A Battle with Sasuke

"How is this possible?!"

Sasuke stared blankly at Rock Lee before him, his face full of disbelief.

He had already activated his Sharingan and could see every one of his opponent's movements clearly, but...

His body simply could not keep up.

Fast!

He was just too fast!

Panic appeared on his face. The next moment...

Thud!

Rock Lee circled behind Sasuke at incredible speed and kicked him into the air. He then leaped up after him, the bandages wrapped around his hands rapidly unfurling...

Front Lotus!

Zhi Ge charged power into his legs and shot forward like a spring, appearing between Rock Lee and Sasuke in a flash and separating them.

The three of them landed one after another.

Sasuke looked at Zhi Ge in surprise.

"Taijutsu master!"

Rock Lee's expression turned grave as his eyes locked onto Zhi Ge. Those four words immediately surfaced in his mind.

He was also a ninja who trained in Taijutsu, yet even he had been shocked by Zhi Ge's speed just now.

Naruto and Sakura also stared blankly at the suddenly appearing boy.

This guy was strong!

"Long time no see, Naruto!"

Zhi Ge smiled warmly and looked at Naruto, who was still standing there in a daze.

"???"

Naruto froze for a moment, then suddenly jumped up. Shock filled his eyes as he cried excitedly, "Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!!! Uchiha: Zhi Ge! Ah... holy crap! It's actually you! When did you come back?"

"Just arrived."

Zhi Ge smiled.

Uchiha?

"Naruto, you know him?"

Sakura looked at Naruto in surprise, but her gaze soon returned to Zhi Ge. She became smitten, and her face instantly flushed red.

This boy was so handsome. He seemed even more dashing than... Sasuke!

I like him so much. Should I give Sasuke to Ino?

But... but I like Sasuke so much too?!

"Haha, Sakura, this is my childhood friend, Zhi Ge." Naruto laughed carelessly and ran toward Zhi Ge in excitement.

"Uchiha: Zhi Ge!"

At that moment, a furious roar suddenly rang out across the field. Sasuke's pupils abruptly widened, his fists clenched tightly, and his gaze locked onto Zhi Ge as his entire body trembled.

His Two-Tomoe Sharingan was filled with rage. Gritting his teeth, he roared, "You actually didn't die! Then I'll send you to your death!"

"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique!"

As soon as he spoke, a massive fireball shot toward Zhi Ge, and everyone's expressions changed dramatically.

Zhi Ge's expression hardened. He flashed aside, then looked at Sasuke and calmly asked, "You want to kill me?"

There was no further nonsense!

Sasuke trembled as he charged toward Zhi Ge, throwing several kunai at him. At the same time, he shot forward himself.

He was brimming with killing intent!

"Sasuke, stop!"

At the same time, Naruto stepped in front of Zhi Ge and shouted, "Sasuke, what are you doing? He's our companion!"

"Naruto, move aside!"

With his Sharingan activated, Sasuke stared fixedly at Zhi Ge, his fury reaching its peak.

It was all him, all because of him!

All because of this cursed Uchiha!

This harbinger of disaster!

The Uchiha Clan had been massacred by that damned Itachi!

If... if it had not been for him, then perhaps... Itachi would still have been his beloved older brother!

He had thought Zhi Ge had died in that clan massacre as well, but he never expected, never expected...

He was actually still alive!

At that moment, his fury had reached its limit. He roared, "Naruto, move aside! Otherwise, you'll die with him too!"

"Sasuke... you... what's wrong with you?"

Sakura stared blankly at the enraged Sasuke. She had never imagined things would turn out like this.

Sasuke did not answer. He merely glanced at her, and Sakura's face instantly went pale with fright.

This...

Was this still her Sasuke?

"Sasuke, Zhi Ge is my companion. He's also an ordinary person without Chakra. I won't let you hurt him!"

Naruto spread his arms before Zhi Ge, his gaze resolute.

An ordinary person without Chakra?

Rock Lee was slightly stunned, his eyes falling on Zhi Ge.

"Good, very good! Since you want to die, I don't mind killing you too!"

Sasuke roared in rage and charged at Zhi Ge.

"Fire Release, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Sasuke rapidly formed hand seals and spat countless flames from his mouth, sending them shooting toward Zhi Ge.

Naruto's face changed drastically at the sight. He shouted, "Zhi Ge, you're no match for Sasuke! Run!"

"Don't worry! As long as I'm here, I absolutely won't let Sasuke hurt you!"

As soon as he spoke, Naruto was about to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Just then, Zhi Ge smiled faintly and grabbed Naruto. Looking calmly at Sasuke, he said with a light smile, "Naruto, let me handle this!"

"Zhi Ge, you..."

Naruto's eyes were filled with concern. Who was Sasuke?

He was a genius known by everyone, and he had even activated his Sharingan!

But what about Zhi Ge? He was the Uchiha Clan's failure, someone who did not even possess Chakra. What could he use to fight Sasuke?

Wasn't this simply courting death?

At that moment, even carefree Naruto had forgotten Zhi Ge's astonishing speed from earlier.

The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique came shooting toward him!

Zhi Ge smiled faintly, slowly lowering his body as one arm stretched backward, farther and farther!

"Rubber Bullet!"

The instant his voice fell, Zhi Ge threw a punch!

Just one punch!

The Phoenix Sage Fire filling the sky turned into white smoke!

Across from him, Sasuke stared blankly at the scene!

Not only him—Naruto and the others were also dumbfounded, standing frozen in place!

Sasuke's Phoenix Sage Fire, unleashed in rage, had been punched out just like that?

It was unbelievable!

Most, most, most... most importantly, Zhi Ge's arm had seemed to stretch longer just now?

At that moment, Zhi Ge turned around and gave Sasuke an indifferent look. He sneered, "With brains like yours, you really disgrace the Uchiha Clan!"

Silence!

At that moment, the field was deathly quiet!

Zhi Ge smiled faintly and said coldly, "If it weren't for Itachi's sake, you'd already be dead!"

With that, he gave Naruto a small smile, turned, and left, leaving the others behind wearing stunned expressions!

"Ah! Zhi Ge!"

The next moment, Sasuke flew into a rage. His eyes turned bloodshot, and his entire body began trembling violently.

Itachi!

That bastard actually dared mention Itachi!

He had clearly touched Sasuke's rawest nerve.

His fury reached its peak as he shot toward Zhi Ge. "Zhi Ge, go die! You cursed bastard, you don't deserve to utter the name Uchiha!"

The hatred buried deep in his heart for so long completely erupted at that moment!

He had already lost all reason. He only wanted to kill Zhi Ge and avenge his clan!

"Heh."

Zhi Ge gave a faint laugh. In his eyes, Sasuke was simply far too slow.

Bang!

Rubber Whip!

With just one kick, the genius Sasuke was sent flying again.

Zhi Ge turned around and gave Sasuke an indifferent glance, shaking his head. "You're too weak!"

After saying that, he glanced toward a certain hidden direction and walked away.

But he soon stopped.

Because someone had appeared in front of him!

Red hair, dark circles around his eyes, and a massive gourd on his back!

Gaara!