Chapter 19: The Aftermath
The clearing was quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves. Twenty Naruto clones surrounded Sakon in a loose formation, each one poised and ready. Shikamaru stood several paces back, leaning casually against a tree, his hands in his pockets. His eyes, however, were sharp and calculating.
Sakon's smirk widened. "What's this? The blonde has a coward lead his cannon fodder? This'll be easier than I thought."
One of the clones barked back, "Don't underestimate us!" Another clone added, "We're taking you down right here!"
Sakon laughed. "Bold words for a bunch of fakes. Let's see how many of you can land a single hit."
Shikamaru ignored the taunts, his mind racing. He's fast, stronger than us, and his reflexes are sharp. But he hasn't realized there's more than brute strength on this side of the fight.
"Stay spread out," Shikamaru ordered, his voice calm and authoritative. "Clones at the front, bait him out. Middle line, prepare Wind Jutsu. Rear guard, you're on support duty. Don't waste your chakra on pointless attacks."
The clones nodded in unison, their confidence in Shikamaru evident. "Got it!" they shouted as one.
With a battle cry, two clones dashed forward, their kunai gleaming in the sunlight. Sakon scoffed, dodging the first strike with ease and grabbing the second clone by the wrist. He smashed the clone into the ground, dispelling it in a puff of smoke.
"Pathetic!" Sakon sneered.
"That's the signal!" Shikamaru shouted.
Before Sakon could react, three clones from the middle line formed hand seals. "Wind Release: Gale Palm!" A burst of wind shot forward, catching Sakon mid-motion and forcing him to stumble back.
"Now!" Shikamaru yelled. Two clones charged from opposite sides, one leaping high into the air. Sakon dodged the first, countered the second with a brutal kick, and swatted the airborne clone like a fly.
Another clone launched Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, multiplying a handful of shuriken into a deadly hailstorm. Sakon growled as the weapons rained down, forcing him to block with his forearm.
Shikamaru's shadow crept forward through the chaos, snaking toward Sakon's feet. But Sakon spotted it at the last second and leapt backward, landing atop a boulder.
"Not bad," he admitted. "But you'll need more than parlor tricks to beat me."
Shikamaru's brow furrowed. He's learnt my move. We need to force him into a mistake.
The clones pressed the attack, keeping Sakon on the defensive with a mix of Wind Jutsu and taijutsu strikes. But their numbers were dwindling fast. For every blow landed, Sakon destroyed two clones in return.
"Shikamaru," one of the clones called out. "We're running out of chakra here!"
"I know," Shikamaru replied, his tone steady despite the tension. "Stick to the plan."
Just then, black marks began to spread across Sakon's body, his grin turning feral. "Let's up the stakes, shall we?" he growled, activating the second stage of his curse mark. His skin darkened, and his strength and speed surged.
The clones barely had time to react. Sakon blurred forward, tearing through them with brutal efficiency. In seconds, their numbers had halved.
Then, as he struck another clone, a second figure emerged from his back. Ukon smirked as he landed beside Sakon. "They're getting predictable, brother."
"What the—?!" a clone shouted.
"Surprised?" Ukon sneered. "Let me show you how we deal with pests."
Ukon merged into a clone's body, grinning maliciously as the clone froze in place. Before he could destroy it, the clone detonated in a powerful Exploding Shadow Clone Jutsu, forcing Ukon to retreat.
"Not bad," Ukon muttered, wiping blood from his mouth. "But we're far from done."
Shikamaru took a deep breath, his mind racing. We can't keep this up. If this were a real team, I'd have just lost almost all of my squad. I can't let that happen again.
Shikamaru assessed the battlefield from their position in the underbrush. Only five clones remained, their chakra reserves rapidly depleting. Sakon and Ukon stood confidently, their curse-marked forms radiating malicious energy.
Shikamaru straightened up and addressed the clones, his voice steady despite the dire situation. "Listen closely. We've got one shot at this. Trust me."
The clones nodded, their determination unshaken.
"Split into two groups," Shikamaru ordered. "Two of you stay back and keep them busy with ranged attacks. Two of you, rush in. The last one of you needs to remain hidden, move in once you see the signal, you'll know what it is when you see it. I'll be… taking a different approach."
One clone gave him a quizzical look but obeyed, crouching to stay hidden in the underbrush. Meanwhile, Shikamaru formed a hand seal and quietly transformed into a Naruto clone.
The clones moved into position. Two launched a barrage of kunai accelerated with Wind Release: Gale Palm, forcing Sakon and Ukon to block or evade. The remaining three clones rushed forward, dodging through the chaos to close the distance.
Sakon grinned, his predatory instincts flaring. "Still throwing pawns at me? You'll run out soon!"
He blurred forward, targeting one of the clones with a crushing punch. It dispelled in a puff of smoke, but another clone lunged at him from the side. Sakon dodged, his reflexes sharpened by the curse mark, and countered with a swift kick that dispelled the second clone.
That left three—two engaged in ranged attacks and the final rushing clone who darted in at the last moment. Sakon saw the clone hesitate slightly and laughed. "What's this? Finally run out of courage?"
He struck with brutal precision, his claws plunging into the clone's stomach. But instead of a puff of smoke, he was met with resistance—and the unmistakable sensation of warm blood.
"What the—?" Sakon growled, realizing too late. The clone transformed back into Shikamaru, who grimaced in pain but smirked through clenched teeth.
"Gotcha," Shikamaru whispered as his shadow snaked up Sakon's arm and locked his body in place.
"Ukon!" Sakon shouted, his eyes wide with panic.
The hidden Naruto clone sprang into action, leaping high into the air with a glowing Rasengan in hand. Driving the Rasengan into Sakon's chest with devastating force.
The impact sent Sakon crashing into the ground, leaving a crater in his wake. His curse marks receded, his body battered and broken.
Shikamaru stumbled back, clutching his bleeding side. "One down…" he muttered, his voice shaky but resolute.
The remaining three clones formed up around him, their expressions grim as Ukon stepped forward, his face twisted in fury. "You… you'll pay for that!" he snarled, his chakra flaring with rage.
Shikamaru's mind raced. He's not thinking clearly. Without his brother, he's more dangerous in the short term but easier to predict. We just need to hold out long enough to finish this.
With a deep breath, he steadied himself and prepared for the final phase of the battle.
"You think you've won?" he spat. "You'll all die here!"
Shikamaru steadied himself against a tree, his hand pressed firmly against the bleeding wound in his side. His breathing was labored, but his eyes remained sharp, calculating every possible outcome. "Naruto's clones still have some fight in them," he muttered under his breath. "I just need to… stay one step ahead."
The three remaining clones took defensive stances, spreading out to flank Ukon. "What's the plan, Shikamaru?" one asked, his voice filled with urgency.
Shikamaru smirked faintly. "We've got one shot at this. He's angry, reckless. Use it. I'll bait him into a trap—your job is to keep him distracted and in position. Got it?"
The clones nodded, their confidence in Shikamaru unshaken despite the dire circumstances.
Ukon charged, his speed blurring as he targeted the closest clone with a flurry of savage strikes. The clone barely managed to parry with a kunai, but the force of the blows sent it skidding back. Another clone launched a Wind Release: Wind Bullet, aiming to disrupt Ukon's momentum.
The attack struck, but Ukon shrugged it off, his curse-marked body absorbing most of the damage. He retaliated with a vicious roundhouse kick, dispelling the second clone instantly.
Shikamaru grimaced. He's too strong. Even the clones can't keep this up for long.
"Over here!" one of the clones shouted, launching a barrage of kunai enhanced with Wind Release: Gale Palm. The projectiles forced Ukon to dodge, momentarily splitting his focus.
"Annoying little pests!" Ukon growled, lunging toward the remaining two clones.
Shikamaru seized the opportunity. Pressing his hands together, he formed the seal for his Shadow Possession Jutsu, extending his shadow along the ground toward Ukon. But the distance was too great, and the strain on his chakra made it falter halfway.
Not enough range, he thought bitterly, sweat dripping down his face. I need him closer.
One clone caught Shikamaru's eye and nodded, understanding his unspoken plan. The clone charged head-on, dodging Ukon's wild strikes with quick footwork. "Think you can keep up?" the clone taunted, leaping into the air and throwing a smoke bomb at Ukon's feet.
The explosion of smoke momentarily blinded Ukon, giving the clone just enough time to maneuver him closer to Shikamaru's position.
"Now!" Shikamaru barked, his shadow snapping forward and binding Ukon's movements.
Ukon froze, his body trembling as he struggled against the shadow's grip. "You think this will hold me?" he snarled, his curse-marked chakra flaring violently.
Shikamaru gritted his teeth, the strain of maintaining the jutsu almost unbearable. "Naruto… now!"
The final clone leapt into action, weaving through the smoke with a kunai in hand. With a fierce battle cry, it drove the kunai into Ukon's shoulder, disrupting his focus and halting his struggle.
"Good," Shikamaru muttered, releasing the jutsu and collapsing to one knee. His vision blurred, but a faint smile crossed his lips. "That's checkmate."
Ukon stumbled, his movements sluggish from exhaustion and injuries. The final clone capitalized, landing a clean strike to his chest and sending him crashing to the ground, dead.
Shikamaru let out a shaky breath, slumping against the tree. "It's over," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
The remaining clone approached him, offering a hand to help him up. "You okay, Shikamaru?"
"Not even close," Shikamaru replied with a weak chuckle, gripping the clone's arm for support. "But we won… that's all that matters."
Kakashi darted through the forest, his movements swift and calculated, leaping from branch to branch with practiced ease. Though his uniform bore faint smudges of dirt and a few superficial scratches, he was otherwise unscathed. His sharp eyes scanned the terrain ahead, his thoughts racing.
They wasted more time than I expected, he mused grimly. I need to get to Shikamaru and Naruto—quick.
Kakashi landed in the clearing, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him. Shikamaru was slumped against the base of a tree, unconscious, his breathing shallow but steady. The bodies of Sakon and Ukon lay side by side in the center of the clearing, their cursed forms reverted, with clear signs of a brutal battle etched across their lifeless forms.
Standing nearby was Naruto, who straightened upon Kakashi's arrival, his expression serious but tinged with relief.
Kakashi's sharp eyes took in every detail: Shikamaru's state, the corpses, and the absence of Sasuke. His suspicions were confirmed when he addressed Naruto. "You're a shadow clone, aren't you?"
The clone nodded firmly. "Yeah. The real me went after Sasuke. There was another enemy—a lot stronger than these guys—who showed up and took him."
As the clone spoke, Kakashi knelt beside Shikamaru, examining the boy's injuries with practiced efficiency. He noted the makeshift bandaging on Shikamaru's wound, hastily done but adequate enough to stop the bleeding. "You handled the first aid?"
The clone scratched the back of its head sheepishly. "Yeah, it's not great, but I did what I could."
Kakashi gave a slight nod of approval before continuing to listen. "What happened here?"
The clone gestured toward the fallen Sound ninja. "These two were a nightmare. Turns out there were actually two of them—two brothers sharing one body. It was a tough fight, but Shikamaru came up with a plan that let us take them down. He's amazing, Sensei. Even when it looked bad, he figured out a way."
Kakashi's lips pressed into a thin line as he processed the information. He placed a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder briefly. "He did well."
Rising, Kakashi turned to the clone. "Which way did the real you go?"
The clone pointed. "That way."
Kakashi nodded resolutely. "Understood. I want you to take Shikamaru back to the village. Let the Hokage know the situation, and report that there are five corpses in the area. There may be more as we advance."
The clone saluted, its expression serious. "Got it." It moved to lift Shikamaru carefully onto its back, adjusting him for balance.
Kakashi watched for a moment, satisfied with the clone's composure. "Good luck. I'll handle things from here."
With that, the clone dashed back toward the village, carrying Shikamaru to safety. Kakashi turned toward the direction the clone had indicated, his expression darkened. Naruto, hold on. I'm coming. He disappeared into the forest in a blur.
Gaara sat atop his sand platform, suspended in mid-air, his breaths labored and shallow. His gaze fell upon the lifeless body of Kimimaro, lying amidst the field of bone spires that stretched as far as the eye could see. The jagged, protruding bones painted a grim picture of their battle—a testament to the immense power of his opponent.
He didn't try to deny it: Kimimaro was powerful, more so than Gaara had initially anticipated. By all rights, he should have lost this battle. No, he would have lost. But fate had intervened in a way he hadn't foreseen. His opponent had simply... died.
Gaara's mind replayed the events of the battle. At first, he had held the upper hand, landing devastating blows with his sand techniques. His crushing attacks had torn through the battlefield, forcing Kimimaro onto the defensive. But everything changed when Kimimaro activated the second stage of his cursed seal. His power surged, and his movements became even deadlier. Gaara had found himself struggling just to stay alive against the relentless onslaught of bones. Each attack was a narrowly avoided death sentence.
Yet, even in his overwhelming dominance, Kimimaro had shown signs of weakness—of something deeper eating away at him. He had fits of violent coughing, often accompanied by blood, as if his body were betraying him despite his strength.
Gaara's lips pressed into a thin line. Despite his best efforts, Kimimaro had wrestled control of the battle, pinning him down and forcing him onto the defensive. Gaara knew he couldn't last much longer. But then, like a fleeting glimmer of hope, Naruto Uzumaki's clones had intervened. The dozen or so Shadow Clones that Naruto had left behind before chasing Sasuke bought Gaara the precious seconds he needed to regroup.
The clones had fought valiantly, even managing to deal minor damage to Kimimaro. But they were no match for the bone-wielding ninja. One by one, they fell, dispelling in bursts of smoke. Still, their sacrifice was not in vain. They had given Gaara enough time to execute his final, desperate plan.
Summoning all his remaining chakra, Gaara unleashed his sand, burying Kimimaro deep beneath the earth. He forced him down so far that the crushing pressure should have pulverized his bones into dust. The technique had been exhausting, but it left no room for doubt. No one could survive that.
Or so he thought.
Just as he had begun to let himself believe the battle was over, the ground erupted. The massive bone spires that now covered the terrain shot up violently, threatening to impale everything in their path. Gaara had only narrowly avoided the attack by lifting himself higher with his sand.
Hovering above the devastation, his chakra reserves nearly depleted, Gaara felt a flicker of relief. The attack must have been Kimimaro's final effort—a parting shot to ensure neither of them would emerge victorious.
Letting his guard down for the first time, Gaara slumped against his sand platform, his body trembling with exhaustion. But just as he exhaled, thinking the battle was truly over, Kimimaro emerged.
The bone-wielding ninja's torso emerged out from one of the larger spires, his expression as emotionless and unyielding as ever. Gaara's breath caught in his throat as Kimimaro advanced. He was out of chakra, out of options, and too drained to even attempt to defend himself. This was the end.
But then, Kimimaro stopped.
His body froze, his weapon poised but unmoving. Gaara's wide eyes stared at Kimimaro, his expression never changing even as life left his body.
The boy who had nearly ended him, who had pushed him to his absolute limits, had been defeated—not by Gaara's hand, but by his own failing body.
Gaara stared at the lifeless form in silence, his mind struggling to reconcile the battle's end. The bitter taste of victory sat heavily on his tongue. Kimimaro had been an opponent unlike any other—a testament to sheer will and power. But in the end, it was not Gaara's strength or strategy that had won the day. It was the fragility of life itself.
The sand shifted beneath him as he let out a weary breath, his gaze never leaving the battlefield littered with bone and blood. This was no victory, he thought. This was survival.
Gaara slowly lowered himself to the ground on his sand platform, taking care to avoid the jagged bones that protruded from the battlefield. The effort left him trembling, his reserves nearly depleted after the harrowing fight. The moment his feet touched the earth, he swayed, attempting to rise and steady himself. But his legs gave out beneath him, and he braced for the impact.
Before he hit the ground, a strong arm caught him. Gaara glanced up and saw a familiar face. "Thank you, Kakashi," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kakashi Hatake nodded, his single visible eye scanning the battlefield. His expression was grave, taking in the massive bone spires and Kimimaro's lifeless body. "Gaara, I assume the Hokage sent you to assist us?"
Gaara nodded weakly. "Yes. We wanted to send more, but... our village is still recovering from the losses we suffered after our foolish invasion of Konoha." His tone was laced with regret.
Kakashi helped him down gently, allowing Gaara to sit and lean against a tree. "You did well here," Kakashi said. "Now, where are Naruto and Sasuke?"
Gaara's brow furrowed, his eyes widening slightly. "Naruto went after him. Sasuke…" He paused, recalling the eerie transformation he'd witnessed. "He had a strange appearance. Do you know anything about that? His skin turned grey, and his chakra… it was menacing. Not unlike my own when I lose control to Shukaku."
Kakashi's expression darkened at the mention of Sasuke's transformation. His mind raced. The second stage of the curse mark? Already? Worry creased his brow. He had known Orochimaru's influence on Sasuke would be dangerous, but he hadn't anticipated it progressing this quickly.
"I can't explain that to you right now," Kakashi said quickly, his voice tense. "But if Sasuke's curse mark has advanced that far, I'm not sure Naruto can handle him alone. I need to go."
Gaara's determination flared, and he tried to push himself up again. "Then I'll come with you. Naruto is my friend. I—"
Kakashi's hand came down on Gaara's shoulder, firm but not unkind. "No," he said. "You need to rest. You've done more than enough. Your help here will go a long way in mending the relationship between the Sand and the Leaf."
Gaara gritted his teeth in frustration, his pride stung. But he knew Kakashi was right. He was in no condition to continue fighting, let alone keep up with someone of Kakashi's caliber. "We still have a lot more to do to make up for our mistake," he muttered.
His teal eyes looked up at Kakashi. "Please hurry, make sure my friend is okay."
Kakashi gave him a reassuring nod, the faintest hint of a smile visible beneath his mask. "It's Naruto," he said with quiet confidence. "I'm sure he'll be just fine."
With that, Kakashi turned and took off, vanishing into the trees as he raced to catch up with his students. Gaara leaned back against the tree, exhaustion pulling at him, but his mind remained focused on one thought. Please, Naruto. Stay safe.
The rain had slowed to a faint drizzle, the sky's grayness beginning to lighten as the storm abated. The battlefield lay quiet, save for the occasional drip of water falling from the jagged rocks and scorched earth. Naruto stood over Sasuke's unconscious body, his chest heaving, every breath a reminder of the battle's toll. His chunin vest was torn and soaked, his knuckles bloodied, and his hair plastered to his face. Yet, his grip on victory felt hollow.
He stared down at Sasuke, lying motionless in the shallow water, his body battered and bruised. Sasuke's once-menacing chakra had vanished, replaced by an unnerving stillness that gnawed at Naruto's thoughts.
Naruto clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. He wanted to feel relief—to believe that bringing Sasuke back like this was the right thing to do. But all he felt was a deep, aching hollowness.
"You idiot," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the soft patter of the rain. "Why'd you make me do this?"
He took a shaky step forward, his legs protesting the movement after the strain of the fight. The memories of their clash were still vivid: every punch, every desperate plea, and every time Sasuke had refused to listen. Naruto had fought with everything he had, not to kill, but to save. Yet now, as he stood over Sasuke's unconscious form, doubt crept in.
Will he hate me for this? The thought twisted in his chest. He'd brought Sasuke down, but at what cost? Would Sasuke even understand why Naruto had fought so hard to stop him? Or would the darkness only grow, pushing him further away?
Naruto sighed, his shoulders slumping as the tension began to leave his body. His gaze drifted to the horizon, where the village waited. "You're not going to stop hating the village because of this, are you?" he murmured, the weight of his words heavier than the rain-soaked air. "You'll just try to run again. And I'll have to stop you… again."
The sound of soft footsteps broke through his thoughts. Naruto turned his head slightly, his tired eyes narrowing as Kakashi emerged from the treeline. The silver-haired jonin's visible eye took in the scene before him—the destruction, the water-soaked battlefield, and finally, Sasuke lying limp at Naruto's feet.
For a moment, Kakashi said nothing, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. Then he stepped forward and rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"You did well, Naruto," Kakashi said softly, his voice steady but tinged with sadness.
Naruto blinked, the words catching him off guard. He turned to look at Kakashi, confusion flickering in his tired blue eyes.
"But… I had to hurt him," Naruto muttered, his voice thick with frustration. "I didn't want to fight him like this. I just wanted to bring him home. What if… what if he hates me even more now?"
Kakashi's grip on Naruto's shoulder tightened slightly, grounding him. He knelt down and pulled Naruto into a firm, reassuring hug. Naruto stiffened for a moment, but then his body relaxed, the weight of Kakashi's presence soothing the storm inside him.
"I'm proud of you," Kakashi said, his voice quiet but filled with sincerity. "You did everything you could to protect your friend. I know it wasn't easy. But you've shown how far you're willing to go for him. That means something, even if Sasuke can't see it right now."
Naruto swallowed hard, his throat tight. He closed his eyes and allowed himself a brief moment of vulnerability, leaning into Kakashi's embrace. "I just… I don't know if it's enough," he whispered.
"It's enough," Kakashi assured him, pulling back to meet Naruto's gaze. "You've done your part, Naruto. Now, let me take it from here."
Naruto nodded hesitantly, wiping at his face with the back of his hand before stepping aside. Kakashi moved toward Sasuke, carefully lifting the unconscious boy onto his back. As he adjusted Sasuke's weight, he glanced back at Naruto.
"Come on," Kakashi said, offering an eye smile. "Let's go home."
Naruto stared at Sasuke's limp form for a moment longer before taking a deep breath and following Kakashi. The rain had stopped completely now, the sun beginning to peek through the clouds. But for Naruto, the storm hadn't ended—it had simply moved inside him.
As they walked, Naruto glanced at Sasuke one last time and muttered under his breath, a promise only he could hear.
"I'll save you, no matter what it takes. That's my ninja way."
- The Next Day -
The gentle hum of activity filled the hospital as Naruto sat beside Gaara's bed, his hands resting on his knees. Despite the lingering signs of fatigue in Gaara's pale features, he looked calm. Naruto smiled slightly as he glanced at his friend, who was recovering well from chakra exhaustion. Being a Jinchuriki had its perks, after all.
"You're looking better, Gaara," Naruto said with a grin.
Gaara nodded, his voice soft but steady. "The doctors say I'll be fine to leave tomorrow. It seems I pushed myself too far in that battle."
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, but you handled it like a pro. I heard about how you took down that bone guy. Honestly? I don't think I could've done it myself."
Gaara's lips curved into a faint smile. "You underestimate yourself, Naruto."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Maybe, but I mean it. That guy was tough, even before he went to the second stage of his curse mark!"
Gaara's gaze softened, his teal eyes fixed on Naruto. "How's your friend that accompanied you on the mission? Shikamaru, was it?"
Naruto's grin widened. "Hah! That lazy idiot is just fine. I went to visit him earlier, but the nurse said he was sleeping. I know he's just pretending, though. That guy loves finding excuses to avoid doing anything."
Gaara couldn't help but smile at Naruto's infectious energy. But then his expression turned more thoughtful. "And… Sasuke?"
Naruto's grin faltered, the light in his eyes dimming as he looked away. "Yeah… his wounds aren't too bad. He'll probably be stuck here a bit longer than Shikamaru, though." His voice grew quieter. "He's gonna be okay."
Gaara observed the change in Naruto's demeanor, sensing the weight of the situation. Uncertain of how to provide comfort, he hesitated before speaking, his words measured and direct. "You're a good friend, Naruto. If Sasuke can't see that you fought him because you care about him, then… maybe he doesn't deserve your friendship."
Naruto blinked, surprised by Gaara's bluntness. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You gotta work on your comforting skills, Gaara."
Gaara frowned slightly, opening his mouth to apologize, but Naruto cut him off with a grin. "Thanks, though. Seriously. But I'm not giving up on him. Sasuke's my friend. Just like you, and I don't give up on friends."
Gaara's expression softened, a rare, genuine smile appearing on his face. "That's what makes you different, Naruto."
The two continued talking for a while, sharing tales and battles. Naruto praised Gaara's strength, expressing amazement at how he had overcome Kimimaro's deadly abilities. Gaara accepted the praise quietly, though a hint of pride flickered in his eyes.
Eventually, Naruto stood, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, I should get going. I've got someone else to check on."
Gaara nodded. "Take care, Naruto."
With a wave, Naruto left the hospital and headed toward the training grounds, where he'd heard Lee might be. Tsunade had successfully performed surgery on Lee, and Naruto was eager to see his teammate back in action.
Before he could make it to the training ground, however, a familiar voice called out.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite knucklehead ninja!"
Naruto turned, his face lighting up. "Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya stood with his usual broad grin, arms crossed. "I heard you completed another B-Rank mission. Nice work, kid. Not that I'd expect anything less from my apprentice!"
Naruto scratched his head and smiled softly, though his usual enthusiasm was muted. Jiraiya caught the subtle change in mood, his grin fading slightly.
"Anyway," Jiraiya continued, his tone shifting to something more serious, "I've been gathering intel through my network, and I've come to a breakthrough. The Akatsuki won't be making another move on you for at least three, maybe four years."
Naruto blinked. "Really? That's good news!"
"Exactly. And it means we've got plenty of time to train you up. That's why I'm going to take you on as my full-time apprentice. You'll travel with me, learn everything I know, and get stronger than ever. What do you say?"
Jiraiya finished with a confident grin, fully expecting Naruto to leap at the offer.
Naruto grinned and said, "No thanks!"
"Of course, I knew you'd acc—wait, what?" Jiraiya froze, his grin slipping.
Naruto crossed his arms, his expression resolute. "I appreciate it, Pervy Sage, seriously. It means a lot that you'd want to train me. But I need to stay here in the village."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed, his tone growing more serious. "And why's that?"
Naruto's face mirrored his seriousness. "Because all my friends are here. And with my Shadow Clones, I can learn more surrounded by people. I know you've got tons to teach me—being a legendary ninja and all—but there are things I can learn here that even you don't know. If I'm going to protect everyone, I need to learn from everything."
Jiraiya stared at Naruto for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled softly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Seems like you've thought this through. Maybe you're right."
Naruto grinned. "Thanks, Pervy Sage. Don't worry—I won't slack off while you're gone!"
"You better not," Jiraiya said with a smirk. "Or I'll make you run laps around the village until you drop!"
Naruto mock-saluted, laughing. "Got it, boss!"
As Jiraiya chuckled and walked off, Naruto felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't just training for himself—he was training for everyone he cared about.
- Year 1: Day 7 -
Naruto walked down the path on the outskirts of Konoha, his hands buried deep in his pockets. The warm afternoon sun bathed him in a golden hue. Despite the beautiful atmosphere, his thoughts were elsewhere, focused on everything that had happened over the past week.
It had been seven days since he'd turned down Jiraiya's offer to become his apprentice. The choice wasn't easy, but Naruto had decided to stay in the village and forge his own path for now. Since then, things had started moving quickly. Shikamaru and Sasuke had both been discharged from the hospital, their conditions vastly improved. Shikamaru, though healed, was still under orders to avoid anything too strenuous. Naruto smirked to himself; under normal circumstances, Shikamaru would've welcomed the excuse to slack off. But oddly enough, the lazy genius seemed a bit irritated by his enforced rest.
Sasuke, on the other hand, had been avoiding him. Naruto let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. He couldn't entirely blame him—after all, Naruto had been the one to stop his desperate search for power, even going so far as to beat him down in the process. Still, it stung. The few times Naruto had caught sight of Sasuke, it was always from a distance, usually when the Uchiha was heading to a training ground. Naruto had thought about approaching him, even suggesting they train together, but things were still too tense. Not yet, he told himself, but soon. Sasuke would come around—he had to.
The memory of Sakura's tearful thanks when they'd returned with Sasuke made Naruto's expression soften into a wistful smile. She'd cried so much, thanking him over and over for bringing Sasuke back. It hurt, of course, knowing that her tears weren't for him but for the boy she loved. But Naruto had understood. He shook off the bittersweet thought as his smile brightened. A few days after the mission, Sakura had surprised him by coming to him with a heartfelt apology. She'd said she was sorry for how she'd treated him in the past and promised she wouldn't be a burden anymore. To Naruto's amazement, she told him she'd asked Tsunade to take her on as an apprentice. He'd been thrilled at her newfound determination, and the two had shared a friendly hug. He couldn't wait to see how far she'd go.
Naruto's interactions with Lee had been just as uplifting. The two had been sparring regularly, pushing each other to grow stronger. Neji and Hinata had even joined in, the latter of which has an interesting story. Neji and Lee, both very skilled in Taijutsu, respected Naruto for his strength and unorthodox fighting style. While they were still slightly ahead of him, Naruto could feel himself closing the gap with every spar. He'd learned not to send clones to fight them—it would have been a waste of effort, not to mention disrespectful.
The other members of Team 8 hadn't crossed his path, though he'd had a chance encounter with Hinata one afternoon. The shy girl had been walking through the village, and they'd stopped to chat. She'd praised him—too much, in his opinion—for his success on the recent mission. They'd talked for a while, with Naruto asking how her teammates were doing. Hinata, her cheeks faintly pink, explained that Kiba and Shino had been training harder than ever, inspired by Naruto's growth. Naruto raised an eyebrow at this revelation, prompting her to elaborate. Kiba, she explained, seemed particularly driven, perhaps even frustrated by how much Naruto had improved. Shino, meanwhile, had willingly joined in the rigorous training, motivated by a desire not to fall behind the rest of their peers.
Naruto had chuckled at the thought of Kiba being spurred on by him but then turned the conversation toward Hinata herself. "What about you?" he'd asked, his tone curious but warm. Hinata had stammered, her fingers fidgeting together as she looked down at the ground. "W-Well, I…"
Recognizing her hesitation, Naruto stopped walking and turned to face her. "Tell you what," he said with a grin. "Why not train with me? Me, Lee, and Neji have been having Taijutsu spars. We'd love to have a fourth. What do you say?"
Hinata's eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed ready to refuse. But as she looked at Naruto's earnest expression, something shifted. She straightened her back, her gaze steadying. "O-Okay! I will!" she said, her voice filled with determination.
Naruto's grin widened, and he gave her an encouraging nod. "Awesome! You'll do great, believe it!"
As Naruto continued walking through the streets, his spirits were high. His friends were growing stronger, and so was he. Things were changing in Konoha, and for once, Naruto felt like he truly belonged.
Without even realizing it, Naruto had arrived at his destination. His confident smirk spread wider as he glanced up at the sight before him. Above him stood twenty of his Shadow Clones, all arranged in a neat line in front of a roaring waterfall. Each clone had its palms outstretched toward the cascading water, their brows furrowed in focus and determination.
As their hands made contact with the rushing water, something incredible happened. The flow was abruptly severed mid-air, leaving the lower half of the waterfall completely frozen in place. A closer look revealed the reason why: a faint shimmer of wind chakra emanated from their palms, forming an invisible barrier that held the water at bay. The raw precision and control required to sustain this feat were nothing short of astounding.
Naruto's grin widened, pride swelling in his chest. He clenched a fist as he watched his clones execute the technique perfectly, their concentration unwavering. "Wind Chakra," he muttered to himself, his voice low but filled with satisfaction. "Mastered it."
The clones turned to him as one, their determined expressions mirroring his. Dispelling them in an instant, Naruto absorbed the flood of memories, the physical exhaustion, and—most importantly—the lessons they'd learned. The sensation made his head spin briefly, but he steadied himself, his grin never faltering.
Naruto stepped closer to the now uninterrupted waterfall, the sound of rushing water filling his ears. With a hand on his hip, he stared at the surging current with a mix of exhilaration and anticipation. "Alright," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. "What's next?"
- Year 1: Day 11 -
It had been four days since Naruto had mastered his wind chakra nature, and the results were already making waves in his training. The power boost in his wind jutsu was undeniable—each technique felt sharper, more precise, and hit with even greater force. But the improvement Naruto was most thrilled about wasn't in his ninjutsu; it was in his Taijutsu.
Mastering his wind nature had unlocked the full potential of his Tempest Style. His movements were now sharper, faster, and as unpredictable as a gale. In battle, his attacks flowed seamlessly, his strikes carrying an almost unnatural swiftness, as though the wind itself guided him. This newfound mastery was on full display during his spars with Lee and Neji. The matches had shifted from him being a step behind to holding his own against the duo. In fact, Naruto had started to pull off wins against them, though he humbly acknowledged it was mostly thanks to his near-endless stamina outlasting theirs.
Hinata had continued to join their sparring sessions, something Naruto was glad to see. At first, her presence had been tentative, her movements hesitant as though she felt she didn't belong among the group. But the sincere encouragement from all three boys had slowly worked its way through her insecurities. Lee's exuberant cheers and constant support, Neji's measured guidance and determination to be a better cousin, and Naruto's boundless energy and reassurance had all combined to create an environment where she could thrive.
Now, when Hinata stepped into the sparring circle, it was with newfound resolve. Her strikes were deliberate, her movements more confident, and her Byakugan sharper than ever. Watching her fight filled the group with an unexpected sense of pride. For Lee, it was the joy of nurturing a new training partner. For Neji, it was a quiet way to atone for his past failures as her cousin. And for Naruto... well, it was a mix of things. He shared Lee's enthusiasm for seeing her grow, but there was something else, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Whatever it was, it made him grin a little brighter whenever she landed a solid hit or fought past her hesitation.
Naruto strolled through the streets of Konoha, his destination clear: Ichiraku Ramen, where he was meeting Sakura. Naturally, it was his idea to catch up over a bowl of his favourite meal. As he neared the shop, he spotted her waiting outside, arms crossed but relaxed, her emerald eyes scanning the street. Naruto jogged over with an enthusiastic wave.
"Hope you weren't waiting too long!" he greeted.
Sakura smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Nah, I just got here. Let's eat."
The two stepped into the cozy ramen stall, the tantalizing aroma already making Naruto's mouth water. Sitting down, they placed their orders, and soon the conversation flowed as easily as the steaming bowls of ramen appeared before them. They chatted about their training, village gossip, and plans for the Chunin Exam finals. Eventually, the topic shifted to Sakura's apprenticeship under Tsunade.
Sakura smiled bashfully, twirling her chopsticks. "Well, it's going good, I suppose. Though… I haven't exactly gotten stronger yet."
Naruto cocked his head, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Sakura sighed, her cheeks tinting pink. "Tsunade wants me to learn medical ninjutsu, but before I can even start, I have to understand pretty much everything there is to know about the human body. Seriously, everything. It's like I'm back in school!"
Naruto sweatdropped at the thought. Sure, he wasn't a stranger to studying anymore, but everything? That sounded impossible, even for someone as diligent as Sakura. He was about to dismiss the idea when something clicked in his mind. If learning medical ninjutsu required that level of knowledge, it meant that if he wanted to learn it, he'd have to know all that stuff, too.
His first instinct was to give up on the idea entirely—he wasn't cut out for that level of studying. But then, images began flashing through his mind, vivid and haunting. Jiraiya lying unconscious during their fight with Orochimaru. Shikamaru slumped against a tree, with Naruto's clumsy attempts at first aid barely keeping him stable. Even further back, Sasuke's body littered with senbon after shielding him from Haku's attack. Sure, none of them had died, but what if they had? What if someone he cared about was dying right in front of him, and he couldn't do anything to help? The thought sent a chill down his spine.
"Naruto?" Sakura's voice pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. Her gaze was concerned, her brows furrowed as she studied his serious expression. "You okay?"
He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, trying to shake off the heaviness of his musings. "Ah, sorry. Just… thinking."
Sakura tilted her head, waiting expectantly for him to continue. Naruto sighed, realizing she wouldn't let it go. "I was just thinking... Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea if I learned a bit about healing too, y'know? In case someone needs help and you're not there."
For a moment, Sakura looked at him in surprise. Then her expression softened into a warm smile. That was so like him, always thinking about others, always wanting to protect everyone he cared about. "That's a great idea, Naruto," she said sincerely. "Send a clone to the library during the week. I could use a study buddy, anyway."
Naruto blinked, her words catching him off guard. Before he could respond, Sakura had finished her bowl and was already standing up. She gave him a quick wave and walked out of the stall, leaving him with a smile on his face.
That smile didn't last long. Naruto glanced down at his own bowl, then suddenly froze. His eyes darted to the counter, where Teuchi and Ayame were standing with their hands outstretched expectantly.
"Hey, she forgot to pay!" he blurted, scrambling to fish some money from his pocket. With a resigned sigh, he slapped a wad of bills into their hands.
As Teuchi chuckled and Ayame gave him a knowing grin, Naruto slumped forward, muttering, "Next time, lunch is on her…"
Naruto slurped up the last of his ramen, savoring the warm, familiar flavor before letting out a contented sigh. He reached into his pouch, handing over the remaining amount of the bill to Teuchi with a sheepish grin. "Thanks for the meal, old man!" he said, waving as he stood up to leave.
The moment Naruto stepped out of the ramen stand, the light-heartedness evaporated. He froze mid-step, his eyes locking onto a figure waiting just outside. Sasuke stood there, arms crossed, his posture as rigid and deliberate as ever. His onyx eyes, cold and unreadable, pierced straight through Naruto, making the blonde swallow hard.
Naruto's heart raced. What was Sasuke doing here? Had he been waiting for him? The stillness between them stretched taut like a bowstring until Sasuke's voice broke it.
"You're strong."
The words hung in the air, simple yet loaded. It wasn't a compliment—it felt more like a statement of fact, devoid of warmth or malice. Naruto blinked, taken aback. Unsure how to respond, he scratched the back of his head and gave a hesitant nod.
"Uh… thanks?" he said awkwardly, but Sasuke didn't react. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward the curse mark that still marred his neck.
"Kakashi's been helping me," Sasuke said flatly.
Naruto's throat tightened as he glanced at the mark. Relief and hope flitted through his chest. So Kakashi-sensei was helping Sasuke deal with it. That was good, right?
The memories of that desperate battle to bring Sasuke back flashed in Naruto's mind. He clenched his fists, stepping forward with determination. "Sasuke, I didn't stop you because I don't want you to become strong. I just—"
Sasuke raised a hand, cutting Naruto off mid-sentence. The motion wasn't harsh, but it held enough authority to make Naruto's words die in his throat. His chest tightened. Was Sasuke about to reject him again?
But then Sasuke did something unexpected. He looked directly at Naruto—not just in his direction, but at him. For the first time since their clash, there was a faint flicker of something in Sasuke's gaze. It wasn't a smile, but it wasn't the cold indifference Naruto had come to fear, either.
"I know, Naruto," Sasuke said quietly.
Naruto's breath caught. The words were so simple, yet they carried a weight that nearly made his knees buckle. His vision blurred as tears threatened to spill, but he quickly rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand, forcing a chuckle.
Sasuke turned on his heel without another word and began walking away. For a moment, Naruto stood frozen, torn between wanting to call out and letting Sasuke leave.
But Sasuke stopped, just a few steps ahead. Without turning around, he spoke again, his voice calm but firm. "I need to train. Come."
Naruto's eyes widened. He could feel a tear finally escape, sliding down his cheek, but he didn't care. A grin broke across his face as he wiped it away, his heart swelling with something he hadn't felt in a long time: hope.
"Yeah!" Naruto called out, jogging to catch up with Sasuke.
As they walked side by side, the world felt a little brighter, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Naruto believed they were truly heading in the same direction.
This chapter came together really quickly, and I hope it doesn't feel rushed. The only part I feel might seem slightly hurried is the ending, but I want to emphasize that Sasuke hasn't fully rid himself of his darkness. His sole purpose is still to kill Itachi, and that drive hasn't lessened. However, with Kakashi likely sealing Sasuke's curse mark again, combined with Sasuke understanding that trying to escape again—especially so soon—would be reckless, he'd accept that he needs to grow stronger within the village for now.
With the curse mark's influence blocked once more and Sasuke reluctantly agreeing to train in Konoha, I believe he'd begin to understand Naruto's intentions better. They're friends, and Naruto's actions weren't about holding him back or denying his ambition, but about keeping him from being corrupted or losing himself entirely to Orochimaru's schemes. Sasuke might not celebrate his defeat at Naruto's hands, but he'd see the logic behind it. If Naruto could grow so much stronger while staying in the village, then Sasuke might grudgingly admit that he could achieve the same—though it might take longer than he'd like.
I'm so excited to explore Naruto's progression during these three years! Not just in terms of his power but also in how he develops his relationships with everyone in the village. In canon, Naruto was gone for three years, but keeping him in the village means he'll have the chance to truly bond with people, which will cause a major butterfly effect. We've already seen the ripple effects starting, and they're only going to grow.
One thing I've always disliked about canon is how little focus the Rookie 9 got after Shippuden. Most of them didn't even make Jonin, which feels like a missed opportunity. While I may not be able to change everyone's drive, I'll do my best to ensure they all have the chance to grow stronger.
As for Naruto's training, I debated whether mastering the waterfall-cutting stage of wind nature manipulation so early was too quick. Based on my research, it seems canon Naruto mastered the first stage in a day with Asuma's advice and Shadow Clones. Then it took him about a day or two to master the waterfall-cutting stage, and roughly six more days to complete the Rasenshuriken. While I'm not entirely sure of the accuracy of this timeline, I decided a week for the waterfall-cutting stage feels reasonable in this version. Since this Naruto used fewer clones than canon, it balances out with his better chakra control, making the progress believable.
I'm also thrilled to see how Naruto's taijutsu has progressed to the point where he can match Neji and Lee. Watching them grow together, along with Hinata, is going to be so much fun to write! Then there's Naruto beginning to study medical ninjutsu with Sakura. While this doesn't mean Naruto will become a medic-nin—his massive chakra reserves make precision-based healing too difficult—even basic knowledge of the body will be invaluable. Studying medical concepts like pressure points will greatly enhance his combat skills. Even if he only learns rudimentary medical techniques or first aid, it's still a win-win situation.
I'd love to hear any suggestions for what Naruto should learn during this period! If you can, please provide reasons for your suggestions. I'm always open to ideas that align with Naruto's growth and the themes of this story!
Reviews:
Dennis Spiral-flame 55 - No problem! Glad to have you back! Yes you'd definitely be correct in that assumption! Naruto's basics are all completely fleshed out now, even having mastered his wind chakra nature. That means he's opened a whole variety of new wind jutsu to learn, as well as the fact he might even get started on a second element, perhaps leading to a promotion to Jonin at some point soon! I'm glad you enjoyed the change to Konoha Crush, having that lead to Kakashi accompanying them on the Sasuke retrieval mission is definitely interesting to me too! Right, Naruto would definitely recognise that his power would NOT be enough to defeat Itachi and Kisame, and would definitely prioritise distraction and escape! Happy to hear you liked the drinking thing with Naruto and Tsunade too, I thought it'd be pretty funny, maybe I'll have him start smoking with Asuma now too...
So many people asked for Tayuya to be taken captive! I'm starting to wish I had done it... But I just feel like Orochimaru, being the cold person he is, would of took some precautions for that, making it so they can't speak on his plans or that he could kill them at any time. I have watched a few Clockworkhighlander videos too! The "what if" genre videos on youtube is actually what made me start writing this! Yeah, I didn't want it to be too obvious, but with Naruto's growth, even being able to defeat Neji with relative ease, I felt like it was a given that Naruto had this fight in the bag, I'm glad you enjoyed it though!
Thank you for the good wishes too! I hope your year is good one!
deniswanheda - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I get what you're saying about Kakashi capturing one of the sound ninja, and I think Kakashi would definitely have the ability to do it. But I think it's massively an Orochimaru move to put some form of seal on the sound four members that would prevent them from betraying him, such as a self destruct sort of mechanism, and I think Kakashi would assume this also, and would simply just kill them in hopes of catching up to Naruto and Shikamaru faster. Also I totally agree with what you mean about the village hating Naruto when he succeeds, it makes no sense. It's literally his mission to bring him back!
BigBillyWilly - Thank you! It seems everyone really wanted Tayuya to survive lol... I hope you enjoyed the other battles, I didn't want to elaborate on Kakashi and Gaara's as one would be a curb stomp and the other would be a bit of a rehash. Having another sound ninja interfere would of been cool to see, but I feel like it would've went against my story theme a little bit, as Orochimaru didn't expect the interference of the sand just like in Canon.
NinjaFang1331 - Thank you!
bloodbrother 18 - Thanks! You could say that, but to me it was for more personal reasons in this fight. Naruto was trying to show Sasuke that he shouldn't rely on his curse mark as both their aces weren't necessarily their own power. If he felt he was strong enough, I'm sure Naruto would of fought him with no nine tails at all. But Naruto deemed Sasuke strong enough to at least have to fight him with the one tailed cloak.
Hazyimp - Thanks for the review! I can understand that, I do feel like I rush things a little, but a lot of people seem to enjoy the straight to the point writing i've been giving so far. I'll try add a bit more from now on, but I guess just remember that this is based of the Canon verse, so any backstory you need will be the same as Canon unfortunately or not. I'm more focused on the progression of the story and characters than anything else.