"A destined battle, huh?"
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, who looked a bit grim, yet his eyes shone with determination. It seemed like Naruto still had more tricks up his sleeve.
Up until now, Naruto's attacks had merely been probing attempts.
To be precise, Sasuke thought, Naruto had probably made countless assumptions about this battle long before, and those earlier attacks were just part of his plan.
At this realization, Sasuke's lightning chakra surged even more intensely, his chakra flowing rapidly as he began to take the battle seriously. If the system itself acknowledged Naruto's potential, Sasuke knew it was time to stop underestimating him.
After all, Naruto was full of surprises, and like a protagonist in a story, he was bound to pull out something unexpected at any moment.
Sasuke had to be cautious.
"You've truly impressed me, Naruto. But now, it's time for me to take the initiative!"
Upon hearing Sasuke's words, Naruto felt a mix of relief and worry. Sasuke taking the offensive was the last thing he wanted. No matter what techniques he used, Sasuke could crush him in both taijutsu and ninjutsu.
Naruto's only hope of winning was his ultimate move. With that thought, he slapped his own face, steeling himself.
"Let's do this then!"
As the battle reached its climax, in the spectator stands, Gaara gave a cold smile. "It looks fight is almost over."
The gap in their strengths had become painfully clear. With Sasuke about to take the initiative, it seemed that Naruto had no chance left.
This judgment was shared by many, including the other spectators. As Sasuke gripped his ninja blade, Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"The Kenjutsu of the Hatake clan, huh? I wonder how it'll look in Sasuke's hands..." Kakashi mused to himself. He hoped Sasuke would live up to the legacy of the "White Fang of Konoha"—his father, the legendary shinobi who had once made the entire shinobi world tremble in fear.
Unfortunately, Kakashi hadn't been able to reach his father's height, but now, with Sasuke inheriting the swordsmanship, Kakashi hoped Sasuke could revive the glory of the White Fang.
The lightning surged across the ninja blade.
Sasuke's eyes sparked with the same electric energy.
"Sasuke, how is he channeling lightning into his blade?" Sakura couldn't hold back her curiosity and finally asked.
Ever since they had noticed Sasuke could use lightning release without the need for hand signs, the technique had intrigued them.
Normally, such techniques weren't easily understood or questioned, but now Sakura couldn't help but wonder.
The other Konoha 12, along with the Jonin like Guy, Asuma, and Anko, all leaned in to hear Kakashi's explanation.
"This is a lightning release technique that Sasuke developed himself. He can channel lightning directly into his body, and it doesn't require hand signs. The effect is similar to Sasuke's 'Raikiri'—but a weakened version," Kakashi explained.
"Moreover, Sasuke's natural talent allows the lightning to remain temporarily on his blade or shuriken, amplifying their offensive power."
Sakura nodded, though she still didn't fully understand.
Sasuke unleashed his lightning release, and Naruto immediately heightened his focus.
At the same time, his chakra began to surge with anxious energy, causing it to become erratic and unstable.
"I'm coming, Naruto!"
Sasuke's speed was blinding. Although Naruto could see the trajectory of Sasuke's movements, there was no way he could intercept the attack with his own speed.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In a crucial moment, Naruto had no choice but to rely on his clones.
Don't underestimate this forbidden technique. In Naruto's hands, it had been perfected to the point of mastery.
Five shadow clones suddenly appeared behind Naruto, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him back.
A slash of lightning energy swept through the air, but Naruto narrowly avoided it. The next moment, Sasuke accelerated again. Two clones rushed forward to block Sasuke's attack, only to be effortlessly sliced apart by Sasuke's blade.
Retreating, Naruto quickly drew a kunai and held it in front of him.
The sound of metal clashing echoed as Sasuke's lightning-infused blade struck the kunai. Although Naruto managed to block the attack, the sheer force of the blow sent him flying backward.
Sasuke immediately followed up, his sword slashing twice in rapid succession.
Lightning erupted from the blade and shot toward Naruto.
Naruto had no chance to dodge—but just as the attack was about to hit, two clones suddenly appeared in front of him, taking the brunt of the attack.
After skidding several meters, Naruto steadied himself and immediately surged forward again, using his clones to block Sasuke's strikes while hiding his true location.
The battle had become even more intense.
As Sasuke and Naruto clashed, the Jonin watching from the sidelines couldn't help but be stunned.
Though Naruto's speed and strength were still suppressed compared to Sasuke's, his strategic use of clones allowed him to maintain a roughly equal footing in the fight.
The clones distracted Sasuke, blocked attacks, and helped Naruto evade damage. His movements were astonishingly smooth and coordinated.
"Unbelievable! This little brat, despite being so much weaker in taijutsu, is still managing to hold his own against the Uchiha prodigy!"
"Who would've thought? This fox brat really has some tricks up his sleeve!"
"This battle turned out to be so exciting!"
While the ninjas were surprised by Naruto's performance, suddenly, Naruto's movements changed.
Dozens of shadow clones held off Sasuke, and at the same time, Naruto took the initiative to attack, using his kunai to momentarily block Sasuke's ninja sword.
This created a brief opening for Sasuke's attack.
Although Naruto was once again sent flying, the attacks from his other clones continued, leaving Sasuke no opportunity to pursue.
Sasuke executed a brilliant sword technique, instantly slicing through all the clones rushing at him.
"I don't know why, but Sasuke's sword technique seems familiar to me!"
"Now that you mention it, I remember too!"
"It looks like the sword technique of the Hatake clan!"
As they spoke, many ninjas in the stands stole a glance at Kakashi.
It was understandable for a teacher to teach their students some battle techniques, but the fact that Sasuke had also learned the Hatake clan's sword techniques surprised them.
No wonder so many ninjas felt that Sasuke resembled the legendary Konoha White Fang.
Perhaps Sasuke would become the second Konoha White Fang!
With his terrifying Lightning Release and Lightning Fast, if he keeps going , he might surpass the White Fang!
"Look! That little Nine-Tails brat's hand..."
Strong chakra gathered toward Naruto's hand with the help of his clones!
"Sasuke... This is the result of my seven-day special training, don't be too surprised..."