In the shadowed depths of the Akatsuki's cavern, the oppressive hum of chakra reverberated like a heartbeat. The monstrous silhouette of the Gedo Statue loomed in the center, its chains of spectral energy still anchored into Gaara's chest.
Tendo Pain's voice carried no urgency, yet it cut through the room like steel.
"Don't worry. This is enough to delay the Konoha shinobi." His gaze shifted to the spectral form of the One-Tail's host. "We're nearly finished with the extraction. Deidara. Sasori. You'll handle them when they arrive."
"Got it, leader," Deidara replied, his lips curling into a smirk. Beneath that bravado, irritation simmered—the fight with Gaara had left him unsatisfied. Three days of effort, and still, he wanted more.
Beside him, Itachi closed his eyes, the barest crease forming between his brows. Uzumaki Naruto… The boy's words still lingered in his mind. An idea was already taking root, quiet but persistent.
The last tendrils of Shukaku's chakra tore free from Gaara's body, drawn into the Gedo Statue's maw. The Kazekage's body sagged limply to the stone floor, lifeless.
The statue's eyes cracked open—cold, merciless, and ancient. Just meeting its gaze made the air grow heavier.
"That's enough," Pain said at last. "We're done here."
One by one, the Akatsuki's projections dissipated like smoke on the wind.
"Deidara, Sasori," Tendo's voice echoed one last time. "The Konoha shinobi are outside. Handle it as you see fit."
With a bang, the Gedo Statue vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving only the bodies of Gaara, Deidara, and Sasori in the dim light.
Deidara slumped onto Gaara's unmoving form, flexing his tired fingers. "Three whole days. I'm exhausted, yeah."
Sasori's voice was cool and flat. "Save your complaints. They'll be here soon. Don't let your guard down."
"Yeah, yeah. No rest for the wicked," Deidara muttered, settling in like a predator waiting for prey.
Outside, the teams from Konoha had already reached the cave.
Neji's Byakugan traced the intricate lines of chakra encircling the entrance. "The sealing barrier extends one kilometer from the center," he reported. "There are four key points. All must be destroyed simultaneously to break it."
Time pressed against them like a vice. If Gaara was already near death, even a few seconds could make the difference.
The decision came quickly—Team Gai would handle the four seals. Four points, four shinobi. It was the most efficient split. Kakashi's team would hold position until the barrier fell.
Gai's voice carried over the earpieces. "Everyone in position?"
"In position," Neji, Lee, and Tenten replied in unison.
"Good. Three… two… one—begin!"
The instant their chakra touched the seals, the barrier pulsed violently. Shadows stepped out from the air itself—each of them staring at their own perfect double.
Gai's brow furrowed. "What—?!"
The others didn't have time to question it. The copies moved in flawless unison, mimicking their stance, their breathing.
Kakashi's earpiece crackled with Gai's terse voice.
"It seems the rescue will fall to us," Kakashi said grimly. "Naruto—ready?"
"Ready."
Naruto's clone dispersed in a puff of smoke, and the real one stepped forward, chakra swirling into his palm. The Rasengan grew, swelling far beyond its usual size until it was massive—three basketballs across, roaring with compressed energy.
"Ōdama Rasengan!"
He sprinted forward, leaping high, and drove the massive sphere into the boulder bearing the sealing script.
BOOM!
The explosion of chakra ripped the seal apart. Shards of rock blasted outward, and dust billowed in every direction.
Naruto landed hard, knees bending to absorb the shock. Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo were already at his side as the dust cleared—
—And there he was.
Deidara sat perched atop Gaara's lifeless body, a lazy grin playing on his lips.
Naruto's eyes went cold. "You. Get off him."
His voice was low, but every word hit like a thrown kunai. "Or next year, today will be your death anniversary."
Deidara's smirk vanished. He'd met arrogant opponents before, but this boy's sheer audacity was something else.
"Senior Sasori," he said without looking back, "leave the brat to me. Don't interfere. If I don't kill him today, I'm not Deidara."
Sasori's tone was calm, but there was a warning in it. "Be careful. He's the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. And Pain wants him alive."
Deidara waved a hand, eyes never leaving Naruto. "I know. As long as he's still breathing when I'm done, yeah."
Kakashi stepped closer to Naruto, voice low. "You shouldn't provoke him like that. If he lashes out, Gaara's body could be damaged."
Naruto glanced back with a small, confident smile. "Relax, Kakashi-sensei. He's not laying a finger on Gaara while I'm here."
Kakashi studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod. That confidence wasn't the usual reckless bravado—there was steel in it.
The air between Naruto and Deidara tightened, the first flicker of killing intent seeping into the space.
The fight was about to begin.