Battle Against Shukaku

Firelight engulfed Gaara.

Naruto was also sent flying by a slap, blood spilling from his mouth.

Just as he was about to use the Shadow Clone Technique to steady himself, he was caught securely.

"Are you okay, Naruto?"

Moved, Naruto looked at Josuke.

"Thanks. I'm going back in."

With that, he formed the hand signs for the Shadow Clone Technique, and dozens of shadow clones charged toward Gaara.

But Gaara could no longer suppress Shukaku within him. He was gradually transforming into a tailed beast, and Naruto's attack now felt more like a provocation.

"AAAH!!"

Gaara let out a furious roar as his body gradually expanded.

Shukaku was about to emerge...

All of Naruto's shadow clones attacking Shukaku were destroyed by the sand swirling around it, while some sand also gathered around Josuke.

Josuke knew something big was coming.

But he couldn't let this sandstorm trap him.

"Water Release: Water Wall Technique! (I don't know if this exists in the original. If it does, okay. If not, just consider it a B-rank ninjutsu I made up.)"

Josuke used the Water Release: Water Wall Technique, raising walls made of water around himself.

It could effectively block certain types of attacks, and it was especially suited for defending against sand attacks.

The ground shook violently. BOOM, BOOM!!!

Shukaku's enormous body appeared upon the earth. Josuke broke out in a cold sweat. So this is a tailed beast? What overwhelming pressure!!

BANG!!

The moment Shukaku appeared, Naruto also used the Summoning Technique, summoning Mount Myoboku's Boss Toad, Bunta.

The two faced each other in a standoff.

Damn, as expected of my Kizaru, Bunta's pressure is intense too.

Watching Bunta and Shukaku confront each other from the side, Josuke saw Bunta fire several Iron Cannonballs, which clashed evenly against Shukaku's Sand Bullets.

Bunta even took the opportunity to chop off one of Shukaku's hands. Though Shukaku was not yet in his complete form, and the forest terrain prevented Bunta from fully displaying his strength,

that achievement alone was enough for Bunta to boast about for a long time.

Josuke knew this was the time to rack up some battle merits. He immediately sprinted toward Bunta.

"Naruto!!!"

Josuke shouted, using the Body Flicker Technique to arrive beside Naruto.

Seeing Josuke arrive, Naruto asked anxiously,

"Josuke, it's dangerous here!!"

Josuke waved a hand.

"I came to help you, Naruto. By the way, is this giant toad your pet? He's amazing."

A pet?

Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.

"No, this is Boss Toad. He's my summoned beast."

Josuke pretended to be shocked.

"So strong! Can I sign a summoning contract with him too?"

"Huh?"

Naruto was surprised. After thinking about it, he knew he would definitely agree if it were up to him. But the summoning scroll belonged to the Pervy Sage, so he still needed to ask for his permission.

"Sorry, Josuke, that summoning scroll isn't mine. It belongs to the Pervy Sage. I'll take you to see him when I get the chance."

Naruto said apologetically. Unable to help his friend, he felt embarrassed, since he treasured friendship so much.

Josuke grinned, looking as though he did not mind at all.

"It's fine, Naruto. Right now, we should take down the enemy in front of us."

Hearing that, Naruto turned serious.

"Okay!!"

He then continued directing Bunta to attack Shukaku.

"Heh! How dare you look down on me!"

Shukaku raged, the sand around him tearing through the area and making Josuke and Naruto unable to open their eyes.

Should I use the power of the curse mark now?

Josuke thought for a moment, then activated the curse mark. A powerful surge of chakra rampaged within his body, and Josuke could feel a burning sensation.

That was probably what was consuming his vitality, but he did not feel any discomfort.

And the tattoos he had imagined did not appear on his body either, which surprised Josuke even more.

As expected of Uncle Snake, the scientist.

Josuke quickly formed hand signs.

"Water Release: Water Bullet Barrage!!"

A water bullet shot from Josuke's mouth and struck Shukaku's enormous body, raising only a few splashes.

Is this the defensive power of a tailed beast?

It was terrifying. This Water Bullet Barrage had consumed a quarter of Josuke's chakra, yet this was all the damage it did?

But then Josuke remembered that he was still a genin... Heh.

So he did not dwell on it.

"Naruto, we can't attack him effectively. Hurry up and transform me into another animal."

Bunta said to Naruto.

And just like in the original, Naruto used the Transformation Technique to turn Bunta into the form of the Nine-Tails. But that action

clearly enraged Shukaku.

Shukaku became even more frenzied.

Naruto also spotted the unconscious Gaara at that moment, so he decided to wake him up.

They immediately got to work. Bunta, transformed into the Nine-Tails, restrained Shukaku's enormous body, while Naruto jumped directly onto Shukaku's head and made his way to Gaara.

Josuke provided cover from the side.

He used ninjutsu to interfere with Shukaku's judgment.

Hard work paid off.

With Naruto's headbutt!!!

Gaara was knocked awake and regained control of his body.

Shukaku's enormous body instantly collapsed, and the three of them fell. Using his last chakra, Josuke cast the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, summoning around ten clones to cushion the three as they fell freely.

His chakra was depleted as a result, leaving him exhausted. Even with the clones cushioning them, hitting the ground still really hurt.

Naruto and Gaara were mostly fine. Their heads were merely cracked open, but it did not affect them.

Though exhausted, Josuke remained conscious. He turned his head to look at the two lying on the ground.

He knew Naruto was about to start talking no jutsu.

The Gaara lying on the ground no longer had his previous arrogance. Instead, he asked quietly,

"Why are you so strong?"

Naruto did not answer Gaara's question.

As a fellow jinchuriki, Naruto could deeply understand Gaara's experiences: friends keeping their distance, family fearing him, and always being alone. Naruto saw his own reflection in Gaara, and Gaara had not expected to find someone like himself.

Instead, Naruto told his own story.

"We had the same birth, the same experiences, and were hated by everyone. But unlike you, Gaara, I have the heart to protect the people important to me, comrades who care about me and cherish me!!

Because I protect them, I am strong!!"

Hearing this...

Gaara was deeply moved. He could understand that feeling.

"That is love? Is that it?"

Gaara asked in a low voice.

Naruto said nothing, only smiling and nodding.

After that, there was a long silence.

Sasuke, Temari, Kankuro, and the others also arrived. Sasuke slowly helped his own brother up. He had seen the performances of the two of them just now.

Could I face a tailed beast so bravely?

Sasuke believed he could not do it. But Naruto?

Why does he possess such powerful strength!!!

And his own brother—why? The flames of jealousy burned within him, and the seed of hatred had already been planted...