Naruto - The Sannin.

[ Previously ]

Far from the sand village, the ritual had already begun, where it had taken hours for the summoner to prepare and assimilate the chakra of the members:

- This will take three days and three nights. Take care of the body and Zetsu, I want you to keep watch outside.

- Understood. - The distinguished-looking being replied seriously, whereupon another said:

- Three days... Shouldn't we wait longer? Orochimaru is no longer with us.

- If you think so, then get started. - The purplish-eyed leader replied.

- Right. - Another member also replied. However, this one had familiar red eyes with black tones.

- Indeed. - Deidara, who until then had been one of the only ones with his appearance exposed, simply responded by forming hand seals.

Which had made the summoned monster's nails glow a ruby green with titles similar to the ring on their Akatsuki:

Fuinjutsu: Genryuu Kyuu Fuujin! - (Sealing of the Nine Ghost Dragons!)

The leader had said that a kind of bluish energy had condensed from the humanoid's mouth, forming several bluish dragons.

These dragons attacked the unconscious Kazekage, causing him to float inside the bluish sphere that was forming. Finally, a kind of bubbling red energy spread from the Kazekage's eyes and mouth towards the monster's mouth, making his eyes bulge.

[ Currently ]

 [ First Arc: Kazekage Rescue ]

== Sunagakure no Sato ==

It had been a very turbulent night for the sand shinobi. The desert wasn't calm at all at night, where it was brutally cold and an immense sandstorm was raging hundreds of meters in front of the lodgings.

Many children needed their parents' attention to get a decent night's sleep, and even they were worried about the chaotic situation.

They were lucky that no rival village had found out about the crisis that had arisen, because there was no doubt that enemies would attack them at that moment if they found out about the situation.

Uzumaki Naruto knew this well, and went to great lengths to act as a Shadow Kazekage. He had commanded hundreds of ninjas to clean and renovate the village, and had made the villagers hunt for food in a few safe areas. The children might not have been too fond of scorpion meat, but it was one of the only animals to be found in the area.

His clones stood guard next to each tent, where together with the sand ninjas they were able to protect everyone from the strong wind that a sandstorm was causing hundreds of meters ahead.

With each passing moment, Uzumaki felt even more resentment towards this evil organization. He didn't know what their goals were with the Tailed Beasts, he didn't know what harm they would do to the world by bringing them together. But one thing was certain, he would be there to stop them, even if he had to kill every one of them in the process.

His daydreams shifted between Akatsuki, the sand village and the roar he had heard two days ago, and he still couldn't understand why it had so unsettled his mind, as if something was influencing him to the point where even his meditations weren't enough to keep him calm with nature. He didn't understand why he had heard it, but Naruto was sure that it had something to do with the sand village that had been destroyed the moment he woke up.

Speaking of Uzumaki Naruto, he was currently standing in the center of the village as dawn broke with the desert's rising temperature.

Where I was standing, I could see ten long rows of makeshift tables.

His clones used cut logs to serve as a table, where with the explosion of smoke derived from the disappearance of hundreds of clones, it was eventually possible to notice a strong aroma of caffeine along with the smell of pre-baked homemade bread.

[ ... ]

Haruno Sakura, who was closest to the entrance of the village because the medical wards were located there. She had simply come out of her tent, where she had already prepared for the day and had been attracted by the delicious aroma coming from inside the destroyed village.

She walked down the long refurbished corridor, still a little drowsy, but she could feel Naruto's chakra signature where she knew he was up to something early on.

In order to find out everything, she could just make out ten long tables full of jars of coffee and bread rolls, where she noticed her friend sitting at the table closest to the stairs.

She had clearly felt the same, but had chosen to continue her meal after all the morning running around the village minutes ago.

- Naruto? - The rosy-cheeked girl, who until then had been a little sleepy, asked under the Uzumaki's attention.

- Ohayo, Sakura-chan.

- What is all this? Where did you get these things? - Sakura asked with a smile, and it was impossible not to answer, as the blond seemed extremely happy and proud of what he was doing.

- Since we'll be leaving the village to rescue Gaara, I've chosen to prepare breakfast for everyone, since they'll have to work hard to erect those three walls while rebuilding the village. - Naruto replied as he placed some bread on a tray next to the cup of coffee he had given Haruno. - Going without proper food for two days wouldn't do them any good and we need to help with everything we can. - Finally, the Uzumaki said before taking another slice of bread from his tray.

- Don't you think you're overdoing it a bit? I know that helping them at this time is good, but you don't have to go overboard. - Sakura said confused by all the things Naruto was doing, where she was even more confused when he looked at her with a completely serious face.

- Look around, Sakura... What do you see?

- The village. I mean, the destroyed village. - Sakura replied.

- Exactly! An entire village was destroyed by a single person in a single night and all at once, with no chance of recovery. A Kazekage has been kidnapped, these people are alone, without protection, shelter, funds or any means of help, because all their things have been atomized, being lucky that Gaara has protected them to the point of not having any civilian casualties.

- There are children, old people and villagers who can't survive a single night in the desert if they're alone.

- I'm doing all this fearing the worst... Because if Gaara can't return, the village will at least receive help and won't disappear from the map permanently.

- I know we've been friends since an early age, but it's not you who should be asking me why I'm doing so much, it's me asking you why you're not doing your best on a Rank-S mission.

- I respect your medical work and everything you've learned from Oba-chan, but all day yesterday all I saw was you acting cynical about everything I did. Kakashi-sensei wasted an entire day writing reports about the Kyuubi chakra that had spread from my body.

- I just think they should know how to act both professionally and humanely. The village is in crisis, if we help it... in addition to achieving a firm alliance between villages, we will gain the respect of each of them so that when we are in the same situation, we can at least count on each other's help. - The blond had said it all, and the rosy-cheeked girl had never imagined being taught a moral lesson by him.

- You've really changed... you haven't even said a word about Sasuke-kun. - Sakura said, a little startled by Naruto's outburst.

- I haven't changed Sakura! I've grown up... I'm no longer giving priority to the Uchiha, he made his choice and I made mine, he's an adult and must take responsibility for his actions.

- Give priority to the mission, because I won't talk to you again until it's over. - Naruto finished where Haruno didn't know what to say. Then, stepping away from the makeshift table as he headed up the first flight of stairs, the blond simply turned around one last time: - Eat up... you'll need your strength for the day. - Naruto said with a smile, not a fake one, but one determined by the fact that his plan was going well, where many villagers were already showing themselves at the top of the stairs, attracted by the smell of breakfast

[ ... ]

{ Two Hours Later }

Over the last hour, the Uzumaki had gotten himself properly ready for his mission, putting on his camouflage outfit where you could only see the marks on his face next to his bright blue eyes.

Sakura had taken care of the medical wards where she couldn't help thinking about the way her friend acted.

And finally, Kakashi had a short debate with one of his main invocations, which was nothing more than an extremely fast small dog.

He had been sent ahead in search of the Akatsukis, one of whose clothes had been torn by Kankuro.

It was intelligent and even noble of the Kazekage's brother, who had risked his life until the last second to at least have a chance of hunting down the enemy who had kidnapped his brother.

Naruto understood this, and for this reason he wouldn't distract his attention from the main focus. He would save his friend even if he had to summon "those two".

Standing in front of a platoon of Suna shinobi, Temari was debating with Kakashi about his assistance in the mission, at least that's what she was saying until Baki interrupted the conversation.

- Temari-sama, I will unfortunately have to prevent you from coming to Kazekage-sama's rescue. - Her sensei, who was now Suna's leading Jounnin, reported where he saw her frown.

- It's good to have a good explanation, otherwise no one will stop me from saving Gaara. - The kunoichi carrying a huge fan replied immediately.

- Unfortunately, hundreds of ninjas who were guarding the village were killed before the battle, and we are on the brink of a crisis worse than the one that broke out with the destruction of the village. By order of the council, I have been assigned to keep it here under the guard and safety of the villagers.

- This is ridiculous! The best thing to do is get my brother, only with him will we have real security. - Temari squawked again, and before she could even reply, she had both shoulders held and massaged lightly.

When she looked back, she saw a blond man wearing an exotic outfit that she had only seen him wearing when they came to the village.

- Naruto? - The blonde, whose hair was slightly darker than that of the man behind her, asked in confusion as she felt his hands work perfectly to relax the muscles in her shoulders.

- Baki is right! The village is in an extremely worrying crisis... we're trying to help everyone by getting here early, helping with the general renovation, feeding everyone and securing clones during the turbulent nights, but we won't be able to rescue your brother while we worry about the village's safety.

- The village needs you here to protect everyone as a direct replacement for the Godaime Kazekage, your two brothers need to understand that you are safe and not risking yourself against the Akatsuki... - Naruto continued to say, where he now let go of her shoulders and walked in front of her under the watchful eyes of Kakashi and Sakura.

- And I... I need you here safely. Tell you what... I promise I'll bring your brother back alive. - Finally, the Uzumaki said with his eyes shining with pure determination, at which Sabaku was slightly disconcerted, his arm caressed affectionately as a source of support, whereupon the blonde finally nodded in agreement.

- Thank you... I'm counting on your help. - Temari answered in a straightforward manner, where it was strange for her to reel off what she really felt.

Sakura wanted to talk to her friend, but then she remembered what he had said a short while ago:

- "Give priority to the mission, because I'll only talk to you again after it's over."

Then, before anyone else could say anything, a loud voice was heard, interrupting the two blondes' moment.

- I will... - The voice of the old sand woman came from the top of Suna's main wall.

- If you need a ninja from the Sand Village! I'll be more than enough. - Chiyo said with a wrinkled smile, where she jumped from her location, falling perfectly to the ground as if she weighed nothing.

Sakura and Kakashi were surprised at her agility and good disposition for her age, and only Naruto sharpened his eyes in the direction of a scroll that was at her waist and could only be seen by the lifting of her cape as she fell.

- I've been wanting to see my grandson for a while now... so, yes! I'll be Sunagakure's support in rescuing the Godaime Kazekage. - Finally, the old woman said, whereupon the team leader took the lead.

- It's time to go. - Kakashi said, as Naruto pulled his hood over his face so that only his mouth, the three marks and his blue eyes were visible.

- Forgive us. I'll try to convince the superiors to change their minds. - Baki said with some remorse that they were preventing him from picking up his student.

- We'll catch up with you later. - Temari finished where she could see everyone running off, giving a glimpse into the bright blue eyes of the hooded Uzumaki.

[ ... ]

Skillfully jumping under the trees on the border of the fire country, where two shinobis in greenish garb insisted on rushing each other in a racing contest.

They have been censored for the tenth time in the last half hour.

- Hey! You're going too fast! - Said a Kunoichi with two buns in her hair. - So far we haven't stopped.

- Tenten, you haven't been training much. - One of the members of her team, dressed in green, commented as he stared at her.

- Of course... I work all day with my parents outside the village, especially now that Naruto-kun has sent me a package like that. - The girl called Tenten replied immediately.

However, they were soon interrupted by a brunette with long hair:

- Lee, in front of you! - The pearly-eyed brunette warned seriously, where his team immediately stopped under a branch as they watched a dog run off into the foliage.

- Wait a minute, Gai! - A small dog with a bandana wrapped around its head alerted the team leader, who had been surprised by its presence just then.

- Pakkun! - Gai asked, under the dog's quick consent.

- Change of plans! Naruto has already taken care of all the chaos in the destroyed village. Team Kakashi is currently heading towards the Akatsuki base. - The ninja dog will inform everything that Kakashi has assigned him and especially the location of the base.

With his task complete, he soon set his sights on Konoha in order to notify the Goddess Hokage of the current situation.

[ ... ]

It had been three hours since Team Kakashi had aimed for their immediate departure from Sunagakure.

At all times, Naruto showed that he was in better physical condition by not slowing down or even complaining of tiredness or sweating.

Unlike Sakura, who was looking for something to talk about with Kakashi and Chiyo, while the hooded blond Uzumaki made another jump and increased the distance between his team by ten meters.

Chiyo found it strange that the Uzumaki was so concerned about the Kazekage. She had never seen the red-haired man make friends in the village, but it was remarkable how much respect he had always shown to a ninja of the leaf.

At that moment, the old woman remembered the tattoos on the boy's stomach, an action that had served as a click for one thought and theory to connect to another, arriving where it was needed most.

- Hey! He's one of the nine, isn't he? - The old woman asked, under the pink woman's attention and Hatake's consent.

- I never thought that a Konoha ninja would care so much about an outsider... even if he is a Jinchuuriki, this boy is different.

Chiyo will continue where Hatake left off:

- Naruto is a case in point! He is the Jinchuuriki of the most feared beast, but he has never been shaken by it. Not even in his childhood when he had the truth thrown in his face, or when the whole village harassed him.

- In a way, he feels he has to protect Gaara like an older brother protects another. Because in any case, they are both thoughtful brothers. - Kakashi quoted, making the rosy-cheeked girl think.

- Kakashi-sensei, I've heard about these Jinchuurikis, but what are they really? I've never gotten concrete answers, where the village books are vandalized with information removed.

- Jinchuuriki means "Power of Human Sacrifice". People used as a receptacle for a demon, who are nothing more than monstrous beasts with tails from one to nine.

- Naruto is the Jinchuuriki of the fearsome Nine-tailed Fox, the same beast that had caused a catastrophe in the village years ago, causing all the hatred towards it to fall on Naruto's shoulders in the process.

- Gaara finds himself in the same state, the Jinchuuriki of the One-tailed Tanuki. A boy who had the same lifestyle as Naruto, who now pays for it against enemies who seek to acquire this power by force.

- You may not understand..., but everything Naruto did in the Sand Village was aimed fifteen steps ahead in case their Kazekage couldn't return alive from our mission. - Kakashi explained everything, making the old woman and the pink one stare at the masked Uzumaki's back.

They were all about to continue. However, the Uzumaki soon alerted them as he looked back, making his eyes change from sky blue to dark gold in an attempt not to expose anything of his identity:

- Stop talking and save your breath. There's someone fifty meters ahead. - His voice came out very thick, his style that of a born ninja focused on the mission.

Without showing emotions that compromise you, without scattering thoughts with trivialities and, above all, never letting your guard down.

[ ... ]

Far from Team Kakashi's location, the Green Beast Team from Konoha were running fast and agile under a dry, rocky place.

They all showed focus on the mission and silence where they kept their formations intact.

The first of these was Maito Gai, who took the lead with his raw power in Taijutsu.

Rock Lee followed on the leader's left flank, trying to protect the rear of the team's support.

Who was none other than Mitsashi Tenten, the leaf village's top weapons expert.

His skills were aimed at a five-meter field around the team, just behind all the members.

There was Hyuuga Neji, the team's sensor, who had both great skills to protect each member of the team and to sense and locate enemies at least fifty meters ahead.

Under everyone's attention, the team's sensor soon warned:

- We're being followed. - He said as he forced his agile eyes to find the enemy.

Then he quickly stopped and gave an immediate warning:

- Behind us! - The Hyuuga reported, on the direct order of the leader who had called for the initial formation, following a kind of blade wrapped in bandages that followed them through the rocky soil, destroying part of it in the process.

Seeing that the enemy's action had been useless, he soon showed his presence under a local rock.

He was a burly man with an animalistic appearance, much like a shark. His blade was on his back, which seemed to tremble in excitement at his animated face.

- It looks like we'll have a second round... I hope you have something more to show since our last encounter, Green Beast of Konoha. - The man in the black suit with the red cloud print said to the team leader, who made a serious face.

- You... - The green beast of Konoha muttered in immediate surprise at the Hyuuga of the team, who had turned his gaze on his enemy.

- This guy is dangerous... the only person I've ever seen with that much chakra was Naruto... - Neji said in surprise, and then alerted his two teammates.

- You... - The team leader's voice came again. - Who are you again? - Finally, he said in doubt, causing the enemy's smile to wilt in disappointment.

- "What's strong is also dumb..." - Hoshigaki Kisame thought as he began to perform countless hand seals with a huge tsunami rising from the rocky ground behind him.

[ ... ]

Falling nimbly under an open field, Naruto sharpened his golden eyes for the Henge he wielded there.

Kakashi, who until then had been the captain, had taken the lead of the team, where he was already staring worriedly at the dark-haired man in black robes with red clouds printed on them.

He looked at everyone seriously, then stopped his gaze on Naruto, who was hiding in his Six Paths Suit.

- "A null aura?" - The brunette asked himself, where he could see the man saying something to the rosy-cheeked woman and yet still seeming to have his senses tuned to everything around him.

- Uchiha Itachi. - Kakashi had said, stepping forward with his team, which was soon in formation.

- Hm... - The Uchiha muttered as he faced the hooded man and raised his arm in front of his chest, pointing his finger at Kakashi, seeing that he had avoided any eye contact.

Noticing what was happening there, Naruto soon appeared in front of Kakashi in a body shimmer, where he closed the Hatake's field of vision and pointed his finger at the Uchiha in the same way he did.

He had finally spoken:

Chakura no Hari! - (Chakra Needle!)

Naruto dictated seriously with his tone of voice altered, at which a small orange sphere spread from the tip of his index finger, where it swiftly invested itself in the shape of a long needle against the Uchiha's finger, who had his technique impeded, as a result of which there was an uncomfortable burning on the tip of his index finger and an uncomfortable pain as if a needle had pierced under his nail.

- Thanks, Menma... - The Hatake said, surprised by the technique that the gray-haired man could tell was capable of killing someone, whether it was with the right power and in the right place. The codename had proved perfect for concealing his student's identity. - But that's all right! I'll take care of this guy. - Finally, the gray-haired man said as he pulled up his bandana, showing his famous copying eye.

- Just like in the past? - Menma said in reference to when Kakashi had taken the lead against Zabuza and Naruto had protected his team's rearguard, with them doing the same to themselves.

- Exactly... but this time you're the substitute leader while I'm busy fighting. I trust your decisions. - At last the Hatake had said it, and once again Menma had used a body flicker, but this time in front of Haruno and the elder of Suna.

They promptly stood aside to protect the rear of the trio formation.

- Hey, Naruto, is that really Uchiha Itachi? The brother that Sasuke-kun said he wanted to kill? - Haruno said under the blond's censure.

The element of surprise had always been a good weapon, but it seemed that her friend still had a long way to go before she knew how to behave like a ninja.

- Yes! It's him... but I sense something different, so don't let your guard down. And please call me by the alias I gave you at dawn. - Finally, the blond man in the hood said this, and saw Itachi create a large sphere of flames that attacked his sensei. However, he was soon able to infiltrate the ground and escape from the point of impact.

- "So this is the boy who single-handedly murdered an entire clan... he's dangerous." - The old woman thought to herself, her hands going straight to the scroll she had brought with her to her waist.

- Concentrate on the feet, from what I understood until seconds ago, the enemy is able to use Genjutsus just by pointing his finger.

- If you look into his eyes or anything he indicates, that's it. - Menma informed the two women beside her.

Noticing that the action had finally begun in battle, the Hatake charged into the ground with a kunai, causing the Uchiha to dodge and a clone was created, charging directly at the trio of ninjas.

In one swift action, Menma had made sixteen hand movements in one second, which ended with him stomping on the ground and creating a large crack.

Katon: Keshimakuga Hara! - (Fire Release: Extinction Curtain Field!)

Having said his piece, Naruto quickly spat out a great expanse of fire at the beginning of the crack, which he followed to the spot of the clone trapped in the rocks. At first it boiled underneath him and then exploded in a huge, fiery show of fire that finished off his opponent's clone, finally staring him in the face before dispersing.

- A technique of the Toad Sage... admirable. - The real Uchiha muttered in self-analysis, whereupon Kakashi, already on the ground, forced a kunai into his opponent's throat, but to no avail.

Then the Uchiha looked away and turned his gaze on the gray-haired man, who was holding him tightly by the back of the neck, making him tremble inertly where he stood.

At the same moment, Menma stared at everything around him, where he saw Sakura and Chiyo lying, and when they got up, they became the image of two Itachi men in cloaks. The same with Kakashi, who had done it last.

- KAI! - The hooded man shouted and made a hand seal, which then caused the whole sky to crack and he was surprised to see an Uchiha about a meter away from him with a prepared punch.

Menma blocked the direct blow with his eyes closed, and as the Uchiha stared at the boy like a solid wall that didn't move, he only had time to advance his Sharingan stage and receive a sharp peck, with Menma muttering: Senjutsu - 1st Stage.

If he were to be permanently caught in that Genjutsu, the Uchiha would surely make him have an illusion of Sasuke, or even discover his identity.

However, Menma's advanced reasoning allowed him to come out of this with an advantage over the Uchiha.

Sakura and Chiyo stared at him in amazement as Kakashi woke up from the genjutsu.

He had a downcast look on his face, and that Genjutsu had certainly not lasted a few seconds, but had been much more powerful or traumatic.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

- It seems that even I am sometimes surprised by Konoha. - Itachi had said, massaging his arms, clearly feeling the force of the impact he had taken there.

- There are many things you don't know, Uchiha Itachi..., but there are many things I don't know either.

- For example:

- Why would an Uchiha genius who showed love for his clan and honor for his village. would practically murder his entire clan out of the blue. - Menma had initially said under the Uchiha's attention.

- These are very strange and complex things in life.

- Perhaps the so-called "villains" are actually "good guys" - Menma said again, but now it was possible to see a tiny smile, temporary and imperceptible to the others. But it hadn't escaped the Uzumaki's sight.

- But it doesn't matter anyway! Your organization kidnapped a Kazekage, destroyed a village and put hundreds of lives at risk... That's unforgivable to me. - Finally, the Uzumaki said where he entered a fighting pose that no one there knew.

The Uzumaki's right leg was turned in front of his body, as was his arm, which showed two fingers joined together in the cheek area, similar to the seal of the Nara clan.

His left leg was behind him, and his arm was in the same direction, but his fist was clenched around his waist.

- Let's go! Attack me... I just want to see. - Menma teased, where the Uchiha continued to stare at him seriously.

Performing countless hand seals at breakneck speed. Itachi jumped backwards, throwing ten shurikens in the process.

Katon: Hõsenka Tsumabeni! - (Fire Release: Crimson Nail Wise Phoenix Flower!)

The same dictated, where he launched ten flames of fire that embedded themselves in the shurikens, which were guided towards the Uzumaki.

Tal Uzumaki who had already performed his hand seals, with nine spheres of fire appearing behind his back.

Katon: Kitsunebi! - (Fire Release: Fire Fox!)

Naruto dictated his technique in which he performed ten fast punches and kicks in the air. At the same moment, the spheres charged at the ten flaming shurikens, causing medium-sized explosions at the point of impact.

Seeing the Uchiha still in the air. Menma quickly jumped up, where he threw a left punch and a right kick at his opponent.

An act promptly defended by the same man, who had shown no effort to follow the movements of the always active Sharingan.

As they fell, the brunette quickly swung his arm horizontally, where the layer of chakra contained there was noticeable, which would have easily cut the Uzumaki in half.

But in the midst of this, Naruto had pushed him, followed by both of them falling to the ground and continuing a sequence of physical blows.

They were punches, kicks and Taijutsu arts that each specialized in, proving to be equal in this regard.

With one last triple kick to Naruto's chest and an answering triple punch to the Uchiha's face, they both crawled across the ground.

With Naruto heading towards his teammates and the Uchiha near other trees.

Sakura and Kakashi even said something. However, Menma quickly unsheathed his two medium-sized blades, which soon appeared behind the Uchiha in a rapid body flicker.

- "That speed? It's the same as Shisui's." - Itachi thought in surprise, whereupon the Uzumaki behind him took the two blades and swung them horizontally at his opponent.

From a distance, Sakura was already rooting for her friend to win, but the Uchiha immediately performed a skillful flip in the air, where his body passed through the gap between the two blades.

Making him able to kick the Uzumaki to the side who had crawled a few meters and position himself properly on the ground.

The Uchiha, who had been standing up until then, soon began to bleed from the eyes, as his Sharingan's tomons began to come together in a new shape.

But only in his right eye, where he immediately put his hand in front of it and from there a reddish glow spread out, forming a kind of medium-sized reddish gourd in the palm of his hand, which contained an expanse of golden flame as a blade.

Then his eyes quickly returned to normal, and it seemed that the Sharingan was no longer accessible.

- Do you also understand kenjutsu? Truly a prodigy... - Menma commented, to minimal laughter from the Uchiha.

- You're strong! So strong that you made me resort to the Totsuka sword... - The Uchiha said under protest from Hatake, who told Menma not to let his guard down.

Menma's opponent had a faraway look in his eyes as he stared at the strange weapon in his hands, but one thing was certain. If he had had to activate the Mangenkyou Sharingan to bring this Totsuka to bear.

It certainly wouldn't be a simple clash of blades.

[ ... ]

At the same time, the confrontation between Uzumaki Naruto, codenamed Menma, and Uchiha Itachi was taking place.

The Green Beast of Konoha was in dire straits against his beastly opponent.

The fight had already lasted more than an hour, where his students had unfortunately been caught by water clones a short time ago, trapped in spheres of such elemental manipulation.

In the midst of this, Maito Gai had managed to maintain good conditioning in the battle against his enemy, but now things were looking a little more serious.

Located in a large sea that his enemy had created in the rocky biome there, the green beast of Konoha found himself surrounded by sharks that insisted on keeping him trapped there until he needed air.

His enemy was just above the surface of the water, where he was laughing about his battle.

This one was certainly more intense than the last one they had years ago.

- You know... I thought our match might be more exciting. But apparently... a Taijutsu user will always be just a Taijutsu user. - Kisame said as Gai looked around in a last-ditch attempt to escape.

He had already been through the five "meals" of the aquatic sharks, where he saw that sticking to the basics wouldn't help him get out of there.

With a smile breaking out on his face and getting Hoshigaki's attention.

He straightened both arms in front of his face, closing his eyes in the process.

Hachimon Tonkou! - (Eight Inner Gates!)

His thoughts focused, where his mind had even rid itself of any trivial thoughts.

Kaimon: Kai! - (First gate: Release!)

The green beast had thought that the veins in its body were more apparent, showing signs of being forced through the "Opening Gate", with its base power multiplying 5x.

Kyumon: Kai! - (Second gate: Release!)

The green beast thought that the veins in his body were atrophying even more along with his muscles, showing signs of being forced by the "Gate of Healing", with his base power multiplying 6x.

Seimon: Kai! - (Third gate: Release!)

The green beast had thought that its chakra network was forcing it to move at a much faster pace than usual, as it was activating the "Gate of Life", with its base power multiplying 7x.

Shoumon: Kai! - (Fourth gate: Release!)

The green beast had thought that its chakra network was doubling the work it was doing every second in relation to the activation of the "Gate of Pain", with its base power multiplying 8x.

Tomon: Kai! - (Fifth gate: Release!)

The green beast thought that its body had a greenish aura spreading, with great bursts of heat and energy that destroyed the sharks around it, referring to the activation of the "Boundary Gate", with its base power multiplying 9x.

- AAAAAAAAHHH... HACHIMON TONKOU!!! - Gai shouted euphorically as the water around him was raised to a temperature beyond reason and he could no longer touch his body.

KEIMON: KAI!!! - (SIXTH GATE: RELEASE!!)

Finally, Gai had said that his body had glowed with a luminous heat from the activation of the "Gate of Sight", with his base power multiplying 10x.

A heat so great that it will temporarily blind everyone and destroy all the sea sharks raised there.

- What's that? - Kisame asked, jumping up from where he was, because the temperature of the water had hurt him, along with the shock waves that were propagating from his opponent.

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH - Gai screamed even more, the energy in his body increasing by the second, and the green beast screamed euphorically.

- "This is my chance!" - Neji, who was far from the epicenter of the battle, thought about where to activate his Byakugan in order to get himself and his friends out of Akatsuki's trap. His eyes traversed the entire length of the clones, where he soon focused on a single region between them. - "Right here." - Neji thought, stepping into the Hyuugas' common position.

Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou! - (Sixty-four blows from the eight deities!)

The Hyuuga said, activating his technique. After a shout, the sphere of water around him immediately dispersed, frightening his companions.

Then, with exquisite Hyuuga skill and movement, Neji invested against the three clones, where he diversified the sixty-four blows to three Kisame.

His team didn't want to waste any more time, so they invested at the same time:

Konoha Dai Sempuu! - (Great Leaf Swirl!)

Rock Lee used three powerful kicks to knock his clone down.

Bakuyaku! - (Explode!)

Tenten simply used an explosive pellet stuck to one of them, followed by a kick that carried him backwards.

Causing an average explosion, thus giving Team Gai victory over the Water Element clones.

As they looked up. Each of them could see Maito Gai and Hoshigaki Kisame face to face.

The Akatsuki struggled against the Green Beast of Konoha, which literally looked like a beast. They beat it into the air while using the torrents of water to propel themselves.

Lee showed increasing surprise and admiration for his sensei, who used a position known only to him.

Akatsuki's Samehada lunged at the green beast, which he easily deflected, followed by a flaming kick, which smashed into his opponent's face, disfiguring him grotesquely and lifting him even higher.

Without even being able to regain his sense of logic, Hoshigaki was promptly targeted by Gai, who appeared in front of him and punched him hundreds of times, with flames spreading from the spot and passing through the Akatsuki.

Asa Kujaku! - (Morning Peacock!)

The green beast of Konoha will continue to punch the enemy's body, only to deliver the final blow on the count of 999 to 1000.

At the same moment, Kisame fell from the enormous height, already nothing less than an extremely disfigured corpse, charred by the extreme flames, which were only extinguished by his contact with the expanse of water on the ground.

- It's over. - Gai murmured with ragged breathing under the attention of his students. They had never seen such brutality in their sensei, but they loved seeing how he had mastered and murdered his enemy with Taijutsu alone.

[ ... ]

At the same time as Team Gai's confrontation with Akatsuki Hoshigaki was coming to an end. The confrontation between Uzumaki Naruto, codenamed "Menma", and Akatsuki Uchiha Itachi reached its climax.

Both ninjas fought professionally using both Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.

Kakashi was increasingly surprised at the level his student had reached in three years. He realized that he wasn't using everything he had in the short moments when he had suddenly shown himself to be superior. However, he didn't let the enemy get the upper hand either.

The Totsuka sword that Uchiha Itachi had demonstrated was something quite surreal. A weapon with a seal embedded in it, which allowed Menma to be even more careful after one of its blades was sealed, with the simple contact of it, the orange flames of flames.

A sealing sword, which was certainly something the Uzumaki didn't have the skills to fight right away.

He aimed to study the way his opponent used it, the characteristic shape of the seal, and even whether the Uchiha showed fatigue in such a long confrontation.

But it was unreal the way he fought, it didn't even seem to be his real power. And that he was holding back just as the blond was still carrying a card up his sleeve.

Facing his team, who were at a safe distance, the blond soon made a final attack on the Uchiha.

Using his total body flicker to the extreme, Menma sprang onto the Uchiha's back and immediately forced a horizontal cut. However, Menma had also acted quickly, deflecting it from below with a sweep of his hands.

He finally said:

Senjutsu: Toad's Kata! - (Sage Art: Toad Throw!)

Menma mentioned where he had slapped the Uchiha in the stomach, immediately carrying him ten meters away from the blond as he gasped for breath.

Then, seeing that the Uchiha would get up immediately, Menma made a hand seal.

Katon: Chōshinsei! - (Fire Release: Supernova!)

Having said that, Kakashi and Itachi's eyes widened as the temperature in the room rose dramatically within seconds.

It was as if the sun was approaching the planet, because the temperature was not from flames but from the sunny biome of the day itself, which was soaring high

It was worse for the Uchiha, who found himself with a flaming weapon in his hands, making it unbearable to handle, due to the heat waves that reddened the skin of his hand, forcing him to deactivate the technique, where the Totsuka sword soon disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

The situation was not good for the Uzumaki either, as being at the center of this heat wave had affected his breathing.

This was promptly taken advantage of by the enemy, who had also used a body flicker, but directly in front of Menma.

He closed his arm, waiting for a physical attack. However, he was startled by his opponent performing a hand seal.

Where he sucked air into his lungs:

Futon: Sutõmu! - (Wind Release: Storm!)

Itachi had said this in an attempt to cause damage with a strong wind like a storm. However, this only caused Menma's hood to fall behind his back, whereupon the Uchiha was surprised to see who was in front of him.

- Naruto-kun? - The Uchiha said impressed and surprised, where a bluish luminosity prevailed below him with the blond's serious and murderous face.

Already weak from the fight, it was impossible for the Uchiha to fight back against Naruto's onslaught. A lacerating pain appeared in his stomach, as if his skin were burning and his internal organs were being torn apart, with a grotesque explosion coming out of his back along with his guts and a lot of blood gushing out of the affected area.

- Oodama Rasengan! - Finally, the final blow could be heard, as the Uzumaki used his brute strength to propel the Uchiha's body forward.

Who, before being taken away, had given a proud smile with blood dripping from his mouth. Which resulted in the Uchiha's body being carried hundreds of meters in front of the Uzumaki's location.

Even before the impact hit the ground, the Uchiha's body was already a corpse with a torn chest and organs scattered across the ground, where only his final smile remained in Naruto's mind.

- What was that smile? - Naruto asked himself, as he sat on the floor and tried to take deep breaths to stabilize his lungs. Of course, he couldn't help but hear an animalistic laugh inside him, which was surely his orange dog enjoying the brutality of the fight.

Kakashi was the first to reach him, where he offered his help with a very proud smile, along with Sakura's impressed look and Chiyo's astonished one.

In her eyes, the Uzumaki was strong. But what she had seen there was unusual for someone of her age.

He had even shown that he wasn't exhausted, but just out of breath.

If she had any doubts about Naruto's word to Temari, those doubts have now been completely removed. What she wants to know is what this boy will do to the Akatsukis when he finds them.

And with that we end the sixteenth chapter of The Sannin.

I know many of you have been waiting for new chapters. But I've really stalled on the ideas. I knew what I was going to do, in fact... I know what I'm going to do until chapter 50.

I decided to make the fights more realistic, as this isn't a work aimed at underage children, so when a Rasengan is used well, the real damage it would cause will be narrated and shown when it affects the enemy, as well as other techniques.

However, the ideas for these two confrontations weren't flowing.

I knew what I wanted, but I couldn't feel motivated to put it into words.

Anyway... I think there will be new chapters soon, so keep your comments coming. See you XD

-- Characters Introduced and Their Fighting Powers --

 -----

Uzumaki Naruto:

Level: 325

Fighting Power: 650

 --

Force: 6,500 Kg

Speed: 3,250 Km/h

Resistance: 6,500 Kg

Chakra: 1,250,000

-----

-- Senjutsu: Gama 1 --

Level: 2,600

Fighting Power: 5,200

 --

Force: 52,000 Kg

Speed: 26,000 Km/h

Resistance: 52,000 Kg

Chakra + Senjutsu: 1,250,000 + 1,250,000

----------------------------------------------------------

Hatake Kakashi:

Level: 500

Fighting Power: 1,000

 --

Force: 10,000 Kg

Speed: 5,000 Km/h

Resistance: 10,000 Kg

Chakra: 200,000

-----

-- Sharingan --

Level: 1,500

Fighting Power: 3,000

 --

Force: 30,000 Kg

Speed: 15,000 Km/h

Resistance: 30,000 Kg

Chakra: 200,000

----------------------------------------------------------

Uchiha Itachi:

Level: 360

Fighting Power: 720

 --

Strength: 7,200 Kg

Speed: 3,600 Km/h

Resistance: 7,200 Kg

-----

-- Sharingan --

Level: 1,080

Fighting Power: 2,160

 --

Strength: 21,600 Kg

Speed: 10,800 Km/h

Resistance: 21,600 Kg

-----

-- Mangekyou Sharingan --

Level: 2,160

Fighting Power: 4,320

 --

Strength: 43,200 Kg

Speed: 21,600 Km/h

Resistance: 43,200 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------

Hoshigaki Kisame:

Level: 525

Fighting Power: 1,050

 --

Force: 10,500 Kg

Speed: 5,250 Km/h

Resistance: 10,500 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------

Hyuuga Neji:

Level: 46

Fighting Power: 96

 --

Force: 920 Kg

Speed: 460 Km/h

Resistance: 920 Kg

-----

-- Byakugan --

Level: 138

Fighting Power: 276

 --

Force: 2,760 Kg

Speed: 1,380 Km/h

Resistance: 2,760 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------

Mitsashi Tenten:

Level: 43

Fighting Power: 86

 --

Force: 860 Kg

Speed: 430 Km/h

Resistance: 860 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------

Rock Lee:

Level: 50

Fighting Power: 100

 --

Strength: 1,000 Kg

Speed: 500 Km/h

Resistance: 1,000 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------

Maito Gai:

Level: 500

Fighting Power: 1,000

 --

Force: 10,000 Kg

Speed: 5,000 Km/h

Resistance: 10,000 Kg

-----

-- Kaimon - 1st Gate --

Level: 2,500

Fighting Power: 5,000

 --

Force: 50,000 Kg

Speed: 25,000 Km/h

Resistance: 50,000 Kg

-----

-- Kyumon - 2nd Gate --

Level: 3,000

Fighting Power: 6,000

 --

Force: 60,000 Kg

Speed: 30,000 Km/h

Resistance: 60,000 Kg

-----

-- Seimon - 3rd Gate --

Level: 3,500

Fighting Power: 7,000

 --

Strength: 70,000 Kg

Speed: 35,000 Km/h

Resistance: 70,000 Kg

-----

-- Shoumon - 4th Gate --

Level: 4,000

Fighting Power: 8,000

 --

Force: 80,000 Kg

Speed: 40,000 Km/h

Resistance: 80,000 Kg

-----

-- Tomon - 5th Gate --

Level: 4,500

Fighting Power: 9,000

 --

Force: 90,000 Kg

Speed: 45,000 Km/h

Resistance: 90,000 Kg

-----

-- Keimon - 6th Gate --

Level: 5,000

Fighting Power: 10,000

 --

Force: 100,000 Kg

Speed: 50,000 Km/h

Resistance: 100,000 Kg

----------------------------------------------------------