Naruto:Dark Return

Aburame's shout was so loud that Sasuke, who was tending to Sakura nearby, heard clearly.

"Nine Tails broke the seal?" Sasuke muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "That Naruto just now… was actually the consciousness of Nine Tails?"

His face twisted in shock, but beneath the surprise, a flicker of relief flashed in his eyes.

"So that overwhelming strength isn't Naruto's but the demon fox's!"

Sasuke clenched his fists, staring at the intense battle in the distance. "If I couldn't match him before, now I can rest easier knowing it's not really him. He's just a container."

A twisted smile crept onto his lips. The thought that Naruto wasn't inherently superior filled him with a strange sense of satisfaction.

Nearby, Sakura stirred, groaning softly as she regained consciousness.

"Ugh… What happened?" she mumbled, blinking at the blurry figure above her.

"Sasuke?" she asked, her voice shaky but hopeful. "Did you save me?"

Sasuke looked down at her, his face emotionless. "No, I didn't save you. Naruto did. Well, not Naruto exactly..."

"What?" Sakura sat up, rubbing her temples. "What do you mean, not Naruto? And where's that imposter teacher?"

Sasuke gestured toward the battlefield. "Look for yourself."

Sakura turned her gaze to the fight and gasped.

There stood Naruto—or something that looked like him. His body was enveloped in a dense, red, ominous Chakra, a single fox-like tail swaying behind him. His movements were swift and merciless, the air around him filled with a suffocating, malevolent pressure.

"That's Naruto?" Sakura's voice trembled. "Why does he look so… terrifying?"

Her heart raced as she watched. Despite the fear, an inexplicable thought crept into her mind. "He's strong… and kind of... captivating?"

Realizing her thoughts, Sakura shook her head furiously. "No, it's because he's so serious, like Sasuke. That's all!"

"What are you mumbling about?" Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes at her odd behavior.

"Nothing!" Sakura blurted, quickly redirecting her attention to the battle. "Look! Naruto's moving again!"

Ichiro sneered as he heard Aburame Torune call him "Nine Tails" once more.

"Really? That again?" Ichiro drawled, rolling his eyes. "Can't you come up with something more original? Maybe I'm the Fourth Hokage or the spirit of a ramen chef."

Torune hesitated, his expression faltering. For a brief moment, he considered the possibility that this wasn't Nine Tails at all.

But then he shook his head. "Cunning fox! You're trying to confuse me!"

"You're bluffing," Torune accused, his confidence returning. "If you were truly so powerful, you wouldn't need this much time to deal with me. You're stalling for backup to arrive, aren't you?"

Ichiro burst out laughing, his voice echoing menacingly.

"Backup? From Konoha? You must be dreaming." His expression darkened, and with a sudden burst of speed, he vanished.

In an instant, Ichiro reappeared in front of Torune, his Chakra tail slashing down like a guillotine.

But Torune was ready. He bit the glove off his hand, revealing a grotesque purple palm. As the Chakra tail struck, his hand intercepted it with a sizzling sound.

"Poisonous insects," Torune said with a smirk. "Nanoscale poisonous insects that dissolve anything they touch. Even Chakra barriers won't save you."

Ichiro stepped back, observing the purple blotches spreading across his Chakra tail.

"Impressive," he admitted, retracting the tail. The blotches faded as quickly as they appeared.

Torune's smirk faltered. "What? How—"

"Your little bugs can't touch me," Ichiro interrupted, his voice dripping with disdain. "This Chakra isn't just borrowed power. It's mine."

Unfazed, Torune raised both hands to his face, forming a seal.

"Secret Technique: Poison Dust!"

A thick, purple mist spewed from his palms, rapidly enveloping Ichiro.

Torune stepped back, his confidence returning as he watched the mist surround his opponent.

"No one can survive this technique," he muttered, his lips curling into a grin.

For a moment, the battlefield was silent. But then a figure emerged from the mist, his red Chakra flaring violently.

"That's it?" Ichiro asked, his voice mocking. "I expected more from an Elite Jōnin."

Torune's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible! Even with a Chakra barrier, my poisonous insects should have penetrated your body!"

"Should have," Ichiro agreed, taking a leisurely step forward. "But they didn't."

Torune stumbled back, his composure cracking.

"Why aren't you dead yet?" he shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.

End of the Chapter.

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