Chapter IV
No Clue, No Hope
Shortly after the terrible news broke in the Hokage's office, Konohagakure rallied together. Since Kakashi and Shikaku had already rubbed shoulders with them, they joined forces with the village's shinobis while Shikamaru remained under the sharp protection of the Anbu. The orders were simple: end the threat, ensure no one else was abducted, and capture one of the enemies alive. Given the gravity of the situation, the fact that nobody had detected their presence and that they seemed to possess unique and unknown techniques, ninjas of all different ranks were mobilized throughout Konoha. Very quickly, from the forest to the alley or the river, no place escaped rounds and surveillance. To facilitate and ensure success, groups of at least three were required. Despite the simplicity of the instructions to be in a team, the Copy Ninja was the only one to ignore this order and focused on his objective by hastening his step even more; his absolute mission was to capture his target—his target being any enemy that crossed his path.
It was the only chance to find and rescue Naruto.
Some units were responsible for listing other ninjas and even villagers. The Hokage preferred to be cautious. It was only at dawn that the search stopped and the information was shared.
Overnight, they had identified that one of Team Eight was also their objective: Inuzuka Kiba. Besides, the news had not yet reached all the combatants, including the wild-eyed boy who was unaware of the seriousness of the danger lurking and waiting for the best moment to pounce. He was alone with Akamaru when they were attacked and both had been scratched just like Naruto: with needles. Luckily, a team had arrived on the scene just before the teenager fell unconscious shortly after his faithful canine companion. At first sight, the enemy—seeing the reinforcements showing up—had preferred to disappear, and this, without losing a single second; this action had allowed her to slip through the fingers of the ninjas of the hidden leaf village easily without leaving any trace behind.
Immediately, the teenager and Akamaru were brought to the hospital and placed under close surveillance. Tsunade had taken care of him herself. After observing the injury, it seemed that even the duo's keen smell hadn't sensed the intruder surging through their blind spot and that the strike was so fast that avoiding it was difficult, if not impossible. Also, unlike the other two attacks, the kunoichi worked alone. The logical answer would be that the target was already isolated during the offensive and that the need for a diversion was not necessary. However, this theory did not explain why Kakashi had faced one of the decoys while he was that far away from Naruto…
After a blood analysis and some tests in her two subjects, the presence of a fast-acting liquid drug in the hemoglobin circuit was detected. It only needed a few seconds for the said drug to take effect before rendering the victim completely incapable of reacting or defending themselves, followed closely by unconsciousness. Even the legendary medical expert she was hadn't seen anything like it since the last Great War. Having to protect citizens and ninjas—not to mention the situation itself—made the whole thing much more of a concern.
In addition to Kiba, a team was able to save a villager … however, in the end, a civilian was missing; her disappearance had been shared shortly after the alarm by her father. Godaime was right since it was not only the combatants who could be attacked, but also innocent inhabitants. Aside from all being relatively young, their profile was very different from each other. The darkest news was the resounding failure of the capture mission.
Three corpses, those responsible for isolating the targets.
Five untraceable enemies, all mysteriously missing.
The results: one injured, two survivors and two missing.
The last time I felt so pathetic, even lamentable, was three years ago; I remember that rainy day when I arrived too late to rescue Sasuke and powerless, I contemplated the extent of my mistake. Just like this day that sometimes haunts my nights, it is raining cats and dogs today too. Contrary to this moment, almost a week has already passed in which I spent in inaction; a feeling that time has since stood still. The hardest part had been sharing the news with Sakura who had just lost yet another of her teammates; unsurprisingly, she had collapsed with grief at Godaime's office. As for me, I left in silence without looking back. It would have been futile to present a probably bogus and unnecessary apology. Even though it wasn't entirely my fault, I couldn't help but think so. Since that night, my mind has been tormented. I see myself once again when I had lost Obito, then Rin.
Unfortunately, despite the investigations and the resources allocated, we have not found any clues that could lead us on any track. Wherever the attacks happened, nothing. Nothing at all. Even the autopsies did not bring anything on this point… Nonetheless, they discovered that the three subjects had committed suicide in a similar way and that these were under the influence of a particularly powerful genjutsu, demonstrating that they acted against their will. We still do not know where they come from, but such measures are worrying… Not to mention that we hardly have any idea of the reason for these kidnappings and above all, the link between the potential victims. Nobody seems to have the answer and myself, I have absolutely no clue. The whole thing is far too mysterious, same with the strange abilities and techniques demonstrated by the intruders.
Since then, the village has remained on high alert. Lady Tsunade believes they might launch another assault to complete their mission … but deep down I doubt they'll return, at least not while we're on our guard.
As I have and was too used to, my last days are summed up in getting lost in my thoughts in front of The Memorial Stone; for hours, despite the temperate weather. I'm dying to make myself helpful, even if it means exploring the entire Land of Fire on foot and digging into every nook and cranny, even the least known. But without any information, it's an impossible task, not to mention that Naruto may be outside the borders. That would be wasting my energy and effort for nothing. To be honest, I don't remember when I ate for the last time; hunger is as absent as the most unpredictable ninja in the village that made Konohagakure so alive.
My thoughts are interrupted by someone behind me who has just arrived. I keep looking in front of me, for lack of desire to glance at him. Nevertheless, I recognize him.
"What is it, Yamato?"
A silence.
"Godaime asks to see you."
A long time ago, I learned not to hope for anything. However, I turn my head and wait to hear what he has to say—rather, why Lady Tsunade requires my presence.
"We just got news about the case."
At his words, I almost flinch. I find it hard to think that we discovered something with roughly nothing. Deep down I want to believe that's a lead, but I'm not dumb, that's not what I expect. However, I cling to the hope that this new information leads us somewhere and brings us closer to Naruto.
In front of the Hokage's door, Yamato greets me with a nod, but does not come with me—instead, he leaves; it seems that he is expected elsewhere. Regardless, I'm not trying to find out more. I take a deep breath before entering. I am prepared for the best of the worst, and the pessimist has won me over lately.
I see Lady Tsunade and her trusty assistant inside turning their heads in my presence.
"Do you have anything new?" I inquire with a tremor in my voice as I get a bit closer.
She nods positively before speaking:
"Absolutely. We had sent a missive to Suna asking for help or if they knew something… Let's just say we weren't expecting that."
"What do you mean?" I ask, frowning curiously.
"We're not the only victims," she curtly answers. "Two months ago, Suna was attacked by the same group. Same headbands, same descriptions and same operating modules … but above all, five different targets."
My heart skips a beat. What does that mean? I could understand that initially they were after Naruto, but with Shikamaru and Kiba without forgetting the two civilians, and now Suna… I'm even more lost than I was; Needless to say, I'm far from the only one to think so. Nonetheless, a question must be asked:
"Was the Kazekage one of the targets?"
She nods negatively.
"No. However, Kazekage's brother was," Lady Tsunade clarifies. "In all, four ninjas were targeted. Unlike us, Kankuro is the sole survivor."
"Why didn't they tell us anything?"
She sighs heavily before sinking back into her chair. That's when I notice the fatigue in her face and the dark circles under her eyes. After all, I haven't seen her in five days and presumably she's taken little or no time off since this case. I can understand it since Konohagakure finds itself weakened with the loss of its Jinchūriki. One thing is certain, this detail must be kept secret toward the other hidden villages.
"It can be perceived as a weakness and could incite enemies to launch an assault," she finally says after a brief silence. "It is only because we have experienced the same thing that they have decided to inform us in order to possibly help each other. We know from them that two small countries were also victims and it is now believed that these are not the only ones and that these kidnappings started much longer ago… But that is not the most worrying…"
Lady Tsunade rises from her chair and walks over to the window and gazes out. The atmosphere becomes heavy, almost unbearable. I also notice Shizune avoiding my ebony eye and holding her head down.
"Apparently," she continues in a much darker tone. "Suna would have found the five missing from the Land of Birds on their territory… And all five were in a pit in an advanced stage of decomposition. Despite post-mortem examinations, they discovered nothing except that in all five their hearts were absent."
I can't help but clench my fists at her words. At this, anxiety seizes me, invades me and possesses me… I was far from suspecting the nature of the information or the situation more serious than initially. My biggest fears seem closer to reality… Yet, if what Sunagakure said is true, if we don't find their trace as soon as possible, Naruto could well be…
Maybe he already is…
Somewhere, alone…
Dead, his body thrown away like trash…
Without realizing it, I emancipate myself from my sense of sight or hearing; the images are nothing but abstract and dancing mirages while the sounds are chaotic noises as if my head were underwater. I feel my whole world crumble a second time and, impotent, I watch it in the distance, imprisoned in a steel cage. I had promised myself that nothing would ever happen to my comrades again, especially my students who knew how to help me find this light in the blackest of shadows. At least, with the darkest of the three, I consoled myself that he was alive and that it was still possible to rescue him—rather, I trusted the hotheads of my team. But here … it looks like the odds are dangerously close to zero.
"Kakashi!"
When she says my name out loud, it's enough to snap out of this possessing slumber and I gaze up at her. However, I can barely control my now jerky breath.
"I'm sure Naruto is still alive and will be found eventually," Godaime reassures me, then turns to me and her dark irises meet mine. "Konoha will not forsake theirs! We will track this group to the end of the world if necessary!"
Although everything seems out of hand, her words manage to give me hope. It is true that the youngster is tough and then he is the most unpredictable ninja in the village. I have to have faith in Naruto, that's the only thing to do for now… Have faith…
"As soon as we get something new, you'll be the first to know."
"Understood!" I say, followed by a nod.
As I suspected, the pessimist is already winning over me again. I try hard to have trust in her words, but deep down I am exhausted from believing in the good after a disaster.
