But Naruto clearly wasn't ready to give up just yet. Even as he hit the ground, he pressed forward, charging straight toward Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. In the next instant, lightning surged across his palm—crackle, crackle—electric arcs danced wildly in the air. Raising his hand, he met Naruto's Rasengan head-on with a fierce Chidori.
Boom!
A thunderous clash erupted as the two attacks collided. Sparks flew, wind howled, and chakra surged at the point of contact. Neither side gave an inch.
"Impressive," Kakashi said with a tinge of genuine surprise in his voice. "I didn't expect you to have come this far—but it ends here."
As he spoke, a surge of chakra burst from Kakashi's body, and the lightning in his hand intensified.
"Not good," Naruto muttered. His eyes widened as he tried to disengage and retreat.
"It's a bit too late for that now," Kakashi said under his breath. His body moved forward, intent on finishing the clash before Naruto could withdraw.
"Ha!"
Suddenly, a fierce shout rang out from above.
Kakashi's expression changed in a flash. He immediately aborted his advance and leapt back.
Rumble!
Right where he had stood, Sakura came crashing down with her fist raised high, chakra swirling around it. She slammed it into the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth.
Crack!
The ground shattered beneath her punch, stone crumbling and dust erupting in massive clouds.
"Whew, that was close," Kakashi muttered as he landed at a safe distance, staring at the massive crater left behind. "That could've actually hurt."
"S-Sakura?!" Naruto gasped, still catching his breath. "That was incredible!"
Sakura didn't even glance at him. She raised her fist, eyes locked on Kakashi. "I'm not the same Sakura you remember, Kakashi-sensei."
…
"Wait… That was Tsunade's monstrous strength?" Jiraiya muttered, the corner of his mouth twitching. "She really taught that to Sakura?"
Shizune nodded. "Yes. Lady Tsunade's been training her for years now."
Jiraiya's gaze slowly shifted back to Naruto with an odd glint in his eyes. "Poor kid… just like me. Fell for a girl who could punch him through a mountain."
"Hmm? Jiraiya, do you have a problem with how I trained Sakura?"
The voice came from behind, sudden and sharp. Jiraiya flinched.
Turning stiffly, he forced a smile at the approaching figure. "No, no, of course not, Tsunade…"
"Lady Tsunade, you're here?" Shizune greeted her with a respectful nod.
Tsunade returned the nod, then shot a pointed glare at Jiraiya. "Looks like Naruto's coming along well. I guess you were useful after all."
"…Really?" Jiraiya's smile twitched. Is this woman ever going to give me a break? Still, he knew she was mostly teasing. After all, she wouldn't have trusted him with Naruto's training if she didn't believe in him at least a little.
…
Despite Tsunade's arrival, the battle continued undisturbed.
"Sakura, that was amazing!" Naruto gushed, eyes sparkling.
Sakura ignored him, keeping her gaze on Kakashi. "Stay focused, Naruto. Kakashi-sensei won't go easy on us. Let's take him down—together!"
"Right!" Naruto grinned and charged forward again.
Kakashi watched the two of them, his expression shifting from calm to slightly troubled. "You've improved a lot, both of you… but you're still not quite there."
With that, his form flickered—and vanished.
"What—!?" Both Naruto and Sakura tensed, eyes scanning the area.
"Sakura, watch out!" Naruto shouted as he noticed movement below.
Sakura's eyes widened. She moved instantly, but—
"It's too late," came Kakashi's voice from beneath her feet.
Boom!
He burst up from the ground, grabbing Sakura by the ankles and pulling her down with him.
But before she could be dragged under, a piercing whistle echoed through the air.
"Fukutan!"
Whoosh—!
A streak of pink light tore across the sky and shot down toward the ground, forcing Kakashi to abandon his grip and leap backward.
"Whew…" Sakura exhaled, relieved, and turned to the pink creature beside her. "Thanks, Fukutan. You really saved me there."
"Dan~!" Fukutan chirped, puffing out its tiny chest proudly and patting it with its little paw. It was so ridiculously cute that even Kakashi, standing at a distance, couldn't help but twitch a smile.
Sakura gently patted Fukutan on the head. "Alright then, let's fight together."
"Dan!" it responded, battle-ready and full of spirit, locking its eyes on Kakashi.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Naruto ran up, concern in his voice.
"I'm fine. But you… You're still as reckless as ever," she scolded, shaking her head and glaring at him.
Even after all that training, his first instinct was still to charge headfirst.
"Ahaha…" Naruto scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, struggling to find the right words. Then his gaze fell on the pink Pokémon beside her. "Fukutan! Long time no see. But Sakura, how come Fukutan still hasn't evolved?"
Sakura's face twitched. She shot Naruto a deadly glare. "We'll deal with Kakashi-sensei first."
"Right, right—got it!"
Naruto quickly nodded, pulling out his own Poké Ball. "Venusaur, come on out! Time to show everyone what you've learned!"
The ball burst open in a flash of light—and a hulking silhouette appeared on the battlefield.
"Venaaaar!"
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