Naruto: The Otsutsuki Naruto

"..." Naruto and Sasuke faced each other in silence, as if some inevitable event was about to unfold!

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with anticipation, his heart filled with longing: "The two winds I most look forward to are about to collide so soon..."

Sasuke, of course, noticed Orochimaru's presence, a man who shouldn't be here. His expression remained stoic as he thought: Orochimaru has returned as well. It seems like Naruto's doing. Was attacking Jūgo part of this plan too?

And earlier, when that woman from the Akatsuki blocked my path, was it to buy time to deal with Danzō? Naruto, with his identity, is doing the things I want to do. Is it just a coincidence? It's absurd. That idiot who only knows how to charge forward—why am I finding him harder to read? Damn it...!

Frustrated, Sasuke clenched his fists tightly.

Whoosh!

A strange vortex stirred, and Tobi, wearing his mask, descended upon the scene!

Everyone turned to look, their expressions varied.

Konan's gaze was icy cold, her entire being on high alert.

Orochimaru's thoughts were unreadable, but his guarded stance was evident.

Naruto pulled his mask back over his face, his thoughts turbulent: Tobi... He's appeared sooner than I anticipated. He's one of the very few I consider an SSR-level threat. I must tread carefully...

(Note: During Boruto's era, a ninja card game became popular. The Seventh Hokage Naruto was classified as an SSR-level card. Since then, he has used "SSR" to describe those on par with him.)

Tobi, who had been searching for Naruto, now found him standing right in front of him. Yet, upon meeting him, he remained unusually calm.

"Go ahead and talk. Don't mind me..."

He adjusted his robe and sat down leisurely, exuding an air of unshakable composure, as if he were a fisherman calmly awaiting a storm.

The more he acted this way, the harder it was to ignore him.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

The White Zetsu accompanying Sasuke emerged from the ground beside Tobi, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Is it alright? Nagato's Rinnegan is within reach."

Tobi replied, "At this point, there's no rush. With Orochimaru and Konan here, it's not going to be easy to get it."

White Zetsu asked, "How's the Five Kage Summit going?"

After a moment of thought, Tobi said, "Naruto got there first. After some consideration, I realized now isn't the best time to declare war. Kisame has already gone to hunt the Eight-Tails. With Naruto, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, defecting from Konoha, he's become a target for everyone. The purpose of war is merely to capture the Tailed Beasts within these two. If there's an easier way, why resort to full-scale war?"

By a twist of fate, the Fourth Great Ninja War, which should have begun immediately, was thus postponed.

White Zetsu sighed, "I can't help but feel that sending Nagato to Konoha was a mistake. Our original plan has completely deviated from expectations."

"Regret is useless now. I underestimated Naruto back then. Who could have imagined he'd take Nagato's Rinnegan, resurrect Orochimaru, and even turn Konan—who was working for me—over to his side..."

As he spoke, Tobi's gaze grew profound. "Now, just how much has his power grown? Let me witness it myself...!"

"It seems... he truly has no intention of making a move here."

Naruto felt slightly relieved and withdrew his peripheral gaze. However, he continued to monitor Tobi's actions using Sage Mode's sensory abilities.

Sasuke, indifferent to everything else, had his eyes solely on Naruto. He could no longer hold back and wanted to test Naruto's strength now!

He commanded, "Jūgo, Suigetsu, keep an eye on the Akatsuki woman and Orochimaru!"

"Understood!"

Whoosh! Jūgo flashed in front of Konan, his Cursed Seal activated to the brink of rampage.

Konan's expression remained calm. She stayed vigilant against Tobi and had no intention of holding back from the start.

As for Suigetsu, gripping his most stylish blade, he said the most cowardly words, "Orochimaru-sama, I'm so happy to see you revived..."

Orochimaru chuckled, teasing, "Heh heh, Suigetsu, my kawaii subordinate, you look quite spirited. I wonder if your skills have improved..."

Suigetsu forced a smile. "You're joking, right? I'm just here to assist. Please don't make things difficult for me..."

Orochimaru laughed, "Heh heh, that sounds interesting. Should I ask Naruto-kun to spar with you for a bit?"

Suigetsu quickly replied, "No need to ask! This is perfect as it is! Let's just maintain this tense atmosphere and have a pleasant chat!"

Karin adjusted her glasses and asked, "Sasuke... what about me?"

Sasuke replied in a low voice, "Stay on the sidelines and provide support...!"

Is Sasuke worried about me? Hee hee hee...

Karin's inner monologue was dramatic, though her face remained concerned. "If you get hurt, I can heal you."

"Hmph." Sasuke snorted coldly and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his Mangekyō Sharingan shone brilliantly. "Get hurt? That's not going to happen!"

Whoosh!

His hands flew through hand seals, his chest swelling.

——*Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!*

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A series of fireballs shot out from his mouth, their trajectories resembling the fruit of a phoenix sage tree. They not only targeted Naruto but also sealed off all escape routes, leaving no room to dodge—only to defend!

Though not a flashy technique, its practical effectiveness was outstanding, making it a favorite among elites like Itachi!

"Here it comes!"

Naruto's eyes lit up as he drew the katana he had carried from the Five Kage Summit. Moving forward, he swung the blade to deflect the incoming fireballs.

Screech!!

The chirping of Chidori echoed. Using the cover of the fireballs, Sasuke closed in with incredible speed, his eyes locked on Naruto as he thrust forward with lightning in hand!

Clang!!

Naruto's left hand swung the blade to repel the remaining fireballs, while his right hand instantly formed a Rasengan to meet the attack head-on.

Boom!!!

The clash of Rasengan and Chidori created a roaring shockwave!

When the dust settled, both figures retreated simultaneously!

"Hmph!" Sasuke smirked as he unsheathed his Kusanagi Sword and dashed forward.

"Heh~" Naruto met him head-on, wielding his katana.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!!

Their blades collided fiercely, sparks flying. Even the falling snow couldn't approach their battlefield...

The more Sasuke fought, the more shocked he became: When did the rough and reckless Naruto, who always relied on brute force and chakra reserves, master such refined swordsmanship?

Naruto, too, was filled with admiration: Sasuke's swordsmanship, honed from a young age and enhanced by the Sharingan, was truly exceptional. Back then, after sealing Kaguya, I spent a lot of effort making up for my lack of basic ninja skills!

"How about this!" Frustrated by the stalemate, Sasuke infused his Kusanagi Sword with crackling Lightning Release chakra.

"I can do that too..." Naruto followed suit, enveloping his katana with whistling Wind Release chakra!

Clang!!

Their blades clashed, their eyes meeting!

Sasuke coldly remarked, "Is your left eye just for show?"

Naruto replied, "I don't want to use the power of this eye against a friend!"

"Friend?" A flicker of emotion crossed Sasuke's eyes before it was replaced by coldness. "Still so naive. You'll regret it!"

Buzz!

Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan glowed ominously.

——*Genjutsu: Sharingan!*

Naruto was puzzled. "Why are you staring at me?"

Sasuke was stunned: My genjutsu doesn't work on him!?

Naruto's Rinnegan completely nullified Sasuke's Sharingan genjutsu, to the point where he didn't even realize Sasuke had used it!

Screech!

"Enough..." Sasuke sheathed his sword and stepped back, his eyes radiating genuine coldness.

Drip. A line of blood trickled from the corner of his left eye, falling onto the snow, where it spread like a spiderweb.

"Naruto, if you don't get serious, you'll die!!!"

——*Amaterasu!*