Once upon a time, Sasuke had been taught a lesson by an attack from behind.
It could be said to have left a lifelong shadow.
Feeling the sense of danger from behind, Sasuke reacted like a startled cat, instantly unleashing his full power.
Even the concern for honor he had been holding onto earlier was thrown to the wind.
Crackle, crackle-
Before his body could even turn, Lightning Attribute Chakra was already gathering in his hand.
Because of his high concentration, he had actually managed to subconsciously mix a trace of Armament Haki into it.
As a result, the edges of the lightning in his hand took on a faint dark hue.
Now it was Kakashi's turn to mutter 'oh no' under his breath.
He naturally recognized that what Sasuke was using now was the Lightning Release Ninjutsu he had taught him: [Raikiri].
Of course, after teaching it to Sasuke, Kakashi had specifically emphasized:
"This Jutsu is called Raikiri in my hands, but in yours, it's called Chidori."
What this means is that Sasuke's path forward was different from his own and that he needed to forge it himself.
The Raikiri originally required three hand seals, but after Sasuke's own modifications, it became [Chidori: Swift], with lower power but faster speed.
Under certain conditions, this new technique could even be performed without hand seals.
Of course, its power would be further reduced.
But even a watered-down version of Chidori like this would likely cause serious problems if it hit Konohamaru.
Konohamaru's current Armament Haki could withstand ordinary Taijutsu well enough, but against Lightning Release Ninjutsu, which had the strongest penetrating power, it would probably result in severe injury.
And Konohamaru himself, having not mastered Observation Haki and having just burst out of the ground, hadn't yet grasped the situation and was still charging forward recklessly.
It seemed he was about to run straight into Sasuke's attack.
Kakashi had already activated the Body Flicker Technique, gathering Chakra to burst forth at extreme speed, vanishing from his spot in an instant.
But someone was faster than him.
Thwack.
A large hand gripped Sasuke's palm, completely ignoring the crackling lightning.
At the same moment, Konohamaru was also held by the head, unable to move.
"Yo, long time no see, everyone."
A familiar voice rang out on the scene, causing everyone present to halt their actions.
"Naruto?!"
"Naruto-nii-chan!"
Kakashi, who is already in mid-air, flipped to adjust his balance and landed on the ground, then looked at Naruto with some disbelief.
'When did Naruto get here?'
'I didn't sense even a trace of his presence?'
After releasing his grip, Naruto straightened up.
"Naruto-nii-chan, you're finally back! This mission took so long! Look, look, I've already trained to the point where-"
Konohamaru was the first to react, immediately setting Sasuke aside and throwing himself at Naruto.
He clung to Naruto's body like a koala, his previously subdued personality instantly reverting to its old self.
Konohamaru even eagerly showed off the Armament Haki he'd trained to Naruto, which indeed caught Naruto's attention.
'This kid really has quite a talent for it.'
Sasuke, on the other hand, was still somewhat in disbelief.
He had thought Naruto would be away for much longer this time, never expecting they would return after just over a month.
He had wanted to say something upon seeing Naruto again, but Naruto's next words left him stunned.
"Are you ready, Sasuke? It's time to go."
Naruto had once said he would let Sasuke exact revenge with his own hands.
And Sasuke had kept that promise in his heart, believing Naruto would not break his word.
After freezing for a few seconds, his eyes immediately became determined and filled with killing intent.
"I've been ready for a long time."
Konohamaru, however, was unhappy. He looked left and right before shaking Naruto's shoulder repeatedly.
"Naruto-nii-chan~ Are you leaving again? Can't you stay in the village a few more days?" This cute demeanor was enough to make a certain pervert with sunglasses grit his teeth.
"Better not. If I stay here too long, some people probably won't be able to sleep soundly."
Naruto helplessly lifted the dejected Konohamaru off him, completely ignoring the complex expression on Kakashi's face upon hearing his words.
Kakashi wanted to say something but ultimately fell silent.
He had to admit that what Naruto said was the truth.
Since Naruto's high-profile departure from Konoha last time, the higher-ups of Konoha and some major clans had begun to develop their own thoughts.
Although the Third Hokage was still in the village, he had already stepped down from his position, causing people's hearts to grow restless.
Seeing Kakashi's hesitant expression, Naruto simply smiled at him and shook his head, indicating that no further words were needed.
Then, he crouched down to look at Konohamaru's frowning face and comfortingly raised his palm.
"Haha, as a gift, I'll teach you a new Ninjutsu."
As he spoke, Chakra gathered above his palm, and a small Rasengan appeared.
With a casual press, Naruto placed the Rasengan against a large tree, instantly 'digging' a large hole in its interior.
"This is-"
"I taught him that, you know."
Jiraiya's voice sounded at the perfect moment, and standing beside him was Karin, who was sizing up Sasuke and Konohamaru.
'Hmm-'
'A little brat and a cold-faced guy. They seem far inferior compared to Naruto-san.'
'Are these really the kind of people who can be in the same Ninja Team as Naruto-san?'
This was the first time Karin and Sasuke had truly met, though Karin had already known about Sasuke's relationship with Naruto beforehand.
This led to her finding Sasuke displeasing no matter how she looked at him.
Sasuke also noticed Karin's gaze, coldly returning it before turning away.
'What's with him-'
'This arrogant little brat!'
A vein immediately bulged on Karin's forehead. If Naruto weren't here, she would definitely make this guy experience the power of Garuda.
Over there, Jiraiya was still talking to Kakashi, while here, Naruto had already completed his teaching of the Rasengan.
However, the abstract description left Konohamaru scratching his head in confusion. In the end, Jiraiya couldn't stand it anymore and took over the teaching himself.
"By the way, congratulations on mastering both types of Haki."
As he spoke, Naruto suddenly took out the black-red Devil Fruit and tossed it toward Sasuke.
"As promised, a gift. Eat it."
Sasuke also remembered Naruto's earlier promise and looked at the black-red fruit.
Not far away, Karin seemed to recall something and quietly took a camera out of her bag.
Sasuke looked at the fruit, hesitated for a moment, then took a bite. He completely trusted that Naruto wouldn't harm him.
But unfortunately, he trusted too soon.
With one bite, even the cool-faced little prince Sasuke grimaced in bitterness.
Click, click-
Karin's shutter accurately captured this moment.
"Ah, you only need to take one bite. I almost forgot to tell you."
Sasuke responded to Naruto's belated reminder with a resentful look, but soon he felt another power awakening within his body.
Naruto seemed to sense something and immediately said to the others nearby,
"Everyone, step back."
They all reacted quickly, moving away from Sasuke in the center.
In the next moment, black-red flames swept around, forming a whirlwind.
Although the temperature didn't feel particularly high, anything that came into contact with those flames rapidly turned to ash.
It was as if the 'burning' process had been skipped entirely.
This spectacular scene naturally attracted the attention of others in the village. Fortunately, Jiraiya's reputation was enough to handle it.
Jiraiya immediately left to stop the approaching Anbu.
The remaining few watched as the flames dissipated, revealing a massive black-furred wolfhound with dark red patterns standing in the center.
The giant wolf's flowing tail was adorned with dark red flames, and even standing still, it was two to three meters tall, exuding an intensely oppressive presence.
Zoan-type: Inu Inu no Mi: Mythical Beast Model: Huodou! (T/N: Dog-Dog Fruit.) (T/N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huodou.)
Where its four paws stepped, they left behind trails of flaming footprints.
These were flames symbolizing 'calamity'!