As the sun had yet to rise, a falcon soared through the pre-dawn sky, carrying what appeared to be an urgent message. The bird flew towards a hut nestled high in one of Konoha's massive trees, where a vigilant ninja stood to watch.
Recognizing the Sand Village's seal on the message, the ninja quickly retrieved it. Remembering Tsunade's standing order to bring any communications from Suna directly to her, regardless of the hour, he set off immediately for the Hokage Tower.
In her office, Tsunade sat behind a mountain of paperwork, with Shizune diligently assisting her. Despite the early hours, the two women were already hard at work, trying to make a dent in the never-ending administrative tasks.
A sharp knock at the door broke the quiet rustling of papers.
"Enter," Tsunade called out, her voice tinged with curiosity at who would be seeking her at this hour.
The ninja stepped in, bowing respectfully. "Lady Hokage, forgive the intrusion. A message has arrived from the Sand Village. Given your standing orders, I brought it directly to you."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, instantly alert. "You did well. Hand it over."
As she unrolled the message, her expression grew grave. "Shizune, summon Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto immediately. It seems our timeline has accelerated. The Akatsuki have made their move against Gaara."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama!" Shizune replied, rushing out to gather the team.
Tsunade turned back to the messenger. "Alert our border patrols. We may need to mobilize additional forces soon."
As the ninja left to carry out her orders, Tsunade stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the village still shrouded in pre-dawn darkness.
"So it begins," she murmured, her thoughts racing with the challenges that lay ahead. "Naruto, I hope you're ready for this."
As the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto stood before Tsunade in her office, their faces etched with determination.
"Listen up," Tsunade began, her voice grave. "We've received word that the Kazekage, Gaara, has been targeted by the Akatsuki. Your mission is to head to Sunagakure immediately and provide assistance."
Despite knowing this moment was coming, Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. A faint red glow began to emanate from his body as Kurama's chakra leaked out in response to his emotions.
"Naruto..." Sakura whispered, concern evident in her voice as she noticed the change in her teammate.
"I'm fine, Sakura-chan," Naruto assured her, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "Just fired up to help Gaara, dattebayo!"
Kakashi, his visible eye creased with worry, stepped forward. "Lady Hokage, will Guy's team be joining us?"
Tsunade nodded. "Yes, they're wrapping up a mission nearby and will rendezvous with you en route to Suna."
"Also," she continued, "Temari should be near the Fire Country border. Meet up with her, inform her of the situation, and have her guide you to the Sand Village."
"Understood," Kakashi replied, then turned to his team. "Alright, we move out in ten minutes. Pack light and fast."
As they prepared to leave, Naruto clenched his fists, his blue eyes blazing with determination. "Don't worry, Gaara," he muttered. "This time, we'll stop them before they can take you, dattebayo!"
Sakura, overhearing him, raised an eyebrow. "This time?"
Naruto laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, you know what I mean, Sakura-chan! We'll save him!"
As they dashed out of the office, Tsunade watched them go, a mixture of pride and concern on her face. "Be careful, all of you," she whispered. "And Naruto... don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
With a final nod to each other, Team Kakashi leaped onto the rooftops, their forms blurring as they sped towards the village gates, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the Land of Wind.
At Konoha's main gate, Team Kakashi gathered for their urgent mission.
Before Kakashi could even finish his pre-mission briefing, Naruto sprang forward, his body practically vibrating with energy.
"Naruto! Maintain formation!" Kakashi called out, his visible eye narrowing with concern.
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto grinned over his shoulder, his whisker marks already darkening.
"Between Kurama and Sage Mode, no one can sneak up on us, dattebayo!"
Kakashi and Sakura's eyes widened as orange pigmentation suddenly appeared around Naruto's eyes, his irises turning golden as he entered Sage Mode with seemingly no effort.
"Since when can he..." Sakura gasped, watching her teammate's transformation. "Naruto,"
Kakashi's voice carried a note of warning, "Don't overexert yourself. We have a long journey ahead—"
But Naruto was already lost in conversation with his tailed beast partner, his face scrunched up in that familiar way that meant he was arguing with Kurama in his mindscape.
Inside Naruto's mind:
"Oi, Kurama! Did everything go as planned? Does Shukaku need to summon me?" Naruto asked anxiously, pacing in his mindscape.
"Tch, impatient as ever, kit," Kurama grumbled, though there was fondness in his voice. "Don't worry, everything's going as planned. And yes, he can summon you, but he doesn't need to. We've already done this twice, and nothing went wrong. Stop getting worried every single time – it's annoying."
Back in the physical world: Naruto's face broke into a relieved grin, causing Sakura and Kakashi to exchange puzzled looks.
"Naruto, what are you smiling about?" Sakura asked, trying to keep pace with him.
"Nothing, Sakura-chan! Just got some good news from Kurama, dattebayo!" Naruto called back, his confidence seemingly renewed.
"He's acting stranger than usual, he might as well say the plan" Kakashi muttered to himself, his Sharingan eye still covered.
As they traveled, they came across Temari at a small tea house along the road. She was already on edge, having sensed something was wrong.
"Temari!" Naruto called out, landing near her. "It's Gaara! The Akatsuki—"
"What about my brother?" Temari immediately stood up, her hand instinctively gripping her fan.
Kakashi quickly explained the situation while Temari gathered her belongings from the tea house. Without hesitation, she joined their formation, her face set with determination.
As they rushed toward Suna, Temari kept glancing at Naruto, noting the changes in his appearance.
"Naruto," Temari finally spoke up, curiosity getting the better of her. "Those markings around your eyes... they're like toad eyes. And your chakra feels different..."
"Oh yeah!" Naruto grinned, still maintaining his Sage Mode. "I learned Sage Mode from the toads, just like Ero-sennin! And I've got Kurama too – he's pretty nice once you get to know him!"
"Kurama?" Temari's eyes widened in confusion.
"It's the Nine-Tails' name," Naruto explained.
"You mean you're on speaking terms with your tailed beast?" Temari asked, incredulous.
"Yeah! Just like Gaara and Shukaku!" Naruto replied enthusiastically, before suddenly realizing he might have said too much.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed at this slip, while Sakura looked confused. Temari, however, seemed shocked.
"But Gaara... he and Shukaku..." she started, her voice trailing off as she remembered the hostile relationship between her brother and his tailed beast. The idea that things might have changed so drastically left her momentarily speechless.
"Ah, well..." Naruto scratched his head nervously. "Let's just focus on getting to Suna, dattebayo!"
The group pressed forward, but Temari's mind was racing with questions about just how much Naruto had grown – and what exactly he knew about her brother's situation that she didn't.
As they ran for hours, Kakashi grew increasingly worried that Naruto's hyperactivity might lead him to spill all their carefully laid plans to change the future. Seeing the sun dipping below the horizon, he made a decision.
"We'll camp here before entering the Land of Wind," Kakashi ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Temari nodded in agreement. "Good call. The conditions in the desert will be much harsher."
Sakura obediently began setting up camp, but Naruto fidgeted restlessly, clearly wanting to push ahead alone.
Kakashi, sensing Naruto's impatience, spoke with a stern tone. "Naruto, rest. That's an order."
Inside Naruto's mind, Kurama grumbled, "Listen to him, Kit. You need sleep."
Naruto reluctantly complied, helping to set up camp. As they finished, Kakashi announced, "Naruto and I will take the first watch," his eye fixed on Naruto, silently commanding him to stay put.
Once alone with Naruto, Kakashi didn't mince words. "Naruto, you're revealing too much. It could affect our plans to change the future you saw."
"But Kakashi-sensei-" Naruto started to protest.
"No buts," Kakashi cut him off. "Slow down. Lower your power level. Temari doesn't understand what Sage Mode or being friends with a tailed beast truly means. No more slips, got it?"
Naruto nodded, chastened. "Yeah, I got it, dattebayo."
"Remember," Kakashi continued, "when we face the old monster in Suna, we need to be extra careful not to be mistaken for enemies. Understood?"
"Understood, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied, his usual energy subdued but determination still burning in his eyes. "I'll be more careful, I promise!"
As they settled into their watch, Naruto's mind raced with thoughts of the challenges ahead and the future they were trying to change.
Inside what appeared to be a cave, the body of a red-haired teen floated in mid-air, his chakra seemingly being absorbed by the statue in front of him. Nine figures surrounded the body, standing on giant stone fingers. Seven of these figures were holograms, while only two appeared to be physically present.
A voice echoed from one of the holographic figures, "It seems Konoha has sent reinforcements. The Nine-Tails' host and the Copy Ninja Kakashi are among them."
Another voice chimed in, "Except for the Copy Ninja, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki poses the highest threat if he loses control."
The leader's ringed eyes narrowed, "We must proceed with caution. The Nine-Tails' power is not to be underestimated."
"Heh, I'll take care of the brat, un," a blonde figure smirked.
"Don't underestimate him, Deidara," the hunched figure beside him warned. "We need to stick to the plan."
As they discussed their strategy, the red-haired body of Gaara remained suspended, his life force slowly draining away.
In the shadows, a pair of Sharingan eyes gleamed, their owner silently observing the proceedings with hidden intentions.
"Let them come," the leader's voice resonated through the cave. "We will show them the true power of the Akatsuki, and soon, all the tailed beasts will be ours."
Inside Gaara's mindscape, the Kazekage stood alongside a miniature version of Shukaku, both listening intently to the Akatsuki's conversation.
"It seems Naruto is on his way," Gaara observed, his face impassive but his eyes glinting with determination.
Shukaku nodded, his sandy form shifting restlessly. "The plan's going smoothly so far, kid. But don't get cocky. These Akatsuki aren't pushovers."
Gaara allowed a small smile to cross his face. "I know. But with Naruto and the others coming, and our own preparations in place, we have a chance to change things."
"Heh, who would've thought I'd be working with you willingly?" Shukaku chuckled, his voice a gravelly rumble. "That knucklehead Naruto and his fuzzball partner sure know how to shake things up."
"Indeed," Gaara agreed, his mind racing with the possibilities ahead. "We must be patient and play our part. The future depends on it."
As they continued to listen, Gaara and Shukaku exchanged a look of understanding. They were no longer mere host and tailed beasts, but partners in a plan that could reshape the shinobi world.
Outside, in the physical world, Gaara's body remained motionless, giving no hint of the secret alliance and strategy unfolding within.
As Team Kakashi and Temari approached Suna, a massive sandstorm loomed before them, obscuring their path.
Temari shouted over the howling wind, "We need to wait it out! This storm's too dangerous!"
But Naruto, his eyes already ringed with orange, had other plans. Without a word, he formed a Rasenshuriken, its wind blades spinning with intense chakra.
"Naruto, wait-" Sakura began, but it was too late.
With a mighty throw, Naruto launched the Rasenshuriken into the heart of the storm. The jutsu exploded in a massive vortex, dispersing the sand and clearing a path through the tempest.
Sakura and Temari stood slack-jawed, their hair whipping in the residual wind.
"H-how did he...?" Temari stammered, her expert knowledge of wind techniques shaken.
Kakashi, meanwhile, felt a headache coming on. "I'm getting too old for this," he muttered, considering early retirement for the umpteenth time since becoming Naruto's sensei.
Inside Naruto's mindscape, Kurama was howling with laughter. "Kit, you should feel the Copy Ninja's emotions right now! Priceless!"
Naruto grinned, both at his success and Kurama's amusement. "Come on, guys!" he shouted to his stunned companions. "Gaara's waiting for us!"
As they raced through the newly cleared path, they continued their way leaving Sakura and Temari wondering how strong Naruto is, and Kakashi worrying when Naruto would decide to just spill everything.
As they entered Suna, the group quickly made their way to the Kazekage's office, where Kankuro awaited them with a grim expression.
"Glad you made it," Kankuro said, his face paint creasing with worry. "Before Gaara was taken, he left specific instructions. He made me stay behind as acting Kazekage instead of pursuing them."
Naruto nodded, understanding the strategic move. Meanwhile, Sakura and Temari were still stealing glances at him, trying to process his earlier display of power.
"There's more," Kankuro continued, his eyes meeting Naruto's. "Gaara specifically requested that I inform Lady Chiyo about something... that her grandson, Sasori, is one of the Akatsuki members who took him."
The room fell silent. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, wondering how Gaara had known this detail.
"Lady Chiyo needs to know this," Kankuro stated firmly. "She's already been informed and is waiting to meet with us."
Inside Naruto's mind, Kurama stirred. "The old puppet master's grandmother, huh? Gaara's playing this well."
"Yeah," Naruto thought back. "Everything's falling into place, just differently this time."
Kakashi observed his student's knowing expression and sighed internally. The pieces were starting to come together, but not in the way he'd expected. Whatever was really going on, it was clear that both Naruto and Gaara were several steps ahead of everyone else.
"Let's go meet with Lady Chiyo," Naruto said, his voice carrying an authority that made even Kankuro raise an eyebrow. "We've got a Kazekage to save."
As they made their way to meet Lady Chiyo, Naruto could feel the tension in the air. The elderly puppet master was waiting for them in a dimly lit room, her eyes sharp despite her age.
"So," Chiyo spoke, her voice carrying years of wisdom and pain, "my grandson has fallen so far as to attack the Kazekage himself."
Naruto stepped forward, surprising everyone. "Lady Chiyo, we'll need your help to save Gaara and face Sasori. Your knowledge of his techniques could be crucial."
Chiyo studied Naruto intently, noting something different about the young shinobi. "You speak with unusual confidence, boy. What makes you so sure about facing Sasori?"
Before Naruto could respond, Kakashi intervened, worried his student might reveal too much. "Lady Chiyo, your expertise would be invaluable to this mission."
"Hmph," Chiyo stood up, her joints creaking. "Very well. I'll join you. It's time I faced my grandson and the consequences of our village's past mistakes."
Kurama chuckled in Naruto's mind. "The old lady doesn't realize she's walking into a completely different scenario this time, eh kit?"
"We'll save both of them," Naruto thought back, remembering how things had played out before. "Gaara and Chiyo - this time will be different."
Sakura watched the exchange between Naruto and Chiyo with curiosity, noting how her teammate seemed to carry himself with an unusual mix of respect and foreknowledge. Something had changed about Naruto, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
"We should move out immediately," Kakashi announced, trying to maintain some control over the situation. "The Akatsuki won't wait for us to catch up."
As the team moved swiftly through the desert, Naruto maintained a thoughtful expression, falling slightly behind the others. In his mindscape, he stood before Kurama, his face etched with concern.
"Hey, Kurama, can you still sense Shukaku? How are they holding up?"
The massive fox shifted, his tails swaying gently. "They're both fine, kit. Gaara and Raccoon are managing, but there's a catch this time around."
Kurama's eyes gleamed with slight amusement. "Since raccoon's always been the weakest of us, they had to use more of your chakra share to make the deception work. They needed a bigger portion to fool those Akatsuki fools into thinking they're extracting him."
Naruto nodded, understanding. "So they'll need more of our chakra to help Shukaku recover faster?"
"Exactly," Kurama rumbled. "Both Gaara and that raccoon are waiting for us. They're playing their parts well, but they'll need our help to wrap this up properly."
Back in the physical world, Sakura noticed Naruto's distant expression. "Naruto?" she called out softly, "Are you okay?"
Naruto blinked, coming back to reality with his signature grin. "Never better, Sakura-chan! Just thinking about how we're gonna save Gaara!"
Kakashi kept a watchful eye on Naruto, determined to prevent any further slips that might reveal too much about their unusual situation.
As they traveled, Chiyo's mind was consumed with thoughts of her grandson Sasori, but Naruto's earlier words had piqued her curiosity.
Breaking the silence, Chiyo turned to Naruto. "Boy, tell me something. Why are you so determined to help the Kazekage? What drives you?"
Naruto's pace slowed as he considered his answer. With a soft smile, he replied, "Gaara and I, we share the same story, ya know? We were both kids who just wanted to be loved and accepted by everyone else."
His eyes grew distant, filled with a wisdom beyond his years. "But there's one big difference between us. I had someone who recognized me as Uzumaki Naruto, but Gaara hadn't. He was driven insane by all the people around him."
As Naruto looked at Chiyo, his eyes unconsciously shifted, turning red with black, fox-like pupils. The change was subtle but noticeable.
Kakashi tensed, realizing the delicate situation they were in. His eyes widened slightly, worried about how much Naruto might inadvertently reveal.
Sakura gasped softly, surprised by the depth of Naruto's words and the sudden change in his eyes. She'd never heard him speak so eloquently about his past before.
Temari's expression softened, a mix of gratitude and sadness crossing her features as she thought about her brother's difficult childhood.
Chiyo, however, was the most visibly shocked. Her eyes widened in realization, and she muttered under her breath, "Konoha sent their jinchūriki..." She looked at Naruto with newfound respect and a hint of wariness.
Naruto, oblivious to the stir he'd caused, continued to walk forward, his determination to save Gaara burning brighter than ever. The group's dynamics had shifted, with each member now viewing Naruto in a new light, wondering what other surprises the unpredictable ninja might have in store.
The team came to an abrupt halt as a figure materialized before them, a black cloak with red clouds swaying in the desert wind. Itachi Uchiha stood there, his Sharingan eyes piercing through them with an intimidating glow.
Kakashi immediately moved to the front, lifting his headband to reveal his Sharingan. "Everyone, stay alert. This is Itachi Uchiha, an S-rank criminal, and former Konoha shinobi."
Naruto stepped forward, his blue eyes meeting Itachi's red ones without fear. "Itachi..." he said simply, his hands forming a familiar seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
The air exploded with smoke as thousands of shadow clones appeared, surrounding them in all directions. What happened next made everyone's jaws drop - each clone reached behind their neck, touching a small seal that none of them had noticed before. The seals began to glow with chakra.
Sakura's eyes widened in shock. "Those are... Yin seals? But how...?"
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, recognizing the complexity of what he was seeing. 'When did Naruto learn such advanced fuinjutsu?'
The clones charged at Itachi from all directions, their sealed chakra creating a massive surge of power. Naruto turned to the others, his expression serious. "We need to move, now! These clones will keep him busy, but they won't last forever!"
Chiyo stared at Naruto in amazement, struggling to reconcile this tactical thinking with the boisterous boy she'd been traveling with. "This level of preparation..."
"There's no time!" Naruto urged, already moving forward. "We need to reach Gaara before Itachi finishes dealing with the clones!"
Temari nodded, still processing what she'd just witnessed. "He's right. Let's go!"
As the battle raged behind them, Itachi inwardly smiled, understanding his role in this elaborate dance. He fought just convincingly enough to maintain appearances, knowing the Leader was likely monitoring the situation. The chakra-enhanced clones provided an excellent cover for losing.
Meanwhile, Naruto's mind raced as they ran. 'Should I try to communicate with him?' he thought.
Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind, "Don't risk it, kit. We don't know if Pain is watching, and we can't be sure if the information from these clones will reach the real Itachi. We know where to find him later."
'Yeah, you're right,' Naruto agreed, focusing on their primary mission.
The team finally arrived at their destination - a massive cave entrance blocked by an enormous boulder. A complex seal tag adorned its surface, its intricate patterns suggesting a powerful barrier jutsu.
"Looks like we've got company," came a familiar voice as Team Guy landed beside them. Guy flashed his signature smile, giving a thumbs up. "Youth prevails! We made it just in time!"
Neji activated his Byakugan, studying the barrier. "This is a five-seal barrier. There must be four other seals hidden in the surrounding area."
Kakashi nodded, analyzing the situation. "We'll need to remove all five seals simultaneously to break the barrier."
"Then we'll split up and find them!" Lee declared enthusiastically, his fist pumped in the air.
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the seal, his enhanced knowledge of fuinjutsu already working out possible solutions. But he knew they had to maintain appearances - this wasn't the time to reveal everything he knew.
Naruto stood before the sealed entrance, his internal debate interrupted by Kurama's irritated voice.
"Maintain appearances? My tails! You've already shown enough with those Yin-sealed clones. Just go Sage Mode and destroy this thing, ramen-for-brains!"
'Hey! Who're you calling ramen-for-brains, you oversized furball!' Naruto mentally shot back, but couldn't deny the logic.
He turned to the others, his expression serious. "Everyone, stand back. I'll handle this."
"Wait, Naruto-" Kakashi started, but Naruto was already moving.
Kurama's nature energy flowed through him, and his eyes shifted to their distinctive toad-like appearance. The familiar orange pigmentation appeared around his eyes as he entered Sage Mode.
"Fuuton: Rasenshuriken!" The screaming sound of wind-natured chakra filled the air as Naruto formed and launched the jutsu. The spinning chakra disk slammed into the barrier seal, completely obliterating both it and the boulder, leaving a significantly larger entrance in its wake.
Team Guy stood slack-jawed, particularly Lee and Tenten. "Such... such youthful power!" Guy exclaimed, his eyes wide.
As the dust settled, two figures became visible inside the cave. Both wore the distinctive Akatsuki robes with red clouds, but what made Naruto's blood boil was the sight of the blonde one, Deidara, casually sitting on Gaara's motionless body as if it were a piece of furniture.
"Well, well," Deidara smirked, "looks like we have some guests, hmm, Sasori no Danna?"
The hunched figure beside him remained silent, but the killing intent emanating from him was palpable.
Naruto's sage-enhanced eyes narrowed dangerously, his chakra flaring. "Get. Off. Him."
"Kit, let the Green Beast and Copy Ninja handle the explosive artist. They're better suited for his long-range style. We need to deal with the puppet master quickly" Kurama advised.
Naruto nodded. "Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei, can you handle the blonde one? We'll take care of the hunched guy."
"YOSH! Leave it to us! We shall show him the POWER OF YOUTH!" Guy shouted, already moving into his signature stance.
Kakashi revealed his Sharingan, understanding Naruto's strategy. "Be careful, that's Sasori of the Red Sand. He's not known as a puppet master for nothing."
"Hmph, splitting up already? Art is an explosion, hmm!" Deidara reached into his clay pouch, but Guy was already on him with a devastating kick, forcing him to jump back and away from Gaara's body.
"Sakura, Chiyo-baasama, let's go!" Naruto called out, his Sage Mode already tracking Sasori's movements as the puppet master began to shift.
"Right!" Sakura cracked her knuckles, chakra gathering in her fists.
Chiyo's eyes narrowed at her grandson's form. "Be careful, there's more to him than meets the eye."
As Team Guy and Kakashi chased after Deidara outside, Naruto, Sakura, Temari, and Chiyo faced off against Sasori in the cave, the battle for Gaara's life was about to begin in earnest.
"Remember kit, fast and hard. Don't give him time to set up his puppet show," Kurama growled.
'Got it, partner!' Naruto thought, already forming a Rasengan in his hand.
As the battle began, Naruto's mind raced with a plan. "Temari, Sakura-chan, Chiyo-baasama, take Gaara and get out of here! Try to heal him if you can!"
Chiyo started to protest, but Sasori's cold voice cut through the air. "Don't bother. The Kazekage is already dead. We've extracted the One-Tail."
Sakura, Temari, and Chiyo's faces fell, grief etching their features. But Naruto knew better - their plan had worked. Gaara just needed rest and a chakra boost.
"Listen to me," Naruto commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Take Gaara and go. Make sure he's safe. I'll handle Sasori."
Before Sasori could launch into a monologue or attack, a yellow flash illuminated the cave. In an instant, Naruto appeared above the puppet master, his Rasengan blazing with sage chakra.
"RASENGAN!"
The spiraling sphere slammed into Sasori with devastating force, driving him to the ground. The impact shattered his outer shell, revealing his true form - a young-looking redhead with a cylindrical object embedded in his chest.
Dust and debris filled the air as Sakura, Temari, and Chiyo, shocked by Naruto's speed and power, quickly moved to retrieve Gaara.
Naruto landed gracefully, his sage eyes fixed on Sasori. "Your fight's with me now, puppet boy."
Sasori's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and intrigue in his gaze. "Well, well... it seems I've underestimated you, Kyuubi jinchuriki."
"Nice move, Kit," Kurama growled approvingly. "But stay alert. This one's tricky."
'Don't worry, furball,' Naruto thought back. 'We're just getting started.'
Inside the cave, as Sakura, Temari, and Chiyo retreated with Gaara's body, Naruto's expression turned serious.
'Oi, Kurama, are the seals in place?' Naruto mentally asked his partner.
Four of Naruto's shadow clones, their eyes glowing red with Kurama's influence, appeared at different corners of the cave. "All set, kit," they spoke in Kurama's gravelly voice. "Show this puppet what real power looks like."
The air between Naruto and Sasori suddenly became heavy, and thick with chakra. Sasori's eyes widened as he felt the overwhelming pressure building around him. The sheer density of Naruto's chakra made the air feel like lead.
"What... what is this?" Sasori tried to move but found his puppet body wouldn't respond. The chakra pressure had become so intense that even his carefully crafted joints refused to budge.
Naruto's eyes glowed with power, a mix of golden sage chakra and Kurama's red energy swirling around him. The cave walls began to crack under the pressure of his unleashed chakra.
As Sasori attempted to retreat, he found himself completely paralyzed. "Impossible... this level of chakra... it's beyond even Pain's..."
"Going somewhere, puppet boy?" Naruto's voice echoed through the cave, his power continuing to build. "We're just getting started, dattebayo!"
The puppet master, for the first time in many years, felt something he'd thought he'd forgotten - fear.
The four Kurama-controlled clones began channeling their chakra, creating a barrier seal around the cave. Their eyes glowed crimson as they maintained the jutsu, ensuring no one could interfere with what was about to happen.
"You know," Naruto said casually, walking closer to Sasori, "your grandmother really misses you. She regrets a lot of things. Maybe it's time to stop running from your past, dattebayo!"
Sasori's eyes widened. "You know nothing about—"
"About how you turned yourself into a puppet after your parents died? About how you wanted to become eternal art?" Naruto interrupted, his voice carrying an authority that made Sasori flinch. "I know more than you think."
The pressure in the cave intensified as Naruto channeled more chakra. Pieces of Sasori's puppet body began to creak under the strain.
"Kit," Kurama's voice rumbled through the clones, "remember not to overdo it."
"I know, I know," Naruto replied out loud, causing Sasori to look even more confused. "So, what's it gonna be, puppet boy? Want to see what happens when I really cut loose, or are you ready to surrender?"
To emphasize his point, Naruto allowed some of Kurama's chakra to manifest, creating a golden shroud around his body. The cave walls began to crack further under the combined pressure of Sage Mode and Kurama's chakra.
Sasori's mind raced, calculating his odds of survival. Every scenario ended in his defeat. With a resigned sigh, his shoulders slumped. "Very well," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... surrender."
As Naruto stood victorious over the surrendered Sasori, Kakashi burst into the cave, his Sharingan scanning the scene.
"Naruto! Are you—" Kakashi stopped mid-sentence, taking in the sight before him. The cave walls were cracked, four clones maintaining a complex barrier seal, and Sasori looking thoroughly defeated.
"Yo, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto grinned, still maintaining his golden chakra shroud. "How'd it go with the explosive artist?"
Kakashi's visible eye curved into his signature smile. "Guy and his team have him secured. They're escorting him back to Suna now. Though I must say, he was quite... vocal about his artistic views during the entire fight."
"DYNAMIC ENTRY!" Guy's voice boomed as he suddenly appeared, striking his signature pose. "Most youthful Naruto! I see you've captured your opponent as well!"
"Yeah, puppet boy here decided to surrender after seeing some real power, dattebayo!" Naruto declared proudly.
Sasori remained silent, though his eye twitched slightly at being called 'puppet boy'.
"Kit," Kurama spoke through one of the clones, causing Kakashi to jump slightly, "we should get moving. The others are waiting with Gaara."
"Right!" Naruto nodded, then turned to Kakashi and Guy. "Can you guys help secure him? We need to make sure he can't use any hidden weapons or puppets."
As they worked to secure Sasori, Kakashi couldn't help but marvel at how much Naruto had grown. The hyperactive, unpredictable ninja was still there, but now there was something more - a leader who could handle S-rank criminals with surprising efficiency.
Kakashi turned to Guy and handed him a scroll to return to the village and deliver it to Hokage-sama, before following Naruto to where Gaara's body lay.
"Let's head back," Naruto said once they finished. "Gaara's waiting, and we've got a lot to discuss, dattebayo!"
The group moved out, their prisoners secured, heading back to Suna where the next phase of their plan would begin.
As they approached the clearing where the others waited with Gaara, Sakura immediately rushed to Naruto.
"Naruto! Thank goodness you're here," she exclaimed, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Gaara's alive, but barely. His pulse is weak, and there's something strange happening..."
Temari nodded, looking exhausted. "Every time we try to heal him or give him chakra, his body absorbs it like a sponge. The more we give, the stronger his pulse gets, but..."
"We've all tried giving him our chakra," Chiyo added, her old hands trembling slightly from chakra exhaustion. "But it's as if he needs an enormous amount. More than any of us can safely provide."
Naruto's face broke into a knowing grin. "Is that all? Leave it to me, dattebayo!"
Before anyone could stop him, Naruto sat cross-legged next to Gaara's body and placed his hand on his friend's chest. His body began glowing with golden chakra as he accessed Kurama's power.
"Oi, Kurama! Time to wake up our sandy friends!"
Inside his mindscape, Kurama chuckled. "Hmph, that raccoon better appreciate this. Ready, kit?"
"You bet!"
The golden chakra surrounding Naruto intensified, flowing into Gaara like a waterfall. The others watched in amazement as Naruto's chakra cloak extended to envelop Gaara's body.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out worriedly. "That's too much chakra! You'll—"
"It's fine, Sakura-chan!" Naruto assured her, still grinning. "Kurama and I have plenty to spare!"
As if responding to his words, Gaara's body began to stir. Color returned to his face, and his breathing became stronger and more regular.
"Impossible..." Chiyo whispered, watching the display of power before her. "Such massive chakra reserves..."
Temari's eyes filled with tears of relief as her brother's vital signs continued to strengthen.
Finally, Gaara's eyes fluttered open, immediately finding Naruto's gaze. A small smile crossed his face.
"Took you long enough... my friend," he said softly.
"Hey, we had to make it look good, didn't we?" Naruto laughed, helping Gaara sit up. "Besides, Shukaku needed the extra boost too, right?"
The others exchanged confused looks at this exchange, but before anyone could question it, Naruto pulled Gaara into a tight hug.
"Welcome back, Gaara! Now, let's get you home. You've got a village waiting for their Kazekage, dattebayo!"
As they helped Gaara to his feet, Chiyo noticed something odd about the interaction between the two jinchūriki. The way they exchanged knowing looks, almost as if...
"Naruto," Sakura interrupted his thoughts, her medical training kicking in. "I still need to examine Gaara properly. The chakra extraction should have—"
"No need, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved off her concern. "Gaara's fine now, right buddy?"
Gaara nodded, though he was still leaning slightly on Temari for support. "Yes, thanks to Naruto and... his friend."
Inside Naruto's mind, Kurama snorted. "Friend, he says. Hmph. Tell that raccoon he owes me one."
A small smile tugged at Gaara's lips as if he'd somehow heard the comment.
"But how..." Chiyo stepped forward, her eyes narrow with suspicion. "The One-Tail should have been extracted. By all rights, you should be..."
"Dead?" Gaara finished for her, his voice calm. "Perhaps there are some things about jinchūriki that even the elders don't understand."
Naruto tried (and failed) to suppress a knowing grin, earning him a sharp look from Kakashi.
"Well," Kakashi interjected, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy, "we should get moving. The Kazekage needs to return to his village, and we have two Akatsuki members to deal with."
"Right!" Naruto bounced on his feet. "Let's go! The sooner we get back, the sooner we can get ramen, dattebayo!"
"Naruto," Gaara spoke softly, "perhaps we should discuss certain... matters... when we return."
"Oh yeah! Like how we—" Naruto started enthusiastically before Kurama's voice boomed in his head.
"KIT! What did we say about keeping quiet?!"
"Ah... I mean... yeah, we'll talk later!" Naruto corrected himself, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
As the group made their way back to Sunagakure, the atmosphere was a mix of relief, confusion, and underlying tension. Naruto and Gaara walked side by side, occasionally exchanging knowing glances that didn't go unnoticed by the others.
Kakashi, ever observant, kept a watchful eye on his students. He couldn't let Naruto run wild anymore. But, The ease with which he had handled Sasori, the casual way he had revived Gaara - it all pointed to a level of preparation and knowledge that shouldn't have been possible.
Sakura, walking close behind, couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Naruto," she began hesitantly, "how did you know exactly what to do to help Gaara? And what did you mean about Shukaku needing a boost?"
Naruto tensed slightly, realizing he'd slipped up again. "Ah, well, you see Sakura-chan..."
"It's because of our shared experiences as jinchūriki," Gaara interjected smoothly, saving Naruto from fumbling for an explanation. "We understand each other's needs in a way others might not."
Temari with worried glances, wondered exactly what had happened to her little brother during this ordeal.
Chiyo, who had been silently observing, narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't explain how you survived the extraction, Kazekage-sama. By all accounts, you should be dead."
Temari shot the elder a sharp look, but Gaara remained calm. "Perhaps the extraction was not as complete as the Akatsuki believed," he offered vaguely.
Meanwhile, Sasori and Deidara, bound and being escorted by Team Guy, listened to the exchange with growing interest.
"Oi, Sasori no Danna," Deidara whispered, "something's fishy about this whole situation, hmm?"
Sasori remained silent, his mind working through the possibilities. The Kyuubi jinchūriki's power, the Kazekage's miraculous survival - none of it added up.
As they approached the gates of Suna, cheers erupted from the villagers who had gathered to welcome their Kazekage home. Naruto grinned broadly, genuinely happy for his friend's reception.
"See, Gaara? They all waited for you!" he exclaimed, nudging the redhead.
Gaara allowed a small smile to grace his features. "Indeed. It seems I have much to be thankful for."