Sacred Land — Shikkotsu Forest.
Nether Valley, Meditation Platform.
Yu sat cross-legged, guiding herself into Sage Mode.
She had changed into a loose, comfortable blue-and-white robe suited for high-intensity combat.
This was the "Sage Robe" personally tailored for her by Sage Katsuyu.
Even if damaged in battle, it would instantly repair itself, preventing any embarrassing exposure.
It was unmistakably Katsuyu's special care for Yu.
"Whoosh!"
On the opposite side of the platform, Naruto finished gathering Sage energy.
Orange pigmentation formed around his eyes, and his pupils became horizontal like a toad's.
(Note: Without Kurama, Naruto can no longer enter Sage Mode instantly. In Boruto-era, he has also lost Six Paths power. This is his standard Sage Mode.)
Naruto stood up and stretched his arms and legs, glancing at Sasuke.
"Feels like it's been ages since I entered Sage Mode properly like this."
Sasuke had just swallowed a soldier pill and was refining his chakra.
Naruto thought silently:
Sasuke's Rinnegan tomoe still haven't returned…
In the past, even when his eye power was drained, it recovered within twelve hours.
But it's been over twenty-four hours since fighting Uchiha Akira.
Looks like he really hurt his foundation.
"Sasuke," Naruto said, "how about I go alone? Your injuries aren't fully healed. You rushed here too fast. You should focus on recovery."
Sasuke replied with his eyes closed,
"And you think you're in great shape?"
"Even if your wounds healed thanks to Kurama, the mental exhaustion from nonstop work and battles hasn't gone away."
That was true.
Naruto gave a bitter smile.
"Guess we're both half-dead, huh."
"Buzz."
Sasuke opened his eyes. With the help of the soldier pill, chakra surged through his optic pathways, restoring the Mangekyō tomoe in his concealed eye.
He looked at Yu, who was still meditating.
Natural energy resonated around her head, forming a unique glow visible to both Sharingan and Byakugan.
"Does Shikkotsu Sage Mode really require this much meditation?" Sasuke asked.
"I remember Akira could enter it instantly, even in battle."
Naruto replied casually,
"He probably uses something like my Shadow Clone method to store Sage chakra."
Katsuyu listened quietly and did not correct him.
After all, Shikkotsu Sage Art couldn't store energy that way.
Even she herself didn't understand how Akira used it.
When you can't explain, silence is best.
"Buzz…"
After several more minutes, Yu opened her eyes.
Her sclera darkened like those of an Edo Tensei, and silvery eye markings curved down toward her nose.
A unique sign of Shikkotsu Silent Sage Mode.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Yu said as she stood.
The four leapt down from the platform into Nether Valley.
The terrain was like an empty Konoha—flat and spacious, perfect for sparring.
Naruto smiled warmly.
"Sis Yu, to save time, Sasuke and I will attack together."
"Don't worry—we'll match your pace."
"This isn't about winning. It's just for exchange, so we can understand what Akira might be capable of."
Yu smiled gently.
"I understand. Do you have any requests for me?"
Naruto answered with relaxed confidence,
"I hope you'll go all out."
"First, so we can analyze Akira's abilities."
"Second, so you can gain experience. You don't fight much, right? This will be valuable for you too."
"Mhm." Yu nodded obediently.
"I'll try my best."
Katsuyu, acting as referee, spoke up.
"I'll provide safety support."
"If I judge that an attack may become fatal, I'll intervene immediately."
"Woo~!"
Naruto clapped his hands.
"An immortal referee—so reliable! Now we can go all out without worries!"
The three took positions in a triangular formation.
They formed opposing hand seals.
Behind Katsuyu's pale-green robe, translucent wings spread.
She flew into the air, raised her hand, and declared in a clear, powerful voice:
"Battle—begin~!"
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"
Naruto and Sasuke dashed forward side by side.
While running, Sasuke warned,
"Naruto, without Kurama there's no margin for error. Be careful of that 'Shikkotsu Sage Palm.' One hit and you're done."
Naruto laughed.
"Relax~ I won't fall for the same trick twice. First, let's test Sis Yu's limits!"
"Swish!"
He flicked his wrist, tossing a smoke bomb.
Thick mist erupted, covering their movements.
"Whoosh!"
Naruto burst out of the smoke with a Rasengan, leaping toward Yu!
"Whoosh!"
Yu swayed lightly and dodged.
Naruto glanced back, grinning.
"Pretty agile~!"
"Whoosh!"
At the same time, Sasuke appeared behind her with Chidori.
Yu's waterfall-like hair fluttered as she twisted just enough to let the lightning pass beneath her arm.
After crossing, Naruto and Sasuke regrouped and launched a coordinated assault—Rasengan and Chidori from both sides.
As they advanced, Naruto called out:
"Come on, Sis Yu! Show us your moves! Then we'll know how to respond!"
"Alright. Then I won't hold back."
Yu's shoulders shook.
Spikes burst from her Sage Robe.
In an instant, dozens of sharp bone spurs pierced through, growing wildly toward both opponents!
— Shikotsumyaku!
"What?!"
Both Naruto and Sasuke were shocked.
But relying on Sage perception and Sharingan insight, they barely dodged.
Still—
Though they avoided the tips, the extending bones scraped past their arms, shoulders, ribs, and waists—
Lifting them into the air!
"Crack!" "Crack!"
While the bones erupted, Yu rapidly formed seals.
Her slender arms slipped through the gaps and clamped onto both their throats!
"Fwoosh!" "Fwoosh!"
Two blazing spheres ignited in her palms.
"This is—?!"
— Scorch Release: Excessive Steam Kill!
In an instant, their bodies dried up like burned candles and vanished in white smoke.
Two shadow clones—gone in one exchange.
The smoke cleared.
Naruto and Sasuke stood frozen in place.
Naruto stared in shock.
"That was… Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku and Pakura's Scorch Release!"
Two Kekkei Genkai!
Sasuke clenched his lone fist and said coldly,
"Go on. Keep attacking."
Uchiha Yu, the reversed twin-blossom body of Uchiha Akira, lacked Akira's naturally powerful physique.
But she possessed a special constitution—
Bloodline Compatibility.
With only trace amounts of cells, she could absorb Kekkei Genkai endlessly, with no side effects or limits.
Including Wood Release gained from Hashirama's chakra,
Akira could now use sixteen different bloodline abilities through Yu's body.
"Swish, swish…"
The bone spurs retracted.
The holes in her Sage Robe smoothed over instantly.
Yu curved her lips into a dazzling smile and said to the tense duo:
"I told you—I'm not very good at fighting."
"So… you two go first~."
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?