The barren mountainside loomed before Team Seven and Team Asuma, its jagged peaks casting long shadows in the fading light. The air was thick with tension as the group surveyed the area, searching for any clues about the Akatsuki's hideout. Sakura's eyes were sharp, her senses heightened as she scanned for traces of Fuinjutsu.
"There," she said, pointing toward the rocky terrain ahead. "I can feel it. A seal. It's massive… and layered with elemental bindings."
Shikamaru crouched beside her, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Four elements… That's a complex setup. They've covered their tracks well."
Sasuke activated his sharingan, the crimson tomoe spinning as he examined the faint chakra trails leading away from the central point. "The elemental bindings aren't close. They've spread them out, likely to slow us down."
"Then we'll just have to move faster." Naruto said, fists clenched at his sides.
Chiyo stepped forward, her aged eyes narrowing as she studied the seals from a distance. "These bindings are a variation of an ancient Suna technique. If they're not disarmed properly, they'll alert the Akatsuki. It's a trap as much as it's a barrier."
Sakura nodded, her mind racing as she pieced together the puzzle. "Four of us will need to disarm the seals simultaneously. Each seal is tied to a different element—fire, water, earth, and wind. We'll need to split up to reach them."
"Team Asuma will handle the bindings. You'll need all your strength for the fight ahead." Shikamaru stood, his expression unreadable.
Naruto turned to Shikamaru, his blue eyes filled with gratitude and concern. "You're sure? These guys aren't messing around. If anything happens…"
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "We'll be fine, Naruto. Just focus on saving Gaara."
"We've got this. Trust us." Ino stepped closer to Naruto, her pale blue eyes softening. She placed a hand on his arm.
"I do." Naruto hesitated for a moment before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Be careful, Ino. I mean it."
Ino smiled, her cheeks tinting pink. "I always am."
Sakura, standing nearby, pretended not to notice. Her green eyes flicked to Sasuke, who stood silently, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. She forced herself to focus on the task at hand.
Choji cracked his knuckles, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with determination. "Let's do this."
Asuma nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his trench knives. "We'll take care of the seals. You focus on what's inside that cave. If Gaara's alive, you're his best shot."
Sakura produced a map she had sketched out based on her analysis of the chakra patterns. "Here are the locations of the seals. They're not too far apart, but the terrain is rough. Be ready for anything."
Shikamaru took the map, his sharp mind already calculating the best routes for each team member. "Understood. We'll regroup here once the bindings are down."
Naruto gave Ino one last look before turning to his team. "Alright, Team Seven. Let's get ready."
As Team Asuma began to disperse, their determination evident in every step, Team Seven remained at the mountain's base, their focus shifting to the cave ahead. The oppressive weight of the situation hung over them like a storm cloud.
Chiyo broke the silence, her voice calm but resolute. "Inside that cave, the Akatsuki are extracting Shukaku from Gaara. If they succeed, it will kill him. You must be prepared for the worst."
Naruto's jaw tightened, his resolve burning in his eyes. "We're not letting that happen."
Sakura checked her supplies, her fingers brushing against the hilt of the White Light Chakra Sabre. "We'll stop them. Whatever it takes."
Sasuke unsheathed his blade, the faint hum of his Chidori running through it. "We don't have time to waste. Let's move."
The group moved closer to the cave's entrance, their senses on high alert. The air grew colder, the oppressive chakra of the Akatsuki's barrier pressing against their skin. They stopped just short of the seal, waiting for Team Asuma to complete their mission.
Naruto clenched his fists, his heart pounding with anticipation. "Hang on, Gaara. We're coming."
Chiyo stood in the shadow of the mountain, the weight of their impending showdown with the Akatsuki heavy in the air.
—
The moment the seal fizzled the mountainside exploded, and Team Seven barely had a second to react. Dust and debris rained down like a violent storm, obscuring their vision. But the sound of massive, flapping wings cut through the chaos, and Naruto squinted up at the sky. His eyes widened.
"That's… Gaara!" he shouted, pointing to the massive clay bird soaring out of the wreckage. The figure atop it wore a long Akatsuki cloak, their blonde hair streaming in the wind like a banner. In the bird's mouth was Gaara's limp, lifeless body.
Sasuke's sharingan locked onto the figure instantly. His jaw clenched as the tomoe in his eyes spun menacingly. "That clay monstrosity… It's infused with chakra. This guy's manipulating it somehow."
"Deidara," Chiyo murmured, her voice tinged with disdain. "A rogue Iwa shinobi turned Akatsuki. He's a master of explosive clay. Be wary of his creations—they're more dangerous than they look."
Naruto's fists tightened, his knuckles turning white. "He's got Gaara! We have to get him back!"
Sakura quickly assessed the situation, her mind racing. They had prepared for this moment, but the reality of facing the Akatsuki was overwhelming. Still, she didn't falter. Her voice rang out, steady and commanding.
"Naruto, Sasuke—go after that bird. Don't let him escape with Gaara!" She turned to Chiyo. "The Akatsuki always work in pairs. That means someone else is still inside."
As if on cue, a shadowy figure emerged from the smoke-filled cave. The man's hunched posture and the thick threads holding together his grotesque body immediately sent chills down Sakura's spine.
"Sasori," Chiyo whispered, her tone filled with both anger and sorrow. "He's my grandson."
Naruto looked back at Sakura, hesitation flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
Sakura met his gaze, her expression firm. "Go. We've got this."
Sasuke didn't waste a second. He darted forward, activating his sharingan fully. "Naruto, let's move."
Naruto nodded, his determination blazing in his eyes. "Right."
In a burst of speed, the two shot off after Deidara, their chakra surging as they leapt from rock to rock, pursuing the clay bird into the sky. The wind whipped around them, but they didn't falter. Gaara's life depended on them.
Sakura turned back to the approaching Sasori, her fingers gripping the White Light Chakra Sabre at her side. Chiyo stepped forward, her hands already weaving seals. "This won't be easy," Chiyo said grimly. "Sasori's mastery of puppetry far surpasses anything you've faced before."
Sakura's resolve hardened. "Then we'll stop him together."
As the battle lines were drawn, the battlefield split into two. Above, Naruto and Sasuke closed the distance between themselves and Deidara, their shouts echoing through the desert winds. Below, Sakura and Chiyo prepared to face the monstrous Sasori in a fight that would test their skills—and their hearts—to the limit.
The battlefield was tense, the air thick with the acrid smell of poison and the echo of clashing wood and metal. Sakura stood firm, her hands gripping the White Light Chakra Sabre, its faint luminescent hum resonating in her palms. Chiyo stood just behind her, her wrinkled hands masterfully weaving chakra threads into her puppets. Opposite them, Sasori remained calm, a haunting smirk playing on his youthful face.
His destroyed puppet lay in pieces at his feet, the hunched monstrosity that he had been controlling since the start of the battle rendered useless by Sakura's sword strike. The sight of him standing there, completely unscathed and looking no older than a teenager, sent a shiver down Sakura's spine. His cold, calculating gaze didn't match his youthful appearance.
"Well," Sasori drawled, his voice as sharp as the poisoned blades he wielded. "I must admit, you two are more capable than I anticipated. But this fight is far from over."
"You don't scare me. If anything, you're the one who should be afraid. Chiyo-sama and I will make sure you don't hurt anyone else." Sakura spoke with narrowed eyes.
"Bold words, little girl. Let's see if they hold up against him." Sasori chuckled darkly, pulling a scroll from his sleeve. He unfurled the scroll, summoning his next puppet with a burst of smoke.
When the haze cleared, the lanky, foreboding form of the Third Kazekage stood before them. Its presence was overwhelming, its black, lifeless eyes staring down at them. The puppet's body was lined with intricate mechanisms, and its joints moved with an unnatural rigdity. The sight of it made Chiyo's heart sink.
"The Third Kazekage," she whispered, her voice trembling with both anger and sorrow. "So you're the one who killed him, Sasori."
Sasori's grin widened. "Not just killed, Grandmother. I improved him. His Iron Sand ability is one of the most dangerous techniques in Sunagakure's history, and now it's mine to command. Let's see how you fare against him."
Sasori raised his hand, and with a single motion, the Kazekage puppet unleashed a torrent of black sand into the air. The Iron Sand glittered ominously as it hovered, waiting for Sasori's command.
"What's the plan?" Sakura's grip on her sword tightened as she turned to Chiyo.
Chiyo's expression was grim, but resolute. "We'll have to destroy it, just like the last one. But be careful, Sakura. The Iron Sand is infused with poison, and one scratch will be enough to kill you."
Sakura nodded, stealing herself. "Got it. I'll follow your lead."
Chiyo summoned two more puppets—puppet versions of Sasori's parents. They moved with a fluidity that spoke of her years of mastery, their weapons glinting in the harsh desert sun. The sight of them didn't faze Sasori; if anything, his smirk deepened.
"Still using those, Grandmother?" Sasori taunted. "How touching. Too bad they won't be enough to stop me."
The battle began again in earnest. The Iron Sand swirled around the Kazekage puppet like a living entity, forming massive spikes and bullets that shot toward Sakura and Chiyo with deadly precision. Tendrils of Iron Sand snaked towards the women. Sakura darted forward, dodging the attacks with ease, her training with Tsunade shining through. Her movements were calculated, her strikes precise.
Chiyo's puppets engaged the Kazekage puppet directly, their weapons clashing against its iron-infused body. The sound of metal on metal rang out across the battlefield as Chiyo maneuvered her puppets with expert precision, each movement calculated to counter Sasori's attacks.
But Sasori wasn't just relying on the Kazekage puppet. His own chakra threads flickered through the air, manipulating the Iron Sand to create traps and barriers that forced Sakura and Chiyo to stay on their toes.
"You're predictable, Grandmother," Sasori sneered. "And you, little girl—you think your agility and swordplay will save you? Let's see how long you can keep up."
Sakura's eyes blazed with determination. She wouldn't let Sasori's taunts get to her. She focused on the patterns in his attacks, analyzing each move and predicting where the next strike would come from. It wasn't long before she found an opening.
"Now!" Chiyo shouted, her puppets pinning the Kazekage puppet in place for just a moment.
Sakura didn't hesitate. She surged forward, her Chakra Sabre glowing with power. With a single, devastating strike, she sliced through the Kazekage puppet, shattering it into pieces.
Sasori's smirk faltered for the first time. He stared at the broken remains of his prized puppet, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Impressive," he admitted. "But this fight isn't over yet."
He raised his hand, and dozens of scrolls burst open behind him, revealing an army of puppets. They moved with eerie synchronicity, their weapons glinting menacingly.
Sakura and Chiyo stood together, their breaths heavy but their resolve unwavering. The fight was far from over, but they were ready. "Bring it on," Sakura muttered, her grip on her sword tightening.
The tension on the battlefield was palpable as Sasori's cold, lifeless eyes met Chiyo's resolute gaze. His hunched body now discarded, he stood revealed—his true form: a puppet of his own making. His youthful appearance made the reality even more grotesque, and Sakura felt a shiver of disgust as she realized the extent of his depravity.
"My secret," Sasori began with a chilling smirk, "is immortality. This body... it feels no pain, no hunger, and knows no age." He opened his chest compartment, revealing a glowing core, a talisman with the word 'Sasori' etched into it. "This heart is all that remains of my humanity. As long as it is intact, I cannot die."
Chiyo's lips tightened, her hands gripping her chakra threads. "You've forsaken everything human to pursue power. You've fallen further than I ever thought possible."
Sasori sneered. "And yet, here we are. I hold all the power."
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his army—one hundred puppets, each a grotesque masterpiece, bristling with weapons and poisoned implements. The sheer sight of the swarm made Sakura's heart race. She summoned flame with the seal on her left palm, sending a torrent out towards the horde of puppets.
And Chiyo was not deterred. Her fingers danced, and she summoned her own counter: the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets, Monzaemon Chikamatsu's ten legendary masterpieces. The battlefield became a chaotic symphony of clashing fire, wood, and steel as the two puppet armies and the Anbu girl collided. Sakura was no mere bystander. She dashed through the chaos, evading Sasori's traps and countering his attacks with well-timed strikes. She used her Chakra Sabre in concert with her wakizashi. Sheathing both at Chiyo's command, she used a chakra-sealing seal on Sasori, surging forward and slamming it onto his head. For a moment, everything seemed to pause. Sasori's movements halted, his puppets falling lifeless to the ground.
"Did we get him?" Sakura asked, panting.
Chiyo's sharp gaze didn't waver. "No... not yet."
"You're not the first to try and seal me, and you won't be the last." Sasori's lips curved into a sinister smile. His chest compartment opened once more, the talisman glowing as his body began to reassemble.
Weapons erupted from Sasori's body as he launched an attack. Chiyo maneuvered her puppets with expert precision, shielding Sakura and countering each strike. But even with her legendary skills, she was being pushed to her limits.
"Sakura," Chiyo called out, her voice firm. "We have to destroy his heart. It's the only way."
Sakura nodded, her mind racing. "Understood!"
Using her brute strength and agility, Sakura shattered through Sasori's puppets, her body a tornado of blade and fist. She created an opening. Chiyo's mother and father puppets moved in, pinning Sasori in place. But even as they closed in, Sasori's reassembled body continued to attack, his weapons slashing and stabbing with relentless precision.
Sakura leaped into the fray, her White Light Chakra Sabre blazing. She aimed for the talisman, but Sasori's agility and sheer number of weapons made it nearly impossible to land a hit. Chiyo summoned four of Chikamatsu's puppets, each moving in perfect synchronization, and they formed a sealing formation that trapped Sasori.
Now immobilized, Sasori's lifeless gaze shifted to Chiyo. For a moment, something almost human flickered in his expression.
"This is the end, Sasori," Chiyo said, her voice heavy with sorrow.
Using the mother and father puppets, Chiyo thrust their blades into Sasori's chest, piercing his heart. Sasori didn't flinch. He didn't struggle. He simply stared at the puppets, his lips curving into a faint smile.
As his body crumbled, Sasori spoke his final words. "You could've been a great puppeteer, Grandmother. But in the end, you lacked the will to do what was necessary."
Chiyo's hands trembled. "You allowed this, didn't you? You saw the attack coming and chose not to evade."
Sasori's smirk faded, his voice growing faint. "Perhaps... in the end, I just wanted to feel their embrace one last time." His eyes dimmed, and the light in his talisman went out.
The battlefield fell silent, save for Sakura's labored breathing. She clutched her side, blood seeping through her fingers. Sasori's poison had taken its toll, and she was barely able to stand. Worseyet , her pale features betrayed the poison coursing through her veins. Chiyo wasn't in much better shape, her frail body trembling from exhaustion and injuries.
"Chiyo-sama..." Sakura gasped, her vision blurring. "We did it."
Chiyo looked at Tsunade's apprentice and saw the fire of determination still burning in her eyes. She knew Sakura was the future—strong, capable, and willing to carry the burden of the next generation.
"You're not done yet, girl," Chiyo said, her voice firm despite her fatigue. "You still have work to do."
Placing her hands over Sakura's chest, Chiyo began to perform the Reanimation Technique. "This is a technique I developed for Sasori... to bring a lifeless puppet to life. But it can also save those on the brink of death."
Sakura's eyes widened. "No! Chiyo-sama, you can't—"
"Quiet," Chiyo snapped. "You have too much left to do. And I'm not ready to die just yet."
Using her life energy, Chiyo healed Sakura, the technique leaving her weak but alive. Sakura sat up, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you, Chiyo-sama."
Chiyo smiled faintly. "Don't waste this second chance, girl."