Naruto Uzumaki shot out of the billowing dust, the Kurama chakra enveloping his body blazing even more fiercely than before, its golden light burning as though it had taken solid form.
Several small scratches marked his face, and his robes were torn in many places, but the fighting spirit burning in his eyes was stronger than ever.
His right fist was already clenched. Like a streak of golden light, he charged up from below, heading straight into Momoshiki's dive.
A flicker of surprise crossed Momoshiki's eyes, but an even fiercer killing intent quickly replaced it. His Black Rod slammed down, its tip carrying enough force to pierce a mountain range.
"Die!"
Fist and rod collided with a thunderous crash midway between them.
An explosive shock wave erupted from the point of contact in every direction. Centered on the two of them, a layer of earth was forcibly stripped away for dozens of meters around, and the savage gale swept rubble and dust high into the sky.
The blow knocked Naruto several meters downward. His feet struck the ground, stamping a spiderweb of cracks into the earth.
But he did not retreat. Instead, he drove his chakra even harder, the golden light around him growing increasingly blinding.
Momoshiki, too, swayed slightly in midair from the impact, his body rising several feet.
At that very instant, a flash of lightning struck from the side.
At some point, Sasuke had retrieved the Kusanagi Sword, and its edge slashed toward him with murderous intent.
But Momoshiki showed no fear.
Sasuke's movements were too obvious. All he needed to do was turn slightly to dodge.
What he did not expect was for Sasuke to swap places with a piece of rubble beside his feet in the next instant.
Amenotejikara!
Sasuke's sudden change in position caught