The entire battlefield had transformed into pure desert, sand stretching in every direction.
Shukaku possessed only his head now, calling out to Gaara with frantic desperation. He needed his Jinchūriki to wake up immediately so he could retreat into the sealed space. Only there would he find safety from these monsters.
Naruto's eyes settled on Shukaku at that moment. The tailed beast's appearance was genuinely pitiful.
Previously, Shukaku had stood as a massive creature twenty meters tall, radiating power and menace. Now only his head remained, partially buried in sand. That majestic appearance from moments ago had completely vanished.
Naruto released his Iron Body transformation, his form shrinking back to normal human proportions. He walked casually toward Shukaku's disembodied head.
Seeing Naruto approaching, Shukaku panicked. "Stay back, you irritating brat! Next time we fight in the desert, you'll see! I'll absolutely destroy you!"
Naruto laughed at Shukaku's stubborn posturing. "Shukaku, I wasn't even using my full strength just now. Yet you ended up like this. You should feel embarrassed making threats."
"Don't come any closer!" Watching Naruto advance step by step, Shukaku stuck out his tongue desperately. He began licking the sand, dragging his head backward with pathetic difficulty.
"Gaara, wake up immediately!" Shukaku screamed frantically through their mental connection.
Perhaps sensing Shukaku's genuine terror, Gaara's eyes finally cracked open. The instant consciousness returned, Shukaku rushed back into his Jinchūriki's body with profound relief. But Gaara had barely opened his eyes before overwhelming exhaustion crashed through him. His body went completely limp, consciousness fading. He collapsed onto the sand, thoroughly unconscious.
Naruto walked over and stopped before Gaara's prone form. He looked down at the boy lying motionless on the ground. Even unconscious, Gaara's brow remained furrowed, his expression showing no peace or security whatsoever.
"Even if you've fainted, I still need to feel your sincerity." Naruto's voice dropped low, his tone carrying absolute determination.
He began properly testing Gaara's commitment to friendship.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Ten minutes later, Gaara's face had swollen considerably. But he still hadn't regained consciousness. Apparently, Shukaku's control of his body during the battle had genuinely hollowed out his physical reserves. The exhaustion ran too deep for the pain to penetrate.
"What are you planning to do with this one?" The Nine-Tails asked, having returned to his miniature fox form. He sat perched on Naruto's shoulder, observing the unconscious boy with curiosity.
Regarding the Nine-Tails' question, this genuinely presented a dilemma. Naruto glanced at Gaara lying unconscious, then turned his head to look toward where Maki's group had been standing earlier.
The spot stood completely empty now.
When Shukaku had first manifested, Maki had fled immediately with his two students Temari and Kankuro. According to what Maki had shouted, his plan was returning to Sunagakure to inform the Kazekage about Gaara's loss of control.
However, before Maki and the others could return with help, Naruto would remain here taking care of Gaara. After all, Gaara was already his friend now. Even if the declaration had been entirely unilateral.
But what did that matter? If Gaara woke up and refused to acknowledge the friendship, Naruto didn't mind going through the process again. As many times as necessary.
After the battle concluded completely, Sasuke and the other friends rushed back together. They took in the scene: Naruto standing victorious, Gaara sprawled unconscious on the sand.
Analyzing the evidence, Naruto had obviously won.
They'd expected Naruto's victory all along. No surprise registered on anyone's face.
What genuinely impressed them was the scale of destruction. The battle had been truly unforgettable, something they'd carry for their entire lives. An area spanning a full kilometer had been devastated by the aftermath alone. Trees lay collapsed and splintered. The earth itself looked like it had been turned over by massive plows, then transformed entirely into desert.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Countless figures descended from the sky and rooftops. Konoha's jonin forces had finally arrived at the scene.
Truthfully, they hadn't been particularly slow. The battle between Naruto and Shukaku had simply concluded in approximately one minute of real combat time. Speed had made interception impossible.
Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally stood among the arriving shinobi, positioned at the center of the group. He glanced at Danzo standing beside him, his expression carrying helpless exasperation.
Sure enough, Danzo's word means nothing. Just now he claimed he was going back to write that apology letter. Yet here he stands, having arrived one step ahead of me.
Choosing to ignore Danzo's presence entirely, Hiruzen stepped forward. He looked at Naruto standing in the devastated field, genuine concern warming his aged features. A grandfatherly smile spread across his face. "Naruto, are you alright? When Grandpa heard the commotion from here, I rushed over as quickly as possible."
Naruto's eyes settled on Hiruzen. His expression radiated perfect innocence. "Third Hokage Grandpa, I'm completely fine. I was just making friends. What could possibly go wrong during that?"
Hearing Naruto's response, not only did Hiruzen's mouth twitch involuntarily, but every other Konoha jonin present experienced similar facial spasms.
Making friends? MAKING FRIENDS?! You nearly demolished the entire village entrance while "making friends"! Who would believe such an absurd explanation?!
But none of them could show their skepticism openly. Hiruzen had issued strict orders long ago: under no circumstances should anyone provoke Naruto without cause. Unless Konoha's interests were directly threatened, all personnel should accommodate Naruto's requests and behavior within reason.
"That's good. I'm relieved you're safe." Hiruzen's smile looked distinctly forced, the expression not quite reaching his eyes.
"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa." Naruto offered genuine gratitude. Then his attention shifted to a particular jonin standing beside Hiruzen.
This man possessed distinctive long white hair that fell past his shoulders. The character for "oil" adorned his forehead protector. His entire bearing radiated something that could only be described as magnificently lecherous energy.
Jiraiya. He's returned.
Naruto recognized this jonin named Jiraiya instantly. According to his own judgment and descriptions his parents' chakra had provided, only two people in all of Konoha could be considered Naruto's actual relatives. Jiraiya was one. Kakashi was the other.
Currently, Kakashi had resolved everything with Naruto. Their relationship had grown genuinely close, the awkwardness between them settling into comfortable familiarity.
Naruto's gaze lingered on Jiraiya for just a moment before returning to Hiruzen. He spoke with polite formality. "Third Hokage Grandpa, my friend has lost consciousness. If there's nothing urgent requiring my attention, I'd like to take him somewhere to rest and recover."
"Of course, of course. Naruto can handle things however he sees fit." Hiruzen's tone carried gentle encouragement, his approval absolute.
After receiving Hiruzen's permission, Naruto bent down and carefully lifted the unconscious Gaara into his arms. He gestured to Sasuke and the other friends, silently communicating his departure. Then, completely ignoring the crowd of assembled observers, he turned and walked toward his farm.
Jiraiya watched that tall figure depart, long golden hair hanging nearly to the boy's waist. Infinite memories flooded through his heart like a dam breaking.
Of course, he possessed no personal memories involving Naruto directly. But seeing that back, that distinctive hair color, those physical features triggered powerful recollections of Minato. What a remarkably similar silhouette. If not for knowing the timeline absolutely, I might genuinely believe Minato himself was walking away.
A sudden thought struck Jiraiya with jarring force. Naruto is only twelve years old this year, correct?
The height seemed absolutely unbelievable for someone that age. Then again, Jiraiya hadn't witnessed Naruto's full transformation, the five-meter giant form. He'd only just returned to the village today, arriving too late to see the complete battle.
That chakra presence moments ago, the overwhelming power radiating from the area... Jiraiya couldn't help thinking about the orange fox perched casually on Naruto's shoulder. It seems there are many things I don't understand about the current situation. I need to find time to speak with Hiruzen privately and get proper explanations.
When Naruto's figure finally walked far enough to completely disappear from view, Hiruzen turned toward Danzo. His expression had grown distinctly gloomy, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous register. "Didn't you specifically say you were returning to write that apology letter?"
Danzo glanced at Hiruzen with complete indifference. "Hiruzen, don't concern yourself unnecessarily. I simply came to observe the situation. Look, everything turned out fine. No harm done."
Hiruzen knew perfectly well that Danzo wouldn't be swayed by his will or preferences. The man operated according to his own agenda regardless of orders. So Hiruzen simply delivered one final instruction with steel underlying his tone. "Remember this clearly: that apology letter must be delivered to Naruto personally before evening arrives today. No excuses. No delays."
His eyes bored into Danzo's, making absolutely certain the message landed with appropriate weight.
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