Chapter 65: A Flash of Lightning

To Unlock Bonus Chapters:

Reach 50/100/200/400 Power Stones! 3 Extra Chapters!

Reach 800 Power Stones to activate NP!

Resets Weekly! [Monday]

—————————————————————————————————————————

Boom!!!

The force field of Super: Almighty Push repelled the resonance of four Tailed Beast Bombs. The barrier, unable to withstand the strain, shattered. The explosion column pierced the heavens, spreading out under the repulsive force into a flattened shockwave.

When the dust settled, the once-flat plain had transformed into a massive basin.

At the edge of the basin, hovering in mid-air, Konan's sharp eyes were filled with concern. "Naruto... he used that technique."

Obito murmured to himself, "Well, what comes next will be quite the struggle."

Tap!

Naruto descended from the sky, landing in the center of the basin.

Obito remained intangible throughout, conserving his energy and biding his time.

Obito's gaze was calm but deep. "The technique Pain used to destroy Konoha—it's truly terrifying in power, and its timing was impeccable. But I know this: after using it, the Deva Path's abilities are temporarily exhausted."

Naruto's expression remained steady. "Aren't you in the same boat? You just unleashed all the Tailed Beast Bombs in one go. That means you can't control the Tailed Beasts for a while, right?"

"Hmph. So now, it's the moment of truth. You should know that the instant my hand touches you, it'll all be over."

Clang, clang, clang.

As his words fell, chains slid out from Obito's sleeves.

"The same goes for you. Once I mark you with the Flying Raijin, you'll never sleep soundly again."

Crackle~!

As he finished speaking, a purple cloak reappeared, draping over Naruto's body. At the same time, a Rasengan began to form in his left hand!

Swish!

The two charged at each other. In the instant their short weapons clashed, Naruto threw a kunai!

Whoosh!

The kunai zipped past Obito's mask.

Obito thought to himself, "How familiar… Next, it'll be the same as back then—teleporting out from the kunai, right?"

Swish!

Obito swiftly spun around, reaching for the kunai behind him!

Naruto's lips curled slightly. He didn't teleport to the kunai but instead aimed a Rasengan directly at Obito's back!

Whoosh!

But there was no sensation of impact. Naruto's body overlapped with Obito's intangible form!

Obito's gaze darkened. "Tell a lie enough times, and even you'll believe it. I've used tricks like this far too many times over the years."

Slash!

In the instant they passed each other, Naruto was caught midsection by the chains sliding out from Obito's sleeves!

"Truth and lies, reality and illusion—there are no fixed patterns in battle. It's all about waiting for the enemy to reveal an opening."

The chains tightened as Obito reached for Naruto's back!

Swish!

But just before his hand could touch him, Naruto teleported to the kunai that had already flown far away.

This exchange, though seemingly long, occurred in the blink of an eye. Yet the danger and intricacies within were known only to the two combatants!

In the end, it was a draw.

Naruto slowly turned around. "Compared to your fight with my father, you've improved a lot."

Obito reached for his shoulder, his tone neutral. "Your reflexes are almost as sharp as your father's, but you're even more cunning and unpredictable. Fortunately, the Flying Raijin's markings can't be shared, or you'd be truly unstoppable."

"Next time, I won't miss."

Naruto placed the kunai he had caught earlier in his mouth and formed a hand seal.

Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Poof!

The shadow clone, also clad in the purple lightning cloak, moved to Obito's other side, holding a kunai in its mouth as well!

Obito muttered, "A pincer attack with the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, using the shadow clone to grab my tangible form the moment the real body is threatened? But my eyes have never left you. I know exactly which one is the real you. When your real body is absorbed, the shadow clone will dissipate simultaneously. So dividing your chakra like this is meaningless!"

The real Naruto, kunai clenched in his teeth, said, "How would you know if you don't try?"

Obito's gaze turned sharp. "Then let's try!"

Swish! Naruto's real body and shadow clone charged at Obito from the left and right. During the charge, both the real body and the clone formed Rasengan in their left hands!

Obito stood still, his right eye scanning left and right. He thought to himself, "Deliberately placing his real body on my left side, not even overlooking the fact that my right eye's left field of vision is slightly weaker? The current Naruto is full of schemes."

"But I've known from the start which one is the real you!"

In the instant their short weapons clashed, Obito stepped to the left, reaching for Naruto's real body!

Obito thought, "No kunai thrown this time? Honestly, that would've made me hesitate for a moment. You've prepared all these tricks but overlooked the crucial point. What a fatal flaw."

"Once you're absorbed into my space-time, even the Flying Raijin can't help you escape across dimensions."

"I've won."

Obito's hand reached for Naruto's face!

Poof!

But just as he touched him, the Naruto before him vanished in a puff of white smoke!

Obito's pupils constricted. "A clone? How is this possible? I confirmed with my Sharingan—this was definitely the real body! Could it be that, in that instant, his real body and the clone teleported into the kunai they were biting, swapping places with each other?!"

"This is the Flying Raijin version of the Heavenly Hand Power!"

Behind Obito, Naruto's real body launched a Rasengan in a fierce assault!!

Obito's inner voice screamed, "Damn it!!"

Boom! Obito was slammed into the ground!

The Rasengan tore into his back, leaving it a bloody mess. Blood splattered onto the kunai Naruto held in his mouth!!

Slash!

As the Rasengan's energy dissipated, Naruto successfully marked Obito's back with the Flying Raijin seal!

Whoosh! Enduring the pain, Obito immediately activated his intangibility and distanced himself from Naruto!!

Huff, huff, huff. He panted heavily, his bloodshot right eye glaring at Naruto from beneath his mask. "I underestimated you. I realized your reflexes rival Minato's, but I didn't expect your mastery of the Flying Raijin to surpass even his."

Ssss…

At that moment, a small snake slithered out from Naruto's sleeve. Its tongue flicked out, tasting the blood on the kunai, before retreating back into his sleeve.

Poof!

Naruto threw a smoke bomb at his feet.

Rustle, rustle… Under the cover of the smoke, the small snake slipped away from Naruto, its destination unknown.

Naruto spoke calmly, "You're wrong, Obito. What you underestimated wasn't me—it was my father. Even now, I don't think I've surpassed him in either of those aspects."

Obito's gaze darkened. "Regardless, I won't give you another opportunity."

Swish!

Tobi landed beside Obito!

Simultaneously, paper gathered around Naruto, forming Konan's figure!

Naruto asked, "How's it going?"

Konan replied, "Everything's ready on our side."

"Good." Naruto nodded, his gaze locking onto Tobi. "That guy… he's got something extraordinary inside of him."

Obito said, "Tobi, Naruto knows my abilities too well. I'll need you to distract him. I'll find an opening to absorb him."

"Leave it to me. I've been wanting to test what's inside me anyway."

Clap!

Tobi clasped his hands together in front of his chest.

Mokuton: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!