Sakura's desperate cry cut across the battlefield. Both Naruto and Sasuke turned their heads at the same time, her voice echoing in their ears.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his expression twisting into fury. "I told you before… I'm an avenger! Anyone who stands in my way will be destroyed—even you, Naruto!"
Dark chakra pulsed from his Curse Mark, but Naruto's face remained steady, his eyes calm. He didn't rise to Sasuke's rage. He didn't even answer immediately—his thoughts turned elsewhere.
So this is the second stage of the Curse Mark. Its raw power is close to Sage Mode. If Sasuke awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan one day, his strength might even surpass mine in this state.
That possibility didn't scare him. If anything, it sharpened his resolve. Better to fight him now, to get used to the Sharingan's movements. Itachi's genjutsu doesn't count—I need to test myself against the real thing.
Sasuke, however, saw something that unsettled him more than Naruto's strength. No matter how many times their fists clashed, no matter how many techniques he unleashed, Naruto's expression hadn't wavered. Calm. Collected. As if nothing Sasuke did could shake him.
That composure only fueled Sasuke's rage.
Naruto's hands blurred through seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Two clones burst into existence beside him. They flanked him immediately, channeling natural energy into his main body. His right hand extended, wind chakra shrieking as it compressed into shape.
"Sage Art… Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"
The massive shuriken of cutting wind roared to life, its high-pitched whine slicing through the air.
Sasuke's fingers slammed into the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
A giant serpent erupted from the earth with a shriek, its body coiling toward Naruto—but it never got the chance to strike. The Rasenshuriken tore into it, shredding scales, bone, and muscle to powder in an instant.
"Damn—" Sasuke's eyes widened, but before he could react, another shriek filled the air. A second Rasenshuriken spiraled toward him, the product of Naruto's clone.
"What?!" He barely had time to register his shock. "That kind of chakra density—fired twice in a row?!"
He thrust one of his grotesque wings in front of himself, letting it take the brunt of the blow as the Rasenshuriken detonated. The impact shredded his left wing completely, forcing him to retreat in a desperate leap. Smoke and dust engulfed the battlefield.
On the ridge, Sakura's hands clenched tightly together. Yamato and Sai watched with grim expressions, none daring to speak as they waited for the smoke to clear.
When it did, Sasuke staggered into view—breathing hard, one of his wings gone, blood dripping down his arm. His three-tomoe Sharingan spun furiously as he glared at Naruto.
"I won't lose to you," he hissed. "The Uchiha bloodline will never bow to a dobe like you!"
But at that moment, everyone could see Naruto's orange pigmentation beginning to fade. His toad-like eye marks receded, the power of Sage Mode dispersing.
Sasuke's lips curled into a grin. He laughed, harsh and triumphant. "Hahaha! So that's it. Those two attacks drained you dry, didn't they? You've got nothing left, Naruto!"
Lightning flared in his hand, the air screeching as his Chidori came to life.
Sakura gasped, horror filling her chest. She had no idea how long Sage Mode could last—but the sight of Naruto's form returning to normal filled her with dread.
Naruto glanced sideways, his peripheral vision catching Orochimaru and Kabuto in the distance. Orochimaru noticed instantly, his tongue flicking out with a wet hiss.
"Kukuku… Kabuto," he murmured. "It's time we prepared to withdraw."
Kabuto blinked. "But Lord Orochimaru—Sasuke-kun's fight isn't finished!"
"There's no need," Orochimaru answered smoothly. His golden eyes glinted with satisfaction. "This was enough."
On the field, Sasuke lunged forward, Chidori screaming in his hand—only for his eyes to widen in disbelief.
Natural energy surged again around Naruto. His eyes sharpened, orange pigmentation blooming once more on his face. Sage Mode reactivated.
Sasuke stumbled in mid-charge. "What?! That's… impossible! You were drained—I saw it with my own eyes!"
Naruto didn't answer. The truth was simple—one of his clones had been gathering natural energy in reserve, restoring Sage Mode instantly.
On the ridge, Yamato and Sai both exhaled in relief. Sakura's knees nearly gave out, tears springing to her eyes.
Orochimaru stepped forward at last, his voice cutting across the chaos. "That's enough, Sasuke-kun. Return."
Sasuke's hand trembled as the Chidori sputtered in his palm. He turned his head sharply, glaring at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru…!"
Naruto didn't move to attack again. He simply crossed his arms over his chest, his Sage Mode eyes fixed on Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto—waiting, watching.
The storm of their clash had stilled, but the air remained heavy with unspoken tension.