After rendezvousing with Team Guy, Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten were visibly surprised by Naruto's transformation. Compared to the boisterous, shorter boy from before, Naruto had matured significantly, both in height and demeanor.
Back then, Naruto had always seemed like the shortest among them, often overshadowed by the likes of Sasuke and even Kiba. But now, after his intense training with Jiraiya and mastering Sage Mode, his presence was different—calmer, stronger, and more imposing.
Lee exclaimed, eyes wide, "Naruto! You're even taller than me now! This fills my youth with sadness!"
"Haha, train harder and you'll get there eventually," Naruto replied with a relaxed grin.
Oddly, everyone present gave him strange looks. If training alone were the key to growth, then by all logic, Lee—who trained relentlessly day and night—should have towered over them all.
Still, Naruto's casual remark hung in the air with an odd weight, though no one questioned it directly.
Rock Lee tried, in his usual enthusiastic manner, to strike up a conversation with Sakura, offering to carry her gear. However, the moment he got too close, Sakura clenched her fist instinctively—and Lee stepped back, sweating nervously. Ever since she'd demonstrated her monstrous strength during the bell test, no one dared take her lightly.
Kakashi took the opportunity to speak, serious as ever. "We now know the enemy's hideout. But if we approach together, we risk slowing down and giving them time to complete the extraction."
He turned to Might Guy. "Splitting into two teams will give us a better chance of reaching them in time."
Guy gave a decisive thumbs-up. "I agree with Kakashi's plan. It's a more youthful strategy!"
Without further delay, the two teams broke off—Team Kakashi heading with Chiyo toward the cave, and Team Guy diverting to destroy a barrier seal detected through Kakashi's ninja hound Pakkun.
Meanwhile, inside a cavern deep in the Land of Rivers, Akatsuki had begun the extraction ritual on Gaara. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path loomed above, draining Shukaku from Gaara's body under the direction of Pain, leader of the Akatsuki.
As the process continued, White Zetsu's voice echoed from the edge of the ritual ring. "Apologies for the interruption. I've confirmed the approach of Konoha shinobi."
Black Zetsu followed. "They'll arrive in less than thirty minutes if not intercepted."
The image projections of Akatsuki's members flickered slightly in the gloom. Hidan scoffed. "Tch, already?"
Tendo Pain responded calmly, "The extraction still needs at least three more hours to complete."
He turned toward the others. "Who will delay them?"
Uchiha Itachi stepped forward. "I will handle the Konoha ninja."
Kisame grinned and stepped beside him. "Might as well make it a team effort."
Pain gave a slight nod. "Very well. I'll prepare the Shapeshifting Technique."
Moments later, both Itachi and Kisame were enveloped in a mysterious light. The Shōten no Jutsu—the Shapeshifting Technique—allowed them to transfer a portion of their chakra into sacrificial bodies elsewhere. These clones would retain their abilities, though only at 30% strength.
As their doppelgangers awakened somewhere outside the cave, Kisame stretched his arms. "This jutsu of Pain's is pretty wild. But 30%… that's not much to work with."
"We only need to stall them," Itachi replied, emotionless as ever. Yet deep inside, thoughts of Sasuke lingered.
Kisame smirked. "Stalling's easy. Let's get started."
Back on Naruto's side, Team Kakashi advanced quickly through the dense forest with Chiyo matching their speed surprisingly well for her age. Just as they reached a forest clearing, a lone figure emerged from the trees.
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Uchiha Itachi!"
A wave of tension surged through the group.
Itachi stepped forward, his Sharingan glowing. "It's been a while, Kakashi."
His calm tone only added to the pressure. Kakashi remembered all too well their previous encounter—when Itachi trapped him in Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu so powerful it left him bedridden for days. He clenched his fists and raised his headband, revealing his own Sharingan.
Sakura's gaze flicked between Kakashi and the man in front of them. So this was Sasuke's older brother—the one responsible for the massacre of the Uchiha clan. She had heard the name before, but never imagined the man could carry such chilling composure.
Chiyo watched silently. She knew of Itachi's infamy. An S-class missing-nin from Konoha, former prodigy of the Uchiha. But it wasn't her place to interfere in Konoha's internal affairs.
Naruto, however, remained eerily calm. Internally, he recalled a pivotal detail from the original timeline. During a later encounter, Itachi would entrust him with Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan—specifically, the ultimate genjutsu Kotoamatsukami, capable of rewriting a person's thoughts.
Although that moment hadn't happened yet, Naruto saw this as an opportunity. If he could subtly demonstrate his unwavering dedication to Sasuke, perhaps Itachi would plant the seed of trust in his mind.
After all, no matter his crimes, Itachi still cared deeply about his younger brother.
Without warning, Itachi formed hand seals and exhaled a massive Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. A roaring sphere of flame surged toward them.
But this wasn't the Team 7 of old. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Chiyo leapt apart with perfect coordination.
Kakashi, not wasting any time, activated his Sharingan fully. Recently, he had felt subtle changes in it—a strange resonance from Obito's eye, hinting at a new power yet to be unlocked. He hadn't tested it, but suspected it might be the same level of power as Itachi's Mangekyō.
Elsewhere, Team Guy was also advancing quickly. As they neared one of the cave's outer seals, a towering figure blocked their path.
It was Kisame Hoshigaki—wielding his massive blade, Samehada, grinning wide.
Lee cracked his knuckles. "This guy again!"
Guy stepped forward. "So our youthful rematch begins!"
The two faced off without delay. Kisame's chakra surged, his clone body powered just enough for battle. Lee and Neji took stances while Tenten prepared weapons in the rear.
Thus, the two fronts were established. On one side, Kakashi and Itachi were about to clash in a duel of genjutsu and tactics. On the other, Guy and Kisame reignited their legendary rivalry.
A confrontation born of war, loyalty, and hidden truths was about to unfold.