(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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The sky and sea trembled, battered by the immense power of Naruto and Sasuke's Conqueror's Haki clashing repeatedly, with each collision sending shockwaves through the air and the water.
The world was caught in a storm of red and purple as their auras became almost tangible, filling the battlefield with an intense, fiery energy.
Even Ace and his crew, already some distance away, could feel the overwhelming force of this battle.
"Sasuke is really serious… Is that Naruto on the other side really only a Vice Admiral?" Ace wondered aloud, baffled by Naruto's power, which he felt easily surpassed that of Admiral Aokiji.
E was a vice admiral, but a candidate for an Admiral post. It just was that all posts were full.
But why would the Marines only consider him a Vice Admiral? They could have demoted one and promoted him.
The chaotic waves disrupted the surrounding sea, forcing the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines under Vice Admiral Strawberry to cease fighting temporarily, each side retreating to safety as their ships threatened to be destroyed by the residual force of Naruto and Sasuke's clash.
"Sasuke, you've really grown stronger!"
Naruto's Kurama form extended a massive arm, pushing Sasuke's Susanoo down toward the sea. A series of Yasaka Magatama projectiles detonated in midair, sending Naruto flying back.
In response, Sasuke summoned lightning into Susanoo's hands, forming two fork-shaped bolts.
"Naruto, your combat sense is still lacking!"
No matter how Naruto tried to evade, Sasuke's attacks always found him.
The Sharingan's blood-red glow reflected Sasuke's mastery of Observation Haki, allowing him to foresee Naruto's every move.
In the past months, Sasuke had honed his Observation Haki to such a degree that he could briefly glimpse the future.
In comparison, Naruto's Observation skills still had a ways to go.
However, Naruto was blazing his own path.
"Kurama, we can't let Sasuke get the upper hand!" Naruto communicated with the Nine-Tails, his fighting spirit igniting.
Kurama huffed with pride.
"With me around, there's no way you'd lose to that Uchiha brat."
In sync with Naruto, Kurama gathered his energy, coating the entire golden fox form in pitch-black Armament Haki.
They weren't hiding their power anymore—they were ready to clash head-on.
Despite the new world they found themselves in, Naruto's approach to chakra remained unchanged: limitless.
For Kurama, converting chakra into Armament Haki was second nature; he had mastered it the first day Naruto attempted it.
Boom! Boom!
The armored fox and Sasuke's Susanoo collided, launching into fierce hand-to-hand combat.
Sasuke's face darkened as he watched the transformation. "What is this… Armament Haki?"
The immense fox, with a shocking concentration of Armament Haki, radiated an aura that could make even the bravest foes falter.
Sasuke's strikes with the Susanoo were absorbed without a flinch, while each blow from Naruto forced Sasuke to consume precious chakra to repair his Susanoo's damage. The prolonged exchange was draining Sasuke's reserves rapidly.
Observing his surroundings, Sasuke caught sight of a small island to the southwest.
Recognizing it as the CP0 agents' ambush location, he gradually led the fight in that direction.
Meanwhile, on the island, a CP0 agent, uneasily watching the battle, turned to his comrades.
"Should we make a move?"
His companion hesitated, sharing the unease.
"Let's not rush. It seems that Vice Admiral Naruto is holding his ground. Our role is to conserve our strength for a decisive strike, not to engage head-on."
Among the CP0 agents was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, empowered by the rare Mythical Zoan Model: White Tiger.
His razor-sharp claws, combined with Armament Haki, gave him the confidence to eventually take on Sasuke in a sneak attack.
As Sasuke and Naruto drew closer to the island, Sasuke stopped retreating and directed the Susanoo to manifest additional heads and arms.
Channeling his chakra, he prepared one of his most powerful techniques.
"Cho Chibaku Tensei!" (Super Planetary Devastation)
With an earth-shaking force, the entire island began to rise, its mass drawn toward a black sphere that formed the core of the technique.
CP0 agents and Marines alike were pulled into the air, spiraling toward the gravitational center.
"Amaterasu!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, allowing the black flames of Amaterasu to engulf the newly created "planet," enhancing its destructive power.
"Cho Tengai Shinsei!" (Super Shattered Heaven)
The atmosphere shook violently, amplifying the black flames' intensity.
The Susanoo unsheathed its blade, lifting it high for a dual assault.
Naruto, noting Sasuke's fierce determination, called out to Kurama.
"Kurama, he's trying to kill us" he muttered as he braced himself.
Suddenly, two golden fox clones erupted from beneath the ocean surface, and three massive foxes stood poised with their arms raised.
"Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken"
Six spiraling shuriken with blackened cores began to rotate above them.
The two fox clones leaped into the air, aiming powerful attacks at the flaming meteor crashing down from above, while Naruto, eyes locked on Sasuke's Susanoo, charged forward.
"Sasukeeee!"
"Narutoooo!"
Conqueror's Haki erupted again, fiercer than before, and their collective roar reverberated across the seas.
Each was solely focused on the other—their lifelong rivalry driving them to a final, climactic showdown.
These two destined warriors, who had transcended their origins and mastered Haki and chakra alike, prepared for an unprecedented clash.
Hawkeye Mihawk, watching from a distance, was awestruck.
He slowly lowered his sword, realizing he had no desire to join this fight.
Even Shanks had never displayed a power like this.
Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama, sensing the escalating danger, grabbed Mihawk's shoulder and used the Flying Thunder God Technique, instantly teleporting them back to the Marine warship.
"Withdraw at full speed! Avoid further engagement with the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Understood!"
Strawberry nodded, issuing the order, while Ace urged his crew to retreat.
His Mera-Mera no Mi powers blazed as he pushed the ship forward, distancing themselves from the apocalyptic battle.
Finally, Naruto and Sasuke's attacks collided.
Boom! Boom!
A blinding light erupted from the sky, and the intense heat of their strikes evaporated the seawater beneath them, creating a vast vacuum.
Flaming meteors rained down around them, encasing the two combatants in a fiery storm.
Naruto and Sasuke held their ground, their golden and purple avatars standing firm until the overwhelming shockwaves dissipated.
Slowly, they released their transformations, their massive forms vanishing as they descended back onto the sea.
The world seemed to hold its breath as the waves calmed around them… it was the quiet after the storm.