"Are you alright, Brother Genma?"
Naruto rushed to Shiranui Genma's side, his expression filled with concern as he saw the pale look on the jōnin's face.
"I'm fine… Naruto."
Genma exhaled heavily, forcing himself to remain upright. "But Menma has completely lost control. If we don't stop him here, he won't come back. We can't hesitate anymore."
His tone was firm, resolute.
It was, in truth, a necessary lie.
Naruto believed him.
"I understand," Naruto said firmly. "I'll stop him. No matter what, I'll bring my brother back."
His gaze hardened as he turned toward Menma.
Shadow Clone Barrage
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto slammed his hands together.
Puff! Puff! Puff!
White smoke exploded outward as dozens—no, hundreds—of Naruto clones materialized around the battlefield, completely surrounding Menma.
The air vibrated with chakra.
Menma stared at the scene with cold indifference.
"…So this is it," he muttered. "You really think numbers can bridge the gap between us?"
A faint, mocking smile curved his lips.
"This is exactly the same as back then… Hashirama and Madara. Naruto and Sasuke. People always say understanding comes through words—but in the end, it's always strength that decides everything."
The crimson chakra surrounding Menma flared violently.
His killing intent surged.
"Come."
Naruto's clones charged.
"Stop him!"
The battlefield erupted.
Crushing Power
Menma moved.
Not fast—instantaneous.
His body blurred, vanishing from sight as his chakra surged outward in a violent wave. The first wave of shadow clones was erased on contact, their bodies exploding into clouds of smoke.
One punch.
Two kicks.
A casual backhand.
Each movement carried overwhelming force, far beyond ordinary jōnin level.
Boom!
Boom!
Naruto's clones were obliterated one after another.
The disparity was undeniable.
Menma was not merely stronger—he was on an entirely different tier.
Shiranui Genma's expression darkened as he watched.
"This is… far beyond what I estimated."
Gritting his teeth, Genma formed seals at blinding speed.
"Ninjutsu—Thousand Needles of Death!"
A storm of senbon erupted from his hands, filling the air like a deadly rainstorm.
Menma didn't dodge.
He didn't flinch.
The crimson chakra surged outward like a living wall.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every needle was repelled, bouncing harmlessly away.
Before Genma could react
Menma was already in front of him.
His eyes, glowing crimson, reflected Genma's shocked expression.
"Too slow."
A sharp kick struck Genma squarely in the torso.
BAM!
His body was sent flying, smashing into the ground with a thunderous impact. The earth cracked beneath him.
Genma coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips.
His vision blurred.
Still, he tried to rise.
Before he could, Menma descended.
The Breaking Point
Genma barely had time to react before Menma was upon him.
A crushing presence bore down on his chest.
Then
A blur of green flashed through the battlefield.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
Rock Lee burst in from the side, his kick slamming toward Menma's head at full speed.
For an instant
Menma turned.
He caught Lee's leg.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward.
Lee's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How?!"
Menma twisted, hurling Lee away like a ragdoll.
Before Lee could recover, Menma turned back.
His focus returned to Genma.
Naruto shouted desperately, "Stop! Menma, please!"
But it was too late.
Menma stepped forward, kunai already in hand.
One motion.
Clean. Precise.
The blade pierced straight through Genma's chest.
Genma's eyes widened.
Blood spilled from his lips as his body went limp.
Menma pulled the blade free.
Genma collapsed, unmoving.
Silence followed.
The battlefield froze.
Naruto's breath caught in his throat.
"…No…"
Menma stood over the fallen jōnin, his expression cold, unreadable.
"Don't follow me," he said quietly. "This is the path I chose."
And with that
The wind howled.
The war between brothers had truly begun.
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