CHAPTER 19
Naruto stood his ground, his eyes locked onto the snake-like figure before him. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the tension between them like an unspoken challenge. Orochimaru, the infamous Sannin, gazed at him with a smirk, his golden, slitted eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You have grown, Naruto-kun."
Orochimaru remarked, his voice dripping with condescension.
"Once, you were just a clever brat who relied on his wits to outmaneuver me. But now... Now, in just two short years, you've become strong enough to stand before me. However…I have grown stronger as well."
Naruto smirked at Orochimaru's words, feeling an odd sense of satisfaction. The last time they had clashed, in the Forest of Death, Naruto had made a tactical retreat.
Back then, he had been well aware of the vast difference in power between them. He had known that going head-to-head with Orochimaru was a losing battle. But now? Now, Naruto was certain—he could win. Even without going all out, he could defeat Orochimaru.
"You talk too much, Orochimaru. Why don't we see if your words hold any weight?"
Orochimaru chuckled, his forked tongue flicking out for a brief moment.
"Impatient as ever. Very well. Show me what you've learned."
Without another word, Naruto vanished in a blur, reappearing behind Orochimaru with a Rasengan already forming in his palm.
Orochimaru twisted unnaturally, dodging at the last moment, but Naruto had anticipated this. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a kunai laced with wind chakra, aiming for Orochimaru's exposed side.
The Sannin smirked as his body split apart, revealing that he had shed his skin in an instant, avoiding the attack entirely.
"Oh? That was a fine attempt. But you'll need more than that to best me."
Orochimaru of the Sannin VS Uzumaki Naruto Begins…
The first strike often determines the victor. Orochimaru, well aware of this principle, wasted no time in making his move.
"Doton: Doryūdan!"
The ground rumbled as he channeled his chakra into the earth, molding it into a massive dragon head. With a deafening roar, the beast spewed a rapid barrage of hardened mud bullets, each carrying the weight of a boulder and the velocity of a cannonball, hurtling towards Naruto with lethal intent.
However, Naruto was unfazed.
"It seems you are intelligent but not wise. Kasumi no Kokyū: Go no Kata - Kaun no Umi!"
In a blur, Naruto charged forward, weaving through the incoming projectiles at breathtaking speed. His blade flickered like a mirage as he unleashed a flurry of precise slashes, cutting through the deadly mud bullets before they could reach him, reducing them to harmless debris.
As soon as he closed the distance, Naruto transitioned seamlessly into his next attack.
"ITF Taekwondo Style: Bandal Chagi!"
A powerful roundhouse kick whistled through the air, aimed directly at Orochimaru. Reacting swiftly, Orochimaru raised his arms in an attempt to block, but the sheer force behind Naruto's kick was far greater than he anticipated. The impact sent Orochimaru hurtling backward, crashing through several trees before skidding to a halt.
Naruto pressed on, refusing to give his opponent even a moment's respite.
"Kimu-za Buki: Kaigai Ryū Shōkan!"
With a single motion, Naruto unfurled a scroll, releasing an arsenal of shuriken and kunai. Manipulating them with his chakra, he forged the weapons into the form of a massive dragon, which surged toward Orochimaru with a metallic roar. The bladed beast lunged, its razor-sharp jaws snapping shut around him, embedding the weapons deep into his flesh.
Or so it seemed.
Orochimaru's body crumbled into dust, revealing it to be nothing more than an Earth Clone.
A sinister chuckle echoed through the clearing.
"You have truly grown stronger. Perhaps even surpassing that fool, Jiraiya. But strength alone will not be enough to defeat me."
He raised a hand, his fingers forming a sharp cutting motion.
"Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu!"
A razor-thin blade of wind tore through the air at a speed too fast for the eye to track. The attack struck Naruto, slicing into his torso with precision.
Yet, to Orochimaru's surprise, no blood was spilled.
Instead, Naruto's form crumbled into earth, revealing that he had used an Earth Clone first.
"You thought you were the only one capable of using decoys?"
Naruto's voice came from behind.
Orochimaru whirled around, raising his palm in a swift motion. The weapons scattered across the battlefield responded to his chakra, rising into the air before shooting toward Naruto like a barrage of deadly projectiles.
A chorus of metallic clinks echoed as the weapons pierced Naruto's body.
Orochimaru smirked.
"Gah... It seems you were truly stronger than me."
Naruto gasped, his body slumping forward.
Orochimaru's grin widened. Finally, After four encounters, after countless thwarted plans, he had done it. He had finally killed Uzumaki Naruto.
"Just kidding, motherfucker."
The Naruto , impaled by the weapons, dissolved into water, drenching Orochimaru completely. A Water Clone.
Before he could react, an overwhelming force surged toward him.
"Kitsune Akai no Kaminari!"
Naruto rocketed forward, his entire body crackling with red lightning. The energy formed the shape of a massive nine-tailed fox around him, each flickering tail brimming with devastating power. He crashed into Orochimaru with the force of a thunderstorm, sending him skidding across the ground.
Orochimaru groaned, wiping the blood from his lips as he slowly rose to his feet.
"I can't believe you forced me to use this... but witness the Uchiha Clan's ultimate defense!"
His eyes gleamed with ominous power.
"Susanoo!"
A colossal warrior materialized around him, its black armor exuding an aura of invincibility. Orochimaru stood within its protective shell, smirking as the titanic construct loomed over Naruto.
Naruto didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked.
"It seems I'll have to get serious too."
His body was enveloped in red chakra, his whisker marks darkening, his eyes turning crimson with slitted pupils. His aura flared violently, the sheer pressure of his presence cracking the ground beneath him.
"Gurangarugo!"
Slamming his palm against the ground, he conjured massive obsidian spikes that erupted from below, ensnaring Susanoo and restricting its movements.
Orochimaru's eyes widened. Before he could react, Naruto vanished and reappeared directly behind him.
"Four Finger Strike!"
Naruto's fingers, rigid like blades, drove into Orochimaru's back with precision, sending him flying out of Susanoo's protective shell.
Coughing up blood, Orochimaru barely managed to right himself in midair before slamming his hands together in desperation.
"Kuchiyose: Sanjū Rashōmon!"
Three colossal gates materialized between them, forming an impenetrable barrier.
Naruto merely smiled.
"Mizu Kei Kakushu Mahō: Akua Metoria!"
Drawing upon the nearby river, Naruto summoned a towering vortex of water. The swirling torrent surged forward, crashing through the Rashōmon gates as if they were paper, engulfing Orochimaru in an unrelenting deluge.
But Naruto was not done.
"Raiton: Tenjinrai!"
Electricity crackled around him as he raised his hand to the sky. A bolt of lightning shot upwards, illuminating the battlefield.
The storm answered his call.
A colossal lightning bolt descended from the heavens, striking Orochimaru with the force of divine judgment.
His screams pierced the air.
And still, Naruto did not relent.
"Raiton: Raijū Tsuiga!"
Channeling his remaining chakra, Naruto shaped his Chidori into the form of a gigantic lightning hound. The beast roared, charging forward before sinking its fangs into Orochimaru.
The resulting explosion shook the entire landscape.
As the dust settled, Naruto remained standing, his breath steady. The charred remains of Orochimaru lay motionless on the scorched earth.
A familiar voice called out.
"I think he's dead, Naruto."
Turning, Naruto saw Kakashi and his team approaching, their expressions unreadable.
Naruto exhaled and walked toward Orochimaru's remains. Producing a sealing scroll, he unfurled it with a single movement.
"Just making sure."
Chains of chakra extended from Naruto, wrapping around the charred corpse before sealing it within the scroll.
The battle was over.
Orochimaru of the Sannin VS Uzumaki Naruto Ends…
Uzumaki Naruto Wins…
The tension in the air was palpable as Kakashi scanned the scorched battlefield, his gaze settling on the area where Orochimaru had been struck down by Naruto's devastating attacks. His voice broke the heavy silence.
"Are you sure that Orochimaru is dead?"
The question made everyone stop in their tracks. Their eyes snapped to Kakashi, a mixture of disbelief and frustration flashing across their faces.
They had all witnessed it—Naruto had drowned the snake before frying him with enough lightning to turn even the most resilient shinobi into nothing but charred remains. There was no possible way Orochimaru could have survived.
Naruto let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes.
"Oh yeah? Here, see for yourself."
With a flick of his wrist, he unsealed the body of Orochimaru from a storage scroll. As the corpse appeared before them, everyone instinctively braced themselves for the grotesque sight.
However, to their surprise, revulsion didn't immediately set in. Perhaps it was because this was Orochimaru—one of the most twisted individuals to ever walk the earth. Any horror at his mangled form was overshadowed by the weight of their long-awaited victory.
Still, Kakashi narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to examine the body. The shinobi world had learned the hard way that Orochimaru was not a man who could be killed easily. His experiments with immortality and body modification meant that one could never be too careful.
"Ino, read his mind. We need to know everything he knew before he died—especially the location of his base. We can't leave any of his experiments or research behind."
Ino nodded and stepped forward.
"Understood."
She formed the necessary hand seals and placed her fingers on Orochimaru's cold forehead. A moment later, her consciousness dived into the depths of what remained of his mind. Everyone stood silently as they waited, their expressions grim. Minutes passed, and then, with a sharp intake of breath, Ino's eyes snapped open.
"I have the location. Follow me."
Naruto quickly resealed Orochimaru's body back into the scroll, and the team set off at full speed. The journey to the hideout was uneventful—until they reached the outskirts of Orochimaru's base, where resistance was expected. Loyal subordinates and guards scrambled to halt their progress, but they were no match for the combined might of Konoha's finest. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura tore through them with ease, showing no mercy. This was not the time for hesitation.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hideout, Naruto and Sasuke worked together to force their way inside. The door splintered apart under their combined power, revealing a dark corridor leading into the depths of the underground lab. The stench of chemicals and decay lingered in the air as they stepped inside, wary of any remaining traps.
The moment they entered Orochimaru's lab, they were met with the eerie sight of preserved specimens, twisted experiments, and endless scrolls containing forbidden jutsu and research. The room was vast, lined with shelves stacked with vials and documents, each containing knowledge that should never have existed.
As they spread out to investigate, Naruto's sharp eyes caught sight of a desk littered with various papers. One parchment stood out from the rest—a letter. He picked it up and began to read. His grip on the paper tightened as his eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
Naruto wordlessly handed her the letter. Sasuke and Kakashi peered over her shoulder as she read aloud:
Danzo,
The situation with Tsunade has proven to be more troublesome than expected. However, rest assured, I will take care of her as you requested. Your continued trust in me is not misplaced, despite my previous failure. Soon, everything will be as it should be.
Orochimaru
A heavy silence fell over the group.
"That bastard. Even after everything, Danzo still trusted Orochimaru. He actually asked him to assassinate Tsunade."
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"He needs to be eliminated before he causes any more damage."
Naruto nodded, sealing the letter away for evidence. But as they continued searching the lab, Sasuke found something even more disturbing.
A thick folder labeled Project Report: Sharingan Enhancement sat on a nearby table. He flipped it open, his expression hardening as he scanned the contents.
"What did you find?"
Sasuke's jaw tightened.
"It's a research file... detailing an experiment meant for Danzo."
The others gathered around as Sasuke continued reading. The document described a grotesque project—one that involved embedding multiple Sharingan into a single arm. Ten fully functional Sharingan eyes, each stolen from fallen Uchiha, implanted into a single limb for ultimate combat effectiveness.
Sakura's stomach churned.
"That's monstrous."
"It makes sense now. Danzo was hoarding Sharingan. That's why he had his own secret force handling Uchiha bodies after the massacre."
Sasuke slammed the report shut.
"He's not going to get away with this."
Kakashi exhaled sharply, his visible eye unreadable.
"Danzo has always been a problem, but this confirms it—he's a danger to Konoha itself. We can't allow him to continue operating from the shadows."
Naruto turned toward his teammates.
"We take this evidence back to Tsunade. She needs to see the truth. Once she does, we'll deal with Danzo."
No one disagreed. They gathered all the documents and sealed away everything of importance. Naruto took one last glance around the lab, making sure they weren't missing anything before leading the way out.
The moment they stepped outside, the tension in the air was heavier than before. They had won a battle today, but the war against corruption was far from over. Danzo was still in Konoha, still pulling strings from the shadows.
But not for much longer.
Naruto tightened his grip on the scrolls in his hands, his resolve firm. Danzo had played his games for too long. Now, it was time for reckoning.
As the team disappeared into the forest, heading back to Konoha, one thing was certain—Orochimaru may have fallen, but another fight was just beginning.
Sometimes later…
The room was filled with tension as Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen sat across from Naruto, all of them curious as to why he had called them there. Jiraiya, always the one to speak his mind, was the first to break the silence.
"Why have you called us here, Naruto? Surely, this is not for a picnic as you mentioned before."
Jiraya's voice carried both amusement and suspicion.
Naruto sighed, rubbing his temples.
"It's simple. We have something important to discuss. But before that, let's deal with the spies first."
At that moment, Kakashi, Sakura, Ino, and Sasuke entered the room, flanking four masked ANBU operatives. Unlike regular ANBU, these shinobi had masks marked with the kanji for "Ne"—Root.
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock as he saw them.
"Root? I had commanded Danzo to terminate the organization."
Naruto let out a mirthless laugh.
"You were foolish to think that a man like Danzo would obey your command, Old Man. Danzo is the very reason I gathered you all here."
With a flick of his wrist, Naruto unsealed a large scroll, revealing multiple documents. He picked up one in particular and placed it in front of them. The file contained detailed notes from Orochimaru's laboratory—one of which exposed Danzo's request for Orochimaru to eliminate Tsunade. Another document contained a report about an artificial arm embedded with ten stolen Sharingan.
Hiruzen sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"I should have taken care of this a long time ago. You could say that Danzo is one of my greatest mistakes—one I failed to correct, just like Orochimaru."
The former Hokage picked up the file detailing the grotesque experiment involving the Sharingan arm. His expression darkened.
"So that was why he ordered Itachi to do it?"
Sasuke's head snapped up at those words, his Sharingan spinning rapidly.
"What did you just say?!"
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment before meeting Sasuke's intense gaze.
"I believe it is time for you to hear the truth about the Uchiha Massacre."
Everyone in the room fell silent as the weight of his words settled in. Even Tsunade and Jiraiya, who had long known there were secrets surrounding that tragic night, seemed apprehensive.
Hiruzen began, his voice heavy with regret.
"After the Nine-Tails attacked the village, the Uchiha Clan was pushed to the outskirts of Konoha, isolated from the rest of the village. That decision came directly from Danzo."
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"Why?"
Hiruzen looked down.
"Our teacher, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, studied the Uchiha in great depth. He discovered that their power was fueled by sorrow and loss. The more grief they experienced, the stronger they became. But with that strength came a heavy cost—the likelihood of losing themselves to darkness."
He sighed.
"After the Nine-Tails attack, rumors spread that the beast had a Sharingan pattern in its eyes. Many began to suspect that an Uchiha was responsible. Now, we know the real culprit was the true leader of the Akatsuki, but at the time, suspicion and fear grew among the village's leadership. The Uchiha Clan, feeling alienated and persecuted, began planning a coup."
Sasuke's breath hitched, but he remained silent, his body tense.
"Not all Uchihas agreed with the men in particular stood against it: Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi. Shisui possessed one of the most powerful Mangekyō abilities—Kotoamatsukami. With it, he could enter a person's mind and alter their personality, permanently changing their intentions without them even realizing it."
Hiruzen's voice dropped.
"The plan was to use Shisui's ability to make the Uchiha stand down peacefully. But before that could happen, Shisui was found dead, his eyes missing. At the time, we suspected he had committed suicide. But now… now I believe it was Danzo who killed him to ensure the coup proceeded as planned."
Naruto growled under his breath, his grip on the table tightening.
"And then came the massacre. That night, I received a horrifying report. Itachi came to me, drenched in blood. He told me that the elders had ordered him to kill his clan—and that he had done it. He had slain them all but one. His younger brother, Sasuke. He couldn't bring himself to kill him."
Sasuke's entire body trembled. Tears formed in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.
"He begged me to take care of you, Sasuke. Then, he left the village, having been recruited into a secretive organization of rogue ninjas called the Akatsuki."
A few moments of silence passed before Sasuke spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Why? Why does he want me to kill him then?"
Hiruzen sighed, his heart heavy with sorrow.
"Itachi is dying, Sasuke. He has an incurable illness. I believe he wants to die by your hand so that you can take vengeance for the clan. He wants you to be the one to put him to rest."
Jiraiya, who had been silent up until now, suddenly stood up and walked over to Sasuke, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Then it's clear what needs to be done. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Sasuke will be the ones to take down Danzo. If that's acceptable to you, old man?"
Hiruzen looked at the tear-stricken Sasuke before turning his gaze to Naruto. His expression hardened with resolve.
"This is my mistake. One that I will rectify, or I will die trying."
Naruto nodded solemnly.
"Then we have our course of action. Danzo won't escape justice this time."
The room fell into a tense silence as the decision was made. The hunt for Danzo had begun, and this time, there would be no mercy.
Sometimes Later…
Root Headquarters…
The atmosphere was tense as the group gathered, their expressions grave. The stakes had never been higher, and the battle ahead could very well decide the fate of Konoha. Hiruzen, the aging yet determined former Hokage, stood before them with a composed demeanor, though the weight of responsibility was evident in his eyes.
"Are you really going to take part in this battle, old man? You may die this time, ya know."
Naruto remarked, his usual playful tone absent. This was serious.
Hiruzen chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"I will not be fighting Danzo directly. My role is to support Sasuke. It is either him or me that will take care of Danzo."
Sasuke's expression was unreadable, but his dark eyes flickered with determination. He had long wanted revenge for what had been done to his clan, but this time, it was different. This time, it wasn't just about revenge—it was about justice.
Naruto gave a nod of understanding.
"Then you should go to him directly. I'll be back after some time. I'm sure you five can handle this while I research why Danzo needs all the Sharingans."
Without another word, Naruto raised his hand and vanished, using Kai-Kai to teleport to the Uchiha Family Library. Sasuke had granted him access for this occasion, knowing that whatever information Naruto found there would be invaluable.
The Uchiha Family Library held records far older and more detailed than any found in Konoha's public archives, and certainly more useful than the near-infinite collection in the Library in Between. Time was of the essence, and Naruto knew he had to move fast.
Meanwhile, back in the Root headquarters, Hiruzen surveyed the team. Kakashi, ever the reliable shinobi, stood at the front. Behind him was Sakura, her hands clenched into fists, ready to provide medical support or devastating blows when necessary.
Ino, positioned in the center, would use her mind abilities to gather intelligence and manipulate their enemies. Finally, behind her, Sasuke and Hiruzen would take the rear, prepared to strike at the right moment.
"It seems that once again, you all have to deal with the consequences of my past decisions. I am sorry for this."
Sasuke scoffed.
"Now is not the time for speeches, old man. Let's take Danzo down before he can escape."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Very well. Kakashi, you'll take the front. Sakura will be right behind you. Ino, you stay in the center. Sasuke and I will bring up the rear. We move quickly and eliminate any opposition. Let's go."
The group moved as one, executing the plan with practiced precision. As they rushed through the underground tunnels, Root operatives reacted immediately, their training kicking in. Blades flashed, kunai whizzed through the air, and jutsu were exchanged in rapid succession.
Kakashi took down two operatives in an instant, his Sharingan predicting their movements before they could even strike. Sakura delivered a devastating punch to one of their attackers, sending him crashing through a stone wall. Ino used her Mind Body Switch Technique to take control of an enemy, making him turn on his allies. Sasuke's Sharingan flared as he cut through the opposition with precise strikes, his blade dripping with blood.
Hiruzen, though the oldest among them, proved why he had once been revered as the Professor. He used Earth Release to create barriers, Fire Release to incinerate enemies, and his signature Enma Staff to bash through defenses. The battle was swift but brutal, and within minutes, they had eliminated the last of the Root operatives blocking their path.
Finally, they arrived at the inner sanctum, where Danzo stood waiting, flanked by his three most loyal guards. His expression was calm, almost amused, as if he had expected their arrival.
"Hiruzen. I see you have come to put an end to me. It is long overdue."
Hiruzen met his gaze steadily.
"You have betrayed Konoha in more ways than I can count, Danzo. Your greed for power, your manipulation, your disregard for human lives—it all ends today."
Danzo smirked.
"You were always too sentimental, Hiruzen. Konoha needs strength, not weakness. You were never willing to do what had to be done. That is why I acted in your place."
Sasuke's grip on his sword tightened.
"Enough talking. You ordered the massacre of my clan. You stole their eyes. You experimented on them. You do not deserve to live."
Danzo chuckled.
"Ah, the last Uchiha. How poetic that you come seeking revenge. Very well. Let us see if you have what it takes."
With a swift motion, Danzo unwrapped his right arm, revealing the grotesque sight of ten Sharingan embedded into his flesh. The eyes stared blankly, a testament to his crimes.
Kakashi, Ino, and Sakura exchanged glances before stepping forward to engage Danzo's guards, leaving Hiruzen and Sasuke to deal with Danzo himself.
With Sakura…
Sakura's eye twitched as she glared at the pale-skinned boy standing before her. His face was expressionless, his dark eyes empty, and yet the words that came out of his mouth made her blood boil.
"You are Haruno Sakura. The girl with a forehead as big as Konoha."
A sharp wave of irritation surged through her, her fingers curling into fists. She had heard enough forehead jokes growing up, and she wasn't about to let some emotionless stranger insult her without consequence.
Her jade-green eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Who the fuck are you?" she snapped, her patience already wearing thin.
The boy merely tilted his head slightly, his expression unchanging. Then, with a practiced grace, he gave a small bow.
"I have no name. I was raised in Root. But for missions, I have been given the codename Sai."
Sakura scoffed, her knuckles cracking as she flexed her fingers.
"Root, huh? Figures. Only someone raised without emotions would think that was a good way to introduce themselves."
Sai's lips curled into a hollow approximation of a smile.
"I see you are quick to anger. That is not unexpected, given your rather… loud personality."
That was the last straw. Without another word, Sakura propelled herself forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. Her fist swung fast, aiming straight for his jaw with enough force to send most shinobi flying.
CRACK!
Her punch landed.
But something was wrong.
Instead of feeling the impact of bone and flesh against her knuckles, she was met with an odd, watery sensation. Her brows furrowed in confusion as Sai's body trembled—then, to her shock, he burst apart into a splatter of black ink.
Her eyes widened as droplets of ink splashed onto her gloves and the ground beneath her feet.
A voice echoed behind her.
"You are very foolhardy, Ugly Forehead-san."
Sakura whirled around, her teeth grinding as she spotted Sai standing a few feet away, completely unharmed, holding a small ink brush in his hand. He had drawn something—quick, precise strokes on a scroll that was now rolled up.
A clone.
He had tricked her with an ink clone.
Sakura clenched her fists again, her anger flaring even hotter.
"Oh, you are so dead."
Sai VS Haruno Sakura Begins…
Sakura's eyes darted around, scanning her surroundings. Sai had vanished the moment his ink clone was destroyed, but she knew better than to be fooled twice.
"That jutsu won't work on me. Kakashi-sensei has used a similar technique countless times. I already know how to counter it."
Her lips curled into a confident smirk as she cracked her knuckles.
"This isn't going to work against me, Sai."
Without hesitation, she slammed her palm onto the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth. The ground beneath her exploded, large chunks of stone and debris shooting into the air. A fraction of a second later, Sai sprang upward, forced out of hiding by the violent tremor.
Landing gracefully on his feet a few meters away, Sai brushed off his sleeves and sighed.
"I see. I underestimated you."
Then, in one fluid motion, he unrolled his scroll and dipped his brush into a small container of ink.
"Chōjū Giga: Tomoe Shishi."
His hand moved rapidly across the parchment, and in mere moments, ten ink-drawn lions with swirling tomoe patterns leapt from the scroll, their bodies shifting and rippling as if alive. They roared in unison and charged toward Sakura with terrifying speed.
Sakura didn't flinch. Instead, she took a deep breath and planted her feet firmly on the ground.
"Sekichū Messai!"
With a powerful swing of her arm, she tore a massive column of earth from the ground and wielded it like a giant club. She swung it fiercely, sending the charging ink lions flying in all directions. Some dissipated upon impact, while others crashed into the surrounding trees, leaving streaks of black ink in their wake.
Not wasting any time, Sakura spun in place and hurled the column of earth straight at Sai.
Sai, however, remained calm. His brush flicked across his scroll once more.
"Chōjū Giga: Kani."
From the parchment, a massive ink crab emerged, its powerful pincers snapping shut around the flying rock. It crushed the earthen projectile effortlessly, reducing it to rubble.
But Sakura was already moving. Before Sai could react, she appeared right in front of the crab and delivered a devastating roundhouse kick. The ink creature burst apart, splattering dark liquid in every direction.
Sai barely had time to register the attack before Sakura was already coming for him.
Without hesitation, he put his brush to the scroll again.
"Chōshin Giga."
Two muscular, ink-drawn warriors emerged from the paper, towering over Sakura like ancient deities of war. Their forms bore a striking resemblance to Raijin, the god of thunder. As soon as they solidified, they swung their massive fists down toward her.
Sakura barely managed to dodge the first punch, rolling to the side as the impact shattered the ground where she had been standing. She pivoted on her heel and delivered a powerful hook kick to the second ink warrior, her chakra-enhanced strength tearing its form apart upon impact.
The first warrior swung again, aiming to crush her with a downward strike. But Sakura was already moving.
"Ssam-Su Taekkyeon: Hwichagi & Bat Ttanjuggeol-i."
She faked a roundhouse kick, causing the ink warrior to react instinctively. As it raised its arm to block, she used the momentum to wrap her leg around its neck, locking it between her knee joint. Using the force of her rotation, she flipped the massive figure over and pinned it to the ground with one leg.
The moment it hit the ground, she raised her foot high and slammed it down with all her strength.
BOOM!
The ink warrior shattered into nothingness beneath her heel, its form dissipating into a puddle of black ink.
Without pausing, she turned her attention back to Sai, who was already preparing another technique.
She wouldn't give him the chance.
"Northern ITF Taekwondo: Baekdu!"
Channeling chakra into her legs, Sakura launched herself at Sai with incredible speed. As she closed the distance, she raised her knee and drove it forward, aiming for his head.
The moment her chakra-enhanced knee made contact, Sai's skull caved in with a sickening crunch. His body went limp and collapsed to the ground.
Sakura landed gracefully, shaking off a few stray drops of ink that had splattered onto her uniform.
Sai VS Haruno Sakura Ends…
Haruno Sakura Wins…