Chapter 147: Putting an end to two of the Red Clouds
The rock formation loomed over them, ancient symbols glowing faintly on the massive stone slab that blocked the entrance.
Naruto stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Huh. These seals are pretty complex," he muttered, examining the intricate pattern. His eyes gleamed as a mischievous smirk curled his lips.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Naruto, whatever you're thinking—"
"—I'm about to make it cooler."
With a swift flick of ink, Naruto added several extra components to the existing seal, subtly altering the matrix in a way only a trained eye could recognize.
Chiyo watched in stunned amazement. "He's… modifying a high-level sealing technique so casually?"
Harry grinned. "Oh, just wait for it."
Naruto slammed his palm onto the stone.
BOOM!
The entire seal ignited—but instead of releasing the entrance normally, an explosive force erupted inside the cave. A deep rumble shook the earth as part of the structure collapsed inward, sending dust and rock flying.
Naruto smirked. "Hope they didn't like breathing in there."
Without missing a beat, he rushed forward, flipping over a barrage of poisoned Senbon needles that shot toward him.
Sasori's Hiruko shell lay ahead, a grotesque puppet hissing with poison-tipped weaponry.
"Annoying."
Naruto vanished in a blur, reappearing directly behind Hiruko. His chakra strings lashed out—an advanced version of the trick Sasori himself had mastered—grabbing hold of the puppet. With a violent yank, he ripped the shell open, exposing Sasori's true form.
Sasori's calm face barely had time to register shock before—
SHINK!
Naruto's hand pierced straight through the exposed heart canister.
A brief silence followed as Sasori's eyes widened, realization setting in.
"...Hah," he whispered, before slumping lifelessly to the ground.
Naruto sighed, shaking off the blood. "Well, that was fast."
Meanwhile, high above, Harry hovered effortlessly, a mix of Wind Style mastery and Earth Style Light Rock Technique keeping him afloat.
"Flight Kekkei Genkai, huh?" He mused. "Not the most creative name, but hey, it works."
A sudden shadow loomed over him as Deidara, atop his massive clay bird, sneered down.
"Art is—"
Harry punched the bird in the face.
BOOM!
With a single devastating strike, the clay construct shattered into smithereens, sending Gaara's lifeless body plummeting toward the ground.
"Oops," Harry muttered.
Before anyone could panic, Sakura leaped up, catching Gaara midair and landing gracefully with him in her arms.
Deidara's cocky smirk vanished as he turned—only to see Harry right in front of him.
"...Oh crap."
SMACK!
Harry's fist buried itself into Deidara's stomach, sending him crashing into the dirt below, coughing up what little air remained in his lungs.
"Art is an explosion?" Harry tilted his head. "Buddy, you're about to explode into tears."
The sound of Deidara's wheezing was music to his ears.
Team Guy arrived just in time to see the aftermath.
Lee blinked. "We missed everything?"
Neji, sensing the beaten corpse of Sasori, the wreckage of Deidara, and the utter devastation, simply sighed.
"...Unbelievable."
As the dust settled, Chiyo knelt beside Gaara.
A solemn silence filled the battlefield.
She began her life-transferring jutsu, her chakra fading as she breathed life back into Gaara.
Harry, ever attuned to souls, felt the shift before anyone else.
"She did it," he murmured, confirming the revival before Gaara's eyes even opened.
The moment Gaara's gaze fluttered open, relief flooded the group.
Suna's forces, arriving late, cheered.
A night of celebration followed.
Temari, seated beside Naruto, leaned closer, her tone playfully teasing. "You saved my brother. Guess I owe you, huh?"
Naruto smirked, meeting her gaze. "Oh? And how do you plan to repay me?"
She smirked right back. "Guess you'll have to find out."
Later that night, Naruto found out.
Let's not disturb them.
Back in Konoha, Team Hakashi & Team Guy gave their mission report.
Tsunade, arms crossed, nodded approvingly. "Well done Team Hakashi, Team Guy. Sakura, with this, you're halfway to Special Jonin."
Sakura beamed, standing just a little taller.
As the group dispersed, Harry casually turned to Naruto with a knowing smirk.
"So… how was your night with Temari?"
Naruto froze mid-step, eyes wide.
"You—!"
Unfortunately for him, Jiraiya was right there.
"OH HO! NARUTO MY BOY! FINALLY STEPPING INTO MANHOOD, EH?!"
Naruto turned, eyes burning with betrayal. "HARRY! YOU SOLD ME OUT?!"
Harry just grinned, unbothered.
Jiraiya dragged Naruto off, interrogating him like a proud but nosy uncle.
Kakashi, nearby, wiped a single tear. "My student… is a man."
Harry casually added, "He's been one for a while now, actually. Had to make sure seduction tactics wouldn't work on him."
Silence.
Kakashi turned slowly, eyes wide in shock.
"...The kid knows all the nuances to the sheets?"
Harry nodded sagely. "He could write a book."
Kakashi dropped to his knees, hands trembling. "I… I have never been more proud."
Tsunade, overhearing all of this, simply rubbed her temples.
"I hate all of you."
To Be Continued…