Game On

The air hung heavy with tension as Enkai anxiously gnawed on his fingernails. His mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, envisioning countless scenarios and potential dangers. His heart pounded, and his palms grew clammy with anxiety.

'Did my presence alter the world too much?' Enkai questioned himself repeatedly in a frantic panic.

Suddenly, a deafening crash shattered his focus, jolting Enkai out of his thoughts. His head snapped towards the sound, wide-eyed with fear, when he saw Kisame holding onto Gaara's neck. His hyperactive imagination conjured a myriad of dreadful possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last.

"Enkai, are you alright?" A voice pierced through the turmoil, and Enkai turned to see Yagura, his hand clasping Enkai's with genuine concern. Enkai stared at Yagura's eyes, only to see the reflection of a fear-stuck image of his own, a sight that he found unsettling.

In the next moment, he released Yagura's hand and took a deep breath, exhaling with a resolute "Haah." It was as if that breath took away his anxiety with it, a newfound light glimmered in his eyes.

Enkai had managed to steady himself, recalling the resolve he had made upon entering this world. He understood that his very existence, an amalgamation of the two most pivotal characters in this world, meant that change was inevitable, even without his intervention. His worst actions would merely hasten that process.

Enkai reassured himself, acknowledging his newfound strength. Under Yagura's guidance, his skills had sharpened significantly in the past month. Despite not having conversed with Kurama yet, he had learned to harness the beast's chakra more efficiently, thanks to Yagura's training. Mastering proper water release had also become one of his accomplishments, even though he couldn't employ the exclusive water reflection technique reserved for Sanbi jinchuuriki.

As such, he had no reason to fear the Akatsuki, nor did he dread the Butterfly Effect; both were things he can't control, and instead he should think about how he can benefit off of this event as much as possible.

"Change of plans, Yagura," Enkai muttered as he observed the other members of Akatsuki following Kisame's lead, jumping into the middle of the battle arena.

Originally, Enkai's plan was simple— Recruit Orochimaru. 

When the Third Hokage would use his Reaper Death Seal to seal away Hashirama and Tobirama, and attempt to seal away Orochimaru as well, Enkai planned to interfere and eliminate Hiruzen. 

After the initial impression was made, Enkai intended to act mysterious and authoritative towards Orochimaru, stating, "Do you desire mastery in Ninjutsu and Immortality? If you join me, you shall have them."

Enkai expected Orochimaru will likely refuse to join him, but that's fine because,

That was the carrot of the deal; the stick of the deal was one of the letters he had given Mei to send to Jiraiya. In that letter, it was written that 'Orochimaru is in Otogakure—The Hidden Sound Village,' along with additional details.

Considering Jiraiya wasn't in Konoha yet, the only explanation for that was that he had gone to Otogakure in search of Orochimaru. Even though he wouldn't find who he was looking for, he would discover traces of Orochimaru. And upon realising Orochimaru's involvement in live human experimentations, Jiraiya would likely destroy those labs, momentarily halting Orochimaru's activities.

Given Orochimaru's status as a traitor of Akatsuki and his inability to infiltrate another village, he would have only one option left—accept Enkai's offer.

Enkai's mind raced as he realised that this plan had been dashed by B and Akatsuki's sudden appearance. 'What can I do here to gain something equally beneficial, if not more?' he pondered, formulating a new strategy.

His thoughts were interrupted, however, when he heard Kisame's booming voice resonating through the arena, "Konoha! Hokage! Let me introduce ourselves!" Gripping Samehada tightly, Kisame raised it menacingly, proclaiming, "We are the Akatsuki! We will bring true peace to this world, and for that, we need all the tailed beasts!"

The crowd's collective held their breath in anticipation as Kisame, like a dark omen, pointed Samehada directly at the Hokage, the blade's tip quivering with ominous intent. "Hokage, if you peacefully let us walk out of here with the One-Tails, the Eight-Tails, and the Nine-Tails, then this ends here!" His words reverberated, echoing through the silent arena, leaving a chilling promise hanging in the air.

Hiruzen, the Hokage, stood up straight and firm, and challenged, "And what if we refuse?"

A low, menacing chuckle escaped Kisame, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. "That's even better!" His laughter filled the arena, a harbinger of the storm that was about to descend upon them.

______

In that pivotal moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the seasoned Third Hokage, found himself grappling with the weight of his choices. Regret gnawed at him, realising his grave oversight in dismissing Jiraiya's ominous warning letter, which he had received during the time of the forest of death part of the chūnin exams.

The gravity of the situation sank in as he watched the Akatsuki members, a formidable assembly of power and malevolence, gathered before him.

Beside him, Kazekage stood in a state of disorientation, while B, the enigmatic shinobi from Kumogakure, scribbled notes furiously, capturing the unfolding chaos for his new song in his tiny pad. Hiruzen's eyes flickered between the Akatsuki and his allies, his mind racing to formulate a strategy that would preserve Konoha's safety while countering this deadly threat.

A deep sigh escaped his lips, the burden of leadership etched on his furrowed brow. "I am too old for this," he muttered, a sentiment that resonated within the depths of his old soul. The familiar weight of his Hokage robes fell away as he swiftly shed his ceremonial attire, revealing the battle-ready gear beneath. 

With a swift, determined glance, he turned to his counterparts, Kazekage and B, whose expressions mirrored his mix of resolve and trepidation. "I hate to say this," he began, his voice laced with reluctant determination, "but I would appreciate your help in capturing these hooligans."

A collective breath hung heavy in the air, each member of the hastily assembled coalition understanding the gravity of the situation. The arena crackled with anticipation, mirroring the tension that radiated from the fighters and spectators alike.

Meanwhile, Rasa, the Kazekage, seized the initiative. His chakra surged, and he leaped towards the ground, once there the ground beneath him trembled. With practised precision, he unleashed the Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral technique, commanding the very earth to yield torrents of golden dust.

The dust, dense and shimmering in the sunlight, surged forth like a tidal wave, seeking its targets with unyielding purpose. Hiruzen's eyes widened in awe and surprise as he witnessed Rasa's masterful control over the gold dust, a testament to the Kazekage's formidable skill. With a deftness that defied belief, Rasa navigated the elemental onslaught, avoiding harm to Gaara while menacingly encircling the Akatsuki members.

Amidst this tumult, the sharp-eyed Kakashi Hatake appeared like a phantom, moving with swift precision. In a seamless motion, he whisked Shino Aburame, who was standing there on the battlefield all this while, to safety just as the golden tide threatened to engulf him.

The battlefield crackled with palpable tension, a prelude to the clash that loomed large. The fate of the tailed beasts hung precariously in the balance, as Konoha's forces stood resolute against the looming storm called the Akatsuki.

______

However, on another side of the arena, someone was calculating his next moves.

Enkai's mind worked like a well-oiled machine, meticulously processing the unfolding events around him. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the battlefield. The revelation about Kazekage's Magnet Release triggered a cascade of thoughts, leading him down a labyrinth of deductions.

He mulled over the absence of Orochimaru's presence, a fact that struck him as both intriguing and concerning. At first Enkai wondered why that is, but then the realisation clicked; without Sasuke's Sharingan to covet, Orochimaru had no reason to infiltrate Konoha. The absence of Sasuke in this timeline seemed to have disrupted the snake-like Sannin's plans, rendering Konoha safe from his sinister antics. 

This revelation brought a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, he felt a wave of relief knowing that he would no longer have to actively search for Orochimaru; Orochimaru would inevitably seek him out for his Sharingan. However, on the other hand, the absence of Orochimaru's schemes meant Enkai would lose the opportunity to see the hand signs needed for the reaper death seal, a jutsu he deemed essential for his own safety.

Enkai felt a heavy stone in his chest. He wanted to learn the reaper death seal to ensure that if fate ever dealt him a lethal blow, he could drag his assailant into the abyss with him. Alas, there was nothing he could do about it but move on.

Then the next moment, Enkai's eyes gleamed with a cunning spark as he leaned in closer to Yagura, his lips curling into a sinister smile that sent shivers down anyone's spine who happened to catch a glimpse. His voice, laced with cold determination, cut through the air as he outlined their next course of action in chilling detail. Yagura, too, wore a grin that mirrored Enkai's, their shared understanding of the situation solidifying their partnership in the face of an opportunity.

Yagura, though older, exuded an air of respect as he listened to Enkai's intricate plot. His eyes reflected awe, recognizing the brilliance of his companion's mind. Together, they stood on the precipice of a dangerous path, ready to dive into the shadows and reshape the destiny of the ninja world.

______

Amidst the frantic chaos, the spectators found themselves torn between fear and awe. Rasa, the Kazekage, stood as a titan, his control over the very earth beneath his feet was awe-inspiring. 

With masterful precision, he wielded the golden dust, crafting it into a devastating torrent that crashed upon the Akatsuki members over and over again. The clash of elemental might was nothing short of mesmerising and terrifying.

Yet, amidst the chaos, the Akatsuki members countered Rasa's golden tempest with their own devastating arsenal. Deidara, the master of explosive artistry, released many of his clay dolls, conjuring volatile creations that detonated in brilliant bursts of light and sound. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, emerged as a beacon of authority amidst the tumult. His urgent commands cut through the chaos, directing the villagers to safety. His experienced eyes scanned the battleground, recognizing the imminent threat posed by the Akatsuki. With determination etched on his face, he unleashed a barrage of high-ranking jutsus, each one adding to the cacophony of battle.

Kisame Hoshigaki, the monstrous swordsman of the Akatsuki, found himself momentarily distracted by the overwhelming force and variety of Hiruzen's attacks. It was this distraction that allowed Rasa's golden tendrils to snake from the ground, ensnaring Kisame and Gaara, their captor now turned saviour. 

With a swift motion, Gaara was whisked away from danger, entrusted to his siblings' care. Rasa's personal guards, dedicated and unwavering, shielded the sand siblings as they fled the scene, their duty etched in each of their steps.

Amidst this chaos, Hiruzen's personal guards sprang into action. With unspoken coordination, they divided into four groups, their movements fluid and seamless. 

Chanting in unison, they invoked the "Cooperation Jutsu: Four Crimson Ray Formation," conjuring a red, rectangular barrier that enveloped the entire arena. The Arena was now isolated from Konoha, ensuring Konoha's safety from any misdirected attacks that may result at the clash between Titans.

With Konoha secured, Hiruzen turned his attention back to the Akatsuki. Rasa, encased in his golden fortress, issued a demand for surrender saying that they were trapped and that they can no longer get out of here. However, the Akatsuki members remained eerily composed. 

Deidara and Sasori engaged in a heated exchange, their bickering voices an unsettling melody amidst the chaos. Kakuzu, ever the gambler, was betting with Hidan about the amount of attacks it would take for the barrier to collapse. While Itachi Uchiha observed, his eyes focused on a blue hand that just emerged out of the ground, followed by its entire body.

Kisame's emergence from the ground seemed to hold no surprise for Itachi at all as Itachi apathetically commented, "You lost the One-Tail". To which Kisame simply laughed confidently while saying that he will capture him again, before turning his head towards Hiruzen, "You think we are the ones that are trapped? We will see about that."

His malicious grin and chilling words echoed through the arena, a proclamation of their dominance. As their gaze fixed on Hiruzen, a realisation dawned – they were not captives; they were captors. Hiruzen's eyes widened, a mix of dread and resolve settling in.

Behind him, B, the formidable Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, poised with his swords, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Rasa, the Kazekage, stood atop a pillar of golden dust, his regal form a symbol of defiance against the invaders of konoha. The stage was set for a battle that would decide the fate of Konoha. In the heart of the storm, the village's defenders stood firm, their determination unwavering, ready to face the Akatsuki's yet-unknown might.