Wind Style: Vacuum Blade versus Lightning Style: Chidori Blade.
At that moment, Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. How long had it been since he had taught Sasuke the Chidori?
In such a short time, Sasuke had not only mastered the technique, but even developed new forms of ninjutsu from it.
The crackling lightning running along the ninja sword echoed with the sound of chirping birds.
Naruto hadn't expected Sasuke to have such a skill. But soon, he grinned.
"As expected of you, Sasuke! You're my opponent. If you couldn't even do this, you wouldn't be worthy of standing against me."
"Humph! The dead-last sure talks big!" Sasuke smirked.
Both wore confident smiles. The next instant, they lunged at each other—the flashing thunder of Sasuke's blade clashing with the raging wind of Naruto's technique.
Wind Style holds an advantage over Lightning Style, but Sasuke wielded a sword while Naruto only had a kunai. Once again, their strengths balanced out.
Their figures crossed, and the battle shifted into a contest of swordsmanship.
Having trained alongside Shigure for so long, Sasuke had learned proper sword techniques from him and made remarkable progress. Naruto was no exception.
Sasuke, aided by the Sharingan, relied on solid fundamentals and precision. Naruto, however, learned Shigure's Konoha-style swordsmanship, adapting it into his own unique rhythm. Their blades clashed evenly, each exchange sharper than the last.
The audience was shocked. Swordsmanship wasn't considered mainstream in the shinobi world, yet weapon skills—whether kunai or sword—were still part of a ninja's arsenal.
From the sidelines, Shigure smiled faintly as he watched the duel.
Sasuke had grasped the foundations. Naruto, the essence. One lacked refinement, the other lacked structure. But together, their duel was fascinating.
"So strong!"
The fight grew fiercer. Naruto's Vacuum Blade whistled sharply as it cut through the air, his Konoha-style swordsmanship layered atop it. He hadn't merely copied Shigure's form—he'd altered it, made it his own.
Though it looked unpolished, there was subtle brilliance hidden within, enough to make Shigure nod in approval. At the same time, Sasuke's steady basics impressed him as well.
"Is this really a fight between Genin?"
"Wasn't Uzumaki Naruto the class clown who nearly failed the Academy exam? How can he fight like this against a genius?"
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Shikamaru muttered, "Shigure developed his own ninjutsu—these two must have been influenced by him."
Shino added, "Not just the ninjutsu. Even their swordsmanship carries traces of Shigure's style."
Indeed, Naruto's Vacuum Blade seemed modeled after Shigure's techniques. Sasuke's Chidori, too, carried echoes of his training with Shigure. For both, it was no coincidence.
All three members of Team 7 had developed close-combat ninjutsu thanks to his influence.
Boom!
In their next clash, Naruto's Vacuum Blade dissipated first—but not before slicing through Sasuke's sword, snapping it in two.
Wind Style restrains Lightning Style. Even enhanced with lightning chakra, the blade couldn't withstand it forever.
Naruto grinned.
"Looks like we're even when it comes to swordsmanship."
Sasuke nodded.
"Then let's settle it with ninjutsu!"
Naruto lifted his hand to form seals, but Sasuke smirked.
"Idiot. Do you really think your Wind Style can block my Fire Style?"
Naruto froze for a moment. He knew the truth: Wind bolstered Fire. Against Sasuke's flames, his wind would only worsen his position.
Sasuke's eyes hardened.
"I don't have time to waste with a loser like you. One last move will decide everything, Naruto!"
Naruto straightened, determination flashing in his eyes.
"Fine by me!"
Both began to gather chakra.
Sasuke moved first. Forming seals, lightning burst from his hand, condensing into a crackling mass.
"Chidori!"
The high-pitched cry of a thousand birds echoed, stunning the crowd.
A Konoha Jōnin gasped.
"Isn't that Hatake Kakashi-sama's Raikiri?"
Might Guy clenched his fists.
"When did Kakashi pass down his prized jutsu to the Uchiha brat?"
Kurenai frowned.
"To master Kakashi's technique… Sasuke truly is gifted."
But Shikamaru glanced at Naruto, concern on his face.
"This looks bad for Naruto."
Shigure, however, only smiled knowingly.
"Not necessarily."
In the arena, Naruto extended his hand. Without forming a single seal, chakra swirled into his palm, condensing into a violently spinning sphere.
"Rasengan!"
The dense chakra whirled, releasing a pressure so sharp the spectators froze in disbelief.
Shikamaru's jaw dropped.
"What kind of jutsu is that?"
Shino's eyes widened behind his collar.
"I've never seen chakra compressed to that degree… How can Naruto control it?"
On the stands, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression softened into satisfaction. The Rasengan, created by the Fourth Hokage, had found new life. Through Shigure's guidance, Naruto had inherited it—the technique was finally in the hands of its rightful successor.
Terumi Mei, the Mizukage, leaned forward.
"That's the Fourth Hokage's technique—the Golden Flash of Konoha!"
Hiruzen nodded with pride.
She smiled faintly. Konoha might be in a period of transition, but its future was undeniable. With geniuses like these, its strength would rise again.
"Konoha truly is a cradle of talent," she murmured.
Back in the field, Naruto's eyes locked with Sasuke's.
"Come on!"
"You'll never beat me!" Sasuke shouted.
Both Genin charged.
Rasengan and Chidori collided—
And in that instant, a blinding light engulfed the arena.
The roar of their clash echoed like thunder, the shockwave ripping through the stadium.
The battle between rivals reached its climax.
Rock Lee and the others in the audience were completely stunned.
Sakura's eyes widened as she watched Naruto stand toe-to-toe with Sasuke.
"Since when… did Naruto grow this strong? Even Sasuke can't overpower him…"
The realization struck her hard.
Someone muttered in disbelief, "Team 7… are they all monsters?!"
...
TN:
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