Naruto Zaraki

Naruto raised Nozarashi high above his head, his muscles straining as reiatsu roared around him. His blade shimmered with deadly intent, ready to strike Jiraiya down. Just as the massive weapon began its descent, a blur of pink shot through the battlefield. 

"Kenny!" 

With blinding speed, Yachiru appeared midair and delivered a devastating dropkick to Naruto's head. The impact cracked the ground beneath him as he crumpled to the earth, unconscious. The mighty Nozarashi slipped from his grip, embedding itself in the soil beside him before vanishing. 

Jiraiya exhaled heavily, his body trembling with exhaustion and the weight of narrowly escaped death. Slowly, he turned his weary gaze to Yachiru, who stood with hands on her hips, her bright grin unwavering.

"Thank you," he said, his voice hoarse. "You saved my life, Yachiru… or should I say, Nozarashi?"

Her smile faltered. The playful gleam in her eyes darkened, replaced by something far more dangerous. Yachiru tilted her head, her grin stretching just enough to seem unnervingly sharp.

"I didn't do it to save you, old man," she said sweetly, brushing a speck of dust from her shoulder. "I did it to save him… from doing something he'd never forgive himself for."

Jiraiya swallowed the lump in his throat, watching her closely. As she picked up Naruto with surprising ease, she glanced back, her eyes briefly glowing with a fierce, ancient light. Then, with a burst of shunpo, she vanished into the horizon.

Jiraiya hand rested on his ribs, and he winced, his body aching from the battle. Yet, it was the emotional toll that weighed on him most. He let out a heavy sigh before turning to leave, each step burdened by a sense of failure. 

Ma and Pa Toad, offered words of comfort before vanishing back to Mount Myōboku. With a pained expression, Jiraiya silently vowed to make things right.

---

A Few Days Later

Konoha

Jiraiya sat in Tsunade's office, recounting the harrowing encounter. His voice was subdued, laden with regret. 

Tsunade listened in silence before leaning back in her chair with an air of exasperation. "I told you so," she said bluntly, though her tone carried a trace of sympathy. 

Jiraiya groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in, why don't you? But dammit, Tsunade, if I had just been there for him from the beginning... none of this would've happened." 

Tsunade's stern expression softened. She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can't change the past, Jiraiya. All you can do is try to be there for him now. That's what matters." 

---

The two shinobi stood on a quiet hilltop as twilight painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Jiraiya spoke somberly, recounting the battle in vivid detail, Naruto's monstrous strength, the devastating aura, the overwhelming killing intent.

Kakashi's single visible eye widened. "Naruto… tried to kill you?"

Jiraiya nodded grimly. "He won't hesitate if you cross his path. Knowing that we knew his parents and didn't protect him… he's angry. Hurt. And he's gained power beyond anything we ever imagined." He paused. "If you meet him, Kakashi, prepare yourself. He'll be aiming to kill."

---

Meanwhile, in the shadowed halls of Root's headquarters, Danzo sat deep in thought. Reports of Naruto's growing power had reached him, and the loss of so many operatives to the boy had frayed his patience. 

"It seems the time has come," he murmured, his fingers drumming against the table. "I can no longer afford to leave this matter to chance." 

His lips curled into a cold smile. "Naruto will be mine. The power of the Nine-Tails will belong to Konoha, and to me." 

His mind was already working on a plan, one that would ensure Naruto's capture. The thought filled him with grim satisfaction. 

---

Far from Konoha, Naruto sat by a stream, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a sour expression. The encounter with Jiraiya had left him in a foul mood, his emotions churning with anger and confusion. 

Yachiru sat nearby, her legs swinging lazily as she patted Naruto's head. "Stop frowning so much, Kenny. You'll scare all the fish away," she teased lightly, though her tone carried genuine concern. 

Naruto didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the water. Suddenly, his body tensed. He felt a powerful, oppressive presence approaching fast. 

Suddenly, Naruto's head snapped up. A powerful presence rippled through the air, a crushing spiritual force that sent shivers racing down his spine. His breath quickened as adrenaline surged through his veins.

The ground trembled, and with a thunderous crash, a massive figure descended, creating a deep crater upon impact. Dust and debris billowed into the sky, obscuring the intruder.

When the dust settled, a towering being stood in the center of the crater. Nnoitra Gilga grinned wickedly, his scythe resting on his shoulder as his sharp, predatory eyes locked onto Naruto. 

Naruto's breath caught in his throat, a mix of fear and exhilaration seizing his heart.

Yachiru's eyes widened in panic. "Kenny! You have to run! You're not strong enough to face him!"

Naruto's instincts screamed at him to flee, but another, more reckless urge surged to the forefront. His pulse raced, his lips curling into a wild smirk.

"Nah," he said. 

Nnoitra tilted his head, his grin widening. "I thought I sensed something familiar. And look who it is, the one who killed me. Kenpachi Zaraki. You look different, though. Smaller. Weaker." 

Yachiru's eyes darted between the two, her panic growing. She handed Naruto her zanpakuto, her voice firm. "Take this." 

Naruto accepted the weapon with a nod, his grip tightening around the hilt. "Thanks, Yachiru," he said, his voice steady. 

"If things get too dangerous, we're retreating," Yachiru said, her tone leaving no room for argument. 

Naruto grumbled but nodded reluctantly. 

Nnoitra let out a booming laugh, his jagged teeth glinting. "Say your last words, little Kenpachi. Then we'll begin the slaughter." 

Naruto stepped forward, his reiatsu flaring as he prepared to face the monstrous Arrancar. The ground beneath him cracked, and the air between them grew dense with energy. 

Nnoitra raised his massive scythe, a twisted smile of pure joy on his face.

"Finally," he growled. "I get to kill you Kenpachi."

Tbc