Harry Potter: Toji Potter

Flashback:

The night air was heavy with the scent of battle. The moon hung high, casting eerie shadows over the village of Sunagakure, now in turmoil.

Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, stood atop his floating sand platform, his turquoise eyes burning with determination. Across from him, two Akatsuki members loomed.

Deidara, the blonde artist with a manic grin, balanced atop a massive clay bird. "Hmm, the Jinchūriki sure puts up a fight, un."

Beside him, cloaked in darkness, Sasori of the Red Sand stood impassively. His deep hood and mask concealed his true form. "Stop playing with him. We need to move."

Gaara said nothing, merely raising his hands. His sand roared to life, swirling around him like a storm. With a swift motion, he sent a massive tidal wave of sand toward Deidara, who barely evaded by flying higher.

"Che, tough guy, un," Deidara sneered. "But let's see how you handle this!"

He tossed a handful of miniature clay birds into the air. They flew toward Gaara, expanding, growing, their tiny eyes gleaming.

Boom! Boom! BOOM!

Explosions erupted across the battlefield, lighting up the sky like fireworks. Gaara gritted his teeth, his absolute defense barely holding against the onslaught.

But then—

"C3," Deidara muttered, dropping a single large clay figure from his palm.

Gaara's eyes widened. The moment it hit the village, the entire hidden sand would be destroyed.

With a snarl, he abandoned his defense, sending all of his remaining sand skyward to encase and absorb the blast.

BOOM!

The explosion was muffled, the sand consuming it entirely. The village was safe.

But Gaara had left himself open.

A second clay bomb, hidden beneath the first, exploded right next to him. The force sent him spiraling down, and his vision darkened.

The Kazekage fell.

Deidara landed beside Gaara's unconscious body, smirking. "Gotcha, un."

Sasori merely turned away. "Let's move."

Kankuro didn't hesitate.

The moment he saw Gaara being taken, he grabbed his puppets and rushed after them. His feet pounded against the sand as he pursued the Akatsuki, rage burning in his chest.

"You bastards aren't getting away!"

He caught up outside the village, blocking their path. His three puppets—Crow, Black Ant, and Salamander—hovered behind him.

Deidara clicked his tongue. "Tch, another annoying brat."

Sasori stepped forward. "I'll handle this."

Kankuro sneered. "You don't know who you're messing with! I'll take you both down!"

But Sasori merely raised a single finger—

And his own puppet shot forward at blinding speed.

Kankuro barely had time to react before his own puppets were dismantled in seconds.

His eyes widened. How—?

Then he saw it.

The markings, the design, the style—

"…You…" Kankuro gasped. "You're—"

Sasori stepped into the moonlight, revealing his face. Sasori of the Red Sand.

Before Kankuro could do anything, a sharp needle shot forward—poison-laced.

It pierced his shoulder.

The world blurred. His limbs felt heavy.

Sasori merely turned away. "Not worth my time."

Kankuro collapsed, darkness consuming him.

Present Day:

The harsh desert winds whipped at Team Hakashi's cloaks as they finally reached the gates of Sunagakure.

Immediately, armed guards surrounded them, their faces filled with suspicion.

"Halt!" one of them barked. "State your business!"

Temari stepped forward. "They're with me. They came to help."

The guards hesitated. "We can't just—"

"Let them through."

A commanding voice echoed from behind. A Sand Jonin approached, his expression grim. "Lady Temari, you should see this for yourself."

The group rushed into the village, heading straight for the medical ward.

Inside, Kankuro lay unconscious, his face pale, sweat dripping from his brow.

Sakura immediately rushed to his side, hands glowing green as she checked his vitals.

"Tch. He's been poisoned," she muttered.

Harry, meanwhile, stood beside the bed, arms crossed, a mock frown on his face. "Well, well… what a shame. If you had died, Kankuro, I would've had to personally escort you to the afterlife. Guess we'll have to postpone our meeting."

Kakashi chuckled. "Still playing the 'Death' card, huh?"

Sakura shot Harry a look. "Not helping."

Suddenly—

A blur of motion—

An old woman lunged at Kakashi, a dagger flashing toward his throat.

CLANG!

Naruto stepped in between, grabbing her wrist mid-strike. His blue eyes locked onto hers.

"Whoa there, Grandma. Let's not be too hasty, yeah?" he said with a grin, holding her back effortlessly.

Chiyo's eyes narrowed. "The White Fang of Konoha…" she hissed.

Kakashi sighed, raising a hand. "I'm not my father."

Temari intervened. "Elder Chiyo, please. They're here to help."

Chiyo huffed, pulling her hand back. "Hmph. We'll see about that."

Just then, Kankuro groaned, his eyes fluttering open. "Ugh… damn… that bastard…"

"Kankuro!" Temari rushed to his side.

His eyes widened when he saw Naruto and the others. "You… you have to stop them…"

"Who?" Naruto demanded.

"Sasori…" Kankuro croaked. "Sasori of the Red Sand… and the bomber… Deidara…"

Naruto's expression darkened. "Which way did they go?"

Kankuro pointed toward the window, toward the vast desert horizon.

"North… they flew north…"

Harry cracked his neck. "Then we know where we're headed."

Tsunade's orders were clear—rescue Gaara.

Team Hakashi set out immediately, joined by Elder Chiyo.

The hunt was on.

To Be Continued…