"Bang!"
Shihōin Naraku kicked Kakashi Hatake into the air, then seemed to leap through space, appearing beside Kakashi and driving his elbow hard into his abdomen, smashing him back down to the ground.
Kakashi Hatake slammed into the earth and rolled several times, carving a long furrow through the ground before crashing into a massive boulder and coming to a stop. With no time to ease the agony wracking his body, he rolled clumsily to one side.
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
A fist came out of nowhere, seemingly punching through space as it struck the boulder. Cracks spread across its surface, and the next second, it shattered.
Pressing his advantage relentlessly, Shihōin Naraku rushed after him, unleashing merciless punches and kicks backed by tremendous force. His Sharingan spinning rapidly, Kakashi Hatake read Naraku's movements and observed the flow of chakra, searching for every opening to counterattack.
"Bang!"
Shihōin Naraku whipped a vicious kick into Kakashi Hatake's body, but just then, the wide-eyed Kakashi vanished into smoke with a pop.
"A shadow clone! Was it when I smashed the boulder?"
"Crack-boom!!!"
"Lightning Release: Chidori!!!"
A piercing chorus of birdsong erupted beside his ears as lightning chakra, flashing with electricity, gathered in Kakashi Hatake's palm.
Kakashi Hatake supported his lightning-cloaked right hand with his left, feeling the lightning release stimulate his body's cells, activating them!
"Crackle-"
Faster! Faster still!
At that moment, Kakashi Hatake's speed soared, and he seemed to become a bolt of lightning striking at Shihōin Naraku!
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
At some point, dozens of concealed weapons pierced the air, forming an impenetrable net that closed over Shihōin Naraku, sealing off every avenue of escape.
If he dodged the weapons, he could not dodge Kakashi Hatake's Chidori!
If he tried to dodge Chidori, the sheer number of weapons would be enough to pierce Shihōin Naraku all over.
Shihōin Naraku stood where he was, his eyes shifting slightly as his Observation Haki instantly spread out. Everything around him appeared in his mind.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
His expression never changed. Shihōin Naraku tilted his head left, drew in his shoulder, tilted his head right, bent his left arm, and lowered his right. The weapons passed through every gap around his body without a single one injuring him.
How was that possible!!!
Everyone watching the fight was dumbstruck. The weapons Kakashi Hatake had thrown had come from different directions, and some had even attacked Shihōin Naraku from behind, yet he had dodged them as though he had eyes in the back of his head.
"Th-this..."
Sasuke Uchiha felt rather dumbfounded and helpless. If he could dodge weapons coming from every direction, didn't that render a lot of people's weapon-throwing techniques useless?!
The Uchiha Clan in particular excelled at throwing weapons. Sasuke could likewise make weapons collide in midair to attack an enemy from incredible angles, but against what Shihōin Naraku had just done, there was simply nothing he could do.
"No, there must be some trick to it!"
"So this really is what a Jonin is like!"
Sasuke Uchiha rallied himself. At some point, his eyes had become fixed on the lightning flashing in Kakashi Hatake's palm.
Naruto Uzumaki stared at the battle before him, utterly captivated!
Neji Hyuga had already activated his Byakugan and was watching the Jonin in the training ground intently.
If he had strength like that, perhaps he could break free of the shackles the Hyuga Clan had placed on him and become a truly free bird!
Inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer knew where he had put his pipe. He stared intently at the battle unfolding in the crystal ball.
"When did that fellow Naraku become this strong?"
"There certainly are problems with Kakashi's strength right now, but he shouldn't be getting overwhelmed like this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the battle, unable to believe everything that was happening.
Charging straight toward him, Kakashi Hatake saw that the weapons had accomplished nothing, but did not abandon his rush. Instead, he squeezed more out of his stamina, increasing his speed once again as he charged at Shihōin Naraku.
Chidori?
It looks like this is fate!
Shihōin Naraku opened his hand. Flames gathered in his palm like dancing sprites, forming a rapidly spinning orange-red ball of fire in an instant.
"Try my special version of the Rasengan!"
"Fire Release: Rasengan!"
The sight of the orange-red fireball in Shihōin Naraku's palm was so familiar that Kakashi Hatake blinked repeatedly.
Watching from his hiding place, Shimura Danzō widened his one eye and said incredulously, "When did Shihōin Naraku learn the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan?"
"Sir, Shihōin Naraku likely developed it himself. It only looks somewhat similar, but it is primarily Fire Release!"
"Don't waste words. I know!"
"Yes, sir!"
Inside the Hokage's Office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was coughing violently.
Shihōin Naraku's sudden move had startled him yet again.
"Cough, cough, cough... when did he even master the Rasengan?"
Outside the training ground, Naruto Uzumaki watched the spinning fireball in Shihōin Naraku's hand, suddenly somewhat entranced. Without realizing it, he flexed his hand, seemingly imitating Naraku's movements.
Chidori and Rasengan!
As though destined, they collided with a boom.
"Bzzzt..."
"Crack!"
A harsh, grating sound erupted. Kakashi Hatake thrust Chidori forward with all his strength, while Shihōin Naraku pushed the flaming Rasengan in his palm steadily onward.
Bursting lightning and dancing flames tore madly at each other within that space, ceaselessly unleashing endless power.
Collision, fusion, conflict, explosion!
"Rumble..."
Dazzling lightning and flames surged upward. In an instant, white light filled everyone's vision, and a deafening roar thundered out.
Waves of air swept outward from the eruption. An incomparably powerful shock wave overturned everything around it, and the sudden gale scattered everyone outside the grounds.
Lightning scattered through the air, lashing wildly as it unleashed its energy, while the rising flames burned everything that dared stand in their way to ashes.
A terrifying heat wave shot skyward, scorching the air and burning the sky a fiery red.
Rising smoke and dust mingled with lightning and flames, forming a gigantic pillar that reached into the heavens!
The vast Training Ground 19 was instantly flattened by that terrifying eruption of energy!
The earth shook violently, splitting open with bottomless fissures!
"Guy!!!"
"Coming!"
"Eight Gates Formation! First gate, Gate of Opening! Open!"
"Gate of Healing! Open!"
"Gate of Life! Open!"
"Gate of Limit! Open!"
"Gate of View! Open!"
The roars resounded through the sky. Hiding behind trees and boulders, Naruto Uzumaki and the others stared in horror at the drastically transformed Might Guy nearby!
His skin flushed red with blood, Might Guy erupted with green energy, his short black hair standing on end. Violent waves of air spread outward from him, sending Naruto Uzumaki and the others tumbling away with startled cries.
"Boom!!!"
The ground beneath his feet exploded. Might Guy burst forward at full speed, charging straight into the terrifyingly powerful explosion.
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