WHERE GODS TREAD

Prologue: The First Clash

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto, we only write this short fanfic for the love of the fandom.

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The sea was quiet, almost sacred, until Sasuke's voice cut through the depths.

"Naruto. Let's do this."

The sound echoed like a summons through the water. From the bottom of the salt sea, Naruto's eyes snapped open. Blue light blazed in his irises, scattering ripples of chakra through the deep.

With a single breath, he launched upward like a torpedo. Water trembled around him, shattering into bubbles before erupting into a thunderous splash that cracked the night sky open.

Naruto burst free, rising higher and higher until he was suspended beneath the stars. Water steamed off his bare skin, his chest rising with calm power, boxer shorts clinging to his thighs. Droplets slid through his sun-kissed hair, tracing down his mustache and beard before dripping from his chin.

He rolled his neck with a satisfying crack, then looked down at the lone figure far below-his eternal rival, his brother.

Sasuke stood upon the sea's surface as if it were stone, dark eyes locked on Naruto. His build had hardened with time, matching Naruto's in strength, his upper body bare save for the scars of battle and the black garb that draped over dark pants and sandals. A thin beard framed his face, making him look every bit the war-forged Uchiha he had become.

Naruto's chakra pulsed. Sasuke's lips curved into the faintest smirk. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Then Naruto dove.

The air split with a sonic boom as he plummeted toward Sasuke. The Uchiha didn't flinch. His fists clenched, veins thrumming with power. At the last second, Naruto's fist drove forward-and Sasuke caught it with his forearm.

The impact rippled through the ocean, scattering waves like glass.

Their eyes met-blue fire and tomoe-spinning crimson. For an instant, the sea was a stage, and gods stood upon it.

To Be Continued...