Naruto's body hit the ground hard.
His cleaver-like blade embedded into the earth beside him, trembling faintly from the last swing. Crimson seeped from deep wounds, and steam rose from his battered form. His skin, once crimson and fierce in Bankai, was pale. Cracks spread along his limbs like shattered porcelain. Bones twisted, tendons torn. The power that had allowed him to slay Nnoitra, that monstrous Espada, was now exacting its toll.
Naruto laid broken. Silent. Barely breathing.
Yachiru stood over him, her tiny frame trembling, not from fear… but from pain.
She knelt beside him, placing a hand on his face, gently brushing away the blood that dripped from his brow.
"You did it, Kenny," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "You won…
His eye barely opened, pupils unfocused. His lips parted weakly.
"I… I can't move…" His voice was dry, thin. "Yachiru… did we… really win…?"
She nodded. "Yes"
He gave a shallow laugh, barely more than an exhale. "Feels like I'm dying…"
Yachiru's smile turned bittersweet. She leaned in close, her forehead touching his. "I'll always be with you, even in the next life."
Naruto's lips trembled. "Y-You think… I'll get another chance…?"
His voice cracked , not from pain, but fear. Hope
She didn't answer.
His eye closed. His chest fell one last time… and stilled.
---
Inside Naruto's Mindscape
Sewer waters stirred. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, stood tall, his massive tails swaying as if in celebration.
"At long last," he growled. "This prison is cracking. You're dying, boy… and I'm finally..."
But he stopped.
Something shifted.
The storm had not come from the boy's death… but from something else.
Something older.
---
Back in the Real World
Yachiru sat cross-legged beside Naruto's body, unmoving. Her hand remained on his chest, still hoping for a pulse.
The wind rustled the trees gently.
And then… a presence
A shadow stepped forward, silent. It didn't walk, it glided. Its spiritual pressure coiled like a serpent, thick and overwhelming
Yachiru's eyes lit up with pure joy. "You're here!"
She jumped up and into the arms of a woman cloaked in shadow. Her long black hair drifted like mist, her presence a paradox ,beautiful, yet terrifying.
"Please!" Yachiru pleaded, grabbing the woman's robes. "Please, save Kenny! I know you can do it!"
The woman looked at the broken boy on the ground. A slow, bloodthirsty grin crept across her lips. "So he finally has arrived"
---
A Day Later
Naruto's eyes snapped open. His breath returned in a violent gasp. He was… whole. He sat up, eyes wide, arms trembling.
His body was completely healed.
"W-What the hell…" he muttered.
Yachiru beamed beside him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're alive!"
He blinked, shocked. "How? Why?! I was… gone…"
Before she could answer, the door creaked open.
"She" stepped in.
Naruto's eyes widened.
He knew her. A flash of memory, a battlefield, swords clashing, her piercing eyes. He remembered killing her.
Yet now, she stood before him… smiling.
He stared, heart racing. "…You."
"Welcome back," she said, voice like velvet over blades.
Naruto, against all logic, felt a tear roll down his cheek.
He was… happy to see her.
---
Two Years Later
Naruto stood at the edge of a cliff, wind tugging at his long yellow-black hair. His blue eyes were sharp, reflective. His once youthful face had matured, shadows beneath his eyes and sharper features shaped by discipline and pain.
Beside him, Unohana stood with arms folded.
Two years of brutal training under her guidance had not just returned his strength, it had forged him anew. He had regained memories of his past life. He had learned discipline. He had refined his swordsmanship. He had tasted Kido. And most importantly, he now had full control of his Bankai.
"You ready?" she asked.
He nodded. "I owe you everything."
She smiled with a faint menace. "You're not allowed to die until I get my revenge."
Naruto paled. "You've been getting revenge. Every day. For two years…"
She turned away with a smirk. "And you survived. Be proud."
Yachiru jumped onto his shoulder with a grin. "Let's go!"
Naruto took one last look back. "Goodbye, Unohana."
---
Land of Rivers
Thw battlefield laid silent beneath dark clouds.
Kakashi, Sakura, Chiyo, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji stood frozen, battle-weary, hopeless.
Before them, Gaara's lifeless body was pinned under Deidara's foot.
"We were too late…" Shikamaru muttered bitterly.
"He's gone," Sakura whispered.
Deidara laughed, raising a hand. "Another freak bites the dust. Your Kazekage's art ended beautifully."
Suddenly, from the heavens, a voice echoed.
"…Sorry I'm late, Gaara."
Everyone looked up.
A silhouette stood against the light of the setting sun, descending slowly.
Naruto.
His cleaver rested on his shoulder. Yachiru sat atop it, legs swinging.
His hair fluttered in the wind, his coat billowing like a crimson shroud. His eyes locked onto Gaara, not with rage, but sorrow.
This wasn't the Naruto they remembered.
He was silent. Composed. Dangerous.
"…Naruto?" Sakura whispered.
He didn't answer.
He descended, eyes still on Gaara, his hand tightening on his blade.
The air grew heavy.
Yachiru reached over, gently patting his head. "It's okay. We'll make them pay."
Naruto raised his head, locking eyes with the Akatsuki.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Another jinchūriki for the taking," Hiruko rasped. "We're truly fortunate today."
Tbc