The Chase!

Itachi stood before Arashi and Naruto, his expression serious and determined.

"They've run out of patience," he said, his voice resolute. He turned to face Arashi directly.

"Arashi, Naruto, this is not a training exercise. These are real enemies, and if you're caught, your lives are in danger. Listen closely and follow my every instruction."

Both Arashi and Naruto nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Itachi continued, his gaze unwavering. "How many shadow clones can you both create?"

Arashi hesitated before answering, "I'm not entirely sure, but I can make a few hundred."

Itachi turned his attention to Naruto. "And you, Naruto?"

Naruto grinned confidently. "I can do fifty, no problem!"

"Excellent," Itachi acknowledged.

"Create as many clones as you can and then transform them into copies of me. Naruto, use your transformation jutsu to become Arashi."

Arashi's eyes widened as he comprehended the plan unfolding before him.

"Understood!" he responded with determination.

Following Itachi's instructions, both Arashi and Naruto made the necessary hand seals, channeling their chakra.

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" they shouted in unison.

In an instant, a massive white cloud engulfed the area as numerous clones appeared before them.

"Transform!"

The clones swiftly altered their forms, taking on the appearance of additional Itachi's, and Arashi's. The newly formed clones scattered in every direction, creating a bewildering spectacle of movement.

Arashi and the others swiftly leaped onto the rooftops, taking advantage of the distractions created by the clones.

Whoosh...

They moved with incredible speed, utilizing the Body Flicker jutsu to make their way toward the training grounds.

Itachi led the way, doing his utmost to protect them while they tried to maintain their swift pace.

"These distractions will only buy us some time. Remember, these shinobi are highly skilled. However, it gives me a few moments to devise a plan," Itachi stated, his voice focused.

Suddenly, Arashi's sharp ears caught a sound. Thud! A kunai flew beneath the tree he was perched on. They could hear a sizzling sound from the kunai and they looked back and saw an explosion tag.

"Jump!"

Boom!

The kunai exploded and as they were in the air, Itachi quickly pushed them aside and took the blast.

Poof! The clone dispersed in a cloud of smoke.

Fwoosh, Fwoosh!

Two figures emerged from the shadows, and Arashi's eyes narrowed as he recognized one of them.

'It's that old man. I remember him from before, with Shisui,' Arashi thought.

He also noticed the Anbu uniform.

Danzo came to a halt, and his subordinate also ceased his movements.

"Well, Arashi Uchiha, you have grown quite a little," Danzo remarked, his voice dripping with a sinister tone.

Remembering the past encounters with Danzo, Arashi's brows furrowed, and he glared at him with anger and caution.

Gripping the hilt of his tanto, Arashi raised his voice, "Stay away from me!"

Naruto chimed in, adding his retort, "Yeah, stay away from Arashi, you old creep!" Arashi inwardly sighed, realizing Naruto had unintentionally revealed his location.

'Naruto, he wasn't supposed to know you're here too,' Arashi thought, slapping his forehead in frustration.

"So, you're not a clone, huh?" Danzo remarked, seemingly intrigued.

"He is! He's just a talkative clone, one that says what I think, old creep," Arashi responded, trying to deflect attention.

Danzo smiled slyly, his eyes gleaming with suspicion.

"Itachi Uchiha does not possess enough chakra to create and transform so many clones. And you would not be using up that much chakra while being pursued."

Arashi's heart sank. Danzo was onto something, and their situation grew dire. He tightly gripped his tanto, preparing himself for a fight.

"In the Leaf, very few individuals can produce that many clones. Only one of them would be fleeing alongside you," Danzo continued, his gaze shifting toward Naruto.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he stated, his voice filled with certainty.

"Tch!" Arashi clicked his tongue, realizing they were cornered.

In a puff of smoke, Naruto returned to his original form.

"Hmph... Well, Naruto Uzumaki, the demon child and the most despised boy in the village," Danzo taunted.

"Shut up!" Arashi retorted, his voice laced with frustration.

Danzo smirked, relishing in their discomfort.

"Has anyone ever told you why you are so hated? Or why they fear and treat you as an outcast?"

"I don't care about that, and what do you know, anyway? You're just talking nonsense, trying to get inside my head!" Naruto snapped, his gaze defiant and his chakra riling up.

Surveying their surroundings, Arashi sensed the lingering chakra signatures encircling them. 'At this point... I have no choice,' he thought resolutely.

"Let me make this clear. I have no intentions other than allying," Danzo stated, his tone unexpectedly calm.

"Don't listen to him, Naruto," Arashi warned, his voice filled with concern.

"Don't worry, I would never listen to some old geezer like him. Besides, it's obvious he's lying," Naruto replied, exuding confidence.

Feeling an unsettling gaze from Danzo, Arashi turned his head, only to be met with an even more sinister smirk.

"Hahaha! Arashi Uchiha, what a loyal friend you are. You know the truth, yet you still choose to be his so-called friend. The friend of a monster. A weapon. A tool for the village to exploit," Danzo taunted, his words cutting through the air.

Arashi clenched his fist so hard his tanto started shaking.

'I know Shisui doesn't want me to use them, but I don't have a choice here. If he tells Naruto the truth, it'll ruin him,' Arashi thought, his mind racing with the weight of the situation.

In a subtle gesture, Arashi communicated something to Naruto through a meaningful glance.

Then he extended his hand, infusing it with chakra. "Universal Pull!" he exclaimed.

Danzo's eyes widened in surprise as a powerful force pulled everyone closer together.

Sensing an opportunity when they were dazed, Arashi swiftly performed a series of hand signs, preparing for the next move.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Boom!

A colossal fireball erupted, hurtling toward their enemies with tremendous speed, accompanied by a whirlwind of dirt and force.

Arashi and Naruto jumped on a nearby tree, shielding themselves from the impact.

"Ah!"

Arashi couldn't help but clutch his eyes in pain and drop to one knee, his vision momentarily affected. Naruto rushed to his side, offering support.

'What was that earlier? His eyes and hand... they had an unusual chakra,' Arashi pondered.

Arashi, still recovering, felt a sense of unease gnawing at him. Something was amiss.

"Hey, what's he talking about? What aren't you telling me?" Naruto pressed, seeking answers.

Arashi smiled, attempting to reassure his friend.

"Don't listen to him. He's just spouting nonsense, remember? We cover each other's backs, Naruto."

"Well, yeah…" Naruto answered with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Come on, there's a hidden shrine up ahead. No one uses it, we can hide there."

"I won't underestimate you again."

Arashi widens his eyes. He feels a chill behind his back after hearing Danzo's voice again.

He quickly jumped away from Danzo's grasp but fell from the tree he was on.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

In a blink of an eye, two shinobi materialized before Arashi, restraining Naruto and preventing him from intervening.

Arashi's eyes widened as he surveyed the scene, realizing they were far outnumbered. More shinobi emerged from the shadows, encircling them menacingly.

"Let go of him!" Arashi shouted, his voice laced with anger.

But his plea fell on deaf ears as the shinobi tightened their grip on Naruto, rendering him helpless.

Arashi's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out.

'I have a plan.'

"Aim for their feet! And leave the Jinchuriki alive!" Danzo commanded, his voice unwavering.

"Yes, sir!" the shinobi acknowledged, wielding their explosive kunai with intent.

All of them threw their weapons toward Arashi. There was no escape for him.

Boom!

The explosive kunai found their mark, detonating in a blinding explosion of smoke and debris.

"Arashiiii!" Naruto's desperate cry echoed through the chaos as he helplessly struggled against the shinobi.

"Search the area! Make sure you find him! Do not underestimate him again!"

Danzo's authoritative voice echoed, commanding his subordinates.

With determination burning in their eyes, the shinobi dispersed, combing the surroundings in search of Arashi's body.