Boom Bam. Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 9: Nothing Like A Little Rescue

"So this is-"

"Yes."

"And he's the guy who, uhmm, Sasuke?" A nod from Naruto let Shizuka know she was saying the right name. "Sasuke, right. This is the guy's he's-"

"Yes."

"My first real S-rank opponent. How fun."

"Yep, loads of fun," replied Naruto with the same sarcasm as his girlfriend. Both of their bodies were tense. One of the most dangerous men in the world stood before them. "Uchiha Itachi, long time no see."

"Hello Naruto-kun. A pleasure to see you again," said Itachi ignoring Shizuka, Kakashi, Sakura, and the Suna Elder, Chiyo, who'd tagged along with Team Seven. Naruto was Itachi's sole focus as Naruto had his Sharingan's full attention. "How have you been? I see you've grown up a little bit."

Crazy how fast things can change during any given week. At the start of the week, Naruto was coming off an S-rank with Team Jiraiya. In the middle, he'd beaten Kiba in a spar for Tsunade and gone on a B-rank with Team 7. And now at the end of it, he was in Suna trying to save his friend, Gaara, from Akatsuki's clutches.

Despite the urgency, Naruto was asked a question. He had manners so, he answered it.

"I've been well. Was better until you know, you Akatsuki folk came for my friend," spoke Naruto while charging up a Rasengan. Naruto cradled the blue ball in his hand while looking at the Uchiha. "You mind if I have him back without the need for violence?"

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun but, I can't do that."

"Figured." Itachi's feet lifted off the ground the moment Naruto responded.

That was way too easy. There was no way Itachi would allow a shunshin and melee attack to finish him. Naruto was proven correct when Itachi floated back through the air slowly. Not exactly would should happen when getting decked with a Rasengan.

"A genjutsu already? I didn't even look in his damn eyes." thought Naruto before turning around. Seeing his entire team knocked unconscious, Naruto looked back to see Itachi unharmed. "Right then, it's just a genjutsu Naruto. You got this."

"Hmm, he's gotten better." thought Itachi watching Naruto recognize his predicament immediately. Itachi even saw him go as far as trying to break the Genjutsu. The chakra he was putting out was incredible. "Very good Naruto-kun. Sadly, still not good enough."

"C'mon c'mon. Break dammit, break!" thought Naruto frantically. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't break the Genjutsu. All he could feel was the left side of his face peeling away slowly. "Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Just a Genjutsu. Just get the fuck outta here." said Naruto to himself. Sadly, Naruto wasn't getting out of it at all. "I can't break this-"

"Pitiful."

Naruto's right eye opened immediately at the voice.

"Sasuke-" Before Naruto could acknowledge who it was, Naruto blinked to found himself back in his original position.

"I think Naruto-kun is under a genjutsu," said Shizuka having seen the boy freeze. Seeing Naruto's glazed expression return to normal, Shizuka retracted her earlier observation. "Maybe not. Or did you break it already Sakura?"

"No, I was about to but, you broke it yourself?" questioned Sakura as Naruto got his bearings.

"What just happened?" thought Naruto knowing he didn't break himself from that Genjutsu.

"You're welcome."

"Kyubi?"

"Couldn't stand to see you go through that. It'd have annoyed me to see you continue to struggle," said the Kyubi getting an internal nod from Naruto.

"So you can break Genjutsu placed on me?" questioned Naruto curiously. Feeling the fox nod, Naruto sucked his teeth in indignation. "What the hell man?! I've been getting worked over by Genjutsu since I can remember and you could have broken them all with a snap of your finger?" thought Naruto before realizing something. The Kyubi didn't have fingers necessarily. "Claw? Yeah, claw. But what the hell?"

"I'm not here to help you brat. I'm technically a prisoner here. Doesn't really make me too keen on wanting to help you." Naruto could coincide to that point. So, why did the fox help him this time? "I hate the Uchiha boy. I won't be under their control again. Whether directly or through you. I won't allow it anymore."

"Naruto, gather yourself. I'll lead. Offer assistance," said Kakashi snapping Naruto from his conversation with his Bijuu.

"On it Kakashi-sensei," said Naruto noticing the Rasengan he'd created still sat in his hand. Naruto jumped forward to help Kakashi with Itachi while he spoke to the fox once more. "We'll discuss this later. See if there's anything I can do for you in exchange for your help. Thanks by the way."

"Don't mention it," said the Kyubi watching through Naruto's eyes as he and Kakashi tag teamed the dangerous Uchiha. Naruto sucked his teeth missing his Rasengan as he needed to dodge Itachi's counterattack. "Seriously, don't mention it. I don't need people assuming things about me with regards to you. I still hate you and all humans."

"Wouldn't say I hate you. But I don't necessarily like you either," said Naruto in reply forming a dozen clones to aid in the fight. "But if you're stuck with me. May as well use any advantage we can get. Now let me deal with this guy and get to saving Gaara."

Watching Itachi murder most of his clones with a well-placed fireball, Naruto jumped high into the air.

"Futon: Kami Oroshi (Wind Style: Godly Wind of the Mountains)," said Naruto shooting his hands forward. A blast of wind shot forth to hit the Kakashi-harassed Uchiha dead on. Seeing Itachi disappear in a poof of smoke though, Naruto clicked his tongue. "Of course it was a clone."

"Look alive Naruto. The real one is behind that tree," said Kakashi while Naruto landed beside him from his jump.

"I know," said Naruto before he too dispelled in a poof of smoke.

That Naruto was a clone? Naruto's misdirection was getting seriously frightening. Nobody knew when Naruto made the switch including Itachi. Whose eyes widened feeling a huge Rasengan carve into his back.

"Odama Rasengan (Big Ball Rasengan)," said Naruto blasting Itachi with the ball.

"His misdirection with those clones was perfectly timed. I didn't even notice the switch or his leaving," said Chiyo admiring the Kyubi Jinchuriki's display. Naruto himself followed Itachi with his attack before slamming him in the ground. The Rasengan detonated to cover Naruto in dirt, debris, and a small explosion. "He even managed to catch Uchiha Itachi. Impressive."

"My clone saw the real him when he was in the sky," said Naruto as the smoke cleared to reveal him again. He was standing over the unconscious Itachi and couldn't help but shake his head. "Kakashi-sensei, did something feel off about Itachi?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Something felt wrong. That was way too easy," said Naruto not trusting anybody. How was he to know that he wasn't under another Genjutsu? "Kyubi?"

"This is real boy."

"I think you're right. He didn't fight like the Itachi I know," said Kakashi walking over to the downed Akatsuki member. "And it seems you are right. It was some kind of clone jutsu."

Itachi's skin began to fade away while he laid in the crater Naruto put him in. Itachi's visage disappeared and was replaced with a Suna shinobi. A small prayer was given to the dead shinobi as Naruto clenched his fists.

"I'm so sick of the Akatsuki," said Naruto with his chakra amping up substantially. Everyone else's eyes, outside of Shizuka's, widened feeling the potent burst of chakra from Naruto. His eyes were red as he continued drowning the area with killing intent. "Nadeshiko. The Nanabi Jinchurki. Gaara. And even this guy." Naruto's emotions were running high. With his emotions continued his steadily increasing chakra output. "So many victims of their crimes. I can't stand them."

"What is that chakra presence?" questioned Chiyo in her head. Looking at the others remain calm, Chiyo relaxed. She could see Kakashi and Sakura were wary of Naruto's power but didn't seem afraid of it. It's not like his ire was against them. "His bond with Gaara, a shinobi from another village, is something unheard of. He's so upset over a foreign shinobi when normally, no one would care. You intrigue me Uzumaki Naruto."

"Let's continue," said Kakashi taking off as the others followed. They'd wasted enough time with the Itachi clone and needed to get going. "Seems Gai and them were impeded too. They're just now arriving too."

"Naruto-kun! Sakura-chan! Shizuka-san! Kakashi-sensei!" came the shout of a bowl-cut teen in a green spandex suit.

"Stop yelling in my ear, Lee." A bun-haired girl decked the boy for shouting so loud.

"My apologies Tenten."

"Oi, Kakashi. You were met with an Akatsuki member too?" questioned a more grownup clone of Rock Lee. His name being Maito Gai, Jonin of the leaf and leader of Team Gai. Kakashi nodded his head before Gai looked at Naruto apprehensively. "Naruto-kun, are you alright?"

"I'm good," said Naruto easing Gai's worries. The man could see his red eyes and Naruto took a calming breath. His eyes shifted back blue before looking at the cave in front of him. Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee noticed the chakra but, Naruto stopped their questions with his next statement. "Gaara's in here."

"Seems so."

"Let's get my friend back."

(With Tsunade - Konoha)

Seated behind her desk, Tsunade busied herself with paperwork.

"This can't be what sensei did every day," said Tsunade picking up a sheet of paper. She sighed as she began to read through it while complaining aloud. "This is so tedious. And most of this is about nothing. Who made the rule that the Hokage had to handle this type of stuff?"

"Your grandfather Tsunade-sama," informed Shizune standing behind Tsunade. The woman held her master's pet pig Tonton and continued with the history lesson. "'A Hokage's presence is needed on all things involving Konoha! No matter how insignificant.' I believe that's what Hashirama-sama said when he decreed it."

"Really? So a Hokage's presence is needed to deny or approve this request for an Ichiraku's expansion into apartment complex 7-wait," said Tsunade looking at the name of the requester. She should have known the moment she saw Ichiraku's. There was only one person who loved ramen that much to want a second store in his apartment complex. "Of course it'd be Naruto to ask for something like that. And now I'm thinking about him again."

Shizune only laughed at Naruto's ridiculous request as Tsunade declined it with a stamp. She'd been trying to think of anything but the kid but, he still managed to wiggle his way into her consciousness. She didn't like sending Naruto to Akatsuki but, Jiraiya assured her he'd be able to handle it. Kakashi was there too along with Team Gai but, Tsunade was still a worrywart.

Hearing a knock at the door, Tsunade welcomed the distraction and beckoned the person in.

"Good afternoon. You called for me Hokage-sama?" questioned Shikamaru walking into Tsunade's office.

"Yes, indeed I did. It's here somewhere," said Tsunade digging into the drawer next to her. A shifting of items was heard before she clicked her tongue. "Ha! Here it is. And a good afternoon to you too Shikamaru."

Seeing Tsunade hand him a folder, Shikamaru grabbed it before opening it. Reading through its contents, Shikamaru just let out a sigh.

"Jonin."

"Mhmm."

"What a drag."

"Your reaction is the complete opposite of Naruto's," said Tsunade internally amused at Shikamaru's lack of excitement. What did she expect though from the heir of that lazy clan? "Naruto was bouncing around, shouting 'finally', and giving the bird to every one of his friends."

"I remember. At least he didn't put it on my nose and rub it in like he did to Kiba," said Shikamaru placing the folder under his arm. Shikamaru let out a sigh before asking a question he didn't want the answer to truthfully. "How long until I'm tested?"

"3 weeks. Most of your questions are probably in the folder Shikamaru."

"I have to read this too? Sounds like fun. Right then, thanks for the opportunity and I'll be sure to do my best."

"Was that sarcasm?"

"If I say yes will you let me not take the test?"

"No."

"Troublesome. If that is all Hokage-sama?" Tsunade nodded getting Shikamaru to nod back.

Shikamaru walked out of the office with a wave as Tsunade just smiled. She turned her head to the southwest and looked out of her window toward the setting sun. Ironically in the same direction of Sunagakure from Konoha.

"You better be alright gaki." thought Tsunade before getting back to work.

Naruto would be alright. He always was.

(With Naruto - Suna)

"Kyubi Jinchuriki." A line spoken by a puppet wearing an Akatsuki robe. The deep voice of the puppet was amused seeing Naruto's eyes flash red for a second. "He seems angry about something wouldn't you say Deidara?"

"Mmm, just a tad," said the man's partner, Deidara, as he smirked at Naruto. Deidara was also donning an Akatsuki cloak as his long blonde hair hid one of his eyes from view. "If I had to guess, it's probably because of this guy here."

The blonde Akatsuki member was alluding to the motionless Gaara he was currently sitting on top of. Naruto's ire rose further as the whisker marks on his cheeks deepened along with another flash of red coming to his eyes. Visually seeing Naruto's anger rising, Shizuka wanted to make sure Naruto would be Naruto.

"Naruto-kun," said Shizuka in a calm tone. Naruto turned his red eyes to the girl and saw her giving him a small shake of her head. "Don't be blinded."

Naruto began to calm down. He'd told her the same thing when they found Hidan and Kakazu. Shizuka had been blinded by anger and nearly died because of it. Naruto didn't want to end up like her. And Shizuka didn't either.

Especially considering the two before them weren't slouches like Hidan. Not that Hidan was terrible but, his immortality and violent nature was likely the only reason he was S-ranked. These two in front of them didn't share that same trait because they were bonafide bad men.

Chiyo confirmed the puppet one as Sasori of the Red Sand. A very dangerous shinobi who placed a deadly poison on Kankuro, Gaara's older brother. Kankuro had followed after the two Akatsuki members in trying to get Gaara back and was barely cut by the man. That small cut nearly killed him until Sakura arrived and managed to create an antidote.

"And Ero-Sennin said medics were lame." thought Naruto remembering what Jiraiya said long ago about those particular types of shinobi. "If you're strong enough, you shouldn't need to get patched up."

It was kind of true but, Naruto would much rather not get poisoned and die slowly over the course of three days just because he thought he wouldn't need one. Medics were awesome after seeing what Sakura did to save Kankuro. Naruto then turned to the other Akatsuki member who Kakashi had pegged. The Mad Bomber, Deidara of Iwa. A demolition expert who was deadly from long range.

Deidara had managed to defeat Gaara single-handedly in the sand too. A feat once thought impossible. Making ill-advised or emotionally charged decisions against these guys would and could be lethal. So, Naruto calmed down as his eyes returned to their regular blue.

"See you in a little while Senpai. I'll handle the Jinchuriki," said Deidara with a smile.

A poof of smoke covered the bomber before he came soaring out of it on a clay owl. A clay owl that had Gaara in its talons. Nobody expected him to move so quickly as he passed them all and moved to exit the cave.

"Sensei," said Naruto watching Deidara take flight and begin escaping.

"We can't leave Sakura, Shizuka, and Chiyo to face Sasori or Deidara without me or Naruto. That'd be ensuring their death." thought Kakashi quickly. Naruto and he were the meat of this team. They needed to each be handling one in particular. "Either of the choices is a bad matchup. One is much worse for Naruto though." Kakashi was glad that Naruto remembered protocol. Instructions came from the leader. And as leader, Kakashi didn't need Naruto taking off after Deidara. That wasn't the better option. "Shizuka, come with me. We're after Deidara. Naruto and Sakura, you're here. Deidara would be a nightmare matchup for either of you."

"Don't worry Nikko-kun, we'll get Gaara back," said Shizuka taking off after the Iwa Bomber with Kakashi. Shizuka did pause and turned back to see Naruto curiously looking at her. "Nikko (sunshine) not good? I'll figure it out."

"I'm sure you will hime." thought Naruto praying Shizuka and Kakashi would be fine.

They would be. Kakashi was Kakashi and he knew how good Shizuka was. They'd be fine. Naruto just needed to know if he and the two women with him would be too. Turning back to his adversary, Naruto saw Sasori hadn't moved.

"Hmm, guess you're not as hot-headed as thought to be," said Sasori with intrigue. Their information on the Jinchuriki needed to be updated. "I'd have thought you would run after your already dead friend. You'd have been easy pickings for Deidara."

"Well, glad I stayed here then. I have faith my teammates will get Gaara back."

"Deidara will crush that faith. Even Kakashi can't best him," said Sasori as if it was the only option. He then seemed to stand up as clicking noises could be heard. At least they thought he stood even though his head didn't actually rise much higher than it had been. "But it shouldn't matter. You'll all be dead soon anyway. What does it matter to you all?"

Naruto minced no more words as he watched the tail of Sasori come flying at him. Jinchurki vs Puppeteer was on.

(With Kakashi and Shizuka)

"That girl. She's accurate with those kunai." thought Deidara having to dodge another blistering fast projectile. Digging into the ninja pouches on his hips, Deidara just clicked his teeth. "Running low on clay. I barely had enough to make this owl." Looking down at the chasing shinobi, Deidara shook his head. "I didn't even get the Jinchurki to follow me. And what the hell is the copy ninja doing?"

"How long Kakashi-san?" questioned Shizuka flinging two more kunai at the airborne Deidara. Glancing over at Kakashi, she saw the copy ninja concentrating with his hands in the tiger seal over his Sharingan. It was a unique tiger seal with his pointer fingers touching perpendicular to his middle fingers. "Not that I'm running low on kunai but, just wanna know how I should use them."

"A few more minutes," said Kakashi continuing to sprint with Shizuka underneath the airborne Deidara.

"Gotcha," said Shizuka whipping out another kunai. "Thank you Naruto-kun. Kunai Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Kunai Shadow Clone Technique)"

Launching the kunai in Deidara's general area, Shizuka went through a few hand seals. That one kunai turned to dozens when she channeled her chakra. A flood of kunai flew at Deidara who frowned.

"I really hate her now." thought Deidara digging into his pouch for some of his remaining clay. Forming a beetle, Deidara tossed the clay bug at the sea of kunai. A poof of smoke later, the beetle grew to almost human size before detonating. "Fucking kunai after kunai from her. Does she not run out?"

Due to the concussive force of the explosion, the kunai all scattered into different directions leaving Deidara unharmed. Seeing Shizuka pull out more got Deidara to sigh. This was going to be a long chase.

(Naruto vs Sasori)

"Is dodging all you can do?" questioned Sasori as he watched Naruto constantly evade. Naruto was taking no chances with the poison-dipped tail coming after him from the Akatsuki member. He wasn't allowing it to even come close. "This is a waste of time."

Dodging once more, Naruto figured enough was enough. Sasori was right, this was just wasting time. Naruto landed in a crouch with his palm on the ground after his latest dodge. Sasori's tail came speeding at him again but stopped inches from gutting him. Naruto smiled as Sasori looked confused when his tail went flying backward.

"Wow, he sent a chakra chain through the earth to stop Sasori's favorite puppet." thought Chiyo watching Naruto's chakra chain pierce the puppet and drag it toward the ceiling. Chiyo, like Sakura, sat back away from the two shinobi. One was the Jinchuriki of the most powerful Bijuu and the other was an S-rank puppeteer with dangerous ability. Chiyo was confident but, she'd need to pick her spots in this fight and not be directly involved. "Good job Naruto-san but, you only managed to destroy Hiruko. Here comes the real Sasori."

Naruto watched the puppet fly to the ceiling before getting pinned there by his chain. Naruto then looked down to see he'd only revealed the actual man. A red-haired man with a lazy expression on his face.

"To think you could destroy Hiruko with one hit. A wind-powered chain. Impressive Kyubi, impressive," acknowledged Sasori standing up fully before looking at Naruto.

And what everyone saw confused them. Sasori appeared barely older than Naruto. Sasori looked to be 17 years of age with red hair and chocolate brown eyes. He wore his Akatsuki cloak like the puppet he was in as he just stared at the three confused people before him.

"I know it's confusing you all but there's no need to explain. You'll all be dead anyway and me explaining would become a waste of time," said Sasori pulling a scroll out of his ninja pouch. "You managed to destroy Hiruko. So, I guess it's time for you to meet the strongest that Suna has to offer."

Watching a poof of smoke go up, Naruto saw Sasori holding another puppet when it dissipated. And from Chiyo's gasp behind him, this wasn't an ordinary puppet.

"The Sandaime Kazekage..." said Chiyo lowly in shock. "Sasori, you've had him this entire time."

"No time to gawk Chiyo-baa. What's so special about him?" asked Naruto watching a trail of black sand flow from the puppet.

"The most dangerous ability in Suna's history. Iron Sand," said Chiyo marveling at seeing the ability once more. She hadn't seen it in over fifteen years. "If you've ever faced Gaara-sama, it's basically the same. Just iron sand is more potent than regular sand."

"Got it. No need to mess around then," said Naruto taking a deep and calming breath.

Naruto put a hand to the ground during his deep breath before channeling his chakra. A large seal spread across the cave floor that stopped just inches in front of Sakura and Chiyo.

"Barrier," said Sakura lowly watching the seal glow and spawn a golden dome of chakra. The dome disappeared after creation but, Sakura knew it was still there. "What are you doing Naruto?"

"Don't want to accidentally hurt you guys," whispered Naruto giving the two medics a smile. Naruto's eyes turned red before he put his hands in the ram seal. "You know, I said I wouldn't use this until I was a badass. And my definition of badass was putting Ero-Sennin on his back in a fight." continued Naruto in his low tone watching the Sandaime puppet's iron sand spread across his barrier. Naruto shook his head before grinning. "Luckily, I-"

"Foolish boy, you created this barrier as if it'd help you," said Sasori cutting off Naruto. Sasori's fingers were a blur as the Sandaime Kazekage responded accordingly. The iron sand spread fast and wide as there was no escape from getting hit by it. "You sealed your fate handsomely. This iron sand will crush you into your own barrier. And if that crushing force or the damage from your barrier doesn't immobilize you, the poison in the sand will."

Sasori saw the iron sand smash into Naruto and pound him into his barrier wall quite brutally. The invisible wall repeatedly glowed gold from the contact as Sasori was suffocating the Jinchuriki with wave after wave of the iron sand. The barrier was beginning to break with the force hitting away against it. Only, it wasn't breaking because of the Sandaime Kazekage's sand.

No, a powerful chakra surge was the culprit. Sasori heard a roar after the power spike that got him to freeze in place. The roar created a shockwave powerful enough to blow the magnetically controlled sand off the Jinchuriki. And what Sasori saw was eye-opening.

"He can access 3 tails of the Kyubi's power?!" thought Sasori watching Naruto slowly float down to the same level as him. Seeing the blood red three-tailed cloak bubble around Naruto, Sasori's face showed emotion for the first time in a long time. "That chakra, so magnificent. It looks alive."

Naruto stood, battered and bruised from Sasori's Iron Sand assault, as he took another calming and deep breath. Naruto slowly opened his red eyes and trained them on Sasori. Naruto looked like hell but, Sasori could see the boy's injuries healing rather quickly. Naruto tore away his shredded vest and shirt which left him in his just his black pants and shinobi sandals.

"Man, you really don't know how good this feels," said Naruto flaring the chakra surrounding him as it livened up. Sasori could feel the pressure it was creating and he didn't like it one bit. Naruto's pupils turned to slits as he grinned ominously at Sasori. The puppeteer couldn't help but feel he'd made a mistake. "Ero-Sennin couldn't keep up with this when I did it at 12. I'm older now and I'm willing to bet you won't be able to either."

Sasori didn't know who Ero-Sennin was but, Naruto should know he wasn't some pushover. And Naruto did know. It's just, when you forged your abilities in fire against someone like Jiraiya of the Sannin, someone like Sasori was exactly who Naruto had been gauging his strength against.

Same as the Kyubi with him. Naruto took his strength and compared it to Sasori's. And he proved himself right by vanishing and reappearing in the puppeteer's face. Sasori couldn't react to the swipe from Naruto that nailed him with.

Sasori figured out too late that he was in trouble.

(With Kakashi & Shizuka)

"Running out of kunai Kakashi-san," said Shizuka nearly depleted of her throwing tools. "You should be good now, right?"

"Sorry you used most of your kunai," said Kakashi moving his hand sign away from his eye. Opening his Sharingan, a new design was displayed within it. Shizuka had been perfect to take along with him. She'd timed that exceptionally well. "I'm ready now."

Shizuka perked up seeing the changed eye. The pattern of Kakashi's Sharingan had morphed into a tri-bladed shuriken. The ends of the blades curved a second time as Shizuka recognized what she was looking at. Kakashi had attained the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Looking up at Deidara, Kakashi took a deep breath.

"Kamui (Authority of the Gods)" Deidara heard the jutsu name but upon seeing nothing, he wondered if it was a misfire.

"A shinobi like Kakashi would never misfire, would he?" thought Deidara before feeling a strange sensation. Almost as if he was being sucked in by something. And that sensation was right because upon looking down, Deidara could see a vortex forming on his body. "What the hell is this?!"

Panic filled the Iwa Bomber as his owl began to fly left and right to dodge the vortex that continued to follow him. He was narrowly avoiding the vortex but could see it was timing him better and better. As if he was going to allow that to happen. Too bad for him, he forgot that Shizuka was still there.

"Keep it straight Kakashi," said Shizuka whipping out her final four kunai. Stepping into her toss, Shizuka sent the kunai in each cardinal direction originating at Deidara. "Tajuu Kunai Kage Bunshin (Multiple Kunai Shadow Clone)"

The once four kunai turned into a massive tunnel of kunai that Deidara had to fly directly in the middle of lest he be pelted with the sharp projectiles. And due to that tunnel, Kakashi was given a perfect window to complete his jutsu. Deidara was lined up perfectly. Shizuka was definitely the right choice to bring along.

"It's over," said Kakashi letting his technique take hold.

Deidara could be heard grunting as the vortex warped his body in a swirl-like pattern. And after 2 seconds of warping, Deidara completely vanished from sight. His presence was gone entirely as Kakashi and Shizuka noticed something they hadn't thought about. With Deidara gone, the clay owl he was riding on lost consciousness with its creator no longer there. And that clay owl was still holding Gaara's dead body.

Swan diving to the floor, Shizuka attempted to catch Gaara but knew she wouldn't make it in time. Luckily, Rock Lee appeared in the nick of time to catch the clay bird before it could hit the ground and likely detonate. Seeing the rest of Team Gai arrive behind Rock Lee, Kakashi breathed out a sigh.

"Glad you guys are okay. Didn't think that seal would be trapped like that. But there's no time," said Kakashi glad that Team Gai looked in good enough health. The Jonin of Team Seven just stood before heading back to the cave. "We have to see how Naruto, Sakura, and Chiyo are doing."

Everyone nodded at Kakashi's words as they all took off back to the original cave point to check on their comrades.

(Naruto v Sasori)

"Seems you're enjoying yourself."

"I'd lie if I said I wasn't," said Naruto turning around to look at his Bijuu. He stood within his mindscape and couldn't help but let the fox know. "Your chakra. It's incredible. The difference between levels. The difference between 2 to 3 is much more than 1 to 2. I can feel my consciousness slipping at the power influx."

Seeing Naruto pound on Sasori, the Kyubi looked down to see Naruto put a hand to his head. He could see the boy gritting his teeth to keep his head and control over his actions. He'd never gone to three tails willingly before and his control was slipping steadily. They both knew it. It was just shocking that he could even dredge it up so easily. And then control it long enough to throttle the suna puppeteer of his own will.

"I don't know why Sasori underestimated me but, I'm going to make him pay because of it. I'm still a jinchuriki and I can use my bijuu's power," said Naruto turning back around to focus more on Sasori and keeping his head straight. He might need to start making this quick. His control was almost gone. "I spent the majority of my training trip learning to better myself and in doing so, I still gained more control of your power as a byproduct." continued Naruto getting the fox to quirk an eyebrow. If he wasn't sure, the Kyubi would swear Naruto was smiling. And he was. Naruto liked the power coursing through him currently. "Maybe I could've beat Sasori without you. By why? No need to struggle when I can just annihilate him for his mistake."

"This boy." thought the fox watching Naruto dismantle the dangerous nuke-nin. Naruto was formidable, the fox couldn't lie. But, he couldn't keep up with the dangerous men in the world unless he tapped into his Jinchuriki powers. And the fact he was willing to do so made the nine-tailed fox wag its tails excitedly. "My past Jinchurikis were opposed to using my power. Garnering me shackles and keeping me from any semblance of freedom. I was sure he would be the same when he denied trying to learn my power during their trip." continued the Kyubi in its head looking at Naruto. He was beginning to like Naruto a little. The Kyubi might be able to work with this. "This boy doesn't share my previous prisons' interests. He even wants to strike a deal with me."

The Kyubi liked this a lot as it focused back on the one-sided fight. A fight Sasori realized he should have taken more serious from the start. Naruto wasn't giving him a chance to rectify that mistake. He'd destroyed his strongest puppet already and was now wailing on the puppeteer himself.

"Overwhelming," said Sasori dodging a haymaker from the relentless Jinchuriki.

Sasori watched though as Naruto swung all the way through and belted Sasori's jaw with a follow-up wheel kick. Sent careening through the air, Sasori saw Naruto appear ahead of him. Arms poised in a double ax fist, Naruto brought his arms down with perfect timing to smash Sasori into the ground.

"I need to stop soon, I can't control this for much longer." thought Naruto creating a Rasengan. The blue of the Rasengan shifted to an unstable purple thanks to Naruto's use of the Kyubi's chakra. "This is the end." Sasori saw the sickly purple ball of chakra in Naruto's hand. He couldn't avoid it even if he tried. "Metsu Rasengan (Destroying Spiraling Sphere)."

Naruto thrust the ball into the downed Sasori as it exploded violently. The explosion rocked the barrier containing it, scaring Chiyo and Sakura with its violent outburst as the barrier glowed golden all over from the powerful attack. Smoke and debris filled the barrier and obscured the view of what was going on inside.

"Naruto!" shouted Sakura worried her teammate may have hurt himself with that Rasengan. Or worse, loss control to the Kyubi. Seeing the barrier drop, Sakura watched a gust of wind blow the smoke up and over herself and Chiyo. "Naruto? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," said Naruto as he blew the smoke out of the cave with his control over wind. Sakura immediately reached her teammate's side and ran a diagnostic jutsu over him. "That. Felt. Amazing!"

Naruto had many wounds, none life-threatening, as Sakura began to heal him. She saw Naruto panting and smiling from his use of the Kyubi's chakra and looked over at what he'd done. Seeing the scattered and decimated body of Sasori and the Sandaime puppet, Sakura turned back to look at Naruto. And she was seeing him in a whole different light now.

"This is what Tsunade-sama meant. The Kyubi has 9 tails and Naruto was only using 3. And he just decimated an S-rank nuke-nin in a matter of minutes." thought Sakura as her chakra mended Naruto's already healing wounds. His healing factor was something amazing. Even if she did nothing, Naruto probably would have been fine in a couple of minutes. "The cost of that power. Naruto wasn't fighting like himself. He took more damage than necessary."

"Thanks Sakura-chan," said Naruto carefully disguising his pain.

The cuts and bruises he could handle. The Kyubi's chakra had burned his skin during his use of it and that hurt the worse. He felt it was justified though for what he'd done. He just killed a member of Akatsuki. He could deal with those side effects for the outcome he'd gotten.

"You didn't have to heal me. I'd have been good soon enough. I always am."

"You don't have to put a brave face on Naruto. Chiyo-sama and I are both medic nin. We can literally see how bad you're hurt," said Sakura getting Naruto to nod.

"Yeah, I know. But if I acknowledge it hurts. It feels worse," said Naruto getting into a stand despite Sakura's wanting to continue treating him. The girl was just trying to do her job but, Naruto didn't want that right now. He had something else he'd rather do. "I've felt worse. Trust me, Ero-Sennin made sure of it." Boy did Jiraiya ever. The man never pulled his punches. And Naruto was better for it since he could shrug off little things these days as a byproduct. Jiraiya's blows hurt a lot more than 90% of what the shinobi world could do. "The Kyubi will fix me up. We have to catch up to Shizuka-chan, Kakashi-sensei, and Gaara. And then find Team Gai. You can heal me after that if you want."

Sakura could only nod her head. If Naruto wanted to do something, he was gonna do it. Plus, he technically outranked her so she had to listen. She'd only hope he'd be careful at least. He couldn't really take getting hit at this point.

"Die!"

Naruto's plan of action stopped when they heard a clicking noise. A clicking noise that resonated with the distinct sound of a moving puppet. And that noise was followed by a sword piercing flesh. Sasori stood behind his skewered adversary and breathed a sigh of relief after a moment. He'd almost done something bad.

"To think I almost lost my head and killed you. The other two didn't even so much as move and yet, your reflexes were fast enough to avoid the death blow I'd been aiming for."

Naruto had managed to keep the sword from sliding through his heart. It still slid into his chest though as Naruto had the coppery taste of blood fill his mouth immediately. Looking down, Naruto could see his blood mixing with the black liquid that coated Sasori's sword. Likely a poison from the immediate effect he felt on his body and chakra. It was agonizing to try to move because of it and the sword itself didn't help either.

"Please be a clone. Please be a clone," said Sakura watching Naruto cough up some blood.

"He's not a clone," said Chiyo lowly watching Sasori move the sword further through Naruto.

This was the scene Team Gai, Kakashi, and Shizuka arrived at. Shizuka was the first to notice Naruto's predicament. Her eyes widened seeing him cough out another glob of blood.

"Naruto-kun!" shouted the girl.

This couldn't be real.

Thanks for Reading