SENJU PARK
Senju Park was a scene of devastation. The once peaceful grounds were scarred by deep gouges and broken trees. Patches of dark, clotted blood stained the earth, a grim reminder of the fierce battle that had recently taken place.
Scattered amongst the debris lay the still forms of many shinobi, their lives tragically cut short. Yet, amidst this destruction, a small pocket of survivors remained, their faces etched with exhaustion and sorrow.
Naruto, his expression serious, stood among them, alongside Kakashi, Shikamaru, Sakura, Konohamaru, and several other Konoha ninja.
Suddenly, the sound of stone grinding against stone echoed from the direction of the village walls. It was followed by a loud crash as chunks of the massive barrier broke away and tumbled to the ground.
Naruto, his brow furrowed in concern, watched the unfolding events with intense focus, his usual bright energy overshadowed by the gravity of the situation. He was not in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode; his features were purely his own.
Kakashi, his eyes holding their familiar, calm gaze, turned to Naruto. "Listen, Naruto," he said, his voice steady despite the ominous sounds. "We'll need to address what's happening at the wall, especially since Sasuke is involved. However, our immediate priority is to bring back everyone who was transported to Mount Myoboku, along with Gamakichi."
Naruto nodded, his gaze flicking towards the distant wall before returning to Kakashi. "Right." With a deep breath, he swiftly performed the hand seals for the Summoning Jutsu. A large cloud of white smoke billowed into existence, and with a heavy thump, Gamakichi appeared. The giant toad stood before them, looking surprisingly well, though large white bandages were wrapped around his arm and a portion of his stomach.
Gamakichi opened his massive mouth, and a stream of figures tumbled out onto the ravaged ground. Temari, Himekawa, and several other Konoha shinobi, who had been caught in the enemy's transportation jutsu, looked around in confusion and relief.
"Temari!" Shikamaru exclaimed, his eyes widening with undisguised relief as he saw his wife.
"Shikamaru!" Temari replied, her voice filled with emotion as their eyes met. It was as if they had been separated for a long time, and the worry they had both endured was evident in their exchange.
Himekawa, a sturdy shinobi with a determined expression, strode over to Udon, his face etched with concern. "Udon! What in the world happened here while we were gone?"
Udon, still looking shaken by the recent events, recounted the battle. "Nanadaime-sama… he fought the Rinnegan Man. He managed to defeat him… but it turned out the powerful enemy was just a clone."
Naruto glanced at Gamakichi, and the giant toad gave him a small, understanding nod. With a soft puff of smoke, Gamakichi's immense form vanished, leaving a light swirl of dust in the air.
The immediate task was clear: gather the returned shinobi and then turn their attention to the alarming situation unfolding at Konoha's walls.
Naruto took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the distant commotion at the village walls. "Alright everyone," he announced, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "I think I need to go and help Sasuke out up there."
Sai, ever observant, spoke up, his dark eyes filled with concern. "Naruto, are you sure you have enough chakra left after the battle here? Wouldn't it be wise to rest for a little while and conserve your energy?"
Naruto shook his head firmly. "No, there's no time to delay. It could lead to serious trouble. Besides," he added, a slight grin touching his lips, "Kurama's been holding back some chakra for a situation like this. And I'll try my best not to go into Kurama Link Chakra Mode right away."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, his gaze also directed towards the conflict. "Naruto's right. We really need to understand what's happening up there and who exactly Sasuke is fighting."
Shikamaru's brow furrowed, his mind already piecing together the possibilities. "I think... it might be that Rinnegan guy himself."
"Hikaru..." Kakashi corrected, his voice low. "He called himself Hikaru."
"Hikaru, huh..." Shikamaru murmured, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "That reminds me! Naruto, I have an important piece of information that I learned. I need to tell you."
Meanwhile, Naruto had already created a shadow clone. The clone sat cross-legged on the ground, its eyes closed in concentration, beginning the slow process of gathering natural energy to enter Sage Mode.
"Shikamaru," Naruto said, his attention split between the distant fight and his clone. "You tell it to Kakashi-sensei. I'm sure he'll be able to decide what needs to be done. After all," he added, his tone indicating his impatience, "I'm in a hurry."
Shikamaru sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Indeed, I'll inform Rokudaime-sama, but this information is essential for you to know as well."
Naruto waved his hand dismissively, his focus already shifting towards the village walls. "No time for details right now, Shikamaru."
He then gave a serious look to Kakashi and the others. "If you guys hear the sound of paper bombs exploding up there, take it as a signal to come and help me."
Naruto crouched low, ready to spring into action. "Alright, I'm going!"
"Hey, wait, Naruto! We're not done—"
Shikamaru began, trying to get his attention.
But before Naruto could launch himself towards the village walls, a powerful voice boomed across Senju Park, cutting through the night air.
"NARUTOOOO!!!"
The voice was heavy, resonant, and filled with an unmistakable urgency.
"... WAIT, NARUTO!"
The urgent cry echoed through the damaged Senju Park, causing Naruto to freeze mid-crouch, his intent to rush towards the distant conflict momentarily suspended. Everyone present turned towards the source of the booming voice.
Stumbling into view, the figure's breath coming in ragged gasps,it was a figure clearly exhausted and disheveled. His clothes were torn in several places, and dust and grime clung to his sweat-soaked hair. His chest heaved with the effort of his desperate sprint, and his eyes, wide with alarm, darted frantically around the group before locking onto Naruto.
"Naruto!" the figure gasped out, his voice hoarse and strained, yet carrying an undeniable weight of urgency. "...Wait, Naruto! You need to hear this...!"
He clutched at his chest, trying to catch his breath, his body trembling with exertion and fear. The sheer desperation in his voice immediately put everyone on edge
Sai, ever the observant and quick to react, moved swiftly towards the exhausted figure. He gently took hold of the trembling arm, his expression concerned. "Kiba," he said, his voice calm but firm. "What happened? Why are you so injured? And where are you coming from?"
Kiba, still struggling to draw in deep breaths, could only manage a weak nod in Sai's direction. Naruto, his initial urgency replaced by worry for his comrade, stepped closer. "Kiba! What's the matter? What's going on?"
Sakura, her medical instincts kicking in, hurried to Kiba's side. "Here, sit down," she instructed gently, guiding him to the ground. Her hands began to glow with a soft, green chakra as she started to assess and heal his injuries.
Kiba leaned back against Sakura's support, his chest still heaving. He tried to speak, his words catching in his throat. "T-The... Village..." he stammered, his voice raspy. "...it... it is in danger..."
Sai quickly offered him a canteen of water. "Here, drink this. Don't strain your throat."
Naruto's patience was wearing thin, his anxiety growing with each labored breath Kiba took. "Kiba! What happened? Just tell us! Is someone coming? Did they attack the village? Are they after something specific?"
Kiba took a shaky sip of water, his eyes wide and unfocused for a moment. Then, he looked at Naruto, a strange, bewildered expression on his face. "...All of them..." he managed to utter, the words hanging in the air, confusing everyone present.
Shikamaru's brow furrowed deeply. "What do you mean, 'all of them'?"
Kiba's voice was still shaky, filled with a dazed disbelief. "All of them... Naruto... what... what you said... everything... everything is going to happen... or rather it is happening..."
A surge of anger mixed with fear coursed through Naruto. He placed his large hands firmly on Kiba's shoulders, his grip tight. "Just tell me what you mean, Kiba! Huh? Just tell me clearly!"
"Wait, Naruto!" Sakura interjected, her voice firm. "Everyone, please! At least let him catch his breath. Let me heal him properly."
Kiba took another gasping breath, his eyes darting between his friends. "A-a lot... happened... outside the village..." he stammered, his voice still wavering. "I came across... two individuals... b-both... superhuman..." He paused, a look of utter shock on his face.
"...No..wait... one... one was not... a human... only..."
Kakashi leaned forward, his expression serious. "What do you mean by 'not a human'?" he asked, his gaze fixed intently on Kiba.
Kiba took another shaky breath and began to describe the terrifying figure he had encountered. "He... he had skin as pale as death... and this strange... fishing rod-like thing... it glowed red. He used it... to pull something out of people... their.. their chakra. It was because of him... that all the Kage... they just collapsed."
Temari's eyes widened in alarm, her voice sharp with worry. "What do you mean, 'all the Kage collapsed'? Does that mean... something happened to Gaara? And Kankuro...?"
Kiba paused, his face grim. He swallowed hard before continuing, his voice barely a whisper. "He... he could travel... through space... time..."
"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Kiba nodded weakly. "He... he had a... BYAKUGAN... those white eyes... and he called himself... OTSUTSUKI URASHIKI."
A heavy silence fell over Senju Park. The name hung in the air, chilling everyone to the bone.
Shikamaru finally broke the silence, his voice low and thoughtful. "Otsutsuki..." He then turned to Naruto, his gaze searching. "Could this be the other one... the one Sasuke encountered?"
Naruto stood frozen, his mind reeling. So much was happening at once – the devastation in the park, the fight at the walls, and now this terrifying new enemy. He didn't know where to focus, what to prioritize.
Shikamaru, ever the strategist, focused on the other part of Kiba's statement. "What about the other one you mentioned? You called him 'superhuman'... was he also not human?"
Kiba shook his head, his breathing becoming slightly more regular thanks to Sakura's healing chakra. "No... he looked human... but... it's just that... he had a Sharingan."
A collective gasp of shock rippled through the group. Sakura's eyes were wide with disbelief. "A Sharingan...? But... how is that possible? I mean... only Sasuke-kun has one..."
Kiba shook his head again, his gaze firm. "Sakura... I am not mistaken. It really was a Sharingan. But its pattern... it wasn't regular. It was like... the complex one... the one Sasuke has."
Naruto's voice was filled with a mixture of disbelief and rising panic. "A Mangekyo Sharingan...? How... how in the world...? Just... what in the world is happening?"
Kakashi's voice was grave, his gaze troubled as he tried to process the implications. "How can three individuals... bearing the 'THE THREE GREAT DOJUTSU'... exist at the same time...?"
The weight of this impossible reality pressed down on them all, a chilling premonition of the immense challenges they now faced.
Sai, his brow furrowed in thought, turned to Kiba. "Kiba, where exactly did you encounter both of them?"
Kiba, still looking pale and shaken, replied, "Outskirts of Konoha ..."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened. "And where were all the Kage? You said they collapsed. Were they at the same location?"
"Yes," Kiba confirmed, his voice still weak. "At that same place... where I saw those two..."
Temari's breath hitched, her eyes wide with a dawning horror. "You mean... everyone? All the Kage... along with Gaara... and Kankuro... are over there...?"
Kiba nodded slowly, his expression filled with grief. "There's... there's something more... I gotta tell you..." He pushed himself up to a sitting position, his legs still shaky. He looked directly at Temari, his eyes filled with a sorrowful understanding. "...Kankuro... Kankuro is no longer in this world..."
The words hung heavy in the air, a crushing weight descending upon the group.
"What?!" Naruto roared, his voice filled with disbelief and anguish.
Kiba could only nod again, his gaze fixed on the ground. "Kankuro... is dead."
The devastating news hit Temari like a physical blow. Her legs seemed to give way beneath her, and she crumpled to the ground, landing in a stunned, seated position, her face pale with shock and grief.
The reality of her brother's death washed over her, leaving her speechless and heartbroken.
Seeing Temari collapse, Shikamaru quickly moved to her side, gently trying to help her sit up. Her eyes were vacant, the light gone, and silent tears streamed down her face. Sakura knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering unspoken condolences.
Naruto's voice, low and filled with adangerous anger, broke the heavy silence. "Who did this...? Who had courage of killing a citizen in our village?"
Kiba, his voice now steadier but still filled with grimness, replied, "It was the same man... the one bearing the Sharingan."
Kakashi's gaze remained sharp and focused. "Any further details you know about him, Kiba?"
Kiba shook his head. "What little I learned about that man, I've already told you, Rokudaime-sama. But... Orochimaru..."
The sudden mention of Orochimaru's name hung in the air, eliciting shocked glances among the group. How was the rogue Sannin connected to all this? Naruto fixed Kiba with an expectant stare, urging him to continue.
Shikamaru, having helped Temari into a more stable sitting position, stood up, his usual calm demeanor tinged with concern. "What about Orochimaru, Kiba?"
"He knows..." Kiba explained, his voice low. "He knows a lot about that Sharingan user. They were in a conversation."
Kakashi's brow furrowed, his mind racing. "You mean as an ally?"
"No," Kiba stated firmly. "He was a foe to that man. He was and was supporting me. He even fought with the Sharingan user, just before the Kage arrived."
Kiba shook his head, his eyes still distant with the memory of the encounter. "I don't know where he is right now. I met him at the outskirts of the Leaf... just beside the outer wall.
There was a forest there. It was like he wanted to show me something... and it was right around the time when Naruto and Sasuke were fighting that Rinnegan man just beside the outer wall... and then suddenly, Sasuke said something to you and you went somewhere else....around the time when a deadly jutsu was being made at the Senju Park by that man."
The pieces of the puzzle were slowly clicking into place, yet the full picture remained shrouded in darkness.
Orochimaru's cryptic appearance, the Sasuke look-alike, the devastating power of Urashiki, and the Tsuchikage's suspicions... a sinister web was being spun around Konoha.
But as the weary shinobi in Senju Park grappled with these disturbing revelations, an unsettling silence began to descend once more. It wasn't the silence of shock, but a silence filled with the weight of unspoken stories.
Kiba took a deep breath, a look of grim determination settling on his face. There was much more he hadn't yet revealed... details of his encounter with Orochimaru, a strange alliance forged in the face of a common enemy.
That story, however, would have to wait for another time.
---
QUIZ QUESTION
Question: The Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi, suspects Sasuke after receiving a message from the Mist Village. Assuming this suspicion is based on the most direct inference from the information, what would that information most likely be?
a) A description of a rogue individual with Sharingan-like abilities causing trouble in the Mist Village.
b) A warning about a potential alliance between Sasuke and a powerful unknown entity.
c) Information suggesting Sasuke was recently seen near the location where Urashiki attacked.
d) A historical account of a powerful Uchiha clan member with similar destructive tendencies to the current attacker.
Please share your answers in the comments down below!
_AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS_
Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in! Sorry for the longer wait between chapters this time. Life got a little crazy, and my creative well decided to take a little detour. It happens to the best of us, right? 😉
We finally got the confirmation that the pale-eyed, fishing rod-wielding menace is indeed Otsutsuki Urashiki! And that mysterious Sharingan user who looks eerily like Sasuke made a deadly impression. Plus, the heartbreaking news about Kankuro… things have definitely taken a dark and complicated turn.
I know you're probably wondering what Kiba was doing hanging out with Orochimaru of all people. It's a bizarre pairing, right? But trust me, this unexpected connection is going to be far more important to the unfolding story than you might think. What kind of unexpected alliance (or maybe something else entirely?) brought those two together? And what does Orochimaru really know about everything that's happening? 🤔
Well, get ready to find out! The next chapter will be all about Kiba's recent escapades. We're diving into his story, revealing how he encountered Orochimaru and the secrets that are still waiting to be unleashed – secrets that could change everything. Trust me, it's going to be a wild ride! 🐕🐍
Thanks for sticking with the story! Your support means a lot. Can't wait to hear your theories! 😉