Naruto's mind was a maelstrom of rage and sorrow as he traveled with his team towards the front lines. The loss of Jiraiya, his beloved mentor, was a fresh wound that bled anger with every step he took. All he could think about was revenge, and the only thing that mattered was making Han pay for what he had done.
His teammates could sense the change in him, the palpable tension that surrounded him like a storm cloud. They knew better than to try to console him, instead opting to follow in silence, their own thoughts heavy with the gravity of their mission.
Finally, they reached the warfront. The sounds of battle were a constant backdrop, a cacophony of explosions, shouts, and the clash of steel. As they arrived, Shisui immediately headed to the commander's dugout to receive their orders. Naruto, however, was far from patient.
Naruto stood just outside, his body vibrating with barely restrained energy. He could see Shisui talking with the Jonin-commander, the conversation taking far too long for his liking. The impatience boiled over, and without a second thought, he stormed into the dugout.
The commander, a seasoned shinobi with lines of worry etched deep into his face, looked up, startled, as Naruto slammed his hand onto the table. The maps and documents scattered from the impact.
"Where is the enemy Jinchuriki?" Naruto demanded, his voice a growl.
The commander's eyes widened in shock before narrowing in anger. "Watch your tone, soldier! You will not barge in here and demand—"
"Where. Is. Han." Naruto's voice was cold, each word enunciated with lethal precision.
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at Naruto, stunned by his blatant insubordination. Sasuke stepped forward, trying to intervene.
"Naruto, calm down," Sasuke said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We need to follow orders."
Naruto shrugged him off, his eyes never leaving the commander's. "I don't care about orders. If you don't tell me where Han is, I won't head out into the field."
The commander was baffled, his face flushing with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? You can't—"
"I can," Naruto cut in, his voice low and dangerous. "And I will. Tell me where he is, or I'm not moving."
The room was still as death. Shisui, interrupted during his conversation, looked between Naruto and the commander, his face a mask of concern.
"Naruto! What the hell are—" Shisui began, but the commander held up a hand to silence him.
"Last we heard, Han was spotted near the northern ridge, pushing through our defenses," the commander finally said, his voice edged with resignation.
Without another word, Naruto turned and walked out of the dugout, his resolve clear. Shisui and Sasuke followed quickly behind, the tension thick enough to cut with a kunai.
"Wait, Naruto," Shisui called, grabbing his arm. "You can't just go off on your own like this. We need to follow strategy."
Naruto yanked his arm free, his face set in determination. "If you're just going to stand in my way, then stay out of it. I'm going to kill Han."
Sasuke moved to block his path, his voice firm but tinged with concern. "Naruto, we need to think this through. You're not thinking straight."
Naruto's eyes blazed with fury. "I know exactly what I'm doing. If you don't want to help, then don't get in my way."
Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, a dark chuckle accompanying his words. "That's the spirit, Naruto. Let the rage fuel you."
Shisui watched, torn between his duty and his concern for his teammate. "Naruto, what the hell is the matter with you! Get yourself together dammit!"
"I need to avenge Jiraiya-sensei!" Naruto snapped. "I need to make Han pay."
Naruto began to breathe heavily, his hands trembling with a mixture of rage and grief. "You told me that my job is to head in whatever direction you point me to and kill everything right?"
Shisui's expression softened a little. "So what are you getting at?"
"Captain, authorize me to hunt down Han," Naruto pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "Point me to his direction and let me do my job...please."
Shisui hesitated, cursing under his breath. He could see the drive in Naruto's eyes, he absolutely wanted to head out there, and Shisui wasn't very sure he could stop him.
"Damn it, Naruto," he muttered, before reluctantly giving in. "Fine, but don't expect me to just watch you get yourself killed."
Seeing the futility in arguing, Sasuke sighed, stepping aside. "I'm coming with you, too. Someone has to keep an eye on you."
The three of them set off, the air thick with unspoken words and shared resolve. Naruto's mind was a single, burning thought: revenge. And nothing, not even his friends, would stand in his way.
Sakura knelt in the dirty trenches, her hands covered in blood and grime as she worked tirelessly to stabilize the injured shinobi around her. The relentless barrage of artillery had finally ceased, but the ringing in her ears persisted, a constant reminder of the chaos they had just endured.
"Another stretcher over here!" she called out, her voice hoarse from shouting orders.
Two medics rushed over, carefully lifting the wounded soldier onto the stretcher and carrying him back towards the makeshift medical tents at the rear. Sakura followed, her steps heavy with exhaustion but her mind still focused on her duty. The early hours had been a blur of blood and screams, but now, with the Hokage's intervention, their sector had managed to hold the line.
Inside the tent, the air was thick with the smell of antiseptic and the groans of the injured. Sakura paused for a moment, taking in the scene. Most of the casualties had shrapnel wounds, their bodies shredded by the deadly fragments. She moved from one patient to another, using her medical ninjutsu to close wounds and ease their pain.
"Pass me the bandages," she instructed a fellow medic, a young woman with dark circles under her eyes.
"Here," the medic handed her the roll, their fingers briefly touching. "How are you holding up, Sakura?"
Sakura managed a weary smile. "Tired, but relieved. With the Hokage stepping in, we have a fighting chance."
They worked in silence for a while, the rhythmic movements of their hands a small comfort in the chaos. After treating several more patients, they finally had a moment to sit on a bench outside the tent. The morning sun was beginning to break through the clouds, casting a gentle light over the battlefield.
The other medic, whose name Sakura remembered was Ayumi, leaned back and closed her eyes. "I can't believe the shelling stopped. My ears are still ringing."
Sakura nodded, rubbing her temples. "Mine too. It's like the noise is still there, even though it's gone."
Ayumi opened her eyes, glancing around at the battered landscape. "Do you think it'll start again?"
Sakura sighed, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. "I hope not, but I'm afraid it will. The enemy isn't going to give up that easily."
Ayumi shuddered. "I don't know how much more we can take. The constant shelling, the wounded… it's overwhelming."
"I know," Sakura said softly. "But we have to keep going. We have to believe that we can push them back."
They fell into a companionable silence, watching as other medics hurried to and fro, carrying out their duties. The brief moment of peace gave Sakura a moment to reflect on her friends serving elsewhere. She prayed for their safety, hoping that they were faring better than her.
"I heard the special unit was being deployed to the eastern flank," Ayumi said, breaking the silence.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. "Really? I hope they're okay. The Hokage's son...he's been through so much already."
"We all have," Ayumi replied. "But Naruto Uzumaki… he's special. He'll help us get through this, I'm sure."
Sakura smiled, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "Yeah, he will. He has to."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion. A group of medics rushed past, carrying a critically injured shinobi. Sakura and Ayumi exchanged a glance, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they sprang into action.
"Back to work," Ayumi said with a wry smile.
Sakura nodded, her resolve steeling once more. "Back to work."
As they returned to their duties, Sakura's mind drifted to her friends. She prayed that the momentum they had now would lead to a moment of peace, however brief, and that the enemy's pushback would hold.
The thought of a lull in the fighting, even just for a little while, was a beacon of hope in the dark times they faced.
Naruto moved through the dense forest like a force of nature, his rage fueling every step. His blue eyes, usually filled with warmth and determination, were now cold and vengeful.
He barely registered the enemies he encountered, tearing through them with brutal efficiency. Blood splattered against the trees and the forest floor, but Naruto didn't care. Each life he took was another futile attempt to ease the gnawing pain in his heart.
"Area secure," Naruto muttered under his breath, his hands covered in the blood of his foes. Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, filled with a twisted sense of approval.
"That's it, Naruto. Let your anger guide you. Show them your true power."
Shisui and Sasuke fought beside him, but their efforts seemed almost unnecessary. Naruto's ferocity overshadowed their every move, his attacks leaving a trail of death in their wake. Shisui cast concerned glances at Naruto, but there was no room for hesitation on the battlefield.
"Naruto, slow down!" Sasuke called out, his voice barely reaching Naruto's ears over the sounds of battle.
Naruto didn't respond. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Jiraiya—thoughts of regret and rage. All he could do was blame himself.
If he had been stronger, Jiraiya would still be alive. If he hadn't needed time off to train after failing his mission in Fūka, none of this would have happened.
"I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sensei... I'm sorry," Naruto whispered, his resolve hardening further as he cut down another enemy shinobi.
Elsewhere, Han stood among a squad of Iwa shinobi. They had just secured a small stronghold, and he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. His satisfaction, however, was short-lived when an Iwa shinobi rushed over, clutching a radio.
"Han-sama! We've received word that Konoha's jinchuriki is approaching!"
Han raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but not intimidated. He cracked his knuckles and smirked. "So, the boy finally shows himself huh?"
He ordered his men to set up an ambush in the trees. They concealed themselves skillfully, waiting for Naruto to walk into their trap. Han stood in the open, his senses heightened, eager for the impending confrontation.
Moments later, Naruto emerged from the tree line, his expression set in grim determination. In his hand, he clutched a handful of Iwa headbands, some of them stained with fresh blood.
Han's eyes widened slightly, realizing Naruto had already dealt with the ambush squad he had set up. Anger surged through him, and he clenched his teeth.
"So, you're the one who's been causing all this trouble. Konoha's jinchuriki, what was your name again?"
Naruto's lips curled into a snarl. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I'm here to avenge my master's death."
Han raised an eyebrow. "Your master? Who are you talking about?"
"Jiraiya," Naruto spat, his voice filled with venom. "You killed him, and now you're going to pay."
Han's expression remained indifferent. "Jiraiya? So, you were close to the old fool. He got in the way, and he paid the price. That's how war works."
Naruto's anger flared. "He was more than just a teacher. He was like a father to me! You took him from me, and I'm here to make you pay for what you've done."
Han shrugged, unfazed by Naruto's outburst. "Save your breath. I've heard plenty of threats before, and none of them have mattered. You're just another enemy to be crushed. But since we have something that connects us, I'll give you a chance to leave here with your life."
Naruto's eyes darkened with rage. "You think you're so tough? You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your men and your jinchuriki powers."
Han smirked. "Brave words from someone who couldn't save his master. You think you can beat me? You're just a kid playing at being a hero."
Naruto's fists clenched, his knuckles white. "I'm not playing. This is real, and you're going to find out just how strong I've become."
Han's expression lightened. "Little Uzumaki is now a big man. You and the Sand jinchuriki took down Roshi, and now you want to punch above your weight eh?"
Naruto's eyes glowed with determination. "Oh, I will. And when I'm done, you'll wish you'd never laid a hand on Jiraiya."
Han snorted. "Big talk for the weakling. Let's see if you can back it up."
Behind Naruto, Shisui and Sasuke appeared, ready to support him. But Naruto turned to them, his voice cold and commanding. "Please, stay back. This is my fight."
Sasuke stepped forward, his eyes narrowed in defiance. "Naruto, we should face him together. This isn't something you should do alone."
Naruto's gaze hardened as he repeated his words. "I said, stay back. You'll only get in the way."
Reluctantly, Shisui placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, pulling him back. "We need to respect his wishes, Sasuke. This is something he needs to do."
Sasuke looked at Naruto one last time before nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But don't get yourself killed."
Shisui and Sasuke retreated into the treeline, leaving Naruto and Han facing each other in the clearing. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent promise of the violence to come. Han cracked his neck, his eyes locked onto Naruto.
"It'll take a lot from you to defeat me."
Naruto's fists clenched, his chakra cloak burning bright. "I'm not here to impress you. I'm here to kill you."
Han smirked, his own chakra beginning to surge. "Then let's see if you have what it takes."
The battle was about to begin, and the forest held its breath in anticipation. The fate of two powerful jinchuriki would soon be decided, and only one would emerge victorious.
Naruto and Han faced each other in the clearing, their eyes locked in a deadly stare. The air between them crackled with tension. Naruto's anger burned brighter than ever, fueling his every move, while Han's experienced gaze assessed his opponent.
"Prepare yourself," Naruto growled, his voice dripping with rage.
Han smirked, raising his fists. "Is that so? Show me what you've got, Uzumaki."
Naruto launched himself forward, his fists glowing with chakra. Han met him halfway, their punches colliding with explosive force. The ground beneath them cracked from the impact as they exchanged a flurry of blows.
Naruto's attacks were fueled by his anger and the power of the Nine-Tails, making each strike more powerful.
Ducking beneath a swing from Han, Naruto struck with all his force, his fist connecting with Han's jaw and sending him staggering back. Han quickly recovered, forming hand seals.
[Steam Release: Unrivaled Strength]
A burst of steam enveloped Han, amplifying his strength and speed. He charged at Naruto, his movements a blur.
Naruto barely had time to react as Han's fist slammed into his stomach, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into a tree.
Naruto winced, wiping blood from his mouth. Watching Han a few metres from him, he was even more determined to win.
He formed his own hand seals, summoning a dozen shadow clones. The clones charged at Han from all directions, their kunai gleaming in the sunlight.
Han spun around, his fists and feet moving in a deadly dance as he destroyed the clones one by one.
"Is that all you can do?" Han taunted, crushing the last clone's head with a brutal kick.
Naruto's real body appeared behind him, his hands already forming another jutsu.
[ Rasengan ]
The swirling sphere of wind chakra hit Han in the back, sending him flying forward. He crashed into the ground, rolling to a stop.
Han pushed himself up, shaking his head to clear the dizziness.
"You're not bad," Han admitted. "Maybe the old fool was actually a good teacher."
Naruto gritted his teeth, anger and regret swirling inside him. He remembered his training with Jiraiya and Hinata, the lessons they had taught him about focus and control.
Closing his eyes, he reached deep within himself, calling on the power of Sage Mode.
When he reopened his eyes, they were the eyes of a Sage, combined with the fierce glow of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
For prior to their encounter, Naruto had prepared a shadow clone and left it behind to meditate, gathering nature energy for him. His plan seemed to have worked, and he only hoped he could maintain it for long this time.
"This ends now," Naruto declared, his voice filled with unyielding resolve.
Naruto's movements became faster and more fluid, each strike imbued with senjutsu. He dodged Han's attacks with ease, countering with powerful punches and kicks that sent Han reeling. Han's steam-enhanced strength was no match for Naruto's sage-powered blows.
Han formed more hand seals, summoning a dense cloud of steam.
[Steam Release: Explosive Punch]
He lunged at Naruto, his fist surrounded by a swirling vortex of steam.
Naruto met the attack head-on, his Rasengan colliding with Han's steam-enhanced punch. The resulting explosion rocked the battlefield, sending shockwaves through the air.
As the dust settled, Naruto emerged unscathed, his sage-enhanced senses guiding him through the chaos. He rushed up to Han with a mini tailed beast bomb in his hand, slamming it into his torso.
The resulting explosion shattered Han's armour, sending him crashing into the forest and tearing through several trees in his path.
"Shit, I need to think of-" Han's sentence was interrupted as Naruto was upon him again, landing a series of punches.
Han struck out at him but Naruto deftly evaded his attack, sending him back with a kick and quickly creating a clone to follow up with another punch while he staggered backwards.
As Han struggled to recollect himself, he saw Naruto rush towards him and prepared to counter. However, Naruto evaded his attack by feinting to the left.
"Ngh!" A fierce blow seemingly materialized on Han's jaw out of nowhere, sending him reeling backwards. He could've sworn Naruto didn't touch him and yet he felt a hit connect.
Han's eyes widened as Naruto formed another Rasengan, this one crackling with senjutsu energy.
[Sage art: Rasenrengan]
The dual Rasengan smashed into Han's arm as he hurried to shield himself, sending him flying backward.
The jinchuriki crashed into the ground, blood pouring from the now severed limb. Naruto walked over to him, his face set with grim determination.
"It's over," Naruto declared, raising his hand for the final blow.
[Tailed beast bomb: Rasenshuriken]
But just as he was about to strike, Naruto's mind began to waver.
Like him, Han was a mere soldier, obeying instructions from his superiors. Due to their shared status as jinchuriki, they were expected to take on more dangerous missions, which could include dealing with shinobi as powerful as Jiraiya. He hesitated, his anger mingling with regret.
Han looked up at him, his eyes filled with pain and defiance. "Why are you hesitating? Finish it!"
Naruto's hand trembled as he struggled with his emotions. Killing Han would bring him only a moment of satisfaction, but it wouldn't bring back Jiraiya. Inside him, Kurama pushed him to finish off his opponent.
"Don't tell me you're going soft on me again, even Kokuo is waiting for you to finish the job!"
Before Naruto could decide, an artillery shell landed nearby, the explosion stunning the group. More shells began to rain down, disorienting Naruto and his team. Han seized the opportunity, scrambling away from the battlefield.
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed, summoning Kurama's form to shield his teammates from the shelling.
The massive form of Kurama surrounded them, blocking the deadly shrapnel. As the shelling continued, Naruto's heart pounded with frustration and unresolved fury. Han had escaped, and Jiraiya's death still hung heavily over him.
Minato paced back and forth in his office, his frustration mounting with each step. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the sound of his boots against the floor. Tsunade stood near the map of their forces, her arms crossed, a scowl etched on her face. Danzo remained composed, his expression unreadable.
Minato finally stopped, turning to face Danzo. "Why did you tell Naruto about Jiraiya's death right before he set off for battle? His mental stability could have been severely compromised!"
Danzo's gaze was steady. "Hokage-sama, Naruto performed excellently. He repulsed the offensive of an entire brigade of Iwa shinobi, including a Jinchuriki. The results speak for themselves."
Tsunade stepped forward, her voice sharp. "That's not the point, Danzo. Naruto is still young, too young for you to manipulate his emotions like this. It's dangerous and unethical."
Danzo met her gaze without flinching. "Emotions are powerful motivators. Naruto's anger and grief drove him to surpass his previous limits. Surely even you can see that his performance was exceptional."
Minato rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him. "It's not just about performance, Danzo. Manipulating Naruto like that is wrong. He's my son."
"He's also an incredibly important soldier." Danzo's tone was firm but not unkind. "Hokage-sama, with the way the war is going currently, our defeat is all but inevitable. A powerful Naruto might be just what we need to turn the tides. For too long, he has been functioning below his true potential. We must consider the greater good."
Tsunade's fists clenched. "At what cost? Naruto is not a weapon to be used and discarded. He's a person, a young man with feelings and vulnerabilities. This isn't the way to treat him."
Minato's indecision was clear in his eyes. He knew Tsunade was right, but he couldn't ignore the fact that Naruto had been more effective in the battle because of his emotional drive. He needed time to think.
"Danzo, Tsunade, please leave me for now. I need time to consider everything," Minato said quietly.
Tsunade gave him a sympathetic look before turning to leave. "Minato, don't let Danzo's methods corrupt your judgment. Remember, Naruto is your son."
Danzo lingered a moment longer. "Think about the bigger picture, Hokage-sama. Our victory depends on every advantage we can get."
Once they were gone, Minato sat down heavily in his chair, Danzo's words echoing in his mind. He couldn't deny the effectiveness of Naruto's performance, but at what cost? Allowing his son to be emotionally manipulated went against everything he believed in as a father and a leader. Yet, the war demanded sacrifices, and the stakes were higher than ever.
Minato stared at the map of their forces, his mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He had always believed in protecting his village, but the harsh realities of war were forcing him to reconsider his principles. The path ahead was unclear, and the decisions he made now would shape the future of the land of fire and his son's fate.
Han lay unconscious in a bed in Iwagakure's military hospital, his body wrapped in bandages. The fight with Naruto had left him in critical condition, missing an arm and having lost a significant amount of blood.
Outside the hospital room, Ohnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, paced impatiently. His face was a mask of frustration and impatience. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor emerged.
"How is he?" Ohnoki demanded, his tone sharp.
The doctor bowed slightly before speaking. "Lord Tsuchikage, Han is stable but in critical condition. He has lost an arm and a lot of blood, but he is going to make it."
Ohnoki's expression hardened. "That's hardly reassuring. In his condition, he won't be able to carry out his duties effectively."
The doctor remained silent, knowing better than to speak further.
Ohnoki turned abruptly and headed back to his office, flanked by his granddaughter Kurotsuchi and an advisor. His mind was already calculating the next steps.
Once inside his office, he spun to face Kurotsuchi, his eyes blazing with anger. "How could you let Han have that much autonomy on the battlefield? This mess is a direct result of your poor judgment!"
Kurotsuchi stiffened but met her grandfather's gaze. "I thought Han could handle himself. He's one of our strongest shinobi."
"Clearly, you were wrong!" Ohnoki snapped. "Now, we are down one jinchuriki at a critical moment in this war."
Kurotsuchi looked down, feeling the weight of his words.
The advisor stepped forward cautiously. "Lord Tsuchikage, what should our next steps be?"
Ohnoki didn't hesitate. "We need to extract Kokuo from Han immediately."
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in shock. "But, Grandfather, Han just survived a brutal fight. Extracting Kokuo now would kill him."
Ohnoki's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. "Han is no longer useful to us in his current state. The war is nearing its climax, and we need all the firepower we can get. Start the preparations for the extraction immediately and begin searching for the next jinchuriki of the Five Tails."
Kurotsuchi looked at him, disbelief evident in her eyes. "You're willing to drop him just like that?"
Ohnoki's gaze was unyielding. "In war, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Han knew the risks when he became a jinchuriki. We can't afford to let sentimentality cloud our judgment."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Ohnoki's words hanging over them.
Kurotsuchi clenched her fists but didn't argue further. She knew there was no changing her grandfather's mind once it was set.
Ohnoki turned to the advisor. "Ensure everything is ready for the extraction. We don't have time to waste."
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage," the advisor responded, bowing before hurrying out of the room.
Ohnoki returned to his desk, his face a mask of resolve. "We will find a new jinchuriki, and we will win this war. No matter the cost."
Kurotsuchi silently left the office, her mind troubled by the harsh reality of their situation. The war demanded sacrifices, but the coldness with which they were made was something she would never get used to.
Naruto sat outside in his training ground, the sun setting and casting shadows over the familiar space. The memories of his training sessions with Jiraiya filled his mind—hours spent perfecting jutsu, sharing stories, and laughing together. He leaned against a tree, dejected and overwhelmed by a crushing sense of loss.
The sound of movement drew his attention. He looked up to see Hinata stepping cautiously into the grounds. She spotted him and, with a look of concern, made her way over.
"Hinata…" Naruto's voice was low as she approached.
"Hey, Naruto." She knelt beside him, her eyes full of empathy. She didn't know exactly what to say but felt the need to be there for him.
Naruto's gaze was distant, lost in painful memories. "Jiraiya… He meant so much to me. He was like a grandfather, a teacher, and a friend all rolled into one. And I couldn't even avenge him when I had the chance."
Hinata's heart ached at the sight of his pain. She reached out and hugged him tightly, hoping her presence could provide some comfort. "It's okay, Naruto. It's okay to feel this way."
Naruto's composure began to crumble. "I've been so weak, Hinata. My weakness has endangered everyone. Jiraiya, my team… I couldn't protect them."
Hinata's hold on him tightened. "You're not weak, Naruto. You've always been strong. You inspire everyone around you. It's okay to feel sad and to grieve. It doesn't make you any less of a hero."
Naruto's tears started to flow freely as he finally allowed himself to cry. Hinata continued to soothe him with gentle words, her voice soft and comforting. They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other close as Naruto's grief poured out.
Unbeknownst to them, a masked figure wearing a dark robe watched from a distance, perched on a tree branch.
Through binoculars, the figure observed the pair, their expression hidden behind an ANBU mask.