superior naruto

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Naruto returned to the team the next day.

Hinata, who hadn't seen him in a month, blushed slightly as she greeted him. "Naruto, you seem... taller?"

Naruto touched his head and compared himself to Sasuke. "Really? Am I taller?"

Sasuke studied Naruto carefully. Naruto's hair was a bit longer—a month without a haircut—but that wasn't the main point. Sasuke sensed an indescribable strength radiating from him.

Sasuke: "You've changed a lot."

Kakashi's voice came from behind: "Oh, Naruto's back."

Everyone was used to Kakashi's habitual tardiness.

Kakashi: "Perfect timing. I've got three movie tickets. We're going to see a movie tomorrow."

Movie tickets?

Naruto took the ticket and read the title: Princess Gale.

Wait... are we going to the Land of Snow?

Seriously? Why can't our team get normal missions like everyone else? Last month it was a C-rank mission that turned into a nightmare, and now we're heading to the Land of Snow? That's an A-rank mission!

After handing out the tickets, Kakashi hurried off, saying, "I've got something to take care of. Catch up with each other—it's been a month. We'll meet at the cinema tomorrow."

And just like that, he was gone.

Naruto sighed: "..."

Kakashi hadn't even mentioned the mission details, leaving Naruto frustrated.

Hinata, excitedly holding her ticket: "So... we're going to the movies tomorrow?"

She glanced at Naruto shyly.

Naruto, feeling a sense of foreboding: "Yeah... but I've got a bad feeling about this."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed: "You think the movie tickets are related to the mission?"

Naruto nodded: "Kakashi-sensei giving us free movie tickets? That's like a weasel wishing a chicken a happy New Year. Something's up."

Sasuke: "..."

He couldn't argue with that logic.

Naruto perked up: "By the way, did you guys do any special training while I was away?"

Please tell me you did. Otherwise, this mission's going to be a disaster.

Sasuke: "Yeah... Kakashi-sensei taught me the Shadow Clone Technique."

Naruto's heart sank: Shadow Clone? Seriously? Why not Chidori?

This team's DPS is so lacking...

But then again, if Sasuke could create multiple clones, that might help.

Naruto asked hopefully: "So... how many clones can you make?"

Sasuke: "With enough chakra, I can make five. They last about ten minutes."

Naruto's hope vanished: Five clones? That's not going to cut it...

He turned to Hinata.

Hinata, nervously fidgeting: "I've mastered the Sixty-Four Palms of the Hakkeshō. And I learned a new technique too."

At least Hinata's reliable. Though it'd be great if she could learn the Rotation technique. But that's probably too advanced for now.

Naruto encouraged her: "That's awesome, Hinata. Great job."

Hinata blushed, her fingers poking together. She'd trained hard this month, determined to be stronger so she could support Naruto in future missions. His praise made all her effort feel worth it.

Sasuke shifted the focus back to Naruto: "What about you? What did you learn this month?"

Naruto: "My techniques aren't really for show, but I'll demonstrate."

He drew Qingxiu, the sword he'd forged, and channeled wind-natured chakra into it.

Naruto: "Vertical Slash!"

He swung the sword, and a blade of wind shot forward. Sasuke dodged, but the ground where he'd been standing was torn apart.

Sasuke's expression turned serious: "That's..."

Naruto then slashed at a tree branch. The sword didn't touch it, but the branch was cleanly severed.

Naruto explained: "It's a basic application of wind-natured chakra. Still rough, but the destructive power is decent. The sword can extend up to three meters."

The branch wasn't supposed to shatter like that. Ideally, the cut should be clean and precise. But I'm still getting the hang of it.

Sasuke nodded: "Impressive."

Next, Naruto tested Hinata's abilities.

Her Gentle Fist technique was precise, striking his chakra points with ease. Once sealed, Naruto's chakra flow was completely blocked.

For a ninja, losing chakra is a death sentence. Even taijutsu relies on chakra to some extent.

Hinata's speed in the Sixty-Four Palms stance was remarkable, almost like teleportation. To escape, Naruto would have to drop his weights and go all out.

But Hinata's weakness isn't her strength—it's her hesitation. In battle, indecision can be fatal.

Team Assessment:

Sasuke: Learned Shadow Clone, but only five clones. Needs more offensive power.

Hinata: Mastered Sixty-Four Palms, but lacks confidence and decisive action.

Naruto: Strong individual skills, but the team's overall synergy is lacking.

If Sasuke had learned Chidori and Hinata had mastered Rotation, this mission would be a breeze. At least they'd have better survival chances.

Naruto sighed internally: Whose fault is this?

Sasuke learning Shadow Clone might be because of my Multiple Shadow Clones... But that's not my fault! I needed it because of my massive chakra reserves.

And my skill tree's a mess. I should've focused on the Rasengan first. One hit from that, and most mid-tier enemies are done.

But no, I had to go and mess with chakra nature transformation first...

Who's to blame for this? The blacksmith! Yeah, let's blame Uncle Xuan!

Meanwhile, far away, Uncle Xuan sneezed while stretching, nearly dropping his hammer.

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