moegi and Udon appeared on the scene, though their lack of sharpness compared to Konohamaru and Hanabi was obvious. Their presence, however, brought a smile to Naruto's face.
"You've gotten a lot better, Konohamaru. But it seems like you've been focusing all your training on yourself and ignoring Moegi and Udon. That's not very fair, is it?"
Konohamaru scratched the back of his head sheepishly, but before he could respond, Naruto turned to Moegi and Udon.
"Don't worry, you two. If I become your sensei, I'll make sure both of you get a lot stronger."
Naruto's gaze shifted to Hanabi, and he tilted his head curiously.
"And who's this fourth one?"
Konohamaru grinned.
"This is Hanabi Hyuuga. We became friends over the last two years. She's pretty strong, and she also wants to be trained by you."
Naruto looked at Hanabi, impressed by her earlier attack. He crouched slightly and patted her on the head, making her blush faintly.
"You're strong, Hanabi. You've got potential. But for now, why don't you all go and have some fun? There's plenty of time for training later."
The group nodded, Konohamaru and Hanabi already chatting about their next plan while Moegi and Udon followed behind. As they disappeared down the street, Naruto stood up, stretching his arms.
Ino glanced at him with a smirk.
"You've got quite the fan club, don't you?"
Naruto chuckled.
"Guess I do. Let's keep walking."
And with that, the two continued their stroll, the village alive with the sounds of laughter and life.
Training Ground…
"It seems that all of our friends are here."
Ino led Naruto to a familiar training ground. She knew this would be the perfect place to catch up with everyone. Asuma-sensei had mentioned a joint training session between Team Asuma, Team Kurenai, and Team Guy, and she thought Naruto might enjoy the surprise.
When they arrived, Naruto saw a flurry of activity. Hinata was sparring against Neji with intense focus, while Tenten and Shino were locked in a battle of precision and tactics.
Nearby, Choji was grappling with Rock Lee in what looked like a clash of raw power versus speed. Kiba, however, stood to the side, watching the battles unfold with Akamaru by his side.
The clamor of combat suddenly quieted when Naruto's voice reached them. Everyone turned toward him, their expressions a mix of surprise and excitement.
Kiba's face lit up with a wide grin.
"Perfect timing, Naruto! I needed a sparring partner. Akamaru, let's go! Gatsūga!"
Without hesitation, Kiba launched himself at Naruto, spinning with ferocious speed. Naruto sighed, his expression unimpressed. With a swift and precise movement, he caught Kiba mid-spin and slammed him into the ground, making sure to hold back enough to avoid knocking him out.
"Still charging in headfirst, huh, Kiba?" Naruto said with a smirk, releasing him.
Kiba groaned as he got up, rubbing the back of his head.
"Man, you're as strong as ever!"
Naruto turned his attention toward the three senseis—Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy—who stood watching nearby.
"Why are you guys training like this?"
The three exchanged a glance before Asuma spoke up.
"The Chunin Exams are in three months. We're helping our Genin teams get ready for them."
"Ah, that makes all seem to be working hard. Keep it up."
Hinata shyly waved at him, and Neji gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Rock Lee struck a dramatic pose, his energy unshaken, while Tenten simply smiled.
Naruto took a step back, his tone light.
"It was good seeing you all again. I'll leave you to your training."
Without lingering any further, Naruto turned and began walking away, his mind already shifting to the things he needed to do.
Ino quickly fell into step beside him.
"You're not staying to spar some more?"
"Nah.I've got to clean my room at least. Can't just leave it the way I found it after coming back."
And with that, the two headed off, leaving the training ground behind, the sounds of sparring gradually fading into the background.
Next Day…
"What is it?"
Naruto mumbled groggily as he stumbled to the door, still half-asleep. The persistent knocking hadn't given him much choice.
When he opened the door, an ANBU operative stood before him, their mask obscuring any expression.
"The Hokage has requested your presence at the training ground. I am here to escort you."
Naruto let out a sigh, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Alright, give me a minute."
He quickly threw on his clothes, adjusted his headband, and followed the ANBU through the quiet streets of Konoha. The cool morning air helped shake off the remnants of sleep as they made their way to the designated location.
When they arrived, Naruto was surprised to see a gathering that felt far more formal than he had anticipated. Tsunade stood at the forefront, her commanding presence as strong as ever. Beside her was Hiruzen Sarutobi along with the three village elders and several clan heads.
Naruto's eyes scanned the assembly before stopping on a group of six ANBU operatives standing in formation. Something about their presence set the tone—it wasn't just another training session.
"Good. You're here. It's time for your Jonin Exam."
Naruto blinked, caught off guard.
"Jonin Exam? I didn't even know I was being considered for that!"
Tsunade smirked.
"Consider this your official notice. Now, let me introduce you to some people who will be involved in your evaluation."
She gestured to the group of ANBU operatives. One of them stepped forward.
"This is Tenzo. He is the ANBU Commander and will oversee part of your exam."
Tenzo gave a respectful bow.
"It's an honor to meet you, Naruto Uzumaki. I've heard much about your accomplishments."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed by the attention.
"Uh, thanks. Nice to meet you too."
Tsunade continued, addressing the group at large.
"Naruto has proven himself time and time again, but this exam will test whether he has what it takes to carry the responsibilities of a Jonin. The clan heads and elders are here to observe, and the ANBU will assist in the practical evaluations."
Naruto glanced around, feeling the weight of so many important eyes on him. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, but this felt different—bigger.
"The other five will be your first one to fight you will be Karasu."
Tsunade declared, her commanding tone cutting through the silence.
From the lineup of ANBU operatives, a figure wearing a sleek black raven mask stepped forward. Karasu moved with fluid grace, bowing first to Tsunade and the gathered spectators, then to Naruto. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her movements deliberate as she reached for the katana at her side.
Naruto's eyes were drawn to the weapon. It was unlike any katana he had seen before—the blade glimmered with a crimson hue, and the guard was shaped like a flame, adding an almost otherworldly beauty to the weapon. Karasu unsheathed it slowly, the sound of steel ringing through the training ground.
To Naruto's surprise, she slid her palm along the blade, blood welling up from the self-inflicted cut. Before he could react, the blade absorbed the blood, its color darkening to a deep, ominous blood-red. Naruto glanced toward the other ANBU for any signs of alarm, but they remained still, unfazed by what was happening. A moment later, pink flames erupted from the blade, licking at her hand yet causing no harm.
Karasu raised the flaming katana high into the air, the pink fire illuminating her figure. With a swift motion, she brought the blade down in an arc, unleashing a wave of fire that streaked toward Naruto in a blazing trail.
Naruto's eyes widened. He had heard of different lighting techniques, but pink fire? This was something entirely new.
"Mizu Mahō: Kairyū no Yurikago!"
Naruto called out, raising his hands. A massive sphere of swirling water materialized around him, smooth and solid, with smaller globules orbiting its surface. The fire slash collided with the watery barrier, hissing violently as steam erupted into the air. The water sphere held firm, extinguishing the fire before dispersing into harmless droplets.
Karasu wasted no time. Assuming a high stance, she dashed forward at blinding speed, her blade poised for a devastating vertical slash. The ground behind her seemed to tear apart from the sheer force of her movement.
Naruto met her attack head-on.
"Aikido Kote-gaeshi," he murmured as he grabbed her wrist mid-strike. With a calculated twist, he used her momentum to spin her around and fling her through the air.
Karasu reacted quickly, slamming her katana into the ground to anchor herself just before colliding with a tree. She turned sharply, her stance unwavering, and dashed toward Naruto again. This time, her blade arced horizontally, aimed directly at his neck in an attempt to decapitate him.
Naruto didn't move to block. Instead, he allowed the blade to make contact, coating his neck in Busoshoku Haki at the last moment.
The metallic clang of the blade striking his hardened skin echoed across the field. Karasu's masked expression betrayed her shock.
"Don't feel bad. You're strong."
Naruto spun around, delivering a powerful backhand aimed at her chest. Karasu dropped her katana and crossed her arms to block the blow, but the sheer force of the attack sent her skidding backward. She felt a sharp pain as one of her arm bones cracked under the pressure.
"You should give up," Naruto advised, his tone calm but firm.
Karasu said nothing. Instead, she tore the sleeves from her uniform, revealing her arms. Pink flames erupted around her limbs, the fire licking at her skin as her broken bone began to heal. She then slashed her palm once more, letting blood drip freely.
Naruto watched as she flung the blood at him. The droplets hit his face, but before he could react, they ignited, transforming into searing pink flames.
"Mizu Mahō: Kairyū no Yurikago!"
Naruto muttered as he raised his swirling water sphere formed around him once again, extinguishing the burning blood before it could do any real harm. As the flames died out, Naruto let the water fall to the ground in a heavy splash.
"Shinrai Mahō: Keranousu!"
Lightning began crackling around his legs and hands, sparks of energy illuminating his figure. Without hesitation, he dashed forward at blinding speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Karasu braced herself, realizing she couldn't match his speed. She tightened her grip on her katana, preparing for impact.
But Naruto stopped just one centimeter short of her. Instead of delivering a devastating blow, he flicked her forehead with a single finger, coating it lightly in Busoshoku Haki.
The force of the flick was enough to crack her mask and send her flying backward. She was flung toward a tree but didn't make contact.
Tenzo appeared in a blur, catching her mid-air before she could hit the trunk. He examined her carefully, ensuring she was unconscious but unharmed.
"That was a good match. She'll be fine. Next up will be Sanshoo and Taka."
Naruto exhaled deeply, letting the crackling lightning around his limbs dissipate. He glanced toward the ANBU with a Hawk Mask and a Salamander Mask, already preparing himself for the next challenge.
Sanshoo twirled a pipe between his fingers, the polished weapon glinting under the sunlight. Taka, on the other hand, stood with a relaxed posture, his stance deceptively casual. He carried no visible weapon, but there was an air of confidence about him that Naruto couldn't ignore. Sanshoo stopped spinning the pipe and pointed it toward Naruto, signaling the start of the fight.
Without warning, Sanshoo leaped into the air, his pipe raised high above his head. He brought it down with force, aiming straight for Naruto. Reacting quickly, Naruto jumped backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. As the pipe slammed into the ground, it emitted a bright orange glow, releasing a column of flame that roared toward Naruto.
"Yami Mahō: Yamimatoi – Kuroba."
With a flick of his wrist, he unsealed Senbonzakura. Darkness poured from the sword, coating it in a thick, inky blackness that seemed to writhe like a living thing. The darkness extended, shaping itself into a longer, more menacing blade. Naruto swung the weapon, the shadowy edge meeting the fiery column head-on. The two forces clashed, sending sparks and embers scattering across the field.
Sanshoo halted his assault, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of Naruto's dark blade. He turned toward Taka, who nodded in silent understanding. The two exchanged a brief glance before Sanshoo retreated slightly, giving Taka room to step forward.
"Katon: Kagero."
Taka raised his palm. A stream of fire erupted from his hand, surging toward Naruto with blistering heat. Naruto reacted swiftly, inhaling deeply and gathering chakra into his mouth.
"Suiton: Suigadan!"
A massive, spinning water bullet shot forth from his lips, colliding with the incoming flames. The water hissed and evaporated on contact, but it was enough to extinguish the fire before it could reach him. The battlefield was momentarily shrouded in steam as the two attacks canceled each other out.
"Rasetsu."
Sanshoo growled as he lunged forward, his pipe now blazing with intense flames. Naruto moved to counter, but Sanshoo was relentless, swinging the fiery weapon in wide arcs. Naruto sidestepped the first strike, then ducked under the next, his movements precise and fluid. However, Sanshoo's aggression didn't let up, forcing Naruto to switch tactics.
"Kusari Mahō: Mabaku Tessa-jin."
Chains erupted from Naruto's back, their arrow-tipped ends embedding themselves into the ground around Sanshoo. The chains coiled tightly around the ANBU operative, binding his torso and rendering him immobile. Sanshoo struggled against the restraints, his muscles straining as he tried to break free. He attempted to use chakra to escape, but nothing happened.
"Don't chains block chakra. You won't be able to use any of your techniques."
Before Naruto could capitalize on the advantage, Taka appeared beside Sanshoo, his fingers glowing with intense heat. With a deft motion, he melted a section of the chains, freeing his partner. Sanshoo stumbled forward, rubbing his wrists before nodding at Taka in gratitude.
Naruto decided it was time to go on the offensive. He took a deep breath, focusing his energy.
"Thunder Flash Attack."
A blue, flame-like aura erupted around Naruto's body as he began swaying his arms in a circular motion. The energy intensified, crackling with power. Crossing his arms over his chest, Naruto clenched his fists tightly before thrusting them forward. A massive storm of blue flames surged outward, racing toward both Sanshoo and Taka.
To Naruto's surprise, the two ANBU didn't move to dodge. Instead, they smirked, bracing themselves as the flames engulfed them. When the firestorm cleared, they stood unharmed, their bodies seemingly unaffected.
"You're probably wondering why we aren't burned. It's simple. We are fire itself." Taka said, his voice steady.
"Hiken." Sanshoo added.
Both operatives raised their arms, which suddenly transformed into roaring columns of flame. With synchronized movements, they launched the flames at Naruto, the fiery projectiles tearing through the air.
Naruto responded swiftly.
"Mizu Mahō: Kairyūjin no O."
Water burst forth from his back, forming a massive dragon-like tail. The tail coiled around him protectively, extinguishing the incoming flames with ease. With a flick of the water tail, Naruto sent both Sanshoo and Taka flying backward. They landed roughly, but neither stayed down for long. Both rose to their feet, determination etched into their postures.
But Naruto wasn't about to give them another chance to regroup.
"Kaiga Mahō: Shirēnu no Tawamure."
Naruto pointed a glowing finger at the tip of his finger shimmered with multicolored light as he swiped it in their direction. From the glowing trail, several mermaids made of water emerged, their elegant forms darting through the air toward Sanshoo and Taka. The water constructs collided with the ANBU operatives, drenching them completely.
Sanshoo and Taka coughed as water dripped from their uniforms. They tried to summon their flames again, but the dowsing had temporarily nullified their abilities.
Naruto wasn't done yet. He slammed his fist into his palm, summoning more power.
"Ice-Make: Saucer."
A glowing circle appeared in front of him, its intricate design inscribed in a language unknown to most. The water around the battlefield began to freeze, gathering into the circle and forming a massive, spinning disk of ice. The disk hovered ominously, its sharp edges gleaming in the light.
Naruto raised his hand, the ice saucer spinning faster in response.
"Give up."
Sanshoo and Taka exchanged a glance. Their shoulders slumped as they lowered their heads in defeat.
"We give up," Sanshoo admitted.
Naruto smiled, dispersing the spinning ice disk with a wave of his hand. The tension in the air dissipated as the battlefield returned to calm.
From the sidelines, Tsunade watched with a proud expression.
"Well done. Next, you will fight Sakana."
Naruto exhaled deeply, already preparing himself for the next challenge.
The ANBU with the fish-shaped mask stepped forward, exuding an air of calm confidence. He unsheathed two katana from his sides, their polished steel gleaming ominously in the light. Without a word, he concentrated, and Naruto's eyes widened as the blades turned pitch black.
"How did you turn your swords black?"
The ANBU, known as Sakana, offered a small smile beneath his mask.
"I'm overloading the blades with Fire Chakra. The heat condenses to the point where the metal now that I think about it, you're not an enemy. I'll dial it down."
With a flick of his wrist, the blades returned to their normal metallic sheen.
"Gun Modoki," he said softly before crossing the katana in front of him. In an instant, Sakana charged at Naruto with astonishing speed, his twin blades cutting through the air in a deadly blur.
Naruto quickly realized he couldn't afford to underestimate this opponent. Slamming his palm onto the ground, he called out,"Doton: Doryūheki!"
A massive wall of earth rose from the ground, creating a barrier between him and Sakana.
But Sakana didn't stop. With a single, fluid motion, he cut through the earthen wall as if it were paper. Debris scattered in all directions, forcing Naruto to jump back. It was clear now—Sakana was leagues above Sanshoo and Taka. His precision and strength were undeniable.
Naruto unsheathed Senbonzakura, gripping the sword tightly.
"Ittoryu: Baki!"
Naruto raised the blade high above his head. He delivered a powerful vertical slash, aiming for the spot where Sakana would be.
The two blades clashed in an eruption of sparks, the force of their collision sending shockwaves through the air. They entered a brief power struggle, their swords grinding against each other. Finally, with a burst of strength, Naruto sent Sakana skidding backward across the ground.
Sakana planted his feet firmly, regaining his balance.
"Impressive. But let's see how you handle this. Katon: Hidama Kiritsukeru!"
Sakana leapt into the air. As he spun, flames gathered around one of his blades, concentrating at the sharper edge. With a swing of his sword, he released the energy—a massive fireball hurtling toward Naruto at incredible speed.
Naruto didn't panic.
"Takemikazuchinoo."
The fireball veered off its path as if caught by an invisible force. Before Sakana could react, his own attack reappeared behind him, racing toward him with unrelenting ferocity.
Sakana pivoted mid-air.
"Homura Saki!"
He slashed his blade in rapid succession. The fireball split into multiple smaller fragments before extinguishing entirely.
Naruto raised an eyebrow in admiration.
"Not bad."
Not wasting a moment, Naruto gathered water in his hands, coating them in a dark sheen of Busoshoku-like energy.
"Uchimizu!"
He hurled the water at Sakana with incredible speed.
Sakana ducked, the water projectile narrowly missing his head. Without hesitating, he countered.
"Bakudantsuki!"
One of his katana glowed white at the tip as he thrust it forward, firing a concentrated energy beam at Naruto.
Naruto reacted quickly.
"Galactic Buster!"
Naruto brought his hands together, forming a large green energy sphere. Splitting it into two smaller orbs, he thrust his hands downward, firing two energy waves to intercept the beam.
The resulting explosion shook the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Dust and smoke obscured the battlefield as both fighters momentarily paused.
Naruto frowned, realizing the danger of escalating the battle further. He didn't want to kill Sakana. But Sakana wasn't done yet.
"Katon: Hi no Kanketsusen!"
Drawing one katana back, the blade began glowing red-hot, forming a ball of fire at its tip. With a mighty swing, he drove the blade into the ground. A massive geyser of flames erupted, towering over the battlefield and threatening to consume everything in its path.
Naruto raised his palm.
"Mizu Sōsei Mahō: Zanka no Kaija!"
A serpent-shaped stream of water formed in front of him, slithering through the air to intercept the fiery geyser. The water serpent collided with the flames, creating a swirling vortex of steam as the two elements fought for dominance.
Sakana wasn't finished. Twirling his blade above his head, he summoned more fire and lightning.
"Katon: Gōen Ryūga!"
Sakana roared, slamming the blade into the ground. Lightning struck, and the ground trembled as spears of fire erupted from the earth. They shot upward at varying angles, creating a flaming prison around Naruto.
Naruto remained calm.
"Fūton: Jūryoku Mohō no Jutsu!"
Controlling the air around him, Naruto manipulated the pressure, increasing it to mimic intense gravity. The sheer force extinguished the flames, leaving only charred earth in their wake. Sakana's mask tilted slightly, betraying his surprise.
Naruto seized the opportunity.
"Doton: Sando no Jutsu!"
Two enormous rock formations emerged on either side of Sakana, closing in on him with crushing force. The ground shook violently as the rocks loomed closer.
Sakana struggled to escape, but the technique was too fast. Just as the rocks were about to collide, Naruto canceled the jutsu, allowing them to crumble harmlessly to the ground. Sakana fell to his knees, his katana slipping from his hands.
Tsunade stepped forward, signaling for Tenzo to retrieve the unconscious ANBU. As Tenzo carried Sakana away, Tsunade turned her attention back to Naruto.
"Well done. But your final opponent will be Ryu—the strongest of them all."
Naruto exhaled deeply, already preparing himself for the next battle.