Naruto-ReBorn as a Baker

Chapter 244: Clash of the Knights and Kunoichi

The battlefield was a symphony of chaos and energy as Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kankurō squared off against Haido's knights. The air crackled with the residual energy of the Gelel stones as Kamira, Ranke, and Fugai coordinated their attacks, their aggression honed to a razor's edge.

Sakura darted between strikes, her fists glowing with chakra-enhanced strength as she countered with devastating precision. "Is that all you've got?" she taunted, dodging a swipe from Fugai's claws. "For Haido's elite, you're not exactly living up to the hype."

Fugai snarled, her wolf-like features sharpening in rage. "You've got a sharp tongue for someone who's about to get shredded!"

"Shredded?" Sakura quipped, leaping over a slash from Ranke's electrified fist. "You'd have to hit me first! But I guess you're too busy barking to aim straight."

Kamira laughed, her voice dripping with venom. "Barking? Coming from someone whose fiancé is clearly bored enough to entertain three of us?" She smirked as she launched an illusion of dark smoke toward Sakura. "Guess you weren't enough to keep him occupied."

Sakura smirked, shattering the illusion with a burst of chakra. "Oh, honey, he might entertain you, but I'm the one he's marrying. He gave me the ring, remember? I guess you three just couldn't keep his attention."

That struck a nerve. Ranke's light-violet eyes flared with indignation as she lunged at Sakura, her electrified choker glowing brighter. "You arrogant little—!"

Her strike was intercepted mid-swing as Kankurō's puppet, Karasu, blocked the blow with its bladed appendages. "Let's keep this civil," Kankurō said dryly, stepping forward. She adjusted her grip on her puppet strings, her sharp brown eyes narrowing at Ranke. "Not that you'd know how."

Ranke whipped around, her golden eletrified hair glinting in the light as she faced Kankurō. "And who's this? Another one of Malik's little admirers? Guess he likes his women bland and basic."

Kankurō's lips twitched, but she kept her composure. "Bland? Basic? Sweetheart, I'm more than you can handle, both in battle and out of it." Her tone sharpened. "But we'll save the introductions for later. Right now, you're going down."

Shikamaru, watching from the edge of the chaos, sighed heavily. "Why does everything have to turn into a soap opera with these people?" He formed his hand seals, extending his shadow toward Kamira, who was circling to flank Sakura.

Kamira dodged nimbly, her blonde hair swirling as she launched a series of projectiles from her fingertips. The glowing needles of Gelel energy shot toward Shikamaru, forcing him to roll out of the way.

"Keep your eyes on the battlefield, sweetie," Kamira called out, her voice mocking. "Wouldn't want you getting distracted."

Shikamaru grimaced, muttering under his breath. "Troublesome women…"

Fugai leapt at Sakura with a feral howl, her claws extended. "You're just jealous because none of you can match us!"

Sakura sidestepped the attack, driving her fist into the ground. The resulting shockwave sent Fugai sprawling backward. "Jealous of what? Three women fighting for scraps of attention from a guy who's clearly out of your league? Please."

Kankurō snorted at Sakura's retort, deftly maneuvering Karasu to block another strike from Ranke. "I hate to say it, but she's got a point. You're not exactly winning the 'dignity' contest."

Ranke hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Says the knock-off puppeteer who doesn't even have the guts to admit she's crushing on him too!"

Kankurō's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't let it distract her. "At least I'm not barking up a tree that doesn't care I exist. Let's see how well you fight when your pride's in tatters!"

Fugai, regaining her footing, transformed further into her wolf-like form. Her hair turned pure white, and her red eyes burned with feral intensity. She let out a deafening howl, sending shockwaves through the air.

Sakura shielded herself with her chakra-enhanced fists, the force of the howl pushing her back slightly. "Oh, great. You've upgraded from barking to screaming. Still not impressed."

Fugai lunged again, her claws swiping wildly. Sakura met her head-on, their strikes colliding in a burst of energy. "You don't deserve him!" Fugai growled.

Sakura grinned, deflecting the blow and retaliating with a punch to Fugai's midsection. "And yet, he gave me the ring. Funny how that works."

The air crackled with tension as Sakura Haruno stood her ground, her fists clenched and her emerald eyes blazing with determination. Across from her, Haido's knights—Fugai, Ranke, and Kamira—spread out in a semi-circle, each exuding raw power and palpable disdain. Their armor gleamed in the dim light, and the oppressive energy of their Gelel stones created a suffocating atmosphere.

"You're awfully confident for someone so... ordinary," Kamira sneered, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her reddish eyes sparkled with mockery. "Tell me, Haruno, how does it feel to be outclassed in every way?"

Sakura smirked, cracking her knuckles. "You mean outclassed in whining? Because if that's what you're best at, congratulations—you've mastered it."

Ranke stepped forward, her light-violet eyes narrowing as she jabbed a finger in Sakura's direction. "Oh, that's rich coming from a flat-chested wannabe. I'd bet Malik's not even impressed."

The insult hit its mark, but Sakura's smirk didn't falter. Instead, she crossed her arms and leaned forward, her voice dripping with mockery. "Flat-chested? At least I don't need armor built like a cathedral to hold my assets. What are you compensating for, Ranke? Insecurity or back pain?"

Shikamaru sighed from the sidelines, muttering under his breath. "Why does she always escalate these things?"

Kankurō, standing next to him, rolled her eyes and gripped the strings attached to her puppets. "Because she's Sakura. And honestly, they kind of deserve it."

Fugai growled, her werewolf-like features flickering briefly as her Gelel stone glowed. "Enough talk. Let's see if you can back up that big mouth of yours, little girl."

Without warning, Fugai lunged, her claws tearing through the air. Sakura dodged nimbly, her body low to the ground as she spun and delivered a powerful punch to Fugai's side. The impact sent Fugai skidding back, but she recovered quickly, snarling as her claws extended further.

Kamira took advantage of the distraction, unleashing a wave of illusions that enveloped Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kankurō. The images shifted and blurred, creating a disorienting haze.

Kankurō's sharp mind cut through the confusion. "Puppets, now!" she commanded, sending her two expertly crafted puppets charging toward Kamira. The first one slammed into her with enough force to disrupt the illusion, while the second targeted Ranke.

"Nice try," Ranke sneered, deflecting the puppet's attack with a blast of crackling Gelel energy. "You'll have to do better than that, puppet master!"

Kankurō smirked, flicking her fingers. The puppet exploded into a flurry of hidden blades, forcing Ranke to retreat.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru attempted to restrain Fugai with his Shadow Possession Jutsu, but her werewolf-like agility made her a difficult target. She leapt and twisted, dodging the encroaching shadow with feral ease.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Fugai taunted, her voice a low growl. "But you're not fast enough to keep up with me!"

Amidst the chaos, Sakura found herself squaring off with Kamira, whose taunts had only grown sharper.

"Malik must have terrible taste to even look at you," Kamira said, her voice laced with venom. "No wonder he spends his time with real women—like us."

Sakura's laughter rang out, defiant and sharp. "Real women? You mean the three of you who can't decide if you want to kill him or beg him to notice you? Pathetic."

Kamira's eyes blazed as she lunged at Sakura, her claws aimed for her throat, "The only person I wanto to kill is you, sweetie!". But Sakura met her mid-strike, their attacks colliding with a deafening crash.

Kankurō, from her position, couldn't help but smirk. "I'd join in this little insult war, but honestly, Sakura's got it covered." She thought briefly about her own connection to Malik but quickly shook it off. Focus. There's a fight to win.

As the battle raged, it became clear that Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kankurō were holding their own against the three knights. Despite their relentless attacks, the Leaf ninja's teamwork and resilience kept them in the fight.

Sakura landed a powerful uppercut on Ranke, sending her crashing into a pile of rubble. "Still think I'm flat-chested?" she quipped, brushing dust off her gloves.

Fugai, panting heavily from evading Shikamaru's shadows, growled in frustration. "You're tougher than I thought. But this isn't over."

Kamira, her illusions shattered and her pride wounded, glared at Sakura with seething hatred. "You'll regret this, Haruno."

Sakura smirked, her voice steady and confident. "Bring it on."

As the knights regrouped, the Leaf ninja prepared for the next round. The cavern trembled with the distant rumble of Haido's fortress drilling into the earth, a reminder that the true battle was far from over.

The battle raged on, neither side gaining a clear upper hand. Insults flew as fast as attacks, each blow laced with frustration and animosity.

"Enough!" Kamira finally shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "This isn't getting us anywhere. We need to regroup!"

Fugai and Ranke hesitated but reluctantly pulled back, their expressions a mix of anger and frustration.

Sakura smirked, brushing dust from her uniform. "Running away already? Guess you're not as tough as you think."

Kamira shot her a glare, her reddish eyes burning. "We'll finish this another time. Count on it."

As the knights retreated, Shikamaru and Kankurō regrouped with Sakura.

"Are we done with the insults now?" Shikamaru asked, exasperated.

Sakura huffed, crossing her arms. "Not until they stop acting like jealous harpies."

Kankurō smirked, her voice laced with dry humor. "Jealous harpies, huh? Guess I'll take that as a compliment since they didn't call me out."

Shikamaru sighed. "Let's just focus on finding Naruto and stopping Haido. This drama can wait."

The trio moved forward, their determination renewed despite the lingering tension from the confrontation.

While Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kankurō were locked in their fierce battle against Haido's knights, Malik had taken it upon himself to ensure the safety of those left behind.

He strode confidently through the remnants of the caravan, his pink magic radiating like a warm beacon in the otherwise bleak surroundings. His milk chocolate skin shimmered under the glow of his power, his finely tailored clothes—rich burgundy with golden accents—untouched by the grime around him. Despite the chaos, his hot pink eyes sparkled with an almost mischievous energy.

A few survivors stirred weakly as Malik passed, his hands glowing as he gently touched their foreheads. Wounds stitched together before their very eyes, breath returned to lifeless lungs, and those thought lost began to blink awake. Cries of joy and disbelief echoed as children rushed to their parents, lovers embraced, and families reunited.

"Easy now," Malik said with a soft chuckle as a young boy clung to his leg, tears streaming down his face. "You're all safe now. Let's get you back to the others."

With a wave of his hand, Malik summoned a soft, glowing platform to carry the injured. As he led them through the forest, his presence seemed to light the way, a calming force amidst the turmoil.

When they reached the cave where Kahiko's caravan was hiding, a massive boulder sealed the entrance. Malik paused, rolling up his sleeves with theatrical flair. "Alright, folks. Let's see if I've still got it."

He placed his hands against the stone, and his pink magic flared. The boulder trembled, ancient runes illuminating as the stone creaked and groaned. With a final surge, Malik pushed it aside, revealing the hidden refuge.

Inside, the caravan's survivors froze in disbelief as the newly healed entered. Children screamed with joy as they spotted their parents, and cries of gratitude filled the air. Malik leaned casually against the doorframe, watching the scene with a satisfied smile.

At the center of the group sat Emina, her big brown eyes wide with shock. She stood, her hands trembling as she took in Malik's familiar figure. His short, chubby frame, warm complexion, and those unmistakable pink eyes—it could only be him.

"Malik?" she whispered, stepping closer.

He turned to her with a grin that made her cheeks flush. "The one and only. Long time no see, Emina."

Emina fidgeted with her hat, her face a mix of embarrassment and relief. "You… you saved them?"

Malik shrugged nonchalantly, brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve. "Well, someone had to. And besides, I couldn't just let good people stay lost, could I?"

Her eyes filled with tears, and she reached out as if to touch him but hesitated. Malik stepped closer, gently taking her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You've changed," she murmured, studying him.

"So have you," Malik replied with a teasing glint in his eye. He took a moment to admire her, noting the way her purple dress hugged her slender figure and the way her long black hair framed her face. His gaze lingered just a moment too long before he looked away with a knowing smirk. D cup, definitely.

"Where is everyone else?" he asked, breaking the moment.

Emina looked down, her expression faltering. "I don't know. Grandpa never told me where the old temple was. I'm sorry, Malik."

He reached out, cupping her cheek as his magic gently wiped away the dirt and exhaustion from her face. "Don't worry about it," he said softly, his voice full of reassurance. "I've got a pretty good idea of where to start."

She blushed deeply, her eyes wide as she stared at him. His confidence and warmth were overwhelming, yet comforting.

With a final smile, Malik stepped back, turning to address the group. "Stay safe, everyone. And don't worry—I'll make sure this madness ends."

As he stepped outside, the massive boulder began to slide back into place, sealing the cave once more. Malik glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "And may the Force be with you," he quipped, the reference flying over everyone's heads.

With that, he adjusted his cuffs, straightened his vest, and headed toward the ruins. The glow of his pink magic illuminated the path ahead, his mind already turning over the possibilities of what lay in wait.

"Let's see if I can't steal the show," he murmured to himself, a grin playing on his lips.

The sky was a tumultuous mix of grey and gold as Malik soared through the air on his majestic mount, GrubGrub. The pink and gold Peryton's wings flapped with rhythmic grace, the creature's deer-like form gliding effortlessly through the turbulent winds. Its antlers shimmered with a faint glow, as if channeling Malik's magic.

"Now this is an entrance," Malik muttered to himself, a grin playing on his lips. Below him lay a chaotic scene: Haido's fortress, partially embedded in the earth, its jagged spires rising like fractured teeth from the ground. Nearby, the remnants of the Gelel temple jutted out, ancient stone crumbling as the structure buckled under its own weight.

As if that weren't enough, the earth itself seemed unstable, with cracks spidering across the landscape. Amidst the chaos, Malik's sharp eyes caught a familiar figure.

Gaara stood firm amidst the destruction, her sand swirling around her in a protective cocoon. Every movement of her hands directed the shifting grains, which held fragments of the collapsing temple and fortress together. Her expression was calm but focused, her teal eyes flicking between falling debris and gaping fissures.

"Well, this is convenient," Malik said aloud, leaning slightly forward on GrubGrub's back. "Didn't even have to use much magic to find this mess. Could've sent me a map, Haido."

GrubGrub let out a low, amused growl as Malik guided the Peryton into a smooth descent, landing gracefully beside Gaara. The gust from GrubGrub's wings sent a ripple through the sand, briefly catching Gaara's attention.

"Busy?" Malik quipped, hopping off GrubGrub and striding over to her.

Gaara spared him a glance but said nothing, her focus entirely on maintaining the delicate balance of the collapsing structures. Her sand wrapped around a massive stone pillar, holding it in place as she reinforced the ground beneath it.

"Right, no time for small talk," Malik said, pulling a small pouch from his belt. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a shimmering pink and gold pastry—the Super Snack Lv 12.

"Here," he said, holding it out to her. "Eat this. It'll give you a boost."

Gaara hesitated, her hands still manipulating the sand. Malik sighed and stepped closer, gently pressing the snack into her hand. "Trust me, you'll thank me later."

Without a word, Gaara took a bite, her eyes widening slightly as a rush of energy coursed through her. She resumed her work with renewed vigor, the sand moving faster and more efficiently than before.

"You're welcome," Malik said with a wink, turning to leave. "Good luck with all this. I'll handle the inside."

As Malik approached the crumbling temple, he paused to look back at the scene one last time. Gaara's sand worked like clockwork, stabilizing the unstable ground and preventing total collapse. The sight of her determination brought a small smile to his lips.

"Impressive as always," he muttered before stepping into the temple.

Inside, the air was heavy with dust and the faint hum of ancient magic. The walls pulsed faintly with residual Gelel energy, casting eerie shadows that danced across the stone. Malik's pink eyes glimmered as he surveyed his surroundings, his magic flaring to light his path.

"This place better not collapse on me," he muttered, adjusting his cuffs as he made his way deeper into the ruins. GrubGrub followed close behind, its golden antlers casting a faint glow that complemented Malik's magic.

As he descended further, the sounds of distant battles echoed faintly through the halls. Malik smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, at least they're keeping themselves busy. Time for me to see what all the fuss is about."

With renewed determination, he headed toward the heart of the temple, ready to confront whatever awaited him—and perhaps steal the spotlight in the process.