The Spoils

(An aside: at this point in the timeline, Naruto had already become Jiraiya's student, and Sasuke had undergone special training under Kakashi's guidance. Team 7 was thriving!)

The start of the Konoha Crush Plan had cut the Anbu guards in the Hokage Building by more than half.

Josuke's purpose in coming here was simply to borrow a few scrolls. Surely the Hidden Leaf, with its deep pockets, wouldn't refuse him.

As for Kabuto Yakushi, well, he'd just have to put in a little extra effort. Kabuto was going to become a rogue ninja anyway, so Josuke was merely taking advantage of the opportunity. He probably wouldn't mind.

The Hokage Building was practically deserted. Apart from the two Anbu guards at the entrance, there was no one else around. Of course, Josuke couldn't be sure whether anyone else was lurking in the shadows.

Having transformed into Kabuto Yakushi, Josuke wandered around the Hokage Building.

"Where could the scrolls be?"

Josuke pondered.

The one he'd come looking for was the Scroll of Seals that Naruto had stolen back then. Based on Josuke's years of reading clickbait articles,

it should contain the S-rank ninjutsu he wanted: the Flying Thunder God Technique!

Josuke wanted to get his hands on the Flying Thunder God Technique. If he could steal the Scroll of Seals, that would be even better.

However, Josuke had no idea where the Scroll of Seals might be. After all, the original story had never mentioned where it ended up after it was recovered.

"Could it be in the Hokage's office?"

Josuke wasn't sure, but decided to try his luck there first. So he headed to the Hokage's office.

He pushed the door open and saw a pile of documents stacked inside. Being Hokage must be exhausting. Josuke wouldn't take the job even if you paid him.

It'd wear him out. No wonder Naruto looked so drained by the time of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Processing all those documents must have made his hair fall out.

After looking around the office, Josuke found no useful clues. Could it not be here?

Josuke glanced at the drawers in the Hokage's desk.

Let's take a look.

He opened all three drawers one by one.

Wait, is this...?

Oh, man!

This was practically falling into my lap!

Josuke hadn't expected something as valuable as the Scroll of Seals to be sitting so casually in the Third Hokage's desk drawer.

He must have been very confident in his own strength, certain that no one could steal the Scroll of Seals from him.

Talk about overconfidence. Did getting beaten up by the First and Second Hokage make you forget your place?

Josuke carefully opened the Scroll of Seals. It listed all kinds of A-rank ninjutsu, but none of those were what he wanted.

Growing impatient, Josuke sped up. Just as he was about to reach the end, he finally found the S-rank ninjutsu he'd been dreaming of: the Flying Thunder God Technique!

This really is pretty great.

Looks like he'd come to the right place. With the Flying Thunder God Technique, his future strength would be that much more secure.

Whatever, Tailed Beast Ball or something? He could just teleport it away. (#^.^#)

And some raging kid? One Flying Thunder God: Second Stage and he'd be sent flying.

All right!

Now that he'd got it, he could make his escape. Carrying the scroll, Josuke hurried off. The Hidden Leaf would only be wasting these ninjutsu if they didn't learn them, so he'd graciously take care of them for now. o(￣ヘ￣o＃)

And so Josuke slipped out again. This is the Hidden Leaf for you. With the defenses so understaffed before a major battle, it's really worked out in my favor.

Back to Naruto and the others.

Sakura, Naruto, Shikamaru, and the Ninja Dog Pakkun formed a team of two people and two dogs—no, no, three people and one dog.

They chased after Sasuke.

Pursuers kept appearing behind them. The three of them didn't dare stop, and could only press on.

"Pakkun, can you smell Sasuke?"

Naruto asked anxiously. Pakkun thought it over, then calmly replied,

"His scent is very close. We should reach him soon."

Meanwhile, Sasuke had caught up with Gaara and the others, but Temari had stayed behind to cover their escape.

A summon from the Summoning King of Weasels made Sasuke's Great Fireball fizzle out. Kankuro then continued fleeing with Gaara.

Temari threw three more kunai, hitting Sasuke. But then, with a poof, it turned out to be a substitute dog!

Ahem—a Substitution Technique.

Sasuke then injured Temari with an Explosive Tag, knocking her unconscious.

Having dealt with Temari, Sasuke continued chasing Gaara.

Meanwhile, Shino was evenly matched with Kankuro. Sasuke also managed to catch up with Gaara, when suddenly, something changed!

Gaara's body began to transform. He became a half-man, half-beast monster.

Seeing this, Sasuke scoffed.

"So this is the ninjutsu of Sunagakure? Looks flashy, but not much else!"

Then he paid Gaara his respects with three kunai.

But the kunai couldn't pierce Gaara's body at all. His hard Tailed Beast Cloak blocked the attack.

Gaara flew into a rage!

He charged at Sasuke like a madman, snapping trees in half as he went. Sasuke couldn't beat him, and could only retreat while keeping his distance.

Just then, Sasuke spotted an opening!

Lightning gathered in his hand.

"Chidori!"

He spun around and charged at Gaara. The Chidori pierced straight through Gaara's Tailed Beast body, but it didn't do much. Sand quickly repaired the wounded body.

"Aaaah!!"

The Chidori attack drove Gaara completely berserk!

"Die!!!"

He swung a hand back and slapped Sasuke flying!

Sasuke crashed hard into a tree, leaving a dent in its trunk. That hurt! He forced himself to his feet and gathered Chidori in his hand once more.

But the Cursed Seal on his neck began to flare up, burning his body like mad!

"Aaah!"

Sasuke passed out.

Gaara sneered, his eyes filled with savagery. His partially transformed body charged forward, ready to kill Sasuke with a single claw and send him to meet his parents.

Then, suddenly—

Gaara was sent flying by a kick. He flipped through the air several times before finally regaining his balance.

A flash of yellow, and the protagonist made his grand entrance: Naruto Uzumaki!

"Damn it!"

Gaara went berserk. He hated those damn bonds more than anything!

Just looking at them made him sick. Only strength was real. Everyone else deserved to die!!

"Naruto, sorry I'm late."

A familiar voice came from behind him.

Naruto turned around. It was Josuke. His heart leaped with excitement. Now all of Team 7 was together!

After taking care of the Scroll of Seals, Josuke had rushed here without stopping. He had to see the kunai, Explosive Tags, and Thousand Years of Death with his own eyes!

Naruto adjusted his Forehead Protector, then said excitedly,

"All right, Josuke! Let's go!"

With that, he charged forward with a kunai in hand. Gaara swung a massive claw and smacked Naruto flying—but that was exactly what Naruto had planned.

Naruto summoned Shadow Clones beneath himself and used their strength to launch himself straight behind Gaara.

He stabbed an Explosive Tag into Gaara's butt.

Naruto said with a grin,

"This is the Hidden Leaf's secret ninjutsu, taught to me by Kakashi-sensei: the Thousand Years of Death Technique!"

With an explosion, Gaara was engulfed in flames.