Boom, boom, boom.
In the desert of the Wind Country, thunderous crashes rang across the land, briefly drowning out even the howling sandstorm.
The source of the crashes was two figures repeatedly colliding with each other.
There was no doubt about it.
As soon as Fuma Ichiro had completed the ritual, the Research Institute had begun testing him. After measuring his physical attributes, Naruto personally took charge of the combat test. So the two battling on the field were Fuma Ichiro and Naruto.
Considering the terrifying destructive power of a fighter at Six Paths level, they had chosen not to hold the combat test near the Research Institute. Instead, they had deliberately picked an uninhabited stretch of desert in the Wind Country.
The observation area had also been moved from the ground to airships high overhead.
The Research Institute's personnel and equipment filled several airships, recording the battle from different angles without missing a thing.
Boom.
Another crash sent sand billowing into the air. Amid the yellow haze, the two figures retreated far from each other.
"Huff, huff. Huff, huff."
Naruto panted heavily, his chest heaving.
Inside Naruto's mindscape, Menma wore a grave expression. "Stop trying to beat him with Taijutsu. You have no advantage in either speed or strength!"
"What should I do, then?" Naruto asked.
Menma scoffed. "Idiot, try ninjutsu!"
"All right!"
Naruto nodded and began forming Hand Seals, performing the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. Amid a succession of puffs of white smoke, countless Shadow Clones appeared.
"Let's all attack together!"
After calling out, Naruto charged first at Fuma Ichiro.
"Big idiot!"
After criticizing Naruto for shouting orders to his Shadow Clones, Menma sat upright and began controlling the Chakra, absorbing Natural Energy from the world around him.
From their clash just now, he had realized that their