Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Only the Vastness Remains
~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones
~ Every 400 PS = Bonus Chapter!
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Amaterasu is theoretically an unavoidable technique, with the exception of someone like the Raikage, who possesses extraordinary reflexes and the Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique.
While Sage Mode enhances sensory abilities and taijutsu, it is still insufficient to dodge visual-based dojutsu like Amaterasu.
During the battle between Itachi and Sasuke, there was a moment of "setting oneself on fire," which the observant understood well...
Boom!
Black flames erupted on Naruto's body, and the intense heat immediately made his expression tense!
"Ugh... it's so hot! At this rate, I'm really going to be burned to death!"
In their previous battle, Sasuke had also used Amaterasu on Naruto.
Back then, Naruto's solution was to use the Nine-Tails' chakra to isolate Amaterasu and peel away the flames.
At this moment, the Nine-Tails was unwilling to lend chakra to Naruto, even closing off their chakra channel, making that method unusable.
Using the powers of the Rinnegan's Deva Path and Preta Path could easily dispel Amaterasu.
But Naruto had previously stated that he wouldn't use the Rinnegan's abilities against Sasuke in this fight.
"..." Sasuke kept his left eye partially closed, watching Naruto intently through the gap between his fingers.
Murderous intent flickered in his eyes...
The left eye released Amaterasu, while the right eye controlled its shape transformation, including extinguishing it.
"Still not planning to use your left eye's ability? Or is it that your left eye is only capable of this much? In any case, I won't extinguish these flames. Let them burn, Naruto. Once you're dead, no one will be able to stop me. I can finally wage my lone war of vengeance against Danzō and Konoha...!!"
Naruto pulled out a scroll from his cloak, quickly scribbling incantations with a pen from his ninja tool pouch. Once done, he bit the pen's shaft and pressed both hands on the scroll.
——*Fire Sealing Method!*
Whoosh!
All the Amaterasu flames flowed into the scroll's center, forming a character for "fire" surrounded by black incantations in the blank space!
Though the Amaterasu flames had burned his body, it was unavoidable.
The experts observing from the sidelines were moved in their own ways.
Konan: That's Jiraiya-sensei's technique...
Orochimaru: To perform such a complex Fire Sealing Method so smoothly while being burned by Amaterasu requires extraordinary endurance and precision. I'm increasingly curious, Naruto-kun, about what you've experienced during my time sealed away to grow this much.
Tobi: He and Sasuke are no longer on the same level...
Naruto calmly put away the pen and scroll and stood up, asking, "Shall we continue, Sasuke?"
"Don't get cocky! You loser!" Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, responding to his inner rage as dark purple chakra manifested outside his body!
Karin shivered: It's that chakra, as cold as falling into an ice cellar...
The purple chakra sublimated, solidifying into a skeletal frame!
"What can you do about this!"
Sasuke's arrogance was at an all-time high!
"Susanoo, huh, how nostalgic..."
Naruto's expression turned solemn as he formed a seal with four fingers in front of his chest.
Poof! A shadow clone appeared from the smoke, infusing Wind Release into the Rasengan forming in Naruto's left hand.
Buzzing...! Accompanied by the screech of wind blades, the Rasenshuriken took shape!
Sasuke's pupils shrank: "What is that?? A strengthened version of the Wind Release: Rasengan!?"
Poof!
The shadow clone dispersed.
"Catch this, Sasuke!!!"
Naruto charged and threw it at Sasuke!
——*Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!*
Whoosh!!
The Rasenshuriken tore through the air, and Sasuke relied on Susanoo to take it head-on!
Boom!!!!
The storm exploded, engulfing the spot where Sasuke stood in an instant.
"Ugh...!!"
The storm spreading outward forced Jūgo and others observing the battle to retreat!!
Crack! Crack!
Amidst the storm, the sound of bones shattering could be heard...
Karin screamed, "Sasuke!!!!"
As the storm gradually subsided, Sasuke remained unharmed, but Susanoo's skeleton was nearly shattered, leaving only a thin layer of purple covering his body...
Sasuke hung his head low, his shoulders trembling, his expression dark: "Again and again..."
Snap! Snap! Snap!
New bone sprouts emerged from the purple exterior!
Sasuke suddenly raised his head, his gaze ferocious as he shouted, "How many times do you want to provoke me until you're satisfied, ahhhhh...!!"
Boom!!!
The dark purple skeleton reared up, with extra chakra forming muscles around the bones, and soon, an outer garment manifested...
Susanoo advanced to another stage!
Tobi's gaze was deep: "Yes, just like that... Keep pushing Sasuke to grow, Naruto."
Snap! Snap!
In Susanoo's left hand, a magnificent longbow formed, while a mighty arrow appeared in the right.
Naruto's eyes flickered: The Totsuka Bow, Sasuke's Susanoo's divine weapon, has appeared!
Snap, snap, snap... The bow was drawn, arrow nocked, aimed directly at Naruto!
"!" Naruto dared not be careless. He pushed his Sage Mode sensory abilities to the limit, leaning back with all his might, his left hand releasing a surge of chakra. As the great arrow approached, he thrust the 'Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan' upward!!!
Boom!!
With a muffled sound, the great arrow veered off course, shooting into the forest behind, raising a cloud of dust!
Having witnessed Naruto's previous prowess, Sasuke was no longer as shocked. The first shot being deflected was within his expectations.
"Huff, huff, huff, huff, every cell in my body is in pain. Is this what Itachi felt back then..." Sasuke panted heavily, enduring the pain as another arrow formed, nocking it onto the bowstring, pulling it taut!
"The same trick won't work twice. This arrow will have even more force, and it won't be deflected by you!!"
Whoosh!!!
An arrow with even greater force tore through the air!!
Snap!
"No choice..." Naruto bit his finger and pressed his 'single hand' onto the ground.
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled: "This is..."
——*Triple Rashomon!*
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three massive gates adorned with demonic faces, bristling with fierce iron spikes and adorned with bells, rose before him...
Bang! Bang... Bang!
The great arrow pierced through two Rashomon gates in succession, embedding halfway into the third, its tip about a meter from Naruto.
Poof!
The Rashomon vanished in a puff of white smoke, taking the arrow with it...
Amidst the drifting snow of the Land of Iron, Sasuke, with his eyes unfocused from overusing his dojutsu, stared at Naruto and asked a complicated question: "Naruto... what exactly are you?"
Naruto replied sincerely, "I'm your friend—past, present, future, that has never changed..."
"Friend...? Heh heh heh." Sasuke chuckled absurdly before asking in a deep voice, "Then if I want to destroy the village, will you lend me a hand? Answer me!!!"
"Well..." Naruto lightly pinched his chin, his gaze carrying the weight of years: "How about this time 'I use' my right hand instead?"