Naruto: The Hidden Protector

188: Let's Break The Record And Destroy The Training Ground

Clang!

The sharp, loud sound of metal hitting metal echoed across the entire training ground.

Sasuke and Naruto were moving like two blurs in the middle of the clearing. Their kunai clashed together again and again, sending bright sparks flying into the air. Each strike was incredibly fast, and neither of them was backing down even an inch.

With a fierce grin, Naruto pushed forward, trying to overwhelm Sasuke with his raw strength. But Sasuke's Sharingan was spinning furiously in his crimson eyes. He perfectly saw Naruto's movement, tilted his head to dodge a sharp slash, and used the momentum to sweep his leg toward Naruto's ankles.

Naruto jumped back nimbly, flipping through the air before landing smoothly on the dirt. He cracked his neck and let out a cocky laugh. "Not bad, Sasuke! Your eyes are getting sharper."

"Shut up, you blond idiot" Sasuke replied, though his lips twitched into a small, confident smirk. He gripped his kunai tighter, his breath coming out a bit heavy. "I'm just getting started."

Without waiting a single second, Sasuke rushed forward again. This time, he channelled a blue, crackling current of lightning chakra into his weapon. The weapon buzzed loudly like a thousand birds, cutting through the wind as he aimed a powerful thrust directly at Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. He knew that blocking that electricity directly is a foolish move, so he quickly formed a single hand sign.

Boom!

A cloud of white smoke erupted where Naruto was standing. Sasuke's lightning-infused kunai pierced right through a heavy wooden log instead. It was a perfect Substitution Jutsu.

"Behind you!" Naruto's voice called out from the shadows of the nearby trees.

Sasuke didn't even turn around. Relying purely on his battle instincts and the prediction power of his Sharingan, he threw three shuriken backward over his shoulder. The flying blades curved through the air, forcing Naruto to stop his surprise attack and swat them away with his own weapon.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The weapons fell into the grass, and the two boys stood a few yards apart, staring each other down with excited lights flickering in their eyes.The intense heat of the afternoon sun was burning down on them, but neither of them cared because they both knew that the battle had just started.

"Hey, you blonde idiot, if you don't take this seriously, this fight will be over quickly," Sasuke said, his voice full of confidence as he began to form rapid hand signs. Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.

He took a deep breath, his chest expanding. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive roaring ball of orange flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth, instantly scorching the green grass beneath it as it raced straight toward Naruto. The heat was so intense that the air around it was completely distorted.

Naruto didn't panic at all. Thanks to Izanami's teaching and help, he was no longer the boy who could only use the Rasengan. He was now the young master of Japan and had access to as many rare ninjutsu scrolls as he wanted. He didn't even use a long string of hand signs; instead, he just clapped his hands together and shouted.

"Water Style: Water Collapsing Wall!"

Suddenly, a huge torrent of water materialized from thin air, rising up like a giant shield right in front of him.

BOOM!

The massive fireball clashed violently against the thick wall of water. The opposing elements hissed and screamed as they canceled each other out, creating a gigantic wave of blinding white steam that instantly covered the entire training ground.