Naruto's eyes scanned the scene before him, taking in the aftermath of the sudden disappearance. Choji, still in his expanded form, stood frozen, his massive arms lingering in the air where Susanoo once was.
Naruto's voice echoed through Senju Park, "Choji! What happened?! Why did you stop?! Where's the Rinnegan Man's Susanoo?!"
Naruto's loud shout carried his urgency and concern as he gazed up at Choji, who still stood in his expanded form, his massive arms lingering in the air where Susanoo once was. From his lower vantage point on Gamakichi's back, Naruto's eyes blazed with intensity.
Choji's expression remained calm, but his voice betrayed a hint of relief. "Naruto, it vanished suddenly! I was holding the Susanoo back, but it disappeared in an instant. I don't know where it went."
Choji's massive body began to shrink, returning to his normal stature. As he exhaled, his expanded form dissipated. Naruto swiftly jumped from Gamakichi's back to the ground, his eyes still fixed on Konohamaru. In a fluid motion, he created a clone that leapt onto Gamakichi's back, settling into a serene posture. The clone sat in a cross-legged position, exuding an aura of focused intensity. Its eyes were closed with concentration.
Sai turned to Hanabi, his voice low and urgent. "Hanabi, how are the injuries minor right?"
Hanabi's activated Byakugan returned to its normal. She shook her head in disappointment and replied, "His third and fourth ribs are fractured, and he has severe bruising on his torso."
Kakashi's expression turned grave, his eyes narrowing. "We need a medical ninja, now." He swiftly turned and walked towards the gathered shinobi, inquiring, "Is there a medical-ninja among you all?"
Naruto overheard the conversation between Hanabi, Sai, and Kakashi, their words painting a grim picture of Konohamaru's injuries. His heart sank, concern etching his face.
Konohamaru, his only cherished student and a younger brother figure, lay wounded, a victim of Rinnegan Man's brutality. Naruto's anger simmered, fueled by the image of his battered body.
He felt a surge of protectiveness toward Konohamaru. The thought of Rinnegan Man's cruelty ignited a fierce determination within him.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in resolve. He would not let Rinnegan Man escape, not after harming Konohamaru.
Gamakichi, sensing Naruto's tension, stood vigilant, its gaze scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.
The rustling of leaves beneath the feets of two figures who converged beside Konohamaru's injured form filled the air.
Naruto's feet, clad in worn-out ninja boots, stepped into view from the left, his strides purposeful and determined. His eyes which were burning with a mix of concern and anger, were fixed on Konohamaru.
Simultaneously, Kakashi's feet, adorned with his distinctive jonin boots, appeared from the right. His gait was measured, his eyes cast downwardon the fround in frustration.
As they drew closer, their facial expressions became visible. Naruto's jaw was clenched, his brow furrowed in worry and anger. Kakashi's face reflected disappointment and self-reproach, his eyes shadowed by the weight of responsibility.
Naruto's mind was seethed with anger toward Rinnegan Man. Kakashi's mind was plagued by the failure to find a medical-ninja
Their gazes met beside Konohamaru, a silent understanding passing between them.
Kakashi spoke, "We need to get Konohamaru to Sakura at the hospital immediately. Her medical expertise—" But Naruto interrupted, his voice firm and resolute. "No need."
With courteous care, Naruto grasped Konohamaru's shoulder, ensuring a secure grip. A vibrant, crimson-red chakra erupted from his palm, enveloping Konohamaru's battered body. The air around them seemed to vibrate as Naruto's healing energy coursed through Konohamaru's veins.Hanabi, Sai, and Kakashi watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with awe.
"How can he still have so much chakra?" Hanabi whispered, incredulous.Kakashi's gaze narrowed, impressed despite himself. "Naruto's reserves are staggering." Sai's eyes sparkled with understanding. "The Nine-Tails' chakra."
Naruto's focus remained on Konohamaru, his expression intent. "Your injuries are healed, Konohamaru. I've shared enough chakra for you to rejoin the battle. I am sure you can manage the internal wounds, you know ."
Konohamaru sprang up from the ground, revitalized, his face set with determination.
And nodded with energy,"What are the orders, Lord Seventh?" he asked, his voice strong.
Hanabi smiled warmly, relief etched on her face. Kakashi exhaled a deep sigh, his tension easing.
Naruto's eyes closed, his chest rising with a deep breath. When he opened them, his gaze intensified, burning with purpose. "Shinobi of the Leaf !" he shouted to the gathered forces behind them. "Our purpose is only one: protect the village, our home! And for that we must hunt down the Rinnegan Man and bring him to justice! Every life, every family, every dream depends on our success. Let's show him the true strength of the Leaf!"
The shinobi responded in unison,and souted by hearing the resolving words from the Hokage,their voices echoing through the park. "Roger!"
The clone seated on Gamakichi's back vanished. Gamakichi let out a resounding "Naruto!" – a call to action.Naruto nodded towards Gamkichi in understanding, his connection with him was unspoken.
With another deep breath Naruto's eyes were closed once again.The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the distant rumble of the river merged into a symphony of sound.
Naruto's physical form began to shift. As Naruto's body began to shimmer, a subtle yet profound metamorphosis took hold. His eyes, once bright and youthful, transformed into piercing yellow orbs, their vertical pupils gleaming like polished amber. The soft curves of his face sharpened, his cheekbones and jawline chiseling into defined contours. His skin, once smooth and unblemished, took on a faintly scaly texture, as if the very essence of the natural world was infusing his being.
The air seemed to vibrate with the pulse of the world, as if the ancient energies of the land itself were stirring, responding to Naruto's presence. His limbs, once tense and coiled, relaxed, assuming a fluid, serpentine grace. The transformation was not just physical, but spiritual – as if Naruto's very soul was awakening to a deeper harmony with the nature
Gamakichi watched, its eyes gleaming with knowledge. Naruto was ready. In Sage Mode, Naruto stood as a formidable force, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination as he stood tall, his Sage Mode activated. The soft moonlight dancing across Senju Park's landscape seemed to intensify, as if responding to his heightened senses.
"Alright, let's—"
His words were abruptly cut off by a thunderous explosion, a colossal blast that shattered the night's tranquility. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the air reverberated with the force of the blast. The sound wave rippled through the park, rustling leaves and sending birds fleeing in terror.
A fiery mushroom cloud erupted five miles south, illuminating the dark horizon. Flames danced within the swirling smoke, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding landscape. The explosion's shockwave distorted the air, creating a shimmering heat haze.
Everyone's gaze snapped toward the south, their eyes fixed on the rising plume of smoke. Shock and confusion etched their faces.
Hanabi's voice trembled. "What...what happened?"
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities.
Naruto's thoughts reeled, his Sage Mode amplifying his senses. He felt the explosion's residual energy, a chaotic mix of chakra and destruction. The group stood frozen, paralyzed by the sheer scale of the disaster.
As the shockwave's echoes faded, Naruto focused his Sage Mode-enhanced senses. He closed his eyes, filtering out distractions, and reached out with his chakra. The air vibrated with the residual energy of the explosion, but he sifted through the chaos, seeking specific signatures.
"Something's off," a shinobi whispered in the crowd. "That explosion was massive." "Must've been a high-level jutsu," another replied. Hanabi's voice rose above the murmurs. "We need to find out what happened."
Naruto's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Kakashi. "I've got something," he said, his voice low. Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Whose chakra do you sense?"
Naruto's brow furrowed. "Orochimaru's...and another, unknown." Sai's interest piqued, he stepped closer. "Unknown?" Naruto nodded. "I've never felt this chakra before."
Kakashi's expression turned contemplative. "Orochimaru's involvement is no surprise, but this unknown factor..."
Sai's eyes clouded. "Could it be a new ally...or enemy?"
The three shinobi fell silent, lost in thought. The night air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken questions.
Naruto's mind whirled, "Orochimaru's presence was expected, but this mysterious chakra..." He thought back to the explosion's sheer force, the unfamiliar energy signature.
Kakashi's gaze drifted toward the smoke-shrouded horizon. "We need more information." Sai's voice was barely above a whisper. "And fast, before things escalate."
Naruto turned to Hanabi. "Can you use your Byakugan to get a closer look?"
Hanabi nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. She focused her Byakugan, and the world around her transformed.
Through her enhanced vision, Hanabi saw the smoke-shroued landscape unfold like a tapestry. She pierced the veil of chaos, zooming in on the epicenter of the explosion.
Orochimaru and the mysterious figure clashed in a flurry of movement. The air rippled with their chakra, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate their battle.
Orochimaru's face contorted in rage, his eyes blazing with chakra. His hands weaved intricate patterns, unleashing a barrage of senjutsu-infused strikes.
The mysterious figure dodged and countered with fluid precision, their movements eerily reminiscent of a familiar style. Hanabi's Byakugan drank in every detail.
She saw the figure's face, and her mind clicked into place.
"Naruto nii-sama," Hanabi whispered, her voice trembling. "The other figure...it's Sasuke." Naruto's eyes widened, his Sage Mode amplifying his surprise. "Sasuke?"
Kakashi's gaze snapped toward Hanabi. "Are you certain?" Hanabi nodded firmly. "Yes, I'm positive. That's Sasuke."
Sai's brow furrowed. "But why would Sasuke be fighting Orochimaru?" Naruto's thoughts whirled. What was Sasuke's goal?
The group exchanged uneasy glances, the implications swirling like a maelstrom.
Naruto's face darkened, his Sage Mode amplifying his emotions. "Impossible!" he growled. "I would've sensed Sasuke's chakra if he were here. But that person's chakra is entirely different!"
Hanabi's expression remained resolute. "I'm telling you, Naruto nii sama, it's Sasuke." Naruto's frustration boiled over. "Look again, Hanabi! Make sure!"
Hanabi nodded, refocusing her Byakugan. The landscape unfolded before her once more, and she zoomed in on the battling figures.
Orochimaru's chakra clashed with the mysterious figure's chakra. Hanabi's Byakugan absorbed every detail.
"It's Sasuke," she reaffirmed, her voice steady. Naruto's confusion deepened. What was happening? Why couldn't he sense Sasuke's chakra?
He thought back to his encounters with Sasuke, recalling the distinctive feel of his friend's energy. This person's chakra was nothing like it.
"Did Orochimaru manipulate Sasuke somehow?" Naruto's mind whirled with possibilities.
But one question lingered: Why couldn't he sense Sasuke's chakra if the person was indeed Sasuke?
Determined to confirm, Naruto centered himself and reached out with his senses once more. The chakra signatures reappeared, and Naruto's scrutiny intensified. The result remained the same – the unknown chakra bore no resemblance to Sasuke's.
Naruto's thoughts swirled, a maelstrom of questions and doubts. What was Orochimaru's involvement? Who was this mysterious figure? And why did Hanabi insist it was Sasuke?
The more Naruto thought of Sasuke, the more he questioned his own conviction – was this really his friend?
---
_Quiz Time!_
Why does Hanabi believe the mysterious person is Sasuke?
A) Familiar chakra signature
B) Distinctive fighting style
C) Sharingan eyes
D) Personal items or clothing
E) Past encounters or memories
Share your answer in the comments below!