As the Chunin Exams officially began,
the Fifth Raikage, Darui, who had just taken his seat on the high platform with the other Kage, turned to Naruto.
"That person just now... was that really Uchiha Sasuke?"
In truth, the question didn't need to be asked. Haku's reaction had already confird it.
Yet Darui still found it hard to believe. Soone who had disappeared for decades...
had suddenly reappeared, seemingly unchanged from the past.
How could anyone easily accept such a thing?
Naruto nodded. "It's Sasuke."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Darui was clearly displeased, but Naruto simply smiled. "Given Sasuke's personality, what difference would it have made if I told you?"
This was true. Even if they had known Sasuke had returned, it wouldn't have changed anything.
It wasn't just Sasuke's personality it was his strength.
Even if the Five Kage had known about his return, it wouldn't have affected him in the slightest.
The title of the strongest shinobi in history wasn't just a joke.
Even now, after so many years, just that brief glimpse of him had left them feeling an overwhelming pressure.
Darui gritted his teeth.
Beside him, Kurotsuchi also wore a grave expression. "Uchiha Sasuke has returned at this ti... What does he plan to do?"
Naruto shook his head. "Don't worry. Sasuke won't do anything at least, not to us."
With Naruto's reassurance, they felt sowhat relieved.
Gaara, who had been silent until now, suddenly sighed. "I thought I had closed the gap between us, but now it seems the distance is as vast as ever."
When Sasuke's gaze had swept over them earlier, Gaara had felt his body freeze, as if he couldn't move.
It was just like the old days no, even worse than before.
Seeing Gaara's expression, Naruto smiled. "Don't say that, Gaara. You're plenty strong."
Strong?
Gaara shook his head lightly. If he were truly strong, he wouldn't be feeling this way.
"Alright, the exam has started. Looks like the first match features your son!"
Naruto pointed to the arena below, where Shinki, a shinobi from Sunagakure now more accurately, the Wind Division was stepping forward.
Gaara smiled faintly. "Shinki's talent surpasses mine..."
But as soon as he finished speaking, the na of Shinki's opponent was announced.
"Shinki of the Wind Division versus Sarada Uchiha of the Leaf Division!"
Huh?
Gaara was montarily stunned. Was this fate?
Back then, he had fought Sasuke. Now, his son was about to face a mber of the Uchiha clan.
But unlike him, Shinki wouldn't be fighting a monster like Sasuke.
This ti, Shinki should be able to win, right?
"I heard Sasuke taught Sarada the Black Lightning Release."
Naruto's sudden comnt made Gaara's expression turn serious.
They all knew who Sarada was. As the daughter of Itachi, her talent was exceptional even among the Uchiha.
"Black Lightning Release?"
Darui sighed. As a user of Black Lightning Release himself, he couldn't wield it as effortlessly as Sasuke.
He could only perform one Black Lightning technique.
The gap between them was still enormous.
"What Black Lightning techniques did Sasuke teach Sarada?"
Sasuke's Black Lightning Release had many variations.
So of the techniques they knew about were incredibly powerful.
It was hard to say how much Sarada, at her age, had mastered.
The battle began.
A clash between the Uchiha and the Sand.
As the proctor announced the start,
Shinki imdiately attacked, manipulating iron sand with precision.
The speed, power, and control of his attacks were formidable.
Sarada, who wasn't particularly strong in taijutsu, was forced to dodge repeatedly, her rhythm completely controlled by Shinki.
If this continued, it wouldn't be long before she made a mistake, and Shinki would seize the opportunity to end the match.
Despite the lack of spectacle, the audience was thoroughly engrossed.
In the stands, Itachi, who had co to cheer on his daughter, watched with a cold gaze as Shinki relentlessly pressured Sarada.
Itachi's expression darkened visibly.
His eyes were so intense it seed he might activate his Mangekyō Sharingan at any mont.
Fortunately, Kakashi, sitting beside him, quickly intervened. "Calm down, Itachi... This is the Chunin Exams!"
Itachi snapped out of it.
"Right..."
Kakashi was startled by Itachi's reaction. If things had escalated, Itachi might have used Amaterasu.
Thankfully, he had restrained himself in ti, or the consequences could have been dire.
On the battlefield, the Leaf shinobi were growing anxious for Sarada.
Chocho: "This is bad! That Wind Division guy is too strong. Sarada's about to lose!"
Boruto: "Using that black stuff is so unfair! But don't worry, if Sarada loses, I'll avenge her!"
As they spoke, Shikadai and the others suddenly tensed. Shinki's next attack was too fast Sarada wouldn't be able to dodge this ti.
In that mont, Sarada froze.
'Damn it, there's no ti or chance to use my ultimate move.'
'Am I really going to lose like this?'
But then...
Sarada heard a voice in her mind.
'Black Lightning Release isn't a fixed technique. It's a thod of controlling lightning chakra.'
'You can shape it however you imagine for attack or defense.'
'Don't limit yourself to a single form.'
'Whatever you envision, it can beco reality.'
She didn't know where the voice ca from or who was speaking.
But in that mont, she began forming hand seals.
As the final seal was completed...
Crackle!
Black lightning erupted around her.
A pillar of black thunder rose from the ground, enveloping Sarada.
Shinki's attack struck the lightning pillar but was deflected.
The magnetic properties of the lightning perfectly countered the iron sand.
As the black lightning flashed,
the audience not just the civilians but even the shinobi was stunned.
"B-Black Lightning Release?"
"That Uchiha kid actually knows this technique?"
"What kind of lightning is that? I've never seen that color before!"
"Black Lightning Release... I heard rumors that a shinobi from the past once mastered it. They said its power was terrifying!"
For the younger generation, it was just a legend.
But for the older shinobi,
it wasn't just a story. It was sothing they had witnessed firsthand.
That person...
That man was a monster so powerful that just a glance from him could make your body tremble.
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