The Nine-Tails was nothing but livestock.

"Be careful, Naruto!"

"That guy is no ordinary opponent!!"

Seeing his young apprentice charge out in a furious frenzy for his friend's sake, Jiraiya immediately shouted a warning.

During his training on Mount Myoboku, Naruto had indeed grown considerably stronger. Not only could he briefly enter Sage Mode, but he could also draw on a little of the Nine-Tails' power.

But...

His opponent was Arata Uchiha, the current leader of the Uchiha Clan!

The man who had brutally crippled the old man and Konoha!!

Naruto was certainly growing, but wasn't his opponent growing too?

From their first encounter at the Eastern Border to Jiraiya's helpless retreat during the chunin ninja exams, only a few years had passed. The man's growth could only be described as monstrous!

But how could Naruto Uzumaki, consumed by rage, possibly heed his teacher's words?

At that moment, he wanted only to win justice for his dearest friend!

To reclaim the eyes that had been stolen!!

Damn it...

Damn it!

How could you do this, Arata Uchiha!!

Fueled by swelling fury, the Wind Release: Shuriken formed in his hand shot straight toward its target.

The wind shrieked, and water sprayed everywhere.

Under the terrifying wind weapon's power, a straight furrow instantly split the smooth lake surface to either side.

Boom!

A violent crash erupted across the area, sending a column of water soaring into the sky.

Yet this technique, despite its tremendous piercing power, failed to inflict any real damage on its opponent!

A blood-red giant rose up, towering invincibly over the landscape. No force could breach it in the slightest!

Clearly, however, Naruto Uzumaki had never expected that single strike to defeat the man, nor did he wait to see its results like an inexperienced young Genin.

The moment he hurled his Wind Release: Shuriken,