Naruto: The Honored One(Discontinued)

26 & 27

Chapter 26

The battlefield was silent, save for the faint crackle of Amaterasu’s black flames. As the dust finally settled, Geto’s corpse lay in the center, unrecognizable and consumed by the unquenchable fire. The once-proud figure was reduced to charred remains, the air heavy with the acrid stench of burning flesh. 

Sasuke staggered, his Sharingan dimming as blood trickled from his eyes. “Naruto… you can finally rest. I’ve avenged you,” he muttered, his voice weak but filled with conviction. With those words, his body gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. 

Kakashi and Sakura rushed to his side, their gazes shifting between Sasuke’s unconscious form and Geto’s smoldering remains.

Sakura exhaled shakily, her fists trembling. “It’s over… Naruto can finally be at peace.” 

Kakashi nodded. “He was powerful, but even he couldn’t withstand that attack. Sasuke gave everything to make sure we won.”

But their relief was short-lived. 

Before their eyes, Geto’s mangled corpse flickered, the flames consuming it dissipating. In its place, a simple log rested on the ground, smoldering faintly where the fire had touched it. 

“A substitution…?” Kakashi whispered in disbelief. 

“No… that’s impossible,” Sakura gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “He couldn’t have… not after that attack…” 

Their confusion turned to horror as Geto materialized, completely unscathed. A smug smile played across his lips as he looked down at the boy. 

“Impressive,” Geto remarked, his tone almost approving. “The little Uchiha has potential."

Kakashi and Sakura were frozen, disbelief etched across their faces. Their shock deepened as Geto raised his injured arm. Dark energy swirled around the stump, and before their eyes, his arm regenerated, good as new. 

That’s… not possible,” Kakashi muttered, his voice low.

“What… what kind of jutsu is that?” Sakura asked, her voice rising in panic.

Geto flexed his newly healed fingers, his grin widening. “Jutsu? Oh no, this isn’t your little ninjutsu. This is something far more refined: cursed energy. A power only a select few can wield.”

Kakashi’s grip on his kunai tightened. “Cursed energy? What are you talking about?”

“Let’s just say it’s an ancient power you shinobi have long forgotten, or maybe you never even knew about it.” Geto lies “It’s what makes me unbeatable.”

Determined to end the fight, Kakashi quickly summoned his ninja hounds. “Take him down,” he commanded. The dogs burrowed into the ground and emerged beneath Geto, binding him tightly with their powerful jaws and claws. 

Geto chuckled softly, his demeanor unshaken. “Really? Dogs? I expected more from you, Copy Ninja.” 

Kakashi didn’t respond, his Mangekyo spinning dangerously as he prepared to use Kamui. He aimed to decapitate Geto, but the moment the dimensional vortex formed, it collapsed. 

“What?” Kakashi’s eye widened in disbelief. 

“Didn’t work, huh?” Geto said, his voice dripping with mockery. He flexed his cursed energy, an oppressive wave of malice filling the air. The ninja hounds whimpered and released him, retreating to Kakashi’s side. 

Geto crossed his arms, his grin widening. “I suppose I should let you in on a little secret. After killing Naruto, I… borrowed some of his abilities. Spatial manipulation, for example. Handy, isn’t it?”