Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

As Shikamaru and Naruto found themselves cornered by an onslaught of crystallized shurikens, Kirito appeared just in time. With a swift motion, he summoned an ice wall using Ice Release, shielding them from the incoming attack.

Shikamaru immediately recognized Kirito's handiwork. "He's here," he muttered, a hint of relief in his voice.

Leaping down from the trees, Kirito landed beside Shikamaru and Naruto. "Go. I'll deal with her," he said firmly.

Boom! Kirito swung his molten fist forward, burning a fiery path through the forest, creating an avenue for escape.

Naruto didn't hesitate. "Thanks!" he shouted, dashing toward the blazing path without a second thought, his mind fixed on reaching Sasuke.

Kirito shook his head as he watched Naruto charge ahead. True love, he thought wryly.

Shikamaru, however, lingered for a moment, torn between helping Naruto and staying with Kirito. But when a cold wind extinguished the flames ahead, clearing the path, Shikamaru gave Kirito a grateful nod. "Thank you!" he said before following Naruto.

With the others gone, Kirito turned toward the forest. There, a blue-haired woman in a green windbreaker emerged from the shadows.

Guren... Kirito thought, recognizing her as the Crystal Release user from Shippuden. Her presence puzzled him. She shouldn't be here yet. Has Orochimaru escalated his plans because of me?

Kirito stepped forward, his right hand glowing with molten lava. He launched a fiery punch toward Guren's position.

"Crystal Release: Emerald Crystal Hexagonal Pillar!" Guren responded, summoning a massive crystalline wall to block the attack.

Boom! The crystalline wall shattered under the lava's force, sending molten fragments surging toward Guren like a tidal wave. But she leaped back in time, narrowly avoiding the searing destruction.

Kirito didn't let up. He sprinted across the molten terrain, his lava-infused feet leaving glowing trails as he closed the distance. He launched a powerful kick, which Guren blocked with a crystallized arm, though the force sent her flying backward.

"Crystal Release: Crimson Crystal Shuriken!" Guren countered, launching razor-sharp red shurikens at Kirito.

Kirito caught the projectiles in his molten palm, melting them instantly. He retaliated with another lava punch, the fiery fist hurtling toward Guren.

Kakaka... The lava fist crystallized mid-air, transforming into a massive block of shimmering crystal.

"It worked," Guren smirked. "My Crystal Release can crystallize any substance except chakra."

She climbed onto the crystallized lava fist, rushing toward Kirito along its surface.

"Crystal Release: Crystal Pentagonal Prison!" she shouted, encasing Kirito in a massive crystalline pillar.

Within the translucent prison, Kirito stood frozen, seemingly trapped.

"Goodbye," Guren sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "To think someone like you was a threat. Lord Orochimaru really needs to have more faith in us."

Crack!

Her confidence was short-lived. Kirito's arm shot out from within the crystal, shattering it as though it were made of glass. In an instant, he swiped at Guren with molten precision, but she dissolved into a crystalline figure, breaking apart upon impact.

That was a clone, Kirito realized, his Byakugan confirming her absence. So, the real Guren never showed up...

Though the encounter hadn't been real, Kirito had gained something valuable: the ability to replicate Crystal Release.

Crystal Release... along with Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku. This opens up new possibilities, Kirito mused. Now I have more to experiment with when I return to Konoha.

Activating his Byakugan, Kirito scanned the area and quickly located Naruto and Sasuke in the Valley of the End. As expected, the two were locked in a heated battle, their fierce clash mirroring the pivotal moment in the original timeline.

He noticed Shikamaru lying unconscious nearby, likely caught in the crossfire.

"Kirito, what's going on?" Tenten's voice startled him from behind. Turning, he found her standing much closer than expected, peering intently at him.

"Naruto and Shikamaru are safe. I just dealt with a Crystal Release user," Kirito replied calmly.

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "What do we do now? Catch up to them?"

"Let's go," Kirito said. He had intended to monitor the battle from afar but decided to follow Tenten instead.

By the time they reached the Valley of the End, the fight between Naruto and Sasuke was over. Emerging from the woods, they found Shikamaru trudging toward them, carrying an unconscious Naruto on his back.

"Sorry," Shikamaru said, his voice tinged with guilt. "We couldn't bring Sasuke back."

Shikamaru explained how he had been knocked out during the fight and how Naruto had fought valiantly but ultimately lost. After regaining consciousness, Shikamaru had used his Shadow Possession Jutsu to force Sasuke back and retrieve Naruto, but Sasuke had still managed to escape.

"Can we still catch him?" Tenten asked anxiously.

Kirito shook his head. "It's too late. Sasuke has already crossed the border out of the Land of Fire. Orochimaru's men picked him up."

Shikamaru's face fell further. "I see... Then we failed."

"It's not your fault," Kirito said. "This mission was stacked against you from the beginning. Sasuke made his choice, and Orochimaru was prepared for everything."

Kirito glanced toward the direction where Sasuke had disappeared. Naruto, your journey is just beginning. Save Sasuke when the time is right.

As he turned back to the group, he spoke with determination. "Let's return to Konoha. There's much to prepare for."

(End of Chapter)