The confrontation at the bridge intensified, and the tension was palpable. Zabuza lunged forward, his massive sword gleaming in the moonlight. Kakashi quickly moved to intercept, but there was something in the air—a shift, an undeniable change. Naruto stood frozen for a moment, his eyes sharp as they followed every movement on the battlefield. His body was instinctively calculating, watching for an opening.
The golden aura surrounding him fluctuated, as though it was responding to the violent energy around him. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn't the familiar rush of fear—it was a calculated surge of power. Gold Experience was waking up, guiding him, teaching him how to manipulate his surroundings.
The moment Zabuza's sword swung toward him, Naruto acted on instinct, his body moving like a shadow. With a single motion, his hand reached out, grasping the air around him and bending it to his will. He could feel the pulse of the environment, and with a focused effort, he made it move—the sword's path was redirected with ease. Zabuza blinked, clearly shocked, but before he could react, Naruto was on him, his movements precise and deadly.
"Gold Experience," Naruto muttered, his voice steady. The golden aura flared once more, and from the ground beneath Zabuza's feet, a stand—a manifestation of pure life energy—emerged, wrapping itself around his legs, binding him in place.
Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. "What in the hell are you?!" he roared, trying to break free, but the Stand's power was too much. The tide of the battle had turned in an instant, and Naruto stood tall, commanding the flow of the fight with effortless grace.
Kakashi stared in awe. He'd seen many things in his life, but nothing like this. The boy he knew had transformed into something else. Something that felt older, wiser, and infinitely more dangerous.
