The second match soon began.
"Gaara vs. Sasuke Uchiha!"
The crowd roared in excitement.
"Uchiha vs. the sleepless monster!"
"Uchiha!"
"Uchiha!"
Though Sasuke's name echoed faintly, the name of his clan resounded with pride.
Gaara stepped into the stadium, sand swirling around him, while Sasuke stood calmly, locking eyes with him.
Without any unnecessary words, the battle commenced.
"Begin!"
Gaara's sand surged forward, aiming to trap Sasuke. In response, Sasuke performed hand seals, and suddenly, the chirping sound of a thousand birds echoed.
"Chidori!" Sasuke roared, rushing forward and slamming the lightning blade into Gaara.
But Gaara's Absolute Defense absorbed the impact with ease.
Sasuke backed away, analyzing.
"Your sand... it's like an extension of your body."
Gaara smirked coldly. "Now you understand... it will crush you before you realize it."
Sasuke tested Gaara's defenses again, his speed blurring as he dodged a sand strike. Leaping high, he launched a barrage of shuriken and kunai, only for Gaara's sand to absorb them effortlessly.
"Pathetic," Gaara muttered, forming massive sand fists that lunged at Sasuke.
Sasuke's Sharingan activated, tracking every movement. He countered with Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, but again, Gaara's sand negated it.
"Is that all?" Gaara taunted.
Sasuke growled. His curse mark began to react. A dark chakra flared around him as black markings spread across his skin. His power surged.
Gaara's expression twitched at the shift in chakra.
"You're stronger now, but it won't save you."
Sasuke blurred forward at blinding speed.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
A volley of fireballs flew toward Gaara, followed by a kunai with an explosive tag. A massive explosion rocked the stadium, finally cracking Gaara's sand.
For the first time, Gaara seemed vulnerable.
Enraged, Gaara began transforming. Shukaku's chakra flooded the field, and monstrous limbs of sand burst forth.
As chaos erupted, Haruto, watching closely, noticed something strange.
Suddenly, everyone started falling asleep.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, launched his assault on the Third Hokage.
"Everyone, listen up!" Haruto shouted. "Chunin and Genin — protect the civilians! Jonin — guard the Hokage Sama!!"
His voice cut through the panic like a commander. The shinobi quickly followed his orders.
"Naruto!!" Haruto roared.
Naruto appeared instantly. "Got it!"
They dashed toward Sasuke, who was still facing Gaara — now a partial Shukaku transformation.
As Naruto approached, Temari and Kankuro intercepted him.
"You think I came alone?" Naruto smirked.
Haruto stepped forward, facing Shukaku.
"I hope you're like Kurama…"
The name made Shukaku flinch.
Suddenly, yellow chakra burst from Haruto's body — the Incomplete Kurama Chakra Mode.
Even Shukaku felt the power. "That fox's chakra...!"
Haruto closed his eyes. When he opened them again — Rinnegan.
A voice echoed, deep and powerful. "Shinra Tensei."
Sasuke and Naruto watched in awe as Haruto floated mid-air and blew Shukaku away with a single jutsu.
Temari and Kankuro were stunned, their brother defeated in an instant.
Haruto deactivated KCM as well as Rinnegan and teleported beside the injured Gaara.
'a bit overkill...better to be cautious'
"Hey… you okay, friend?" Haruto asked softly.
Gaara heard something and slowly opened his eyes
Friend.
That word... it echoed in Gaara's heart — a word he thought he'd never hear. Flashbacks rushed in: the hatred, the fear, the isolation.
Yet now, this boy… called him a friend.
"I'm okay," Gaara whispered falling in his knees again
"Let's get you to your siblings," Haruto said, teleporting them beside Temari.
"Take him and run. Don't look back," Haruto ordered.
Gaara nodded solemnly and escaped Konoha with his siblings.
Haruto rejoined his team.
Naruto stared. "You… you destroyed a tailed beast with one move?! Teach me that jutsu!"
"Haha, sorry Naruto," Haruto chuckled. "I can't. It's tied to my eye — just like Sasuke's Sharingan."
"Then give me your eye!"
"Ehh?! No way!"
"Just kidding! I love my brother too much!" Naruto laughed, hugging him. "Hey, Sasuke — you in the team or not?"
Sasuke smirked and joined the hug.
Suddenly, a voice echoed—
"Lord Third is dead."
"Oh shit," Haruto muttered.
"Let's go!" Sasuke said urgently.
As they followed him, Kakashi appeared.
"Kakashi-sensei! What happened?!" Naruto asked.
Kakashi's voice was heavy.
"Naruto… Lord Third is gone."
...
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