Chapter 15:
The sands of the Land of Wind were restless. The eternal dunes, sculpted by unrelenting winds, now carried whispers of terror and dread. The skies above Sunagakure were clouded, the harsh sunlight muted by swirling grains of dust. The village's walls stood tall but cracked—battle-worn from recent clashes with rogue shinobi and remnants of the Akatsuki.
But this was different.
The oppressive chakra that loomed over the village was suffocating. A crimson haze spread like a stormfront, painting the desert an ominous red. Shinobi on the walls trembled, sweat trailing down grimy faces as the evil presence grew closer. The Crimson Demon was coming.
In the heart of the village, the war council gathered in a hastily fortified building. Temari stood at the helm, fan poised at her side. Her eyes were bloodshot from sleepless nights and grief—Gaara was dead. Killed mercilessly by the monster that once bore the name Naruto Uzumaki. The thought of her little brother's lifeless body, stripped of strength and resolve, filled her with a rage that boiled beneath the surface.
Kankuro leaned against the wall, fingers twitching. The puppet master's usual confidence was overshadowed by grief and dread. "Temari, we can't face him head-on. He tore through Konoha's best like they were nothing. Even Gaara—"
Temari's glare was sharp. "Gaara fought alone. We won't make the same mistake."
Kankuro clenched his fists. "And what good will numbers do? You saw the reports. Kakashi, Gai, even Tsunade couldn't stop him. We're outmatched."
The other Sunagakure shinobi shifted uneasily. An older captain, face etched with age and wisdom, spoke up. "A retreat may be our best option. Scatter the villagers, make them harder to hunt."
Temari's fan snapped open. "And leave Sunagakure defenseless? Gaara died protecting this village, and I refuse to abandon it to a monster!"
Silence settled. The resolve in her voice was ironclad. Kankuro sighed. "Alright, sis. What's the plan?"
Temari drew in a breath, steeling herself. "Naruto is a demon now. Conventional attacks won't work. We focus on containment. Kankuro, your puppets will set up traps. Poison, chakra disruptors, anything we have. We'll weaken him, then strike."
Kankuro nodded, but doubt lingered in his eyes. "And if he breaks through?"
Temari's gaze hardened. "Then we fight until our last breath."
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The storm rolled in, the winds howling as the crimson haze swallowed the village. The sandstorm carried an unnatural chill, sinking into bones. The vanguard, led by Kankuro, lay hidden in trenches and behind barricades. Puppets with serrated limbs and concealed weapons lined the perimeter, ready to spring.
Temari stood atop the main gate, fan spread wide. Her hands trembled, but determination burned in her eyes. "Remember the plan! Cut him down, no hesitation!"
A hush fell over the defenders. Shadows flickered as something enormous loomed in the distance. The crimson glow intensified, illuminating a figure draped in sinister chakra. The sand parted as Naruto approached—no, the Crimson Demon approached.
The beast towered above, a twisted fusion of man and monster. Muscles corded with power, claws glistening, and eyes glowing with malevolent hunger. Red markings pulsated, feeding on dark energy.
Naruto's lips curled into a sadistic grin. "Sand Shinobi. Your Kazekage died pitifully. Will you die better?"
Rage flared in Temari's heart. "Release!"
Explosions erupted as Kankuro's traps triggered. Puppets lunged, blades and poison-tipped needles slicing through the air. Sealing tags burst, binding chakra suppressors igniting in arcs of blue lightning.
The Crimson Demon snarled, crimson chakra flaring to life. Puppets shattered as the malevolent aura repelled them, limbs flying like broken toys. Kankuro's eyes widened as the disruptors fizzled out, overwhelmed by the demonic chakra.
"Is that all?" Naruto's mocking voice echoed.
Kankuro cursed. "He shrugged it off like nothing!"
Temari's fan whipped through the air. "Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel Technique!"
A hurricane of cutting wind slashed forward, carving gouges into the ground. The storm raked across the demon's body, peeling away flesh. But the wounds closed almost instantly, dark chakra knitting him back together.
Naruto's laughter was a guttural growl. "Wind won't save you."
He vanished, a blur of crimson. Screams erupted as claws tore through shinobi. Blood sprayed, staining the sand. The defenders were cut down like wheat before a scythe. Limbs scattered, faces frozen in terror.
Kankuro hurled his puppets forward, desperately maneuvering. Chakra strings danced as blades aimed for the demon's eyes. Naruto's arm shot out, cleaving through the puppets like paper. Kankuro's chakra strings snapped, the backlash sending him to his knees.
"Pathetic." Naruto's clawed hand closed around Kankuro's throat, lifting him off the ground. "Is this all the Kazekage's brother has to offer?"
Kankuro gasped, vision blurring. Blood trickled from his lips. "Go…to…hell…"
The demon squeezed. Bones crunched. Kankuro's body went limp. Naruto tossed him aside like a ragdoll.
Temari screamed, grief twisting her features. She unleashed a vortex of wind, chakra blazing with desperation. The gale tore into Naruto, carving away flesh. For a moment, it seemed to work. Then the crimson chakra surged back, mending the wounds.
Naruto's grin widened. "Weak."
He blurred forward, claws gleaming. Temari raised her fan, but he was too fast. Claws ripped through her side, blood pouring out. She crumpled, gasping. The fan fell from limp fingers.
The demon knelt beside her, gaze cold. "Die knowing your Kazekage was worthless."
Temari spat blood, defiance flickering in her eyes. "Gaara…was…a hero."
Naruto's claw plunged through her chest. The light faded from her eyes. He stood, wiping blood from his fingers.
The village burned behind him—Sunagakure reduced to rubble and ash. The Crimson Demon turned toward the horizon, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Konoha was next.
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Far away, the alliance's war council sat in grim silence. The Raikage's fists were clenched, knuckles white. Mei Terumī's expression was cold, though fear lurked in her eyes. The Mizukage's forces had already suffered casualties.
Gaara was dead. Sunagakure had fallen.
The Raikage slammed his fists on the table. "We end this monster once and for all! No more mercy!"
Mei's gaze hardened. "Agreed. All remaining forces will mobilize. If the Crimson Demon wants a war, he'll get one."
The decision was made. The shinobi alliance would face the greatest threat the world had ever known. But as dread gnawed at their resolve, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a slaughter.
The Crimson Demon's shadow loomed, and the world trembled beneath it.