Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

Back when Kisame and Itachi infiltrated Konohagakure, Naruto was just a kid. 

At the time, Kisame never gave him a second thought beyond the fact that he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

In just a few years, Naruto had grown remarkably. 

He had taken down two of Kakuzu's hearts in one blow and even defeated Pain, the leader of Akatsuki's public operations not long ago.

Now, even Obito felt threatened by him, forcing him to adjust his plans. 

Kisame spoke in a low voice. 

"You're someone Akatsuki is destined to take. You've also taken something he desires. We are natural enemies. I see no reason for you to save me."

Naruto replied, 

"Things always happen suddenly. Reasons are something we find afterward."

Kisame countered, 

"Even so, whatever your motives may be, I won't act as you wish."

Naruto smiled faintly behind his mask. 

"I understand. That's exactly why I admire you." 

"Ugh..." 

"Urgh..."

Raikage and Killer Bee were still down, yet to recover. The impact of their exchange, even at that speed, hadn't killed them—proof of their resilience.

Darui and the other Kumogakure ninjas hurried forward to assist. 

Darui said, 

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... It's you again. Wasn't causing chaos at the Five Kage Summit enough for you? The boss gave you a break after much discussion, but here you are again. What do you want?" 

Naruto glanced at Killer Bee and set aside his memories of the past. Standing firm, he replied, 

"He wanted to save his brother. I want to save someone too. Isn't that fair?"

Darui frowned. 

"Save someone? You mean that Akatsuki shark? But he doesn't seem to appreciate it. What's your real goal?"

Naruto shrugged. 

"I have no obligation to explain further."

Darui raised his voice. 

"Then let's talk with Ninjutsu!" 

— *Storm Release: Laser Circus!* 

Storm Release, a mix of water and lightning, combined the destructive power of lightning with the control of water. Darui's move released multiple powerful beams of light from his hands, shooting straight at Naruto.

Naruto calmly raised his palm, a semi-transparent sealing barrier appearing before him as his left eye glowed faintly with its unique power. 

— *Preta Path!*

Swish! The laser beams immediately lost their energy, completely absorbed by the Preta Path's ability.

Lowering his hand, Naruto said coldly, 

"Stop. I have no intention of fighting you right now." 

Darui gritted his teeth. 

"Tch, what a completely boring eye!" 

Naruto reached for the mask on his face. It was a single-hole mask, leaving only his left eye exposed. 

"Kisame, I know you won't abandon your position no matter what, so forgive me for this..." 

As he removed the mask, Naruto turned to face Kisame. His right eye, which bore the Three Tomoe Sharingan, spun and transformed into the Mangekyou Sharingan, with its distinct four-curved design. 

A dark red glow emerged in his eye. 

[Kotoamatsukami!] 

Buzz! 

The effect of this technique was subtle and imperceptible. The target wouldn't even realize anything was off and would naturally follow the caster's will. 

Without any resistance, everything unfolded as if it were meant to be. 

The ground broke apart, and Kisame extended an arm upward. Naruto reached out and pulled Kisame up with a smile. 

"Kisame, I'll be counting on you from now on." 

Kisame dusted off the dirt on his clothes and politely replied, 

"Not at all, I should be the one..." 

"What!?" 

Darui could hardly believe his eyes. 

"How is this possible? Hoshigaki Kisame's attitude earlier clearly showed he wasn't the type to accept this! That man, who wasn't even afraid of death, couldn't have switched sides just because someone saved his life!" 

The glow faded from Naruto's right eye as it reverted to the Three Tomoe Sharingan. He replaced the mask, covering his right eye again. 

Naruto raised his left hand toward the space behind Darui. 

[Bansho Tenin!] 

Whoosh! 

With powerful gravitational force, the Samehada sword on Killer Bee's back flew through the air and into Naruto's hand. 

Slash! Slash! 

Samehada resisted, its bandages peeling back to reveal sharp spines that stabbed into Naruto's hand. Blood poured from his palm, but he held the sword tightly, his expression unchanged. 

Rustle, rustle! 

Samehada's blade twisted and flailed wildly, but after failing to escape, it started absorbing Naruto's chakra, causing its blade to swell. 

Naruto smirked as he activated the Preta Path's absorption ability, reversing the process and draining Samehada's chakra instead. 

When it came to absorption, the Preta Path had the upper hand. 

Samehada quickly gave in, its massive blade shrinking and going limp. 

It let out a whining sound, as if begging for mercy. 

Clang! 

Naruto tossed Samehada to Kisame's feet. 

"Here, it's yours again." 

Kisame bent down to pick up Samehada. 

"Looks like we're both traitors now. I'll be relying on you from here on out, Samehada..." 

Although Samehada was back with its original owner, Hoshigaki Kisame had now switched sides to join Naruto. 

That was the power of Kotomatsukami. 

Naruto wrapped his bleeding hand with bandages and looked down at the bloodstained ground. He planted a kunai with explosive tags attached into the soil. 

Raising his left hand, he rested it on Kisame's shoulder and spoke to the stunned Darui. 

"This is where we part ways." 

Whoosh! 

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Naruto disappeared with Kisame in tow. 

Boom! 

The explosive tags detonated, leaving nothing of the bloodstained ground behind. 

Rustle, rustle. 

In the distant grass, a small snake flicked its tongue, its slit-like pupils gleaming with frustration. 

"Tch, not even a drop of blood left. This Naruto is no longer the reckless brat he once was—he's cautious like an old fox. No wonder even Orochimaru-sama was outwitted by him..." 

... 

"Ugh..." 

Naruto had just left when Raikage and Killer Bee regained consciousness. 

Raikage growled, 

"Where's that Akatsuki shark bastard!?" 

Killer Bee looked around. 

"Where's my good kid!?" 

Darui sighed. 

"They've been taken." 

Raikage instantly exploded in anger. 

"What did you just say!? Uzumaki Naruto again! Next time I get my hands on him, I'll make sure he loses his head!" 

Though losing Samehada left Killer Bee disappointed, he still couldn't resist coming up with a song on the spot. 

Raikage looked at him: "Bee..."

Killer Bee glanced back: "Big brother..."

Crack!

"Running around and causing me so much trouble!!" Raikage's iron claw grabbed Killer Bee's head.

"Ahhh, Big brother's punishment is always so WEI~~~~...!!" Killer Bee's painful screams echoed nonstop.

Darui and the others from Kumogakure exchanged glances and gave wry smiles. 

...

Naruto, with Kisame, returned to the place where Konan and Orochimaru were waiting.

Old friends.

Kisame smiled: "Konan, Orochimaru, I didn't expect we'd work together again..."

Orochimaru smiled: "I didn't expect either, but this time, can I study your Samehada?" 

Konan asked: "The goal is achieved. Should we go back to Amegakure?"

At dusk, with the yellow twilight and the birds flying, the scenery made Naruto think back to his past training times. In the past, after finishing his training, Naruto always went to one place...

It's probably a place he won't be able to go to anymore.

"Before that, there's somewhere I still need to go..."

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