Fu darted through the sky with quick, graceful movements, her wings slicing the air with rapid downward strokes. Behind her, iridescent scales peeled away, transforming into a dozen golden blades that rained down toward the battlefield.
Even Naruto and his friends, who had been hiding high above in the treetops, were not spared.
Sasuke was utterly dumbfounded.
(ﾟДﾟ;) "What the hell?! How did she find us?"
They'd been hiding so carefully—concealed with chakra suppression and perfect angles. No one else had noticed them. But somehow, this girl had?
What Sasuke didn't know was that just moments earlier, when Naruto had been chatting with the other Jinchūriki in the Tailed Beast Space, he'd casually mentioned his hiding spot.
Fu, still hanging back in the battle, had noticed. Of the five Jinchūriki present, she and Naruto were the only ones who hadn't yet joined the fray.
So she made up her mind: if she was going in, she was dragging Naruto with her! (¬‿¬)
As Fu's golden blades descended, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had no choice but to leap from the branches, landing smoothly on the ground below.
Their sudden appearance startled both Kurotsuchi's and Omoi's squads, who were locked in a tense standoff nearby.
But oddly enough, the teams from Kirigakure and Sunagakure didn't seem surprised.
Omoi, always the overthinker, felt a pit form in his stomach.
Wait a second…
Since the Third Great Ninja War, Sunagakure had been Konoha's ally. And recently, Kirigakure's relationship with Konoha had also improved drastically. Trade routes were thriving. Diplomats were exchanging pleasantries.
Could it be…?
Were those signal flares from earlier fired by Konoha?
Is this some alliance plot? Are they trying to eliminate us and the Iwagakure team together?!
The more Omoi thought, the more his confidence crumbled. Facing superior numbers and strong enemies…
"We're screwed," he muttered.
Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi wasn't blind to the implications either. After all, she was the one who came up with the idea to impersonate Sasuke in the original timeline to lure Deidara into a trap—a crazy plan, but creative.
And this felt just as suspicious.
So, despite having been opponents just moments ago, Kurotsuchi and Omoi found themselves huddled together. They kept their eyes on Gaara, Yugao, Naruto, and Fu, as well as the figure hovering ominously above—Uchiha Saya.
Omoi clenched his fists and shouted toward them defiantly.
"Hmph! Think you can push us around just 'cause you've got the numbers?!"
"Don't underestimate the pride of Kumogakure, you bastards!"
Kurotsuchi cracked her knuckles and took a step forward.
"Hmph! Don't underestimate Iwagakure, either!"
She weaved hand seals quickly.
"Earth Style – Light-Weight Boulder Jutsu!"
With a clap, she released the technique onto her two teammates, Kano and Akaishi, enhancing their mobility.
Omoi's squad activated their Lightning Release chakra enhancements, bolts crackling across their skin and weapons.
Gaara, Utakata, Naruto, and Fu all braced themselves, anticipating a powerful coordinated attack.
But then…
The two squads turned and ran.
Their speed was blinding—faster than academy students racing to the cafeteria when the lunch bell rang! Within seconds, they vanished into the trees, leaving only dust in their wake.
(￣□￣;)!!
The battlefield fell into an awkward silence.
The remaining Jinchūriki and their teammates blinked at one another, momentarily unsure.
...Uh… so now that two teams just peaced out… are we supposed to keep fighting or…?
Before anyone could make a decision, Uchiha Saya gracefully descended from the treetops, landing directly in front of the four squads. She smiled warmly—the same kind of kind, almost mischievous smile Uchiha Hikaru was known for.
"Hey, Naruto, want to come stand behind your sister?" she asked gently.
"There are exactly three scrolls left here. Want me to help you grab them?"
The atmosphere, which had been starting to relax, tensed instantly.
Gaara, Utakata, Yukimaru, and Fu all turned to glare at Naruto with wide, accusing eyes.
( ಠ_ಠ ) ( ಠ益ಠ ) ( ಠoಠ ) (눈_눈)
Wait a sec. You damn social manipulator! All that friendly talk back in the Tailed Beast Space… was just to get close to us?!
You wanna steal our scrolls?!
The weight of their stares made Naruto squirm guiltily. He opened his mouth to explain—but no words came.
Shit… When I was bragging to them earlier, I totally forgot I was supposed to be stealing their scrolls! What do I do now?!
(;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`) Urgent! Need help online!
Sasuke and Sakura, sensing Naruto's distress, grabbed him by the arms and started to move him away toward Saya's side.
But Gaara wasn't letting him off that easy.
You two-faced bastard! You said we were friends! I'm not letting you walk away!
With a wave of his hand, Gaara summoned sand from the ground to bind Naruto's legs, locking him in place.
Naruto's gaze hardened. He reached into his pouch and tossed the Heaven and Earth Scrolls to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, take the scrolls."
"They… they're my friends too. Just like me."
"This doesn't involve you or Sakura. You two should go—I'll catch up later."
Sasuke looked at him with conflicted eyes. He didn't fully understand what had gone down, but Naruto wasn't one to say something like this lightly.
From the chakra signatures alone, he could tell—these weren't normal Genin.
That short redhead… the guy in a loose kimono with long dark hair who looked like the Fourth Mizukage… and the girl hovering above with translucent wings—they were all Jinchūriki.
Just like Naruto.
Sasuke looked at Naruto, then at Saya… and finally stepped forward to stand beside him.
"You dumbass. The exam's already a bust. And we're totally getting chewed out by Sensei later."
Naruto grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Don't worry! I'll get beaten with you! Hahaha O(n_n)O~"
Sakura saw Sasuke taking Naruto's side and didn't hesitate—wherever Sasuke went, she followed.
Saya nodded approvingly at the trio's decision.
Fu glided down and landed beside Naruto, patting his shoulder curiously.
"She looks like your older sister, huh?"
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, tilting her head.
Naruto turned to look at Gaara, Utakata, Yukimaru, and Fu—all powerful and wounded people like him—and gently grasped Fu's hand on his shoulder.
"Because… you're my friends."
Fu's cheeks flushed pink, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly pulled her hand back, trying to hide the blush rising to her ears. (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
Saya smiled softly, clearly pleased with what she saw in Naruto.
"You didn't abandon your teammates or friends for the scrolls. You value loyalty and friendship. That's good. You're good kids."
But then her expression changed.
Gone was the warmth in her eyes. She was no longer the smiling sister or guardian—she was Uchiha Saya, the blade of the Warring States reborn, cold and sharp as steel.
"But I won't hold back in completing Lord Hikaru's orders."
"For Lord Hikaru… I will give everything I have."
Her chakra flared.
And the forest went still.
-------
Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated 🫂