Naruto: The Otsutsuki Naruto

Rustling sounds filled the dimly lit hideout within the Land of Fire. Under the flickering candlelight, ink-painted mice scurried about, exploring every corner.

*Super Beast Imitating Drawing*—a technique that combined chakra with unparalleled artistic skill—was unique to Sai.

In the nearby forest, Sai maintained his hand seals as he spoke to Anko Mitarashi, who was assisting him in tracking down Kabuto Yakushi. "Indeed, this is one of Orochimaru's former hideouts."

Anko, hands in her pockets, remarked, "Seems like Kabuto is putting his old lairs to good use..."

Snap!

Suddenly, a noise came from the large tree behind them.

Shing! Sai drew his blade, but Anko stopped him. "Wait, it's an ally."

Emerging from the shadows were three members of Konoha's reconnaissance team: Tokuma Hyūga, Muta Aburame, and Avaro. They were a jōnin, a tokubetsu jōnin, and a chūnin, respectively.

Muta, clad in the signature light-colored coat of the Aburame clan and wearing black sunglasses, carried a large insect jar on his back. He stepped forward and addressed Anko, "Captain Mitarashi, we've been sent to deliver new orders from the village."

"The mission has changed. We are to temporarily abandon the search for Kabuto Yakushi and prioritize locating Naruto Uzumaki. We will assist you as your subordinates."

"Naruto Uzumaki..." Anko was taken aback. "On our way here, Yamato hurried back to the village. Is this related?"

Muta explained, "Konoha was severely damaged in Akatsuki's attack. Many lives were lost, and Lady Tsunade is currently in a coma..."

"What?!"

"As a result, Lord Danzō has been appointed the Sixth Hokage."

Upon hearing this, Sai's pupils contracted sharply.

Anko said, "I still find it hard to believe... What exactly is going on with Naruto?"

"We'll provide a detailed report later," Tokuma interjected, casting a wary glance at Sai, whose affiliation with Root made certain discussions sensitive.

"For now, we take our leave."

Sai leapt through the treetops, heading back toward Konoha. *Lord Danzō has become Hokage, and Naruto has left the village. I have a very bad feeling about this...*

With the mission altered, Anko's team began their search for Naruto.

Anko soon learned the reasons behind the change.

"Naruto betraying Konoha? I don't believe it for a second."

She recalled the carefree, somewhat goofy boy she had observed during the Chūnin Exams and had kept an eye on as he grew.

Muta said, "None of us want to believe it, but we need to find Naruto to uncover the truth and prevent him from being manipulated or framed by Danzō. Rumors are already spreading in the village..."

"Hm?!" Tokuma, who was using his Byakugan for a wide-range scan, suddenly exclaimed, "At twelve o'clock—it's Naruto! He's heading straight for us!"

"What?!" Anko landed on a tree branch, shouting, "That's too coincidental! Everyone, stay on guard!"

The team held their positions, gripping their kunai tightly.

A kilometer away, Naruto, who was sprinting toward them, deactivated his Sage Mode. "We've been discovered..."

Returning to his homeland, he was about to face his comrades for the first time since his return. A mix of apprehension and determination swirled within him.

Before he realized it, he was already standing before Anko's team.

"Hah..." Naruto took a deep breath and greeted them calmly. "Yo, Miss Anko. Long time no see."

The four members of Anko's team scrutinized Naruto and the woman standing behind him—Konan.

Muta frowned. "That woman... her attire—it's Akatsuki!"

Anko, hands still in her pockets, stepped forward. "Naruto, not only did you leave without a word, but now you're associating with a member of Akatsuki. You'd better have a good explanation."

Naruto replied, "There's nothing to explain. What you see is what it is."

"Oh?" Anko's expression tightened. Her hands clenched in her pockets, and a vein bulged on her forehead. "You really are as straightforward as ever, aren't you?"

Naruto adjusted the rogue ninja headband he wore—Sasuke's memento from their battle at the Valley of the End. "That's right. This is my ninja way."

Anko let out a bitter laugh, her frustration evident. "Even now, you're still such an infuriating idiot!"

Behind Naruto, Konan spoke in a cold tone, "It seems they don't think highly of me."

Naruto chuckled. "Well, considering how many Konoha ninja fell to Akatsuki even before Nagato, it's not surprising, Sister Konan."

Konan asked, "Are you planning to handle them alone?"

Naruto replied, "I haven't had a proper fight in decades. My reflexes have dulled. Four opponents, all jōnin-level—it's just the right number to help me regain my combat instincts."

"Then be careful."

Konan stepped back, exiting the battlefield.

Anko analyzed the situation carefully. *The Akatsuki member doesn't intend to fight. That's a surprise. But Naruto defeated the enemy who destroyed our village. His current strength likely surpasses even that of my former teacher, Orochimaru...*

*Even with our numerical advantage, we might not match him in raw power. Fortunately, Naruto's abilities are well-documented. We can use that to devise a strategy.*

"Tokuma, use your Byakugan to scan for Naruto's shadow clones!"

Tokuma replied, "Aside from the Akatsuki woman, there's only Naruto himself!"

Anko's eyes narrowed. *So, he doesn't plan to enter Sage Mode. Does he think it's unnecessary? That brat I once intimidated with killing intent has really grown...*

"Formation B!"

Shing! The team dispersed.

Anko remained in front of Naruto, Tokuma moved to the right, Muta to the left, and Avaro circled around to the back.

"Naruto... show me if your strength is the real deal!"

A sly smile spread across Anko's lips as she bit her finger and formed the seals for a summoning jutsu.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Boom!

With a cloud of white smoke, a massive snake coiled into view.

Naruto exclaimed, "Whoa! That's huge! It looks just like the ones in the Chūnin Exams' Forest of Death. Speaking of which, Miss Anko, you were Orochimaru's disciple, weren't you?"

Crash!

The snake lunged at Naruto, who leapt backward to evade. The tree he had been standing on was smashed to splinters by the serpent's attack.

Shing! Shing! Shing!

From behind, Avaro hurled several kunai fitted with explosive tags.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Naruto casually threw shuriken to intercept them all. Boom! The tags detonated mid-air, but Naruto landed safely, unscathed.

Avaro's expression turned grim. "He didn't even look back, yet he intercepted my kunai perfectly. Is he judging their positions by sound? His shuriken skills are absurdly precise!"

The summoned snake launched another attack from the front.

But this time, Naruto smirked, forming hand seals before pressing his palms to the ground.

"*Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!*"

Squelch!

A swamp suddenly materialized, trapping the snake within its depths.

Anko was stunned. "Earth Style? Naruto's chakra nature is wind, isn't it?!"

This was a common misconception. Most believed Naruto only possessed wind chakra. However, according to the official *Naruto* databook, *Jin no Sho*, Naruto had mastery over six chakra natures: wind, earth, lightning, fire, water, and yang. Only yin was missing.

In his previous life, after becoming Hokage, Naruto had developed his other chakra natures. He was no longer the boy who relied solely on shadow clones and Rasengan.

Naruto crouched, maintaining the swamp.

Shing! From behind, Avaro formed hand seals, his chest swelling.

"*Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!*"

Whoosh!

A stream of fire erupted from his mouth, forming a massive fireball that sped toward Naruto's back.

Poof!

A shadow clone appeared in a puff of smoke.

The team was shocked. "He created a shadow clone in that situation?!"

The clone, facing Avaro, formed its own hand seals.

"*Wind Release: Gale Palm!*"

Boom!

A fierce gust of wind reversed the fireball's trajectory!

Avaro was stunned. "Impossible! He used Wind Style to overpower Fire Style?!"

"Argh...!!"

The fiery explosion uprooted trees and sent Avaro flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Hey, are you okay, old man?!" Naruto called out, alarmed. He had only intended to test his skills, not harm his comrades.

Avaro, lying on the ground, held a nearly broken ninja shield. It had saved his life.

"Huff..." Naruto sighed in relief. "A jōnin shouldn't be so fragile, right?"

"I... I'm a chūnin..." Avaro muttered before losing consciousness.

Buzzing filled the air as Muta unleashed a swarm of parasitic insects from his jar, forming a black cloud that surrounded Naruto.

The Aburame clan's techniques were known for their wide coverage, making them nearly impossible to evade.

Naruto didn't underestimate the threat. Before the insects could reach him, he threw a kunai at Muta.

Muta dodged, and the kunai embedded itself in a tree behind him.

The insects enveloped Naruto.

Muta declared, "I can feel it... the insects are draining his chakra. We have the upper hand now."

"Good... Let's finish this!" Anko shouted.

"*Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!*"

Snakes shot out from Anko's sleeves, coiling tightly around Naruto.

"Give up, Naruto!"

Whoosh!!

But in an instant, the insects scattered, and the snakes fell limp to the ground.

Muta was stunned. "What?! The target... vanished?!"

Tokuma shouted, "Muta, behind you!!"

Too late—Naruto delivered a swift hand chop to the back of Muta's neck.

"Ugh..." Muta collapsed, unconscious, falling from the tree.

Shing!

Naruto calmly retrieved the kunai he had thrown earlier. Inscribed on it was a peculiar formula.

Cold sweat dripped down Anko's face. "No doubt about it... That's the Fourth Hokage's... *Flying Raijin Jutsu!*"