¡°Winner, Ando Yoshio!¡± The referee¡¯s voice rang out, followed by a smattering of cheers and applause from the crowd.
Ando straightened, his breathing steady, and stepped back from Hamada, who lay sprawled on the ground, his chest rising and falling heavily. For a moment, Ando simply looked at him, his expression unreadable. Then, he extended a hand.
Hamada turned his head, his gaze locking onto Ando¡¯s outstretched arm. His fists tightened against the ground, and for a moment, it seemed like he might refuse. The pride that had driven him to push so hard was now at odds with the sting of defeat. But as the silence stretched on, he let out a slow, shaky breath and gritted his teeth. His hand moved, hesitant at first, but then firmly clasped Ando¡¯s.
With a steady pull, Ando helped Hamada to his feet. The movement was quick, almost effortless, as Hamada stumbled briefly before regaining his footing. The two stood face-to-face for a moment, the weight of the fight lingering in the air.
¡°You¡¯ve come a long way,¡± Ando said, his tone neutral but not unkind. ¡°Keep pushing. You¡¯ll get there.¡±
Hamada¡¯s jaw clenched, his pride still raw, but he gave a small nod. ¡°Next time,¡± he muttered, more a promise to himself than to Ando.
Ando didn¡¯t respond, offering only a faint nod in return before turning away. As he walked away, the noise of the crowd faded into the background. At the edge of the ring, Ando paused, glancing back briefly.
Hamada still stood there, his head lowered, fists clenched at his sides. His shoulders rose and fell with heavy breaths, but he made no move to leave.
For a brief moment, Ando considered whether he should have gone easier on Hamada. The thought came and went quickly. Holding back would have been more disrespectful to him.
Between the two, what had started as a rivalry, fueled by their past animosity, had changed ever since Ando defeated Hamada months ago. Hamada now saw Ando as a benchmark, a goal to surpass. As for Ando, he was simply focused on keeping his edge, determined to stay ahead and not let anyone catch up.
As Ando mulled over his thoughts, a man appeared beside Hamada¡ªa tall figure clad in a standard flak jounin jacket. His presence was commanding but calm.
¡°You did good,¡± the man said, his voice quiet but carrying faintly across the distance to where Ando stood.
Hamada stiffened, his fists loosening slightly as he turned his head toward the man. His gaze remained downcast, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes¡ªrecognition, or perhaps frustration.
The man crouched slightly to meet Hamada¡¯s eye level. ¡°You¡¯ve improved,¡± he continued, ¡°But improvement isn¡¯t enough on its own. You need to think. Adapt. Use what you¡¯ve learned to overcome, not just endure.¡±
Hamada¡¯s lips tightened, and he gave a small nod, his jaw still clenched.
The jounin straightened, his gaze briefly flicking toward Ando, who stood silently observing the exchange. Their eyes met for an instant, and Ando felt a subtle but unmistakable weight behind the man¡¯s calm expression. It wasn¡¯t hostility, nor was it admiration. It was an appraisal, the look of someone gauging potential and quietly taking measure.
Curious, Ando activated Observe on the man, but to his shock, nothing appeared. No stats, no question marks¡ªjust an empty void where information should have been. His brow furrowed as he tried again, willing the system to respond, but the result was the same: nothing.
A pang of unease settled in his chest. To test whether Observe was malfunctioning, Ando shifted his gaze to Hamada, still standing nearby with his head lowered. The information appeared immediately, crisp and clear: Hamada Yutaka, Level 14. Everything was functioning normally.
A troubled expression settled on Ando''s face as he started observing the man¡¯s appearance. The jounin must have sensed Ando¡¯s scrutiny, for he glanced back and flashed a brief smirk¡ªcasual, almost knowing. Startled, Ando quickly looked away, his pulse quickening. He turned on his heel and walked off.
Though the encounter lingered in the back of his mind, the tournament soon drew his attention back. As the matches continued, Ando found himself more focused on the fights unfolding around him.
Initially excited about the competition, he couldn¡¯t help but notice, after observing enough of his peers, that he had likely already surpassed most of the students in his year.
It wasn¡¯t just Ando who noticed. The spectators, too, were beginning to realize this. With each match, his strength became more apparent. He faced off against a Hyuga, then an Inuzuka, showcasing his skills and superiority. Despite being skilled, none of the fighter managed to truly push Ando back.
And finally, Ando made into the final match, which pitted him against an Akimichi¡ªa towering figure compared to Ando, with a bulk that promised raw power.
From the stands, a few spectators cheered enthusiastically for the Akimichi, their voices confident. But among the academy students, there was a near-silent tension. For the first time, an orphan actually made it into the finals.
Standing across from Haza Akimichi, Ando planted his feet firmly, his posture steady and composed. He made no move to strike first, instead giving a subtle tilt of his head, inviting Haza to come at him.
Haza didn¡¯t hesitate. With a burst of speed that belied his bulk, he charged straight at Ando, aiming to crush him with his momentum. But Ando was ready. As Haza¡¯s large frame closed in, Ando sidestepped smoothly, letting the charge sail past him.
Undeterred, Haza quickly pivoted, spreading his arms wide for another lunge, attempting to trap Ando in his grasp. Ando rolled to the side, keeping his movements light. For a moment, he tested Haza¡¯s resilience, dodging charge after charge, noting the boy¡¯s surprising agility for his size. But soon, it became clear that Haza wasn¡¯t adapting his strategy; he was relying solely on ingrained tactics, charging forward with brute force instead of adjusting to the flow of the fight.
Even worse, the boy was following a predictable patern¡ªa heavy pivot, a wide lunge, and a desperate attempt to close the distance. It was reckless. And easy to exploit. When Haza lunged again, Ando didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he stepped forward into the charge, twisting his body at the last second to sidestep while maintaining his balance. As Haza stumbled past, caught off-balance, Ando struck with precision¡ªa single, sharp elbow to Haza¡¯s side.
The impact sent the larger boy crashing to his knees, gasping for air. The fight, which had promised excitement, came to an abrupt and anti-climactic end.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The crowd was silent for a moment, absorbing what had just happened, before the referee¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Winner, Ando Yoshio!¡±
Scattered cheers and applause broke out, though they were subdued. The referee¡¯s tone carried a trace of enthusiasm, but the mixed reactions of the crowd mirrored the match itself¡ªunexpectedly underwhelming.
As Ando stepped off the ring, the noise of the crowd barely registered in his mind. The muted applause, the murmurs of the clan kids, and the quiet pride of the orphans all blurred into background noise. The matches so far hadn¡¯t been as challenging as Ando had hoped, and the final one was no different. In fact, his fight with Hamada had been more satisfying; at least there, he hadn¡¯t needed to hold back as much. Against Haza, the result felt inevitable from the start. None of his opponents so far had pushed him enough to warrant using the new jutsus he¡¯d been training.
¡°Ando Yoshio, step forward,¡± Shimamoto Kin¡¯s voice rang out, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. The academy headmaster rarely involved himself in tournament proceedings, leaving such acknowledgments to the instructors. For him to personally call on Ando was unusual, and it sent a ripple of curiosity through the spectators.
Ando hesitated, his eyes briefly flicking toward Soda, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. He approached Shimamoto, keeping his posture composed, his hands by his sides. ¡°Sir,¡± he said simply, tilting his head slightly in respect.
Shimamoto regarded him for a moment, his piercing gaze examining Ando as if assessing more than just the young boy''s skill. Then he spoke, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the audience. ¡°Your performance today has been remarkable, Ando. Strategy, timing, and precision. These are qualities of a shinobi who thinks before he acts.¡±
Ando¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, though he quickly suppressed it.
¡°Your victory is not only deserving of recognition but also reward,¡± Shimamoto continued, producing a silver card. ¡°5 thousand academy coins, a commendation for your tactical approach and composure.¡±
A hushed gasp rippled through the crowd. Five thousand Academy Coins was a significant sum, enough to exchange for months¡¯ worth of resources¡ªor some quite useful jutsu scrolls. What¡¯s more, the usual prize money for the winner of the tournament was usually around three thousand coins.
¡°Ando,¡± Shimamoto went on, ¡°in addition to your coins, I am granting you unrestricted access to the agility course and the second-level sparring dummies in the training hall. These privileges are typically reserved for third years. Use them wisely.¡±
Ando¡¯s eyes widened briefly before he masked his surprise. He bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you, Headmaster. I¡¯ll make good use of them.¡±
Shimamoto nodded approvingly. ¡°See that you do. Konoha needs shinobi who not only endure but also innovate. You show promise, Ando Yoshio. Don¡¯t squander it.¡±
With that, Shimamoto handed over the card and stepped back, signaling the end of the brief ceremony. The applause resumed, now mixed with begrudging respect from some of Ando¡¯s peers and open admiration from others.
Ando turned on his heel, his grip tightening around the card. His thoughts were already racing. Five thousand coins, the agility course, and advanced sparring equipment¡ªit was a windfall he couldn¡¯t have anticipated.
As he walked towards his teacher Soda, a beaming smile was plastered over the man¡¯s face, ¡°Congratulation kid! It looks like someone¡¯s moving up in the world!¡±
Ando mirrored the man¡¯s smile. ¡°Thank you, Soda-sensei.¡± His tone was genuine. One had to know that Soda has done a lot for him. From extra ninjutsu lessons, to subtly adjusting the curriculum to give Ando the combat experience he needed.
Soda¡¯s support had been invaluable.
The orphan wished he could offer something up to show his sincerity, but all he had on him were coins. He doubted Soda would have any need for them.
¡°You¡¯re welcome. It¡¯s only normal for a teacher to guide his students. Though, I haven¡¯t been the only one helping in that matter.¡±
Ando glanced at where Soda was looking, and his smile stretched on even more.
¡°Yo! Congratu¡ª¡± Chika¡¯s cheerful greeting was cut off as Ando pulled her into a sudden hug.
¡°Whoa!¡± Chika froze for a moment, stunned by the uncharacteristic gesture. Then, with a small laugh, she awkwardly patted his back. ¡°Well, this is new,¡± she teased, though her voice carried unmistakable warmth.
Ando stepped back, still smiling. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have done it without you, Chika. You¡¯ve been there from the start, helping me train, pushing me to think smarter, fight better.¡±
Chika smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°Damn right I have. But don¡¯t go getting all sappy on me now. You¡¯re gonna ruin my reputation.¡±
¡°Too late,¡± A familiar voice interjected with a playful tone. ¡°I think everyone just witnessed you being hugged by the tournament champion. Might as well own it.¡±
Chika turned around and shot Okawa a mock glare but didn¡¯t reply, her lips twitching upward in spite of herself.
¡°You really went and did it, huh, champ?¡± Ando¡¯s gaze shifted to the edge of the gathering, where the fourth-year orphan, Okawa, was steadily marching over. The older boy¡¯s presence was as steadying as ever, his rough-hewn features softened by a smile. He stepped forward, holding up a small tin of pomade, the same brand as the one he had lent Ando before.
¡°I planned on giving this to you after the tournament. But it seems like you¡¯ve gotten too good to actually need it.¡±
Ando¡¯s smile grew warmer as he accepted the tin. ¡°Thanks, Okawa-senpai. Maybe I¡¯ll really have to use it in the afternoon¡¯s tournament.¡±
Behind Okawa, a small cluster of orphans stood, their faces colored with hesitation. They looked like 1st years, just like Ando, and it was clear that Ando¡¯s victory had struck a chord with them. The one standing at the front, a wide-eyed boy with messy hair, stepped forward hesitantly.
¡°Ando-san,¡± the boy began, his voice barely above a whisper, ¡°you were amazing out there. Congratulations.¡±
Ando¡¯s eyebrow rose, giving the boy a skeptical look. You didn¡¯t care when I was weaker, he thought, the words lingering unspoken. A flicker of old memories surfaced¡ªback to the days when he was little more than a punching bag for the clan kids. He remembered the way these same orphans had gone out of their way to avoid him, unwilling to associate with someone at the bottom of the pecking order.
The hesitation in the boy¡¯s voice and the nervous glances from the others made it clear¡ªthey all remembered too.
The messy-haired boy lowered his head, his voice trembling. ¡°I¡ I¡¯m sorry, Ando-san. We should have treated you better before. It wasn¡¯t right.¡±
One of the other orphans stepped forward, their voice quieter but resolute. ¡°We avoided you because we were scared. But seeing you today¡ it made us realize how wrong we were. You¡¯ve gotten so much stronger, and we¡¯re still stuck.¡±
The tournament had been an eye-opener for many. They were all orphans, yet Ando had risen as the champion while most of them couldn¡¯t even last beyond a single exchange in the ring. The stark difference gnawed at them, forcing them to confront their shortcomings¡ªand their excuses.
¡°Hm-hm!¡± From the side, Soda cleared his throat meaningfully, his expression practically begging Ando to respond.
Ando sighed, glancing briefly at Soda before returning his gaze to the group of orphans. His sharp eyes softened, but his voice remained steady. ¡°I started just like you¡ªgetting beaten, ignored, written off. The only reason I¡¯m standing here now is because I didn¡¯t stop working.¡±
He let the words settle over the group, noting the flickers of uncertainty in their eyes. ¡°If you¡¯re serious about changing, stop waiting for someone to pull you up. Start climbing on your own. If I can do it, so can you.¡±
The messy-haired boy looked up, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and determination. He nodded vigorously, and quiet murmurs of agreement rippled through the group as their hesitance began to shift into something resembling resolve.
Ando studied them for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. He wasn¡¯t trying to be their hero, nor was he looking for their admiration. He just didn¡¯t have it in him to chastise them¡ªwhat would be the point? They were just kids, struggling to find their place in a world that rarely offered second chances.
In a rare moment of maturity, Ando chose to let go of his lingering bitterness. Instead, he inclined his head slightly, offering a gesture of encouragement. ¡°You¡¯ve made a start,¡± he said, ¡°What matters is what you do next. Don¡¯t stop.¡±
Soda smiled from the sidelines, clapping his hands together with mock enthusiasm. ¡°Well said, Ando. Just make sure you¡¯re not slacking off while you¡¯re giving advice.¡±
Ando rolled his eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. ¡°Yeah, yeah, Sensei. I won¡¯t.¡±
AN:
You¡¯re probably wondering: where are the experience prompts? What about the gains Ando earned after tearing through an entire tournament? Don¡¯t worry, I haven¡¯t forgotten them. I decided to keep them in the background for this chapter to avoid disrupting the flow. Stay tuned¡ªthey¡¯ll show up soon enough!
As always, thanks for reading, and see you soon!
Chapter 23
¡°The name¡¯s Naruto Uzumaki, and I¡¯m gonna be the next Hokage, believe it!¡± shouted a short, blond boy, his voice brimming with energy and determination. He stood proudly in the center of the ring, a second-year academy student dressed in an orange pair of shorts and a short-sleeved white t-shirt. The whisker-like markings on his cheeks made him stand out even more, as if his personality alone weren¡¯t enough.
At the opposite side of the ring stood another second-year academy student, Naruto¡¯s opponent. A tanned boy with short black hair. And standing between the two was none other than Mizuki.
¡°Start!¡± Announced the ninja as he retreated outside the ring.
Separated from the spectators¡¯ stand, the rest of the participants watched the various fights unfold in the numerous rings.
Standing among the crowd, Ando observed the energetic boy, a spark of recognition flashing in his eyes. Ando looked at the information hovering above Naruto, and was met with a bunch of question marks at the place where the age and levels should have been.
He watched the blond boy prance around the ring, grinning as if victory were already his. The boy¡ªNaruto Uzumaki¡ªwas loud, brash, and surprisingly enough, a lot like Ando, back when he still did not know how to fight. He was fearless, and seemed to have unlimited energy.
¡°You¡¯re having some flashbacks?¡± a familiar voice quipped from his left.
Ando turned his head slightly to see Chika standing beside him, her arms crossed as she watched the fight intently.
¡°Because I sure do,¡± she added with a sly grin.
¡°Was that how I used to fight back in the day?¡± Ando asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chika didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°What do you mean ¡®back in the day¡¯? You¡¯re still¡ª¡±
She ducked to the side just in time to avoid a mock punch from Ando, her smirk never wavering.
¡°You were worse!¡± she teased, leaning back as if dodging another imaginary strike. ¡°At least this kid¡¯s got some strength behind his attacks.¡± She glanced at Ando with a glint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°You, on the other hand, hit like a baby.¡±
Ando rolled his eyes. ¡°Just wait until I run into you in the ring. I¡¯ll show you. I won¡¯t hold back this time!¡±
¡°Oh, this time?¡± Chika shot back, her smirk widening. ¡°I thought you never held back?¡±
Ando chose to wisely ignore her jabs, redirecting his attention to the ongoing fight.
Naruto was charging left and right at his nimble opponent. It looked like the orphan had no actual strategy to win the fight. But he was actually keeping his opponent on the backfoot. The tradeoff? He was wasting a lot of energy while doing so.
In a simple one on one fight, such a strategy would have worked. Given Naruto¡¯s large reserves, he could potentially wear his opponent down. But in a tournament format, he would not go far.
Still, it was a good effort. Though it looked like Naruto¡¯s opponent wouldn¡¯t go down easy. The boy, Horie Yasushi, a tanned kid with a slightly muscular body, did not look like he was someone who was just there to participate. While dodging and parrying Naruto¡¯s wild strikes, he was always on the lookout for openings. Taking the chance to land a light jab or two whenever he had the occasion.
But strangely enough, those jabs did not seem to do anything to stop Naruto. It looked more like he was getting even more worked-out the more Horie hit him. In a moment of frustration, the blonde boy discarded all defense and simply lunged at Horie for a grappling match.
Horie did not seem too surprised by the development. He braced himself and took a single step back, receiving Naruto¡¯s dive into his chest with a painful grunt. He gripped Naruto¡¯s shirt tight and used it to haul the orphan to the side. But he underestimated Naruto¡¯s grip. Once the orphan got hold of him, it was like a tight rope had wound itself around Horie¡¯s chest. His action of throwing the blonde over only served to make the two of them fall and roll into the ground.
Horie moved first, reacting faster than anyone expected, and managed to pin the blonde boy beneath him. But Naruto, ever resilient, slammed his forehead into Horie¡¯s. The impact was jarring, and Horie¡¯s vision blurred as pain shot through his skull.
The momentary daze was all Naruto needed. With a swift motion, he reversed their positions, now straddling Horie with fiery determination blazing in his blue eyes. Naruto¡¯s fists came down like hammers, one after another, forcing Horie to shield himself as best he could.
But just as it seemed as Naruto had Horie suppressed, something extraordinary happened. Horie¡¯s hands began to glow with a faint blue light, the energy pulsing faintly against his tanned skin. With a desperate push, he slammed his glowing palm into Naruto¡¯s chest. The impact wasn¡¯t strong enough to hurt Naruto, but it forced him to pause, his body momentarily stunned.
That brief moment was all Horie needed. He formed two rapid hand signs, and dark markings crawled up his arms like living shadows. With a cry, he thrust both hands onto Naruto¡¯s unprotected abdomen.
Naruto¡¯s eyes widened as the markings transferred to his body, spreading out like ink in water. Pain ripped through him, drawing a strangled scream from his throat. He stumbled back, clutching his stomach as the markings crept across his skin.
Horie, meanwhile, staggered to his feet, but something was wrong. His dark, healthy complexion drained of color, his smooth skin wrinkling as though years were being stolen from him in an instant. His brown hair turned white, falling in clumps to the ground. His once-vivid eyes were now dull, wide with a horror that mirrored the audience¡¯s. He took a single shaky step forward before collapsing, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
The crowd fell silent, their cheers and gasps replaced by an uneasy stillness. All eyes turned to Naruto, who was hunched over, trembling. His screams became guttural, unnatural, and then, as though from nowhere¡
A dark orange mist began to seep from his body.
The tension in the air was palpable as the mist thickened, swirling around Naruto in an almost sentient manner. The sound of his screams morphed into something primal, more animal than human. The ground beneath him cracked as a deep, earth-shaking roar erupted from his throat, freezing everyone in place. Then came a second roar, even louder and more terrifying, a sound filled with agony and rage. A shockwave exploded outward, hurling Horie¡¯s body across the arena and sending those standing near the ring flying back like ragdolls.
The crowd''s stunned silence shattered as the shockwave knocked spectators off their feet and sent debris flying through the air. Gasps and screams erupted, mixing with the deafening roar from the center of the chaos. Those who managed to stay upright scrambled for cover, their faces twisted with panic.
Naruto¡¯s figure was barely visible now, shrouded in the ominous dark orange mist. His cries reverberating through the arena like a drumbeat of dread. The markings spreading across his body glowed faintly through the haze, pulsating with an unnatural rhythm.
Amid the chaos, a voice cut through the panicked noise with commanding authority. ¡°Everyone, evacuate immediately!¡± Shimamoto Kin¡¯s calm but firm tone echoed across the arena as he landed with practiced precision near the escalating disaster. His jounin flak jacket billowed slightly as he surveyed the scene with sharp, calculating eyes. His gaze fixed on the center of the chaos¡ªNaruto, now enveloped in a dense, ominous orange mist.
Shimamoto¡¯s hands blurred into a series of swift hand signs. ¡°Barrier Squad, now!¡± he barked. In an instant, a team of ninja clad in dark garments materialized around the ring, moving in coordinated formation. Their combined chakra formed shimmering barriers, translucent but potent, attempting to contain the volatile energy radiating from Naruto.
The barriers shuddered under the strain. Inside, Naruto thrashed wildly, the ground continued to crack beneath his feet as his body began to shift. His bright yellow, spiky hair had darkened, now tinged with orange and faint streaks of red. His small frame swelled unnaturally, muscles bulging as the mist continued to pour from his skin like an angry spirit escaping its vessel.
His eyes snapped open, glowing red with slitted pupils that radiated pure malice. They locked onto the nearest ninja with predatory intent. With a roar, Naruto disappeared in a flash, reappearing in front of the ninja. His claw-like hand lashed out, striking with such force that the ninja barely managed to block with a short sword. Even so, the sheer power sent him flying, crashing into the barrier with a sickening thud before sliding to the ground.
Naruto prepared to pursue, but the other ninja moved in swiftly, restraining him from all sides. Earth-shaking blows and flashes of chakra illuminated the ring as the battle raged on. Within moments, an enormous earth dome rose up around the fighting ring, sealing off the chaotic scene from view. Outside, only the muffled sounds of thuds and roars hinted at the fierce struggle within.
More ninja began arriving, forming a perimeter around the dome. Among them, an ANBU operative wearing a white mask appeared at Shimamoto¡¯s side. ¡°Shimamoto-san,¡± the operative said in a low, measured voice, ¡°what¡¯s the situation?¡±
¡°Naruto has lost control,¡± Shimamoto Kin said, his voice steady but weighted with concern, his eyes fixed on the quaking earth dome. ¡°The ANBU are containing him for now, but this reeks of misdirection. I believe a more significant threat is unfolding elsewhere.¡±
The masked ANBU operative nodded sharply. With practiced efficiency, he performed a series of hand signs, conveying the information to others before vanishing in a blur.
Meanwhile, the academy instructors continued to usher the frightened spectators to safety. Their voices carried a mix of authority and reassurance, gradually easing the hysteria that had gripped the crowd. Students and parents alike, though shaken, began to retreat from the scene, trusting the instructors'' calming presence.
After what felt like an eternity, the massive earth dome began to lower, revealing the scene within. The ring was in ruins. Craters dotted the area, and deep gouges marred the earth. At the center of the devastation lay Naruto, unconscious, his small frame still faintly glowing with the remnants of the Kyubi¡¯s chakra, flickering like embers on the verge of dying out.
Around him stood five ANBU operatives, their stances steady despite the clear signs of a grueling battle. Each bore the scars of their effort to subdue Naruto. One¡¯s arm was hastily bandaged; his movements deliberate to avoid aggravating what was likely a fracture. Another had a cracked mask and held his side, the subtle tension in his posture hinting at cracked ribs. A third bore claw marks across his chest, the fabric of his uniform torn but the wounds appeared relatively shallow. The fourth ninja, his face bare, sported a bruised eye and split lip, his calm expression unshaken even as he leaned briefly on a comrade for support. The fifth, seemingly the least affected, showed only a singed sleeve and minor scratches on his exposed skin.
The medics moved quickly, stabilizing the injured ANBU operatives. Shimamoto remained nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the scene, taking in every detail. Though his demeanor appeared calm, an undercurrent of unease lingered in his gaze. His suspicions gnawing at him.
As the dust settled and the last of the crowd dispersed under the instructors¡¯ guidance, a sudden hush descended upon the area. The Third Hokage arrived, flanked by an additional team of ANBU. His expression was grave, his presence commanding, yet it carried a quiet reassurance that calmed the remaining tension in the air. Those still present instinctively stepped back, making room for the leader of the village.
The Hokage¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the scene, taking in the devastated ring, the injured ANBU, and the unconscious boy at the center of it all.
¡°What happened here?¡± Hiruzen demanded.
Shimamoto stepped forward, bowing slightly before speaking. ¡°Lord Hokage, Naruto lost control during an academy exercise. The ANBU acted swiftly, erecting the dome to contain him and pacify the situation. However¡¡± He hesitated, his expression darkening as his gaze swept the surroundings. ¡°I strongly suspect this was a diversion. There may be more pressing matters unfolding elsewhere in the village.¡±
The Hokage¡¯s gaze lingered on Naruto before shifting to the ANBU operatives who stood battered but composed. His voice softened slightly as he issued his orders. ¡°Understood. Prioritize the academy¡¯s security and ensure the students are safe. I will have my team begin a sweep of the village for any unusual activity.¡±
Turning to his ANBU squad, he added, ¡°Investigate the cause of this incident. I want a full report by the end of the day.¡±
With his orders delivered, the Hokage knelt briefly beside Naruto, his expression softening as he studied the unconscious boy. ¡°Naruto¡ you must learn to control this power,¡± he murmured, his words barely audible. Rising, he motioned to the medics. ¡°Take him to the infirmary. Ensure he is carefully monitored.¡±
AN: Well, well, what do we have here? The main protagonist of the Naruto world has finally made his grand appearance! ?? But don¡¯t get too excited¡ªthis story isn¡¯t about him. XD You¡¯ll see exactly what I mean as you dive into the next few chapters. Stay tuned!
Chapter 24
While the hokage and the Anbu were busy investigating the incident that unfolded in the academy. A strange scene was happening in the Yutaka clan compound.
Under the clan head¡¯s main house, deep underground, a small facility has been created.
The air was cold and thick with the metallic tang of blood and chemicals. Carved from chakra-reinforced stone, the walls radiated an oppressive stillness, broken only by the faint drip of water echoing through the dimly lit halls.
At its center was the main chamber, dominated by a metal table fitted with heavy restraints. The shelves lining the walls bore an assortment of surgical tools, vials of unidentifiable substances, and dark tokens hinting at failed experiments. Nearby, cells equipped with chakra-suppressing seals confined prisoners in total darkness.
A dozen figures stood silently in the room, each cloaked in casual clothing that failed to conceal the unnatural rigidity of their postures. Draped over their shoulders were unconscious academy students, their breathing slow and steady, as if in a deep, unnatural sleep. The silence was eerie, broken only by the occasional shuffle of footsteps.
At the far end of the room stood Tashiro Yutaka, the clan head. Tall and commanding, his sharp features betrayed no emotion as his piercing gaze swept over the assembled figures.
¡°You¡¯ve all done well,¡± Tashiro said, his gaze sweeping over the group. ¡°The academy¡¯s commotion served as the perfect distraction. This can be considered a flawlessly executed mission.¡±
One of the figures stepped forward, speaking in a low, gravelly voice. ¡°What are we to do with them, clan head?¡±
Tashiro nodded, his expression unreadable. ¡°Place them in the designated chambers. But remember¡ªthey must not be harmed. The integrity of their chakra systems is paramount. Each of these children is a potential gem in the rough. We cannot afford to make any mistake.¡±
The figures executed his orders without delay. They each carried their unconscious cargo deeper into the facility, retreating into cells lined with strange seals and barriers.
As the last of the hooded figures disappeared, Tashiro Yutaka lingered, his sharp gaze locked onto the spot where they had stood. The dim light of the underground facility cast shadows across his face, accentuating the tension etched into his features.
Behind him, the air shimmered faintly, and from the shadows stepped a figure, moving with a grace that was almost unnatural. A cold, smooth voice broke the silence.
¡°You¡¯ve done well, Tashiro.¡±
Tashiro turned slowly, his face betraying no surprise as he met the eyes of Keichi Yutaka, his brother¡ªor rather, the man who pretended to be his brother. The man¡¯s familiar features were twisted by a faint smile, one that Tashiro failed to recognize. It was a smile devoid of warmth, exuding only predatory amusement.
Tashiro knelt, his voice steady but laced with quiet bitterness. ¡°Everything has been executed as you planned.¡±
Keichi¡¯s sinister chuckle echoed softly. ¡°No need to be so formal, brother. Remember, I mean you no harm. Our deal stands, does it not? You help me with my¡ pursuits, and I ensure the Yutaka clan becomes the strongest in Konoha.¡±
Tashiro¡¯s fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. Casual help. Is that what you call this nightmare?
He swallowed his resentment, his silence heavy with unspoken defiance. Since Keichi¡¯s return from the Village of Oto, nothing had been the same. The man before him was not the brother he once knew, not the proud shinobi who fought for the clan¡¯s honor. This was someone else entirely, a puppetmaster cloaked in a familiar guise.
Keichi smirked, clearly savoring Tashiro¡¯s inner turmoil. ¡°That fire in your eyes¡ don¡¯t lose it, Tashiro. You¡¯ll need it when the time comes.¡±
Stepping closer, Keichi placed a hand on Tashiro¡¯s shoulder, the mockery of a brotherly gesture. ¡°You may leave now. I¡¯ll summon you when I require your¡ assistance. For now, I have work to attend to.¡±
Tashiro rose, bowing stiffly before retreating down the corridor, his footsteps echoing faintly as he disappeared into the shadows.
Left alone, Keichi turned his attention to the cells, his lips curling into a chilling smile. ¡°It¡¯s been far too long since I¡¯ve had such promising test subjects,¡± he murmured, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°So much potential¡ so many possibilities.¡±
His laughter echoed through the facility, chilling and resonant, lingering long after the sound faded. The underground chamber seemed to darken as if recoiling from the sinister promise of his words.
******************************************************************************
Ando woke up feeling slightly stiff. As his senses returned, an unpleasant stench filled his nose¡ªa mix of chemicals, blood, and something faintly burnt. His nose instinctively scrunched as he blinked against the harsh, artificial light. His vision slowly adjusted, revealing a room that felt more like a nightmare than reality.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
The walls were lined with shelves cluttered with surgical tools, vials of strange substances, and jars holding unidentifiable remnants. A large, metal table dominated the center of the room, its surface stained and scarred from countless procedures. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, accompanied by the occasional drip of liquid into a container nearby.
He tried to move, but the rough bite of restraints stopped him. He was bound to a sturdy chair bolted to the floor, his wrists and ankles locked in place with cold, unyielding metal clamps. Panic began to simmer beneath his calm exterior as his eyes darted around the room.
¡°Well, well,¡± a voice drawled, smooth and familiar yet dripping with mockery. Keichi Yutaka stepped into the dim light, his sharp features framed by an unsettling smirk. ¡°The academy¡¯s most promising wild card.¡±
Ando¡¯s body turned stiff, his heart skipping a beat as the sudden voice shattered the silence. He had believed he was alone, the oppressive quiet of the room reinforcing that illusion¡ªuntil now. Slowly, hesitantly, he craned his neck to the side, his pulse quickening as a figure emerged from the shadows.
The man stepped into the light, his features gradually coming into focus. Recognition hit Ando like a jolt of electricity. His brown eyes widened as he processed the face before him.
The man who had consoled Hamada after their fight. The man who had seemed composed, even kind, now loomed over Ando with an entirely different presence¡ªa predatory aura that made the air feel heavy.
Ando¡¯s mind raced, grasping for any memory that could explain how he¡¯d ended up here. The last thing he remembered was the chaos surrounding Naruto¡¯s eruption at the academy. The deafening roar, the explosion of chakra, and then¡ nothing. A blank void. He had no memory of how he¡¯d been taken, nor why.
Still, he kept his expression as composed as he could, masking the nervousness bubbling beneath the surface. ¡°I don¡¯t recall having done anything to the Yutaka clan that would warrant this kind of retaliation,¡± he began, his tone calm and measured. Yet his pulse quickened, and the restraints felt tighter with every passing moment.
Keichi took a step closer, his presence overpowering. ¡°Let me assure you¡¡± His voice dropped, almost a whisper as he leaned in until he was mere inches from Ando¡¯s face. ¡°You haven¡¯t.¡±
Ando¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The intensity of Keichi¡¯s gaze was suffocating, primal, like the stare of a predator sizing up its prey. For a moment, it wasn¡¯t a man standing before him¡ªit was a beast. A wave of raw, unrelenting fear crashed over him, one so deep and visceral that it triggered a memory of his life before crossing into this world. It didn¡¯t make sense. All the man did was look at him, yet¡ª
I¡¯m going to die.
The thought struck Ando with absolute certainty. The cold, unyielding grip of terror rooted him to the spot.
Elevated stress detected! High risk of logic impairing!
Do you want to counter with Gamer¡¯s Mind?
Ando suddenly started gasping. Without realizing it, he had stopped breathing. If not for the system¡¯s reminder, he might have fainted.
His scattered mind started to reason once again. And he began reassessing the situation he was in. For one, he was not going to die.
Not at this time.
If they wanted him dead, then he wouldn¡¯t even know about it. Death was out of the equation. And as long as that was the case, then he had nothing to fear. Whatever they did to him, he could recover. His unique ¡®bloodline limit¡¯ would ensure his survival. Ando suspected that it may even be the reason behind his current predicament.
¡°Interesting,¡± Keichi remarked, his voice breaking through Ando¡¯s thoughts. His eyes narrowed, studying the boy with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. ¡°For a moment, I thought you might die of fear. Was my bloodlust truly that overwhelming?¡±
Ando didn¡¯t respond, keeping his expression neutral. He knew better than to reveal his thoughts freely. Silence, in this moment, was his only weapon.
Keichi smirked at the lack of response. ¡°Playing it safe, are we?¡± he mused, stepping back and moving toward a desk at the side of the room. He picked up a scroll, scribbling something on its surface. ¡°You know,¡± he said conversationally, ¡°this would all be much easier if you chose to cooperate.¡±
¡°Define cooperate,¡± Ando said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Keichi¡¯s hand paused mid-sentence, his sharp gaze flicking toward Ando. ¡°Cooperation,¡± he repeated, his tone dripping with condescension, ¡°is simple. Answer my questions truthfully. Don¡¯t resist our tests. And stop pretending your abilities are anything less than remarkable.¡±
¡°What happens if I don¡¯t cooperate?¡± Ando asked, keeping his voice as even as possible.
Keichi smirked, as if amused by the attempt at bravery. ¡°If you don¡¯t? Well...¡± He leaned against the desk. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to find... creative ways to encourage you. And believe me, I¡¯m not short on ideas.¡±
The knot in Ando¡¯s stomach tightened. He didn¡¯t doubt the man¡¯s words for a second. He drew a slow, deliberate breath.
¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± Ando said at last.
Keichi raised a brow, seemingly impressed. ¡°Smart choice.¡± He set the scroll down and offered a disarmingly friendly smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Then let¡¯s start with introductions. My name,¡± he said, pausing for effect, ¡°is Orochimaru. And I hope we¡¯ll get along.¡±
Ando¡¯s breath hitched. His entire body tensed as the name registered, and terror surged anew. Even with Gamer¡¯s Mind dulling the edges, the revelation sent his thoughts spiraling.
¡°What¡?¡± The word slipped from his lips, barely audible, a fragment of his stunned disbelief.
Orochimaru¡¯s smile widened, savoring the moment. ¡°Oh my, you know of me, don¡¯t you?¡± he said, amused. ¡°I wonder how¡ Kukuku.¡±
Ando gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push back against the wave of fear threatening to overwhelm him. He locked eyes with the Sannin, drawing on every ounce of resolve he could muster. Focus, he reminded himself. Survive now. Figure out the rest later.
¡°What do you want from me?¡±
¡°At first,¡± Orochimaru said, leaning closer, ¡°I was interested in your Kekkei Genkai. But now¡¡± His eyes gleamed with unsettling curiosity. ¡°Who are you, little Ando? You don¡¯t seem like an ordinary orphan to me.¡±
Ando forced a grin up his face. ¡°Will you let me leave if I told you?¡±
Orochimaru chuckled at that. ¡°That would depend on the value of that information.¡±
¡°And who determines that value.¡±
Orochimaru didn¡¯t answer directly. Instead, a light shift could be detected in the atmosphere. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, almost to himself. ¡°You might just be more entertaining than I anticipated.¡±
Without warning, Orochimaru plunged a syringe into Ando¡¯s neck. Ando gasped as a strange, burning sensation spread through his veins. ¡°Let¡¯s start simple,¡± Orochimaru said, ¡°Your Kekkei Genkai¡ªhow much can it heal?¡±
Ando¡¯s vision blurred, the room spinning as darkness clawed at the edges of his consciousness. The last thing he saw was Orochimaru¡¯s gleaming eyes before everything went black.
Chapter 25
The dimly lit laboratory reeked of antiseptic and metal. Rows of jars containing preserved organs and unidentified fluids lined the walls, their murky contents a testament to countless experiments. Complex machinery hummed ominously, casting faint shadows that danced on the cold, sterile floor. At the room¡¯s center stood Orochimaru, his pale fingers steepled as he gazed down at Ando. The boy lay unconscious on a steel operating table, his young face pale and streaked with sweat.
Fresh wounds crisscrossed Ando¡¯s body, blood oozing sluggishly from the more recent incisions. Yet even as the injuries seeped, his Kekkei Genkai worked in quiet defiance, knitting the flesh back together. Orochimaru¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with a twisted mix of fascination and delight.
¡°Remarkable,¡± he murmured, ¡°Your natural regenerative abilities surpass anything I¡¯ve encountered. Even Hashirama¡¯s fabled cells pale in comparison. But only when you¡¯re unconscious¡ How curious.¡±
The Sannin selected a scalpel from a tray, its blade gleaming under the fluorescent light. He made a shallow cut across Ando¡¯s forearm. The boy remained completely unresponsive, blissfully unaware of the horrors being inflicted upon him. Within moments, the wound closed itself, the flesh knitting together as if it had never been touched.
Orochimaru pressed deeper with the next cut, slicing through muscle. Blood flowed freely, soaking the operating table, but once again, the regeneration began¡ªslower this time but unmistakable.
As the days turned into weeks, the tests became more invasive. Broken bones, shredded muscles, ruptured organs¡ªnothing was off-limits. Ando¡¯s body bore no scars, yet his mind would have been another story if he¡¯d been awake. The endless cycle of injury and recovery would have frayed the resolve of even the strongest shinobi, but for now, unconsciousness shielded him from the full weight of his nightmare.
¡°Why does your recovery only trigger in your sleep, why?¡± Orochimaru mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the boy¡¯s slack face. His golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully. ¡°Perhaps it is tied to your subconscious. I¡¯ll need to test further.¡±
Orochimaru¡¯s experiments were relentless. Most of the time, Ando was kept in a state of induced unconsciousness, his body left to recover from injuries severe enough to kill most shinobi. Yet even as his body healed, the Sannin¡¯s curiosity only deepened. By the end of the first month, Ando¡¯s regeneration showed no signs of slowing, and Orochimaru¡¯s fascination turned to obsession.
******************************************************************************
Ando jolted awake, his breath catching in his throat. The room was dark except for the faint glow of seals etched into the walls. His body ached, his head swimming with a dull pain that never truly left him anymore.
A scream tore through the stillness, raw and filled with terror. It echoed down the corridors, chilling Ando to his core. He sat up, straining to locate the source. Which unluck soul was that? He mused silently. The scream rose again, jagged and desperate, before abruptly cutting off into silence.
Not long after, Ando caught the familiar sound of sandals striking stone echoing faintly, growing louder until a figure appeared in his vision. Orochimaru¡¯s silhouette stopped in the doorway, his golden eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. ¡°Awake already?¡± he said, his tone almost conversational. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s hard to sleep through such... vivid demonstrations.¡±
Ando remained silent; his jaw clenched. Inside, his thoughts churned, but the fear that once paralyzed him was now muted.
Orochimaru stepped closer, his presence looming outside the bars holding Ando captive. ¡°You¡¯re wondering about the noise, aren¡¯t you?¡± He tilted his head, a mockery of curiosity. ¡°That¡¯s the work of my apprentice on a subject who didn¡¯t quite meet my expectations. A shame, really. But every failure teaches us something, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±
Ando¡¯s stomach churned at the casual way in which Orochimaru said those words. He simply stared at the man, unsure of what to say. The silence stretched between them, oppressive and suffocating.
Finally, Orochimaru chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ando. Your potential far exceeds theirs. Let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± He turned and disappeared into the corridor, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Left alone, Ando let out a murky breath. The screams lingered in his mind, a haunting reminder of what could happen to him at any moment. He forced his thoughts back into focus. How do I get out of this?
Ando stared hard at the seals running along the walls, and sighed. ¡°If only I had studied Mizuki¡¯s books about seal introduction, maybe I would have a chance.¡±
Truth be told, Ando would still have had no chance even if he learned something from the advanced scrolls. Orochimaru was a master of seals. As a beginner, Ando would have a better chance trying to brute force his way out rather than trying to understand the cage.
And that¡¯s exactly what he did. Each day, Ando threw himself at the door made of steel bars with unwavering determination, turning his confinement into something akin to a grueling training regimen. It wasn¡¯t just about getting stronger; it was about keeping his mind intact. Humans needed social interaction, distractions, and goals. And Ando was deprived of more than one of those. His isolation gnawed at him in ways he hadn¡¯t expected. Training gave him focus, a way to drown out the crushing loneliness.
He struck with fists, shoulders, and feet, alternating between precise strikes and frenzied barrages. Occasionally, he incorporated ninjutsu, testing the limits of his chakra against the unyielding seals. He preferred the clang of fists against steel to the chilling conversations with Orochimaru.
Due to his research, Orochimaru had not deemed it necessary to seal Ando¡¯s chakra yet, leaving him with full access to his reserves. It was a small blessing, one that allowed Ando to train and maintain some semblance of control over his body. Compared to the other captives, Ando¡¯s situation was far better, though only because of his unique advantage: the Gamer¡¯s Body.
In this environment, waking up each day as good as new was a blessing...
As time passed, Orochimaru began testing even more extreme theories.
By the third month, the experiments shifted to endurance. Orochimaru placed Ando in a large chamber filled with artificial terrain, weights strapped to his limbs. He was forced to run endless laps, perform push-ups until collapse, and channel chakra without rest. The exercises extended for days at a time, with only brief moments of reprieve.
The Kekkei Genkai¡¯s capabilities became clearer. Not only did it heal physical wounds, but it also replenished chakra reserves¡ªalbeit at a slower rate. Orochimaru noted with fascination how Ando could rise again after mere hours of rest, his body knitting itself back together even from the brink of collapse.
Ando¡¯s thoughts gradually shifted on the other hand. It was true that Orochimaru¡¯s tests were driving him to the brink of collapse every day. But the benefits though, they were equally extreme. He was developing resistance skills, physical stats, and even his chakra reserves were growing by the day.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
With whatever the researcher was injecting into Ando¡¯s body, his progress was leaps and bounds away from his previous gains.
Though, Ando started having doubts about the scientist¡¯s motives. Why was he trying to strengthen Ando¡¯s body so much? What kind of experiments would require so much preparations?
By the fifth month, Ando¡¯s regenerative abilities had actually grown stronger than day one. He had developed some special skills and perks which boosted his body, all thanks to the relentless regime he was forced to follow.
The same could not be said about his mental health. But that small detail mattered little to the Sannin. Orochimaru observed the progress with unmasked excitement. ¡°This ¡,¡± he mused. ¡°With a little bit of tweaking, wouldn¡¯t this become the perfect vessel?¡±
*******************************************************************************
The next phase began with venom, marking a new level of torment in Orochimaru''s experiments. In the following months, the Sannin introduced poisons designed for purposes both cruel and precise. One injection came from the venom of a serpent Orochimaru claimed could kill a grown man in moments. The mad scientist had the genius idea of injecting both antidote and poison at the same time.
Ando''s veins blackened, his body convulsing until unconsciousness overtook him. Another time, a toxic brew distilled from the petals of a crimson nightshade burned through his chakra pathways, leaving him gasping for air as the substance drained his reserves. Perhaps the worst was a chakra-reactive toxin¡ªa liquid that flared with searing pain every time Ando tried to mold chakra, forcing him to endure hours of paralyzing agony to test his limits. Each injection brought a new wave of suffering, his muscles locking, his breathing ragged as the venom worked through his system.
The pain was unbearable, each concoction calibrated to push his body past its limits and study his Kekkei Genkai¡¯s response. Often, the sheer intensity forced Ando into unconsciousness, his body collapsing under the strain, only to awaken hours later with the toxins purged and his body eerily restored.
¡°Your body also treats poison like an injury,¡± Orochimaru remarked, his tone filled with fascination. ¡°You immediately begin purging it when you pass out. Though you still need some external push to fully excel in that field.¡±
By the ninth month, Ando¡¯s system had been subjected to dozens of venoms and chakra-based toxins. Recovery times varied¡ªsome poisons lingered longer, their effects clinging to his body like shadows. Ando¡¯s thoughts often circled back to the same bitter truth:
Being Orochimaru¡¯s test subject sucks!
The experience did not kill him, but it slowly numbed him. Little by little, Ando began to disregard his pain and injuries. His once-sharp cries dulled into groans, then to silence. His Pain Tolerance skill finally stepped into the advanced level, a bitter reward for his suffering.
The boy found solace in small victories¡ªenduring longer than Orochimaru expected, feeling the incremental growth of his resistance skills.
*******************************************************************************
In the tenth month, Orochimaru¡¯s ambitions turned darker. He sought to merge Ando¡¯s abilities with other Kekkei Genkai. Samples of DNA from Hashirama¡¯s cells, Uchiha remnants, and artificial constructs lined the laboratory.
¡°If your body can stabilize these,¡± Orochimaru said, almost reverently, ¡°you could become something truly transcendent.¡±
The first grafts were attempted with precision. Ando, now used to the process, did not react much. But that did not mean that the experiment went smoothly. Ando¡¯s body actually rejected the foreign cells. Momentarily halting the scientist¡¯s progress.
Orochimaru switched his focus on trying to extract Ando¡¯s kekkei genkai in the hopes of creating a clone. Unfortunately for the sanin, anything that was extracted from Ando actually started rotting far faster than the average.
The man tried various mixes of stabilizant, compounds, and even seals. But somehow, they made things worse. Ando felt some sort of sadistic joy as he watched the man struggle. Of course, it was all at his expense. After all, whenever an experiment failed, Orochimaru would just replace the used elements from Ando¡¯s body.
Still, seeing as the clone project was getting nowhere, Orochimaru decided to try and merge Ando¡¯s abilities into other people. Ando got to witness in person how brutal Orochimaru¡¯s experiments looked on others.
Most of his test subjects were kids. It was sickening to watch the man dissect them like guinea pigs. Trying all sorts of grafts, all of which ended in failure. Some of them had such an adverse reaction that they ended up turning into deformed monstrosities.
It was during these times that Ando was finally met with a familiar face.
Enzo Uchiha [LVL 18]
The once arrogant Uchiha, now reduced to a trembling figure strapped onto the cold steel of an operation table, bore an expression of sheer horror. His lips quivered, and his eyes¡ªdevoid of the arrogance that once defined him¡ªdarted frantically around the room, silently begging the mad scientist for mercy. But in Orochimaru¡¯s laboratory, mercy was an alien concept.
Orochimaru worked with cold precision, his scalpel slicing cleanly around Enzo¡¯s eye sockets. The Uchiha¡¯s screams echoed through the sterile room as he thrashed against his restraints, but the bindings held firm. With steady hands, Orochimaru removed the Sharingan, the bloodied orbs still faintly glowing with power. He placed them into a tube of greenish fluid, sealing it tightly to preserve them. Enzo¡¯s cries faded into weak, gasping sobs, but Orochimaru barely acknowledged him, treating the act as routine rather than the horrifying violation it was.
¡°Prepare him,¡± The scientist ordered.
His assistant moved without hesitation, applying seals along Enzo¡¯s body to stabilize his vitals and sustain his chakra during the grafting process. Meanwhile, Orochimaru turned toward another table, where Ando lay restrained.
Ando¡¯s gaze met Orochimaru¡¯s, devoid of panic. Months of enduring the Sannin¡¯s experiments had forged a grim resolve within him, one that neither screams nor threats could shake.
¡°You should consider yourself fortunate, Ando,¡± Orochimaru drawled, his voice silken with mockery. ¡°Your Kekkei Genkai is proving far more intriguing than I initially imagined. And now, your eyes will serve a greater purpose.¡±
He selected a scalpel, its blade gleaming ominously under the bright lights. Orochimaru began the meticulous process of removing Ando¡¯s eyes. The boy flinched but did not scream, a testament to the mental fortitude he had developed.
¡°Impressive,¡± Orochimaru murmured, tilting his head as he examined the extracted eyes. ¡°You endure well, even without sight. A rare trait, indeed.¡±
Without delay, Orochimaru moved back to Enzo¡¯s table, carefully implanting Ando¡¯s eyes into the Uchiha¡¯s empty sockets. The seals on the Uchiha¡¯s body activated, flickering faintly as they worked to integrate the new chakra signature.
Orochimaru watched intently, his fascination evident. ¡°If this succeeds,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°we will have a Kekkei Genkai capable of rejuvenation combined with the Sharingan¡¯s unparalleled abilities. A true breakthrough.¡±
But something was wrong. Enzo¡¯s chakra began to fluctuate wildly, his body convulsing against the restraints. The seals pulsed erratically, unable to contain the discord within.
Enzo¡¯s screams shattered the tense silence. A guttural, panicked sound tore from his throat as blood gushed from his newly grafted eyes. Streams of crimson flowed from his nose and ears, staining his horrified face.
¡°This reaction¡¡± Orochimaru muttered, leaning closer to the writhing boy, as though observing a particularly intriguing specimen under a microscope.
Enzo¡¯s screams grew weaker, his body trembling violently before going completely still. The erratic pulse of the seals faded, replaced by an eerie silence. Blood pooled beneath the operation table; its metallic scent thick in the air.
Orochimaru stepped back, his expression contemplative as he regarded the lifeless body. ¡°So, the synchronization failed¡¡± he murmured, his voice devoid of disappointment. Instead, it carried the excitement of a scientist uncovering a new mystery.
He turned to the monitors, analyzing the chaotic chakra readings from the moments before Enzo¡¯s death. ¡°Not the body, not the chakra¡ Then it must be the soul.¡±
A slow, sinister smile spread across his face as he retrieved a scroll from a nearby shelf, its contents detailing his earlier work with the body-swap jutsu.
¡°This isn¡¯t the first time I¡¯ve encountered this,¡± Orochimaru mused aloud. ¡°The soul¡¯s resistance. Of course. The essence of one being cannot simply merge with another without consequence.¡±
His gaze shifted to Ando, still restrained on the adjacent table. Though blind, Ando could feel the weight of Orochimaru¡¯s piercing stare.
¡°Your Kekkei Genkai is more than just a physical trait,¡± Orochimaru continued, his voice filled with dark anticipation. ¡°It¡¯s tied to your very soul!¡±
AN: This was one of the most challenging chapters I¡¯ve ever written, but I¡¯m glad I have managed to push through and complete it! And sorry for the long delay. I have been sick, caught a crazy fever by the end of last week ??
Chapter 26
As the first year of captivity drew to a close, Orochimaru¡¯s fascination with Ando¡¯s Kekkei Genkai had evolved into an unrelenting obsession. The once-casual experiments of physical manipulation had spiraled into explorations of the spiritual plane, driven by a single, audacious ambition: to harness the ability to heal not just the body, but the soul itself.
Ando¡¯s resilience became the foundation of Orochimaru¡¯s experiments. Time and again, the boy was subjected to genjutsu of extreme complexity¡ªeach illusion designed to shatter his consciousness into fragments. Yet, no matter how intricate or crushing the mental assault, Ando¡¯s mind always reassembled itself, the pieces snapping back together as though guided by an unseen force.
Leaning over his detailed notes, Orochimaru¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with a sinister light. ¡°Fascinating,¡± he murmured, tapping his pen against a diagram of chakra pathways. ¡°The mind is merely an extension of the soul, and his Kekkei Genkai seems to preserve it¡ªeven under extraordinary duress.¡±
He theorized that Ando¡¯s abilities extended far beyond simple regeneration. The power was intrinsic, woven into the very fabric of his being. If his hypothesis proved correct, then Ando¡¯s Kekkei Genkai might hold the key to undoing even the most catastrophic spiritual damage imaginable.
¡°What if this power could repair the damage caused by the Reaper Death Seal?¡± Orochimaru pondered aloud, his voice tinged with excitement. A future unfolded in his mind¡ªone where no price was too great, no soul too broken to restore.
With this revelation, his experiments grew bolder. A modified version of his cursed seals was etched onto Ando¡¯s skin, the dark, writhing patterns designed to siphon spiritual energy directly from him rather than the external world. The initial applications were crude and agonizing, the seals clawing at Ando¡¯s essence like invisible talons.
Ando¡¯s body convulsed on the cold operating table, his chakra flaring wildly as the cursed seals drained his vitality. Yet, once again, the damage was repaired, defying the very nature of the cursed seal. But his recovery, while remarkable, grew slower with each iteration, barely managing to offset the relentless harm.
¡°It¡¯s not simply resistance to harm¡ªit¡¯s a complete reconstruction of his essence. The soul doesn¡¯t merely heal; it remembers.¡±
To further test his theories, Orochimaru introduced a new layer to his experimentation: spirit-draining jutsu designed to directly strip away fragments of Ando¡¯s soul, reducing it to raw, usable energy which would be contained in the seal itself. The goal was to determine whether Ando¡¯s Kekkei Genkai could recover from such a fundamental loss.
The pain was unlike anything Ando had experienced before. Orochimaru¡¯s hands pressed against his chest, and a dark, spiraling seal appeared beneath the sannin¡¯s fingers. The jutsu burned as if an unseen fire consumed Ando from within. His vision blurred, his senses dulled, and he felt as though a part of him was being ripped away.
When Orochimaru withdrew, silence filled the laboratory. Ando lay motionless, his breathing shallow, his chakra dim and flickering. For hours, his body remained pale and lifeless. But then, to Orochimaru¡¯s astonishment, the glow of Ando¡¯s chakra reignited. His fragmented soul began to painstakingly rebuild itself. Exactly seven days after falling unconscious, Ando had recovered enough to stand, though the cursed seals¡¯ influence prevented a full restoration.
Orochimaru¡¯s thin lips curled into a sinister smile. ¡°I was right, even the soul is not immune to your Kekkei Genkai¡¯s influence,¡± he mused. ¡°This power transcends the physical and spiritual realms. It¡¯s not a Kekkei Genkai¡ªit¡¯s a phenomenon.¡±
Unlike conventional Kekkei Genkai, which stemmed from chakra and physical traits, Ando¡¯s abilities seemed more akin to those of a tailed beast¡ªa phenomenon triggered by an unknown force, one that Orochimaru longed to obtain.
He intensified his tests, integrating the cursed seals with jutsu designed to manipulate and transform the soul¡¯s very structure. And Orochimaru began to see parallels between Ando¡¯s soul reconstruction and his own body-swapping jutsu.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Emboldened by his discoveries, Orochimaru prepared for his most ambitious experiment yet. He sought to apply Ando¡¯s abilities to reconstruct an external, fully damaged soul, using fragments harvested from other test subjects. This marked a turning point¡ªif successful, Orochimaru could not only restore his own soul but theoretically clone them.
To this end, Orochimaru removed the modified cursed seal from Ando and replaced it with a proper curse seal. Immediately, he noticed something extraordinary: the fragment of the soul embedded in the seal was severed, as though trapped in a separate dimension. Yet, upon observation, it remained intact.
Orochimaru¡¯s intrigue deepened. The curse seal, typically a tether for control, had been altered by Ando¡¯s abilities. The isolation of the soul shard hinted at a profound capability¡ªthe potential to compartmentalize and stabilize spiritual energy entirely. This could be the key to Ando¡¯s ability, and maybe a glimpse of the method used to construct a framework for restoring a soul, piece by piece.
The implications were staggering. Orochimaru envisioned a path to immortality far more stable than his body-swapping technique. But Ando remained an obstacle. Undeterred, Orochimaru refined his methods, developing a new series of seals¡ªnot to dominate the host but to amplify and guide Ando¡¯s unique abilities towards a specific goal.
Meanwhile, the world above ground continued to turn. More than a year had passed since the attack on the academy, leaving scars both visible and hidden. The passage of time brought no closure to the incident. Instead, it left scars that festered in the hearts of those affected.
The disappearance of dozens of academy students cast a long shadow over Konoha, fueling rumors and fears that rippled through the village like an undercurrent of unease. Breaking the faith that the people once had on the safety of academy. Parents clutched their children tighter, civilians whispered of dark conspiracies, and the academy itself had become a grim reminder of what was lost.
Naruto, however, bore the brunt of the aftermath. During the chaos of the attack, he had lost control of the Nine-Tails'' chakra, resulting in a destructive outburst that not only scared his peers but also gave the civilians further reason to despise him. Though the incident had been an accident, and the academy staff had worked hard to contain the damage, the blame was squarely laid on the Demon, Naruto¡¯s shoulders.
For a time, the Hokage and the council had been keeping a close eye on the investigation of the incident. But as time passed, and no results were found, the heat died down. The incident was classed as an unresolved issue. It was put aside and made place for a more urgent matter.
The Uchiha massacre.
A tragedy that put Konoha in an extremely perilous situation. The loss of a founder clan, and arguably the strongest clan in the village, had put it in a very precarious position. Those who were part of the inner structure of the village labeled it as a coup thwarted in its infancy. But the official version that came out was about Itachi Uchiha going rogue. Whispers of betrayal and darker truths spread through the ranks of the shinobi and civilians alike like wildfire.
The aftermath was devastating. The Uchiha compound became a haunting reminder of the village''s failure to protect one of its own. For many, the massacre was a symbol of Konoha''s growing instability¡ªa realization that even its most prestigious clans were not immune to disaster. For the Hokage and the council, it was a political and strategic nightmare.
Without the Uchiha clan, Konoha lost its most skilled police force. But above that, the village lost one of its core strengths. Nobody could question the value of a whole clan of Sharingan users. Both in terms of attacking power, intimidation, and defense.
The village was significantly weakened, and enemies were quick to sense the vulnerability. Missions requiring the precision and strength of the Uchiha were rerouted to other clans, straining their resources and spreading them thin.
The once-mighty village, which had prided itself on its strength and unity, now felt the weight of its fragility. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, bore the burden of trying to maintain order while ensuring the massacre did not invite further attacks from outside forces. The ANBU were put on high alert, and alliances with neighboring villages were quietly reinforced to prevent opportunistic strikes.
The loss of the Uchiha also deepened tensions within the village''s power structure. The other clans began to question their own security, with some even considering strengthening their internal defenses against potential betrayals. Trust within the village was fractured, and the council''s role in managing the aftermath drew scrutiny.
The common people, already on edge after the academy attack, grew more disillusioned with the leadership. Whispers of conspiracies involving the Hokage, Danzo, and the elders fueled unrest, though none dared to voice their suspicions openly.
The once-unshakable Hidden Leaf Village now faced internal divisions, external threats, and a future clouded with uncertainty. For the Hokage, it was a race against time to rebuild trust, restore strength, and guide the village through its darkest days.
And in the midst of all this chaos, came an attack from an enemy that nobody could have foreseen.
Chapter 27
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in his office, the weight of the village''s recent tragedies etched deeply into his old features. Before him stood an Anbu operative, his armor bearing fresh scratches and his mask slightly chipped. Despite his stoic demeanor, there was urgency in the Anbu¡¯s voice.
"Hokage-sama," the Anbu began, bowing deeply. "A report from the southern outposts. Groups of ninjas bearing the Sky Village¡¯s marks has mobilized. Their forces are advancing toward Konoha as we speak. Initial scouts estimate their numbers to be in the hundreds."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The Sky Village, also known as Soragakure, was a remnant of the smaller shinobi factions that had struggled to find a foothold among the Great Nations. During the Second Great Shinobi War, they were infamous for their ingenuity, compensating for their lack of manpower with advanced technology and aerial combat techniques. Their use of flying platforms and mechanized weaponry had once threatened to redefine the battlefield, but the relentless might of the larger villages had ultimately crushed their ambitions.
After their defeat, the Sky Village faded into obscurity, falling into the dark and almost forgotten by history. Rumors of their demise had circulated for years, but their apparent reemergence now, after decades of silence, projected nothing good for Konoha. The timing was suspect, and Hiruzen¡¯s thoughts immediately turned to the broader geopolitical tensions brewing in the shadows.
"Call an emergency council meeting immediately," Hiruzen ordered, watching as the Anbu operative flashed out of the room.
"Monkey," he continued, "summon the jounin commanders without delay. Specter and Spider, form a strike team and deploy reinforcements to the southern outposts immediately. Cat, go to the general hospital and inform Yoshioka Yuji to prepare for a full-scale invasion. He¡¯ll know what to do."
Even without visible movement, Hiruzen sensed the operatives leaving, their presence fading like wisps of smoke. Alone now, he let out a slow, measured breath, the faint scent of tobacco curling in the air as he took a long puff from his pipe.
His gaze drifted to the shelves lining his office¡ªbooks and scrolls containing decades of knowledge and history, some of which he had personally lived and helped write. Documents depicting his heroic feats from his youth. Back when Konoha still-
Hiruzen sighed, stopping the train of thoughts. Focus! He told himself. Stepping forward, he placed his palm against a discreet seal etched into a shelf. A faint pulse of chakra resonated under his touch, and with a soft poof of smoke, a set of armor materialized before him.
Hiruzen stared at the set armor with a conflicted expression, his fist clenching at his sides. He then slowly removed his hokage robe. His expression growing increasingly resolute as he donned the armor. Konoha needed him! His villagers needed him!
Minutes later, the Hokage''s office was filled with Konoha¡¯s key leaders, along with most Clan heads who could make it in time. Shikaku Nara, ever calm, stood with arms crossed, his calculating eyes analyzing the written report of the Anbu. Hiashi Hyuuga and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged tense glances, while Kakashi Hatake listened intently from the corner, mask hiding any hint of emotion.
Standing near the Hokage¡¯s desk was Tashiro Kyoko, codenamed Obsidian (Kokuyogan), the vice leader of the Anbu Black Ops. ¡°Hokage-sama, our preliminary reports indicate that the Sky Village¡¯s tactics are highly coordinated, and somehow adapted to counter our initial responses. The Anbu commander, Dragon, is suggesting that they have studied our patrols and response times in advance.¡±
Beside him, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen¡¯s former teammates and trusted advisors, frowned deeply at the report. Koharu stepped forward to address the information. ¡°If they¡¯ve chosen this moment to act, it¡¯s highly probable that there are other factions working with them. The Sky Village must have amassed forces in the dark. Otherwise, they would not be so bold as to launch an open attack like this.¡±
Homura adjusted his glasses, his expression grim. ¡°Another possibility is that they¡¯ve found a way to replicate their technology on a larger scale. It¡¯s hard to say which one poses a more significant threat for us...¡±
As the conversation between the counselors became heated, the knocking sound of a cane bradually made itself known.
The room fell silent as all eyes shifted to the closed door of the hokage office. Slowly, Danzo Shimura entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. Though technically not part of the Hokage¡¯s active council, the War Hawk, along with his extensive intelligence network, was indispensable in moments of crisis.
His lone eye swept the room before settling on the Hokage. ¡°Hiruzen, forgive me for the lack of formalities. But this is an urgent situation. I have gotten reports that the attack at the east of our borders may actually be a simple diversion. Something bigger is coming.¡±
The tension in the Hokage¡¯s office was palpable as Danzo Shimura¡¯s measured words hung in the air. The cane in his hand tapped softly against the wooden floor as he stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Hiruzen¡¯s brow furrowed. "A diversion?" he repeated, his voice steady but edged with concern. "What evidence do you have, Danzo?"
"Intercepted transmissions and patterns in troop movement suggest that the forces attacking our eastern border are expendable. The Sky Village isn¡¯t aiming for a decisive victory there. Instead, they¡¯re buying time and drawing attention. The real threat lies elsewhere, perhaps targeting a critical village asset or bypassing our defenses entirely."
Obsidian nodded in agreement. "Hokage-sama, Dragon mentioned similar concerns. We¡¯ve detected minor irregularities in troop composition at the eastern front¡ªno key commanders, and their tactics, while effective, seem intentionally¡ crude. It¡¯s as though they¡¯re baiting us."
Shikaku, who had been silently analyzing a map spread across the Hokage¡¯s desk, finally spoke. "If this is a diversion, their primary goal could be striking at vulnerabilities we wouldn¡¯t expect. We have to secure our strategical points first. But without more information, moving our forces recklessly could leave us exposed to the diversion itself."
Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging the words. ¡°That puts us in a passive position. We need to assess their capabilities and motives swiftly. Shikaku, begin devising countermeasures for their aerial tactics. Hiashi, ensure some of your clan members are deployed on our borders for reconnaissance. Ibiki, prepare the Intelligence Division for interrogation and information extraction. And Inoichi, gather your clan members and start working on establishing an internal communication network immediately.¡±
The Hokage¡¯s office buzzed with tense energy as Konoha¡¯s leaders prepared. The Sky Village¡¯s strength lay in their aerial dominance, and Hiruzen knew that countering them would demand innovative and daring tactics.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray, his brow furrowed in thought. "Danzo," he said with a firm voice, "your hawk summons¡ªcan they counter the enemy¡¯s aerial forces?"
Danzo¡¯s expression remained unreadable, though his lone eye gleamed. "They can. My hawks are faster than most airborne constructs and adept in sky combat. They can disrupt formations, intercept high-value targets, and open opportunities for snipers."
Hiruzen nodded. "Deploy them immediately. Pair them with Anbu teams skilled in ranged combat. They¡¯ll need to adapt to aerial engagements."
Hiashi Hyuuga stepped forward. "In the air, precision is paramount. My clan can track enemy movements from afar and relay exact positions to snipers and long-range teams on the ground. Let us serve as your forward observers."
¡°The Takemori clan can also help with its long-range attacks, our Seiky¨± Shageki Style (Silent Bow Style) is well suited for this kind of task.¡± Hisanobu Takemori voice with a resolute tone. She followed Hiashi¡¯s example and volunteered her clan¡¯s resources.
¡°So does our Kazehara Clan, lord Hokage, please, allow us to assist in this matter.¡± Arashi Kazehara added. Stepping forward to join Hisanobu.
The Takemori and Kazehara clan heads exchanged a brief nod of solidarity. Though their clans were small, moments like these demanded they rise to the occasion. Their contributions, however modest, would prove their worth to the village.
"Agreed," Hiruzen said. ¡°Takemori and Kazehara, coordinate your efforts with the archer units and kunai launchers. Equip them with chakra-infused projectiles for extended range and power. Hiashi, your clan will provide the tracking and relay support.¡±
Shikaku glanced up from the map. "The hawk summons alone won¡¯t be enough. We also need shinobi capable of flight. Do we have anyone with appropriate techniques?"
Danzo¡¯s tone was clipped. "There are few, but we have some. Wind-affinity users can propel themselves and disrupt enemy maneuvers."
Obsidian added, "We also have genjutsu specialists who can trap enemies from range. Targeting their leaders with illusions could buy us critical time."
"Good," Hiruzen said. "Long-range ninjutsu will be essential. Fire and lightning techniques can neutralize groups of aerial units. Wind jutsu can destabilize their flight patterns, even if grounding them is difficult."
Shikaku leaned forward. "While we counter their aerial forces, protecting the village itself is paramount. Reinforce barriers around critical locations¡ªthe academy, the hospital. Patrols must be alert for infiltrators or third parties exploiting the chaos."
Hiruzen turned to Tsume Inuzuka. "Tsume, your ninken will patrol the outskirts. Track and eliminate any intruders attempting to breach our defenses."
Tsume grinned, baring her teeth. "My pack¡¯s ready. Anyone who sneaks in won¡¯t make it out."
Finally, Hiruzen addressed the room with a commanding voice. "The Sky Village¡¯s strength is their mobility. Our strength is our unity and adaptability. Coordinate with precision and focus. Protect your comrades and the village above all else."
The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. The leaders dispersed; their roles clear. Outside, Konoha buzzed with activity, its shinobi and civilians preparing for the storm. Hiruzen observed it from the window of his office. Savoring the last few moments of calm he possessed before the incoming storm. He took one long puff of his pipe as he turned his eyes towards the Hokage monument, eyes locked on the 4th head etched on the mountain with a inscrutable look in his eyes.
The stillness in the room shattered as a member of the surveillance team burst into the Hokage¡¯s office, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "Lord Hokage! Surveillance has detected an extremely dense amalgamation of chakra approaching the village at high speed!"
The room froze for a moment as the weight of the words sank in. Hiruzen¡¯s sharp gaze turned to the messenger. "How much time do we hav-"
Before Hiruzen could respond, the sky itself seemed to explode. A deafening roar reverberated through the village as a shockwave of energy tore through the Hokage¡¯s office. The western wall of Konoha erupted into flames and debris, the iconic Hokage Monument collapsing in a cascade of shattered stone and dust. A singular, blinding beam of energy hovered ominously above the monument before dissipating into nothingness.
Screams and chaos erupted as villagers scrambled for safety. Hiruzen turned to the window, his face a mask of grim determination. Rising above the smoke and ruin was a colossal shadow¡ªan airborne fortress unlike anything Konoha had seen. The vessel¡¯s metallic surface bristled with glowing seals, and its monstrous form radiated menace. Smaller birdlike constructs swarmed around it in perfect formation, their movements unnervingly synchronized.
"Alert the village!" Hiruzen roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "All forces, mobilize! Defend Konoha at all costs!"
The battle had begun.
AN: I bet none of you have seen this coming XD
Chapter 28
The air thrummed with the symphony of chakra-powered machinery, a relentless hum that heralded the march of destruction. Ancor Vantian, the colossal Sky Fortress, hung ominously above the Hidden Leaf Village, blotting out the sun and casting an oppressive shadow. A marvel of engineering and chakra technology, it spanned the size of a small village, its arsenal bristling with weaponry, while its holds housed the entire Sky Village army. The vessel radiated dominance, a harbinger of a new order.
Shinno stood at the heart of this leviathan in its main command room, his figure illuminated by the glow of intricate seals etched across the command console. Before him, a vast holographic screen projected the chaos below. Despite his age, Shinno¡¯s bearing was formidable. Time had bent to his will, subdued through forbidden experiments that had unraveled the secrets of biology. Age and mortality were trifling concerns he had long since discarded.
Through the screen, the Hidden Leaf lay exposed, its sturdy walls battered and insignificant beneath the immensity of the fortress. Thick smoke coiled into the air as explosions tore through the village. Mechanical birdlike constructs zipped through the skies, raining destruction. Shinno¡¯s forces moved with ruthless efficiency, executing his attack plan.
He clasped his hands behind his back, a thin smile playing on his lips. ¡°Magnificent,¡± he murmured. ¡°Decades of arrogance and hubris¡ and now Konoha will pay the price for underestimating the Sky Village.¡±
A young subordinate stepped forward, bowing deeply, his voice trembling with fervor. ¡°Shinno-sama, the first wave has struck with devastating precision. The Hokage Monument lies in ruins. Konoha¡¯s defenses are in disarray.¡±
Shinno¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the screen. ¡°Good,¡± he replied, his tone steady. ¡°Deploy the Skyfall Division to press our advantage. Strike at their command centers and sever their lines of communication. Keep the operation efficient. No unnecessary casualties. Every soldier is indispensable to the future we¡¯re building.¡±
¡°At once, Shinno-sama.¡± The subordinate bowed again before hurrying off.
Shinno¡¯s attention returned to the console under the holographic screen, his fingers brushing over the glowing seals. Beneath his feet, a nexus of chakra and spiritual energy pulsed, powering the monumental vessel. Ancor Vantian was the ultimate expression of technology and fuinjutsu, a tangible symbol of his ambition.
This assault was more than an attack¡ªit was a declaration. The Sky Village would no longer linger in the shadows. It would ascend, both literally and figuratively, carving a new world order where strength alone dictated survival.
Shinno studied the battlefield projections, watching as Konoha scrambled to respond. The diversion at the southern outpost had achieved its purpose, lulling the Hidden Leaf into a false sense of security. They had believed the Sky Village was merely testing their defenses. In truth, the main assault was already underway, using advanced cloaking technology to penetrate their defenses from the sky. By the time the enemy village has managed to detect them, it was already too late.
¡°Konoha has grown soft,¡± Shinno mused, a sly smile tugging at his lips. ¡°This strategy would never have succeeded in their golden age.¡±
¡°Activate the chakra suppressors. Deploy the remaining aerial constructs to support our forward units.¡± Shinno pressed on a glowing seal on the console, broadcasting his instructions to his troops.
As his orders were carried out, Shinno allowed himself a rare moment of introspection. His hand drifted to his chest, where the secret of his vitality resided¡ªa culmination of decades of forbidden experimentation. It was his crowning achievement, yet it left him unsatisfied. For all his mastery of the physical plane, the spiritual arts remained beyond his grasp. Chakra, the cornerstone of the shinobi world, was a force he could manipulate on a grand scale but not truly master.
That would change. Once Konoha was reduced to ashes, its hidden knowledge would be his. Within the ruins of the village lay the secrets to unlocking the mysteries that eluded him.
The faintest scowl crossed Shinno¡¯s face as he recalled his failures. But he pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the moment at hand. The Hidden Leaf¡¯s resistance, however valiant, was futile. Ancor Vantian will crush them, and from the ashes of their village, a new era would dawn.
¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re made of, Sarutobi,¡± Shinno whispered, his voice tinged with anticipation. ¡°Show me the fire of the Professor¡ before I extinguish it.¡±
*******************************************************************************
Chaos reigned in the Hidden Leaf Village as the initial assault from Ancor Vantian left its devastating mark. The surprise attack had plunged Konoha into disarray, and the skies above were alive with the relentless hum of chakra-powered constructs and gliders. Smoke billowed from the site of the initial blast, the hokage monument which was once a designated refuge for civilians, now a gaping crater surrounded by twisted wreckage.
The evacuation effort, hastily organized and underprepared, had spiraled into panic. Families scrambled in every direction, clutching their children and what few belongings they could carry. Cries of terror rose above the din of distant explosions, and the thunderous crashes of collapsing buildings shattered any semblance of order.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
High above the chaos, Sky Village ninjas glided naturally through the air, their chakra-powered gliders weaving in and out of the smoke like predatory birds. These gliders afforded their riders unparalleled maneuverability, allowing them to strike with devastating precision while staying far from any reprisal. Equipped with kunai launchers, bomb dispensers, and other machinery, they rained destruction on the village with cold efficiency.
Near the remains of a crumbling street, a family of four¡ªparents and their two children¡ªraced toward a rescue ninja waving them forward. ¡°This way!¡± the ninja shouted; his voice barely audible over the cacophony. He crouched low, motioning urgently. ¡°Quickly!¡±
The mother clutched her son tightly as her husband carried their daughter. Their steps were frantic, stumbling over debris and broken pavement. Just as they neared the ninja, a high-pitched whine pierced the air¡ªa sound they barely had time to recognize. Above them, a glider swooped down, releasing a cluster of bombs that exploded in a blinding flash.
The blast was deafening. Fire and shrapnel engulfed the area, and the rescue ninja disappeared in an instant, his body consumed by the explosion. When the smoke cleared, only a blackened scorch mark and fragments of his equipment remained. The family was thrown to the ground by the force, their ears ringing. The mother screamed, clutching her children close, while the father stared in mute horror at the spot where their hope had been obliterated.
Above, the glider veered smoothly to the side, releasing another volley of kunai. Each projectile embedded itself into nearby walls and fleeing civilians with lethal precision. The Sky ninja atop the glider remained calm, his hands deftly adjusting the controls as he maintained a safe distance from the chaos below.
Further across the village, Konoha¡¯s defenses faltered. The Sky Village¡¯s aerial assault was relentless, each attack calculated to fracture the Hidden Leaf¡¯s response. Entire sections of the village were rendered impassable as explosions turned streets into craters. Buildings collapsed, sending plumes of dust and debris into the already-choked air.
Konoha¡¯s proud defenses, known for their strength and resilience, were now crumbling under the weight of the assault. The Hidden Leaf Village, one of the five great ninja villages, was rapidly becoming a battlefield of ruin.
Amidst the chaos that engulfed the Hidden Leaf, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood resolute. His sharp eyes burned with fury as he scanned the devastation from the roof of the Hokage Tower. The air was thick with smoke and ash, but Hiruzen¡¯s presence was a beacon of resolve amid the turmoil.
"Enough!" he roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. Channeling his chakra, he formed hand seals with such speed that the signs themselves turned into blurs. ¡°Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!¡±
A searing jet of flames erupted from his mouth, streaking into the sky like a wrathful dragon. The gliders scattered, their pilots scrambling to maneuver out of the inferno¡¯s path. One was too slow¡ªthe flames engulfed the construct, and it spiraled into the ground in a fiery wreck. Hiruzen wasted no time, his hands already weaving another set of seals. ¡°Wind Style: Wind Dragon Cannon!¡± A massive dragon-shaped torrent of wind launched skyward, forcing the remaining gliders to maintain their distance.
¡°Ninjas, rally to me!¡± Hiruzen commanded, his voice carrying through to the villagers despite the rumbling explosions. A group of shinobi nearby snapped to attention, their fear melting into determination under their Hokage¡¯s leadership. ¡°We need to provide cover for the civilians! Form defensive lines and create distractions to keep the enemy¡¯s attention off the evacuation efforts!¡±
The shinobi nodded. A squad of chunin launched volleys of kunai, their explosive tags creating fiery diversions in the sky, while others worked to shepherd panicked civilians toward safer routes. Hiruzen continued to direct the efforts, his battle experience guiding him to anticipate and counter the enemy¡¯s attacks.
Amid the chaos, Hiruzen turned to a trusted jounin at his side. ¡°Coordinate with the ANBU to secure the remaining evacuation points. Use the rooftops to avoid bottlenecks. We can¡¯t afford to lose more lives.¡±
¡°Yes, Hokage-sama!¡± the jounin replied before disappearing in a blur of movement.
With the immediate area somewhat stabilized, Hiruzen moved toward his next priority: the T&I department. He leapt across broken rooftops and crumbled buildings, each step showing Hiruzen just how much devastation the enemy was causing to his village. His mind churned as he considered the situation. Communication was the key to surviving this assault, and there was only one group in the village capable of reestablishing it under these conditions: the Yamanaka clan.
*******************************************************************************
At the T&I department, the tension was suffocating. Inoichi Yamanaka stood at the center of the storm, sweat dripping from his brow as he worked to reestablish Konoha¡¯s communication network. Around him, his clan members knelt in a circle, their hands glowing with chakra as they poured their energy into the intricate web of seals etched onto the floor.
¡°Hold steady!¡± Inoichi commanded with a sharp voice. ¡°We¡¯re almost there. Focus your chakra on the core matrix. We need more power to pierce through their suppressors!¡±
¡°Yes, Inoichi-sama!¡± one of the younger clan members replied, their voice trembling with strain as they channeled more chakra into the glowing seals.
The air shimmered with the effort, the seals pulsing faintly as the matrix approached activation. The faint hum of building energy grew louder, and the tension in the room thickened with each passing second.
Inoichi¡¯s hands formed a rapid sequence of intricate hand signs. ¡°Just a little more¡ Hold it together¡¡±
With a burst of light, the seals flared to life. The air grew still, heavy with a sense of accomplishment. Inoichi¡¯s glowing eyes snapped to attention, and he exhaled sharply as his voice rang out, steady and commanding.
¡°Connection established. All units, report!¡±
AN: Have you watched Naruto Shippuden: Bonds? If you have, you''ll probably recognize the enemy featured in this arc right away. You¡¯ll also understand the immense threat Konoha is facing. That said, I¡¯ve taken the liberty of powering up the main villain just a bit. ?? Not too much¡ªjust enough to make him more compelling. Honestly, I think the movie deliberately nerfed him. The guy outright claimed he could survive opening the Eight Gates and didn¡¯t even use them!
For those who haven¡¯t seen the movie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve made an effort to keep everything clear and descriptive so you¡¯ll still be able to follow the story without any prior knowledge.
Chapter 29
A few minutes prior to the attack.
In the quiet, ink-scented office of Takara, head of the Bright Orphanage, the only sound was the faint scratching of her pen against paper. The fragile tranquility was shattered as the door burst open, crashing against the wall, revealing a figure draped in black, their stark white mask gleaming in the dim light.
Takara¡¯s breath hitched, her hand instinctively darting under her desk to brush against the rough surface of a hidden alarm seal. Her fingers pressed into its grooves, ready to activate the distress signal. But before she could act further, the sight of the mask stopped her cold.
¡°Anbu?¡±
The figure straightened; their movements deliberate slow to not spook Takara.
¡°Miss Takara, the head of the hospital, Yoshioka Yuji, has ordered the immediate evacuation of the orphanage. Head towards the nearest evacuation point.¡±
In one gloved hand, they held a small parchment, a seal embossed with the Hokage''s unmistakable insignia glinting faintly in the light. Takara stared for a fraction of a second, her mind racing. She had no time for questions.
With a decisive motion, her palm slammed onto the emergency seal beneath the desk, its chakra-activated glow spreading across the surface as it triggered an alarm throughout the orphanage.
Takara sprang to her feet, but when she glanced back toward the door, the Anbu ninja had already vanished.
The hallways turned alive with the wailing siren of the alarm, echoing through the orphanage like an ominous chant. Takara burst into the gathering hall, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. Within moments, the matrons and staff began streaming in, their faces painted with confusion and worry. Some carried children in tow, while others came empty-handed, their steps hurried and uneasy.
Takara turned sharply, her voice cutting through the clamor. ¡°We have been ordered to evacuate the orphanage. Prepare the children and the necessary supplies immediately.¡±
A frail but firm voice called out from the crowd, belonging to Usagi, an older matron with a discerning gaze.
¡°Miss Takara, what seems to be the issue? Why the sudden evacuation?¡±
For the briefest of moments, Takara¡¯s lips thinned, her gaze darting toward Usagi. There was always something about the woman that unsettled her, though Takara couldn¡¯t place her finger on why. But now wasn¡¯t the time for distrust.
She inhaled sharply and responded, her tone clipped and resolute. ¡°The Hokage himself has approved of the order. That¡¯s all we need to know.¡±
Feeling the urgency in Takara¡¯s tone, the staff scattered, a flurry of motion and purpose filling the room. Some rushed toward the dormitories, calling out to children lingering in their rooms and ushering them into organized lines. Others moved to the records room, pulling out stacks of documents and scrolls, sealing them with chakra to ensure nothing important was left behind.
In the storeroom, hurried hands swept up supplies: food, medical kits, and blankets. The staff worked in a hurry to pack these into compact storage scrolls, their hands glowing faintly as the seals absorbed the items.
Takara stood in the middle of it all, watching the chaos unfold. She barked out orders when needed, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart.
Thirty minutes later, the scene had transformed. Lines of children, some clutching blankets or small belongings, stood near the exits. Staff members moved briskly, checking the supplies and ensuring everyone was accounted for.
Takara glanced at the rows of tiny faces, her heart aching at the fear and confusion mirrored in their wide eyes. But there was no time for comfort.
¡°Move out,¡± she ordered. ¡°Follow the designated routes and stick together. We¡¯ll regroup at the nearest evacuation point.¡±
The staff nodded, ushering the orphans toward the doors. Takara remained at the rear, her gaze sweeping the halls one last time before stepping out. Whatever was coming, Takara knew that it was huge. Something monumental that put the whole village at risk.
Stepping into the streets, Takara froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. The afternoon sky was a brilliant blue, but it was marred by a sudden, unnatural light. A deafening boom followed, shaking the very ground beneath her feet. She spun around, just in time to witness an energy cannon tear through the Hokage Mountain.
The once-proud stone faces, carved into the mountain as a symbol of Konoha¡¯s resilience, crumbled under the blast, massive chunks of rock raining down into the village below. The cannon¡¯s trajectory continued, striking the eastern wall, reducing it to rubble in an instant.
A horrified gasp escaped her lips. Around her, the children screamed in terror. Some fell to their knees, while others cried, clutching their caretakers. The matrons moved quickly, trying to calm them, but panic spread like wildfire.
¡°Miss Takara, what¡¯s happening?¡± one of the older children cried, their voice trembling.
Takara didn¡¯t respond immediately, her mind reeling. The Hokage Mountain, the eastern wall¡ªwhat else was under attack? Forcing herself to focus, she turned to the matrons, her voice cutting through the chaos.
¡°Get the children in line! We¡¯re heading to the Naka River training grounds!¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The matrons nodded, springing into action. Some shepherded the children into organized groups, while others began carrying the youngest on their backs. Takara took the lead, her sharp eyes scanning the skies, her heart pounding in her chest.
The group began their march, moving swiftly through the streets. Takara¡¯s focus was fixed on the path ahead, but the distant rumble of explosions gnawed at her nerves. As they neared the edge of the village, a shadow loomed above them.
She looked up and froze.
Strange ninjas streaked through the sky, clad in dark, lightweight armor with billowing cloaks and sleek masks, their chakra-powered flight devices catching the afternoon light. A loud whistling sound pierced the air, followed by the earth-shaking impact of bombs. Explosions erupted near the outskirts, sending plumes of dirt and fire into the air.
The children screamed as the ground trembled beneath their feet. Takara¡¯s breath hitched as she reevaluated the situation. The Naka River training grounds, though farther from the heart of the bombardment, now seemed perilously exposed. The enemy¡¯s forces were too close¡ªif they continued their assault in that direction, the group would be caught in the open.
¡°We can¡¯t go to the training grounds,¡± she muttered, her thoughts racing.
Turning back to the matrons, she called out, her voice urgent. ¡°Change of plans! Head to the underground bunkers in the central district!¡±
One of the matrons, Usagi, hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. ¡°But you said¡ª¡±
¡°I know what I said!¡± Takara snapped, pointing toward the distant smoke and destruction. ¡°The bunkers are reinforced. If we¡¯re in the open when they bomb the area, we¡¯ll have no chance. Move!¡±
The group changed course, weaving back toward the heart of the village. The streets were packed with panicked civilians, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke. Takara pushed forward, her voice rising above the chaos as she urged the children to stay together.
Then came another whistling¡ªa high-pitched, eerie sound that made Takara¡¯s blood run cold.
¡°GET DOWN!¡± she shouted; her voice barely audible over the deafening roar of a nearby explosion. The impact hurled debris into the air, a suffocating cloud of dust and rubble engulfing the group.
Children screamed as they were thrown to the ground, their cries mingling with the rumble of destruction. Takara scrambled to her feet, coughing through the choking dust. Her sharp eyes darted around, desperate to assess the damage.
¡°Get up! We need to keep moving!¡± she cried, her voice raw with urgency.
Takara¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps as she counted the children, ensuring none had been left behind in the chaos. The matrons worked just as frantically, ushering the orphans into a tighter formation, their expressions tense with urgency. The streets around them were in complete disarray¡ªshouts of panicked civilians, the distant thunder of collapsing buildings, and the acrid stench of smoke filled the air.
Then, from the shifting haze, figures emerged.
Dark silhouettes moved with eerie calm, stepping out from the swirling dust and embers. Their uniforms were unmistakable¡ªsleek black armor, steel-plated forearm guards, and the signature porcelain masks of Konoha¡¯s Anbu.
Takara stiffened. Reinforcements? Her heart hammered in her chest as the light of hope ignited.
The leader, a tall figure with an eagle-masked helmet, strode forward with measured steps. Without hesitation, he pulled a tightly bound scroll from his belt and unfurled it with a crisp snap of his wrist.
¡°Orders from the Hokage,¡± he announced, his tone level but firm. ¡°We¡¯re taking over the evacuation.¡±
Takara¡¯s sharp eyes flicked to the document. The Hokage¡¯s seal was there, bold and unmistakable, stamped in red ink. Takara extended her arm forward, intent on examining the document. But before she could move closer, Usagi, stepped forward.
¡°Finally,¡± Usagi exhaled, relief evident in her voice. ¡°We were worried no reinforcements were coming.¡± She turned to the others. ¡°They¡¯re here to help. We need to follow their orders.¡±
Takara blinked at the uncharacteristic response. Usagi was usually cautious, especially when it came to the safety of the children. But she nodded, the old woman had the right idea. Any moment of delay or hesitation could potentially lead to disastrous outcome.
One of the younger matrons hesitated. ¡°But we weren¡¯t told¡ª¡±
Usagi cut her off. ¡°Would you rather stand here arguing while the enemy bombs us?¡± Her voice was sharp, urgent. ¡°The Hokage wouldn¡¯t send Anbu for no reason.¡±
Takara nodded along. The reasoning was sound. Another explosion rocked the ground beneath them, sending a fresh wave of screams through the crowd. There was no time to debate.
She turned to the matrons; her voice crisp. ¡°Follow their lead!¡±
The matrons hesitated only a moment before nodding. The orphans were quickly gathered, and the group fell in behind the ANBU. Usagi moved confidently alongside them, occasionally giving the children encouraging words while trying to ease up the tension inside the group.
Takara, still on edge, took up the rear.
The Anbu operatives moved quickly, leading the group down a narrow alleyway, away from the main evacuation routes. The air was thick with smoke, the distant wails of civilians echoing between the crumbling buildings.
One of the ANBU ahead turned his masked face toward her. ¡°Enemy forces have targeted the bunkers,¡± he explained. ¡°They know that¡¯s where civilians would be taken. If we head there now, you¡¯ll be leading these children straight into a death trap.¡±
¡°We have a secure underground route,¡± the eagle-masked leader continued, not slowing his stride. ¡°Shielded from aerial surveillance and reinforced against collapse. That¡¯s our best shot at getting them out safely.¡±
Before Takara could respond, Usagi spoke first. ¡°We should hurry.¡±
Takara¡¯s frown deepened.
One of the younger matrons looked uneasy. ¡°Are you sure, Usagi? Maybe we should¡ª¡±
Usagi turned sharply, her expression hard. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to hesitate.¡± She gave Takara a pointed look. ¡°Not at a time like this. Don¡¯t forget that the lives of these children depend on us!¡±
Takara narrowed her eyes. Usagi was acting strangely. Despite their differences, they knew each other well, and Takara had never known her to snap so easily, even under pressure. There was something that the older woman was not telling them.
But before Takara could voice her concerns, another distant explosion rumbled through the village, making the ground shudder.
¡°Keep moving,¡± Takara ordered through gritted teeth. Standing still wasn¡¯t an option.
The orphans clutched each other tightly as they followed.
As they turned another corner, the air shifted¡ªquieter, more controlled. The open streets disappeared behind them, replaced by shadowed passageways that wove deeper into the ruined district. The chaos of the village faded slightly, muffled by the labyrinthine paths the ANBU had chosen.
Takara glanced at Usagi, who walked with no hesitation, as if she knew exactly where they were going, a dark feeling welling up in her heart. The group had barely made it another two blocks when a second explosion erupted behind them.
The shockwave sent Takara stumbling, her ears ringing as the blast threw plumes of rubble into the air. The matrons cried out, shielding the children as debris rained down.
For an instant, the world was fire and sound.
Then, smoke bombs burst across the alley.
The thick smoke rolled through the street, swallowing the orphans and their caretakers in a dense, suffocating haze. Cries of confusion and fear rang out as the matrons struggled to keep the children together, their silhouettes barely visible through the shifting mist.
AN: Sorry for the delayed update, I''ve been a little busy lately. Also, thanks for the reviews :)
Chapter 30
The seals on the floor of the T&I department flared brightly, casting an ethereal glow across the tense faces of the shinobi within. The communication link was finally established, and Inoichi Yamanaka¡¯s relieved voice rang out: ¡°Connection established. All units, report!¡±
One by one, the translucent figures of Konoha¡¯s leaders shimmered into view, their expressions reflecting the dire situation.
Shikaku Nara¡¯s calculating gaze immediately scanned the scene, taking stock of their condition. He noticed that almost all of Konoha¡¯s decision-makers were present, which was a good sign for the village.
¡°Thank you, Inoichi.¡± A voice called out. All eyes turned towards the center of the projection where Hiruzen Sarutobi stood, even in the projection, his presence remained commanding and resolute.
¡°Shikaku,¡± Hiruzen said with an urgent tone. ¡°What¡¯s our best course of action?¡±
Shikaku, already analyzing the situation, spoke up. ¡°Hokage-sama, the enemy¡¯s aircraft is the key. As long as it remains in the sky, their gliders and bombardments will keep our forces scattered. We need to force it to land, or we¡¯ll be worn down.¡±
Hiruzen nodded grimly. ¡°Agreed. That vessel needs to go down. But we can¡¯t focus all our efforts there. The evacuation must be prioritized before we force it to land. There¡¯s no point in taking down the enemy if all of our friends and family die in the process.¡±
Shikaku continued, ¡°Then we will need to use underground shelters. Inoichi, how much do we have that are currently operational?¡±
¡°Only four. The emergency Civilian Shelter, Anbu operations bunker, the medical bunker, and our own base of operation, the T&I.¡± Inoichi rapidly supplied after consulting with the personnel in the T&I department.
¡°Alright. We¡¯ll have to make do with what we have. All ninjas without flight or long-range capabilities should be tasked with securing and escorting civilians to these points. The younger shinobi¡ªgenin, fourth-year academy students¡ªand clan members will form the core of this force. Once the evacuation is complete, we can regroup and strike back.¡±
Hiruzen nodded in approuval before ordering with a firm tone. ¡°Follow the plan we have previously established! Hiashi Hyuga, you will deploy your clan members to monitor enemy movements and ensure the evacuation routes remain secure.¡±
The hokage then turned towards Tsume Inuzuka. ¡°Tsume, your clan¡¯s mobility and tracking abilities will be vital. Assign teams to retrieve critical resources and documents from key locations. Ibiki will guide you. The Inuzuka will take this responsibility. Time is short.¡±
Tsume nodded, baring her teeth in a grim smile. ¡°We¡¯ll get it done, Hokage-sama.¡±
Shikaku added, ¡°We¡¯ll also need a team to scour the village for potential infiltrations, traitors and troublemakers. Our enemies may not come only from the sky. With this level of coordination, someone had to assist them from within. I suggest Kakashi Hatake, the Aburame trackers, and our remaining chunin to handle this task.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s eyes hardened. He had thought about that possibility as he watched the one-sided massacre that was unfolding in his village. But he pushed it to the back of his mind.
He gave a firm nod towards Shikaku, and turned towards the rest of the members of the impromptu meeting. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll lead a strike force to harass the gliders and draw their attention away from the shelters. That is all, Shikaku, find a way to take down that aircraft! Keep us updated.¡±
With a chorus of ¡°understood!¡±, the meeting came to an end, and Konoha finally started fighting back. As the orders filtered through the communication lines, the village began to respond with newfound determination. The initial shock was subsiding, replaced by the sharp focus of survival.
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The scene around the emergency civilian shelter was chaotic, the air heavy with dust and tension. Fresh genin worked to guide panicked families away from the danger, their movements jerky and unsure but driven by the urgency of the moment. One boy, barely twelve, stood frozen in place, his small frame shaking as he clutched a kunai like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound of distant explosions echoing in his ears like a drumbeat. What if they¡¯re bombing near our house? What if Mom and Dad didn¡¯t get to the shelter? The thought hit him like a kunai to the gut, and his legs felt like they would give out beneath him.
He glanced up at the sky with fearful eyes, searching for any sign of the enemy ninja swooping through the smoke-filled clouds. Shadows danced overhead, and every flicker of movement sent his pulse racing. What if they see me? What if they drop a bomb right here? He couldn¡¯t stop imagining the worst¡ªthe deafening roar of explosions, the searing heat, and the possibility of the ground swallowing him whole.
A chunin knelt beside him, gripping his shoulder firmly. ¡°Stay calm, genin. Focus on your task¡ªget them out, one step at a time. You¡¯re doing fine,¡± he said, his voice steady, cutting through the boy¡¯s paralyzing fear. The boy¡¯s tightened his grip on his kunai. The chunin¡¯s words fought their way through the storm in his mind, pulling him back, grounding him in the moment, but his thoughts lingered on his family. Please be safe. Please let me make it back to you.
Not far away, a woman¡¯s desperate cries pierced the air. She held a toddler tightly against her chest, her body shaking uncontrollably as she stared at the rubble that pinned her husband. Blood pooled beneath the debris, but she wouldn¡¯t move. Two academy students, barely teenagers themselves, approached cautiously. ¡°Ma¡¯am, please, we need to get you out of here,¡± one of them said, her voice trembling. The other tried to pull the woman away gently, whispering, ¡°We¡¯ll come back for him, I promise,¡± though the hollow look in their eyes betrayed the lie.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
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Far above Konoha, the airborne fortress of the Sky Village hovered ominously, its body gleamed against the fiery glow of the burning village below. Panels on its underside slowly slid open, revealing rows of long-range energy cannons. The air thrummed with the hum of its engines as targeting systems flickered to life, locking onto one of the evacuation points in the village.
Inside the fortress, the atmosphere was cold and orderly, a stark contrast to the fiery chaos below. Sky Village shinobi moved in groups, their dark uniforms blending seamlessly with the metallic interior as they prepared for the next wave of attack. Holographic maps of Konoha flickered on large displays, highlighting defensive strongholds and key infrastructure. At the center of it all stood Shinno.
¡°Status report,¡± Shinno said, his voice cutting through the low murmur of activity.
¡°The energy cannons are fully charged, Lord Shinno,¡± one operative replied, bowing slightly. ¡°The Anbu operations bunker has been identified and targeted. We are ready to fire.¡±
Shinno nodded, his expression unreadable. ¡°Good. The bunker is critical to their coordination. Take it out, and their ability to respond will crumble.¡± He stepped closer to the display, tapping the highlighted bunker. ¡°Fire a staggered volley. Ensure maximum structural damage. If they attempt to reinforce it, direct secondary strikes to their approach routes.¡±
¡°Yes, sir,¡± the operative replied, turning to relay the command. The sky ninjas hovering above the bunker received a warning and glided away.
Moments later, the first beams shot out from the sky fortress with a deafening hiss. Through the large viewing panels, Shinno and his officers observed the streaks of light racing toward their targets. The initial impacts hit with devastating precision, the ground below erupting in fire and debris. Buildings near the Anbu shelter collapsed under the shockwaves, scattering terrified villagers who had gathered there for safety.
¡°Direct hits confirmed,¡± another operative reported. ¡°We estimate that the structural integrity of the bunker is down to 63%. Collateral damage is affecting the surrounding area.¡±
Shinno¡¯s expression was calm but unrelenting. ¡°Maintain fire.¡±
Inside the Anbu shelter, chaos reigned. The impacts shook the reinforced structure violently, lights flickering as the walls groaned under the strain. Civilians huddled together in designated safe zones, their faces pale with fear as dust and debris rained from above. Anbu operatives moved swiftly, splitting their efforts between maintaining order and securing classified materials.
¡°Evacuation protocols are active!¡± a senior operative called out. ¡°Guide the civilians to the underground emergency tunnels! Protect the exits at all costs!¡±
Obsidian barked orders over the alarms, her voice sharp. ¡°We need to move fast! Prioritize getting the villagers out! Move!¡±
In one corner, a medic tended to an injured child, her hands trembling as she worked under the dim emergency lights. ¡°Stay calm,¡± she whispered to the child, though her own fear was evident. Nearby, an elderly man clutched a scroll of family records, refusing to move until an Anbu operative physically guided him toward the evacuation route.
Another barrage struck, and a section of the ceiling collapsed, crushing a corner of the shelter. Screams erupted as operatives rushed to clear the debris. The impacts grew more intense, with cracks spreading like webs through the walls. Smoke and heat filled the air, making it harder to breathe. Civilians streamed toward the emergency tunnels; some being carried by shinobi as others stumbled through the chaos.
Above ground, the devastation spread as beams continued to rain down. Nearby, shinobi worked to guide stragglers away from the collapsing area, their faces grim with the knowledge that the shelter was becoming a deathtrap.
Back inside the sky fortress, a younger officer hesitated as he observed the growing devastation on the screens. ¡°Lord Shinno, the destruction is already extensive. Should we not shift focus to the village¡¯s other critical points?¡±
Shinno turned his piercing gaze on the officer, silencing him with a cold stare. ¡°Not yet. When you do something, you have to see it through. Continue targeting the bunker until nothing remains.¡±
¡°Yes, Lord Shinno,¡± the officer replied, bowing quickly.
Through the observation deck, Shinno watched the unfolding destruction with an air of detachment. ¡°Let them fall into despair,¡± he muttered, almost to himself.
Another volley launched, this one aimed with pinpoint accuracy at the heart of the Anbu bunker. The explosions tore through the structure, leaving gaping holes and reducing its reinforced walls to rubble. Fires raged uncontrollably, and the surviving operatives were forced to retreat, dragging injured comrades and precious scrolls with them.
As Shinno observed the wreckage, an aide stepped forward. ¡°The bunker¡¯s defenses have been neutralized. Remaining operatives are retreating toward the central district.¡±
¡°Good,¡± Shinno said, his tone icy. ¡°Stop the energy cannons for now. With that attack, we should have neutralized the most dangerous part of their forces.¡±
Suddenly, a massive pillar of flame surged upward from Konoha, hurtling straight toward the energy cannons on the Ancor Vantian. The attack illuminated the sky with its blazing intensity, threatening to pierce the floating fortress''s defenses. In the command room, Shinno turned his gaze toward the monitor, his calm demeanor unshaken. His eyes narrowed briefly before a faint smirk crossed his lips.
With a wave of his hand, the glowing seals etched into the fortress¡¯s hull activated. A transparent barrier shimmered into existence around the fortress, its surface pulsating with intricate chakra-absorption patterns. The towering flame struck the barrier with a deafening roar, its fiery energy crashing against the glowing shield. For a moment, the sheer force of the impact illuminated the entire sky, casting eerie shadows across the battlefield below.
The flames twisted and churned as the barrier absorbed the chakra fueling them, pulling the energy inward like a vortex. In mere seconds, the once-raging inferno fizzled into nothingness.
Shinno¡¯s smirk deepened as he glanced toward an operator. ¡°It seems Hiruzen Sarutobi has decided to involve himself.¡±
One of the operators turned from their console. ¡°Lord Shinno, we have managed to identify the source of the attack. The Hokage is stationed near the eastern defensive line.¡±
¡°Is he growing desperate?¡± Shinno said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. ¡°Let our forces focus on the Hokage. He¡¯s a symbol to Konoha. Break the symbol, and the rest will fall apart.¡±
¡°Yes, Lord Shinno,¡± the operator replied, quickly relaying the commands to their airborne forces.
Outside, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood atop a shattered watchtower, his face set in grim determination. The glow of his jutsu faded as smoke curled from his hands. His sharp eyes scanned the fortress, catching the faint shimmer of the barrier that had nullified his attack. He frowned. A chakra-absorbing barrier. It seems brute force won¡¯t be enough.
¡°Hiruzen-sama!¡± an Anbu operative called out, landing beside him. ¡°The eastern flank is holding for now, but we¡¯ve sustained heavy casualties. The enemy¡¯s mobility gives them too much of an advantage.¡±
Hiruzen nodded. ¡°That damned fortress must be neutralized.¡± He turned his gaze skyward, his mind already racing through possibilities. ¡°Rally the teams. We¡¯ll draw their attention here.¡±
Chapter 31
The cloudy sky blazed with bursts of orange and crimson as a massive fire dragon roared upward, its searing glow illuminating the battlefield as it surged toward the colossal platform hovering ominously over Konoha.
Renji Aburame stood in the shadows, his dark glasses reflecting the chaos unfolding around him. He briefly glanced at the attack before focusing his attention back to the village.
Each explosion brought about by the sky ninjas felt like a punch to his chest¡ªnot from fear, but from the destruction of his precious fire insects. These specialized kikaich¨±, bred and trained over years of meticulous effort, perished by the thousands as shockwaves rippled through the area.
He clenched his fists, burying the pang of loss deep within himself. His mission was crucial, and in the midst of war, emotions could not be allowed to dictate his actions. Orders had to come first. He had learned that painful lesson as a young shinobi, and tonight, the stakes were too high for personal grief.
From the shadows, other Aburame clan members moved in unision, their forms barely discernible in the foggy village. The air around them hummed faintly, a telltale sign of kikaich¨± swarms dispersing into the chaos, scouting the rubble for survivors, traps, or enemy movement. Renji gave a quick hand signal, and his team split into smaller units, each member vanishing into the ruins to execute their orders.
Renji himself led his team into the chaos, his insects serving as his eyes and ears in the thick haze of smoke. His heightened sensitivity to their signals allowed him to detect even the faintest disturbances. Insects swarmed into cracks in walls, burrowed into piles of debris, and slipped through doorways, relaying what they found back to him.
As they scoured the village, Renji felt something abnormal. His insects detected faint chakra signatures¡ªtoo faint to be ordinary survivors or enemy soldiers. The patterns were strange, erratic, as though the source was barely clinging to life¡ªor something else entirely.
In the remnants of a small merchant¡¯s shop, Renji¡¯s insects uncovered a peculiar scene. A hidden storage room beneath the rubble emitted a faint yet unusual warmth, as if something alive pulsed within. Kneeling down, Renji pressed a gloved hand to the cracked tiles, his kikaich¨± spiraling around him like curious fireflies.
"Unseal it," he ordered softly.
Two of his clan members emerged silently from the shadows, one of them weaving hand signs to dismantle the barrier seals that covered the hidden door. As the seals faded and the stone slab slid aside with a low groan, the room revealed itself.
Inside, a strange glow illuminated shelves lined with jars and scrolls, but it was the centerpiece that captured Renji¡¯s attention: a massive cocoon of some kind, pulsating faintly with life. His kikaich¨± instinctively recoiled from the object, something they rarely did. Renji narrowed his eyes behind his glasses, his mind racing.
"What is this¡?" he murmured.
One of his team members stepped forward, but Renji held up a hand, halting them. "Don¡¯t approach it yet," he said sharply. He released a smaller swarm of kikaich¨±, their fire-infused bodies glowing faintly as they neared the cocoon. But they ultimately refused to touch the cocoon, despite Renji¡¯s commands.
The aburame¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Mark this location,¡± he instructed, his voice steady despite the unease crawling up his spine. ¡°We¡¯ll report this to headquarters. No one touches it until further orders.¡±
As the other Aburame began their preparations, Renji took one last look at the pulsating cocoon.
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The Aburame clan swiftly patrolled the village. Combing through the chaos with an efficiency that could trump a full army. Though, given the number of kikaich¨± at their disposal, it was nothing to be surprised about.
Along the way, they encountered survivors buried in debris, their locations swiftly transmitted to the intelligence department. For every life they saved, however, the grim reality of Konoha¡¯s losses became more apparent. The number of casualties was staggering, and the relentless bombardment from the enemy ninjas only added to the toll. Yet, despite the horrors around them, the Aburame clan members pressed on, their resolve unshaken as they continued their mission.
Their search took them across both clan grounds and civilian districts. It was during this time that team Renji stumbled upon something unusual¡ªan unsettling discovery that broke the rhythm of their work.
The Hamada clan grounds¡ They were different.
Unlike the ruins elsewhere, there was an eerie stillness there. The lack of casualties was the first thing Renji noticed¡ªno bodies, no signs of a frantic last stand. And the debris and wastes lacked the distinct shine of valuable items. It seemed like the Hamada clan has managed to evacuate just in time. Strange, considering that even the Hyugas had failed in that endeavor.
Renji narrowed his eyes, signaling his team to remain cautious. He released a wave of kikaich¨±, sending them scouring through the area for anything unusual. The team advanced toward the center of the clan grounds.
As they neared what remained of the clan head¡¯s residence, Renji¡¯s frown deepened. His kikaich¨± had returned with peculiar findings¡ªtraces of hollow spaces beneath the rubble. Tunnels. He gestured to his team, and they converged near the ruins of the main house.
¡°It looks like the tunnel is quite sturdy. It¡¯s still usable even after all the damages this place has suffered.¡± Akiko Aburame murmured as she crouched by the rubbles. Her kikaichu spreading inside the place. ¡°Shall we explore?¡±
Renji¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the rubble for a moment longer before he stood. ¡°Hiroshi, Masaru¡ªyou¡¯ll stay here and secure the site. Report this to the intelligence bureau immediately. The rest of us will investigate.¡±
With a nod from his team, Renji led the others to clear the rubble obscuring the tunnel¡¯s entrance. The kikaich¨± worked quickly, shifting debris with remarkable efficiency until the opening was revealed¡ªa narrow but sturdy passage leading into the earth.
The tunnel grew darker as Renji and his team descended further into its depths, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on them like a heavy shroud. The walls, slick with moisture, reeked of blood and decay, mingled with the acrid tang of chemicals that stung their noses. Every step echoed faintly, swallowed quickly by the oppressive silence of the underground.
Renji¡¯s kikaich¨± swarmed ahead, buzzing faintly as they scouted the path before them. Moments later, they returned with alarming signals¡ªmovement. The insects¡¯ patterns revealed faint traces of life, scattered but weak, coming from somewhere deeper. Renji signaled his team.
¡°There¡¯s something ahead,¡± he murmured. ¡°Be ready.¡±
The trio braced themselves as they moved cautiously through the corridor. They turned a corner, and the sight before them made every member pause.
Rows of prison cells lined the chamber, dimly lit by flickering torches mounted haphazardly on the walls. Faint seals glowed around the edges of the cell doors, their faint hum reverberating in the oppressive stillness. Inside the cells, figures huddled in the shadows¡ªchildren.
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Most of them sat silently, their emaciated frames slumped against the cold stone walls. Hollow eyes stared out at nothing, as though the life had been drained from them. Others clutched the iron bars weakly, their frail hands trembling as they gazed at the Aburame team with expressions that were a mixture of fear and desperation.
Renji¡¯s breath hitched, his gaze sweeping across the room. The condition of the children was beyond anything he had imagined¡ªmany bore visible scars, their skin discolored and marred by jagged stitches or strange protrusions that defied explanation. Some looked barely human, their chakra signatures weak and erratic, as though something inside them had been shattered.
¡°They¡¯re just kids¡¡± Akiko whispered, her voice trembling as she stepped closer to one of the cells. Her kikaich¨± swarmed cautiously around her, almost as though they, too, were unnerved by the scene. She crouched beside one cell, where a boy with sunken eyes stared at her through the bars. His lips moved, but no sound came out, his cracked, dry mouth forming words that never reached her ears. ¡°What is this place?¡± she murmured; her voice barely audible.
Daiki Aburame moved forward. His sharp eyes scanned the seals on the walls, glowing faintly in the dim light. ¡°These aren¡¯t ordinary prisoners,¡± he said grimly. ¡°It looks like they¡¯ve been¡ experimented on.¡±
Renji¡¯s head snapped toward him. ¡°What?¡±
Daiki gestured toward the glowing seals. ¡°Look at the markings¡ªchakra suppression seals. And those scars¡¡± He swallowed hard. ¡°They¡¯re surgical. Someone¡¯s been tampering with their chakra networks.¡±
Renji¡¯s gaze hardened, his fists clenching at his sides. He stepped closer to another cell, where a girl no older than ten sat with her knees drawn to her chest, her head resting against the bars. Her shoulders shook faintly, and her small, hoarse voice whispered, ¡°Please¡ don¡¯t let him come back.¡±
Akiko¡¯s heart wept at the sight, he kikaich¨± instinctively swarmed, pushing against the bars of the cell but ultimately failing to get past the seals. She balled her first, visibly frustrated by her powerlessness.
¡°Renji-san, what do we do?¡± she asked softly. Her voice betraying the conflicting thoughts laying inside.
The older Aburame rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. He gave it a small squeeze as he observed the cells. ¡°I have already sent some of my kikaichu to inform the outside. They¡¯ll call for reinforcement.¡±
He then turned towards the rest of the team. A resolute air hanging around him. ¡°We can¡¯t break those seals for now. Whoever it is that is behind this, we cannot let them know that we are here. We have to keep going and investigate. The backup team will take care of the rest.¡±
Leaving the prisoners behind, even temporarily, was difficult, but they knew the mission demanded caution. Renji sent another wave of kikaich¨± deeper into the tunnels, their tiny forms disappearing into the oppressive darkness ahead.
The oppressive air grew heavier as the team advanced, the narrow corridors opening into a massive chamber bathed in an eerie green light. Seals etched into the walls and floor pulsed faintly, filling the room with a low hum.
At the center of the chamber stood a figure in a flowing robe, his dark hair obscuring his face. His hands moved deftly, weaving intricate hand signs as he focused on the figure suspended before him¡ªa child, bound by glowing chains.
Renji signaled his team to stop, his kikaich¨± silently spreading out to observe the room.
The man¡¯s voice broke the tense silence, smooth and unsettling.
¡°Almost there,¡± he murmured. He leaned closer to the child, studying him. Then, without warning, the man¡¯s movements stopped. His head tilted slightly, as if listening to something unseen¡ªbefore his gaze snapped directly to where the team was concealed.
¡°Ah¡ so you¡¯re here.¡± His voice was calm, almost amused, carrying effortlessly across the chamber. ¡°How rude of you to interrupt my work.¡±
Renji acted fast, his kikaich¨± immediately swarmed towards the man. As if responding to his action, the seals etched into the floor flared to life, flooding the chamber with an intense, blinding glow that seemed to temporarily repel the insects.
¡°Spread out!¡± Renji barked to his teammates.
The team moved with practiced precision, surrounding the man while keeping their distance.
The man¡¯s lips curled into a thin, knowing smile. ¡°Kikaich¨±? You¡¯re from the Aburame clan then. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re worth my time.¡± With those words, the glow of the seal diminished.
Renji didn¡¯t hesitate, commanding his kikaich¨± to advance, aiming to overwhelm the man immediately. Akiko and Daiki flanked him, their own swarms moving in tandem.
But their opponent reacted with eerie precision. His movements were fluid, unnatural¡ªtwisting and shifting in ways that defied human anatomy. He darted around the room, evading the first wave with ease, his body bending as though his joints weren¡¯t bound by normal human limitations. With a casual flick of his wrist, several serpents slithered from his sleeves, striking into the swarm, disrupting and scattering the kikaich¨±.
Daiki gritted his teeth. ¡°Those snakes¡ they¡¯re infused with a weird chakra. Be careful!¡±
Akiko redirected her kikaich¨±, sending them to intercept the snakes, but more kept emerging¡ªcoiling out of the man¡¯s robes in an endless tide.
The man chuckled, his voice echoing through the chamber. ¡°You¡¯re not half bad. But is this all you can do?¡±
Renji ignored the taunt, his sharp gaze locked onto the pulsating seals beneath the man¡¯s feet. We have to take care of those first!
¡°Don¡¯t let him reactivate the seals!¡± he called out.
Daiki immediately moved, launching explosive tags toward one of the glowing patterns. The chamber trembled as the explosion erupted, momentarily disrupting the seal¡¯s light. The flickering glow dimmed, and for the first time, the man¡¯s expression shifted¡ªhis smile fading just slightly.
¡°So, you¡¯re not entirely useless,¡± he mused, his tone now colder, more measured. ¡°But why did you think I needed those seals to deal with you? I was the one to deactivate them in the first place.¡±
Akiko gritted her teeth as the snakes kept coming, writhing masses of chakra-infused flesh striking out at her kikaich¨±, dispersing their formations. For every serpent she crushed, another slithered out of the man¡¯s sleeves, eyes gleaming with unnatural intelligence.
Renji clenched his fists. This is bad...
The enemy hadn¡¯t even broken a sweat.
Daiki readied another set of explosive tags, but before he could throw them, the man moved.
It was sudden¡ªone moment, he stood still amidst the chaos, and the next, he was there, right in front of Daiki.
The sheer speed sent alarm bells blaring in Renji¡¯s head.
Daiki barely had time to react before the man¡¯s hand shot forward, seizing him by the throat. He gasped, fingers instinctively clawing at the iron grip crushing his windpipe.
¡°You should keep those exploding tags away,¡± the man murmured, lifting Daiki off the ground as if he weighed nothing.
In response, Daiki¡¯s kikaich¨± emerged from his coat, climbing towards the man and coating the arm holding him. The man barely glanced at them before his free hand flicked through a rapid sequence of seals.
"Snake Art: Molting Skin."
A sickening rip echoed through the chamber.
His body peeled apart, dissolving into empty, shedding flesh as a fresh form slid out from beneath¡ªcompletely unharmed¡ªseveral feet away.
Renji¡¯s kikaich¨±, which have been advancing towards the man latched onto empty air.
And Daiki¡ªhe was still in the air, now held by a coiling snake that had taken the man''s place in an instant.
Before Renji could issue another command, the serpent snapped its body violently¡ªflinging Daiki like a ragdoll across the chamber. He hit the far wall with a sickening crack and slumped to the ground.
Akiko gasped. ¡°Daiki!¡±
Renji didn¡¯t even have time to check if he was still conscious. The enemy was moving again.
"Tsk tsk," the man sighed, dusting off his robes as though he were merely inconvenienced. "If that was your best effort, then this is hardly entertaining."
Renji took a step back, jaw clenched. He was analyzing, searching, desperate for any opening.
The seals were still dimmed¡ªDaiki¡¯s explosive tags had done something¡ªbut they were reigniting, flickering back to life.
Damn it!
Akiko was already panting from chakra exhaustion. Daiki was temporarily out of the fight. And Renji alone would not be enough to take on the man.
Renji knew. They weren¡¯t winning the fight.
And the man knew it too. He took a slow step forward, the pressure of his chakra pressing down on them like a tangible weight. The sheer confidence in his stance sent an unmistakable message: This was a game to him.
Renji¡¯s kikaich¨± swirled, preparing for another strike, but his mind was racing.
They needed something¡ªanything¡ªto turn the fight around.
Then¡ª
A sharp crack split through the chamber.
Faster than any of them could react, a kunai struck the ground between them, embedding itself deep into the stone. Disabling the glowing seal etched into the floor with a flicker of electricity.
The air shifted.
The enemy barely had time to react before a flash of silver moved through the chamber¡ªtoo fast for even Renji¡¯s trained eyes to track.
A split second later, the enemy¡¯s advance was halted by the cold edge of a kunai pressing against his throat.
A deep, calm voice cut through the tension.
¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±
Renji¡¯s breath caught.
No way¡ª
The silver-haired jonin stood before them, his single visible eye locked onto the enemy with deadly focus.
Kakashi Hatake had arrived.
The chamber fell into silence. And for the first time, the enemy seemed to hesitate.
¡°¡Interesting.¡±
His golden, snake-like eyes flickered toward Kakashi, a thin smirk creeping onto his lips.
The oppressive tension in the air had shifted.
AN: Thanks for reading :)
Chapter 32
The air inside the chamber was thick with tension, the oppressive chakra pressing against Renji¡¯s lungs like an invisible weight. His body screamed at him to move, to react, but his instincts were at war with his training¡ªKakashi Hatake was here.
The j¨nin¡¯s kunai remained steady against the enemy¡¯s throat, his posture completely relaxed, yet radiating an undeniable lethality.
¡°¡Interesting,¡± the man murmured, his eyes narrowing.
Kakashi exhaled softly. ¡°Took me a moment to piece it together,¡± he said, voice level. ¡°The chakra, the way you move¡ªunnatural, fluid. The snakes should have been an immediate giveaway, but I wanted to be sure.¡±
The man chuckled. ¡°Ah, Kakashi-kun, always so perceptive.¡±
Renji felt his stomach drop. Kakashi¡¯s kunai didn¡¯t waver, but his tone darkened.
¡°Orochimaru.¡±
The chamber seemed to shrink. Daiki audibly sucked in a breath. Akiko took a step back, her kikaich¨± shifting anxiously.
Orochimaru¡¯s smirk widened, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°So, you figured it out. Well done.¡± His voice was light, but the underlying malice sent a chill down Renji¡¯s spine.
The kunai at his throat blurred¡ªKakashi struck.
Orochimaru¡¯s body twisted unnaturally, bending backward at an impossible angle, letting the blade pass harmlessly over him. Before Kakashi could follow up, the Sannin¡¯s form seemed to peel away, slipping out of his skin like a discarded husk.
Renji barely had time to register the shed body before Orochimaru reemerged several feet away, entirely unharmed.
¡°I must say, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve had an audience,¡± Orochimaru mused, flexing his fingers as if testing his own body. His tone darkened, almost disappointed. ¡°Though I expected a more¡ competent opponent.¡±
Kakashi didn¡¯t respond. He was already moving. A blur of silver and steel¡ªKakashi closed the gap in an instant, a kunai flashing toward Orochimaru¡¯s side.
But Orochimaru¡¯s speed was monstrous. His body coiled unnaturally, dodging with the fluidity of a snake. His fingers flicked through hand seals too fast to track.
¡°Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.¡±
A violent gust howled through the chamber. Renji barely threw up his arms in time before he and his team were hurled backward, skidding across the floor.
Kakashi, however, dug his foot into the ground, flipping mid-air to land effortlessly. He didn''t hesitate, already forming his own seals.
¡°Lightning Release: Lightning Blade.¡±
The chamber lit up with crackling blue energy as Kakashi lunged. The sheer force of the technique sent sparks flying across the stone floor.
Orochimaru¡¯s smirk remained, but he moved, his form flickering as he dodged left, only for Kakashi to twist mid-strike, altering the angle of his attack in an instant.
The Raikiri slashed forward¡ªAnd passed through empty air. Another shed skin.
Orochimaru¡¯s chuckle echoed from behind. ¡°So predictable.¡±
Kakashi was already pivoting before the words fully registered. A jet-black snake shot from Orochimaru¡¯s sleeve, striking toward him like a spear.
Kakashi barely dodged, twisting as the snake¡¯s fangs grazed past his shoulder.
Renji scrambled to his feet, his eyes glued to the ongoing fight. They were outmatched. Kakashi might be able to hold his own, but against a Sannin?
They had to get out.
Kakashi seemed to reach the same conclusion.
"Renji!" His voice was sharp, cutting through the chaos. "You three, go. Now."
Renji hesitated. ¡°But-¡±
¡°I¡¯ll hold him off. Get the children now!¡±
Renji didn¡¯t wait. He grabbed Daiki¡¯s arm, yanking him to his feet. ¡°Akiko, move!¡±
The three barely had the time to grab the kid sprawled on the ground before they darted toward the exit, their kikaich¨± swarming around them for cover.
Orochimaru merely smiled. He raised one hand¡ªhis fingers poised in a snake-like gesture.
A wall of black-scaled serpents exploded from the ground, fangs bared, moving to cut them off.
Renji cursed. Too fast¡ª!
Then, blue lightning arced through the air, slicing through the wall of snakes in a single, devastating strike.
Kakashi stood, his Chidori fading from his fingertips. ¡°I said go.¡±
Orochimaru¡¯s grin widened, delighted. ¡°You¡¯re willing to stay behind for them? How noble of you.¡±
Kakashi didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he reached up, fingers hooking under the fabric of his forehead protector. With a sharp tug, he pulled it up, revealing the crimson glow of his Sharingan.
The tomoe in his eye spun, locking onto Orochimaru. ¡°You¡¯ll have to get through me first.¡±
Renji swallowed hard. Then he ran. Akiko and Daiki followed, their kikaich¨± buzzing furiously as they sprinted toward the exit.
Behind them, the sound of clashing steel and crackling chakra filled the chamber.
*******************************************************************************
Far away from the Hamada clan compounds, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the edge of a collapsed watchtower, eyes locked on the aerial battlefield. The sky above Konoha was a storm of steel and fire, with enemy gliders cutting through the smoke-filled air like vultures circling their prey. Amidst the chaos, squads of Sky Ninjas gave chase to hawk riders from Konoha¡ªelite shinobi mounted atop Danzo''s summoned hawks, weaving through the air in a desperate struggle for aerial supremacy.
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The Third Hokage exhaled sharply, hands forming a rapid series of seals. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A massive, writhing dragon of searing fire burst from his mouth, its fierce glow illuminating the battlefield. The flames twisted in the air, pursuing the closest enemy formation like a living beast. Three Sky Ninjas swerved sharply, trying to evade the attack, but one was too slow¡ªthe fire dragon caught his glider¡¯s wing, igniting it instantly. The pilot screamed as he spiraled downward, crashing into the ruins below.
Hiruzen didn¡¯t stop. His fingers flashed into a new set of seals. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust of wind followed immediately after the flames, fueling the inferno and pushing it forward with explosive force. The combined technique sent another enemy into a deadly tailspin, his glider failing to withstand the sheer force of the raging firestorm.
Another trio of Sky Ninjas descended; kunai launchers primed. They moved in sync, weaving between the flickering embers of the Hokage¡¯s attack. But Hiruzen was already prepared.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
He hurled a single shuriken¡ªone turned into a hundred in mid-air.
The sky was suddenly filled with spinning blades. The Sky Ninjas tried to evade, but there was nowhere to fly¡ªone was shredded instantly, while another took several hits to his glider, causing him to lose control. The last managed to avoid direct contact, but Hiruzen paid him no mind.
From his back, another ninja moved. With a flicker of movement, he unleashed a rapid sequence of slashes in to the air with his glowing trench knives.
"Wind style: Spiraling Wind Blades!" The wind howled in response. A deadly vortex of invisible edges surged forth, slicing through the air like a living storm.
The diving Sky Ninja barely had time to register his mistake. One moment he was attacking¡ªthe next, his body was torn apart mid-flight, his glider reduced to fragments before he even hit the ground.
Asuma Sarutobi paused briefly, glancing at the third Hokage before moving back into the fray.
A fresh wave of Sky Ninjas turned their attention toward Hiruzen, gliders screeching through the air as they shifted formation.
Hiruzen frowned, charging up his chakra for another jutsu. Suddenly, a sharp pulse ran through his mind.
"Hokage-sama, the evacuation of the village has been completed." Inoichi¡¯s excited voice echoed in Hiruzen¡¯s mind. Relief washed though the veteran shinobi. A quick hand sign, a pulse of chakra, and there was no longer only one Hiruzen standing in the watchtower, but now three.
The clones weaved through handsigns, preparing a devastating attack, while the original fell into the shadows, retreating from the fight.
¡°Connect me with Shikaku immediately!¡± Hiruzen replied in the mental communication line.
¡°I¡¯m already here. Lord Hiruzen, I have also taken the liberty to include Choza Akimichi, and a few other ninjas into this link. Their help will be crucial in our next operation.¡± Shikaku explained. Earning a grunt of approval from the hokage.
The Ancor Vantian hung high in the sky, its form looming like an ominous specter above Konoha. On a rooftop overlooking the battlefield, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood beside Ch¨za Akimichi, his gaze locked onto the airborne fortress. Around them, a special team of shinobi were preparing for the next phase of battle, tightening their grips on weapons and focusing their chakra.
Through the mental link, Shikaku Nara¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
¡°We don¡¯t have time for a prolonged siege. We force our way in.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s voice followed, carrying the weight of command. "Danzo¡¯s hawks will take us up. The rest of you¡ªprovide cover. I want a relentless barrage to keep the Sky ninjas occupied and to soften their defenses."
A pulse of acknowledgment ran through the minds of the gathered shinobi.
¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Accompanied by the Hokage¡¯s command, a plume of smoke erupted, and five massive hawks, each the size of a small transport carriage, soared into the sky, their wings casting immense shadows over the village below. Their broad backs and sturdy frames could easily accommodate five fully equipped shinobi, making them the perfect aerial mounts for the mission ahead.
From the ground, a barrage of long-range jutsu erupted, covering the hawks as they took into the sky. Fireballs roared upward, exploding into waves of flame. Lightning arcs crackled, lancing through the enemy¡¯s ranks. The sky lit up with the force of Konoha¡¯s combined assault, forcing the enemy into a defensive posture. Smoke and fire churned in the air, momentarily disrupting visibility.
The Sky ninjas were prevented from interrupting the squad of mounted ninja¡¯s takeoff. But they gave chase, hot on the hawks¡¯ tail. The sky was their playground, and they soon managed to surround the advancing airborne troops.
Two of the five hawks fell back, their passengers spamming long range ninjutsu without regard to their chakra reserves, all in an effort to hold back the pursuers. While the remaining three hawks sped thought the sky, the shinobi onboard trying their best to block and protect the mounts in their ascent.
As the hawks weaved through fire and steel, the squad arrived into the range of the Ancor Vantian, the next step of the plan was set into motion. Hiruzen, standing on the back of one of the lead hawks, formed a hand sign and bellowed:
¡°Focus all fire on a single point in the barrier! Break a hole through it!¡±
On cue, the Jonin support squads in the other two hawks broke into motion. They conjured their attacks on the same point targeted by the Hokage. A colossal firestorm erupted from a squad of fire users. High-powered wind jutsu slammed into the same point, feeding the flames. Lightning spears stabbed into the weakened chakra field, causing cracks to form.
And finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi blurred forward, jumping from his hawk as his staff turned into a massive weapon crackling with electricity. The combined might of the Hokage, his summon¡ªthe ape king Enma, and the ninjutsu specialists slammed into the barrier protecting the Ancor Vantian.
Ripples echoed from the point of impact, and a small opening made itself visible. The chakra barrier shattered for just a moment, revealing a small but crucial breach.
"NOW!" Hiruzen commanded.
The Akimichis, already in motion, didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Mid-air, they curled into spheres, their bodies expanding and hardening as they transformed into living projectiles.
"Human Cannonball Jutsu!"
Their hawks flipped mid-flight, launching them directly through the opening in the shield at blistering speed, right into the enemy¡¯s territory.
BOOM!
The massive warriors crashed onto the outer layer of the Ancor Vantian, sending enemy shinobi flying as their sheer weight broke the structure.
The Sky Ninjas onboard barely had time to react before the Akimichi activated their Partial Multi-Size Jutsu, their bodies growing even larger as they turned into towering juggernauts of destruction.
¡°Wreak havoc! Bring it down!¡± Ch¨za roared, turning into a gigantic unstoppable wheel that flattened whatever stood in his way. Be it building or ninja, they all crumbled before his might.
Behind him, the other Akimichi sprang into action. Their colossal fists swung with devastating force, shattering enemy ranks and leaving nothing but wreckage in their wake. Each blow sent bodies flying, rupturing formations as if they were mere paper. With unstoppable momentum, they charged forward, their sights locked on the airship¡¯s nearest propulsion systems¡ªready to tear them apart.
But while the giants tore through the airship like an unstoppable calamity, another force moved unseen. The Aburame kikaichu swarms slithered into the fortress-like vessel, flowing through vents, cables, and the labyrinth of exposed machinery like a silent plague. Thanks to the chaos wrought by the Akimichi, the insects remained undetected as they multiplied at an exponential rate, their tiny mandibles devouring chakra-infused mechanisms.
Inside the fortress, lights flickered. Machinery hissed. And blaring red lights flashed inside the command center. In just a couple of minutes following the invasion from the Konoha ninjas, one of the main propulsors have already failed. It was only a matter of time before the vessel had to make an emergency landing.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yano Sho, one of Shinno¡¯s trusted aides, ordered the troops to focus on the invaders first. The Sky ninjas rallied and pelleted the Akimichis with bombs. Some were steering energy cannons inside the fortress to target the giants, while others focused solely on halting the invader¡¯s advances.
Had Konoha¡¯s assault relied solely on brute strength, they might have faltered. But Konoha never came to war with just one weapon.
The Aburame¡¯s Kikaichus worked with a frenzy, infecting and devouring whatever they could. The insects they had sent forward were no ordinary breed¡ªthey were one of the Aburame clan¡¯s trump cards, kept hidden due to their sheer lethality, a breed only deployed in times of war.
And to Shibi, head of the Aburame clan, the situation was nothing short of one. Standing beside the Hokage, a rare smile played beneath his covered face as he watched the enemy vessel begin its slow descent.
The Sky Ninja had prepared for warriors. They had not prepared for the unseen.
Chapter 33
The Ancor Vantian, the massive fortress that had loomed over Konoha¡¯s skies like a harbinger of doom, had finally been grounded. The once-imposing structure now sat in the heart of the ruined village, a fallen titan among the devastation.
All around the wreckage, Konoha¡¯s operatives steeled themselves. They did not cheer aloud, but deep inside, a flicker of triumph burned. The enemy still stood, but the odds had shifted. Without the Ancor Vantian¡¯s aerial advantage, the Sky ninja were now tethered to a battleground that Konoha''s shinobi could reach¡ªand destroy.
Fire burned in their eyes. The Will of Fire pulsed with unrelenting fervor, demanding retribution. And Konoha¡¯s ninja were ready to deliver it.
From all corners of the ruined village, shinobi rallied under a single purpose¡ªinvade the enemy¡¯s base and obliterate everything in sight.
High above, still perched upon his hawk, Hiruzen Sarutobi surveyed the battlefield. His sharp gaze followed the Akimichi giants, who continued their relentless assault, causing as much destruction as their bodies would allow. His eyes then shifted to the hovering Sky ninja, still determined to kill, still hellbent on razing what remained of Konoha.
A bad feeling twisted in the Hokage¡¯s gut.
It was too easy.
Yes, Konoha had suffered grievous casualties. They had fought tooth and nail to bring down the enemy vessel. But considering the years of planning and subterfuge the Sky Village had invested in this invasion¡ this battle had been far too simple.
And that left a strange taste in Hiruzen¡¯s mouth.
As Konoha¡¯s forces charged toward the fallen fortress, poised to strike, a sudden, piercing wail tore through the battlefield. The sound was unnatural, a chilling cry that sent a shudder through even the most battle-hardened shinobi. The very air seemed to tremble in response as pale, serpentine tendrils erupted from the ship¡¯s core, writhing and twisting in every direction like a monstrous nest of vipers.
The appendages surged toward the advancing ninja. Though caught off guard, they gritted their teeth and met the onslaught with steel and chakra. But their weapons barely made a dent in the writhing tide. Worse still, the moment their blades struck, the tendrils lashed out, coiling around them with terrifying speed, constricting like living chains.
Chakra was ripped from their bodies in torrents, siphoned away into the writhing darkness. Their strength, their energy¡ªtheir very life force¡ªwas being devoured. In mere moments, skilled warriors were reduced to empty husks, collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
¡°RETREAT!!¡± Hiruzen yelled, urging his mount to rush forwards to at least try to save the few ones he could. But a sudden shot from an energy cannon stopped him. Keeping him away from the massacre that was unfolding.
Hiruzen gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around his staff. Across from him, standing atop the tallest structure of the Ancor Vantian, was a tall man built like a warrior, his muscular frame radiating raw power.
Shinno stood tall, his tanned skin illuminated by the eerie glow of the dark chakra surging around him. His spiky brown hair, swept backward, danced subtly in the wind, framing his face, where a thin beard lined his jaw¡ªa knowing smirk playing across his lips.
His long, dark red cloak billowed behind him, the black accents blending with the unnatural darkness rising from his body.
¡°It¡¯s been a while, Hiruzen,¡± Shinno¡¯s voice boomed across the battlefield, effortlessly carrying over the chaos. ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve¡ aged.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition flashing in them. ¡°Shinno.¡±
The smirk on Shinno¡¯s face widened. ¡°Ah, so you do remember me.¡± He chuckled, his voice thick with mockery. With a slow, deliberate gesture, he extended his hand towards the writhing mass of white tendrils ravaging the battlefield.
¡°Tell me, how do you like my little friend?¡±
The monstrous appendages coiled and lashed out, snaring unfortunate shinobi, their bodies shriveling within moments as their chakra was mercilessly devoured. Screams of agony echoed through the ruined streets of Konoha.
¡°This is the Reibi,¡± Shinno continued. ¡°The Tailed Beast of Terror. The herald of despair. The very thing your village once deemed a myth.¡±
Hiruzen remained silent, his jaw tightening.
Shinno tilted his head, his smirk never faltering. ¡°I remember, back in the days, when the great shinobi villages¡ªyours included¡ªdenied the Sky Village the status of a Great Nation.¡± His voice grew sharp, edged with something darker than anger. ¡°All because we lacked a bij¨± to call our own.¡±
The air crackled as his dark chakra pulsed violently, his muscles tensing with barely contained power. ¡°So tell me, Hiruzen.¡± He gestured to the carnage below. ¡°Are we qualified now?¡±
Rage flared in the Hokage¡¯s features.
On the battlefield, his shinobi were dying in waves. Those who had been farther from the enemy vessel had barely managed to retreat. Those who hadn¡¯t¡ were nothing but husks now.
And yet, standing atop the ruined Ancor Vantian, overlooking the massacre like some self-proclaimed god, Shinno dared to make speeches?
¡°Why?¡±
A single, weighty question echoed from Hiruzen. Heavy with grief. With fury. With disbelief.
¡°Why?¡± Shinno repeated, letting the word linger, tasting it. Then, he let out a slow, mocking laugh.
Shinno spread his arms wide, as if welcoming the devastation around them. ¡°Why?¡± he echoed mockingly. ¡°Why not?¡± His dark chakra pulsed, the very air around him vibrating with its unnatural weight. ¡°This is the fate Konoha has carved for itself. You reap what you sow, Hiruzen.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s grip on his staff tightened until his knuckles turned white. ¡°You would do this to innocents?¡± he growled, his voice tinged with both sorrow and fury. ¡°Men, women, children¡ªthey have no part in whatever vendetta you have against me or Konoha.¡±
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Shinno¡¯s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°No part in it? Do you truly believe that?¡± He took a slow step forward, lifting a hand. The darkness swirling around him thickened, writhing like living tendrils. ¡°Every soul in this village has benefited from its conquest, its power, its so-called peace. But peace built on the suffering of others is an illusion. One that I am here to shatter.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°This isn¡¯t justice, Shinno. You¡¯ve become twisted by your own hatred.¡±
Shinno let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Hatred? No, Hiruzen. This is liberation. I am simply balancing the scales.¡± His voice dropped lower, almost thoughtful. ¡°Besides, you speak of justice¡ yet tell me, did you ever mourn the villages you crushed under your rule? Did you even remember the faces of those who perished in your wars?¡±
The words struck deep, but Hiruzen did not falter. He had carried the burden of leadership long enough to know the weight of every decision he had ever made.
¡°I remember all of them,¡± he said, his voice steady as stone. ¡°Every life lost in war is a wound that never heals. But that does not justify what you have become.¡±
Shinno¡¯s smirk vanished, his expression hardening into something far colder. His eyes gleamed with contempt, his body pulsing with dark chakra.
¡°Then you will die with them.¡±
With a flick of his wrist, the energy cannons mounted across the Ancor Vantian hummed to life, their glow casting eerie lights across the battlefield. The swirling serpentine tendrils of the Reibi coiled and slithered, forming a nightmarish display of power. The sight alone was enough to make lesser men hesitate.
But hesitation had no place on the battlefield.
Without warning, the ground trembled as a colossal, rolling mass surged toward Shinno at terrifying speed.
¡°MEAT TANK!¡±
A massive, armored ball of flesh and fury barreled across the ruined battlefield, tearing through rubble, crushing Sky ninja who failed to evade in time. Choza Akimichi¡¯s rolling form aimed straight at Shinno.
Shinno barely glanced at the incoming attack, his expression one of mild amusement.
¡°CHOZA, FALL BACK!¡± Hiruzen bellowed, but it was too late.
The moment Choza closed the distance, Shinno moved.
Like a blur of dark energy, he vanished from sight, reappearing above Choza in an instant. His muscles flexed, dark chakra coating his body as he raised his hand. A swirling orb of energy glowing on top of his palm.
Then, he struck down. Smashing the energy into his opponent.
The impact was devastating.
Choza¡¯s massive form was halted mid-spin, the sheer force of Shinno¡¯s attack cracking the ground beneath them. The shockwave sent a gust of wind ripping across the battlefield, dust and debris scattering like shrapnel.
¡°Super Revival Fist.¡±
Choza screamed.
Dark chakra pierced through his body, veins bulging across his skin like poison. His enlarged form shrank rapidly, his skin paling as his energy was violently ripped away.
¡°CHOZA!!¡± Shikaku¡¯s voice rang out in horror as his comrade collapsed, his massive body collapsing weakly into the ground.
Shinno landed gracefully beside him, unscathed, brushing nonexistent dust off his cloak. He regarded Choza¡¯s form with mild disappointment.
¡°Pathetic.¡±
His gaze lifted back to Hiruzen, that twisted smirk returning. ¡°Surely, you can do better than this.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s jaw clenched, his heart heavy with fury. He gave a sharp tug on the hawk¡¯s feather, urging it forward.
But the sky itself rebelled against him.
The Ancor Vantian¡¯s energy cannons roared to life, their blasts illuminating the battlefield. Beams of searing light cut through the air, tearing apart the debris-strewn landscape. The first shot barely missed, the heat alone enough to singe the fabric of Hiruzen¡¯s robes. The second came closer, forcing him to twist his body at the last second, barely dodging in time. It was a testament to the summoned hawk¡¯s skill that he managed to dodge.
But it was not over. Seeing as the energy cannons could not bring him down, Shinno sent his sky ninjas after the hokage.
They attacked like a flock of carrion birds, swift and merciless, their chakra-powered wings propelling them at unnatural speeds. Shuriken, kunai, and spears rained down on Hiruzen, forcing him to twist and weave atop his mount, his staff spinning defensively to deflect the incoming projectiles.
A Sky ninja streaked past him, a gleam of steel flashing in his peripheral vision. Hiruzen barely had time to react before the enemy¡¯s blade raked across his mount, tearing through feathers and cutting into the muscles.
The hawk cawed in pain, and Hiruzen retaliated in a blur. His staff extended with a sharp thrust, catching the attacker mid-flight and sending him hurtling down toward the ruins below.
But there was no time to breathe. His hawk was injured, and battling in the air was becoming increasingly difficult. Glancing around, Hiruzen remarked that the other hawk summons were not faring any better. The situation was dire.
Down below, the strange white tendrils surged, whipping violently through the battlefield. They snatched up whatever they could reach¡ªKonoha shinobi, even debris¡ªpulling them in and draining them dry. Screams echoed through the ruins as warriors fell.
They were at an impasse.
Hiruzen knew it. Every advance was countered. Every attack was met with overwhelming retaliation.
But he still held onto hope.
The Aburame¡¯s kikaichu had boarded the Ancor Vantian.
A small force had infiltrated the enemy vessel, devouring its structure from the inside out. Hidden, unseen, consuming.
If they could weaken the fortress, even just disabling those energy cannons...
But then, the voice of Shikaku Nara crackled through the telepathic link, his normally calm tone tinged with something rare¡ªurgency.
¡°Hokage-sama, we have a problem.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°Speak.¡±
A pause. Then¡ª
¡°The kikaichu have been neutralized.¡±
For a moment, Hiruzen felt as if the world had stilled. ¡°Killed?¡± he asked, though he already knew the answer.
¡°Yes.¡± Shikaku¡¯s voice was grim. ¡°That strange tentacular monster sensed them. It destroyed them before they could do any real damage.¡±
Hope, so painstakingly nurtured, began to flicker. The enemy was adapting. And time was running out.
Hiruzen¡¯s heart weighed heavy in his chest. The Reibi was adapting. The Sky ninja were relentless. And now, their best hope¡ªthe Aburame¡¯s kikaichu¡ªhad been wiped out before they could deal any significant damage.
This battle was turning into a slow, crushing defeat.
And then, through the chaos, a booming voice split the sky.
¡°KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!¡±
A massive plume of white smoke erupted above the Ancor Vantian, blotting out the sky in an instant. The battlefield seemed to pause, as all eyes¡ªKonoha and Sky ninja alike¡ªturned toward the heavens.
Then, they fell.
Not one. Not two. But five.
Five colossal toads, each larger than life, came crashing down onto the enemy vessel.
The first, Gamabunta, landed with a deafening boom, his sheer weight cracking the Ancor Vantian¡¯s surface beneath him. His massive pipe hung from his lips as his sharp eyes scanned the battlefield.
¡°Tch. You really dragged me into a mess this time, Jiraiya.¡±
The second, Gamaken, landed beside him, his massive shield raised defensively. ¡°I do not like this. I do not like this one bit.¡±
The third, Gamahiro, slammed onto the deck, twin swords gleaming in the eerie glow of the Reibi¡¯s tendrils.
The fourth and fifth, two lesser but still titanic toads, landed with earth-shaking force, their webbed feet crushing enemy forces beneath them.
And at the center of it all, crouched atop Gamabunta¡¯s head, was a man.
Jiraiya of the Sannin.
His white hair flowed wildly behind him, his red coat billowing as he stood tall, surveying the battlefield. Though his usual smirk graced his lips, there was no playfulness in his eyes¡ªonly sharp, unwavering resolve. This was Jiraiya the Sage, not the wandering hermit, not the fool. A warrior forged in the crucible of countless battles.
He cracked his knuckles, glancing down at the battlefield. ¡°I was about to make one of my usual grand entrances,¡± he mused, his voice carrying across the war-torn village.
Then, his smirk faded, his tone turning solemn. ¡°But I think we¡¯re far past that.¡±
Hiruzen let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. Hope.
Jiraiya had arrived.
AN: Thanks for reading!
Also, here''s some low quality pictures of Shinno, I have a feeling you have not watched the Naruto Bond movie :)
Chapter 34
"Alright, boys. Show these bastards what a real invasion looks like."
"Tch. These damn flying pests are everywhere," Gamabunta grumbled. His narrowed eyes flickered to the sky, where dozens of Sky ninja hovered, raining kunai and explosive projectiles indiscriminately.
"Noisy bastards. Let¡¯s shut ¡®em up."
With a powerful leap, Gamabunta launched himself toward the largest cluster of airborne enemies, his enormous blade gleaming in the dim light.
He swung.
The sheer force of the slash tore through the air, creating a gust strong enough to knock several Sky ninja off balance. The blade carved through enemy ranks, sending bodies crashing down in a bloody rain.
The Sky ninja scrambled to counterattack, launching concentrated energy blasts from their cannons, but Gamabunta dodged them with surprising agility. With another mighty swing, he sent debris flying at the enemy, corpses few across the battlefield.
A deafening screech pierced the ruined village, an unnatural, bone-chilling wail. The Reibi¡¯s white tendrils surged forward, twisting and writhing like living vipers. They lashed out, seeking more victims¡ªanything with chakra to devour. And the massive toads looked like quite the appetizing prey to it.
As the tendrils sneaked their way towards Gamabunta, a massive iron shield slammed down, stopping the tendrils inches from their prey.
"I do not like this," Gamaken muttered, gripping his massive polearm tightly. "Not one bit."
The tendrils coiled around his shield, pulling, trying to break through, but Gamaken held firm, digging his massive feet into the Ancor Vantian¡¯s surface. A tendril surged towards him from the side¡ªhe spun his polearm and struck, severing the appendage with a clean, precise motion. A screech of pain reverberated through the Ancor Vantian, and even more tendrils erupted from the darkness, coming at him from multiple angles.
Gamaken gritted his teeth and braced himself, shield raised high, ready to hold the line.
"Alright, big guys. Time to clean up."
On the other side of the fallen fortress, Gamahiro landed in the heart of the enemy¡¯s formation, his twin swords flashing as he leaped and sliced through Sky ninja and mechanical artillery alike.
Sky ninja who had soared freely a second ago now found themselves struggling to maneuver, unable to rejoin the Ancor Vantian. They were stuck dodging the deadly swings of the massive blades.
Behind Gamahiro, two more colossal toads landed, their webbed feet crushing the operating canons under sheer weight. Their deep, guttural croaks rumbled across the battlefield, almost drowning out the screams of the Sky ninja caught in the carnage.
Jiraiya stood atop Gamabunta¡¯s head, watching the battlefield shift in their favor. He cracked his knuckles. "Not bad. And we¡¯re just getting started."
His eyes locked onto Shinno from the distance, the dark warrior standing atop a large tower like a tyrant surveying his empire.
Jiraiya bent his knees, his chakra flaring beneath his feet. Then, in a single powerful leap, he launched himself from Gamabunta¡¯s head, soaring through the battlefield like a crimson blur. His red cloak billowed behind him, his hair wild in the wind, his fists clenched tight.
He crashed onto the platform before Shinno, his fist extended into a punch. No words. No taunts. Just a clenched fist flying straight for Shinno¡¯s face.
The corrupted doctor dodged. Jiraiya¡¯s attack grazed past his cheek, the force alone sending a shockwave rippling through the air.
Shinno¡¯s smirked. "Impatient, aren¡¯t we?"
Jiraiya didn¡¯t respond. He attacked. Their clash echoing like a thunderstorm. Fists met fists. Legs clashed midair. Chakra surged violently with each strike. Jiraiya struck with a ferocity that belied his usual carefree nature. Each punch forced Shinno back, step by step. And he was forced to admit that had underestimated the Sannin.
After a few exchanges, a few hits slipped by, and Shinno¡¯s guard was opened. Jiraiya did not miss the opportunity, a hit landed square on his opponent¡¯s gut. His fist sank into the gigantic man¡¯s stomach, sending the Sky Village leader skidding backward, his boots screeching against the steel platform.
But he didn¡¯t crumble.
Instead, he exhaled sharply, his dark chakra pulsing ominously. He glanced down at his abdomen where Jiraiya had struck him, a slow smile creeping across his lips as the wound mended itself before his eyes.
Then his chakra flared. Shinno blurred forward, his speed nearly inhuman, his fist cloaked in malevolent energy.
But Jiraiya was no slouch, he dodged the strike despite the sudden power up, twisting his body as the punch grazed his ribs¡ªbut even that brief contact sent a numbing shock through his muscles.
A Medical Scalpel, Jiraiya realized. His eyes narrowed as he reassessed his opponent. Shinno wasn¡¯t just using raw strength, the dark chakra coating his arms were something akin to chakra scalpels, but bigger and stronger.
Before Jiraiya could reposition, Shinno¡¯s hand whipped upward, forming a dark chakra blade in an instant.
It slashed toward Jiraiya¡¯s neck.
The Sannin ducked low, spinning on his heel, his leg sweeping toward Shinno¡¯s ankles. The latter leaped over it, flipping midair, and conjured another dark chakra sword in his free hand.
Jiraiya¡¯s hands flashed through hand seals in response.
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¡°Oil Bullet!¡±
A stream of thick, viscous oil shot from his mouth, coating the platform beneath them. Shinno landed, and his footing slipped just enough for Jiraiya to seize an opening.
The Toad Sage lunged, spinning, his elbow connecting with Shinno¡¯s jaw. The force sent him flying, crashing into a metal railing with a sharp clang.
But before Jiraiya could press his advantage, Shinno was already back on his feet, seemingly uninjured. And in his palm, a swirling ball of chakra.
Jiraiya¡¯s eyes widened. A Rasengan?
Shinno triumphally held the spiraling sphere of chakra. Pausing a moment to let his opponent see.
"You Konoha ninja do love your little tricks," he mused, admiring the sphere. "So easy to replicate."
Jiraiya clicked his tongue in response. ¡°That¡¯s not yours to steal.¡±
Shinno rushed forward, the black Rasengan twisting ominously in his palm, dark chakra mixing unnaturally in it.
Jiraiya exhaled, his hands flashing through signs.
"Sage Art: Oil Slope!"
The floor beneath them turned slick with oil in an instant. Shinno¡¯s footing slipped again, his charge abruptly halted.
Jiraiya didn¡¯t waste the opportunity. He came sliding forward, throwing a sealing tag onto Shinno¡¯s forearm as he advanced. The moment it made contact, Shinno screamed. Dark chakra flared violently, then flickered, disrupted. The Rasengan in his palm dissipated, the unstable chakra unable to hold form.
Jiraiya wasn¡¯t done. He kicked out Shinno¡¯s footing from under him and then flipped into the air, his hand already moving into another set of handseals.
"Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Splash!"
A stream of oil erupted from his mouth¡ªand with a single flick of chakra, it ignited. Flames engulfed Shinno along with the already prepared tower, roaring to life as they swallowed his entire form. For a moment, all was silent, safe for the sound of burning flames.
Then¡ª
A violent explosion of dark chakra erupted from within the inferno, snuffing out the fire instantly. Shinno emerged, his cloak burned, his expression livid.
"Impressive," he admitted, rolling his shoulders. "You¡¯re stronger than I thought."
Jiraiya exhaled slowly. He noted the unblemished skin of Shinno as he emerged from the flames. The enemy, as it seems, possessed an unlimited supply of chakra, coupled with an undying body. He seriously started considering how he was going to keep the man down.
Then they clashed again.
*******************************************************************************
Amidst the chaos of battle, Shikaku Nara¡¯s voice cut through the telepathic communication line. ¡°Hokage-sama! Now might be the best time deploy all remaining elite fighters into the enemy fortress! We must neutralize the Sky ninja reinforcements before they can interfere with Jiraiya-sama¡¯s fight.¡±
Hiruzen, still atop his hawk, surveyed the battlefield. Jiraiya was already engaged with Shinno. The toads had disrupted the enemy¡¯s air superiority. The Sky ninja were struggling to hold their lines.
The time was now.
Hiruzen gave the command. The remaining airborne Konoha shinobi dove toward the Ancor Vantian, slipping through the storm of aerial combat. They landed in coordinated strikes, crushing enemy defenses before they could react.
At the forefront of the charge was Hiashi Hyuga, his Byakugan piercing through the Ancor Vantian, scanning and finding the enemy forces. He directed the other jounins as they landed. Might Guy, a blur of raw speed and power, immediately engaging the squads of Sky ninja.
Asuma Sarutobi backed him up, his dual chakra blades flashing, cutting down enemy soldiers, stopping them from surrounding the Green Beast. Along with another team of elite Jonin, Konoha¡¯s strike team steamrolled though the enemy ninjas.
Hiruzen moved separately from the jounin team. He navigated the small rubbles of the Ancor Vantian, making a beeline for the tower where Jiraya and Shinno were fighting. With a final mighty leap, Hiruzen Sarutobi landed across from Shinno, his boots cracking the steel beneath him. A murderous rage burned in his aged eyes.
"So, the Hokage himself finally graces me with his presence," Shinno mused. "Took you long enough."
Hiruzen said nothing. He simply moved.
The moment Hiruzen swung his staff, the air exploded. Shinno barely had time to raise his arms before the first blow connected, sending him skidding backward across the platform. But he didn¡¯t fall¡ªhe twisted midair, his feet grinding into the steel as he slid back.
Jiraiya saw the opportunity and charged.
¡°Rasengan!¡±
Jiraiya¡¯s palm slammed forward, the spiraling sphere of chakra twisting the air around it. Shinno barely managed to counter with another hastily formed rasengan of his own, the impact shattering the steel beneath his feet and sending him careening down into the building.
Hiruzen didn¡¯t let up. He jumped through the hole, his hands a blur of handsigns. ¡°Wind Style: Wind Dragon!¡±
A torrent of wind gathered and twisted into the form of a great dragon, its jagged mouth opening wide before surging forward, smashing into Shinno with violent force, slamming him through the floors of the tower. Jiraiya followed through, hands flashing through seals.
¡°Fire Style: Phoenix Flame Cluster!¡±
A barrage of small, precise fireballs rained down, engulfing the rubble which buried Shinno with violent explosions of flames.
Yet, Shinno refused to go down. He emerged from the debris with a roar. His towering figured healed once again. But as he moved, a crackling bolt of lightning struck him dead-on, sparks of energy dancing across his muscles as his body momentarily convulsed.
¡°Lightning Style: Thunder Fang!¡±
Jiraiya and Hiruzen landed side by side. Their combined barrage had given Shinno no room to breathe. The battlefield shook with every impact. The relentless onslaught battered Shinno from all sides.
And as the fight progressed, one thing became apparent. Shinno was no match for his assailants. If not for his extraordinary healing abilities, the fight would have long been concluded.
Seemingly recognizing this truth, Shinno stopped retreating. With a shout, a wall of pure dark chakra shielded him, stopping the student and master duo from attacking.
And then a terrific scene unfolded. Shinno¡¯s muscles started squirming like snakes under his skin. Slowly, the man grew increasingly taller. If before, he was standing at around 2,5 meters tall. Now, he was pushing into the 3 meters. And accompanying this change was an explosion of dark chakra that seemed to press on the student and master duo.
Shinno rolled his shoulders, his huge muscles rippling unnaturally. "I think it¡¯s about time I start taking this seriously."
Hiruzen gritted his teeth. Reevaluating the newly transformed Shinno.
They were up against a freak.
Jiraiya agreed to that sentiment. But¡ that wasn¡¯t the worst part. He and Hiruzen were burning though their chakra reserves just to keep Shinno on the backfoot. But their opponent, no matter how many times he was hit, no matter how much damage he took, stood tall.
And his body never seemed to tire.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth in frustration. They had to find a way to counter Shinno soon. Before the man turned the tides on them.
But it seemed like Shinno¡¯s transformation was not over yet.
The duo watched with a growing sense of horror as Shinno lowered his stance. The air around him distorted. And his aura turned into something different. Something wild, like flames that wanted to burn everything.
*BOOM! *
A shockwave erupted from his body, silencing the battlefield.
The Sky ninja, the Konoha forces, even the toads stilled for a moment, feeling the oppressive pressure.
Then came the words that shook them all.
¡°You know of the Eight Gates, don¡¯t you?¡±
Jiraiya¡¯s eyes widened.
Hiruzen¡¯s expression hardened in shock. ¡°Impossible¡¡±
Shinno smiled.
"You Konoha fools sacrifice your lives just to tap into their power. But me?" His aura surged violently, the steel beneath his feet bending under the sheer force of it. "I''m different."
Then, Shinno vanished.
Jiraiya¡¯s instincts screamed.
¡°SEN-!¡±
But Shinno was already there. His fist tore through the air, faster than either of them could react, and straight into Hiruzen¡¯s chest.
The impact rippled through the Hokage¡¯s body, sending him rocketing back like a cannonball. His body smashing through the tower¡¯s wall.
¡°3rd Gate, Gate of Life!¡± Shinno declared cooly.
AN: Thanks for reading ?? Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! We¡¯re wrapping things up soon!
Chapter 35
Shinno¡¯s fist struck like a meteor, and the world reeled from the impact. The ground beneath them warped, shrieking as it twisted, the shockwave rippling outward in a violent pulse. Dust and debris erupted into the air, a suffocating storm of shattered metal and stone.
Jiraiya barely had time to register the devastation before a dark red blur cut through the chaos. Shinno was already upon him.
A fist hurtled toward his face¡ªhe barely tilted his head in time, feeling the air crackle as the punch grazed past. Jiraiya countered, twisting his hips and launching a knee into Shinno¡¯s ribs. The blow landed, but instead of staggering back, Shinno grinned.
He barely felt it.
Shinno struck back with terrifying speed, a rapid succession of jabs aimed at Jiraiya¡¯s torso. The Sannin deflected them as best he could, blocking one, dodging another, but a third connected, slamming into his shoulder. A sickening crunch rang out, and Jiraiya was sent skidding backward.
Hiruzen, though wounded, jumped back into the fight.
His staff elongated in an instant, whistling through the air as it arced toward Shinno¡¯s temple. The Sky Ninja pivoted, catching the staff mid-swing with one hand. His grip tightened, bending the unbreakable weapon as his eyes locked onto the Hokage.
A smirk flickered across Shinno¡¯s face. He yanked the staff forward with brutal force, aiming to rip Hiruzen off balance. But the Hokage vanished.
In his place, a solid boulder shattered under the force of Shinno¡¯s attack. Permutation Jutsu. Shinno¡¯s eyes widened in realization before a rush of air came from his blind spot.
CRACK!
Hiruzen¡¯s staff slammed into his back with punishing force, the impact ringing out like a war drum. Shinno staggered forward, his muscles seizing for an instant, the shock traveling up his spine.
And Jiraiya burst forward.
A cloud of smoke heralded the arrival of two clones, materializing mid-air as they launched a synchronized assault. They came from three directions, a flurry of limbs and chakra-enhanced strikes. The first struck high, the second low, the third came straight down, aiming for the skull.
Shinno twisted. Too fast.
His arms lashed out, deflecting the first blow, then the second. The third came too close, but he still managed to counter with a vicious elbow to the gut. The clone exploded into smoke.
The remaining two Jiraiyas pressed forward, undeterred. One launched into a spinning kick, the force behind it enough to dent steel. The other shot forward, palm outstretched, chakra gathering at his fingertips.
A Rasengan flared to life, whirling with violent energy. Positioned behind Shinno, Hiruzen was not idle either. His staff pulsed with lightning chakra, ready to batter the hulking giant.
But Shinno¡¯s reaction time was just too short. Depriving his opponent of the small window of weakness that would have normally appeared. His arms shot out like viper strikes. He caught Jiraiya¡¯s leg mid-spin, twisted sharply, and threw him straight into Hiruzen¡¯s oncoming strike, sending the two tumbling down into the ground.
Shinno then rolled with his movement, spinning and catching the clone with the back of his fists, destroying it in one fluid motion.
The master of the Ancor Vantian exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed his battered foes.
¡°This is your strength?¡± he scoffed; his voice barely winded. ¡°You Konoha fools rely so much on jutsu, on tricks, on raw chakra. Pitiful. Let me show you just how outclassed you are.¡±
Shinno¡¯s body pulsed. Veins bulged, muscles swelled, and the air around him thickened. The cracks in the ground beneath him widened, spiderwebbing outward.
"4th Gate¡ªGate of Pain, OPEN!"
Jiraiya grit his teeth, feeling the shift in power. Things were getting out of hand.
Hiruzen took a half-step back, his sharp mind calculating. The weight of Shinno¡¯s blows had already slowed him; a few more strikes like that and he wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up. And even Jiraiya, with all his strength, would be hard-pressed to match the raw physicality of their opponent.
Worse still, Shinno was not even going all out. He was still on the 4th gate. Halfway through the 8 gates. Hiruzen had to find a way to stop the man before it was too late.
¡°Sensei. Buy me some time, I¡¯m going to summon the toad sages.¡± A mental communication was transmitted to the Hiruzen. A quick glance at Jiraya showed a tense expression.
¡°Are you sure you can take him on with sage mode?¡± Hiruzen replied.
¡°I¡¯m not sure. But it¡¯s the only thing I have right now that can help us turn this around.¡± That didn¡¯t sound too reassuring¡ Sure, Jiraiya pushing into sage mode would even the fields for a while. But not for long.
It would only push the enemy to open another gate, then another, until they were inevitably crushed by his raw power.
A thought entered Hiruzen¡¯s mind before he could stop it. The Reaper Death Seal.
A final, absolute solution. If Shinno could not be bested, he could be taken down with Hiruzen. The village would mourn him, but Konoha would stand. It would endure. His sacrifice would be worthwhile.
Hiruzen started to plan, but before he got far, a sharp voice cut through his thoughts. "Lord Hiruzen, reinforcements are heading your way."
Shikaku¡¯s voice, steady but loud, echoed in his mind. "We have a plan to deal with Shinno. The Hyuga can stop him, his power is reliant on this dark chakra¡ªif we can create an opening, we can stop him from absorbing more of it by blocking off his tenketsu."
The words snapped Hiruzen out of his grim resolve. A chance. A better way.
His eyes flicked to Jiraiya, who had also heard the telepathic transmission. Without speaking, they moved.
Shinno turned just as Hiruzen lunged in, his staff elongating, twisting through the air in a brutal arc.
And Shinno, as if demonstrating his brutal strength, simply punched the staff away. Not even bothering to use any technique. He just employed brute strength to deal with his opponents. With a single step, he closed the distance, and kicked Hiruzen¡¯s hastily formed guard. Sending the old man tumbling back once again.
Jiraiya swore, moving to attack, but Shinno¡¯s stats were through the roof. The difference between the two could have still been bridged with skills and tactics when Shinno was in the 3rd gate. But now, as Jiraiya was being pummeled by the giant of a man, he was painfully aware of his limitations. It seemed like he had to step into Sage Mode after all.
He had to find an opportunity. An opening, just a small reprieve from the fight. But would he ever get the chance?
Just as Jiraiya was despairing, reinforcements arrived. A blur of green and white streaked across the battlefield.
Might Guy. Hiashi Hyuga.
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They struck in unison.
Guy was the first to reach the enemy, his fist cocked back, wreathed in the emerald energy of the 5th gate as he lunged forward. The moment his knuckles met Shinno¡¯s forearm, the force of the impact detonated outward like a cannon blast. A violent shockwave split the air, scattering debris and sending waves of pressure through the ground.
Shinno snarled, his muscles tensing as he absorbed the impact. He lashed out with a brutal roundhouse kick, the sheer speed of it causing the wind to scream. Guy ducked just in time, the air displacement from the kick carving a deep trench in the battlefield behind him.
Before Shinno could capitalize, Hiashi struck.
The Hyuga clan head glided forward, his Byakugan glowing like twin moons beneath his brow. His hands moved with surgical precision, fingers dancing through the air like a flurry of needles, each strike aimed directly at Shinno¡¯s chakra network.
"Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!"
Hiashi¡¯s palms struck Shinno¡¯s ribs, then his shoulder, then his forearm in rapid succession. The Hyuga¡¯s movements were fluid, almost effortless¡ªbut the moment his attacks landed, they carried the weight of decades of mastery. Each blow disrupted the natural flow of chakra, threatening to shut down key points in Shinno¡¯s system.
Shinno hissed. His body convulsed for half a second¡ªbut then, his chakra surged back violently.
Hiashi¡¯s chakra flared in alarm. His byakugan scanning the giant ninja¡¯s still glowing tenketsu. His attacks had failed. The strikes had been too shallow.
Before he could retreat, Shinno twisted, his foot already rising in a devastating counter-kick. But a blur of green intercepted it.
Guy.
He blocked with both forearms, but even then, the force was monstrous. The impact hurled him backward, his feet carving trenches into the ruined battlefield before he managed to halt himself.
Jiraiya exhaled sharply. Readying himself for another bout.
Hiruzen coughed as he staggered back to his feet, pain lacing through his ribs. His old bones ached, but his mind remained sharp. His gaze flicked to Shinno, then to Hiashi.
The Hyuga could do it¡ªif they could just land a decisive strike. If they could sever the flow of chakra at its source, Shinno¡¯s Gates would be meaningless.
But the sky ninja wasn¡¯t giving them an opening. He roared, and moved back into action.
Jiraiya¡¯s darted towards Hiashi, arriving just in to time intercept Shinno. His mane-like hair moving to drag the hyuga away. An instant later, the ground where Hiashi stood exploded into a shower of debris, courtesy of Shinno¡¯s axe kick.
Shinno didn¡¯t stop. Pivoting on his foot, he turned to chase after the Hyuga. But Hiashi was prepared this time. A well timed Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation deflected Shinno¡¯s following charge. Briefly providing an opening him up for Guy to land a devastating kick.
Sending the giant straight into the path of Hiruzen punishing staff. Jiraiya was not standing idle, with a roar, he joined the fray. The combined might of the four men was just enough to keep Shinno on the defensive.
But a small slip up from Hiashi broke the rhythm. Allowing Shinno to release another burst of chakra that pushed his opponent back. Shinno was about to gather his chakra for another gate when he was interrupted.
"Sixth Gate¡ªGate of Joy, OPEN!"
The air itself seemed to ignite as Guy''s aura burned around him. The veins along his temple bulged, his muscles screaming under the pressure of the technique. The ground beneath him shattered, unable to withstand the weight of his power.
Shinno smirked. "That¡¯s more like it."
Then they collided.
Their fists met, and the sheer force of their clash cracked the sky itself. Dust and debris were blasted away in all directions as they exchanged blows at speeds that defied the human eye.
Guy ducked, weaving between Shinno¡¯s devastating hooks. He countered with a brutal knee to the ribs, but Shinno absorbed the blow and retaliated with a spinning backfist that Guy dodged by a hair¡¯s width. Their battle became a storm of motion, each strike powerful enough to annihilate lesser shinobi on impact.
Jiraiya and Hiruzen watched the fight unfold, their minds racing. This was their chance.
Guy was keeping Shinno occupied¡ªbut it wouldn¡¯t last.
They needed to end this.
Hiruzen¡¯s gaze flicked to Hiashi, who stood steady despite his injuries. Blood trickled from his lip, but his Byakugan was sharp. Determined.
Jiraiya took a deep breath.
"Hiashi!" he called. "We make the opening¡ªyou finish it!"
Hiashi¡¯s eyes locked onto his. He nodded.
Jiraiya and Hiruzen shot forward, their hands flashing through seals.
Jiraiya inhaled deeply, his chest expanding.
"Katon: Gamayu Endan!"
Beside him, Hiruzen¡¯s fingers twisted into another set of seals as a clone popped up beside him.
¡°Katon: Roaring Dragon Bomb!¡±
¡°Futon: Roaring Dragon Bomb!¡±
A tsunami of oil and fire surged toward Shinno, enveloping a scalding white dragon¡¯s fire that seemed as if it was alive, roaring as it rushed forward.
Gai seemed as if he had been waiting for the attack, and with a shout of ¡°ASAKUJAKU!¡±, he pushed the sky ninja right into the path of the combined attack. Shinno barely had time to react¡ªhis arms came up in a desperate block, but he was attacked from two directions, the firestorm swallowed him whole.
This was the moment.
Hiashi moved.
He was a ghost, slipping through the fire and debris. His Byakugan locked onto the vital of the enemy¡¯s already regenerating form. Hoping, and willing to make it just in time.
Shinno, still engulfed in flames, turned¡ªbut he was too late.
Hiashi¡¯s fingertips flared with chakra.
" Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
An invisible force slammed into Shinno¡¯s ribs, his body jerking for just a fraction of a second.
A fraction of a second was all Hiashi needed.
Then¡ª
A sickening squelch.
Hiashi¡¯s body jerked. Blood sprayed into the air.
Jiraiya¡¯s eyes widened in horror.
Shinno¡¯s arm was buried elbow-deep in Hiashi¡¯s chest.
Time seemed to slow.
Hiashi gasped, his Byakugan flickering, breath hitching as reality settled in. His fingers twitched, struggling to raise an arm, but his body refused to move. He had never even seen it coming.
¡°Did you really think you could outmaneuver me?¡± Shinno¡¯s mocking voice echoed in the stunned silence. His golden eyes gleamed with something dark, something knowing.
Hiashi¡¯s mouth opened, but no sound came. And Shinno casually wrenched his arm free, watching as Hiashi crumpled. Blood pooled beneath the fallen ninja¡¯s twitching body.
¡°Did you really believe you could conspire against me?¡± Shinno mused. His body straightened, his charred body slowly healing. The opening that the four ninja had painstakingly fought for closed slowly in front of their stunned eyes.
¡°I could hear you.¡± Seemingly enjoying their reaction, Shinno made a show of slowly knitting his body together. He tapped his temple with a charred arm, his grin widening. ¡°Every word. Every thought. Ever since I set foot in your precious village. All thanks to the Reibi!¡±
Hiruzen froze. The realization was like ice in his veins.
The Reibi¡ Mind reading? Who knew that it possessed such an ability?
Shinno had been playing with them.
Every feint. Every counter. Every struggle. Turns out, it was all orchestrated by the enemy. In Hiruzen¡¯s mind, the desperate idea of using the reaper death seal showed again.
But before Shinno could relish his victory, before he could solidify his dominance¡ª
A single eye, embedded in the palm of a gloved hand, slowly closed.
High above the battlefield, perched atop a great hawk, Danzo Shimura lowered his hand.
And in that instant, Hiashi Hy¨±ga''s body pulsed with chakra.
His gaping wound¡ªa fatal injury, the kind no shinobi could recover from¡ªsealed shut. Muscles realigned; flesh stitched itself back together in an instant.
Izanagi.
A technique that defied fate itself.
Hiashi¡¯s eyes snapped open. His Byakugan flared with renewed clarity.
He was alive.
He was behind Shinno who had no time to react. Hiashi did not hesitate.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Shinno turned his head, his form still healing from the horrifying burns inflicted by Jiraiya and Hiruzen¡¯s combined jutsu. He wanted to move, but he was one step too slow.
Hiashi¡¯s hands blurred.
The first two strikes landed¡ªone to Shinno¡¯s shoulder, the second to his ribs.
Two Palms!
Shinno reeled, momentarily stunned. His chakra flickered, but his instincts fought back.
Four Palms!
His breath hitched.
Eight Palms!
His muscles seized up.
Sixteen Palms!
His knees buckled.
Thirty-Two Palms!
Shinno¡¯s body shuddered violently, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Then, his chakra flared. He still had one card to play!
The Reibi retaliated. Shadows burst forth from the ground, morphing into grotesque tendrils of black chakra, blocking the next set of strikes.
The technique had been interrupted.
But the damage had already been done.
Half of Shinno¡¯s tenketsu were sealed. His body slowed. His chakra staggered. For the first time, Shinno was deprived of his unholy healing ability. He was vulnerable!
He growled, forcing his chakra to surge, summoning the Reibi¡¯s power in full. The air around him darkened as the phantom beast manifested, its sinister aura coiling around its host. Shadowy tendrils lashed out, writhing like living blades, shielding him in an instant.
But a thunderous voice cut through the battlefield.
"HIRUDORA!"
A roaring explosion of compressed air tore through the battlefield. Might Guy burst forward, his body a green-and-white comet as his Daytime Tiger surged ahead. The massive shockwave blasted forth, shredding the Reibi¡¯s tendrils into nothingness. And even flinging Hiashi¡¯s form away.
And Shinno was left wide open.
Jiraiya¡¯s hands flashed through seals, his body moving on instinct. His clones gathered, a storm of chakra swirling around them as a deep breath expanded in his lungs.
Beside him, Hiruzen mirrored his movements, his own chakra crackling like a violent tempest.
They knew exactly what needed to be done.
A final, decisive blow.
"Katon: Gamayu Endan!"
Jiraiya exhaled¡ªa massive tsunami of oil, thick and suffocating, flooding toward Shinno like an unrelenting tide.
"Futon: Daitoppa!"
Hiruzen followed, his jutsu twisting the flames into an unstoppable inferno.
The combined forces of oil, wind, and fire ignited into another roaring hellstorm, swallowing everything in its path. The flames whitened from sheer intensity, the temperature soaring to unimaginable levels as the wave of destruction engulfed Shinno.
AN: Thanks for reading :)
Chapter 36
The inferno raged.
The combined firestorm of Gamayu Endan and Daitoppa roared toward its target, the very air distorting under the sheer heat. Shinno, caught in the heart of it, could do nothing. The battlefield glowed a blinding orange as flames surged forward, an unrelenting tide of destruction.
Konoha had victory within its grasp.
But fate wouldn¡¯t let them claim Shinno¡¯s life.
Thick, obsidian gates burst from the ground, ancient and foreboding.
The Demonic Incarnation Gates.
Towering monoliths of cursed energy slammed into place, each one etched with grotesque markings, resembling the head of demons. They blocked the attack in its entirety. Not even letting a flicker of ember pass.
Jiraiya¡¯s breath hitched. Impossible.
Hiruzen¡¯s grip tightened around his staff. He recognized the technique. His eyes narrowed, trying to pierce through the flickers of embers, and soon settled on a figure.
A slow, familiar chuckle echoed through. From behind the massive gates, a lone figure emerged.
His golden eyes gleaming with unnatural clarity. His pale, snake-like features stretched into a mocking smirk as he took in the stunned expressions of his audience.
"Looks like you need a little hand, Shinno."
Jiraiya¡¯s expression twisted into rage. "OROCHIMARU!"
His furious cry ripped through the battlefield, but the man before him merely smiled¡ªcalm, unfazed, acting as if they were nothing more than old acquaintances meeting by chance.
"Jiraiya," he greeted, inclining his head slightly. "Hiruzen-sensei¡ you both look well, all things considered."
Jiraiya bristled, his hands clenching into fists, but Orochimaru had already turned his attention back to Shinno.
"That was quite the spectacle," he mused. "But it seems the tides have turned, haven''t they?"
Shinno exhaled sharply, his shoulders rising and falling as his chakra struggled to stabilize. Even with the Reibi¡¯s power, he was wounded¡ªthe battle had drained him. He studied Orochimaru for a long moment before finally giving a small nod.
"Perhaps it is time to leave."
Orochimaru¡¯s smirk widened. "A wise decision."
And then¡ªthe sky shifted.
A low hum vibrated through the battlefield, eerie and unnatural. Shadows coiled around Shinno¡¯s form, his body pulsating with Reibi¡¯s power as his chakra connected to something far beyond.
The Ancor Vantian¡ªthe massive fortress of the Sky Ninja¡ªbegan to tremble. Engines roared to life.
The ground beneath them quaked, a deep rumble reverberating through the ruins of Konoha as a massive chakra surge flooded the air. Shinno''s form blurred, merging with the energy, his presence melding into the very core of the vessel.
Orochimaru, standing behind the gates, looked upon the village with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze toward Jiraiya.
A flicker light passed through his golden eyes¡ªa challenge? A taunt? A promise? And before the Toad Sage could react. They were gone.
The Ancor Vantian vanished. Along with every last Sky Ninja.
A massive, deafening silence followed.
Jiraiya, Hiruzen, and the remaining Konoha forces could only watch as the behemoth of a fortress faded from existence. The oppressive energy that had filled the battlefield moments ago was now gone, leaving behind only destruction.
A huge, empty crater stretched out before them.
Jiraiya¡¯s breath was ragged, his body still thrumming with adrenaline. His mind refused to quiet, replaying the battle in sharp flashes. They had fought with everything they had. And yet¡ His gaze turned toward what remained of his village.
Konoha lay in ruins. The streets were unrecognizable. Buildings that had once stood proudly were nothing more than shattered remains. The village¡¯s heart had been hollowed out, leaving behind only dust and silence.
Beside him, Hiruzen took a deep breath, his staff vanishing in a puff of smoke as Enma, the Monkey Boss, appeared at his side.
¡°Hiruzen, are you alright?¡± Enma asked, stepping forward, concern in his golden eyes.
The Hokage shook his head. His injuries were severe, but he could not afford to be anything but alright. Not now. Not in front of his people.
Without another word, he leapt high into the air. One of Danzo¡¯s hawks swooped down, catching him on its back, carrying him above the devastation. From this height, the extent of the destruction was clearer than ever. The broken streets, the bodies pulled from the wreckage, the survivors standing in stunned silence. His chest ached, from exhaustion, but mostly from the weight of his responsibility.
Drawing in a deep breath, he steadied himself, then spoke, his voice booming across the ruins.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
¡°The enemy has been vanquished!¡±
Heads turned. The wounded, the grieving, the lost¡ªone by one, they lifted their eyes to the figure in the sky.
¡°The enemy has been vanquished!¡± He repeated, stronger this time, forcing the words into their hearts. Silence stretched, but he could feel them listening.
¡°Look around you! Look at what we have lost! It would be easy to despair, to fall into sorrow. But we are not weak. We are not broken. We are not defeated!
¡°We have suffered. And yes, we will mourn the dead. We will grieve for those who are no longer with us. But we are still here. We are still standing. We are still Konoha!
His voice grew fiercer, his will burning through the air.
¡°Our enemies? They flee. They hide. They lick their wounds like cowards. They believed they could break us, that we would fall. But they have failed!
¡°We will rebuild. Brick by brick, stone by stone, we will rise stronger than before. We will make our village even greater than it was! And when our enemies dare to return, they will find us standing, unshaken, ready to meet them with fire in our hearts!
¡°Because we are Konoha! We do not yield. We do not break. We endure! And we will have our revenge!¡±
A murmur rippled through the village, then a shout. One voice, then another, then dozens, hundreds, rising into a thunderous cry. The Will of Fire had not been extinguished. It burned in every heart, in every survivor.
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a brief moment, the weight in his chest lifting. This was why they fought. Not just for vengeance, but for each other. For the village.
For the future.
The survivors raised their voices together in a deafening roar that echoed across the ruins of their home. Fists clenched. Eyes burned with determination. The darkness that had once clouded their hearts was shoved aside by something fiercer, something fiery.
Hiruzen landed lightly on the cracked earth, his feet kicking up a small cloud of dust as the hawk veered away. He exhaled; his body weary but his mind sharper than ever.
The remnants of the strike team that had taken down the Ancor Vantian arrived soon after. Their armor and gear bore the marks of battle¡ªtorn cloth, dried blood, and scorched metal¡ªbut their eyes remained focused. They had struck the enemy''s heart, and though the cost had been steep, they had emerged victorious.
Among them, Shikaku Nara was the first to step forward, rubbing the dried blood on his temple as he let out a tired sigh.
"The outer districts took less damage," he said. "If we move the survivors there, we can stabilize things while we begin reconstruction. We¡¯ll have shelter, and it¡¯ll be easier to organize food distribution and medical care away from the worst of the destruction."
Hiruzen nodded. "A sound plan. Find someone to help you organize the evacuation."
Danzo arrived last. His one visible eye swept across the devastation, and though he remained impassive, there was no mistaking the tension in his stance.
"We are vulnerable in this state," he said, arms folded behind his back. "The enemy was bold enough to attack us once. Others may see an opportunity. We need immediate defensive measures."
Hiruzen met his gaze. Hesitating for a second. The scene of Hiashi Hyuga miraculously coming back from the brink of death replaying in his mind. But ultimately, he chose to not breach the subject. At least, not at this time. "The remaining ANBU and available chunin will establish a perimeter around the village."
Jiraiya, still watching the village, finally spoke. "Food and water will be an issue," he murmured. "With the market district gone, we won¡¯t last long on our current reserves." He crossed his arms, brow furrowed. "I''ll reach out to our allies¡ªKonoha still has friends. They¡¯ll send supplies if we ask."
Hiruzen¡¯s expression darkened for a moment. Friends? The Leaf had allies, but in the world of shinobi, assistance was never given freely. There would be costs, deals to make, concessions to be granted. But survival came first.
"Do it," he said.
Shikaku stretched his sore shoulders. "I''ll get going then. The faster we evacuate, the earlier we can clear out the rubble and start rebuilding."
Hiruzen turned his gaze over the village once more, watching the flickers of movement in the ruins.
Orders were already being carried out. Civilians were being escorted to the outer districts where makeshift shelters would be established. Shinobi squads were quickly established and formed search-and-rescue teams, digging through the wreckage for survivors.
Jiraiya stood beside Hiruzen, both watching as Konoha stirred back to life. The destruction was undeniable, but so was the resilience of its people. Even in ruin, the village refused to die.
¡°I should get going soon. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can get back with supplies.¡± Jiraiya voiced after a moment of silence.
Hiruzen didn¡¯t immediately respond. His gaze remained fixed on the village, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice quieter than before.
¡°I¡¯m getting old, Jiraiya.¡±
The Sannin blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected admission. ¡°Well¡ yeah, Sensei, I wasn¡¯t gonna say anything, but your hair¡¯s been looking grayer than usual.¡±
Hiruzen chuckled dryly, but there was little humor in it. He looked down at his wrinkled hands, hands that had once been so steady, so sure. ¡°It¡¯s more than just age,¡± he admitted. ¡°It¡¯s the weight of my mistakes.¡±
Jiraiya¡¯s expression shifted, his usual lightheartedness fading.
¡°The Fourth is dead, and it was my failure that forced me to take the hat again. I should have built a stronger foundation for Minato, should have ensured he had more support. Instead, I left him to handle everything on his own¡ and we lost him.¡±
Jiraiya¡¯s jaw tightened. Even after a dozen years have passed, he still carried the weight of Minato¡¯s death on his mind. His failure to be there, to protect his student, haunted him more than he cared to admit.
Hiruzen went on. ¡°There have been too many cracks in the village. The Hyuga abduction attempt, Naruto¡¯s situation, spies and infiltrators slipping past our defenses.¡± He sighed, shaking his head. ¡°And then there¡¯s the Uchiha Massacre. That¡ that was my greatest failure of all.¡±
Jiraiya stayed silent, letting the words settle.
¡°They were our own people,¡± Hiruzen murmured. ¡°And we let it come to that. I let it come to that. I thought I could balance it all, keep the village stable¡ªbut stability built on blood is no stability at all.¡± He exhaled, his gaze darkening. ¡°And now this¡ the Sky Village¡¯s attack. Another threat I failed to see coming.¡±
Jiraiya crossed his arms. ¡°Sensei, you couldn¡¯t have known¡ª¡±
¡°No,¡± Hiruzen cut him off gently. ¡°A leader must know. A leader must anticipate, prepare, protect.¡± He looked at Jiraiya then, his gaze sharper, more focused than it had been all day. ¡°And a leader must know when it¡¯s time to step aside.¡±
Jiraiya felt something shift in the air. Hiruzen didn¡¯t say it outright, didn¡¯t name him as the next Hokage, but Jiraiya wasn¡¯t a fool. He knew what his sensei was implying. And he cut right into the heart of the subject. ¡°I¡¯m not cut out for it.¡±
Hiruzen smiled faintly. ¡°I won¡¯t force you, Jiraiya. But think about it. Not just about the village as it is, but about what it could be. What it should be.¡±
Jiraiya looked away, his jaw tightening. Clearly uncomfortable with the subject.
Hiruzen didn¡¯t push further. He simply let the words hang between them, letting the silence say the rest.
Finally, Jiraiya sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll gather the supplies, talk to our allies. But while I¡¯m gone¡ don¡¯t do anything reckless, old man.¡±
Hiruzen chuckled. ¡°I think I¡¯ve done enough of that for one lifetime.¡±
Jiraiya hesitated, then nodded before turning toward the outskirts of the village. Hiruzen watched him go, a silent hope in his eyes. He didn¡¯t know if Jiraiya would ever accept the mantle, but at the very least he would think about it.
And as the sun dipped lower, Hiruzen turned back to his village. There was still work to be done.
AN: And done. We get back to Ando in the next chapter. I just wanted to say that the reason why this arc has been going on for so long (around 8 chapters actually), was because I wanted to take my time to establish one of the main villains of this story.
Thanks for reading!
Chapter 37
Pain.
Or rather¡ªthe memory of pain.
It was the first thing Ando expected to feel, the deep, raw ache that had become as familiar as breathing. Yet, when his mind clawed its way to awareness, he found¡ nothing. No soreness, no lingering wounds, no stiffness in his limbs.
His eyes snapped open.
A wooden ceiling. Not the blinding lights of Orochimaru¡¯s labs, nor the cold stone of a dungeon. Ando slowly sat up.
There was no resistance, no pain. His muscles obeyed without hesitation, his body moving as though it was unrestrained. No cuts, burns, seal markings, or soul-shredding agony. For a moment, it was as if it had all been nothing more than a bad dream.
But it hadn¡¯t been a dream.
Another one of Orochimaru¡¯s tricks? He wondered.
Ando steadied his breath, his eyes darting around the room. His surroundings were simple. A makeshift room, hastily constructed. The air smelled of medicine and dust. He could hear murmured voices outside¡ªsome shinobi, others civilians.
Not a lab. Not a prison. And¡ not a genjutsu.
Those were good signs. But that didn¡¯t mean he was safe.
He slid his feet off the cot, feeling solid ground beneath him. His chakra, usually the first thing depleted in Orochimaru¡¯s sessions, pulsed within him, whole, untouched.
His Gamer¡¯s Body had restored him completely. Physically, he was fine. But mentally, he didn¡¯t know. What was considered mentally fine anyway?
He glanced around for anything useful. A discarded medical tray, some wrapped bandages, a wooden partition. The room was empty of personal effects. His mind started racing.
Where the hell am I?
At that moment, the door creaked open. Ando turned his head slowly, his posture deceptively relaxed.
A shinobi stepped in. He was bandaged, his uniform slightly tattered. His breath hitched just a fraction upon seeing Ando awake.
"You¡¯re¡ up," the man said, as if confirming it for himself.
Ando didn¡¯t respond. His eyes narrowed, cold and unreadable, watching the man as though dissecting him piece by piece.
The shinobi hesitated, then took a cautious step forward. "Listen, you¡¯re safe. You¡¯re in¡ª"
Ando moved.
His chakra seeped into the earth, shaping it in an instant. A spear of solid rock shot up from the ground, stopping just an inch from the shinobi¡¯s throat.
The man froze.
His breath caught in his chest as he stared at the sharpened tip inches from his jugular. His heart raced, his body screaming at him to react¡ªto move, to fight, to flee. But the boy before him stood still, watching. His expression was a void, an eerie blankness that sent a chill down the ninja¡¯s spine, locking him in hesitation.
Ando tilted his head slightly, his voice coming out in a flat, monotonous tone. "Where am I?"
The shinobi¡¯s fingers twitched, instinct screaming for a response. But he forced himself still.
"... K-Konoha," he finally answered, voice tight. "Do you want me to get the one in charge?"
That told Ando what he needed to know.
The earth spear crumbled to dust, leaving no trace, as though it had never existed in the first place.
The shinobi suppressed a shudder. His breath was still uneven as he turned sharply and shut the door behind him, his footsteps hurried as he ran to report.
Ando listened to the fading sound. Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned back to the cot and sat down, his mind already absorbing the information he had gathered.
Konoha.
He let out a slow breath. So that¡¯s where I am.
Not long after, Ando became aware of another set of footsteps rushing towards his room. The door to his room slid open again.
The man who entered carried himself differently than the previous shinobi. His steps were measured, deliberate. Broad shoulders. Heavy scars running down his face, the most prominent stretching from his temple to his jaw. Cold, calculating dark eyes that missed nothing.
Ibiki Morino [LVL 87]
Ando met his gaze.
The head of Konoha¡¯s Torture and Interrogation Division studied him, taking in every detail, the stillness, the lack of visible tension, the way the boy¡¯s gaze flicked over him in silent analysis.
He didn¡¯t try to run. That was the first thing Ibiki noted. Most captives, even the broken ones, had some reaction upon being freed. Either they lashed out, tried to escape, or collapsed into themselves.
But this boy? He had tested his captors.
Not attacked. Not fought. Tested.
He hadn¡¯t killed the shinobi who entered first, despite being fully capable of doing so. He hadn¡¯t even injured him. Instead, he had measured his response, observed his fear, then let him go.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Even now, Ando sat there, unmoving, watching him as though the room itself were an elaborate experiment. His expression betrayed neither fear nor anger. Just a quiet, methodical inspection.
Ibiki leaned against the wall, arms crossing over his chest. "You¡¯re rather calm," he said, voice low and steady. "Considering the circumstances."
"I see no reason to panic."
A flat, neutral response. Controlled. Ibiki¡¯s lips twitched slightly. "No? Most people would. Two years under Orochimaru tends to do that."
The moment the name was spoken, the air shifted.
A wave of chakra pulsed out from Ando, thick and suffocating. And the room seemed to shrink under the weight of it.
It was not an outburst, Ibiki remarked. Not a loss of control, but a reaction.
He didn''t flinch at the display. He had lived through far worse. Instead, he watched coldly as the pressure slowly faded. And the source of it all, acted as if nothing happened. Not a single muscle in Ando¡¯s face had changed.
Ibiki¡¯s lips curled into something that wasn¡¯t quite a smile.
He had dealt with many broken people in his time. And he could tell with certainty that Ando wasn¡¯t broken. He had been reforged. And now, it was time to see what kind of blade Orochimaru had tried to make.
Ibiki tilted his head slightly, and started prodding.
¡°That reaction wasn¡¯t emotional.¡±
Ando didn¡¯t respond. He merely watched, eyes patient, waiting for Ibiki to continue. The man exhaled, rubbing his chin. "So, what was it then?"
A slow silence stretched between them. Finally, Ando spoke, his voice as flat and detached as before. ¡°Confirmation.¡±
Ibiki raised a brow. ¡°Confirmation of what?¡±
¡°That I¡¯m not in his hands anymore.¡±
The words were simple, but the weight behind them told Ibiki far more than they were meant to. Not ¡®I¡¯m free.¡¯ Not ¡®I escaped.¡¯ Not even ¡®I survived.¡¯ But ¡®I¡¯m not in his hands anymore.¡¯
As if the idea of freedom didn¡¯t fully register. As if part of him hadn¡¯t even considered the possibility of escape being real until this moment. Ibiki crossed his arms. ¡°You didn¡¯t try to run, from Orochimaru?¡± He asked, trying to confirm his guess.
Ando blinked. ¡°Why would I?¡±
Ibiki hummed, tilting his head. ¡°Because you were a prisoner.¡±
Ando stared at him, then spoke with the kind of finality that made Ibiki frown. ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough to escape Orochimaru.¡±
The conviction in those words wasn¡¯t based on fear, Ibiki noted. It wasn¡¯t even based on respect. It was just a fact.
Escape hadn¡¯t been an option. Thought, the fact that he mentioned strength mean that the boy hadn¡¯t been resigned. At least, there was that.
Ibiki exhaled, running a hand over the old scar across his temple. ¡°That¡¯s quite the worldview,¡± he said lightly. ¡°But¡ you¡¯re not there anymore.¡±
Ando¡¯s stare was unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m somewhere else.¡±
¡°Somewhere you could leave.¡± Ibiki watched him carefully. ¡°But you haven¡¯t.¡±
Still, Ando didn¡¯t respond.
Because what was he supposed to say? That he just didn¡¯t feel like it? That hardly seemed relevant.
The door suddenly slid open with a sharp clack.
Both of them turned as a new shinobi appeared at the threshold, his posture rigid, eyes sharp with suspicion. The tension in his frame spoke of urgency. Shoulders squared, feet braced, he was ready to act.
His gaze swept the room, landing on Ando for barely a heartbeat before shifting to Ibiki. ¡°Ibiki-san, I felt a surge of chakra earlier. Heavy. Thought it was an attack.¡±
Ibiki glanced at Ando, then back at the newcomer. ¡°No attack,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Just a conversation.¡±
The shinobi frowned. ¡°Didn¡¯t feel like just a conversation.¡±
Ibiki gave a slight shrug. ¡°And yet, here we are.¡±
The ninja shot him a questioning look before shifting his focus back to Ando, his wariness lingering. ¡°Regardless, it was strong enough to put the patrols on edge. Do you need assistance?¡±
Ando tilted his head slightly, a near-imperceptible movement.
Ibiki caught it and smirked. ¡°Backup?¡± he echoed, amusement lacing his tone. ¡°What do you think, Ando? Do I need assistance dealing with you?¡±
Ando held his gaze, unreadable, then turned to the newcomer, his voice eerily flat. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t change a thing.¡±
The words sent a faint chill down the shinobi¡¯s spine. It wasn¡¯t a threat. But the deadpan delivery, the empty eyes, it was unsettling in a way that set his instincts on edge.
Ibiki¡¯s smirk widened slightly.
¡°Come with me, kid,¡± he said, his voice carrying a quiet authority that left no room for argument.
Ando didn¡¯t move right away. He held Ibiki¡¯s gaze for a moment, as if measuring the weight of the command, before rising to his feet.
Ibiki took note. That wasn¡¯t the obedience of a captive. Nor the desperation of a refugee seeking shelter. Just someone¡ watching, waiting to see what came next. He turned toward the door, gesturing with his head for Ando to follow. ¡°We¡¯re going to see the Hokage. He¡¯ll decide what to do with you.¡±
Ando¡¯s followed without a word.
The shinobi at the door instinctively moved aside, shoulders still squared. He watched Ando carefully, but the boy barely spared him a glance as he passed.
The moment Ando stepped out of the building; his senses expanded.
Konoha was¡ damaged.
Buildings lay in ruin, some reduced to little more than rubble while others stood half-reconstructed. Shinobi and civilians moved among the wreckage, working side by side to clear debris and rebuild homes.
Despite the destruction, the village felt alive.
Even in its broken state, there was movement, purpose.
Ando took it all in, his gaze shifting from the reconstruction efforts to the makeshift market stalls, where merchants sold food and supplies from salvaged materials. Children ran through the streets, weaving between workers, their laughter a sharp contrast to the surrounding destruction.
It was functional.
Ando finally spoke. ¡°What happened?¡±
His voice was as level as ever, but Ibiki noticed a subtle difference. ¡°The village was attacked. The Sky Village struck us harder than anyone expected. We¡¯re still rebuilding.¡±
Ando¡¯s eyes flickered toward the damaged streets and the remnants of fallen structures. ¡°You lost?¡±
Ibiki smirked. ¡°Didn¡¯t say that.¡±
Ando looked at him, waiting, which prompted Ibiki to elaborate. ¡°We won. But winning doesn¡¯t mean we came out unscathed.¡±
Ando absorbed that, his gaze shifting back to the ruins. ¡°Casualties?¡±
¡°A lot.¡±
No visible reaction. Ibiki watched him carefully. ¡°The village has been through worse,¡± he added. ¡°But we¡¯re still here. And we¡¯re still standing.¡±
Ando¡¯s fingers flexed slightly, but his face remained neutral. ¡°You sound proud,¡± he noted.
Ibiki chuckled. ¡°You sound surprised.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve seen people rebuild before.¡±
That made Ibiki curious. Where, when? He put it to the back of his mind as he pressed on, in a different direction. ¡°Not like this?¡±
But Ando didn¡¯t answer.
The pair walked in silence for a few moments, weaving through the reconstruction efforts. Occasionally, shinobi would glance at Ibiki, then at Ando, but no one said anything. The village was too busy trying to put itself back together to pay much attention to a single boy following Ibiki.
Still, Ibiki could feel the weight of their gazes.
Ando knew he was being watched. And he didn¡¯t care.
They reached the administrative district, or what was left of it. The Hokage Tower had been heavily damaged in the attack, and the village leadership had relocated to a reinforced building on the outskirts. It was temporary but functional, its walls lined with fresh seals and patrols stationed outside.
Ando studied the defenses as they approached, his eyes scanning the formations, the entry points, the weak spots.
Ibiki smirked. ¡°Thinking of escaping?¡±
Ando blinked at him. ¡°Would you stop me?¡±
Ibiki chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°... just follow me.¡±
They stopped in front of the entrance. Two guards straightened as Ibiki approached. Ibiki didn¡¯t bother explaining. He simply nodded toward the doors. ¡°We¡¯re here to see the Hokage.¡±
One of the guards hesitated, then nodded, stepping aside.
Ibiki exhaled, placing a firm hand on Ando¡¯s shoulder before pushing the door open. ¡°Time to see what¡¯s next for you, kid.¡±
AN: Sorry for the long delay, I''ve been struggling with life.
And if you''re wondering how Ando can see Ibiki''s level, it''s not due to a level-up. Instead, he''s gained new skills/perk that grants the system a bit more freedom. Also, he may act a little strange for a small time. But don''t worry, he''ll be fine.
Thanks for reading :)
Chapter 38
The heavy wooden doors shut behind them, muffling the sounds of the outside world. Inside, the Hokage¡¯s temporary office was dimly lit, the scent of old parchment, ink, and faint tobacco smoke lingering in the air.
At the far end, seated behind a sturdy wooden desk covered in reports and scrolls, was Hiruzen Sarutobi. His eyes lifted from his documents the moment Ibiki and Ando entered.
After a brief exchange of greetings, the trio fell into a contemplative silence¡ªa pause that granted the Hokage a precious moment to assess the situation.
Hiruzen had seen thousands of faces over the years, shinobi and civilians. He had watched generations rise and fall under his leadership, had personally trained some of the greatest shinobi the village had ever seen. And the thing that helped him through it all, was his near eidetic memory.
A single look was all he needed to recognize the young boy standing before him, despite the changes in appearance and demeanor.
He came from Bright Orphanage.
One of the many children left behind in the aftermath of the Kyubi¡¯s assault. A little oddball, more serious than his peers, with a build that had been a little more muscular than the other orphans his age. There had been something different about him even then, an innate awareness, a quiet maturity far beyond his years.
At the time, Hiruzen had seen it as the natural caution of an orphaned child who understood that the world owed him nothing. A survivor¡¯s mindset, even before training. An excellent quality that would make the child into a remarkable shinobi.
His growth during his first year at the academy was proof of it.
But¡ he had changed.
Gone was the barely hidden curiosity in his eyes, the spark of cautious intellect. That quiet but undeniable presence, the one that marked children who could one day grow into powerful shinobi, had been hollowed out.
The boy before him was no longer a child shaped by hardship. The dark eyes that he now possessed had nothing to do on a child his age. And it made a painful reminder for Hiruzen, a reminder of yet another one of his failures.
Hiruzen¡¯s grip on his pipe tightened slightly before he slowly exhaled, his deep voice breaking the silence. ¡°¡ You remember me.¡±
It wasn¡¯t a question.
But Ando still gave a small nod in response.
Hiruzen leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. ¡°From the orphanage?¡±
Another nod.
Hiruzen sighed, setting his pipe aside. ¡°You¡¯ve changed, Ando.¡±
A simple statement, but one with weight. Ando didn¡¯t respond right away, wondering where the hokage was going with this. His fingers flexed slightly at his side before he finally said, ¡°Two years is a long time.¡±
¡°Yes¡ yes, it is¡¡±
The quiet stretched, not tense, but expectant. Hiruzen was waiting for Ando to elaborate, but it seemed like the orphan wasn¡¯t too keen on that. So, he settled on observation.
There was something¡ contained about the kid. As if every movement, every breath, every thought was carefully structured. Ando wasn¡¯t waiting for orders. He was waiting to see. To gauge. Absorbing the information to help him decide what came next.
Hiruzen¡¯s gaze softened just a fraction. ¡°Ando¡ what do you want to do?¡±
For a moment, surprise flickered across Ando¡¯s face. Clearly, he hadn¡¯t expected that kind of question. He lowered his gaze slightly, just enough to hide that light, or was it to indicate that he was thinking? Hiruzen wasn¡¯t sure.
Then, when he finally looked back up, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.
¡°I want to kill him.¡±
Neither Ibiki nor Hiruzen reacted overtly. They both understood precisely whom the orphan meant.
Ando continued; his voice low yet heavy with intent. ¡°But before that, I want him to suffer.¡± His words were punctuated by a surge of chakra, a pulse that revealed the vast reservoir of power he possessed.
It settled over them like a pressure in the air, making the scrolls and documents on the Hokage¡¯s desk tremble just a fraction. The guards outside the room tensed, a shift of movement audible through the door.
Ibiki¡¯s eyes sharpened, but he said nothing.
Hiruzen, however, saw much more than raw strength. This wasn¡¯t a show of power. It wasn¡¯t a slip of control. It was a declaration, a demonstration, and a warning all at once. A declaration of his resolve, a demonstration of his growth and potential. And a warning about not going against his goal.
Inside, Hiruzen couldn¡¯t help but smile at the fervor before him. Despite his struggles, Ando still carried the bite of his convictions. All Hiruzen needed was to ensure the boy fully understood the gravity of his actions¡ªthat he wouldn¡¯t abandon everything in a blind pursuit of vengeance.
¡°¡ I see.¡± Hiruzen leaned back slightly, fingers steepling together. ¡°Revenge.¡±
¡°And justice.¡± Ando interjected.
A soft chuckle escaped Hiruzen as he shook his head. ¡°You sound just like someone I once knew.¡±
He paused briefly, picking up his pipe and rolling it thoughtfully between his fingers. ¡°He was a man consumed by vengeance¡ªa man who believed he could walk the fine line between justice and hatred.¡±
Ando offered no reply, but the subtle tightening around his eyes spoke volumes. Hiruzen sensed that the implications of his words unsettled the young man. Determined to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory, he pressed on.
¡°Ando,¡± Hiruzen said, meeting his gaze squarely. ¡°I am sorry¡I failed you. I should have protected you, just as I do all my villagers.¡± His grip on the pipe tightened imperceptibly. ¡°You were taken, and for two long years, you suffered while I did nothing.¡±
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen continued, ¡°I won¡¯t ask for your forgiveness. But tell me, what will you do after you kill Orochimaru?¡±
Ando opened his mouth to answer¡ªwhen the doors suddenly burst open. A shinobi appeared at the threshold.
¡°Hokage-sama!¡± the shinobi reported urgently. ¡°We detected an unusual chakra pulse coming from this room! Are you¡ª¡±
His gaze shifted to Ando, and for an instant, the air in the room stilled.
Hiruzen sighed, ¡°Stand down.¡±
The shinobi hesitated before complying, his posture shifting as he said, ¡°Understood.¡±
Ibiki smirked quietly, feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤-vu. ¡°Guess people really don¡¯t appreciate your random chakra bursts.¡±
But it seemed like Ando didn¡¯t register his comment. And looking closer, it did not seem like he had paid any mind to the new shinobi either. He didn¡¯t even acknowledge the interruption. His gaze remained locked onto Hiruzen.
The Hokage had asked a question.
And now, he had to decide what came after revenge.
For one, Ando wanted Orochimaru to suffer. He wanted to strip the man¡¯s soul out and torture it for the rest of his days. He wanted the man to burn in the deepest pit of hell, and suffer there. Ando might join him there too, just to spectacle.
But at the same time, he knew, that would not be enough. After getting his revenge. He had to do something. He couldn¡¯t just do that for the rest of his days.
It would be boring.
Perhaps, he would hire other people to take turn and find creative ways to make the man suffer. But beyond that, what was he going to do?
It¡¯s not like he could build his life around that single goal. That could work, but that would not be fun either.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair, watching Ando with something far deeper than simple scrutiny. His face, lined with years of experience, softened.
¡°There is life before and after revenge, Ando.¡±
Ando stopped brainstorming and looked back at the hokage.
¡°You can let revenge drive you. Let it push you forward. But don¡¯t forget to live, too.¡±
The words settled into the space between them.
Ando¡¯s fingers flexed slightly at his sides. ¡°Life?¡± he repeated, voice flat. ¡°Right. I do want to live. But as for what kind of life I¡¯ll have¡ what do you mean by live?¡±
Hiruzen let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°A fair question.¡±
He gestured toward the window, where the ruins of Konoha stretched beyond them¡ªthe half-destroyed buildings, the workers rebuilding homes, the villagers still moving forward.
¡°Konoha lost a great deal in the Sky Village¡¯s attack,¡± Hiruzen said. ¡°Homes. Lives. Friends. Families.¡± His voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. ¡°We have every reason to hate our enemies. To want revenge.¡±
Ando¡¯s gaze flickered toward the window, watching the villagers at work.
¡°They could have let their grief consume them,¡± Hiruzen continued. ¡°Let their anger fester. But they didn¡¯t. They chose to keep moving forward. They grieve, they rebuild, and yes, they will remember those they lost. And if the time comes, they will fight again.¡±
¡°But they do not let revenge be the only thing they live for.¡±
Ando remained silent. The villagers outside were not just rebuilding their homes. They were laughing. Talking. Holding their children¡¯s hands. Living, even after all they had suffered.
After two years under Orochimaru, Ando had nearly forgotten that people could live like that. No, it¡¯s not that he forgot. He overlooked it.
Hiruzen watched him carefully. ¡°You say you want to kill Orochimaru,¡± he said. ¡°You say you want him to suffer. That may be your path.¡± His fingers tapped against the desk. ¡°But what happens after?¡±
Ando stared at him, his lips pressing into a thin line. Beyond Orochimaru¡¯s suffering, he had no answer.
Hiruzen sighed, nodding as if he expected that. ¡°Then let¡¯s help you find one.¡±
Ando¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°How?¡±
The Hokage leaned forward, as if he was waiting for that question all along. ¡°You will stay in the village. See it with your own eyes. Not as the orphan you once were. Not as the captive Orochimaru twisted. But as someone who must decide where he stands.¡±
Ando didn¡¯t react, but his silence wasn¡¯t rejection.
¡°You will work with the reconstruction teams,¡± Hiruzen continued. ¡°Your chakra reserves are higher than most. You can help.¡±
Ando tilted his head slightly. ¡°You want me to rebuild houses?¡±
¡°I want you to see for yourself what it means to live, even after tragedy.¡±
Ando exhaled through his nose, considering. He had almost no attachments here. No reason to stay. And yet¡ He also had nowhere to go. Coming after Orochimaru now meant nothing. He wasn¡¯t on the level of the sannin yet. And the village offered quite a number of ways to strengthen its tenants. Ando has seen it for himself during his academy days.
If the Hokage wanted him to live like the others, to see their way of thinking¡ perhaps it wouldn¡¯t be a waste of time to try. He too, wanted to see. He wanted to feel what he felt back in the academy again. He wanted the joy of struggle and triumph.
Having come to a decision, he gave a small nod towards the hokage. ¡°Alright.¡±
Hiruzen¡¯s smile grew slightly. ¡°Good.¡±
****************************************************************************
The midday sun hung high in the sky as Ando stood among the workers, watching as shinobi and civilians worked side by side.
His assignment was simple. He just had to use his chakra to shape the earth and create brick and other tools, help reinforce damaged structures, and assist in clearing debris.
The reality of it was¡ different. Ando wasn¡¯t used to working in a group. Not like this. He was used to structured objectives, survival-based reasoning, not¡ helping.
But as he pressed his hand against the ground, shaping the earth to stabilize the foundation of a half-collapsed building, he felt no resistance. His chakra control was precise, and the job was easy.
¡°Damn,¡± one of the shinobi muttered beside him. ¡°That¡¯s some impressive control.¡±
Ando acknowledge the praise with a single nod. Then he simply moved to the next structure.
It was repetitive, simple work. But it let him observe. The workers laughed despite their exhaustion. Civilians helped shinobi without hesitation. The village, despite being wounded, was alive.
And looking down at his own hands. Ando knew, despite not feeling the same things as them.
He was part of it.
****************************************************************************
He sensed her before he saw her.
A sharp, familiar presence cutting through the air, fast and direct. A kunoichi moving with the speed of a trained fighter, heading straight toward him.
Ando turned just in time to see a blur of movement, and then impact.
Chika hit him like a force of nature, her arms wrapping around him so tightly it almost knocked the breath from his lungs. Ando stiffened, his body instinctively preparing to retaliate, but he didn¡¯t feel pain.
The girl didn¡¯t hurt him. She just held him.
Ando bugged for a while. Then, remembering common sense, his arms slowly embraced her form.
¡°You¡¯re alive,¡± she whispered.
Ando didn¡¯t respond immediately. His mind still processing a long-forgotten sensation¡ªthe warmth of another person pressed against him. Something settled deep in his chest, something solid, something good.
He liked it. And an awkward smile struggled its way into his lips in response.
¡°¡ Yeah,¡± he murmured. ¡°I am.¡±
Chika exhaled sharply, her grip tightening for a moment before she finally pulled back. Her eyes, sharper than before, scanned his face, searching for something.
Ando studied her as well.
She¡¯d grown. She was taller than he remembered, her features sharper, more defined. Her dark hair was now tied into a ponytail that reached her shoulders. There was a new confidence in the way she moved, an edge to her presence that he hadn¡¯t felt before.
She wasn¡¯t the same girl from two years ago. But then again, neither was he.
Then, without warning, she smacked his arm¡ªnot hard, but enough to make a point.
¡°You idiot,¡± she muttered.
One of Ando¡¯s brows arced up. ¡°Why?¡±
¡°Because you were gone for two years and didn¡¯t even bother to die properly so I could mourn you.¡±
Something warmed up in Ando¡¯s heart. He recognized the humor attempt. He tilted his head slightly. ¡°Would that have been better?¡±
Chika let out a huff of frustration before rolling her eyes. ¡°No, but at least then I wouldn¡¯t have been waiting like an idiot.¡±
After a brief pause, Ando offered a small nod. ¡°Fair enough.¡±
¡°Tch. You¡¯re still weird,¡± she scoffed.
Ando didn¡¯t argue.
With a resigned sigh, Chika stepped back. ¡°Come on.¡±
Ando blinked. ¡°Where?¡±
Chika smirked slightly, her old energy shining through. ¡°You¡¯re helping rebuild the village, right?¡± She turned on her heel, walking ahead without waiting. ¡°Don¡¯t slack off. We¡¯ve got a lot of work to do.¡±
Ando stared after her for a moment before following. For the first time in a long time, he wouldn¡¯t be moving forward alone.
AN: And with that, the first part of our story comes to a close. As always, thanks for reading, and see ya!
Chapter 39
A thick puff of smoke curled from the Hokage¡¯s lips, momentarily clouding the air of his new office. A neat stack of documents lay in front of him, untouched, while a group of high-ranking shinobi sat around the long table.
Hiruzen took his time, tapping the embers from his pipe before finally addressing the room.
¡°Well then, let¡¯s begin.¡± He started, ¡°Izumi-san, if you could distribute the documents.¡±
At his words, Izumi, a middle-aged woman dressed an office attire nodded. She began distributing the documents stacked before the hokage to the room¡¯s occupants--Konoha¡¯s highest-ranking officials, including the heads of the major clans, ANBU commanders, senior jounins, and key civilians. The room remained deathly silent, save for the faint rustling of parchment and the occasional creak of a chair as the officials accepted their reports.
¡°These are the relevant information regarding Konoha¡¯s state after the recent turmoil that we have faced.¡± Hiruzen said, allowing them a moment to skim through the contents.
¡°As you can probably see¡ we¡¯re in serious trouble.¡± His voice was steady, but the weight behind his words was unmistakable. ¡°From a military standpoint alone, we¡¯re suffering from a severe lack of manpower. That, in turn, forces us to miss out on crucial missions¡ªmissions that could bring in the funds needed to rebuild the village and support its people. And without those resources, malnutrition is spreading. Dissatisfaction is growing. And unrest is just around the corner. And the Daimyo¡ I suppose there¡¯s no need to tell you all about what his stance about this matter is, right?¡±
He took another slow drag from his pipe, letting his words settle before delivering the final blow.
¡°In short¡ we¡¯re knee-deep in shit.¡±
The council members stared at the Hokage. In their years of service, they have rarely heard Hiruzen Sarutobi openly swear. No one spoke immediately, there was no point in arguing over how they had reached this state. They have lived through it all. They all knew the answer.
Finally, Shikaku Nara broke the silence with a weary sigh. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. ¡°Troublesome¡ but expected.¡± He glanced at the folder in front of him. ¡°At this rate, we won¡¯t be able to keep up with even half the missions coming in. We¡¯ll have to start refusing requests.¡±
Hiashi Hyuuga nodded in agreement. ¡°We should prioritize defensive assignments¡ªprotection of trade routes, reinforcement of village patrols. We cannot afford to appear weak, not when our enemies are surely watching.¡±
Shibi Aburame adjusted his dark glasses. ¡°Agreed. The loss of shinobi has left our scouting networks compromised. If we don¡¯t reestablish our surveillance, we won¡¯t see the next attack coming until it¡¯s too late.¡±
The abrupt assault form the Sky Village was still heavy in their heart. And it showed.
Hiruzen let the room settle, his pipe resting idly in his fingers. The initial discussion had addressed the surface issues, manpower and missions. But those were symptoms, not the disease. Konoha¡¯s foundation had been shaken. If they only reacted to immediate concerns, the village would remain in a perpetual state of vulnerability. They needed long-term solutions.
Hiruzen took another slow drag, letting the smoke curl from his lips before finally speaking again.
¡°This is not just about survival,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the lingering tension. ¡°We must look beyond the immediate crisis. We¡¯re too focused on putting out fires,¡± he muttered, fingers tapping idly against the edge of the document in front of him. ¡°Short-term fixes aren¡¯t going to cut it. We need a real plan.¡±
The hokage exhaled slowly, watching as the Nara clan head leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.
¡°We¡¯re low on manpower, right? Then we should start at the root. The Academy students need to graduate early.¡±
A ripple of surprise passed through the room.
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, frowning. ¡°That¡¯s premature. Most of them won¡¯t be ready for active duty in six months, let alone now.¡±
Shikaku shrugged. ¡°Then we make them ready. We don¡¯t have the luxury of time. Those kids are going to be the next generation of shinobi whether we like it or not. If we don¡¯t start taking their education seriously, we¡¯re just setting ourselves up for another crisis a few years from now.¡±
¡°The Academy students must be prepared to graduate early. We cannot afford to wait for another six months. We need resources now.¡±
A few officials exchanged uncertain glances, but no one interrupted.
¡°The war has left us weak, and there is no guarantee that our enemies will give us the time we need to recover. If we do not reinforce our ranks now, the next conflict could break us entirely.¡±
Shikaku paused. He stretched slightly, his fingers steepled as he continued. ¡°Aside from fixing the Academy. We need to address the issue of funds and missions. Right now, we¡¯re declining contracts we don¡¯t have the manpower for, but there¡¯s another solution.¡±
He let the words hang in the air for a moment before stating plainly, ¡°We delegate to the smaller allied villages.¡±
That caught their attention.
Koharu Utatane frowned. ¡°You would have Konoha rely on outsiders?¡±
Shikaku shook his head. ¡°Not rely on them. Work with them. We still represent the client. We still oversee the mission assignments. But we subcontract certain tasks to villages like Takigakure, Hoshigakure, and others. They get a cut of the payment, we lighten our workload, and in the process, we reinforce our alliances. Right now, Konoha can¡¯t afford to act like we¡¯re invincible. We¡¯re strong, but we also need to be smart.¡±
A contemplative silence followed.
Tsume Inuzuka considered the idea carefully. ¡°If handled well, this could strengthen ties between us and our allies.¡±
Shibi adjusted his glasses. ¡°A decentralized approach to missions does pose risks, but the benefits outweigh them. The question is how we ensure the quality of execution.¡±
Danzo¡¯s voice, cool and even, cut through the discussion. ¡°If they fail, it reflects on us. Our reputation will suffer.¡±
Shikaku gave a lazy wave of his hand, dismissing the concern. ¡°That¡¯s why we oversee everything. We don¡¯t send them anything too complicated at first, just standard protection and retrieval missions. Things that don¡¯t carry too much risk. If they prove themselves, we expand the scope.¡± He yawned. ¡°And if they mess up¡ well, we adjust.¡±
Hiruzen, who had been silently listening, took another slow drag from his pipe before setting it down. His sharp eyes met Shikaku¡¯s, then moved across the room.
¡°The Academy reforms and the mission restructuring¡ These are the steps Konoha needs to take.¡± His voice was steady, leaving no room for doubt. ¡°We will move forward with both. Next, we move on to the issue of food and the growing unrest within the village.¡±
The shinobi leaders had spoken at length, but now it was time for Konoha¡¯s civilian council members to take the floor.
********************************************
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and freshly cut wood through the temporary housing district. The makeshift shelters, hastily built using doton ninjutsu and salvaged materials, weren¡¯t much, but they kept the rain out and gave people a place to rest.
Inside one of the mud-walled barracks, Ando stirred awake, staring at the wooden ceiling. He pushing himself upright on his cot.
The shelter wasn¡¯t large, just a shared sleeping space lined with thin mattresses and blankets, but it was home for now. Other young workers, mostly orphans and displaced civilians, still slept around him. Some snored softly; others curled up tightly, trying to steal just a few more minutes of rest before the day¡¯s work began.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
He ran a hand through his dark long hair, then reached for his tattered shirt, tugging it over his head. Another day of hauling stone, creating bricks, and reinforcing buildings. He had gotten used to it by now.
The exercise itself was meant to reintegrate him into society. It¡¯s been a week since then, and Ando could tell that it had its effects.
From across the room, a familiar presence stirred.
Chika, wrapped in a thin blanket, sat up on her cot a few feet away. Her sharp eyes, flickered toward Ando before she let out a long sigh. ¡°You¡¯re up early.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not,¡± Ando muttered, rolling his shoulders. ¡°I remember, you used to be quite a morning person.¡±
Chika smirked, stretching lazily. ¡°Well, sometimes I¡¯m not. I was hoping for five more minutes before someone starts yelling at us to start moving bricks again.¡±
Ando smiled a little at that. It was true. Every morning, one of the older workers would come storming through, barking orders about their assignments.
But today, it wasn¡¯t a worker who entered the shelter.
The door swung open, letting in the bright morning light, and a chunin in standard Konoha gear stepped inside. He had a tired but composed look about him, a clipboard in hand, and his vest looked slightly dusty from his own share of reconstruction work.
¡°Alright, listen up,¡± the chunin¡¯s voice carried over the murmuring of those waking up. ¡°For those of you old enough to be at the ninja academy, you¡¯re to report there at noon. Classes are starting again. As for all genins, you are to report at the hokage tow- I mean, the new ninja hall in an hour.¡±
Ando blinked. The Academy?
Chika, now fully awake, smiled. ¡°About time!¡±
The chunin¡¯s sharp gaze scanned the room before continuing. ¡°This isn¡¯t optional. Anyone still of age to attend must report to the Academy courtyard by noon. Whether you have been previously part of the academy or not. Got it?¡±
Ando glanced at Chika, who was staring at the chunin with a thoughtful expression. She caught his gaze and sighed, rubbing the back of her head.
¡°Well,¡± she muttered, ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to part ways here, for now. Actually¡ I have already graduated the academy around 6 months ago. So, I will be heading towards the new ninja hall.¡± The girl explained.
A moment of silence hung in the shelter, the others were considering the chunin¡¯s words, and Ando was registering Chika¡¯s. Around two years ago, she was a third year at the academy. It was normal for her to have graduated.
It was a good thing for her. It meant she had grown stronger and gained more experience. In the worlds of shinobi, those were one of the most valuable things. Ando was just a little sad that she was going to go. He wouldn¡¯t be able to spend as much time with her as before. Still, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, and mustered a smile.
¡°Congratulations, Chika.¡±
¡°What¡¯s with that weird smile?¡± She gave him a deadpan stare.
¡°My smile has been off lately.¡±
¡°I noticed.¡± She fired back with a chuckle. ¡°Let¡¯s get breakfast first, there¡¯s till an hour before I have to go.¡±
**********************************************
The midday sun cast long shadows over the newly rebuilt Academy courtyard.
The once-proud institution, a place of learning and discipline, had changed. Ando could see it in the details, the uneven coloration of the new stone walls, the still-visible scorch marks that hadn¡¯t been scrubbed away yet. Wooden support beams jutted out from partially reconstructed rooftops, and some training fields remained littered with debris, a quiet reminder of the attack that had left the village in ruins.
But despite the scars, the Academy stood.
And that, Ando thought, was enough.
The courtyard, which had once been a place where students would casually gather before classes, now felt different. Some student, both new and returning, stood in groups, murmuring amongst themselves. Others were more hesitant, casting cautious glances at their surroundings.
For many of them, this was their first time stepping back into the Academy after the attack.
Ando¡¯s eyes flickered across the gathering crowd. He didn¡¯t recognize most of them. His peers, the ones who had been in his year before he was taken, would have already advanced. Had they survived? He didn¡¯t know.
A few instructors stood nearby, keeping watch over the gathered students. Their gazes were sharp, assessing--not just as teachers, but as shinobi. Even here, vigilance remained a priority.
¡°Welcome and welcome back to you all.¡± A powerful voice rang through the courtyard, and the murmuring died down.
Ando turned his gaze toward the raised platform at the center of the courtyard, where several instructors now stood.
At the front, Shimamoto Kin, the old Academy Chairman, surveyed the gathered students with a calm but commanding presence. He was dressed in full shinobi gear, a rare sight for an administrator, but one that made sense in these times.
¡°Many of you are returning,¡± Shimamoto continued, his voice steady. ¡°Others are stepping into the Academy for the first time. Regardless of which you are, know this, the Academy has changed, just as Konoha has.¡±
¡°The Sky Village¡¯s attack left scars on all of us. Some of you have lost friends. Family. Homes¡ But you are still here. And the Academy will continue, as it always has.¡±
Shimamoto continued, ¡°With the destruction of the main building, adjustments have been made. Classrooms have been reassigned, training fields are still under repair, and temporary facilities have been set up. But make no mistake, this is still the Academy.¡±
His gaze hardened slightly.
¡°Your training will not be easier. If anything, it will be harder.¡±
Having said his piece, Shimamoto nodded toward the instructors behind him, and Iruka Umino stepped forward. ¡°For the old students, form lines behind your teachers. Regrettably, we lost both mister Yumiko Nishikawa and Sugiyama Takahiro in the war... For those that cannot find their teachers, you shall form a line at the back, along with the new students. That is all.¡±
The courtyard gradually shifted as students moved to their assigned instructors, forming lines. Ando deliberated for a second, wondering if he should head towards the line at the back. But then he caught sight of Soda, his old teacher.
The man looked weary, but fine. Ando walked towards the line of unfamiliar faces, and waited his turn. The process seemed to be about the same as the one he went through during his admission into the academy. They went forward one by one, and then they were handed the academy guidebooks, student cards, and a dormitory assignment.
But strangely enough, they weren¡¯t given a class assignment. Instead, they were told to head towards another place for a re-evaluation.
Soon, it was Ando¡¯s turn. And he greeted his old teacher with a smile, but it was still a little awkward. ¡°Hey, Soda-sensei.¡±
The man in front of him widened his eyes. He looked at Ando with a mix of emotions ranging from confusion, surprise, and relief. Before settling on joy. ¡°Ando!¡±
Soda stepped closer and clasped Ando¡¯s shoulders in his hand. ¡°You¡¯re alive! How? What happened?¡±
Ando frowned at the succession of questions. Now that he thought about it, he never inquired about how he got away from the snake. Ando presumed it was thanks to a rescue mission. But he never bothered to learn the details.
He added it into the list of things he had to look into later.
Realizing he was spacing out; Ando shook his head and gave a quick apology to the older ninja. ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure about how I got rescued. But I have been abducted during the incident two years ago.¡±
Soda¡¯s expression softened upon hearing his response. He then gave Ando¡¯s shoulders a few comforting squeezes. He did not ask about what happened during those two years, he knew that the event must still be weighting heavy on the orphan. Instead, he moved on with re-registration process. Handing Ando his new documents before directing him towards the next step.
¡°Come find me when you have time!¡± Soda offered as Ando headed towards a training field behind the old 1st year¡¯s dormitory.
A large group of students had already gathered there, some murmuring to each other, others standing quietly, waiting in line. Ando let his eyes roam around as he scanned the setup.
The training field had been transformed into a testing ground, where dozens of students were undergoing evaluations simultaneously. The process seemed to be unfolding relatively fast, with chunin supervisors overseeing everything while genin proctors administered the individual tests.
Ando approached the first line and waited his turn. He passed the time by observing the students lining up for their test. His eyes caught a few interesting individuals, catching even a glimpse of the original rookie nine.
Before long, it was his turn. A genin with a clipboard gestured for Ando to step forward.
¡°Your student card?¡± the genin held his hand out expectantly. Ando complied.
¡°Do you have any knowledge of ninjutsu? Or ninja techniques that you can demonstrate?¡± he stated. To which Ando simply performed a seal-less Doton: Earth Formation.
Before the surprised genin now laid a dirt brick.
¡°Alright, that¡¯s quite impressive. You¡¯ve got excellent chakra control too.¡± The genin praised. He rapidly jolted down his evaluation on a note before handing it to Ando, along with the student card. ¡°You can head over to the next line.¡±
Ando simply nodded and moved on to the next phase of the test: Genjutsu awareness and execution.
A different genin proctor, a young kunoichi with sharp eyes and a composed stance, stepped forward to receive him.
¡°I¡¯m going to cast a basic genjutsu on you.¡± She warned. ¡°Try to dispel it as quickly as you can.¡±
Ando gave a short nod, and soon, he felt a discreet surge of chakra trying to influence him. Yet, he didn¡¯t even get the opportunity to try and dispel it. The genjutsu simply failed to take hold.
The kunoichi blinked in confusion and tried again. But it came down to the same result. After thinking for a moment, the girl stopped trying and wrote down his evaluation before sending him off.
The next phase was Taijutsu and raw physical strength.
This time, the test was simple: a spar against a genin proctor. Unlike before, where proctors simply observed his reactions, this was a true measure of combat ability. Ando was assigned to a lean, dark-haired genin with a calm presense.
¡°No need to go all out,¡± the genin remarked, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Just a basic spar to assess your form and technique.¡±
Ando nodded once and dropped into a stance.
The genin moved first, testing with a simple sequence of strikes¡ªa jab, a low kick, a feint toward the ribs.
Ando reacted smoothly, blocking where necessary, sidestepping where efficient. The genin adjusted, increasing speed slightly, but Ando continued to move with calculated precision, as if he could see in advance what his opponent would do.
The chunin supervisor watching the match gave a small nod, then signaled the end.
The genin stepped back, exhaling slightly. ¡°Not bad. Your defense is solid. Could use more aggression, though.¡±
Ando simply nodded. He wasn¡¯t interested in unnecessary offense. With his stats, he was sure he would have no trouble taking on the genin.
The chunin finished writing his evaluation. ¡°Next!¡±
AN: Thanks for reading! I¡¯ll be posting Ando¡¯s full stats next