Chapter 16:(part-1)
The air was thick with tension. The ominous crackle of chakra hung in the distance, whispering of doom. The devastated forests around the Land of Fire were littered with debris—broken trees, scorched earth, and the lingering stench of blood.
Naruto stood at the heart of the chaos, blood-red chakra flickering around him. His eyes were pits of malice, the twisted remnants of a soul long gone. The wind stirred, whispering secrets of a jutsu long forbidden—words that would unearth the past.
Far from the battlefield, in the darkness of a hidden underground chamber, dim candlelight cast flickering shadows on ancient stone walls. The chamber's center was inscribed with intricate seals, their shapes winding like serpents. Blood smeared the floor, a sacrifice to the unholy ritual.
At the heart of it stood Kabuto, a sinister grin curling his lips. His pale eyes gleamed with malevolent anticipation. Around him lay an array of preserved bodies—fallen shinobi, long since dead. Among them were legends—shinobi whose names had been etched into history and feared even in death.
"To bend death itself," Kabuto mused, hands weaving through the final seals. "How fitting that the world's strongest stand against the world's greatest evil."
He slammed his palms onto the ground. The seals glowed an ominous purple, pulsing with sinister energy. A gust of wind ripped through the chamber, and the dead bodies twitched. Chakra threads surged forth, binding flesh and soul.
Eyes snapped open.
A pair of golden eyes glimmered with a fierce, predatory light—Orochimaru. A wicked smile stretched across his pale face. Beside him, Jiraiya's eyes opened, confusion morphing into grim understanding.
"We're back," Orochimaru hissed, flexing his fingers. "Again."
Jiraiya's gaze hardened. "I've been dead long enough to know this isn't a dream. Kabuto, what have you done?"
Kabuto chuckled. "The world faces a threat far worse than any before. I've resurrected you all to stop the monster Naruto has become."
Tsunade awoke next, hands clutching her chest as the weight of memories flooded back. Pain flickered across her face as she remembered the devastation Naruto had unleashed—the massacre of her people, the death of Gaara and Gai.
"Damn you," she muttered, glaring at Kabuto. "This is an abomination!"
Kabuto merely smirked. "And yet, the only way to save the world."
One by one, the resurrected shinobi stood. The Third Hokage's stern gaze swept over the others. Nagato's rinnegan gleamed, a storm of regret and resolve burning within. Hanzo of the Salamander, the legendary warlord, tightened his grip on a kunai.
The dead had returned, but they were bound—souls shackled by an unnatural force.
Kabuto's tone turned authoritative. "You've all been brought back to kill Naruto. The monster he's become is beyond redemption. It's time to end this nightmare."
Jiraiya's eyes were heavy with sorrow. "Naruto…what happened to you?"
Orochimaru sneered. "A boy born a monster, now unshackled. Poetic, really."
Tsunade's knuckles cracked. "You want us to kill him?"
Kabuto nodded. "That's your mission. Fail, and this world will burn."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Fine. But once the deed is done, I'm free."
Kabuto smirked. "If you succeed, you can take your freedom however you wish."
Battlefield—The Crimson Demon's Lair
Naruto's presence was an oppressive weight—an aura of malice that choked the air. The forest had become his domain, a twisted mockery of life. Blackened trees stood like skeletal hands, and the ground oozed with blood.
He towered above the devastation, monstrous and terrifying. Crimson eyes blazed with cruel delight as he surveyed the fallen corpses of enemy shinobi—broken, bloodied, and forgotten.
But then—an explosion of chakra.
Naruto's eyes snapped forward as the earth trembled. A vortex of dust and smoke heralded the arrival of figures from the past—faces once trusted, now twisted by death's cold grip.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Nagato, Hanzo, and the Third Hokage emerged, resurrected and bound by Kabuto's command. The sight was surreal, a nightmarish convergence of the past and present.
Naruto's lips curled into a smirk. "Back from the grave, huh?"
Tsunade's eyes hardened. "Naruto, we will stop you!"
The Crimson Demon laughed—a sound that chilled even the resurrected shinobi. "You think I fear you? I've become power incarnate!"
Jiraiya's expression was a mix of sorrow and resolve. "You've gone too far, Naruto. You're beyond saving."
Naruto's eyes glowed crimson. "Save me? You can't even save yourselves."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Let's see if you can match death itself, boy."
Naruto's chakra flared, a monstrous wave of crimson energy. "Come, then! Show me how legends die!"
The ground erupted as the battle commenced—titanic forces clashing, earth-shattering blows exchanged. Jiraiya's sage mode balanced against Naruto's monstrous chakra, but the raw power of the demon was overwhelming. Orochimaru's snakes lashed out, but Naruto's claws shredded them apart.
Tsunade's strength crushed the earth, but Naruto's speed was unparalleled. The resurrected shinobi fought valiantly, each unleashing legendary techniques. The Third Hokage's elemental mastery, Hanzo's poison mist, and Nagato's rinnegan attacks rained down upon Naruto, but the demon was relentless—unstoppable.
Naruto roared, chakra tendrils lashing out, tearing the resurrected shinobi apart. Despite their power, they were forced back—pushed to their limits. Blood stained the ground as Naruto's might overpowered even the legends.
Breathing heavily, Tsunade glared defiantly. "We won't stop—no matter what!"
Naruto smirked. "Then die like the rest."
He lunged, claws poised to rip through her—but Jiraiya leaped in front, taking the brunt of the attack. Blood splattered as Jiraiya crumpled, a smile on his lips.
"Forgive me, Naruto…" he whispered, life fading once more.
Naruto's eyes flashed with irritation. "Pathetic!"
But then, a blinding light erupted. The resurrected shinobi fell back, clutching their heads as Kabuto's control faltered. The forbidden jutsu was unstable—breaking.
Naruto grinned. "Looks like your second chance is over."
Tsunade gasped, watching as the bindings on her soul unraveled.
"Damn it…" she muttered.
The Crimson Demon's laughter filled the forest as the resurrected shinobi faded, returning to the afterlife.
Naruto's smile was cruel. "Even death can't stop me."
The forest was silent once more—dark and lifeless. The nightmare continued, and the shinobi world trembled.
Chapter 16(part -2): Shadows of the Past
The Hidden Leaf Village was a ghost of its former self. Buildings lay in ruins, scorched walls and crumbled rooftops standing as reminders of the devastation. The air carried a scent of ash and despair, lingering like a curse. Scattered among the debris were graves marked hastily—names etched by trembling hands.
In the remnants of the Hokage's office, a faint flicker of candlelight illuminated grim faces. Survivors gathered around, nursing wounds both physical and emotional. Silence weighed heavily until a voice broke it.
"I never thought it would come to this," Kakashi murmured, mismatched eyes reflecting sorrow.
Tsunade's face was a mask of stone, but grief lined her gaze. Bandages wrapped her torso, still bleeding from the wounds inflicted by Naruto's rampage. The legendary Sannin had faced many horrors, but nothing had prepared her for this—the downfall of the village by one of its own.
Gaara leaned against the wall, his expression impassive but haunted. Sand swirled lazily around his feet, a reflection of his unease. Across the room, Hinata sat stiffly, hands trembling. Her eyes were weary, the fires of determination dulled but not extinguished.
Shikamaru's eyes were narrowed, calculating even now. He glanced at the few gathered—remnants of a broken force.
Tsunade exhaled slowly, her gaze hardening. "We need to piece together exactly what happened. Too many are unaccounted for, and confusion only weakens us."
Kakashi nodded. "Agreed. We need clarity."
Tsunade glanced at the table, where a map of the village was spread out—marked with battle sites and casualty reports. She began, her voice unyielding.
"During the first confrontation with Naruto in the Forest of Death, we lost many skilled jonin. Asuma Sarutobi was killed, alongside Kurenai Yuhi, who was cut down protecting students. Shino Aburame fell against the relentless onslaught."
Hinata's breath caught, eyes clouding as she remembered the chaos of that day—friends she'd trained with reduced to bloodied corpses.
"However," Tsunade continued, "Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru survived but were severely injured. They've been in critical condition ever since."
Shikamaru leaned forward. "And during the Sannin clash?"
Tsunade's expression hardened. "That fight... Jiraiya was killed. Orochimaru was torn apart by Naruto himself, yet we believe he was somehow resurrected—explaining the confusion over his survival."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "A forbidden jutsu?"
Tsunade nodded. "Most likely. The chaos was deliberate—Naruto wanted us disorganized. He tore through the village, killing indiscriminately. Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon... they were among the fallen. The young ones fought bravely, but…" Her voice wavered.
Gaara's voice was a low rumble. "And the Akatsuki?"
Tsunade's expression darkened. "Naruto slaughtered them one by one. Zetsu was incinerated, Kisame was ripped apart, and Hidan was obliterated. Deidara self-destructed in a desperate attempt to kill Naruto, but the beast survived."
Gaara clenched his fists. "And Itachi? Pain?"
Tsunade sighed. "Pain was defeated, his body left mangled and broken. Itachi's fate remains uncertain—reports are conflicting. Some say he died, others claim he vanished."
Shikamaru rubbed his chin. "And the resurrected Sannin?"
Tsunade's eyes hardened. "Orochimaru somehow used a forbidden jutsu to bring himself back—alongside a twisted form of Jiraiya. But they're not the men we knew—puppets, driven by twisted desires."
A grim silence fell.
Shikamaru steepled his fingers. "And what about the legendary masters—Might Guy and Gaara?"
Tsunade's eyes flicked to Gaara. The Kazekage's gaze was cold. "Might Guy... fell protecting Lee. He opened the Eighth Gate and burned bright—but Naruto crushed him."
Hinata's hands trembled. So many lives lost, so much pain. But she forced herself to ask. "Neji?"
Tsunade's eyes softened. "He saved countless lives, sacrificing himself against Naruto's onslaught. His death was not in vain."
Tears welled in Hinata's eyes. Memories of Neji's proud smirk and unwavering determination crashed over her. But she fought back the tears, determination burning stronger.
Shikamaru sighed deeply. "And who remains?"
Tsunade looked around the room, eyes heavy. "From the original Konoha Twelve—Kakashi, Hinata, Lee, and Shikamaru are alive. Tenten's location is unknown. The rest are gone."
Gaara folded his arms. "And the Five Kage?"
Tsunade frowned. "A and Onoki are dead. Mei Terumi's status is unknown. Only Gaara and I remain."
The room sank deeper into despair.
Kakashi's voice was heavy. "So this is all that's left?"
Tsunade straightened, a fierce resolve burning in her eyes. "We are bloodied, but not broken. Naruto is powerful—an unholy force—but we will not fall to despair. We will fight."
Gaara nodded. "The past is gone. We face the monster now."
Shikamaru exhaled, shadows dancing around him. "We'll need a plan. We can't face him head-on."
Hinata's voice was soft but firm. "We need to reach Naruto—the real him. I refuse to believe he's truly lost."
Tsunade's gaze softened. "If anyone can reach him, it's you, Hinata. But don't hesitate—he's more demon than man now."
Hinata clenched her fists. "I'll bring him back."
Gaara's eyes hardened. "And if that fails, we destroy him."
The flickering candlelight illuminated the determined faces of the broken but unyielding survivors. Their path was steeped in blood and darkness, but resolve burned brightly.
The Crimson Demon loomed—unstoppable, unrelenting—but hope flickered in the hearts of those who still stood.
The fight was far from over.
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