Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

Naruto had meticulously planned his route, choosing a long and winding path to avoid the blockade of Konoha's ninja. Every step brought him closer to his goal—the Daimyō's mansion—but the journey was far from uneventful.

As he moved through the forest, the sharp whistle of metal cutting through the air caught his attention. A shuriken landed mere inches from his feet, embedding itself into the ground with a cold, menacing gleam.

"Who's there?" Naruto demanded, his senses heightened. The Tailed Beast cloak shimmered into existence, enveloping him in its protective aura. A Rasengan began forming in his palm, its energy humming with potential.

From the shadows of the trees, a figure stepped forward, the faint smirk on their lips betraying a mix of arrogance and amusement.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Sasuke…?"

Sasuke stood there, exuding an aura that was both familiar and entirely foreign. His expression was one of cold indifference, but there was something darker, more menacing about him now.

"I finally found you," Sasuke said, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "This time, Naruto, I'm going to defeat you."

Naruto took a cautious step back, studying his former classmate. The aura surrounding Sasuke was far more intense than it had been the last time they met. Beneath his calm exterior, Naruto could sense a terrifying power, one that hadn't been there before.

"What are you doing here, Sasuke? Why now?" Naruto asked, his tone a mix of confusion and suspicion.

Sasuke's smirk deepened. "Why? To test my power, of course. Orochimaru has given me something… special. Something that makes me stronger than ever."

As he spoke, black markings began to spread across his skin, crawling like living veins from the Curse Mark on his neck. The transformation was unsettling, the dark energy radiating from him palpable.

"I had this power transplanted in Orochimaru's lab," Sasuke continued, his voice laced with malice. "Now I'm stronger than you could ever imagine. Come on, Naruto. Fight me!"

Before Naruto could respond, Sasuke moved. His speed was blinding, far beyond anything Naruto had anticipated. In an instant, he closed the distance between them and delivered a punch to Naruto's Tailed Beast cloak.

Though the attack didn't pierce the cloak's defense, the sheer force of it sent Naruto skidding backward.

"You've improved," Naruto admitted, his voice steady despite the situation. "But you're not the only one who's gotten stronger."

Naruto's mind raced. He didn't want to waste time in a meaningless fight, not when the mission was so critical. Yet Sasuke's presence made it clear he wasn't going to let him pass easily.

I need to find a way around him. Fighting here will only delay me further, Naruto thought.

With a quick series of hand seals, Naruto unleashed his signature technique. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

A swarm of clones erupted from his body, scattering in every direction. Naruto mixed himself among them, hoping to slip past Sasuke unnoticed.

But Sasuke had anticipated this. He raised his hand, and arcs of electricity began crackling around him. In a flash, the air was filled with a dense web of lightning, each strand sizzling with lethal energy.

One by one, Naruto's clones disintegrated as they touched the web. The forest echoed with the sounds of dissipating shadow clones, leaving the real Naruto standing amidst the chaos.

"Damn it," Naruto muttered. Holding the Rasengan in his hand, he charged at the web, smashing through it with sheer force. The lightning dispersed, but Sasuke was already preparing his next move.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. It was clear there would be no avoiding this fight.

"If I don't take you down, I'll never get past you," Naruto said, his voice cold and resolute.

Sasuke smirked, his own resolve equally firm. "Let's see if you've got what it takes, Naruto. I'm not the same person I was six months ago."

The tension between them reached its peak. Without another word, Naruto lunged forward, his Rasengan aimed at Sasuke.

But Sasuke was faster. With lightning-fast reflexes, he dodged the attack, leaving Naruto's Rasengan to slam into the ground where he had just stood.

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