Chapter 137:
"Eight Gates Released Formation—Sixth Gate, Gate of View, Open!"
On the other side, the green aura surrounding Might Guy surged violently.
"No dramatic hype, no flashy dialogue, just straight into opening the Eight Gates? Only you would do that, Might Guy. I won't forget this." The Jar Merchant closed his eyes in concentration, then suddenly opened them with a sharp gleam. "Super Saiyan Mode—ha!"
A yellow aura erupted from the Jar Merchant's body.
"Whoa! I can feel my blood boiling! You really are someone worthy of my challenge!"
"Cut the crap!" The Jar Merchant's figure suddenly vanished and reappeared right in front of Might Guy. "Might Guy, I'm just like you—I'm no good at ninjutsu."
Blocking the Jar Merchant's sudden side kick with his left arm, Might Guy immediately countered with a punch from his right hand. "That's right! Real men fight with fists—feel it!"
Throughout the fight, the Jar Merchant was gradually getting pushed back. It couldn't be helped—he was actually afraid. What if he pushed Might Guy too hard and triggered the release of all Eight Gates? A fully unleashed Might Guy wasn't something he could handle. Better leave that honor to Uchiha Madara.
"So strong," Sasuke muttered, glancing at the fight before turning his gaze back to Naruto, who was in Nine Tails Mode. Clasping his hands together, he said, "No matter what, Sage Mode was passed on to me by Jiraiya. He may not have taken me as a student, but to repay him—let me avenge him."
"You want to enter Sage Mode..." In a flash, Naruto appeared in front of Sasuke, hands clasped, and aimed a Rasengan at Sasuke's abdomen. But Sasuke leapt easily out of reach.
"When did you become such a coward, Sasuke? Is this your so-called Uchiha pride?"
"Words like that don't work on me, Naruto," Sasuke replied, still holding the hand seal.
"If you love dodging so much, let's see how long you can keep it up!" Naruto's golden Nine Tails cloak surged forward, unleashing multiple chakra arms toward Sasuke.
"Got you!" Everyone slips up eventually. As Sasuke was grabbed by several of the Nine Tails' chakra arms, Naruto began forming his Rasengan. "Rasengan Vacuum Sphere!"
The chakra arms flung Sasuke toward Naruto, who held the Rasengan aimed at Sasuke's abdomen.
"Naruto, you fell for it." As he was about to collide with Naruto's Rasengan, Sasuke's lips curled into a wicked smile, and red patterns spread from the corners of his eyes.
"Susanoo!"
A towering avatar appeared, enveloping Sasuke.
Normally, a member of the Uchiha clan would awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan through intense emotional trauma that triggered special chakra in the brain, pushing the eye's evolution. However, Sasuke's Sage Mode used natural energy to substitute for that special chakra, so his Mangekyō Sharingan could only activate within Sage Mode.
The arrival of Susanoo not only shielded Sasuke from Naruto's Rasengan but also helped him break free from the Nine Tails' chakra restraints.
"Chidori!"
With lightning sparking from his right hand, accompanied by the cry of birds, Sasuke's strike pierced Naruto's chest.
At that distance, there was no way Naruto could dodge.
Blood trickled from Naruto's mouth. The chakra arms of the Nine Tails pulled him away from Sasuke.
"That really hurt." Crouching and clutching his wound, Naruto muttered.
"Idiot. If you don't start taking this seriously, you're going to die here," the Nine Tails said, glancing at him from within.
"No way. I can die anywhere—but not in Konoha." Naruto faced the Nine Tails. "Dying in a place this disgusting? No thanks!"
Under the Nine Tails' chakra repair, the wound from Sasuke's Chidori gradually healed. Recovered, Naruto stood up and stared at Sasuke. "Sasuke, I won't hold back anymore."
Naruto raised his right hand. "Wind Style: Nine Tails Rasenshuriken!"
In his regular form, using the Rasenshuriken would damage Naruto's own right arm, often harming himself before even hitting the enemy. But with the Nine Tails' cloak, he could now use it without worry.
Infused with Nine Tails chakra, the Rasenshuriken radiated a golden glow, spinning like the rising sun.
"Lightning Style: Kirin!"
The aura from their strongest jutsu drew the attention of everyone nearby.
Hinata and Sakura both looked on in worry, whispering the names of the ones they loved.
"This is what youth is all about!"
Even Might Guy, who had moved some distance from the Jar Merchant, turned to watch Naruto and Sasuke's clash.
Meanwhile, as the Jar Merchant had predicted, Boruto was fighting Kakashi to a stalemate.
"Boruto, prepare to withdraw."
The Jar Merchant quietly moved to Boruto's side.
Boruto glanced at the Jar Merchant in Super Saiyan Mode. "What move is that? Can you teach me?"
The Jar Merchant shot him a side glance and nodded. "Sure—if you pay."
"..."
Naruto and Sasuke's most powerful jutsu collided, detonating in the center of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Everyone evacuate immediately!" Tsunade shouted.
The Jar Merchant hoisted Boruto up. "It's time for us to retreat."
Some children in Konoha, roused by the shock, mumbled to their sleepy parents that morning had arrived.
Although they were at the very heart of the blast from the jutsu clash, neither Naruto nor Sasuke was in mortal danger thanks to the Nine Tails' cloak and Susanoo's protection. Both remained conscious.
Naruto scanned the area, not spotting Edogawa Jar or Edogawa Boruto. He murmured, "Time to pull back."
In truth, the Akatsuki was never an organization known for deep camaraderie. Naruto had no real reason to risk his life for two newcomers who had just joined.
The current situation arose from a mix of factors—his hatred for the Leaf Village, the odd affinity he felt toward Boruto, and most importantly, the attitude the two newcomers displayed. Despite being recent recruits, they clearly regarded Naruto as their leader.
As the Jar Merchant had put it, "He's the protagonist—he deserves some respect."
Sasuke's shirt had been blown away in the blast, revealing his scar-covered torso. Behind him, Susanoo flickered in and out of view. Watching Naruto prepare to leave, Sasuke called out, "Naruto."
"Heh... Sasuke, we'll meet again. When the Akatsuki destroys the Hidden Leaf Village, I'll let you in on the truth Konoha's top brass has been hiding about the Uchiha massacre."
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