Within the Mental Space.
The three Jinchuriki and their three Tailed Beasts faced each other.
"Gyuki should have told you, right?" Naruto asked. "Any thoughts on the Dragon Heritage?"
"He did," Killer Bee nodded. "But compared to something as vague and elusive as pursuing peace, I prefer RAP, ya know."
"Oh yeah, my Big Bro wanted me to tell you, he wants to beat you up, fool, ya fool!"
"That's fine," Naruto nodded. "I've long admired Lord Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode myself."
"Then you better watch out, my Big Bro is super strong, you hear!" Killer Bee, looking at Naruto's clear eyes, paused for a moment, then offered the warning.
No wonder he's a ninja Little Eight acknowledges, he thought. This mindset alone already surpasses most ninja.
"The stronger, the better." Naruto's eyes lit up. It had been a long time since he'd encountered a ninja who could truly match him.
He knew very well that from the moment he'd spoken those words at the border, he had become a common enemy to all ninja villages.
From that moment on, his life had only two possible outcomes:
Success!
Or death midway!
"Looking forward to meeting you in the real world, bro." Killer Bee snapped his fingers and departed the mental space.
"Aren't you angry?" Shukaku asked.
"Angry? Why would I be angry?" Naruto blinked, not quite understanding his meaning.
"He rejected your ideal, man! He even threatened you! Shouldn't you be shaking your fists and landing a couple of good ones on his face?" Shukaku gestured as he spoke.
However, paired with his portly physique, it had an inexplicably comedic effect.
"Everyone has their own ideals and pursuits. The ninja world is so wonderfully diverse precisely because of these varied aspirations," Naruto explained.
"Different aspirations inevitably lead to different paths."
"So?" Kurama asked.
"You can't force a melon to be sweet by plucking it early. Whether they join or not is their freedom."
Naruto turned his head to Gaara. "Get ready these next two days. I'm taking you guys to set off some 'fireworks'."
"Alright."
"Gaara! Gaara!" Temari called softly.
"…Is something wrong, Temari?" Gaara asked, turning his head.
"What were you spacing out about? How is his condition?" Temari asked, deeply worried that the bloodlust of the battlefield would awaken Shukaku's violent side.
Although Gaara had assured her more than once that he could now control Shukaku's power, the ingrained impression of over a decade wasn't something that could be changed overnight.
"He's very quiet. Don't worry," Gaara reassured her.
"Rest well these next two days," their squad's leader said. "Try not to spread any information about the situation on the front line."
Temari and the other two nodded slightly. Then again, even if they were allowed to talk, what could they possibly say about such an event?
"Baki-sensei!" Kankuro exclaimed in surprise.
Temari and Gaara turned to see their former genin squad leader waiting for them not far away.
Baki nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.
"It seems none of you are injured."
"Gaara, come with me for a moment." With that, he turned and led the way.
"Baki-sensei, has something happened?" Temari asked nervously.
"Something good."
Kankuro and Gaara exchanged glances. Usually, when Gaara was summoned, it was always bad news.
What was different today?
Clearly, Baki had no intention of explaining much to them.
He pushed open the door to the meeting room.
"Go on in," Baki said.
On the way, Baki had already explained the situation to him in full. Looking at the elders seated in an orderly fashion inside, Gaara couldn't help but feel nervous.
The chance to realize his ambition was right before him; it all depended on whether he could seize it.
"Gaara, prove to me that you can perfectly control Shukaku's power." Iwaji rose and walked over to him.
"Didn't you say you want to be Kazekage? If you can master Shukaku's power, I will support you for Fifth Kazekage!"
Two days later.
Outside Konoha – Village Hidden by Leaves.
Naruto Clone One made several leaps, reaching the summit of a mountain. Standing on a treetop, he gazed at the densely packed houses within the walls.
"Konoha Village, preparations complete!"
Outside Sunagakure – Village Hidden by Sand.
Naruto Clone Two and Naruto Clone Three glanced at each other and nodded slightly.
"Sunagakure Village, preparations complete!"
Outside Kumogakure – Village Hidden by Clouds.
Naruto Clone Four leaped onto a cliff, looking at the buildings ahead, half-hidden in the mist, and stretched lazily.
"Kumogakure Village, preparations complete."
Land of Grass, in a recently opened cave. Through Kurama acting as a relay, Naruto confirmed that all shadow clones had reached their destinations. He then stood up and picked up Kusabimaru from his side.
Leaving a Flying Thunder God kunai on the ground, Naruto then began to sense the Flying Thunder God formula in the direction of the Land of Fire and vanished from the cave.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure.
On the dune where Naruto Clone Two and Naruto Clone Three were located, Gaara's figure slowly materialized.
"Is everything arranged?" Naruto Clone Two asked.
"I won't be assigned any missions in the near future, and shadow clones can handle the mundane tasks," Gaara nodded slightly.
"I'll be responsible for taking you to Iwagakure," Naruto Clone Three said, placing a hand on Gaara's shoulder. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, the two of them swiftly headed towards Iwagakure.
Naruto Clone Two retracted his gaze and slowly walked towards Sunagakure in the distance.
Konoha Village.
Hokage Tower.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Bang!
Tsunade watched Shizune 'burst through the door,' her expression unchanging, as if she had already grown accustomed to her aide's frantic entrances.
"What's happened now?" she asked.
"Uzumaki Naruto has come! He's right at the village main gate!" Before Shizune's voice had even faded, Tsunade's figure vanished from the spot.
"Notify Jiraiya immediately!"
Tsunade's voice drifted in from outside the window.
Konoha Village Main Gate. Naruto Clone One looked up at the still-imposing gate, paying no heed to the tense expressions of the surrounding Konoha ninja.
Passing merchants and pedestrians looked on, bewildered. They couldn't understand why Konoha's esteemed ninja were adopting such a wary, battle-ready stance towards a mere child.
"Uzumaki Naruto! What is the meaning of this?" Kakashi, having received the intelligence, was the first to arrive on the scene.
Kamizuki Izumo walked to his side and said in a low voice, "He says he wants to see the Fifth."
"Kakashi-sensei, long time no see!" Naruto Clone One greeted politely. "Also, I have no particular intentions."
"I merely wish to discuss some matters with your village's Fifth Hokage and the esteemed elders."
"Discuss? What do you want to discuss with us?" The Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, arrived with a large contingent of Konoha jounin.
Several ANBU members dispersed the crowd of curious onlookers that had gathered.
"Even the ANBU are here! Just who is that kid?" "Hey, didn't you see that woman? That's Konoha's Fifth Hokage! If she's here, how small do you think this matter can be?"
"Let's get out of here quickly, or we might end up taking a permanent nap here." A quick-witted merchant, seeing them dawdling, grew anxious and hurried them along.
These people had never seen a battle between powerful ninja; he, however, had. They might not want to live, but he certainly did!
Do they really think ninja battles are like those squabbles between brats at the Chunin Exams?!
Think they're safe just because they're standing far away?