In theory, Amaterasu was a technique that could not be dodged, barring the Raikage's monstrous reflexes and Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique.
Although Sage Mode enhanced perception and taijutsu, it still fell short of allowing someone to evade a visual dojutsu like Amaterasu.
During Itachi and Sasuke's battle, they had put on a little performance of "setting oneself on fire." Anyone who knew better understood what had really happened...
Whoom!
Black flames erupted over Naruto's body, their searing heat instantly tightening his expression!
"Ugh... so hot! At this rate, I really will burn to death!"
In Naruto and Sasuke's battle long ago, Sasuke had also used Amaterasu on Naruto.
Back then, Naruto had dealt with it by using Nine-Tails chakra to isolate Amaterasu and peel the flames away.
Now, the Nine-Tails refused to lend Naruto any chakra and had even closed the chakra channel between them, so that method was unavailable.
Of course, the Rinnegan's Deva Path and Preta Path abilities could easily neutralize Amaterasu.
But Naruto had already said that he would not use the Rinnegan's ocular powers against Sasuke in this battle.
"..." Sasuke partially covered his left eye, the pupil visible between his fingers watching Naruto closely.
The murderous intent in his eyes wavered...
His left eye unleashed Amaterasu, while his right controlled its shape, including extinguishing it.
"Still not going to use that left eye's power? Or is this all that left eye amounts to? Either way, I won't extinguish these flames. Burn just like that, Naruto. Once you're dead, no one will be able to stop me anymore. Then I can raise the smoke of vengeance against Danzo and Konoha, all on my own...!!"
Yet Naruto took a scroll from inside his clothes, pulled a brush from his Ninja Tool Pouch, and swiftly wrote out the sealing formula. Once finished, he held the brush handle between his teeth and pressed both hands onto the scroll.
-Fire Sealing Method: Flame Seal!
Whoosh!
Every last Amaterasu flame on his body streamed into the center of the scroll. The character for "fire" appeared in the blank space at its center, surrounded by black sealing script!
The Amaterasu flames had burned his body, but that had been unavoidable.
The experts standing by were each inwardly moved.
Konan: That's Master Jiraiya's technique...
Orochimaru: To perform the complicated Fire Sealing Method: Flame Seal so smoothly while Amaterasu is burning him takes extraordinary endurance and precision. I'm growing more and more curious, Naruto-kun. What exactly did you experience while I was sealed away to have grown so much?
Obito: He and Sasuke aren't even on the same level anymore...
Naruto put away the brush and scroll, then calmly rose to his feet. "Do you still want to continue, Sasuke?"
"Don't get full of yourself, you dead last!" Sasuke clenched his fists. Answering the fury in his heart, dark purple chakra appeared around his body!
Karin trembled. It's this chakra. So cold, like being plunged into an ice cellar...
The purple chakra intensified, solidifying into a skeletal frame!
"Let's see what you can do about this!"
Sasuke's arrogance reached an unprecedented height!
"Susanoo, huh? That brings back memories..."
Naruto's expression grew solemn as he formed a hand seal with four fingers before his chest.
Poof! A Shadow Clone appeared from the smoke and infused wind nature into the Rasengan gathering in Naruto's left hand.
Whirrrrr...! Accompanied by the shriek of wind blades, a Rasenshuriken took shape!
Sasuke's pupils abruptly contracted. "What is that?? Wind Release, an enhanced Rasengan!?"
Poof!
The Shadow Clone dispersed.
"Catch this, Sasuke!!!"
Naruto gathered his strength and hurled it at Sasuke!
-Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!
Whoosh!!
The Rasenshuriken tore through the air, and Sasuke relied on Susanoo to take it head-on!
Boom!!!!
A windstorm exploded, instantly engulfing the spot where Sasuke stood.
"Gaaah...!!"
The spreading storm forced Jugo and the others watching nearby to retreat!!
Crack! Crack!
The sound of bones breaking rang out within the storm...
Karin screamed, "Sasuke!!!!"
The storm gradually subsided. Sasuke was unharmed, but Susanoo's bones had almost completely collapsed, leaving only a thin layer of purple covering his body...
Sasuke hung his head, his shoulders trembling and his expression dark. "Again, and again..."
Shhk! Shhk! Shhk!
New bone growths sprouted in succession from the purple layer!
Sasuke suddenly raised his head and roared, his gaze savage. "How many times do you have to enrage me before you're satisfied?! Aaaaaaaaah...!!"
Boom!!!
The dark purple skeleton rose again. The additional chakra spilling out became muscle that wrapped around the bones, followed by an outer covering...
Susanoo advanced to another form!
Obito's gaze was inscrutable. "Yes, just like that... keep pushing Sasuke to grow, Naruto."
Shhk! Shhk!
An ornate longbow formed in Susanoo's left hand, while a mighty arrow took shape in its right.
Naruto's eyes flickered. The Heavenly Makako Bow, Sasuke's Susanoo divine weapon, has appeared!
Shhk, shhk, shhk... The bow was drawn and the arrow nocked, its sharp point aimed straight at Naruto!
"!" Naruto dared not let his guard slip in the slightest. He pushed Sage Mode's perception to its limit and leaned back with all his strength, chakra surging from his left hand. As the giant arrow reached him, he thrust a Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan upward!!!
Boom!!
After a muffled impact, the giant arrow veered off course and shot into the woods behind him, throwing up a cloud of dust!
Having already witnessed Naruto's abilities, Sasuke was no longer so astonished. His first shot being deflected had been within his expectations.
"Hah, hah, hah, hah... every cell in my body hurts. Is this what Itachi felt back then when he used it...?" Sasuke panted heavily, enduring the pain as another arrow formed. He nocked it and pulled the bowstring taut!
"The same trick won't work twice! I'll put more force into this arrow. You won't knock it off course!!"
Whoosh!!!
An even more powerful arrow tore through the air!!
Shhk!
"No other choice..." Naruto bit his finger and pressed a single hand to the ground.
Orochimaru's beautiful eyes flashed. "This is..."
-Triple Rashomon!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three gates rose one behind another before him, carved with demonic faces, covered in vicious iron spikes, and adorned with bells...
Clang! Clang... clang!
The giant arrow pierced two Rashomon gates in succession, then buried half its length in the third. Its tip was roughly a meter from Naruto.
Poof!
The Rashomon gates vanished in white smoke, taking the arrow with them...
Amid the drifting wind and snow of the Land of Iron, Sasuke stared at Naruto with eyes left unfocused by the overuse of his ocular powers, and asked a question laden with conflicting emotions. "Naruto... what exactly are you?"
Naruto said sincerely, "I'm your friend. In the past, in the present, and in the future. That has never changed..."
"My friend...? Heh, heh, heh, heh." After a few incredulous chuckles, Sasuke asked in a low voice, "Then if I want to destroy the village, will you help me?! Answer me!!!"
"Well..." Naruto lightly pinched his chin, his gaze carrying the distance of many years. "How about we switch to the right hand this time?"
Before you continue