Chapter 124 – You think I'd know how to do that stuff?
Sasuke whipped his head, flinging the rain from his body.
There was envy in his eyes.
I want to cultivate immortality too.
He could tell the only reason Naruto's Ninjutsupacked such power was the boost from Sage Chakra.
Otherwise, how could that S-rank Kirin have been shattered?
That only hardened his resolve to master Sage Mode.
If he didn't learn it, Naruto would always hold the advantage.
Naruto channelled Chakra into his clothes, drying them in an instant.
He looked at Sasuke, who was shaking himself off like a drenched dog.
Now we settle this for real.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Sasuke pressed a palm to the ground; the raven Kyubey appeared.
He raised the thunder fire sword.
A mysterious sheen spread along the blade, then up his arm, coating his entire body.
Once again Sasuke felt as if he could do anything.
But he knew Magical Girl Mode had its limits.
A sudden pang of regret—if he had Kuramasupplying Chakra, he'd truly be invincible.
The full suite of Magical Girl buffs plus the moonlight box's time-reversal—no one could beat him.
If Naruto knew what he was thinking, he'd only say cats and dogs are mortal enemies.
Kurama's the goofy husky, Sasuke's the cat; together they're doomed.
Seeing Sasuke activate Magical Girl Mode, Narutohad Kurama send Chakra at once.
A golden pillar of light flared.
Naruto looked every inch a Super Saiyan.
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
This wasn't even the final stage.
He hadn't reached perfect understanding with Kurama; Jinchuriki and Tailed Beast weren't truly one.
Not a perfect Jinchuriki, he couldn't access Kurama Mode.
But it was only a matter of time.
Kurama had grown used to him; the beast was just tsundere—anyone could see that.
It had to play hard-to-get.
This was Sasuke's first sight of Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
He'd missed the showdown with Shukaku.
Naruto never used it on ordinary days.
An ominous premonition took hold.
Years of study had made Sasuke thoroughly proficient in Magical Girl Mode.
He activated its senses and got a feedback.
He couldn't win.
If the gap were small, the answer wouldn't be this absolute.
No matter how hard he pushed, defeat was 100%.
Sasuke's brows drew together.
It felt awful.
He'd always believed his fate was his to decide.
So he would test it.
Lightning crackled again along Sasuke's blade.
Yomotsu Hirasaka!
An invisible soul-shock burst outward.
He knew the technique wouldn't harm Naruto.
But it could make him blank for an instant.
Naruto felt his body jolt.
Like a roller-coaster dropping sheer, his soul seemed to shoot sky-high.
The sensation lasted barely a second.
By then Sasuke's sword was at his face.
Lightning blazed in every direction; Sasuke and his blade spun like an electric drill.
Naruto merely shrugged.
All your flashiness, and I still only need a Rasengan.
Sage Art: Great Ball Rasengan!
Sasuke snorted—same move as before, but this time it would fail.
moonlight box!
Naruto's massive Rasengan rewound in an instant.
His eyes widened; the sensation was bizarre.
When the reversal stopped, Sasuke's sword struck again—faster and at a different angle.
Originally aimed at the heart.
The reason was simple.
Sasuke sensed piercing the heart would cost more Chakra than he possessed.
He'd pass out.
That was the beauty of Magical Girl Mode plus the moonlight box: one free retry.
And this strike would land.
The blade stabbed just below Naruto's right shoulder.
A metallic clang rang out.
It didn't penetrate.
"???"
Every inch of Sasuke's face was question marks.
What human body is this?
Naruto kicked out in reply.
Sasuke paled and flew backward.
"What are you wearing under that jacket?"
He steadied himself and couldn't help asking.
Concentrated Chakra could indeed form a strong defence.
But there was no way it should have stopped that thrust.
He suspected some hidden Inner Armor.
"Nothing."
Naruto patted his shoulder. "Just tough skin."
"..."
Sasuke released Magical Girl Mode; he had no Chakra left.
Naruto's words stung.
Tough skin my foot.
You're not even human!
He opened his pouch and tossed in a few pills.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Well, well.
Came prepared.
Popping performance enhancers.
You don't have asthma; doping gets you banned, you know.
To Naruto, Ninja soldier pills were basically stimulants.
"Still want to fight?"
"No more."
The pills were only to restore a bit of Chakra and ease his fatigue.
What was the point?
He felt like reporting to the referee that someone was cheating.
"What's with your body?"
Sasuke asked, jealous and frustrated.
Naruto blinked; he could hardly admit he'd maxed-out defence with hacks.
He hadn't expected raw Chakra plus his own toughness to leave him unscathed.
Maybe at 100% he wouldn't even need Chakra—his body alone could take it.
He once thought it was the Sage Body, but this looked more like Vajra indestructibility.
A little peek isn't cheating, right?
"Probably Sage Mode."
Naruto answered offhandedly.
Sasuke pondered—clearly a trip to Orochimaruwas unavoidable.
"You said there was something else after the fight—what?"
"Try to finish these while you're in Otogakure."
Naruto pulled out a slip of paper and handed it over.
Sasuke unfolded it.
1. Learn Summoning Jutsu and contract the blue snake.
2. Learn Sage Mode.
3. Watch out—Orochimaru wants your body.
4. Abduct the genius under Orochimaru.
5. Obtain Orochimaru's Hashirama-cell research data.
"...?"
Sasuke was speechless.
The first three made sense, but the last two?
You're asking the Uchiha to kidnap and steal?
You think I'd know how to do that stuff?
Well, Sasuke had asked Kakashi and was older than Naruto.
Once he won a fight, he'd make Naruto call him big bro.
Naruto guessed his thoughts and grinned: "Do your best; the first three matter most."
But the fourth was doable too.
Sasuke's mouth spewed nothing nice, and unlike the original Naruto he hadn't maxed Talk-no-Jutsu—but he had Pretend-no-Jutsu.
The strong always draw followers.
Assembling a Hawk squad shouldn't be hard.
Orochimaru really was outrageous.
Charisma off the charts.
Collecting orphaned prodigies across the world.
As orphanage directors go, Yakushi Nono couldn't compare; Orochimaru was the champ.
Every orphan he took in practically worshipped him, seeing him as their reason to live.
They'd gladly offer their bodies for him.
Take the Sound Four, for example.
"But there's a problem," Sasuke frowned. "Will Orochimaru even agree?"
If it were him, he'd never accept a subordinate stronger and more scheming than himself.
That's like turning on a light in the toilet—looking for death.
"The hermit has his tricks."
Naruto smiled mysteriously.
"..."
Sasuke had now heard that phrase twice.
Promise me—stop being a riddle-man.
Hmph—if I could beat you... Thanks to the four big shots: Little Orochimaru, Salted-Fish-My-Dream, Bag-of-Heavenly-Chili, and Reader 20190605084708635. First-day subs hit 1086—pretty close to my guess. Right now I owe five chapters for Third River and three for monthly tickets: eight total. Starting tomorrow, on top of the regular two chapters, I'll pay the debt.