Harry Potter: Toji Potter

The wind howled through the trees as Team Hakashi pressed forward, their pace relentless. The scent of dry desert still clung to them from their time in Suna, but now the damp, thick forestry ahead signaled their transition into a new terrain.

Chiyo, despite her age, kept up with them, her sharp eyes flickering toward Naruto. She had observed him since they left the Sand Village, watching how fiercely he took on this mission. It was as if Gaara's capture was personal to him.

"Why is he so adamant about saving the Kazekage?" Chiyo finally asked aloud.

Kakashi didn't need to think long before responding, his voice calm but knowing. "Because they're alike… more than you realize. The only difference is that Naruto never had assassins coming after him."

Chiyo's eyes widened slightly, but before she could ponder further—

A presence.

A deep, eerie killing intent filled the air, washing over them like a wave. It was powerful—controlled, but undeniable. The birds in the trees scattered, the wind seemed to still, and even the sunlight that peeked through the leaves felt darker.

They came to a halt.

A single figure stood in their path, blocking their way.

Uchiha Itachi.

Dressed in the ominous black cloak of the Akatsuki, red clouds adorning the fabric, his Sharingan eyes gleamed as he regarded them.

"So… you came," Itachi murmured. His voice was smooth, emotionless, yet laced with quiet authority.

Kakashi tensed, immediately raising a hand. "Be careful. Don't meet his eyes directly."

Before anyone could move, Itachi's fingers twitched—and suddenly—

The world shattered.

The moment Naruto blinked, he found himself standing alone.

The forest was gone.

Instead, he stood amidst a land of endless red—a crimson sky, a sea of blood beneath his feet, and black crows cawing ominously in the distance.

Genjutsu, Naruto thought immediately, feeling the weight of the illusion pressing down on him.

A slow clap echoed.

Naruto turned—only to find Itachi standing just inches from him, an unreadable expression on his face.

"This is the end," Itachi said smoothly, his hand reaching out toward Naruto's forehead.

The moment Itachi's fingers were just short of touching him—

Naruto smirked.

His killing intent exploded.

The illusion shattered instantly, reality snapping back into place.

Naruto's eyes locked onto Itachi's, and the Uchiha's face shifted ever so slightly in surprise.

"Genjutsu doesn't work on me," Naruto muttered darkly.

Before Itachi could react—

Naruto vanished.

A blur of orange and gold streaked toward Itachi at impossible speed.

BOOM!

Naruto's fist collided with Itachi's guard, forcing the Uchiha to slide back, his sandals digging into the earth.

But Naruto didn't stop there.

With a flick of his wrist, chakra strings snapped into existence, attaching to the forming Rasengan in his palm. He swung his hand like a whip—

The Rasengan curved mid-air.

Itachi barely had time to widen his eyes before the spiraling sphere of chakra slammed into his back.

BANG!

The force sent him flying through the air, crashing against a tree.

Silence followed.

Naruto exhaled sharply, dusting off his hands. "Hmph. You didn't seem that tough."

Then—

Something cracked.

The body that was supposedly Itachi suddenly morphed, its skin melting away to reveal a different face underneath.

Naruto narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer, now seeing it clearly.

It was not Itachi.

It was a dead Suna Jonin—his body used as a disposable clone by the real Uchiha.

The implications hit them instantly.

"…There are traitors in the Sand Village," Kakashi murmured grimly.

Chiyo tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes shadowed with something unreadable.

Naruto scoffed. "Figures. The second we left, the bastards made their move."

Kakashi, still watching the lifeless clone, finally sighed and gave Naruto a side glance. "You know… if you keep fighting at this level, you're going to end up in the Anbu before long."

Harry grinned, crossing his arms. "Anbu? Please. At this rate, he'll be taking my job."

Naruto just chuckled, rolling his shoulders.

"Let's keep moving," he said. "Gaara's waiting."

With that, Team Hakashi pressed forward, the weight of what they had just learned hanging over them.

To Be Continued…