Sasuke's strategy was solid.
In fact, it was the best solution he could come up with at the moment.
But… Naruto's taijutsu skills were far from weak.
Who did Naruto spar with every day?
Rock Lee. Under Uzumaki Chito's guidance, Rock Lee had reached the point where he could open the Fourth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates without significant strain. In their daily matches, Lee maintained the strength of the Fourth Gate, pushing Naruto to his limits.
The Sharingan was powerful.
But Sasuke's two-tomoe Sharingan was no match for the sheer physical dominance of the Fourth Gate.
Moreover, Sasuke wasn't particularly skilled at taijutsu or ninjutsu yet. The Sharingan gave him enhanced dynamic vision, allowing him to keep up in close combat, but it wasn't enough to give him the upper hand.
After several exchanges, Sasuke gritted his teeth.
How could this be?
He had unlocked the Sharingan, yet Naruto was still able to match his speed and fight him to a standstill.
If Naruto could go toe-to-toe with him, surely he must possess some unique bloodline limit, Sasuke thought.
But Naruto had no such advantage. He fought on his own strength alone.
Sasuke struggled to accept this.
He had believed that mastering the Sharingan would make him the strongest in his generation, just like his brother, Uchiha Itachi. But now, Naruto—someone without a famed bloodline—was still holding him down.
This couldn't go on.
Sasuke lashed out with a kick to Naruto's chest. Naruto reacted quickly, raising his hand to block. Taking the opportunity, Sasuke flipped backward, landing a safe distance away. In mid-air, he quickly formed hand seals.
Lightning Style: Chidori.
The powerful jutsu crackled to life in Sasuke's hand, lightning flickering violently as he surged toward Naruto at full speed.
Naruto didn't flinch. The air swirled in his hands as a blue sphere rapidly took shape—Rasengan.
The two powerful techniques collided, unleashing a massive wave of chakra that shook the battlefield. The force of the impact sent both Naruto and Sasuke flying backward.
But Naruto, accustomed to training with the strongest, quickly stabilized himself in mid-air. Landing lightly, he pushed off the ground with renewed vigor, another Rasengan already forming in his hand.
He charged toward Sasuke.
Yet, after only two steps, Naruto found himself unable to move. Straining against an invisible force, he turned to see black shadows binding his body. Following the shadows to their source, his gaze landed on a young man with a ponytail.
Nara Shikamaru.
Naruto recognized him as one of the few who had never mocked him during their academy days.
"It's such a hassle," Shikamaru muttered, his tone as lazy as ever. "Let's finish this together and capture Naruto."
Sasuke got up from the ground, glaring at Shikamaru coldly. "I don't need your help."
Shikamaru ignored him and gave a subtle nod to Choji, who was waiting nearby.
Without hesitation, Choji's chakra surged as his body expanded. Transforming into a massive ball, he rolled toward Naruto with impressive speed.
Naruto snorted and reached out to the Nine-Tails. With minimal effort, he borrowed its chakra, enveloping himself in a vibrant red cloak of Tailed Beast Chakra.
Two fiery tails swayed behind him.
The surge of power caused Shikamaru's shadow bind to falter. Despite his best efforts, Shikamaru couldn't maintain the technique. The overwhelming chakra forced him to release his hold.
Shikamaru stared in disbelief. His clan's secret technique was renowned for its strength, and brute force alone had never been enough to break it—until now.
Choji's rolling attack arrived moments too late. Freed from the bind, Naruto dodged easily, leaving Choji to pass harmlessly by.
Naruto formed a quick seal.
Wind Style: Gale Palm!
A powerful gust of wind erupted from Naruto's palm, rushing toward Choji's massive form. Just as the wind was about to strike, a black shadow darted in front of Choji, absorbing the attack.
The shadow was blown backward, landing near its origin. Standing there was a boy with sunglasses and a hood, his body swarming with insects that seemed to consume the chakra of Naruto's attack.
Naruto squinted. He vaguely recognized the boy but couldn't recall his name.
Before he could react, another wave of attacks came his way.
"Naruto, you bastard! Face this!" Kiba shouted as he charged in, a spiraling whirlwind of chakra surrounding him.
Secret Technique: Fang Over Fang!
Simultaneously, a young girl with twin buns threw an array of ninja tools, blocking Naruto's retreat.
Naruto didn't falter. Without hesitation, he molded another Rasengan in his hand and advanced toward Kiba's spinning form.
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