From a bird’s-eye view, a winding river flows through a dense forest, quietly stretching like a giant dragon lying across the land. The sunlit surface of the river glimmers and the scenery on both banks is breathtakingly beautiful.
This is the mother river of the Uchiha clan, the Naka River.
Konoha has developed rapidly over the past eight years, expanding its urban area. The Uchiha clan’s territory, which was once on the outskirts of the village, is now in the heart of Konoha.
A portion of the Uchiha forest has been converted into Konoha’s largest park, with high-rise buildings nearby. This makes it the most expensive residential area in Konoha, priced at an astounding one million ryo per square meter.
However, most of the forest remains undeveloped, preserving its original state.
This area is off-limits to the public, and unauthorized intruders face arrest by the Konoha Police Force.
But at this moment,
Swish.
A figure appeared in the forest, moving along the banks of the Naka River, heading deeper into the woods.
It was Naruto Uzumaki.
He wasn’t moving at full speed, instead walking leisurely, seemingly waiting for someone to catch up.
Soon, Naruto arrived at a clearing in the forest.
This place was far from the bustling Konoha, and no sound could be heard. Conversely, any commotion here would be difficult for Konoha’s ninjas to notice immediately, let alone respond in time.
This should do.
Naruto stopped by the riverbank, standing with his hands behind his back, watching the rushing river flow by, waiting quietly.
Moments later,
Steady footsteps approached from the forest, drawing nearer to Naruto.
Sasuke appeared.
“You’re too slow,” Naruto said without turning around.
“So you led me here on purpose?” Sasuke also stopped, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for traps or hidden comrades.
Though facing away from Sasuke, Naruto seemed to read his mind and continued, “No need to look. It’s just you and me here.”
Oh?
Sasuke’s gaze settled on Naruto as he asked, “Are you a student from the ninja academy, in the same class as me? You seem capable, so I shouldn’t have no impression of you.”
Naruto chuckled lightly, with a hint of disdain, “The ninja academy? That place for kids to play pretend? Don’t mention it. To be honest, anyone still wasting time there after age ten is a… loser.”
Loser.
This word was clearly aimed at mocking Sasuke.
“Is that so,” Sasuke sneered, not easily provoked by the yellow-haired boy’s arrogance, interpreting it as jealousy.
Naruto shook his head slowly and provided his reasoning, “Your brother Itachi graduated from the academy at seven. Konoha’s former top genius Kakashi graduated at five.
Your uncle, the Sixth Hokage Uchiha Dan, was expelled on his first day for beating a chunin teacher. But in reality, he chose to leave that way.
Why?
Because Uchiha Dan, Itachi, and Kakashi all knew that the most valuable period of growth in one’s life should not be wasted in the mundane environment of the ninja academy.
It’s a complete waste of time and life.”
“You seem to know a lot about the Uchiha clan,” Sasuke retorted, “but unfortunately, what you said is outdated. The ninja academy has undergone reforms. It seems you’re neither my classmate nor a Konoha resident, but rather a rat from some unknown corner.”
He paused, then his tone turned sharp, “Tell me, what is your purpose in bringing me here? My patience is limited!”
“What if I don’t tell you?” Naruto remained calm.
“Then I’ll have to subdue you and interrogate you properly.”
As Sasuke finished speaking, he formed a Tiger hand sign and spewed a large fireball from his mouth.
Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.
Boom.
Over five meters in diameter, a massive fireball roared toward Naruto, enveloping him in scorching heat.
However,
To Sasuke’s surprise, the yellow-haired boy remained motionless, not even lifting a finger to dodge.
Boom.
The fireball hit its mark.
Seconds later, the flames and heat began to dissipate, leaving the ground charred and scattered with embers.
Yet the yellow-haired boy stood unscathed, not even a hair out of place.
“The Uchiha clan’s famed Fire Style is only this weak? Heh.”
Naruto’s calm voice rang out again, dripping with mockery.
Sasuke’s expression grew serious.
The Fireball Jutsu was primarily used to test opponents, forcing them to reveal weaknesses since it wasn’t very fast and could be easily avoided.
But its intense heat and destructive power were real. Hardly anyone could withstand it unscathed.
Yet, this yellow-haired boy did just that.
Then how will you handle this next move?
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed as he drew the ninja sword from his waist, channeling a blue electric current along the blade.
Lightning Style: Chidori Blade.
This sword, made from expensive chakra conductive metal, was worth millions and could cut through iron like butter.
Now, infused with lightning chakra, its lethality increased, adding a paralyzing effect.
In the next moment,
Swish.
Sasuke vanished from his spot, reappearing beside Naruto, slashing at his right arm.
I refuse to believe your body can withstand my blade.
Swish.
The blade flashed, slicing towards Naruto’s shoulder, with no reaction from him.
Gotcha.
Sasuke’s heart leaped with joy.
But then, the unexpected happened.
Boom.
An unimaginable force erupted from Naruto, like an invisible tsunami, sending Sasuke flying back dozens of meters, crashing into the Naka River with a loud splash.
Boom.
Sasuke hit the water, creating a huge splash, and remained submerged for a while.
Finally,
“Wow!”
Sasuke surfaced, spitting out water, his hair and clothes soaked, looking utterly pathetic.
Damn it.
He cursed inwardly, leaping into the air and forming hand signs, preparing another jutsu.
The yellow-haired boy’s counterattack made Sasuke abandon any thoughts of underestimating him.
Realizing he couldn’t engage in close combat without understanding the opponent’s abilities, he opted for long-range attacks to start the fight.
Opening his mouth, he unleashed three fierce fire dragons towards Naruto.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu.
Unlike standard fire jutsu, this technique focused more on power and precision rather than area coverage.
The fire dragons, formed by highly compressed fire chakra, had terrifying power, capable of melting steel, let alone human flesh.
“This isn’t a weak Fireball Jutsu. Do you still dare to take it head-on?” Sasuke murmured, doubting the yellow-haired boy’s ability to withstand this.
To understand the opponent’s strange abilities, he activated his Sharingan.
A pair of crimson three-tomoe Sharingan appeared in Sasuke’s eyes.
He awakened his Sharingan three years ago, and this power helped him outshine Neji and others in the Jonin exam, securing the top spot.
“Roar!”
Under Sasuke’s watchful eyes, the three fire dragons charged at Naruto from different directions, leaving little room for escape.
However,
Naruto had no intention of fleeing.
He raised a hand, releasing the power of his Rinnegan, forming a translucent spherical shield in front of him.
Absorption Seal.
Sizzle.
Upon hitting the thin shield, the ferocious fire dragons vanished without a trace, as if swallowed by the sea.
“Impossible!”
Sasuke exclaimed, his eyes wide.
His Sharingan clearly saw his jutsu being absorbed, a power he had never encountered.
While Sasuke stood in stunned silence, Naruto’s mocking voice sounded again:
“Is that all you have, Uchiha Sasuke? Konoha’s top genius is this mediocre? How disappointing.
Could it be… your title was handed to you because your peers were too afraid to beat you?
You shouldn’t be called Konoha’s top genius, but rather Konoha’s top privileged kid, riding on your family’s coattails.”
These words hit Sasuke where it hurt the most.
Growing up,
Sasuke hated when his achievements were attributed solely to his prestigious background.
But he couldn’t deny—
His brother, father, uncle, and teacher Kakashi were the strongest and most influential people in Konoha. Even a pig under their guidance could become a powerful summoning beast.
So Sasuke always worked harder than anyone else, training tirelessly to prove himself.
Now, this unknown yellow-haired boy was mocking him repeatedly.
Sasuke finally snapped.
“I’ll kill you!”
He roared, losing his composure, then crouched, grabbing his right wrist with his left hand for stability.
Chirping sounds erupted as a blinding blue current appeared in Sasuke’s palm.
Chidori, also known as Lightning Cutter.
Developed by his teacher Kakashi in his youth, it once cut through a bolt of lightning, earning its name.
This jutsu concentrated high-intensity lightning chakra in the palm, and combined with a high-speed thrust, it was Sasuke’s strongest offensive jutsu.
With his Sharingan, Chidori’s power reached its peak.
In the recent Jonin exam finals, Hyuga Neji’s so-called absolute defense “Rotation” was broken by Sasuke’s Chidori.
Swish.
Sasuke charged across the water, sending up sprays and sparks, aiming directly at Naruto’s heart.
He was upon Naruto in a flash, thrusting Chidori at his heart.
Naruto moved.
With a swift motion, Naruto grabbed Sasuke’s wrist, stopping the Chidori dead in its tracks.
“What a flashy technique,” Naruto remarked.
In Sasuke’s shocked eyes, Naruto’s other hand moved like lightning. A black rod materialized in his palm, which he then thrust into Sasuke’s side.
“Ah!” Sasuke screamed in pain, his face turning pale as sweat poured down.
The intense pain was only part of it. The black rod also disrupted his chakra flow, sealing it entirely.
Damn it.
With bloodshot eyes, Sasuke locked eyes with Naruto, using the last of his chakra to activate a powerful genjutsu.
Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
It was one of the most potent genjutsu techniques outside of the Mangekyo Sharingan, even capable of subduing powerful enemies like Orochimaru.
Yet, just as Sasuke thought he had a chance to turn the tables, the tables turned again.
Buzzing.
Naruto’s Rinnegan flared, releasing a stronger burst of ocular power, instantly reversing the genjutsu back onto Sasuke, dragging him into a nightmare world.
Clang! Clang!
Rusty, massive iron stakes pinned Sasuke’s limbs to wooden planks, subjecting him to unimaginable mental and physical torment.
Finally,
Thud.
Sasuke collapsed to his knees before Naruto.
He was utterly defeated. No matter the technique—ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu—he was outmatched in every aspect. As a shinobi, his basic capabilities were leagues below Naruto’s.
The gap between them was immense, like a child facing a grown warrior, leaving Sasuke powerless and humiliated. Who is this guy?
Sasuke raised his head with bitter anguish, gazing up at the yellow-haired boy who seemed godlike in his eyes.
Naruto looked down at Sasuke with indifference, considering his options.
Should I capture him and take him back to the Akatsuki for interrogation, to see if I can extract any valuable information? Maybe hold him hostage? After all, Sasuke’s identity alone holds considerable value.
But Naruto reconsidered.
A useless nephew like Sasuke would mean nothing to Uchiha Dan. Capturing him would be pointless.
An insignificant figure like Sasuke won’t influence my confrontation with Dan.
Then, should I just kill him?
However,
If Karin found out, she might resent me. The Uchiha clan would likely go berserk, launching a full-scale attack against the Akatsuki.
Starting an open war with the Uchiha isn’t the best move right now.
After careful thought, Naruto decided—
A warning would suffice. Then, let this weakling go.
So he coldly told Sasuke, “From now on, stay away from Karin. You’re not worthy of her. If I see you near her again, I’ll break your leg.”
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