Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Because he had sensed it—Naruto had stepped out.
He wasn't hiding any longer.
Sasuke was defeated; without Naruto's help, Sakura—driven mad by shame—would have fallen as well.
Kakashi had also been looking forward to this.
He really wanted to see for himself how far Naruto—who had once left the Third Hokage utterly flustered—had grown.
Naruto didn't keep him waiting.
Even as Kakashi anticipated the clash, Naruto was just as eager.
After all, Kakashi had been the Fourth Hokage's disciple; at merely thirteen during the Third Shinobi World War he'd already become famous far and wide.
Among Jonin, he was unquestionably outstanding.
Beating him would prove Naruto could protect himself.
He could even lop off an unsuspecting Hiruzen Sarutobi's head.
Yet—
For Naruto—
His target wasn't merely that old fossil Hiruzen.
Nor was it just Konoha.
It was the entire Ninja World.
If he struck, it would have to be a blow that shook the heavens.
If he revealed himself now, the other villages would instantly learn of his existence.
Right now he lacked the strength to realize his ideals.
To achieve what he envisioned, he'd need power on the level of the god of shinobi—the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—or Uchiha Madara.
Otherwise, after dealing with Konoha, he'd have to watch the Four Great Shinobi Villages carve up the wounded village before he could even prepare.
Naruto refused to let that scene unfold.
It would be a repeat of what happened to the Land of Whirlpools.
Hoo—
Naruto drew a deep breath.
Facing Kakashi, excitement surged through him.
Kakashi had been a Jonin for years; his combat experience was vast.
Naruto, of course, was sorely lacking in that regard.
"Hmph, combat experience?"
"Hurry and find that Jiraiya, get the key to the seal. Once you free This Fox, so-called experience becomes a joke!"
"Your worthless father was called the yellow flash, right?"
"Break the seal and This Fox will turn you into a yellow flash in seconds!"
Kurotsuchi: "A Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails can be this strong?"
Iwagakure had the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Those two Jinchuriki didn't clash with their Tailed Beasts like most hosts.
Kurotsuchi had seen the Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki fight many times.
The spectacle… was magnificent!
She couldn't help feeling outclassed.
And she had to admit her old man's Dust Release was practically unbeatable—if only it didn't take so long to charge…
"Is that so?"
"Then I'm looking forward to it~"
"Alright, Great Fox, I need to focus on the fight."
Naruto's voice echoed inside the Sealing Space.
The Great Fox rolled its eyes.
It muttered, "Now you can't even spare a moment to humor This Fox, huh?"
Bang—
White smoke cleared.
Two Shadow Clones appeared beside Naruto.
Seeing this, Kakashi quietly tucked little imperial uncle·make-out tactics back into his tool pouch.
Clearly, Kakashi had to get serious.
Whoosh—
The first to strike wasn't a clone—it was Naruto himself.
His hands flashed through seals.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. 'Fire Release seals.'
'Naruto must know Fire Release can't hurt me.'
'So he's got a plan.'
'Let's see what the kid does.'
As Naruto's main body weaved the seals—
The Shadow Clone beside him moved.
It quietly drew a shuriken.
Kakashi's pupils shrank.
'Minato-sensei… the Flying Thunder God Kunai?'
'He must already know.'
Kakashi steadied himself.
He dropped his casual stance.
Swoosh—
A three-pronged kunai was flung.
At the same time, Naruto—hands still in seal form—inhaled sharply.
Kakashi frowned slightly.
'This isn't right… too reckless.'
'Does he really expect me to fight him head-on?'
Sasuke, only his head above ground, closed his eyes.
'Looks like I overestimated him—still playing Ninja make-believe.'
Only Sakura—sneaking over to rescue Sasuke—trusted Naruto completely.
'He lacks experience, but that drive is inspiring.'
Behind his back Kakashi silently formed a seal.
Whoosh—!!!
Right then—
The single three-pronged kunai in front of Kakashi—
Suddenly split into countless shadow duplicates.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu?!"
Kakashi blinked.
That move isn't easy!
But to beat me and grab the bell with just this would still be naïve.
Sss—
The moment the thought crossed his mind, Kakashi froze.
shuriken Shadow Clone…
More like shuriken Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?!
In an instant a solid wall of three-pronged kunai filled his vision.
Kakashi's eye twitched madly.
'Definitely!'
'Definitely Sister Kushina's bloodline!!'
Kakashi, about to erect an Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall (dog-head version) for fun, changed tactics.
Several Body Flickers and he vanished.
Sasuke: "…"
Is he trying to kill me too?
Bang-bang-bang—
Sasuke worried too much.
Naruto's Shadow Clone flashed through a seal.
Instantly—
A string of blasts erupted, white smoke billowing.
Vision in Training Ground Seven was briefly obscured.
Kakashi's every move had been anticipated.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu isn't cost-effective against a single Ninja.
But that's for ordinary shinobi.
To a Chakra-rich beast like Naruto, cost-effectiveness doesn't exist.
Another clone had long since prepared.
It hurled several three-pronged kunai toward spots where Chakra rippled.
Bzz—
The instant Kakashi reappeared on a tree trunk—
A three-pronged kunai was already streaking at his face.
Clink—
Kakashi's own Kunai knocked the speeding blade aside.
'Sharp perception!'
The thought had barely formed—
When every hair on his body stood on end.
'Minato… sensei?!'
Kakashi spun around.
There was Naruto, already behind him.
So fast Kakashi couldn't react.
And that hand sign…
Tiger seal.
No way?!