At this mont, in the rubble area.
Natsuki stood on a large rock, holding his short sword, watching Sasuke and Neji cautiously.
The two of them didn't make any rash moves. Instead, they circled Natsuki slowly, trying to find an opening, but for half a day they didn't launch an attack.
Not far away, watching them, were Tenten, Shino, and Sakura.
Tenten casually asked, "Sakura, don't you have any missions recently? I heard your teamwork with Ino and Choji isn't that good yet. If you're free, you should take more missions together or train more. If your teamwork doesn't improve, you might not be able to participate in the Chuunin Exams, you know."
Sakura's expression stiffened. She forced herself to reply, "Um, no missions recently… I was studying at the hospital before. Now I'm just resting and… ca to see Sasuke-kun."
As she spoke, her eyes locked onto Sasuke, and her face turned slightly red.
Tenten blinked, thinking this pink-haired girl might have sothing wrong in her head.
She could clearly see that Sakura liked Sasuke, but she didn't think this was the right way to like soone. Even though love was important, becoming stronger should co first.
Just like herself – although she clung to Natsuki a lot, she never neglected her missions or training.
She wanted to beco stronger, to stand by Natsuki's side, to fight with him, to face danger together, and to protect him when necessary. That was her way of loving.
But looking at Sakura… the more she looked, the more she shook her head.
Sasuke carried the hatred of his clan's massacre, and his mind was fully focused on becoming stronger. He simply didn't have ti for romance.
Sakura probably didn't understand. If she truly understood, and if she truly liked Sasuke, then she should work even harder to beco stronger, so that she could help Sasuke in the future. That would be the right way. If Sakura continued like this, she would only be left further and further behind, until she couldn't even see Sasuke's back anymore, let alone make him notice her.
However, Tenten didn't have any intention to interfere in other people's feelings, so she stayed silent.
Shino also glanced at Sakura, and although his eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses, there was an odd glint in them, but he didn't say a word.
This was Sakura's own business. The two of them weren't close enough to Sakura to give her advice. What she chose to do was up to her.
At this mont, the atmosphere beca tense.
Seeing that the two didn't attack, Natsuki chose to strike first.
He flashed in front of Neji with Raiton Shunshin (Lightning Instant Body), his short sword slashing straight towards Neji's shoulder.
Neji had already activated his Byakugan and reacted imdiately. Hakke Hyaku Nijuu Hachi Shou (Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms) burst out, his palms striking forward rapidly. But Natsuki disappeared again with a flicker.
In the next second, he appeared behind Sasuke, slashing down with his short sword.
"I can see it!"
Sasuke raised his own short sword to block, then ford a single-hand seal and unleashed a Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique) right at Natsuki's face. The speed was astonishing.
Natsuki was slightly surprised. He didn't expect Sasuke to have mastered one-handed seals. That was indeed unexpected, but his own speed was still faster, and he dodged in ti.
Neji also seized the chance to charge forward, unleashing his Hakke Hyaku Nijuu Hachi Shou again.
Although Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou (Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms) only had sixty-four strikes, Neji doubled it with even more precise and rapid movents, combined with his Byakugan, launching high-speed palm attacks that were nearly impossible to defend against.
Sasuke attacked from behind as well, his short sword moving almost as fast as Natsuki's now.
Natsuki chuckled lightly, flashing away again with Raiton Shunshin. His Lightning Instant Body was still faster, and Neji and Sasuke couldn't catch him.
"Now you two are really close together… then I'll give you sothing big!"
Natsuki landed not far away, smiling as he ford hand seals quickly. Then he opened his mouth and spat out several giant lightning spears.
"Raiton: Gian (Lightning Release: False Darkness)!"
Both of their expressions changed drastically.
"Damn it! That's that old monster's jutsu!"
They imdiately dodged with all their strength. In the next second, a deafening boom erupted, blasting a massive crater where they had been standing. If they had been even a bit slower, they would've been crippled if not dead.
"Hehe, now this is fun!" Neji rubbed his shoulder that was grazed by the lightning. It really hurt.
"Yeah… it feels just like when we faced that old monster." Sasuke beca excited. "Natsuki, I didn't expect you to master Kakuzu's Raiton jutsu. Your talent is as terrifying as ever."
Natsuki chuckled. "Back then Kakuzu was forming hand seals. I saw them clearly. Sasuke, didn't your Sharingan see them too? Want to teach you Katon: Zukokku (Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work)?"
Sasuke shook his head and stuck his short sword into the ground, silently forming seals. "No need. How could I not learn such a powerful jutsu? Katon: Zukokku!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
He spewed out a massive sea of fire. Although it wasn't as powerful as Kakuzu's, it was still very impressive.
Sakura's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Sasuke-kun is so amazing!"
Tenten glanced at Shino. "That's that old monster's jutsu?"
Shino nodded. "Yes. Back then Kakuzu used all five nature releases consecutively, covering the heavens and earth. It terrified us. But I didn't expect… Natsuki and Sasuke both secretly learned the seals, and even mastered them. However, while Natsuki's Raiton can rival Kakuzu's, Sasuke's Katon is still far behind."
Tenten wasn't surprised. She knew Natsuki's talent best.
Sakura was unhappy hearing this, but as a lowly Genin with limited experience, she had no right to say anything.
At this mont, Natsuki stepped on Geppou (Moonwalk), soaring into the sky. As he descended, he unleashed Rankyaku (Storm Leg) slashes with his kicks. Neji easily dodged and countered with a Hakke Kuushou (Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm), sending an air bullet towards Natsuki's chest.
However, Natsuki simply waved his hand and deflected the air bullet… sending it flying straight at Sasuke.
Sasuke had to retreat to dodge, looking up at Natsuki with a grave expression.
"He deflected my Kuushou so easily… as expected of you!" Neji was surprised, but also felt it was only natural.
Their exchange seed equal, but in truth, Natsuki was utterly at ease, while Neji and Sasuke had their nerves stretched taut, knowing that if they lost focus for even a second, they would be defeated instantly.
That was the benefit of fighting Natsuki. Only under such intense pressure could they improve faster.
Natsuki didn't bother with any fancy moves. He continued stepping on Geppou, descending rapidly while kicking out Rankyaku slashes. In just two seconds, he reached Sasuke.
Sasuke had just dodged one slash, only to see Natsuki's short sword coming at him. He quickly raised his sword to block, and his other hand, crackling with lightning, punched towards Natsuki's chest. However, Natsuki reversed his grip and forced him back with a slash.
Neji also charged in, his Hakke palms flowing endlessly, each strike aiming at Natsuki's vital points and weaknesses.
But even facing two at once, Natsuki showed no fear. Using just his short sword, he fought back and forth with them, darting around the rubble area at incredible speed.
Sakura could barely follow with her eyes. At her level, she couldn't even see the fight clearly.
She subconsciously looked at Tenten, only to see Tenten's eyes moving rapidly, perfectly tracking the three figures in combat.
Indeed… only those strong enough could clearly see such battles.
(End of Chapter)
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