Shukaku took a deep breath.
[Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet!]
He launched a massive, compressed-air projectile toward Gamabunta.
Gamabunta shouted:
[Water Release: Gunshot Sphere!]
Naruto swiftly formed hand seals.
"Let's give you a boost, Boss! [Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!]"
Naruto unleashed a fierce, pressure-driven blast that accelerated Gamabunta's Water Sphere. At close range, it shattered Shukaku's attack before slamming it onto its back, knocking the demon down.
Sasuke watched with envy:
"What power is this? How did Naruto get so strong?"
Gamabunta was also stunned:
"This isn't the same boy I met last week..."
Naruto shouted aloud:
"We have to wake up the boy on top of him!"
Gamabunta prepared to charge forward.
Naruto closed his eyes.
***Inside Naruto's Mindscape***
"Man, this place is a total mess," Naruto shook his head.
A voice laughed from behind the bars:
"No matter who sealed you, they messed up your mindscape pretty bad, as you can probably tell."
Naruto nodded slowly:
"Can it be fixed... Wait, seal? There's a seal on me?"
"That's right, kid. After your disastrous mission to the Sound Hidden Village, someone placed a seal on you. I can't tell you who."
"Alright then. But can you lend me some of your chakra now? I need to subdue Shukaku without killing the host."
The Nine-Tails jumped up excitedly, tails wagging furiously behind him:
"Seriously? You finally need my help?"
Naruto smiled and nodded. Red chakra surrounded his body.
******
Naruto's eyes shot open as his body surged with the Nine-Tails' chakra. Almost simultaneously, Gamabunta charged at Shukaku, both releasing their signature projectiles once again.
As the attacks collided and smoke rose, Naruto hovered briefly in midair before forcefully channeling wind chakra through both hands, accelerating his descent.
With a double stomp, he landed directly on Gaara's head, driving his entire body into the statue of Shukaku. With a thunderous crash, the sand sculpture collapsed, scattering sand everywhere.
Gamabunta's mouth hung wide open, shocked at Naruto's brutal and reckless move.
His son interrupted Gamabunta's thoughts:
"I like that guy, Dad. He's absolutely crazy. Can I hang out with him more often?"
Gamabunta chuckled:
"Of course, Gamakichi."
Naruto stood up, shaking off the sand, dragged Gaara up with him, and then shoved him onto the ground.
Gaara stared at him fearfully:
"Stay away from me! I don't want to die!"
Naruto patted Gaara's head gently:
"I won't kill you. We're both weapons, just like me."
He shoved Gaara off onto the grass.
"Every time you try to hurt me or anyone in the village, I'll knock you down. Because only when you fight to protect others can you truly grow strong—strong enough to break past your limits."
"Okay, let's go!"
---
## Heart of Konoha ##
Jiraiya watched as Konoha's forces clashed with the combined troops of Sunagakure and Otogakure. Although they had driven the enemies out of Konoha's central district, the enemy continued to resist fiercely.
Suddenly, Ibiki shouted,
"Lord Jiraiya, our troops encountered several ambushes while pursuing the enemy."
Jiraiya sighed. The weight of these unnecessary losses pressed down on him.
Just then, he saw Ibiki smile:
"But when they closed in on our forces, they were attacked by a Konoha ninja wearing bright orange. He moved so fast that most couldn't even track his movements."
Jiraiya's eyes widened:
"I can only think of one brat who'd be crazy enough to wear orange around here..."
Ibiki nodded.
"What? You two gossiping about me?"
They both turned around to see Naruto tapping his foot impatiently.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto strangely:
"Naruto, what happened to your jacket? And how did you get those scars on your face?"
Naruto had taken off his orange jumpsuit and was now just wearing his black t-shirt.
"I ditched that bulky junk so I could move faster. These scars are from a few years ago. Someone slapped a bunch of seals on me."
Naruto noticed Jiraiya flinch slightly at the mention of the seals.
Ibiki gasped as they watched Orochimaru being carried away by the Sound Four. Naruto growled, ready to chase after them, but Jiraiya grabbed him:
"Kid, you can't take on Orochimaru and his group alone."
At that moment, a hooded Anbu ran over:
"Lord Jiraiya, the Third..."
Jiraiya grinned confidently:
"It seems Master Sarutobi sent that old snake crawling back defeated?"
...
The Anbu visibly trembled beneath his mask:
"Hokage-sama fell honorably in battle against Orochimaru."
Suddenly, a heavy silence fell, broken only by the distant echoes of fighting still lingering in the air.
Naruto wordlessly followed Jiraiya back.
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