Naruto and Sasuke resumed their duel. This time, both charged at each other, throwing kunai and using the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique at the same instant. Kunai filled the air, colliding before scattering across the ground. The two reached each other, and the Fūjin Sword clashed with the Thunder God Sword once more.
Finding that neither could overpower the other, Naruto immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique. He vanished and appeared behind Sasuke. The instant Naruto disappeared, Sasuke knew trouble was coming. He activated his Dōjutsu and vanished as well, putting distance between them. Naruto's strike from behind missed. Seeing Sasuke suddenly disappear and move away, Naruto knew that Sasuke had used Space-Time Ninjutsu, just as he had, only through his Dōjutsu.
Naruto was not discouraged when the strike he had been so confident in was evaded. He vanished again, this time appearing at Sasuke's side and thrusting his sword toward his arm. Naruto was simply too fast for Sasuke to dodge. Left with no choice, Sasuke used his Dōjutsu again to disappear and open up some distance. This time, however, the moment he reappeared, he unleashed Shinra Tensei, repelling every kunai around him and clearing an empty stretch of ground. That would keep Naruto from suddenly appearing beside him again.
Although he had cleared away all the nearby kunai, Sasuke still dared not let his guard down, because Naruto's second wave of attacks was already coming. Sasuke had barely unleashed Shinra Tensei and had yet to recover when Naruto hurled another kunai at him. This one was infused with Wind Release nature transformation, making it faster and sharper.
Sasuke had no choice but to immediately throw a kunai in response. Although his Lightning Release-infused kunai was slightly faster than Naruto's Wind Release-infused one, Wind Release had far greater