The forest was alive with the steady rhythm of rushing feet and snapping twigs. Team Guy cut through the underbrush in a perfect diamond formation, their speed unbroken, until a small, unmistakable voice called out ahead. "Hold it!" A low, compact shape emerged from the shadows: a small pug with a headband, a serious frown, and the no-nonsense look of someone who'd been tracking them for miles. "Ah! Pakkun!" Guy beamed like the midday sun. "My loyal, canine comrade-in-arms! Have you come to join us in this mission of youthful vigor?"

Pakkun gave a long-suffering sigh. "No. I've come with a message. From Kakashi."

Lee skidded to a halt, giving the ninken an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "A messenger of Kakashi-senpai! Surely, this must be vital news!"

Pakkun's ears flicked. "Yeah. He says to divert to the Land of Rivers. There's been a sighting of an Akatsuki hideout nearby. Move fast, and expect trouble."

"Trouble?" Tenten echoed, hand already moving toward the scrolls on her back.

"Yes," Pakkun said flatly. "The kind that doesn't care about your speeches."

Guy clenched a fist, his eyes gleaming. "Then we will greet it with the power of youth!"

Pakkun muttered under his breath, "You're all exhausting," before disappearing back into the trees.

Not far away, unseen and unheard, Zetsu melted halfway out of a gnarled tree trunk. His yellow-ringed eyes followed Team Guy's departure. "They're on the move," his pale half murmured. "Not just them," the dark half added, "Might Guy is with them." Like a ripple through a still pond, Zetsu sank into the earth, carrying the information back to the Akatsuki leader.

In the dim glow of the hideout, the leader's eyes narrowed. "Might Guy?"

"Never heard of him?" the pale half asked.

The leader's silence was answer enough, until Itachi's calm voice cut through the air. "Konoha jōnin. Taijutsu specialist. Unusually fast. Unusually... eccentric."

Kisame, leaning against the wall with his arms folded, straightened. His grin was all teeth. "Oh, I remember him. Loud. Green. Strong enough to give me a workout."

"Should I assume this is the same shinobi you fought on the docks?" Itachi asked without looking up.

"Yeah," Kisame's grin widened. "He got lucky last time. This time, I'll make sure he doesn't walk away. Let me go... I've got more chakra than the rest of you put together."

The leader's shadowed eyes regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Go. Delay them."

The forest air grew heavier, as if the very ground anticipated the battle. Neji's Byakugan flared, veins bulging at his temples. "Someone's following us," he said suddenly.

Lee was instantly alert, scanning the treeline. "From where?"

"Forty meters," Neji said, "directly behind... and below." The words were barely out of his mouth when the ground before them erupted in a shower of dirt and rock. A massive blue-skinned figure surged upward, Samehada strapped to his back, water-like chakra rippling off him.

Kisame straightened to his full height, his shark-like grin splitting his face. "Well, well... we meet again at last."

Guy blinked, hands on his hips. "Uh... sorry, you'll have to remind me. Have we met before?"

Kisame's grin froze. "What?"

"You seem familiar," Guy mused, tapping his chin. "Were you at the Konoha Summer Festival three years ago? Did we compete in the watermelon seed-spitting contest?"

Kisame's brow twitched. "No! I nearly killed your fellow jonin on the docks! I fought alongside Itachi!"

Guy snapped his fingers. "Ah! You're... that guy! The... fishy one."

"Fishy one?" Kisame's voice dripped with disbelief. "I'm Kisame Hoshigaki! One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"

Lee leaned toward Tenten, whispering, "Is it wise to antagonize him like this?"

"Wise? No," Tenten muttered. "But it's very Guy-sensei."

Kisame's grip tightened on Samehada. "You've got some nerve, pretending you don't remember me."

"I'm not pretending," Guy said cheerfully. "I meet many foes. You'll have to earn your place in my memory!"

Kisame's grin returned, sharper than before. "Fine. I'll carve it into your skull."

The desert air grew cooler as the sun dipped lower, shadows stretching long across the sand as the Kazekage Recovery Team pressed on toward the Akatsuki hideout. Kakashi kept the pace steady, his Sharingan hidden but his every sense alert. Chiyo, sharp despite her years, marched with grim determination, her eyes fixed on the horizon. Behind them, Naruto and Sakura walked side by side, quiet at first, until Naruto finally broke the silence. "You know..." he began, voice almost casual, though his hands were shoved deep in his pockets, "I've been thinking about Gaara. About why they're after him in the first place." His eyes narrowed, blue flashing with seriousness. "It's not just about him being Kazekage. They want the One-Tail inside him. They want all of them. The bijū."

Chiyo gave a curt nod. "Correct. Nine in total. Their goal is to collect every last one."

Naruto's jaw tightened, but his voice carried a steady weight. "The Akatsuki aren't just storing them away. They're sealing them into something, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. The ritual kills the jinchūriki every time."

Sakura glanced at him sharply, surprise flashing across her face. "You know about the extraction?"

Naruto blinked at her reaction. "Wait... you do too?"

Sakura's green eyes softened, though her expression was still grave. "I started studying after the attack three years ago... when Itachi and Kisame came for you. I realized then that the Akatsuki's real target wasn't just Konoha's power, but you. All jinchūriki. That's when it clicked. Their whole plan is to gather every beast, rip them out of their hosts, and leave behind nothing but corpses."

Naruto frowned, his chest tightening. "That's exactly what I found. When I was training, I dug into the histories, the wars. The bijū aren't just weapons, they're pieces of chakra born at the start of everything. The Akatsuki... they want to merge that power back together. To control it." As they spoke, something passed unspoken between them, a strange recognition. They had both carried this knowledge alone, each thinking it was their burden to bear. Now, walking side by side, they realized their truths were halves of the same whole. Chiyo's gaze flickered between the two, unease pricking at her. These children spoke of ancient secrets with an authority she hadn't expected. For an instant, she saw not students of Kakashi, but shinobi whose fates were wound tightly into the world's balance itself.

What none of them noticed was the ripple of chakra beneath their feet. High above, nestled in the shadows of the rocky ridges, Zetsu watched with both sets of eyes, a whisper of a grin spreading across his split face. "Well, well... not just Naruto Uzumaki," White Zetsu chuckled softly. "But Sakura Haruno too. Both with knowledge they should not have." Black Zetsu's voice was colder, laced with malice. "Pain will want to hear this. Especially about the girl." The earth swallowed him whole, carrying their secret straight back to the Akatsuki. Far away, in the cavernous dark of their hideout, Zetsu's report rippled through the ranks.

Deidara immediately bristled, throwing his hands up. "Don't pin this on me! If they're this close, it's not because I was sloppy. My art leaves beauty, not trails!"

Sasori's puppet-like voice cut across him, cold and flat. "And yet, here they are. Chasing us."

Pain's presence silenced them all. His ringed eyes burned in the gloom as he absorbed Zetsu's words. "Naruto Uzumaki. Sakura Haruno. The Leaf's team is moving swiftly. This cannot be coincidence."

Zetsu emerged fully from the ground, his tone almost gleeful. "They know about the bijū. About the extraction. About the seals. And Sakura Haruno... her growth is... remarkable."

For a moment, the air in the chamber shifted. A memory dredged from years before, seemed to echo in their minds to that meeting one year and seven months ago, when Pain himself had summoned them after the spectacle of Sakura's toxin-sealing feat.

"She is like us. A god walking among mortals," Pain had declared then, his voice thunderous in its conviction. "Her power rivals mine, and her control... it is flawless. She must join us." Konan's voice had been soft but steady, cautious. "If she rejects us, she will become our fiercest enemy." Itachi, eyes shadowed even then, had spoken plainly: "Her resolve ties her to the Leaf. Persuasion will not be easy." Kisame had laughed, sharp teeth flashing. "Then we just drag her along. Someone that strong could tear down nations." And Deidara, almost salivating, had chuckled at the thought: "Power and sealing combined, a walking masterpiece of destruction."

That old conversation hummed faintly in the air of the hideout now, the weight of Pain's earlier decree echoing louder with Zetsu's new intel.

"She is the future," Pain had said. "Our future." Now, present-day, Pain's voice was final. "Itachi." The Uchiha's eyes opened, Sharingan gleaming red in the gloom. He stood with measured grace, his cloak whispering across the stone. "You will intercept them," Pain commanded. "Delay them if you can. Erase them if you must. Do not underestimate either of them."

Itachi bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the gravity of the order. "Understood." As his form dissolved into the shadows, the hideout seemed to exhale, a storm already set in motion.

The ocean roared as Kisame slammed his hands together, molding chakra with terrifying speed. "Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!" he bellowed, and the very sea itself surged in response. A tidal swell rose like a living wall, rushing forward with enough force to swallow the shoreline whole. The battlefield was now his domain, a vast, surging ocean where only he held the advantage. The wave crashed, swallowing the team in foam and spray. Guy planted his feet on the water's surface, his stance wide and defiant, but the sheer volume of Kisame's jutsu twisted the terrain entirely in the shark-man's favor. Every angle was water. Every movement fed his power. Lee darted across the surface with a blur of green, chains of ripples forming in his wake. "Sensei, he's fast!" he called out, ducking beneath a sweeping slash of Samehada. The jagged blade whistled through the air, shredding chakra from the water itself. Neji's Byakugan flared, veins bulging at his temples. He sought an opening, striking from the edge with pinpoint precision, but Kisame met each palm strike with effortless swipes of his blade, absorbing chakra where he could. Tenten's barrage of weighted projectiles cut through the air, yet Kisame shifted, Samehada growling with each deflection, the strikes barely scratching him.

"Not bad," Kisame chuckled, sharp teeth gleaming. "But you're all gnats. No matter how many times you bite, the ocean swallows you whole." Guy surged forward, fists blurring. He threw a rapid flurry of strikes, testing Kisame's guard, but the shark-man blocked every blow. Sparks of water sprayed with every clash. Still, Guy's eyes never lost that calm fire, even as Kisame snarled and lunged, water splitting around his charge. Guy met him head-on, their clash sending shockwaves across the surface. At that moment, Lee launched upward from below with a perfectly timed Leaf Rising Wind, his kick slamming into Kisame's chin. The shark-man reeled, his grip on Samehada loosening for a heartbeat.

"Now, Neji!" Guy barked. Neji thrust forward with precise chakra control, his palms releasing a concussive blast. Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm! The force sent Kisame skidding backward across the water.

Tenten seized the moment, her hands flying through seals. "Exploding Sphere!" A metal orb soared, igniting mid-flight. Kisame snarled, whipping Samehada up just in time to block. The explosion rocked the surface, scattering white spray into the sky. When the mist cleared, Kisame was gone.

"Did we-" Lee began.

The water below erupted, Kisame bursting upward in a spray of foam, his grin wider than ever. "Persistent little pests!" He landed, dripping but unshaken, glaring at Guy with sharp-eyed malice. "You're really starting to irritate me."

Guy scratched his chin, tilting his head. "Say... is that sword really yours? Or are you borrowing it?"

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose. "He's seriously asking that now?"

"You insolent-!" Kisame lunged again, but this time Guy slipped past his guard. With a sudden burst of strength, he wrenched Samehada free from Kisame's hands, the jagged blade surprisingly pliant in his grip.

"Got it!" Guy grinned triumphantly. "Team! He's vulnerable! Attack now!"

"Vulnerable?!" Kisame barked a harsh laugh, forming seals with impossible speed. The ocean itself rose and coalesced, three towering shapes erupting from the water. Water clones, each one identical, each one bearing Kisame's sneer. "Water Prison Technique!" The three clones lashed out, spheres of liquid snapping shut around Lee, Neji, and Tenten. The surface trembled as the orbs solidified, trapping them in suffocating prisons of water.

"Sensei!" Lee's muffled voice echoed as he thrashed, bubbles spilling from his mouth. Guy dashed forward, swinging Samehada in a desperate strike to free them, but the hilt itself shuddered violently. With a sickening bite, scales erupted, lashing back at Guy's palms. Pain seared his skin as the living blade twisted from his grip, leaping back into Kisame's waiting hand.

Guy shook his hands out with a wince, blood dripping from torn skin. "Ow! That's a very unfriendly sword!"

Kisame's grin widened, shark teeth gleaming. "Samehada only answers to me." Guy's expression hardened, his playful tone vanishing. With a smooth motion, he reached behind his back, pulling free a pair of iron nunchaku. The air grew heavy. The clash reignited, Guy's nunchaku blurring in a storm of arcs, but Kisame's watery domain gave him perfect maneuverability. He weaved through the strikes and countered with a devastating series of jutsu. "Water Release: Water Shark Bullet!" A massive shark made of liquid surged forth, slamming into Guy and dragging him beneath the surface. Before he could resurface, Kisame's hands blurred again. "Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks!" The sea erupted, five monstrous sharks circling Guy like predators scenting blood. They darted in, each one tearing into him with snapping jaws of water. Guy countered with raw taijutsu, his fists striking each beast, but every time he destroyed one, the ocean rebuilt it. Meanwhile, Lee, Tenten, and Neji's struggles grew frantic within the water prisons. Their air was running out. Kisame's grin only widened. "Looks like you're all finished," he sneered.

On the ocean floor, Guy planted his feet. He closed his eyes. When they opened again, they blazed with determination. "Very well," he said quietly. "You've earned this much... Kisame." His body shuddered as veins bulged across his skin. Chakra ignited within him, roaring like a storm. One by one, the Eight Gates opened. Gate of Opening... Gate of Healing... Gate of Life... Gate of Pain... Gate of Limit... Gate of View! His aura exploded outward in a green blaze, the sheer force displacing the surrounding ocean. Water rushed upward in a towering column, bursting skyward and raining down in sheets.

The pressure around Neji weakened instantly. He thrust chakra through his tenketsu, the release tearing apart his prison. He gasped for breath and immediately whirled on the clones. "Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!" In a blur, his hands struck every vital point, ripping the water clones to shreds and freeing Lee and Tenten in a rush of collapsing foam. They broke the surface just as Guy rose from below, his body wreathed in emerald fire, steam rising from his skin. His fists trembled, poised in a stance.

"Morning Peacock!" He surged forward, his punches blazing so fast that the air itself ignited, forming a storm of fiery fists. The sea glowed as flames rained down upon Kisame, the strikes hammering into him in a relentless barrage. When the storm finally subsided, the Akatsuki cloak was nothing but tatters. A body slumped lifeless onto the water, blackened and smoking. The team regrouped, gasping for breath, staring at the corpse.

But as the flames hissed out and the spray settled, Neji's eyes narrowed. "This isn't..." The man's face was unfamiliar, not Kisame's shark-like features at all. Just a stranger in an Akatsuki robe.

Guy stood over the corpse, his aura fading, shoulders rising and falling with deep breaths. He frowned, tilting his head. "Hmph. Just as I thought. I've never met this man before."

Tenten nearly choked. "Are you serious?!"

Lee rubbed his temples, groaning. "Sensei..."

Neji only stared at the corpse, his jaw tightening. "So... Kisame wasn't here at all." Far out at sea, a ripple spread through the waves, unnoticed.

The clearing was heavy with silence as Itachi stepped forward, his presence filling the air with quiet dread. His gaze lingered on Kakashi, then shifted toward Naruto, who bristled under the weight of it. "Don't meet his eyes," Kakashi warned sharply, his voice carrying authority. "He uses visual genjutsu. That's his battlefield."

Chiyo's sharp eyes narrowed, wrinkles deepening in thought. "An Uchiha..." she muttered, bitterness lacing her tone. "I've seen those eyes before, long ago. Their Sharingan isn't invincible. With proper coordination-"

But Kakashi cut her off, shaking his head. "No. His eyes aren't just Sharingan anymore. They're Mangekyō. Last time we fought, he trapped me in Tsukuyomi, three days of torture in a single instant. I spent a week unconscious afterward." That drew Chiyo silent. Even she, hardened by wars and decades of shinobi bloodshed, stiffened at the weight of Kakashi's words.

Itachi tilted his head, an unreadable look flickering in his eyes. "You learned, then. That much is rare."

Kakashi's lone visible eye hardened. "I also learned the cost. Mangekyō consumes the very sight of its wielder." Slowly, he raised his forehead protector, revealing the tomoe of his Sharingan. "So tell me, Itachi... how much do you have left to give?" For the briefest moment, Itachi's calm mask slipped, just a fraction. Kakashi's preparedness, his knowledge, his sheer gall, it was enough to make him pause. 'Does he...?'

Naruto stepped in, voice hard. "We can't let him get to us. Don't look at his eyes. Read his body, his movements. That's how we fight him!"

But even as Naruto said it, Sakura stiffened. Her chakra senses flared like alarms. "Naruto!" she snapped, eyes darting to Itachi's hand. "His ring, he's weaving chakra through it! Genjutsu trigger!" Naruto's eyes widened, but too late. Reality folded around him, the clone, the battlefield, his comrades all bleeding out before him. His breath hitched, panic clawing up his throat. Kakashi lunged at Itachi to break the pattern, but the Uchiha caught his strike effortlessly, holding him fast. Another clone slithered toward Naruto, forcing him into combat. He destroyed it with a Rasengan, only for the corpses of Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo to collapse at his feet. And then, they all shifted, morphing, skin and bone twisting into the form of Itachi. Naruto gasped, the world spiraling. No...no, I'm- caught...

And then, like a blade through fog, a firm hand gripped his shoulder. "Naruto." Sakura's voice, steady and resolute, cut through the false reality. Her chakra surged, colliding against the foreign weave of Itachi's illusion with precision most jōnin couldn't even hope for. The genjutsu shattered. Naruto stumbled free, clutching his chest and gasping, the phantom corpses fading from view. He looked up to see Sakura standing before him, Byakugō seal glowing faintly at her forehead, her chakra sharp and precise, like a scalpel cutting clean.

Itachi's brows actually lifted. "You dispelled my genjutsu?" he murmured, the faintest note of surprise in his voice. His gaze lingered on her, calculating, assessing. "Impressive. Even jōnin rarely escape it unaided. For someone to release another from my illusion... you've reached far beyond the training you were given."

Sakura met his gaze, careful not to let her eyes fall into his own. Her axe shimmered into existence, crackling faintly with chakra, but her words were colder than steel. "If you thought I'd let you take Naruto without resistance, you've gravely underestimated me."

Kakashi froze where he stood. He had known Sakura's growth was rapid... unnatural even, but to see her counter Itachi's genjutsu alone? To do what he, with his Sharingan, could barely defend against? For the first time in a long while, his composure cracked. "Sakura..." he whispered, almost to himself. "She broke Tsukuyomi-level control like it was nothing."

Chiyo, hardened veteran of shinobi wars, narrowed her eyes at the pink-haired kunoichi. She remembered mocking her earlier,,,thinking her another fragile medic dragged to the field. But now... she was staring at a girl who had not only matched, but surpassed the standards of shinobi legends. "This one," Chiyo muttered under her breath, tone edged with awe, "this girl has outstripped even Tsunade... and Kurenai's illusions wouldn't hold a candle to that."

Naruto, catching his breath, looked between Sakura and Itachi with wide, shining eyes. "Sakura... you... saved me." His fists clenched, a grin breaking through despite the danger. "I knew it. You're incredible."

Itachi regarded her quietly. And for a heartbeat, the stoic Uchiha murderer of his clan, wielder of Mangekyō let the faintest smile ghost across his lips. "Formidable... I see now why they fear what you might become."

Kakashi's warning cracked like thunder. "Stay alert, Naruto!" The air distorted with heat as Itachi's hands blurred. Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu! Ember-bright fireballs rained forward in sharp arcs, scattering like burning shrapnel. Kakashi darted into their midst, body a silver blur as he wove through flames, Sharingan glinting with absolute focus. Itachi inhaled deeply, chest swelling before releasing a roaring inferno. Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! The fireball ballooned into a blazing sun, surging toward Naruto, Sakura, and Chiyo.

Sakura's instincts cut in before thought. Her palms slapped together, violet chakra shattering outward into crystalline arcs. "Astra: Protection Form!" A radiant dome enveloped Chiyo, catching the brunt of the fireball. The flames crashed against it, sparks spilling like meteors across its surface before dissolving into harmless wisps. Heat scalded Sakura's skin where she stood outside the barrier, yet she rolled clear with fluid precision, emerald eyes locked on the enemy.

Chiyo gasped, wrinkled fingers hovering over the glowing barrier. 'A defense technique... faster than sight. No wasted chakra. Seamless execution.' Kakashi lunged in, Lightning Cutter howling in his hand, its sound sharp enough to split bone. He drove forward with surgical intent, only for Itachi to bend backward into the air, cloak fluttering as the blade carved through empty space.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Got him!" He launched upward, Rasengan roaring in his palm, the sphere spinning with a shriek of power. He drove it into Itachi's chest. Smoke. A puff of nothing. The body dissolved into a fading shadow clone.

Sakura's gut twisted. "Naruto! Behind!" Itachi was already there, kunai raised, his form sliding from the shadows like liquid death. But Sakura's fists were faster. Chakra surged into her arm with a crackling charge. Storm Fist: Gale Burst! She struck, her fist detonating in a spiraling cyclone of wind and lightning. Itachi's blade collided with her strike, the backlash splitting the earth beneath them, shockwaves tossing dirt and stone in every direction. The kunai snapped in half. Itachi skidded back, cloak singed, Sharingan glinting. 'Impressive...'

Naruto landed beside Sakura, his eyes blazing. Two clones flickered into existence at his sides, chakra already pooling into their palms. Two spheres roared to life, one a perfected Rasengan, the other infused with unstable wind chakra, its edge shrieking like steel drawn over steel. Sakura's hand rose to her forehead. The Byakugō seal pulsed, its violet marks spreading like veins of power down her face and arms. She called upon Astra. Crimson light condensed, forming in her hand into a massive chakra axe. War Form - Red Riot. Its edge blazed with annihilating intent. Neither had seen the other's new power before. But when their eyes met, in the heart of battle, they didn't need words. Naruto roared, charging with both spheres. Sakura pivoted beside him, axe raised. At the last instant, she slammed her weapon downward, not at Naruto, but with him. Her strike's force funneled elemental shockwaves into his Rasengan. The spheres warped violently. Fire, wind, and crimson light twisted together into a singular storm. A double helix of chakra howled in Naruto's hands, swollen into a monstrous orb of raw devastation.

Kakashi's Sharingan snapped wide open. 'They created that... on instinct?' Together, Naruto and Sakura struck. The ground tore itself apart. The explosion ripped trees from their roots, heat lancing upward in a column of fire and light. The blast swallowed Itachi's form, swallowing his outline in spiraling destruction until nothing but smoke and cratered earth remained. When the dust settled, silence fell over the battlefield. Naruto panted, dismissing his clones, sweat streaking his face. "That... that had to do it."

Sakura dismissed her axe, crimson light fracturing into motes before fading. The Byakugō seal pulsed faintly as she exhaled. Her eyes narrowed. "...No. Something's wrong." Slowly, they approached the broken body lying in the crater. Kakashi came up behind, Sharingan narrowing. Chiyo's breath caught audibly. It wasn't Itachi. The face staring up at them in lifeless stillness was Yūra's.

Naruto froze, voice cracking. "Yūra? But... he's council. He's... he's supposed to be on our side..."

Sakura's hands trembled, though her voice stayed steady. "This wasn't Itachi. He used Yūra as a pawn... molded him into a puppet."

Chiyo's mouth tightened into a grim line. "Akatsuki infiltration... even within Suna's highest ranks."

Kakashi's expression hardened, the weight of realization sinking in. "If this wasn't the real Itachi, then the battle was only a smokescreen. He's already achieved his real objective." The wind whistled through the devastated clearing, carrying the acrid stench of burned earth. Naruto and Sakura stood side by side, Naruto's breath heavy, the destructive force of their combined power still lingering in the air, proof that both had climbed to unimaginable heights. Yet the bitter truth remained: their enemy had never even been there. The blast had since faded, leaving scorched earth and choking smoke. Naruto dropped to a knee, breathing hard, but Sakura stood straight, her Byakugō diamond blazing like a violet star. Faint lacerations striped her arms and cheeks where shrapnel and flame had nicked her in the chaos. But before anyone could even register them, the marks closed, vanishing as new, perfect skin bloomed in their place. Not a scar remained.

Kakashi caught the movement with his Sharingan first. His visible eye narrowed in shock. 'Instant regeneration... not a seal release, not even a conscious effort. It's automatic. Just like Hashirama...' Chiyo's old body stiffened. She had lived long enough to witness what only legends whispered about. "That healing..." her voice was hoarse, fingers trembling as she gestured toward Sakura. "Child... what have you done?"

Sakura's chest rose and fell, but her expression was steady, unflinching, as if she hadn't even noticed the wounds. "It's not just Strength of a Hundred anymore," she said simply, voice carrying in the hollow silence. "I merged it with mitotic regeneration. As long as I have chakra stored, my body repairs itself. Every cut, every burn... gone before it can weaken me."

Naruto gawked openly, jaw hanging. "You're telling me you can't even get hurt anymore?! That's... dattebayo! that's insane!"

Kakashi's thoughts spiraled in rapid calculation. 'If true, this ability placed Sakura in an echelon no medic in Konoha history had touched. Even Tsunade herself still had to actively summon Byakugō and heal between blows; Sakura was fighting with the seal active as a state of being. The implications... she could fight like a front-line berserker while being untouchable, healing every injury before it even registered.' Itachi's illusionary form had long since dissolved, but Kakashi couldn't help the shiver running down his spine. 'If this had been the real Itachi, Sakura might have been the only one capable of walking away from it.'

Chiyo's eyes narrowed, piercing Sakura with a look both grim and awed. "You've taken Tsunade's path... and gone farther. But such a technique..." her tone dropped to a near-whisper, "to tie one's very cells to chakra like that, it shortens the natural span of life. You burn brighter, but the flame consumes the wick faster." But before the weight of her words could fully settle, Sakura's hand brushed over the glowing diamond on her forehead. The chakra that had surged out to heal her flowed backward, weaving in deliberate spirals, resealing itself into the Byakugō. The brilliance dimmed, but the wounds still closed, the skin still perfect.

"I know," Sakura admitted, her voice even. "Mitotic regeneration eats away at your life. Tsunade-sensei told me that much. But... I couldn't accept that limit. So I made something new."

Chiyo's head tilted, her lined brows knitting. "New?"

Sakura nodded, her tone steady but edged with pride. "When I store chakra in my Byakugō, I don't just save it for emergencies. I recycle it. Instead of letting regeneration consume my lifespan, I created a feedback seal, one that replenishes itself as I fight. The technique is called Blooming Light. It anchors my cells to the stored chakra, not to my natural life force. The healing still happens instantly, but the burden no longer shaves years away." The words hit like a revelation. Kakashi's eye widened as he realized the implication. Not only had Sakura inherited Tsunade's method, she had solved it. She had removed the greatest risk.

Chiyo's lips parted in disbelief. "To counteract death itself with sealing and medical technique... You've done what even Tsunade could not. Child, you... you've rewritten the law of what it means to be a frontline medic-nin."

Naruto blinked rapidly, not understanding the technical brilliance but recognizing the gravity from everyone else's expressions. "So... you mean Sakura-chan's healing doesn't even have a drawback anymore?"

Sakura shook her head softly. "Not exactly. It still costs me chakra, and if I run dry, I fall like anyone else. But my lifespan is mine again. I worked around the sacrifice of the years I haven't even lived yet just to protect people in the present. This way, I can do both." The battlefield was quiet for a moment, not with fear this time, but with awe. Still the body of Yūra lay cooling on the stone, his features slack, lifeless. No trace of Itachi's aura lingered, only the bitter aftertaste of the jutsu that had worn him like a mask.

Kakashi's single eye narrowed, the gleam of his Sharingan fading. "A proxy technique. They never meant for us to fight the real Itachi."

Guy's team, having regrouped at his side, wore equally grim expressions. Neji's Byakugan veins still bulged, but his voice was calm, precise. "I see no other chakra signatures nearby. It was a decoy battle, intended to buy time."

The realization cut sharp and fast. Lee clenched his fists, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. "Then Gaara..."

Chiyo's hand flicked through practiced motions, summoning a slender scroll from her sleeve. With a deft bite to her thumb, she summoned a small mechanical bird of lacquered wood and inked seals. Its wings unfolded with the clatter of gears. She pressed the scroll against its breast and murmured, "Find Ebizō." The bird flapped once, twice, and darted into the sky, vanishing westward in a blur of chakra-fueled flight.

Naruto stared after it, confusion written across his face. "Why send a message now?"

Chiyo's expression was carved from stone. "Because the technique they used, the Shōten no Jutsu, requires a sacrifice. Yūra was that sacrifice. If the Akatsuki deemed it worth spending a man's life just to stall us, then they've already begun the extraction of the One-Tail. And once the extraction begins..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of her silence saying what she didn't and what they knew: once begun, the process would not stop until the host was dead. Sakura's chest tightened. She glanced at Naruto, and in his wide blue eyes she saw the reflection of her own fear. Not fear for themselves, fear for Gaara. Fear of arriving too late.

"They're trying to keep us away from him," Sakura murmured, fingers pressing against her Byakugō seal as if steadying herself. She had already replenished the chakra she'd burned during the fight with Blooming Light, but her hand lingered there all the same, like a vow.

Naruto's fists trembled at his sides, the Rasengan still humming faintly in his palm before he let it fade. "We don't have time to waste, Sakura-chan." His voice cracked, raw, desperate. "If we don't hurry, Gaara's gonna..."

Sakura cut him off, her tone firm but equally urgent. "Then we keep moving. Faster than before. No distractions." She stepped forward, eyes flashing with determination, her pink hair glinting under the harsh desert light. "We're going to reach Gaara in time." For the first time since the battle ended, Naruto's shoulders eased. He met Sakura's gaze, and in that unspoken bond forged in hardship, they drew strength. Both of them understood without words: they wouldn't let Gaara's fate mirror their own pasts.

Kakashi's voice broke through, calm but edged. "Then it's settled. No more delays. We push on." Both teams nodded as one. The desert wind howled across the cliffside, carrying away the last traces of Yūra's false body. And together, they surged forward, toward Gaara, toward the Akatsuki, and toward the narrowing window where a life could still be saved.

The echo of hurried sandals broke the stillness of the Kazekage residence. Kankurō shoved open the doors to the council chamber, Baki striding beside him. Though he had been resting only moments before, the message from Chiyo had set his blood boiling. 'Yūra... a spy. All this time right under our noses.' Inside, the councilors sat in a circle, their voices sharp with debate.

"It is confirmed," one elder said, holding up Chiyo's message. "Yūra was an Akatsuki agent. That is how Sasori and Deidara infiltrated our defenses." The chamber buzzed with tension. Kankurō's jaw tightened; the betrayal burned worse than poison ever could.

Before the shock settled, another councilor raised his voice. "We must face reality. The Kazekage has been taken. For the stability of Sunagakure, we must begin deliberations on his successor."

Kankurō froze, then barked, "What did you just say?"

The man adjusted his robes calmly. "You heard me. Gaara's fate is uncertain. We cannot afford to leave the village leaderless. Choosing a new Kazekage is the only logical step."

Baki's glare cut through the air. "You assume too much. There is no evidence Gaara has fallen."

A second councilor leaned forward, eyes hard. "And what proof have you that he lives? Most of the village fears the One-Tail inside him. His disappearance may even be for the best."

Kankurō's temper flared, but the first elder pressed on, his voice rising. "Have you forgotten history? The Third Kazekage, our strongest, was taken. We sent recovery teams again and again, and not even his body was found. The moment word spread, other nations descended on us like vultures. Do you wish to invite that disaster again?" The chamber fell heavy with silence. The logic was ruthless, but undeniable.

Finally, Kankurō stepped forward, his voice low but cutting. "You're not wrong about the risk. I'll admit that. But don't you dare write Gaara off." His fists clenched, and his eyes burned with conviction. "He's not the Third Kazekage. He's not the weapon you all used to whisper about. He's my brother... and he's the one who changed this village. You've seen it yourselves. The people look to him, not with fear anymore, but with hope. If you think I'll stand by and let you bury him before his body is even cold, you're mistaken." Baki nodded once beside him, his silence speaking louder than any words. The councilors shifted, unmoved, their gazes turning back toward each other, already murmuring names, already weighing candidates. Kankurō's gut twisted. To them, Gaara was already gone.

The desert air still buzzed with the residual energy of battle, but among the exhausted warriors, only Sakura remained fully attuned and unbroken. Her senses stretched farther than any ordinary chakra detection; she could feel the subtle tremors in Guy's energy even from miles away, a faltering, uneven rhythm that set off alarms in her mind. His body had pushed past mortal limits after opening the Sixth Gate, and she knew instinctively that if left unchecked, the cost could be catastrophic. With a precise movement of her hands, Sakura invoked her new spatial technique. A violet shimmer warped the air, bending space itself, and in the blink of an eye, both Team Guy was transported into her presence. The transition was smooth, almost gentle, yet undeniable, as if the world itself acknowledged her authority. Her gaze swept over the assembled shinobi comrades. Guy's chest rose and fell in heavy, uneven breaths, his muscles tight with residual strain. Lee's youthful energy flickered like a candle in a storm, Neji's body carried the subtle bruises of sustained effort, and Tenten's arms twitched with fatigue. Kakashi's single eye betrayed exhaustion beneath his calm exterior, Naruto's chaotic chakra was near depletion, and Chiyo's joints and muscles ached from repeated exertion. Sakura's eyes softened slightly as they landed on Guy. Memories of training sessions, of guidance and mentorship, flashed briefly in her mind. She could sense his unyielding spirit fighting against his body's limitations. He was proud, stubborn, relentless, but he was human. Without hesitation, she extended her hands, and the violet sigil of her Byakugō no In flared brightly on her forehead. The Dome of Astra bloomed around them, a protective bubble of shimmering energy that insulated them from the harsh desert winds and the lingering threat of residual chakra backlash. Within it, countless sakura petals unfurled and drifted through the dome, each one carrying healing chakra and restorative energy.

She first focused on Guy, placing her hands on his shoulders. The violet light of Byakugō no In poured into him, flowing like liquid through his veins. Every wound, every micro-tear in his muscles, every internal strain caused by opening the Sixth Gate was repaired. His energy stabilized, his chakra harmonized with his body, and the relentless toll of exertion was reversed almost instantaneously. Next, she moved to Lee, Neji, and Tenten, her hands moving like a conductor's across the battlefield. Merciful Bloom wove through their bodies, while the protection form of Dome of Astra sustained and amplified the effects, combining mitotic regeneration with chakra restoration. Even deep, internal fatigue and minor internal organ strain were corrected, leaving them revitalized but still conscious enough to absorb the process. Turning to Team Kakashi and Chiyo, she did not hesitate. Naruto's chakra was chaotic, imbalanced from overuse, yet she meticulously restored its flow, knitting his energy together, repairing a broken lattice. Kakashi, though experienced, was no stranger to fatigue; she repaired his body, removed the lingering strain, and even countered the subtle exhaustion left in his nervous system from previous genjutsu exposure. Chiyo's delicate age showed, and her body relaxed under the precise guidance of Sakura's healing form. "Rest. Now." Sakura commanded, her voice calm but absolute, cutting through any hesitation. "You cannot continue in your current states. If you push forward, you will die before Gaara does." The dome glowed softly around them, and the petals continued their dance, replenishing every particle of chakra and closing all wounds, both external and internal. The ambient energy hummed with life, syncing all six warriors to a unified rhythm of restored vitality.

Guy, normally fiery and unyielding, allowed himself to slump, exhaustion fully claimed, yet beneath it, awe flickered in his eyes. "Sakura... you... have become more than I could have imagined," he murmured, voice heavy with gratitude and disbelief. Naruto's hands flexed as his chaotic chakra stabilized, a spark of renewed confidence flashing in his sapphire eyes. Kakashi lowered his head slightly, silently acknowledging the mastery that surpassed even the lessons he had imparted. Chiyo's wrinkled hands rested on her knees, her expression a mixture of relief and admiration.

Sakura's hair flowed behind her, a cascade of pink that caught the sunlight as her Byakugō no In pulse dimmed to a steady, protective rhythm. Her gaze swept over both teams, her expression precise, calm, and unyielding. "We move only once your bodies and chakra are ready. That is the only way to ensure Gaara survives." In that moment, the desert felt still. Time seemed to bow to the sheer presence of Sakura Haruno, healer, kunoichi, and strategist, whose command over life, chakra, and restoration had just saved seven lives from the brink of collapse. The decision was clear, and the correct one: they would rest, recover, and then strike with every ounce of strength they now possessed.

Deep within the Akatsuki's hidden stronghold, the air was heavy with shadows and the faint hum of chakra. The cavern walls seemed to close in as nine towering figures flickered into being, their forms stretched and hazy by the projection technique that linked them across great distances. Though their bodies were illusions, the oppressive weight of their collective presence was undeniable. The Leader stood at the center of it all, his voice steady and commanding as it echoed through the chamber. "You've done well. The enemy's advance was stalled precisely as planned. Itachi. Kisame. Your efforts are noted."

Kisame's projection leaned forward with a shark-toothed grin, his rough voice brimming with amusement. "Heh. Can't say it wasn't fun. Been a while since I had to work up a sweat." Beside him, Itachi remained composed, crimson Sharingan burning from beneath the shadow of his cloak, his silence far more commanding than words.

From across the circle, Sasori's sharp voice cut through the stillness. "And what of me? It was my subordinates who served as vessels for your technique. Without them, you would have had nothing to work with."

A shift in the Leader's gaze silenced the chamber. His reply was calm, but each word carried the weight of a blade. "Do not confuse necessity with achievement. My jutsu ensured the deception, not your fragile pawns. Their deaths gave them a purpose they lacked in life. You should be grateful they were of some use at all." The wood and metal of Sasori's puppet shell groaned as his jaw tightened. He said nothing more, but the anger simmering beneath his silence was unmistakable. The Leader dismissed the matter with a flicker of his hand. "Enough. We waste time. Itachi, report."

At once, Itachi's voice cut through the air, calm and precise. "They were not without strength. The other shinobi was Kakashi Hatake, accompanied by the elder of Sunagakure... Lady Chiyo."

For the first time, Sasori faltered. His head lifted sharply, disbelief burning through his mechanical calm. "...Chiyo?" He nearly spat the name. "That meddling crone dares involve herself in this? She should have withered away long ago."

His words lingered, heavy and venomous, before the Leader's presence drew the room back into silence. "Her interference changes nothing. The extraction has already begun. They will not reach Gaara in time."

From the edge of the chamber, the ground stirred. A half-white, half-black head rose smoothly from the earth, its mismatched eyes gleaming in the dim glow. Zetsu's two voices overlapped, eerie in their duality. "Yes, Leader?" "Yes, Leader."

The command came without hesitation. "The sacrifices. Find their bodies and see that they vanish. Nothing must be left behind."

Zetsu's grin stretched unnaturally wide, the contrast between his two halves unsettling. "Of course. Corpses are easy to hide." "Or eat." "Yum." With a ripple, he sank back into the earth, vanishing as if he had never been there. One by one, the towering projections of the Akatsuki began to fade, their chakra threads unraveling into darkness.

Yet before the cavern returned to silence, the Leader's voice lingered, deep and foreboding. "Remember. Every move we make weakens the shinobi world. Soon... there will be nothing left to oppose us." The chamber fell into shadow once more.

The desert night was still, the winds hushed as if the sands themselves dared not disturb the fragile silence. Within the protective glow of Sakura's Astra Dome, the weary shinobi of both Konoha and Suna lay resting, their breaths steady, wounds closed, and chakra steadily replenished. The subtle shimmer of Sakura's healing petals still lingered in the air, dissolving slowly into motes of light as her regenerative technique worked in tandem with the dome's protective field. At the heart of it all, Sakura sat cross-legged upon the sand. Her long hair cascaded around her shoulders, a curtain of rose silk flowing in the faint desert breeze. The violet diamond of the Byakugō no In pulsed softly against her forehead as she pressed her palms flat to the earth. Her breathing was even, her expression calm yet razor-focused. Within her stillness, she extended herself beyond sight and sound. Her chakra webbed outward, subtle threads vibrating against the faintest disturbances, the shift of air, the tremor of sand, the pulse of chakra signatures hidden leagues away. This was her new technique: Spatial Perception. Through the ground beneath her hands, she could feel life itself moving, and with it, intention. The Konoha and Suna shinobi around her were steady, their vitality rising toward full strength. She traced each familiar rhythm: Kakashi's faint but stabilizing heartbeat, Chiyo's aged yet resilient presence, Guy's fiery chakra like a roaring blaze, Neji's sharp precision, Tenten's steel-like steadiness, Naruto's unyielding storm, and Lee's body repaired to almost peak condition for his taijutsu. All recovering, all alive because she forced them to stop. But farther, so much farther, she reached.

Her senses brushed against a cluster of darker currents, the unmistakable press of Akatsuki chakra. Eight, perhaps nine signatures, dense and foul with purpose. And at the center, faint and flickering, Gaara. Her breath caught. His chakra was unstable, faltering. She pressed deeper, forcing her perception to listen closer. A heartbeat. Weak. Slowing. Slowing further. Then... silence. Her eyes snapped open, jade irises blazing wide as her hands tore from the earth. "Gaara!" Her voice rang out sharp and urgent, cutting through the quiet. Every head around her snapped toward her in alarm. Sakura rose in a single fluid motion, her long hair whipping around her as her chakra surged, violet seal glowing brighter. "Everyone, your vitality should be at ninety percent. That's enough." Her tone was decisive, commanding in a way that allowed no argument. The sand around them stirred violently as her chakra twisted space itself. She reached outward, locking onto the coordinates of the Akatsuki stronghold through the remnants of Gaara's fading signature and the cluster of their enemies. "We move now!" she ordered. And in the next breath, before fatigue or hesitation could weigh them down, Sakura's new technique enveloped the entire team. Space folded, sand warped, and with a flash of violet light, Team Kakashi, Team Guy, and Lady Chiyo vanished from the desert, drawn instantly toward the heart of the Akatsuki's lair.

Inside the cavernous chambers of the Akatsuki hideout, shadows stretched long across the stone walls. The glow of the sealing ritual dimmed as one by one, the spectral projections of the Akatsuki flickered and dissolved, their chakra threads severing until only faint echoes remained. The leader's imposing silhouette lingered last, his presence filling the air with an oppressive gravity. His eyes swept across the two who remained physically present, Deidara, arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, and Sasori, his expression unreadable behind the cold, wooden mask of his puppet body. "You will deal with the intruders," the leader's voice resonated, carrying a weight that brooked no refusal. "Dispose of them swiftly. However..." his gaze sharpened, piercing as steel, "...the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki is to be captured alive."

Deidara's smirk widened, his hands twitching in anticipation. "Tch. Captured alive? Hn, that's troublesome. I prefer my art loud and permanent."

Sasori did not turn his head, but his voice was quiet and edged like a blade. "Your preferences are irrelevant. Orders are orders."

The leader's attention shifted to Itachi, who remained seated in composed silence. "This responsibility falls to you now, Sasori."

A pause. Then Itachi's dark eyes lifted, his tone steady, deliberate. "Be wary. Naruto Uzumaki is the one who rushes in first... and barks the loudest. Do not underestimate him."

Deidara snorted. "So he's loud and reckless? Hah. Sounds like the perfect canvas for my art."

Itachi did not respond, his gaze closing once more as his chakra projection began to fade. Kisame chuckled, baring his sharp teeth in a grin. "Good luck, then. Try not to get blown to pieces before you finish your mission." With that, his image too dissolved into nothing.

The leader's presence loomed one final moment. "I expect results." His voice reverberated like stone grinding against stone, and then, silence. The chamber was empty save for the dim light of the cavern torches and the two puppeteers of destruction.

Deidara stretched his shoulders, settling onto a rock ledge. "Well, Sasori-danna, looks like we're on our own. Can't say I mind, I'll finally get to show these leaf rats true art." His pale fingers dipped toward the pouch at his hip, brushing against the clay mouths that twitched in anticipation.

Sasori lowered himself into the shadows, unhurried, his puppet shell creaking faintly as he adjusted. "They'll come here soon enough. And when they do... they'll find themselves nothing more than material for my collection." The cavern fell into an eerie stillness, the sound of dripping water echoing faintly through the stone halls. Deidara's grin never faded, and Sasori's stillness was more unsettling than silence. Both killers waited, patient, confident, as their enemies drew ever closer.

Despite the Five-Seal Barrier's strength, it shattered beneath the combined force of Sakura's precision and Naruto's overwhelming chakra. The seals broke apart like shards of glass, scattering light across the cave walls as the barrier collapsed. The two of them pushed forward, Kakashi and Lady Chiyo close behind. The air grew heavier the deeper they went, the scent of clay and scorched stone lingering thick. When they entered the chamber, the sight froze them all. Sasori and Deidara sat calmly atop Gaara's lifeless body, like hunters perched on a prize. Naruto's eyes widened, rage twisting his face. "Gaara!" His chakra flared violently, bubbling red around him. Deidara smirked and stood, already molding clay in the mouths of his palms. Sasori rose with slower, colder intent, cloak falling away from his mechanical frame.

But before the team could advance, the ground rumbled beneath them. The floor shifted, and from the splitting walls, Guy and his team were wrenched into a separate corridor, sealed off by jagged stone. There, shadows stirred. From the darkness stepped four figures, identical to Might Guy, Neji, Tenten, and Lee. Each bore the same eyes, the same stance, even the same chakra. Lee's fists tightened, his clone mirroring the motion. "To defeat myself... then I'll go beyond myself!" His voice shook, but his spirit burned.

Neji's Byakugan activated in perfect sync with his double. His brow furrowed. "Every technique I know, every weakness, reflected back at me. This will not be simple."

Tenten unfurled her scrolls, weapons spilling across the stone as her copy mirrored every blade. "Even my aim... duplicated. Then the difference will have to be willpower."

And Guy... Guy stood face to face with himself, two broad smiles locked in challenge. The real Guy clenched his fists, eyes flashing with rare gravity. "To face my own flames of youth... then I must burn hotter than even I imagined!" With that, the chamber erupted into a storm of steel, fists, and chakra, clone against original, every move countered by a mirror.

Back in the main hall, Deidara placed Gaara's body atop a clay bird, the construct swelling larger with each breath. "Un, I'll deliver the package to the boss. Try not to get in the way." The bird took flight, wings beating with bursts of clay. Naruto roared, his body blazing with Nine-Tails chakra, and slammed his hands together. A new technique ripped forward in a spiraling blast, shredding the bird to pieces in midair. Gaara's body tumbled back to the ground, spared from being taken. Deidara hissed in irritation, landing lightly, his palms chewing more clay. Sasori stepped forward beside him, his tone flat and icy. "You'll regret interfering, Jinchūriki."

Kakashi moved in front of his students, Sharingan spinning as he studied both enemies. "Naruto, Sakura. Stay sharp. These two are S-rank shinobi for a reason."

But Sakura didn't hesitate. Chakra swirled around her fists, raw and sharp enough to crack the stone beneath her feet. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Naruto, their power flaring in equal measure. "Then we'll just have to prove," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension, "that we're stronger."

Lady Chiyo's eyes lingered on Sasori, sorrow hidden beneath her steel. "Leave my grandson to me. This battle is long overdue."

Deidara laughed, tossing clay birds into the air as they swelled to life. "Un! Looks like the Jinchūriki isn't the only one who barks. Fine, I'll crush you both together!" The cavern shook as battle erupted, Naruto and Sakura surging forward in unison, fists and chakra crashing against clay and steel, while Kakashi and Chiyo moved to cover them. Far down the sealed corridor, Guy and his team fought desperately against their perfect doubles, every strike met with an equal force, every weapon matched. The battlelines of two teams were drawn, each struggling not against strangers, but against their own limits. And in the center of it all, Gaara's still body lay at the heart of the storm.

The air was tense, every breath heavy as the two Akatsuki stood before them. Deidara idly rolled a sphere of clay between his fingers, but it was Sasori who drew Chiyo's gaze. Her expression hardened, memories she had long buried rising to the surface. She took a deliberate step forward, her voice sharp enough to cut the silence. "Listen carefully, the three of you. That... thing you see standing there is not Sasori himself." She gestured toward the looming puppet with its thick carapace, its segmented tail swaying like a predator. "It is a shell, a puppet he calls Hiruko. Sasori hides inside, operating it from within."

Naruto blinked in disbelief. "Wait, you mean that's not even him?"

Chiyo's lips pressed into a thin line. "Puppet masters are weak in close combat. Our strength lies in strings and distance. To counter his own vulnerability, Sasori made Hiruko, an armor, a weapon, and a disguise all at once."

Kakashi's Sharingan narrowed on the puppet's joints and seams, memorizing its movements. "So we're not facing him directly. That explains the layered defenses..."

Chiyo's gaze never left Hiruko, her tone grave. "You should understand what you're fighting. Sasori was once Sunagakure's greatest puppeteer. But his genius twisted. He turned from wood and steel to flesh and bone, transforming human corpses into puppets. That is what he now considers art."

Sakura's chest tightened, horror flickering in her eyes. "Human... puppets?"

"The Hiruko you see now was once a shinobi of a neighboring village," Chiyo said bitterly. "Killed and hollowed out. Every trap, every weapon you face in that shell was once the strength of a living man. My grandson keeps his victims' skills and bodies preserved inside his creations."

Naruto's fists trembled, chakra bubbling faintly at his skin. "He... he turned people into toys? And he calls that art?!"

Deidara chuckled, snapping the clay sphere into his mouth-hand with a wet squelch. "Un. Everyone's got their own taste in art, yeah? For Sasori, it's eternal puppets. For me, it's the fleeting beauty of an explosion. Either way..." His smirk widened. "...you brats are about to learn what true artistry looks like." Hiruko's tail snapped forward like a scorpion's sting, crashing into the stone floor and sending shards flying.

Chiyo raised her hands, chakra threads flickering into being, while Sakura stepped beside her, fists glowing with focused chakra, her face set with unyielding determination. "Stay close," Chiyo warned. "Against Sasori, one mistake is fatal."

Naruto gritted his teeth, dropping into a low stance, chakra boiling hotter around him. "Then we'll just make sure we don't mess up." The fight was about to begin.

Far from the chamber where Team Kakashi and Chiyo confronted the Akatsuki, the clash of fists and steel rang out in the forested canyon. Team Guy found themselves face-to-face with their most uncanny enemies yet, reflections of themselves, carved in chakra, each clone wielding the exact same techniques, the same speed, and the same relentless drive. Guy ducked beneath a high kick from his mirror image, the impact of the clone's heel shattering a stone outcrop behind him. His eyes gleamed with fiery intensity as he countered with a spinning kick, only to be parried in perfect synchrony. Sparks burst as two taijutsu masters collided again and again, neither gaining ground. Lee was no better off. Every strike he launched, every kick, every palm thrust, was answered with flawless mimicry. Sweat poured down his brow, his body beginning to ache. His clone showed no signs of fatigue. Tenten's hands blurred, summoning a hail of kunai and scrolls, only for her clone to counter with identical precision. The ground was littered with steel, both of them locked in a mirrored dance of weapons.

Neji's Byakugan flared as his Gentle Fist collided with his clone's. Each palm strike met its twin, shockwaves bursting between them. His breath grew uneven, his muscles heavy. "Tch..." He leapt back, chest heaving. "This is no ordinary jutsu."

It was then, as the four regrouped, that Neji's calm voice cut through the frustration. "Listen. They have not gotten stronger. We are the ones weakening. They are chakra constructs, they will not tire, they will not falter. But we..." He cast a sharp glance at his team. "...we are of flesh and blood."

Lee's eyes widened with realization, even as his fists clenched. "If they are exact copies of us from the moment we ripped off the seals... then their strength is fixed!"

Tenten frowned, panting as she reloaded her scrolls. "Fixed or not, how do you expect us to magically surpass ourselves in the middle of a fight?"

But Lee's eyes burned with fiery youth, his voice ringing out with conviction. "Because that is our way! Guy-sensei always said we must be stronger than we were yesterday... but my creed..." He wiped the sweat from his brow and took a stance, green jumpsuit torn at the knees. "...is to be stronger than I was a minute ago!"

With a roar, Lee's chakra flared around him, his speed suddenly spiking. His clone swung forward, expecting to intercept, but Lee blurred past its guard, planting a crushing kick into its chest. "YOUTH FULL POWER!" The impact split the earth beneath them, and the clone shattered into dissipating chakra fragments.

"Lee... you did it!" Tenten's eyes widened, renewed determination flooding her veins. Without hesitation, she unfurled a scroll, spinning it wide as a storm of chains and blades erupted forth. "Manipulated Tools: Heavenly Chain Disaster!" The steel storm impaled her clone from every angle, pinning it to the ground before it exploded in a burst of dissipating energy.

Guy's teeth flashed in a grin, his blood singing with pride. "That's it! That is the springtime of youth!" He charged his doppelgänger, chakra bursting from his legs. "Now watch carefully, the Leaf Great Flash!" His heel slammed upward into the clone's chin, launching it skyward before it burst into fragments.

Only Neji's clone remained. The Hyūga prodigy pressed his palms together, chakra spiraling around him. "It seems you've all proven your growth... Now it's my turn." His Byakugan locked onto his clone's tenketsu points, his chakra spiraling with focused fury. "Eight Trigrams... Mountain Crusher!" The force of his palm strike rippled through the air, blasting his clone backward. The false Neji slammed into a boulder with earth-shattering force, the impact cratering the rock before the clone dispersed into nothingness. Silence fell. Their enemies gone, only the sound of their own ragged breathing remained.

Lee raised a trembling fist, his grin wide despite his exhaustion. "See? It's exactly as I said! We only had to be stronger than we were moments ago!"

Guy's eyes shone with pride, his voice booming like a drum. "That's the spirit of youth, Lee! You've surpassed yourself again!"

Tenten smirked faintly, rolling her scroll back up. "You're still insane... but maybe that insanity saved us."

Neji exhaled, his gaze turning distant, thoughtful. "...No. Not insanity. Resolve." The four of them stood together, battered but victorious. The shattered remnants of the five-seal barrier still smoked in the air as Sakura and Naruto stepped through, their chakra radiating like living flames. Before them, Deidara and Sasori sat over Gaara's body, their eyes narrowing at the intruders. The clay beneath Deidara's fingers rippled with potential, while Sasori's puppet, Hiruko, twitched menacingly, its poisoned blades glinting under the dim light.

Sakura's green eyes, vivid and sharp, scanned the field while her long pink hair flowed behind her. "Naruto," she said calmly, her voice measured yet steely, "we can't let them escape with Gaara. We split their focus, they won't know which of us to target first."

Naruto nodded, his own chakra flaring with the Nine-Tails' energy. "Got it. Let's confuse them!"

With a burst of speed, Naruto charged at Deidara, who immediately responded by forming a clay bird and leaping into the air. Sakura simultaneously activated her Astra Protection Form - Dome of Astra, petals swirling outward to guard Chiyo and Kakashi behind them, while her Healing Form - Merciful Bloom, began replenishing their chakra and closing internal wounds.

"Looks like the antidote's been made," Sasori muttered, narrowing his eyes. "So it's true... she can counter poison." His voice was laced with grudging respect.

Sakura's lips curved into a faint smile. "I didn't just make the antidote. I perfected it." She released a pulse of chakra through her petals, ensuring the area around Gaara was free of toxins. Deidara's clay formations surged forward. Naruto, his Rasengan spinning with Nine-Tails chakra, collided mid-air with a series of clay birds, sending them exploding into shards. But before Deidara could recover, Sakura darted around him, her fists blurring with lightning-enhanced Storm Fist strikes. She shifted seamlessly between Red Riot War Form and Merciful Bloom, striking with destructive force and instant healing in case of counterattacks.

"Impressive... you've grown," Sasori said, eyes narrowing as he manipulated Hiruko. He launched a volley of hidden blades coated in poison, but Kakashi intervened, sending a volley of Lightning Style: Chidori Sharp Spear at the projectiles, detonating them before they reached his team.

Naruto grinned, feeling the rhythm of the battlefield. He swapped positions with Sakura mid-flight using Body Flicker techniques enhanced with Nine-Tails chakra. "Try keeping up with this!" he yelled, sending a barrage of chakra-imbued kunai at Sasori's Hiruko. Sakura followed, striking from the opposite side, her fists exploding with elemental chakra bursts, Lightning, Wind, and Fire pummeling the puppet from angles it could not anticipate.

"You're... switching targets too fast!" Deidara shouted, spinning to face Sakura as she landed a crushing blow with Storm Fist: Lightning Burst. "Which one do I fight first?!"

"Try us both!" Sakura replied coldly, already darting toward Hiruko, her feet barely touching the ground. Naruto's Rasengan collided with Deidara's clay, destabilizing him mid-air. The two of them were a blur of synchronized yet independently timed attacks, seamlessly confusing their opponents. Sasori attempted to retaliate by extending Hiruko's spikes, but Sakura, anticipating the moves with her Spatial Perception, twisted her body mid-air, using chakra to deflect the blades while simultaneously landing a critical strike to Hiruko's chest. The puppet shuddered violently, cracks spiderwebbing along its exoskeleton.

"Impossible!" Sasori hissed, realizing the full scope of her power. "Not only... the antidote... but this level of precision... she's surpassing even Tsunade herself." Naruto didn't pause, unleashing a new Nine-Tails technique he had refined during his training apart from Sakura: Foxfire Rasengan, a spinning orb of chakra that burned through Deidara's clay with searing intensity. Deidara's mouth opened in a frustrated scream as he tried to disperse it mid-flight.

"Now, Sakura!" Naruto called, rolling backward to reposition himself. Sakura nodded, her hands weaving a complex series of seals. Astra Deception Form: Godly Hindrance! She projected multiple mirage doubles, each one moving unpredictably and striking in perfect coordination with Naruto's attacks. Deidara swung frantically, destroying one clone after another, only to be met by the real Sakura striking from a different angle, her Storm Fist imbued with explosive fire chakra. Chiyo stayed slightly behind, providing crucial support. She launched a series of puppetry strikes against Hiruko, disrupting its balance and giving Naruto and Sakura openings. Kakashi mirrored the movements, firing precise lightning-infused shuriken and Chidori bursts, keeping Deidara off-balance and punishing every misstep.

With a final coordinated effort, Naruto launched a massive Nine-Tails chakra Rasengan at Deidara while Sakura simultaneously slammed Hiruko into the ground using a Red Riot enhanced strike combined with her Protection Form, the impact reverberating across the chamber. Hiruko shattered, the puppet's fragments scattering across the floor, leaving Sasori momentarily exposed.

Sasori's eyes widened, disbelief cracking his usual calm. 'She... she destroyed Hiruko... my defenses!' The puppet's carapace, once thought indestructible, splintered under Sakura's strike, shards scattering like bone splinters across the cavern floor. Before he could recalibrate, Naruto's shadow closed in, golden chakra sparking like wildfire. The pair launched forward in tandem, then crossed midair, twisting in perfect synchronicity. The fluid exchange left their enemies blinking, unable to predict who would strike first. Sakura's fists lashed out, every blow a symphony of precision and elemental mastery. Lightning crackled across her knuckles, searing through Sasori's puppet joints. Wind spiraled from her elbows, snapping apart threads before they could reach her. Flames surged along her forearm, detonating with each punch until the cavern stank of smoke and scorched wood. She shifted forms seamlessly, her War Form's raw brutality braided with Resurrection Form's radiant, unyielding energy, each strike timed to rupture Sasori's defenses at their weakest point. Across the chamber, Naruto roared as his Rasengan blossomed into a storm of swirling spheres, each one buzzing with the fury of a miniature hurricane. He drove one into Sasori's chestplate, the impact sending the puppet master crashing into stone, cracks spiderwebbing through the cavern walls.

Deidara snarled, already forming a clay bird between his palms. "You'll never-" But Naruto was there, golden blur slamming another Rasengan into the bird before it could detonate, the explosion fizzing out in a shockwave of raw chakra. Sakura surged alongside him, her Storm Fist igniting into a flaming, electrified cyclone. She spun low, her heel catching the ground and launching her forward. The blow landed square against Deidara's chest, the crack of thunder and fire colliding with his clay pouch. The remaining explosives ignited in his grasp, but Sakura's chakra cocooned the blast, forcing it to implode inward and leave him writhing in his own failed detonation. The chamber quaked. Chunks of rock rained down, heat rippling through the underground air.

Sasori staggered upright, face twisted with fury, chakra threads snapping outward like a spider's web. But before he could reassert control, Naruto's clones swarmed, dragging the threads taut. "Now, Sakura!" She leapt high, her fists glowing like twin comets. With a single strike, amplified by both War and Resurrection energy, she shattered Sasori's core puppet body. The crimson fragments burst outward in a spray of chakra dust, his final puppet collapsing lifeless at her feet. Meanwhile, Naruto's clones herded Deidara into the center of the cavern, their Rasengan Barrage hammering him from every angle. The blond Akatsuki's last scream echoed as Sakura landed beside Naruto, her Storm Fist crashing down one final time, fire, lightning, and wind erupting together in a spiraling pillar that pinned Deidara against the rock. His clay shattered, crumbling into harmless dust. At last, silence. The two Akatsuki members lay broken, chakra exhausted, bodies too battered to rise. Puppets splintered, clay scattered, the battlefield littered with the wreckage of their ambition. Naruto and Sakura stood side by side, their breaths sharp but steady, eyes burning with the unshakable will of the Leaf. Together, they hadn't just fought, they had overwhelmed, weaving Rasengan and Storm Fist into a single, seamless dance of devastation. Golden light from Naruto's chakra cloak mingled with the crimson aura of Sakura's Astra Forms, casting them as twin beacons in the wreckage. The Leaf's Golden Pair. Unbreakable. Unstoppable.

Chiyo exhaled in relief. "They... they've been defeated."

Kakashi's eyes, sharp beneath his mask, studied the scene. "I didn't think it possible. You two... you've truly become the equal of each other."

Sakura stepped back, her long pink hair flowing behind her, the violet Byakugō no In glowing on her forehead, contrasting with the sharp green of her eyes. Her presence radiated an aura of calm control and absolute authority. Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo took a moment to catch their breath, still awed by her flawless execution. Sakura's expression shifted slightly, her focus now turning to Gaara's lifeless form. She raised her hybrid staff-spear, translucent rose-gold crystal tipped with a golden Sakura blossom, with a sun orb hovering above, and the chamber filled with the soft glow of concentrated chakra. The orb pulsated gently, a living extension of her power. She turned to the others, her voice steady and unwavering. "When I use the Resurrection Form of Astra, it is not my choice that brings him back. Gaara must decide whether he wishes to return to life."

Naruto's amber eyes were solemn. "I understand. It's his decision, not ours."

Kakashi adjusted his mask, his single eye focused. "I understand. There's no forcing life where it's not wanted."

Chiyo nodded, her hands wringing slightly. "He must choose. Only then can life be restored fully."

Sakura closed her eyes briefly, centering herself. Then she activated the third special technique embedded in the staff: Soul Mirror. The sun orb's light expanded, refracting into a perfect golden mirror over Gaara's body, linking directly with his soul. As the orb stabilized, Sakura's voice carried clearly into the shimmering surface. "Gaara," she said, the words soft but filled with commanding chakra, "your life is your own. You may pass peacefully, your soul at rest, or you may return to life, fully restored and whole. The choice is yours."

The moment the words left her lips, the world around Sakura shifted. The chamber, the debris, even Naruto and the others faded away. She felt herself drawn into a liminal space, a "limbo" realm, where only she and Gaara existed, a domain of pure soul energy. Gaara's form appeared before her, eyes closed, his expression unreadable. Sakura's enhanced perception allowed her to notice the subtle shifts in his aura. She spoke again, her voice gentle but firm. "See me, Gaara. You are safe here. You have the choice. Nothing will force you." Gaara's stoic demeanor wavered for a fraction of a second as he opened his eyes and saw her fully. Her long, flowing hair, the violet glow of her Byakugō no In, the poised strength of her figure, it struck him in a way he had not expected. Even the usually reserved, unflinching Kazekage felt heat rise to his cheeks, recalling the way her presence had affected him before during her mass toxin sealing mission. Sakura's gaze softened but remained unwavering. "Your life, your will. Return if you wish, or pass if your heart desires peace."

He paused, his mind racing but his heart slowly opening to the possibility of life. The golden petals of the staff swirled gently, the sun orb pulsing in harmony with the rhythm of his heartbeat. The Soul Mirror reflected not just his image, but the full vitality he could regain. After a moment that felt like an eternity, Gaara's eyes met hers with quiet resolution. A subtle nod, almost imperceptible, signaled his decision. "I... I choose to return."

Immediately, the limbo realm dissolved. Sakura reappeared in the chamber with Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo, the Soul Mirror's energy dissipating into gentle golden sparks. Gaara's body stirred; his chest rose and fell with a deep, steady breath. His eyes opened fully, unclouded by injury or fatigue, taking in the world around him with a renewed vigor. Naruto exhaled in relief, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Welcome back, Gaara."

Chiyo's tears glimmered in the golden light. "Thank the gods... he lives."

Kakashi's single eye softened, reflecting the quiet satisfaction of seeing life preserved. "He's alive. That's what matters." Sakura lowered her staff, her expression calm and composed, yet carrying the immense weight of what had just transpired. She met Gaara's eyes briefly, a faint, almost imperceptible nod acknowledging the bond they shared in this moment of life restored. For a fleeting moment, the battle-scarred hideout felt peaceful, a rare stillness in the chaos that had engulfed them. Life had been restored, and the team's resolve only hardened further, ready for whatever the Akatsuki might throw at them next.

The sun had barely begun its climb over the horizon when Team Kakashi and Team Guy, with Gaara fully restored, teleported back to Sunagakure. Sakura led the group, her presence calm yet commanding, the violet glow of her Byakugō no In faintly visible as she ensured the energy of the group remained balanced. Naruto walked beside her, visibly exhausted yet buoyed by the relief of seeing their mission succeed. Behind them, Kakashi and Chiyo followed closely, while Team Guy trailed, still catching their breath after their grueling battles. Upon arrival at the Suna Council chamber, Ebizō rose from his seat, his eyes widening as he took in Gaara, alive and unharmed. Chiyo hurried forward, the mechanical bird she had dispatched earlier still perched on her shoulder, as she embraced her brother tightly. "Chiyo... you've done it," Ebizō whispered, voice thick with emotion. "You've brought him back."

Chiyo smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "We didn't do it alone... Sakura and Naruto were crucial. They faced the Akatsuki head-on and made it possible for Gaara to come back."

At the same time, the doors to the council chamber opened and Gaara stepped forward, steady on his feet, the familiar sand armor swirling protectively around him. Temari and Kankurō rushed to his side, the siblings' eyes wide as they took in the sight of Gaara alive and whole. "Kankurō!" Gaara called, his voice strong and unwavering. He embraced his brother tightly, who returned the hug with equal intensity, still marveling that his little brother had survived the ordeal.

"Gaara... you're back," Temari said, her voice both relieved and joyful. She placed a hand on his shoulder, a small smile gracing her usually stern face. "I was worried we'd never see you again."

Naruto leaned slightly forward, a broad grin spreading across his face. "You see, I told you we'd get him back! Sakura and I had this."

Sakura stood quietly beside him, hands folded, a small, knowing smile on her lips. Her green eyes softened as she observed the reunion, though her posture remained elegant and composed, the epitome of calm authority. She had grown immensely since the early missions with Team 7, her aura now radiating both power and a protective warmth. Temari's gaze flicked to Sakura, lingering briefly as if taking note of the striking kunoichi. Gaara's eyes, however, seemed to hold a mix of admiration and quiet gratitude, remembering the unwavering resolve that had brought him back from death itself.

Kankurō stepped back slightly, his usual bravado softened by awe. "I... I can't thank you enough. Both of you... Naruto, Sakura... you risked everything."

Sakura inclined her head. "It was necessary. Gaara's life depended on it, and we could not let the Akatsuki succeed."

Naruto punched the air lightly, a triumphant grin on his face. "Yeah! And besides, there's no way we were letting him stay dead!"

Chiyo placed a hand gently on Gaara's shoulder, her eyes filled with pride. "You are whole now, Gaara. The village can breathe again, and you have a second chance. But remember, strength is not just about the battle. It is about living fully for those who depend on you." Gaara nodded, taking a deep breath, his mind briefly replaying the surreal encounter with Sakura in the Soul Mirror realm. The memory of her serene composure, her flowing hair, and the soft command of her chakra stayed with him, a strange warmth in his chest that he could not entirely name.

Sakura, noticing his contemplation, gave a small, gentle nod in acknowledgment, silently communicating that his choice and courage were what mattered most. Naruto caught the glance, elbowing Gaara lightly. "Hey, don't get all mushy on me now! You've got a village to protect!" The room filled with quiet laughter and relief, a rare moment of peace in the storm that had enveloped Sunagakure. For the first time in days, the village felt whole again, and at its center stood Gaara, alive and restored, surrounded by those who had fought, risked, and triumphed to ensure his survival. The siblings clasped hands, Chiyo and Ebizō offered blessings, Naruto and Sakura stood ready, and even the weary Team Guy members looked on, proud of the successful mission. It was a moment of reunion, healing, and unspoken respect, for life, for courage, and for the bonds that had carried them all through darkness.