A sudden shift in the battlefield's atmosphere occurred as another figure entered the fray. Nyx's gaze shifted towards the new arrival, narrowing as she took in the sight of the elderly woman.
A grandma, she thought, her eyes showing a flicker of familiarity but quickly dismissing it.
"Granny Chiyo!" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise and relief.
"Don't worry, I'm here to help you guys out," Chiyo said, her tone firm and resolute as she stepped forward, her stance ready for battle. Despite her age, she exuded a sense of confidence and determination that gave the trio a glimmer of hope.
Nyx, however, remained unperturbed. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, feeling the familiar chakra signatures approaching swiftly. She knew what was about to happen, and a hint of a smile ghosted across her lips as she deactivated her Kōritsurugan.
"You really think the odds are in your favor?" Nyx said, her voice dripping with icy confidence. She reached down, lifting Gaara's lifeless body with ease, her gaze fixed on Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto, and Chiyo. "Unfortunately for you, my reinforcements have arrived."
The sound of shattering stone and falling debris echoed through the hideout as the ceiling above them exploded. Dust and rubble fell, and from the opening, a figure emerged, landing gracefully amidst the chaos. He had long, golden-blond hair drawn into a half ponytail, with the rest hanging freely. Next to him, a large puppet with a long, segmented tail covered in sharp blades appeared, adding an ominous presence to the scene.
Deidara, the artist of the Akatsuki, smirked as he eyed the Leaf shinobi. "I'll show you true art!" he declared, his voice carrying a manic excitement.
From the shadows behind Deidara, another figure stepped into the light—a red-haired man with a cold, calculating expression. Sasori, his puppet body barely making a sound, followed his partner into the hideout.
"Eternal beauty is true art," Sasori intoned, his voice calm but menacing.
The tension in the room became palpable. Kakashi's Sharingan spun as he took in the new arrivals, his mind racing to come up with a strategy. Naruto's heart pounded as he clenched his fists, glaring at the two new Akatsuki members, while Sakura's resolve hardened, her eyes darting between the enemies now surrounding them.
Chiyo stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she took in Sasori's presence. "So... you've come as well, Sasori of the Red Sand," she said, her voice laced with a mix of anger and sorrow. "It seems fate has led us to this confrontation."
Sasori regarded her with disinterest, his eyes betraying no emotion. "Chiyo... you should know better than to challenge me," he replied, his voice devoid of warmth. "This battle will not end well for you."
Nyx, holding Gaara, stepped back, her attention focused on Naruto for a brief moment. She could sense his raw emotion—anger, confusion, and determination—all swirling within him. It was almost impressive, the amount of resolve he had.
"Consider yourselves lucky," Nyx said, her voice calm and almost detached, her eyes meeting Naruto's. "You won't be fighting me today. Instead..." She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as they fell on her Akatsuki comrades. "These two will handle my light work."
Sasori's eyes remained cold and indifferent, showing no reaction to her words, while Deidara's grin widened, a gleeful spark in his eyes. He cracked his knuckles, looking at the Leaf shinobi with a confident smirk.
"Heh, light work, huh? I'll show these Leaf brats the true meaning of art!" Deidara exclaimed, his excitement evident as he prepared his clay.
Naruto's eyes widened in fury, his fists clenching tightly. "You're just going to walk away?! After everything you've done?!"
Nyx regarded him coolly, her gaze never wavering. "I have no reason to waste my time here. My mission is complete." She shifted Gaara's limp body slightly, her grip gentle despite the situation. "And besides, I have other matters to attend to."
Sakura stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "You won't get away that easily! We won't let you take Gaara!"
Nyx's gaze flickered toward Sakura, and for a moment, there was something akin to pity in her eyes. "You're in over your head, little girl. This isn't a battle you can win."
Deidara laughed, his clay already beginning to take form. "Come on, then! Let's see what you've got!" He leaped into action, throwing several small clay birds that zoomed towards the Leaf shinobi, each one armed with a deadly payload.
Kakashi's Sharingan spun as he analyzed the attack. "Everyone, scatter!" he ordered, pushing Naruto and Sakura out of the way as the birds exploded, the shockwave shaking the entire hideout.
Nyx gave one last glance at the chaos that erupted behind her, her attention turning away from the fight entirely. She leapt onto the large clay bird that Deidara had created for her, Gaara in tow. Sasori moved beside her, his puppet body gliding silently along the ground.
"Try to keep it quick, Deidara," Nyx said, her voice carrying a hint of authority. "We don't have all day."
Deidara scoffed but nodded, a hint of annoyance in his expression. "Yeah, yeah, I get it." He looked back at the Leaf shinobi, his grin returning. "Let's wrap this up, shall we?"
Kakashi looked up, his eyes narrowing as he watched Nyx begin her departure. He knew that their primary objective was Gaara, but with Deidara and Sasori standing between them and the target, getting through would be nearly impossible.
"Naruto," Kakashi said, his tone urgent. "We need to focus. We can't let our emotions get the better of us right now."
Naruto clenched his teeth, his eyes still locked on Nyx as she rose into the air. "But Gaara—!"
"We will save him," Kakashi reassured, his voice steady. "But we have to be smart about it."
Nyx watched them from above, her gaze unreadable as she gained distance, the ground growing smaller beneath her. As she flew further, her senses sharpened when she felt a sudden shift in the wind—a deliberate disturbance.
Reacting instinctively, she twisted her body, evading as a massive spinning fan sliced through the air, heading directly for her. The powerful gust forced Nyx to abandon her elevated position, dropping down to the ground below, her feet landing lightly despite the weight of Gaara's body over her shoulder.
The dust settled around her as she stood, her sharp eyes narrowing upon recognizing two familiar figures standing ahead, both faces tense and filled with determination.
"Well, if it isn't Lady Temari and Kankuro," she said, casually slinging Gaara's limp body over her shoulder. "Here to avenge your dearest brother?"
Temari clenched her fists, her face hardening with resolve. "We won't let you get away with this, Nyx! Gaara is our friend—he means everything to us!" Her battle fan was already in hand, the metal glinting ominously in the dim light.
Kankuro stood next to her, his puppet, Salamander, ready for action. "You think you can just take him? We won't let you lay a finger on him!" His voice rang out, filled with conviction.
Nyx regarded them with an air of cool indifference, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "You truly believe you can stop me?" Her tone dripped with condescension. "This is adorable."
Before Temari or Kankuro could retort, she raised her hand, summoning a sharp spike of ice from the ground beneath her. The icicle shot upward, narrowly missing Temari as she deftly dodged to the side. "Watch your footing," Nyx warned, her voice calm. "You might slip."
Temari gritted her teeth. "I won't back down, even if it means facing you head-on!" She spun her fan and unleashed a powerful gust of wind toward Nyx, the air swirling fiercely as it rushed forward.
Nyx remained unfazed, summoning a wall of ice that rose from the ground, easily absorbing the force of Temari's attack. The icy barrier shattered, sending shards flying in every direction. "Impressive," she said, her voice unperturbed. "But you'll have to do better than that."
Kankuro seized the moment, commanding Salamander to strike at Nyx from the side. The puppet's bladed arms sliced through the air with lethal precision. But Nyx anticipated the attack, sidestepping gracefully as she raised her hand, summoning a torrent of icy mist that enveloped Salamander, freezing its joints solid.
"Not bad, but a little predictable," Nyx taunted, her gaze icy and unreadable. "Are you really so desperate to save your brother?"
Naruto suddenly burst onto the scene, his energy palpable as he charged forward. "Stop right there, Nyx! I'm not letting you take Gaara!" His fists were clenched, and determination radiated from him like a beacon.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Nyx said, her eyes narrowing as she recognized him. "You think you can save him? Pathetic."
Naruto responded with a roar, channeling chakra into a Rasengan that began to swirl in his palm. "You don't know anything about us! We won't give up on Gaara!" He leaped forward, the energy of his jutsu glowing brightly as he aimed for Nyx.
"You think brute force is the answer?" Nyx challenged, raising her hand to unleash a wave of frost. Ice spiraled around her, forming a barrier that absorbed Naruto's attack. The Rasengan collided with the ice, causing a loud crack, but ultimately dissipated against Nyx's defenses.
Naruto stumbled back, surprise flickering across his face. "What?!"
Temari seized the opening. "Naruto, get back! We need to work together!" She steadied her fan, preparing to unleash another attack.
"Together?" Nyx scoffed, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You think unity will save you? I have fought alone against entire villages!"
Kankuro rallied beside Temari, his voice firm. "You may be powerful, but we won't let fear control us!"
Nyx's expression hardened as she focused on Kankuro. "Fear? No, Kankuro. This isn't fear, it's reality. Your brother is gone." With a flick of her wrist, she summoned more ice spikes, launching them toward the Sand siblings.
Temari deflected the incoming spikes with her fan, wind swirling around her as she pushed back the icy projectiles. "You won't take Gaara from us!" she shouted, determination fueling her movements.
Naruto, recovering from his previous attempt, stepped forward again. "Temari, Kankuro, we can do this! We just have to keep her busy!" He drew on the power of the Nine-Tails, his chakra flaring around him as he prepared for another attack.
Temari nodded, her eyes steely. "Let's combine our strengths!"
Kankuro called upon Salamander, commanding it to engage once more. "We need to keep her off balance!" The puppet lunged at Nyx, its blades poised to strike.
Nyx watched them with an air of calm detachment, her lips curling into a smile. "Is this your best strategy? How quaint." She stepped aside, letting Salamander pass, and as it did, she raised her hand again, summoning a wave of ice to freeze it in place.
With a flick of her wrist, she sent the now-frozen puppet crashing into Kankuro, who barely managed to dodge in time. "You—!"
"Focus, Kankuro!" Temari yelled, directing her attention back to Nyx. "We need to find an opening!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of their situation. "We can't give up!" He felt the Nine-Tails' chakra surge within him, igniting his spirit. "I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
Nyx's expression turned cold. "How admirable. But admiration won't save you." She summoned a swirling vortex of ice, sending it hurtling toward the trio.
Temari quickly leaped into action, her fan slicing through the air as she redirected the vortex, pushing it away from her allies. "Get ready!" she shouted, determination coursing through her veins.
Kankuro rallied as well, reaching for another puppet. "Let's turn the tide!"
With their combined efforts, Naruto charged forward, channeling the energy of his Rasengan once more. "This ends now, Nyx!" he yelled, his voice filled with determination.
As the vortex dissipated, Nyx's eyes gleamed with her Kōritsurugan's power, and she raised an arm, ready to counter. "You think you can take me down? How foolish."
In a blinding flash, Naruto struck, his Rasengan colliding with Nyx's icy defense. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, but Nyx stood firm, her icy wall absorbing the brunt of the attack.
"Keep going, Naruto!" Temari encouraged, her voice steady. "We have to push through!"
Kankuro joined in, unleashing Salamander's weapons, attacking from both sides. "Now, everyone together!" he shouted, channeling all their efforts into a single attack.
The trio pressed forward, their combined strength igniting the air around them as they aimed for Nyx. "For Gaara!" they cried in unison, their voices unified.
Nyx felt the surge of their chakra, and for the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her mind. "What—" she began, but it was too late.
In a brilliant flash of light and energy, their coordinated attack slammed into her defenses, shattering the ice barrier she had erected. The shockwave rippled outward, causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet.
As the dust settled, Nyx stood at the center, her expression one of cold fury mixed with disbelief. The power radiating from Naruto, Temari, and Kankuro had briefly disrupted her control over the battlefield.
"What kind of monster are we fighting?" Kankuro breathed, disbelief etched on his face.
"What the...?" Naruto muttered, trying to catch his breath.
Nyx's lips curled into a smirk as she glanced around, the atmosphere thick with tension. "You may have surprised me for a moment," she admitted, her voice low and dangerous, "but this fight is getting closer to the end."