A few days later
They arrived at the bridge.
Ryu scratched his head and said "Alright, stay here. I'll go talk with this clown…" he groaned and got up, walking over normally.
Sakura frowned "Not even a disguise?" Naruto was confused and Sai stayed quiet, watching carefully.
Ryu appeared on the bridge and a cloaked man appeared, saying "Sasori."
Ryu stood there with his arms crossed, yawning.
The cloaked man kept talking to the air about sensitive information as Ryu looked around.
Even Orochimaru, who was hiding, was under the Genjutsu as Ryu's Eternal Mangekyou was activated.
Although, Genjutsu wasn't Ryu's strong point… It was enough with Eternal Mangekyou.
Suddenly, Kabuto slashed the air and jumped back as Orochimaru appeared!
Sakura said in shock "Genjutsu?!" Naruto rushed out and Sai followed him with Sakura finally coming around.
Orochimaru said "Some mice… Now who are you, Sasori!" as he sealed, dispelling the Genjutsu.
Orochimaru froze as he looked at Ryu standing there with a smile. Kabuto froze and started sweating coldly but attacked Ryu, stabbing through his head!
Kabuto jumped back and said in shock "I got him!?"
Sakura, Naruto, and Sai froze, staring at Ryu.
Orochimaru suddenly shouted "Impossible! How could you have such a power!?"
The Kunai fell through Ryu's head and there was a hole in Ryu's face that reformed through flames.
He didn't even move as he smiled "I seem to recall telling you that Mangekyou has powers. Eternal Mangekyou is the next step… This new power is called 'Elementization'!"
Orochimaru started to sweat and Kabuto shouted "I don't believe you're invincible!" as he threw a flurry of Kunai and Shuriken.
Ryu stretched out his hand, stopping the trio next to him, saying "Let the child vent." The Kunai and Shuriken passed through his body without an issue.
Orochimaru frowned "Like that Madara guy…" Ryu shook his head and smiled "Actually, that's not true. Unlike him, I can be hit by Chakra and Haki." Naruto was confused and asked "Then why?"
Ryu smiled at him, explaining "I opened a hole in my body before it came to me, understand? Not that I need to, Kabuto isn't very strong…" as he pursed his lips, chuckling "It's very draining though."
As he turned off Eternal Mangekyou, smiling calmly.
Naruto attacked after the explanation, turning into 3 Tails Mode, scaring Sakura stiff.
Ryu looked at Naruto with a smile, Sakura looked at Ryu, swallowing "Ryu-sensei… Tsunade-sensei said that we shouldn't let Naruto get to 4 tails!"
Ryu waved and replied dismissively, "Meh. Who cares about what she thinks? Even if the entire little fox comes out he can't do much… the key point is…" Ryu curled his lips sarcastically, "Does he even dare to come out?"
Sakura was confused and Ryu explained "Mangekyou Sharingan can control Tailed Beasts. Which was most likely the reason why I was assigned to this mission…" he sighed and added with a pout "I shouldn't have revealed it… Or else I'd be playing with my little Aino right now."
Sakura's lips twitched and she looked at Naruto with worry as the bridge exploded and Naruto leapt after Orochimaru, disappearing into the forest.
Ryu whistled and said "Sai, if you'd please."
Sai smiled and sealed with his hands, as a giant bird came off his back, carrying the three into the air, looking down at Naruto fighting Orochimaru in 4 tails mode.
Orochimaru did a trick and sent Naruto flying back to the bridge.
Ryu sighed and said "Go back… How embarrassing…"
Sai smiled and flew back.
Ryu jumped off the bird and landed in front of Naruto as Sakura shouted "Watch out!"
Ryu ignored her and slapped the tail flying at him back.
He looked at Naruto and curled his lips "Long time no see, Kurama."
Naruto's body stiffened and Ryu's Sharingan rotated.
He appeared in front of a gate in Naruto's mind.
He looked at the huge orange fox behind the gate and crossed his arms, "Do I have to drag you out and beat you or will you get back in your little hole and be a good boy?"
Kurama growled at Ryu, "Damn Uchiha! Those damn eyes…" Ryu rolled the damn eyes, retorting "Alright, relax. I'm not Madara, unfortunately. That was so long ago and you're still hung up on it, like get over it… Hashirama put you down as well, but you only talk about Madara all day, starting to sound like you actually like him a lot."
Kurama froze and smashed against the gate, shouting "What do you know, boy?! Do you want to die?!" Ryu said flatly "Can you get out of the gate?" Kurama was silent and Ryu sneered, "Sheesh. For such a cool guy, you sure are stubborn. Doesn't Naruto and Sasuke's relationship remind you of anyone?"
Ryu didn't give him a chance to speak and looked at his fingernails, saying "Maybe a little duo named Indra and Ashura?" Kurama's eyes widened and he shouted "Who are you, boy?!? How could You possibly know what you're talking about?"
Ryu smiled and said "Uchiha clan records. Anyway~ How about you take back your chakra, before I make you take it back." Kurama grinded his teeth and Ryu snorted "Acting tough even though Orochimaru just hung you up to dry like laundry… What a joke. I thought Tailed Beasts were strong, even Shukaku is stronger than you!"
Kurama was embarrassed and roared "I was split in half! Plus that was only 4 tails!" Ryu sneered and said "Right… For sure… whatever you say!" before disappearing as Kurama roared angrily.
Ryu looked at Naruto and unleashed his Conqueror's saying "Hurry up. I haven't got all day." Naruto returned to normal and collapsed on the ground.
Ryu squatted down and fed him a Senzu Bean, he instantly shot up and said "Huh?! What happened!?"
Ryu rolled his eyes and whistled.
Sai flew down and waved at the duo, saying "I have a mosquito following them." Ryu got on the bird and sat down saying "Hurry up, Naruto. We're going to see Sasuke." Naruto got excited and said "Sasuke?!" as he jumped on the bird.
The bird flew away and Sakura corrected "Bring back Sasuke, right Naruto!" as she smiled at him. He smiled and nodded "Mm!" Ryu smiled "Right, right, bring back Sasuke… For sure…"
He turned to Naruto and Sakura, smiling "Look at me you two." Naruto and Sakura looked at him and his Eternal Mangekyou flashed in his eyes.
Sai looked at him and pursed his lips, Ryu smiled and said "Sai. The Uchiha never came back to the village, understand?" Sai nodded and smiled, "Sensei really sacrifices a lot for Sasuke."
Ryu turned to the front as Naruto and Sakura blinked, complaining "You're so weird…" Ryu knocked on his head and chuckled "Ah! Forgot what I wanted to say~"
A while later