Naruto stood tall, his paper wakizashi still dripping with the blood of the two slain Sound ninja. The tension in the room was palpable, silence clinging to every corner as the onlookers stared at the horrifying scene. Kin remained frozen in place, trembling with fear and disbelief, her wide eyes glued to the lifeless bodies of her companions sprawled on the floor in pools of blood.
The proctors rushed forward, their faces pale with shock. One of the exam instructors, a stern man with a scar running down his cheek, pointed at Naruto. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Genin? You just killed participants! You're disqualified—"
Naruto turned his gaze toward the man, his red, slit-pupiled eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. His expression was cold and devoid of remorse as he took a step forward.
"Do you think I care about this exam?" Naruto's voice was low, yet it carried a dangerous weight. "The only reason I'm even here is because of my companions. They want to take this test, and I'll make sure no one interferes with that."
The instructor's breath hitched as a wave of primal fear washed over him. Naruto's presence wasn't just intimidating—it was overwhelming. His aura, bolstered by the Nine-Tails chakra, made the air thick and heavy, like a storm brewing before the first crack of thunder.
"You saw what I just did to the ones who thought they could harm her," Naruto whispered, his voice sharp as a kunai. "So go ahead, kick me out. But know that if anything happens to my friends..." His gaze flickered with menace, making the proctors shiver. "I won't hesitate to make you regret it."
The proctor's lips parted slightly, but no words came. He glanced nervously at the corpses on the floor and then at Naruto's glowing, unrelenting gaze. Slowly, he stepped back, realizing there was no sense in pushing further.
Kin remained crumpled on the floor, her hands trembling. Naruto crouched beside her, leaning in close. "Tell your master," he whispered into her ear, his voice chillingly calm, "Tayuya is off-limits."
She whimpered, nodding frantically, her lips quivering as tears pooled in her eyes.
Naruto stood up straight, a cheerful grin spreading across his face as if nothing had happened. "Well," he said, clapping his hands together, "we should probably get back to the exam." He turned on his heel, striding toward the exit with a casual air.
Kin remained paralyzed, struggling to gather her senses as she stared at her fallen comrades. Her mind raced with the realization that she had encountered something far more dangerous than she had anticipated. This wasn't the rampaging demon people whispered about—this was something far worse: a calm and calculating predator. She swallowed hard, watching as the exam instructors exchanged wary glances, clearly debating what to do.
One of them finally broke the silence. "It was self-defense," the instructor muttered reluctantly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Technically."
The others nodded in agreement, hesitant to provoke the boy any further. They decided to let Naruto continue with the exam, fearing the repercussions of making an enemy out of him.
Naruto shot Kin a final glance, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Tell your master to remember what I said." With that, he turned and walked off, his demeanor shifting from deadly to indifferent in an instant.
After the written portion of the exam, Naruto regrouped with Fu and Tayuya, both of them waiting just outside the exam hall, leaning casually against a wall.
"Not exactly what I'd call challenging," Naruto muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought exams were supposed to be harder."
Tayuya gave a small smirk. "Says the guy who could probably ace it by accident. Some of us have to actually try, you know."
Fu chuckled, brushing her hand through her green hair. "You always complain, Naruto, but you know you killed it in there."
Tayuya took a step closer, nudging his shoulder. "And, hey… thanks for stepping in earlier." Her voice was softer than usual, and for a moment, the teasing look she usually wore was gone, replaced by something warmer. "You didn't have to do that."
Naruto shrugged. "You're part of my team. No one messes with my team."
Tayuya's smirk returned, though it carried a touch of affection now. "You better remember that next time I play one of my songs about you."
Naruto rolled his eyes, grinning. "Just don't expect me to sing along."
With a shared laugh, the three of them headed out into the open air, each of them relieved the written exam was over. After chatting for a bit longer, Tayuya and Fu decided to head off for some rest. "Don't get into trouble," Fu warned playfully, giving Naruto a light punch on the arm.
Naruto waved them off, muttering under his breath, "No promises."
Naruto walked through the village, letting his mind wander as he took in the peaceful dusk. His feet carried him without purpose until he found himself standing beneath a large tree, where he noticed Gaara sitting alone on a branch. She sat perfectly still, her red hair illuminated softly by the moonlight, and her turquoise eyes distant, as if lost in thought.
He hesitated for a moment, then called up to her. "Mind if I sit?"
Gaara blinked, her gaze locking onto his. For a moment, she seemed surprised, but then gave a subtle nod. Naruto climbed up the tree, settling beside her on the thick branch. Both of them sat in silence, the late morning sun filtering through the canopy, casting fragmented light onto the two jinchūriki.
Naruto leaned back slightly, resting his arms on the branch behind him. He glanced over at Gaara, studying her for a moment. She was still, like a statue carved from stone, her expression unreadable. Yet, there was something in her posture—an exhaustion far beyond physical fatigue.
"So," Naruto finally broke the silence, "what's a deadly sand ninja doing up in a tree like this? Shouldn't you be with your team?"
Gaara's turquoise eyes flicked toward him, and for a moment, she looked as if she might brush him off. But something in Naruto's tone—casual yet honest—made her respond. "I needed some space," she muttered quietly. "Being around people… it makes things worse."
Naruto nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. "Yeah. I know what you mean."
They sat quietly for another moment, and then Gaara started speaking, her voice soft and distant, as if recalling something she'd tried to bury. "I wasn't raised to be a person," she began, her hands resting in her lap. "I was raised to be a weapon. My father… he didn't care about me. All he cared about was whether I could kill."
Naruto kept his gaze on her, giving her the space to continue.
"They sent assassins after me," Gaara said flatly. "When I was still a child. My own father ordered it. He thought if I couldn't survive… I was useless." Her words were devoid of emotion, but Naruto could sense the weight behind them. "Every day, I lived knowing that the people who were supposed to love me were just waiting for a chance to get rid of me."
Naruto's ears twitched at the mention of betrayal. He looked at her, his heart heavy with empathy. "That's rough," he muttered, though the words felt woefully inadequate. "I know what it's like, feeling like you're just a problem for everyone around you."
Gaara glanced at him, something flickering in her gaze—curiosity, maybe even recognition. "You too?"
Naruto nodded slowly. "Yeah. I was always 'that kid.' The one no one wanted around. People hated me for just… existing." His voice softened as he looked out into the distance. "They didn't care who I really was. To them, I was a monster."
Gaara tilted her head slightly. "And now?"
Naruto gave a small smile. "Now? I've got people who care. My team, my friends… well, some of them, anyway." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "It doesn't fix everything, but it helps. Makes things… bearable."
Gaara stared at him, her expression thoughtful. "The voices," she murmured, "they're still there. Telling me to kill. But… when I'm next to you, they're quieter."
Naruto turned toward her, his fox-like ears twitching as he listened. "Maybe they know that we're the same. That we've both been through hell."
Gaara looked down at her hands, as if she could see the invisible scars that came from years of isolation and fear. "It's strange," she whispered. "I never thought I'd meet someone who understands."
Naruto gave her a warm smile. "Well, here I am."
For a moment, Gaara seemed lost in thought. Then she glanced at him, a flicker of something unfamiliar in her expression—hope, maybe? "Does it really get easier?" she asked softly.
Naruto shrugged. "Some days are easier than others. But having people who care… it makes a difference."
Gaara fell silent again, absorbing his words. The sunlight danced on her red hair, casting an almost ethereal glow around her. For the first time in a long while, the storm inside her seemed to calm.
"You wanna grab some food?" Naruto asked after a moment, a grin spreading across his face. "I know this great ramen stand."
Gaara hesitated, her lips parting slightly. She looked almost… tempted. But then she shook her head slowly. "I need to get back to my team," she murmured. "But… next time."
Naruto's grin widened. "Next time, then."
Gaara stood, balancing effortlessly on the branch. As she prepared to leave, she paused, glancing back at Naruto. There was a flicker of something unspoken in her eyes—a gratitude she didn't yet know how to express.
Before she could second-guess herself, Gaara leaned in and wrapped her arms around him in a brief but sincere hug. It was awkward, and a little stiff, but it was also the second hug she had ever given anyone.
Naruto blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback. But he quickly recovered, wrapping his arms around her in return. "You'll be okay," he whispered gently.
Gaara pulled away, her expression calm but lighter, as if a small weight had been lifted. "Thank you, Naruto," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto smiled warmly. "Anytime."
With that, Gaara turned and leapt gracefully from the tree, her sand swirling around her feet as she disappeared into the forest below. Naruto watched her go, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time.
He stayed on the branch for a few more moments, soaking in the sunlight and reflecting on their conversation. For the first time, he felt like he wasn't just surviving—he was connecting. And maybe, just maybe, they could both find a way to heal.
"Next time," he whispered to himself, a small smile lingering on his lips as he climbed down from the tree. The exam might not have been over yet, but somehow, he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they weren't something he'd have to face alone.
Naruto entered Anko's home, his usual mischievous grin in place. The warm scent of tea filled the room, and he could hear the lively chatter between Anko and Tayuya.
"Fox Boy finally returns," Anko teased, reclining lazily on the couch, her signature smirk curling her lips. She twirled a kunai in her fingers. "Took your sweet time, didn't you?"
Tayuya was lounging beside her, feet propped up on the edge of the table. She gave Naruto a sly grin. "Had fun hanging out with the redhead, huh?"
Naruto smirked but didn't offer much of an answer, knowing better than to fuel Tayuya's endless teasing. Instead, he leaned down to her, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "I'll distract Anko. You go deliver the letter."
Tayuya raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eyes. "Gotcha," she whispered back. She leaned in, pressing a playful kiss to his cheek before standing up. Just as she turned to leave, Naruto's hand shot out, delivering a playful smack to her backside.
Tayuya let out a dramatic yelp, spinning on her heel. "You damn perverted fox!" she sang in mock outrage, immediately launching into one of her impromptu songs:
"The fox strikes again with a sneaky hand,
Grabbing what's his all across the land!
He's a menace, a rogue, a bold little beast,
Grabbing tails and more, to say the least!"
Naruto laughed, doubling over as Tayuya's melodic teasing filled the room. Anko couldn't hold back her own laughter either, wiping a tear from her eye.
Tayuya gave a final wink, still humming her tune, and slipped out the door with the letter safely tucked in her jacket.
Naruto settled onto the couch beside Anko, still chuckling. "You two are gonna drive me insane."
Anko smirked, sitting cross-legged beside him. "Admit it, Fox Boy—you love the attention."
Naruto just grinned as Anko reached up, fingers gently tracing along the soft fur of his ears. His body relaxed almost instantly under her touch, his tail swaying lazily.
"So, what's this I hear about the next exam?" Naruto asked casually. "You're not a proctor this time?"
Anko gave a small shrug, her fingers still playing with his ears. "Yeah, they banned me from it once I took you guys under my wing. Conflict of interest, apparently." She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Though between you and me, teaching you troublemakers is way more fun."
Naruto snickered, letting out a relaxed sigh as her touch lulled him into a rare moment of calm. Anko's teasing was relentless, but her presence was comforting in a way he hadn't expected.
"You worried about us for the next exam?" Naruto asked softly, his voice more serious now.
Anko's playful expression faltered for a moment. "A little," she admitted. "I know you three can handle yourselves, but that doesn't mean I won't worry. That's just how it works when you care about someone."
Naruto's heart warmed at her words, and without thinking, he pulled Anko closer, resting her head against his chest. "You don't have to worry," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her. "We've got this. I've got this. Everything's going to be okay."
Anko blinked, slightly caught off guard by the sudden tenderness in his voice, but she allowed herself to relax against him. "You're really growing up, Fox Boy," she whispered, her usual teasing tone softening.
Naruto smiled, gently running his fingers through her hair. "Guess you're rubbing off on me," he said with a chuckle.
They sat like that for a moment, the usual banter between them giving way to a comfortable silence. Anko closed her eyes, feeling the steady rise and fall of Naruto's chest, and for once, she allowed herself to just breathe.
"Alright," she whispered after a while, her smirk slowly returning. "But if you screw this up, I'm dragging your ass back from the grave, got it?"
Naruto laughed softly. "Deal."
The warm moment between him and Anko shattered when a sudden knock echoed from the door. Naruto grumbled, dragging himself off the couch to answer it.
The instant he turned the knob, the world blurred—a sword pierced the wood and drove straight through Naruto's abdomen. The impact forced him back, impaling him clean through the door.
"Naruto!" Anko screamed, springing to her feet in an instant, her heart pounding.
Naruto let out a sharp gasp, but instead of faltering, his expression hardened. His body began to pulse with the vibrant glow of the Nine-Tails' chakra. His muscles tensed, claws forming at his fingertips, and with one powerful pull, he yanked the blade from his abdomen. His wounds sealed almost instantly under the fiery red chakra.
The door burst open, splinters flying in every direction. A cold, snake-like presence filled the room as Orochimaru stepped forward, his malevolent aura seeping into every corner. His unsettling smile curled wider at the sight of Anko and Naruto, and his golden, slitted eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure.
"Anko," he hissed, his voice smooth and mocking. "It's been far too long, hasn't it? And this—" his gaze slid to Naruto, "—must be the one I've heard so much about. The boy who's been making a mess of my affairs."
Anko froze, a look of horror washing over her face. The years of trauma she thought she had buried resurfaced instantly. Her limbs felt heavy, as if her body had been paralyzed by the memories of her past with the man standing before her.
Naruto tried to pull her back to reality, but Orochimaru's hand shot out with blinding speed, gripping both of them by the necks. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled them through the wall like ragdolls. They smashed through stone and wood, careening over rooftops before crashing into the forest training grounds nearby.
Naruto tumbled midair, twisting his body to land on his feet. Anko followed, rolling into a crouch as she skidded across the dirt, her kunai already in hand. They had barely gotten their bearings when a wave of scorching fire roared toward them.
"Move!" Naruto barked.
They leapt in opposite directions just as the flames consumed the spot where they had been standing. The heat shook the forest canopy, turning the ground beneath them into scorched earth.
Orochimaru appeared before them in a blur of motion, his movements graceful and predatory. "This is going to be... delightful," he whispered, licking his lips. "Let's see which one of you survives the longest."
Naruto didn't hesitate—his curse seal activated in a pulse of black ink spreading over his body. His muscles bulged, his eyes glowing red, and his hair shifted into a wild red hue. With a feral grin, Naruto dashed toward Orochimaru, the forest floor cracking beneath his feet.
Orochimaru smiled. "Ah... so it was you who stole my little gift. And you've killed my subordinates too? How intriguing."
Naruto's claws slashed toward Orochimaru's neck, but the snake Sannin swayed effortlessly, bending his body at an unnatural angle. Naruto spun with the momentum, delivering a spinning back-kick aimed at Orochimaru's ribs.
Thud! Orochimaru caught Naruto's leg with one hand and yanked him forward.
"Not bad," he murmured, his voice thick with amusement, before driving his knee into Naruto's stomach, sending him flying through the trees.
Naruto smashed into a thick trunk, splinters flying as he coughed, but he recovered quickly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Alright, snake-face," Naruto growled, spitting blood. "Let's see how fast you really are."
Orochimaru barely had a second to respond before Naruto launched back into the fray, his body flickering from sight. He reappeared inches from Orochimaru's face, delivering a rapid series of punches—left, right, left—each strike aiming to break through the Sannin's defenses.
Orochimaru dodged with inhuman fluidity, his body twisting like a serpent's coil. He countered with a swift jab to Naruto's ribs, followed by a backhand to his temple. Naruto staggered slightly but grinned, wiping the blood from his lip.
"Not bad," Naruto muttered. "But try this."
He hurled several explosive paper shurikens at Orochimaru. The Sannin slithered backward to avoid the initial volley, but the moment they detonated, a gust of wind sent the burning fragments flying directly into his path. Orochimaru's robe singed, but he deflected the pieces with a whip of his tongue and a stream of summoned snakes.
Anko lunged at Orochimaru from the side, her kunai glowing with chakra as she slashed at him. He sidestepped the attack, his expression cool and calculated, before catching her wrist mid-strike and twisting her arm painfully behind her back.
"You've gotten better, Anko," he whispered into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "But not good enough."
Naruto reappeared behind him, lightning chakra crackling at his fingertips. He slashed at Orochimaru's back, forcing him to release Anko and retreat. The forest shook with the force of their clash, each move faster than the last.
Orochimaru weaved through the storm of blows, hissing in delight. "Oh, how marvelous! The brat has claws after all!"
Naruto growled, pouring more Nine-Tails chakra into his strikes, forcing Orochimaru on the defensive. He landed a solid kick to the Sannin's ribs, sending him skidding back through the undergrowth. Before Orochimaru could recover, Naruto followed up with a roundhouse kick that connected with his jaw.
Orochimaru spun in the air but landed gracefully, his snake-like grin never faltering. He flexed his jaw, rubbing it with amusement. "Such delightful savagery," he cooed. "I wonder... how much further can you go?"
Naruto charged again, claws glowing with lightning. Orochimaru met him head-on, their attacks colliding with a deafening boom that shook the entire training ground. Trees splintered, the ground cracked, and the air sizzled with raw chakra.
Just as Orochimaru thrust his hand toward Naruto's heart, Anko intervened. She flickered into place, wrapping a length of chakra-coated wire around the Sannin's arm and pulling tight.
"Stay the hell away from him!" she snarled.
Naruto seized the opening, driving his fist into Orochimaru's ribs with enough force to send him crashing into a boulder. The impact shattered the rock, dust and debris exploding outward.
Panting, Naruto stood beside Anko, both of them battle-worn but unwavering. Orochimaru emerged from the rubble, brushing dust from his robe with an air of indifference, as if this entire encounter bored him. His serpentine smile twisted in mock amusement.
"Anko... Still clinging to the foolish notion that you can stop me?" Orochimaru sneered, his voice slithering like a hiss. "And this boy... a little fox playing ninja. Adorable."
Naruto growled low in his throat, the crimson hue of the Nine-Tails' chakra flickering around him like embers. Anko shifted beside him, her fists clenched tightly, snakes coiling around her arms in preparation for what was to come.
Orochimaru spread his arms wide, the faintest flicker of sadistic glee in his golden eyes. "Come then. Show me if you've learned anything, little girl. Show me if your apprentice is worth anything more than kindling for the pyre."
Anko's hand shot forward, and a swarm of snakes erupted from her sleeve, lunging toward Orochimaru with lightning speed. Orochimaru danced back gracefully, evading the snapping jaws as he flicked his fingers through a series of seals.
"Earth Release: Mud Wall!"
The ground shook as a massive earthen barrier erupted in front of him, deflecting the incoming snakes.
Naruto didn't waste a second. With a blur of motion, he transformed into paper, dissolving into a cloud of leaves that swirled toward Orochimaru. The villain's eyes gleamed with curiosity as Naruto reformed behind him, wakizashi drawn and already crackling with wind chakra.
"Wind Release: Gale Slice!"
Naruto's enhanced blade whipped through the air, a sharp gust tearing toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru grinned as he dodged effortlessly, his body flowing like water. "A clever trick, Fox Boy... but still amateurish."
With a flick of his wrist, a serpent slithered from his sleeve, its mouth wide open, and out sprang a gleaming sword—Kusanagi, the legendary blade. Orochimaru met Naruto's strike mid-air, sparks flying as the two blades clashed with a deafening clang.
Naruto gritted his teeth, forcing chakra into his blade, trying to overpower his opponent. Orochimaru twisted his wrist with an unnerving fluidity, deflecting the attack and slashing downward. Naruto leapt back just in time, but Orochimaru was relentless.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"
A wave of fire surged from Orochimaru's mouth, roaring toward Naruto and Anko.
Anko clapped her hands together. "Water Release: Water Wall!" A spiraling shield of water erupted around her and Naruto, quenching the inferno in an instant.
Orochimaru's voice cut through the dissipating steam. "Pathetic, Anko. You could never match me."
Snakes burst from Orochimaru's body, writhing toward Anko and Naruto with lethal precision. Anko darted forward, summoning more snakes of her own to intercept them mid-air. The serpents clashed in a chaotic knot, hissing and snapping.
Naruto flicked his hands, releasing a barrage of paper talismans—each infused with elements. Wind-enhanced shurikens, lightning-charged tags, and even earth-reinforced barriers littered the battlefield. His talismans ignited on impact, creating a chain of explosions that sent dust and debris flying.
Orochimaru dodged most of the projectiles, slithering through the chaos. "You're more resourceful than I expected," he mused. "But still hopeless."
Suddenly, Orochimaru lunged, Kusanagi flashing toward Anko. Naruto intercepted him with a burst of Nine-Tails chakra, their blades colliding in midair. Orochimaru grinned viciously, sensing the raw anger coursing through Naruto's strikes.
"You fight like a wild animal, boy. That rage... It will consume you."
Anko leaped in beside Naruto, her hands forming seals faster than the eye could follow. "Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique!" she cried, lunging toward Orochimaru with both hands extended.
For the first time, Orochimaru's face twisted with genuine alarm. "No!" he hissed, throwing himself backward, narrowly avoiding her deadly grip.
Anko landed hard, breathless but grinning through the pain. "Almost had you, you bastard."
Orochimaru snarled, his golden eyes narrowing. "If you want to die so badly, Anko... I will grant your wish."
He charged forward with terrifying speed, Kusanagi aimed directly at her heart. Anko had no time to react.
"Anko!" Naruto shouted, but he was too far to reach her.
The sword pierced through her chest, the blade gleaming as it slid through her heart. Anko gasped, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Orochimaru twisted the blade cruelly, savoring the moment.
"You wanted to die, didn't you?" Orochimaru whispered with a sick smile. "So eager to throw your life away."
Anko coughed, her legs giving out as she collapsed to the ground. Naruto caught her before she hit the dirt, cradling her in his arms.
"Anko... Stay with me," Naruto whispered, his voice cracking as the weight of the moment hit him.
Anko's breath was shallow, her hand weakly reaching up to touch his face. "You're... not a monster," she whispered, blood staining her lips.
And then, her hand fell limp.
"No... No, no, no!" Naruto cried, clutching her tightly, pouring every ounce of chakra he had into her body. "Come on! You can heal me... Why can't I heal you!?"
Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, a rare tone of sorrow in the demon's words. "It's too late, kid. She's already gone."
"No!" Naruto roared, his chakra flaring uncontrollably. "She's not gone! She can't be!"
He pressed his forehead against hers, whispering desperate pleas. "Bite me... Take my chakra... Please, Anko. You can't leave me."
But her body remained still, her breath already stolen by the cold grip of death.
Tears streamed down Naruto's face as he rocked her gently, his mind racing with helpless fury. "Why... Why couldn't I save you?"
Kurama's voice rumbled gently. "You did everything you could. It's not your fault."
Naruto refused to listen, clutching Anko's lifeless form, his heart shattering beneath the weight of loss. The battle was over, but the war within him had only just begun.
Naruto looked up, his breath ragged and his body thrumming with the dark, burning energy of the Nine-Tails. Red chakra flowed around him like waves of fire, enveloping him in a malevolent aura. His elongated claws twitched, and three fiery tails whipped and flickered behind him, thrashing the ground with furious intensity. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through him—but before he could react, Orochimaru's blade lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Naruto gasped as the sword pierced through his chest. The cold steel burned as it drove deeper into him, the sharp, sickening sound of flesh being torn filling the clearing. Blood splattered across the ground. Naruto staggered backward, his eyes wide in shock as Orochimaru's cruel, snake-like smile curled across his pale face.
"Ah, poor little fox," Orochimaru sneered, twisting the blade slightly, watching with sadistic glee as Naruto winced in pain. "You think you can fight me with that pathetic rage? How amusing. But all that power… wasted on someone as naive as you."
Naruto gritted his teeth, snarling in defiance as his tails lashed violently behind him. His wounds began knitting together at an unnatural speed, the cursed chakra of the Nine-Tails working overtime to restore him. Flesh reformed where it had been sliced away, but the pain still lingered, sharp and overwhelming. Orochimaru moved like a blur, slashing Naruto again and again, his sword singing through the air as it cut deep into Naruto's regenerating body.
"You're nothing more than a failure," Orochimaru hissed, his strikes relentless. "A monster clinging to scraps of humanity."
Naruto roared, surging forward with renewed fury, his fists glowing with raw chakra. His body shifted, muscles bulging as the red aura thickened, and the earth beneath him cracked from the force of his rage. His fist collided with Orochimaru's sword, sending a deep vibration through the blade, forcing Orochimaru back with a hiss.
Three tails whipped toward Orochimaru, moving faster than a whip crack. Orochimaru grinned, his tongue flickering between his lips. "Interesting... next time, little fox," he whispered, his body coiling as he prepared to retreat. The distant sound of footsteps echoed through the forest—the Leaf Village's reinforcements were on their way.
"I'll finish this later," Orochimaru chuckled darkly, slithering back into the shadows. His serpentine body melted into the forest as if he were part of it, leaving nothing behind but the lingering stench of his twisted chakra.
Naruto's breathing was heavy and erratic as he stood still, his glowing red eyes scanning the empty clearing. His body trembled with rage and exhaustion. He wanted to chase Orochimaru, to rip him apart—but then his gaze fell on Anko.
She lay crumpled on the ground, her body lifeless and broken. Her blood stained the dirt beneath her.
"Anko..." Naruto whispered, dropping to his knees beside her. He gathered her limp form in his arms, holding her tightly as his tears fell uncontrollably. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
The tails behind him swayed erratically, smashing into the ground as his sorrow twisted into fury. His tears dripped onto her pale face, and the fury in his heart burned hotter. Why did it have to be like this? Why did everyone around him suffer?
Before he could fully process what was happening, the sound of approaching ninja surrounded him. Leaf shinobi poured into the clearing, their weapons drawn and their eyes filled with suspicion.
"There he is!" one of the shinobi shouted, pointing his blade at Naruto. "He killed her—he killed Anko!"
Naruto's heart clenched as he heard the accusation. "No! I didn't—" he started, but the ninja wasn't listening.
The man lunged forward, sword in hand, ready to strike. Naruto's tails lashed out instinctively, one wrapping around the attacker's wrist with brutal force. A loud snap echoed through the forest as the man's wrist shattered, and he screamed in agony as Naruto flung him to the ground like a ragdoll.
The other shinobi moved in, preparing to subdue Naruto, but the Nine-Tails chakra surged again, making his tails thrash violently. The ground cracked beneath his feet as Naruto roared, his voice feral.
"You think I'd hurt Anko?!" he bellowed, his voice distorted by the demonic chakra flowing through him. "You're all fools if you believe I'd harm her! You don't deserve to be in the same village as her if you're that stupid!"
The shinobi hesitated, intimidated by Naruto's terrifying presence. He crouched low, ready to pounce, his sharp claws digging into the dirt as he prepared to tear through anyone who dared get closer.
"You wanna try me?" Naruto growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Come on. Let's see how long you last!"
The other shinobi exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to attack or retreat. They knew they were dealing with something far beyond their capabilities. Naruto's aura was suffocating, a manifestation of pure, unfiltered rage.
Before anyone could act, a figure appeared between Naruto and the shinobi in a flash—a masked, silver-haired man, his single visible eye calm yet stern.
"That's enough!" Kakashi Hatake's voice rang out as he stood over Naruto, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present.
"Kakashi-sensei..." Naruto whispered, his anger momentarily faltering.
Kakashi crouched down in front of Naruto, his tone softer but still firm. "Naruto, listen to me. No one here thinks you hurt Anko. We just need to know what happened."
Naruto's breath hitched as the memories of the fight with Orochimaru flooded his mind again. He gripped Anko's body tighter, tears streaming down his face, and his claws dug into the dirt beneath him. "It was Orochimaru," he whispered hoarsely, his voice cracking under the weight of the memory. "He... he attacked us."
Kakashi nodded slowly, his expression neutral but understanding. "I believe you, Naruto. But I need you to tell me everything."
Naruto's body trembled as he relived the moment over and over in his mind. "He... he came out of nowhere. I tried to fight him. He... he stabbed me, and I couldn't stop him. Anko—" His voice broke, and he choked on his own words. "She tried to protect me, but he was too fast. I tried—! I tried to stop him, but... but I couldn't."
Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, grounding him. "It's okay, Naruto. You did what you could."
Naruto shook his head violently, fresh tears spilling down his cheeks. "It's not okay... I couldn't save her!" He clawed at the ground in frustration, his heart aching with guilt. "I wasn't strong enough..."
Kakashi squeezed Naruto's shoulder gently. "No one expects you to carry that burden alone," he said quietly. "You fought as hard as you could. We'll take care of Anko now. You've done enough."
Naruto sniffled, his body slumping in exhaustion. The red chakra around him slowly began to dissipate, the tails retracting as his emotions ebbed.
Kakashi looked back at the other shinobi and gave a curt nod. "Head to the Hokage's office and report what happened," he ordered. "I'll stay with Naruto."
The shinobi hesitated for a moment but then nodded, quickly leaving the clearing to carry out Kakashi's orders.
As the clearing fell silent, Naruto collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest as fresh sobs wracked his body. He was exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. His hands clawed at the dirt, and he whispered brokenly, "I just wanted to protect her..."
Kakashi sat beside him, his presence steady and comforting. "You did your best, Naruto," he murmured. "That's all anyone can ask."
Naruto closed his eyes, his tears soaking the dirt beneath him. For now, all he could do was grieve—and Kakashi stayed by his side, quietly offering the support Naruto needed.
Author's note: Naruto is finally starting to go down a darker path after this chapter. I know this has been a long time coming, and I've been holding off, but I've been really excited to get to this point—and even more so for the chapters that follow.
This is where we'll start to see the real dark Naruto emerge. His struggles, his choices, and the pain he's been carrying all these years are going to shape the story in ways I've been planning from the start. Both Naruto's and Sasuke's journeys are rooted in pain, and now we get to see where that pain takes them.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I can't wait for you to read what's next—things are about to get intense. Please leave a review if you've enjoyed this chapter, and thank you for sticking with me.
Stay tuned. It's about to get dark.