Chương 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven: Izuna V
[A/N: Welp, I am back o/ Sorry to keep you all waiting everyone! If you want to know what happened, umm check the Author Thoughts at the end! But for now, Enjoy! P.S. my writing has changed after so long. So those who are reading it for the first time might feel the change after chapter 36]
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October 4th, Year 72, A Fishing Village in the Land of Fire
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The village was more than quiet—it was broken.
The ruins stretched before me like a graveyard for the memories of those who had once lived here. Roofs were half-collapsed, walls shattered as if a violent storm had torn through. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burned wood and scorched earth, clinging to my lungs with every breath. Even the wind seemed to whisper of death as it rustled through the wreckage.
But the worst part wasn't the destruction.
It was the blood.
So much blood…
The stench was overpowering, choking, but the sight was worse. There weren't many bodies scattered across the village—just a few—but what we could gather from them painted a nightmarish picture. There were no complete corpses. Only parts, twisted and mangled. It was as if something had torn through these people with no mercy, no hesitation.
Inuzuka Tsume, crouched low, her sharp eyes scanning the ground, seemed to have found something. She bent closer to a mangled form, her nose twitching in the air as she took in the horrific scene. Her usual composure faltered, and I could see her lips tighten in disgust. "This isn't right," she muttered, almost to herself. "It was… crunched off. Most of the bodies—eaten."
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the words hit me like a physical blow. My chest tightened as the horror settled deeper in my gut. Eaten.
Shisui's eyes locked onto Tsume-san, his calm exterior slipping for the briefest moment. His normally unshakable demeanor cracked, the gravity of what was happening beginning to sink in. "How could—" His voice faltered, but he caught himself quickly. "No… It's not possible."
I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling a bitter coldness grip my bones. How could this be happening? These were not soldiers, not enemies of Orochimaru. These were just villagers—people going about their lives. And yet, this was the fate they had been dealt.
"What ate them?" Shisui's voice was barely a whisper, though it cut through the air like a knife.
Tsume-san shook her head, still examining the body. "I don't know. But it's fresh. Whatever did this is still out there."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. I could feel the weight of my own heartbeat thundering in my chest, as though the very rhythm of life had been disrupted by this unspeakable act of cruelty.
"I remember that Orochimaru was a summoner for the Ryuchi Cave. I've heard the larger snakes eat people…" I offered, hoping to make sense of the horror.
Shisui, however, shook his head. Dread, helplessness and anger in his eyes, "Even the Ryuchi Cave wouldn't commit such atrocities. Yes, they eat people, but they don't destroy entire villages like this. It's against their natural balance… This is the third one we've found. No... something else is at play here."
As I processed his words, I realized he was right. Something felt off. With a sigh, I activated my Sharingan and examined the remains in front of us, searching for any hidden clues.
A Hyuga ninja spoke up from behind us. "Commander, there's no sign of anyone alive... no survivors within a radius of several kilometers."
I let out a slow breath, preparing myself for any situation.
Shisui's expression grew darker. "Understood. Team 1, look for any clues. Team 2, spread out. Search the area within a 10 km radius. Team 3, help collect the bodies—what's left of them."
We nodded in unison and moved out to begin our work.
I was leading Team 1, the assault and infiltration team. With me were Might Guy-san, a Jonin named Itsuki, an ANBU member codenamed Boar, and Izumi. Izumi was still a Chunin, but it was clear she was ready for promotion.
Under Shisui's tutelage, she had grown stronger, her Sharingan abilities developing at an impressive pace. Her fighting style had matured, leaning towards a hit-and-run strategy that had the potential to take on regular Jonin now.
Izumi, noticing my gaze, offered a sad smile, trying to reassure me. "Izuna, don't think too much about it. We'll find that bastard Orochimaru. Even if it's the last thing we do."
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her words, the weight of our situation pressing on my chest. But I nodded, grateful for her optimism. We needed that spark to keep moving forward.
As we continued our investigation, frustration started to build. We hadn't found anything new, and both Izumi and Guy-san were showing signs of irritation.
Guy-san broke the silence, as expected, with his usual loudness. "Such un-youthful behavior from Orochimaru... He must feel the justice of my Youthful Kick! YOUTH!"
Izumi groaned, rubbing her head in exasperation. "Ugh! I wish Kuro was here. With the right incentive, he'd have figured it out by now! That damn bastard! Where is he? Isn't his two years done yet?"
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kuro-kun's name.
Kuro-kun… It had been two years. Where was he? Why hadn't he returned yet? We were supposed to start our team soon… But he was gone, deep in training, restricted from sending messages.
I felt a tightness in my chest, an ache I couldn't ignore. I knew I was being unreasonable.
As an Elite Jonin, I was privy to more information than most, and I knew Kuro-kun's situation better than most. I knew why he couldn't communicate with us. Training was cruel in its own way.
I missed him.
I missed him more than I cared to admit.
But I wasn't the only one.
Shikamaru, Naruto... Even Sasuke, though he'd never admit it, missed him. Sasuke idolized Kuro-kun's achievements and respected his prowess sincerely. I knew that without him needing to speak it aloud.
The day Kuro-kun left for his training, something in the village had dimmed. The kids' eyes had lost some of their light. They hadn't realized it then, but they missed him deeply. And the adults felt it too. Yoshino-sama was more protective of Shikamaru, worried about the impact of Kuro-kun's absence.
Kushina-sama, ever open, spoke often of missing her student, her son in all but name. And the shop owners, the people who adored Kuro-kun for his kindness—his sometimes tsundere attitude—missed him more than they cared to admit.
I remembered our last meeting, atop the Hokage Monument. The unspoken promise made between us. Our feelings unspoken but made clear.
I had already made a name for myself, Kuro-kun. Got my own Bingo page, right next to yours.
I chuckled softly at the thought. It was strange yet soothing to see our names side by side in those files.
"The Shadow Weaver (Kageori no Mono)" and "The Scarlet-Eyed Witch (Kougan no Majo)."
I could almost hear Kuro-kun grumbling about it, making fun of my title while secretly proud. He'd never admit it, but I knew him too well.
Come back soon, Kuro-kun. Please.
…
…
We all returned back to the main camp as our we needed to report our findings and get more orders.
When my team arrived, we were already the last ones, and Tsume-san was reporting something to Shisui with a grim face.
"Shisui," I said, my voice steady, but betraying the anxiety gnawing at me. "What's the status of the search?"
Shisui didn't look up at me at first, his eyes scanning the horizon, his thoughts clearly a thousand miles away. When he finally spoke, his voice was grim. "We've got something," he said, his gaze flicking to Tsume-san. "Tsume-san, what do you have?"
Tsume-san growled under her breath as she knelt by the bloodied ground, tracing a path with her fingers. "A trail. It's fresh... Heading south."
I felt a strange shift within me, the air growing heavier as Shisui turned to address the team. His normally calm eyes blazed with urgency now, his voice commanding. "Everyone, move out. Full speed. We need to find out what's causing this... and we need to stop it."
The team, like a well-oiled machine, sprang into action. I was grateful for their quiet efficiency, their resolve, but I could feel the unease within them all, like a quiet storm waiting to break.
They were all experienced, seasoned in the worst this world had to offer, but even they were shaken. And I… I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever we were about to face, it would be something far worse than we could ever prepare for.
The trail led us deeper into the forest. The air grew thick with tension, the dense trees pressing in on us as though they too were part of the nightmare unfolding. We moved swiftly, silently, each of us focused, yet none of us could escape the feeling of something lurking just beyond our senses. I pushed those thoughts down, focusing on the task at hand. My mind kept flicking back to Tsume-san's words—whatever had done this was still out there, still hungry.
We came upon a clearing, and that's when I saw it.
At first, I thought it was a trick of the mind—a fevered hallucination. But no, it was real.
The creature before us was not a snake, not a monster—at least not in any form that could be easily recognized. It was an abomination. A twisted, vile mass of flesh, snakes, and decaying bodies, all sewn together by some incomprehensible force. The sheer size of it took my breath away. It was serpentine, yes, but its form was more like a writhing heap of death and agony than anything natural.
Its hundreds of mouths opened and closed with an insatiable hunger, devouring everything in its path. Villagers—what was left of them—were swallowed whole, their bodies torn apart and absorbed into the monstrous form. The scent of decay was unbearable, so pungent it made my stomach churn.
And then it did something that turned my blood cold.
It laughed.
The sound tore through the air like a nightmare made flesh, sharp and jagged, full of madness and anguish. It was a sound that shouldn't exist in this world. It was the laughter of something that had lost its mind, a creature devoid of any semblance of sanity. I wanted to cover my ears, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight before me.
"By the Sage…" Tsume-san whispered, her voice trembling as she stood frozen, horror written across her face. "What is that thing?"
Shisui's hands were clenched into fists, his usual calm shattered as he stepped forward, eyes wide with disbelief. "This… this should be Orochimaru. But…" His voice cracked slightly, the realization dawning too late. "Something's gone terribly wrong. He's lost control."
I stepped forward, my hand gripping the hilt of my sword tightly. My mind raced, but my body felt frozen in place. This was no longer just Orochimaru's work. This… this was something else. Something monstrous. Something beyond comprehension. The madness, the cruelty, the abomination before us was the result of a mind long corrupted by power.
This wasn't just a monster. This was Orochimaru's madness incarnate, taken to unspeakable extremes. And it was hungry.
…
…
"Everyone, get ready!" I barked, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. The words were barely out of my mouth when my Sharingan flared to life, the world around me sharpening into focus. I could feel the blood pulsing through my veins, my chakra thrumming in perfect sync with my will. Every muscle in my body tensed, prepared for the storm that was coming.
"Izumi, Guy-san—take the flanks! I am going in!" I commanded, already gathering chakra at my core. The creature—no, the abomination—loomed before us, a twisted mockery of life itself, each shift of its grotesque form a sickening violation of nature's balance.
Shisui was the first to move. His body blurred as he vanished into a flash of speed, a streak of silver cutting through the air as he weaved in and out of the creature's reach.
Izumi followed her mentor, her kunai flashed like lightning, striking at the monster's flesh with deadly precision. Yet the abomination simply flexed and reformed, its hide unyielding to the strikes, as if the damage wasn't real.
Beside me, Guy-san wasted no time. His hands slammed into the ground, his chakra flaring, and the air itself seemed to crack with energy. "Sixth Gate—Gate of View—open!" he shouted, his body surging with raw, untamed power as he exploded forward. His kicks shattered the earth beneath him as his fists collided with the creature's mass.
The sound of impact was like thunder, and for a moment, I thought we might actually break through. But the creature merely twisted, its coils winding around Guy-san's fist, the skin like stone, and it laughed again—an eerie, guttural sound that echoed through the clearing, suffocating the very air.
"Morning Peacock!" Guy-san roared, launching a series of rapid punches that sent shockwaves into the earth and the speed created flames to appear, but the abomination absorbed each blow, twisting in grotesque patterns that defied logic.
Even with Guy-san's power, the creature refused to yield. Its laughter grew louder, more distorted, as the ground trembled beneath our feet. The very presence of it was a pressure, a crushing weight that made every breath harder to take. I could feel it gnawing at me, threatening to drown me in despair. But I couldn't let that happen—not here, not now.
"We can't back down!" I stated calmly, my voice laced with determination.
But before I could launch into the next assault, Shisui's voice cut through the chaos. "I'm going to use it," he said, his tone steady, though the tightness in his eyes betrayed the weight of the situation. "We can't hold back anymore."
The air crackled with energy as Shisui activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. I watched as his chakra gathered and the Susanoo began to materialize around him—a towering ethereal warrior of light and power, its blade gleaming with divine energy.
With a roar of determination from Shisui, the Susanoo surged forward, its sword cleaving through the air toward the abomination.
But the creature—its eyes filled with madness—shifted. Its form bent and reformed as the Susanoo's blade struck, its body absorbing the force like a sponge, twisting in unnatural ways as if mocking the very jutsu. The laughter grew more maniacal, louder, as it fed off the power of Shisui's strike. The Susanoo staggered back, and Shisui's face flickered with frustration.
"This isn't working," Shisui muttered under his breath. The creature's resilience was beyond anything we had anticipated.
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling within me. If our attacks weren't working, then we needed to rethink our approach. But before I could speak, thousands shadow tendrils swept across the battlefield—darker than night itself, rolling out from the trees and spreading across the ground like a living thing.
The shadows spread like a living tide, consuming everything in their wake and binding the abomination with terrifying precision. Its monstrous howls of agony echoed through the clearing, sending chills down my spine. The sheer power of the shadows, the way they moved and coiled as if alive, made my heart race.
"What… what is this?" Izumi whispered, her voice barely audible over the creature's desperate shrieks.
I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat. I knew this presence. I felt it deep in my bones. It was unmistakable.
"Kuro-kun…" I breathed, the name leaving my lips before I could stop it. My chest tightened with a mixture of relief and disbelief. This was his jutsu, his style. But here? Now?
And then, he emerged—a figure stepping from the swirling abyss of shadow, tall and composed, his every movement deliberate. Kuro-kun's eyes gleamed with determination, his chakra radiating in waves that made the air itself hum. His hands moved in a seamless flow of seals, and the oppressive aura around him made the battlefield feel lighter, yet far more intense.
"Kuro-kun!" I shouted, my voice cracking with emotion as it carried across the field.
Whispers spread through my teammates.
"The Shadow Weaver…" one murmured, awe clear in their tone.
My chest swelled with pride at the title, and a small smile tugged at my lips despite the chaos.
Kuro-kun turned to me then, and for a moment, his face softened. He smiled warmly before speaking, his voice carrying an unmistakable playfulness.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Izuna… umm… yeah, so a black cat crossed my path, and—"
"BAKA KURO! Shut up and focus!" Izumi cut him off, her voice a mix of relief and exasperation. Her cheeks flushed, and I could almost hear her teeth grinding.
"Right, right!" Kuro-kun chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. But he spared me one last smile, soft and genuine, before his demeanor shifted. His eyes flared, glowing an eerie, brilliant purple. Shadows surged around him, responding to his intent.
The battlefield shifted. The oppressive presence of the abomination faltered under the relentless force of Kuro-kun's chakra. His shadows tightened around the creature, binding its grotesque limbs with unrelenting strength.
Seal markings began to bloom across its monstrous form, crawling like ink over its body. The abomination writhed and screeched, but its movements grew weaker. The seals glowed faintly, forming an intricate, otherworldly prison that seemed to press down on the creature's very existence.
Kuro-kun moved closer, his hands forming a final set of seals. He touched the bound monstrosity with deliberate precision. For a moment, everything stilled. The abomination froze, its grotesque form locked in place. No more howling. No more struggling. Just eerie, complete silence.
Then, with a deep breath, Kuro-kun released the shadows, which flowed back to him like a river retreating to its source. He sagged slightly, exhaustion flickering across his face, but that didn't stop him from smirking.
"Man… what an ugly bastard," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't think Orochimaru could get uglier than his Hibi form, but here we are. Something's definitely wrong with this timeline."
Timeline? The word sent a spark of curiosity through me, but I pushed it aside. That was a conversation for later. For now, I was just glad he was here.
Kuro-kun turned to me again, his teasing grin returning.
"Hey, Izuna. How are things? Miss me?" he asked, his tone light and playful.
I smiled back, but before I could respond, Izumi's voice rang out, sharp and scolding.
"KURO! Your training was supposed to end two months ago! Where were you?!"
Kuro-kun groaned, scratching the back of his head. "Uhh, yeah… about that…"
Before he could explain, Might Guy clapped him on the back, practically shaking him.
"How youthful, Kuro-san! Your flames of YOUTH burned brightly today!"
Kuro-kun winced at the force but managed an annoyed laugh. "Thanks, Guy-san. I think my back's going to be youthful too… for the next week."
"Gaki!" Tsume's booming voice cut in, her tone cheerful. "I heard crazy stories about you, but seeing it firsthand… they didn't do you justice. You're terrifying! Aha!"
Shisui appeared beside us in a flicker, his eyes closed but his face calm. My heart tightened in worry, but he quickly reassured me.
"I'm fine, Izuna," he said softly. "Just the usual toll from Susanoo. I'll visit Tsunade-sama later." He turned to Kuro-kun, offering him an approving nod. "That was incredible, Kuro-san. But… shouldn't you be with Jiraiya-sama and the others?"
Kuro-kun nodded in a nonchalant way. "Yeah, Pervy Sage and Gorilla-sensei are on their way. I had a bad feeling something was off, so I came ahead using Shadow Transmission. Took me a few hours to find you all, but here I am." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if traveling across nations in mere hours was no big deal.
Izumi groaned again, muttering something about "show-offs," but there was pride in her eyes. I couldn't help but giggle at the familiarity of it all.
Kuro-kun sighed, rubbing his temples. "Anyway, I think Jiraiya and Anzo will be here in about two days. We can head back to the village, and I'll let them know where to go."
"Please do that," Shisui said with a soft smile. "We'll rest for an hour, then transport this thing back. Thank you, Kuro-san."
I felt proud as Kuro-kun got praised. He replied to everyone's well wishes and told them that he needed a nap, before coming towards me.
Before I could respond, he stepped closer, his forehead leaning against mine, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.
My heart skipped a beat, my stomach was churning.
But then he goes and says in a tired voice, "I need a nap."
My lips were twitching, as the words came out with a bit of resentment, "You still have to help carry the beast, Kuro-kun."
Kuro-kun scrunched his face, but there was still a smile on tugging on his lips, "When you talk like that… you aren't cute at all, Izuna…"
I felt like laughing at the familiar dialouge but I did my best to keep a fowning face. Although my lips were betraying me.
Before I could retort, he already started walking back towards the beast, but I could hear a whisper in my ears he transmitted his words through his shadows,
" I missed you."
My heart beat fast and there was a big genuine smile on my lips.
I spoke softly, but I knew he could hear it, "I promised that I would wait, didn't I? But… yes… I missed you too, Kuro-kun. I am glad now that you are back."
I started following behind him trying to catch up. But I wish I saw the smile that was tugging at Kuro-kun's lips at that time.
Well things will be alright from now on, I felt so.
...
...
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A/N: Hey everyone, Lumi here.
First of all I am sorry for leaving on short notice, thouse who were in Discord knows a bit more. and I will write what happened on the Author's thoughts below.
as for everything else, I will be posting 2 chapters at last every week of this fic. Sorry can't post more... well more like I don't want to. I feel that if I constraint myself to just one thing it gets boring after a time. Sooo... I will be posting 3 chapters of my Pokemon fic on the side.
It's already out, I would really appreciate it if you guys check it out. It's called "Pokemon Alternate: Echoes of Power." I am sure you would like it!
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Don't forget to check out the Discord and Patreon links in the synopsis. Join our community and get in on the fun discussions! Although advanced chapters for Shadow and Sharingans aren't out yet, but they should be next week, there are advanced chapters for my Pokemon fic there. But not many. Only subscribe there if you want to support me for now. xD
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
LuminouShadow
LuminouShadow Now, let me share what’s been happening in my life.
Well… a lot, to say the least!
As many of you know, I moved to Zambia to pursue my Master’s while also juggling a job, which has been quite stressful. However, things took a downward turn when my eldest uncle on my mother’s side passed away, setting off a chain of events that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
He left behind significant debt, and the entire family came together to support my aunt and cousins during this difficult time.
The loss deeply affected my grandparents in ways we hadn’t anticipated. My grandfather fell into a depression that eventually led to strokes, and he passed away on January 19th of this year. I visited him just a month before his death, and that experience shattered a part of me, knowing I would never see him again.
During the period, my parents were abroad, and I was living alone in Bangladesh in 2020. My grandparents had moved in with me to provide help and companionship, even though they struggled with the city’s loud and hectic lifestyle. They were incredibly dear to me, and the pain of losing my grandfather was immense.
Thankfully, my grandmother is still with us, but she is very sick. After losing my grandpa, she seems to have lost much of her will to live. I can only hope she stays healthy and happy for as long as I have her.
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On a brighter note, I’ve completed my Master’s in Project Management and was offered another opportunity for a Master’s program in Germany, focusing on Environment and Resource Management—Environmental Engineering. This was a field I’ve always wanted to pursue, so I gladly accepted the offer. And now… here I am in Germany, my third continent! Yay!
I’ve only been here for a month and am finally getting settled, which has given me some time to write. I truly appreciate all of you who have been patiently waiting for my return, and I’m very sorry for keeping you waiting so long.
One of the reasons for my extended absence while in Zambia was the ongoing energy crisis there, which affected me significantly. I had to quit my online job due to power and internet issues, causing my life to come to a standstill. But now that I’m in Germany, I’m excited to dive back into writing! I hope to receive your love and support as I do.
Thank you for sticking with me until the end of this message! I’ll see you in the next chapter.
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