Chapter 22: Gaara vs Naruto

A/N: Well, here is the rewrite of the chapter because I previously deleted it and with this chapter, the story is off hiatus and I can finally continue with my planned Hiruzen and Orochimau fight. Hope you like the rewrite!

"Hiraishin"

Naruto, Gambunta and Shukaku vanished in a yellow light and reappeared at the outskirts of the village. The bijudama exploded and vaporized the trees nearby. Naruto panted as he felt his chakra deplete, "Damn it, my chakra ran out! Gamabunta can you keep Shukaku at bay while I try to get some chakra from the Kyuubi?"

Gamabunta grunted, "Fine Gaki, but make it quick. I shouldn't even be helping you before we share a drink, but I owe it to your mother."

"My mom, why?"

"You want me to tell you a story here?" Gamabunta deadpanned as he jumped out of Shukaku's attack.

"Right, later then., Naruto commented. He took a deep breath and found himself back in his mindscape.

"Hey, you stupid fox, give me chakra"

The Kyuubi laughed, "Heh, what makes you think I will give anymore chakra to a brat like you. But still... I have a reputation, so I will give you my chakra to defeat that wretched Shukaku. But I will need 5 minutes, and don't even think of getting anymore chakra to defeat Shukaku. If you still can't defeat him, I'd rather die than help you. Now get out!"

And with that Naruto returned to reality. His mouth twisted downwards as he thought of a plan, "Hey, Gamabunta can you hold Shukaku off for 5 minutes, the Kyuubi needs tine to give me chakra."

Gamabunta grunted, "Fine, just this once, but the next time you summon me you better have a toad sized bottle of sake to repay me!"

"You got it, just help me out here," Naruto replied.

"What is your plan?" Gamabunta asked.

"Well t,o be honest, I purposely brought out the Shukaku to re-seal it with a much stronger seal."

Gamabunta stared horrified, "What the hell! You are a suicidal little brat!" Naruto simply kept grinning, "O come on, I don't believe Gaara is actually bad. Haku almost got through to him. It's that raccoon who is controlling him."

"A RACOON?" Shukaku shrieked in anger and beat his tail at them. Gamabunta jumped back to put some distance between them, "Great like father like son. That brat Minato made me fight the Kyuubi and now his on is making me fight the one-tailed beast," "Oi gaki!" Gamabunta started.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"You owe me double the sake. You are Minato's kin so you are repaying his favour too."

"WHAT? Where will I get so much money?" Naruto asked.

"Not my problem, so do we have a deal."

Naruto cursed under his breath, "Fine, just help me out here." Gamabunta smirked, "Let's go then."

"Come on aren't you gonna play?" Shukaku interrupted as he released an air bullet at Naruto and Gamabunta who jumped away gracefully and released a water bullet to counter. The techniques clashed and the water fell down like rain.

With Shikamaru

"Shikamaru!" Choji called out. Shikamaru got up and faced Chouji, "What?"

"Hinata and Hanabi spotted around 6 jounin level ninjas heading towards the camp, what should we do?"

Shikamaru cursed, "Here's the plan Tenten and Hinata will snipe down the Jounin from the camp. Sasuke, Chouji, Sai and I will ambush them and the others will stay at camp and defend it."

Everyone nodded and took their positions waiting in anticipation. As the sound nins came, Sasuke rushed out, "Chidori!" he yelled and thrust the lightning jutsu through one of the ninja's shoulders. The ninja bled out and became unconscious. Two more dropped to the floor as Hinata and Tenten easily hit the unsuspecting ninjas. By now, the other three became alert but one of them was captured in Shikamaru's shadow and then run over by Chouji. The other two quickly jumped into action and incapacitated Hinata and Tenten and was avoiding Shikamaru's shadow while trying to finish Sasuke and Chouji. One of them managed to inflict a wound on Chouji when suddenly both dropped dead.

Konoha chunin appeared on the trees, "A Nara, huh? No wonder! Well, you guys did well, sorry we were late. Medics treat the injured," ordered one of the Chunin. Shikamaru sighed in relief, "Thanks,"

"Don't mention it! I should be complimenting you instead." the chunin replied.

Shikamaru nodded and sat down to rest when suddenly a huge sound was heard followed by a small rain, "What was that?" Sasuke asked.

"Na-naruto-Kun is in Gamabunta-sama's head a-and f-fighting the b-biju and the two sand Genin are heading th-there." Hinata stuttered

"Damn it we have to helo Naruto!" Sasuke exclaimed.

Shikamaru didn't say anything and simply thought before nodding, "Fine, but we have to sneak away and be careful. You take care of the puppet guy, I will try to hold off the Kunoichi, I just have to separate her from her fan."

Sasuke nodded and the two set out.

With Naruto

Naruto yelped as Gamabunta jumped out of the way of Shukaku's attack. Gamabunta landed behind Shukaku and unsheathed his sword before cutting off Shukaku's hand in one swipe.

Shukaku yelped and screamed, "That hurt! No problem, I can use the sand to repair my arm but you two are gonna pay!"

Gamabunta steadied himself, "Better get ready for a harder fight, Gaki!"

Naruto groaned, "What were we doing till now, then?"

Gamabunta paid no heed to Naruto's words. 'Oil style: Oil spit,' Gamabunta spat large bullets of oil towards Shukaku. 'Wind style: Wind bullet!' Shukaku countered but the oil was heavier than water and the wind bullets couldn't stop it. Shukaku shrieked loudly as the oil merged with his sand body and large amounts of mud and oily sand slipped off his body. 'Toad style: Great flame bomb!' The great toad opened its mouth and a huge flame erupted which turned the tailed beast's oily sand body to glass instantly. Large pieces of glass fell onto the forest floor and caused tremendous noise.

Shukaku screamed before suddenly becoming quiet. Suddenly, the land gave way like a landslide. Gamabunta grunted as he fell onto his back and was pulled towards Shukaku. The tailed beast gave a roar as it used the sand around it to rebuild its body, "You guys can't kill me!" it shouted, "I am the strongest biju!"

"Sure, and the Kyuubi's my pet fox." Naruto deadpanned and then winced as the fox roared in anger within the seal while Shukaku became more furious. Gamabunta moved his head to make Naruto fall face-first on his head, "What was that for?"

"Don't antagonize a biju, you idiot gaki!" Gamabunta replied angrily. Naruto gulped and nodded.

The Shukaku used this chance to send Gamabunta flying through the air by flinging his sand. Gamabunta fell with a thud. He slowly got up and asked, "How much longer kid?"

"Just 2 more minutes hold on," Naruto said.

"You better get me sake after all this, you incompetent brat," Gamabunta grumbled as he narrowly dodged another attack that hit his knee.

Naruto was about to reply but his mouth stayed open in shock as he saw Sasuke and Shikamaru and was even more surprised seeing them fight the Sand genin.

With Sasuke and Shikamaru

Sasuke and Shikamaru flew through the trees at top speed before finally catching a glimpse of Kankurou and Temari. "CHIDORI!" Sasuke yelled and thrust his hand through Kankurou's puppet. Kankurou winced as he waited for the lightning technique to hit him but Sasuke who kneed him instead before knocking him unconscious, to save his chakra. Temari saw Sasuke but was too late in taking out her fan. As soon as Kankurou became unconscious, Temari completed her jutsu and blew Sasuke away. She rushed to help her brother, failing to notice Shikamaru who was hiding in the bushes.

Temari froze as Shikamaru's shadow caught her, "Shadow possession jutsu: Success." Shikamaru declared before making a throwing motion with his hand. Temari reluctantly copied the motion and threw away her fan. Sasuke emerged from a pile of broken branches and restrained Temari and Kankurou. Temari stayed quiet with her head down. "I am exhausted!" Sasuke commented.

"Imagine how I'm feeling," Shikamaru grumbled. Right then Gamabunta landed next to them in an effort to stay safe from Shukaku's attacks.

Naruto took the opportunity to ask, "What are you guys doing here,"

"We noticed those two Suna genin coming here to help defeat you so we thought you could use some help, can't help you anymore though, we are both facing chakra exhaustion unlike you and it's troublesome," Shikamaru replied.

Naruto nodded. "You brats get to a safer distance before Shukaku kills you. Naruto and I will end this as soon as Kyuubi fills the Gaki's chakra reserves." Gamabunta ordered.

Sasuke and Shikamaru nodded, trusting the great battle toad. "Now go, it's already attacking again," Gamabunta said before jumping away. Sasuke and Shikamaru lay down as the sand attack swiped over them. Then they both retreated further out to the trees.

"Gaki, how much longer?"

"10 seconds," Naruto replied.

Gamabunta nodded, "I am going on the offensive to help you wake up Shukaku's container."

Naruto nodded and concentrated as he counted down, "5… 4… 3… 2… 1"

Naruto opened his eyes and the Rinnegan flashed as he activated it. The chakra surged wildly in his chakra coils as they filled. Shukaku and Gamabunta stood surprised seeing the legendary rinnegan with each having their own reactions.

Shukaku suddenly felt ashamed as he remembered his talk with the Rikudo Sennin all those years back and the biju's promise to him.

Gamabunta meanwhile became more interested in the kid and made up his mind to have the kid meet the Great toad sage.

Naruto noticed Gamabunta's calculating thought, "What?"

Gamabunta snorted, "Still he is just a brat for now," "Nothing, it can wait for later," Gamabunta replied.

Naruto nodded, "Ok, what's the plan here?"

"I assume you know Suiton jutsus?" Naruto nodded. "Then use a huge one to turn the sand muddy, he will be slower then and won't be able to bring the sand up fast enough to defend himself. I will try to get in close while countering his wind jutsus. Your rinnegan should help us quite a bit too, I have heard of its powers."

"Yeah, but I can't use it fully yet, Ero-sennin taught me how to use the gravitational powers only," Naruto said.

Gamabunta raised an eyebrow, "Just like that Nagato brat, eh? Remind me to punish him for not telling us toads about the rinnegan. It's one of the most legendary and respected doujutsu and it is essential that we should know about it. But enough about that, I will fix everything after all these, for now, let's fight!" With that Gamabunta leapt straight into Shukaku and tackled him. The biju was surprised at the sudden attack.

'Water style: Great Waterfall!' Naruto roared and wet everything in a 3-meter radius. "Ah that feels nice," Gamabunta commented. Shukaku jerked from underneath Gamabunta and got away. "Damn it, the water made him slower but the mud is slipping away from my palms. You have to jump onto his head when I get close enough."

"HUH!? YOU EXPECT ME TO JUMP ONTO A FREAKING LIVE BIJU'S HEAD!?" Naruto screamed at Gamabunta. "You have another plan? Either this or you can use your Rinnegan to get in close, both will get you into striking distance of Shukaku."

Naruto grumbled, "Fine, I will do what will be easier according to the situation." Gamabunta nodded.

'Wind style: Wind bullet,' Shukaku sent several wind bullets towards the pair. Gamabunta jumped up to avoid them and then came crashing down with his blade out. He hit Shukaku straight in the stomach and held him thereby putting his entire weight on him, "Now Gaki!" Gamabunta ordered.

Naruto nodded and tried to jump onto the biju's head but Shukaku managed to bring up dry sand from the surroundings to slap away Gamabunta. Naruto lost his balance as Gamabunta moved away and failed to make the jump.

"THAT'S IT, I AM FINISHING THIS!" Shukaku yelled and proceeded to open his mouth. A black orb started to form.

"Shit, he has enough chakra to make another one of those thingies." Naruto panicked. "Tailed beast bomb." Gamabunta corrected, "We just have to avoid it, we are far from the village so the damage won't be much."

"But what if he shoots towards the village or Sasuke and Shikamaru," Naruto argued. Gamabunta grimaced, "Give me your plan then, either we die or we live."

Naruto nodded, "Just stay here so he aims directly at us."

"I am willing to sacrifice myself but that's a shitty plan, Gaki!" Gamabunta deadpanned.

"Just trust me, I think it might work, just stand in the opposite direction from the village so we can avoid it if it doesn't work."

"And where has your concern for those other brats gone?" Gamabunta asked.

"They had the sand genin as prisoners, so they have enough sense to stay in the direction of the village so they can cut them off in case they escape."

Gamabunta stared at Naruto considering a decision. "Hurry!" Naruto said, "We don't have much time."

Gamabunta sighed, "Fine, let's do it." Naruto grinned. The great toad leapt over Shukaku who turned his body to face them

"BIJUDAMA!" Shukaku shot the tailed beast bomb at Naruto and Gamabunta. Naruto concentrated and yelled out, 'ALMIGHTY PUSH!' the bijudama stopped in the air. The two great creatures watched with wide eyes as the bomb flew back and hit Shukaku. Shukaku screamed as the explosion removed his armour. The biju became smaller. 'Universal pull,' the small state of the Shukaku flew towards Naruto, "Gamabunta hold him under you tightly!" The toad got out of his shock and nodded.

Gamabunta sat on the Shukaku and made sure to move away from the sand. Naruto went up to Gaara and shouted, 'Uzumaki style: Six tiagram beast seal!' Shukaku yelled as he felt himself suck into the stronger and more enhanced seal.

Naruto's mindscape

"Hello, little brother." Kurama grinned

"Kurama!" Shukaku growled

"Hmph, you were always hungry for blood, but so much so that you forgot about our promise to the old man even after seeing the Rinnegan," Kurama said.

"Shut up, you went on rampages too."

"Only twice, and both times I was controlled unlike you. I may hate humans for it but I will keep honouring my promise unlike you. And I know for sure, this kit is what the old man prophesied and I am going to help him after all this. For your part just stay quiet and don't torture your tenant anymore. I know you will come around, Otouto."

Shukaku didn't reply, he knew Kurama was right.

In the real world, Gaara slowly woke up. Suddenly his eyes grew wide, "What have you done?" he demanded, "Where is mother?"

"Whoa whoa, that freaking two-storey tall raccoon is not your mother, just like Haku was saying." Naruto replied, "I just sealed him away with a more powerful seal so that he doesn't bother you anymore."

Gaara gave a calculating look, "You don't know me, you don't know my pain," Gaara started crying, "You- we both are jinchuriki, so why is my life different, why are you so happy? We are supposed to be the same!"

"You are right, I don't know your pain, but I was also treated the same way till I was around five. Like you, my father, the yondaime Hokage, sealed Kyuubi inside of me but they loved me. Both my father and mother died and I was left an orphan whom everyone saw as a demon. Luckily, Obito adopted me because he saw me as who I was, his sensei's son and a warden, not the prisoner. He didn't see me as a walking weapon of mass destruction, he saw a kid. Then Sasuke, Itachi and Shisui became my brothers. I made friends like Shika, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Haku and many other people. So, I know I can never fully understand your pain, but I do understand some of it, and Haku has told you about his childhood, which is almost the same as yours. So if my words doesn't change your mind, let his."

Gaara sniffled, "So, Haku was telling the truth?"

"Yes."

Gaara wiped his eyes vigorously, "Thank you, Naruto, you have shown me what it really means to be human. I can also sleep now without worrying about Shukaku taking over me. Forgive me for all this."

"It's no problem, you didn't mean it and no one was hurt because of you, I took you away from the village for that!" Naruto grinned.

"But..." Gaara stuttered sadly, "How will I get precious people? Everyone will hate me after this, even those who may have seen me like a normal person too."

"You have siblings don't you and your father."

"My father hates me. He only sees me as a weapon."

Naruto grimaced and resisted the urge to kick the Kazekage's butt right away, "Well your siblings love you, they came to save you but Sasuke and Shikamaru captured them. Make them your precious people. And I will be your first friend. I will even make Kiba and all be your friends too."

"You mean it?" Gaara asked.

"Of course!"

Right then and ANBU squad arrived and a purple-haired lady put her sword to Gaara's neck.

"Yugao don't" Naruto pleaded recognizing his old sword teacher.

"Why shouldn't I, he is an enemy and a dangerous one."

"He's changed! The biju was controlling his mind, he is better now. Look, you guys can capture him for now but don't kill him. If you do I will prank you guys so much, my other pranks will seem like a walk in the freaking park."

Yugao grimaced, "Fine, squad restrain them."

Sasuke and Shikamaru with their captives came to Naruto, "Can we guys hitch a ride too."

"Sure," Yugao replied, "But I need Naruto to come with me, it's a seal related matter. Medics treat the wounds. No arguing" she added seeing Sasuke opening his mouth.

"Wait Naruto, what if Shukaku takes over my mind again if I sleep."

"That won't happen, I promise you," Naruto replied.

Gaara nodded and with that Yugao and Naruto took to the trees. "So what's going on?" Naruto asked.

"You will understand when we get there- at the stadium. But first, how did you recognize me?"

"Right, because there are thousands of female purple-haired ANBU," Naruto said sarcastically.

Yugao grumbled. The pair entered the stadium, "There it is, a barrier which we can't get through and the Shodaime and Nidaime sama resurrected through reanimation jutsu," Yugao said as they landed close to the barrier.

"You got the Uzumaki, good." One of the ANBU commented, "Well what do you think of it."

"It's a very sturdy barrier but it has a weakness. Ne Yugao-sensei since the Hokage's there we absolutely have to save him, no matter what right?"

"Uh, yes?" Yugao said hesitantly.

"Good, so I can defend myself for the upcoming repercussions, good, good. I knew my pranking skills would come handy," he muttered wiping a fake tear.

Yugao almost regretted giving Naruto permission to do absolutely anything to save the Hokage. The remaining ANBU also watched as Naruto seemed to draw up his plans and some seals. "Ah well," Yugao thought, "Desperate times call for desperate measures and Naruto does seem to have a plan to get out of repercussions so he can save me too, just in case. He always did get out of several severe punishments for his pranks. That boy could convince an ant that it was an elephant!"

A/N: And done, with this all my deleted chapters are rewritten and my fanfic is off hiatus. I have also reupdated chapter 16 cuz I had deleted it too and added a team 7 training chapter as per request at chapter 11, so be sure to check them out too. I have added a mindscape part in this rewrite too unlike the other version (although the fight scene was better there.) Anyway hope you like it, next chapter will show Hiruzen Orochimaru fight and with that Chunin exam arc will come to an end.

Hope you liked it and please follow, favourite and review! Until next time (Probably around a week.) And also please help to take up the followers to 100.

Ja ne