_OUTSKIRTS OF THE LEAF_
Orochimaru finally allowed a slow blink, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Ah, Kazekage-dono," he began, his voice smooth and measured, "you possess a keen eye. Yes, I did have a brief… exchange with an individual earlier. A rather… unique presence, I must admit." He paused, his gaze flickering towards Kankuro's still form for a fleeting moment before returning to Gaara.
"However, I'm afraid our encounter was quite separate from the unfortunate events that have transpired here. A mere passing of ships in the night, so to speak. I have no knowledge of what befell your brother." His tone was carefully neutral, offering a sliver of truth while deflecting any direct connection to Kankuro's fate.
Gaara's sand shifted slightly, a subtle sign of his inner turmoil. His gaze remained locked on Orochimaru, unwavering. He didn't press further immediately, but the suspicion in his eyes was palpable. He knew Orochimaru was withholding something.
Darui, however, was less patient. "Separate?" he scoffed, his hand tightening on his sword hilt. "A powerful individual appears out of nowhere, Orochimaru fights them, and then the Kazekage's brother is attacked in a manner none of us have ever seen? That's a convenient coincidence." He stepped forward slightly, his imposing figure casting a longer shadow in the moonlight. "Describe this 'uniquepresence,' Orochimaru. Every detail."
Kurotsuchi watched Orochimaru intently, her earlier suspicion about Sasuke warring with the obvious reality of Orochimaru's described opponent – the one with the crimson Susanoo. 'He'slying,' she thought, her jaw tight. 'Butaboutwhat? Is he protecting someone? Or himself?' She exchanged a quick glance with Akatsuchi, a silent communication passing between them.
Omoi and Akatsuchi remained vigilant, their senses still on high alert, their focus now split between Orochimaru and the surrounding darkness. The tension in the air remained thick, a silent battle of wills and veiled intentions playing out under the watchful gaze of the pale moon.
Despite the unresolved tension, a practical concern began to surface. Darui cleared his throat while turning slightly to Kurotsuchi and Gaara and said, "We need to make arrangements. Kankuro… needs to be taken back to Sunagakure."
Kurotsuchi nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at the fallen puppeteer. "Akatsuchi and I will prepare for our departure back to the Hidden Stone as well. This… incident… requires our immediate attention back home."
Gaara remained silent for a moment, his eyes still fixed on Orochimaru. Then, with a heavy sigh, he nodded slowly. "Very well. Let us make preparations." His sand gently lifted Kankuro's body, encasing it more securely. The grief in his heart was a tangible weight, but beneath it lay a simmering determination to uncover the truth, even if Orochimaru wouldn't provide it.
As the Kage began to issue quiet instructions to their bodyguards, a sense of movement stirred in the nearby foliage. Kiba, who had been huddled with Moegi and Mirai, his earlier panic slowly gave a way to a gnawing unease and he said, "We… we should go," Kiba whispered urgently to Moegi and Mirai,"We need to get back to the village and tell Lord Seventh about the circumstances."
"We really need to go," Kiba whispered
quickly to Moegi and Mirai. His voice shook a little, and he kept looking at the dark trees like he expected something to jump out. It wasn't just that he was sad about Akamaru or Kankuro. Just after Orochimaru and Gaara were talking, when the other leaders started getting ready to leave, Kiba had seen something weird in the shadows.
It was like the air moved funny for a second, and the moonlight looked bent. It was there and gone so fast, but Kiba's super good senses told him they weren't alone.
Moegi saw how worried Kiba was and that he kept staring at the trees. She turned to Orochimaru, who was standing by himself, watching the other kage .
"Orochimaru-sama," she said, trying to sound respectful but also serious, "because strange things happened tonight, and you also fought someone strong, maybe you should come back to the village with us. Lord Seventh needs to know everything." Mirai nodded her head hard. She trusted Moegi, and Kiba looked really scared, so she thought it was a good idea.
Orochimaru chuckled quietly, a low sound like a snake moving in the grass. He nodded his head a little at Moegi. "Yes, young one," he said in his smooth voice, looking for a moment at the dark trees that Kiba was watching. "It seems our paths are going the same way again. Telling the Hokage all about tonight sounds… like the smart thing to do."
He felt a bit of relief. The other leaders were busy with their own problems, and nobody was asking him too many questions about his fight. This offer to go back to the village was perfect. 'Great,' he thought. 'This will help me get to Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun faster so I can warn them about Hikaru-kun and whathewants.' He breathed out quietly, feeling a little less tense. Going back to the Leaf with these young ninja would help him a lot.
Suddenly, just as Orochimaru was feeling a sliver of relief, Darui's voice boomed through the quiet clearing, sharp and direct. "Orochimaru"
The Sannin froze, his subtle smile vanishing as if wiped away by a cold gust of wind. His golden eyes widened almost imperceptibly. He hadn't been expecting someone to take his name now.
Darui's gaze, intense and unwavering, was fixed on Orochimaru. "You haven't answered my question," the Raikage repeated, his voice firm, brooking no argument.
What question? Orochimaru's mind raced, shifting through the earlier tense exchange. Had he missed something? How could he have let his guard down, even for a moment? It was a rookie mistake, and annoyance flickered wit
"I asked you to describe this 'uniquepresence' you encountered. Every detail. What did they look like? What were their abilities?" The question hung in the air, demanding a response.
A wave of irritation washed over Orochimaru.
Just when he thought he had smoothly navigated the situation, the tiresome inquiries about Hikaru had resurfaced. He opened his mouth, ready to weave a plausible lie, a carefully constructed narrative that would satisfy Darui's curiosity without revealing anything of substance. He needed to be quick.
But before a single word could escape his lips, a sudden, muffled thud echoed through the clearing. It was the unmistakable sound of something heavy falling to the ground – the distinct sound of a human body hitting the earth.
Every head snapped towards the source of the noise, the previous tension momentarily forgotten, replaced by a fresh wave of alarm and confusion. The peaceful stillness of the night had been shattered once more.
_SENJU PARK_
The once familiar park was now a scene of chaos. The trees cast long, distorted shadows across the churned-up ground, and the scent of ozone and freshly torn earth hung heavy.
A young shinobi, his face streaked with dirt and sweat, his chest heaving, stared in disbelief at the swirling red energy that had suddenly encased them. "You gotta be serious…" he gasped, his voice laced with frustration and a hint of despair. "How… how did this happen? We were supposed to trap him inside, not… not us!" He gestured wildly towards the center of the enclosed space, where the imposing figure of the older Hikaru hovered menacingly.
His dark hair was tousled, and his intense gaze swept over the trapped shinobi. Another shinobi, older and more seasoned but equally bewildered, shook his head. "A red barrier…" He trailed off, his voice thick with disbelief.
Kakashi, ever the pragmatist despite the dire situation, knelt beside a section of the pulsating barrier, his eye spinning rapidly as he analyzed its composition. In his other hand, he gripped a dark, slender rod, its surface smooth and strangely cold to the touch. He was slowly, carefully, extracting it from the ground, the earth around it slightly scorched.
"A red barrier," he murmured, his voice laced with grim realization. "One that would take four Hokage-class shinobi to erect. Just how strong is this guy?" A fresh wave of concern washed over him at the power radiating from Hikaru and the unfamiliar nature of the barrier.
Naruto's face was grim, his usual bright optimism completely overshadowed by a deep frown of frustration and self-reproach. His fists were clenched at his sides, his blue eyes narrowed as he glared at Hikaru. 'Wemessedup…' he thought, the weight of their failed plan pressing down on him.
They had meticulously planned to ensnare Hikaru within a barrier, using their knowledge of sealing techniques. Udon, who was among the four shinobi who put the barrier, and the others who had set the barrier… that was the shocking part. They had looked like ordinary shinobi, but the swiftness and precision with which they activated the crimson dome, and their subtle, almost imperceptible connection to Hikaru, now screamed the truth: they were Hikaru's clones, a silent infiltration they hadn't anticipated.
High above them, suspended in the crimson-tinged sky, Hikaru floated with an air of detached superiority. His dark hair shifted slightly, and his sharp, intense eyes surveyed the trapped shinobi below with a focused gaze.A wave of despair seemed to ripple through the ranks of the assembled shinobi. They had come to protect their village, their faces set with determination. But now, caught within their own trap, facing an enemy of immense and unknown power, their hopes began to dwindle. The unexpected betrayal by those who had set the barrier had shaken their confidence to its core.
Near the edge of the chaotic scene, Choji lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. The remnants of Beru, the enormous snake, had vanished, but the lingering effects of its presence were evident in Choji's still form and shallow breathing. Gamakichi, the toad summon, knelt beside him, his usually jovial face contorted in pain. Blood oozed from his hand, the flesh around it raw and marked by what looked like deep bite wounds – Beru's venomous fangs had clearly found their mark. Gamakichi gritted his teeth, trying to staunch the bleeding with his other hand, his powerful frame trembling slightly.
Hovering protectively behind Naruto, a luminous, golden form pulsed with immense chakra – Kurama. The Nine-Tailed Fox's spectral eyes, blazing with concern and a fierce determination, were fixed on Naruto, a silent promise of unwavering support in the face of this overwhelming threat. The fate of the Leaf, and perhaps the world, now hung precariously in the balance within the red confines of Senju Park.
Hikaru, suspended high in this distorted twilight, raised both arms towards the heavens. Instantly, countless black chakra rods materialized in the air around him. At first, they swirled together like a dark cloud, drawn towards a central point. Then, in a sudden, unsettling shift, they rearranged themselves.
Each rod aligned almost perfectly parallel to its neighbor, forming a dense, menacing grid that blotted out the already fading light.
Down on the ravaged ground, the assembled Leaf shinobi stared upwards, their faces etched with a stark realization of the overwhelming power they faced. The sheer number of the rods, their silent, deadly formation in the sky, seemed to steal the last vestiges of hope.
Then, a raw, desperate cry tore through the stillness. "Everyone! Inside Kurama! Now!" Naruto's voice, amplified by the sheer force of his will, echoed across the park. The golden form of Kurama behind him pulsed with an even brighter light, its massive tails swaying protectively.
"Damn it!" Temari cursed, her thoughts were occupied to the fate of survival."Konohamaru, help Hanabi with Choji!" Kakashi stated firmly, his brow furrowed with intense concentration as he scanned the amount of rods in the sky which were still not in action.
Choji lay unconscious on the ground, his massive form in the Super Expansion jutsu an unmovable obstacle. Hanabi, her Byakugan already activated, her delicate veins visible around her eyes, moved with focused determination. Her hands flew in a rapid series of precise strikes, targeting specific chakra points on Choji's enlarged body. Even unconscious, the disruption to his chakra flow was immediate.
With a soft thud, Choji shrunk back to his normal size, making it possible for Konohamaru to grab his arm and pull him towards Kurama. "Konohamaru-kun hurry up! We need to reach to Naruto nii-sama as fast as we could " Hanabi yelled, her voice tight with fear.
He hated this feeling, the powerlessness as lives hung in the balance."Gamakichi!" Naruto roared, his voice strained.The giant toad summon, his face a mask of grim
determination despite his injured hand, understood instantly.
With surprising speed, he scooped up a large group of nearby shinobi in his massive hands. Udon, his face pale with terror, Himekawa, his eyes wide with fear, and even Temari, usually so composed, were among those bundled together. Gamakichi repeated the motion, grabbing another handful, then another, his cavernous mouth opening wide as he crammed more terrified shinobi inside.
A wave of pure panic rippled through those being herded into the toad's mouth. Temari's eyes widened in horror. "W-what are you doing?!" she stammered, fear overriding her usual stoicism. Others screamed, convinced they were about to be swallowed whole. In their terror, some of the shinobi who had been grabbed managed to scramble free, bolting away from Gamakichi's gaping maw despite the deadly rain still falling.
Naruto watched the chaotic scene unfold, his frustration reaching a boiling point "Gamakichi! Not like that!" he yelled, his focus fracturing as he tried to coordinate the desperate escape. The unintended terror Gamakichi was causing was making it harder for Naruto to maintain his chakra cloak and protect those still exposed.
Gamakichi, his mouth crammed full of frightened shinobi, thought desperately, 'This is the only way! I can take as many as I can fit to Mount Myoboku! They'll be safe there, away from this monster!' He estimated he could probably fit around forty-five to fifty people inside his mouth. But even as he held them securely, he could see the sheer number of those still left outside, vulnerable to Hikaru's relentless assault.
The air thrummed with the deadly anticipation of the impending attack. Time seemed to compress into a razor-thin sliver, each breath held in collective fear. Naruto, his brow slick with sweat, his blue eyes darting frantically across the panicked faces of his comrades, felt the crushing weight of his responsibility as Hokage. His reserves of Kurama's chakra were dwindling noticeably, the golden aura flickering precariously around him. 'I have to protect them… all of them… somehow!'
The desperate thought fueled a sudden surge of his remaining power. With a burst of chakra and a swift hand sign, Naruto created a massive shadow clone of Kurama, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!", a second golden fox materializing quite far away from the first, offering twice the area of protection.
Amidst the chaos, one of the seemingly inanimate wooden clones that had erected the crimson barrier twitched subtly. From its chest, another identical wooden clone detached itself. With practiced speed, this new clone performed a series of hand signs, and said, "Reverse Summoning Jutsu!!"
In a burst of smoke, the enormous serpent Beru appeared just outside the red barrier, its massive form coiling protectively around the base of the enclosure. The wooden clone nodded once, a silent command, and then got damaged.
High above, Hikaru's eyes narrowed. With a subtle downward flick of his wrists, the parallel formation of black rods began their descent. The sky rained darkness. In the desperate scramble to reach the safety of the two Kurama avatars, many shinobi were struck by the initial volley of the chakra rods, their cries of pain abruptly cut short.Those who managed to get within the protective golden auras of the Kurama clones survived the initial onslaught.
Gamakichi, the giant toad, let out a pained croak as several rods struck his massive form. With a final, regretful glance at Naruto, his summoning jutsu reached its time limit, and he vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving the remaining shinobi to face the continued assault in what was once the beautiful Senju Park, its green training grounds now gruesomely embarked with blood.
_OUTSKIRTS OF KONOHA - A SUDDEN COLLAPSE_
The sharp thud ripped through the tense silence, making every head whip around. "Mirai!" Kiba's cry was raw with panic. His young comrade, Mirai, who had been his steady support, had suddenly crumpled like a puppet with cut strings. As she fell, Kiba, still weakened and leaning on her, lost his footing and stumbled, his own pain momentarily forgotten in his shock.
A wave of confusion rippled through the assembled Kage and their guards. Their earlier suspicions of Orochimaru faded, replaced by a shared bewilderment. What in the world was happening? Then, a collective gasp went through the group as another figure swayed and fell – Misuno, the stoic shinobi from Kirigakure, collapsing with a soft rustle of her cloak.
"I knew it!" Kurotsuchi's voice was sharp, laced with a familiar suspicion. Her gaze darted around, as if expecting an unseen attacker to materialize. "That man… he's trying to strike us again!" Her immediate thought, fueled by past encounters and Kirigakure's intel, was that Sasuke was somehow involved.
Moegi, her youthful face etched with alarm, darted to Mirai's side. She dropped to her knees, her hands flying to check for a pulse, her breath held tight in her chest. A wave of relief washed over her as she felt the faint but steady thrum of life beneath her fingertips.
"She's alive!" Moegi exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. But the relief was fleeting. In a bizarre and unsettling instant, Moegi herself swayed, her eyes fluttering before she too succumbed to the unseen force, collapsing awkwardly on top of the still unconscious Mirai.
Orochimaru, his golden eyes narrowed to slits, watched the bewildering scene unfold with a detached curiosity tinged with unease. His serpentine mind raced, trying to decipher the invisible attack. 'What is this insidioustechnique?' he mused, unable to sense any hostile chakra or physical presence. 'And whopossesses such a strange ability? ' He felt a prickle of annoyance at being caught off guard.
"Kurotsuchi," Darui's voice cut through the confusion, his hand instinctively moving towards the hilt of his sword. His dark eyes were filled with concern and a growing sense of danger. "Who were you talking about? Who do you suspect is behind this?"
Before Kurotsuchi could voice her suspicions further, her eyes rolled back in her head, her body stiffened momentarily, and then she too fell, hitting the ground with a muffled thud. The sight of his Kage, the formidable Tsuchikage, lying unconscious sent a jolt of fear through Akatsuchi. His usually stoic face paled visibly, his large frame tensing as he stood guard over her prone form, his gaze darting around with a desperate urgency, searching for an enemy he couldn't see. The protectors were falling, and the source of the threat remained completely unknown, casting a chilling pall over the outskirts of the Leaf.
The unsettling silence that followed the wave of unconsciousness was shattered by a voice that seemed to materialize out of thin air. "Yo…" he drawled, the tone casual yet carrying an undercurrent of unmistakable menace. It was a voice that hadn't been present before, a new player stepping onto a stage already fraught with tension.
The voice continued, a playful yet chilling lilt in its cadence, "Man, I have been looking all over for my thing…" A pause hung in the air, thick with unspoken dread. Then, the speaker continued, the seemingly lighthearted tone abruptly hardening, "Mind if you all just tell me where it is? Save yourselves some trouble, you know?"
The implied threat hung heavy, punctuated by a pointed glance – though no one could yet discern the speaker – towards the growing number of unconscious figures littering the ground. "Otherwise," the voice concluded, the casualness returning but now laced with a sinister edge, "your outcome will be exactly the same as those folks currently enjoying their little nap on the dirt."
A palpable wave of fear and confusion washed over those still standing. Who was this? What 'thing' was he referring to? The sudden and inexplicable collapse of their comrades had already put them on edge, and this disembodied voice only amplified the feeling of being hunted by an unseen predator.
The vibrant energy of moments ago had been completely extinguished, replaced by a chilling uncertainty that clung to the air like a shroud. Every nerve ending screamed with the instinct to fight or flee, but against an enemy they couldn't see, neither option felt remotely viable.
---
_QUIZ QUESTION_
Faced with Hikaru's overwhelming attack in Senju Park, Naruto made a crucial decision regarding Kurama's chakra. What specific action did he take that, while intended to increase immediate protection, also
presented a significant risk or limitation?
(a) He focused all of Kurama's chakra into a single, massive shield, leaving other areas vulnerable.
(b) He created two separate Kurama avatars, diluting the overall protective power of each.
(c) He attempted to absorb Hikaru's chakra rods using Kurama's power, risking a potential backlash.
(d) He entered a full Nine-Tails transformation, which had a limited duration and immense chakra drain.