Here is the next update of the series. From last time Naruto ran into a mysterious figure.
Hard walked path chapter 25:
Main Campsite, Command tent:
Naruto franticly raced back towards the camp. Figuring out who the cloaked figure would come later but first his troops. Seeing smoke in the distance, he increased his pace.
It was around noon when he arrived at the primary site. Coughing heavily as he ran himself ragged getting here. Turning his attention to the camp, he saw chaos. People were moving and attending to the wounded. While others fought, the number of fires spread about the camp. He walked through it all, taking in the damage.
'I'm too late' he scowled and balling his fists in anger. Making his way to the medical tents, he saw Isara passing out orders. Her eyes widened when she spotted him.
"Captain, you here," she said, excusing herself and rushing over to him. Wrapping him up in a hug, the others seemed to stand up straight at his appearance. "It was terrible one moment everything was fine. Then explosions rocked the camp before these weird animals attacked us," she sobbed.
'Seems she was putting on a strong facade for the others,' he thought with a small smile. Returning the hug and rubbing circles into her back to help calm her. "It's fine now, report. How bad we're we hit?" he asked gently.
"The attack caught us off guard they injured many people in the attack. The medics are working on those in critical condition now," she replied. As they walked through the camp, noting the various damages. Before heading back to the command tent. Saluting the guards as they passed.
Naruto sat down at his desk tiredly, pinching his nose to relieve his stress. The total damage was minimal but the number of injured was high.
'We need to ramp up security. This cannot happen to us again,' he pondered on ways to improve the defense. While offering a quick prayer for the wounded. "Isara, I need you to send word to the others. Everyone is to regroup here post haste. Also, inform the others an emergency meeting is being held," he ordered and dismissed her with a wave.
Two hours later.
It took the full two hours for the others to gather up their supplies and move. The chaos grew with the included personal from the three other groups. Taka arrived first, with Mizu being the second and Akina being the last. They soon piled into his tent upon arriving. The trio standing before him with Isara at his side.
"Report," Naruto growled. Letting them know how serious he was.
Taka was the first to step forward to break the silence. Covered in dirt, he overall looked fine save for the gash on his left cheek.
"They ambushed us while out hunting. I quickly gathered everyone and drove them off. No one died, four of mine were wounded," he said. Stepping back in line with the others.
Akina was the next to step forward, her kimono ripped and dirtied. Looking into her eyes, you could see how tired she truly was.
"The attack caught Akina off guard while she was doing her poetry. The others fought them back easily enough. Though two of ours died and six received wounds from the attack," she whispered. "Zakuro also received an injury while protecting me," she added in a depressed tone.
He could understand she had two men under her killed. Cleary that and Zakros injuries weighed on her. This would give her a new drive and make her take things more seriously.
Lastly was Mizu, he was a little banged up. Sporting several scratches here and there. With his chest wrapped in bandages, likely wounded in the surprise attack.
"We were performing our daily workout when the attack happened. We forced them from the camp but unfortunately one died. While eight of mine received injuries in the counter-attack," he reported with a scowl.
'Six people died from this,' Naruto thought, depressed. Three of his died from their wounds shortly after his arrival. 'Six people to avenge,' he angrily thought, gripping the edges of his desk.
"First, we need to increase our patrols and lookouts. Have those who aren't seriously wounded fill these roles," he said. "Akina, you will be in charge of this," he ordered, getting a slow nod in response.
"Mizu, I need you to prepare some counter defenses should they return. Also, keep guard of the medical tents they will be a prime target," he stated, getting a nod from the man.
"Taka, some of your guys are talented trackers, correct?" he asked, to which the giant nodded. "Good, have a team sent out. Have them sent here I will debrief them personally," he added.
Naruto then waved them off to perform their duties. Isara stayed behind to make him some tea to help his nerves. Before leaving to help keep order in the camp.
Twenty minutes later, the tracker group entered his tent. Quickly standing at attention before him.
"Your mission will be to track the people who attacked the camp. Keep in mind you will probably be deep in enemy territory," he said. Looking them over for any hesitation, he didn't see any. "Your goal is to find the enemy base. Assess their number and return safely," he added, dismissing them with a wave.
The group had searched the surrounding forest for thirty minutes before finding tracks. Following these lead them to the entrance of a cave.
"This is the place," one said. Looking at the opening, the lack of guards was a surprise.
"We take this slow, keep an eye out," the other said.
Creeping into the entrance and following the long tunnel, it lead them to. An enormous cavern that seemed to span for miles, it took them a movement to adjust to the darkness. Scaling onto the roof of the cave and hiding among the stalactites. From their position, they saw a movement towards the middle of the cavern.
Looking closely, they saw it wasn't human but more like an animal. The creatures walked upright like a person but looked disfigured. With grey skin and spikes protruding from their body, in total they numbered eighty. Motion to the others, they stealthily made their way out the cave and back to camp. Never noticing the figure in the cloak that watched them leave.
"Soon, I'll have my revenge," it laughed darkly. As the other creatures gathered around it.
The tracker squad made good time back to base. They quickly entered the main tent and gave Naruto their report.
"Grey skin and spikes?" Naruto mumbled before turning to the trio. "Your thoughts on this matter?" he asked.
"Likely a trap, but one we can't ignore," Mizu replied. Looking at the map in deep thought. "We should we send to combat these enemies," he mumbled.
"He speaks the truth, but we also do not want to neglect the camp's defense," Taka spoke up, getting a nod of agreement from Akina.
Throughout the discussion, Naruto pondered in silence. Running through the information, he quickly came up with a plan.
"I've decided," Naru spoke up, silencing the others. "Taka and his troupe will be on the assault squad under me. Mizu and Akina, you two are in charge of the camp. Taka, prepare your men and meet me at the front," he stated before dismissing them.
Fifteen minutes later, squad one gathered before the camp. The messengers didn't inform them of the reason, only that the order was passed down.
"Ugh, I can't stand this waiting. I need something exciting to happen," Hiken said, pacing back and forth. To the annoyance of a certain gambler.
"Can you be any louder the people in the earth nation can't hear you!" he hotly replied.
"What was that, you cheater!?" Hiken challenged both of them, butting heads. A tap from the silent member pulled both of them from their anger.
Nadate pointed to the front of the clearing. There they saw both Taka and Naruto walking towards them.
"I've summoned all of you for an important task. Earlier out scouts found the enemy force that attacked us. We will strike the enemy camp," Naruto said. "Keep close to your comrades, for no doubt we will be walking into a trap. With this action, we will get justice for those they've taken from us," he shouted, raising a fist in the air. Earning a roar of agreement from the squad.
The group arrived at the entrance of the cavern around nighttime. They made one last check of their provisions before heading in. Carefully, they made their way down the tunnel and into the middle of the cavern. Soon, a large mob of creatures stood in front of them.
"You've finally arrived," a voice said from the mob. Stepping to the front was the same cloaked figure Naru met before.
"You again, who are you?" Naruto demanded. Glaring at the figure in front of him.
"You don't remember me. Oh, but I remember you~," he said in a sing-song tone. "If you make it through my minions, then I might tell you," he said smugly. Before motioning them to attack them.
Taka's group rushed to meet them, ending in a giant melee between the two forces. While Naruto stood back with Taka and the trio.
"We'll hold them here, captain. While you go on ahead and confront the leader," Taka said before jumping into the fight with his men.
Naruto rushed past the melee and continued towards the back of the cavern. Cutting down a few creatures here and there that got in his way. Eventually arriving at the location of the mysterious figure.
"I found my way here now why don't you tell me who you are!" he demanded. To which the figure answered with a chuckle.
"You have and now I shall have my revenge!" they shouted, charging right for Naruto. Who ducked the overhead swipe sent his way. Before leaping back to grant distance.
"Shadow clone Justu" Naru shouted, summoning a group of his clones. Sending the group after the figure.
"Hehe, you think mere clones can defeat me!" the figure challenged before rushing into the group of clones.
The first clone threw a sloppy right jab towards the figure's face. Only for the attack to be deflected by the appearance of a spiketail from under the cloak. Clones two and three attempted to stab him with their kunai, only for the blades to deflect off the figure's skin.
"What!" was the collective response from the two.
"Hehehe. I've gotten a lot stronger since our last fight!" the figure shouted before popping both clones with quick jabs. After disposing of those two, it turned and rushed the other clones. Popping clones four and five with quick jabs and impaling the last clone with its tail.
"Now where's the real one?" it mumbled. Before a loud cry was heard. Turning it' saw the blonde above it with a blue ball of light.
"Rasengan!" Naruto shouted, striking the creature's back. Cracking the ground beneath it and kicking up a dust cloud.
'Did I get him?' he pondered, trying to look through the dust. His eyes widened as a stinger shot from the cloud and almost impaled him. Luckily, his reflexes kicked in at the last moment, helping him to dodge the attack.
As the dust cleared, he got a better look at the figure. It had gray skin, much like the others, but thicker. With clawed hands and feet but the most eye-catching. Was the scorpion-like tail and stinger connected to its back. Looking at its face into its eyes, a strange sense of déjà vu hit the blonde. Searching through his memory, one name appeared to him.
"Tozoku?" he said in confusion. Earning a large fit of laughter from the now named bandit king.
"So you remember me and here I'd thought you'd forget," he mocked while stretching his limbs.
"Why do all this? We have no reason to fight!" Naruto yelled, not understanding the situation.
"Oh, but we do. You ruined my nice minor operation I had going with that village. Though that matters little at this point. No, it's because of you it made me a mockery. A failure of a shinobi pulled the impossible and beat someone of my strength. I cannot let that slide," he returned. Glaring heavily at the blonde.
"That's it? You're doing all of this for something so petty?" Naruto asked, exasperated. Earning a loud scoff from the bandit.
"For someone like you wouldn't understand. Power means everything in this world, more than family or friends. Only those with power can dare sit at the top," Tozoku shouted.
Naruto didn't respond but merely sent him a look of both pity and disgust. This seemed to infuriate the bandit king to no end.
"Don't you look down on me!" he howled in anger. Charging Naruto in a mad dash and tackling him to the ground.
"Ahh" Naruto cried out as his back landed on the rocky ground. His eyes then widened as the stinger aimed for his face. Shifting his head, he dodged with only a small gash to his cheek. Moving his hands, he made a hand seal and swapped places with a rock.
Tozoku bounced back up and attempted to charge the blonde again. Only to stop when he heard a loud hiss sound from behind him. Turning his head, he made out an explosive tag stuck to his back. His eyes widened before an explosion overtook him.
"That had to get him," Naruto exhaled heavily. A rumbling sound broke him from his thoughts as Tozoku pulled himself out of the crater. "Dam it," he muttered, catching his second wind.
"You thought it would be that easy?" Tozoku said mockingly. He was missing an arm and his tail looked broken. Naruto released another curse when he saw him slowly heal.
'Kurama, I need your help' Naruto asked, receiving no reply. Save the familiar feeling of Kurama's chakra flood his system. 'Thanks, buddy,' he said before turning his attention back to the bandit.
With the buff, he summoned another group of clones. He had them launch a large barrage of kunai at the bandit. Turning him into a pincushion.
"Ha. This won't even slow me down," Tozoku said, ignoring the kunai lodge in him.
"I know," was Naruto's replied before quickly running through various hand signals. "Lightning style: Electron technique!" he shouted. Launching a bolt of lightning at the bandit, who tanked the blast.
"That was nothing," he said cockily before his eyes widened. 'I can't move!' he berated himself. Alone, the lightning did nothing but add the kunai still in him. It gave his system a shock immobilizing him.
Naruto didn't waste a moment. Quickly, he summoned a clone and formed the Rasengan and adding some of Kurama's chakra to it. Making it glow an eerie red. Crossing the distance quickly, he aimed his strike for the bandit's heart.
"Rasengan!" he shouted, impaling the bandit through the chest and turning his insides into jelly.
"D-dam you. Ho-w cou-ld this ha-ve happ-ened," Tozoku stuttered. He couldn't believe it once again: the blonde had bested him.
"It's because you 're weak," Naruto said, turning the bandits' attention to him. "You struggle for all that power but forgot the most important thing. Your resolve, I fight for my people, they give me strength and that's why you lost. Only fighting for yourself hurts you in the end," he stated. As Tozoku glared heavily at him. Refusing to believe that was the reason for his defeat.
Before too long, the light left the bandit's eyes, signaling his passing from the world. Naruto looked at the body with pity and said a quick prayer. Before turning to meet back up with his squad. He'd avenged the losses this day, but he knew it would only get harder from here.
Chapter end.