The forest clearing in the Kingdom of Clouds trembled under a sky streaked with dawn's fading gold, the air thick with tension as Naruto and Sasuke faced each other. A glint of steel flashed—a cold whisper of intent—and Sasuke's blade sang free from its sheath, slashing toward Naruto with lethal precision. The morning mist parted in its wake, a silent herald of the storm to come.
Naruto shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Same old Sasuke—hot-headed as ever. Above, the clouds thinned, the rain's echo fading as if the world held its breath. Through the Six Paths Pain's eyes, Nagato tracked the clash, his Rinnegan sharp with focus. Tendo Pain surged forward, hand raised to unleash Shinra Tensei, a shield for his junior brother.
Naruto yanked him back, voice firm but light. "Hey, Senior Brother—hold off. It's been too long since I've sparred with Sasuke. Let me handle this." He stepped into the fray, Sage Mode igniting, orange shadows blooming around his eyes as chakra coiled in his palms.
Sasuke's strike met air—Naruto dodged with fluid grace, countering with a fist wreathed in natural energy. Sasuke sneered, tilting his head to evade, the Mangekyō Sharingan spinning crimson, reading every move. But Naruto's speed defied prediction; his punch landed square on Sasuke's cheek, sending him hurtling back with a dull thud. Karin's cry pierced the silence—"Sasuke-kun!"—as Suigetsu and Jugo exchanged stunned glances. Sasuke was no novice—how had Naruto landed that blow?
Sasuke twisted mid-air, blade biting into the earth to halt his skid. He crouched, wiping blood from his lip, eyes narrowing as he studied Naruto. I dodged—why'd it hit? The orange marks, the unfamiliar chakra—it wasn't Kurama's wild blaze. "What's wrong, Sasuke?" Naruto called, grin taunting. "Giving up already?"
Sasuke rose, his snort a mix of defiance and disdain. "You've changed, Naruto—but so have I." Blood trickled from his eyes, a dark omen, and with a guttural boom, purple chakra erupted around him. Skeletal ribs of Susanoo unfurled, a half-formed giant looming over the clearing.
Naruto folded his arms, chin resting on his hand as he appraised it. "Half a skeleton, huh? No armor yet—miles from Crow Tengu. Tsk, Sasuke, you've got work to do." His tone was casual, but the jab cut deep, stoking Sasuke's smoldering rage.
"Shut it!" Sasuke snapped, his voice a whip-crack of fury. Susanoo surged forward, its reach vast, skeletal fist arcing toward Naruto. "Sage Art: Giant Rasengan!" Naruto countered, the spinning orb roaring to life. Sasuke braced, Susanoo's ribs clashing against it—a stalemate shattered by an explosive bang as both recoiled.
Naruto dusted his hands, eyes glinting. "Let's test that defense of yours." Seals flashed—Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu—and a dozen Narutos sprang forth. Sasuke sneered, "That old trick? Pathetic—proof you're still weak."
"As long as it works," Naruto shot back, grinning as his clones charged, each wielding a Rasengan. "Sage Art: Multi-Rasengan!" The barrage hammered Susanoo—blows raining from every angle, even above. Sasuke gritted his teeth, the skeletal frame shuddering, a faint crack splintering its ribs. When did he get this strong? his mind hissed, disbelief warring with pain.
Naruto flickered, Flying Thunder God weaving him through the chaos. A final Giant Rasengan slammed home, fracturing three of Susanoo's bones. Sasuke coughed blood, flung back to crash against a tree. Karin lunged forward—"Sasuke-kun!"—but Suigetsu grabbed her arm. "Stay back—he's not done."
Naruto brushed off his hands, voice calm but pointed. "You're slipping, Sasuke. Hard to school you when you're this rusty. Itachi really spoiled you, huh?"
Sasuke staggered up, wiping blood, his glare venomous. "Don't you dare say his name—you're not worthy!" His voice cracked, raw with fury and grief.
Naruto's tone softened, steady. "Sasuke, there's something you should know. Before Itachi fought you, he came to me—asked me to look out for you, keep you from turning on Konoha. I think you should honor his sacrifice, ditch these Akatsuki clowns."
Sasuke's laugh was bitter, jagged. "You're one to talk—look at you now! What do you know about Itachi? You think you can preach to me about my brother?" His roar echoed, blood streaming from his eyes as memory and rage consumed him. "The villages you love—they made him a monster! You know nothing!"
His scream tore through the clearing, purple chakra flaring wild. Susanoo evolved—arms sprouted, muscle wove over bone, armor clad its form, rising to a half-mature state. Karin hugged herself, voice trembling. "His chakra—it's dark, cold." Jugo's brow furrowed. "His power's shifting." Suigetsu snorted, "Told you he's tough."
Naruto shook his head, resolve hardening. Fine—beat him down, save the trip to Thundercloud Gorge. A shadow clone split off, chakra swirling as he shaped a Rasengan with a wind-edged twist. The air howled, gusts spiraling as the technique sharpened. Karin gasped, "That wind—it's insane!" Suigetsu yanked her and Jugo back, shouting, "Move it! Sasuke's got Susanoo—we don't! One wrong hit, and we're toast!"
Sasuke's eyes locked onto Naruto, a predator sizing up prey. "You've grown, Naruto—I'll give you that. Beating you now will just be more satisfying." His armored Susanoo stepped forward, ancient bow materializing in its grip. The string drew taut, a flaming arrow of Amaterasu's black fire igniting—Heaven's Magatama, aimed straight for Naruto.
The clearing braced, the clash of brothers poised to erupt into chaos, their past and present colliding in a blaze of fury and flame.
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