Naruto: The new beginning

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"You're so long-winded!" Sasuke snapped, shouting, "Help me out use some water jutsu!"

He was eager to test his new ninjutsu against an enemy with formidable defences.

"Got it! Let's drench the battlefield!" Naruto's clone responded enthusiastically.

Infusing some of Kurama's chakra to amplify the attack, he formed hand seals and unleashed, "Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"

The clone transformed into a makeshift fountain, spraying water high into the air like a blooming morning glory.

Thankfully, he didn't mimic certain decorative fountains and spray from inappropriate places.

Sasuke's Sharingan spun as he calculated the water volume and assessed his chakra reserves. Forming a series of seals, he declared, "Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

Three massive fire dragons roared out from Sasuke, their flames colliding with the water Naruto had produced.

The resulting explosion of steam ascended into the sky, condensing into a small storm cloud. A light drizzle began, and the electricity within the cloud crackled ominously.

Sasuke smirked, raising his twin blades as lightning danced across them, resonating with the brewing thunderclouds.

Swinging his swords, he shouted, "Disappear into the storm! Lightning Style: Kirin!"

By the time Naruto arrived at the scene, Sasuke was standing dramatically, his pose seemingly inviting a lightning strike. Naruto blinked in surprise. "You seriously pulled off that jutsu?"

"You can control thunder?!" Ryugan gasped, instinctively reinforcing his barrier as he watched the clouds swirl ominously.

From the storm above, a massive lightning beast emerged a majestic Kirin formed entirely of electricity.

"Aaahhhrrrrrrrrr!!"

It descended with a deafening roar, slamming into Ryugan's barrier. The dazzling flash of light blinded the surroundings, making it impossible to see what happened inside.

As the thunderous energy dissipated, Ryugan lay motionless on the ground, his barrier completely shattered. The chains pursuing Naruto's clones fell limp and disintegrated into nothingness.

The clones cheered, rushing back toward the action.

Naruto, retrieving the memories from his clones, shivered involuntarily. "Note to self: never overindulge online again."

Meanwhile, Gaara and Fū, newly freed from their binds, observed the aftermath in silence. The sight of Sasuke unleashing Kirin was nothing short of divine, akin to Thor descending upon the battlefield.

As the thunderclouds cleared, Fū exclaimed, "That was amazing! Sasuke, you're incredible!"

"That's beyond incredible..." Gaara admitted with rare admiration.

Sasuke, panting heavily, couldn't conceal his satisfaction. The move had drained him significantly, but it was worth it. With power like this, he thought, I'm finally on equal footing with Naruto.

"You're really something, Sasuke," Naruto praised genuinely, earning an even wider grin from his rival.

"Are you okay, Sasuke?" Sakura rushed over, concerned about the toll such an advanced jutsu might have taken on him.

"I'm fine." Sasuke, regaining composure, replied humbly, "Honestly, it's only thanks to these blades that I could manage something like that. My own strength still has limits."

---

On another front, the tailed beasts were having a different sort of exchange.

"Still clinging to your pride, eh, Shukaku?" Kurama teased, his smug tone cutting through the tension as Naruto's clone delivered him updates. "Must sting to be tied down like that."

"Shut up, you flea-bitten fox!" Shukaku barked, visibly irritated.

Kurama snickered, undeterred. "Is that any way to talk to your saviour?"

"I didn't ask to be saved!" Shukaku retorted, his voice defiant. "This was all about saving Chōmei! What does it have to do with me?!"

Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, chimed in with calm gratitude. "Kurama, thank you and your Jinchūriki, too."

Kurama huffed with mock indifference. "It's nothing." Still, the pride in his tone was evident.

Naruto had done well, and though Kurama detested most Uchiha, Sasuke wasn't the worst.

"Anyway," Kurama added slyly, "how about a sparring match while we're all idle?"

"No thanks," Chōmei replied quickly, clearly not one for unnecessary conflict.

Shukaku growled but ultimately restrained himself. Though reluctant, even he had to admit that Kurama's help warranted some grudging respect. "Tch, whatever."

Kurama smirked. "Boring. Guess we'll just chat instead."

---

Nearby, Gaara was approached by a group of Suna shinobi who had come to investigate the commotion caused by Kirin.

After delegating Ryugan to their custody for interrogation, he turned to Naruto and the others.

"Thank you for your help," Gaara said earnestly. "As Kazekage, I'll ensure your efforts are acknowledged by your village."

Fū, ever energetic, jumped in front of Gaara, her eyes sparkling. "Does this mean we can be friends?"

Gaara blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of the request. "Friends?"

"Yep!" Fū nodded enthusiastically.

After a moment of reflection, Gaara gave a small smile. "Yes, we can."

"Awesome!" Fū cheered, sprouting her insect-like wings and fluttering happily around the group.

Gaara, accustomed to her quirks, allowed her excitement to unfold without comment. He addressed the rest of the group. "I have matters to attend to, including ensuring the candidates' safety and dealing with those who conspired against us. You should all rest for now."

---

As Fū darted between Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, bombarding them with questions about their techniques, her boundless energy brought a light-hearted conclusion to an otherwise intense battle.

Even Sasuke, despite his typical aloofness, couldn't help but twitch a small smile at her genuine praise.

And for once, in this moment of calm, the bonds between them all felt just a bit stronger.

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