Precarios chapter 15
Amid the deafening chaos of clashing metal and explosions, Kuin found himself immersed in the dissonant symphony of battle. Relying on instinct, he deftly sidestepped a kunai thrust, swiftly countering by grabbing his opponent by the wrist and throwing his opponent away. An unnoticed explosion seal met its trigger, echoing in a resounding boom.
BOOM*
As the crimson aftermath rained down, Kuin faced a grim tableau: the severed head of his fallen foe. A whirlwind of emotions churned within him, accentuated as he cradled the macabre trophy, muttering, "Couldn't have been older than me by a year or two."
In these moments, existential questions plagued his mind: "Why am I here?" Thoughts of Calico, the yearning for her companionship, seeped into his consciousness. "Glad I left her with Hinata. Being here wouldn't have done the pup any favors other than an early grave."
Yet, amid the turmoil, the acrid scent of smoke lingered, the atmosphere thick with tension. Explosions painted a surreal scene, each detonation etching itself into Kuin's memory. The once tumultuous rain now fell normally, casting an eerie atmosphere that left an indelible mark on his psyche.
Standing amidst the aftermath, Kuin noticed his side's commander, now decapitated. Recognizing the peril, Kuin understood it was time to flee before the enemy could claim more lives. Clutching the severed head, he sprinted towards the woods.
"Let's hope headquarters isn't compromised," he muttered, urging his fellow Leaf ninjas to join him in the desperate race for another day.
--
In their frantic retreat towards headquarters, the palpable urgency gripped Kuin and the remaining Konoha ninjas. The scarred landscape, marred by explosions and skirmishes, bore witness to the haunting backdrop of their withdrawal. Rain continued its descent, as if attempting to cleanse the brutality that unfolded.
Navigating through the dense forest, each step carried the weight of the fallen and the uncertainty awaiting them at headquarters. Kuin's grip tightened around the decapitated head, a stark reminder of the grim reality they faced.
Silent determination propelled their escape, the rhythmic sounds of their footfalls blending with the rain-soaked leaves beneath. Unspoken thoughts and shared dread filled the air, solidifying camaraderie in the crucible of conflict.
Upon reaching headquarters, relief and apprehension mingled in the weary group. The commanding officer, a high-ranking Jonin, scrutinized the returning team with a discerning gaze. Kuin handed over the severed head, conveying the severity of the situation through unspoken language.
The commanding officer's expression darkened as he assessed the toll the mission had exacted. "Report," he ordered, his voice cutting through the tension.
Taking a deep breath, Kuin recounted the events at the borderlands.
"It was a setup, sir. Ambushed by Iwa ninjas once we reached the rendezvous point."
Kuin swallowed hard. "From then on, it was a fight to stay alive. We're lucky reinforcements arrived when they did; otherwise, I doubt we would've made it back to report this."
Kuin glanced at his remaining squad before turning to his commander's severed head. "Lucky I managed to grab Hyuga-san's head before leaving."
A heavy silence descended on the room as the gravity of the situation settled among the gathered ninjas.
The commanding officer nodded solemnly. "We anticipated Iwa might join this conflict, but the severity demands immediate action. Prepare for a briefing; we need to strategize our response."
As the Konoha ninjas dispersed to ready themselves for the impending briefing, Kuin couldn't shake the image of the severed head from his mind. The reality of war, with its brutality and unforgiving nature, had etched itself into his consciousness.
Outside the room, Kuin could hear the conversation happening inside.
"Dammit, why hasn't Suna sent reinforcements?!?! They're supposed to be our allies!!" The commander yelled. Kuin heard a door open on the other side.
"Urgent news, sir!! We have reports that Suna nin have allied with Iwa." The assistant said.
The commander held his hand to his head before slamming down on the table. "GODDAMMIT!!!!"
BANG!!!!*
BANG!!!!*
"What were they thinking!!!?!?!" Midori slammed his fist on the desk. "You're way too inexperienced to even be out here!! Are they trying to get you killed!"
Resigned, Kuin could only sigh and sink back into his seat. "With what's happened so far, probably."
Midori seethed before taking a deep breath and calming down. "Ok, we can get through this. Is Calico with you?"
"No, I left her with a friend."
"Smart, bringing a pup in a war zone is just asking to get your partner killed." Midori reached into his pocket and pulled out a whistle before blowing it.
"...are you trying to summon a spirit or something." Kuin asked confused before getting hit on the head.
"No, you dolt, I'm calling my partner."
Rubbing his head, Kuin was confused. " Wait, partner? You mean ninken right? I thought yours died."
"Huh, where did you get that idea?" Midori asked.
"Well, I never saw them, so I assumed-"
"Well, you assumed wrong. Midnight is just not the best with people. Smart sometimes a little too smart." Midori's eyes, for a brief moment, flashed with terror. "Midnight, please stop playing around. This is important."
Kuin, curious, turned around to see the dog, only to see 2 glowing eyes in what seemed to be pitch darkness. The creature had 6 arms spread out in a way to resemble a flower, two of which hands seemed to be reaching for Kuin's neck.
"Oh HELL NAW!!!!" Kuin was out of there before you could say run.
"..."
"..."
"This is why I never let you meet them." To this, Midnight broke his transformation and started laughing. Midnight was a pitch-black dog with white tufts on his neck and underside.
"You know this is why you have no friends, right?"
To that, the dog started to whine as if it was depressed.