DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (IT COSTS LIKE WHAT? $10.3 BILLION ACCORDING TO GOOGLE, HAHA I WISH I HAD THAT KIND OF MONEY TO OWN THIS IP)

Ch.30 - Kyuubi Awakened

- With Naruto, Ino, and Shino -

As the trio prepared to face off against Kimimaro, both Shino and Naruto couldn't help but express their surprise at his survival of Shino's jutsu from their previous encounter. Shino, intrigued by the resilience of his opponent, addressed him. "It appears you managed to survive my jutsu," he remarked.

A steely resolve shone in Kimimaro's eyes as he replied in a cold and detached manner, "Your jutsu certainly did a number on me, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to finish the job."

- Flashback -

Caught within the swirling vortex of Shino's insect jutsu, Kimimaro found himself subjected to relentless slashes and cuts all over his body. Aware that he needed to take action swiftly to avoid being reduced to mere mincemeat, Kimimaro dug deep within himself, recalling the teachings of his master, Kushimaru.

Though hailing from Mizu no Kuni (Land of Water), Kushimaru possessed knowledge of fire-style jutsus. Recognizing Kimimaro's affinity for fire, Kushimaru had imparted some of his fire-based techniques to his devoted disciple. While not a master of elemental ninjutsu, Kimimaro possessed sufficient skill to utilize these techniques when necessary.

Summoning the strength within, Kimimaro uttered the incantation, "Katon: Gouka Senpuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Hellfire Whirlwind Technique)," igniting a protective barrier of searing flames that enveloped him. As he continued to infuse the cyclone with his chakra, the barrier expanded, growing in intensity and size. The blazing inferno consumed the insects that surrounded him, effectively incinerating them and liberating Kimimaro from the confines of the tornado.

- End of Flashback -

Naruto fixed his gaze on Kimimaro, his heart filled with a mix of anticipation and unease. Uncertainty loomed over him, as he questioned the success of their daring plan. It was their only chance, and Naruto vowed to give his all if their strategy faltered. But the lingering question remained: How would he triumph over Kimimaro?

"I assume you've concocted a plan to counter my fighting style after witnessing it," Kimimaro remarked, expecting a response from the trio.

With determination etched on his face, Kimimaro unleashed his bone-manipulating prowess, sprouting skeletal formations all over his body. "Karamatsu no Mai (Dance of the Larch)," he declared firmly, standing his ground.

Naruto exchanged a meaningful glance with his comrades and nodded. It was now or never. Would their strategy prove successful, or would it crumble under the weight of their opponent's power? The only way to discover the answer was to take action. Naruto swiftly tossed a smoke bomb to the ground, shrouding the battlefield.

Recalling Naruto's penchant for overwhelming his enemies with an endless horde of clones, Kimimaro found the tactic more of an annoyance than a genuine threat. Naruto, Ino, and Shino emerged from the dissipating smoke, each assuming their positions. Naruto charged at Kimimaro, while Ino and Shino flanked him, preparing to provide support from a distance. Naruto brandished a kunai, aiming to strike Kimimaro, while Ino and Shino launched a barrage of projectiles toward him.

Ino proclaimed, "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu)," as she unleashed a flurry of fireballs. Meanwhile, Shino executed the Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique), flooding the air with a relentless shower of shurikens. Kimimaro found himself surrounded on all sides, yet he remained unfazed.

With a swift double leg sweep, Kimimaro sent Naruto crashing to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Kimimaro thrust his bone-covered arm toward Naruto, only to discover that it was a mere clone dissipating into smoke. There was no time to dwell on this revelation, for he still had to evade the onslaught of fireballs and shurikens.

Kimimaro performed a series of acrobatic maneuvers, backflips, dashes, and rolls, skillfully dodging the incoming projectiles. While doing so, he also made efforts to deflect the shurikens, successfully parrying most of them, but a few managed to graze him, inflicting minor wounds.

Simultaneously, Ino and Shino closed in on Kimimaro, brandishing their kunais, intending to strike him. They were mere inches away from his body when he deftly blocked their attempts. Seizing the advantage of their disarmed state, Kimimaro swiftly swung his arms at them, only for his attacks to pass through the clones, revealing that they were actually composed of insects.

The insects swarmed Kimimaro, entangling him in a rope-like formation crafted from their tiny bodies. "Hijutsu: Mushi Nawa no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Insect Rope Technique)," Kimimaro attempted to disperse the insects by sprouting more bones, but his efforts were in vain. Though he managed to eliminate some insects with his bone protrusions, the rest simply moved away from the bones, continuing to restrain him.

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)," Naruto exclaimed. The surroundings filled with an army of Naruto clones, armed with kunais. With a resounding cry of "IKUZE! (LET'S GO!)," they simultaneously hurled their weapons at Kimimaro and charged toward him, reminiscent of their initial confrontation.

An onslaught of kunais and a swarm of Naruto clones descended upon Kimimaro. In a bid to break free from Shino's bindings, Kimimaro resorted to the use of his ninjutsu. "Katon: Gouka Senpuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Hellfire Whirlwind Technique)," he channeled the same jutsu that had thwarted Shino's insect vortex. The flames not only repelled the kunais but also incinerated the remaining insects, granting him freedom. Quickly adapting to the situation, he assumed a new combat stance suited to the circumstances, uttering, "Yanagi no Mai (Dance of the Willow)," as sharp, jagged bones sprouted from his knees, elbows, shoulders, and palms.

This stance prioritized evasion, enabling him to effortlessly counterattack his adversaries while skillfully dodging Naruto's clones. Each clone lunged forward, only to be impaled by Kimimaro's deadly bones, dissipating one after another.

Kimimaro found himself contemplating, "I may have underestimated them..."

Continuing to disperse Naruto's clones through evasive maneuvers, Kimimaro suddenly faced a barrage of shurikens hurled at him. "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)," a mere handful of shurikens multiplied into fifty. Kimimaro deftly evaded and deflected each one, but in the midst of the commotion, he noticed another imminent threat.

Behind him, Ino unleashed a fireball, exclaiming, "Katon: Hinotama no Jutsu (Fire Release: Fireball Technique)." Reacting swiftly, Kimimaro employed a kawarimi (body replacement) technique to evade the incoming attack. To his surprise, the platinum blonde was nowhere to be found. Caught off guard, Kimimaro witnessed Ino's presence in an entirely different location, leaving him bewildered by the unforeseen turn of events.

Ino executed the two jutsus Asuma had taught her in rapid succession. She launched a fiery projectile, emitting intense flames that concealed her within the inferno, utilizing the Katon: Hi no Naka ni Kakureru no Jutsu (Fire Release: Hiding in Fire Technique). Employing the Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique), she ensnared Kimimaro in place. Just as Kimimaro was on the verge of breaking free from Ino's grasp, his attention was abruptly drawn upward. Naruto descended upon him from above, wielding a kunai in one hand and a scroll in the other.

Breaking free from Ino's jutsu, Kimimaro swiftly sprouted a bone from his palm. Naruto landed on the bone, impaling himself, confusing Kimimaro. Why weren't Naruto's teammates concerned for his well-being? It was then that Naruto's smirk caught Kimimaro's attention as he unsealed the contents of the scroll.

Naruto shouted, "Kaifu no Jutsu! (Unsealing Technique)", as a multitude of explosive tags burst forth from the seal. Kimimaro, bewildered, realized that the Naruto he had impaled was merely a clone, dissipating into smoke. 'But how?!' Kimimaro asked, perplexed by the fact that a clone should have vanished instantly upon impact.

Little did he know, Naruto deliberately engineered that particular clone to be more resilient than the others. The initial batch of clones had one sole purpose: to deceive him.

Kimimaro witnessed a total of thirty-six explosive tags, and he turned around to see the original Naruto activating all of them simultaneously. His eyes widened as the tags emitted a brilliant light, triggering a massive explosion. The shockwaves reverberated through their surroundings, shaking everything in its wake. Debris soared through the air, a colossal crater formed, and a dense cloud of black smoke engulfed the area.

Naruto, Shino, and Ino braced themselves as the explosion raged on, their feet gripping the ground with the aid of chakra. Once the dust settled and the smoke dispersed, the trio coughed, the lingering residue filling their lungs. Covered in dirt, soot, and grime, they approached each other, thinking the ordeal was finally over. However, Kimimaro suddenly materialized in front of Shino, poised to strike him with his bone. Reacting swiftly, Shino managed to grab a kunai from his pouch to block the attack. The impact sent a numbing sensation through Shino's arm, as the force behind Kimimaro's strike exceeded his expectations. Locked in a struggle, Shino and Kimimaro pushed against one another, but the latter ultimately overwhelmed him. With a punch to the face, Shino flinched, and as Kimimaro sprouted a bone from his palm, he landed a palm strike on Shino's abdomen, causing him to slump and collapse.

Naruto stood there in shock, the events unfolding too rapidly for him to process. 'How the hell is he still alive?' Naruto wondered silently. Kimimaro vanished once more, and both Naruto and Ino yearned to check on Shino's condition. However, the risk of exposing themselves to Kimimaro's hidden presence prevented them from doing so.

Naruto and Ino kept a watchful eye on each other as they desperately tried to discern Kimimaro's whereabouts. Suddenly, Naruto sensed a chakra signature behind him and swiftly lunged towards it, aiming to strike Kimimaro first. However, Ino detected something amiss and realized there was an incoming projectile behind Naruto.

'NARUTO! LOOK OUT!' she yelled, only to be impaled by a sharp bone from behind. Ino had rushed forward, intercepting the bone javelin that was initially meant for Naruto. She fell forward, and Naruto managed to catch her, her once-purple clothes now stained with the crimson flow of blood. Ino winced in pain, unable to fathom why she hadn't hesitated to take the blow, yet she held no regrets.

'No! No! NO!' Naruto exclaimed, desperately attempting to staunch Ino's bleeding. He gently laid her on her side, fervently applying pressure to her wound, determined to prevent her from succumbing to her injuries. Ino mustered the strength to touch Naruto's face, drawing his attention.

'It's okay, Naruto... Save yourself,' Ino whispered softly.

'No, it's not okay! I can't leave you and Shino behind. I have to...' he replied, his voice filled with anguish.

Ino shook her head, insisting that Naruto had to go, a single tear escaping her eye before they gently closed. Naruto held her lifeless body for a few moments longer.

"Now do you know how it feels to lose someone you important to you? Such is the way of the shinobi..." Kimimaro began, but Naruto abruptly interrupted.

'Shut up...' Naruto muttered, his gaze fixed on Ino's lifeless form. Kimimaro stared at Naruto from a distance, observing the blonde ninja in silence.

'I won't forgive you...' Naruto whispered, his voice filled with determination."

- (Naruto OST: Need To Be Strong) -

A crimson aura emanated from Naruto, swirling around him ominously, leaving Kimimaro awestruck by this unfamiliar display. The chakra exuded an intense potency, concentrated to an unprecedented level. Kimimaro could sense an immense power emanating from Naruto, instantly perceiving the shift in the surrounding atmosphere, as if a heavy weight had descended upon him. The chakra that exuded from Naruto felt putrid and corrupted, bearing a malevolence and malice within. Moreover, Kimimaro could sense Naruto's deep-seated hatred and overwhelming intent to kill.

"What kind of chakra is this?" Kimimaro asked, witnessing Naruto's nails sharpening and his hair becoming wilder. Naruto locked eyes with Kimimaro, his gaze seething with fury. Kimimaro noticed that Naruto's eyes had transformed, no longer a vibrant blue but now a haunting crimson hue with vertically slitted black pupils. The whisker-like markings on Naruto's face became more pronounced, and he snarled, baring his menacing fangs.

Kimimaro was taken aback by Naruto's altered appearance. "There's a murderous gleam in his eyes," he murmured to himself, grappling to comprehend the nature of this newfound power. Naruto then let out a roaring growl, which unleashed gusts of high-speed winds. Kimimaro braced himself, determined not to be blown away. Naruto dropped down to all fours and darted toward Kimimaro with incredible speed.

"He's coming," Kimimaro thought, executing a long-range jutsu. "Teshi Sendan Danmaku (Ten-Finger Drilling Bullet Barrage)," he uttered, launching a barrage of projectiles at Naruto. However, Naruto effortlessly evaded every single one with remarkable agility, relentlessly closing in on his target.

Closing the distance between them swiftly, Naruto found himself mere inches away from Kimimaro. He raised his fist, preparing to strike, but Kimimaro was not about to allow that to happen. Activating his "Yanagi no Mai (Dance of the Willow)," Kimimaro sprouted a bone from his palm to intercept Naruto's punch. Their fists collided, and the bone pierced through Naruto's hand, yet he remained unfazed. Undeterred, Naruto continued his assault, launching an attack with his other fist, only to have it impaled by Kimimaro's bone as well.

Now locked in a fierce confrontation, Naruto and Kimimaro were intimately connected. Kimimaro could feel the searing heat radiating from Naruto, his chakra burning his skin due to their close proximity. Kimimaro was astounded to witness Naruto's resolute indifference to pain. Naruto then headbutted Kimimaro with incredible force, causing them to separate. Kimimaro stumbled along the ground, but he managed to regain his footing. He observed Naruto from a distance, watching as steam emanated from his hands, witnessing the swift healing of his wounds.

Consumed by rage and a burning desire for revenge, Naruto charged toward Kimimaro once again, intent on pummeling him into the ground. Kimimaro readied himself, assuming a fighting stance, activating his "Inago no Mai (Dance of the Locust)," causing bones to protrude from his body. Naruto moved so swiftly that he materialized in front of Kimimaro, poised to strike him in the face. Yet Kimimaro skillfully deflected Naruto's fist, countering with a punch of his own to Naruto's chest, followed by a swift bone palm strike. The bone pierced through Naruto's body, causing excruciating pain.

Naruto gazed at the bone and crushed it effortlessly with one hand. Kimimaro then heard a noise coming from beneath him. The ground cracked open, revealing another enraged Naruto clone emerging from below. The clone executed a "Bunshin Kaiten Kakato Otoshi! (Clone Spinning Heel Drop)," spinning around and delivering a powerful heel drop kick to Kimimaro's head. The impact sent him hurtling through the air, stumbling upon landing. Employing his "Tsubaki no Mai (Dance of the Camellia)," Kimimaro plunged his bone sword into the ground to regain his balance. The sword scraped against the earth as he eventually steadied himself, covered in dirt and grime.

Kimimaro knew that he needed a more formidable jutsu to contend with Naruto, although he hesitated due to the grave drawbacks it entailed. The jutsu would demand sacrificing speed and mobility for raw power. Additionally, it would deplete most of his chakra, risking severe exhaustion. Yet with no other recourse, he chose to proceed. First, he needed to gather the necessary chakra for the jutsu, a task he accomplished effortlessly. However, he also needed to keep Naruto at bay. Sprouting multiple bones, Kimimaro hurled them as javelins toward Naruto, exerting all his strength.

Naruto observed the incoming javelins and evaded them swiftly, his animalistic movement on all fours granting him an advantage. One javelin hurtled toward Naruto at great speed, yet he sidestepped it effortlessly. The javelin struck the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Naruto emerged from the haze, his eyes ablaze with fury. Kimimaro threw another javelin, only to witness Naruto leaping over it effortlessly. He continued throwing javelins at Naruto, but none found their mark. The javelins scattered across the area, some embedded in the ground, others piercing boulders, and one lodged in a tree.

Though the javelins missed their target, Kimimaro succeeded in accumulating the required chakra. Pouring it into his left arm, he commenced the process, intoning, "Tessenka no Mai: Hana (Dance of the Clematis: Flower)." Kimimaro's left arm became sheathed in bone, forming an enormous weapon. Pushing the hardness and sharpness of his bones to the limits, he had fashioned a colossal drill-like weapon, possessing the combined traits of a battering ram and a spear. Completing the arduous formation left Kimimaro gasping for breath. His arm now resembled a drill, and his intention was to strike Naruto with this slow yet formidable attack. Kimimaro stood firm, waiting for Naruto to draw nearer, fully aware that he had only one opportunity.

"Damn it!" Kimimaro's eyes widened as he sensed a formidable presence behind him. Swiftly pivoting, he found Naruto hurtling towards him with astonishing speed. Kimimaro instinctively employed his massive bone weapon as a makeshift shield, augmenting his feet with chakra to maintain his stance. Dodging was not an option, so he braced himself for the impending collision.

Naruto leaped into the air, his fist surging with an immense concentration of chakra, ready to unleash a devastating blow upon Kimimaro. The impact shattered the bone weapon into countless fragments, Naruto's fist relentlessly pummeling Kimimaro's abdomen. Ribs crumbled under the forceful assault, causing blood to spew forth as Kimimaro was forcefully propelled through the air. After a brief flight, he met his own fate, impaled by one of the javelins he had earlier hurled, now lodged in a tree. The weapon pierced his back, finding its mark in a vital point—his stomach. Blood gushed from the wound, rendering Kimimaro immobile, his reserves of chakra depleted. Exhausted from channeling all his power into his final jutsu, the Tessenka no Mai: Hana (Dance of the Clematis: Flower), Kimimaro winced in excruciating pain, fully aware that his demise was imminent.

"Kushimaru-sama..." he muttered faintly before succumbing to unconsciousness, his body overwhelmed by shock. Meanwhile, Naruto landed safely on the ground, his breath ragged as he struggled to regain his composure. The sinister chakra that had possessed him gradually receded, leaving his features to revert back to their usual state. His eyes reverted to their vibrant blue, the prominence of his whiskers diminished, his hair regained its untamed allure, his fangs vanished, and his nails returned to their ordinary state. Thoughts of his teammates consumed Naruto's mind, and he resolved to transport them back to the inn, where Kunio could tend to their injuries. However, before he could act, darkness enveloped him, plunging him into unconsciousness.

- Earlier With Asuma –

As Asuma wreaked havoc within Gato's fortress, a colossal explosion reverberated in the distance, capturing his attention. Concern flooded his thoughts, urging him to contemplate the welfare of his students. Pushing those worries aside for the moment, Asuma concluded it was time to conclude his activities and depart.

Having completed his tasks, Asuma swiftly veered toward the origin of the explosion. En route, a familiar presence brushed against his senses. Initially, he attributed it to Kimimaro's lingering chakra signature, but a recollection from the past surged into his mind. A memory of a night twelve years prior resurfaced, accompanied by the unmistakable taint of malevolent chakra—an echo of what he had sensed years ago. The thought of Naruto's well-being and the safety of his comrades weighed heavily on Asuma. The prospect of Naruto losing control, potentially inflicting untold damage, troubled him to the core. Suppressing those concerns, he quickened his pace, the howling winds signaling his approach.

The landscape lay ravaged, the devastation surpassing even the area where Asuma had engaged Kushimaru not long ago. There stood Naruto, solitary and utterly exhausted. Asuma observed his student's physical and mental strain as Naruto dropped to his knees. Hastily, Asuma reached out to catch him, successfully cradling Naruto's unconscious form. Gently laying Naruto on the ground, Asuma proceeded to assess his condition, relieved to discover no apparent wounds or injuries. Yet, his worry shifted to his other students.

Turning his gaze, Asuma sought Ino and Shino. There they lay motionless, their stillness evoking apprehension. Asuma knelt beside them, checking for signs of life. Thankfully, he detected faint heartbeats, albeit irregular. Their blood loss, however, was alarmingly rapid. Determined to act swiftly, Asuma conjured two more clones to lift his injured students, their unconscious bodies cradled in his clone's arms. With a sense of urgency, Asuma embarked on a swift journey, rushing them back to the safety of the inn.

- At The Inn –

Asuma's anxiety was palpable as he paced back and forth, his unease mirroring that of a concerned parent in a hospital waiting room. His eyes remained fixed on the closed door, behind which his students were receiving medical treatment from Kunio and his granddaughter.

The door creaked open, revealing a disheveled and perspiring Kunio. Asuma approached him, his voice laced with worry. "Are they alright?" he inquired, his concern evident.

Kunio let out a sigh before delivering the news. "They will recover, but their injuries are severe. Fortunately, Kimimaro's attacks missed any vital organs," he explained.

Relief washed over Asuma as he sank into a nearby chair. "Kunio-san, I cannot thank you enough. How can I repay you?" Asuma offered, grateful for their assistance. However, Kunio declined any form of repayment, stating that rescuing them and helping them deal with Gato was reward enough, especially now that both Kushimaru and Kimimaro had been dealt with.

Asuma nodded in understanding, expressing his gratitude once more. He then requested permission to check on his students. Kunio obliged, but cautioned that they would likely remain unconscious for some time. Asuma assured him that he merely wished to see that they were safe. Opening the door to their room, he beheld the sight of Ino, Shino, and Naruto lying peacefully in their beds.

Asuma couldn't help but feel a profound attachment to his students, a sentiment that had grown surprisingly deep within him in such a short span of time. Accustomed to working alone, he rarely experienced worry. The last time he had collaborated closely with a team was during his tenure as a member of the Shugonin Junishi (Twelve Guardian Ninja). However, that situation had been different; he had full confidence in his colleagues' abilities to handle themselves. But with his current team, it felt different. Every conflict stirred within him a nagging concern, contemplating the myriad possibilities that could arise. The prospect of losing one, two, or even all of them burdened his conscience as their sensei, knowing he would bear the responsibility of informing their parents.

Yet, Asuma swiftly banished these distressing thoughts, recognizing that their mission to deal with Gato still awaited them. He relayed his intention to Kunio, who insisted on tending to Asuma's wounds before he departed. Though appreciative of the concern, Asuma reassured Kunio, confident in his ability to handle the remnants of Gato's underlings, considering most of them mere thugs and lackeys.

- In Gato's Office –

Gato reclined in his chair, the taste of alcohol on his lips as he eagerly awaited the return of Kushimaru and Kimimaro. He relished the anticipation of hearing the triumphant news. The door swung open, revealing one of his underlings.

"G-Gato-sama..." the man stammered, clearly apprehensive.

"Speak," Gato commanded, taking a swig from his glass filled with rum this time.

"Our group has discovered Kimimaro's lifeless body, but we couldn't locate Kushimaru. His sword was also missing, I fear that they have been dispatched by the Konoha shinobi, and also the hostages we took, it seems that they've also rescued them as well" the underling reported.

The words struck Gato like a sudden blow, and rage surged within him. He hurled his glass against the wall, the shattered remnants and spilled rum leaving a dark stain. The underling recoiled in fear from Gato's explosive reaction. "What should we do? Should we defend our operation?" the underling cautiously inquired.

Gato's laughter echoed through the room, a chilling and bitter sound. "Defend? Do you hear yourself talking?! Defend the operation, you say?!" Gato scoffed incredulously. "If those meddlesome Konoha shinobi were capable of eliminating Kushimaru and Kimimaro, you must be out of your damned mind to think we can defend our entire operation! NO! WE'RE LEAVING!" he proclaimed, his voice dripping with contempt. Gato swiftly issued his orders to the underling, demanding that everyone be informed of their hasty retreat and the need to pack up all their belongings. The underling promptly bowed, acknowledging the command with utmost obedience.

- Later That Evening –

Asuma approached Gato's fortress, only to find it eerily deserted. Not a single guard could be seen, and even his attempts to sense any lingering chakra signatures yielded no results. Proceeding with caution, Asuma decided to investigate further and cautiously entered the building. As he explored the premises, he couldn't help but wonder where Gato could be hiding. Making his way to the top floor where Gato's office was located, Asuma discovered that it, too, stood empty.

With no trace of Gato, Asuma resolved to check the docks, hoping to find some clue of the elusive criminal. Yet, to his dismay, the docks proved equally devoid of any sign of Gato's presence. He searched high and low, but the desolate surroundings offered no answers. A sinking feeling settled within Asuma as he realized that Gato had managed to evade capture, likely fleeing the town immediately upon the demise of his strongest fighters. A sense of disappointment washed over Asuma, knowing that Gato had slipped through their fingers. However, he reminded himself that their mission had been to eliminate Gato and remove him from Mori no Kuni (Land of Forests). In that regard, Team 10 had succeeded, accomplishing their objective. All that remained now was to return home to Konoha—a prospect that Asuma eagerly looked forward to.

(A/N: Alrighty then haha, I won't be using any talk no jutsu this time XD (not shitting on Kishimoto alright? It's just a joke and I'm pretty sure y'all know about it too haha). The first time the Kyuubi made his presence felt in this fic (other than healing Naruto back at the ranch but that's just a subtle hint at it). I hope y'all enjoyed this fic and I'll be replying to the private messages now haha, sorry for not replying ASAP because I was so caught up with this chapter. I might also take a short break since my eyes are killing me, I think about to awaken my Sharingan (jk it's probably eye strain). Also, I added an OST song for the fight scene, perhaps you'd like to listen to it and imagine the scene with that music playing. It was the OST during Naruto and Haku's battle (Kyuubi Influenced Naruto 1st Appearance). But I digress, thanks for the continued support, show me some love and RnR. That's all cheers! ^^)