Chapter 2
Teleportation.
Naruto hated it.
Of all the techniques he had encountered in his ninja career, teleportation ranked somewhere near the top of his "never want to experience again" list. Sure, the Fourth Hokage had made it look cool, but every time Naruto tried it—or had it forced upon him—he ended up crashing into something, someone, or somewhere he absolutely didn't want to be.
This time was no exception.
"Damn it, dattebayo!" Naruto shouted as he spiraled out of control through the open sky. Below him stretched a sea of dense, green forest. For a brief moment, he marveled at its beauty. Then reality kicked in as gravity took hold.
His trajectory wasn't smooth.
Naruto plummeted through the trees, snapping branches and sending startled birds flying in all directions. The forest groaned under the force of his impact, leaving a crater the size of a small house in his wake. Dirt, leaves, and shattered wood rained down as the chaos settled.
Lying flat on his back in the middle of the wreckage, Naruto groaned. "Why is it always trees? Why can't I crash into something soft? Like a big bowl of ramen…"
He sat up slowly, brushing dirt from his hair. His crimson locks, still new and strange to him, stuck out at odd angles. His body, honed to near perfection through years of rigorous training, ached but was otherwise unharmed.
"Okay," he muttered, getting to his feet and surveying the damage. "Not a desert this time. That's a win."
Before he could gather his thoughts, a sharp tremor in the air caught his attention. Naruto's senses flared as a projectile—fast and black as night—hurtled toward him.
"What the—?"
Instinct took over. Naruto raised his arms, catching the incoming figure with ease. It was heavier than he expected, and the force of the impact pushed him back several feet, leaving deep grooves in the ground.
In his arms was a petite girl, her short black hair tousled from the speed of her arrival. She glared up at him, fierce and unyielding, despite the awkward situation.
"What's your deal, lady?" Naruto asked, his brow furrowing as he set her down.
Before she could reply, another blur shot toward them—a flicker of black and white that Naruto barely tracked. This one came with a cocky smirk and a clenched fist aimed directly at his jaw.
"Not today!" Naruto growled, his arm shooting up to block the punch. His bone-like gauntlet, summoned reflexively, caught the strike with a deafening clang.
The assailant—a tall, purple-haired woman with golden eyes—grinned as their blows clashed. "Quick reflexes. I like that."
Naruto grinned back. "Thanks. I don't like getting punched."
He twisted, using the momentum of her strike to redirect her. In one fluid motion, he spun and delivered a sharp kick to her midsection. The blow sent her flying back into the trees with a crash.
"Phew!" Naruto said, lowering his guard. "You okay there, uh—"
"Let me go!"
The black-haired girl he had just caught rammed her elbow into his ribs, knocking the wind out of him.
"OW! What the hell?" Naruto yelped, dropping her unceremoniously.
The girl landed lightly on her feet, her stance guarded. She was petite, barely reaching his chest, but there was a fire in her dark eyes that told him not to underestimate her.
She adjusted her sleeveless haori and pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Who are you, and why are you here?"
Naruto sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "Name's Naruto! I'm a shinobi, strongest of the Elemental Nations!"
She arched an eyebrow.
"Well, technically strongest," he amended, grinning sheepishly. "Anyway, I kinda got dumped here by a portal. Crash-landed, you saw the show."
The girl didn't seem impressed. "Suì-Fēng," she said curtly. "Captain of the Second Division." Her tone was clipped and professional, but there was a spark of curiosity in her gaze as she studied him.
Naruto couldn't help but smile. She was fierce, direct, and didn't waste words.
He liked that.
He liked that a lot.
Before the two could continue their conversation, the purple-haired woman reappeared, her grin wider than ever.
"Miss me, my little bee?" she teased, her voice dripping with playful mockery.
Naruto blinked in confusion, glancing at Suì-Fēng. "Little bee? Is that your nickname or something?"
Suì-Fēng's cheeks flushed crimson, but her glare stayed locked on the newcomer. "Yoruichi…" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.
"Who's she?" Naruto asked, pointing at Yoruichi.
"My former mentor," Suì-Fēng spat, her tone laced with annoyance.
"Wow," Naruto muttered, rubbing his chin. "Didn't think mentors were supposed to punch their students."
"She has her quirks," Yoruichi replied, chuckling as she brushed dirt off her shoulder. Her golden eyes flicked toward Naruto. "And who's this? A secret lover?"
"Excuse me?!" Suì-Fēng spluttered, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.
Naruto, however, grinned mischievously. "Hey, if I was, I'd at least take her out to dinner first."
Suì-Fēng shot him a death glare, her embarrassment evident. "Focus, idiot!"
The tension broke as Yoruichi lunged again, this time targeting both of them.
"Guess we're teaming up," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles.
Suì-Fēng didn't respond, but her nod was all he needed. The two moved as one, their styles contrasting but complementing each other perfectly.
Naruto's raw strength and unpredictable movements kept Yoruichi on the defensive, while Suì-Fēng's speed and precision exploited every opening.
"She's fast," Naruto muttered, ducking under a sweeping kick.
"You're slow," Suì-Fēng shot back, appearing behind Yoruichi with her stinger poised to strike.
Yoruichi twisted at the last second, deflecting Suì-Fēng's attack, only to be met with Naruto's fist driving into her gut. The force launched her skyward.
"Your turn!" Naruto called, flashing Suì-Fēng a grin.
With a flash step, Suì-Fēng appeared above Yoruichi, delivering a double-footed kick that sent her crashing back down towards the ground.
"Surprise!" An earth-shattering punch, so strong it made Naruto wince in pity, slammed dunked the poor flying female in the gut, rotating, and then slamming her into the ground, a massive explosion kicking up everything in a 100 feet radius.
Her body crumbling to the ground in a heap in an instant, a soft groan escaping her plump lips
Naruto followed up, landing beside Yoruichi and leaning down with a sheepish smile. "You okay?"
Yoruichi groaned, her body limp.
"Guess that's a no," Naruto muttered, picking her up and slinging her over his shoulder.
As the trio made their way toward the mountain Suì-Fēng had mentioned, Naruto found himself glancing at her more often than he intended.
She was quiet now, her stoic demeanor returning as they climbed the cliffside. But every so often, she stole a glance at him, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Maybe she's tired," Naruto mused aloud.
In the recesses of his mind, Kurama snickered. "Kit, you're clueless."
"About what?"
"Never change," the fox replied, his laughter echoing in Naruto's mind.
The climb ended abruptly as Naruto froze, his nose twitching.
"Something's off," he said, his tone serious.
"What do you mean?" Suì-Fēng asked, her hand instinctively going to her weapon.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Smells like blood. A lot of it."
Suì-Fēng's expression hardened. "We need to move."
Nodding, Naruto set Yoruichi down gently before summoning a shadow clone. "Stay here and keep her safe."
With that, he and Suì-Fēng moved as one, their shared determination pushing them toward whatever awaited at the top.
Naruto and Suì-Fēng moved swiftly toward the top of the cliff, their pace synchronized despite their vastly different fighting styles and backgrounds. The closer they got, the stronger the stench of blood became, mingled with an oppressive pressure that made the air thick and heavy.
Naruto's sharp blue eyes flicked to Suì-Fēng as they reached the summit. She moved like a shadow, her petite frame almost gliding across the terrain. Her intensity, paired with that fiery spirit, made Naruto grin despite the grim situation.
"You're pretty quick, ya know," Naruto said lightly, his tone masking the tension in the air.
Suì-Fēng glanced at him, her expression as unreadable as ever. "Focus. We're not here to compliment each other."
Naruto shrugged. "I call it multitasking."
Suì-Fēng rolled her eyes but didn't reply, her attention snapping forward as they crested the ridge. The scene that unfolded before them froze both in their tracks.
As Naruto and Suì-Fēng ascended the cliffside at a brisk pace, the tension of their earlier battle began to ebb away, replaced by a charged silence. The faint scent of blood still lingered in the air, heightening Naruto's senses. Yet, amidst the serious atmosphere, he couldn't help but glance at the petite captain beside him.
Suì-Fēng was an intriguing combination of ferocity and discipline, her every movement sharp and precise. Even her brief moments of exasperation toward him carried an air of grace. And then there was her attitude—fiery, stubborn, and sharp-tongued.
Naruto grinned. He liked her.
He liked her a lot.
"You're pretty good, ya know," he said, his tone casual but layered with an unmistakable playfulness.
Suì-Fēng didn't break her stride, but she shot him a sidelong glance. "I am a captain of the Gotei 13," she replied, her voice steady.
"Yeah, yeah, I got that," Naruto replied with a smirk. "But I mean, you're really good. Like, that kick? Almost made me feel bad for purple-hair down there."
Suì-Fēng's steps faltered for half a second before she regained her composure. "You should focus on what's ahead," she said curtly, but the faintest hint of pink touched her cheeks.
"Don't think I didn't notice how you smiled when you got the upper hand," Naruto teased, his grin widening. "You were so proud. It was cute."
Suì-Fēng stopped abruptly, turning to glare at him. "What exactly is your deal?"
Naruto shrugged, still grinning. "What can I say? I like a woman who knows how to fight."
Her glare intensified, though her blush deepened. She turned sharply and continued upward. "Focus on the mission, Naruto. If you're going to be annoying, at least be useful."
"Anything for you, Captain Bee," Naruto quipped, his tone dripping with mischief.
Suì-Fēng whipped around, her stinger materializing as she pointed it at his chest. "Do not call me that."
Naruto chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No nicknames… for now."
By the time they reached the summit, the scent of blood had grown stronger, and the sight before them explained why.
Naruto's gaze fell on the scene with a mixture of shock and grim understanding. The battered form of a red-haired man, his blood pooling beneath him, lay crumpled near a petite woman with jet-black hair. Both were clearly struggling to hold on.
Surrounding them were three figures—men exuding an overwhelming presence.
One of them, tall and lean with dark brown hair and thin glasses, caught Naruto's immediate attention. He carried himself with calm authority, his gaze sharp and calculating. Naruto didn't like the look of him.
"Suì-Fēng," Naruto said quietly, stepping closer to her. "I'm guessing these are bad guys?"
"Captains," Suì-Fēng replied through gritted teeth, her hand gripping her weapon tightly. "Or at least, they were."
Naruto frowned, sensing the heavy tension between Suì-Fēng and the trio. "Guessing they don't play nice."
"No," she said sharply. Her eyes darted to the wounded Shinigami behind the traitorous captains. "We have to protect the injured."
Naruto nodded, his expression hardening. "Got it. I'll take Glasses over there. He's got that sneaky vibe I don't like."
Suì-Fēng shot him a surprised look, but before she could protest, Naruto grinned.
"Relax, Captain. I'll handle him. Just cover me, okay?"
Naruto moved first, his speed catching even Suì-Fēng by surprise. He closed the gap between himself and the bespectacled man—Aizen, she had called him—in an instant, his bone-clad fist already swinging toward the captain's face.
Aizen's eyes widened ever so slightly before he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow.
"Oh?" Aizen said, his tone calm despite the near miss. "Impressive speed for a ryoka."
Naruto's grin widened. "You're not bad yourself, Four Eyes."
Aizen's composure didn't falter, though the slightest frown tugged at his lips. "And yet, you lack discipline."
With a flick of his wrist, Aizen brought his blade up, aiming for Naruto's exposed side.
But Naruto was faster. Twisting mid-step, he caught the blade with his bone gauntlet, the screech of metal against chakra-enhanced armor ringing through the air.
"Nice try," Naruto said, his grin turning predatory.
He pushed Aizen back, giving Suì-Fēng an opening to dart toward the injured. She moved like a shadow, her speed unmatched as she reached the red-haired man's side.
"Stay still," she ordered, her tone sharp but laced with concern.
"Captain Suì-Fēng!" the man gasped, his voice weak.
"You're safe now," she assured him, glancing back at Naruto. "He's keeping them occupied."
Naruto, meanwhile, was reveling in the challenge. Aizen's blade moved with precision, his strikes calculated and unrelenting. But Naruto's years of combat experience—and his unpredictable, unorthodox style—kept him one step ahead.
"You're not used to someone fighting back, huh?" Naruto taunted, blocking another strike and countering with a sweeping kick that Aizen barely avoided.
Aizen's calm exterior began to crack. "Your arrogance will be your downfall."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto said, rolling his eyes. "You bad guys all say the same thing. It's getting old."
Suì-Fēng glanced up from the injured as she finished stabilizing them. Watching Naruto fight was… something else. His movements were raw, powerful, and almost chaotic, but there was an underlying strategy to his attacks that kept even someone like Aizen on edge.
And then there was the way he carried himself—his confidence, his refusal to back down even in the face of overwhelming odds.
It was infuriating.
It was… admirable.
Shaking her head, Suì-Fēng refocused on her task. "I'm joining him," she muttered to herself, steeling her resolve.
"Hey, Suì!" Naruto called out, dodging another of Aizen's strikes. "You done yet? I could use a hand!"
Suì-Fēng smirked despite herself. "Don't get cocky, Naruto."
With a burst of speed, she joined him, her stinger poised for a deadly strike. Together, they moved like a well-practiced team, their combined assault forcing Aizen to retreat.
Naruto grinned at her as they fought side by side. "See? We make a great team."
"Focus, idiot!" she snapped, though the faint blush on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed.
"Whatever you say, Captain Bee," he teased, his grin widening.
This time, Suì-Fēng didn't bother correcting him. She was too focused on the fight—and on the strange, exhilarating feeling of fighting alongside someone like Naruto.
The battlefield quickly dissolved into chaos.
Blood painted the ground, and the air was heavy with tension. Suì-Fēng's sharp eyes assessed every detail, from the crumpled form of Renji Abarai, barely clinging to life as he shielded Rukia, to the towering figures of the three traitorous captains who exuded overwhelming pressure. Among them, Aizen stood at the forefront, his composure calm but unnervingly cold.
Naruto's smirk was sharp, his kunai twirling lazily in one hand while his other hung loose, the bone-like armor of his forearm glinting ominously. The faint hum of chakra coursing through him made the air around him buzz.
Suì-Fēng stood to his left, her stinger poised for another strike, but her frustration was evident. Aizen's dismissive attitude toward her stung worse than any wound.
Naruto tilted his head, shooting her a sidelong glance. "Hey, Captain Bee—uh, I mean, Suì-Fēng," he corrected quickly when her glare intensified, "maybe let me handle Glasses over there? He seems to like running his mouth more than using his blade."
Suì-Fēng clicked her tongue. "Focus, Naruto. He's dangerous."
"Dangerous, sure. But cocky? That's his weakness."
Without waiting for her reply, Naruto shot forward, his kunai raised in a reverse grip.
Aizen's eyes followed the redhead's movements with calm precision, his blade rising to intercept the incoming attack. As kunai met steel, sparks flew, illuminating Aizen's calculating gaze.
"You're brash," Aizen remarked, deflecting the blow with a flick of his wrist. "Do you really think brute force can overcome intellect?"
Naruto grinned, stepping back to dodge the retaliatory slash. "I'm not just all muscle, you know. I've got brains too. Kurama keeps telling me I don't use 'em enough, though."
"Kurama?" Aizen's brow furrowed slightly, the name unfamiliar.
"No need for you to worry about that," Naruto shot back, his voice light, but his next strike was anything but. His kunai moved like a blur, feinting high before sweeping low.
Aizen barely avoided it, his footing faltering for the first time. "Impressive. You hide your intent well."
"Thanks! I've had a lot of practice beating overconfident jerks!"
As Naruto pressed Aizen, Suì-Fēng took the opportunity to reposition herself. Her form blurred as she flash-stepped behind the bespectacled captain, her stinger glinting in the dim light.
"I warned you!" she shouted, aiming for the exposed side of his neck.
But Aizen was faster. His hand shot out, gripping her wrist mid-strike. "You're predictable, Suì-Fēng. You always were."
His blade descended, aiming for her torso in a single, fluid motion.
"Not today!"
Naruto's voice boomed as he appeared between them, his bone-clad arm catching Aizen's blade mid-swing. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground, cracks spiderwebbing beneath their feet.
"You okay, Cap'?" Naruto asked, glancing over his shoulder with a grin.
Suì-Fēng scowled, pulling her wrist free. "I didn't ask for your help."
"Sure, sure," Naruto replied, his grin widening. "You just happened to need it anyway."
Aizen stepped back, his usual calm cracking for the briefest moment as he brought a hand to his cheek. A thin line of blood trickled down—a shallow cut, but a cut nonetheless.
"Curious," he muttered, his gaze narrowing. "You shouldn't have been able to reach me."
Naruto twirled his kunai, the motion casual yet threatening. "Maybe you're not as untouchable as you think, Four Eyes."
Aizen's expression hardened. "You'll regret underestimating me."
He raised his blade, and the air around him grew heavy with spiritual pressure. Darkness gathered, condensing into a void-like box around Naruto and Suì-Fēng.
"Hadō 90: Kurohitsugi."
The oppressive energy of the spell closed in, the black coffin shimmering with deadly intent.
Naruto's senses flared. "Not good!" he muttered, his eyes darting around the enclosing box.
"Move!" Kurama's growl thundered in his mind.
In a flash, Naruto summoned a skeletal exoskeleton over his body, its fox-like visage snarling as he pushed Suì-Fēng out of the attack's radius. The energy of the spell slammed into his armor, the pressure threatening to crush him.
"Is that all you've got?!" Naruto roared, his voice echoing within the coffin.
His chakra flared violently, the wind whipping around him as he unleashed a surge of raw power. The black coffin cracked, splintering under the force of his release, before shattering completely.
When the smoke cleared, Naruto stood in the center of the battlefield, his bone armor chipped but intact. He dusted himself off, flashing Aizen a smug grin.
"Gotta admit," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles, "that was kind of impressive. But I'm still standing."
Aizen's calm facade faltered, his brow furrowing. "Impossible…"
While Aizen processed the failure of his spell, Suì-Fēng capitalized on the opening. Flash-stepping behind him, she aimed her stinger directly at his exposed back.
But before she could strike, Aizen's two allies—Ichimaru Gin and Kaname Tōsen—intervened. Their blades crossed with hers, sparks flying as they pushed her back.
Naruto was on them in an instant, his kunai colliding with Tōsen's blade. "Hey, Captain, I'll keep these two busy. You finish what you started."
Suì-Fēng hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between Naruto and Aizen.
"Go!" Naruto shouted, blocking another strike from Tōsen and launching a kick at Gin.
Her jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Don't die, idiot."
"Not planning to," Naruto replied with a wink.
As Suì-Fēng darted toward Aizen, Naruto focused on the two captains in front of him. Tōsen's strikes were precise and measured, while Gin's movements were serpentine and deceptive.
"You guys aren't bad," Naruto admitted, ducking under a swing from Tōsen and countering with a sharp elbow to Gin's ribs. "But I'm better."
Gin smirked, despite the blow. "Confident, aren't ya?"
"Always," Naruto shot back, forming a Rasengan in his free hand.
Across the battlefield, Suì-Fēng closed in on Aizen. Her movements were a blur, her stinger gleaming as she aimed for his vitals.
"Your arrogance will be your downfall," she hissed, her strikes relentless.
Aizen deflected each one with calculated precision, but there was a sharpness in her attacks that forced him to stay on the defensive.
"You're not the same timid girl I left behind," Aizen remarked, his tone almost amused.
Suì-Fēng's eyes burned with determination. "And you're not invincible."
Naruto's voice cut through the chaos.
"Suì! Incoming!"
She turned just in time to see Aizen's blade arcing toward her. But before it could connect, Naruto appeared between them, his bone armor absorbing the blow.
"You're welcome," he said, glancing back at her with a grin.
Suì-Fēng huffed, but there was a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Don't get cocky."
"Too late!" Naruto quipped, shoving Aizen back with a burst of chakra.
The battle raged on, the duo working in tandem to keep Aizen and his allies on the defensive. Despite the overwhelming odds, Naruto and Suì-Fēng held their ground, their movements synchronized in a way that surprised even them.
As Aizen stepped back, his calm facade cracking further, Naruto smirked. "What's wrong, Four Eyes? Losing your cool?"
Aizen's glare darkened, but he said nothing.
Suì-Fēng stood beside Naruto, her stinger poised and ready. "This isn't over."
Naruto chuckled, his kunai twirling in his hand. "Good. I'm just getting started."
Naruto barely had time to react as Suì-Fēng charged forward, her determination blazing despite the chaos. The moment her stinger was poised to strike, her momentum faltered.
Only, instead of finding her mark, she stumbled, her weapon lowering as a bloody slash appeared across her shoulder. Her face contorted in pain as she collapsed to one knee.
"Suì!" Naruto shouted, his voice sharp with concern.
Before he could reach her, a searing blast of energy slammed into him, sending him flying backward. The ground cracked beneath him as he crashed into the dirt, skidding to a halt near the edge of the battlefield.
Naruto groaned, coughing up a mix of dirt and blood as he forced himself to his feet. His crimson hair was matted with sweat, his bone-like armor cracked and flaking. But his blue eyes, now tinged with fiery red, burned with fury.
"That's it," he muttered, spitting out blood. "No more holding back."
Aizen stood at the center of the chaos, his composure slowly returning. He adjusted his glasses with a calm precision that belied the escalating tension. "Did you really think you could win with brute force?"
Naruto's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Did you really think," he growled, his form flickering into motion, "that such a shit illusion technique could fool me for long?"
Aizen's eyes widened as Naruto appeared directly in front of him, bypassing the illusionary defenses of his Zanpakutō.
Naruto's fist connected with Aizen's jaw with a resounding crack, the force launching the captain backward. Aizen's body collided with a white pillar, shattering it into pieces before he was flung through another.
Naruto caught the falling form of a pale, raven-haired woman—Rukia Kuchiki, though he didn't know her name yet—as she collapsed, clearly weakened and unable to stand.
"You good?" Naruto asked gruffly, setting her down gently against a boulder.
Her violet eyes blinked at him in confusion. "W-who…?"
"Don't worry about it," he said, his tone softening briefly. "Just sit tight. I'll handle this."
Aizen staggered to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His hand rose instinctively to his jaw, feeling the faint sting of Naruto's punch.
"H-how?" he muttered, his voice laced with genuine surprise.
Naruto appeared before him again, his kunai in hand. This time, Aizen barely raised his blade in time to block the strike, the force of the impact pushing him back.
"I've fought illusions before," Naruto said, his tone sharp and mocking. "And yours? It's impressive. But I've got more than one way to see through a cheap trick."
Aizen's expression darkened, but before he could respond, Naruto's fist connected with his stomach. The blow sent the captain skidding across the battlefield, stopping only when he slammed into Gin.
Naruto landed beside Suì-Fēng, who had managed to push herself back to her feet, though blood still dripped from her shoulder.
"You okay, Captain?" he asked, his voice softer now.
She nodded, her jaw tight. "I'm fine. Focus on the fight."
"Good," he said, his grin returning. "Because I'm about to make these guys regret messing with us."
Tōsen, one of Aizen's allies, stepped forward to intercept Naruto. But the redhead was ready. With a burst of speed, he slammed his foot into Tōsen's midsection, the impact reverberating through the battlefield.
The former captain fell to his knees, half his body seemingly ripped open as if struck by a massive blade.
"This is… unforeseen," Aizen murmured, his calm demeanor cracking further.
He lashed out with his blade, aiming to strike Naruto down, but the shinobi sidestepped with ease.
"Foolish," Aizen began, but his words were cut off as Naruto vanished in a blur of motion.
Aizen spun on his heel, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a second Naruto.
"This is—?!"
Before he could react, the clone dissipated in a puff of smoke, and the real Naruto appeared from above, his fist slamming into Aizen's face. The force of the blow sent the traitorous captain hurtling into Gin, the two colliding in a heap.
Naruto stood tall, his chakra flaring around him like a fiery aura. His hands moved in a blur as he formed his signature jutsu.
"RASENSHURIKEN!"
The spinning sphere of wind and chakra hummed with deadly energy, its sharp edges slicing through the air as Naruto hurled it toward the downed captains.
Aizen's eyes widened, the first flicker of genuine fear flashing across his face.
The jutsu exploded on impact, the force of the blast shaking the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the outcome.
As the dust began to settle, Naruto stood at the edge of the crater, his breathing heavy but his resolve unwavering. He glanced back at Suì-Fēng, who was watching him with a mixture of awe and annoyance.
"See? Told you I had this," he said, flashing her a grin.
She rolled her eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at her lips. "Don't get cocky, idiot."
Naruto chuckled, but his expression grew serious as his gaze returned to the crater. "This isn't over yet."
A faint, mocking voice echoed from within the smoke.
"Well played," Aizen said, stepping forward, his form barely singed. "But if that's the best you can do, this battle is far from over."
Naruto's grin widened, his red eyes glinting with determination. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
Suì-Fēng stepped up beside him, her stinger poised and ready despite her injuries.
"Let's finish this," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
Naruto nodded. "Together."