In Bloom and in Battle

by Privation

After an untimely death, a woman awakens in a world she knows only from manga and anime—Naruto. Reborn as Kimiko Yuhi, the younger sister of Kurenai, she must navigate her new life in the Hidden Leaf Village, grappling with the disorientation of infancy and the reality of a ninja's world.

30. Chapter 30: (Konoha Crush Part II)

Chapter 30: Red Spider Lily (Konoha Crush Part II)

Kimiko barely had time to process Gaara's grotesque transformation before Shukaku's massive, sandy arm lashed out like a whip. The sheer force snapped the tree she was perched on into splinters, forcing her to leap away and land beside Naruto and Sasuke.

"Is he human, or a monster?!" Sasuke demanded, his eyes glued on Gaara.

"Doesn't matter what he is!" Naruto snapped back, clenching his fists. "We need to stop him before he—"

Kimiko's eyes widened. "SCATTER!" she screamed as Gaara's arm shot toward them again, its destructive path pulverizing everything in its way.

The three of them vanished in a blur, each retreating to the cover of the surrounding trees. Gaara's attack obliterated the spot where they had been standing, sending chunks of wood and dust flying.

"Why do you hide from me?" Gaara slurred, his voice guttural and unhinged. He heaved with delirious excitement, his yellow, cursed eyes darting wildly. "Do I frighten you? Are you shocked by my true form?" His voice broke into a maddened cackle. "Come out, come out! To live, I must kill—and the three of you are my PREY!"

Kimiko crouched behind the trunk of a sturdy tree, her breath steadying. She peeked past its edge, her sensory abilities focused on Gaara's erratic chakra. His body trembled, barely containing the monstrous energy swelling within him.

There's three of us. She gripped Byakko tightly. If Naruto alone managed to reach him in the original timeline, we can definitely do this together.

She expanded her senses, locating Sasuke perched high above Gaara, hidden behind thick branches a few trees away. Naruto, crouched at her level, was just a short distance off to her left.

Alright. First, we need a—

"SO THERE YOU ARE!"

Gaara's guttural scream echoed through the clearing as his massive arm shot upward, crashing through the tree where Sasuke was hiding. The force shattered the trunk, sending debris raining down as Sasuke leaped toward Gaara, his body blurring with speed.

Gaara's arm recoiled and lashed out again, this time striking Sasuke square in the chest—only for his body to vanish in a puff of smoke, replaced by a splintered log.

The real Sasuke dropped from above, kunai gripped between his fingers. "Guess again!" he snarled, hurling the blades at Gaara.

The kunai struck Gaara's sand arm with dull, ineffective thuds, sinking into its grainy surface. Gaara sneered, the blades sinking deeper into his arm before disappearing entirely.

"You can have them back!" Gaara roared. The kunai exploded outward, shooting back toward Sasuke like missiles. Sasuke dodged effortlessly, his body flickering to safety, only to reappear on the opposite side of Gaara.

Kimiko's senses kicked into high gear. She moved instinctively, charging from Gaara's blind spot alongside Naruto. The two blurred into action as Sasuke attacked from the front.

Sasuke spun midair, aiming a powerful kick at Gaara. His foot connected with Gaara's sand arm, sinking into its surface, but not before Gaara twisted to spot Naruto and Kimiko closing in from behind.

Naruto lunged first, slamming a hook punch into Gaara's face. The impact rocked him slightly, but Gaara's maniacal grin only widened as Naruto used his momentum to springboard away.

Kimiko was already airborne, her blade raised high. "Konoha Style Kenjutsu: Twin Moons!" she cried, her voice cutting through the chaos. A streak of white trailed her blade as she executed two rapid slashes, severing the massive sand arm cleanly at its base. She landed in a crouch on a nearby branch, her blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

"AAAAAAARGH!" Gaara screamed, clutching his severed limb as sand spilled to the ground. But his cries twisted into a maniacal laugh as the arm began to reform. "That actually HURT! I LOVE IT WHEN PREY FIGHT BACK!"

The newly formed arm flexed and pulsed with cursed markings as Gaara turned his wild gaze on Kimiko.

Suddenly, Gaara clutched his head with his still-human hand, a piercing scream ripping through the air as he collapsed to his knees. His head hung low, trembling with some unseen torment.

"Why… do they always run away…" he sobbed, his voice cracked and raw. Slowly, the sobs turned into unhinged laughter. His head lifted, revealing a maniacal smile, half his teeth already jagged and razor-sharp. Saliva dripped freely from the corners of his mouth as his yellow, cursed eyes gleamed with madness.

"I WON'T LET THE THREE OF YOU GET AWAY!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the shattered forest. "YOU WON'T ESCAPE, DO YOU HEAR?! NONE OF YOU WILL!"

With a roar, Gaara lunged at Kimiko, his massive sand arm cleaving through the trees like a wrecking ball. Kimiko's form vanished in a flurry of red petals, reappearing on a nearby branch. Gaara snarled, his arm retracting and slamming forward again, smashing through more trees with ease as he laughed, a chilling, hate-fueled sound.

"Come on, let's stick together," Kimiko murmured to Naruto and Sasuke as she regrouped with them on a higher branch. Both nodded silently, their eyes fixed on Gaara, who now stood in the open, saliva dripping from his chin as his head whipped around, searching for any trace of them.

"Alright," Kimiko said quietly, keeping her gaze on Gaara. "We need a proper plan of attack."

"What's wrong?!" Gaara's guttural voice broke through the relative silence. "I can smell it! The three of you are AFRAID OF ME!" With a furious yell, his sand arm lashed out, snapping nearby trees like twigs. Sand poured from his gourd, forming into a second massive Shukaku-like appendage, acting like a massive tail.

"...Okay," she muttered, her mind racing. "That brute strength is too much. We'll likely only get one shot, so we need to make it count." Her eyes darted to Sasuke. "Can you still use your Heavenly Lance?"

Sasuke nodded, though his face was tight with strain. "Two more times," he admitted.

"Good," she said firmly. "Naruto, we need to keep him occupied. Press him hard and give Sasuke time to set up for a clear shot. Remember, we only have one chance." She dug into her pouch, pulling out two soldier pills and tossing one to each of them. Both boys caught the pills and swallowed them without hesitation.

"Got it," Naruto said, his gaze steely as he formed a hand seal, summoning three shadow clones. "On your signal."

"Now!" Kimiko yelled, launching into action alongside the clones.

Naruto's clones surged forward in the first wave. The first clone was obliterated as Gaara's newly formed tail-like appendage slammed into it, dispersing it in a puff of smoke. The second clone darted closer but was destroyed by a strike from Gaara's sand arm. The third managed to get through, leaping into the air to deliver a side kick, only for Gaara's sand arm to snake around and block the attack.

Another Naruto clone materialized behind Gaara, spinning midair to deliver a kick to the side of his head. The force sent Gaara flying from the branch, crashing through several others before his tail appendage grabbed a nearby branch, swinging him in a circle and letting him land heavily on a thick bough.

Kimiko was already standing across the branch, her hand finishing the seals.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Moisture from the air condensed rapidly, forming a massive, serpentine dragon of water. It roared toward Gaara, crashing into him with immense force. His tail expanded, coiling around him to form a protective sand sphere. The impact eroded the shield's structure, leaving only the bottom half intact and exposing Gaara's upper body.

Gaara roared, his right arm shooting toward Kimiko. Instead of retreating, she leaped onto the sand arm, running along its surface as if it were a bridge. His tail lashed out, but Kimiko jumped high into the air, spinning gracefully as she drew three senbon from her pouch. Each needle was wreathed in her virulent chakra, a red, noxious aura enveloping them, as they flew towards Gaara, they were trailed by a stream of black water, making them shoot like missiles.

She hurled the senbon at Gaara. His arm retracted to block the attack, but the needles exploded on impact, sending black, corrosive liquid splattering across the sand. Huge chunks of the sand arm disintegrated under the assault.

Gaara howled in pain, but before he could recover, Kimiko flickered behind him. She hurled three more senbon wreathed in her toxic chakra, these embedding themselves into his back.

Gaara snarled, his head snapping toward her, ignoring the senbon on his back sizzling with the smell of burning flesh

. "I'LL KILL YOU!" he screamed, saliva flying as he reared his tail to strike. But his body suddenly stiffened, locked into place.

She almost felt bad for assimilating Kankuro's poison and using it against his own brother.

"NOW, SASUKE!" Kimiko shouted, landing on a nearby branch.

Sasuke was already in motion. He appeared before Gaara in a flash, his right arm blazing with actinic light and blue-white flames. The spear of incandescent lightning punctured Gaara's chest, piercing through his back. The flames incinerated his flesh while the lightning coursed through his body, ripping apart vital organs.

Gaara's scream of rage twisted into one of agony as his right arm dissolved into formless sand, only to reform into another monstrous appendage. The newly-formed arm shot forward, aiming to crush Sasuke, who was still locked in place, his hand buried deep in Gaara's chest. Sand began to coil around Sasuke's arm, binding him in place.

"SASUKE, NO!" Naruto yelled, panic lacing his voice.

In a blur of speed, Kimiko slammed into Sasuke, forcing his arm free. She spun on her heel, placing herself between him and Gaara, Byakko raised in a defensive stance.

Gaara's massive sand arm hesitated, his mismatched eyes locking with Kimiko's. For a moment, shock flickered in his gaze—remnants of a memory, perhaps—but the hesitation was brief. His expression twisted back into a snarl.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" he bellowed.

The sand arm surged forward, slamming into Kimiko and pinning her against a thick tree. The impact was devastating, the arm tearing through multiple trees before anchoring itself against the last one. Claws of sand dug into the bark, trapping her.

Kimiko coughed, blood dripping from her lips onto the sand that held her. Her glare never wavered, piercing through Gaara's maddened expression.

"Kimiko!" Sasuke shouted, staggering as Naruto supported his weight.

"Crap," Naruto muttered, his arms trembling from the strain. "I don't know if we can handle this. Once we free Kimiko, we might need to retreat."

But Gaara was clutching his head with his free hand, his face contorted in pain. His eyes squeezed shut as if plagued by a deluge of memories.

I need a way out, Kimiko thought, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She tried to move her arms, but Gaara's crushing grip left her immobile. I can't wait for an opening. I need to create one.

Gaara's eyes snapped open, his focus shifting back to Naruto. His glare was molten with fury. "...Well? What's the matter? Weren't the two of you about to make a run for it?" he growled. "What are they to you?"

Naruto's head shot up, his own glare fierce. "What are they?" he repeated, voice rising. "They're my friends! That's who they are!" He pointed a trembling finger at Gaara. "You so much as lay another finger on them, and I'll slaughter you!"

Gaara's lips curled into a wicked grin as he tightened his grip on Kimiko. She bit her lip, suppressing a scream as the pressure increased, but in the back of her mind, she felt it—a momentary lapse in Gaara's focus.

Thanks, Naruto. That's just what I needed.

"What's the matter?" Gaara taunted, his voice sharp. "Weren't you going to pulverize me? Come on, then!"

Kimiko's eyes narrowed, her breath steadying. "Should've kept your eyes on me, asshole."

Before Gaara could fully register her words, Kimiko spat a water senbon she had kneaded within her body. It flew through the air, glowing faintly with her virulent chakra, and pierced through Gaara's neck. A sizzling sound erupted as the corrosive poison ate into his flesh, and Gaara let out a guttural scream of pain. His grip slackened.

In a flash, Kimiko wrenched herself free, grabbing Byakko as she leapt backward. The sand arm surged toward her, but she was ready.

"Konoha Style Kenjutsu: Implacable Swaying Willow!"

Kimiko's blade moved in a blur, streaks of white forming a protective shield around her. Each swipe severed sections of the sand arm, turning it into formless mounds of sand that crumbled to the forest floor. The arm was obliterated by the time Kimiko landed beside Naruto and Sasuke.

"Quick thinking," Sasuke said, his voice strained but appreciative.

"Thanks," Kimiko replied, her chest heaving. She steadied herself, her grip on Byakko tightening. "But we can't celebrate yet. I can feel his chakra… He's going to transform any moment."

Gaara, now regenerating his monstrous sand appendage, let out a maniacal laugh that echoed through the forest. "Fools! That's why, no matter how strong you three think you are, you'll never win." His cracked, distorted grin widened, revealing razor-sharp teeth. "As long as you fight for the sake of others, you'll never advance beyond your level. Only one can remain undefeated, and only he will feel what it's like to truly exist. Forget your friends, fight only for yourself!"

"You're insane!" Naruto shouted, fists clenched. "None of us will forget each other! We're not just friends—we're family!"

Gaara sneered, his voice dripping with derision. "Let trivial feelings like friendship and loyalty cloud your focus, and you'll die!"

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto retorted, pointing a finger at him. "Keep talking while you can, because we're about to shut you up once and for all!"

Kimiko kept her eyes on Gaara as his sand-covered form shifted and twisted, the poison and blood on his right side still dripping. His body trembled with an unnatural energy as his arm shot toward them again, forcing the trio to leap from their perch as the branch was obliterated behind them.

"Naruto," Kimiko called, urgency clear in her tone. "We only have one shot at this. That toad you summoned when training with Jiraiya-sensei—we need it here."

Naruto's jaw set, his eyes narrowing. "Right! It'll take a lot of chakra, so give me some space!" He bit his thumb, smeared the blood on his palm, and rapidly wove hand seals before slamming his hand onto the branch. "Summoning Jutsu!"

A plume of smoke exploded from the summoning circle… but instead of the towering Chief Toad, the diminutive orange figure of Gamakichi appeared, blinking lazily.

"Whaaat is it now?" croaked the toad, sounding annoyed. "Look, kid, I hope you brought snacks, 'cause if you think I'm doing anything for free, you're dead wroooong."

Naruto's face turned beet red as his fist shook in frustration. "OH, COME ON! I'M REALLY STARTING TO HATE YOU STUPID TOADS!"

Despite herself, Kimiko's lips twitched in amusement. If they weren't facing a murderous Jinchuuriki on the verge of a full transformation, the scene might have been hilarious.

"Oh hohoho, anti-amphibian much?" Gamakichi shot back, sticking out his tongue in a noisy raspberry.

"LISTEN!" Naruto barked, his voice cracking in desperation. "We don't have time for games, you slimy little squirt!"

"Enough," Kimiko interjected, her voice sharp. She turned her focus back to Gaara, who was visibly shifting, his chakra surging and contorting in a grotesque dance. "We have bigger problems."

Before their eyes, Gaara's form twisted further. His entire body morphed, his human features subsumed into the coarse sand, leaving only his red hair visible amid the grotesque, humanoid form. His eyes, now completely yellow with slitted pupils, gleamed with malice as his tail coiled behind him like a serpent.

"Heh, heh, heh…" The hybrid Gaara-Shukaku chuckled darkly. "See? Weakness. When I fight, I fight only for myself. That's why I'll crush you all!"

Without warning, he crossed his massive sand arms before slashing them outward. "Sand Shuriken Barrage!" he roared, unleashing a hailstorm of razor-sharp sand projectiles.

Naruto scooped Gamakichi into his arms as the three of them scattered, leaping from the branch just as the cutting sands demolished it.

"Oof," Gamakichi muttered, adjusting himself in Naruto's grip as they landed on another tree. "Man, that was wild. Who's the freaky sand guy anyway?"

Kimiko didn't answer immediately. She noticed Naruto's gaze lingering on Gaara's monstrous form, his expression pained and conflicted.

"…Kimiko," Naruto began hesitantly, "is that his…?"

She didn't let him finish. "Naruto," she said softly but firmly, her gaze never leaving Gaara. "I love you with all my heart. Especially because I know what you're thinking. Yes, that is a Jinchuuriki's transformation. And no, he's wrong—fighting only for yourself doesn't make you stronger. It only leaves you alone, with no goal but self-loathing. But… we can help him. Just not in this state."

Naruto's hands tightened into fists, and he nodded sharply. Sasuke glanced at Kimiko, his expression unreadable, before refocusing on Gaara. "So, what's the plan?"

"What's the matter?" Gaara taunted, his voice guttural and filled with venom. "I thought your friendship made you stronger. Show me your power, all of you! Watch as I grind it to dust before your eyes! Attack me! Sandstorm Devastation!"

Around his monstrous form, multiple mouths opened, sucking in air and unleashing scorching, razor-sharp sandy winds. The trio retreated, jumping back from the onslaught, but Gaara was relentless. He followed up with a hailstorm of sand shurikens, obliterating trees and forcing them to scatter.

"SANDSTORM HELL!" he screamed, expelling a massive blast of wind and sand toward them. It caught them mid-air, sending all three crashing against a thick tree trunk. With a resounding thud, they landed on a branch below, disoriented.

Gaara's maniacal laughter filled the air. "Yes, YES! I'll kill you all together! SUFFER! KNOW THE FOLLY OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP!"

Naruto was the first to rise, his body trembling but his eyes fierce. "Sasuke, Kimiko. I have a plan. I'll create an opening for the two of you."

"What?!" Sasuke snapped, scrambling to his feet. "Are you insane?!" His voice cracked with frustration. "You'll die if you go in alone! I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself!"

Naruto smirked, wiping blood from his mouth. "Idiot… I'm not planning on dying." He glared at Gaara, forming a hand seal. In a poof of smoke, five identical clones surrounded him.

"And even if I do," said the Narutos in unison, "I'll make sure I take him down with me! I'm not losing to a guy like him!" The clones turned to Gaara, their eyes burning with determination. "Here goes!" The five Narutos lunged forward. "Get ready for the ultimate secret taijutsu! Clone Body Slam!"

Kimiko raised an eyebrow as she observed their chaotic formation. Three Narutos charged at Gaara head-on, linked together, while the other two stayed back. One of them crouched down, lifting the final clone on his shoulders. The last Naruto, perched at the top, brandished a kunai and smirked.

Gaara scoffed, his massive sand arm sweeping forward to clamp down on the trio rushing him. "Foolish!" he sneered.

"Now!" shouted the trapped Narutos as they poofed into smoke, disguising the real plan.

The two remaining clones sprang into action, landing atop Gaara's sand arm. The bottom clone launched the top Naruto forward like a missile. Gaara's other arm lashed out to intercept, but the airborne Naruto grinned and performed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two more Narutos appeared mid-air, splitting in different directions. One went above Gaara, the other dove toward his back. Gaara snarled, using his tail to swat at them, but the clones anticipated this.

"Another!" the airborne clones shouted. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two fresh Narutos materialized, becoming springboards to propel the two Narutos who now were next to each other directly at Gaara. Both clones wielded kunai, the handle wrapped in paper bombs.

"Take this! Leaf Village Secret Taijutsu! Straight from the teachings of Kakashi Hatake!" the Narutos yelled, their fingers poised ominously.

Kimiko's eyes widened in horror. No way…

Before Gaara could react, the two Narutos jabbed their fingers in unison toward what they thought was his weak spot—beneath the base of his tail.

Sasuke and Gamakichi groaned in unison, both burying their faces in their hands. "Idiot…" they muttered simultaneously.

Gaara blinked, his yellow, crazed eyes narrowing in confusion. Slowly, he turned his monstrous head to glare over his shoulder at the clones.

The next moment, his tail swung with crushing force, sending the clones flying into the distance like ragdolls. But the real threat remained.

Kimiko had been watching closely, already poised to strike. She saw everything that happened. He planted the kunai in Gaara's weak point. What an unorthodox genius, this kid is.

"Boom."

The twin kunai exploded, engulfing Gaara in a subsequent, massive fiery blast. The resulting shockwave ripped through the forest, scattering debris in every direction. Flames and smoke obscured Gaara's figure as the explosion consumed him.

One of the Narutos dispersed in a puff of smoke, while the original Naruto was propelled dangerously far by the force of the explosion.

"Sasuke, catch Naruto! I'll handle Gaara!" Kimiko shouted.

Sasuke didn't need further prompting. He blurred into action, leaping after Naruto's airborne form and catching him just before he could crash into a tree. Meanwhile, Kimiko sprinted toward the black smoke cloud, her sharp senses already locking onto Gaara's chakra. The twin paper bomb explosion had caused immense damage; both of Gaara's sand arms were sloughing off in uneven clumps, struggling to regenerate.

Kimiko saw her opening and didn't hesitate.

"Konoha Style Kenjutsu: Serene Moon Devastation!"

In a flash, she flickered forward, Byakko's gleaming white blade cutting through the smoke with precision. The tip of her sword pierced Gaara's chest, slicing through sand and finding flesh beneath. The momentum carried her past him, and she reappeared a few paces behind, the sword arcing upward in a graceful slash that left sand and blood dripping from its edge.

Gaara stumbled, blood spraying from his mouth. With a guttural snarl, he lashed out with his remaining sand, but his movements were sluggish—too slow. The poison she infused into her blade was taking effect. Before his attack could connect, Kimiko's body dissolved into a flurry of crimson lotus petals, reappearing beside Sasuke and Naruto.

"...Did it work?" Sasuke asked, his breath labored as he propped Naruto up.

"Yes, it worked," Kimiko replied, steadying her own breathing. "Naruto's attack left him wide open, and I hit him clean. The poison is in his system now. It won't last long—his jinchuuriki resilience will likely burn through it—but for now, it'll slow him down. He'll feel the pain."

She tightened her grip on Byakko, her gaze fixed on Gaara as his form twitched and twisted in the distance, the monstrous power within him visibly stirring.

"It's insane," she muttered, more to herself. "This poison could kill two giant bears, but for a jinchuuriki like him... it's just a temporary inconvenience."

"Alright, well," Sasuke said, his voice quieter than usual, yet resolute. "None of you pull something stupid like that again." He closed his eyes, his breath steadying. "I lost everything once… I don't ever want to see that again. My trusted comrades dying—no." He opened his eyes, locking gazes with both Naruto and Kimiko. "My closest friends. My family. I will not let it happen again."

"...Family?" Naruto murmured, his wide blue eyes filled with curiosity and something deeper—understanding.

Kimiko felt her lips curve into a soft smile, a warmth blooming in her chest at Sasuke's words. She watched him with a mixture of admiration and affection as he continued.

"I will not… allow my comrades to die. That is absolute. And that…" He turned to glare at Gaara, his voice rising with a power that left no room for doubt. "IS MY NINDO—MY NINJA WAY!"

Kimiko's breath caught. He's found his ninja way… already? This soon? She blinked, her gaze softening. He's grown so much.

Naruto looked between the two of them, something flickering behind his eyes. Then, with a sudden clarity, he stepped forward. "I get it now."

Both Kimiko and Sasuke turned to him in surprise.

Naruto clenched his fists, his voice steady and filled with resolve. "Gaara… he's no different from me. He's lived his whole life carrying the same sadness, the same loneliness I've had to carry. He's fought only for himself, never relying on anyone. I thought that made him strong." His voice wavered for a moment, but then he shook his head. "But I see it now. That's not what real strength is."

Sasuke blinked, his stoic mask cracking as he looked at Naruto with newfound respect. Kimiko tilted her head, her expression both curious and proud.

Naruto's voice grew louder, more determined. "If you never fight for anyone but yourself, you'll never be strong—no matter what you do!"

With that, Naruto made a hand seal, and a surge of chakra erupted from him like a radiant sunburst. The sheer force of it washed over them, warm and unyielding, illuminating the battlefield with a golden hue. It wasn't just chakra; it was hope, it was determination—it was Naruto Uzumaki.

Kimiko's heart raced as she felt it. This warmth… it's like standing in the sun. It made her feel safe. Protected. Whole.

Naruto's chakra expanded, a bonfire in the darkness, dwarfing Sasuke's, hers, and even Gaara's overwhelming presence. It was a beacon.

"I swear…" Naruto's voice rang out, clear and strong. "I'll protect all of you!"

In an instant, the area was covered in a thick white cloud, dispersing to reveal a sight that made even Kimiko's jaw drop.

Hundreds of Naruto clones stood around them. No, thousands. No—tens of thousands. They covered every surface of the forest: perched on branches, the ground, even high in the canopy. It was as if the entire forest had turned into a sea of orange and blue.

Kimiko stared, eyes wide. Just how powerful did I make him?!

"Nice, kid!" Gamakichi croaked, hopping onto a branch nearby. "Not too shabby!"

"Gee, sorry for keeping you waiting so long!" Naruto quipped, his usual grin lighting up his face. Then he turned his attention to Gaara, who was now little more than a monstrous amalgamation of sand. Naruto pointed at him, confidence radiating from every pore. "Get ready for an original jutsu, straight from my ninja handbook!"

Gaara's wide, mismatched eyes darted around the forest, the sheer number of clones leaving him visibly shaken. "What the… How did you summon so many clones?!"

Even Sasuke, usually calm and composed, couldn't hide his astonishment. But then, his surprise gave way to a wide grin, one filled with pride. "Naruto… you've gotten so strong. You… are my rival."

Naruto looked back at him, his grin softening into something more genuine. "Heh, thanks, Sasuke."

Kimiko, feeling a spark of competitive energy, huffed playfully. "Don't forget about me. I'm your rival too, both of you."

Naruto laughed, his eyes shining with determination. "Alright then, Sasuke, Kimiko. Stay back for now and get ready. When I make my move, we'll attack together and finish this once and for all!"

The battlefield erupted into chaos as all the Narutos sprang into action. Ten thousand flashes of yellow and orange blurred through the air, converging on Gaara's position.

"Naruto's Ninja Handbook!" the original Naruto yelled, his voice carrying through the destruction. "Everywhere Shuriken!"

In perfect unison, the ten thousand Naruto clones hurled a shuriken each. Before the weapons reached their target, every Naruto made a hand seal.

"SHURIKEN SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"

The air crackled with chakra as their voices echoed through the forest. Each shuriken multiplied—two, four, eight, sixteen—until they blotted out the sky entirely, a dense, deadly rain of steel descending upon Gaara. The wave of shuriken struck from all sides, piercing through his sand defenses and embedding themselves deep into his body, tearing at his semi-transformed form.

But Naruto wasn't finished.

A dozen clones surrounded Gaara, attacking in perfect synchronicity. Their kicks landed from every direction, launching him upward like a battered ragdoll. Another group of Narutos appeared mid-air, continuing the relentless assault, each kick sending Gaara further into the sky.

"U!" yelled the first group, their voices like a battle cry.

"ZU!" roared the second.

"MAKI!" bellowed the third.

"NARUTO'S!" came the final shout as the last group uppercut Gaara into the sky with a collective strike.

Gaara hung in mid-air, battered and vulnerable, but before he could even begin to comprehend his situation, a wave of Naruto clones leaped higher, surrounding him from above. Their fists shimmered with spiraling winds, the chakra visibly warping the air around them.

"TEN THOUSAND WIND BARRAGE!"

The simultaneous cries from a thousand clones boomed like thunder as they descended upon Gaara. A massive explosion of gale-force winds detonated on impact, the sheer force leveling the forest below. Trees were uprooted, leaves scattered, and the shockwave tore through the battlefield, leaving nothing but a barren wasteland of destruction in its wake.

When the dust began to settle, Gaara was barely recognizable—a disfigured blob of sand clinging to consciousness, his humanoid form almost entirely dissolved.

And that's when Team 7 struck.

Kimiko and Sasuke flickered into position, appearing at Gaara's sides. Kimiko's Byakko gleamed with deadly intent, while Sasuke's Heavenly Lance blazed with electric and fiery energy, illuminating his form like an avenging deity. Above them, Naruto hovered, his fist glowing with the same gale-force chakra that had obliterated the forest.

"TEAM SEVEN COMBINATION BARRAGE!" they shouted in unison.

Kimiko struck first, her blade slicing through Gaara's abdomen in a precise arc, leaving a gaping gash that spilled sand and blood. In the same breath, Sasuke lunged forward, his Heavenly Lance piercing Gaara's chest, the searing heat and electric charge burrowing deep into his form. Finally, Naruto's fist came crashing down from above, the force of his gale-enhanced punch slamming into Gaara's head.

The combined impact sent Gaara hurtling toward the ground like a meteor. The earth quaked as his body collided, the sheer force of the crash leaving a massive crater in the ground, dust and debris rising into the air like a towering plume of smoke.

For a moment, everything was still. The forest was silent, save for the faint crackle of chakra dissipating and the ragged breaths of Team 7. The battlefield bore the marks of their combined power—a testament to their strength, their bond, and their unyielding will to protect each other.

Kimiko lowered Byakko, her breath heavy. "Did we… get him?"

Sasuke's gaze remained locked on the crater, his Heavenly Lance fading into sparks of dissipating chakra. "If he's still standing after that…" he began, his voice trailing off.

Naruto, wiping sweat from his brow, grinned. "If he's still standing, we'll just hit him again."

Below, Gaara didn't stir, and Kimiko felt her chest tighten in fear. Did we… kill him?

"Well, just to be sure, this time we'll use both feet for a twenty thousand barrage!" Naruto's clones yelled in unison, preparing to lunge toward Gaara's limp form encased in sand.

"I'M NOT GOING TO LOSE TO YOU THREE!" Gaara's voice erupted suddenly, his eyes snapping open as his body twitched violently. A massive, grotesque appendage of sand burst from his chest, sweeping through the air and obliterating hundreds of Naruto's clones in one devastating strike. The cloud of dispersing clones filled the forest with smoke, obscuring Kimiko's view, but not her senses.

She felt it—raw, chaotic, and malevolent. Chakra surged wildly in the air, suffocating and oppressive, similar to the Kyuubi's energy but distinctly different. The chakra storm surged, scouring the area like a violent tempest.

When the smoke cleared, Kimiko, Naruto, and Sasuke stood together on a branch, staring in shock at the massive figure looming before them. A towering tanuki made of sand, marked with intricate cursed seals, stood tall with a monstrous tail swaying menacingly behind it. The One-Tail, Shukaku, had fully emerged.

"What… what is that?!" Sasuke demanded, his Sharingan spinning furiously.

"So that's it…" Naruto murmured, his gaze locked on the creature. "The monster hidden inside him…"

"Well… sort of," Kimiko said cautiously, her eyes narrowing at Shukaku's massive form. "The tailed beasts… they didn't start as monsters. They're made into monsters by the people who wield them." She caught herself mid-thought and winced. Crap. Me and my big mouth.

Naruto and Sasuke turned their heads toward her, looking confused. Thankfully, Gaara's voice cut through the moment.

"Heh… I didn't expect to be forced to use this form," Gaara said, his voice distorted and booming. "SAND COFFIN!"

Shukaku raised one massive paw, and the sand beneath them surged. The three of them found themselves pinned together on the branch as the sand coiled around their bodies like a tightening snake, forming a cocoon.

"Crap," Naruto murmured, his voice strained. "I used up all of my chakra with that last barrage…"

"Tch," muttered Sasuke, trying to struggle against the bonds that only grew thicker each second.

Kimiko struggled against the sand constricting her body. Her mind raced, desperation setting in. "Naruto…" she whispered, glancing at him. His blue eyes met hers, and then he turned to Sasuke, determination replacing the panic on his face.

A flicker of red crossed Naruto's eyes. Is that…?

Naruto swiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and formed a series of hand seals.

"THIS IS THE END!" Gaara roared, his glee palpable. "SAND BURIAL!"

"SUMMONING JUTSU!"

In a blinding explosion of white smoke, the world shifted.

The sand cocoon that had threatened to crush them was blown apart by the sheer force of the summoning. Kimiko coughed, the smoke swirling around her, but she could sense it—the enormous presence Naruto had called forth.

As the smoke cleared, a massive shadow loomed over them. Beneath them, the ground trembled as an enormous red toad with intricate dark markings and a formidable pipe clenched between its jaws came into view. Its piercing eyes locked onto the titanic form of Shukaku. Gamabunta, the Chief Toad, had arrived.

The three of them—Naruto, Sasuke, and Kimiko—found themselves perched atop the great toad's head, a vantage point that dwarfed the surrounding forest.

"Naruto…" Sasuke began, awe thick in his voice, though there was a hint of envy in his eyes. "How on earth did you pull this off?"

Naruto crossed his arms smugly, his grin wide. "Heh, told you all that training would pay off someday."

"What the…" rumbled Gamabunta, his deep voice resonating like distant thunder. His massive eyes flicked upward to glare at them. "Not you again, brat." His gaze shifted, taking in Sasuke and Kimiko. "And you brought along a couple of tagalongs too? What is this, a field trip?"

Gamabunta's eyes then turned to Shukaku, who towered menacingly in the distance, its massive tail whipping through the air and sending powerful gusts that rattled the forest canopy. From this height, Kimiko could see Konoha far in the distance, the silhouette of another massive toad locked in battle.

"Jiraiya-sensei must be there," Kimiko murmured to herself, though her gaze quickly snapped back to the looming threat. "But this is the fight I need to focus on."

Gamabunta huffed, his eyes narrowing. "Hrm… oh my. Well, would you look at that? Shukaku, the One Tail."

Naruto grinned confidently. "What do you say, Chief Toad? Will you fight alongside me today?"

Gamabunta took a long drag on his pipe, expelling a cloud of smoke that enveloped them briefly. "Take a hike, kid."

"WHAAAT?!" Naruto bellowed, leaning forward as if to glare into the toad's enormous eyes. "Are you serious right now?!"

"Why go out of my way to mess with a guy like him?" Gamabunta grumbled, his voice laced with irritation. "What am I, stupid?"

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Naruto screamed, pounding his fists against Gamabunta's head. "You told me I was your henchman, didn't you?! Isn't it your duty as the boss to help me out?! Where's your honor?!"

"Yeah, I did say that," Gamabunta drawled lazily, smoke curling from his mouth. "But we haven't even sealed the deal over a cup of sake yet. So, no dice."

Naruto's face turned crimson. "GIVE ME A BREAK! I'm not even old enough to drink!"

Suddenly, a smaller toad—orange and spry—hopped onto Naruto's head. "Oh, come on, Pops! Don't be like that. Why don't you hear the kid out?"

"Huh? Pops?" Naruto blinked in confusion, looking up at the small toad.

Sasuke raised a brow in exasperation. "You've got to be kidding me…"

Kimiko folded her arms, trying to suppress a chuckle. "This is ridiculous."

"And just what do you think you're doing here, Gamakichi?" rumbled Gamabunta, glaring at his son.

"Well, I was bored, so I thought I'd come hang out," Gamakichi replied nonchalantly.

Naruto stared incredulously between the two. "You're father and son?!"

"This is… absurd," muttered Sasuke, sitting cross-legged on Gamabunta's head.

"By the way, Pops," Gamakichi said, pointing at Shukaku. "That big ugly lug was picking on me earlier, but this kid and his friends protected me."

Gamabunta's massive eyes squinted at the tailed beast before flicking to the trio on his head. "Is that so?"

"Yup," Gamakichi confirmed, nodding. "These kids are tougher than they look. Real talents."

"Hmm…" Gamabunta grumbled, his expression thoughtful. With deliberate slowness, he reached for the enormous tanto strapped to his hip, unsheathing it with a metallic hiss that echoed through the forest. The sight of the weapon alone sent a shiver down Kimiko's spine.

"Alright, kid," Gamabunta rumbled, taking a drag on his pipe and exhaling another thick plume of smoke. "You're officially my henchman. And those two are too."

"We didn't even ask…" Sasuke muttered dryly, resting his chin on his hand.

"Sit tight, brats," Gamabunta said, his massive voice rumbling with a newfound edge of authority. "I'll show you what honor and duty are all about! But not before I take him down and make him pay for what he's done!"

Gamabunta raised his blade in a backhand grip, leveling it parallel to where his hip would be, and then he lunged.

The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The sheer rush of wind whipped past Kimiko's face, nearly knocking the three of them off balance. She quickly crouched lower to steady herself, realizing that riding atop a gigantic, mobile beast like Gamabunta required far more coordination than she had anticipated. The ground beneath blurred, entire sections of the forest vanishing as Gamabunta hurtled forward with the speed of a bullet. His enormous blade gleamed in the sunlight as he bellowed out a war cry, the deep rumble reverberating through her bones.

"TOAD SLASH BEHEADING!" Gamabunta roared, his voice a thunderclap across the battlefield.

As Shukaku raised his massive sandy arm to ward off the attack, Gamabunta used the momentum of his leap to swing his blade with devastating force. The tanto sliced cleanly through Shukaku's arm, the severed limb falling away like a collapsing dune. Sand exploded into the air as Gamabunta shot past the hulking tanuki, the sheer weight of the severed arm crashing into the forest below and flattening acres of trees.

"Woah!" Naruto exclaimed, glancing over his shoulder as they soared through the air. "That was awesome!"

The three of them held on tightly as Gamabunta landed behind Shukaku, the force of the impact shaking the earth. The toad chief skidded on his massive feet, uprooting dozens more trees as he came to a halt, the ground tearing apart in his wake.

Shukaku's dismembered arm hit the ground with a thunderous crash, a mountain of sand erupting before dissolving into a formless mass. Above them, Gamabunta's sword spun through the air, the sunlight gleaming off its surface like a beacon. It finally came down with a deafening thud, burying itself blade-first into the earth like a skyscraper.

Shukaku snarled, his guttural growl echoing through the air. His hulking body twisted, each movement lumbering yet powerful, as he turned to face them again. His remaining arm reared back, his cursed markings glowing faintly in the light.

"Interesting," rumbled Gaara, his voice a deep, guttural echo that vibrated through the air. "INTERESTING! NOT BAD, YOU THREE!"

The top of Shukaku's massive head began to ripple like quicksand, and moments later, Gaara emerged headfirst, his torso rising above the sandy surface as if the tanuki's head had birthed him.

"Hng," muttered Gamabunta, narrowing his massive eyes. "So that's the host, huh?"

Gaara grinned wickedly, his unhinged demeanor on full display. "In gratitude for giving me a good time thus far," he sneered, forming a hand seal, "I'll show you the true strength of the Sand Spirit."

Gamabunta's eyes darkened. "That poor host," he rumbled. "He's got chronic insomnia from being possessed by Shukaku."

"Insomnia?" Sasuke echoed, blinking.

"Look at the rings around his eyes," Gamabunta explained, puffing out smoke from his pipe. "If they ever fall completely asleep, Shukaku would gradually devour their personality, until nothing of them is left. They'd just be a shell."

Sasuke frowned, exchanging glances with the three of them, "So that's why he's so unstable…"

"Exactly," grumbled Gamabunta. "Because of the sleep deprivation, the host's personality deteriorates. Makes them more unpredictable, more dangerous."

The three of them exchanged looks, realization dawning. "That explains… a lot," Sasuke muttered under his breath.

"Normally, while the host stays awake, Shukaku's power is suppressed," Gamabunta continued, his tone grim. "But if the host voluntarily puts themselves to sleep…"

Kimiko's eyes widened. "Then the One Tail fully takes over."

"Huh." Gamabunta glanced at her, his massive brow raising. "How'd you know it's the Ichibi?"

"Never mind that, boss," Kimiko interjected quickly, pointing toward Gaara. "Look!"

Gaara's torso hung limply from Shukaku's head, his body swaying as he whispered, "PLAYING POSSUM JUTSU!"

Suddenly, Gaara's body fell limp, and the atmosphere around them changed instantly.

"He's done it," Gamabunta said, his deep voice tinged with tension.

"I don't like it at all, Chief Toad. What's going to happen?!" Naruto demanded, his fists clenched.

Shukaku's glowing yellow eyes snapped open, a malicious, childlike laugh erupting from the giant tanuki's maw. "WOOHOO! HAHAHA, I'M FINALLY FREE! HERE I COME, BABY!"

"S-So that's the Sand Spirit?" Naruto stammered, his wide eyes glued to Shukaku's monstrous form.

"Man," muttered Gamakichi, hopping onto Kimiko's shoulder, "that is one funky demon."

Shukaku's laughter subsided as he pointed his remaining hand toward them, the sheer force of his presence radiating malice. "I hope you're ready to die! Let's do this!"

Gamabunta let out a low growl, tightening his grip on his pipe. "I'm gonna jump," he warned, the tension in his massive muscles coiling like a spring. "Hold on tight!"

Shukaku's enormous stomach ballooned outward as he inhaled deeply, then smacked it with a resounding thud.

"WIND STYLE: DRILLING AIR BULLETS!" he roared, expelling a series of rippling, compressed air blasts that carved through the forest like a hurricane, leaving a line of destruction in their wake.

"Hold on!" Gamabunta bellowed as he propelled himself upward with an earth-shaking leap. The sheer force of the jump sent wind roaring past them, and all three held tightly to the giant toad's head, the ground becoming a distant blur beneath them.

Mid-air, Gamabunta formed a hand seal. "Water Style: Water Bullets!"

A massive sphere of water shot from his mouth, meeting Shukaku's air bullet in a spectacular collision. The impact detonated in midair, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield and causing torrential rain to fall on the ground below.

"WHAT KIND OF BATTLE IS THIS?!" Sasuke shouted, his voice tinged with awe as he clung tightly to Gamabunta's head.

They landed behind Shukaku, flattening trees under Gamabunta's weight. Shukaku, undeterred, was already turning to launch another attack, his monstrous form brimming with malice.

An idea sparked in Kimiko's mind. "Naruto!" she called out. "You know how to do the Toad Combination, right? Use it with Chief Toad to strengthen the water bullets! You can overpower Shukaku's wind!"

Naruto's face lit up. "That's genius! But I've got a better idea! Why don't all three of us combine our chakra? Kimiko, you and Chief Toad can sync your water styles, and Sasuke and I can add wind and lightning chakra to boost it!"

Gamabunta grinned around his pipe. "Heh, not a bad plan, kid."

"W-Wait, I don't know how to—" Kimiko stammered.

"Too late!" Naruto interrupted as Gamabunta leaped again, weaving seals mid-air. Shukaku bellowed and slammed his stomach thrice, unleashing four massive wind bullets toward them, each larger than the last.

Kimiko felt her pulse quicken. Here goes nothing.

She began weaving seals, and before she could react further, Naruto and Sasuke moved in unison. Each placed a hand firmly on her back. She steadied her focus as their chakras intertwined with hers.

Kimiko's water chakra flowed into Gamabunta like a river merging with the sea, harmonizing with the Chief Toad's colossal reserves. Sasuke's lightning chakra sparked as it coursed through her, while Naruto's wind chakra swirled violently, adding a razor-sharp edge to the mix.

"TEAM SEVEN COMBINATION: COLOSSAL WATERFALL JUTSU!" they roared in unison.

The fused chakra surged through Gamabunta, who unleashed a spinning torrent of water from his mouth. The massive vortex, crackling with electricity and wreathed in slicing winds, hurtled toward Shukaku.

Shukaku's wind bullets met the spinning typhoon head-on, but instead of stopping it, the jutsu absorbed their energy, growing even larger. The roaring vortex struck Shukaku with devastating force, driving him backward as the ground beneath him tore apart. Shukaku let out a pained, guttural scream as the overwhelming weight and power of the attack crashed into him.

The explosion of water and chakra ripped through the battlefield, leaving a massive crater where Shukaku had stood moments before. Shukaku's form slumped, sand spilling off him like debris.

Kimiko, Naruto, and Sasuke stood on Gamabunta's head, panting from the monumental effort.

Naruto grinned, wiping his forehead. "Now that's teamwork!"

Kimiko gave a breathless laugh, her body trembling from the effort. "We're not done yet. Stay sharp!"

Shukaku was in bad shape. His remaining arm was gone, a gaping hole had opened in his stomach, and sand leaked from him like water from a cracked dam.

"THAT HUUURT!" Shukaku roared, his voice echoing like a thunderclap. "I'LL KILL YA ALL!"

"Hng," Gamabunta rumbled, keeping a watchful eye on the thrashing beast. "That softened him up, but it's not enough. We need to get close and wake that host of his. That's the only way to undo the jutsu!"

Without waiting for a response, Gamabunta lunged forward, leaping through the air with surprising agility for his size. He landed in front of Shukaku and slammed a massive hand against his sandy torso, aiming to pin him down. Shukaku roared in defiance, and his tail whipped upward in a vicious arc, forcing Gamabunta to retreat.

"NO!" bellowed Shukaku, his monstrous voice reverberating through the forest.

"Chief!" Naruto called out, his voice strained. "You'll have to hold him down if you want us to get a clean shot!"

Gamabunta growled in frustration. "My body doesn't have claws or horns to dig into the enemy! I can't keep a firm grip like this!"

"Then what the heck are we supposed to do?!" Naruto yelled, his arms flailing.

"Use the Transformation Jutsu!" Gamabunta snapped. "Turn me into something with claws and fangs! But…" He hesitated. "I'm not great with that jutsu myself, so one of you brats will have to take the lead."

Naruto blinked, his mouth agape. "Huh?! You want us to transform you?!"

Kimiko, standing steady despite the chaos, snapped her fingers to get Naruto's attention. "Naruto, listen! He's your summon, so your chakra will resonate with his better than anyone else's. You have to do it!"

"What?!" Naruto yelped, his eyes wide. "Why me?!"

"Don't overthink it!" Kimiko barked. "Just focus! Gamabunta's counting on you!"

Before Naruto could protest further, Gamabunta charged forward again, lunging straight for Shukaku. The beast roared and swiped at the massive toad, its tail smashing through trees like they were twigs.

"Any minute now, Naruto!" Sasuke shouted, his eyes darting between the toad and the towering sand demon.

"Fangs and claws, fangs and claws!" Naruto muttered under his breath, wracking his brain for an idea. But Gamabunta was already closing in on Shukaku, and there was no time to waste.

"TRANSFORM!" Gamabunta roared, his voice booming.

"TRANSFORMATION JUTSU!" Naruto yelled, weaving the seals just in time.

A massive cloud of white smoke exploded around them, engulfing Gamabunta as he barreled forward. When the smoke cleared, the toad's form was no longer recognizable.

Instead, standing in Gamabunta's place was Kurama—the Nine-Tails—towering and menacing, his fiery-red fur bristling with power, claws and fangs gleaming in the sunlight. And only she and Sasuke were above his head, while Naruto was gone, presumably combine with Gamabunta in the form.

Suddenly, the Gamabunta-Kurama galloped above an air bullet, landing with a sidestep to dodge another one before lunging toward Shukaku in a burst of incredible speed. One of its nine tails snapped out, grabbing hold of a massive tree, which it then used to propel itself through the air. Shukaku unleashed another wind bullet, but Gamabunta-Kurama hurled the tree into its path, intercepting the attack and buying enough time to land directly in front of Shukaku.

Shukaku hesitated for a split second, but Gamabunta-Kurama surged forward, sinking its jaws into Shukaku's belly while its claws dug deep into the sand creature's massive form. Shukaku let out a guttural scream of pain, reverberating across the battlefield.

"Okay, kids, you're on!" bellowed Gamabunta-Kurama. In a poof of smoke, it transformed back into Gamabunta, sending Naruto flying up from the dissipating mist. He launched himself toward Gaara, fist cocked.

"RISE AND SHINE!" Naruto roared, bringing his fist down with all his might. His punch landed squarely on Gaara's face, sending blood spraying as Gaara's head snapped to the side.

"How's that?!" snarled Naruto as he landed.

"Good," rumbled Gamabunta. "Not much time has passed since the host went under. That blow should be enough to wake him up."

"AAA! THAT'S JUST GREAT!" Shukaku screeched, his voice a mix of fury and despair. "GIVE ME A BREAK! I JUST GOT HERE, LOST MY ARMS, AND NOW I'M GOING BACK TO SLEEP?!"

As the bright yellow glow in Shukaku's eyes faded, Kimiko sensed his overwhelming presence begin to diminish, replaced by Gaara's own unstable chakra. However, Shukaku's massive physical form still loomed, thrashing as it fought against Gamabunta's grip.

"We managed to break the jutsu," grunted Gamabunta, straining to hold Shukaku down. "But this guy's still got some fight left."

On cue, Naruto began sliding down Shukaku's enormous head as Gaara's eyes shot open, glowing with rage.

"Crap," Sasuke muttered, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the now-conscious Gaara.

Without warning, Naruto charged forward recklessly, determination blazing in his eyes. Kimiko's heart leapt as she realized what he was about to do.

"No, Naruto!" she and Sasuke shouted in unison, leaping after him. The three of them rushed past Gamabunta's head in hot pursuit.

But as soon as they reached Shukaku's head, the sand beneath their feet turned to quicksand, trapping their ankles.

Gaara glared at the three of them, his voice low and venomous. "Sand Coffin!"

Sand began to rise on either side of him, surging toward them like twin tidal waves. Before they could react, Gamabunta's massive tongue lashed out, wrapping around the three of them in a protective coil and shielding them from the crushing sand.

"What were you thinking charging at him like that?!" Sasuke snapped, his voice full of frustration as they dangled in the grasp of the giant toad's tongue. "Now we're all stuck here together!"

Kimiko grimaced but said nothing, keeping her focus on the looming threat of Gaara. Outside their protective cocoon, Gaara's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"You think I'm a fool?!" he roared.

The sand shifted, pouring in from beneath Gamabunta's massive tongue, quickly filling the space around them. The tongue that had shielded them pulled back, leaving them submerged knee-deep in the suffocating sand. Trapped, the three of them glared at Gaara, his malevolent aura weighing on them. Even Kimiko, understanding the pain driving Gaara's actions, felt a surge of anger at his relentless assault.

"I'll wipe you three from the face of the earth!" Gaara snarled, his glare sharp and wild. "I will not cease to exist!"

Naruto panted, his determination unwavering despite the odds. He turned his gaze to Kimiko, then to Sasuke, before facing Gaara once more. A look of fierce resolve crossed his face as he brought his hands together to form a seal.

Kimiko felt it immediately: Kurama's chakra burst forth from Naruto, surrounding him in a blazing orange aura that sent shockwaves through the air. The force of it flung open his orange jacket and sent his headband flying.

The oppressive sand around them began to loosen, melting away as Naruto's chakra overwhelmed it.

"I… will protect all that I hold dear!" Naruto shouted, his voice resonating with power as he locked eyes with Gaara. "Get ready, you crazy brute!"

Without hesitation, Naruto lunged toward Gaara, his fist drawn back and glowing with the power of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Gaara, unfazed, quickly made a hand seal, summoning thick tendrils of sand that wrapped around Naruto's arms, halting his advance.

"Oh no you don't," Kimiko growled, determination burning in her eyes. She turned to Sasuke. "Come on, Sasuke! Our teammate needs us!"

Sasuke nodded sharply, and together they charged toward Gaara, weaving around the writhing tendrils of sand. Each of them seized one of Gaara's sand-covered arms, pulling them apart and exposing him to Naruto's attack.

"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU!" Naruto bellowed, breaking free of the remaining sand restraints. With a ferocious yell, he lunged forward, his head crashing into Gaara's with enough force to reverberate through the air.

Kimiko moved in tandem, her manicured fist slamming into Gaara's left cheek as Sasuke's punch connected with his right. The combined force of their attacks sent shockwaves through the battlefield, and for a moment, the relentless sandstorm around them seemed to falter.

She heard it then—the cracking.

A single fissure, followed by a thousand more. The sound filled the air, sharp and unrelenting, as Shukaku's massive form began to splinter. The spiderweb of cracks raced across his body, the vibrant colors of the One-Tail fading back to the muted hues of sand. Piece by piece, Shukaku's physical form crumbled, collapsing like a demolished building. The sand fell away, cascading into the forest below.

And with it, they fell.

The sudden release of chakra dispersed Gamabunta and Gamakichi, their forms vanishing in a cloud of white smoke. Kimiko, Naruto, and Sasuke landed heavily on a thick tree branch, while Gaara crashed onto a similar branch just across from them.

All four of them lay sprawled, panting. Kimiko was the first to sit up, groaning as she clutched her side.

"You two alright?" she muttered, her voice hoarse.

"Yeah…" Sasuke replied, though he sounded far from convinced.

"Hng…" Naruto grunted, rolling onto his side to sit up.

Across from them, Gaara was also stirring. His face was battered, his cheek swollen from their punches, and blood trickled from the fresh wound on his forehead. Despite his injuries, his mismatched eyes still burned with an unrelenting intensity.

Naruto's gaze met Gaara's. Though exhausted, his expression was calm. "That's it," Naruto panted, shaking his head. "I can't go any further. I've used up all my chakra. So have my teammates. And judging by the looks of it…" He narrowed his eyes. "So have you."

For a moment, there was only the sound of heavy breathing and the rustling of the forest. Then Naruto spoke again, his tone softer.

"You and I… we're a lot alike, more than you know." He paused, searching Gaara's face. "We shouldn't be doing this."

Gaara's face twisted, his clenched fist trembling. It seemed, for a fleeting moment, that Naruto's words might have reached him. But then, with a roar of defiance, Gaara lunged forward, his body moving on pure instinct.

Naruto didn't hesitate. Though drained, he pushed himself off the branch with a burst of determination, meeting Gaara midair. His fist connected squarely with Gaara's cheek, the impact sending Gaara spiraling downward through the canopy. The effort took its toll, and Naruto's body gave out, falling after him.

"Naruto!" Sasuke shouted, attempting to rise. His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed back onto the branch, spent.

Kimiko reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Sasuke," she said gently, her voice laced with exhaustion. "He'll be fine."

Sasuke turned to her, his dark eyes searching hers for reassurance. Kimiko offered a small, tired smile. "Naruto's too strong to die to someone like Gaara. He'll handle it."

She leaned back against the trunk of the tree, closing her eyes briefly as the weight of exhaustion settled over her. The Soldier Pill she'd taken earlier had pushed her past her limits, and now even the residual boost had faded.

"We don't have to worry about him," she murmured. "In our state, we're probably worse off than those two, anyway.." Her thoughts drifted, heavy with the implications of what she knew would come next. That conversation they're about to have… it's important. For the shinobi world.

Kimiko exhaled deeply, her head resting against the tree. We shouldn't interfere with that.

Sasuke remained silent, his gaze fixed on the forest floor where Naruto and Gaara had disappeared. After a moment, he nodded, leaning back beside her as the two allowed themselves a brief respite.

It didn't take long before she and Sasuke were lunging past the trees, determined to find Naruto. Her sensory skills guided them, and soon, they spotted the two figures—Naruto, face down in the dirt, and Gaara, sprawled on his back, breathing shallowly.

As they landed beside Naruto, Sasuke immediately crouched next to him, concern etched on his face.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, gently shaking him. "That's enough. This guy's chakra is completely spent."

Naruto managed a weak, relieved grin. "That's...that's a relief," he mumbled before succumbing to unconsciousness.

The tension was palpable as a new figure landed nearby. Kankuro appeared, his eyes darting between Gaara and the two Leaf shinobi. His shoulders tensed, and Kimiko noticed Sasuke's hand inching toward his pouch. She mirrored the motion, fingers brushing the hilt of Byakko, but she held her ground, watching.

Gaara's faint voice broke the silence. "That's...enough." His gaze was fixed on the sky, his tone quiet and distant. "It's over."

Kankuro hesitated, staring down at his brother in disbelief. "But...Gaara…" he whispered, his voice wavering.

Gaara didn't respond, and Kankuro's expression shifted from confusion to understanding. With a nod, he moved to Gaara, lifting him up and slinging his arm over his shoulder.

As Kankuro turned toward them, he paused, his posture uneasy. "I know I shouldn't be asking this, but—"

"Your sister won't be harmed," Kimiko said, cutting him off. Her tone was steady, but her eyes were sharp. "She'll be kept in a secure place in Konoha until this situation is resolved. That's as much as I can say, but the rest is beyond either of our pay grades."

Kankuro blinked, his surprise evident. He glanced at Gaara, then back at her, before nodding silently. Without another word, he lunged away, carrying his brother into the shadows of the trees.

Kimiko exhaled softly and turned her attention to Naruto. Kneeling beside him, she reached out, brushing dirt from his face. Sasuke joined her, the two of them sharing a quiet, unspoken agreement. They carefully lifted Naruto, draping his arms over their shoulders to support his weight.

Kimiko glanced at Sasuke, who met her gaze with a slight nod. "Let's get him back," she said softly. "We've got a long way to go back to Konoha."

---

The path back to Konoha was mercifully quiet. As they neared the village, a group of ninjas led by Izumo and Kotetsu intercepted them. After a series of sharp questions to confirm their identities, they took Naruto from them, promising to bring him to the nearest triage clinic for recovery. With Naruto in good hands, she and Sasuke continued their trek back.

When they finally crossed into the village, Kimiko paused to take it all in. Konoha was bruised, battered, but standing. Several buildings had shattered windows, and smoke still curled from scattered spots across the skyline. A jagged hole cut through part of the village, but it wasn't the apocalyptic scene she had feared. It was bad—but fixable.

Not like canon, she thought with a mix of relief and disbelief. That's good. That's really good.

As they moved further into the village, a familiar figure staggered toward them, covered head-to-toe in dirt and grime. Sakura. Her face was pale, and her wide eyes seemed haunted.

"Sasuke… Kimiko," she murmured, her voice brittle.

"Sakura?" Kimiko asked, stepping closer. "Are you okay?"

"It was horrible…" Sakura whispered before her knees buckled. Sasuke was there in an instant, wrapping an arm around her to keep her upright. But even in his arms, Sakura didn't blush or react. Her focus was elsewhere—on something far darker.

"So many dead…" Sakura's voice cracked. "My teammates… my sensei…"

Kimiko's stomach twisted. Maybe I spoke too soon.

Before she could respond, a pair of medical-nin approached, gently guiding Sakura away. Ino appeared from somewhere nearby, rushing to her friend's side and rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Kimiko watched them go, her heart heavy, until another figure stepped into view. Jiraiya. He didn't look injured, though his eyes held a weight she hadn't seen before.

"Thought I spotted you two," Jiraiya said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before moving on. "I saw Gamabunta get summoned from here, and it looked like a hell of a fight. Kakashi told me he sent you after that Gaara kid. I take it that was him?"

Kimiko straightened. "Yes," she replied, her voice steady. "But… what happened to Sakura?" She glanced over her shoulder at the retreating kunoichi, who was now sobbing into Ino's shoulder.

Jiraiya's face darkened. "Her sensei and teammates were killed. A couple of those Oto bastards snuck into the hospital looking for easy kills."

Kimiko's jaw clenched. To stoop so low as to kill non-combatants… bastards.

"She was forced to kill the two Oto-nin who killed her teammates herself," Jiraiya continued grimly. "Then she took charge, saving lives while her teammates'… guts were all over her."

Kimiko's heart ached for the girl. She looked after her. Even here, she needs to suffer? When she's so far away from Team Seven?

"And… the Hokage?" she asked cautiously. She knew what had happened in canon, but Danzo and her father had intervened this time. Surely that had made a difference.

Jiraiya's gaze flicked to her again, lingering longer this time. "It went about as you'd expect," he said finally. "Danzo and your dad showing up to battle helped the old man a lot. Orochimaru was grievously injured and was forced to flee after Hiruzen sealed his arms. All of his bodyguards were wounded, but Kabuto showed up to get them out."

Kimiko's chest tightened. Sealed his arms… so Lord Third died anyway?

"Hey, don't worry about that old pervert," Said Jiraiya with a sneak smile. "He's alive, if barely," Jiraiya added, his tone heavy. "The medical-nin say he's in a coma from chakra fatigue. At his age…" He shook his head. "Danzo was the one who pulled him out in the end."

Kimiko felt a swell of cautious relief. It worked… something consequential finally changed. More people survived. The village wasn't as devastated. Hiruzen was alive, even if comatose. She wanted to savor that victory, but a sinking realization pulled her thoughts in another direction.

"Jiraiya-sensei," she began hesitantly. "You said Danzo pulled him out… but where was my dad during all of this?"

Jiraiya's face fell, and an uneasy silence settled between them.

"Kimiko," Sasuke said softly, reaching out to take her hand. He squeezed it, his expression grim.

Her heart hammered in her chest. "Jiraiya-sensei!" she cried, her voice rising with panic. Nononononono.

"Kimiko," Jiraiya said, dropping to one knee in front of her. He placed a hand gently on her head, his voice filled with sorrow. "Your father… died in battle against Orochimaru."