Naruto limped over and complained to Menma, who was hovering in the air. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You even fooled me!"
Menma smirked. "If I hadn't kept you in the dark, how could I have fooled them?"
Naruto didn't hold it against Menma. After all, in Sage Fox Mode, his speed and defense were among the best in the Shinobi World. Although he'd been caught in the aftermath of Menma's Great Spiraling Ring, it had only cost him some Chakra. The shock wave had sent him tumbling, but that was all.
By comparison, things were much worse for the Akatsuki Organization.
Hiruko had lost all ability to fight and was unconscious from his severe injuries. Obito had exposed his Wood Release and was also badly wounded, with most of his Chakra spent.
He could have used Izanagi to evade the attack, but he'd just formed Hand Seals and prepared to strike with Wood Release when Menma's Great Spiraling Ring came crashing down. He'd had no choice but to use Wood Release to defend himself.
With Obito taking the brunt of the impact, Zetsu, who had immediately slipped underground, was in somewhat better shape, though he was still in a sorry state.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A squad of Konoha Ninja hurried onto the battlefield amid a rush of wind. Kakashi was at their head!
Seeing that Naruto had not only defeated Hiruko but also severely injured the mysterious masked man and Zetsu, everyone from Konoha breathed a collective sigh of relief, their faces brightening.
Menma floated in the air and said smugly, "Kakashi, I'll leave things here to you. You've got this, right?"
"You and Naruto should head back to the village first!"
Kakashi nodded and prepared to take charge of the battlefield.
Naruto's performance had exceeded his expectations,