Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

Theoretically, Amaterasu is a technique that cannot be avoided, except for the Raikage's abnormal reflexes and Lightning Release Technique.

The Sage Mode heightened both Naruto's senses and his taijutsu abilities, but it wasn't enough to dodge visual-based dojutsu like Amaterasu. 

During the battle between Itachi and Sasuke, there was once a scene where one of them got "caught in their own fire." Anyone in the know understood what had happened… 

*Boom!* Black flames burst forth on Naruto, their searing heat instantly making his face tense. 

"Ugh… So hot! If this keeps up, I'm really going to burn to death!" 

In the past, during the great battle between Naruto and Sasuke, Sasuke had also used Amaterasu on Naruto. 

At that time, Naruto's method of countering it was to use the Nine-Tails' chakra to shield himself from the flames and then peel them away. 

However, this time, Kurama refused to lend Naruto his chakra, even going as far as cutting off their chakra connection. This method was no longer an option. 

Using the Rinnegan's Deva Path or Preta Path abilities could have easily neutralized Amaterasu, but Naruto had already declared that he wouldn't use his Rinnegan powers against Sasuke in this fight. 

Sasuke kept his left eye half-covered with his hand, peeking at Naruto through the gaps between his fingers. 

Killing intent flickered in Sasuke's eyes… 

His left eye unleashed Amaterasu, while his right eye manipulated its shape and could even extinguish the flames. 

"You're still not planning to use that left eye of yours? Or is it that your left eye can only do so much? Either way, I'm not extinguishing these flames. Let them keep burning, Naruto. As long as you die, there'll be no one left to stop me. Then I'll finally raise the banner of vengeance against Danzo and Konohagakure all by myself!" 

Naruto suddenly pulled a scroll from his cloak and took a pen from his ninja tools pouch. He quickly scribbled incantations on the scroll, biting the pen between his teeth as he worked. After finishing the inscriptions, he pressed both hands onto the scroll. 

— *Sealing Fire Technique!* 

*Whoosh!* All the Amaterasu flames were drawn into the center of the scroll. A single kanji for "fire" appeared in the middle, encircled by black seals. While the flames had inevitably scorched his body, Naruto accepted the burns as unavoidable. 

The observing onlookers couldn't help but feel moved. 

[Konan]: That's Jiraiya-sensei's technique… 

[Orochimaru]: To flawlessly execute such a complex sealing technique while being burned by Amaterasu... That takes extraordinary precision and endurance. I'm more curious than ever, Naruto-kun—what did you go through while I was sealed away to achieve such growth? 

[Obito]: He and Sasuke are no longer on the same level... 

Naruto casually put away the scroll and pen, standing up calmly. "Do you want to keep going, Sasuke?" 

"Don't get cocky, you loser!" Sasuke clenched his fists, his anger manifesting in the dark purple chakra that began to radiate around him. 

[Karin]: This chakra… it's freezing, like falling into an icy abyss. 

The purple chakra intensified, solidifying into a skeletal framework. "What are you going to do about this?" 

Sasuke's confidence soared to new heights. 

"Susano'o, huh? How nostalgic…" 

Naruto's expression grew serious as he formed a seal with four fingers in front of his chest. 

*Boom!* A shadow clone appeared in a puff of smoke and began channeling Wind Release into the Rasengan forming in Naruto's left hand. 

*Buzz… buzz… buzz…!* The piercing sound of wind blades screamed as the Rasenshuriken took shape. 

Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply. "What is that? A powered-up version of Wind Release: Rasengan?!" 

*Poof!* The shadow clone dispersed. 

"Catch this, Sasuke!!!" 

Naruto hurled the attack with all his strength. 

— *Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!* 

*Whoosh!!* 

The Rasenshuriken tore through the air toward Sasuke, who stood his ground behind Susano'o, bracing for impact. 

Boom!!!!

A storm exploded, instantly swallowing the ground where Sasuke stood.

"Ugh…!!"

The raging winds forced Jugo and the others, who were fighting nearby, to retreat. 

*Crack! Crack!* 

Amid the storm, the sound of bones shattering echoed.

Karin screamed: 

"Sasuke!!!!"

As the storm gradually subsided, Sasuke emerged unharmed. However, Susano'o's skeletal frame was nearly destroyed, leaving only a thin layer of purple covering his body. 

Sasuke lowered his head, his shoulders trembling, and his face darkened. 

"Again… and again…" 

*Crack! Crack! Crack!* New bone spikes sprouted from the purple aura. 

Sasuke suddenly raised his head, his eyes fierce as he roared: 

"How many times do you have to provoke me before you're satisfied? Aaaaaahhh!!"

Boom!!! 

The dark purple skeleton rose again. The excess chakra wrapped around the bones, forming layers of muscle. Then, an outer robe took shape.

Susano'o advanced to a new form! 

Obito's eyes glinted with a shadowy light. 

"Yes, that's it… Keep pushing Sasuke to grow, Naruto." 

*Crack! Crack!* 

In Susano'o's left hand, a magnificent longbow formed. In its right hand, an imposing arrow appeared. 

Naruto's eyes flickered. 

"Sasuke's Susano'o has awakened its divine weapon!" 

*Swish! Swish!* 

Drawing the bow and notching the arrow, its sharp tip aimed straight at Naruto! 

"!" 

Naruto dared not be careless. He activated Sage Mode to its limit, leaning back with all his strength. His left hand surged with chakra, and just as the massive arrow closed in, he pushed up with a "Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan!" 

Boom!! 

With a muffled explosion, the arrow veered off course, plunging into the forest behind and kicking up a cloud of dust. 

Having witnessed Naruto's abilities earlier, Sasuke was no longer stunned. Blocking the first arrow was within his expectations. 

"Huff… huff… Every cell in my body hurts. Is this how Itachi felt back then?" 

Sasuke panted heavily, enduring the pain as he formed another arrow and notched it, pulling the bowstring taut. 

"The same trick won't work twice. This time, I'll build up more power. You won't deflect it!" 

*Whoosh!!!* 

The more powerful arrow tore through the air! 

*Crack!* 

"No choice left…" Naruto bit his thumb and pressed his 'single hand' to the ground. 

Orochimaru's sharp eyes gleamed. 

"Is that…?" 

—Triple Rashomon! 

*Bang! Bang! Bang!* 

Three massive gates, engraved with demonic faces, covered in iron spikes and adorned with bells, rose one after another in front of him. 

*Bang! Bang… Bang!* 

The arrow pierced through the first two gates and embedded halfway into the third. Its tip stopped about a meter from Naruto. 

*Poof!* 

With a puff of white smoke, the Rashomon gates vanished, taking the arrow with them. 

Amid the drifting snow of the Land of Iron, Sasuke, his vision blurred from the strain on his eyes, stared at Naruto and asked in a conflicted tone: 

"Naruto… what exactly are you?" 

Naruto responded earnestly: 

"I'm your friend—past, present, and future. That has never changed." 

"Friend…? Heh, heh, heh…" 

Sasuke let out a few hollow laughs before asking in a deep voice: 

"Then, if I want to destroy the village, will you help me? Answer me!!!" 

"Well..." Naruto held his chin lightly with his hand, his eyes filled with the distance of years: "How about 'changing' to the right hand this time?"

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