Inside a secret mountain cave in the Land of Rivers.
The projections of the Akatsuki Organization members were still performing the Illusion Dragon Nine Consuming Seals.
Just then, Uchiha Itachi, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, calm as an ancient well, suddenly felt an unusual sensation in his chrysanthemum.
Immediately, a memory entered his mind.
After learning how his clone was defeated, Itachi was completely flustered.
"Also, why were there two Narutos?"
Because he had fought with Xiao Mingren, he could confirm that neither Da Mingren nor Xiao Mingren were clones or Transformation Techniques.
Pain, who had been controlling the Illusion Dragon Nine Consuming Seals, noticed Uchiha Itachi's occasional hip-wiggling, which made him a bit puzzled.
"Suzaku, is something wrong?"
"Nothing much. The clone you helped me release was defeated."
"Hmm? That fast?"
He was surprised to hear that the Uchiha Itachi he had created with the Shapeshifting Jutsu was actually defeated.
"Since that's the case, let's speed up! I estimate those people will arrive very soon!"
On the other side.
After defeating the fake Uchiha Itachi, the group set off again.
They weren't far from the location scouted by the ninja dogs; they just needed to cross the forest ahead to reach it.
Just a few kilometers from their destination, Kurama in Xiao Mingren's Sealing Space spoke up.
"Not good! Shukaku's presence has disappeared!"
Hearing Kurama's words, Xiao Mingren immediately frowned.
He had originally thought that by quickly defeating that imposter Uchiha Itachi, they would have time to save Gaara, but it seemed the Akatsuki Organization had also sped up their progress.
However, Xiao Mingren didn't mention that Gaara was already gone. The group continued forward, soon arriving before a torii gate. Behind the torii was a cave, which was firmly blocked by a giant boulder.
Not only that, but talismans were also pasted on the rock wall, clearly indicating a barrier.
To break this barrier, one needed to simultaneously tear off the central talisman along with the four outer talismans.
In the original story, Guy's squad helped break the barrier, but while doing so, they also encountered trouble: they faced opponents identical to themselves.
Actually, it wasn't that troublesome; tearing the talismans and making a few clones would have been enough.
Thinking of this, Xiao Mingren directly created five clones. Then, four of them ran in different directions, while the last clone went to the talisman on the rock.
A few minutes later, the clones were all in position simultaneously, and together they tore off the talismans.
As the four outer talismans were torn, a person identical to Xiao Mingren appeared nearby.
Seeing this, the Clone Narutos all showed strange smiles.
Finally, the four clones transformed into Zephyr, Pikachu, Kurapika, and Grey Wolf respectively.
These copies were based on the person who tore off the talismans.
But, Xiao Mingren's Sealing Space also contained other people. After letting them out, the strength of the original Clone Naruto was no longer impressive.
Just as the barrier was destroyed, Xiao Mingren hardened his arm with Armament Haki, then shattered the rock blocking the entrance with a single punch.
The rock crumbled, and sunlight streamed into the cave.
Inside the cave were three people: the already deceased Gaara, Deidara sitting on Gaara, and finally, Sasori of the Red Sand.
Seeing Gaara lying on the ground, his life unknown, Da Mingren immediately became agitated. Even his pupils changed from blue to red beast eyes, showing how excited he was at that moment.
Although Naruto was very excited, he hadn't lost his mind and rushed forward. Instead, he shouted in place, hoping to wake Gaara.
"Indeed, that Uchiha Itachi was right, the Nine-Tailed is a very noisy fellow!"
"Don't you agree, Brother Sasori?"
As he spoke, Deidara looked at Sasori, who was staring blankly at another Sasori not far away.
Initially, Sasori was looking at Chiyo, but he was quickly drawn to the other Sasori.
"It seems Brother Sasori is very interested in that old woman and the Red Hair young man. Then this Nine-Tailed sacrifice can be left to me."
Without waiting for Sasori's reply, Deidara released a large white bird, carrying Gaara, who was lying on the ground, and flew out of the cave.
"Bastard! Give Gaara back to me!" Da Mingren roared and was about to charge, but Xiao Mingren stopped him.
"Leave him to me!"
With that, Xiao Mingren directly entered Kurama Mode, then a large golden hand reached out and grabbed the large bird under Deidara's feet.
Deidara didn't expect such a sudden turn of events. Just as he jumped up, preparing to detonate the large bird, golden lightning bolts emanated from the large hand released by Naruto.
The clay bird, which could have exploded, suddenly fizzled out due to the lightning.
Seeing this, Deidara cursed, "Damn Lightning Release!"
He then planned to summon another clay bird, preparing to escape.
Xiao Mingren naturally wouldn't let Deidara go easily. He used Moonwalk, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Deidara, then punched him in the face.
Deidara's handsome face instantly swelled up from Naruto's punch.
That wasn't all; after this punch sent Deidara flying, Xiao Mingren charged out again.
On the other side.
After Xiao Mingren and Deidara left, Da Mingren went to the clay bird and rescued Gaara.
"Sakura, quickly come and check Gaara's condition!"
Da Mingren said anxiously.
Hearing this, Sakura immediately used medical Chakra to check Gaara's condition.
But, simply placing her hand on Gaara, Sakura shook her head. Gaara had already completely lost his vital signs.
Even if Tsunade came, she wouldn't be able to save him.
Seeing Sakura shake her head, Da Mingren became very angry.
"Naruto, calm down! Don't let anger control you!"
Seeing Naruto about to begin his Tailed Beast transformation, Kakashi immediately stepped forward to try and soothe Naruto's emotions.
But at this moment, Naruto was beyond persuasion. Crimson Chakra began to emerge from his body, and then one, two, three tails began to appear.
Kakashi and Sakura, seeing this, moved back, separating and entering battle-ready stances.
Just then, Xiao Mingren suddenly appeared, then headbutted Da Mingren.
This collision directly knocked Da Mingren out of his Tailed Beast Mode.
At the same time, Xiao Mingren also entered the Sealing Space within Da Mingren's body.