Dispelling Doubts

"Looking to die, brat?" Sasuke's utter contempt enraged Kidomaru. With a roar, he sprang forward like a venomous spider, breaking the standoff.

In an instant, five figures collided on the moonlit rooftop. Fragile tiles cracked beneath their feet.

Sasuke became a streak of black lightning, weaving through the four attackers' relentless assault.

His scarlet Sharingan slowly turned, predicting the path of every strike.

Sticky-gold Kunai shot from Kidomaru's mouth like a downpour. Sasuke dodged sideways or blocked them with his gauntlets, sending sparks flying.

Jirōbō charged with a roar, driving a heavy straight punch at Sasuke's face. But Sasuke dropped low before he could put his strength behind it, slid aside, and slammed an elbow into his ribs, forcing him to stumble back.

Tayuya's flute struck like a snake, darting in from the trickiest angles toward joints and vital points. Sakon and Ukon worked together seamlessly, attacking from both sides with fists and feet that wove a deadly net.

Fighting four against one, Sasuke pushed his Taijutsu to its limit. The Kunai in his hand seemed alive, every block and counterattack precise and efficient. The ring of clashing metal and the dull thud of blows against flesh never ceased.

Then grotesque black markings appeared on all four of his opponents, and their Chakra turned cold and savage. Their speed, strength, and reflexes multiplied, their attacks growing denser and more vicious.

Jirōbō punched a hole through the spot where Sasuke had just been standing. Kidomaru's attacks became hard to track. Sakon and Ukon's kicks moved so fast they left afterimages.

Sasuke, who had been fighting with room to spare, rapidly ran out of space to dodge. Each block left his arms numb. At last, a coordinated assault drove him into a corner, trapped within the four's combined onslaught.

"Interesting." Sasuke was