Two years later, in March of Konoha Year 59, spring had arrived.
Konoha Ninja Training Grounds!
On the tranquil surface of the lake, two figures stood facing each other at a distance—Naruto and Sasuke.
Sasuke appeared to have changed little since two years prior, but over two years of high-nutrition meals, a regular sleep schedule, and relentless physical training combined with Yoga stretching had made him noticeably taller and more muscular than his peers.
His height now reached 149cm, approaching the height he would attain in the original timeline two years later.
However, unlike the brooding, vengeful Sasuke of the original story, the Sasuke before Naruto exuded a calm, harmonious aura.
His eyes were clear and pure as crystal, conveying a sense of detachment and spiritual transcendence.
This transformation was undoubtedly the result of two and a half years of dedicated Yoga practice and meditative techniques!
In contrast, Naruto, standing opposite Sasuke, had undergone a far more significant transformation in the past two years.
Though still shorter than Sasuke, his taut muscles revealed that he had devoted far more time and effort to Taijutsu training.
Moreover, Naruto had heeded Sasuke's advice, not only focusing on relentless physical training but also paying close attention to maintaining a balanced diet.
Many people misunderstood Naruto, assuming he couldn't afford decent food and was forced to drink expired milk.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
The scene in the original manga and anime where Naruto drank expired milk wasn't about his financial constraints.
Rather, it illustrated his careless and haphazard nature.
He simply hadn't bothered to check the expiration date, a trait evident in his perpetually messy room and ramen containers strewn everywhere.
In reality, Naruto received a substantial monthly allowance from the Third Hokage, who always urged him to save and avoid frivolous spending.
Ironically, it's always the wealthy who preach frugality, while those truly struggling to make ends meet are the ones who ask for more when needed.
Because the amount given at the outset is already predetermined!
Unlike the brash, impulsive Naruto of the past, the current Naruto had matured significantly.
His eyes occasionally flashed with unwavering resolve and courage, hinting at the Uzumaki Naruto who would begin to grow and develop after his mission to the Land of Waves two years later.
At that moment, Naruto was standing steadily on the water's surface, maintaining his balance by channeling Chakra into his feet.
Over the past two years, while his real body had focused on rigorous physical training, he had also been deploying ten Shadow Clones daily for other types of practice.
He had long since mastered the Chakra control techniques for tree climbing and water walking.
"Watch out, Sasuke!" Naruto said earnestly after forming the Seal of Confrontation with Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded. "Come on!"
No sooner had he spoken than Naruto dashed across the water's surface, throwing a simple straight punch at Sasuke with blinding speed, leaving only afterimages in his wake.
The ripples and splashes behind the afterimages were the only signs of his lightning-fast advance.
'As expected, Taijutsu suits you perfectly.'
Facing this ferocious punch, Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly and executed a defensive maneuver, blocking Naruto's strike.
Unfazed by Sasuke's block, Naruto immediately retracted his fist, pivoted, and sprang into the air, unleashing a whip-like kick that cracked through the air with the sharp snap of a bullwhip.
"You've improved a lot, Naruto," Sasuke said calmly, effortlessly blocking his attack.
Their physical abilities were now roughly equal, but Naruto still had the edge in stamina and recovery.
Over the past two years, Sasuke's main body had been training in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, sculpting, and swordsmanship.
Naruto, on the other hand, had focused solely on Taijutsu!
Although Naruto's diet couldn't compare to Sasuke's expensive, high-end nutritional supplements, everyone understood the difference.
So now, defeating Naruto with just Taijutsu wasn't as easy as it used to be.
"Heh heh!"
Naruto grinned, flashing his pearly white teeth.
As the fight intensified, his movements grew faster and more fluid. He unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, each strike raining down like a storm.
Yet, in his relentless assault, he unconsciously abandoned his defenses, exposing a critical opening.
'A gap!'
As Naruto threw another punch, Sasuke abandoned evasion.
Instead of retreating, he lunged forward, ducking low and slamming his shoulder into Naruto's wide-open chest with brutal force.
Naruto felt a sudden tightness in his chest, accompanied by a powerful force that involuntarily sent him staggering backward.
He managed only two steps before Sasuke's upward kick slammed into his jaw.
Darkness flooded his vision as he spun twice in the air before crashing heavily into the lake.
Having defeated Naruto, Sasuke didn't pause. Instead, he rapidly formed several hand seals. This Naruto wasn't the type to go down so easily.
As expected, less than a few breaths after Naruto plunged into the water, the calm surface erupted in a surge of turbulence.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The water exploded in a massive spray, and eleven identical Narutos burst forth, riding the torrent.
"Next up is Uzumaki Naruto's Ninja Art Compendium!"
"Naruto Barrage, here I come!"
At this stage, Naruto's Taijutsu skills were still based on what he'd learned at the Ninja Academy, but, just like in the original story, he had combined his Shadow Clone technique to create the Naruto Barrage!
The moment the Shadow Clones emerged, they swarmed Sasuke from all directions, forming an impenetrable encirclement. Naruto grinned triumphantly.
But his elation was short-lived. He quickly noticed Sasuke had already formed the Tiger seal, his chest swelling like an empty bag filling with wind.
'This is—'
Naruto froze, then frantically began forming hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball erupted from Sasuke's mouth, engulfing Naruto's ten Shadow Clones and instantly reducing them to puffs of white smoke.
"Wind Release: Air Bullet!"
Just as the fireball was about to strike Naruto's real body, he expelled a condensed, compressed air bullet from his mouth.
The air bullet collided with the raging fireball, pushing it back with even greater force, sending it hurtling toward Sasuke, who remained rooted to the spot.
'Did I win?'
'Is Sasuke alright?'
Naruto wiped his sweat, touched his eyebrows that had nearly been singed, and anxiously peered into the thick, white mist.
"No, you've lost again."
A calm voice echoed from behind him.
A flicker of surprise crossed Naruto's face as he whirled around to retaliate, but a lightning bolt had already surged up from the water beneath his feet.
His body instantly went numb, he shuddered violently, and he collapsed without resistance.
Lightning Release: Earth Run!
Sasuke gazed at the lake's surface and said calmly, "He's not dead yet, is he?"
Splash!
Naruto's head popped out of the water.
After spitting out a mouthful, he grumbled, "I lost to you again this time."
"Heh," Sasuke chuckled mockingly. "Have you ever won?"
"Hmph!"
Naruto huffed, but he didn't lose his temper. As he stood up, he declared loudly, encouraging himself, "I've decided! I'm doubling my Taijutsu training this month!"
Seeing Naruto, fueled by Sasuke's provocation, transform into a miniature version of Rock Lee or Might Guy, Sasuke raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Suit yourself. After all, I only need to put in a little effort to crush you effortlessly."
Though he said this outwardly, Sasuke secretly resolved to intensify his own training as soon as he returned.
Whether logically or emotionally, Sasuke refused to allow himself to lose to Naruto, or even let him gain the slightest advantage in battle.
'Absolutely not!'
Moreover, perhaps because Naruto was the reincarnation of Asura, Sasuke found that the stronger Naruto became, the more eagerly he anticipated their battles.
The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction he derived from overwhelming Naruto grew even greater.
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