Hidan staggered, blood spraying from his lips as he struggled back to his feet. His eyes burned with rage, locked firmly onto the blond jinchūriki standing calmly before him.
This brat. This cursed Nine-Tails brat.
Humiliation coursed through Hidan's veins more painfully than any wound. He had been toyed with—treated like a fool in front of everyone. No matter how many times he swung his scythe, no matter how desperately he pressed the attack, he hadn't managed to so much as scratch the boy.
A drop of blood—that was all he ever needed. One scratch, one taste, and the ritual would secure his victory. That was his faith, his certainty. And yet against this jinchūriki, it was as if the gods themselves had betrayed him.
For the first time in years, Hidan felt something alien rise in his chest. Fear.
Naruto's voice was quiet, almost casual.
"It's about time to end this."
Two shadow clones split from his body in a puff of smoke.
Hidan's grip on his scythe tightened. "You bastard… who the hell do you think you're looking down on?!" he roared. "Don't think you can kill me! I'm the chosen of Jashin-sama! An immortal! I can't die!"
Naruto's expression didn't waver. He didn't answer with words—only with action. Senjutsu chakra surged around him, swirling violently as he formed it into a devastating shape.
Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
But not the one his comrades had seen before. This one was swollen with the full force of Sage Mode, a monstrous shuriken of compressed wind chakra, so massive it cast a shadow like a looming storm. Its violent hum filled the air, rattling the battlefield with raw power.
Hidan's eyes widened.
"What the hell is this…?!"
The amount of chakra pouring from the technique was suffocating. Not even Kisame's reserves felt this overwhelming. Even with immortality, Hidan's instincts screamed that this was not something he could endure.
Then the impossible happened—the giant sphere of wind chakra flew.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Hidan's voice cracked in disbelief. "That thing can be thrown?!"
Too late.
Naruto's Rasenshuriken slammed into him with a thunderous roar. The world erupted into white light and howling wind. The explosion ripped across the battlefield, the air itself shredding as the attack tore through everything in its path.
Hidan's scream was lost to the storm. Cells shredded, flesh torn apart on a microscopic level, his so-called immortality was powerless against the overwhelming force of natural energy and wind release fused.
The shockwave swallowed everything. Sakura instinctively shielded her head with her arms as dust and debris surged over her. Even Kakashi and Kakuzu's clash in the distance was drowned beneath the storm of cutting wind.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes against the gale. "That… that had to be on the level of an ultimate jutsu. Maybe beyond even S-rank."
Chōji let out a low whistle, awe written across his face. "Anyone caught in that… wouldn't stand a chance."
Ino pressed a hand to her chest, heart pounding. "Naruto… I can't believe this is the same loudmouth from before. He's… already on a different level. Ahead of all of us."
Her words carried both admiration and a pang of unease. In the ninja world, power like that could only belong to a true genius—someone who could stand beside the strongest. Even Kage would have to show respect.
Ino glanced sidelong at Sakura, unable to resist adding softly, "I wonder… with Naruto like this, what choice will you make between him and Sasuke?"
Sakura didn't answer. Her wide eyes were fixed on Naruto's back, shaken by both pride and fear.
Even Sai, who watched quietly, felt a stirring in his chest. For someone who had once considered emotions irrelevant, it was a strange, humbling feeling. Uzumaki Naruto was… important.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu's mind raced. The blast had rattled even him, and the sight of Hidan being erased before his eyes crushed any thought of victory. That boy… he's not just a jinchūriki. He's a monster.
But Kakashi wasn't about to let him slip away. Lightning sparked in the jonin's palm as he tightened his stance, eyes narrowing. "You're not going anywhere, Kakuzu."
The dust finally began to clear. A deep crater scarred the earth where Hidan had been. His body was mangled, twisted, and incomplete—still clinging to life, but broken beyond repair.
Naruto approached, calm as ever. He crouched beside the ruined figure, inspecting what remained. "Still breathing, huh? But you won't be walking again."
Hidan's eyes, wild and bloodshot, still burned with hate, but his voice was nothing more than a gurgle.
Naruto stood and called out, "Sakura. Bring him. His body's worth studying."
Sakura blinked, startled, but nodded quickly. "R-right." She hurried over, dragging the wrecked Akatsuki member out of the pit.
Not far away, Kakuzu faltered. The battle against Kakashi and Team 10 had already drained him. With only one heart left, his margin for survival was razor-thin. He thought to retreat, but shadows snapped at his feet—Shikamaru's technique locking him in place.
"Got you." Shikamaru's voice was hard, vengeful.
At the same moment, Ino clasped her hands together. "Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
Her consciousness pierced into Kakuzu's final heart, locking his body stiff.
Kakashi gave a sharp nod. "Perfect. Hold him just like that." Lightning flared again in his palm, his body blurring as he sprinted forward. The sound of a thousand birds screamed through the air as he thrust Raikiri into Kakuzu's chest.
The immortal duo of the Akatsuki fell together.
Hidan, broken and bound.
Kakuzu, pierced and silent.
Team 10 slumped heavily to the ground, exhaustion finally catching up with them.
Shikamaru tilted his head back, eyes closed. "Asuma-sensei… we avenged you. Rest easy."
Chōji and Ino nodded, silent but resolute.
Sakura dragged Hidan's limp body closer, glancing at Kakashi. "Naruto said… this guy's worth bringing back for study."
Kakashi's gaze lingered on Naruto, who stood calmly amidst the wreckage, the storm of Sage chakra finally fading. The boy who had once needed constant guidance was now leading—decisive, composed, terrifyingly strong.
Kakashi couldn't help the small, weary smile that curved his lips. "Naruto… you've already surpassed me."
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