*BOOOOOOM!*
A tremendous explosion rocked the area.
The surrounding air compressed instantly, then spread out with incredible speed. The entire fortress shuddered.
Fortunately, most of the explosion was transferred to another dimension by Kakashi's Kamui; only the remnants of the shockwave remained.
But even these residual blasts were terrifying. Stone floors lifted and shattered, and strong winds sent many Land of Iron samurai flying.
Only Kakashi and the other ninja could withstand it, though they were buffeted by the storm.
If it weren't for Kamui, the entire room might have been destroyed...
At this moment, Sasuke was still maintaining his Susano'o, blood streaming from his eyes, enduring the immense pain.
He stared at Naruto in the distance, inwardly screaming: 'Naruto, you've grown this much?!'
'Why? The power I painstakingly obtained, why can you surpass it so easily?'
'What have you sacrificed?!'
Sasuke could clearly see that the Rasenshuriken was slightly stronger than his Kagutsuchi arrow.
If it weren't for the dimensional disruption earlier that absorbed most of the power, the Rasenshuriken would most likely have pierced his arrow and exploded in front of him!
The fact that Naruto could defeat his trump card made Sasuke almost go insane!
'And that dimensional disruption earlier, was that Kakashi's doing?'
'What is that? Mangekyou Sharingan?'
'Outsiders can awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan?'
'Damn Kakashi, always interfering in my fight with Naruto!'
Sasuke glanced at Kakashi, seeing his Mangekyou Sharingan, his heart filled with rage.
In his eyes, the "Copy Ninja" Kakashi was only famous because of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
Receiving such a precious gift from the Uchiha, yet Kakashi didn't defend the Uchiha's interests, instead protecting Konoha who massacred them. How outrageous!
Someone like that didn't deserve to possess the Sharingan!
While Sasuke was still angrily looking at Kakashi, before he could react. Underneath Susano'o, in an unprotected area.
A Naruto clone suddenly emerged from the ground!
"What?!?"
Sasuke was shocked, but his fighting experience had matured significantly since the Chunin Exams.
He immediately released Chidori Nagashi, flowing electricity throughout his body as a shield.
The Naruto clone instantly exploded upon contact with the electric attack.
But a split second later, before Sasuke could feel relieved, another figure emerged from underground again.
The real Naruto withstood the weakened Chidori Nagashi, directly approached Sasuke, and struck his chin with a powerful uppercut.
Naruto's Secret Technique: Underground Dragon Uppercut!
Once again, it succeeded brilliantly.
*BAM!*
Naruto's large fist slammed into Sasuke's chin hard, dislocating his jaw. The blow almost knocked Sasuke unconscious, like a baby deprived of oxygen while nursing.
Susano'o immediately disappeared, Sasuke was thrown into the air, forming an arc, then crashed heavily onto the floor.
Clearly, Sasuke, who had only recently awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan, was no match for Naruto in Sage Mode.
It wasn't that there was no chance at all, maybe around 30% or 20%.
That was only if Sasuke could remain calm, like during his fights against Deidara or Killer B.
But Sasuke was now controlled by blind revenge, far from clear-headed.
After Sasuke fell, Naruto didn't stop. He immediately approached, twisted Sasuke's leg until the joint came loose. Then he pinned Sasuke's body down, preventing him from escaping.
Sasuke, who was almost unconscious, was awakened by the pain in his leg.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Naruto pinning him down, tying his hands, and immobilizing his legs.
'Naruto! You bastard! I'll kill you!'
Sasuke struggled desperately, but couldn't fight against Naruto's Sage Mode strength. Even his dislocated jaw prevented him from shouting.
He was completely trapped.
Excessive use of the Mangekyou Sharingan also made his eyes ache unbearably, making it difficult to use eye techniques again.
"Sasuke, I'm sorry! Even if you hate me, I'm taking you home! I have to save you!"
Naruto was very firm.
His actions might seem unreasonable to Sasuke, but Naruto understood very well.
All of Konoha had already given up on Sasuke. If he gave up too, Sasuke would fall into an irrecoverable abyss!
Maybe Sasuke hadn't caused fatal damage in Konoha yet, but if left unchecked, if he killed even one Konoha ninja he knew.
Sakura, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Sai... anyone.
Then this cycle of hatred would continue, and Sasuke would no longer be able to be saved!
In fact, when that time came, Naruto himself wasn't sure if he could still firmly defend Sasuke?
So he had to change all of this before tragedy struck! Stop him!
Even if he had to act harshly.
Naruto didn't want a tragedy like Master Jiraiya's death to repeat itself!
"Sasuke!!!"
In the distance, seeing Sasuke captured by Naruto and in danger, Karin no longer hid, jumping from the second floor and running towards Sasuke.
She was afraid of death, but for the sake of her first love, she could even overcome that fear!
Unfortunately, Karin wasn't the fighting type; she had only taken a few steps before being intercepted by Sai.
Kakashi and Yamato exchanged glances, immediately making a decision.
Kakashi would face Juugo, while Yamato approached Naruto, preparing to use Mokuton to temporarily seal Sasuke and take him away from the fortress.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side, Danzo observed everything in silence.
'It's over? Mangekyou Sharingan, Susano'o, that Sasuke could even master the Sharingan this far...'
'The Uchiha clan, truly exceptionally talented!'
'And Naruto? That jutsu earlier was called Senpou: Fuuton Rasenshuriken? That high-density rotating chakra can be thrown? Incredible!'
'His Fuuton abilities even surpass mine? Damn it...'
'Has he already surpassed Jiraiya?'
Danzo muttered to himself, a mix of admiration and apprehension.
He was also grateful that this fight gave him an idea of Naruto's and Sasuke's strength.
But at least, with Naruto capturing Sasuke, everything was going according to plan. There couldn't have been a better outcome.
"Fuu, after Yamato seals Sasuke, take him out of here. The Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan must not fall into the hands of another village!"
"Understood!"
"Torune, help Kakashi fight that enemy. It's time to end this."
"Yes!"
Danzo's two bodyguards immediately moved, one towards Sasuke, one towards Juugo.
Danzo was very satisfied, his heart rejoicing: 'They say Sasuke captured the Raikage's younger brother, Killer B, his fate is still unclear.'
'With Sasuke in our hands, we can blackmail the Raikage with that information. Good, the situation is very advantageous!'
'The Five Kage Summit hasn't even started yet, and it's already providing such gifts. Heaven has chosen me, Shimura Danzo!'
'I am the best Hokage for Konoha!'
But before Danzo could get too pleased, a massive amount of chakra was suddenly felt from above the room.
*BAM!*
The upper stone wall shattered, large rocks falling down.
As the dust settled, three figures from Kumogakure appeared on the battlefield.