317 Friends or Rivals
'I will have to fight Naruto.' Sasuke came to the conclusion.
Within a minute Naruto, Jiraya, and Sakura entered the office as well. As they entered Jiraya looked at everyone in the room and said "Looks like everyone was waiting for us Naruto."
Sasuke looked at Naruto and for a moment was surprised to see that their height was almost the same now.
Before Naruto could say anything and distract everyone, Tsunade decided to start her talks. "I hope you trained Naruto in this time Jiraya. If I found out that you have been teaching him something he shouldn't have then..." Tsunade massaged her fists.
"No-No...why would I spoil such a good kid? I taught him a lot of things. Trust me when I say that he will be able to defeat even chunins." Jiraya said. Tsunade was right to worry as Jiraya is a pervert and she didn't want Naruto to get influenced by it.
"I have a lot to tell you all about how we should proceed further but right now I want to see if the time these two took for their training was worth it or not." Tsunade said.
"Lady Tsunade are you thinking about making them two fight each other?" Sakura asked to which Tsunade shook her head and said "No...someone else will. That person wishes to keep his identity a secret and it shall be kept so. He is one of sensei's best spies from Anbu."
Everyone was confused when they heard that. Jiraya who also had the same sensei and was a master at collecting intelligence couldn't think of anyone like that.
"Grandma Tsunade, is that person really strong? I think I should fight Sasuke directly. It will be more interesting. That way we both will know where we stand."Naruto insisted.
Sasuke also stepped forward and said "I agree with Naruto on this one. I also want to know how much he has learned. Although I am confident that I won't lose to the likes of him, I need some warmup for future missions." Sasuke smirked.
Naruto made an annoyed expression and said "No need to be this cocky Sasuke. Just wait and see how I pummel you into the ground."
"STOP IT YOU TWO" Tsunade shouted making Naruto and Sasuke back off immediately.
"What I said wasn't a suggestion but a decision...You two are genins and will be treated as such until you pass an official examination. So don't even think of getting any dangerous missions." Tsunade said as she sat down on her chair.
"Come on Tsunade...don't be so strict with the kids. You can see that they both have grown up." Jiraya said trying to butter up Tsunade.
Tsunade gave a fake smile and said "Really? Grown-up? Seeing them bicker like this in front of me doesn't look like the actions of a grown-up"
"It's you who is bickering here, grandma." Naruto muttered but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Before Tsunade could scold him for it, Sakura landed a punch on his head making Naruto hold his head in pain.
"Lady Tsunade please ignore whatever this idiot says." Sakura said.
Tsunade let out a sigh and said "Let's go to the training ground. I will inform the one who will take your test.
"What if we defeat him?" Sasuke asked.
"I can't make you both chunin as it has to be done in the official chunin exams but I can give you high-ranked missions which chunins and jonins take. Is there anything else you want?" Tsunade asked.
Sasuke nodded and said "Yes I asked Kakashi about Yami...what condition he is in...what he did exactly in the hidden mist and why has he not returned yet. I want you to tell me the truth."
Tsunade looked around at everyone and saw that even they were curious to a certain extent.
"The fact that you said this in front of everyone means that you have no problem with others knowing it, right?" Tsunade asked.
Sasuke nodded and said "Yes I don't care who listens to it but I want to know the entire truth. I asked Shikamaru and the others about it but they said that you have told them to keep it a secret and spilling it could be considered a serious offense."
"That is correct. At that time I didn't want the info to see the light of day but I don't think it is any harm to us now you will only get the information if you impress me with your skills. Let's leave now." Tsunade said and everyone left the office. Shizune left in a different direction to get Itachi. Tsunade didn't want Itachi to make any kind of contact with Sasuke or the others but Itachi was insistent on testing Sasuke.
Since there wasn't much that Itachi asked of her and he is loyal to the village to this extent, Tsunade decided to let him be the opponent. As the entire group was going to the training ground, Kakashi pulled Sasuke to the side and said "Don't hesitate using your full strength and the jutsus that I have taught you."
Sasuke looked at him with a frown and asked "Are you not confident enough in me that I can defeat an Anbu?"
Kakashi shook his head and said "That's why I say to observe everything carefully and then react. You asked Lady Tsunade to tell you everything when you and Naruto defeat the Anbu but what when she made the promise, she said that she will tell you everything when you impress her. Do you understand what that means?"
Sasuke thought for a few seconds and said "It means that she is sure that you both won't be able to defeat him. If she is so sure of it means the opponent is someone who can go toe to toe with her or Jiraya."
"If what you are saying is right then I hope Naruto won't hold me back." Sasuke said and continued walking with the others toward the training ground. Jiraya and Tsunade were talking with each other at the front of the group while Naruto was talking with Sakura.
As they reached the training ground, Naruto and Sasuke got ready for battle and stood in the middle of the training ground while the others got comfortable and waited near the trees at the boundary of the ground.
"So who is this spy you talked about? Sensei never told me anything about it." Jiraya asked as he leaned on a tree beside Tsunade.
Tsunade shook her head and said "I cannot tell you right now Jiraya. Just trust me for now."
Jiraya also didn't say anything since he knew that any decision Tsunade takes will be for the betterment of the village. He trusted her blindly. Just as the others were conversing Shizune came with an Anbu. The Anbu wore a plain black mask on his face and even the eye holes on the mask were covered with tinted glass.
'It is good that I had this mask made for Itachi...since this mask has chakra metal in it it won't break easily and the tinted eye holes on it hide the Sharingan efficiently. As if behaving like a normal Anbu Itachi landed in front of Tsunade and asked "You called for me Lady Tsunade?"
Tsunade nodded and said "Those two kids have just finished their training in the shinobi world and have come back to the village. I want you to push them to the limits just don't do any permanent damage."
Itachi nodded and looked at Sasuke and Naruto who was also looking at him. He walked toward them while pulling out the sword which he had attached diagonally to his back. Itachi had changed everything that made could remind anyone of him. His voice and even his walking style.
He stood in front of the two of them and raised his sword toward them and said "Ready when you are"
Sasuke and Naruto didn't waste a single second and Sasuke immediately activated his 2 tomoe Sharingan and pulled out his sword. He rushed toward Itachi while Naruto created two clones of himself and the three of them rushed at Itachi as well.
Itachi thought that these two kids were underestimating him since he was just an Anbu but then he saw lightning chakra on the sword and a Rasengan being formed by a pair of clones. Seeing the lightning sword coming at him and two Rasengans as well, Itachi decided to face the attack head-on and clashed his sword with Sasuke.
Sasuke was sure that he will overwhelm Itachi since he wasn't using any chakra on the sword but instead of clashing in full power, Itachi twisted the sword a little at the last minute causing Itachi to falter in his next step and the sword to hit the ground causing a crack on the ground.
Kakashi and the others were extremely surprised when they saw this happen. Many didn't give much attention but at this time the number of spectators had increased.
Shikamaru and Temari joined the crowd along with Kurenai and Asuma along with their respective teams.
(Who will win the fight and how much have they both grown. Where is Yami and what is he even doing? Ans to all your questions are posted in my P@treon)
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