Nine-Tails

Naruto's Chakra surged from his entire body like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam, pouring madly into the cursed technique Azure that was about to be unleashed.

At that moment, even the sky seemed to darken. The air around him began to warp as a massive, nearly tangible black vortex slowly took shape before him. It was Azure's ultimate form—a black hole composed of pure Chakra, radiating a heart-palpitating aura.

With a slight flick of Naruto's wrist, the black hole shot forward like a yo-yo pulled by an invisible string and slammed violently into the walls of the Ice Prison. With a crisp crack, the sturdy Ice Prison shattered beneath the black hole's devouring force like fragile glass, turning into ice shards that filled the sky.

Haku's face changed drastically at the sight. He had never imagined Naruto's ninjutsu could possess such power.

However, it was already too late to do anything. In an instant, every block of ice had been shattered except for the one containing Haku's true body. The black hole had already locked onto his position like a tracking missile and struck the ice block with lightning speed.

"Ah!" Haku cried out miserably. His body flew from the ice like a kite with its string cut, hurled high into the air by the black hole's impact before crashing heavily onto the ground, sending dust flying. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his face was pale as paper. He had clearly suffered grave injuries.

At the same time, the unleashed black hole did not stop its rampage. It continued onward, charging toward Momochi Zabuza, who had trapped Kakashi.

Azure was incredibly fast. Though Momochi Zabuza reacted quickly, he could only barely twist his body and let the devastating attack graze past him, avoiding the misfortune of taking it head-on.

Yet even so, the immense energy carried by the cursed technique Azure did not dissipate. The instant it swept past Momochi Zabuza, it continued flying forward before finally smashing into the ground nearby. At that moment, a fierce shockwave rapidly spread outward from the point of impact.

Wherever the shockwave passed, dust billowed and shattered stones flew in every direction. Trees were uprooted, and buildings swayed on the verge of collapse. Anything struck by that overwhelming force was mercilessly hurled into the air before crashing back down, leaving chaos and wreckage in its wake.

Although Momochi Zabuza had narrowly avoided the direct attack, the shockwave still blasted him backward again and again. His face was pale, and his eyes shone with disbelief.

He knew full well that if he had not dodged in time, he would likely have already been reduced to ashes. Momochi Zabuza's mind was filled with questions. Could a move like that really have been used by a child from Konoha?

Momochi Zabuza was knocked back, and the Water Prison collapsed with him. Kakashi was finally freed, struggling out of the freezing water and gulping down the free air.

Kakashi's gaze was fixed tightly on Naruto, his eyes filled with unprecedented shock and astonishment.

The speed and power Naruto displayed now completely overturned Kakashi's understanding of him.

The speed was easier to accept, considering Minato Namikaze had come before him. Like father, like son—Kakashi could somewhat accept that.

What Kakashi could not accept, however, was the power of the ninjutsu Naruto had unleashed. It was simply beyond imagination. He had never seen a ninjutsu so powerful and destructive. That black-hole-like existence seemed capable of swallowing everything around it; even the air trembled before it.

"This... this can no longer be described as talent..." Kakashi muttered, his tone full of disbelief. "He's a monster! Naruto's rate of growth is simply staggering!"

He looked deeply at Naruto, an indescribable pride and anticipation rising within him. He knew that this boy, once regarded as dead last, had now grown into a powerful fighter capable of standing on his own.

Sensei, was this your backup plan too? Kakashi thought silently. He decided that he would train Naruto even harder, help him uncover more of his potential, and make him a true Hokage.

Sasuke's Sharingan locked tightly onto Naruto, attempting to catch every subtle movement he made. However, it was all futile. Sasuke's Sharingan could not even keep up with Azure's speed.

"Why?!" Sasuke could not believe that this was a ninjutsu Naruto had released. The technique was like black lightning, tearing through the sky as it flew toward its target at astonishing speed. Although Sasuke's Sharingan could catch a few afterimages, it could never accurately lock onto the cursed technique's true position.

At that moment, Sasuke felt pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced. He knew that if this attack had been aimed at him, he would likely have had little chance of evading it.

Naruto, has your strength... really risen to this extent? Sasuke marveled inwardly.

Th-this was Naruto's ninjutsu? Sakura thought in amazement. She felt as though an invisible force had shocked her into immobility. The powerful aura radiating from that technique gave her an unprecedented sense of oppression.