The conflict between Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara, and the others was merely an insignificant interlude that drew little attention.
As more and more ninja rushed to Konoha, the Chunin Exams were right around the corner.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
On the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Compound, a flaming dragon shot into the sky and lunged toward a figure in the distance.
"Well done, Sasuke." Uchiha Itachi's praise rang out. His Three Tomoe Sharingan narrowed slightly as he raised one hand.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" A violent fireball burst from Itachi's mouth. It was not that he could not use higher-level Fire Style techniques, but his chakra reserves were not particularly high. Using a technique like Majestic Destroyer Flame would waste far too much chakra.
Yet even the Great Fireball Technique displayed terrifying power in Itachi's hands. The two fireballs intertwined, rising like a flaming tornado, a spectacular sight visible even from afar.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"
Amid the flames obscuring his vision, shuriken sliced through the air in an instant. Fire Style chakra clung to them and ignited them as they attacked Sasuke from several directions.
Sasuke's expression turned serious. His Sharingan instantly opened, two tomoe appearing in each eye as the world abruptly changed before him.
Kunai in hand, he nimbly dodged at the same time. The clanging of metal rang out repeatedly as every incoming flaming shuriken was knocked aside.
That was not all. His Sharingan locked onto Itachi in the distance, and his hands formed seals at tremendous speed.
"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!" He immediately unleashed this A-rank ninjutsu, which he had learned only recently. In terms of range, it ranked among the top three Fire Style techniques. In an instant, it surged like a sea of flames, pressing down