Chương 30: Kyuubi attack commences
As the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in a palette of soft pinks and oranges, Team Shisui stood ready to embark on their journey back to Konoha. The early morning air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the promise of a new day.
Shisui, his curly hair slightly tousled from sleep, stretched his arms above his head and addressed his team with a mix of authority and casual friendliness. "Alright, you two. We've wrapped up our mission and had a nice little vacation. Time to head back to the village before they send out a search party."
Naoki and Itachi nodded in agreement, though Naoki couldn't help but add wistfully, "Yes, but I'm really going to miss the food from Kuma no MITSU. Maybe one day they'll open a branch in Konoha."
Itachi, usually so stoic, allowed a small smile to grace his features. "Indeed. It was quite possibly the best meal I've had in recent memory."
As they set off, the path before them unfolded like a vibrant tapestry. The lush greenery of the forest surrounded them, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves to create an ever-shifting pattern on the ground. The air was filled with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds, creating a peaceful symphony of nature.
After a while of comfortable silence, Naoki decided to liven things up. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he turned to Shisui. "So, Shisui, what's the deal with your love life? Got a special someone waiting back in Konoha?"
Shisui, who had been taking a sip from his water canteen, promptly choked and spluttered. "W-What? Where did that come from?" he managed to gasp out, his eyes wide with surprise.
Naoki's grin widened. "Well, you know, you're not getting any younger. I mean, even Itachi's got someone, and he's practically a kid compared to you."
Itachi, who had been quietly enjoying the banter, nearly tripped over his own feet. "Naoki!" he hissed, his usual composure slipping. "You promised to keep that a secret!"
Shisui's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline. "Wait, what? You're not denying it? Even our stoic little Itachi has a love interest? I'm clearly failing as a sensei if I'm this out of the loop."
Naoki burst into laughter at Shisui's dramatic response. Shisui, eager to shift the spotlight, turned to Itachi with a sly grin. "So,Itachi, who's the lucky lady who's managed to crack that icy exterior of yours?"
Itachi's face, usually so impassive, was now tinged with a hint of pink. "It's not like that," he muttered. "We're just... friends."
Naoki couldn't resist jumping in. "Oh, is that what they're calling it these days? Because I distinctly remember seeing you try to hold her hand. You should have seen your face when your fingers brushed – redder than a tomato!"
Shisui howled with laughter, while Itachi looked like he was seriously considering using a jutsu to disappear on the spot.
But Naoki wasn't done yet. He turned to Shisui with a deadpan expression. "I don't know what you're laughing at, Shisui. I'd bet my ninja headband you've never even held hands with anyone."
Shisui's laughter cut off abruptly, replaced by a look of utter betrayal. "Oi! Whose side are you on, you little brat?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, almost in unison, all three of them burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the forest, startling a flock of birds into flight.
As their laughter subsided, Shisui wiped a tear from his eye. "You know, for all the grief you two give me, I wouldn't trade this team for anything."
Itachi, his composure somewhat regained, nodded in agreement. "Despite the... personal revelations, I must concur. Our dynamic is quite unique."
Naoki beamed at his teammates. "Agreed! Though I still think we need to find Shisui a date when we get back to the village."
Shisui groaned dramatically. "Et tu, Naoki? Fine, fine. But if we're playing matchmaker, I say we start with finding Itachi's mystery girl and seeing if she needs her vision checked."
Itachi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I believe I can arrange for both of you to need an extended stay in the hospital if this conversation continues."
There was a beat of silence before all three burst into laughter once again. As they continued their journey, the banter flowed freely, punctuated by laughter and the occasional mock threat. The road back to Konoha stretched before them, but at that moment, none of them were in any hurry to reach their destination. After all, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, especially when you're travelling with friends.
The peaceful journey back to Konoha was shattered in an instant. A deafening boom tore through the air, the sound so intense it seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality. The earth beneath their feet convulsed violently, as if the world itself was crying out in pain. A blinding flash of light erupted on the horizon, so bright that it turned night into day for a brief, terrifying moment.
Team Shisui, caught completely off guard, was thrown to the ground. The forest around them groaned and creaked, leaves and branches raining down as the aftershocks rolled through the landscape. For several long seconds, the world was a cacophony of sound and motion.
As the initial shock subsided, Naoki struggled to his feet, his vision swimming and ears ringing. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the spots from his eyes. "W-What in the world was that?!" he stammered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion.
Nearby, Itachi was also slowly rising, his usually calm demeanour visibly shaken. His dark eyes darted around, searching for any immediate threat. "I... I'm not sure," he murmured, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his normally steady voice.
Shisui, ever the protector, was already on his feet, reaching out to help his younger companions. "You guys okay?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. His eyes, usually full of mirth, were now sharp and alert, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.
Before anyone could respond, a bone-chilling roar split the air. It was a sound unlike anything they had ever heard before - primordial, full of rage and malevolence. The very air seemed to thicken, heavy with an oppressive aura that spoke of doom and destruction.
Naoki's eyes widened in horror as he turned towards the source of the sound, towards where Konoha should be. Through the settling dust and smoke, an impossible sight met their eyes. "Look!" he cried out, his voice cracking with panic. "What is that?! No... it can't be... Is this some kind of genjutsu?!"
Rising above the treeline in the distance was a monstrous figure. Even from afar, they could make out nine massive tails lashing against the sky, each movement causing tremors in the earth. The creature's form seemed to be made of malevolent chakra, its presence alone enough to make the air feel thick and suffocating.
Without a word, both Itachi and Shisui activated their Sharingan, the tomoe in their eyes spinning as they sought to pierce any illusion. Naoki, lacking their kekkei genkai, formed the hand sign for dispelling genjutsu.
"Kai!" The three shouted in unison, their voices blending together in a desperate attempt to break what surely must be an illusion.
But nothing changed. The monstrous figure in the distance remained, its roars continuing to shake the very foundations of the earth. The horrifying reality began to sink in.
Naoki's mind raced, piecing together the impossible scenario before them. His face paled as the realisation hit him. "Oh no... If this isn't a genjutsu, then that has to be the Nine-Tailed Fox," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But if it's here, that means..." He trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
Itachi, his face a mask of controlled worry, finished for him. "Kushina-san's seal must have weakened during childbirth," he said, his voice grave.
Shisui's expression hardened, years of training kicking in despite the unprecedented situation. "We need to move, now," he said, his voice carrying the weight of command. "Our village needs us. Every shinobi will be needed to face this threat."
Naoki and Itachi exchanged a glance, fear and determination warring in their eyes. But as shinobi of the Leaf, there was only one choice. With a nod, they steeled themselves for what lay ahead.
"Let's go," Shisui said, his eyes blazing with resolve. "We'll use the Body Flicker Technique to cover ground as quickly as possible. Don't hold anything back - every second counts."
In a burst of speed that would have been invisible to the untrained eye, Team Shisui vanished from the spot, racing towards the village they had sworn to protect. The forest blurred around them as they pushed their techniques to the limit, each lost in their own thoughts but united in their determination.
As they sped towards Konoha, the roars of the Nine-Tails grew louder, and the malevolent chakra in the air became thicker. The night sky ahead was lit with an ominous orange glow, and pillars of smoke rose into the air. The peaceful village they had left behind was now the stage for a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.
Shisui's mind raced with tactical considerations, already planning how best to contribute to the village's defence. Itachi's thoughts turned to his family, hoping against hope that they were safe. And Naoki... Naoki's heart ached for Kushina, the woman who had been like an older sister to him, now surely fighting for her life.
As they approached the outskirts of the village, the true scale of the destruction became apparent. Buildings lay in ruins, fires raged unchecked, and the air was filled with screams and the clash of battle. And there, at the centre of it all, loomed the Nine-Tailed Fox, its massive form dwarfing even the Hokage Monument.
Team Shisui paused for just a moment on a tall tree, taking in the scene of devastation. Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Whatever happened next, they would face it together, as shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. With a collective deep breath, they were about to leap into the chaos, ready to fight for their home and their people, no matter the cost.
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