NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: 19. Final Sparring Session
Ryusei grinned, his eyes flashing with excitement as he took a step back. "Now there will be a battle royal commencing—right now!" he announced, his voice carrying a playful yet challenging edge. Before anyone could react, he vanished from his place, moving faster than a blink.
In an instant, he reappeared behind Naruto, catching him completely off guard. Naruto barely had time to whirl around before Ryusei's fist was swinging toward him. Naruto dodged, stumbling slightly as he threw up his arms defensively. He recovered quickly, flashing Ryusei a wide grin, his eyes lighting up with the thrill of the impending fight.
"Is that how you're gonna play it, Ryusei?" Naruto chuckled, stepping back and dropping into a combat stance. "You're not going to get the jump on me that easily!"
Ryusei raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "You sure about that, Naruto? I've seen you dodge ramen bowls faster than that," he teased, earning a mock-glare from Naruto.
"Oh, now you've done it!" Naruto shot back, shaking his head with a grin. "No one mocks my ramen skills!" He formed a quick series of hand seals, creating a dozen shadow clones that surrounded Ryusei from all sides, each one grinning just as widely as the original.
"Come on, show me what you've got!" Naruto yelled, launching his clones at Ryusei in a coordinated attack.
Ryusei laughed, stepping forward to meet the first wave of clones. He moved smoothly, ducking and weaving between them, throwing quick punches and kicks that dispersed each clone in a puff of smoke. He could feel the bond between them, even amidst the clash of fists and chakra—a brotherly connection that made every exchange feel both playful and fierce.
"Is that all, Naruto? I thought you'd be tougher!" Ryusei called out, his tone light but challenging.
Naruto laughed, charging forward with two clones flanking him. "You haven't seen anything yet, Ryusei!" He held a Rasengan in one hand, the glowing blue orb humming with power as he closed the distance.
Ryusei sidestepped the attack, catching Naruto's arm and using his momentum to throw him to the side. Naruto landed smoothly, rolling back to his feet with a grin that only seemed to grow wider with every clash.
"You're fast, I'll give you that," Naruto admitted, rubbing his arm with a playful grin. "But can you handle this?"
Before Ryusei could respond, Naruto's clones reformed around him, attacking with renewed intensity. Ryusei's eyes gleamed with excitement as he dove back into the fray, exchanging punches and kicks with the clones in a dance of pure adrenaline.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Sasuke and Sakura had zeroed in on Anon. They moved in unison, a silent understanding between them as they prepared to take on the Void Ripper.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, the red glow illuminating his face as he sized up Anon. "You're not the only one with some tricks up your sleeve," he said, his voice low and confident. He drew his sword, the blade crackling with Chidori as he lunged forward, aiming for Anon's side.
Anon met Sasuke's attack head-on, sidestepping the blade with practiced ease. He extended a hand, summoning a swirl of Void energy that deflected Sasuke's Chidori and pushed him back a few steps. Anon's movements were calculated, precise, his eyes never leaving Sasuke as he countered each strike.
Sakura darted in from the side, her fists glowing with chakra-infused strength. She threw a punch that Anon dodged, but the impact left a small crater in the ground where her fist struck. Anon raised an eyebrow, impressed by her power. He released a quick burst of Void energy, creating a barrier that separated him from Sasuke and Sakura momentarily.
"You two are formidable," Anon acknowledged, a hint of respect in his tone. "But let's see if you can handle the Void itself."
Sasuke smirked, his Sharingan flickering as he prepared another attack. "Bring it on, Anon. We're not backing down."
Sakura nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We're not the same as we used to be. Let's see what you've got."
Anon released the Void barrier and dove back into the fight, his movements fluid as he navigated between Sasuke's sword strikes and Sakura's powerful punches. He countered with Void-infused strikes of his own, the dark energy swirling around him as he matched their every move.
The battlefield erupted in a frenzy of movement, each pair locked in their own intense clash. Ryusei and Naruto continued their playful, yet fierce exchange, their laughter and taunts filling the air as they pushed each other to the limit. Sasuke and Sakura fought with equal intensity, their coordination and teamwork shining as they faced off against Anon, who met their attacks with the deadly precision of the Void.
In the heart of the Void of Time, amidst the swirling energies and flashing attacks, the four shinobi tested their newfound powers and bonds, each one pushing their limits in the friendly, yet fierce, battle royal. This was more than just training—it was a moment of growth, a trial that would prepare them for the war that awaited back on Earth. Here, in this realm that transcended time and space, they forged their skills and spirits, readying themselves for whatever lay ahead.