Chapter 542 The Two Strongest People in the Ninja World

As Sasuke intensely focused on pinpointing the source of the strange sensation, a deafening roar ripped through the air. Momoshiki, having absorbed a tremendous amount of chakra, conjured a colossal crimson Rasengan and hurled it directly at Naruto and the others. The raw power threatened to detonate, promising to obliterate half of Konoha in a single, devastating blast.

But just as disaster seemed inevitable, Naruto slammed his hands together! Watching from behind, Boruto's heart swelled with emotion as Naruto stood alone, resolute at the front. Was this really his useless, deadbeat dad?

"Wood Style!"

"Descent of the World Tree!"

Naruto's voice echoed, unleashing a Kekkei Genkai unseen and unheard of by the younger generation of ninja – Wood Style, finally revealed. Instantly, colossal wooden vines erupted from the earth, blotting out the sky. They surged upwards, engulfing the entire arena in moments. Then, a colossal wooden giant materialized, Tailed Beast chakra instantly coating its immense form. Naruto controlled the wooden giant, its hands reaching out to seize the massive crimson Rasengan hurtling towards them. It looked as if Naruto intended to embrace the Rasengan, to face the full force of the attack head-on, alone.

At that moment, Haku understood Naruto's unwavering resolve and swiftly wove hand seals.

"Ice Style: Crystal Ice Dome!"

In a flash, layers of ice crystals erupted from all directions, forming a massive ice dome that sealed Naruto and the crimson Rasengan within its icy confines. It was a desperate attempt to contain the impending explosion and prevent its devastating shockwaves from spreading.

However, the next moment, an intensely blinding light erupted from within the ice. A thunderous explosion shook the very foundations of the earth, the ground trembling violently. Cracks spider-webbed across the ice crystals as waves of raw energy leaked out, tearing through the ground with ease.

The Fifth Raikage, Darui, watched the uncontrolled energy spewing from the dome, his composure utterly shattered. Even with Naruto's Wood Style and the Sixth Mizukage's Ice Style, they still couldn't fully contain this power...?

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ground, assaulted by the relentless shockwaves, crumbled like fragile tofu, dissolving into dust with each tremor. The terrifying shockwaves even reached the younger ninja, their bodies feeling as if their bones were shattering from the slightest impact. The entire arena teetered on the brink of utter annihilation, overwhelmed by this devastating force.

Haku gritted his teeth, relentlessly pouring chakra into maintaining the ice dome, desperate to contain every last iota of energy. Even the smallest leak of this power would result in unimaginable casualties. This was the Chunin Exam arena, packed with countless ninja. These genin were utterly defenseless against an attack of this magnitude, even against the residual shockwaves.

CRACK! CRACK!

The ice crystals were now breaking apart at an alarming rate. Momoshiki coldly observed the desperate struggle of these insignificant beings.

"If you had simply fled, you might have survived!" Momoshiki's icy voice cut through the chaos. "But to protect others, you chose to confront my attack directly. You are simply courting death!"

As Momoshiki's chilling words echoed, the ice dome teetered on the verge of complete collapse. Boruto, who had retreated to the stands with Sarada, stared down at the figure visible through the widening cracks in the ice.

Dad…

A wave of regret washed over Boruto. If only… if only he hadn't treated his father so poorly before. If Naruto were to die here, Boruto knew he would carry this crushing guilt for the rest of his days. He had been a disobedient, ungrateful son. Naruto must have been so deeply disappointed in him.

"Boruto! Look out!"

Suddenly, a surge of energy blasted through the cracks in the ice, hurtling directly towards them. Sarada instinctively shoved Boruto aside, trying to shield him, inadvertently exposing herself to the full force of the attack.

In the next instant, a colossal Susanoo erupted from the ground in front of Sarada.

"Sarada! Don't worry, Dad's here!"

BOOM!

The attack was effortlessly deflected by the Susanoo. Protected by its massive wings, Sarada remained completely unscathed. Sarada stared, stunned, at the towering figure before her.

"Dad!"

Itachi turned to look at Sarada. "Are you alright, Sarada?" He knelt down, his gaze searching for any sign of injury, finding none. Sarada looked up at her father in awe.

One! Two! Three! … Six!

Her father's Sharingan… it had six tomoe? A Six-Tomoe Rinnegan? So… so powerful! Wasn't her dad supposed to be just a desk-ninja? With a Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, just how immense was his ocular power? And that thing from before, that crimson giant – what was it? It had blocked that devastating attack with such ease.

"Itachi-san, please save my father!" Boruto, seizing a flicker of hope, rushed to Itachi and pleaded desperately.

Itachi smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Naruto is the Hokage of Konoha. An attack of this level won't even scratch him."

"If Naruto wasn't concerned with protecting us and the civilians, those two would have been sent flying already." Hearing this, Boruto was even more astounded. His dad… was that strong?

"Besides," Itachi continued, "even if I hadn't intervened, it wouldn't have mattered. There's another monster here too. With those two working together, even if every ninja in the world joined forces, they wouldn't stand a chance."

Another one? "Who?" Boruto asked, his curiosity piqued.

Itachi chuckled softly. "Naruto's friend, the one your father once desperately wanted to bring back to the village. Though he never succeeded back then, that person has returned now. With them fighting together, there's absolutely nothing to worry about."

Friend? Bring back? What was Itachi talking about?

At that moment, Sarada's mind raced, and one name surfaced: Uchiha Sasuke! But that couldn't be right, could it? Sasuke was from their parents' generation. How could he be friends with the Hokage?

BOOM!

Suddenly, the energy surge intensified once more. Haku had reached his breaking point. The ice dome was on the verge of total collapse. But in that critical instant, a single snowflake drifted down, and the shattered ice crystals were instantly reinforced with an even more resilient layer of ice. Deep blue ice crystals blossomed outwards, utterly unfazed by the explosive energy raging within.

Haku finally allowed himself a sigh of relief. Lord Sasuke… your mastery of Ice Style is even greater than my own.

When the energy surge finally subsided completely, the ice dome dissolved away, revealing Naruto, panting heavily, but completely unharmed save for a sheen of sweat on his brow. Boruto erupted with elation.

"These guys are too powerful. Fighting them in Konoha will put the civilians in danger!" Naruto declared, his voice firm.

The Fifth Raikage stepped forward. "What do you intend to do?"

Naruto glanced at him. "Forgive my disrespect, Raikage-sama, but this fight has moved beyond your level now." Darui's expression darkened, though he couldn't refute the truth in Naruto's words.

"Leave the rest to me!" Naruto stated definitively.

The surrounding Konoha ninja hesitated. "Hokage-sama, facing such formidable enemies alone is too dangerous! Allow us to assist you!"

But in that very moment, a figure materialized beside Naruto. Naruto smiled, a sense of calm assurance washing over his features. "I am not alone."

"Right… Sasuke?"

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