Chapter Twelve: Crimson Dawn Part Two

Tetsu no Kuni - Arena

In the matter of minutes everything had changed, The battle in the arena kicked off in full force Haku tackling what was left of the arena as the genin did all they could in order to survive the ordeal. Haku was tired, the battle from before took almost everything he had. Soldier pills were his life blood at this point ducking, weaving, and slashing on borrowed time before his body enviable shut down and hopeful this hell would be over before then. Rage filled every part of her body, kiba was dead. Hinata's tenketsu exploded chakra being moulded and expelled at an intensity they never had before, she moved gracefully her cousin was at her back as they danced around weaving attacks and striking when an opportunity presented itself. The ANBU were shocked at the level of skill they had, the leader of the platoon stood back tanto in hand dropping low. No longer would they be underestimated, moulding chakra into the tenketsu in his feet he shot off like a rocket blade gleaming in the light the Hyuga boy moulded chakra in every tenketsu before releasing it in a rotation it was childsplay for him. Launching himself in the sky he flipped over the stunned visage of the boy landing in front of the Hyuga girl who was too caught off guard, Hinata was shocked at the sudden appearance of the man. Right out of her range dropping in, her tenketsu exploded for a forced kaiten but then it happened. Her tenketsu closed up overworked and strained from the activity and the ANBU swung his blade slicing her neck open.

Naruto watched on in horror, his friend. His best friend, Rage. Rage shot through every part of his body, dark crimson chakra poured from his tenketsu. He dropped his bo-staff on the ground as he fell over clawing at the ground in underimagable pain but he felt so much rage, Sandra watched on dodging the torrents of sand Gaara the target threw at her as she also maneuvered through the puppets, wind attacks, tanto slashes, and the moving shadow. It was a dance to her, until a heavy oppressive chakra fell over the entire arena. Her gaze shifted towards the blonde haired boy as clawed at the ground chakra cloak forming as he did so, her hand reached out grabbing the Uchiha boy by the throat as he attempted another attack and with a violent jerk she threw him into the ground. Naruto shot towards the ANBU claws extended outwards and with a single swing his head fell lifelessly to the ground, Neji watched as Naruto jumped over him the ANBU all weaved through a set of hand seals as they called out in sync " (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu) Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" They fireballs combined into a giant storm as it raced towards the kyubi blonde, but with a load violent roar the fires redirected consuming the ANBU members. Naruto landed on all fours as he charged as he stared at the grinning form of Sandra.

With Kimko and Kira

Kimko's unwavering stance radiated intensity as she locked her gaze onto Kira, her katana gleaming with deadly precision. Kira, still perched on the railing, cracked her knuckles, her cold blue eyes calculating each movement with deadly intent. The wind stirred around them, and a tense silence settled as both combatants assessed the other's skill, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Without warning, Kimko shot forward again, moving with a speed that defied human capability. Her katana arced in a graceful yet lethal strike, aimed directly at Kira's midsection. Kira barely managed to evade, twisting her body and launching herself backward as Kimko's blade sliced through the air, leaving a trail of steel-cold intent. She felt the rush of wind from Kimko's strike brush against her face, a grim reminder of just how close it had been. "Not bad," Kira muttered, brushing off her narrow escape. She landed with a predatory smirk, hands flashing through seals in rapid succession. "But let's see how you handle this." "Suiton: Suijinchū! (Water Release: Water Encampment Wall!)" she called, slamming her hands to the ground. An enormous wall of water surged up in front of her, encasing her figure and forming a shimmering, liquid shield. Kimko didn't hesitate, darting around the wall, her blade flashing as she sliced through the water with precise, controlled movements. With each strike, she pushed Kira further back, forcing her to weave and dodge, her water shield splintering under Kimko's relentless assault.

Seeing her defensive technique crumble, Kira abandoned it, leaping backward and summoning another rush of water with a swift hand seal. "Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu! (Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!)" Three water dragons coiled and roared around her, snapping their jaws as they lunged toward Kimko from multiple angles, jaws wide open and shimmering with raw chakra. Kimko's expression didn't falter as she dodged the first dragon, twisting to parry the second's head with her katana, water spraying in a mist around her. She landed low and focused, cutting through the remaining dragon with a single, focused strike that split the watery beast in two, sending droplets cascading in every direction. The third dragon came from behind, and Kimko barely had time to react. She flipped into the air, narrowly escaping the creature's jaws, and landed gracefully, poised and ready for the next assault. But Kira wasn't finished. With a determined smirk, she planted her feet and extended her arm, summoning a swirling vortex of water that twisted around her like a cyclone. "Let's see if your blade can cut through this," she taunted, intensifying the vortex until it was a whirling barrier of water and chakra. Kimko grinned, her gaze sharpening with anticipation. She steadied her breathing, channeling chakra into her blade. Her stance shifted, her movements growing calmer, more focused. In a swift, single movement, she drew her blade back and then unleashed a powerful forward slash. "Ryūjin's Strike!"

In the sky above Tetsu no Kuni

In the confusion of the steam cloud, A dashed toward Gato, striking with lightning-speed punches. Gato defended himself with surprising agility, twisting out of reach as he sent concentrated gusts of wind toward A. One sharp gust found its mark, slicing into A's shoulder, though he shrugged it off, retaliating with a massive punch that sent Gato skidding back across the stone platform. Rasa, meanwhile, manipulated his gold dust, forming spears and raining them down on Kaito, trying to exploit any opening. Kaito's red chakra cloak expanded, his movements almost feral as he deflected each spear with brutal efficiency. With a dark smile, he slammed his hands onto the platform beneath him, sending waves of molten lava through the stone.Ōnoki shouted a warning, weaving his own hand seals. "Jinton: Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu (Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique)!" A focused cube of chakra enveloped the waves of lava, disintegrating it before it could reach the other Kage.

"You can't keep up this resistance forever," Kaito taunted, his chakra cloak now stabilizing with four demonic tails swaying behind him, each one radiating the terrifying heat of the Four-Tails. "You're all just a collection of relics clinging to power, just like your predecessors." But Minato only smiled. "We're not the only ones fighting this war." In a flash, he appeared directly in front of Kaito, Rasengan spinning in his hand. Kaito raised an arm to block, but the Rasengan tore through his cloak, sending him reeling. Before he could recover, Mei launched a torrent of acidic mist, forcing Kaito to leap back, his cloak sizzling as it resisted the corrosive attack.

Kaito's anger flared, and he unleashed a primal roar, his chakra swelling further. "You can't hope to contain the power of the Four-Tails!" In a violent surge, he shaped his chakra into the form of Son Gokū, the great ape, towering above the battlefield as molten rocks fell from its mouth. Ōnoki gritted his teeth, determination blazing in his old eyes. He flew up, positioning himself above Kaito's head. "I may be old, but I've fought monsters like you before!" Gathering his chakra, he prepared a final, massive Dust Release, his hands shaking slightly with the strain. Kaito sneered, sensing the buildup of energy, and hurled a wave of lava in Ōnoki's direction, his massive chakra-arm sweeping up to crush the Tsuchikage. But Minato, in a brilliant flash, intercepted the attack, his kunai deflecting the molten wave just in time. "Now, Ōnoki!" Minato shouted. Ōnoki released his Dust Release at point-blank range, enveloping Kaito's chakra construct. With a blinding flash, the dust chakra tore through the construct, disintegrating it momentarily and forcing Kaito to release his cloak, staggering from the impact.

As the dust settled, the Kage regrouped, their breaths heavy but their resolve firm. But Kaito's laughter echoed through the clearing. His chakra surged again, though weaker, and he locked eyes with Ōnoki, dark fury flickering in his gaze. "You may have disrupted my plans here," he growled, "but know this: the world of shinobi will burn, and you've only delayed the inevitable." In a sudden, brutal twist, Kaito appeared directly before Ōnoki. The elder Tsuchikage tried to defend, but Kaito drove a blade of molten chakra through his chest. Ōnoki gasped, eyes wide, as Kaito leaned in close. "Your time is over, old man." With a final, choked breath, Ōnoki's form slackened, and Kaito let him fall. The remaining Kage could only watch in horror as their comrade fell from the sky, vanishing into the clouds below. Before they could retaliate, Kaito and Gato vanished into thin air, leaving only the haunting echo of Kaito's laughter lingering in the silence, Minato, A, Mei, and Rasa stared at the spot where Ōnoki had fallen, They turned their eyes toward the horizon, where Konoha lay, clouds of smoke reaching sky in the sky. Minato clenched his fist as he looked towards the stunned form A, this wasn't how it was supposed to happen. None of it.

Hi no Kuni - Forest Battlefield - Tsunade vs. The Iron Titan

With a powerful leap, she launched herself after him, breaking through the forest in a blur of speed. Her heightened senses picked up faint vibrations in the earth ahead—Jiro's steel-plated footsteps, faint but distinct. With every leap, she shattered branches and tore through leaves, pushing her body to its limit. Jiro's form finally emerged through the trees, and she saw that he'd fortified himself once more, creating a shimmering metallic shell around his body. He was waiting for her, arms crossed, his stance unyielding. He raised an arm, his fingers flexing as he infused them with chakra. "Do you think you can keep up with the Iron Titan?" he challenged, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes as Tsunade stopped just a few feet away. "You're relentless. But so am I." Tsunade's voice was steely. "I can keep going as long as you're standing, Jiro. No one leaves this forest until one of us is down." With a roar, they both surged forward, Tsunade aiming a powerful left hook while Jiro threw up a wall of steel to block it. Her punch tore through the wall, the force cracking the steel as she pushed forward, relentless. Jiro countered with a heavy sweep of his arm, his steel-coated fingers aiming for her ribs. She ducked, rolling to the side just as his attack grazed her, leaving a faint bruise on her side.

Jiro scowled, shifting his strategy. "Steel Release: Iron Fist of the Mountain!" He drew upon the iron-rich earth beneath them, forming a massive iron fist that erupted from the ground, aiming to crush Tsunade from below. Tsunade leaped into the air to avoid the massive hand, twisting midair to charge straight down towards him. Her fist glowed with intense chakra, focusing on the tip of her knuckles, and she brought it down in a ferocious strike. "Heavenly Spear Smash!" The ground split under her impact, creating a massive crater that sent Jiro skidding back, his iron defenses shattering upon the immense force. He winced, feeling the bruises spreading across his skin despite his iron transformation. But his resolve didn't falter. As he steadied himself, a new surge of chakra enveloped him. His entire body took on a dark, metallic sheen as he activated his trump card, coating his entire form in steel denser than anything he'd summoned before. "Full Steel Armor," he announced, his voice echoing with the metallic resonance of his hardened skin. "Let's see if you can break through this, Tsunade." She grinned, the thrill of battle evident in her expression. "If you want to test your defenses against my strength, then don't be surprised when they shatter, Jiro." The two met again with an explosion of power, each blow resonating like a thunderclap through the forest. Tsunade's fists dented the steel armor, leaving imprints that Jiro quickly repaired, his chakra weaving more iron over the cracks. They exchanged blows at breakneck speed, each hit causing shockwaves that echoed through the trees. The earth trembled, trees uprooted, and debris scattered in all directions as they clashed. Jiro threw another punch, but this time Tsunade caught it, her fingers wrapping around his metal fist. She braced her feet against the ground and pulled with all her might, lifting his entire armored form and slamming him into the earth. The impact sent a massive tremor through the ground, leaving a crater beneath him as dust and fragments of steel exploded in all directions.

Before he could recover, she advanced, summoning chakra into her foot and stomping down on his chest. The ground buckled beneath the force, his armor cracking under the pressure. Jiro let out a grunt of pain but clenched his jaw, refusing to yield. "Steel Release: Rising Fortress!" he bellowed, forcing his chakra into the ground beneath him. A massive wall of steel erupted from below, throwing Tsunade back as he rose to his feet, encased in a tower of iron. From his high vantage point, he looked down at her with a fierce resolve. "I told you, Tsunade. I am the Iron Titan. I can rise again and again." Unfazed, Tsunade clenched her fists, her voice steady. "Then I'll just keep breaking you down until you can't rise anymore." With that, she surged forward, unleashing a barrage of chakra-infused strikes that tore through his fortress, her hands becoming blurs of raw power and speed. She shattered the towering structure piece by piece, climbing up as she went. With a final leap, she reached Jiro, her fist connecting squarely with his face. The blow sent him hurtling back, crashing through tree trunks before he skidded to a stop. Blood trickled down his mouth, his breaths heavy and labored, his armor dented and battered. Yet, even as he staggered, he raised himself up, determination gleaming in his eyes. But he knew his limits. As much as he despised the thought of retreat, his body screamed for reprieve. His chakra reserves were running low, and the Iron Titan needed to survive to protect Iwagakure another day. "Consider yourself lucky, Tsunade," he called, his voice echoing with reluctant respect. "Today, you've bested me, but mark my words—we will meet again." With a last, intense stare, he melded into the earth, retreating through his own Stone Release techniques. Tsunade watched him disappear, her breathing heavy, but her stance unwavering. As the forest stilled around her, she finally relaxed, dusting herself off and glancing at the battered battlefield they'd left behind. "Next time, Jiro," she muttered.

Hi no Kuni - Forest Battlefield - With Orochimaru and Jiraiya

Jiraiya, meanwhile, charged through Kisame's water techniques, each one narrowly dodged or countered with a quick defense. Finally, he called out, "It's time for a little backup." He pressed his hand together in a quick series of seals, summoning the elder toads, Fukasaku and Shima, who perched on his shoulders with an air of authority. "Oh, great, more talking frogs," Kisame sneered, his grip tightening on Samehada. "Doesn't matter how many of you there are; I'll cut you all down." Jiraiya's expression hardened as he entered Sage Mode, his body taking on the sage-like markings as his chakra skyrocketed. "This ends now, Kisame. Prepare yourself." He launched forward with unprecedented speed, his punch landing squarely on Kisame's chest, sending the shark-man skidding back with a grunt. Above them, Deidara's owl swooped down, evading Orochimaru's strikes as he bombarded the ground with a mix of clay birds and centipedes. Orochimaru deftly dodged, slithering through the attacks until he was directly below Deidara's owl. With a wicked grin, he slammed his hands to the ground, summoning a massive, multi-headed serpent that lunged up at Deidara, snapping its jaws at the owl. Deidara veered his mount aside just in time, but the serpent's tail lashed out, striking him off balance. He regained his stance with a muttered curse, firing another series of clay spiders at Orochimaru.

"Persistent, aren't we?" Orochimaru hissed, weaving between explosions as the serpents crashed into the forest floor, uprooting trees in a chaotic barrage. Back on the ground, Jiraiya and Kisame continued to trade blows. Kisame lunged with Samehada, slicing through the air as Jiraiya blocked, retaliating with Sage-enhanced strikes that cracked the ground beneath them. Jiraiya jumped back, weaving through seals before calling out, "Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!" The ground below Kisame softened and collapsed into a swamp-like pit, dragging him down. Kisame struggled, his chakra surging as he grinned, "Water Style: Great Exploding Water Shockwave!" A massive surge of water erupted from his position, filling the swamp and lifting him up on a roiling wave. Jiraiya leaped back, watching as Kisame rode the wave with a savage smile. "Let's see if your toads can swim!" "Enough of this," Jiraiya muttered. He raised his hand, forming another Rasengan, but this time it took on a massive size as he launched forward with a single determined strike. "Giant Rasengan!" The attack slammed into Kisame's water, breaking through it as the Rasengan struck him directly, sending him hurtling into the forest with a resounding crash. Meanwhile, Deidara looked down at Orochimaru with frustration. His clay supplies were running low, and the Sannin's unending serpents were relentless. "Art... is an explosion," he muttered darkly, molding one last large clay bird with a manic glint in his eye. "This one will take you all with me." But before he could release it, Orochimaru appeared beside him in an instant, his arm wrapping around Deidara like a vice. "Let's not be hasty," he whispered, his tone chilling. With a swift strike, he slammed Deidara to the ground, pinning him beneath a flurry of snakes that bound him in place.

Kisame stumbled back to his feet, shaking off the impact of the Giant Rasengan, his expression dark as he spotted Deidara pinned. "Time to retreat," he growled, spitting blood but maintaining his defiance. "You win this round, but we'll be back." With a reluctant glance, Deidara bit his lip, muttering a curse as he wriggled free from the snakes. With one last clay bird, he scooped Kisame up, and the two vanished into the sky, disappearing into the cover of the forest. As the forest settled into silence, Jiraiya and Orochimaru remained vigilant, scanning the trees for any sign of return. Finally, Jiraiya sighed, dusting off his robes. "Well, that was a workout," he muttered, glancing over at Orochimaru. "Guess they realized they bit off more than they could chew." Orochimaru smirked, his eyes glinting. "For now, Jiraiya. But they'll be back, and so will we."

Hi no Kuni - Forest Battlefield - With Akira Senju

As the massive wooden dragon coiled around Han and Yugito, they struggled furiously, pouring chakra into their efforts to break free from Akira's relentless technique. Yugito, her Nibi-empowered flames clashing with Akira's Wood Release, managed to sever a portion of the binding tendrils and leaped back, her gaze fierce. "This guy… he's no ordinary Senju. He's controlling these techniques like they're nothing," she hissed, her eyes darting to Han, who had freed himself from the wooden tendrils by releasing a massive burst of steam. Han's steam armor hissed as he took in a sharp breath, his fists still crackling with residual lava chakra. "If he's as strong as he claims, we can't hold back." His eyes narrowed. "We're retreating to the Valley of the End. There's more room to unleash our full power there." Without another word, the two Jinchūriki made their way through the dense forest, leaping from branch to branch, Akira's wooden constructs relentlessly chasing them, breaking through trees and tearing apart the forest floor in pursuit.

"You think running will save you?" Akira's voice resonated through the trees as he gave chase, his hands weaving through seals with unhurried precision. "Mokuton: Moku Hishō (Wood Release: Flight of the Wood)!" Long, wing-like branches extended from his back, allowing him to glide smoothly through the treetops, cutting off their escape paths with more towering wooden tendrils. After a tense and relentless chase, the trees opened up into the Valley of the End. The towering statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha loomed on opposite sides of the valley, shrouded in mist and moonlight, as if witnessing the conflict below. Yugito's eyes flickered with the faintest hint of intimidation as she took in the iconic statues. "Fitting place to settle things, don't you think?" Han nodded, his fists clenched, as his chakra spiked in preparation. "We hold nothing back. Whatever it takes." As Akira descended into the valley, the wooden wings on his back disintegrated, splinters falling like dust around him. He stood across from the two Jinchūriki with a calm, composed expression, the faint glow of his chakra radiating around him like a storm held in check. "So," Akira spoke, his voice carrying over the rumble of the water below, "do you truly believe your power can match what I bring? Hashirama's gift… refined, perfected." Han's body began to emanate a red, molten aura as he tapped into his Lava Release. "Then let's see if you can keep up." He slammed his hands together, unleashing a powerful wave of molten chakra toward Akira. "Yōton: Yōkai Hakai (Lava Release: Melting Destruction)!"

Akira didn't flinch. He thrust his hands forward, bringing up another towering wall of wood. "Mokuton: Jukai Heki (Wood Release: Dense Woodland Wall)!" Massive trees rose from the ground, their bark hissing and cracking under the intense heat, but holding firm. At that moment, Yugito appeared from above, launching herself from high on the cliffs with her hands ablaze in blue flames. "Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku (Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame)!" She launched a wave of intense fire from above, intending to overwhelm Akira with a combined assault. But Akira was unfazed. He clapped his hands together with a determined gaze. "Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Formation Wall)!" A swirling barrier of water rose above him, extinguishing Yugito's flames in a violent burst of steam, which quickly blanketed the valley, creating a dense fog around the combatants. Through the fog, Akira's figure became visible once more, standing unscathed amid the swirling mist. His voice cut through the haze, calm and unyielding. "I admire your efforts, but such basic tactics won't avail you against the Senju."

A flicker of frustration crossed Yugito's face. "Enough games, then." Her eyes sharpened as blue chakra enveloped her entire body. In a sudden explosion of energy, she unleashed her Tailed Beast Cloak, transforming into the fearsome, feline form of the Two-Tails. Her beastly growl reverberated through the valley, while Han also assumed his Tailed Beast Cloak, his skin darkening with molten chakra as the power of the Five-Tails flowed into him. "So, you call upon your inner demons," Akira murmured, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Very well." He formed seals with both hands, his chakra condensing as he summoned the depths of his own power. "Mokuton: Hotei no Jutsu (Wood Release: Laughing Buddha Technique)!" Massive wooden hands erupted from the ground, surrounding the two Jinchūriki as they loomed ominously, like the hands of a colossal deity intent on restraining them. The hands surged forward, attempting to pin down the transformed Yugito and Han. Han unleashed a torrent of steam and lava to fight back, the intense heat scalding through one of the wooden hands, while Yugito's blazing chakra claws shredded another apart. But for each hand they destroyed, another emerged, grasping, restraining, refusing to relent. With a fierce battle cry, Han released a violent shockwave, shattering the wooden arms around him. "Yōton: Yokai Hōkai (Lava Release: Steam Collapsing Burst)!" The ground trembled as steam and lava surged outward in a devastating blast, obliterating everything within a hundred-foot radius.

As the smoke and debris cleared, Akira's form stood resolute, unharmed by the blast, standing atop the outstretched palm of one of the wooden hands. His calm demeanor remained, as if the destructive display was no more than a breeze. Akira's gaze fell upon the raging forms of the Jinchūriki. He let out a breath, raising his hand. "I've seen enough." His chakra flared, taking on a dark, ominous quality as he activated a final technique. "Mokuton: Mokujin no Jutsu (Wood Release: Wood Human Technique)!" A towering wooden figure began to rise, rivaling the size of the Two-Tails, its face a mask of calm judgment and resolve. The wooden giant's arms lifted, preparing to strike. Yugito snarled, her beast-like growl filling the valley. She charged forward, her claws igniting with blazing blue chakra as she launched herself at the wooden colossus. "Don't think some wooden doll can stop us!" But Akira's Mokujin struck out with surprising speed, intercepting her charge and grabbing her mid-air, its wooden fingers closing tightly around her form. She struggled, her chakra surging in a blinding blaze, but the grip was unyielding.

Han's voice was a deep roar as he channeled his beast's chakra into his fist, launching himself at Akira with the full force of his lava-infused punch. "This ends now!" The Mokujin turned, intercepting Han's punch with its other hand. The impact sent a shockwave through the valley, dust and debris spiraling in all directions as Han's lava burned into the wooden hand. But Akira's chakra proved overpowering, his grip unyielding. "Your strength, though impressive, lacks purpose," he said, his voice echoing through the Mokujin's form. "This is the strength of the Senju. Balance, resolve, and the will of the forest itself." With a final surge of chakra, Akira tightened the wooden colossus's grip, subduing both Jinchūriki in a powerful hold, restraining them as their chakra flickered, weakening under the immense pressure of his technique.

As the colossal wooden figure held Han and Yugito in its unyielding grip, the Jinchūriki struggled, but their chakra reserves were waning fast. Just as the Mokujin leaned in for what seemed like the final blow, the sky suddenly darkened, and an intense, overwhelming pressure filled the valley. The wind shifted, and Akira's expression hardened as he looked up to see an unfamiliar figure descending from above, framed by the swirling clouds: a figure with orange hair with piercing purple ripple patterned eyes "It is not your time yet," His voice echoed across the valley, calm yet laced with authority, as if he was delivering judgment from on high. His outstretched hand began to glow with a terrible, concentrated force. "Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push)!" In an instant, an immense gravitational wave expanded from Pain's hand, ripping through the valley with devastating force. Trees, rocks, and debris were blasted away in every direction as the shockwave tore through everything in its path, tearing apart the Mokujin's massive arms and sending Han and Yugito hurtling backward with the force of the blast. The Valley of the End itself trembled, and the colossal statues of Hashirama and Madara stood unshaken but obscured by the dust and debris.

Akira's wooden colossus disintegrated under the force of the Almighty Push, splintering into millions of fragments that scattered like autumn leaves in a storm. As the dust settled and the echo of the technique faded, Akira stood alone, his expression still calm as he watched Pain descend to stand before him, his gaze impassive. His Rinnegan glowed as he surveyed the area, his gaze cold and unreadable. Yugito and Han staggered to their feet, their breaths ragged but grateful for the unexpected intervention. "I'm disappointed," Pain said, his voice carrying with quiet authority. "The Akatsuki has plans, and your interference does not align with them." But just as he turned his attention back to Han and Yugito, Akira's form began to waver, flickering with the unnatural consistency of chakra. The figure smirked, his expression just as composed as ever. "I see... even the Akatsuki has an interest in my affairs." With a final ripple, the image of Akira dissolved completely, leaving behind nothing more than splinters of wood drifting in the aftermath of the Almighty Push. It had been a Wood Clone all along. Pain's expression remained impassive, though a glint of intrigue flickered in his gaze. Han and Yugito looked on, still catching their breath, realization dawning that the true threat had never been there in the first place. "Consider this a warning, whoever you are," the clone's fading voice resonated across the valley. "If you wish to interfere with me, you'll need far more than your borrowed power." With that, the last remnants of the Wood Clone vanished into the air, leaving the devastated valley silent as Pain looked out over the ruins, his face unreadable, contemplating the unanticipated strength of this enigmatic Senju.

Chapter Twelve End