The pressure was once again on Naruto and Sasuke.
"Sasuke, it seems we underestimated little sister Hane from the very beginning."
"Yeah. She's far stronger than we expected. You could tell from her exchange with the clone just now—she's incredibly agile. No wonder she's Sage Katsuyu's only direct disciple."
As he spoke, Sasuke watched Katsuyu's reaction.
"She displayed Shikotsumyaku and Scorch Release just now, yet Sage Katsuyu's expression remained as calm as ever. Clearly, she already knew all about her disciple's abilities."
Retracting his gaze, Sasuke said solemnly, "Naruto, let's get serious. Even if our methods go overboard, Sage Katsuyu will keep us in check. We won't kill her."
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking!" Naruto raised his left palm. Amid the sharp screech of Wind Blades, a Rasengan took on the cutting edge of a Shuriken!
"To be honest, I'm really excited right now! It feels like I've gone back to my youth!"
Holding the Rasenshuriken in one hand, Naruto charged forward with the vigor of a teenager, all while keeping an eye on the expression of the young Katsuyu girl in the sky.
The Sage made no move, which meant she tacitly accepted that little sister Hane could take this attack.
"So, would it be alright to add a little something?"
Naruto curled the four fingers of his right hand and swung through the air!
"It's time to restore the honor of Frog Senjutsu!"
—Frog Kumite!
Whoosh! Natural Energy transformed into an invisible fist and struck toward Hane's face!
But Hane seemed to sense it. She raised her right palm and swung it toward the incoming Natural Energy!
—Sage Katsuyu Palm!
Bang!
The collision of the two bursts of Natural Energy detonated a roaring sonic boom in the air between them, along with shockwaves that rippled in every