Chapter 226: Holding Back? Guidance!
Not to defeat the other, but to prove the value of every step...
These words resounded like a great bell in Satsuki's mind, shattering the ice encasing her fighting spirit. What shook her heart even more was another deeper meaning she caught in Naruto's words.
'Respect our growth'... 'Respect this path we've chosen'... 'The process'...
What he treasures has never been the simple result, but all the little moments we've experienced side by side together—that 'process' filled with sweat and effort...
So, my wanting to give up and forfeit just now would have been the greatest disrespect to the path we've walked together?
In an instant, three pure and intense emotions wove together and spread through her heart—pure fighting spirit, the devotion willing to give everything for the other person, and the happiness surging forth from being completely understood and accepted.
And... Naruto, is he making a request of me? This realization made her heart tremble. He wants me to do something for him, he needs to see the real me... he wants me to respond to him...
That's right! I'm his one and only companion, not a burden he needs to protect, much less a weak person he needs to accommodate or who troubles him!
'Show me everything'... these were his own words, what he truly wants. He wants to see the most authentic, most complete Uchiha Satsuki!
Then... my ninja way, my Sharingan, all the results of my training, and... all the joy, anger, sorrow and happiness born because of you, all my courage and determination... will at this moment, without reservation, all be dedicated to you!
Finally, under Naruto's expectant gaze, Satsuki slowly raised her hand. But this time, it wasn't to signal forfeit, but rather like a mirror image, steadily forming the same seal as Naruto—the Seal of Confrontation, symbolizing the highest respect between ninja in a duel!
Seeing Naruto finally break through the ice encasing Satsuki's fighting spirit and prepare to face off with the most serious attitude, Kakashi in the spectator seats nodded slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.
How remarkable, Naruto...
At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face also showed a gratified smile, his gaze full of approval. If Naruto had noticed the Third's expression at this moment, he'd probably immediately accuse him—that old man definitely arranged this match on purpose!
The other observing jonin also suddenly understood. So these two children's delay in engaging wasn't because they were wary of each other, but because their relationship was too close, neither willing to hurt the other.
Among everyone present, only one person felt extreme discomfort and irritation at this scene of "mutual understanding and respect"—none other than Gaara.
He stared fixedly at the two forming seals in the arena, brow tightly furrowed, his heart filled with incomprehensible agitation.
Why? What exactly are they doing? What meaning does this pretentious behavior have? Between people... isn't it just a relationship of mutual exploitation and mutual slaughter?
This harmonious scene before his eyes violently conflicted with his deeply ingrained dark understanding, making him feel extremely displeased.
Bang!
Two figures suddenly charged at each other under everyone's focused gazes! Wrist met wrist in a fierce collision mid-air, producing a dull sound of flesh impacting flesh, officially firing the first shot of battle.
Naruto didn't use those overwhelming powers. He precisely suppressed his speed and strength to the same level as Satsuki.
But Naruto didn't intend to lie—he would use his all... but only if Satsuki had the strength to match it.
Fist winds howled, leg shadows interwove—the two launched into a dazzling display of taijutsu offense and defense.
Satsuki's fierce uppercut was cleverly deflected by Naruto sidestepping with the Substitution Jutsu, his real body already appearing at her left side with a sweeping leg kick aimed at her lower body.
Satsuki reacted extremely quickly, leaping up and twisting her body mid-air, using the momentum to kick toward Naruto's face. Naruto crossed both arms to block—"bang"—the force making him slide back half a step.
Burning fighting spirit blazed in Satsuki's eyes. She didn't notice that each of Naruto's blocks, each dodge, each counterattack was perfectly calibrated—giving her enough pressure while not making it impossible for her to handle.
Rather than holding back, it was more like guidance, a form of respect allowing her to fully display what she'd learned in real combat.
As fists and feet exchanged, Satsuki's straight punch was caught by Naruto's palm. She immediately pressed down with her elbow trying to break free, while her other hand transformed into a palm strike toward Naruto's ribs. Naruto released and retreated, Satsuki following like a shadow, her offensive like a violent storm.
Not enough... I need to be faster! Stronger!
During one close-quarters exchange, as their arms locked together again, Satsuki used the reactive force from Naruto's block to hop back a short distance, creating a gap—and in this extremely brief moment, her hands had already completed hand seals before her body!
Her taijutsu movements had perfectly integrated the seals into the rhythm of combat.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Scorching chakra gathered in her throat. The next moment, a massive fireball over three meters in diameter thundered toward Naruto not far away!
Flames reflected in her determined eyes and slightly upturned lips. This was her response—pouring all the fruits of her training, all her determination, completely into this battle!
As the taijutsu probing phase ended, the battle officially escalated to the ninjutsu level! Just as the fireball approached with scorching heat waves, Naruto's hands had already completed their seals—even faster than Satsuki!
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
Massive water-attribute chakra instantly condensed. A torrential water flow shot up from the ground, quickly forming a solid, heavy wall of water blocking the flame's path.
Hissss—!!!
The scorching fireball violently collided with the water wall, erupting with a tremendous hissing sound. Large amounts of water were instantly vaporized, forming thick white steam that rapidly filled half the arena, dense enough that one couldn't see their hand before their face.
Strange...
In the spectator seats, Kankuro's brow furrowed tightly, his mind full of doubts. Watching this level of ninjutsu clash—this had completely exceeded genin-level combat.
He wondered why Naruto wasn't using that elusive body flicker technique from before. His "fishing in a barrel" mentality as someone older had long been completely crushed, replaced by increasingly deep caution and confusion.
Outside the dense fog, Satsuki quickly retreated, escaping the mist's range. Her three-tomoe Sharingan locked onto the churning fog mass, on guard for Naruto's next offensive.
Just as she was fully concentrated—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several sounds of slicing through air suddenly burst from within the mist! The next moment, several golden glowing chains formed entirely of condensed chakra tore through the dense fog, shooting toward Satsuki's vital points from extremely tricky angles!
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