The forest clearing in the Kingdom of Clouds lay shrouded in dawn's thinning mist, the air crackling with the weight of imminent violence. Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan burned crimson, twin wheels of rage fixed on Naruto, his voice a low growl dripping with intent. "Naruto—I want you dead." His armored Susanoo drew its ancient bow, the string taut as a flaming arrow of Amaterasu's black fire ignited—Heaven's Magatama poised to strike.
Naruto met his glare, unflinching, Sage Mode's orange glow flaring anew. "Bring it," he muttered, chakra swirling as he shaped a Rasenshuriken, its edges howling with wind. The two stood as echoes of their past lives—destined foes from the Fourth Ninja War—unleashing their might in a collision of fate. With a whoosh, Sasuke loosed his arrow; Naruto hurled his shuriken. The attacks met mid-air—a deafening boom—and the forest shuddered, a shockwave flattening trees for miles, dust and flame spiraling into a chaotic storm.
Jugo reacted instantly, Sage Transformation armoring his body as he shielded Karin and Suigetsu, dragging them into a rocky hollow. Sasuke's Susanoo braced against the blast, but the force flung him back, his overtaxed Mangekyō screaming in protest, blood seeping from his eyes. Naruto, swift as thought, teleported with Flying Thunder God, reappearing atop the circling bird, his cloak billowing in the updraft.
Sasuke staggered to his knees, clutching his face as the Mangekyō dimmed to three tomoe, his breath ragged. The dust cloud obscured Naruto's trace—his senses strained, but found nothing. Where'd he go? His Susanoo's triple evolution had drained him, a reckless push now exacting its toll. He coughed, the sound harsh against the silence.
In the hollow, Jugo's cursed armor faded, revealing Karin coughing as she fanned away dust. "Sasuke-kun!" she cried, spotting him through the haze, and bolted toward him. Suigetsu shook his head, voice low with awe. "That power—it's insane." Jugo nodded, alert. "Sasuke's hurt—we need to move."
Before they could act, Tendo Pain's voice cut through—"Vanshō Ten'in!"—and an invisible force yanked Jugo skyward, pulling him toward the bird. "Jugo!" Suigetsu roared, swinging his executioner's blade at Tendo Pain. The other five Pains surged, blocking his path with ruthless precision.
Jugo twisted mid-air, Sage Transformation flaring to resist, but Naruto leapt from the bird, slamming down with a thunderous crash. His fist drove Jugo into the earth, a crater blooming as blood sprayed from Jugo's lips. The giant crumpled, unconscious, overwhelmed by Naruto's immortal strength. Naruto chuckled, orange marks glowing as he knelt beside him. "Nice try."
He pressed a palm to Jugo's back, unfurling a scroll with the other, hands flashing through seals. "Sealing Jutsu: Absorption Seal!" A hum of chakra pulsed, Jugo's cursed power draining through Naruto into the scroll, his massive form shrinking—skin paling, limbs retracting—until he resembled a child. "Incredible," Naruto murmured, marveling at Orochimaru's craft. Can't wait to meet that snake.
Karin reached Sasuke, shoving her arm toward him. "Bite me, Sasuke-kun—don't hold back!" Sasuke, panting, sank his teeth into her flesh, drawing chakra in deep gulps. Karin's head tipped back, a moan escaping—"Ahhh…"—her face a mix of pain and ecstasy as Sasuke's strength surged.
Suigetsu, blade raised, caught sight of Jugo's diminished form. "Sasuke, they're draining him dry!" he yelled, charging Naruto. Sasuke spat blood, revitalized, and lunged forward, blade gleaming. Karin lowered her sleeve, muttering, "No goodbye after that? Rude."
Naruto glanced at Tendo Pain, nodding. "Shinra Tensei!" A wave of repulsion erupted, hurling Sasuke and Suigetsu back, their bodies skidding through dirt and debris. Sasuke hit a tree, blade clattering free, while Suigetsu tumbled, cursing. They froze, realization dawning—Naruto hadn't even unleashed his full might.
Sasuke glared up at him, teeth gritted, frustration boiling. He'd poured everything into that fight—Susanoo, Amaterasu—yet Naruto stood unscathed, calm as ever. Am I weaker now? The thought gnawed at him, bitter and unyielding.
Naruto's grin faded abruptly, his shadow clone in Amegakure shattering. The feedback hit—Obito's masked form, a scythe of space-time slicing through his decoy. He's onto Nagato. Urgency replaced triumph. He turned to Sasuke, voice clipped. "Gotta cut this short—emergency. Jugo's fine, just borrowed some juice. Oh, and Sasuke—Danzo? I roughed him up, left him breathing. Your kill, if you want it. No thanks needed, brother."
With a sharp whistle, he summoned the Six Paths Pain, vanishing in a buzz of Flying Thunder God. The bird's cry echoed as it swooped low, Naruto leaping aboard. He waved once at Sasuke's group below, his silhouette stark against the rising sun, then was gone.
Suigetsu gripped his blade, stunned. "He's just… gone?" Sasuke stared after him, face a mask of fury and doubt, the weight of Naruto's words—Itachi, Danzo, brotherhood—sinking in like thorns.
Aboard the bird, Naruto clutched the sealed scroll, Jugo's power a tangible victory pulsing within. The forest shrank below, a scarred battlefield testament to their clash. Success tasted sweet—he'd bested Sasuke, secured the curse seal's source, and edged closer to Orochimaru. Yet Obito's shadow loomed, a ripple in his plans. Nagato's frail form tensed beside him, Rinnegan glinting. "Trouble?" he rasped.
"Obito," Naruto said, voice hard. "He's sniffing around Amegakure. We move fast." Konan's paper wings flared, her gaze sharp. Heaven's architect gripped the scroll tighter, the ninja world trembling beneath his resolve.
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