The two sides collided once more.
This time, it was Baki who intercepted Kakashi.
From his perspective, even if the Konoha ninja who had blown away the One-Tail was extraordinarily powerful, the ultimate outcome would not change. Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast of the Sand, would inevitably prevail.
All Baki needed to do was stall.
As long as the other Konoha shinobi were kept occupied, Shukaku would crush everything in its path.
The same was true for Temari, Kankurō, and the remaining Sand shinobi.
With Gaara having fully transformed, none of them could approach the battlefield directly. The correct decision was to suppress the Konoha forces and prevent interference.
And so, once again
The battlefield erupted.
Sand and Leaf shinobi clashed violently across the ruined arena, the ground still trembling from Shukaku's earlier rampage.
Meanwhile
Whoosh!
Two figures landed simultaneously on opposite sides of the broken wall.
Naruto and Genma had arrived, positioning themselves with Menma trapped between them.
"Come back, Menma… No—brother."
Naruto's voice trembled, but his eyes were firm.
"There has to be a misunderstanding. When this is over, we'll go together to see Grandpa Third and Jiraiya-sensei. They'll explain everything. Please… come back with me."
The emotion in Naruto's voice was raw and unfiltered.
To him, this wasn't just about the village or the mission.
For his entire life, Naruto had been alone.
Even when people began acknowledging him, the emptiness of not having a family had never truly disappeared. Seeing others with parents, siblingssomething so ordinary—had always stirred something deep inside his heart.
And now…
Standing before him was his brother.
A brother born of the same parents.
How could he not hesitate?
How could he not hope?
Menma's eyes flickered.
For just a fraction of a second, something stirred beneath the crimson glow.
But it vanished.
"You're naïve, Naruto."
His voice was cold, devoid of warmth.
"You still believe this world works that way?"
Menma's expression hardened, disappointment laced within it.
"Once upon a time, I might've believed that too. But reality crushed that illusion long ago."
His chakra flared violently.
The crimson aura of the Nine-Tails surged outward, forming a tangible cloak around his body. A single tail began to manifest behind him, its pressure alone forcing nearby shinobi to stagger.
The oppressive chakra made even experienced jōnin feel suffocated.
Shiranui Genma's eyes widened.
"Naruto! He's not thinking clearly anymore—he's being consumed by the Nine-Tails! We have to restrain him now!"
Genma moved without hesitation.
As a special jōnin, hesitation was a luxury he could not afford.
He leapt forward, sealing his resolve as firmly as his chakra.
Menma's presence was too dangerous.
Allowing him to continue would end in catastrophe.
"Enough!"
Genma attacked.
Menma's eyes narrowed.
"So that's how it is…"
A faint, almost mocking smile formed.
"Then don't blame me."
Boom!
With a sharp stomp, Menma launched himself forward. His movements were fluid, controlled, terrifyingly precise.
He intercepted Genma's kunai with ease
Clang!
The impact rang sharply through the air.
Menma twisted his wrist and redirected the force, his counterstrike forcing Genma back several steps.
Genma's eyes widened.
So fast…!
So strong…!
This wasn't the strength of a genin.
This wasn't even normal jōnin level.
This was
"Damn it…"
Before he could react further, Menma was already moving again.
His foot slammed into the ground, his body twisting as he surged forward.
At the same moment
"Menma!"
Naruto dashed in, golden chakra flaring as he tried to intercept.
Menma turned.
Their eyes met.
He caught Naruto's wrist mid-strike.
The impact echoed like thunder.
Using Naruto's momentum, Menma spun, hurling him backward
and in the same motion, sent Genma flying with a brutal kick.
Both were launched across the battlefield, skidding across shattered stone before finally stopping.
Dust filled the air.
Naruto struggled to rise, his chest heaving.
Genma gritted his teeth, shock evident in his expression.
That strength…
That control…
This was no longer the boy they knew.
Menma stood still amid the swirling chakra, his gaze cold and unwavering.
"This is the path I chose," he said quietly.
"And I won't turn back."