After realizing communication had failed, Naruto Uzumaki once again used the Shadow Clone Technique and began forming a sphere in his hand.
With a serious gaze, Naruto charged toward Sasuke Uchiha.
Rasengan!
Sasuke closed his eyes and reopened them, revealing his Mangekyō Sharingan. The initial form of Susanoo enveloped him, providing protection.
Naruto's attack didn't have much effect on Sasuke.
Naruto stared at Sasuke in shock. Then Sasuke controlled Susanoo, forming a massive hand that reached out to grab Naruto.
The situation turned urgent. Yamato flashed to Naruto's side, forming hand seals.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!
Boom!
In an instant, rows of wooden pillars rose from the ground, enclosing Naruto and Yamato, blocking the impact of Susanoo's arm.
Once the wooden pillars dispersed, Sasuke tilted his head slightly and calmly looked at the two of them.
"Do you understand the gap between us now, Naruto?" Sasuke said slowly.
Naruto clenched his fists tightly, then stood up, staring at Sasuke as he summoned shadow clones again.
Once more, he began forming a sphere in his hand.
Sasuke shook his head slightly.
"Give up. You can't hurt me."
"You won't know unless I try!" Naruto's eyes were resolute.
Soon, the sphere in Naruto's hand began to change. Sasuke frowned slightly.
"This is the result of my training!" Naruto shouted, then charged at Sasuke again.
Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!
Sasuke's expression grew serious as he braced himself.
Soon, the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken collided with the initial form of Susanoo.
Sizzle—!
Sasuke frowned as cracks actually appeared in Susanoo's initial form.
Boom!
Since Naruto had only recently developed the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, he couldn't throw it yet. Using it at close range caused him to be caught in its energy storm. Naruto was blasted backward and collapsed unconscious on the ground.
Seeing this, Yamato quickly rushed forward to check on Naruto.
After the smoke cleared, Sasuke remained unharmed. Although Susanoo had cracked, it still held.
Of course, part of the reason was that Sasuke didn't yet fully understand the Mangekyō Sharingan, having only awakened it a few days ago.
But recalling the power of Naruto's technique just now, Sasuke gave a faint smile.
Yamato watched Sasuke warily, but Sasuke had already lost interest. Glancing at Naruto, he said indifferently, "Take him and leave."
Yamato checked Naruto's condition—there was no time to waste—so he carried him away.
After they left, Suigetsu Hozuki stepped forward and asked,
"Weren't we supposed to deal with them? You're just letting them go?"
Sasuke didn't reply. He slowly turned around and began walking toward the Hidden Leaf Village.
Karin and Suigetsu quietly followed behind him.
Yamato carried the heavily injured Naruto as he rushed back toward the Hidden Leaf Village. Meanwhile, Pakkun, who was following beside them, suddenly spoke.
"I'm not sure what's going on, but Sasuke Uchiha seems to be heading toward the Hidden Leaf Village!"
Hearing this, Yamato paused slightly mid-run before regaining his composure and continuing forward expressionlessly.
...
Land of Wind, Hidden Sand Village.
Two figures wearing straw hats and black cloaks embroidered with red clouds appeared at the entrance of the Hidden Sand Village.
Itachi Uchiha adjusted his hat and glanced at the Sand ninja stationed at the gate.
The patrolling Sand ninja also noticed Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.
"Black cloaks with red clouds—this is… Akatsuki!"
Kisame grinned and was about to step forward to attack, but Itachi raised a hand to stop him.
Kisame looked at him in confusion. "Itachi-san, what is this…?"
"I'll handle it," Itachi said calmly.
In an instant, Itachi activated his Sharingan and cast a genjutsu on the Sand ninja.
Some of them collapsed, while others stood dazed in place. Itachi and Kisame walked into the Hidden Sand Village as if strolling through a garden.
"Itachi-san, won't this strain your body? Maybe next time I should handle it. These guys aren't worth your effort," Kisame said.
Itachi slowly shook his head. "It's fine."
Suddenly, Itachi recalled something Rorin had mentioned to him earlier. He paused, then turned to Kisame and said seriously,
"Kisame, remember this—when we fight later, don't take off your clothes."
Kisame didn't quite understand, but since it was Itachi's instruction, he committed it to memory and nodded.
Itachi gave a slight nod and continued forward.
Along the way, Itachi used genjutsu to move without obstruction, eventually arriving in front of the Kazekage's office building.
"It's time to begin, Kisame," Itachi said, glancing at him.
Meanwhile, inside the Kazekage's office, Rorin, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and smiled faintly.
"It's starting."
Boom!
Kisame used Samehada to break through the wall, and he and Itachi entered the Kazekage's office.
Gaara's gaze turned serious. "So you've finally appeared… Akatsuki!"
Team Three also immediately entered battle stance.
"You're the One-Tail jinchūriki, aren't you? Good. Come with us," Itachi said calmly, looking at Gaara.
"That's not up to you!" Rorin flashed in front of Gaara, his body bristling with bone spikes as he stared at Itachi, full of fighting spirit.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to be here as well—Kaguya," Itachi said indifferently.
"Hmph! I won't let you take Gaara!" Rorin declared firmly.
Without another word, Itachi activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The second form of Susanoo rose towering behind him.
The giant hand of Susanoo swept toward Rorin and Gaara.
Boom!
The Kazekage's office was instantly reduced to ruins. Everyone else retreated, and only then did the rest of the Hidden Sand Village realize a battle had broken out.
Kisame stood beside Itachi, inwardly amazed.
"As expected of Itachi-san!"
Rorin looked at Gaara with a serious expression and said worriedly,
"Gaara, this won't work. He'll turn the entire Hidden Sand Village into chaos. We need to leave the village and find an open area to fight. Otherwise, protecting the villagers will divide our attention and put us in danger."
"Since his target is you, if we leave together, he should follow us," Rorin suggested.
Gaara nodded slightly, agreeing.
Rorin then placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder and used the Flying Thunder God, instantly appearing outside the village. He turned back to look at Itachi.
Itachi frowned slightly, then looked at Kisame.
"Kisame, I'll leave things here to you. Remember what I told you."
Kisame smiled and nodded calmly. "Don't worry."
As soon as he finished speaking, Itachi dismissed the second form of Susanoo and chased after Rorin and Gaara in the direction they had left.