Konoha, training ground.
Chidori Sharp Spear!
A bright white beam shot from Sasuke's hand.
Across from him, a claw extended from Naruto's Nine-Tails cloak.
The claw held a Rasengan, which swiftly collided with the Chidori Sharp Spear.
Although the Rasengan shattered quickly, Naruto had already shifted position.
The Chidori Sharp Spear only grazed Naruto's Nine-Tails cloak.
Sasuke frowned slightly and drew the Kusanagi Blade, flashing toward Naruto like a bolt of lightning.
Naruto's eyes changed slightly, and black markings appeared on his Nine-Tails cloak.
Naruto shifted aside by a hair's breadth, then slapped the side of the Kusanagi Blade with a hand wrapped in the Nine-Tails cloak.
Sasuke's gaze sharpened as he flipped around and engaged Naruto in close-quarters taijutsu.
Yet Naruto could dodge every one of his slashes by turning aside at the last possible instant.
Each of Naruto's palm strikes landed against the side of Sasuke's blade.
Kurama pressed his hands together and complained from inside Naruto's body.
"Brat, you don't need to activate Sage Mode. Sasuke still isn't your match."
Though Naruto looked serious, he still had enough leeway during his fight with Sasuke to speak with Kurama.
"No. I have to go all out in a fight. Master is watching from the side."
"Winning or losing doesn't matter. What matters is finding our own shortcomings."
Naruto fought Sasuke barehanded, only occasionally using a Rasengan.
But Sasuke had been at a disadvantage throughout. The Mangekyō Sharingan's observational ability surpassed Sage Mode's.
However, Sage Mode's sensory abilities were more effective against Sasuke, whose attack intentions were so obvious.
Shamu stood with his arms folded, watching Sasuke get steadily driven back by Naruto.
And that was without Naruto recklessly throwing around Rasengans or using the Rasenshuriken.
After Shamu learned that Naruto had shattered every window in the hospital upstairs