"Fifteen?"
Akaza looked at Naruto in confusion, clearly not understanding why he kept emphasizing his age. Didn't he realize that when Akaza said he was immature, he was referring to Naruto's combat experience—not his age?
That was right. Naruto didn't realize it.
And he was extremely sensitive about his age.
After all, although his physical age was fifteen, his true mental age was only six.
"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist!"
Without any further hesitation, Naruto launched another attack. As the wind blades screamed through the air, they carried constantly expanding black sword energy.
"Not a bad move…"
Facing Naruto's assault, Akaza even had the leisure to comment before striking a stance and unleashing a flurry of punches toward the incoming wind blades.
"Destructive Death: Disorder!"
Akaza's fists blurred as he struck repeatedly, generating a massive shockwave that crushed the wind blades before they could reach him.
But at that moment, Naruto's figure had already appeared above him.
As Naruto descended, the nichirin blade in his hands swung outward, forming a massive rotating wind blade around his body that slashed downward.
Wind Breathing, Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind!
"Destructive Death: Air Type!"
Akaza stomped violently against the ground and swung both arms upward. The shockwave generated by his fists collided head-on with the rotating wind blade surrounding Naruto, producing a deafening impact that seemed to tear the air apart.
Bang!
The violent collision shattered the ground beneath Akaza's feet, and Naruto's body was blasted uncontrollably high into the air.
"When fighting an opponent stronger than yourself, jumping recklessly into the air is a terrible mistake!"
Akaza adjusted his stance first, using the rebound force from the ground, then pointed at Naruto in the sky with a grin.
"It's over… Destructive Death—"
"Second Form: Claws-Purifying Wind!"
Before Akaza could finish his attack, Naruto suddenly swung his nichirin blade midair, releasing four claw-shaped wind blades downward.
"Explosive Flurry!"
Akaza hadn't expected Naruto to swing his blade midair without leverage. He instantly responded, unleashing a rapid series of punches. The violent impacts shattered all four wind blades in an instant.
However, Naruto had already used the recoil from his sword swing to change direction, landing steadily on the ground at a distance.
"An incredible response!"
Akaza praised him again.
In the next instant, Akaza leaped forward, appearing above Naruto almost immediately.
"Come—let me show you how to attack from above!"
"Destructive Death: Ten Thousand Leaves Flashing Willow"
Akaza inverted his body midair and unleashed a rain of brutal punches, each strike crashing down like a falling meteor.
Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts!
Naruto swung his nichirin blade rapidly, releasing multiple tornado-shaped spiral wind blades that barely halted Akaza's assault.
Immediately after, Naruto twisted his body violently and slashed upward.
Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash!
The spiraling slash surged skyward, tearing through Akaza's attack and continuing onward.
Pfft!
The wind blade tore open Akaza's shoulder.
Instead of anger, Akaza's face lit up with excitement. He shook his shoulder lightly, and the wound regenerated instantly as he pressed the attack again.
"Leaf Flashing Willow: Continuation!"
Fists rained down like meteors, accompanied by a piercing screech as the air itself was torn apart. The speed was overwhelming—Naruto had no room to dodge.
He raised his nichirin blade to block.
Boom!
Akaza's fist slammed heavily against Naruto's blade.
The impact forced Naruto's legs to buckle as the ground beneath him cracked like branching veins. The nichirin blade groaned under the pressure, trembling as though it might shatter at any moment.
It felt as if Naruto had been struck by a mountain. Every bone in his body screamed in protest.
"He actually blocked it?"
Akaza burst into laughter, pressing even more force into the fist pinned against Naruto's blade.
"Excellent! You're even better than I expected! Show me more—surprise me!"
"I told you… I don't need your praise!"
Naruto gritted out the words. Feeling the renewed pressure, he suddenly dropped his stance, letting the blade slip slightly from Akaza's fist before twisting his wrists and slashing upward with all his strength.
Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm!
Five roaring wind blades erupted instantly, severing Akaza's attack, halting his motion, and carving three deep wounds across his chest.
Taking advantage of the opening, Naruto retreated rapidly, widening the distance between them.
"This is incredible!"
Akaza didn't immediately pursue. Instead, he stared at Naruto with burning interest.
"Kid—what's your name?"
"I'm not a kid!"
Naruto shouted angrily. He tightened his grip on his nichirin blade, adjusted his breathing, and declared firmly:
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Uzumaki Naruto… a fine name."
Akaza nodded in approval. He raised a hand and pointed toward his eye.
"My name is Akaza, Upper Moon Three of the Twelve Kizuki."
He then held up his severed fist, laughing.
"Look closely. This is the body granted by becoming a demon."
As he spoke, his fist and the wounds on his chest regenerated instantly. He extended his hand toward Naruto, his tone inviting.
"You have extraordinary potential. Though still immature, you surpass everyone I've ever met.
But your human body limits you.
Come—become a demon like me."
Akaza's voice was filled with fervor.
"Free yourself from lifespan and physical limits. Pursue the ultimate realm of strength without fear!"
Akaza was a pure martial demon, endlessly chasing higher peaks of power. He believed no one could reach that summit alone—and whenever he encountered exceptional talent, he extended this invitation.
"I refuse!"
Naruto rejected him without hesitation.
He raised his nichirin blade in front of him, his gaze unwavering.
"Even if I die, I will never become a man-eating monster like you!"
"Monster? Hahahaha!"
Akaza burst into laughter—not disappointed, but exhilarated. In the next instant, he launched another attack.
"To reach the ultimate realm of martial arts, physical evolution is essential!"
His fists descended like a storm, relentless and overwhelming, as he roared:
"I'll make you understand that right now!"
Naruto answered in silence, meeting Akaza's ferocious assault with his nichirin blade.
He didn't know how to refute Akaza's beliefs.
He only knew one thing.
No matter what, he would never abandon his humanity.
Never.