Boom!
With a roar, a massive fireball shot forth, hurtling straight toward Naruto, cloaked in his orange-yellow Tailed Beast chakra coat.
Undoubtedly, after a bout of taijutsu, Sasuke realized he was at a disadvantage against Naruto's Tailed Beast form. He pulled back and unleashed his specialty: Fire Release ninjutsu.
Yet, facing Sasuke's Fire Release, the Tailed Beast-transformed Naruto didn't dodge. On all fours like a beast, he swung his right hand, swatting the fireball away with a single palm!
Thud.
The deflected fireball smashed into a nearby tree, instantly igniting it into a towering torch!
Sasuke's pupils contracted, his expression darkening.
The Tailed Beast transformation granted Naruto a comprehensive boost—strength, speed, and even defense were dramatically enhanced.
He never expected his Great Fireball Jutsu to be slapped away by Naruto's hand!
This guy…
Having survived many fierce battles, Sasuke was no longer a hotheaded rookie. Though the situation surprised him, he quickly regained his composure and began strategizing.
Nearby,
Jiraiya and Kakashi stood side by side on a tree branch, observing the spar with keen interest.
Seeing Naruto, in his Tailed Beast form, respond correctly, Kakashi exclaimed, "Lord Jiraiya, has Naruto already learned to control the Nine-Tails?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "Not to that extent, but he's barely mastered basic Tailed Beast transformation!"
Noticing Jiraiya's proud tone, Kakashi praised, "That's no small feat!"
"Indeed."
Jiraiya nodded lightly.
The Cloud Village's strength stemmed from its two perfect Jinchūriki, didn't it?
While Naruto was far from a perfect Jinchūriki, his progress was remarkable compared to before!
This was exactly why Jiraiya saw immense potential in him!
At that moment, the situation on the field shifted.
Sasuke abandoned his head-on approach, opting to engage Naruto in a game of cat-and-mouse. Though Naruto could retain most of his rationality in his basic Tailed Beast form, the Nine-Tails' influence made him prone to anger and agitation.
Soon, the Tailed Beast-transformed Naruto grew impatient, his attacks becoming reckless.
"Hm?"
Jiraiya let out a soft exclamation.
Sasuke's response was unexpected, resembling a patient hunter probing for weaknesses in a powerful beast.
Such cunning wasn't typical of an academy student.
Kakashi noticed it too, his brow furrowing, further convinced that Sasuke was the Akatsuki's "E"!
The battle in the training ground continued, with Naruto growing increasingly erratic, his will—barely maintained in his Tailed Beast form—starting to erode under the Nine-Tails' influence.
Not good!
Jiraiya thought, preparing to intervene.
Naruto's transformation had only manifested one tail, still controllable, but if it escalated, the situation could spiral out of hand.
Just as Jiraiya and Kakashi were about to step in, Sasuke seized an opening, closing in on Naruto. Before Naruto could react, Sasuke, nearly face-to-face, activated his Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu, hypnotizing him.
Thud.
Instantly, the unconscious Naruto reverted from his Tailed Beast form and collapsed.
Sasuke turned, walking toward the edge of the training ground, waving at Jiraiya and Kakashi hiding on the branch. "He's all yours!"
Jiraiya chuckled. "That kid knew we were here all along!"
Kakashi sighed helplessly.
After dismissing Sakura, Sasuke left the training ground, thinking, I didn't expect Naruto to grow this fast. Let him keep Yakumo occupied, and I can take out Kimimaro first. Once Kimimaro's down, Yakumo alone won't be a challenge!
Outside another training ground,
Tsunade and Shizune stood side by side on a tree branch, observing the intense battle between Yakumo and Shion.
In the training ground,
Thud, thud, thud.
Amid a series of low, ear-ringing clashes of fists and feet, Yakumo and Shion fought with increasing ferocity.
Both were incredibly fast and possessed astonishing strength!
Each strike whipped up gusts of air, capable of snapping trees or cratering the ground with ease!
As their battle intensified, the once-pristine training ground became a wreck—several trees were broken, and the ground was pockmarked with craters.
Shizune watched, puzzled.
She wasn't surprised by Yakumo's strength. Having transplanted First Hokage cells, Yakumo possessed the Senju's Sage Body and had learned Tsunade's Strange Strength Punch. Breaking trees with a single blow was normal for her.
But Shion was different.
According to village records, Shion, the priestess from the Land of Demons, was high in status but a "dead last" at the academy.
When teams were formed, Yakumo and Shion, both considered weak, were paired with Kimimaro for balance.
Not just Shizune—Tsunade, as Yakumo's teacher, knew her student's capabilities inside out and was equally baffled by Shion's sudden taijutsu prowess.
Thud!
Another low thud resounded as the two were knocked back by the impact.
Yakumo rubbed her slightly numb arms, gazing at Shion in astonishment.
Shion panted heavily.
Matching Yakumo, who had mastered Strange Strength Punch, was no easy feat. Had she not encountered Haku in his Mark state during the Demon Slayer world mission, triggering a resonance with her Breathing Technique and awakening her own Mark state, she would've already lost.
Currently, Shion didn't realize she had unlocked the Mark state. Even pushing it to its limit, her body showed no visible Marks—only a faint flush on her face.
The priestess's robust physique prevented the life-burning Breathing Technique from leaving any scars.
Though puzzled, Yakumo quickly adjusted her mindset and smiled. "Shion, with taijutsu like that, I don't have to worry about you anymore!"
On the sidelines,
Tsunade also smiled. "Maybe it's some secret technique from the Land of Demons! The priestess lineage there predates the ninja villages!"
Shizune said, "Looks like Yakumo's sure to win!"