35

As Minato, Itachi, Sakura, and Kakashi watch from the sidelines, the anxiety is evident on their faces. The sight of Naruto and Sasuke about to face off against one of the Golden Zetsu, beings as powerful as Kaguya, has everyone on edge. Even Kakashi, ever the calm strategist, can't hide his concern.

Sakura looks to Minato, her eyes filled with worry. "What if they can't handle this? What if something goes wrong?"

Minato places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Hashirama is here. If anything happens, he can heal them. They're stronger than they look."

Itachi, with his calm and calculating demeanor, watches intently. "This is not a fight they should take lightly. We're all aware of the stakes."

Kakashi keeps his eyes trained on the two, his sharingan activated in case he needs to jump in, but there's a hesitancy in his stance. "They've got all the power they need. If they can't win against this, it could be a sign that the challenges ahead are far beyond anything we're prepared for."

But Hashirama stands tall, a reassuring presence among the worried crowd. His expression remains calm, and despite the gravity of the situation, his confidence is unwavering. "Don't worry. I've fought stronger enemies than that Golden Zetsu. And if it comes down to it, I'll heal them. It's important they see their limits now rather than later."

The tension rises as the fight begins. Naruto and Sasuke charge forward, their combined power—Kurama's chakra and Sasuke's Rinnegan—filling the air with immense energy. But the Golden Zetsu, with its cold and calculated precision, easily dodges their initial attacks.

Even though Naruto unleashes Kurama's power, his shadow clones are shredded effortlessly by the Golden Zetsu. Sasuke uses his Rinnegan, but the Golden Zetsu evades with such speed that it's almost as if the battle was over before it even began. The combined might of the Rinnegan and Kurama proves to be insufficient in overcoming the Golden Zetsu's strength, as it counters each blow with brutal efficiency.

In just two minutes, the fight takes a turn for the worse. Naruto and Sasuke are overwhelmed. Despite their immense chakra reserves, despite the power of Kurama and the Rinnegan, they're no match for the Golden Zetsu's speed and strength. They're knocked back, and both of them hit the ground hard, struggling to get back up.

Sasuke grits his teeth, trying to push himself to his feet, but the pain is too much. Naruto, too, is struggling, gasping for breath, his body battered from the sheer power of their opponent.

From the sidelines, Minato watches with clenched fists, unable to do anything to help. Itachi and Kakashi share a worried glance. Even Sakura, her fists clenched, wants to rush in and help, but she knows better. This is something Naruto and Sasuke need to face on their own.

Hashirama watches the fight carefully, his expression unreadable. When he sees both Naruto and Sasuke on the ground, he steps forward, ready to intervene if necessary. But before he can do anything, the Golden Zetsu steps back, raising a hand to stop the fight.

"Enough," it says, its voice cold and unyielding. "You've both proven your strength... or lack thereof."

Naruto struggles to sit up, his expression full of frustration and disappointment. "Tch... Damn it! We couldn't even land a hit…"

Sasuke, bruised but not broken, looks over to Naruto. "We've come a long way, but not far enough. We still have a lot to learn."

Hashirama approaches them both, offering a comforting smile. "You both did well. This was a learning experience. I'll heal you. You need to recover and reflect on what happened. Strength isn't just about raw power; it's about knowing when and how to fight."

Kakashi, his usual calm demeanor shaken, steps forward as well. "You both are pushing yourselves to the limits. I have no doubt you'll come back stronger. But for now... rest. We'll all need you for what's to come."

The Golden Zetsu watches the two ninja quietly, then looks at Black Zetsu. "They have potential. But they are still children when it comes to true power."

Black Zetsu simply watches them, the slightest trace of amusement in his expression. "They've got a long road ahead."

As Naruto and Sasuke are helped back to their feet, they exchange a look. Despite the defeat, their determination remains strong. If anything, this loss has only fueled their desire to grow stronger, and they know they won't stop until they're ready for what lies ahead.