Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Namikaze Minato was strong—there was no doubt about that.

With twelve more years of life than his anime counterpart, he had honed his abilities to the pinnacle of Kage-level. He could likely hold his own against the Six Paths of Pain in a straight fight.

But despite his incredible speed and technique, Minato had one glaring flaw... he lacked destructive power.

Sure, his Flying Thunder God technique could wipe out hundreds of average shinobi in a flash. But when it came to sheer, overwhelming force.

The kind that could rival the Tailed Beast Bomb, Third Raikage's Hell Stab, Might Guy's Daytime Tiger, or even Itachi's Susanoo, Minato simply didn't have that kind of firepower.

And to make things worse, he didn't even have access to half of Kurama's chakra like he did in the anime timeline.

Orochimaru, cunning as always, had anticipated this. He had strengthened the Four Violet Flames Formation precisely to keep Minato out.

In this altered timeline, the legendary teacher-vs-student duel had become something else entirely...a one-sided slaughter.

Meanwhile, deep in the forests on the outskirts of Konoha

Guts had already arrived at the scene where Shukaku was rampaging uncontrollably.

Beside him were Hinata, Hanabi, and unexpectedly… Kushina Uzumaki.

He raised a brow.

"Why are you here? You can't even fight anymore."

Kushina stood her ground, her red hair waving slightly in the breeze.

"I can feel the pain and loneliness in that boy's heart… in Gaara. I want to help him...because I've lived through it too."

Guts shrugged.

"Do what you want."

If Naruto could redeem Gaara, maybe the mother would replace him this time.

Either way, Guts didn't care much. Gaara wasn't Danzo, and he wasn't Hiruzen. The boy wasn't his enemy.

As they arrived at the edge of the battlefield, Hanabi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"He's… so big up close..." she whispered, staring at the full form of Shukaku, the One-Tail, roaring and rampaging.

All around, Genin lay injured or unconscious...Naruto, Sasuke, Temari, Kankuro, each of them bruised, battered, and breathing heavily.

"Naruto!"

Kushina rushed to her son, dropping to her knees and cradling him.

"It's okay, I'm here now."

Naruto smiled weakly.

"M-Mom…?"

Meanwhile, Guts surveyed the scene, leaning lazily against a nearby tree.

"Hey, big fan girl," he called out to Temari, who could barely sit up.

"Is this how you raised your little brother? Look at the mess he's made."

Temari shot him a look full of resentment, but she was too exhausted to fire back.

Guts turned toward Hinata.

"Take her back. She's the daughter of the Kazekage, could come in handy when negotiating with the Sand later."

Hanabi pointed at the unconscious Kankuro.

"What about him? He's the Kazekage's son too."

Guts waved it off.

"One hostage's enough. Feeding both would be a waste of rations."

And with that, he vanished.

In the blink of an eye, Guts appeared atop Shukaku's massive snout.

The beast's eyes narrowed in confusion, just before a terrifying force slammed into its very soul.

Red lightning streaked across its entire body as if a storm had erupted inside it.

Then came the voice

"Be quiet, little civet cat."

To the onlookers, Guts had simply said a few words.

But from Shukaku's perspective, something unimaginable had occurred.

Behind Guts, a colossal shadow had appeared—a dragonic god, ten times the size of the tailed beast, eyes burning with dominance. Its aura crushed everything in sight.

In that moment, Shukaku felt like an insect beneath it's gaze.

The pressure from Guts's Conqueror's Haki, enhanced by the Issei Hyoudou Dragon God Template, was enough to shatter the will of anyone below Kage-level.

And even for a Tailed Beast, it was soul-breaking.

Shukaku's eyes filled with fear and awe.

Its body began to shrink, chakra withdrawing rapidly. Within seconds, it had returned to its sealed state.

Gaara, unconscious, fell from the air...only to be caught by Guts, who gently placed him on the ground.

[Special Achievement Unlocked: "Shukaku's Fear"]

[Template Progress (Issei Hyoudou): 8.95%]

Guts clicked his tongue.

"That's it? Not even 10%? You damn raccoon... I should've punched you."

The bystanders were speechless.

Temari gawked.

"I... Is it over? Just like that?"

Naruto and even Sasuke looked on with disbelief.

They had nearly died trying to stop Shukaku.

And yet... this man had ended it by talking?

Hinata and Hanabi, having seen glimpses of Guts's power before, were still stunned.

Even they hadn't expected this.

Only Kushina remained unfazed.

She had seen Guts face down Kurama years ago. Compared to that, One-Tail was nothing more than a pet.

She walked over to the unconscious Gaara, kneeling beside him.

Slowly, gently, she pulled him into a soft embrace.

"I know your pain," she whispered.

"I've felt that same loneliness...the same rejection. But you're not alone anymore."

Gara blinked.

For a moment, his vision blurred.

He could feel her warmth, her heartbeat.

It reminded him of something... someone... long forgotten.

"Mom…"

Tears welled in his eyes as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, trembling.

Kushina smiled and stroked his hair.

"It's okay now. Cry. Cry so your heart can breathe again."

Temari stared, wide-eyed.

"That's... Gaara? I've never seen him like this."

Guts turned back to Naruto, kicked him lightly in the side.

"Oi, blondie. If you're still alive, carry these idiots back to the village."

Naruto groaned. "Why me…?"

He looked up and caught Guts's gazethe same gaze that had just silenced a Tailed Beast.

"Right, right...I got it!"

He forced a grin and began dragging Sasuke by the arm.

PS: The 100 Power Stones goal wasn't reached today, so no bonus chapter this time.

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