The battle was nothing short of extraordinary. Both fighters had long surpassed the typical graduation level, their sheer skill leaving even seasoned Jonin astonished. These two… their abilities were already approaching Jonin-tier. And yet, they were still just students on the verge of graduation.
Then again, in the ninja world, prodigies weren't unheard of. There were those who had completed their training in a single year, reaching Jonin rank by the age of twelve. Others had skyrocketed in strength after graduation, carving their names into history as legendary figures.
Just look at Konoha, its reputation as the Land of Geniuses wasn't just a title; it was a legacy.
Even so, the sheer level of power these two displayed was awe-inspiring. Among the spectators, Mikoto watched in quiet amazement, her eyes shimmering with a mix of pride and reflection. Has Sasuke truly grown this strong already?
The two were locked in a fierce battle, each giving their all. The intensity of the fight was unmatched, with neither willing to yield an inch.
Gaara's mastery over sand was a sight to behold. The sand around him moved like an extension of his will, transforming into deadly weapons, fists, swords, and spears that relentlessly assaulted Sasuke.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was holding his ground with skill and precision, his three-tomoe Sharingan flaring as he countered Gaara's sand with his Fire and Lightning Jutsu, as well as his expert swordsmanship.
Though his Sharingan was still at the three-tomoe level, Sasuke stood strong against Gaara's relentless onslaught, showing no signs of backing down.
He had unlocked his Sharingan on the night of the Uchiha clan's massacre, and under the watchful training of Akihiko-sensei, his Sharingan had gradually evolved to its current stage.
Thinking about the second-stage evolution of his Sharingan, Sasuke couldn't help but feel a little awkward. It had happened on his birthday, his so-called "gift" from Uncle Akihiko. That was when he truly understood that the Sharingan's power awakened through intense emotional upheaval.
But that wasn't even the most frustrating part. After his eyes evolved, Uncle Akihiko had assigned him an essay, yes, an actual written assignment, detailing his emotions and experiences while unlocking the second and third tomoe. The thought of having to put something so personal into words was, frankly, depressing.
Still, despite his complaints, Sasuke had never slacked off in his training. He relentlessly honed his ninjutsu and swordsmanship alongside his Sharingan, pushing himself further each day.
To defeat that man, Sasuke had always believed in the strength of the Uchiha bloodline. But after realizing that his Sharingan would not evolve any further on its own, he knew he had to seek new ways to grow stronger.
Akihiko had once warned him, "Don't rely too much on your bloodline. If you're strong enough, even a C-rank jutsu can be as deadly as a forbidden technique."
And then there was that legendary phrase, the one that had become a mantra in Kusanagi Village: "There are no weak jutsu, only weak shinobi."
Sasuke's hands blurred as he rapidly formed seals, his movements so fast they left afterimages. But speed alone meant nothing. Even Naruto, that idiot, could flash through hand signs quickly. True mastery came with practice, with precision.
Still, if there was one thing that frustrated him, it was that he hadn't yet reached the level where he could cast jutsu instantly, without seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive surge of flames roared forward like a tidal wave, crashing against Gaara's relentless sea of sand.
The intensity of the battle even reached Black Zetsu, who was still tied to the tree nearby. Watching the fight unfold, he quickly urged Naruto to get him somewhere safe.
Not long after, the two found a hiding spot. Though Sasuke had explicitly told Naruto not to interfere, Naruto, frustrated at first, eventually let it go. His usual grin faded, replaced by a rare look of seriousness.
"Didn't expect Sasuke to be this strong," he muttered in amazement.
Black Zetsu, however, simply pouted. "Not quite yet!"
Madara's Fire Style had been on a whole different level, but even so, Zetsu hadn't expected these brats to grow this much. He could no longer toy with them as easily as before.
"Maybe I should stick to picking on first-years…" he mumbled before casting a glance at Sasuke. His tone turned certain. "Sasuke's going to lose."
"Huh? Sasuke's going to lose?" Naruto frowned, confused by the statement.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Sasuke was coming to the same realization. If this continued… he really would lose.
Continuously using jutsu was beginning to take its toll on Sasuke, while Gaara only seemed slightly winded. Worse yet, Sasuke still hadn't managed to break through Gaara's defense. It was almost as if the sand had a will of its own, instinctively shielding Gaara from every attack. That was the power of his Absolute Defense.
As a longtime classmate, Sasuke knew exactly where Gaara's abilities came from. He remembered how Gaara was once seen as unstable, a failure, because of his uncontrollable tailed beast chakra leaking out. His gaze sharpened. "Looks like... this is my only chance."
With that thought, Sasuke moved. But this time, instead of ninjutsu, he drew his sword. Gaara, fully aware of Sasuke's strength, didn't let his guard down. His sand responded instantly, forming both shields and counterattacks.
But Sasuke wasn't aiming for a direct clash. Using his Sharingan and superior agility, he wove through the attacks, his movements swift and precise.
In that moment, Sasuke suddenly shouted, "Naruto!"
"I'm here!" Naruto's voice rang out, unmistakable and clear. The familiar sound seemed to startle Gaara, and his expression shifted. A kunai flew toward him, and he realized too late that Naruto had made his move, too?
Gaara's eyes widened in realization. Had he been played from the start?
Without hesitation, he tried to control his sand to defend himself, but before he could react, everything went dark. A deep voice pierced the air right beside him: "Chidori!"
"Damn it!" Gaara's voice tightened in surprise. Wrapped in his sand defense, he suddenly understood. He had been tricked. From the very beginning, the kunai had been an illusion. It had been a distraction; Sasuke's real goal was to face him one-on-one. But when had he fallen for the deception?
As Gaara processed this, a sharp, high-pitched sound filled the air, like a thousand birds chirping in unison. In the next instant, an explosion rocked the battlefield, and Gaara's defenses shattered in a violent burst.
His vision cleared, and he saw a hand reach toward him. Sasuke's calm voice followed, cutting through the tension, "You lost, Gaara!"
But Gaara didn't flinch. Instead, his gaze hardened as he replied, "No, you lost."
Sasuke, panting and still catching his breath, widened his eyes as he stared at Gaara. Before him stood nothing but sand, and an unsettling silence settled over him. "One-Tails' power?" he muttered, his voice thick with realization.
Gaara didn't hesitate to confirm it. "Just borrowed a little bit," he said casually, though his words held a weight of sincerity. He added, "Sorry, Sasuke. I really wanted to win, too."
Sasuke sighed deeply, shaking his head as the reality of the battle set in. "I... lost..." he muttered under his breath, a quiet frustration in his voice. "Still need more training."
His usual indifference returned, but the weariness in his eyes remained. His chakra reserves were running low, and without any more tricks up his sleeve, he knew there was no way he could defeat Gaara in his current state. It was disappointing, but it was a lesson, too.
At this moment, Sasuke, even with his Sharingan, was still at a disadvantage against Gaara, who had the One-Tail's power, complete control over sand, and an impenetrable defense.
A flicker of frustration crossed Sasuke's face. Just as he sighed and turned away, hands slipping into his pockets, a loud voice cut through the tension.
"Well, if that's how it is… I guess it's my turn!" Naruto suddenly stepped between them, grinning. "Don't worry, Sasuke, I'll take it from here. First place is mine!"
Sasuke dragged a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "You complete idiot…" he muttered. Watching Naruto charge forward, he couldn't help but ask, "You're not even using jutsu? How exactly are you planning to get through Gaara's sand?"
Mid-sprint, Naruto abruptly stumbled to a stop, his expression twisting in realization. "Oh, wait! I almost forgot!" He clapped his hands together. "Rasengan!"
Gaara and Sasuke shared a look of sheer disbelief. Meanwhile, Naruto, as if nothing had happened, had already begun forming a swirling ball of chakra in his hand.
Just as Naruto was about to charge forward, a sharp, tearing sound broke the air, Pfft!
"Naruto!" Both Sasuke and Gaara's eyes widened in shock.
Naruto froze, glancing down at his chest. A sharp kunai was lodged there. Turning, he saw Black Zetsu standing behind him, pulling another kunai out of his own chest before stabbing it straight into Naruto's body.
"Black Zetsu... You..." Naruto's voice faltered in disbelief.
"Apologies," Black Zetsu sneered, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "I'm a spy, after all." His expression hardened as he continued, "All the so-called geniuses of Kusanagi Village... should die."
With a cold laugh, Black Zetsu twisted the kunai and stabbed Naruto once more. Leaning in close, he whispered maliciously, "I guess you still haven't learned the true spirit of Grass. Don't forget to write up a reflection when you get home, Naruto~"
Everyone present was stunned into silence. Without hesitation, Sasuke roared, his fury erupting as he charged toward Black Zetsu. "Black Zetsu!"
At the same time, Gaara reacted swiftly, his voice icy as he activated his technique. "Sand Binding Coffin!"