Naruto: Different Path

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Since the previous battle, Konoha has been on the defensive. 

Danzō has been scheming to eliminate Ao, but the Mizukage vigilantly protects him, leaving Danzō unable to act. 

Tsunade, receiving reports of Jiraiya's slow progress and Danzō's continual retreat, is forced to send additional reinforcements. 

This decision leaves Konoha stretched thin, effectively exposing its defences as a gamble. Despite the reinforcements, the situation remains grim for Danzō's side.

The events on the battlefield attract attention beyond the warring factions. Other nations, such as Kumogakure, closely monitor the situation. 

Raikage, ever the aggressor, sees this as a prime opportunity. Historically, Konoha has been the strongest hidden village, with Kumogakure trailing just behind. 

Raikage believes that defeating Konoha will elevate Kumogakure to the strongest village. 

While there are dissenting voices against initiating a war, the pursuit of national interest ultimately silences them. Raikage personally leads an elite squad to the Land of Fire. 

Confident in his village's strength, he makes no effort to conceal their movements, and Konoha quickly catches wind of the attack. 

Facing threats from three sides—Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure—Konoha finds itself in dire straits. 

The daimyo of the Land of Fire, pale and distressed, has no choice but to request aid from the Land of Wind. However, Sunagakure faces its challenges. 

Following the death of the Fourth Kazekage at the hands of Orochimaru, the village struggles with limited resources and a reduced shinobi force. 

While Sunagakure is initially reluctant to intervene, their strategists recognize that Konoha's downfall could spell disaster for them as well. 

Begrudgingly, they send reinforcements to Konoha. 

When Tsunade leads the remaining Konoha forces, along with Sunagakure's reinforcements, to the border of the Land of Fire, Raikage's forces have already arrived. 

Seeing the Sand shinobi, Raikage sneers, "At least Sunagakure isn't entirely foolish. You've come to Konoha's aid, but it's too late."

Tsunade steps forward, attempting diplomacy: "Raikage, this war will only bring loss to both sides. Even if you win, you'll sacrifice countless comrades. Do you want this?"

Raikage retorts, "In the ninja world, war is inevitable. For the sake of my village's prosperity, sacrifices must be made." 

"Right now, my forces far outmatch yours. Surrender would be your wisest choice."

Angered by his arrogance, Tsunade lashes out with a mighty punch. Raikage dodges, but the sheer destruction of her attack gives him pause. 

Despite her show of strength, Tsunade understands that Konoha's forces are at a disadvantage. Without a miracle, defeat seems certain.

Meanwhile, Naruto has been training in Mount Myōboku, mastering Sage Mode. 

When he finally enters the perfected Sage Mode, Fukasaku marvels, "No petrification at all—a perfect Sage Mode! You've even surpassed Jiraiya." 

Naruto notes that he gathers natural energy faster than expected, possibly due to the influence of Hashirama's cells.

Fukasaku, however, warns, "Sage Mode requires stillness to gather natural energy. Even if you're faster, you'll become an easy target on the battlefield." 

"The only solution is for me to fuse with you during combat to assist with gathering energy." Naruto agrees, but the attempt at fusion fails. 

The interference of Kurama's chakra prevents Fukasaku from maintaining the bond.

Frustrated, Fukasaku insists Sage Mode is now impractical, but Naruto has prepared alternative strategies, such as using shadow clones to gather natural energy in advance.

Still, these are only temporary fixes. As Naruto prepares to return to Konoha, Fukasaku is suddenly summoned away via a reverse summoning jutsu. 

Realizing the dire situation, Naruto concludes that only Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, could force Jiraiya into summoning Mount Myōboku's elders. 

Konoha is in imminent danger. Returning to Konoha, Naruto finds the Hokage's office occupied only by Koharu and Homura, the village elders. Sensing something amiss, Naruto demands, "Where is Lady Tsunade?"

Homura responds, "She's gone to confront the Raikage." Hearing this, Naruto realizes the gravity of the situation. 

He leaves two shadow clones behind to gather intel and prepares to head to the battlefield himself. Using Flying Raijin, Naruto teleports directly to the frontlines.

On the battlefield, tensions are high. Konoha and Kumogakure forces are poised for battle, with Tsunade visibly worried about their precarious position. 

Suddenly, Naruto appears in a flash, clad in a white cloak.

Tsunade turns, surprised. "Could it be…?"

Naruto nods reassuringly. "Leave it to me."

He strides past her, positioning himself at the forefront of Konoha's forces. Tsunade breathes a sigh of relief, thinking, He's finally here.

Naruto pointed at the Raikage and said, "As the Raikage, do you dare to face me in a one-on-one duel? If you lose, you will temporarily withdraw your troops today."

The Raikage, seeing that his challenger was just a teenager, roared in anger, "What?! A brat like you dares to challenge me?" 

"Fine! All of you, stand down. Let me teach him a lesson." His body crackled with lightning chakra as he charged at Naruto. 

The Raikage's forces, obedient to his command, refrained from attacking Konoha's troops, watching the confrontation unfold.

The Raikage's punch was terrifying in both speed and power. Against a child-like Naruto, he believed such an attack was more than sufficient. 

However, Naruto countered with a punch of his own. Seeing Naruto mirror his stance, the Raikage scoffed, already envisioning the boy being sent flying. 

Yet, as their fists collided, he was shocked to feel an immense force emanating from Naruto's comparatively small hand. The impact was evenly matched, stunning both sides.

The Kumogakure shinobi murmured in disbelief, "Who is this kid? How can he block the Raikage's punch with such strength?"

Meanwhile, Konoha's shinobi were equally astonished. "Isn't that the Nine-Tails' brat? Who knew he had such incredible power?"

Retracting his fist, the Raikage remarked, "For someone your age, I acknowledge your strength. What's your name?"

Naruto replied confidently, "Uzumaki Naruto."

The Raikage's expression shifted. Uzumaki… That's the clan of the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito.

Determined, the Raikage raised three fingers, concentrating a massive amount of chakra into them, further energizing his body. 

His shinobi watched in awe, thinking, For the Raikage to use the Three-Fingered Strike... Who is this boy?

As the Raikage's speed increased, Naruto remained vigilant. He hurled a flurry of kunai marked with Flying Raijin seals, retreating while creating two shadow clones. 

"Sage Art: Giant Rasengan!" The three Rasengans formed a barrier in front of the advancing Raikage. 

Confident in his power, the Raikage attempted to plough through the technique, and the collision unleashed a shockwave that forced weaker shinobi to retreat. 

Both combatants stepped back, sizing each other up. The Raikage was stunned. At his age, he's already this strong… What is this child?

Realizing the stakes, the surrounding shinobi from both villages retreated to avoid being caught in the clash. 

The Raikage, now fully charged with Lightning Release, caused his hair to stand on end, amplifying his speed to its peak. 

Instead of a direct attack, he manoeuvred behind Naruto with unparalleled agility.

Naruto anticipated the Raikage's movements and scattered more Flying Raijin-marked kunai. 

Just as the Raikage's Three-Fingered Strike was about to connect, Naruto vanished. 

In an instant, he reappeared behind the Raikage, slamming a Giant Rasengan into his back. 

The Raikage stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance before flipping back upright.

Glaring at Naruto, he said, "That was… Was that the Fourth Hokage's technique? I've only ever lost in speed to him."

Naruto smirked. "If you've lost to the Fourth Hokage before, today, you'll lose to me as well."

The Raikage growled, "Even if you surpass me in speed, my strength lies in my indestructible body—the ultimate shield—and my unmatched offensive power—the strongest spear." 

Concentrating his lightning chakra into a single finger, he prepared the devastating One-Finger Strike.

Naruto, unfazed, said, "Impressive, Raikage. Only you could execute such a powerful Lightning Release. But my speciality is Wind Release, which counters Lightning."

"Let's see whose jutsu prevails today."

Naruto created two clones, gathering an enormous amount of chakra into a spiraling, shuriken-like form. 

"Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!" Empowered by Sage Mode, the jutsu crackled with terrifying intensity. 

The Raikage, startled by the sheer energy, began moving at top speed, searching for an opening.

"You have an impressive Wind Release," the Raikage taunted, "but no matter how strong it is, it's useless if it can't hit me."

Suddenly, Naruto reappeared behind the Raikage, landing the Rasenshuriken squarely on his back. 

The attack exploded, unleashing its full power in a massive detonation centred on the Raikage. 

Cloud shinobi cried out in panic, "Raikage-sama, are you okay?!"

As the dust cleared, the Raikage's lightning armour had completely dissipated. 

Seeing his chance, Naruto teleported beside him using Flying Raijin and delivered a crushing punch. 

The Raikage coughed up blood as his forces rushed to his aid, forcing Naruto to retreat to Konoha's ranks.

A Kumogakure ANBU urged, "Raikage-sama, let's attack together! Even if we can't defeat him, we'll make Konoha pay!"

The Raikage shook his head. "No. I've lost. I never expected Konoha to produce a genius surpassing the Yellow Flash. We're retreating for now."

Despite their anger, the Kumogakure shinobi obeyed his command. 

Medics attended to the Raikage as he sat up, muttering, "So, you marked me during our first exchange… It's Minato's technique. I've lost again."

With their leader injured, Kumogakure's forces withdrew. The Konoha shinobi erupted into cheers, surrounding Naruto in celebration. 

Even Tsunade and the others couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, seeing in Naruto a new Yellow Flash or should they say Black Flash.

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