Naruto: Amongst the Whirling Tides Chapter 5

Hi all,

Since this is the fifth chapter, I will be editing the story, hence it will take a week’s hiatus. Next week's chapters will not have a poll, but my three other stories will get a chapter each.

Chapter 5

It was time to escape the Root Compound.

Naruto's eyes opened after leaving his mindscape, immediately catching sight of the lantern suspended from a hook near the entrance. The soft glow it emitted revealed that the steel gate was unlocked and partially open.

Kabuto did not disappoint him. Despite already demonstrating his ability to enter his cell undetected before, he still found it astonishing how effortlessly Kabuto could navigate through the compound with impunity. He knew it was unlikely that Danzo would give him full access to all areas of the compound. The Hokage seemed intelligent, making it highly improbable for him to trust a criminal such as Kabuto. There was a strong possibility that Orochimaru was present, causing him immense worry. That lunatic was absolutely evil.

Naruto retrieved a piece of paper from beneath his pillow. On it was a map of the compound that Kabuto had given him. Not only did the map display all the exits, but Kabuto had also drawn a route that would be devoid of guards. Now it was time to put that theory to the test.

Naruto raised his hands, forming a tiger seal to summon a Shadow Clone. With a soft popping sound, he materialised beside the bed.

"Hey boss, what do you need?"

"It's time to leave this place," Naruto said, handing him the map. "I want you to scout the hallway for me. Follow the route marked on the map. There shouldn't be any opposition, but you should still be cautious. Come back once you've scouted half the route, as we are pressed for time and don’t have time to check the entire thing."

"I can handle this," the clone declared as he exited the room.

He regained the ability to use jutsu. It seemed that Kabuto was correct. While inside the cell, he could not perform any jutsu due to the presence of Fuinjutsu seals inlaid on the door. It formed a kind of buffer zone that inhibited the manifestation of chakra. It wasn't until the door was unlocked that he regained the capacity to use Jutsu once more. His mindscape was the sole exception, where a different set of rules seemed to apply. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to train with Kurama.

After initially hearing Kabuto’s proposal two weeks ago, his first inclination was to refuse. Although he was able to sense Kabuto’s emotions and discern the truth somewhat, he still couldn’t trust the man. Several details about his involvement in the Konoha invasion were revealed afterwards. Not only was he found guilty of espionage, as he had been spying on the village for Orochimaru, but he also killed several Anbu operatives.

He had no alternative but to work with him. If Kabuto had another motive that he wasn't aware of, he would worry about it later. His priority was to leave before Danzo grew restless and resorted to even more drastic measures to control him.

With a quick hand-seal, he deactivated the chakra weights attached to his arms and legs, instantly feeling the burden on his body easing. Fu had him training with the weights for the last week, never letting him remove them. Despite the significant improvement they provided to his physical conditioning, it was not advisable to wear them during a breakout.

Naruto tensed at the sound of loud footsteps but relaxed when he realised it was his own clone coming back. "Why are you making so much noise?"

"Boss, no need to worry. There is no one here," he assured, waving the map with a cheerful smile.

"Oh, really? Did you manage to check the entire building in such a short amount of time? That's truly impressive."Naruto asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Ah..."

"Nevermind," Naruto sighed and recalled the clone.

Unfortunately, his clones were significantly less intelligent than him. This hindered his ability to trust them with complex tasks, as he had to provide them with detailed and explicit instructions. In truth, they behaved precisely as he portrayed himself to others. Seeing it from an outsider’s perspective made him cringe.

He rose from his bed and made his way towards the door, his senses sharpened and alert. Just as he was about to step out of his prison, a thought struck him. He bit his thumb and weaved a series of hand signs before firmly pressing his hand against the ground. In an instant, a small puff of white smoke appeared, revealing an orange toad.

"Yo Naruto!" Gamakichi raised a foreleg and gave a salute. "How's everything going?"

"I'm doing fine," Naruto reassured him. "I'm currently making my escape. Could you do me a favour and let Jiraiya know? I might need his help once I'm outside."

"What a coincidence. Jiraiya is actually outside the compound at this very moment, getting ready to rescue you."

"Seriously?" It was a relief to know that at least one person cared about him. "Well then, let him know that I'll meet him there."

“I got it,” Gamakichi replied. "Get ready for some serious chaos. Jiraiya is not messing around."

"I sure hope he can handle himself," Naruto said. “Let him know that Kabuto aided in my escape. He is currently residing within the compound. As for Orochimaru, I am uncertain of his whereabouts, but it is likely that he is staying here as well."

"That seems kinda sus," Gamakichi said. "Alright, I'm outta here."

Gamakichi vanished with a quiet pop, and Naruto stepped into the corridor. He consulted the map, committed the route to memory, and then set off down the corridor. Despite his best efforts to quiet his footsteps, they still reverberated loudly through the eerily silent building. It seemed abandoned, but that was largely due to Kabuto clearing the path for him.

A row of lanterns attached to the walls provided the sole source of light, casting some areas into shadow. Naruto walked for a few minutes, navigating through a maze of corridors and ascending several flights of stairs. He noticed the absence of windows, which fueled his suspicion that the compound was located underground. What better way to hide a secret organisation away than to build it beneath the ground?

According to the map, he was only two more floors below where the exit was located. As he neared the next staircase, a figure detached from the shadows, revealing a man standing there.

"Damn it!" Naruto cursed.

"How did you manage to escape?" Fu inquired. He wore a heavy cloak, suggesting that he had recently returned from the outside.

"Sorry, but that's highly classified information," Naruto replied, assuming his fighting stance.

"No matter. I shall have ample time to uncover the truth once I conclude administering your punishment," Fu stated. "It appears that I was too lenient with you."

“Not from my perspective,” Naruto snapped back. “Let's get this fight underway. I have other places to be.”

Fu imitated him, assuming an offensive stance. "Do you really believe that you have the capability to defeat me? Despite the advancements you have made in your training, it still falls considerably short of being able to pose a challenge to me."

“We will see about that,” Naruto replied.

It appeared that Fu was prepared to confront him using Taijutsu. Given their current location, this seemed like the most prudent choice. They did not want to bring the building down on them by using any destructive jutsu. It was advantageous for Naruto since they were less likely to draw attention from other Root operatives.

His chakra tendrils emerged from him, invisible as they reached out and latched onto Fu. Their appearance had changed from before, now resembling a pair of crude chains. Though they were not complete, the foundation of their final form was there.

After discovering his unique chakra, Kurama proposed a theory about its nature. The Uzumaki clan possessed a distinctive sealing technique known as the Adamantine Sealing Chains, which involved generating chains made of their own chakra that extended from their bodies. These chains were primarily used to bind and immobilise targets, and they were so strong that they could even restrain Kurama.

Kurama realised that the chakra he shared similarities with these chains, although it had apparently undergone some kind of mutation and became its own distinct form of chakra. As soon as he heard about the chains, it was strange how they seemed to start forming naturally outside of his body. It wasn't a conscious effort, but rather some innate ability that was triggered after his understanding of the chains was unlocked. They still weren’t perfect, however, and still needed refinement.

He decided to name them, Adamantine Sensing Chains. They lacked the ability to restrain targets, but they possessed the capacity to perceive emotions and intentions. With the chains, he found it easier to maintain his connection to a target, and the range had also doubled. Inside his mindscape, they were represented by a pool of gold liquid. His reserves of gold chakra were significantly lower compared to the other two, however, he was still able to sustain them for a decent amount of time.

Naruto conjured two shadow clones that positioned themselves on each side of him. The corridor proved too narrow to accommodate any more clones, not that he needed them. His taijutsu style in its current iteration operated best with a pair of clones. Adding any more clones would cause his form to deteriorate.

Meanwhile, Fu made his own preparations by removing his cloak. He then reached behind his back to retrieve a weapon. Naruto eyed it with caution, as he had never seen Fu wield it before. The weapon in question was a tanto, a smaller version of a katana. However, Fu's tanto had been slightly altered, featuring a straight double-edged blade without a tip. With its decent range, Naruto knew he had to exercise extra caution when engaging Fu at close quarters.

"By the way, did you know that I originally come from the Yamanaka clan?" Fu inquired.

"You still want to chat?" Naruto asked. "Alright, I'll humour you. I couldn't help but notice your peepers resemble those of Ino from my academy class. Large blue eyes without any pupils."

"Just like the Hyugas, the Yamanakas also share similar eye traits with the rest of the clan."

"Where is this conversation heading?"

Fu disregarded him, persisting in continuing with his monologue. "We are recognised for our Mind Transfer Jutsu, which enables us to seamlessly swap bodies with the target."

"That's really creepy," Naruto exclaimed. “Are you telling me that you could take control of Danzo’s body and make him play with himself? I bet that would really get your rocks off.”

"Don't insult Lord Hokage," Fu admonished, before resuming his speech.“Unfortunately, the jutsu is completely useless against you. Your status as the Jinchuuriki prevents me from taking over your body. If I attempt it, the Kyuubi is likely to destroy my mind."

"Well, at least the fox is good for something," Naruto quipped. "Appreciate the intel, you absolute moron."

"You're the boss! Give it to him!" The shadow clones cheered.

"The reason for sharing this information is to give you a better idea of the differences in strength between us," Fu commented. "Even though my abilities are restricted, you still can't match me."

Naruto was about to respond when a deafening tremor reverberated through the entire building. Fu, momentarily distracted, instinctively looked up at the dust falling from the ceiling. However, Naruto, anticipating a disturbance of this nature, remained keenly focused.

Seizing the opportunity, he charged forward and delivered a hard punch at Fu's midsection. Fu skillfully evaded the blow by twisting his waist to the side. Naruto's two clones appeared at that moment and swiftly joined the fight against Fu. The three individuals launched a series of attacks against Fu, pushing him into a defensive position.

Naruto named his Taijutsu form the Reverse Maelstrom Style after spending a significant amount of time carefully deciding on the name. First and foremost, his name literally meant Maelstrom. He refused to acknowledge the other interpretation. Secondly, it reflected the chaotic nature of his fighting style, which was an improvised fighting style that integrated Shadow Clones into it. Additionally, the name paid tribute to his skill in countering adversaries' attacks by preemptively anticipating their moves. Through dedicated practice over the last fortnight, he had significantly honed his ability to harness his chains and predict Fu's movements.

The Reverse Maelstrom Style consisted of two stances: the Offensive Shadow Clone stance and the Defensive Counter stance. The first stance would be used against weaker opponents to swiftly defeat them with the assistance of his shadow clones. The latter would be used when faced with stronger adversaries, relying on counterattacks to secure the upper hand. The only reason he was employing the offensive stance against Fu was because he knew that he couldn’t win with either, so he would rather use it.

The style was not perfect by any means, however, there was a solid foundation to build upon.

He hated admitting it, but the Defensive Counter stance bore a striking resemblance to the Uchiha style. Sasuke used his Doujutsu to anticipate the movements of his adversaries and effectively counter their attacks. However, just like the Uchiha style, it had a weakness. It didn’t matter if you could predict an opponent’s moves if your body couldn’t keep up with them.

Fu launched a powerful high kick at Naruto, who quickly crossed his arms to defend his body. Despite his efforts, the force of the kick sent Naruto sliding back a few feet. Seizing the opportunity, Fu swiftly destroyed the two clones with his tanto. Before Naruto could summon more Shadow Clones, Fu accelerated and closed in on him with lightning speed.

It was now Naruto's turn to defend himself, skillfully evading, ducking, and swaying out of the sharp tanto's reach. His ability to anticipate Fu's movements was the only thing keeping him from being impaled like a pig. Still, Naruto found himself being pushed back by Fu's relentless attacks, taking a few steps in retreat. He couldn't even launch a counterattack.

The tanto sliced through his sleeve, leaving a long scratch on his arm. Naruto winced, but he refused to be distracted by the pain. Fu continued to increase his speed and intensity, steadily breaching Naruto's defences with each passing moment. Naruto was cut again, this time on his chest, and the wound was slightly deeper.

Naruto needed to do something. There wasn't enough time for him to play around because the longer the fight went on, the higher the chances were that he wouldn't be able to escape the compound. He knew that it was impossible to defeat Fu at his current level. It was time for him to reveal his secret weapon. First, he needed to create an opening.

When Fu thrust forward with his tanto, aiming for his stomach, Naruto improvised. He allowed it to stab him, and Fu’s eyes widened a touch, incredulous that his opponent would allow himself to be stabbed. It was the first sign of emotion from the man. After the split hesitation, Naruto headbutted the man in the face, breaking his nose and sending blood flying.

Fu staggered backwards, clutching his face in pain. At that moment, Naruto seized the opening and swiftly extracted the tanto from his own stomach. Despite the excruciating agony, Naruto remained stoic, betraying no other outward signs of distress. For Naruto, enduring suffering was nothing new, considering the countless torments he had already weathered at the hands of the very man confronting him now.

"That was unexpected," Fu acknowledged. "I never thought you would go to such lengths to gain an advantage. Nevertheless, it won't be enough. It's time to take off the kid's gloves."

"That's amusing," Naruto growled, his voice laced with a potent intensity. "I was just about to say the same thing." A vibrant cloak of orange chakra enveloped his body, accompanied by the appearance of two distinctive tails. "Get ready to face your reckoning, you bastard."

This marked the culmination of all his hard work. He was able to successfully acquire and maintain two tails while in his Tailed-Beast mode. Every aspect of his physical capabilities experienced a substantial surge, including a massive increase in his chakra reserves. Although he could only sustain this state for a short period, it was more than sufficient to match Fu. The main disadvantage was his inability to maintain a connection with his Adamantine Sensing Chains, forcing him to rely solely on his heightened instincts while it was active.

Naruto swiftly disappeared and then materialised directly in front of Fu, as if he had used Shunshin. Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a Jinchuuriki in Tailed-Beast mode, Fu was unable to react in time. Naruto delivered a forceful uppercut to Fu's chin, propelling him into the air. But before he could hit the ceiling, one of Naruto's tails grabbed him and forcefully slammed him back down to the ground.

Fu gasped for air as Naruto repeatedly lifted him up and slammed him down. The relentless assault left no time to recover. In a desperate attempt to get away, Fu reached into his pouch and retrieved a smoke bomb. Just as Naruto was about to lift him into the air once more, Fu threw the bomb directly at his face. The explosion engulfed Naruto, causing him to howl in pain as his eyes burned from the stinging smoke. Naruto released Fu and took a step back. The corridor filled with smoke, making it difficult for them to see each other.

Wincing, Fu got to his feet. In an instant, the fight had turned on his head. He was disorientated from being slammed repeatedly into the ground, and it felt like he broke several ribs. He quickly asserted that he was outmatched and that he needed to escape and get reinforcements. He turned around and began to sprint away.

“Get over here!” Naruto roared. One of his tails had extended out and latched onto Fu’s throat. The man gasped as he was lifted into the air, limbs flailing as he struggled to breathe.

Not only that, but the corrosive chakra was gradually eating away at his skin, akin to acid. He was utterly powerless, slowly succumbing to his impending demise, which promised to be excruciating. Uzumaki was exacting his revenge for all the abuse he endured. Just as he believed he could no longer withstand the agony, he suddenly heard a snap, followed by a comforting descent into darkness.

Naruto placed the lifeless body of Fu on the floor, his mind torn between two conflicting emotions. The first was a feeling of horror and realisation that he had just taken someone's life for the very first time. The second emotion, which overshadowed the first, was a sense of elation in finally getting revenge against the man who made him endure so much. At that moment, Naruto couldn't help but question if he had turned into a monster.

A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts, causing him to turn around. The forces were gathering, likely in response to the commotion outside. Realising it was time to leave, Naruto swiftly moved forward, making his way towards the exit.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ten minutes earlier.

Hidden within a small cluster of trees on the outskirts of the village, a group of shinobi were closely observing a seemingly random clearing with a tall boulder in their centre. Little did others know that the boulder concealed the entrance to the Root compound. This location, situated in the Forest of Death, was one of the most isolated areas in the village. It was the ideal hiding spot, as there would be fewer chances of the Root operatives being spotted coming and going from the compound. Those who were too curious and investigated this place further were likely to vanish without a trace, which can be easily attributed to an encounter with the countless dangerous beasts inhabiting the forest.

"Prepare yourself," Jiraiya commanded. "As soon as we receive the signal, we will proceed with the mission."

Standing alongside him were five shinobi: Hiashi Hyuga, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, Maito Gai, and Anko Mitarashi. All of them were part of the group of defectors that were leaving the village, each driven by their own personal motivations.

They were one of three teams, each with a specific mission. The Suna Retrieval team had the first task - to rescue the Kazekage's children and cause a huge explosion as a diversion. This would serve as a signal for Jiraiya's team, who were tasked with rescuing Naruto and causing more chaos, while also revealing the Root compound to the village.

The two disturbances happening right after one another would give Danzo a headache, and he would have to hurriedly deal with the aftermath. He definitely wouldn't want his secret Root operations to be revealed, particularly at such an early stage in his role as Hokage.

This will enable the third team, consisting of the remaining shinobi and their family members, to escape the village. The former commander, Shikaku Nara, was leading this group. They will use a secret exit that only a few people know about to escape from the Anbu and other shinobi forces. All their belongings were going with them, sealed within storage scrolls.

“I can see five Root operatives positioned around the building, keeping out of sight,” Hiashi said, his eyes bulging as he tapped into the power of his Byakugan. “The scale of the compound is certainly surprising. How was Danzo able to successfully construct it under the Hokage's watchful eye?"

“Maybe Hiruzen already knew?” Jiraiya said, his foot tapping against the ground.

He was impatient to enter the compound and rescue Naruto. He hated waiting all this time but he knew it was logical to wait until he gathered some allies. Still, he couldn't help feeling guilty for leaving Naruto alone in the compound for so long. He was also terrified that something bad might have happened to Naruto, even though he had faith in the kid's ability to handle himself.

"Do you truly desire it to go down this way?" Tsume growled, showing off her fangs.

Sitting beside her was her faithful companion, Kuromaru. The huge canine came up to her chest in height and wore an eyepatch over one eye. It was him that located the compound, with the assistance of Hiashi Hyuga.

“Yes,” Jiraiya said shortly.

"I understand the importance of getting away from Danzo," Choza grunted, "but it is still distressing to leave the village behind like this."

"We are all aware of Danzo's numerous crimes," Maito Gai declared, offering an encouraging thumbs-up. "The village no longer possesses its former youthful vigour. Therefore, we must establish a new village that truly embodies the essence of springtime and youth."

"Ugh, can we not let him be in charge?" Anko groaned, munching on some Dango. "I swear, we'll all end up dressed in green spandex with ridiculous bowl-cut hairstyles."

Jiraiya was on the verge of snapping at them to treat the situation seriously when Fukasaku materialised out of a billow of white smoke. The shinobi instinctively tensed, expecting an imminent assault, but relaxed upon realising who it was.

"Fukasaku, what on earth are you doing here?" Jiraiya exclaimed.

"Jiraiya, my dear boy, I came bearing a message from one of the younger toads — Gamakichi."

"Naruto's personal summon?"

"That's correct," Fukasaka replied. "It appears that Naruto has grown tired of waiting for you to save him and has taken matters into his own hands by escaping on his own."

Jiraiya had to stop himself from shouting in surprise. "How on earth did he manage to escape?"

“He found an unlikely ally in Kabuto Yakushi.”

Anko leaned down and hoisted Fukasaku, vigorously shaking him. "If Kabuto is there, then his master cannot be far behind. Tell me, is Orochimaru inside?"

"Naruto doesn't know," Fukasaku gasped, desperately trying to break free from her grip. "But, given that Kabuto is a medic-nin and Orochimaru's arms have been recently sealed away, it's probably safe to assume that he is nearby."

“This is really troubling,” Jiraiya grimaced. “I never anticipated his presence here.”

Anko released Fukasaku, causing him to fall to the ground. "I knew I made the right decision to leave the village. It's no surprise that a man like Danzo would collaborate with Orochimaru."

“This is indeed troubling,” Hiashi stated. “Do you think Danzo played a part in the invasion?”

There was a brief pause as they considered the extent of Danzo's betrayal. It made sense that he had a hand in it. The rapidity with which Danzo rose to power as the new Hokage was suspicious.

“It doesn’t change anything,” Jiraiya said. “We still need to leave this place.”

“It would have been easier if we just assassinated Danzo,” Anko grumbled.

"You're speaking nonsense," Hiashi stated calmly. "Assassinating the Hokage is a profound violation, regardless of his actions. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that Danzo has the support of the Daimyo. If such an act were to occur, a thorough investigation would be carried out, potentially resulting in temporary leadership of the village under the Daimyo’s command until the culprits are identified."

A powerful explosion sounded in the distance, immediately capturing their attention. It served as a signal for them to proceed with the mission.

Jiraiya commanded, "Let's go. Anko and Gai, your job is to eliminate the guards  and then stand guard. Choza, you know what you have to do. The rest of us will proceed to infiltrate the compound. Should we encounter Orochimaru, I will handle him. Your main focus should be rescuing Naruto."

Maito Gai left first, the speed at which he disappeared shocking. He reappeared in front of the building, with his hands on his hips. “Hello, my youthful friends. I would like to spar with you..”

“You moron,” Anko shouted, appearing beside him. “Who starts a fight like that?”

Four of the five Root operatives emerged from their concealed positions, their faces hidden behind white masks. Without uttering a word, they split into pairs and proceeded to engage Maito Gai and Anko separately. The fifth operative tried to escape but was stopped by Hiashi who proceeded to dismantle him with Gentle Fist Style.

.Against the backdrop of the intense battle, Choza Akimichii executed his expansion jutsu, transforming into a colossal giant that dwarfed the surrounding trees. His objective was clear: to utilise his immense strength and obliterate the boulder concealing the entrance to the compound.

The boulder was fitted with an intricate Fuinjutsu Array, preventing them from a swift entry. Jiraiya could unravel it given sufficient time, but time was a luxury they didn’t have. He still managed to spot a vulnerability at the top of the boulder. If enough force was applied, it could cause the entire thing to crumble to pieces.

Sure, using Choza was an extreme measure that would likely attract attention. However, the village was already occupied with the other commotion, so Jiraiya decided to take a chance. On top of that, he didn't want Danzo to easily hide his compound again.

"I recommend that we relocate this battle, my friend," Maito Guy suggested, effortlessly evading a fireball unleashed by one of his adversaries. "Or else we will be trampled on."

Maito Guy swiftly seized his two opponents and employed Shunshin to teleport away from the clearing. Anko skillfully disentangled herself from her adversaries and commanded her snakes to ensnare them. She copied Maito Guy and took her opponents away. They would be dispatched quickly so they could return to keep an eye out.

Choza's massive foot came crashing down onto the boulder, causing immediate cracks to form. The boulder withstood the impact barely. Choza remained undeterred, raising his foot once again to stomp on the boulder. This time, the boulder succumbed to Choza's power, shattering into pieces.

Jiraiya patiently waited for Choza to cancel his transformation before making his move. Although most of the boulder had been reduced to rubble, a stubborn piece remained intact. With a swift motion, Jiraiya summoned a giant Rasengan into his hand and charged towards the remaining boulder. The impact of his attack instantly shattered it into fragments. A staircase leading downwards was revealed in the ground after it was removed.

Hiashi, Choza, and Tsume gathered next to him by the stairs.

“Remember, we get Naruto and get out,” Jiraiya reminded them. “We are on a tight schedule.”

They descended down the staircase and swiftly moved through to the first floor to locate the stairs to the next floor. It was unfortunate that the stairs were not all in the same location, likely as a safety precaution to slow people down, either from entering or escaping. As they were passing a room that served as a cafeteria, Hiashi shouted out a warning.

A head emerged from the ground, followed by the rest of the body. The individual was a Root operative, though noticeably shorter than others, suggesting they were still young. He wore an unusual top, with its lower half absent, revealing an exceptionally pale stomach. Additionally, they carried a huge scroll on their back.

"Are you infiltrating the compound?" He inquired with curiosity. He appeared unperturbed by the shinobi in front of him.

"He is just a kid," Chozi exclaimed, completely taken aback.

"Danzo prefers to recruit them at a young age," Jiraiya stated. "It allows him to manipulate them easier and shape them into emotionless weapons."

“Let’s dispose of him and keep going,” Hiashi stated.

"We will not hurt him," Choza asserted. “Let’s just knock him out and continue forward.”

"Kind of reminds me of Orochimaru with his skin colour," Tsume growled nervously, and Karomaru barked, obviously agreeing with her.

"Orochimaru was looking for me," Sai calmly explained. "It seems that he planned to use me as a new vessel for him. However, thanks to the commotion you caused outside, they had to leave in a hurry."

“He must be getting desperate to get a new body. Where did Orochimaru go?” Jiraiya asked quickly.

Before the Root operative had a chance to react, an individual enveloped in an orange cloak unexpectedly delivered a powerful blow to him from behind. As a result, the operative face-planted into the ground while his assailant loomed over them.

“How’s that for an entrance?” Naruto smirked.

“Naruto!” Jiraiya shouted. “It’s good to see you are okay.”

Kuromaru nervously stepped behind Tsume, releasing a low growl.

"Why is he emitting the Kyubi's chakra?" Hiashi asked, his tone filled with caution.

"It's perfectly fine," Jiraiya reassured Hiashi. "This form is known as Tailed-Beast Mode, where the Jinchuuriki has learnt to safely harness the Biju's chakra."

Something dawned on him, and he spun around to confront Naruto. "Hold on, how on earth did you manage to harness the Kyuubi's chakra?"

Naruto dispelled the cloak and reverted back to his original form."Should we be having this discussion right now?"

“You’re right, we need to get out of here,” Jiraiya said, turning to the downed Root operative. “What are we going to do with him?”

“My name is Sai,” the boy replied, sitting up and looking at Naruto. “And I will call you Little Prick.”

So, what do you think? I know there wasn’t much progress made in this chapter, but the escape will continue into the next chapter. Will Orochimaru go after his original target now that Sai is out?

Thanks for reading.