Naruto formed hand seals.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Pop, pop, pop!
Dozens of Naruto's shadow clones instantly burst into existence across the training ground, completely surrounding Haku.
This time, Naruto didn't simply send his clones charging in for close combat as he usually did.
More than a dozen shadow clones extended their right hands at the same time, while another group of clones beside them assisted in rapidly condensing chakra.
"Rasengan!"
The sharp, grinding howl of compressed chakra rang out in succession. One after another, high-density spheres of chakra formed in their palms, glowing with a pale blue light like a cluster of dangerous bombs as they hurled themselves toward Haku.
"The number increased, but attacks this straightforward won't work on me."
Haku's gaze remained calm as he prepared to form hand seals and use his ice mirrors to reposition and evade.
However, just as he was about to move, his keen senses abruptly picked up something wrong.
Behind the line of shadow clones wielding Rasengan, an extremely solid and violent Wind Release chakra was rapidly taking shape!
It was Naruto's true body.
Hidden in the visual blind spot created by the clones, Naruto himself held a Rasengan in his right hand as well.
But unlike a normal Rasengan, this one was wrapped in a layer of razor-sharp, high-speed rotating Wind Release chakra, its surface resembling countless invisible blades.
"Is that… a prototype of Wind Release: Rasengan Shuriken?!"
Kakashi, leaning against a tree, suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of surprise crossing them.
Although this was nothing more than forcibly infusing Wind Release chakra into a Rasengan—extremely unstable and still far from the level of the S-rank jutsu capable of severing cells—the destructive force it carried was already beyond what ordinary Ice Release could withstand.
"Take this, Haku!"
Using the shadow clones as cover, Naruto's true body leapt into the air and slammed the violent Wind Release Rasengan straight toward Haku.
At the same time, Sasuke, who had just scrambled back to his feet, seized the opening with sharp instinct.
Ignoring the frostbite spreading through his shoulder, he poured every last bit of chakra he had into his short sword. Blue lightning surged wildly, letting out a piercing, shrill roar.
"Chidori Blade!"
From the left and right—
The violent Wind Release Rasengan and the blazing blade of lightning locked onto Haku at the same time.
Faced with a pincer attack of this level, Haku slammed his palms together without hesitation. The Ice Release chakra within him erupted in an instant as he prepared to form his strongest defensive ice.
"Secret Technique: Ice Crystal Wall!"
Just as the three forces were about to collide—an impact that could have flattened most of the training ground—
"Nonsense!"
A stern, icy shout suddenly exploded between them.
Swish!
A silver afterimage tore straight into the center of the converging attacks like a flash of lightning.
Kakashi's expression was colder than ever as he raised both legs at the same time.
Bang! Bang!
Two dull impacts rang out.
Naruto and Sasuke felt their vision blur as an overwhelming force struck them square in the chest.
"Oof!"
"Ugh!"
They never even saw Kakashi move. The two were sent flying like kites with severed strings, kicked away cleanly and decisively.
The violent Wind Release Rasengan and the blazing Chidori Blade both collapsed instantly, dispersing into the air as their chakra flow was violently disrupted.
Naruto and Sasuke tumbled across the ground several times before finally coming to a stop, disheveled and covered in dirt.
Kakashi lowered his legs and looked down at the two unlucky kids struggling to get back up, undisguised anger burning in his eyes.
"The way you two just used those techniques without holding back—were you trying to kill your teammate?!"
"Ka… Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto clutched his aching chest, his face full of unwillingness.
"We controlled our strength! And we were so close to winning!"
Sasuke rubbed his numbed shoulder. He didn't say anything, but the grievance in his eyes was unmistakable.
They were desperate to prove themselves, desperate to grow stronger. The attack just now had indeed crossed the line.
"Close? If Haku had chosen to counterattack instead of defending, or if his defense hadn't held, have you thought about what would've happened?"
Kakashi's voice carried a rare chill.
"A ninja's jutsu is meant to kill enemies, not to show off against comrades during sparring! If you can't even control your own power and end up killing someone by accident, what then?!"
The harsh rebuke made both Naruto and Sasuke lower their heads. Their earlier excitement and defiance vanished, replaced by guilt.
Haku released his hand seals and spoke softly, his tone filled with self-reproach.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei. I also failed to control the pace of the fight and pushed them too far."
Kakashi exhaled slowly, suppressing the anger in his chest, and his tone eased slightly.
"Power must grow alongside maturity. That's the end of the sparring. Naruto, Sasuke—you're both running fifty laps around the training ground. While you do, think carefully about what the word 'comrade' really means."
"Yes…"
The two replied weakly, accepting their punishment as they turned to leave.
But at that moment—
Kakashi's eyes suddenly narrowed.
The relaxed tension in his body vanished in an instant.
"…Something's coming."
Hum—!!
Almost the moment his words fell, the clear sky above tore open without warning, a pitch-black spatial rift splitting the air.
A figure slowly stepped out from within.
His skin was pale as paper, curved horns rose from his head, and he wore flowing white robes. A red fish basket hung at his waist, and in his hand was a fishing rod that radiated an ominous crimson glow. A pair of pale Byakugan gazed down coldly from above.
"Oh my… you really made me search for you."
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki let out a chilling chuckle, his gaze passing over Kakashi before locking greedily onto Naruto.
"Found you at last, Nine-Tails."