_Outskirts of The Leaf Village_
The night air was thick with the sounds of insects and the scent of blooming flowers. The jungle was bathed in the soft, silvery light of the moon, casting eerie shadows across the dense foliage. A group of high-ranking shinobi from the Five Great Nations had gathered in a small clearing, their faces illuminated only by the faint moonlight.
A tall, imposing figure with piercing black eyes and short, spiky white hair stood at the center of the group. He was dark-skinned and wore a simple black flak jacket with a high collar, adorned with a silver pin bearing the symbol of the Hidden Cloud Village.
A muscular man with short, white hair and a rugged build stood beside him, his arms crossed over his chest. He was also dark-skinned. To their right stood a statuesque woman with short, black hair and black eyes. She was fair-skinned and wore a striking red dress that was open on the front right side from the waist down, revealing her right leg. The dress had only one sleeve, on the right side, and she wore red nail polish on her fingers.
There was a third figure in the jungle, his face was grave with concern. He was a tall, imposing man with short, combed red hair parted to the right and piercing green eyes. He was fair-skinned and wore a long-sleeved crimson coat and full-length dark trousers with a pair of buckled belts, which he also used to carry his gourd.
A hulking, four-armed man stood beside her, his eyes fixed intently on the surrounding jungle. On the opposite side of the clearing stood a young woman with long, unruly black hair and piercing red eyes. She wore the standard attire of the Konoha nin, including a green jonin vest over a black jumper and forehead protector.
The statuesque woman, her striking red dress a vibrant splash of color against the muted tones of the jungle night, let out a soft sigh, her black eyes scanning the surrounding foliage with an air of impatience. "What a considerable waste of our precious time."
The tall figure with piercing black eyes and short, spiky white hair, his dark skin contrasting with the silver pin on his black flak jacket, turned towards the woman.
A hint of forced casualness entered his voice. "Kazekage-dono," he addressed the red-haired man, his gaze momentarily flicking towards him. "So, when did you arrive in Konohagakure?" His words seemed designed to fill the awkward silence, a way to appear engaged rather than acknowledging the apparent pointlessness of their current gathering.
The figure with the distinctive red hair, his expression calm yet carrying an underlying intensity, responded smoothly. "Some hours ago only, Raikage-dono."
The statuesque woman's gaze sharpened, her black eyes fixing on the Kazekage. "Then why did you not proceed directly to the village, Kazekage-sama? Why this... rendezvous in the forest?" Her tone held a subtle edge of suspicion.
Gaara, the red-haired Kazekage, his sandy gourd a silent presence behind him, replied evenly. "I received a message from Uchiha Sasuke. He indicated he had information he wished to share with me specifically at this location. In turn, I also have matters I wished to discuss with him."
"Uchiha Sasuke summoned you here, Kazekage-sama, hmm?" the woman remarked, her tone laced with a hint of skepticism.
Gaara's gaze remained steady. "Indeed."
"Were you two also summoned to this... clandestine meeting by Sasuke?" Gaara asked it to the and the Raikage.
The Raikage grunted, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Yeah. Though, the brat's nowhere to be seen, is he?"
The woman turned back to Gaara, her patience seemingly wearing thin. "So, Kazekage-sama, what is this crucial information that warrants such secrecy and this peculiar location?"
Gaara's gaze remained unwavering. "Forgive me, but the information is sensitive. I intend to share it only in Sasuke's presence. At that time, you will also be privy to it."
The Kazekage's words seemed to strike a nerve with the statuesque woman.
Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. "You—" Before she could continue, the muscular Raikage placed a large hand on her shoulder, his voice a low rumble. "Kurotsuchi, let him proceed as he deems necessary."
The woman, Kurotsuchi, took a deep breath, visibly reigning in her irritation. The Raikage then turned his gaze towards the silent trees, a hint of impatience in his demeanor. "Looks like whatever business brought him here is taking its sweet time. Perhaps it would be best if we returned to Konoha and awaited his arrival there."
Gaara remained silent, his gaze fixed on the path leading deeper into the forest. Kurotsuchi, however, couldn't resist a final jab. "Indeed. It would certainly be more productive than aimlessly loitering out here, feeling utterly..."
Her words were abruptly cut off by a new voice, smooth and carrying an unexpected authority, emerging from the shadows at the edge of the clearing. "With all due respect, Raikage-sama, Kazekage-sama, Tsuchikage-sama... I believe returning to Konohagakure at this precise moment might not be the most prudent course of action."
The figure who spoke remained partially obscured by the darkness, their features yet to be fully revealed.
The figure was a young woman with long, unruly black hair and piercing red eyes. She wore the standard attire of the Konoha nin, including a green jonin vest over a black jumper and forehead protector.
Beside her stood an older woman with large, orange-colored pigtails hanging down, framing her face with bangs. Her eyes appeared more purple in color. She wore a dark sleeveless jumpsuit that came down to the knees and a light vest over it. She also wore her Konoha forehead protector around her neck, dark bracelets on each wrist, and high-heeled sandals.
The muscular Raikage, Darui, his piercing gaze now fixed on the figure emerging from the shadows, spoke with a low, wary tone. "Konoha kunoichi? What are your purposes for being out here, interrupting our discussion?"
From the edge of the darkness, Mirai Sarutobi stepped fully into the clearing, the faint moonlight illuminating her determined face and short, dark hair. She held herself with a respectful yet firm posture, her red eyes meeting Darui's gaze directly.
"My sincerest apologies for the disturbance, Raikage-sama," Mirai stated clearly, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "But we have been given direct orders to deliver a message to all three of you, the esteemed Kage.
This message comes specifically from Konohagakure's former Hokage, Hatake Kakashi-sama, the Sixth Hokage." She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping across the assembled Kage. "Please grant me permission to convey its contents."
SEMNU PARK
The Senju Park was shrouded in darkness, the only sound the heavy rain pounding against the pavement. Naruto, Konohamaru, Choji, Hanabi, Sai, Kakashi, and many other jonin-level shinobi were gathered there, their faces set with determination and concern.
Their mission was to track down the clone of the Rinnegan man, who had seemingly vanished into thin air. But as they waited for any sign of movement, the air was suddenly charged with electricity.
A bolt of lightning struck the ground, illuminating the dark sky in a brilliant flash of white. But what caught everyone's attention was that the lightning had struck not once, but twice - at two separate locations.
The group's eyes were drawn to the sky, their faces set with a mix of confusion and concern. Naruto's eyes narrowed, his sage mode already activated. He gazed up at the sky, his voice low and serious.
"It's Sasuke and that Rinnegan man... but on the other side, it's Orochimaru and the Rinnegan man again," Naruto said, his words barely audible above the sound of the rain.
Konohamaru, who was standing beside Naruto, was the only one who heard his words. His eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "What?!"
Hanabi's eyes were fixed intently on the distance, her Byakugan activated. "I'm certainly sure that's Sasuke and not anyone else," she said confidently.
But her expression quickly changed, and she fell into thought. She looked at Sai, who nodded for her to continue.
"But I see Sasuke in two different places," Hanabi said, her brow furrowed in confusion. "And there's one more Sasuke at the other place. I don't know why."
Naruto was about to respond, his voice starting to form the words. "Cause..."
But his words were cut off as he saw people falling to the ground. The group's attention was drawn to the commotion, and they were shocked to see blood pouring from the victims' chests. A scar marked each of their chests, and they were all wounded.
Everyone's eyes widened in horror as they took in the scene. Kakashi's face turned grim, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of the attacker. Sai's eyes narrowed, his hands instinctively reaching for his ink scrolls. Hanabi's face paled, her eyes fixed on the victims with a mix of shock and concern.
Naruto's face was set in a determined expression, his eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. He took a step forward, his fists clenched and ready to defend his friends and allies.
Choji's face was twisted in a mixture of shock and anger, his eyes fixed on the victims with a fierce glare.
The air was thick with tension as the group struggled to process the sudden and brutal attack. The only sound was the heavy rain pounding against the pavement, and the soft moans of the wounded.
Naruto's eyes scanned the area, searching for any signs of the attacker. But before he could react, a sword came hurtling towards his chest.
The group gasped in unison as the sword seemed to appear out of nowhere. Kakashi's eyes widened in alarm, and he shouted Naruto's name, "Naruto!" in a desperate bid to warn him.
But it seemed like it was too late. The sword was mere inches from Naruto's chest, its blade glinting menacingly in the dim light.
OUTSKIRTS OF THE LEAF
Mirai took a deep breath and began to explain the situation in the Leaf Village. "This is all that's happening in the village," she said, her voice urgent. "So we request you all not to enter the village. And you are requested to reside at the feudal lord's pace for the time being also the chunin exams are cancelled. It's a deep request from Rokudaime-sama."
The three Kage - Darui, Gaara, and Kurotsuchi - exchanged glances, their faces grave with concern. After a moment, Darui spoke up.
"I understand the situation, but I'm afraid we can't just stand by and do nothing," he said, his voice firm. "Naruto is a friend to all of us, and so is the Leaf Village. If they're under attack, we need to help them."
Gaara nodded in agreement. "I'll go to the Leaf Village and help Naruto," he said, his voice firm. "I won't stand by and do nothing while my friend is in danger."
Kurotsuchi's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes narrowing. "I think we should be cautious here," she said, her voice smooth. "We don't know what kind of enemy we're up against, or what kind of danger Naruto and the Leaf Village are facing. Perhaps we should gather more information before making any decisions?"
Mirai and Moegi exchanged glances, their faces hopeful. They thought that Kurotsuchi was trying to help them.
Darui frowned, his eyes narrowing. "I understand your concerns, Kurotsuchi, but I think we need to act quickly. Every moment we waste could mean more danger for Naruto and the Leaf Village."
Gaara nodded in agreement. "I'm with the Raikage. We need to help Naruto, no matter what."
Kurotsuchi's expression remained calm, but her eyes seemed to gleam with a hidden intensity. "Perhaps we should discuss this further," she said, her voice smooth. "We don't want to rush into anything without thinking it through carefully. Maybe a strategy would do it..."
Mirai and Moegi nodded, thinking that Kurotsuchi was trying to help them. But Gaara and Darui exchanged a skeptical glance.
"I think Tsuchikage Sama has a point," Mirai said. "We don't know what kind of enemy we're up against. Maybe we should gather more information before making a decision."
"Exactly," she said. "We need to be strategic about this. Perhaps we could... observe from a distance, gather more information before making a move."
Gaara's eyes locked onto Kurotsuchi's, his gaze piercing. "What is she trying to do?", he thought to himself. "She's not trying to help us, she's trying to stall us."
Darui frowned, his eyes narrowing. "I don't think this is right, Kurotsuchi. I just think we need to act quickly."
Kurotsuchi's expression remained calm. "I'm just trying to be cautious, Raikage-sama," she said, her voice smooth. "I'm not trying to hinder our efforts. But perhaps... perhaps we should consider the bigger picture here. The Leaf Village is not the only village that could be affected by this. Perhaps we should think about how our actions could impact the entire shinobi world."
Gaara's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with suspicions. He was about to speak, to confront Kurotsuchi about her true intentions, when suddenly two bolts of lightning struck the ground simultaneously, one on the east side of the clearing and the other on the west. The sound was deafening, and the ground shook beneath their feet.
The dual lightning strikes cast an eerie glow over the clearing, and the clouds above grew even darker. The air was electric with anticipation, and the wind began to pick up, rustling the leaves and sending loose debris swirling around the clearing.
Everyone's eyes instinctively turned upwards, gazing at the turbulent sky in awe. The storm was intensifying, and it seemed to be centered directly above them.
"It's going to rain," Darui said, his voice low and even.
Gaara's eyes remained fixed on Kurotsuchi, his gaze piercing. But she just smiled, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.
The storm intensified, and the rain started pouring down in thick, heavy droplets. "Raikage-sama, we should take shelter!" Omoi shouted above the din of the rain. "This storm is getting worse by the minute!"
Akatsuchi nodded in agreement. "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama! We can't stay out here in the open!" Darui nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Agreed. Let's find shelter and continue our discussion there."
Gaara nodded, his gaze piercing the darkness. "I concur. We can't afford to be distracted by the storm." Kurotsuchi's expression was calm, but her eyes seemed to gleam with interest. "Very well. Let us take shelter and continue our discussion."
The group began to move towards a nearby cave, seeking refuge from the storm. But they hadn't gone far when they heard the sound of footsteps approaching towards them.
The sound was heavy and deliberate, and it was clear that whoever was making it was trying to be heard. But it was the voice that followed that really caught their attention.
A male voice, loud and urgent, echoed through the stormy air. The words were indistinct, but the tone was unmistakable - someone was shouting a warning, or a message, or something.
Everyone turned to face the direction of the voice, their eyes scanning the darkness. The rain pounded down around them, making it hard to see or hear anything clearly. But they all sensed that something was coming, something important.
Gaara's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing the darkness. Darui's hand went to the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Kurotsuchi's expression was filled with confusion but with a gleam of interest.
Mirai and Moegi exchanged a nervous glance, their faces pale in the dim light. They didn't know what was happening, but they knew it couldn't be good.
The voice grew louder, the words still indistinct. But it was clear that whoever was shouting was getting closer.
As the voice grew louder, the group strained to see who was shouting. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, his face illuminated by a flash of lightning.
He was a man with long, brown, unkempt hair and sharp black eyes with vertical slit-like pupils. His cheeks bore the distinctive red fang markings, and he wore a jacket similar to a genin outfit, with a mesh shirt underneath. His grey pants reached down to his calves, and he wore regular shinobi sandals.
"Help! Someone, help!" he shouted, his voice hoarse from yelling.
He was running towards them at full speed, his feet pounding the wet earth. Gaara's eyes narrowed, and he exchanged a glance with Mirai and Moegi. They all knew this man.
"Kiba?" Gaara said, his voice low and even.
Mirai and Moegi nodded in agreement, their faces set with concern. What was Kiba-san doing here? And what was he running from?
The man didn't slow down, still running towards them with a look of desperation on his face. "He'-He would come here next if we don't stop him." he gasped.
Kiba's eyes were wild with fear. "We have to help Orochimaru," he said, his voice urgent. "He's fighting against... a man. A man who's incredibly powerful. And if he loses, that man will come after us next."
The group exchanged skeptical glances. Help Orochimaru? He was one of their greatest enemies! They had clashed with him countless times, and he had always been a formidable foe.
Darui's brow furrowed, his expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. "Why should we help Orochimaru?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "He's never been our ally. In fact, he's been a thorn in our side for years."
Kiba's face was grim. "I know," he said. "But this is different. Orochimaru may be our enemy, but this man... he's something else entirely. If we don't help Orochimaru, we'll be facing this enemy alone. And I don't think we're ready for that."
The group fell silent, weighing their options. They knew that helping Orochimaru would be a risk, but they also knew that they couldn't ignore the threat that Kiba had described. Darui's eyes locked onto Kiba's. "Tell us more about this enemy," he said. "What makes him so powerful?"
Kiba's face was grim. "This enemy... he's the same one who attacked the Leaf Village," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The group's eyes widened in shock, their faces pale. They had thought that the attack on the Leaf Village was a random event, but now they realized that it was connected to this new threat.
Mirai's mouth opened, about to say something, but before she could speak, Darui and Gaara exchanged a glance and made a decision.
"We don't have time to waste," Darui said, his voice firm. "We need to hurry and help Orochimaru." Gaara nodded in agreement. "If this enemy is powerful enough to attack the Leaf Village, we can't underestimate him," he said. "Let's go."
Just as the group was about to leave, a figure emerged from the shadows. She was a tall woman with wavy brown hair that fell just past her shoulders. Her outfit consisted of pin-striped pants, a shirt under a green coat, and a blue forehead protector. Calf-high boots completed her attire, and bandages covered the lower half of her face. A procedure mask hid her mouth and nose.
"Tsuchikage-sama!" she called out, her voice firm and authoritative. The group stopped in their tracks, turning to face the woman. Darui's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in recognition.
"Aren't you...?" he began, his voice trailing off..Gaara's eyes locked onto the woman's, his gaze intense. "Mizukage's personal aid?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened, her face pale. "Misuno...?" she called out, her voice hesitant..The woman, Misuno, nodded curtly, her eyes scanning the group before settling on Kurotsuchi.
Misuno's eyes locked onto Kurotsuchi's, her gaze intense. "I've come to deliver a message," she said, her voice firm. "A message that requires your immediate attention."
Kurotsuchi's brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing. "What message?" she asked, her voice cautious. Misuno's expression was grim. "It's not a message from anyone," she said. "It's something the Kirigakure village has discovered itself. Something very important."
The group exchanged skeptical glances, their faces set with anticipation. What could Kirigakure have discovered that was so important? Kurotsuchi's eyes locked onto Misuno's, her expression serious. "Let's talk in private," she said, turning to the others. "You all go ahead and get into position. I'll catch up with you later."
The group nodded, sensing that something was off. They started to move away, leaving Kurotsuchi and Misuno alone. Misuno leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. She spoke a few words in Kurotsuchi's ear, and Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in shock.
"What..?! Repeat that," Kurotsuchi demanded, her voice low and urgent. Misuno hesitated for a moment before speaking again. Kurotsuchi's face paled, her eyes wide with horror.
"Who's behind it?!" Kurotsuchi demanded, her voice rising..Misuno's expression was grim. "We think that Uchiha Sasuke is behind all this."
Kurotsuchi's eyes went wide, her face frozen in shock. "What?!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the air.
The night air was heavy with rain, casting a gloomy shadow over the group. Darui walked alongside Gaara, his voice rising above the patter of the raindrops.
"We should split up and cover more ground," Darui said, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.
Gaara nodded curtly, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. But his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of his brother Kankuro. Where was he? He had been gone for too long, and Gaara's instincts were screaming at him that something was wrong.
Akatsuchi was also absent, having been tasked with scouting ahead and gathering information. But Kankuro's prolonged absence was starting to worry Gaara.
Darui continued to talk, but Gaara's attention was elsewhere. His eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he thought to himself, "Why's Kankuro not back yet? He's taking too long."
SENJU PARK
Just as all hope seemed lost, a brilliant flash of yellow light illuminated the area. A powerful barrier materialized out of thin air, stopping the sword in its tracks.
The sword clattered harmlessly to the ground, its blade vibrating with the force of the impact. The barrier, glowing with a fierce, golden light, pulsed with energy, protecting Naruto from harm.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the barrier in front of him. He knew that he hadn't created it, and he couldn't see anyone else around who could have made it.
Naruto's consciousness was pulled into the inner world, a realm where time and space were distorted. The air was filled with the gentle lapping of pale yellow water against the shore. The walls that surrounded this inner space were also a pale yellow hue, giving the entire area a sense of serenity.
Naruto found himself sitting on the surface of the pale yellow water, as if it were solid ground. He looked up to see Kurama sitting cross-legged on the shore, his massive body radiating an aura of power and wisdom. His eyes, like two burning suns, gazed at Naruto with a deep intensity.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Kurama. "Kurama?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of shock and gratitude.
Kurama's expression was calm and serene, but a hint of warmth flickered in his eyes. He regarded Naruto with a deep, unspoken understanding.
Kurama's gaze locked onto Naruto's, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "I won't always be there to protect you," he said, his voice low and rumbling.
Naruto's eyes sparkled with understanding. He knew that Kurama would always have his back, and that the tailed beast would protect him without hesitation.
Kurama's expression remained stern. "And tell this person... that he's fighting against the Seventh Hokage... Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto's face set in a determined expression. He stood up from the watery surface, his feet seemingly rooted to the spot. The pale yellow water rippled and distorted around him, as if reacting to his growing intensity.
Naruto clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening with tension. He held his other hand open, palm upwards, and brought them together with a determined expression. The sound of his hands meeting was like a crack of thunder, echoing off the walls of the inner world.
"All right," Naruto growled, his voice dripping with determination. "Let's show him our power!"
His eyes blazed with a fierce inner light, a testament to his unyielding spirit.
---
Quiz Question:
What was the reason behind Kiba's frantic warning to the group of Kage and other shinobi?
A) The Rinnegan man's clone was approaching
B) Orochimaru was in danger
C) Sasuke was attacking the Leaf Village
D) A powerful enemy was heading their way
Share your answer in the comments below!