020 String of Fate

"..."

Naruto and Sasuke stood face to face in silence. Something between them felt inevitable, like fate itself was watching.

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement. "The two storms I've been waiting for... about to collide so soon."

Sasuke also noticed Orochimaru, someone who shouldn't have been there.

Expressionless, he thought: Orochimaru is back... Did Naruto bring him here too? Was that attack on Jūgo part of the plan?

And that Akatsuki woman... She blocked my path earlier to buy time for Naruto to deal with Danzo. It's too well-timed. Is it just a coincidence that Naruto of all people is doing exactly what I was planning to do? That idiot... always charging forward. I don't get him... damn it!

Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration.

Whoosh!

A swirling vortex appeared again

The masked Obito had arrived.

Everyone turned to look, their expressions shifting.

Konan's eyes turned sharp and cold, her entire body tensed with caution.

Orochimaru stayed unreadable, but clearly wary.

Naruto quietly pulled his mask back over his face, thoughts racing.

Obito... we're meeting earlier than I expected.

He's one of the few I'd consider an SSR-level threat. I need to stay sharp...

(Note: In Boruto's era, there was a card game featuring "Seventh Hokage Naruto." That version of Naruto was classified as an SSR-level card. Since then, Naruto has liked to use "SSR" to refer to anyone on his level.)

Obito finally faced Naruto, the one he'd been searching for all along. 

Yet, upon seeing him, Obito was strangely calm.

"You all go ahead and talk," he said with a relaxed tone.

Then he slowly sat down, brushing off his sleeves like a man unmoved by the storm around him, as if he were sitting calmly in a fishing boat amid crashing waves.

Honestly, the calmer he acts, the more people can't help but care about him.

Rustle.

White Zetsu, who had been moving with Sasuke, slipped underground and reappeared beside Obito. 

Speaking in a voice only Obito could hear, he asked, "Is this okay? Nagato's Rinnegan is right there."

Obito replied, "No need to rush. With Orochimaru and Konan present, it won't be that easy to pull off."

White Zetsu continued, "How are things going at the Five Kage Summit?"

Obito thought for a moment. "Naruto got there first. After thinking it over, I realize now isn't the right time to start a war."

"Kisame is already chasing the Eight Tails, and Naruto who holds the Nine Tails has defected from Konoha. He's already under heavy criticism."

"The real goal of war is to capture the tailed beasts inside those two. If we can achieve that without a full-scale war, why bother starting one?"

And so, by a strange twist of fate, the Fourth Great Ninja War originally set to begin was quietly delayed.

White Zetsu muttered, "Honestly, I feel like sending Nagato to Konoha was a mistake. Everything's veered off the original plan."

Obito replied calmly, "It's too late for regrets. I underestimated Naruto. Who would've thought he'd take Nagato's Rinnegan, revive Orochimaru, and even turn Konan, who once worked for me, to his side?"

His gaze darkened. "Now that he's spread his wings, I want to see just how far he can fly…"

White Zetsu whispered, "So... he really doesn't plan to fight here?"

Naruto, at a distance, sensed Obito's stillness.

He relaxed slightly, but kept his guard up, his Sage Mode still locked onto Obito's every move.

Sasuke didn't care about anyone else right now his eyes were only on Naruto. He couldn't wait any longer. He had to test his current strength.

He gave a quick order:

"Jūgo, Suigetsu, watch the Akatsuki woman and Orochimaru!"

"Got it!" the two replied.

Swish!

Jūgo dashed in front of Konan, his curse mark flaring wildly as he entered a berserk state.

Konan remained calm. She was focused on watching Obito and had no interest in making any moves herself.

Suigetsu, meanwhile, held his sword confidently but spoke nervously:

"Lord Orochimaru… I'm really happy to see you alive again…"

Orochimaru chuckled, amused.

"Hehe, Suigetsu, my cute little subordinate. You look full of energy, I wonder if your skills have improved?"

Suigetsu gave a weak smile.

"You're joking, right? I'm just here to help. Please don't make things hard for me…"

Orochimaru smirked.

"Oh? That's no fun. Maybe I should ask Naruto-kun if I can spar with you a little?"

Suigetsu panicked:

"No need! Let's just keep chatting peacefully, no fighting, please!"

Karin adjusted her glasses and looked at Sasuke.

"What about me, Sasuke?"

Sasuke replied in a low voice, "Just stay on the sidelines and keep watch."

Is Sasuke worried about me? Karin blushed inwardly, her mind spinning with wild thoughts.

But on the surface, she remained composed and said with concern,

"If you get hurt, I can heal you right away."

Sasuke snorted and closed his eyes, then opened them again, his Mangekyō Sharingan glowing with intensity.

"Injured? That won't happen!"

Swish!

Sasuke quickly formed hand seals and puffed out his chest.

 —Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Fireballs shot from his mouth, covering the area in a sweeping arc, trapping Naruto and cutting off any escape routes. 

There was no way for Naruto to dodge, he could only block.

Though this Fire Style technique wasn't the most famous, its effectiveness in battle made it a favorite of skilled fighters like Itachi.

"Here it comes!" Naruto's eyes sharpened.

He drew the samurai sword he'd brought to the Five Kage Summit and swung it to block the incoming fireballs.

Ooo!!

With a flash of lightning, Sasuke rushed forward, his eyes locked on Naruto, lightning gathering in his hands. He charged with incredible speed!

Clang!!

Naruto swung his left hand to deflect the remaining fireballs and immediately formed a Rasengan in his right hand, ready to strike.

Boom!!!

The Rasengan collided with Sasuke's Chidori, creating a massive shockwave.

When the dust settled, both figures were forced to retreat.

"Hmph!" Sasuke smirked slightly, unsheathed the Kusanagi sword, and lunged forward in one swift motion.

"Hey~" Naruto took the lead, swinging his sword to meet the attack.

Ding ding ding ding!!

The two swords clashed fiercely, their sharp edges locking in a dazzling display. The flying snowflakes seemed to avoid the area where they fought.

As the battle wore on, Sasuke grew more surprised. 

When did Naruto, who once relied solely on chakra and brute strength, learn such refined and precise swordsmanship?

Naruto was equally impressed. With the help of the Sharingan, the swordsmanship I've honed since childhood is truly unique. Sasuke's growth at such a young age is remarkable.

He thought to himself, After sealing Kaguya, I made a lot of effort to fill in the gaps in my basic ninja skills!

"Take this!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, using Lightning Style chakra to electrify the Kusanagi sword.

"I can do that too..." 

Naruto responded swiftly, coating his katana with Wind Style chakra.

Clang!!

The two swords clashed again, and their eyes locked.

Sasuke coldly asked, "Is your left eye just for show?"

Naruto said, "I don't want to use the power of these eyes against my friends."

"Friend?" Sasuke's eyes wavered briefly before turning cold. 

"You're still so naïve. You'll regret this!"

Buzz!

Sasuke's eyes glowed brightly.

—Illusion: Sharingan!

Naruto was caught off guard. "Why are you glaring at me?"

Sasuke froze. Why didn't my illusion work on him?

Naruto's Rinnegan completely nullified Sasuke's Sharingan genjutsu. He hadn't even realized that Sasuke had used it on him.

Snap!

"Enough…" Sasuke sheathed his sword and took a step back. His eyes radiated genuine coldness.

Tick-tick. 

A drop of blood fell from the corner of Sasuke's left eye, staining the snow. Spiderweb-like bloodshot veins spread across his eyeball.

"Naruto, if you don't take this seriously, you'll die!!!"

—Amaterasu!!!

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TO BE CONTINUED

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