Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

"These two are Tokai and Ranru!"

"How could this happen? Are they being controlled?!"

Deidara swooped down from the sky atop his giant clay bird and landed before the group, smirking. "How is it? How does it feel? I didn't kill them, just blew them half to death!"

Omoi scowled. "Another Konoha comrade? Also being controlled... this is disgusting."

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two puppeteered figures. Suddenly, another figure descended rapidly. Kankurō spotted the incoming threat and shouted, "Everyone, be careful!!!"

With a blur, another figure intercepted the assailant, delivering a harsh kick that slammed the attacker into the ground with a heavy thud.

The new arrival floated down and gave Sai a brief nod midair.

Kankurō cheered, "Well done, Sai!"

Deidara turned to glance at Sai and mused, "Oh! So this is the guy who draws."

Then he looked down into the crater and chuckled. "Kakuzu, what a disgrace—you got kicked into a pit by a painter!"

Kakuzu climbed out, glaring. "Shut your damn mouth, Deidara."

Kankurō locked eyes with Deidara. "You bastard. Your methods are truly vile. Sasori, I know you're here. Quit hiding and show yourself!"

Deidara grinned. "As expected from a puppet master. You saw through it instantly. But what does it matter if you did? We, with our immortal bodies, are the true victors!"

As he spoke, another reanimated shinobi dropped from the sky.

"Another one?!" Omoi growled. "Seriously?!"

He launched himself upward, cloaked in Lightning Release chakra, and shouted, "Die!"

The clash of metal rang out—the enemy wielded a blade too. The two collided midair and then parted.

Sai stared at the new arrival, stunned. "Who is that?!"

Kankurō raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

Once the figure landed, he turned to Sai and said, "Run, brother. In this state... you can't win."

Sai's eyes widened in disbelief. "Brother Shin...?"

Omoi looked away uncomfortably. Fighting someone so close... it was a cruel tactic.

Deidara laughed mockingly. "Such drama! Kabuto really is a genius at bringing dreams—or nightmares—back to life."

Omoi gripped his blade. Sending reanimated loved ones to battle them—it was despicable. He hesitated for a moment, unable to imagine raising his sword against someone precious. But... he didn't know these people. He had to act.

"Wretched Akatsuki... Accept the wrath of Kumogakure!"

With that, Omoi charged forward, blade drawn!

Shin reacted immediately and launched an attack.

"Omoi, move aside! I'm your opponent. I'm your brother!"

Sai, holding his kunai in a reverse grip, dashed forward. "Brother... I'll bring you back."

Kakuzu scoffed, "You brat. I haven't even repaid you for that kick!"

Omoi snapped, "Then come at me! He's busy with his brother. Lightning Release: Sword Flash!"

Sparks danced as he attacked. Kakuzu sneered. "Fine. I'll kill you first, then take care of him. Earth Grudge Fear!"

Kankurō barked out orders. "Hyūgai, Dango, with me!"

Hyūgai responded, "Right behind you!"

Dango added, "Been waiting for this!"

Itan started forward too but was stopped by Kankurō.

Grinding his teeth, Itan stared at Deidara. "You bastard... After all that Tsuchikage-sama did for you, you still betray everything—even in death!"

Sai clashed with Shin, steel meeting steel. "Brother, please—fight it!"

Expressionless, Shin replied, "No, Sai. I'm being controlled. My body isn't my own. Get the sealing team... quickly!"

Kakuzu's monstrous, stitched form loomed, tendrils writhing. "Give me your heart, boy."

Omoi dodged sharply, cursing.

Kakuzu paused. "Huh... You're not targeting me? You're after Deidara?"

Still, he didn't pursue. Deidara had mocked him earlier—he could suffer a little.

"Eyes over here! I'm still your opponent!"

Kankurō charged in with Hyūgai and Dango. Kakuzu licked his lips beneath his mask. "Three more hearts. Excellent."

Omoi leapt toward Deidara. The bomber growled, "Kakuzu, you idiot! Don't let him pass!"

Sasori reacted quickly. Chakra threads snapped up, controlling Tokai and Ranru, who leapt into the air and flanked Omoi.

Deidara smirked inwardly. Perfect. Sasori always comes through. That'll block him completely.

Omoi's eyes narrowed. "Don't underestimate Kumogakure! Cloud-Style: Severing Slash!"

A burst of light—Tokai and Ranru's Chakra threads were sliced apart in an instant!

The two fell. Hyūgai and Dango caught them with precision.

"Nice job, Omoi!" they shouted.

Deidara's grin vanished. "What?!"

Sasori narrowed his eyes. "You actually severed my Chakra threads? Not bad... your swordsmanship's impressive."

Omoi landed and retreated swiftly.

Deidara frowned. What now?

"Cloud-Style: Cross Slash!"

He lunged at Kakuzu again. The stitched immortal growled, but Kankurō moved at that moment, launching his Chakra threads, subtly connecting to Sasori's.

Sasori's eyes narrowed. Tch. That's bad.

"Got you!" Kankurō twisted and yanked, pulling Sasori from his perch.

"Itan! Raise the ground!"

Only now did Itan realize Kankurō's plan.

He weaved hand seals. "Earth Release: Seismic Core!"

A slab of earth erupted from below, striking Deidara's bird midair. The clay construct shattered, and Sasori crashed into Deidara.

Boom!

The chunk of earth slammed back to the ground, burying both Akatsuki members.

Shin and Kakuzu retreated, regrouping beside their fallen allies.

Kakuzu muttered, "You artists are so dramatic."

"Shut up, Kakuzu!" Deidara snapped.

Kakuzu chuckled. Heh. Even you lose your cool sometimes.

Sasori regarded Kankurō. "Impressive. You've grown. You connected your threads to mine and pulled me down—smoothly executed."

Kankurō's eyes were cold. "I don't fall for the same trick twice. I learned from our last encounter."

Sasori smirked. "You're alive, which means the poison I used didn't kill you after all."

Kankurō nodded. "Maybe... fate wanted us to finish this."

He unrolled a scroll and summoned his puppet—a replica of Sasori's own Hiruko form.

Sasori snorted. "So the puppet you made from my body still hasn't decayed. But I... I am now the puppet who will never decay!"

Sasori sent out a chakra thread—directly into Shin.

Hyūgai activated his Byakugan and shouted, "Captain! That guy Shin—he has explosive clay in his chest and stomach!"

Sai's expression darkened. Itan approached Omoi and said, "Omoi, use Lightning Release. Deidara's explosive clay will misfire if you disrupt it with Lightning chakra."

Omoi nodded grimly. "Got it. As long as the explosion's not huge, I can handle it."

Deidara sneered, "I won't give you that chance. Sasori, ready yourself!"

Kakuzu quietly backed away. He wouldn't die from an explosion—but he sure as hell didn't want to get blown up either.

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