The two clashed again.
This time, Naruto was more careful.
He no longer relied on instinct. Instead, he began watching Sasuke's movements.
Every subtle twitch of a muscle, every shift in his gaze.
Sasuke threw a punch.
Naruto didn't dodge. He blocked it with his arm.
The instant the fist struck his arm, Naruto turned with the force, neutralizing most of the impact.
"Not bad," Sasuke said. "You've learned to redirect the force."
"How about this move?"
He suddenly vanished.
Naruto warily scanned his surroundings.
A rush of wind came from behind him.
He spun around and threw a punch.
Bang!
His fist struck Sasuke's palm.
"Quick reaction," Sasuke said, "but not enough power."
He closed his hand around Naruto's fist.
Then he yanked hard.
Naruto lost his balance and pitched forward.
Sasuke raised his knee, aiming for Naruto's stomach.
At the last moment, Naruto twisted his body and slammed his shoulder into Sasuke's knee, knocking it aside.
They both retreated at the same time.
"Not bad," Sasuke said with a rare smile. "You're improving fast."
"Of course," Naruto panted. "I'm the man who's going to become the strongest Hokage."
"The strongest?" Sasuke said. "You've still got a long way to go."
"Is that so?" Naruto suddenly charged.
This time, he didn't attack directly. He used Shadow Clone.
Three clones surrounded Sasuke from different angles.
"Shadow Clone?" Sasuke frowned. "I told you not to rely on ninjutsu."
"This isn't relying on it," Naruto said with a grin. "It's tactics."
All three clones attacked at once.
Sasuke punched one apart and kicked another away.
But the third grabbed his leg.
"Got you!"
The real Naruto dropped down from above and punched at Sasuke's head.
Sasuke tried to dodge, but the clone had his leg in a hold.
He could only raise