Black Ops: Anbu Naruto

It wasn't Naruto's fault. The Nine-Tails' chakra was far too powerful for him to handle—when he was younger, he couldn't safely train with it at all. Even the smallest mistake could result in serious injury—or even total loss of control.

He only tapped into that power during life-or-death battles.

Jiraiya insisted Naruto focus on refining his taijutsu and basic ninjutsu until he could safely handle small amounts of the Nine-Tails' chakra.

From then on, Naruto began consciously controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra—but soon after, it was sealed away again.

So yes, even when tapping into the Nine-Tails' chakra, he preferred channeling it through his taijutsu, mostly using it to boost his speed and strength.

That was his fighting style. But it wasn't easy. Overusing the Nine-Tails' chakra made him aggressive and impaired his judgment—especially when he entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

His fight in Amegakure proved exactly that. So he had to choose between precision and raw power—he couldn't have both.

But now, with Sage Mode, he had another option—an approach that promised self-improvement well into the foreseeable future. His mastery of Sage Mode was incredibly powerful—even Jiraiya admitted Naruto had surpassed him, which was high praise indeed.

"Why should I fight like the others?" Naruto shot back. "The reason I haven't been captured yet is because I fight differently. Only you, me, Gaara, and B remain—and we're all pretty messed up."

Yugito merely frowned but didn't reply.

Suddenly, her gaze snapped to something ahead. "Naruto, look."

Both stopped running, exhaled in relief upon seeing what lay before them, and quickly approached.

It was a Konoha ninja squad of more than twenty shinobi resting within the forest clearing.

"Hey!" Naruto shouted, successfully drawing their attention. He and Yugito dropped down in front of the group. "Are you heading to the frontline?"

The Konoha ninja exchanged glances, and one of them shrugged.

"That's right. We're escorting some backup forces there."

This was perfect news for Naruto and Yugito. With the current situation being what it was, traveling together offered much greater safety. As jinchuriki, they were Akatsuki's prime targets.

And just like that, the two joined the group, continuing onward toward the border between Rain Country and Frost Country under the protection of the Konoha ninja—their destination lay at the border.

They failed to notice how, at the back of the group, several ninja exchanged knowing glances.

##Gaara vs. Pain##

"You actually dare face me alone?" Pain said, shifting into a fighting stance.

Gaara stood farther away on the open ground, expressionless.

"I suppose you must know who I am, and why I'm here today. Yet instead of fleeing, you've come alone. Is this what it means to bear the responsibility of the Kazekage…?"

"No," Gaara answered coldly. "This has nothing to do with the Kazekage's duties or your threat to Sunagakure. Look around—you've already destroyed everything worth targeting here."

"This is merely my own desire... my wrath against you." Gaara's voice was filled with seething resentment. "A friend stopped me from rashly attacking Amegakure, but now you've fallen right into my hands. Perhaps I should be grateful to him."

Before his words had fully faded, the Asura Path suddenly launched an attack. Its arm morphed into a rocket-propelled fist, hurtling straight at Gaara.

"Gauntlet Fire Arrow!"

Gaara was ready. A defensive barrier swiftly rose before him, forged from his sand, blocking the devastating impact of the rocket punch.

At the same time, he directed waves of sand surging toward the Deva Path—Pain's primary vessel, at least the one he most often used to speak through. However, the Animal Path abruptly stepped between them, absorbing all the chakra-charged sand waves.

Gaara gritted his teeth, frustration welling up inside him.

"So this is the power that nullifies all chakra?"

This ability was terrifying. Whenever his sand made contact with the Preta Path, it became utterly useless.

"This is bad."

The ability required neither hand seals nor any preparation. Simply coming into contact with anything related to chakra caused the chakra to be absorbed. What could he do? His entire combat style revolved around controlling sand.

Pain's other Paths gave Gaara no chance to think of countermeasures or plan his next move. They launched an immediate assault on the immobile ninja.

The Human Path, Asura Path, and Animal Path all tried to break through Gaara's defense, but the sand moved too fast.

Right now, Gaara's absolute defense was active—unbreakable, stronger than ever before.

While forcing back the Human Path and repelling the Asura Path, Gaara noticed the Animal Path attempting to summon a creature within his defensive range.

There was no way he would allow that to happen. Acting decisively, he struck out and seized the body once known as Danzo.

His only hope was to strike fast and hard. He must exploit every weakness his enemies reveal. Thinking of action, he acted immediately—launching his attack: [Desert Coffin: Layered Funeral!]

In an instant, the sand crushed the Animal Path and flung it aside like a helpless ant, offering no resistance. Gaara turned to face the Asura Path rushing at him again, bracing himself for a devastating counterattack.

The Asura Path continued observing Gaara's movements, striving to ignore the Preta Path's influence—even though it negated all his attacks.

He considered eliminating the other Paths first a sound strategy, but letting the Preta Path roam unchecked was unacceptable—even if it might ultimately be pointless.

The Asura Path adopted a bold strategy—charging straight into Gaara's sand defenses, allowing the sand to cloud his vision and fully enclose him.

Just as Gaara thought he was about to attack, the Asura Path unleashed "Shinra Tensei!"

The immense repulsive force violently dispersed the sand, leaving Gaara completely exposed to the attack.

Suddenly, the Asura Path halted mid-motion and spoke:

"Your evasion tactics are impressive, but I see through your every move."

The Human Path, Animal Path, and Preta Path witnessed what followed—immediately after the Asura Path unleashed Shinra Tensei to scatter Gaara's sand, Gaara substituted himself with a Sand Clone.

The Six Paths of Pain gave Gaara no chance to catch his breath, immediately lunging toward him. The Preta Path took the lead, using its eerie chakra-absorbing ability to nullify the waves of sand barraging them.

Just before they got close, Gaara focused his chakra, bringing his palms together. [Sand Binding Prison!]

The ground beneath the Preta Path and Asura Path suddenly gave way, forming a trap.

Even so, the Preta Path was helpless this time—they both plummeted into the trap.

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