A Fierce Battle

The fake Naruto raised a hand and tore the disguise off his face.

The white smoke cleared.

A pale-faced man dressed as a Grass Ninja appeared before the two of them.

His features looked utterly ordinary, but an unsettling smile hung on his lips.

"You caught me."

Sakura wasted no words and charged straight at him.

Chakra-Enhanced Strength Fist!

She drove a punch toward the Grass Ninja's chest.

But he merely shifted sideways, effortlessly evading her fist.

Then he caught Sakura's wrist and twisted it in one fluid motion.

Sakura's expression changed slightly, and she immediately kicked at him.

The Grass Ninja released her first, using the momentum to drift backward.

The entire sequence flowed seamlessly, without a single wasted movement.

"Too slow."

Sakura's gaze hardened.

He had not met her head-on, yet he could easily evade her attacks.

That was definitely not something an ordinary genin could do.

Sasuke formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A scorching fireball roared forth, instantly cutting off the Grass Ninja's retreat.

Still smiling, the Grass Ninja rapidly formed hand seals.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Boom!

A thick earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the fireball.

The flames struck the wall, unleashing billowing waves of heat.

A moment later, the Grass Ninja darted around the wall, his hand taking on an eerie, serpentine shape as he reached for Sasuke's neck.

Sasuke activated his one-tomoe Sharingan and read the movement in advance.

He sidestepped and viciously thrust his kunai toward the Grass Ninja's chest.

Clang!

The Grass Ninja flicked the kunai aside with his fingers.

Those pale-looking fingers possessed astonishing strength.

Sasuke used the force to retreat, his expression growing increasingly grave.

"This guy..."

His taijutsu, hand seal speed, and combat experience all far surpassed those of an ordinary genin.

Just then, hurried