Naruto: The new beginning

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The best way to counter this attack would be to dodge the worst; it would damage the Fire Temple's main gate and part of the walls.

But Naruto refused.

What kind of shounen protagonist dodges when an enemy initiates a beam clash?

So—

"LEAVE THIS TO ME!"

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

A massive tidal wave surged forward, expanding far beyond the range of Kakuzu's combined Wind-Fire Jutsu.

Normally, a single Water Release jutsu wouldn't be enough to extinguish such a powerful elemental combination but talking about elemental advantages without considering scale is just bad science.

Kakuzu's Wind-Fire Combo had a multiplicative effect, but Naruto?

He had a literal Tailed Beast's chakra at his disposal.

His output was simply larger.

Kakuzu's attack could probably evaporate a small pond—but not a damn lake.

"SHHHHHHHH!"

As fire met water, a massive cloud of steam erupted, momentarily blinding the battlefield.

The remaining wind energy tried to push the waves back, but Naruto poured in more chakra, ensuring his Water Release maintained dominance.

Kakuzu, unlike certain ignorant opponents, didn't waste time screaming, "YOU CALL THIS A WATER RELEASE?!"

Instead, he muttered, "This kind of Water Release… It reminds me of that damn shark-faced bastard."

While not exactly surprised, he still found it unnerving.

That guy had been called the "Tailed Beast Without a Tail."

And this kid?

He actually had a real Tailed Beast inside him.

"This is the power of a natural disaster," Chiriku muttered in awe.

Naruto briefly wondered if he was just grateful that the temple's repair budget wasn't about to skyrocket.

Kakashi and Sakura?

Completely unfazed.

They'd long since grown accustomed to Naruto's absurd chakra output.

Only Sasuke looked giddy as he observed the rising steam.

"Just a little longer… This is perfect… Thanks, Naruto!"

As the smoke cleared, the ground on Kakuzu's side was scorched, but also lightly flooded with leftover water.

Then, they saw him.

Kakuzu's cloak was shredded, revealing four additional entities—each wearing a white mask on its face.

His modified body was on full display.

Kakuzu wasn't just a rogue ninja—he was a walking organ transplant facility.

Thanks to Earth Grudge Fear (Jiongu), he could steal hearts from other shinobi, gaining both their elemental affinities and extending his lifespan indefinitely.

As long as he had a fresh supply of hearts, he could theoretically live forever.

It was basically Orochimaru's body-swapping technique—but less sci-fi horror and more Frankenstein's monster.

Honestly?

If Orochimaru hadn't been so obsessed with Uchiha DNA, he probably would've tried to steal this technique.

The real problem was that Kakuzu was now functionally five different high-ranking shinobi in one.

"Now, it's five-on-five." Kakuzu declared.

"Your hearts… and that one billion ryo… I want them all."

One of the masked entities suddenly opened its mouth, unleashing a flash of electricity.

"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"

The attack resembled an electromagnetic railgun, just without the coins or compressed force.

Kakashi stepped forward, raising both hands.

"Lightning Release: Twin Lightning Shocks!"

A blinding blue shield formed around him, intercepting Kakuzu's lightning blast.

But…

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

It was clearly straining him.

"Kakashi-sensei, you good?" Naruto asked, already preparing to refuel him with chakra.

"If you've got time to joke, help out!" Kakashi snapped, pushing more chakra into his technique.

"I got this."

Sasuke smirked, lifting his Kusanagi sword, the blade crackling with purple electricity.

Now was the perfect moment.

"Lightning Release: KIRIN!"

From the thunderclouds above, a gigantic, dragon-like beast coalesced, its fierce gaze locking onto Kakuzu's group.

Then—

It dove.

"He's controlling natural lightning?!" Kakuzu's eyes widened.

But his battle instincts kicked in.

"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"

"Water Release: Water Encampment Wall!"

Wind technically beats Lightning but only when the power levels are equal.

And this?

This was real lightning.

His rushed defences weren't enough.

"BOOOOOOOOOOM!"

The devastating bolt slammed into Kakuzu's formation, shattering two of the masked entities instantly.

Kakashi, still holding his technique, felt the opposing lightning vanish.

Lowering his hands, he exhaled.

"That took care of that."

Chiriku stood frozen in shock.

"Naruto using an absurdly powerful Water Release? I can accept that—he's a jinchūriki, after all."

"But this Uchiha…? How is he also this strong?!"

The Land of Fire's young generation was terrifying.

As the thunderous echoes faded, Naruto observed the battlefield.

"Huh."

"How'd I do?" Sasuke asked.

"You got two. Three of them burrowed underground.**"

"What?!" Sasuke's Sharingan locked onto the impact site.

Indeed two scorched corpses remained, their masks shattered.

But the others?

Gone.

"Did they use those two as shields?" Sasuke clenched his jaw. "Damn it! Where did they run?"

Naruto, completely unconcerned, shrugged. "Relax. We'll just track them down."

He wasn't worried.

Because clothes were already off.

No way Kakuzu was surviving the day.

Casually, Naruto stored the two remaining heart monsters in a scroll.

Kakashi spoke up. "Chiriku, it's best if you stay at the temple. We need someone guarding in case of more surprises."

Chiriku nodded, bowing slightly.

"Understood. I owe you all my gratitude."

In truth, he knew that without their help, he would've died tonight.

Kakashi, however, knew the real reason for the attack.

"They weren't after Chiriku, really."

"They wanted the Nine-Tails."

"And now we're the ones dragging them away from the temple. We caused this mess."

Bidding farewell to Chiriku, the team pursued Kakuzu.

Then—

BOOM!

A distant explosion.

Naruto smirked.

"He just lost another life."

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