The next morning, Naruto lay sprawled on his futon, snoring lightly, the exhaustion of the past few days finally catching up to him. His dreams were hazy and indistinct—flashes of fire, screams, and the overwhelming presence of Roshi's tailed beast chakra haunted his subconscious. Suddenly, a sharp knock on his window snapped him awake. He groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes, only to see the shadowy figure of an ANBU operative wearing a hawk mask perched just outside."Chunin Uzumaki, Lady Tsunade requires your presence immediately," the ANBU said curtly.Naruto nodded, still shaking off sleep, and quickly dressed in his usual orange and black attire. Before he could even lace up his sandals, the ANBU reached out, gripping his shoulder. In a flash of Shunshin, they vanished and reappeared at the doors of the Hokage's office.--As Naruto stepped inside, the atmosphere in the room was heavy. Lady Tsunade sat at her desk, flanked by Danzo and Shikaku Nara, their expressions grim. An ANBU operative with a dragon mask stood silently to the side, their presence imposing. Naruto immediately straightened, snapping into a salute."Report, Chunin Uzumaki," Tsunade barked, her tone sharp and commanding."Yes, ma'am!" Naruto replied crisply. He launched into a detailed account of his mission, starting with the events in the Land of Waterfall. He described the outpost battle, Roshi and the overwhelming Iwa forces, Kusa's collaboration with Iwa, and the Sound shinobi he and his squad encountered on their way back to the Leaf. He spared no detail, his voice steady as he painted a clear picture of the threats surrounding Konoha.When he finished, there was a brief silence. Tsunade's fingers were steepled, her amber eyes unreadable. Danzo, however, broke the tension with a sneer."And yet you abandoned the battlefield," Danzo said coldly. "Your squad survived, but at what cost? Do you have any idea how much ground Iwa has gained because of your retreat?"Naruto's fists clenched tightly, but he forced himself to stay silent, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to argue, to defend his actions, but he knew better than to lash out at Danzo.Tsunade glanced at Danzo, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's enough, Danzo. Uzumaki followed his orders and prioritized the safety of his squad. Given the overwhelming odds, he made the right call."Danzo gave a noncommittal grunt but didn't press further."Chunin Uzumaki," Tsunade continued, her tone softening slightly, "you did an excellent job. Your report aligns with what Inosa has already told us regarding Orochimaru's involvement. You've accomplished your mission in a unique way, and your quick thinking saved lives."Naruto nodded, feeling a small swell of pride at her praise. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade.""What's the plan to retake the outpost?"Danzo interjected harshly. "Do not concern yourself with matters beyond your rank, boy."Naruto's fists clenched again, his jaw tightening. The words stung, but he kept his mouth shut, his head slightly bowed in acknowledgment.Tsunade shot Danzo a brief glare before returning her attention to Naruto. "Take a few days off to recover, Uzumaki. Rest while you can—you'll be sent out again soon. Dismissed.""Yes, ma'am," Naruto said, saluting once more before exiting the room.--As he stepped into the bustling streets of Konoha, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden light over the village. For a moment, Naruto felt the tension in his chest ease. Despite everything, the sight of his home gave him a sense of comfort.His stomach growled, and he realized he hadn't eaten since the night before. He decided to grab breakfast before figuring out how to spend the rest of his day. As he walked through the streets, he spotted a familiar pink-haired figure in the crowd."Sakura!" Naruto called, waving to get her attention.Sakura turned, a surprised but warm smile spreading across her face. "Naruto! You're back?""Yeah," Naruto said, jogging up to her. "Just got done reporting to Lady Tsunade. What about you?""I'm heading out on a mission," Sakura replied. "Medical support for a squad on the frontlines. Nothing too dangerous, I think."Naruto grinned, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "Be careful out there, alright?"Sakura chuckled. "You too, Naruto. Don't do anything reckless."They exchanged a brief wave before parting ways, each heading in opposite directions. Naruto made his way to one of his favorite spots: the Fourth Hokage's head on the Hokage Monument.--Naruto sat down, the village stretching out before him, vibrant and alive. He gazed out at the rooftops. His eyes lingered on the Hokage's face carved into the stone. For a long moment, he just stared, his expression unreadable."So, you're my dad, huh?" Naruto said aloud, his voice quiet. "The Fourth Hokage… the guy everyone loves. You saved the village, became a hero. And me? I'm just the kid you left behind."His voice faltered for a moment, but he pressed on. "You sealed the fox in me, gave me this stupid life. Was it worth it? Did you even think about what would happen to me?"Naruto's hands clenched into fists, his nails biting into his palms. "I'm not sure how to feel about you, Dad. You were a hero, but you left me to suffer."The wind blew softly, rustling his hair. For a moment, it felt as though the world itself was listening to his words."But… I guess you didn't have a choice, did you?" Naruto murmured. His fists unclenched, his expression softening. "If you hadn't done it, the village wouldn't even be here. And neither would I."He leaned back, staring up at the sky. "I don't know if I can forgive you yet, but… I'll keep fighting. For the village. For the people you died to protect."Naruto sat there for a long time, letting his thoughts settle. The village below continued on, unaware of the quiet resolve building within him.—--Shikamaru stood stiffly in the dimly lit chamber of the ANBU headquarters. The room was cold, the faint hum of chakra seals on the walls reverberating faintly like a heartbeat. Before him, Tsunade, Danzo, Homura, Koharu, and the ANBU Commander wearing a dragon mask all gazed through a reinforced barrier, etched with thousands of intricate seals glowing faintly. Inside the cell, Yugito Nii, bruised, bloody, and furious, slammed her fists against the walls with a strength that sent vibrations through the entire chamber.Her snarls echoed in the silence as she clawed and punched, attempting to escape. Chakra flickered around her, unstable and filled with rage. The seals glowed brighter, absorbing the energy and holding her in place. The sound of her repeated attempts to break free made Shikamaru wince, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.He couldn't look directly at her for too long. Guilt gnawed at him, twisting his stomach into knots. He turned his gaze away, staring at the cold floor instead. This was war, he reminded himself. But the reality of it didn't feel any less cruel. She was here because of him. Because he had devised the plan to capture her.Danzo's voice cut through the silence, sharp and deliberate. "You did well, Shikamaru." His tone was almost approving, his dark eyes studying the young ninja with an unsettling intensity. "Your mind is an asset to this village. Root could use someone like you—focused, pragmatic, and effective."Shikamaru's head snapped up, his narrowed eyes meeting Danzo's cold, calculating gaze. He didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes. He didn't trust Danzo, nor did he want anything to do with Root.Tsunade stepped forward, placing herself between Danzo and Shikamaru, her expression firm but tinged with sadness. Her eyes softened as they landed on Shikamaru. He looked so young, standing there in his battered flak jacket, but his eyes already carried the weariness of someone far older."What's next?" Shikamaru asked, his voice low and steady, but there was an edge to it—a determination to keep moving, to keep doing something to push past the guilt weighing on him.Tsunade sighed, her golden eyes filled with an emotion Shikamaru couldn't quite place. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip strong but comforting. "Go rest, Shikamaru," she said softly. "You've done more than enough for now. This is war, and it's not over yet. But you've earned a reprieve."Shikamaru hesitated, his eyes flicking back to the sealed cell. Yugito's yells had quieted to muffled curses, but her defiance hadn't waned. He nodded slowly, swallowing hard before stepping back.As he turned to leave, Danzo's voice followed him, cold and clinical. "Remember, young Nara. Every decision in war leaves a mark. Some marks are heavier than others."Shikamaru didn't respond. He pushed open the heavy door of the chamber and stepped into the hallway, the air outside feeling no less oppressive than within. His mind raced, replaying the events that led to this moment, the weight of his actions settling heavier on his shoulders with every step.Tsunade watched him go, her brow furrowing deeply. "He's just a boy," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. "And we're asking him to shoulder the burdens of grown men."Danzo scoffed. "He is a shinobi. If he cannot endure, he is of no use to us."Tsunade shot him a glare but said nothing, her thoughts lingering on Shikamaru as the door closed behind him.—--Naruto stood in the training grounds, the faint glow of chakra emanating from his finger as he carefully etched a seal into the scroll embedded within the Blast Sword. His focus was unwavering, the scroll's intricate patterns taking shape under his skilled hands. The crisp morning air was filled with the sound of chirping birds, but Naruto's attention was wholly consumed by his work—until the Nine-Tails spoke."Naruto." The voice echoed in his mind, deep and rumbling, carrying an air of restrained power. "My sibling is in the village."Naruto froze mid-etch, his glowing fingertip hovering over the scroll. "Your sibling? You mean… one of the other tailed beasts?" he asked mentally, his brows furrowing as he tried to process the unexpected revelation.The Nine-Tails gave a disdainful snort. "Yes. It seems the Leaf has captured another one of my kind. Weak fools, all of them."Naruto stared at the scroll, his mind racing. Yugito Nii must be the Jinchūriki the Nine-Tails was referring to. His heart clenched at the thought. He hadn't seen her, but he'd heard whispers of her capture. Now, hearing the Nine-Tails acknowledge it made the situation feel heavier.After a moment, Naruto resumed etching the seal, the faint glow of chakra illuminating the grooves of the intricate design. He didn't respond immediately, letting the Nine-Tails' words settle. As his finger traced the final line, he asked quietly, "Do you want me to save your sibling?"The Nine-Tails' laughter filled his mind, dark and humorless. "Save them? Why would you, a human, do such a thing? And why would I care if one of my siblings is captured? Foolish boy."Naruto paused again, his finger hovering over the scroll as he thought. Then, without looking up, he answered mentally, his tone calm and deliberate. "Because you've saved my life more times than I can count. As far as I'm concerned, we're roommates."The Nine-Tails fell silent, an unusual stillness filling Naruto's mind. There was no biting retort, no derisive comment—just quiet contemplation. It didn't last long, though."Tch." The Nine-Tails finally broke the silence, his tone dismissive but lacking its usual venom. "No. If my sibling was weak enough to get captured, then they deserve it. Only the strong survive, Naruto. Remember that."Naruto pressed his lips into a thin line, his thoughts lingering on the Nine-Tails' words as he continued his work. Despite the fox's harshness, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if there was more beneath the surface—some hidden concern the Nine-Tails refused to show.But for now, Naruto let the subject drop, his focus returning to the seal he was crafting. He would be sent out soon, and he needed to be ready._Yagura and his Mist shinobi marched in disciplined lines down to the harbor, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending with the roar of the crashing waves. Hundreds of boats rocked gently in the docks, each ship a war machine designed to carry their forces across the sea. The night air was cold, thick with the scent of salt and steel, and the dark waters reflected the glint of weapons held by the thousands of shinobi preparing to embark.Orochimaru stood at Yagura's side, his snake-like grin unwavering as he observed the spectacle of the mobilizing Mist forces. Behind him, his experiments stood silently—fifteen bloodline holders, each enhanced by his twisted curse seals. Mei Terumi stood at their forefront, her once-vibrant demeanor dulled, her eyes shadowed by the weight of the seal on her neck. The others followed her lead, their expressions empty yet poised for destruction.Yagura's crimson eyes, sharp and unyielding, scanned the gathering forces before he spoke. His voice was calm but carried an edge of disdain. "What is it you hope to gain with these experiments of yours, Orochimaru? I have no love for bloodline holders, but your methods…" He trailed off, his lip curling slightly. "They're monstrous, even for someone like me."Orochimaru chuckled, a low and serpentine sound. "Ambition, Mizukage-sama, is a complex thing. Let's just say I seek to refine perfection in my own way." He tilted his head toward Mei and the other experiments. "These… specimens, as you call them, are merely tools to achieve something greater. And who knows? They may surprise you."Yagura's gaze lingered on Orochimaru for a moment before he turned back to his fleet. "Time to move," he commanded. His voice carried over the crowd, and the Mist shinobi began boarding the ships with swift precision.The bloodline holders, with Mei leading, followed Orochimaru onto one of the largest ships. The vessel was imposing, designed to carry both shinobi and supplies for prolonged campaigns. The air was heavy with the tension of soldiers awaiting the signal to depart.As the last of the troops boarded, Yagura stepped onto the lead ship, his staff tapping against the wooden deck. His presence was a commanding beacon among the sea of shinobi. He raised a hand, and a resounding horn echoed across the harbor. The ships began to pull away from the docks, their sails catching the wind as they set course for the Bamboo Village.For hours, the fleet sailed in eerie silence, the only sounds being the creaking of wood and the splash of waves against the hulls. Orochimaru stood near the mast of the lead ship, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement as he watched the shinobi maintaining their stoic composure.Yagura, standing at the prow, finally broke the silence. "Your games grow tiresome, Orochimaru," he said, his voice low. "If you have ambitions that interfere with my war, I'll end you before we reach the shore."Orochimaru's grin widened, raising his hands in mock surrender, his tone almost mocking. "Rest assured, Mizukage-sama, my goals align with yours… for now."Yagura didn't respond immediately. His crimson eyes scanned the horizon before speaking again, his voice cold and final. "Make sure they stay that way. Or your experiments won't see the end of this war."The ships sliced through the water in perfect formation, a fleet of 1000 war vessels cutting their way toward the Bamboo Village. From there, they would push inland, sweeping through Hot Water Country and flanking the Land of Fire in a devastating assault. The plan was sound, strategic—Yagura had ensured as much.But something was wrong.Orochimaru, standing at the edge of the flagship, his serpentine eyes alight with curiosity, gestured for his experiments to move forward. Fifteen bloodline-enhanced shinobi, all bearing the marks of his twisted seal, obeyed without question. Mei Terumi led the group, her vibrant red hair barely swaying in the gentle sea breeze. Among them were Yuki clan members, Hozuki, and others whose abilities had been warped beyond recognition by Orochimaru's meddling.Yagura, silent as ever, lifted his hand in a subtle motion. Chūkichi and Chojuro, his most trusted subordinates, snapped to attention.Ao, standing near the mast of the ship, watched them intently. His senses were razor-sharp, his Byakugan hidden behind his eyepatch, but even without it, he could feel something in the air. Something unseen, but looming.The ocean, which had been eerily silent, shifted.A tremor ran through the water.Yagura's fingers twitched toward his staff.Chūkichi turned his head sharply toward the horizon. "Something's coming."Before anyone could respond, the sea erupted.A monstrous force surged from beneath, tearing through the waves with such violent intensity that entire warships were thrown into the air like twigs in a storm. Mist shinobi screamed as several vessels capsized instantly, their crews plunging into the churning abyss.A beast had emerged from the depths.A kraken.No—something worse.Its flesh was blackened, writhing with an unnatural presence, its eyes burning with an eerie intelligence. Its tentacles, dozens upon dozens of them, split into even finer, hair-like appendages, each one seeking, grabbing, constricting.Jonin and chunin alike found themselves ensnared before they could even react. Some had the presence of mind to form hand seals— "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"—but the attacks barely slowed the creature down. The kraken's segmented limbs twisted and crushed, severing bodies and dragging the living into the dark abyss.Ao grabbed onto the splintering mast of a rapidly sinking ship, his grip tightening as saltwater stung his face. He looked up, eyes widening as another tentacle slashed through the air toward him."Move!" he barked at the shinobi nearby.Some leapt away in time. Others were not so lucky.Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes, her hands flying through seals at a rapid pace. "Lava Style: Melting Apparition Technique!"A wave of molten lava surged forward, striking the kraken's nearest appendage. The impact sent a violent hiss into the air, steam and boiling water bursting forth as the lava ate through its flesh. But even as the limb retracted, another three replaced it."This thing isn't natural," Mei spat. "It regenerates too fast."Yagura remained eerily still, watching the kraken with cold, calculating eyes."This is a summon," he finally said, voice barely above a whisper but carrying authority. "Someone sent this to greet us."Orochimaru chuckled softly, his gaze glimmering with intrigue. "Indeed. But the question is… who?"His golden eyes flicked toward the horizon.Yagura had heard enough. His patience was gone.The air around him ignited with chakra as a crimson cloak of tailed beast energy burst forth, enveloping his form in raw power. His grip tightened on his staff as the chakra pulsed outward, creating shockwaves that rocked the nearby ships."Enough games," he murmured.Then, Yagura moved.With a single step, he vanished, reappearing on the surface of the water directly before the kraken's towering form. His three-tailed chakra surged into his staff, spinning it in a blur before he brought it crashing down.The ocean detonated.A colossal shockwave tore through the water, sending tidal waves rippling outward in every direction. The kraken screeched, its body convulsing as the force slammed into it.But it did not fall.It reared back, its grotesque, otherworldly eyes locking onto Yagura.And then it attacked.Tentacles lashed out at blinding speeds, the water itself turning into a weapon as the beast moved with unnatural precision. Yagura deflected, his staff a blur, his chakra-coated body weaving through the barrage."Support the Mizukage!" Chojuro shouted, brandishing Hiramekarei as he leapt onto the water, followed closely by a squad of elite Mist shinobi.Orochimaru, still standing on the undisturbed flagship, merely smiled."Let's see how this plays out, shall we?"The battle had begun.—--The Mist shinobi moved swiftly, battle-hardened warriors trained in the brutal ways of the Bloody Mist. They were relics of an era where only the strongest survived—warriors who had honed their skills in blood-soaked battlefields. The Mist's most ruthless bloodline purists, those who had once hunted down their own kin to maintain the supremacy of their village, now stood behind the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.Yagura skidded across the surface of the ocean, his tailed beast chakra cloak flaring, a single crimson tail whipping behind him. He moved effortlessly, his club held loosely in his grip as the Kraken's four eyes locked onto him. The ocean churned violently, responding to the beast's presence. The Kraken roared, its voice a deep, guttural tremor that shook the very sea. Hundreds of tentacles split from its main limbs, lashing forward with terrifying speed. Yagura smirked."So, you know I'm the real threat. There's some intelligence in you, you dumb beast."He raised his club, spinning it once. Water swirled violently, gathering at the weapon's tip."Water Style: Reflecting Mirror of the Mizukage."A hundred water mirrors appeared instantly around Yagura, forming a perfect sphere. Each mirror reflected the incoming tentacle strikes, mirroring their movements exactly. Then—impact. A hundred tentacles collided with a hundred identical tentacles, each reflection meeting its counterpart with equal force. The Kraken's attack backfired spectacularly, the beast recoiling as its own power slammed into itself. Yagura did not move. He stood effortlessly on the water as his jutsu dismantled the attack for him.The Kraken screeched, slamming two massive tentacles down. The impact sent a towering wave surging toward the Mist fleet, ships rocking violently as their shinobi scrambled to maintain control. Several vessels capsized, the ocean swallowing unfortunate warriors whole. The Orochimaru experiment moved quickly. Hōzuki Mangetsu turned liquid, flowing through the crashing waves like water itself. Shiba Yuki raised a single hand. "Ice Release: Winter's Grasp!" A jagged wall of pure ice erupted, halting the tidal wave mid-motion, turning the water into frozen crystals suspended in the air. Kōryu Kaguya leapt into the chaos, his bone spear elongating, skewering a flailing Kraken spawn that had surfaced.Yagura and the Kraken ignored the panicking shinobi.The Kraken's mouth opened, its four eyes glowing, as a swirl of light and dark chakra began forming between its mandibles. The air shook. The ocean itself trembled."This thing can use a Tailed Beast Bomb?" Yagura realized, his face hardening.Orochimaru, watching from the flagship, let out a low chuckle. His golden eyes gleamed with intrigue."How fascinating… a summon with this level of intelligence and chakra control."Mei Terumi stood at his side, eyes narrowed."Orochimaru-sama, do you want me to intervene?"Orochimaru's smirk widened."No, Mei. Prepare to get a sample of that beast."Mei nodded once, her expression betraying nothing. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."Yagura let out a grunt of displeasure, his chakra surging. He spread his stance, gripping his club firmly. His eyes turned slitted, his pupils shifting to a more bestial form. The shell of the Three-Tails began forming, scaling over his back. His chakra cloak deepened in color, the ocean beneath him thrashing in response.Then, the Kraken unleashed its attack. The Tailed Beast Bomb fired, the air warping around it as it roared toward Yagura.The tailed beast bomb streaked through the air, warping the very atmosphere with its sheer power as it roared toward Yagura. The Mizukage, unfazed, drew deeper on his bijuu's chakra, his form encased in a more defined cloak of crimson, churning energy.The impact was instantaneous—the sea erupted.A column of water exploded into the sky, towering thousands of feet high, blotting out the moonlight. The shockwave rippled outward, sending waves crashing against the Mist fleet, capsizing smaller ships and scattering shinobi across the raging sea. The air grew dense with mist, thick and blinding—an unnatural fog that even the Kraken's four swiveling eyes could barely pierce.The Kraken screeched, its massive tentacles writhing through the murk, searching. Its four eyes darted in all directions, scanning through the haze, trying to locate its prey.And then—a shadow moved within the mist.Something large.Something spinning.A hulking form burst from the fog, its massive shell twirling at blinding speeds like a chakra-powered drill. The force of its rotation turned the ocean beneath it into a spiraling vortex. The moment the massive whirling shape collided with the Kraken's face, the beast let out a thunderous, pained roar, its entire body whiplashing backward, crashing into the ocean with a tremendous splash.As the creature reeled, the form uncoiled, its spiked shell gleaming, revealing the Three-Tails, Isobu.A guttural, otherworldly growl rumbled through the air.The Kraken, stunned but still dangerous, thrashed wildly in the water, sending tsunami-sized waves rolling toward the Mist fleet. But Yagura, now fully transformed into the Three-tails, had his piercing eyes locked onto the beast.The Three-Tails roared, and the final battle began.--Ao stood on the overturned hull of a capsized Mist vessel, balancing against the rhythmic sway of the ocean. Around him, the remaining Mist shinobi he had managed to pull from the wreckage were gathered—seven in total, drenched, wounded, but still alive. They were arguing in hushed tones, debating their next move.The battle ahead was chaos incarnate—Yagura, fully merged with the Three-Tails, clashed against the kraken in a struggle that sent massive waves rippling outward, overturning more ships. Mist shinobi screamed as they fought to stabilize what they could of the fleet. It was carnage.Then—she appeared.One moment, the air was empty. The next, a red-haired woman stood a few meters in front of them on the unstable wreckage. She hadn't walked up. She hadn't used a Body Flicker. There was nothing. No chakra signature, no shift in the air, no presence.Ao's entire body went rigid. What the hell—Her violet eyes studied them with mild amusement, her small, almost playful smile at odds with the unnatural stillness in her posture. She didn't wear a headband. No clan markings. Her hair, a deep crimson, clung to her shoulders from the ocean mist.Danger.Ao immediately formed a single seal. Byakugan!As his vision expanded, the woman's smile grew just a fraction wider.Then his stomach dropped.He saw nothing.No chakra pathways. No tenketsu points. Not even the faintest flicker of life energy.Impossible.A kunoichi—standing before him without a chakra system?"Wait—" Ao barked, snapping out of his thoughts, his instincts screaming.Too late.Three of the seven Mist shinobi charged.She tilted her head, watching them approach. Then, she moved.No wasted motion. No extra effort.Her body twisted with fluid, casual grace—she ducked beneath a punch, letting a kunai sail past her cheek without blinking. A Mist jonin lunged from behind, swinging a short sword in a perfect arc to bisect her spine.Her hand shot back without looking.Flesh pierced steel.A horrible, wet sound filled the air as she drove her fingers through his forearm, shattering the bone, before punching straight through his throat.She pulled back. The jonin collapsed without a sound, his lifeblood staining the wreckage.The remaining two hesitated.She didn't.In the blink of an eye, she crossed the distance.A knife-hand strike—too fast for them to react—cleaved through the first shinobi's shoulder, down to his ribs. A crack echoed through the air as his lungs collapsed, and he fell, screaming.With eerie efficiency, she silenced him with a sharp twist of the wrist.The last Mist shinobi, wild-eyed, scrambled back. He reached for a kunai—his fingers fumbled. Fear. He threw it anyway.A perfect shot, straight for her chest.She watched it come.Then, with two fingers, she caught the kunai mid-air, spun it in her grip——and flicked it back.A blur of silver.It punched through his skull.Silence.Ao's breath came sharp and fast. He hadn't even seen her move.The woman turned her violet eyes to him.Her smile never wavered.Ao's heart pounded in his chest, his Byakugan veins bulging as he focused every ounce of his perception on the red-haired woman before him. There was nothing—no chakra signature, no disturbance in the natural energy around her. She existed, yet she didn't.She turned those piercing violet eyes onto him, her small smile unwavering."You saw that, didn't you?" Her voice was almost teasing, her hands still wet with the blood of the fallen Mist shinobi. "You're one of the few in this little army that might actually be able to see me move. Maybe even react to it, if you were lucky."Ao's hands trembled slightly, but he gripped his kunai tighter. The survivors around him were frozen, their faces pale, their bodies screaming at them to run, yet they knew—they wouldn't get far.He quickly assessed the situation. There were only four of them left, and she had taken down three of his men in under five seconds. The wounds weren't just fatal—they were precise. Efficient. Effortless.This woman… she was on another level entirely.The Mist shinobi beside him, a younger jonin named Haruto, suddenly snapped into action. His hands blurred through a series of signs."Water Style: Grand Geyser Jutsu!"A surge of ocean water erupted beneath the woman's feet, twisting into a vortex meant to trap and crush her. Ao's sharp eyes caught the subtle shift in her posture, a slight flex of her fingers—she was already moving before the attack even connected.And then she was gone.A blur—no, not even a blur. It was as if she simply ceased to exist in that space.Haruto's eyes widened in shock as the water prison slammed shut on nothing. Before he could react, the red-haired woman was behind him, her small, delicate fingers pressing gently against the back of his head."Too slow."A sickening crack echoed through the night air.Haruto's body went rigid, then limp. She withdrew her hand, letting him collapse unceremoniously into the rising ocean. The remaining Mist shinobi stumbled backward, panic setting in."Who… what are you?" Ao demanded, forcing himself to remain still, calculating, even as his instincts screamed at him to flee.The woman tilted her head slightly, considering him. "Ah, introductions? That's rare. Most men don't bother asking before they die."Ao's grip on his kunai tightened.She sighed, as if indulging a child. "But since you have such an interesting eye… you can call me Mikaboshi."The name sent a chill down Ao's spine. He had never heard it before, yet something about it felt ancient. Heavy.The ocean swelled behind her, the battle between the Kraken and the Three-Tails raging on in the distance, but in this moment, Ao knew—this woman was the real threat.Three-Tails Yagura spun once more, shredding through the kraken's right side. The monstrous beast roared in pain, its bellowing cry echoing across the ocean, but this time, there was a strain—a weakness in its voice. The ocean churned with its blood, dark patches of viscous fluid spreading outward as it struggled against its wounds.Yagura, in his transformed state, barely regarded it. Chakra surged within him, and the core of destructive energy in his maw began to condense—a Tailed Beast Bomb forming, pulsing with annihilation.The Kraken's four massive eyes widened in something resembling fear. It let out a deep, guttural whine before—poof!—vanishing in a thick cloud of summoning smoke, retreating back to its realm.The moment the beast disappeared, Yagura allowed his transformation to recede, the shell and tails of the Three-Tails dissolving into mist. His bare feet touched the water, his stance unfaltering as he walked across the now-still ocean, heading back to the devastated fleet.He leapt onto the flagship, landing beside Orochimaru, who stood watching the aftermath of the battle with his usual amusement. The serpent-like man tilted his head, golden slitted eyes scanning the wreckage."Leave any ships or supplies that would be too risky to salvage," Yagura ordered, his voice flat, uncaring. "The strong survive. The weak were never meant to reach the Land of Fire."A few Mist shinobi immediately moved to obey, checking which vessels could still be used. Others, those who had been cast into the sea when the kraken attacked, were left to struggle in the water. Some crawled onto broken wood, begging for assistance, only to be ignored.Amidst the chaos, Ao stumbled onto the flagship.He was barely standing—his robes were torn, his left sleeve missing, his bloodied chest exposed. His usual confidence had been shattered. And worst of all—his Byakugan eye was gone. Blood dripped from the gaping, hollow socket where it had once been, his trembling fingers barely able to cover the wound.Yet his pain wasn't just physical.He was terrified.Something had shaken him to his core."Mizukage-sama!" Ao rasped, his voice hoarse from exhaustion and fear.Yagura turned to him with indifference, his sharp coral-colored eyes scanning Ao as if he were nothing more than a minor inconvenience."Ao, why are you a mess?"The question was so casual, so dismissive, that for a moment Ao couldn't process it. Then, his breath hitched, and he bowed his head, clutching at his empty eye socket with a shaking hand.Blood dripped through his fingers."A strange woman… stronger than anyone I've ever encountered attacked a few survivors and me." His voice quivered. "She killed them all and… and she took my Byakugan eye."Silence.Yagura barely reacted, his gaze still impassive as if he hadn't heard the words correctly—or perhaps, as if they simply didn't matter.After a moment, he sighed."Get this weak scum out of my face," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.Ao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mizukage-sama—!"Mist shinobi grabbed him.Ao struggled, his bloodied hands gripping at the deck as they dragged him away, his body writhing in desperation. His pleas fell on deaf ears.Orochimaru chuckled under his breath, watching with amusement as the once-proud warrior was hauled off like discarded trash.Yagura ignored it, already moving on.He turned to one of his officers. "How many ships remain operational?"A Mist Jōnin quickly stepped forward, bowing his head. "Three hundred ships remain functional, Mizukage-sama."Yagura nodded once. "Then we proceed to the Land of Fire."With that, he turned away from the ruined battlefield, from the broken shinobi, from the sea soaked in blood.
The Mist sailed toward war.