Chapter 15 : Search For The Fifth Hokage!

After several minutes of leaping through the trees, Naruto and Gaara arrived at the outskirts of the Leaf Village, the familiar gates just visible through the forest canopy. The two descended to the ground, Gaara following Naruto's lead as they stepped closer to the heart of the village. As they entered, Naruto and Gaara were met with a surprising sight: scattered groups of Sand ninja knelt on the ground, hands raised in surrender, guarded by Leaf shinobi. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent acknowledgement of the invasion's chaotic destruction.

Naruto's gaze lingered on the scene, conflicted by the mixture of relief of the invasion's mysterious end, and sadness for the damage done to his village and the people of the leaf. His attention was drawn away by a voice calling his name. Looking over, he saw Sakura standing nearby, her face lighting up with visible relief at the sight of him. She was accompanied by Sasuke, as well as Shikamaru, Shino, and their jonin sensei, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai. The two older sand siblings were also present, though clearly unhappy to be in the company of the leaf shinobi. As the group registered Gaara at Naruto's side, their expressions shifted from relief to guarded curiosity, though Sakura's initial joy at seeing Naruto was clear.

Kakashi stepped forward, assessing the two with his typical calm gaze, though Naruto could sense the underlying caution. "You're back in one piece," Kakashi noted, a touch of pride in his tone as he looked at Naruto, but his gaze soon fell on Gaara, guarded and evaluating. "And it seems you've completed your mission."

Naruto glanced over to him, his voice firm as he spoke. "I bested Gaara in battle, and… well, he seems to have had a change of heart. As our enemy, we can't immediately trust him, but I believe he's telling the truth." He paused, noting the scene of surrendering Sand ninja around them. "But… why did they all surrender? I didn't think the invasion was that one-sided."

Kakashi gave Naruto a small nod, though his tone was uncertain. "Honestly, we aren't sure ourselves."

Just then, Baki, the Jonin sensei of the Sand siblings, stepped forward from among the surrendering Sand shinobi, his arms still raised to signal surrender. Immediately, the Leaf Jonin shifted, readying themselves, their gazes sharpening as they observed Baki closely. Sensing their wariness, Baki spoke with a lowered tone of respect. "We were deceived into attacking the Leaf," he began, to the shock of everyone present. "Orochimaru killed our Kazekage and then posed as him, leading us into this invasion under false pretenses."

The group stared in shock, the weight of the revelation settling in. "On behalf of the Sand," Baki continued, his voice pained yet resolute, "I offer our deepest apologies and hope the Leaf will consider preserving our alliance."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully, his voice calm but cautious. "This matter isn't for us to decide—that decision belongs to the Hokage."

At that moment, an Anbu appeared beside them, having come from the battlefield. The Anbu's mask concealed his expression, but his voice was somber. "The Third Hokage has died in battle," he announced, his words hanging in the air like a heavy shroud.

A silence settled over the group, the reality of the loss sinking in as they each processed the immense shift that had just occurred for the Leaf and all those who fought to protect it.

- One Day After The Invasion -

Naruto stood silently, fists clenched as the rain dripped from his hair, listening to the quiet sobs of Konohamaru beside him. Iruka comforted the young boy, but his own grief was evident as he met Naruto's gaze. At the altar, the framed photo of the Third Hokage stared back, and Naruto felt the weight of his loss. He knew he wasn't to blame, yet a part of him wondered what would of happened if he had been stronger, if he'd trained harder. But he pushed those thoughts aside, deciding instead to keep growing—so this pain would never repeat.

Naruto knelt beside Konohamaru, his voice steady but soft. "I know it's hard, Konohamaru. Losing someone like him… hurts more than anything."

Konohamaru, still sobbing, wiped his face and looked up. "But why… why did he have to go?" His voice cracked. "He was the Hokage—he was supposed to be invincible! Why didn't he… why didn't he ask someone else to fight for him?"

Naruto looked back at the altar, his expression serious but calm. "He did what he had to, Konohamaru. He wanted to protect everyone—especially you. That's what it means to be Hokage." He looked at Konohamaru, his voice filled with conviction. "It's a promise to protect the Leaf Village, no matter what."

"But…" Konohamaru struggled, his hands clenching at his sides. "It's not fair." Naruto placed a hand on Konohamaru's hair gently. "It's not fair. But your grandpa believed in you. He knew you could carry on his legacy, just like he believed everyone in the leaf would follow his ideology. He taught us to keep moving forward—to protect each other and the village. So, we've gotta get stronger."

Konohamaru's tears slowly stopped, replaced with a newfound resolve. "I… I understand. I want to protect everyone too," he whispered, clutching Naruto's sleeve. "I'll become strong enough so I can protect everyone, like Grandpa."

Naruto smiled softly, standing up as he ruffled Konohamaru's hair. "Then that's the first step. You'll honour him by growing stronger. Together, we'll make sure his sacrifice wasn't in vain."

Iruka and the nearby shinobi watched, feeling the shift as Naruto stood tall, no longer just the loud, unpredictable boy they'd known but a young shinobi, quietly shaping the future.

- The Next Day -

Naruto stared at Jiraiya in stunned disbelief. "We gotta go find a new Hokage? Isn't there anyone in the village who can take over?" He paused, looking thoughtful. "Why not you, Pervy Sage? You're definitely strong enough!"

Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head as if amused by the very idea. "Me? Nah, kid. Hokage's got too many responsibilities, and I've got my spy network to run. Besides, there's someone out there better suited."

Naruto cocked an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Oh, so you already have someone in mind, huh? Come on, who is it?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Jiraiya smirked at Naruto's persistence. "Alright, alright. Her name's Tsunade. You've probably heard of her." he said, his voice holding a hint of pride. "She's one of my old teammates, from back when I was just a Genin."

Naruto's eyes widened, recognition lighting them up. "Tsunade of the Sannin? Actually, this might be perfect timing. Lee's condition…they say he'll never be a ninja again, but maybe she could help him. She's the best medical ninja, right? If anyone can save him, it's gotta be her!" His face set with determination, the hope clear in his voice.

Jiraiya looked at him for a moment, studying his expression, then nodded slowly, his gaze softening. "You're right, kid. If she's willing, there's no one better. But remember, our main goal is to convince her to come home and become Hokage."

Naruto's expression shifted from worry to a spark of fierce resolve. "Yeah, I know. When do we leave?"

Jiraiya grinned as he clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Well, go pack a bag. We'll leave as soon as you're ready," he said casually.

Naruto looked at him, curious. "How long do you think it'll take to find her?"

Jiraiya's expression turned thoughtful as he scratched his chin. "Hmm... well, considering I have absolutely no idea where she is... probably a while."

Naruto's eye twitched as he processed the answer, then he dropped to the ground with a dramatic faceplant. "Are you kidding me?!" he groaned, exasperation dripping from his voice.

Jiraiya chuckled, watching Naruto's exasperation with a slight smirk. "Did you expect anything less, kid?" he teased. "Tracking down Tsunade isn't exactly straightforward. She doesn't stay in one place for too long, and given her… habits, she could be anywhere."

Naruto sat up, sighing. "Great, so we're chasing a needle in a haystack." His frustration turned into determination, though, as he pushed himself up. "But if it means getting a new Hokage—and helping Lee—I'm in."

Jiraiya smiled approvingly. "That's the spirit. Let's get moving, kid. Adventure awaits!"

- Outside The Leaf Village -

Naruto's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked up at Jiraiya. "Hey, Pervy Sage, I wanna get some training in while we're on the road. Got any ideas?" he asked eagerly, hoping for a challenge. Jiraiya's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Oh, I've got something in mind for you, my enthusiastic student," he began, pausing for dramatic effect. "In fact, I planned it as a bit of blackmail to get you to come with me, but since you accepted so quickly, I guess it's a reward now."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "You're the best, Pervy Sage! So, what's the big surprise? A cool new jutsu?" he asked, bouncing on his feet.

Jiraiya reached into his haori and pulled out a weathered, old scroll. Naruto's expression faltered slightly at the sight of it. "That thing looks ancient… but hey, if it's something awesome, I'm all for it!" he said, his enthusiasm quickly returning.

Jiraiya handed the scroll over with a smirk. "This," he said, "is a special taijutsu style. It's been forgotten by most, but it's perfect for you."

Naruto eagerly unrolled the scroll and began scanning the text. The ancient characters and images filled his mind with possibilities. The scroll read:

Tempest Style

The Tempest Style is an ancient taijutsu style, once practiced by a lesser known shinobi village who could harness the power of wind in their strikes. It focuses on fluid, unpredictable movements, blending swift offense with evasive agility. This style emphasises speed and precision, allowing the practitioner to strike from unexpected angles, leaving no opening for the opponent to anticipate the next blow. Practitioners of the style become like the wind itself—swift, untouchable, and impossible to pin down. The true strength of the style lies in the unpredictability of its strikes. Each movement flows seamlessly into the next, with the user constantly shifting their position, making it hard for an opponent to track or predict their attacks. This creates an overwhelming pressure on the opponent, as each move is designed to land from an unexpected angle.

If two shinobi trained in this style face an opponent together, the fight becomes a chaotic dance of angles, pressure, and speed, with both combatants launching a barrage on their enemy. The unpredictability of their movements becomes the key to victory, as the constant flow of strikes ensures that there are little to no openings.

The scroll contained illustrations of stances, strikes, and diagrams that demonstrated the flow of the style. Naruto's heart raced as he absorbed every word. This was perfect for him. The unpredictability, the focus on speed, the fluidity of movement—it was exactly how he liked to fight. But what really got him excited was the mention of wind chakra—his wind chakra. He could combine this with the style to become even faster and more unpredictable.

Naruto looked up at Jiraiya, his eyes wide with excitement. "This is awesome, Pervy Sage! I can totally see how I could use this with my clones too! I'll be unstoppable!" he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Jiraiya chuckled, clearly pleased with the boy's enthusiasm. "That's the spirit! But before you get too carried away, you've got to memorize the basics of the style. Once you've got them down, create a platoon of clones and have them find a quiet spot to train for the day."

Naruto bounced on his feet, eager to get started. "You got it, Pervy Sage!" He couldn't wait to start practicing the moves, his mind already racing with ideas of how he could combine the style with his Shadow Clones. He felt like he had just been given the key to unlocking his full potential.

After a while of committing the basics to memory, Naruto created a platoon of 20 clones, instructing them to find a secluded clearing far from any paths where they could train without distractions. Each clone saluted and jumped off in different directions, disappearing into the forest with a fluidity that mirrored the very style Naruto was about to master.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Naruto's curiosity couldn't hold back any longer. He turned his head toward Jiraiya, his expression restrained, almost as if he was holding back a flood of boredom. "So, uh, is there anything the real me can train while my clones are working on that?" he asked, a slight edge of excitement in his voice, knowing full well that Jiraiya was never short on new challenges.

Jiraiya chuckled at Naruto's ever-present hunger for training. "You really are a training maniac, huh?" he said, before giving a nod. "Actually, yes, I do have something for you."

Jiraiya then began listing off everything Naruto had accomplished so far—his rapid progress in chakra control, his new jutsu, and how his understanding of the basics had far surpassed most of his peers. As he spoke, Naruto beamed at the praise, feeling a swell of pride at how far he had come. Jiraiya patted him on the back, his smile warm. "Seriously, kid, you've improved like crazy," he said.

Naruto grinned widely, full of youthful energy. "Thanks, Boss!" he replied, his voice bubbling with appreciation. But Jiraiya, ever the realist, wasn't quite done.

He raised a hand, the casual tone of his voice turning serious. "But just because you're one of the strongest—if not the strongest—Genin in Konoha right now, doesn't mean you're the strongest out there. There are always those stronger than you." At these words, Naruto's face hardened, his earlier joy turning into quiet determination. He knew Jiraiya was right. He wasn't aiming to be just another strong ninja; he had bigger dreams. Hokage. To be the strongest, to surpass everyone, that was his goal. Being strong now wasn't enough—he had to stay ahead.

"So I'd better get started then! What am I gonna be learning?" Naruto said, his voice full of resolve, ready to dive into whatever challenge Jiraiya had in store for him.

Jiraiya smiled at his enthusiastic protege. "Well, I've been thinking about your overall abilities, and I came up with two areas that, if you mastered them, would boost your skills immensely." Seeing Naruto's expectant look, Jiraiya continued. "The first is your wind nature. Once you fully master it, you'll be able to learn much more advanced wind jutsu. And when combined with your new taijutsu style that your clones are working on, you'll be a real hurricane of power."

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement at the mention of his wind nature. It was the perfect next step, something that would enhance his already impressive arsenal. But Jiraiya raised a hand, halting his excitement. "However," he said, "since we're on the move right now, trying to master wind nature wouldn't be practical. It usually takes shinobi a long time to master their elemental affinity. Even with your clones, it would take more time than we have right now."

Naruto's excitement dimmed a little at hearing this. He was eager to move forward, to keep progressing at the speed he was used to, but Jiraiya wasn't done yet. "Fortunately," Jiraiya added, "the second idea is something you can focus on without your clones. It's something that'll still give you a huge boost, though you definitely won't be mastering it during this trip, it'll still benefit you even with a little amount of progression."

Naruto's interest perked up again at this, his attention now fully back on his master.

Jiraiya glanced at Naruto, clearly pleased to have his full attention. "Alright, listen up. You'll be working on harnessing more of the Nine-Tails' chakra. You've already managed a small amount, but if you can increase the amount you can pull on, your abilities will skyrocket." Naruto's eyes widened a bit. He remembered how hard he had worked to use even a fraction of that power to hold his own against Gaara, but he hadn't even unlocked the power of one full tail. The prospect made him gulp, but the presence of Jiraiya beside him reassured him.

Eager to begin, Naruto asked, "What's the first step?"

Jiraiya thought for a moment before answering, "First, we need to gauge the maximum amount of chakra you can handle without losing control." With a nod, Naruto closed his eyes, focusing inward, and started to draw on the Nine-Tails' chakra as they continued walking. A few seconds later, changes began to take hold—his canines sharpened, and the whisker-like marks on his face grew darker, wilder. His eyes, though unseen, shifted to their fierce fox-like red.

Pushing himself further, Naruto began drawing on more chakra than usual. A dense, red chakra started to bubble up around his body, encasing him in a cloak of raw power. Jiraiya's watchful eyes remained fixed on Naruto, looking for any signs of discomfort, yet Naruto continued, unfazed. Just as the chakra formed a tail behind him, his face twisted with a slight grunt, his brows furrowing. It was all the signal Jiraiya needed. "Naruto, that's enough. Don't pull on any more," he said firmly.

Naruto opened his eyes, breathing heavily. "Yeah, I think this is my limit right now," he said, noticing a thick, red tail swaying behind him. His eyes widened in awe. "Is this… the first tail? So, all of this power, and it's only a ninth of what I could be using?" He grinned. "This feels incredible! I feel like I could take on a Jonin!"

Jiraiya laughed. "Maybe a regular Jonin, but definitely not someone like Kakashi or Guy just yet."

Naruto nodded in agreement, then asked, "So, what now? You want me to let it go?"

To Naruto's surprise, Jiraiya shook his head. "No, I want you to pull more of it out."

Naruto's face fell in shock. "Pervy Sage, you can't be serious! I'll lose control!"

Jiraiya stopped walking, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder despite the chakra's searing heat. "I'm serious, kid. I'm here to stop you if it goes south. Just keep pulling it until you feel yourself losing control. The second you reach your limit, signal me."

Naruto gulped, a bit apprehensive, but he nodded, trusting Jiraiya. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes again and drew in more of the Nine-Tails' chakra. The energy surged, burning through his mind and body as the red cloak thickened, his senses blurring as the raw power surged over him. The world started to feel distant, his body unfamiliar. He clenched his fist, hoping Jiraiya would notice—it felt like speaking or moving was no longer his own choice, like his mind was shutting down entirely.

Before he could process the strange sensation, he felt a sharp impact on the back of his neck, and something sturdy caught him, keeping him upright. He managed a brief thought before he was overtaken by darkness: Pervy Sage really wasn't kidding...

Drip... Drip... Drip...

Naruto flinched as something cool splashed against his forehead. Grumbling, he tried to turn over, muttering, "Cut it out... I'm trying to sleep." But the mysterious dripping persisted, forcing him to open his eyes. As he blinked, his annoyance shifted to shock—he wasn't in his usual surroundings. Instead, he found himself lying in shallow water within a dim, eerie, sewer-like corridor. Sitting up, he rubbed his head in confusion, trying to piece together his last memory: the sensation of drawing on the Nine-Tails' chakra until he'd lost control and the sharp impact of Jiraiya's knock-out chop.

Naruto frowned, wondering if this was some strange prank. Deciding he wouldn't find any answers sitting still, he stood up and waded through the shallow water, moving cautiously through the desolate maze of tunnels. After what felt like an eternity, he finally arrived in a vast chamber, where a row of massive iron bars loomed before him, forming what looked like a gate. Naruto's gaze caught on a slip of paper plastered on the central bar, bearing the word "Seal."

In that instant, realization hit him. The Nine-Tails… He leaped back, tensing as a deep, mocking chuckle echoed from beyond the bars.

"Coward…" rumbled a dark, menacing voice from within the shadows.

Naruto took a deep, steadying breath, gathering his nerves as he stared at the enormous bars before him. Sure, the demon fox—the Nine-Tails—was directly in front of him, the very creature that had rampaged through his village and taken the Fourth Hokage's life. But that same Hokage had sealed the fox behind these bars, and Naruto decided to trust that he wouldn't have left the fox here if there were any real chance of escape. Standing tall, Naruto's gaze sharpened as he stepped forward, closing the gap between him and the creature cloaked in shadows behind the bars.

As he approached, the darkness stirred, and he could make out the faint glow of two massive eyes, burning like embers and locked onto him with fierce intensity.

Naruto watched as the Nine-Tails shifted closer to the gate, its massive form emerging from the shadows. Its predatory red eyes locked onto his, radiating an aura of intimidation. Swallowing his fear in one swift gulp, Naruto stood firm and barked confidently, "It's about time we spoke, Fox!"

The beast's voice rumbled deeply, dripping with disdain. "And what would I have to speak to you about, brat?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he straightened his posture. "Let me pull on more of your chakra."

The Nine-Tails chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "And why," it growled, "would I give you—a sniveling brat—my chakra?"

Naruto remained unfazed, his determination unwavering. He had anticipated this reaction. "I'm not expecting us to become friends, Fox. But it's in our mutual interest for you to let me use your chakra. It's not like you've been using much of it yourself, stuck in this cage."

The beast's lips curled into a sly grin. "That's true, kid. But if you want my chakra, I'll need something in return. How about you let me take control every now and then? Stretch my legs, you know?"

Naruto glared, his resolve hardening. "I don't think you understand, Fox. I'm being nice, offering you a deal, I don't need your chakra, I'm strong enough without it."

The Nine-Tails' eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and calculation. The boy's defiance intrigued it. "Maybe you aren't such a coward after all," it mused, a wicked smile spreading across its face. "Fine, let's make a deal."

Naruto nodded firmly, his arms crossed. "Good to see you're not completely unreasonable. But let me make one thing clear: there's no way I'm letting you take control of my body. Got it? Any other requests?"

The beast gritted his teeth in frustration, annoyed by the boy's defiance. Despite his pride, he recognised the precariousness of his position. Naruto had only used his chakra twice so far, and between each time, the boy's strength had grown incredibly.

If this brat got strong enough to stop needing his chakra, his chances of breaking free would vanish entirely. He needed Naruto to use his chakra—and frequently. If the boy thought his power was safe to use, it would make him overconfident and vulnerable when the time was right. For now, he'd have to play along.

The Nine-Tails' expression shifted into something resembling nonchalance, though his voice held a subtle undertone of manipulation. "Then perhaps we can come to a middle-ground?"

He paused dramatically, ensuring he had Naruto's full attention. "The man you're traveling with, the Sannin... he's a seal master, isn't he? Perhaps you could ask him to tweak the seal slightly—nothing major. It's just that being stuck in here is dull, and watching you stuff your face with ramen every day is maddening. If I could taste, smell, and feel what you do, it'd make this prison a little less unbearable."

Naruto frowned, exactly as the fox had predicted. The boy's thoughts practically played out on his face: "Damn, I'd probably lose it if I had to watch someone eat ramen in front of me every day without ever getting to taste it..."

The Nine-Tails pressed on, his voice taking on a faint note of wistfulness. "I'm not asking for much. And besides, it'd benefit you. The seal will have to be adjusted at some point if you want to handle more of my chakra. This is just... a minor adjustment."

Naruto hesitated, his mind warring with itself. He shook his head and snapped out of his thoughts. "Fine, I'll ask him—but no promises. I don't know much about seals, so if it turns out you're tricking me, the deal's off. And you know what that means."

The fox's eyes narrowed, but he nodded, his tone deceptively light. "Of course. I assure you, this is no trick. Just a simple... request."

Before Naruto could respond, his vision blurred, and he felt his body lurch. His head rested against something solid and warm, and he blinked himself awake. He glanced up to find Jiraiya's broad shoulder beneath him, the rhythmic sway of walking pulling him fully back to reality.

Jiraiya glanced over his shoulder, grinning. "Ah, you're awake. Good timing—we're almost at the first town we'll be stopping at." He crouched down to let Naruto slide off, and the boy steadied himself, stretching as he fell into step beside his mentor.

"Hey, Pervy Sage, I spoke to the Nine-Tails," Naruto began, his tone cautious. Jiraiya's relaxed demeanor immediately sharpened, his expression turning serious.

"You what?" Jiraiya's voice carried a note of alarm.

Naruto quickly raised his hands in defense. "Relax! I didn't touch the seal or anything. But I did try to make a deal with him."

Jiraiya frowned, his suspicion evident. "A deal?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah. He asked for something... from you-" He paused to ask a question, "I'm guessing he knows you from the last Jinchuriki?"

Jiraiya's expression remained serious as he crossed his arms. "I knew the previous host, yes. Now, what does the fox want from me?"

"Well," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head, "he said he'd let me use his chakra whenever I want if you tweak the seal to let him experience my other senses. You know, taste, smell, touch... that kind of stuff."

Jiraiya's frown deepened, his mind racing. Weakening the seal, even slightly, wasn't a decision to take lightly. Still, Naruto would benefit greatly with access to the fox's chakra, and as long as they trained properly, the risks could be minimised. After a long silence, Jiraiya finally spoke.

"We'll see," he said gruffly. He wasn't as trusting as Naruto, and figured the monster most likely had some kind of ulterior motive, but he knew that with enough training Naruto would be able to throw off whatever plans the fox had.

Naruto grinned. "That's good enough for me! Thanks, Pervy Sage."

Jiraiya sighed heavily, muttering something about brats and headaches, but inwardly, he couldn't help but feel impressed at the fact his 12 year old student had struck a deal with the menacing Nine-Tailed Fox.

- Fun-Fun Avenue -

Naruto sat cross-legged on the bed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest in a clear sign of irritation. The room was dimly lit, and despite the comfort of a soft mattress beneath him, he couldn't shake the sense annoyance that tugged at him

This was the room Jiraiya had booked for them to stay the night—somewhere in the heart of the pleasure district. Naruto had tried to convince himself that the location was simply a result of Jiraiya's practicality, maybe it was cheaper here, but deep down, he knew better. The unmistakable scent of incense and the occasional laughter from the nearby street confirmed his suspicions. Jiraiya had taken the opportunity to indulge his "other interests," leaving Naruto alone in the room while the old man wandered off to chat up a beautiful woman who had flashed him a flirtatious wink just moments earlier.

Naruto let out a grumble, shaking his head in disbelief. He could still picture the way the woman had looked at Jiraiya, as though he was some kind of catch. Why would someone like her wink at Pervy Sage? he wondered. The thought didn't make sense to him. Women were always doing strange things, though, so it wasn't worth spending too much time on. Instead, he let out another frustrated sigh and sank deeper into the bed, grumbling to himself about his mentor's weird tendencies. Oh well, he thought, women are just strange, I guess.

Naruto's irritation melted away in an instant, replaced by a sudden surge of excitement. "I almost forgot!" he exclaimed under his breath, his eyes lighting up as the memories of his clones' training flooded his mind. They had been working on learning The Tempest Style Taijutsu, and now, those memories were being passed on to him. As he sifted through everything his clones had learned, he felt a rush of satisfaction. The style really did seem to fit him—its fluidity, the unpredictable movements. It was all so natural, almost as if it had been made for him. Sure, he hadn't yet reached the point of infusing his strikes with wind chakra, but that was something he could work on later. What mattered now was how easily the stances came to him. They felt almost intuitive, even though switching from his old, basic academy style was a little difficult. But with the clones having mastered the stances, Naruto found that he could now flow between them with growing confidence, even if applying them in battle was still a stretch.

Unable to contain his excitement, Naruto quickly summoned a clone. "Let's spar!" he grinned, his enthusiasm practically bubbling over. The clone, equally eager, mirrored his expression. Naruto dropped into the fluid, sweeping stances of The Tempest Style, while his clone decided to stick with the basics, hoping to use its familiarity to gain the upper hand. For a moment, they clashed in a flurry of rapid punches and kicks, the room filled with the sharp sound of strikes connecting and bodies moving. But it quickly became clear—despite the speed and elegance of The Tempest Style, Naruto lacked the experience to make it as effective as his old style. His movements were still too raw, too unrefined, and his basic Taijutsu held up better in comparison. They sparred for a minute or so, testing each other's skills, before the sound of a knock at the door interrupted them. Naruto let out a loud, carefree laugh, flopping backwards onto the bed. "Go get the door, looks like Pervy Sage has been rejected already," he said to the clone, who nodded and moved toward the door.

The clone opened the door and the brief moments of silence that followed made his stomach twist with unease. Naruto's posture stiffened, his attention snapping to the doorway. Then came a deep, unfamiliar voice, cold and measured: "Hard to believe that this child carries the nine-tailed fox." The words hit Naruto like a punch to the gut, his heart skipping a beat.

Naruto slowly and silently pushed himself off the bed, his gaze fixed on the back of his clone. His heart was racing in his chest, a cold unease settling over him. From his vantage point, all he could see was his clone's back, but the conversation outside the door was enough to make his pulse spike. "Naruto, I think you should come with us."

The voice wasn't familiar, and the tone was cold, commanding. Naruto clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain still and not react. If my clone is so shocked, then this isn't someone we know… or like, anyway. His mind raced, trying to piece together who these strangers were and how they knew his name. How do they know who I am?

His clone, after a brief moment of hesitation, obeyed the command and stepped cautiously out into the hallway. It was a move that Naruto immediately recognized as a tactical one—it would draw attention away from him, giving him a moment to think and assess. His clone's fearful step further confirmed that this wasn't a typical confrontation; something about the situation felt dangerously off.

The deeper voice spoke again, laced with a chilling calmness, "Itachi, it'd be bothersome to have him try to escape, perhaps we should cut one of his legs off or something?"

At this, Naruto's clone's face twisted in horror, the fear palpable on his features. The two men in the hallway assumed it was due to the threat, but Naruto's heart dropped as he connected the dots. The black-haired man who had just spoken—Itachi. Itachi Uchiha. The name hit Naruto with the force of a thunderclap, and everything in his mind froze for a moment. Sasuke's older brother. The rogue Uchiha, the one who had massacred their entire clan.

Naruto's mind raced with a mix of dread and confusion. What does he want with me? Why is he here? The situation had escalated from uncomfortable to dangerous in an instant, and Naruto realised just how dangerous of a predicament he'd found himself in.

Naruto's mind whirred into overdrive as he quickly formulated a plan, his heart pounding with urgency. His thoughts were a blur of possibilities, each one more desperate than the last. He knew that the moment he moved, the ninja would hear or sense him. He couldn't afford to make a single misstep. Think, think! he urged himself.

A solution came to him, if he created a bunch of Shadow Clones and had them all split off into different directions, there'd be no way to know which was the real Naruto to follow, the clones would be a perfect way to throw off Itachi and his companion long enough for Naruto to make his escape. His hope was that, in the chaos, he or one of his clones could reach Jiraiya—if he could warn him, maybe they could fight back against whatever threat these two ninjas posed.

Just as Naruto was about to act, Itachi spoke again, his voice smooth and even. "Long time no see, Sasuke."

The words cut through the air like a knife. Naruto's stomach dropped. The familiar chill in Itachi's tone was unmistakable, and now, the entire situation had turned even further into despair.

Naruto froze for a moment, all of his plans hanging by a thread. The shift in the situation made everything more complicated. Now wasn't the time to wonder why Sasuke was here, he realized. The goal is still the same: escape, now with Sasuke too. But as he steadied himself for the next move, the weight of the encounter pressed down on him, a sense of foreboding gnawing at the pit of his stomach. The danger was closer than ever, and the room was filled with an ominous silence.

The silence that had followed Itachi's chilling words was abruptly shattered by Sasuke's voice, filled with cold fury. "Itachi, I will kill you."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat as the words rang through the air, sharp and full of venom. For a split second, everything seemed to freeze—his mind racing as the weight of Sasuke's declaration hit him with full force. What is he thinking?! Naruto thought, the panic surging through him, his eyes widening in disbelief. Sasuke, his teammate, his friend, was acting on pure emotion—raw, unfiltered rage.

It was a familiar response. Revenge had driven Sasuke for so long, but Naruto knew better than anyone how dangerous that path could be. This isn't the time for that, Naruto thought bitterly, the sense of impending disaster creeping up his spine. Sasuke's words were reckless, and in that moment, Naruto could almost feel the ground beneath them shifting into something much darker. Sasuke was stepping into a battle that was beyond his reach, challenging a force that, at this point, was far beyond anything he could handle.

Naruto had always understood Sasuke's thirst for vengeance—after all, Naruto's own pain and anger had once driven him in a similar way. But this wasn't like their earlier fights, where their rivalry had been a test of strength and will. This was Itachi—his brother, a man who had massacred his clan, a rogue Uchiha with powers that far outstripped Sasuke's current abilities. The difference in their levels was like night and day, and it made Naruto's stomach twist with dread.

Sasuke... he thought, frustration and worry mixing together. He wasn't sure if he should yell at him to stop, or if he should just pull him away. Sasuke's burning desire for revenge had always been a double-edged sword. And right now, it was blinding him to the reality of the situation: Itachi wasn't someone Sasuke could just kill—not in his current state, anyway.

Naruto clenched his fists, forcing himself to steady his breath. I have to do something. He couldn't just let Sasuke charge in blindly, and he couldn't let Itachi have Sasuke either. If Sasuke won't listen to reason, I'll just have to make him. The anxiety was eating at him, but now wasn't the time to hesitate. They needed a plan—one that would keep Sasuke alive, and hopefully, give them a way to escape from this nightmare.

Before Naruto could formulate another plan to escape with Sasuke, a sudden chirping of birds reached his ears, signaling the impending danger. Sasuke's voice followed, filled with anger and resolve. "Just as you told me to, I've resented and hated you," Sasuke said, his words bitter with years of pain. "I've lived solely to end you!" With that, he charged forward, Chidori crackling in his hand.

Naruto's stomach twisted. Sasuke's obsession with revenge had finally boiled over, and it was about to lead him straight to disaster.

Itachi faced the attack with a calm, almost disinterested expression, as though Sasuke's rage-fueled charge was beneath his concern. But in that moment, as Sasuke's Chidori lit up the hallway, Naruto made his move.

The wall beside Sasuke shattered as Naruto, now cloaked in the crimson aura of the Nine-Tails, burst through with a single tail of chakra flicking violently behind him. The shockwave of his entrance forced Sasuke to halt his charge, skidding to a stop as debris settled around them.

Annoyance flickered across Sasuke's face, but it was quickly replaced by horror as he felt the sheer malevolence radiating off Naruto's chakra. His heart raced as the realization struck him This was the same chakra Naruto had tapped into during his fight with Gaara... but it's stronger, much stronger. His eyes widened as he spotted the chakra tail swaying behind Naruto. 'What the hell is this?!'

Naruto didn't give Sasuke time to dwell. He placed his hands together in a cross-seal, summoning 20 shadow clones, all wrapped in the same one-tailed cloak, their chakra bubbling violently.

The hallway filled with the sound of clones charging forward. Itachi's expression remained composed, though his eyebrows knitted slightly. This new development was inconvenient. The clones were fast, and while individually weak, they could become a problem in such numbers.

Naruto turned to Sasuke, who flinched instinctively under his gaze. A pang of hurt shot through Naruto at the fear in his friend's eyes, but he forced it down. "Sasuke, we need to go. Now!"

Sasuke's jaw clenched, and his fear was quickly replaced with stubborn defiance. "No! I'm not leaving until Itachi is dead at my feet!"

Naruto glared at him. "You're not ready. You're not strong enough to beat him. I know how you feel, Sasuke, but if you fight Itachi now, you'll die!"

Sasuke's glare intensified. "Don't underestimate me!"

Naruto didn't hesitate. In a flash, he vanished and reappeared behind Sasuke, moving so fast that even Sasuke's Sharingan could barely track the motion. Before Sasuke could react, a sharp chop to the back of his neck rendered him unconscious.

Sasuke's body crumpled, and Naruto caught him in one fluid motion. "Kinda glad Pervy Sage used that move on me earlier" Naruto muttered under his breath, hoisting Sasuke over his shoulder. "That could've turned out worse."

Naruto dashed down the hallway, focused on making his escape. Behind him, the clones continued their relentless charge at Itachi and his partner.

Itachi, weaving through the clones with minimal effort, glanced at his partner. "Kisame, handle the clones. I'll pursue our target."

Kisame grinned, hefting the massive, wrapped form of Samehada onto his shoulder. "You got it." With one powerful swing, Kisame's blade tore through a cluster of clones, dispersing a few in puffs of smoke.

The remaining clones moved to chase after Itachi, but Kisame stepped into their path, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Not so fast," he said, swinging Samehada again. "Your fight is with me!"

Naruto, hearing the distant sounds of battle, gritted his teeth and pushed forward. "Hang on, Sasuke," he muttered. "I'll get you out of this mess."

Hi everyone! I think the we're getting to the point in the story where the most divergences from Canon will happen. Naruto has formed an agreement with Kurama that may have different effects to that of in Canon. On one hand, he can now easily access the nine tails' chakra with little worry about losing control whatsoever, on the other hand, this could make Naruto become complacent in the fox's power, I wonder how that'll affect the story?

In this scenario, Sasuke hasn't even witnessed how much stronger Itachi is compared to him. Instead, he's had to watch as his own teammate; the same teammate that he was stronger than less than a month ago, completely overtake him.

I think the Taijutsu style I chose for Naruto is super cool and will definitely send him to new heights in his Taijutsu once he masters it.