Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
On the heads of the statues of Hashirama and Madara, Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously unleashed the iconic Uchiha fire technique.
Boom! The fireballs collided, pushing against each other in a fierce struggle before Naruto's fireball ultimately overpowered Sasuke's.
Sasuke's eyes reflected the raging flames, his clothes fluttering wildly in the heatwave.
"As always, his chakra reserves are immense, which makes his jutsu more powerful. But under the gaze of my ocular powers, all his techniques are meaningless!"
Drip! A streak of blood trickled down from Sasuke's left eye. His Mangekyō Sharingan, divided by bloodshot veins, focused intently on the approaching flames.
Amaterasu!
Whoosh! Black flames erupted, consuming and extinguishing the oncoming fireball in an instant.
Swish!
Naruto flipped through the air and landed on Madara's statue. "Sasuke, recklessly using Amaterasu like that isn't a wise move."
Sasuke smirked dismissively. "Hmph! I have attained eternal light! This level of exertion is nothing more than a sip of water."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The two clashed in a fierce taijutsu battle!
The longer they fought, the more alarmed Sasuke became. The force behind Naruto's punches and kicks was overwhelming—beyond comprehension!
It wasn't just the enhancement from Sage Mode. Naruto's base taijutsu had undergone a qualitative leap!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each collision left Sasuke's fists and legs numbing, his movements growing more strained, while Naruto remained calm and composed, fighting with ease.
"How is this possible? It's only been a few days since I last saw him. How has his strength increased to such an extent?!"
"And… even though his eyes are covered, how can he predict my every move so precisely?!"
Naruto casually threw a punch. "Hey, Sasuke, have you heard of Sage Mode?"
Thud! Sasuke crossed his arms to block, sliding back three steps. His expression darkened. "What's that?"
Swish! Naruto dodged a kunai Sasuke threw at him and replied leisurely, "I trained at Mount Myōboku and mastered the power of Sage Mode. It allows me to sense natural energy, so even with my eyes covered, I can predict your movements perfectly."
Sasuke frowned. "Natural energy?"
"Like this." Naruto swung his fist casually.
Frog Kata!
Thud!
A punch imbued with natural energy struck Sasuke's face, creating ripples across his skin. He plummeted from the statue into the water below.
Standing atop the statue, Naruto looked down calmly. "You could learn Sage Mode too, but I don't think Mount Myōboku's method would suit you. Between Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest, I'd recommend Shikkotsu Forest."
Sasuke emerged from the water, his expression grim.
Naruto continued, "I've had a brief experience with the sage power of Ryūchi Cave. It's volatile—absorbing too much could even make you grow horns, like your old Cursed Seal."
"Shikkotsu Forest, though I haven't been there, is said to focus more on mental cultivation. It could help calm your rage and refine your mindset."
Sasuke's voice was icy. "Are you saying I'm too full of rage and lack discipline?"
Naruto countered, "Isn't that the case? I already told you—Danzō isn't in Konoha. He's with Kabuto. If you want revenge, go find Kabuto! But instead, you keep coming after me. You're acting like a child!"
"Shut up!!" Sasuke clenched his fists. "This is my revenge! I don't need your meddling!"
Naruto sighed, exasperated. "Honestly, Sasuke, you really need to visit Shikkotsu Forest. Let the Slug Sage teach you how to cultivate your mind. The Uchiha's ocular powers are closely tied to mental chakra. It would definitely help you master your abilities."
Sasuke sneered, "The noble Uchiha doesn't need such trivial methods to enhance our power! The abilities awakened in these eyes are more than enough to obliterate any obstacle! Sage Mode? I, Sasuke Uchiha, have no use for it!"
"You're as stubborn as ever during your rebellious phase. Fine." Naruto shook his head and leapt down from the statue.
Swish! Sasuke stepped back, feigning engagement with Naruto, and deliberately left an opening for Naruto to exploit.
Boom!
Sasuke's Substitution Jutsu activated, leaving a wooden log in his place.
Naruto's lips curled into a faint smile.
Swish!
Sasuke appeared behind Naruto, his Kusanagi sword crackling with lightning as he slashed downward.
Uchiha Style: Lightning Blade Slash!
Clang!
To Sasuke's shock, Naruto blocked the slash with his bare arm.
"What?!" Sasuke stared in disbelief at Naruto's body, now cloaked in a layer of lightning armor.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Sasuke launched a flurry of strikes, but Naruto either dodged them effortlessly or caught the blade with his hands.
Sasuke growled, "When did you learn this kind of Lightning Release?!"
Naruto replied, "Probably while you were busy reveling in your new ocular powers."
"Don't mock me!" Sasuke roared.
Crackle!
Chidori!!
Lightning surged in Sasuke's left hand as he thrust it toward Naruto's chest.
Zzzzt!
Sparks flew, but Sasuke's vaunted Chidori couldn't penetrate the protective layer of Naruto's lightning armor.
Snap!
Naruto grabbed Sasuke's wrist and delivered a crushing knee strike to his abdomen.
"Ugh!!" Sasuke's eyes widened as he spat out saliva.
Naruto swung Sasuke by the arm and hurled him toward the waterfall.
Boom!!!
Sasuke crashed into the rocks behind the waterfall, causing them to cave in before being swept into the river below.
"This is ridiculous! I refuse to accept this!" Sasuke roared in fury. His left eye locked onto Naruto's figure.
Amaterasu!!
Swish!
A flash of purple light, and Naruto vanished. The black flames burned empty air.
Swish!
Naruto reappeared in front of Sasuke, landing a punch squarely on his cheek.
Thud!
Sasuke was sent flying, a bloody tooth falling into the water.
"Hahahahaha!" Sasuke laughed maniacally as his Susano'o ignited, transforming into its second form.
Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi!
Whoosh! A volley of Amaterasu arrows rained down, but none hit their mark.
Boom!
The first arrow shot skyward, exploding into a stream of black flames that scorched the atmosphere. The rising heat created thunderclouds, and the skies darkened with storm clouds.
Swish!
Cloaked in Susano'o, Sasuke leapt onto Madara's statue, holding a sphere of lightning as he summoned the storm.
"No matter how fast you are, you can't outrun a lightning strike!"
Lightning Release: Kirin!
Roar!!!
The wrathful thunder took the form of a beast, descending with a deafening roar.
Boom!!!
The Valley of the End was engulfed in a violent thunderstorm.
As the waters finally calmed, Naruto crouched on the river's surface, his head bowed.
Sasuke's voice boomed. "How's that?!"
Naruto looked up. "If it had hit, it probably would've hurt."
"What?!" Sasuke's disbelief was palpable. "You're saying it didn't hit?!"
Naruto sighed. "Just before the lightning struck, I used the Flying Raijin Jutsu to teleport back to Amegakure. It was probably within a millisecond. What a shame."
Sasuke asked coldly, "What's a shame?"
Naruto replied, "If it were my father, he would've been even faster."
"Hmph." Sasuke lowered his head, trembling, before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha! Fine! Fine! Fine! Then I'll send you to meet your father!!!"
Boom!!
Susano'o evolved into its complete form, towering over the battlefield.
Wielding twin blades, it struck down with immense force.
Naruto dodged with electrifying speed, his body glowing with lightning. Finding an opening, he performed a summoning jutsu.
With the enhanced Animal Path, Naruto summoned a myriad of creatures.
Though they couldn't match the full power of Susano'o, they effectively stalled it.
Inside Susano'o's head, Sasuke stared at the battlefield, which now resembled a zoo. "What's with these summons?! Aren't you only supposed to summon toads? Could it be… that left eye of his?"
Truthfully, Naruto was tempted to summon Manda just to see Sasuke's reaction. But Manda had been prepped with chakra and was currently searching for Jiraiya's remains in the seas around Amegakure. Naruto wasn't about to waste resources.
Slash!!!
One of Susano'o's blades skewered the three-headed hellhound, black flames consuming it entirely.
Boom!! The hellhound vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
More summons fell under Susano'o's relentless assault.
Growing impatient, Sasuke shouted, "Naruto! Where's that confidence you had earlier? All you're doing is running around and summoning beasts to stall me!!!"
Boom! A horizontal slash from Susano'o cleaved a mountainside.
Swish! Naruto flipped gracefully, landing atop Hashirama's statue. He murmured, "The power of the Deva Path… has finally returned."
Poof! Poof! Poof! All the summoned creatures vanished in puffs of smoke.
Clap! Naruto pressed his hands together, the black cloth over his eyes concealing the glow of his left eye.
Chibaku Tensei!