"Ninja Technique: Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Tsunaki formed a hand seal, and three shadow clones approached Mewtwo from different directions.
Mewtwo regarded the clones indifferently. Its psychic power rippled outward like waves, instantly destroying them all.
Yet in that very moment, Nawaki used the clones as a distraction to silently maneuver to Mewtwo's flank and rear.
"Sealing Technique: Bind!"
A talisman appeared in Nawaki's hand. He pressed it precisely against Mewtwo's shoulder.
The talisman unfolded across Mewtwo's body, forming a black sigil that temporarily restricted its movements.
"Now!" Tsunaki shouted.
Mew, understanding immediately, concentrated all its energy and launched a powerful Shadow Ball at the momentarily restrained Mewtwo.
Mewtwo broke free at the last instant, but it was too late to completely evade. The Shadow Ball grazed its body, emitting a deep, resonant groan.
Mewtwo's gaze turned icy. The constant harassment from Tsunaki had clearly provoked it.
"You have successfully caught my attention, human," it said, its voice dripping with deadly intent.
Meanwhile, the other Pokémon were experiencing more complex emotional reactions.
Pikachu faced its clone but did not engage in combat like the others.
It stared at the identical, hostile copy of itself and slowly shook its head.
"Pika… Pikachu," it whispered softly, those familiar black eyes filled with sorrow rather than fighting spirit.
The clone paused, then assumed an attacking stance, its cheeks sparking with electricity.
Yet the original Pikachu remained still, even stepping forward to extend its tiny yellow paw.
"Ninja Technique: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Although Tsunaki's hand seal could not summon as many clones as Naruto could, over twenty shadow clones still appeared, encircling Mewtwo.
A flicker of disdain appeared in Mewtwo's eyes. A surge of psychic energy erupted, sending the approaching clones flying.
But Nawaki's plan had succeeded; he had created another precious opening for Mew's attack.
Mew transformed to mimic Mewtwo, summoning a psychic energy blade identical to Mewtwo's and launched a fierce close-range strike.
The two psychic blades clashed midair, exploding in blinding light and shockwaves.
Tsunaki moved along the battlefield's edges, sometimes using Wind Release to disrupt Mewtwo's senses, sometimes manipulating Earth Release to alter terrain and restrict its movement. He even occasionally threw shuriken and kunai to divert its attention.
Though these attacks caused no lasting harm, the constant harassment disrupted Mewtwo's battle rhythm.
Mewtwo had to divert part of its focus to dealing with Tsunaki's interference, granting Mew more opportunities to strike.
"You are truly irritating," Mewtwo said during a brief pause.
Tsunaki smiled faintly. "This is strategy. Don't you want to see different possibilities?"
Below them, the other Pokémon battles unfolded in striking ways.
Venusaur's vine intertwined with its clone's, but instead of pulling hard, it relaxed its grip.
The clone Venusaur looked confused, unsure how to respond.
Squirtle did something entirely unexpected when facing its copy.
It pulled out sunglasses and offered them to the identical creature.
The clone froze, mid-attack, stunned by the gesture.
The most touching scene unfolded with Meowth and its clone. Unlike the other Pokémon, they did not fight but sat side by side on a crumbled boulder, gazing up at the clouds illuminated by the glowing energy spheres above.
Though the clone could not speak human language like the original, a silent understanding seemed to pass between them.
Mewtwo's gaze was drawn repeatedly to these moments. It saw Pikachu lowering its paw, ready to halt an electric attack, and Venusaur's vines transitioning from offense to gentle touch.
Though these clones had unique traits modified from their originals, they all displayed independent spirits that mirrored their originals' essence.
As the castle began to collapse, chaos intensified.
A massive stone fell toward Pikachu and its clone. At the last second, both released electricity, shattering the boulder.
They exchanged a glance, the hostility in their eyes gone.
Witnessing this, Mewtwo unleashed a powerful psychic shockwave, indiscriminately striking the area.
Tsunaki quickly formed a seal. "Ninjutsu: Shadow Serpent Hands!"
Several snake-like forms shot from his sleeve-covered arms, wrapping around nearby pillars and anchoring him, preventing the shockwave from blowing him away.
Ash and the others took cover behind their Pokémon, barely withstanding the impact.
The battle reached its climax.
Clearly tired of continuous harassment, Mewtwo decided to unleash its full power.
It raised both hands, forming a massive energy sphere a concentrated burst of all its psychic energy, a decisive strike.
Opposite it, Mew, mimicking Mewtwo, mirrored the motion.
Two island-shattering energy spheres were poised to collide.
"Stop!"
Ash suddenly appeared out of nowhere, courageously rushing into the gap between them.
"Ash!" Nawaki shouted, attempting to grab him, but it was too late.
Ash stood between Mewtwo and Mew, looking up. "Stop! Fighting like this is meaningless!"
Mewtwo's eyes remained icy. "Step aside, human."
Mew, still in Mewtwo form, silently observed the boy below without responding.
Tsunaki's voice echoed across the desolate ruins. "Life is not defined by form. What matters is the choice of who you become!"
Those words struck something within Mewtwo. The energy sphere in its hands trembled slightly.
Nawaki stepped forward and continued, "Yes, you were created. But now you have your own thoughts and choices. You can decide your own path. Why cling to your origin?"
Mewtwo remained silent. Its sphere continued to spin, but now at a slower pace.
Nawaki's gaze locked on Mewtwo. "You are unique. There is only one of you in the world! Just as my Pokémon and I are different individuals, that is what makes us precious!"
He paused, then added, "You may call yourself a clone, but I see you as a new, unique life! Why let past definitions limit your future potential?"
Mewtwo's gaze shifted between Nawaki and Mew. The energy sphere in its hands shrank further.
Mew returned to its original pink, small form, floating gently in front of Mewtwo and emitting a series of soft cries, no longer challenging but conveying understanding and invitation.
Mewtwo stared at Mew, the prototype that shared its genes, and then at the human boy who risked his life using extraordinary abilities to oppose it.
The energy sphere finally dissipated completely.
"My path…"
Mewtwo whispered, gradually descending.
At that moment, the remaining castle structures groaned under the weight, and the main walls began to collapse, huge stones raining down.
"Watch out!"
Ash shouted. A massive boulder was falling toward Pikachu and the injured Pokémon.
Mewtwo and Mew acted almost simultaneously.
Their psychic energies intertwined, forming a vast net that halted all falling debris midair.
In that instant, their eyes met. They saw the same determination in each other.
We may be different.
Mewtwo's voice echoed in everyone's mind. "But we both love this world, we both love life."
Mew nodded happily, circling Mewtwo before gently touching its shoulder.
A silent understanding was established between the two legendary Pokémon.
Once the last debris was safely moved, Mewtwo descended in front of Nawaki and Ash.
"Humans, you have shown me another possibility. You have won."
Its gaze lingered on Nawaki. "Your unique strength and your words have given me much to consider."
Mewtwo's gaze swept across all the Pokémon present, original and clone alike. "Perhaps the form of existence is not important; what matters is the meaning of existence."
"I will leave with my companions to find a place for us."
Meowth leaped joyfully, tracing a perfect circle in the air.
At that moment, dawn rose over the horizon, and golden sunlight poured through the ruined castle, bathing every life in warmth.
Bathed in the morning light, Mewtwo looked back at Tsunaki. "You are right, human. We can choose our own path."
It ascended slowly, sending psychic signals to all the clone Pokémon.
Tsunaki watched quietly and whispered to Ash, "Sometimes the strongest power is not destruction but understanding."
Ash hugged Pikachu, who had leapt into his arms, smiling wearily yet relieved.
In the sunlight of a new day, Mewtwo led the clone Pokémon into the distance.
Mew circled them a few times before transforming into a beam of light and vanishing into the sky.
Nawaki watched them leave, knowing that this battle of genetics had ultimately ended in mutual understanding between lifeforms.
And he, a ninja from another world, had left his mark on this legendary confrontation.