Chapter 7:
The storm clouds loomed heavy over the desolate landscape. Thunder rumbled, and flashes of lightning illuminated the ruined battleground—charred earth and shattered stone, a testament to the chaos left in Naruto's wake. A chill wind whispered through the air, carrying the scent of blood and ash.
At the heart of the devastation, Naruto stood, his eyes pools of darkness tinged with crimson malice. The air around him thrummed with a sinister energy, shadows coiling and writhing as if alive. Power surged through his veins, intoxicating and insatiable. Yet, the thrill of destruction was fleeting—his hunger craved more.
A rustle of movement caught his attention. He turned slowly, a smirk curling his lips as familiar figures emerged from the gloom. The sight would have once stirred admiration or nostalgia—now it ignited only amusement.
Jiraiya stood at the forefront, his expression grim beneath his wild white hair. Age had lined his face, but resolve burned fiercely in his eyes. To his left, Tsunade cracked her knuckles, amber eyes narrowed. Orochimaru's serpentine gaze flickered from Naruto to the destruction around them, lips curling into a sinister grin.
"Quite the spectacle, brat," Jiraiya called, voice steady despite the danger. "But it ends here."
Naruto's smirk widened. "Three old relics and a handful of traitors? You amuse me."
A flurry of shadows flickered, and from behind the Sannin, the remaining Akatsuki members revealed themselves. Kisame hefted Samehada with a shark-toothed grin. Konan's paper wings rustled ominously. Zetsu's sinister whispers echoed as his eyes locked on Naruto. Kakuzu and Hidan exchanged eager glances, and Sasori's puppet shell clicked and whirred. Even Deidara's smirk was edged with uncertainty.
Tsunade's gaze swept over the Akatsuki before resting on Naruto. "You've gone too far, Naruto. This madness ends now."
Naruto chuckled. "Foolish. You're just lining up to die."
Before anyone could react, Naruto vanished, reappearing before Kakuzu. His hand surged forward, engulfed in black chakra, punching through Kakuzu's chest and crushing the heart. Kakuzu gasped, eyes wide before collapsing. The others reeled back, expressions ranging from shock to fury.
"Too slow," Naruto sneered.
Jiraiya's hands flashed through seals. "Summoning Jutsu!"
A massive plume of smoke erupted as Gamabunta, Katsuyu, and Manda appeared, towering over the battlefield. The Sannin leaped onto their respective summons. Gamabunta's pipe smoldered as he eyed Naruto warily.
"You've become quite the monster, kid," the toad boss rumbled.
Naruto grinned wickedly. "And you're all prey."
He clapped his hands, dark energy surging forth. Shadow beasts crawled from the ground, snarling as they charged. The Akatsuki scattered, launching attacks to counter. Explosions rocked the earth as Deidara's clay birds detonated, and Hidan charged with a manic grin, scythe spinning.
Tsunade struck the ground, splitting earth and shadow alike. Jiraiya's toads spewed oil and fire, scorching the beasts. Orochimaru's snakes lashed out, constricting and crushing.
Naruto stood amidst the chaos, unfazed. He flicked a wrist, and the shadows warped, twisting into blades that slashed through flesh and bone. Hidan's scythe met a blackened claw and shattered. Naruto's hand lashed out, and Hidan's head was torn from his body. The immortal's head snarled, but Naruto crushed it underfoot.
Jiraiya shouted, weaving hand signs. "Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
A torrent of fire and oil rushed forth. Naruto raised a hand, shadows condensing into a barrier. The flames struck but dissipated against the darkness. Tsunade lunged, fist glowing, but Naruto caught the punch, eyes gleaming.
"You've grown weak, princess," he mocked.
He hurled her back, shadows coiling around her limbs. Orochimaru struck, sword extending like a serpent. Naruto sidestepped, grabbing the blade and shattering it.
The battlefield was a storm of blood, screams, and shadow. Akatsuki members fell one by one—Kisame cleaved in half, Sasori reduced to splinters, and Konan torn apart by black tendrils. Deidara detonated himself, but Naruto emerged unharmed.
Only the Sannin remained, battered and bruised.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, focusing on Tsunade. He surged forward, a dark aura engulfing his form. Tsunade stood defiant, channeling all her chakra into a desperate strike. Her fist connected with Naruto's chest—only to phase through.
Naruto's hand pierced her heart, shadows devouring her. Tsunade gasped, pain etched across her face as her strength faded. Her vision blurred, but she managed a final glare.
"I...won't forgive you...Naruto."
He whispered coldly, "You won't need to."
He let her body fall, lifeless.
Orochimaru's smirk vanished. Jiraiya's expression was a mask of despair.
Naruto loomed over them, crimson eyes blazing. "Legends fall today."
Shadows consumed the battlefield. Only silence remained, echoing Naruto's victory.