---
Sasuke's movements were sharp and unrelenting, every strike aimed at a vital point. It was clear he was no longer the Academy graduate of months ago. His training had honed him into an elite shinobi, and every calculated move spoke of his growth.
The kunai in his hand slashed toward Menma's chest, fast and precise. Yet, Menma's calm demeanor didn't waver. His body shifted effortlessly, evading the strike.
"Hmm, not bad," Menma remarked, his tone amused. "You've gotten faster."
Sasuke's cold gaze remained locked on Menma, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning rapidly. It tracked every subtle shift in Menma's stance, every flicker of muscle. Sasuke was studying him, analyzing every move with surgical precision.
Without warning, Menma raised a single hand and formed a one-handed seal.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere," Menma intoned, releasing a barrage of wind bullets at close range.
Sasuke's eyes widened momentarily. The compressed wind bullets sped toward him with deadly force. Dodging was nearly impossible at this distance.
"Chakra so dense... It's sharper than I expected," Sasuke thought, his lips curling into a grim line.
Just as the bullets closed in, the curse mark on his neck flared to life. Black markings crept across his skin, and an oppressive chakra burst forth. Within moments, Sasuke activated the Second Stage of the Cursed Seal, his body transforming. Wings sprouted from his back, and his already formidable power surged further.
"Boom!"
With newfound speed and strength, Sasuke leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the wind bullets. The ground where he had stood moments ago erupted in a spray of dirt and debris.
Menma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So that's the power of Orochimaru's cursed seal... Impressive."
Sasuke didn't respond. His transformed state exuded a cold, malevolent energy, and his enhanced Sharingan gleamed with predatory focus. He flexed his fingers, the sparks of Lightning Release Chakra Mode igniting around him, amplifying his speed further.
The two clashed again. This time, Sasuke's movements were faster, more aggressive. His enhanced reflexes allowed him to keep pace with Menma, who met each strike with precision.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The sound of metal clashing filled the air as kunai met kunai in a furious exchange. Sparks flew, their movements a blur to any observer.
As their weapons locked, Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You're holding back, aren't you?"
Menma's smirk widened. "Maybe a little. Do you want me to stop?"
Sasuke growled, his pride stinging. "Tch. Don't mock me!"
Breaking the deadlock, Sasuke leapt back, his hands forming a flurry of seals. Lightning began to crackle around his hand as he charged his signature technique.
"Chidori!" Sasuke roared, the sound of a thousand chirping birds filling the air.
The raw power of the technique sent shockwaves rippling through the training ground. Sasuke's Sharingan locked onto Menma, and he dashed forward with deadly intent.
Menma's expression shifted, his smirk replaced with mild curiosity. In his right hand, chakra began to swirl and condense into a compact sphere.
"Rasengan," Menma called, the spinning ball of chakra roaring to life.
The two shinobi charged at each other, their signature techniques on a collision course.
"Boom!"
The clash of Chidori and Rasengan sent a massive shockwave through the area, scattering dust and debris. Lightning crackled wildly, while Menma's chakra sphere pushed against Sasuke's. For a moment, the two techniques seemed evenly matched.
But Sasuke's expression faltered. His Chidori began to wane under the overwhelming force of the Rasengan.
"Damn it!" Sasuke hissed, pouring more chakra into his technique. Yet, it wasn't enough.
"Bang!"
Menma's Rasengan broke through, striking Sasuke squarely in the chest. The impact sent him flying backward, skidding across the ground until he came to a halt. Dust settled around him as he lay motionless for a moment, groaning in pain.
Menma stood tall, his stance relaxed. "Not bad, Sasuke. You've improved a lot since the Valley of the End... but you're still not there yet."
Sasuke gritted his teeth, struggling to his feet. His wings twitched, and his chest burned from the impact, but his pride stung more than any physical wound.
"You didn't even use the Nine-Tails' chakra," Sasuke muttered, his voice low and bitter.
Menma's golden eyes flickered with amusement. "Did I need to?"
Sasuke's fists clenched, his anger boiling over. "I won't lose to you. Not to you, not to Naruto... not to anyone."
Menma's gaze softened momentarily. "Sasuke, you're strong. But power isn't everything. You should know that by now."
"Save your lecture," Sasuke spat, his tone venomous. "This fight isn't over."
Menma turned slightly, the faintest smile on his lips. "Not today. You've pushed yourself enough, and we both know it."
Sasuke's glare burned into Menma's back, but he didn't move to attack again. His pride demanded he rise to Menma's level, but deep down, he knew he wasn't ready yet.
---
"You're still not fully attuned to the power of the Cursed Seal," Menma said, his tone steady and devoid of sympathy. "You've grasped its essence, but you can't rely on it blindly. What's more important is strengthening your physical body to handle its strain. As for your Sharingan, stop using it merely to observe and copy. Truly master it. Integrate it into your fighting style.
"And Sasuke," Menma added, his gaze sharp, "expand your ninjutsu arsenal. Orochimaru has a vast library of techniques at his disposal. Sometimes, it's not raw power that wins a fight. Precision and strategy can turn the tide just as effectively."
Menma's words were blunt, calculated to cut through any pride Sasuke might still cling to. He didn't bother with empty reassurances; failure was failure. What Sasuke needed was a clear path forward.
Sasuke didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the ground. He knew Menma was right. He hadn't expected to win—not after witnessing Menma's overwhelming power at the Valley of the End—but understanding the gap between them didn't make it any less frustrating.
The gap was vast.
And what stung most was knowing that Menma hadn't even used the chakra of the Nine-Tails. The fight had been completely one-sided. The thought of Menma's true strength—unrestrained—made Sasuke's hands clench in frustration.
Menma's expression softened slightly as he observed Sasuke's turmoil. "It's fine to feel frustrated," he said. "But keep this in mind—I'm the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and I'm an Uzumaki. My clan is renowned for its strong life force and resilience. Physically, we're built differently from the Uchiha. You can't compete with me by matching strength for strength. Focus on your own advantages instead."
"Uzumaki clan?" Sasuke repeated, narrowing his eyes. Though he didn't reply further, the tension in his posture eased slightly.
Menma resisted the urge to smirk. Sasuke's pride reminded him of a child's—stubborn and volatile. Despite his talent, Sasuke was still chasing shadows: his brother, his vengeance, and his place in the world. Menma wondered how much of Sasuke's ambition truly belonged to him and how much was inherited from others.
"You need to push your Sharingan further," Menma continued. "You've barely scratched the surface of what it can do. The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan—that's what you should aim for. With it, you'll unlock abilities far beyond what you're capable of now."
Sasuke's eyes flickered, his attention sharpening. He tightened his fists. Menma was right. The Sharingan, especially the Mangekyō, held unimaginable power. Techniques like Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and even the legendary Susano'o were within reach.
And with the Mangekyō came another possibility: the power to suppress and control Tailed Beasts.
"If you unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan," Menma said, reading Sasuke's thoughts, "you'll close the gap between us. And you don't need to fear its drawbacks. Itachi has already prepared a way for you to gain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Sasuke's breath hitched. "Itachi..." he muttered, the name hanging heavy in the air.
Images of that fateful night flashed through his mind—Itachi standing over their parents' bodies, his cold, blood-red eyes illuminated by the moonlight.
Anger and pain twisted Sasuke's expression, but he forced it down, burying the emotions deep within. He had grown since then, learning to control his emotions.
"You took Kakashi's Sharingan, didn't you?" Sasuke asked suddenly, his voice low but pointed. "And you've been delving into Orochimaru's research on the Uchiha. What are you after, Menma? What do you hope to gain from all this?"
---