Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

"..."

Naruto and Sasuke faced each other in silent confrontation, as if some events were destined to unfold!

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed brightly, a look of longing in his expression. "The two winds I've been most eager to see clash… are already about to collide so soon."

Sasuke naturally noticed Orochimaru, who shouldn't be here. He thought expressionlessly, 

"Orochimaru's back. Looks like this was also Naruto's doing. Was the attack on Jugo for this? And before, when that woman from Akatsuki blocked my path, was it to buy time to deal with Danzo? Naruto is doing what I wanted to do, but with his identity. Is this a coincidence? How strange... That idiot who always rushes forward, I can't figure him out. Damn..." Sasuke clenched his fist in frustration.

Whoosh! The strange vortex stirred as the masked Obito arrived! 

The others turned to look, each with a different expression. 

Konan's eyes showed no disguise of coldness, and she immediately went on guard. 

Orochimaru couldn't read his thoughts but was clearly on guard as well. 

Naruto covered his face again with the mask, his mind deep in thought. 

"Obito... We met earlier than I expected. He's one of the few who could be considered an SSR-level threat in my mind. I better stay cautious..." 

Note: During Boruto's era, a ninja card game became popular, and the seventh Hokage, Naruto, was an SSR-level card. From then on, he liked using SSR to describe those who were his equals in power.

Obito, who had been searching for Naruto, was now face to face with him. But he seemed calm. 

"You all talk first. Don't mind me..." 

Obito adjusted his clothes and slowly sat down, exuding an aura of calmness, as if nothing could shake him.

The more he acted this way, the more he drew attention. 

Rustle, rustle, rustle! A White Zetsu, traveling with Sasuke, sneaked underground and emerged beside Obito. It whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: 

"Is it okay? Nagato's Rinnegan is so close." 

Obito replied, 

"At this point, there's no rush. With Orochimaru and Konan around, it won't be so easy to take it." 

White Zetsu asked, 

"How's the Five Kage Summit going?" 

Obito paused before answering, 

"Naruto got ahead of us. After thinking it through, I realized now isn't the best time for open war. Kisame has gone to hunt the Eight-Tails, and with Naruto, the Nine-Tails, and his defection from Konohagakure, he's already the target of many. The war's goal is to capture the tailed beasts inside these two. Since there's a shortcut, why go for full-scale war?" 

By sheer coincidence, the Fourth Great Ninja War, which should have started immediately, was delayed.

White Zetsu sighed, 

"I feel like sending Nagato to attack Konohagakure was a mistake. Our original plan is completely off-track." 

Obito said, 

"Regret is useless now. I underestimated Naruto before. Who would have thought he would take Nagato's Rinnegan, resurrect Orochimaru, and even turn Konan, who was working for me, to his side..." 

His eyes deepened as he continued, 

"Now, let me see just how far his wings have grown..."

"Looks like... he really doesn't plan to act here."

Naruto relaxed a little, taking his eyes off but still using his sage mode to keep an eye on Obito's movements.

Sasuke didn't care about that. Right now, his focus was entirely on Naruto, and he couldn't wait to test his current abilities!

He gave the order, "Jugo, Suigetsu, keep an eye on the Akatsuki women and Orochimaru!"

"Understood!"

Whoosh! Jugo quickly appeared in front of Konan, unlocking his curse mark to the brink of going berserk.

Konan remained calm, watching Obito carefully. She had no intention of playing around from the start.

As for Suigetsu, he held the sharpest sword and spoke in the most timid voice, "Orochimaru-sama, I'm so happy to see you revived..."

Orochimaru smiled and teased, "Heh, Suigetsu, my kawaii subordinate, you look full of energy. I wonder if your skills have improved..."

Suigetsu gave a wry smile, "You're joking, right? I'm just the one who follows orders. Please don't make it hard for me..."

Orochimaru laughed, "Heh, sounds fun. Should I ask Naruto-kun to practice with you?"

Suigetsu quickly replied, "No need to ask! This is fine! Let's just keep it like this, ready for anything, and enjoy a nice chat!"

Karin adjusted her glasses and said, "Sasuke... what about me?"

Sasuke answered in a low voice, "You just stay back and watch the surroundings!"

Is Sasuke worried about me? Heeheehee...

Karin had quite a bit of inner monologue, but still looked concerned on the outside, "If you get hurt, I can heal you."

"Hmph." Sasuke snorted, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, his Mangekyō Sharingan glowed fiercely. "Hurt? That's not going to happen!"

Whoosh! He quickly formed hand seals, his chest swelling up.

—Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Technique!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! 

He shot out fireballs one after another, creating a path shaped like the fruit of a phoenix flower. The flames not only surrounded Naruto but even blocked off all possible escape routes, making it impossible to dodge and only able to defend! Though the name of this Fire Release technique wasn't particularly famous, its effectiveness in battle was outstanding, making it a favorite of top-tier ninjas like Itachi! 

"Here it comes!"

Naruto's eyes flashed. He drew the katana he carried with him from the Five Kage Summit, blocking the Phoenix Fire while advancing with swift strikes.

Screech!!

The sound of Chidori's crackling filled the air as Sasuke moved with blinding speed, closing in on Naruto. His eyes locked on his target, and lightning gathered in his hand as he stabbed forward!

Clang!!

Naruto swung his left hand, deflecting the remaining fireballs, and his right hand quickly formed a Rasengan, meeting Sasuke's attack head-on.

Boom!!! The clash of Rasengan and Chidori created a shockwave!

After the dust settled, both figures stepped back.

"Hmph!" Sasuke smirked, drawing the Kusanagi sword and rushing forward in a single step.

"Hey~" Naruto didn't back down, meeting Sasuke's charge with his sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!! 

Their swords clashed fiercely, sparks flying, the flashing blades making it hard to keep track of them. Even the falling snowflakes seemed to avoid the battleground between the two...

Sasuke grew more and more worried as the battle continued. The rough, chakra-driven Naruto he knew, who relied heavily on raw strength, had somehow learned such delicate and skilled swordsmanship! Naruto, too, couldn't help but reflect: Using the Sharingan along with the sword skills I've been honing since I was a child is truly a masterpiece. Sasuke had achieved so much from such a young age, and after sealing Kaguya, I worked hard to fill in the gaps in my basic ninja skills!

"How about this?" Sasuke, having failed to break through, activated the Lightning Release chakra around his Kusanagi sword.

"I can do the same..." Naruto responded, his katana surrounded by Wind Release chakra!

Clang!!

Their blades clashed again, their eyes locking!

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

Naruto replied, "I don't want to use the power of my eyes against my friend!"

"Friend?" A flicker of emotion passed through Sasuke's eyes before being replaced by coldness. "Still so naive. You'll regret that!"

Whoosh! Sasuke activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, the light from his eyes swirling.

—Genjutsu: Sharingan!

Naruto blinked in surprise, "What are you doing, staring at me?"

Sasuke was stunned: My Genjutsu... has no effect on him?!

Naruto's Rinnegan made him completely immune to Sasuke's Sharingan Genjutsu, and he didn't even realize that the latter had used Genjutsu on him! 

Click! 

"That's enough..." Sasuke put away his sword and stepped back, his eyes radiating genuine coldness. 

Drip, a drop of blood ran down the corner of his left eye, falling onto the snow, with spiderweb-like veins appearing on his eyeball. 

"Naruto, if you don't get serious now, you'll die!!!"

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