Bang! Boom!
The clash of weapons echoed through the forest, mixing with the rumbling of exploding jutsu.
A scar-faced ninja with uneven eyes slowly approached a chubby kid who could barely stand.
The kid's body was covered in cuts and bruises; his clothes were torn and ragged. He'd clearly been through hell already.
"Heh, you've got guts, kid. Letting your friends escape while you stayed behind. Not that it matters. Even if both of you were here, you'd still be dead. Hehehe."
The chubby kid silently reached into his coat and pulled out a small pillbox. He fumbled out a single pill and popped it into his mouth.
Raising his blood-smeared face, he gave the scar-faced ninja a smile that was more terrifying than reassuring.
With a raspy voice, he squeezed out, "You don't get it... we swore an oath, under heaven and earth!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his body began to burn with energy. From his back sprouted wings of blue chakra. His whole body started to shrink, shedding fat and muscle like it was burning away, turning him from a chubby kid into a near-skeletal figure, like he'd been starved for months.
Scarface's eyes hardened. He cursed himself internally. His stupid habit of running his mouth instead of finishing the job—it was going to get him killed one day.
"Lightning Style: Ground Surge!"
He fired off a lightning jutsu straight at Akimichi Yoshimaru, then dashed forward with three kunai in hand, tossing them in a triangle pattern as he closed the distance.
But Yoshimaru just slammed his fist into the ground.
He leapt backward, planting his feet firmly on a tree trunk, using it as leverage to push off. His hands flew into hand signs.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The gust of wind shot forward, and his fists began to glow with blue chakra, like two blazing gauntlets. His chakra wings flickered and shrank just a bit.
With enhanced reflexes, Yoshimaru dodged the incoming jutsu and kunai, closing the distance for a counterattack.
Scarface managed to dodge the wind blast, but he wasn't quick enough to avoid the punch. Yoshimaru's fist crashed into his chest, and for a brief moment, Yoshimaru saw the surprise frozen in the man's eyes.
Poof!
Scarface vanished in a puff of smoke, replaced by a log.
"A substitution jutsu? Damn it!" Yoshimaru cursed.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Slash!"
A single streak of blue lightning shot through the air—sharp and fast. It looked almost exactly like something his own brother would do.
Yoshimaru's right arm, the one he'd punched with, went numb. He stared at it, watching with horror as the sensation faded.
"Aghhh!"
He stumbled back against a tree, desperately trying to stay upright. His right arm had been severed into multiple pieces. The entire limb was gone, leaving only blood and torn flesh, dripping onto the forest floor.
Crunch.
The sound of a leaf crunching underfoot.
Yoshimaru's eyes slowly lifted, just in time to see a shadowy figure charging straight at him. Acting on instinct, he swung his only remaining fist at the attacker.
A flash of steel.
The attacker didn't meet his punch head-on; instead, they moved like water, slipping right past it.
Two quick slashes to his back—precise, deliberate. Blood sprayed from Yoshimaru's body, painting the ground crimson.
He tried to turn around, body screaming in agony, just to lean against the tree for support.
But as soon as he did, a long wooden spike slammed straight through his chest, pinning him to the trunk like a broken marionette.
"I saw how much you liked wood... so I figured I'd let it send you off," Scarface sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.
But Yoshimaru's thoughts weren't on his attacker. His mind drifted back to his friends.
He remembered eating with them, walking with them, soaking in the hot springs together, and training side by side. He remembered their promise—to live and die together, no matter what.
"Don't... don't you dare die on me, guys..."
Yoshimaru closed his eyes. His breathing stopped.
In the forest, Sarutobi Ryo and Shibi Aburame were moving quickly, but anxiety crept into their hearts.
"We need to go faster... someone's hurt!" Shibi said urgently.
Sarutobi Ryo's brow furrowed, his frustration mounting. He thought this would just be a quick patrol—a chance to show off a bit, help Minato rescue Kushina, and rack up some respect.
But now... one of his brothers was hurt. That wasn't part of the plan.
They skidded to a stop. Both stood frozen, eyes wide as they stared at the scene in front of them.
Pinned to a tree, unmoving, was Akimichi Yoshimaru. His body was skinny and frail, drained of life. Blood dripped steadily to the ground.
"This... this isn't Yoshimaru... right? My Yoshimaru is chubby. I always made sure he ate well. This... this body... it's not him... right?" Sarutobi Ryo stammered, voice cracking.
"My insects... they don't get it wrong," Shibi replied, his voice shaking.
Sarutobi Ryo reached out, touching Yoshimaru's cold face. His hand shook uncontrollably. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and his mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Shibi Aburame grabbed Yoshimaru's right shoulder, his hands stained with blood. His other hand grasped the wooden spike, trying to pull it out, but his strength faltered. His forehead pressed against Yoshimaru's body, his shoulders trembling.
Sarutobi Ryo slapped himself across the face, hard. Then, with all his strength, he yanked the wooden spike from Yoshimaru's chest. He and Shibi laid their fallen friend on the ground, eyes blazing with fury.
"Yoshimaru's body isn't even cold yet! The bastard that did this can't be far! WHERE ARE THEY?!" Ryo growled, his voice practically a snarl.
"Left!"
Zzt!
A crackle of electricity surged through the air, and Sarutobi Ryo disappeared in a flash of lightning.
Shibi Aburame took off right behind him, swearing to himself that he would kill the son of a bitch responsible.
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato was lurking in the shadows, observing three enemy ninja.
Uzumaki Kushina was among them, being forced forward, her eyes downcast and her wrists bound.
Perfect opportunity!
Minato struck without hesitation, taking out the rearmost ninja in one fluid motion.
The other two heard the commotion and moved back toward Kushina, but Minato's speed was on another level. He closed the distance before they could react, appearing right at Kushina's side.
A kunai sliced through the ropes binding her, then found its way into the throat of the ninja beside her.
Minato spun gracefully, finishing off the final enemy before Kushina even realized she was free.
When she finally snapped back to reality, she found herself cradled in Minato's arms, held in a princess carry.
They stood at the top of a tall tree, the setting sun casting a warm glow over them.
Kushina looked up at Minato, who was practically shining in the sunlight. For a moment, she was utterly mesmerized. All the pain and humiliation she'd felt melted away.
She snuggled her head into his chest, whispering softly, "Thank you... it's so good... having you here."
Minato looked down at the girl in his arms, his expression tender. To him, she was his entire world.
In his heart, he made a promise. "Kushina... I'll protect you. Always."