A Word Wounds, Six Months Cold

Childhood memories, a weak self, a bullied self, met two brothers and an older brother at a small Ichiraku Ramen shop.

Although the memories are a bit blurry, the childhood scenes are still faintly remembered.

A bond was forged at that moment, the future great hero, childhood playmates, extraordinary strength...

"As expected of an orphan, truly ingrained with baseness. Your parents were probably also cheapskates from the slums!"

After speaking, Josuke didn't forget to kick Naruto's head.

This feels so good, that tyrannical Crown Prince, pfft, sorry Teacher Minato, I admit that dead water is yang.

And sorry Aunt Kushina QAQ

To have his parents insulted like this, even though he had never met them, even though he didn't even know their names!

"N-no, it's not what you think!"

Anger? Heartache? Pain?

Naruto didn't know what kind of emotions were swirling around him. The Tailed Beast Cloak naturally attached itself to him, the One-Tail, the Two-Tails.

Three years of training had made Naruto unlike his former self. While his control over the Nine-Tails wasn't perfect, it was worlds apart from three years ago.

He could already perfectly control the form of the Two-Tails. (Author's note: I don't know if this is true, let's just assume it is.)

The heat waves surrounding the cloak made Josuke step back. Josuke knew the effect was coming.

Naruto slowly raised his head step by step. The Nine-Tails' evil Chakra energy raged around him. Josuke didn't know if he could win.

Can't win?

Even if I can't win, I have to fight. I only deal with elites!!

The forest and river terrain honestly didn't favor Josuke's abilities. Josuke pondered for a moment.

He drove Naruto towards the riverbank ahead.

Seeing Josuke retreating, Naruto immediately pursued him. Josuke didn't hold back.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire!"

He leaned back and formed hand seals, releasing the Phoenix Sage Fire, sending several fireballs towards Naruto.

Naruto dodged frantically.

The Phoenix Sage Fire exploded around them, its power not to be underestimated.

Even if Naruto were hit, he'd be in trouble. In a flash, the two arrived at the riverbank. Once they reached the location, Josuke stopped and looked coldly at Naruto.

"Still want to chase? You'll die if you keep chasing!"

Naruto remained silent. The rampant Chakra aura around him symbolized his resolve.

After a moment, the "actor" Josuke put on a show, "Fine, if you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Josuke formed hand seals, initiating the Great Fire Annihilation, forcing Naruto back several meters. Naruto, not to be outdone, shot out three Kunai, but Josuke easily dodged them.

"Is that all the strength you have?"

Josuke shook his head and mocked.

"No wonder you're a useless dead last!"

With that, Naruto's attack came. The Tailed Beast Cloak transformed into a fox claw, swiping at Josuke.

Josuke dodged with a Shunshin.

His speed was quite fast, but his Three Tomoe Sharingan could still see it clearly.

He then formed hand seals, "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Utilizing the surrounding river terrain, Josuke could minimize the Chakra consumed by releasing Ninjutsu.

This was why Josuke chose this location as the place to duel Naruto.

Josuke spat out a stream of water from his mouth, forming a water dragon that charged at Naruto. Naruto had no choice but to dodge again.

Ultimately, it was Naruto's fault for not knowing many Ninjutsu. But then again, with his brainless Rasengan and Multiple Shadow Clone, what else would he need?

That's how Naruto is, while his opponents have a lot more to consider.

After creating some distance, Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, summoning a horde of clones to assist him.

Josuke didn't hold back either and used Multiple Shadow Clone.

He clashed head-on with Naruto's shadow clones.

A white mist rose around them, the result of the shadow clone battle.

Before the smoke cleared, Josuke immediately charged.

"Fifth Gate: Open!"

Josuke's Eight Inner Gates could only reach the fifth gate at most, which was already quite good. Although he hadn't fully learned Might Guy's true teachings, it was enough for the early stages.

A green energy wave rippled around Josuke, appearing to be Chakra, but it wasn't entirely Chakra; it was mixed with the enhancement of Bloodline Power.

He kicked Naruto with a single blow.

Naruto raised his hand to block. He thought the flames on his outer clothing would burn Josuke, but to his surprise, what he imagined didn't happen. He took a solid, powerful kick.

His arm felt a little numb.

So hard.

Josuke, who had retreated, exclaimed in surprise. Were the defenses of just two tails so astonishing?

Naruto's arm had taken Josuke's kick head-on.

Normally, even if it didn't break, it would hurt for days.

Tailed Beasts are truly terrifying. Josuke licked his lips. I should get one for myself to play with.

He didn't have any power right now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't have any in the future.

After this kick, Josuke did a backflip and created distance between himself and Naruto again. He immediately spat out a Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, and a large fireball shot towards Naruto.

"Bang!!"

Naruto took the hit head-on. The imagined scenario didn't happen. From the smoke, a fist slammed towards Josuke with such speed that Josuke couldn't react at all.

This might also be because my Sharingan wasn't activated.

Without any other option, Josuke had to use the Substitution Technique, swapping himself with a decoy. His fist hit a wooden post, shattering it into pieces.

If this punch had landed on me, Josuke would probably be bedridden for at least four to five months.

This fight has dragged on for too long. I need to end it quickly, Josuke muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Orochimaru and his subordinate Guren were fighting Kakashi evenly. However, based on their forms, Orochimaru seemed to have the upper hand, whether it was due to Chakra reserves or other reasons.

Currently, Orochimaru could still narrowly defeat Kakashi.

Orochimaru, perched above the battlefield, watched the scene with a cold, mocking gaze.

"Is Konoha out of people? Sending this kind of trash to face me?"

Kakashi gripped the Kunai in his hand, his brow furrowed.

He and Might Guy had tried various methods but couldn't break through Orochimaru's defenses. Orochimaru seemed intent on holding them back to create an opportunity for Josuke's defection.

Now, Kakashi could only hope that Naruto could turn the tide and bring Josuke back.

With that said, Kakashi attacked again, condensing Chidori in his hand and charging towards Orochimaru.

... (Dividing to another side)

While Orochimaru's fight was raging, Josuke's side was also incredibly intense. The originally flat riverbank was now covered in large and small craters.

This was the work of the two of them.

On Josuke and Naruto's side, Naruto used a Super Great Ball Rasengan to smash towards Josuke. Josuke naturally couldn't withstand it head-on, which is why this large pit was left behind.

Josuke still had trump cards he hadn't used yet, and now was the time to use them.