Sora originally intended to find a quiet place to train and consolidate the insights he had gained from the battle between Tanigakure Village and Kuroiwa Tatsuji.
However, to his surprise, no matter where he went, he kept running into Namikaze Minato.
he wasn't particularly interested in training in front of him. Frustrated, Sora decided to leave and find a different spot.
But just as he turned to leave, Namikaze Minato used the Body Flicker Technique to block his path.
Sora's expression darkened as he glared at him. "What are you doing? Are you here to lecture me again? Your master can't teach me anything, so now you think you're qualified to preach to me?"
Namikaze Minato shook his head, his tone calm and measured. "I'm not here to lecture you. Like Jiraiya-sensei said, in war, there's no absolute right or wrong. You do what it takes to win.
"Even though I don't agree with your methods, I can't say they're wrong. It's just that we have different ways of thinking."
Sora raised an eyebrow, his expression sharp. "Oh? It seems your Jiraiya-sensei is more responsible than you. But let me warn you—if you interfere with me on the battlefield like you did last time, don't blame me for being ruthless."
He turned his back to him and added dismissively, "Anyway, I don't have time for this. Move aside. I'm going to practice."
Namikaze Minato didn't budge. He fixed him with a determined gaze. "Actually, there's one more thing I wanted to say..."
Sensing the change in his demeanour, Sora narrowed his eyes. He could feel the subtle fighting spirit emanating from him. "What? You want to fight me?"
Minato's expression was serious as he corrected him. "Not a fight—a sparring match. It's been years since our last match. I want to see how much of a gap there is between us now."
Sora stared at him for a long moment before a sly smile spread across his face. "Forget it, Namikaze Minato. You don't interest me anymore."
His blunt dismissal stung, but Sora continued, his tone dismissive. "If you'd mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique or Sage Mode, maybe I'd feel a little excited. But right now, all you have is some basic Wind Release techniques.
"Your speed? It's maxed out for where you are now, but you still can't keep up with me.
"And as for Rasengan..." he paused, a flicker of amusement crossing his features. "Uzumaki Kushina isn't even a Jinchūriki yet, so the chances of you coming up with that technique, inspired by the Tailed Beast Ball, are close to zero."
With a shrug, he turned away. "In other words, there's no point in sparring with you. The outcome is already obvious."
Namikaze Minato frowned as his words sank in, but he stepped forward and tried again. "Sora, I know the gap between us is big, but I need to know just how big it is. Please, give me this chance."
Sora turned back to him with a peculiar expression, his tone tinged with mockery. "Aren't you worried the gap is so big it'll crush whatever pride you have left? What if this is as far as you'll ever go?"
Namikaze Minato replied seriously, "Absolutely not. If that's the case, then, just like you said before, Sora, it means I'm incompetent. I wouldn't blame anyone else for that."
Sora stroked his chin thoughtfully and studied him. "Well, I have no interest in sparring with you, but... I'll admit, I'm very interested in seeing you frustrated and helpless. So, sure, I'll accept this sparring match."
A flicker of joy lit up Namikaze Minato's face.
He was fully aware of the gap between him and Sora. There was still a significant distance for him to close. But he needed to know just how large that gap was—and how far he would need to go to catch up to him.
The two turned and walked several paces apart, putting distance between them. After taking fifteen steps, they both stopped and turned to face each other.
Namikaze Minato stood firm, his fighting spirit unwavering. "I'm ready, Sora."
Sora rested a hand casually on the hilt of his ninja sword and smirked. "Perfect timing. I've been working on a new technique, but I haven't mastered it yet.
"Even as an incomplete move, it'll be difficult for you to handle. Honestly, the match might end in an instant. So, do you want me to give you a few free moves to enjoy yourself? It'd be a shame if you didn't even get the chance to attack."
Namikaze Minato shook his head resolutely. "No. If this is a competition, it should be fair. Otherwise, it's meaningless."
"Fair, huh?" Sora's smirk widened as he adjusted his grip on the sword's hilt. "As you wish. I'm looking forward to seeing the look of despair on your face."
Sora shifted his stance slightly, his body arching forward. His hand gripped the hilt of his sheathed sword firmly, exuding a calm but overwhelming confidence.
Minato's sharp eyes caught his stance immediately. His expression turned serious. This is his signature technique—Thunderbolt Flash.
Though Sora's speed had significantly increased since their last fight, Minato knew the weaknesses of this technique well. Even if he had refined it by using the terrain to redirect his attacks, the fact remained: his strikes still followed a linear trajectory.
Quickly, Minato began forming hand seals for the Summoning Technique.
In his mind, the real challenge wasn't this technique but the combination of Sora's swordsmanship, his Fire Release techniques, and his Sharingan. To stand a chance, Minato planned to summon one of the toads from Mount Myōboku to support him.
But before he could complete the seals, Sora made his move.
"Breath of Thunder, Type One: Thunderbolt Flash—Divine Speed!"
A deafening crack of thunder erupted as Sora launched forward, the sound even louder than the usual Thunderbolt Flash. The ground beneath his feet scorched black in an instant, leaving deep, jagged footprints as he propelled himself forward with incredible force.
Though his legs were covered by his pants, the intense bulging of his leg muscles was evident. The sheer power radiating from his movements was almost visible in the air.
In a flash, he disappeared.
For a fleeting moment, Minato thought he was still standing in place. But then, an intense pain erupted in his abdomen, and he was sent flying backwards. He crashed hard into a tree trunk, coughing up blood as he slumped helplessly to the ground.
He struggled to lift his head and look at him.
Sora's ninja sword hadn't even been unsheathed. He'd struck him with the sheath itself.
No—he hadn't even delivered a full strike. All he'd done was raise the scabbard, using his immense speed to generate enough force to knock him back.
Minato's thoughts raced. If he had actually unsheathed his sword and delivered a proper slash, I wouldn't have walked away with just this. I'd probably have broken several ribs—or worse.
His gaze shifted to the charred path he had left behind, littered with deep imprints from his feet. His pupils narrowed as he processed the sheer force it must have taken to leave such marks on the ground.
Finally, he looked back at Sora, who stood calmly, his expression as unbothered as ever.
Is this the new move he's been working on?
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