As the ninjutsu activated, the soil beneath Sasuke softened, collapsing.
His body sank, wrapped in earth, only his head exposed.
This was the same jutsu Kakashi used on Sasuke during the bell test.
Grabbing the enemy from underground, trapping them.
Though he spoke of no mercy, Kakashi clearly held back.
Otherwise…
This time, he'd have slit Sasuke's throat with a kunai.
Sadly, Sasuke didn't seem to realize this.
"This move's useless against me now!" He stomped hard.
Part of his sword-drawing art, a heavy step to surge forward.
Used now, with Sasuke's current strength…
It shattered the ground, his figure bursting free.
Leaving a crater over two meters wide.
Naruto and Sakura were stunned.
Compared to earlier clashes, this raw display of power hit harder.
Sasuke…
He'd become insanely strong.
All this, from buying cans?
Naruto clenched his fists.
So frustrating—he wanted to get stronger too!
Even without facing life-or-death battles, Naruto's craving to grow strong and earn respect was fierce.
But in this fight, breaking free didn't let Sasuke mount a real counter.
The battle had changed.
Neck, waist, heart, kidneys—every vital point was in Kakashi's strike zone. His force outdid earlier, each clash leaving Sasuke's muscles sore. Most critically—
That eye!
Sasuke knew the Sharingan could read movements.
But he hadn't expected it to counter his intricate swordplay and swift footwork, Kakashi always finding the perfect angle to dodge and strike back viciously.
"Too slow, Sasuke!"
Kakashi, as if holding back, even seized a moment.
Genjutsu!
A split-second hesitation, and Sasuke felt searing pain in his jaw, then spun, crashing hard.
Kakashi gave no breather, chasing with a flurry of punches, each landing solid!
"Why! Why!" Sasuke struggled to resist, physical pain dwarfed by his heart's ache.
That eye—that man had it too.
Even stronger!
He couldn't resist Kakashi's genjutsu, let alone that man's.
"Ninja battles aren't as simple as you think," Kakashi said, landing a heavy left hook to Sasuke's face, then a side kick, pummeling him with mental jabs. "Like this, facing Uchiha Itachi's a death sentence."
Sasuke felt his organs scream in agony.
Can't win—can't even come close!
Suddenly…
Shen Mo's words flashed in Sasuke's mind.
Sword intent can break all techniques!
So that's it—he hadn't grasped the true essence of swordsmanship.
"Aaah—Gale Swift Sword!"
Sasuke roared, unleashing a hidden trump card. His sword swept like a storm around him, 108 strikes like a tempest, whipping up a razor-sharp hurricane.
Even Kakashi had to retreat.
Another move like that?
Kakashi wasn't sure whether to be shocked. He'd treated Sasuke as a jonin in this fight.
Did he really need his ultimate technique?
Kakashi hesitated.
But Sasuke didn't. Veins bulging, he forced Kakashi back, taking a deep breath.
In an instant…
His aura shifted.
Not just Kakashi—even Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade paled slightly.
To them, Sasuke now seemed a divine sword of white jade!
His clothes and hair fluttered without wind, exuding a bone-chilling sharpness. Though his appearance hadn't changed, his presence felt like a different person.
"His ultimate skill?" Shen Mo murmured.
"Ultimate?" Tsunade questioned but didn't look at Shen Mo, staring at Sasuke.
Kakashi grew wary.
His Sharingan saw Sasuke's chakra surging uncontrollably into his sword.
At that moment—
Sasuke no longer wielded the sword; the sword wielded him!
"This is…"
Sasuke muttered, but before finishing, his sword pulled him skyward.
Wrapped in surging chakra…
Sasuke and his sword became one.
Kakashi felt locked on.
"What kind of technique is this?"
He gritted his teeth behind his mask, his right hand crackling with thunder. No holding back now.
His instinct was right.
This strike carried flawless sword intent.
Once unleashed, even Sasuke couldn't control it.
This was—
Heavenly Flying Immortal!
Sasuke felt everything—chakra, stamina—drained, torn away.
To others…
A sword beam, radiant as a rainbow, charged Kakashi with unstoppable glory.
"No!"
Sarutobi's face dropped.
He sensed it.
Kakashi might block this, but Sasuke's safety wasn't guaranteed.
But—
Too late for seals.
He could only watch as the wrath-of-thunder sword met Kakashi's Chidori head-on.
Naruto, Sakura, and others shut their eyes, the brilliance too blinding.
Suddenly…
A soft voice rang out.
"Enough."
With it, the sword's piercing wail and lightning's roar vanished instantly.
Naruto opened his eyes.
Sasuke and Kakashi, meant to collide, hung frozen midair in odd poses.
Yes.
Shen Mo had acted.
Arms crossed, he made no move, but a faint green glow cloaked him. An invisible, indescribable force pinned Kakashi and Sasuke, and with a slight finger twitch, their sword aura and thunder shattered like glass.
He'd used Trade Points to boost himself briefly.
Sarutobi stared at Shen Mo, stunned.
To stop them so casually at that critical moment?
What was this power?
Shen Mo ignored Sarutobi's look, sighing and waving. Sasuke's form flew over, landing gently.
Sasuke gasped heavily.
Most of his chakra and stamina, drained by that move.
"Sasuke, you've utterly lost this fight," Shen Mo said, tapping lightly.
Sasuke felt his chakra and injuries restore instantly.
Sarutobi's eyes twitched watching.
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