Jeez, where to begin. First and foremost, I hope everyone and their families are safe and surviving this global crisis. Don't ever feel ashamed to ask for help if you need it, because there are friends/family that would gladly give it.

Next, I'd like to apologize for the long delay. COVID altered my life to essentially working, sleeping, and more working. In addition to the stress of catching the virus and supporting my household, it's been very difficult to get in the mindset to write. But I've been trying. I write in my notebook, and for the last month, I haven't had to work 75+ hr/weeks.

Which brings us to this chapter. WARNING: Blood and Violence. It's nearly 21K and like the wave mission, I didn't linger on events from canon we've already read a thousand times. So if I don't go into too much detail with a fight, assume it's similar to canon.

I'm happy to be back and a very special thank you to Vincent Liu for keeping me motivated. Please enjoy 😊

THE ENEMY

Soldiers young and old remained huddled together for warmth from the early morning chill and vigilance for the signal. They couldn't start a fire throughout the entire night for fear their army will be discovered before the designated time. Come morning, hundreds of shinobi, from jōnin to even genin, are low and quiet in the forests of Konoha ready to fight, ready to invade. Huddled together as the cold slowly seeps from their bones, they whisper to each other to distract themselves and pass the time.

"What'll you do with your piece of land?"

"How will you spend your bonus?"

"They told us no looting but I heard the Sound guys are going to rape, pillage, and plunder. I don't care for the raping but how would command know if we took valuables?"

Many Sand shinobi whispered about the possibilities after the invasion and the answers were the same.

"Get away from the heat and sand. Find a nice spot for my wife and daughter… finally be a man who can support them."

"I'd love to invest in a new puppet. But I should really help the family out. Kami knows I can't stand them half the times, but it's family. They'd starve without me. What can you do, you know?"

"It wouldn't surprise me. Those Sound-nin have no honor; why would they care? If you want to take something for your little girl, I don't see how they could have a problem with that, but anything more might get you in trouble with the brass. Look, we're getting the better part of this alliance. After today, Sunagakure and Wind country will finally be able to prosper. No more waiting outside HQ for scraps of work that's just going to go to bills and feeding the family. Once Konoha is gone, we'll get all the land and all the jobs."

Opposite the sore and vehement Sand-nin, the Sound-nin wanted to expand their village and country to become one of the five dominant nations; only they're willing to do so by any means necessary; taking the land, wealth, and jobs by right of conquest. To that end, they will kill the men and boys of Konoha and gift the corpses to their great leader, Orochimaru, for his breakthrough experiments. They will rape the women so they give birth to Sound citizens, and they will kill anyone who stands in their way.

KURENAI

'Will this boy ever stop surprising me,' Kurenai can't help but ask herself, smiling at the sight of Naruto in the arena below, his white coat billowing in the wind along with his sunny blond hair. 'The Fourth Sun,' the red characters on his back read and Kurenai wondered if, 'Sun,' is intentional or not. Knowing Naruto as intimately as she does, she's fairly certain it wasn't and would even expect him to groan about how it should've read 'Son,' not, 'Sun.' She couldn't help but giggle as she could see his mopey reaction so perfectly and it only endeared her to him; after all, he wasn't a flashy sort of guy. Kurenai loved him better this way.

She doesn't subscribe to astrology but she knows many girls who do and recalls the Sign of the Fourth Sun means home. Looking at her golden boy, like the world fell away and no one else existed, Kurenai's whole body tingled with warmth, as if pleasantly thawing from the cold in front of a comforting fire. It took her breath away when she realized she never knew how cold she was until now, so much so, she could cry if she weren't so focused.

'Fuck,' Kurenai mentally groans, feeling her dainty nose heat as her heart sings,'yeah… I'm in love.' It's the last moment of indulgence she'll allow from her pure heart, because in her charge, her love—'Kami, he really has me… all of me'—left his cousin, his only family, in her care, and it was pretty clear a delicate event had occurred.

Squeezing the redhead's shoulder, Kurenai gets Karin's attention to ask, "what happened?"

Though Karin doesn't know Kurenai, it's clear to her Naruto trusts her, which means she can as well, and begins to tell her everything she can remember.

SAKURA & INO

The rest of the crowd is finally starting to openly doubt, mock, or demand answers. The rumbling voices from hundreds of spectators slowly increases in hazy volume, as if the mob didn't know what to make of this image before them and that confusion annoyed them. The Yondaime was too heroic and Naruto was just a loud, annoying, hooligan with many horrid rumors surrounding him. What everyone saw just didn't feel right.

Ino had long since learned the truth of Naruto's character, and to look around, it surprised her how much she's fallen for him since then. His status in the village had only mattered to how she thought her parents might react, but after gaining their support, being the village's pariah didn't factor in her love for him at all.

Looking at him now, looking so similar to the Yondaime, wondering if he really is the son of the Fourth Hokage or not, Ino felt incredibly aroused. She just stared at him, blushing at the possibility that somehow, Naruto can be even more amazing than she previously thought. It was enough that they could be great friends and lovers, but seeing him in his new clothes, wondering if her first time was actually with the, possible, son of a Hokage, Ino was so excited she was getting wet at the thought of being with him again. Ino squeezed her legs together, concentrated on her breathing, and tried not to get triggered.

Seated beside the quietly squirming Ino, Sakura observed and questioned as much as everyone else around her. Though she is curious about his lineage, as a budding healer, she also noticed an injured and bleeding Karin. Though Sakura hasn't taken her oath yet, she's already memorized it and knows it's about important ethical interactions between doctors and patients. Aside from the oath establishing that the practitioner of medicine gives deference to the creators, senseis, and students of medicine, the oath serves as a contract for doctors to work towards the benefit of the health of the public.

To Sakura, it means the physician is accountable for their actions should problems arise, so she takes Ino's hand—surprising a small moan for her lips—and calls, "come on," before heading to a patient in need. With Chōji tagging along, they reach them as Kakashi lands on the railing beside Kurenai, and before he can ask one thing, a blushing Ino asks to know, "is it true?"

As Asuma walks over to the gathering, Kakashi looks out to the field, observing Naruto beside Sasuke, then side-steps the young Yamanaka's question with, "mmn, I wonder." Ino groans at the evasion as Kakashi simply turns his single eye to Karin and asks, "more importantly, what happened?"

"I was knocked out," Karin repeats to the revered Sensei. "And when I came to, Naruto-sama had already rescued me and was heading here."

Kurenai adds, "she recalls seeing an older man; dark hair, half his face covered in bandages and walking with a cane," certain that both Kakashi and Asuma have noted the implication.

"I see," Kakashi hums looking around the stands. He can't be certain of any suspicious patterns or irregularities but his intuition is telling him everything is off, even if only by a little. Returning his attention to Karin, he explains, "I'll take you to the Tower to debrief-"

"You can't," Kurenai asserts, mentally realizing she doesn't have the authority to give Kakashi orders.

Kakashi raises a peaceful palm as he reassures Kurenai, "I won't let anything happen to her."

"Naruto-" Kurenai cuts herself off to change tactics, stating, "Uzumaki-dono gave strict instructions that she is to stay with me until he or Jiraiya-sama retrieve her. As he is the Head of their clan, I can't let you take her unless Hokage-sama expressly orders me to."

The moment of silence is the only indication that Kakashi was surprised by Kurenai's response. Asuma was observing her as if searching for any shred of evidence, all the while suspecting the truth underneath and being unable to accept it. Sakura, Ino, and Karin give each other side glances in that tense moment, though Ino is completely thrilled by Kurenai's defiance. Kakashi reminds Kurenai, "I'm his sensei." He didn't have to say, 'and your superior,' because she heard it nonetheless.

"Uzumaki-dono trusts you, as we all do," Kurenai tries diplomacy. "He knows she'll be fine with me because I'm certain he would rather speak to you. If the man responsible for this is who we think it is, Hokage-sama should be made aware." Kurenai hates Kakashi's poker face. With his bored face, she rarely has any way of gauging where her responses stand with him; whether positive or negative, but she doesn't flinch either.

"I'll speak with Naruto," Kakashi asserts. "Asuma stay with Kurenai and Karin. You three, back to your-"

"I just want to make sure Karin-chan's fine," Sakura declares, asking for permission to check her.

"Understood," Kakashi responds, nodding his consent. "Then to your seats… and everyone, stay alert."

Kakashi disappears as Sakura begins using her Iryō-ninjutsu to monitor a grateful Karin's health. Though Karin feels fine, she feels more comfortable with Sakura, Ino, and Kurenai by her side.

MABUI & SAMUI

Under the breezy shade of section D, Mabui, Samui, and Atsui subtly observe the red-headed girl Naruto had carried in his arms moments before and the group of ninjas around her, while all around them, people groan and gossip about what they've just witnessed. To the Kumo-nin, it was like being surround by disgruntled noise pollution and a flurry of heated movements. Mabui and Atsui didn't understand the uproar and the logic Samui's mind was proposing had no intelligence—factual or otherwise—to back it up. Samui quietly confirms to her team the red-headed girl is Naruto's cousin, Uzumaki Karin, before ordering them to remain vigilant.

Two gambling men in front of the Kumo-nin are arguing loudly in half sentences, and to clear the confusion, Mabui taps a shoulder before calling, "excuse me." Ignoring their instantly lecherous eyes, Mabui internally sighs as she asks, "can you tell me why everyone is making a fuss about that contestant?"

"I'll tell you anything you want, Sweet Stuff," the spiky-haired one with facial tattoos coos. He eyes her up and down as he slyly adding, "over dinner."

With a tight and disingenuous smile, Mabui replies, "I have a boyfriend."

"A girl as hot as you deserves two boyfriends," the spiky-haired man replies with a grunting moan. "Not that you have to tell him about me if you don't want."

"Excuse me, I meant to say no other man exists in my eyes unless I'm beating them to within an inch of their life," Mabui returns, daring him with stern green eyes to say more. Atsui groans as his body wilts like a limp noodle.

"Alright, alright," the spiky one grumpily returns. "Can't a guy show a little interest anymore?" Before Mabui threatens him again, he points to Naruto in the sunny and spacious arena below and explains, "the way the kid's dressed… it's just messing with peoples' heads, is all."

Drawing her brows together curiously, Mabui asks, "why?"

The man's eyes shamelessly travel down to the alluring roundness of Mabui's supple chest as he slowly asks, "you're not from around here are you?" It's almost as if he forgot she threatened his life.

"That ain't it," his heftier companion with round cheeks and small eyes interjects. He also has a problem looking above her neck, of which Mabui only tolerates so he can explain, "there are plenty of others who don't get it either. I'm thinkin' maybe you're all too young to've been in the last war."

The spiky-haired man continues, "those who remember are freakin' out because he looks way too much like the Fourth Hokage."

"Shiiit," the heftier one calls out. "For a minute, I thought he was the Fourth!"

All three of the Kumo ninjas visibly sit up straighter at the implication, though it's more of a confirmation for Samui. Her mind begins making alternate plans as she comments for further information, "I wasn't aware the Fourth Hokage had any children."

It was a statement that had the potential to seriously complicate their amended mission and made Samui's team instantly think about the major political repercussions of taking Naruto. If what everyone seems to be in denial of is true, then taking the son of the Fourth Hokage would certainly lead to a diplomatic incident, and if enough authority heads wanted it, war between Kumo and Konoha. This dilemma instantly made Samui believe their simplest and best course of action was for Naruto to voluntary desert Konoha, which meant they had to truly make a concerted effort to seduce him. Samui follows up with, "was he hidden from the public?"

Saucer-sized eyes zeroed in on Samui's terrifically large and ample chest and the heftier man not-so-silently whispers to his friend, "fuck me, will ya look at the rack on this one?"

Ignoring Atsui's angry growl, Samui apathetically returns, "I also have the most amazing boyfriend who exceeds satisfying me in every way." Atsui looked as if he wanted to throw up as Samui demands of them, "answer my question."

The hefty blond man grumbles to his friend, "why are the hottest ones always loyal," before glumly answering, "yeah, the Yondaime doesn't have kids… or at least, that's the story, but…"

"But maybe it ain't so true," the spiky one debates.

"But it can't be," the fat one returns.

"But he's the spittin' image of the Fourth!"

"It's just another one of his pranks," the hefty one protests. "It's gotta be!"

Looking around the chaotic stadium, the spiky one asks, "then why aren't the Jōnin saying anything?"

The two continue arguing amongst themselves, as do the majority of people around them while the Kumo-nin observe the behavior of Konoha's shinobi. To Mabui and Samui, it appears as if the crowd can't accept the sight of Naruto as the son of the Fourth. There's unease and whispers of, 'it can't be,' or, 'he should be court-martialed,', or 'to do something so disgraceful.' In the section next to theirs, a disagreement about Naruto's appearance breaks out into a fight, and in that moment, Samui and Mabui nod to each other. They realize the crowd's hostile reaction is likely indicative of the village's attitude as a whole and should aid them in convincing Naruto to defect. They also know they must be extremely careful as it's only obvious Konoha's leadership will not appreciate losing the son of a fallen Hokage to Kumogakure. It's too much of an international slap in the face to allow.

THE KAGES

Patches of boos around the gossiping masses can be heard. They don't last longer than a few moments before opposing voices holler for them to shut up, creating a bit of pandemonium. Scratching his head, Naruto simply chuckles at the mixed reaction all around him, thankful it isn't all booing and heckling. Naruto looks up to the Kages, to Rasa specifically, who's glaring at him and simply returns a broad smile.

Irritated by Uzumaki's aloof attitude, Rasa asks Hiruzen, "is he the son of the Yondaime Hokage?"

"He is an orphan, Kazekage-dono," Hiruzen leisurely replies. "One without inheritance or wealth to foster him. Like many orphans in our village, he must rely on his own wit and strength if he ever wishes to make a name for himself."

With thoughts of Iwa in his calculating mind, Rasa rhetorically asks, "I imagine concealing his existence was for his own safety?"

"At one point, certainly," Hiruzen confirms, stroking his chin-beard with a lazy hand.

"Uzumaki seems an ill-suited family name," Rasa coldly denotes. In a calculated manner, Rasa probes the Hokage by saying, "I imagine he will adopt his father's name after today."

"Hoh hoh hoh," Hiruzen laughs his slow elderly laugh, adding, "I highly doubt that." Rasa turns his curious gaze on Hiruzen, who only returns a lazy glance before answering, "while it's fairly evident Naruto has his father's appearance, he's his mother's son through and through. He's the type of young man who believes the name you call him doesn't matter as he is the one who chooses what he answers to." Returning a proud sight on the blond in the wide arena below, Hiruzen proclaims, "and Adversity knows him intimately as Uzumaki Naruto."

Rasa didn't sense any deception or hidden awareness in Hiruzen's responses, forcing the Kazekage to truly consider that Jiraiya and Uzumaki are being truthful and hadn't informed their Hokage of the attack on their village. Rasa stares down at the son of the Fourth who is getting admonished by the proctor for not standing next to his Uchiha teammate.

TEMARI

"Alright guys, this is the final test," Genma calls to the ten Chūnin candidates before him. Genma's voice is still projected throughout the spectating crowd, silencing the grumbling chatter as he explains, "the arena is different but the rules are the same; there aren't any." The crowd cheered to hear that through the PA system, then Genma eyes Sasuke a moment before adding, "you fight until one of you dies or concedes but if I determine the fight is over, I'll step in and stop it. Got it?"

In the spacious arena under the warm sun, Temari glances at the other candidates to catalog their response but her eyes immediately latch onto Naruto. Her mind is a jumble of impatient curiosity and she just stares at him, wondering more and more about him; his clothes, his entrance, his power, his doom. Her heart felt torn by the excitement of seeing him again and the terror of his demise today.

Proctor Genma cuts through her train of thought as he announces, "everyone but Kankurō and Shino head up to the viewing gallery."

Before Temari steps away or anyone takes more than one step to leave, Kankurō whispers to her, "waiting for Gaara's match is going to take too long. He needs to be on the field by the target time."

"I know," she whispered back all the while observing Naruto in his new, dashing, and respectable look; he even seemed taller to her. Despite hearing her brother, she had the greatest urge to ask Naruto about his outfit. She's seen pictures of all four Hokages but couldn't accept the clear evidence that Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Naruto are related since information like that couldn't be hidden so easily. More eager to solve this mystery, Temari tells her brother, "we have time. Just finish him quickly-"

"Examiner," Kankurō called, raising his hand. "I forfeit."

In an instant, Temari is fiercely upset. Even if it was a prudent move toward their father's ultimate objective, Temari couldn't help but mentally curse, 'fucking Kankurō!' Even inflating her chest with a deep breath doesn't calm her glare.

Confused by his sister's reaction, Kankurō draws his brows together curiously as he answers the proctor, "I'm sure."

The other Chūnin hopefuls observe Kankurō's unexpected withdrawal with puzzlement. The ones reexamining their chances at reaching the final match are Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, and Shino. Naruto and Temari know none of this truly matters, Hinata is simply pleased her teammate is advancing, and Shikamaru is only interested in the calm breeze keeping him cool and the few fluffy clouds drifting in the big blue sky above. Of all of them, Gaara is the only one who never stopped walking to the gallery. Kankurō has never been anything more than a meat-sack to the homicidal red-head, but in that one moment, he didn't feel his usual urge to kill him. Even still, Gaara is all the more eager to validate his existence in excessive blood and death. It's been too long and he's shaking in anticipation of killing someone soon.

"Whatever," Genma's amplified voice grumbles louder than the boos of the crowd. In his mundane way, Genma announces to all through the speakers, "Shino, you advance. Go up with the others. Temari, Shikamaru, you stay." Hinata skips over to her teammate and congratulates him while Kiba whines about how lucky he is.

Neji, Shikamaru, and Team Kurenai walk toward the viewing gallery as a smiling Naruto calls out, "good luck, Temari-chan, Shikamaru!" Naruto then follows the others to the gallery.

Watching her chance to learn any secrets from Naruto slip away, an annoyed Temari harshly whispers to Kankurō, "you didn't have to do that!"

"It's fine," Kankurō waves aside her concern. "None of this is going to matter after today." Eying their father before looking around for Baki, the face-painted Sand-nin reiterates, "conserve your chakra and finish him off quickly."

Kankurō rushes to Gaara's side before noting how transfixed he is on Naruto. Though his vicious little brother appears to be in control, Kankurō can tell it won't last. 'He's going to detonate soon,' Kankurō estimates, observing Naruto walking beside his teammate with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Yo, Sasuke, it's been a while," Naruto greets. Wearing a black one-piece with white bandages around his forearms and shins, and a black belt wrapped around his left arm, Sasuke looks at Naruto dispassionately, as if noticing a fly buzzing annoyingly around him. Without a response, Naruto goes on to say, "I bet you've gotten strong too. I guess Team 7's been pretty busy, huh? Anyway, I wanted you to know I haven't forgotten." A silent and annoyed Sasuke glances at the blond, like the buzzing is entering his ear. "I said I'd help you out, and after today, I'll have more time to do that."

"I don't need nor want your help, Dobe," Sasuke retorts. Walking ahead and stuffing his hands in his pockets, he continues, "you're nothing but a nuisance holding me back so stay out of my way or I will break you."

"What the hell," Naruto hotly returns. Turning around and walking backward to have eye-to-eye contact with the self-proclaimed avenger, Naruto explains, "I'm not in your way. If you weren't such a stubborn ass, you'd see I'm actually trying to be a friend!"

"Then you really are the biggest idiot," Sasuke growls back. "I don't need friends. Power and revenge are the only things I care about, and after today, you'll only live on in fading memory."

"Yeesh, and you call me an idiot," Naruto groans in frustration. While Naruto's concern is steadfastly focused on the future, talking to Sasuke makes him see how focused on the past the avenger is, making him think they really are like two sides of the same coin. "Whether you see it or not, I get why you're like this," Naruto replies. "Power and revenge aren't all you care about and I know for a damn fact, it isn't even what matters most to you." Despite Sasuke glaring at him, Naruto sternly tells him, "so sit tight, you prissy little drama queen cuz I'm helping you whether you want it or not."

Watching Naruto walk ahead of him wearing an overcoat similar to the Yondaime's—as if he's lording over his clan and life—threatening to interfere with his life's goal. Sasuke grabs Naruto's shoulder, pulling hard to turn the blond and maliciously tell him, "don't even think about losing until you reach me." Squeezing his shoulder tight, Sasuke practically spits, "this is the last time you'll ever get in my way." Onyx eyes to clear blue ones, the challenge between them is clear; there isn't another person in this tournament that Sasuke wants to fight more than Naruto.

"Temari versus Shikamaru," Genma announces as soon as the contestants were ready. "Begin!"

Watching from the observation gallery beside team Kurenai, Naruto wasn't sure if the same result Naru-nii had explained to him would happen this time, and if it did, how Shikamaru would trap Temari without the hole Naru-nii dug when he beat Neji. Like many watching, Naruto learned Shikamaru truly is a genius.

When he finally got moving, the pineapple-head unloaded all of his shuriken and kunai, making it appear as if he was desperate to snipe her from afar, however, he only wanted to distract her from an umbrella kunai he launched in the air in order to extend his shadow-bind. She saw through the tactic and maneuvered away… exactly where he wanted her. From the shadow of the wall, Shikamaru used his shadow jutsu to travel around the very edge of the perimeter of the arena to attempt and capture her from behind. Temari saw through that as well. The shadow nearly had her and she watched it on the floor struggling to reach for her but unable to. It made her smile confidently until she turned to finish the match and noticed the flash bomb he threw in the air. It wasn't thrown high or ultra-bright, but it detonated before she can react and the light from the explosion easily stretched her shadow toward the one that nearly snagged her, ultimately capturing her.

Exhausted after using his jutsu for so long, Shikamaru walks to the center, forcing Temari to walk there as well, raises his hand, forcing her to do as much, and gives up. After getting over her shock of the bewildering, intelligent, and lazy shinobi, Temari couldn't deny she was impressed with his foresight. It made her wonder about Konoha men in general and their ability to impress her.

The honest sentiment then made her heart ache because she knew what was expected of her. She knew many Konoha Shinobi would die today. Walking on the grass toward the viewing gallery, Temari gazes up between her brothers and Naruto, and in addition to feeling defeated, she felt nauseated. Every weak step up the stairs to the holding area seemed to threaten her with a violent urge to vomit. Of course, it didn't help the moment she cleared the staircase, Naruto is right in front of her, happy as a clam. Closer to her than he's been in over two days, he looks so powerful and feels so strong but he still has his smile. Being forced to crush his cheerful heart nearly makes her hyperventilate.

"Wow, Temari, your fan is soo awesome," Naruto beams. "I know you showed it to me before but I've never seen it in action…"

Over his shoulder, Kankurō is standing next to Gaara who's sinister grin is all the signal she needs. In that revolting moment, her heart hates her brothers, her father, and her village for making her do this. It's a spike of emotional distress that even makes her hate Naruto for being so amazing, and herself for choosing this vile darkness over love and hope.

Mechanically, Temari walks over to her brothers as Naruto follows to ask, "since we're both wind-users, can I hold it?"

Gaara steps in front of Naruto, glaring with his cold dead eyes as he proclaims, "she doesn't love you."

Naruto pulls up, humming, "Hmm?" He examines Gaara a moment before looking between the Sand siblings. Temari's remains as silent and still as an emotionless porcelain doll.

"She. Does. Not. Love. You," Gaara slowly repeats, trying to let each word sink in as he steps closer to Naruto. Gaara whispers, "all this time, she's been lying to you. She betrayed you; betrayed your trust."

Realizing this is the moment, Naruto hates that this is happening. He always suspected but he hoped maybe he could've changed her mind; even if he knows that would've made her a traitor to her village. Though a small part of Naruto recalls her funny smile—like a girl who never does it—he can't help but confidently tell Gaara, "no she didn't."

"Of course you'd believe otherwise," Gaara replied, taking a step back and standing next to his older sister despite glaring at Naruto the entire time. "Temari," he commands.

"…He's right Uzumaki," Temari hesitates to starts. Recalling the need for eye contact, her teal eyes snap to his blue ones as she practically growls, "d-didn't you ever ask yourself how someone like me possibly fall in love with someone like you? I never l-loved you; no, not such a weak, ugly, m-monster like you! I faked everything when we were together—my attraction, my joy, my desire for you, all fake." Temari takes a heavy breath as she fights to add, "a-and I laughed! Laughed at you after you left! We all laughed at how pathetic you are!" Kankurō chuckles from Gaara's other side as Temari finishes, "someone as pathetic as you should honestly just d-die!"

Even though Naruto knows Temari is lying, watching the three stand united as someone he cares about reviles him still hurts to see and hear. Naruto couldn't even put on a brave smile even when he's had a lot of practice throughout his life doing so. She said the words he fears the most and regardless of how false they were, he's grown to cherish Temari, her laugh, her cocky attitude, her intelligence, and her drive to prove herself. To hear her mouth say those words simply hurt.

"Tell them all," Gaara commands, and Temari looks surprised to hear the command.

She tightens her jaw before calling out for all of Naruto's friends to hear, "t-this guy is so pathetic, so weak, he thought he deserves love." Temari yells louder, "it was so easy to toy with him. Show him a little affection, and he became my p-pet; did anything I wanted like a lost little puppy. I turned him into my bitch. I'm- Uzumaki is a monster… That n-no one could possibly lo-ve and deserves to d-die."

Sasuke, Shino, Kiba, Hinata, and Neji all stare at Naruto and the sudden drama unfold. Though Sasuke and Neji didn't care much, Shino remained quiet, and Kiba actually looked offended, Hinata felt anger within her rise higher than even when she fought Sakura. Hinata's anger triggered her Byakugan to focus on the sandy-blond kunoichi and what she saw made her calm down some. Something about her posture and erratic chakra flow told Hinata that Temari was in turmoil and possibly being dishonest.

Publicly humiliated in front of his colleagues—in front of his rival—Naruto attempted to laugh it off but it didn't even sound convincing to himself. Despite knowing she likely doesn't mean it, it still hurts to hear and Naruto takes an uncertain step away from Temari. Gaara steps closely in front of Naruto to assure him, "this is why I will kill you today." Maniacally gleeful by Naruto's pain, he continues happily, "because you foolishly believed that someone you trusted would return your love. When you love others and are betrayed, it's the worst pain this world has to offer and you will beg me to relieve you of it moments before I crush you in my sand."

Eying the redhead without much reaction, Naruto sadly turns and walks over to the corner of the observation deck, away from everyone, and leans heavily on the railing. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino join him to keep him company, though Kiba is still pissed on his behalf, and yells, "you fucking bitches better pray you don't meet me in the finals, cuz if I see you in a round, I'm drilling ya six feet under!"

NEJI VS HINATA

"Hyūga Neji," Genma begins to call. "Hyūga Hinata. Please come down."

Neji ignores everyone as he coldly walks down to the battle arena. After Shino and Kiba give her their support, Hinata follows Neji's direction. She's by the stairs leading down to the ground floor when Naruto slowly calls her name, missing his usual liveliness. It made Hinata angry to think people he's been trying to be friends with would go so far to hurt him and nearly wish her match was with Temari rather than Neji.

"Hey, Hinata," Naruto voices drawing her attention. Naruto knows this match will be difficult for her but she doesn't seem overly nervous in his estimation. It reminds him of Naru-nii assertion that she'll be a top-tier kunoichi in the future and with a small but genuine smile, he shares, "I wanted to say it properly… thanks for helping me earlier; in the training grounds. I believe in you too, so, no matter what, give it your all, and I know you'll be happy in the end."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Her face blushes as she gasps, "thank you, Naruto-kun." With stern resolve, she adds, "for everything."

With a tight fist-pump, he encourages her, "show him what you got."

He expected her to nod and leave, but she stays and asks, "when this is over, can… w-would you still like my h-help… with ch-chakra control exercises?"

At the thought of mastering the Hiraishin next, Naruto genially answers, "definitely. I've been itching to get to that."

Though she couldn't profess to him, 'please, watch me,' she does nod and bow before making her way down. Naruto returns to his fellow Konoha shinobi and spies a glance toward Temari and Gaara. Gaara is happy to see Naruto's hurt expression, but Naruto knows it isn't for the same reason. Though facing away from him, Naruto can see Temari's conflicted and low-spirited appearance in her rigid posture. It was as if someone broke her instead of him. Sighing in sympathy, Naruto relocates that energy and saves it for his fight with Gaara, eager to unleash everything he has on him.

—

As Hinata follows her cousin to the center of the arena below, Kurenai's mind curses, 'fuck!' as her eyes widen in gut-sinking fear. Her knees buckle, her skin heats, and her chest tightens in shame and agony. With her full sight on Hinata, the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha has only just realized that she's in love with the same boy her most cherished, daughter-like student loves.

'Oh, fuck… fuck, fuck fuck,' her mind constantly repeats, panicking over this scenario playing out in the most obvious way; her absolutely decimating Hinata's heart. Kurenai wants to rip her hair out for finding herself in such an absurd predicament. 'Being in love with Naruto would obviously mean betraying Hinata,' her mind painfully addresses.

Watching her uncharacteristically focused and confident student stand opposite her biggest challenge to date, the choice between her love as a woman and her love as a mother-figure should be clear. Rationally, there shouldn't be a debate about this, but her mind is silent. Her options are simply what needs to happen and what she wants to happen, and it makes the tortured Kurenai horribly sick to her stomach.

—

Observing Neji in the center of the battleground, Hinata understands why Neji demands she forfeit, and even why he arrogantly breaks down her insecurities one by one to the credit of his irrational gospel; Destiny. The Hyūga heiress knows why Neji firmly believes people can't change and that their future has been destined since birth. He had proclaimed that, 'a failure will always be a failure,' but Hinata isn't that same girl who graduated the Academy six months ago or even the girl who suddenly learned she'll be facing her genius cousin a month ago, or even the girl, who only a few minutes ago, offered to teach Naruto some of her clan's extreme chakra control techniques.

Momentarily imagining him calling her, 'Hinata-sensei,' her cheeks blush and her whole body breaks out in electric goosebumps.

Naruto's faith in her felt as if she were being blessed by the sun itself and she couldn't even think of failing him. Feeling Naruto watching her, Hinata knows Neji is wrong, because if her jaded cousin was right, then the nine-year-old Naruto who rescued her from older bullies would've never thought to protect her or proclaim to one day becoming Hokage; let alone the greatest of them all. Quitting because of destiny has no sway over a man with conviction, and if it's not Naruto's way, then it's not hers either.

"You're wrong, Neji-niisan," Hinata asserts, setting her stance. "You can choose your destiny. And it's because you don't know this that I will stop you."

With a snide grin, Neji asks, "do you actually believe you stand any chance of defeating me?"

"Not of defeating you," she answers, shaking her head. "Of stopping you."

"Neji versus Hinata," Genma speaks, booming through the speakers. The wind and birds around them fell as silent as the crowd before Genma speaks, "begin."

'Byakugan,' both Hyūga members mentally chant, protruding veins around their nearly white eyes as their all-sight shows their opponent's chakra network and nothing else. The stands of spectators disappear from their view and even the proctor becomes irrelevant to them as they focus solely on proving to the other who is right.

In less than a second, they're crossing gentle fists with light physical taps but bursting with perfectly timed chakra out of their tenketsus, aiming to damage the other's chakra network and internal organs rather than deal external muscular damage. For no matter how much chakra an opponent has, if they can't use their immense power, they're as vulnerable as an academy student. Using their wrist and forearms to block or sway strike after strike away without losing their footing to the other, they seem evenly matched from a layman's perspective, but Hinata knows better.

Her cousin is hiding his true speed. He's toying with her, waiting until she's confident in his timing, dropping her guard so he can surgically cut off her chakra flow. It's a strategy she might have missed if not for Kurenai's diligent strategy planning. Neji may have beaten her completely if they faced each other in the preliminaries. 'He may even now,' she thought, but with time and Kurenai-sensei's tutelage, she won't be defeated.

Masters of their style, they each know how to attack and defend, yet Hinata is being pushed back by his fast strikes. It was difficult to maintain her footing and balance when Neji's skill and ability was better than her in nearly every way. 'He's faster, stronger, and a genius in taijutsu,' she mentally analyzed. 'But he doesn't have Kurenai-sensei.'

Kurenai knew that, in general, the Hyūga clan tends to have average chakra reserves and after testing each of her students, Hinata had above-average chakra capacity. That along with a strong understanding of the Gentle Fist, Hinata could only see one way of besting him; chakra endurance.

Neji is moving faster tapping her chakra points one at a time, but rather than let the obvious continue, Hinata takes an explosive tagged kunai from her pound and flicks it at the ground between them. The small flash of light igniting has an alert Neji leap back but the tag didn't explode.

The moment the crowd and Neji realize it's a feint, they all witness Hinata, her eyes closed with her index and middle finger together, parallel with the length of her dainty nose and concentrates on the technique she's learned from her father. Like he taught her, she envisions herself within the center of balance between the forces of peace and chaos, love and hate, offense and defense, and she sees the eight trigrams symbol, and Neji within range.

It also means Hinata is within his range and he recognizes her stance. Smirking cockily, he raises his arms, inflating his lungs before thrusting his palms in front of him, setting his resolve. He spreads his stand along with eagle-spreading his arms and tilting his balance forward. Neji's mind delighted in showing the main house how wrong they were and still are as he mentally yells, 'Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!'

Hinata felt his sliding approach, mentally calling, 'Shugohakke, Rokujyuu Yonshou!'

Unlike the offensive Hakke Rokujūyon Shō that attacks sixty-four tenketsus within the body to incapacitate an opponent, Hinata's Eight Trigram, Sixty-four Palms is a defensive technique. She can create, strong, flexible, arcing chakra blades that project outwardly, defending her from his incoming attack from a distance.

Hyūga techniques clashed and as strong as Neji is in his offense, Hinata has just as much passion for her defense because it won't hurt him but it will stop him. Though she still can't get more than four cross-sectioning blades to protect her, it's just barely enough to stop Neji's chakra covered fingers from shutting down two tenketsus on her torso.

A sizzling flash behind Neji alerts him that there was a second explosive note wrapped underneath the dud, but whether it was also a feint or not, it was enough of a distraction for another of Hinata's four-section cross blades close three of Neji's tenketsus. Focused solely on stopping Neji, helping him, proving to him he can break out of his cage, Hinata manages to two consecutive cross-sections before Neji flips back, snatching the kunai she stuck in the ground and flicking it at her with enough strength to clang loudly when she deflects it.

Neji flexes his fingers and looks around his arms at the ten closed off tenketsus. It's not enough to completely impede his attacks, but a few of his fingers won't receive chakra… 'the embarrassment,' his mind cruelly whispers. For someone like the meek, weak, and fragile Hinata to hinder him even this much in front of the whole village, in front of the main branch, is a disgrace he won't ever live down. The cage bars of destiny have never felt so cold and Neji can't remember the last time he was this angry.

Though Kurenai's minor panic attack from observing Hinata execute their strategy perfectly has subsided, she still feels unwell at the sight of her beautiful student trying so hard. Then Neji resumed his attack and he looked furious even from where she was standing, compelling her worry for Hinata to triple.

Neji attacked ferociously with his superior speed and strength, but Hinata continued defending herself with her Eight Trigram defense. He attacked her constantly, and though she was getting tired from her constant use of chakra, she manages to close a few more of his tenketsus without even touching him. After several moments of visceral attacks, Neji finally managed to break through her defense and attack her organs with the few chakra covered ringers remaining.

Neji beat her internally, striking her liver, stomach, kidneys, and heart, but it was with less than half his usual strength, and when she fell, it wasn't enough to satisfy him. She struggled to her feet but she was within his range and he reignited his Sixty-four Palms. Though he started with two strikes, then four strikes, followed by eight strikes, and on until he struck her chakra network with sixty-four strikes, less than half his strikes actually closed her tenketsus.

After his onslaught, Hinata falls to her knees, coughing up blood, but she doesn't stay there. She tries to get up again. She looks at him, sweating dripping around lavender-white eyes brimming with a strength and determination he's never seen before, making him believe that destiny is once again showing him his place.

Neji can't help but yell, "you're beaten! Stay down!"

Hinata only shakes her head, causing drops of sweat and blood to drop on the ground as she struggles to return to her stance. "You can't know… what you can really do… until you've tried… and failed… and tried again… a thousand times."

Neji practically teleports in front of her before landing every attack he hits her with, despite strained inability to stop him. Hinata holds her breath as she tries to push her body beyond her limits. Despite her best efforts, Neji strikes her liver with minimal chakra, though it was enough to shock her entire system, and even then, he heal-palms her in the face, sending her flat on her back several feet away.

Disappointed with his performance, Neji curses as he begins walking back to the observation deck when the silent crowd gasps in unison. The young genius turns around and to his staggering disbelief, Hinata is battling just to stand up. Like a new-born baby attempting her first steps, Hinata's hands push off the ground onto weak and unbalanced legs.

"You've lost already, thus have nothing to prove or gain," Neji calls to her, feeling his anger swell in his chest. "If you don't stay down, I will attempt to kill you."

"I'll kill you first," Naruto's lone voice yells from a large distance away, making Hinata smile a bit.

"Your problem… isn't destiny… Neji-niisan," Hinata gasps through wheezing breaths. Sweating profusely, freely bleeding from her nose and mouth, fire in her lungs making her wince as she pants, "or that… you're weak… Your problem… is that… you give up…"

Anger rolling off of him, Neji sprints after her. His tenketsus were closed in the most inappropriate places, weakening his attacks, and forcing him to use Lee's Iron Fist to combat Hinata's smaller weaker body. With closed and angry fists, Neji punches Hinata down to her knees, and with a clean punch across her temple, he's certain he's knocked her out.

Hinata drops to the floor with her blurry vision of her cousin, the sky, and the stadium as gone as her equilibrium. She sees only darkness surround her with an unstable floor that feels like sleeping on a rocking boat. Above her is a single ray of light, warm and inviting like a celebration dinner with family. Hinata doesn't know how to reach the light, but she knows she can. She knows she will and unbeknownst to her, she's standing to reach the light. Hinata knows nothing else, not the awe of the crowd, the medical observation of the proctor, or the shock of her father. She stands in the Gentle Fist's ready stance without being conscious.

Neji looks shocked as Genma mumbles with respect, "even unconscious…"

Despite lacking consciousness, Hinata's pure will to never stay down permeated the muscle-memory of her limbs to move regardless of position or orientation to will herself upright. Even if she couldn't consciously feel the pain standing up flared through her ravaged muscles and chakra network, she wobbled and struggled to lift her open palms to the ready position. It might have pained Hinata to lose in front of the person she admires most in the world—she was simply too far behind her dear cousin in nearly every way—but she wasn't going to show Naruto the sight of her staying down. More than anything, she will never stay down in front of him.

Around the silent or gasping crowd, both Kurenai and Naruto couldn't be prouder of Hinata. This match was obviously a win for a genius of Neji's caliber, but for her to push him so far… for her to stand even beyond consciousness, impacted both Naruto and Kurenai—everyone in fact—deeply. She may have lost but her character molded a special place in the hearts of many that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

After Genma declared Neji the winner, Hinata receives a standing ovation for the depths of her tenacity despite overwhelming odds and it hurt Kurenai to think of Hinata's future pain when she learns of her Sensei's betrayal.

—

"Go," Kurenai hears Asuma tell her. "I'll cover your section."

Kurenai was hesitant, to say the least. Conflicting feelings of disgrace, shame, pride, and concern tore at her insides, but mechanically, she takes Karin's hand and they walk to the infirmary. Opening the door to Hinata's room, Hiashi walks away from his daughter's bedside and stops before the ebony sensei. Eyes locked on one another, his hard face says nothing and Kurenai isn't sure how he'll address their individual pledge for Hinata; spoken in what feels like a lifetime ago. The arrogant man does something unexpected to her and bows deeply.

After Hiashi leaves, Karin waits in the corner of the room while Kurenai looks over her bruised and slumbering student. Lamenting discovering both her great love and her great shame on the same day, Kurenai doesn't stay long. She didn't need to be near Hinata longer than a few seconds to feel the adult decision inside her clash fiercely with the selfish woman inside. She places a gentle kiss on her daughter-like student's forehead before exiting the room and running into Naruto. Kurenai's heart beats incredibly fast at the sight of him and for the life of her she can't understand why she's blushing; after everything they've done together, she shouldn't feel so hot and happy to see him.

Curiously, Karin calls to her cousin with the implication of asking why he's here, "Naruto?"

"Hey Karin, Kurenai," the blond returns with a happy salute.

"If you're worried about Hinata, she'll be fine. She's resting now," Kurenai relays, managing to keep her voice neutral but failing to keep a small smile from her face. He was two feet away from her and the fact that it felt too far, made her want to smile like a complete fool. Feeling a more relaxed joy settle her anxiety, Kurenai asserts, "you should be focused on your own match."

"It's all good," Naruto tells them as he moves to the door. "I'm just a clone. Boss-man wanted me to stay with her, just in case."

As he walks into the room, Kurenai's conflicting emotions knots her stomach once again. Looking at the blank door, her mind recites, 'we all love each other, even if Naruto doesn't love her in the same way, but only one of us can be with him… and it's obvious who it should be.' The painful truth creeps into her heart like giving up the warmth of the sun. 'Unless I end my relationship with Naruto, none of this will end well,' and she hates it; hates it so much she wants to cry. Compartmentalizing her chaotic emotions, Kurenai and Karin return to the stadium.

—

In the infirmary room next door, Neji is looking over the many tenketsus Hinata managed to close with sheer frustration. Though two-thirds of his tenketsus are functional, Hinata managed to close off many of the most important openings utilized best for offense. So focused on his injuries, he hardly noticed a person walk into the room, who he assumes is a healer.

"Your tenketsus will remain closed for a minimum of an hour," Hiashi points out. At the sight of his clan's Head, Neji quickly lowers his arms and stares at the man indifferently; nearly glaring at him as Hiashi adds, "you will have to forfeit your next match."

Long past honorifics and courtesy, Neji bitingly retorts, "what do you want?"

Taking a breath, Hiashi walks around the room as he explains, "soon after Hinata graduated the Academy, her Jōnin-sensei approached me in a foolish attempt to goad me into allowing her free range to instruct Hinata. She rightly believed I would seal my daughter for the good of the clan. Hinata showed no promise and could never best her younger sister—mentally, it would seem—which is of paramount importance when you become the leader of a clan as great as the Hyūga, so I paid no mind to Yūhi-sensei's scheme and permitted her folly." Ending his pacing in front of Neji, his clear eyes strong and genuine as he admits, "I had not expected to see such… tenacity from her."

"You must be so proud," Neji retorts hostilely. "Am I supposed to have more sympathy for your daughter than my father?"

"There is nothing I would not do for our clan," Hiashi softly admits. "As would my brother-"

"Don't," Neji growls before recalling the seal on his forehead. In a much more calmer tone, he replies, "nothing you say will make up what I've lost to the main branch."

"To think my eyes were blind to your pain as much as my own daughter," Hiashi sadly states. "Anyone with a modicum of ability can see she would not have been able to best you and yet her will… her strength of heart stood her up against a superior opponent regardless of consciousness." Turning to Neji, "will you, nephew, continue?"

"…I can do no less," the genius genin answers.

"Neither can I," the elder returns.

Neji is surprised when the leader of the Hyūga clan kneels and bows, forehead to the floor before apologizing for his loss. Hearing the rest of how his father died, Neji stands and walks to the window, looking up at the birds flying in the sky.

SASUKE VS KIBA

Sasuke and Kiba meet in the battleground, and in full view of their Kage and village, Sasuke proves yet again why he's considered a genius shinobi. Kiba may have had Akamaru and his sharp sense of smell, but Sasuke only needed his Sharingan and taijutsu to defeat the Inuzuka heir in less than a minute. Though Kiba lost, everyone could see he tried his best and that the Inuzuka clan are still strong. However, throughout the match, the way Sakura paid extra attention to Sasuke's match made Ino worry.

After getting over her initial shock about Naruto, Ino was imagining all the ways she can tease her blond stud between observing the matches. Hinata's match moved her the most and gave her such a sense of resilience, she felt her own blood boil to prove her worth. It's why she was so concerned after noting Sakura's reactions to Sasuke's match. It was clear that her pink-haired sister wasn't completely over the Uchiha. From an intellectual standpoint, Ino can understand Sakura not being over Sasuke but with all the progress she's made in her training and her relationship with herself and Naruto, she had hoped Sasuke was firmly behind her.

'Matters of the heart aren't that simple,' Ino thought with rising concern, only for a second voice to declare, 'but I also love Sakura.' Considering Naruto's polyamorous admission, Ino couldn't be sure in what manner she loved Sakura, be it the loving sisterhood or the sexual intimacy she can't deny she enjoyed—even if it's not on par with Naruto. Glancing at her sister beside her, Ino mentally admits, 'more than sister but not fully into girls.'

Regardless, Ino loves Sakura, and as she watched Sakura cheer for Sasuke, she knew what was best for her wasn't Uchiha Sasuke. Observing the cold Sasuke returning to the viewing gallery as the next match is announced, Ino wonders what she can do to convince Sakura of that once an for all. Her mind immediately declares any manipulation is off-limits. She's learned that lesson quite painfully.

'I'll do it… but it has to be honest, like Kurenai-sensei would,' is her final thought before noticing the blond love of her life enter the dirt and grass stage below. With his white coat flapping in the wind, making him look too cool, Ino is smitten. Taking Sakura's hand, they both smile as Ino excitedly focuses all her bubbling attention of her dear friend and love.

—

Gaara body flickers to the center of the arena using his sand-jutsu, kicking up the dirt around him. Naruto gives the stern and conflicted Tenmari one last look before taking the stairs down. In passing Sasuke, the raven-haired avenger demands, "you better not lose to him." Naruto is a bit taken by the blunt encouragement, until Sasuke clarifies, "it's going to be you and me in the end."

Smirking at Sasuke, Naruto assures him, "heh, no it won't." At Sasuke's confused brow, Naruto answers, "be ready, Sasuke," and as he walks down the stairs, Sasuke yells, "for what?"

"For whatever Orochimaru has planned," Naruto calls back as he walks out into the sunny arena. All the while Sasuke stares at the blond, wondering what he knows and how he can possibly come to know it.

HAKU

From atop of the nine-story, half-completed, construction site that used to be Naruto's old apartment, Haku observes the stadium several miles away longingly, wishing he was there to see Naruto dominate his opponents and show the world the feats of his vast strength. Since his time in Konoha, he's learned that much of the village has treated Naruto unjustly, to say the least. Haku wanted to be there to witness for the first time, on such a large stage, Naruto finally having the chance to show them all how wrong they were about him.

Despite being alone, Haku still felt fortunate. Not only did he find it amusing he was being paid to guard Tazuna and his family while they rebuild Naruto's old apartment bigger and better than even the most modern building in the village, but he's also able to listen to the Chūnin exam's broadcast over the radio on the floor next to him. Additionally, when he senses a familiar chakra land right behind him, he feels both better and worse at the same time.

"They won't let you in the stadium because they feel you pose too high of a security risk," Kabuto explains. He steps beside Haku and they both watch the village landscape as he adds, "Konoha will never be your home, Haku-kun. They won't accept you."

"Home is where the heart is," Haku tells Kabuto, looking directly at the distant stadium and imagining Naruto's smile.

"Then come with me," Kabuto pleads, turning to him.

"Don't you mean, 'come with us,'" Haku asks, considering the bit Naruto has told him. "Orochimaru is your master, isn't he?"

"He's a great man," Kabuto defends. "He only asks you to be strong and loyal, and he'll ensure you won't be used and discarded. He would never ask you to betray someone you love simply because you've become a liability. He only wants the strongest soldiers because he will always be stronger; as any true leader should be. Join us, Haku… and we can be together."

The moment of silence between them allows the radio to statically inform them that Uzumaki Naruto is raising quite the uproar over his attire for its similarity to that of the Yondaime's, making Haku smile. "I can see you wander the world like a monk on a mission of self-discovery, Kabuto-san," the beautiful boy remarks. "But I know who I am and I'm incapable of abandoning Zabuza-sama and Naruto-sama."

Recalling Naruto asserting, 'I can't see you,' with irritation makes Kabuto coldly react with, "and if they died?" Though he instantly regretted it.

"Then the best part of me dies along with them," Haku returned, turning to the silver-haired boy. "And sadly, I'd be forced to kill anyone complicit in their deaths, whether that be someone I love or Kami-sama himself."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Kabuto reinforces, trying to settle his turbulent emotions. "I can convince Zabuza-san to join us easily enough. Naruto-kun… will take some time, but if you come with me now, I promise I will bring him over to our side. You have my word."

"Thank you," Haku says with a bright smile. "That makes me happy to hear but I cannot embrace a love that would betray them. I hope you rediscover your center, and more than anything, I hope you don't regret the lengths you sacrifice in the process to get there."

Clenching his fist, Kabuto tells him, "don't do this, Haku. You don't know what tomorrow will bring or how you will need to adapt, and I'm telling you now, after today, you will need me to survive."

As they gaze at one another—one in affection and the other in ache—the long silence is only interrupted with the radio's continued announcement, "this rookie genin is certainly raising questions, ladies and gentlemen. Just who is the boy we thought we knew? An orphan, certainly—one who's gone ignored or unnoticed for so long—but as if reinvented, it's shocking to see the Uzumaki Naruto before us today. As of yet, none of our sources can confirm his genealogy, but this could very well be a battle between heirs of the Sand and Leaf, and I feel confident we'll learn much more in this fight!"

GAARA VS NARUTO

The flat battleground feels wider to Naruto as he walks to the center underneath the big blue sky. The grass crunches under his foot as the crowd murmurs all around him. Wind wipes up his coat as he eyes the glaring redhead, feeling the same weight he felt when he faced Haku. This mattered a great deal to him and it may have only been like this because of Naru-nii, but that didn't take away how important this was. Naruto knows Gaara's pain, and more than anything, he wants to relieve him of that burden.

Reaching the center of the field with Genma between them, the proctor looks between the pair as silence descends the spectators. Genma can feel the anticipation in the air; a buzzing charge like static electricity, makes him pay more attention than with any other fight. From the stands, everyone is staring intently, unable to gauge an outcome of the match because even if Gaara is the son of the Kazekage, it appears that Naruto may be the son of the Yondaime. It was an impossible and unprecedented situation to consider for rational and bias observers alike and everyone was fully invested in the event.

"Keh keh keh keh," Gaara insanely laughs to himself which irks Naruto.

After being inspired by Hinata's match and hating what Temari was forced to do, Naruto pronounces to Gaara, "you didn't have to do that to Temari-chan." Though Naruto was a mixture of feelings, he felt certain, "she loves you and her village very much and you used that for nothing. Can't you see you hurt her?"

The top from Gaara's sand gourd pops off as he glares at Naruto, professing in the meantime, "fighting only for oneself, living while only loving oneself, thinking that others exist only to allow you to experience that feeling of superiority, nothing else matters but that world."

"Enough," Genma calls to the boys. "Gaara versus Naruto: Begin." The majority of the crowd cheers for the official start of the match for everyone was eager to see physical proof that Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son. But Gaara and Naruto don't start. Staring each other down, they reject this show for the crowd because this meant more to them.

Thinking of Temari's anguish, Naruto demands to know, "why'd you make her do that?"

"One must have a reason to exist," Gaara growls. His face morphs into something demented as he maniacally declares, "mine is to kill everyone besides me. Hers is to be of use to me. But you… I could not simply kill you without destroying your belief that love means anything more than weakness."

"You're wrong," Naruto retorts, clenching his fist. "Temari loves you. Both your brother and sister love you-"

Growing irritated with that word, Gaara's sand explodes out of his gourd. High and wide-reach sand tendrils shoot out to stab Naruto from multiple directions. The blond was quick on the uptake, gathering chakra under his feet and avoiding every strike while retreating far enough away to eye his feral opponent from a distance.

"Come," Gaara yells. "Or are you too much of a coward to face your death!"

Naruto creates two clones of himself, both of whom rush and hide behind the few trees at the forested edge of the arena. Only a few in the booing arena can see them sitting and meditating as Naruto draws out his chakra knuckle blade from his lower back. Naruto easily adds his Fūton chakra to the blade, creating a longer sharper blade of chakra as he calls out, "the only coward here is you! Someone who can't even hear how much other people love him cuz they're too scared to feel anything!" Naruto begins walking toward him, growing more and more confident with every step. "Talking about blood and existence is absolute crap but I'll show you you're not as alone as you think!"

Gaara's missiles of sand attack fast and precise from above, straight on, and the sides, but Naruto is much faster and his blade cuts through each tendril of sand he doesn't dodge as he rushes the redhead. With his arms crossed, Gaara remains rooted in place as his sand effortlessly conforms to his great need to kill, attacking Naruto from any angle he can draw blood but the blond only gets closer. Like sand spears coming from eight different sides, Naruto easily extends his chakra blade longer, sharper, to cut the sand spears to finally enter within range of Gaara for a strong punch to the head.

Unconcerned, Gaara's sand automatically absorbs Naruto's fist and tries to crush it when the blond's chakra blade cuts through the sand and he leaps out of the way. Naruto leaps back, dodging and cutting sand bullets until he's far enough. They stare at each other for a moment before Naruto rotates his shoulders and stretches, twisting his midsection as he tells Gaara, "not bad. You're sand's faster the closer to you it is." Snickering, Naruto notes, "if anything, at least your sand loves you."

Glaring at Naruto, Gaara voices, "is that all I can expect from you? What happened to all that power I saw? Show me what your words of love mean so I can crush them! Show me!"

Naruto extends his right hand ahead of him, palm facing toward the blue sky. For a moment, what Naruto is doing is almost imperceptible to the naked eye, but very soon, blue chakra begins to spin in multiple directions at once. Naruto knows it took his father three years to master Rasengan, and from Jiraiya, he knows that's roughly seven thousand hours of pure training time. In the five months since Naruto's learned the Rasengan, he estimates he and his hundreds of clones have logged-in just over seven thousand hours, since in his palm, in front of hundreds of witnesses, blue spinning chakra brightens and broadens as it forms into a perfect sphere.

From merchants to villagers to shinobi and everyone in between, none dare blink for fear of missing a single moment of such an unexpectedly extraordinary event. For many years, the history that's always associated with Uzumaki Naruto is that of the rampaging Kyūbi killing and butchering many loved ones, shinobi and civilian alike. At the moment, no one rational can deny seeing Naruto as the son of their beloved Fourth Hokage who died protecting their village. Many had to accept that the boy they've hated with all their being for years was in fact the son of the Fourth, while many others were proud.

Iruka, Hiruzen, Kurenai, Ino, Sakura, Kakashi, Genma, Guy, and many other shinobi who knew the truth looked on with pride, amazed by the boy's death-grip on perseverance despite years of systemic negligence and abuse. Observing Naruto in this moment, who looks so much like his father, wearing a similar cloak, using his signature technique, was mind-boggling. Without even being from Konoha, Temari, Mabui, and Samui were entranced by the display while Mei grows much more intrigued with the blond.

"That's some defense, I'll give you that," Naruto champions with his chakra blade in his left hand and Rasengan in his right. "How about I just break those walls down!"

Naruto sprints faster than before, narrowly avoiding heat-seeking spears of sharp sand from piercing his flesh. Juking from side-to-side, cutting away, and dodging sand spears the closer he gets, Naruto manages to spin from the side into position for his Fūton covered blade to cut right through his last defense. It was a small break in his sand Naruto used to bury the miniature tornado into Gaara's armor-covered gut. His blue Rasengan expands spherically, carving ceaselessly into a surprised Gaara's sand until it cracks and breaks before the redhaired shinobi is launched perfectly vertically through the air. The gourd on his back reforms into softening sand to alleviate the tremendous force of the impact as Gaara smashes against the arena's wall.

The sand was sufficient protection and Gaara remained conscious even if all of the sand layered over his skin is cracked and crumbling. The sand and clothes over his midsection were completely gone and his stomach was bleeding from many little scrapes. Gaara coughs a bit of blood and struggles a moment to glare at Naruto with absolute hatred. The crowd remains stone silent even as a wounded Gaara lazily pushes away from the arena wall and claps his hands together.

The sand hisses as it makes its way to it's weakened master and forms into a sphere made of sand around him. Naruto knows what that sphere of sand means and looks high to his right, above the crowd to the Kage's viewing balcony, directly at Rasa. They hold stern gazes and Naruto can tell they're only moments away. Naruto creates a clone that immediately annuls itself and one of the two clones in the arena disperses, immediately sending all of the sage chakra it was gathering directly to the original. As he feels the tremendous force of power flow through him, an orange-red pigmentation around his yellow, toad-like eyes, leaving no doubt to those viewing that Uzumaki Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage.

Naruto rushes to the sphere of sand against the wall and with a clear mastery of sage chakra, creates a large claw-like hand that bull-dozes and digs through the ground and concrete wall to lift the sand sphere. Though sand spikes pop out to try to pierce his chakra grip, Naruto feels no pain, and with his enhanced strength, launches the sand-covered boy miles into the air. A stadium full of stunned spectators gawk at the sand sphere rocketing far into the forest beyond the village's wall with wide eyes and hung mouths. Naruto hops onto the arena's wall, turns around to the nearly silent crowd, unironically displaying his white Fourth Sun cloak. He smiles at his village before leaping high into the sky to follow his fellow Jinchūriki.

THE INVASION

Since this turn of events isn't against any rules, Genma makes to follow the genin when unbeknownst to Konoha, the village is struck with perfectly synchronized attacks. In the span of one second, many of the villagers, whether civilian or weaker shinobi, begin losing consciousness to the power of a sleep-inducing genjutsu. The Sound Four and Orochimaru move into place and Kabuto detonates an explosion at the protective barrier of the village powerful enough to cause minor tremors. Even worse is the perfectly timed giant three-headed snake that's summoned just outside of the destroyed section of the wall.

Shrugging off the sleep genjutsu, Ino, Sakura, Choji, and Shikamaru stand gaping at the incredibly large snakes beyond the destroyed wall. They're never seen a summon the size of a small mountain and look over to Asuma and Kurenai for directions or clarity of the situation when more deafening explosions splinter the air with concussive shock waves. "What's going on," Ino asks Sakura when smoke bombs screens are popped off throughout the stadium to limit visibility. In sage mode, Naruto and Jiraiya can sense an additional three hundred combined Sand and Sound nins invade the village on top of the hundred or so elite enemy forces already inside the village.

In the seconds after the explosion, many many Sound and Sand shinobi begin closing in on those still awake and confused, not giving them a chance to catch up to the situation. Throughout the main sectors of the village—the wall, the Tower, the Stadium, and main street—villagers young and old who are asleep are momentarily ignored so the Sound and Sand nins can focus on killing all the confused, directionless, or situation-assessing Konoha shinobi they see.

From rumbling explosions to genjutsu'd civilians and gigantic summons, it's enough of a stupor for two teams to ambush Kurenai, Karin, and Asuma, for Genma in the arena below to be rushed by a coordinated team of his own, and for the first Chūnin sentry to fall to the blood-splattering kunai of an enemy. Within the brief moments of surprise and directionless engagement, Sound and Sand sprint through the streets and attack without reservation, and above all, it allows Rasa to slip behind the Leaf's Kage and spirit Hiruzen to the wide-open roof above them with a kunai to his throat.

Leaping through the trees rushing directly for Gaara, Naruto can feel the fighting begin and creates a clone to give everyone in place the signal. The final clone with sage chakra disperses, infusing Naruto and his clones with the last amount of nature chakra he'll have until the end of the invasion. Split between his three clones, Naruto worries how he'll fight Gaara or Shukaku when his sage chakra runs out. Promising to fight without Kurama's power makes the outcome feel uncertain to him. All he knows is that he won't stop until he wins or he's dead, which feels gravely like the latter without additional power.

'Bah,' his mind hurls. 'Guts is more than enough!' Speeding from treetop to treetop, Naruto has faith in his clones and prays they finish as fast as they can.

With the infusion of empowering natural energy, the three Naruto clones that are already with Jiraiya on the wall, in the stadium covering Hinata, and at the tower with Iruka smile before they each concentrate on calling forth over two hundred clones each with all the sage chakra they have.

Hardly any enemy shinobi hears Naruto yell, "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," but they all stop fighting when hundreds of puffs of white smoke pop into existence all around them. Out of the dissipating clouds, only spiky-blond clones in a white cloak remain. They puffed into existence on the barrier all-around Jiraya—stuck on railings, the wall, filling up the space between shinobi teams—extending out dozens of yards. They popped all around the stadium—on columns, railings, walls, around other Konoha shinobi—to protect those asleep as well as Sakura, Ino, Chōji, Shikamaru, and Hinata. They appeared all around the exterior of the Hokage Tower where Iruka's talent as a leader was assigned, ready to take orders and assist civilians. Each clone had its mission and none planned on failing to the likes of Orochimaru and the Kazekage.

The hundreds of enemies in the stadium and on the perimeter couldn't believe the sheer number of clones suddenly appearing to challenge them and matching their numbers, spreading a wave of unease through their forces like a virus. But the seasoned and desperate invaders hardened to Naruto's show of force, because even if the hundreds of shadow clones looked as strong as the fourth Hokage, logic dictates that this many would be slow and pop with even the weakest of punches.

Sound and Sand forces continue their attack, and without delay, each clone begins charging up Kurama's chakra from the pit of their seal, exponentially amping up each one's strength, speed, durability, and jutsu. Suddenly sensing the spike in rising power, the enemy shinobi focus on attacking any clone they see with ranged weapons and puppets but it's too little, too late. They may have popped a few clones with kunai, shuriken, swords, arrows, or puppets, but with practiced ease, the rest of the army of Narutos gathered enough of Kurama's bubbling chakra to form a visible red shroud around their bodies. It's not one-tail's worth of power but they certainly equalize the battlefield.

At the destroyed section of the wall, one clone notices a Sand shinobi swallow hard in nervousness, making him smile before yelling out fiercely to his brethren, "Yosha! Let's beat these bastards back! Charge!" Like a tidal wave of white and blond encased in bubbling red, the heavily empowered clones attack the enemy forces straight on. In the stadium, the battle storms with Naruto swarming the enemy, though they seem trained enough to stick together and fight as a unit.

On the large roof above the stadium, Rasa holds the Hokage hostage while the Sound Four land at the four widest corners of the large roof and quickly begin erecting their demon energy barrier. Hiruzen's bodyguards fight off Rasa's guards but are unsure of how to proceed with their leader being held hostage by a powerful Kage and a notorious missing-nin, Orochimaru, between them. As the barrier finally rises, a four-man team of Narutos yell as they leap within the inescapable perimeter, locking them in.

"Stop, you fool," the masked leader of the bodyguards yells. "You'll get Hokage-sama killed!"

The four clones try to rescue Hiruzen when they're obstructed by a grinning and battle-ready Orochimaru. "You impress me, Naruto-kun," the snake-nin quips. "Perhaps I should take you after all. You can never have too many test subjects after all." Opening his mouth wide as he turns his head toward the sky, a snake rises out of his throat for a sword to then ascend out of the snake's maw. Though grossed out, each clone takes out their knuckle blade and the team attack as one, much to Orochimaru's delight.

One takes him from the front, one from each side, and the fourth trails the first. Though the fourth clone seems to be focused lining up a following kick, he, in fact, hurls a kunai at Rasa, hoping to distract the Kazekage long enough for Hiruzen to free himself, but the Sand Kage simply tilts his head to the side, easily evading the deadly snipe that embeds itself in the rising shingle of the curved roof.

As they watch Naruto's clones attempt a multitude of attacks, Hiruzen has to know, "why?"

Through his hard countenance, Rasa asked with genuine curiosity, "did you not know, Hokage-sama?" Hiruzen tilts his head a bit, then Rasa clarifies, "did that boy truly not tell you?"

Looking over to the remaining three clones try to tag the slippery ninja, Hiruzen asks, "Naruto?"

Rasa can't help but smile at his fortune before asking, "he kept such a thing from you, didn't he?"

The Kages continue to observe the fast clones of Naruto being systematically dismantled one at a time with patient efficiency by Orochimaru and his enduring sword. Through the red shroud of chakra, Hiruzen notes Naruto's fiercely determined face as he fights in defense of his Kage and village. The trust in the boy he's personally witnessed grow into a young man flows through him easily as he explains, "even if he had told me, I would never believe a shinobi of your integrity capable of betraying his allies."

"I respect your faith in a piece of paper, Hokage-sama," Rasa replies, "But my village cannot fill their bellies with platitudes or quench their thirst on empty promises. As their leader, they look to me for growth and prosperity, yet your country denies them a life of fair work for fair wages… I cannot allow this to continue any longer. You will die today Hokage-sama, and in deference to your title, I, the Kazekage, will kill you."

"Rasengan!" Naruto cries, finally hitting Orochimaru in the stomach with an orange-tinted white ball of densely spinning chakra. However, out of his mouth, another Orochimaru slithers out to stab the last clone through the back and chest, defeating the last of Naruto's clones. Orochimaru's slimy husk spins like a propeller to the demon barrier before disintegrating into nothingness. Orochimaru sucks his teeth at the loss of another skin before promptly turning to Rasa. With a broadening grin, he levels his nearly indestructible sword point directly at Rasa. Even Hiruzen's guards outside the barrier were surprised.

"Sarutobi-sensei is mine to kill, Rasa-dono," Orochimaru's scratchy voice happily states.

Glaring at the Oto leader, Rasa calmly but dangerously states, "first you attempt to assassinate me and now you betray the terms of our deal."

With a smile, Orochimaru playfully wonders out loud, "should I dare pretend you didn't implement plans of your own to assassinate me?" Unperturbed by Rasa's murderous glare, Orochimaru appears as if he's enjoying himself before pointing out, "with its resources split among our villages, what's left of Konoha and most of Fire country can still be yours… or, you can challenge me on this one insignificant little matter and risk spoiling your people's reward. So long as I kill Sarutobi-sensei, I will be satisfied with nothing else. Can you say killing him will satisfy the dire needs of your village?"

Rasa considers his countrymen, the lives he's responsible for, and their growing demand for more work above anything else. With a sigh, Rasa concedes, "as you wish," clearly choosing his village's needs over his duty to his title. Rasa removes the kunai from the elder's throat and moves to the side between them, like the third point of a triangle as he expresses, "my deepest apologies, Sarutobi."

Orochimaru smiles wider and Hiruzen enters his combat stance, ready to fight.

—

Laughing from high above the battlefield by the wall, Jiraiya, in his sage form, on the head of the dual sword-wielding toad, Gamahiro, halt the three-headed snake's movement by landing on top of it. Using earth style, Jiraiya creates a swamp to sink it in the earth as Gamahiro draws steel to cut off two heads at the same time. Leaping off the large toad, Jiraiya drills through the last head with a large Rasengan, killing the snake summon.

In the forest below, the invading forces outnumber Naruto's clones two to one, but only because a third of Naruto's clones are actually fighting along with Konoha's first wave of defense. Some teams of clones are made of all offense, other four-man teams are made of all Fūinjutsu healers, and the majority of clone teams have two offense and two healing cells.

The teams entirely made of offense deal with the enemy advance along with the many Chūnin and few Jōnin, confronting the most dangerous poison and puppet attacks. The platoons of puppeteers and their multitudes of puppets were the worst for Naruto to fight, as he has no experience with their capabilities and is tricked and surrounded easily. Though he's durable enough to survive most attacks, as well as fast and strong enough to fight back, the longer the battle rages the longer it'll be before the primary Naruto can use Sage chakra against Gaara.

The clone teams made of all Fūinjutsu healers are only focused on slapping his pre-made Fūinjutsu tag over the wounded area and pumping a lot of chakra to stabilize them before taking them to the hospital. Several clones reply to various shinobi how the tags act like a cauterizing agent, only it uses chakra to hyper-activate the injured body's natural healing process and create more collagen enzymes to heal the afflicted wound as best he can. It takes a lot of chakra, so much so a single clone is out of chakra by the third injured person healed. Additionally, it requires focus for Naruto to do this, and in the midst of battle, he's vulnerable attack.

The clone teams made of both offense and healers, try to assist where ever they can, however, all the clones find it hard to ignore certain aspects of battle. If he's healing, he can't fight. If he's carrying someone to safety, he can't heal or fight. If he's ambushed and dispelled, that's one less defender for Konoha and her people. People are suffering and this is the first time it feels as if he can't help everyone. It makes all the clones maintain desperate effort.

—

In the close proximity of the stadium, short to midrange attacks are to be expected and to Kurenai's delight, that was Naruto's bread and butter. With his knuckle-blade, Rasengan, and enhanced speed, he can get by all the Chūnin-level invaders and even some of the Jōnin-level enemy to one-shot them to the wall with his devastating attack, or at the very least, destroy their weapons. Konoha's counter-attack didn't last long, however.

Many of the Oto-nin took notice of Naruto helping the wounded. Kurenai herself thought it strange he even helped wounded Suna shinobi. That is until the Sound-nin began stabbing the villagers under the slumber genjutsu and when Naruto would rush to help before they bled out, he'd immediately be ambushed. The elite enemy forces would do this over and over and would even do so to other Konoha Jōnin as well; using the villagers as wounded bait to prey on their compassion.

Kurenai wasn't just disgusted by the tactic, she was outraged, and that dark side all seasoned ninjas have is easily tapped. It was as if she shut off her humanity and became an instrument of death. It wasn't necessary at the start of the surprise attack, but that was before they started harming innocent and defenseless civilians. With her elite Jōnin-level skill and mastery of genjutsu, Kurenai disappeared from the enemy's senses—just as she had done with Karin in the beginning—and stealthily stained her kunai wielding hands red with the blood. She runs on all instinct and pure chakra flow to weaponize her senses, chakra, and body and she isn't the only one. Kakashi, Guy, Asuma among other elite Jōnin in the stadium were fighting to kill.

Kurenai only paused her blade when she heard from behind her, "yeesh! Nai-chan, ease up on the Suna guys." Turning to the body she had just dropped, she was stunned to see Naruto healing his neck wound with one of his healing tags while another clone watches his back.

"I don't care about the Sound guys," he tells her. "To tell you the truth, they're really pissing me off. But for Suna, try to keep it non-lethal if you can. I'll take care of the rest."

Despite being in the midst of battle, she's confused and asks, "why?"

Smirking, he explains as if it's the most obvious thing in the world, "it's about teaching them, not killing them." She raises her eyebrows in stunning disbelief as he further adds, "don't worry about the wounded. You just be my sexy badass and wreck."

Kurenai watches the clone pick up the wounded Suna-nin—alive, despite stabbing him in his neck—and leaps away. That moment of distraction allowed a Sound-nin to appear within lethal striking range, but before she could guard or he can slit her throat, a fiery clone slams his Rasengan into the shinobi's guts, shredding through his abdominal skin, muscles, and organs underneath, spraying blood radially before Naruto lets the Rasengan go, propelling the enemy to the wall with a hard thud and wet splat.

Naruto practically growls, "I'm not losing you, Nai-chan." Turning to her, he adds, "so don't go leaving me so easily."

Despite the heat of battle, that sentiment struck her throughout her entire being—heart, mind, body, and soul—more completely than anything she's ever felt… because Kurenai didn't want to leave him either, making her want to cry for the lengths she's willing to sacrifice for Hinata.

—

Mabui, Samui, and Atsui are fighting as a unit on the streets outside the stadium. Samui didn't want to fight near so many Konoha jōnin as it would only draw unnecessary attention and questions to them, so she commanded her team to flee at the start of the invasion. They fought off both Sound and Suna shinobi on their escape of the stadium and into the streets outside.

Without their weapons, they each had to steal a kunai, which still kept them at a disadvantage. Fortunately, they work well as a team and Samui is as elite as they come. It almost unnerved Mabui how effortlessly she can kill without a hint of remorse on her blood-stained and neutral face. Mabui didn't know why she forgot that Samui could pass the salt or kiss her as easily as she can stab a person through the heart.

The Kumo-nin rush through the streets to find a safe place to hide when they're ambushed by a team of Sound shinobi. Atsui and Mabui are dropped to the ground by a tripwire and snare snagging their ankle before being ganged upon. "Quick," one of them yells as Samui, who managed to avoid the trap, is surrounded by six armed attackers. "Before that red bastard shows up-"

The leader barely finishes his sentence when he's suddenly stabbed from behind, pushing the reddish-orange bladed chakra bursting out of his chest. There's only one clone but Samui immediately observes how different this one is from the others she's seen. The others were covered in a shroud of red chakra. This one looked far angrier and though also covered in red chakra, he had a single tail swirling behind him. The squad of Sound-nin noticed the difference as well.

"If you Oto-nin want to live," Naruto growled. "Let. Them. Go."

Nearly all of the Sound-nin focus their killing intent on Naruto, targeting him with raised swords, tantos, and kunais. Two of the enemy ninja brought kunais against the necks of the downed Mabui and Atsui but this only angered both Kurama and Naruto more; making Kurama scream from within his seal. The Sound nin are stunned when their body's instincts scream at them to flee as Naruto's power soars, forming an additional bubbling red tail behind him.

His angry irises were red split by black slits, his hair along with his whisker-birthmarks was longer and more feral, and he didn't hesitate to launch a giant red hand made of pure chakra, of which a dozen more hands sprang out like missiles to grab all of the frozen Sound-nin by their entire torso. With all of them in his chakra hands, Naruto yanks his arm back hard, pulling the hostiles toward him with the spine-bending snap of a powerful rubber band, while his other hand prepares his chakra knuckle blade. Naruto wanted to dice them up like a chuck of meat dropped in a blender, however, his sixteen binding-fast slashes only cut them deeply as their bodies flew past him. They tumble and slide on the hard ground, groaning pain and bleeding out, but alive.

Throughout the ferocious engagement, Samui understood that if they ever wanted to bring Naruto to Kumogakure, it could never be by force. He clearly had more raw power than she did and deduced only Yugito-sama, Bee-sama, possibly Darui-taicho, and the Raikage could forcibly take Naruto.

In a complete one-eighty, Naruto suddenly rushes to them in grave worry, summoning three clones without the red chakra shroud as he calls, "are you guys okay?" Each of the clones were uneasy and anxious as they asked them, "Ma-chan, how's your leg? Can you walk?" Or, "Sa-chan, are you injured anywhere? Here, let me clear some of that." Or, "who are you?"

"His name is Atsui," Samui answered, allowing Naruto to clean some of the spurts of blood on her cheek with his sleeve. Atsui was nearly growling as a clone picks up Mabui princess-style, holding her close with dear concern. Samui tells Naruto, "he's my brother. He came to see me and watch the exams."

"Oh," Naruto happily hums, turning to a queasy-looking Atsui. "Sweet! Your sister's said so many nice things about you, it's great to finally meet you."

"We should continue moving," Samui notes.

Naruto nods and his clones use a protective formation around the group as Naruto apologizes for the invasion. The blond leads them to the nearest civilian shelter, however, surrounding the shelter are several ambush points set up by the hostiles, and Samui, Atsui, and the clones have to fight many puppets and shinobi to get through. Once they were safe, Naruto quickly goes back to clear out the enemy as fast as they can.

Most of the clones are counting the amount of time passing for their boss is fighting a monster single-handedly and at base level. All the clones throughout the entire battlefield know that the longer this invasion goes on, the worse it'll be for their boss.

—

"I should've learned more ninjutsu," Naruto painfully groans, grasping his sore chest.

Gaara is already in his second transformation, beating Naruto bloody in the forest. Except for his knees and feet, the red-haired jinchūriki was covered in body-enlarging sand with blue lines-like tattoos up and down his form with the face of a snarling raccoon-dog. With his light brown tail waving behind him, Gaara was bigger, stronger, and worst yet, his mania was emboldened with amazing power.

Bleeding from his forehead, mouth, and forearms, stopping the sand shurikens hurt him more than anything else. Naruto still refused to use Kurama's chakra, and as of yet, can't use Sage mode but he could still use his knuckle-blade and Rasengan. Down on one knee, breathing heavily, he frantically thinks of how to prolong this fight past the endpoint of the invasion. He's already used all of his exploding tags, shuriken, and kunai, but he needs his clones could dispel so he can be free to use sage mode.

"You!" Gaara yells, suddenly landing in front of him before sending another volley of tree-drilling sand shurikens. Naruto managed to cut through two shurikens before one smashes into his gut, dazing him immediately, and another drills into his shoulder, causing his Rasengan to dissipate. Naruto lands painfully hard on a large tree branch as Gaara continues yelling, "you, who is strong! You, who has companions! You, who has ambition! You, who is like me! Once I kill you, I'll be the one to have destroyed all of that. Only then can I survive! Only then can I feel alive!"

Naruto's entire body is throbbing in pain but several trees away, he can see a bit of Temari's hair and groggily thinks, 'she's caught in the middle.' Naruto can't think very well over the pain, but he knows she only has two paths, the one where Gaara wins or the one where Naruto does, 'and only the one where I win can give her a friend and her brother back.' No amount of pain and hurt could ever allow him to forget he has people to protect and a world to unite. Standing up like the slow beat of a steadily powering drum, Naruto asks the redhead, "you want to feel alive?"

Gaara watches from his high perch as Naruto struggles to put both his feet under him, but when he does, Gaara sees nothing but determination in his angry blue eyes. Pointing a finger at the sinfully mistaken jinchūriki, Naruto intensely returns, "you're never more alive than when you're protecting someone you love. You think loving someone and being loved is weakness, then give me everything you got! Because some stupid ass reason like that, IS NEVER GONNA BEAT SOMEONE LIKE ME!"

Naruto summons Rasengan to his right hand quicker than he's ever done before and leaps directly at an oncoming Gaara, where their attacks clash violently in mid-air.

—

Orochimaru didn't believe in fighting fair. Not only was fairness an illusion used to control, but it also took the pure joy out of fighting to the death. Only the strongest survive and he fought as a true shinobi should, using the best techniques to exploit any and all weaknesses. As such, he didn't allow his former sensei to summon Enma as he gleefully attacked with his nearly indestructible sword. The thrill of battle excited his heavily augmented body as nothing else can and Orochimaru enjoyed swiping to maneuver his opponent and stabbing any opening with tremendous speed, accuracy, and technique.

However, Hiruzen is a master of masters and is formidable enough to defend against Orochimaru's rapid sword strikes with his decades of battle experience and arm guards. It wouldn't be as fun for the Snake-nin if he defeated his sensei easily. The seasoned ninjas combated one another like a well-choreographed dance, sure in their movements and never taken by surprise as strike after strike tries to land a critical blow.

Their strikes sound crisp to Rasa as he observes from many yards away, admiring Hiruzen's combat prowess even in his old age. A small smile spreads Rasa's lips as he observes Hiruzen's strategy like an intricate game of Go and isn't surprised when the rotating old man kicks Orochimaru in the gut before repelling him away with a great force of chakra to avoid getting his leg cut off. A grunting Orochimaru lands elegantly on his feet several yards away, allowing Hiruzen enough time to summon Enma. Arms still crossed, Rasa wonders if he'll need to intervene now.

With Enma in his staff form, Hiruzen explains to them, "Konoha isn't just an organization you can take over. The village is its people, born and raised every year to live, fight, and protect their home, to their death if need be. Even if we're not related by blood, those from a village like ours are my most precious family and I will protect them with my life."

Stabbing his sword of Kusanagi through the shingle tile of the roof, Orochimaru smiles as he replies, "I wonder if all Konoha shinobi feel the same, sensei." With five blurry-fast hand seals, the legendary sennin calls, "Kuchiyose no jutsu, Edo Tensei."

Orochimaru uses Edo Tensei technique to call forth out of the rumbling ground the caskets of the First and Second Hogake. Enma's staff form extends at lightning speed, slicing through the air as it targets Orochimaru's head, only to be stopped by Rasa's gold sand. Orochimaru smiles as he begins raising the third casket when the forgotten kunai embedded into the cracked shingle that was thrown by Naruto's clone earlier pops from a clear white cloud into a clone of Naruto.

Desperately fast, the clone throws three kunais with exploding tags at the off guard Orochimaru, who's forced to stop the technique and leap away as the three kunai puncture the wood caskets with three quick taps before exploding mightily. The bodies and caskets where destroyed to pieces as Naruto then lands beside Hiruzen ready to fight.

Orochimaru glares at Naruto, fists up and ready to defy him, and mirthlessly growls, "you."

—

Mei watched from her perch as Haku fought off Sand-nin attacking their group with non-lethal ice or senbon strikes. From Mei's high vantage point, Haku is escorting what appears to be a construction crew, a woman, and a teenager as they made their way to the nearest shelter. A clone of Naruto lands beside Mei, looking at the three teams of Suna shinobi she subdued and tied up on the floor.

He couldn't help but ask, "did you do this?"

"It seemed as if you wanted to spare the Suna shinobi," Mei responded leaping to the next building to follow Haku. After Naruto makes a few clones to take the Suna-nin to the detention center Jiraiya had set up, he follows after her. Naruto then spies Haku and Tazuna as she remarks, "saving Suna shinobi is actually a smart play."

"Shit, I better help-"

"Haku is more than capable of taking care of this," Mei interjects as Naruto looks on. "And I'm here in case he needs me." Naruto looks extremely concerned, prompting Mei to ask, "are you worried?"

Though he has confidence Haku will be alright, Naruto is very worried about Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari and the small crew that came with them from Wave. Naruto had been supplying them with dozens of clones to help expedite the restoration of his old apartment. He told them to take the day off and even had Karin pay Haku a retainer to be their security; and getting Haku to accept the ryō was a struggle. Before Naruto leaves to assist Haku, he asks Mei, "will you help? Not just with Haku but with keeping villagers safe and not killing Suna shinobi?"

"Of course," Mei answers. "Before you go, I've seen a chakra shroud similar to yours. Are you by chance a jinchūriki?"

With widened eyes, he excitedly responds, "you have?" Though eager to ask who, a voice that sounds like Kurenai stops him from asking thereby confirming he's also a jinchūriki, which is top secret information. The mental red-tape forces him to think about what he wants to say and what he should say but also what he wants to know from her. This is still the woman who wants to take Haku back, so Naruto is weary as he asks, "how did you feel about that person?"

"I've come to know two actually," Mei says as they both hop to the next rooftop. With a shuriken, Naruto snipes an unsuspecting Sand-nin using a puppet against Haku thirty yards away as she explains, "one is currently responsible for much of the bloodshed in my country while the other was a man I thought I could marry. He was tall and handsome, but sadly he didn't seem to appreciate my attention and didn't return my affection. However, I will say he's a kind and stoic man."

Naruto can't be certain she's telling the truth, but he also doesn't like how much energy it takes to unravel the truth from her words and decides to trust her just enough. "We should definitely talk some more later. I don't when just yet; after all of this obviously."

"How will all this end I wonder," Mei purrs.

"Easy," Naruto remarks. "Suna and Konoha will be even closer than before."

Looking stunningly surprised, she asks, "even after all this? They're invading you as we speak. Many would find any alliance after this to be overly naive."

"Nah," Naruto waves her off, preparing to join Haku. "It'll be fine. Friends can argue and still be friends afterward."

Smiling, Mei replies, "I like you." Naruto nearly slips as he turns to look at her. She finishes, "in my country, those that have faith in the Fourth Sun, believe in securing their home and their family. I look forward to building a working relationship with you, Naruto."

—

Slapping his hands together, Naruto's clone calls, "cover me Ji-chan!" He didn't want to waste even a modicum of time, not with opponents like Orochimaru and the Kazekage close enough to dispel him. Focusing on that familiar feeling from deep within his core as Hiruzen steps defensively ahead of him, the blond genin calls on as much of Kurama's chakra as he can handle.

When the enemy leaders feel the insane amount of power radiating in hot waves from Naruto, they sprint to stop him, shooting kunai and shuriken at the blond and multiplying it with jutsu before lighting them aflame. But Hiruzen and Enma block or deflect everything until the they're on them. The elder shinobi deflects Orochimaru's sword while simultaneously extending Enma to block him and uses a series of kicks on Rasa. Orochimaru slithers to the side to impale Naruto with his serpent sword, only to be stopped inches away from Naruto's heart by Hiruzen's aged hand. It cut into his flesh, making the Sandaime bleed but he held firm until Enma can counter, punching Rasa away while simultaneously extending the staff to Orochimaru's gut and launching him dozens of yards away.

"Such gall, Uzumaki, to lie to a Kage," Rasa's thunderous voice accuses, ready to resume attacking. "Did you not say you wouldn't use your beast's power?"

Pausing a moment to answer back, Naruto reminds the Sand leader, "I said I wouldn't use it against Gaara." Feeling Kurama's immense strength flow and coil throughout his network, he adds, "I didn't say anything about you guys." Two tails quickly bubble and form from the base of his spine, flowing freely. There must've been fewer clones in the field because a third tail begins to take shape, all the while, Hiruzen floods the battlefield with, "Suiton: Suiryu-dan!" The water dragon missile attempts to cut both Orochimaru and Rasa while flooding the first quarter of the rectangular barrier.

Orochimaru uses his own, "Katon: Karyuu Edan," to incinerate Hiruzen and Naruto with a stream of napalm as Rasa uses, "Doton: Doryuu Heki," to create a thick tall wall of mud for them to stand on. Naruto shoots out a giant red hand made of chakra, smashing through the great wall before disappearing and fighting against Temari's father. The Kage and Naruto fight it out hand-to-hand and at high speed but as Naruto has chakra that can act independently of his own movements and three tails, the blond's split-second attacks are much harder to deal with.

Ignoring the tingling in his wounded hand, Hiruzen focuses his attacks on Orochimaru. Though he's worried about Naruto, he knows it's ultimately a clone, and even if he were dispelled as long as his young friend lived, being outnumbered wouldn't be the worst thing. Hiruzen felt it would be a fitting end even, following a death not too dissimilar to his sensei. Fighting with Naruto encourages Hiruzen to not only fight Orochimaru for the future, but stop him once and for all.

—

While Jiraiya was surrounded by enemies evading and attacking as they try to bring the legendary sage down with puppets and genjutsu, Naruto's clones became overwhelmed with wounded shinobi. All around the village Konoha shinobi defended as best they could to save the civilians, and in an effort to keep his promise, the grand majority of Naruto's clones were curing any injured they came across with his Fūinjutsu healing tags, or transporting them to the hospital, or defending civilian shelters and bunkers, or healing and detaining Suna shinobi. And Naruto lost scores of clones because of it.

A fourth of Kurama-enhanced clones remained specifically for combat, and many of Konoha's Jōnin allowed the clones to take the lead, engaging the enemy and their relentless puppets regardless of mismatch. Any other day, the element of surprise might've made all the difference for Suna and Sound, but they didn't count on a shinobi that can make hundreds of very powerful clones and his legendary Godfather in sage mode fighting back. From Hiashi, Genma, Guy, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai in the arena, to Ebisu, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza taking control of the streets, and Ibiki, Anko, and Raidō leading the charge at the infested wall, they all fight back to protect their precious home.

The enemy seem nearly defeated, running away more often than not when far off into the distance, a large dome of vibrating sound hits the village like the force of a powerful tidal wave. An ear-piercing scream from a mountain-sized Shukaku alerted everyone in the village that the powerful One-tail beast has entered the fray. Aside from the familiar terror of a tailed beast so near their village, it also gave the remaining Sound and Suna ninjas a boost in confidence, encouraging them fight that much harder to win.

—

Naruto has never fought a Kage before and the Kazekage has so many different elemental jutsus, his experience tends to trick Naruto's battle strategy, landing several clean punches and kicks. It's as if Rasa can see Naruto's pattern before he does it and Naruto takes a repeated punches or kicks before Hiruzen interrupts with his extendable staff. Naruto resumes his assault, slicing along with swirling kicks, and though confident in his speed and power, the best he can manage is hitting Rasa's sand with a large Rasengen, shredding away some of the Kage's armor.

The four only pause to witness Shukaku erupt out of the forest floor as tall as a mountain and screaming in the delight of freedom. Clones everywhere automatically fear for their boss. Hiruzen can barely feel the real Naruto fighting Shukaku from his vantage point, but he can still feel him and knows the boy is at least still alive.

"Back Naruto up," the elder commands his bodyguards outside the barrier. Hiruzen ignores the pain traveling up his arm as Orochimaru uses the moment to explain why Konoha's Hokage will die today. This reinvigorates Hiruzen to keep how significant his injury is and end this as fast as he can.

"The jutsu exchanges ends now," Hiruzen informs his adversaries. "From here on, it's going to be a blood-drenched free-for-all," and to the three-tailed Naruto, he specifically tells him, "destroy the barrier."

—

Leaning against a tree for support, the real Naruto is bloody and exhausted. Fighting Shukaku with his Fūton chakra blades, Rasen-shuriken, and his Rasengan is apparently not enough to bring him down, making him chuckle. He's trained so hard with Naru-nii for so long and has reached a level of power he never thought he'd have in only seven months after graduating. And yet, Naruto can't help but feel like a failure for not learning more elemental chakras, techniques, and strategies, instead of relying on Rasengan, speed, and taijutsu.

He feels sand begin to enclose his entire body and he hasn't an ounce of strength or idea on how to stop it. He can barely form his Fūton chakra at the end of his chakra knuckle-blade and only when his eyes are about to be covered does he see Temari racing toward him. She's far away and he isn't sure she can get to him in time, but as the sand obscures his vision, and then tightens like being submerged meters underwater, he feels a strong force punch, slice, and kick. Enough of the sand is ripped off of him for Rock Lee to hoist him out of the sand-coffin and away to safety.

After landing on a nearby branch, Rock Lee tells a coughing Naruto, "don't worry, Naruto-kun. The Leaf's proud green beast is here!" He turns to the mountain-sized monster, voicing, "you did great. Just leave the rest to me!"

Laying back against a tree, Naruto looks past Lee to the monster raccoon-dog, and internally asks Kurama, 'is he still not talk with you?'

'Why should I have to speak to him!' Kurama stubbornly returns. 'That mangy dog should be grovelling at my feet. And while we're at it, you should just forget about your stupid promise and use my power before you die!'

Though annoyed Kurama and Shukaku are being so stubborn about talking, Naruto's too hurt to care, chuckling as he asks, 'you worried about me?'

'Shut up,' Kurama indignantly calling retorting.

'I don't go back on my word, Kurama,' Naruto painfully wheezes. 'You should know that better than anyone.'

'…the most stubborn… can't believe how cursed I am,' Kurama is so disgruntled, he yells back, 'die for all I care!'

Naruto chuckles as Kurama pouts and throws a fit. Before Lee leaps away, he grabs the boy's bandaged forearm and tells him, "thanks for the assist, Lee. I owe you." Standing up, he takes a deep breath before admitting, "but he's my opponent. I have to be the one to beat him."

"I can understand your passionate feelings," Lee remarks, keeping his attention on the great beast beginning to move toward them. He adds, "but this isn't the time to be headstrong."

Naruto's body would completely agree if not for the feeling of his clones disappear in vast numbers. Despite the enemy still in the village, all of the clones were expressly ordered to disperse by Jiraiya. He hadn't even given the nearest clone a chance to reply before grabbing him by the collar and yelling to him, "your number one job now is to stop Shukaku. We'll take care of the rest. Now go!"

Among all the clones in the village, one was in his room at Iruka's calmly gathering and molding natural energy, so along with a heap of memories streaming into his memory bank, Naruto rapidly gains an overwhelming flow of tremendous strength. Even Rock Lee suddenly looks at his stronger and healthier appearance. Everything reaches his senses and Naruto only feels one clone left fighting alongside Ji-chan with a lot of Kurama's power. Naruto smiles as he feels all of nature and the energy around him before telling Lee to get clear of him and watch his back.

Dragging his thumb over some of his blood, Naruto makes five hand signs before smacking his palm on the tree branch and shouting, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

—

Jiraiya and his platoon of summoned warrior toads were happily beating back the resurgence of spirited Suna and Sound nin. Though injured, though weaponless, the enemy army fought that much harder at the sight of Shukaku. Still, in Sage mode, Jiraiya smiles as he senses everything going on in the battlefield. They kept the majority of the army behind the walls and the other squadrons inside of the village were nearly all taken care of by the strongest of Konoha's forces.

"Listen up, my little tadpoles," Jiraiya trumpets as he dodges and counters four attackers with ease. "Open your beady little eyes and take a good look who you're fighting! It's the Legendary Sennin, the Great Toad Sage, the undeniably handsome, Jiraiya!"

Morino Ibiki could only smile as he faced off against the remaining Chūnin forces. Though he didn't doubt this was Jiraiya's typical nature, it was also beneficial moral added to their own Chūnin corps. Additionally, Ibiki didn't like when Jiraiya ordered all of Naruto's clones to dispel, especially not that they have to deal with Shukaku next, but he felt the battle turn in their favor when everyone witnessed the great summon Gamabunta erupting out of the forest in front of the One-tail. He smiles wider when he sees the yellow dot of hair on the head of the boss toad.

—

Staring at the surprising blond on top of a giant toad, with his arms crossed and his white coat flapping in the strong gust, Gaara is further angered by his inability to kill this boy and yells, "who! Who are your protecting so I can destroy them!"

With something akin to sympathy on Naruto's face, he honestly answers, "you."

Gaara doesn't understand why his heart aches to hear that, or why this boy tries so hard and that actually scares him. That face, that sincerity, this feeling of ache in his chest. Memories of a smiling Yashamaru plague his mind making Gaara yell in pain-filled anger before attacking Naruto again.

—

Naruto slams another excessively large Rasengan against the demon barrier while Hiruzen continues to defend his blond genin and fight off the enemy leaders with a failing left arm. The earth-shattering impact vibrates the entire structure, fading from strong purple to clear and back, nearly destroying it. Rasa and Orochimaru then note when more elite Jōnin show up outside of the barrier; Asuma, Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai—with Karin—and Genma.

When those Konoha shinobi arrive outside of the barrier, that's how Orochimaru knows most of their forces are defeated. Moments later, a bleeding and beaten Kabuto lands as near to the barrier as he dares and yells to his master, "our forces are down or retreated-" With a deep slash across his chest, Kabuto is suddenly attacked by three Konoha shinobi and has to leap away to avoid being captured. Despite Gamabunta and Shukaku's destructive fight, the invasion is all but lost, and an enraged Orochimaru orders a fleeing Kabuto to take their remaining troops and retreat. Orochimaru then commands the small snake he had slipped into Rasa's clothing to bite him with a terrible venom in order to secure his escape.

Rasa immediately drops to one knee and grips his ankle from where two dots of blood can be seen after the snake slithers out of his shinguard. "Orochimaru! You! Kuh…" The man immediately drops face-first on the shingles. Aside from the poison rapidly coursing through his veins, rage compels the Kage to turn his stiffening neck and promise Orochimaru, "you had better hope this kills me… for I will never rest… until I end your life!"

Rasa passes out, his face writhing in agony even unconscious. Sweating profusely, Hiruzen looks over his fellow Kage and demands to know, "what have you done to him?"

"You don't look so good, sensei," Orochiaru jests before turning to the Kazekage and confessing, "he won't die for at least a month but if you come after me, I will kill him now."

Looking at the unconscious Kage that betrayed him and his village, Hiruzen asks Orochimaru, "why would you believe we'd ever care what happens to him? His circumstances is the product of his own misplaced judgment."

"And you know all about consequences of bad judgment don't you," Orochimaru smiles, mocking his old teacher over the Uchiha massacre and showing him mercy in the past. Smiling at Hiruzen's rising ire, Orochimaru admits, "I may be your fallen student, but I do know you, and I'd be very much surprised if you kill your misguided ally simply in exchange for capturing me." The sound of Naruto finally destroying the barrier assembles the exhausted Sound Four to their master's side.

Naruto takes one look at the slender girl with long red hair and wondered if she might be a descendant of the Uzumaki clan or Uzushiogakure. He rushes to her in less than a second and grabs her forearm, managing to mark her before intentionally dispelling with her weakly punch.

Glaring at his former student with sheer anger and a hint of disappointment, Hiruzen ordered his forces to, "stand down. Let him leave." Orochimaru smiles cockily as Hiruzen growls, "run, Orochimaru. Run as if your life depended on it, because after today, it surely will." The Sound ninja then leap out of view and Hiruzen orders no one in particular, "follow them out of the country but keep your distance. If the Kazekage's life is truly on the line, I'd rather not take the chance… even if he doesn't deserve it."

Despite the poison coursing his veins and dizziness, Hiruzen pushes on and orders the gathering of shinobi around him, "I want all Suna and Sound ninja detained and interrogated. Bring the Iryō Butai to care for Kazekage… and me. Secure him in our strongest containment unit with guards stationed in and out of his room. Temari and Kankurō are to be taken as hostages to a hospitable prison cell and guarded round the clock-"

The feel a mild earthquake when Gamabunta lands in front of Shukaku and Hiruzen orders, "Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, Guy, back Naruto up. Take anyone you need." Kurenai and Karin are the first to shunshin away. Hiruzen and the remainder of his soldiers watch from a distance as the large toad summon and Shukaku battle in the forests outside their village, Sand against Water and Wind. Moments later, Shukaku screams before he's reduced to disintegrating dust and Gamabunta explodes out of existence, pushing out immense clouds of white smoke.

NARUTO

An exhausted, aching, de-saged Naruto is helping an equally exhausted and bleeding Gaara to his feet. The pair are hobbling back to the village through the ruined forest, one silently contemplating his loss and sense of self, the other is happy to have gotten through the other's painful defenses. It hurt to breathe as much to walk, but Naruto loved the feeling of triumph uplifting him. He still wasn't sure if anyone from Konoha or Suna died, but he did his best, and now he was ready for a well-deserved rest.

Sasuke suddenly lands in front of them and draws a sword he didn't have before and immediately demands Naruto to, "tell me what you know about my brother!" Frustrated and roughed up himself, Sasuke is ten paces away and close enough to attack.

Exhausted with one arm healing from a break and the other supporting Gaara, Naruto is in no condition to fight. Not that he wouldn't power up with Kurama's chakra, but that would take more time than Sasuke would allow and the avenger was fiercely motivated. Naruto doesn't doubt he could easily clear the distance in less than a second.

"He has… eyes like mine," Gaara slowly notes.

"Naruto," Sasuke yells. "Start talking!"

With a long resigning sigh, Naruto explains, "what you know… about your brother… isn't the whole truth. There's a lot you don't know."

"What? What stuff? How do you know? Who told you!"

"Calm down," Naruto returns. "I get this is the only thing that matters to you… as much as I hate that… but I said I'd help… and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Snarling, Sasuke takes a few steps forward, pointing his sword at Naruto's neck as he demands to know, "is this some sick game to you? Making me wait? Making me beg?" Taking another few steps, he's nearly on them as he yells, "do you even know anything?"

Naruto is already asking Kurama for some chakra as he tries to reason, "Sasuke-"

"If the next words out of your mouth isn't proof you're not lying," Sasuke begins to interject. "I'm going to beat it out of you and kill him for good measure." Naruto can feel Gaara try to stand on his own to defend himself.

"Always with the killing, I swear," Naruto groans. With some more energy and frustration, Naruto nearly yells, "listen, I don't know what kind of proof I can offer you but I know Itachi's a genius-level shinobi, master of the Sharingan, and loves you and this village very much-"

"Lies," Sasuke yells. "You're fucking lying! He doesn't love me! He doesn't love anyone but himself and I won't hear otherwise!" Naruto and Gaara see it in his eyes, Sasuke is a paragon his emotions and is primed to attack. Though they try to defend themselves with sand or evasion, they know it won't be enough, but Sasuke's sword only cuts halfway through Temari's fan as she leaps in to defend them. She tries to kick him as well, but Sasuke slips the strike and aims his kunai at Temari's abdomen. Before it can land bloody home, sand explodes between them, sending the furious Uchiha several yards back.

Though heaving and sweating profusely, Gaara glares at Sasuke as he proclaims, "attack my sister again… and I will kill you."

Temari is so shocked to hear her malevolent little brother call her his sister, and not a 'Sack of Meat,' she loses concentration for a moment… all the time Sasuke needs to attack again. With his one good arm, Naruto uses his Fūton covered knuckle blade to cut through Sasuke's sword as he stands in defense of Temari.

"You'd protect the enemy," Sasuke declares in disbelief.

"They're not enemies, you idiot," Naruto yells, sweating and panting heavily. "Calm the fuck down and think for a minute. How do you want to learn what I know? By pissing me off and attacking my friends? Or taking a fucking breath and meeting me tomorrow to talk? Because I swear to Kami, if you keep this shit up, I'm just going to help your brother without you." Naruto is dead tired but glares at Sasuke nevertheless as he demands to know, "so what's it going to be?"

It doesn't take Sasuke more than a moment to think about his options and stands down. He promises Naruto, "if I ever find out you lied to me about any of this-"

No longer caring about Sasuke's threat, Naruto collapses on his back, wanting nothing more than to rest. "Yeah, yeah," he groans, looking up at the blurry sky as he adds, "let's just wait… for a med-unit." Tilting his head he notes Temari setting her brother down. "I'm glad… you're okay… Temari-chan."

"I'm not okay Naruto," she returns, looking over her brother's wounds. "I don't know anything right now."

"Temari," Gaara weakly groans. "I'm… sorry."

Temari has to clear her eye of moisture as she smiles to her baby brother and assures him, "it's okay, Gaara. It's okay."

It wasn't long until Kurenai, Karin, Kakashi, and Sakura arrive with Ino and secure the scene. As Sakura is healing Naruto, he was resting with a smile on his face, promising himself to train harder and smarter for the real enemies that feel moments away from appearing.

I hope you guys enjoyed that update. I'd love to hear your thoughts because I am overly critical of this chapter. Maybe it's because it's been so long since I've written, or I'm still working a lot(I had to do a few all-nighters to finish this). I don't know, it feels like the bare minimum to me. Please let me know because you guys really help me be better.

There were a lot of perspectives to keep track of at various areas of the village which was quite the challenge. I essentially focused on the changes I made to canon, so Hinata and Neji's fight, the speculation surrounding Naruto's father, Kurenai's emotional revelation, Temari, Haku, Mei, and Team Samui. I also liked the beginning bit, about what Suna and Oto are fighting for.

I've already started writing a few conversations I've been dying to get to for the next chapter but I don't have a set time as to when I might update again. The next few chapters are going to be so much fun because I start addressing how Naruto's harem starts coming together.

I'd also like to thank David Collings, Stuart Beebe, Tyson Hill, Eric Jenkins, Kingsfun, Zachary Smith, Kyusen, Aladdin Muttlak, Rene Harjus, Cormag81, Nameless, Ares_Starh, MagisterdeVita, CP, Ernest Jamison, Joshua Lamar, Paxton Watts, Joshua Seth Armstrong, Stevi Roy, Onuey, Franco Delosangeles, Pasan Samaranayake, IIue, Narendra V, Isidro Sephtis, Timothy Barnett, Richard Wray, Jay Joseph, Ege, N.A, Shahed, Rathalos Azure, Stephen Tracy, Thomas E. Nellis, Axis of Symmetry, Tejaswi Kasturi, Kristopher Weitzel, Kevin, Slytherin In Your Pants, Kori K, John Depina, Robin, J.G., Zachary Hurst, J.J., Leo Vera, SilkySpectre, and Scipio. You guys are awesome and I couldn't do it as fast without you 😊👍 If you'd like to support my original content, please feel free to donate to my pa-tre-on / graefoxx or you can buy my original novel on Amazon. It's called Belladonna by Grae Foxx. I'm going to make it as a successful writer so... yeah😎✨

Thank you all again! Please, please, please be safe and let me know what you think. Have a great one,

-Grae