Even with all his insight, Kaede could not explain the mark searing across Sasuke's body. If not Orochimaru, if not Kabuto, then who? The answer gnawed at him. His interference in the world had created ripples—like a butterfly stirring a storm across the sea. Some destinies he had rewritten, but new threats had risen in their place.
The Uchiha's fate had already shifted. Yet this—this curse mark—was something that refused to be erased. Kaede clenched his jaw. Whatever this power was, it threatened to drag Sasuke into darkness, and if it endangered the Nation of Gods, Kaede would cut it away with his own hands.
On the battlefield, Sasuke's expression twisted, his sclera darkening as his Mangekyō Sharingan burned with ominous light. Chakra erupted from him in a violent storm. From his back sprouted grotesque, fleshy wings, each beat of them stirring a hurricane.
He launched forward, the wind exploding outward in a crushing wave.
Naruto dropped to the ground, pushed off with both hands, and flipped high into the air, just evading the gale. His eyes burned with determination as he landed, sprinting forward. Most of his strength lay in close combat, in overwhelming his enemies head-on. But this Sasuke was not the same boy he once knew.
Before Naruto could close the gap, fire roared from Sasuke's mouth. A Great Fireball blazed toward him, its heat so fierce it singed a black mark across his cheek.
Naruto touched the burn lightly, his lips curling into an eager grin. "Sasuke… I've gotten stronger too."
Sasuke gave no reply. His gaze was hollow, his intent sharpened into a single killing edge.
Kaede's eyes narrowed. He could feel it—Sasuke had truly resolved to kill Naruto. If he dared strike down one of the Nation of Gods, Kaede would not care about destiny, reincarnations, or the cycle of Asura and Indra. He would slaughter them all.
But Naruto did not falter. Chakra flared from his body, taking on form, glowing golden. Behind him, tails grew one after another—four, five, six. The Nine-Tails' power merged with him more smoothly than ever before, their wills aligned. Kurama's eyes, once filled with hatred for mankind, now carried a grudging trust in his jinchūriki.
Naruto's speed soared. His form split into two, then four, clones surrounding Sasuke on all sides.
"Wind Style: Rasengan!"
The spiraling spheres screamed toward him.
But Sasuke beat his wings, rising above their assault. His Mangekyō flared crimson, sharper than ever. One hand gripped the Kusanagi, while the other gathered chakra, blue lightning sparking to life.
The blade crackled with Chidori's edge. Then Sasuke layered it further—fire roared across the lightning, the two elements fusing into a single storm of destruction, engulfing his sword.
And then—his figure blurred.
In the blink of an eye, Sasuke vanished.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]